This morning, we'd like to congratulate our client DirectPointe on their #1 ranking on the first-ever MSPMentor 100 list, a ranking of the world's most progressive Managed Service Providers (MSPs). More than 500 MSPs had entered this ranking. Based on a number of metrics comparing fiscal 2007 to fiscal 2006, DirectPointe clearly wins.

Where does social media play into this equation? The MSPMentor 100 project is the outgrowth of a new brainchild by leading IT and channel editor Joe Panettieri. Joe has been a renown editor for 16 years for publications including Informationweek, CMP and Ziff Davis Media. However, the MSPMentor multimedia platform and its accompanying publications and programs are new.

You won't find his editorial calendar on Bacons (Yes, we subscribe. As everyone should!)

We found out about Joe's new project through a posting he made on LinkedIn in early January. SCPR became DirectPointe's PR agency of record on January 15; Joe's deadline for submission was December 28. I know Joe well enough from his prior engagements that I jumped in and begged him for a slight extension. He agreed – and based on DirectPointe's breakout performance in 2007, today we are able to announce the company's win.

What if the world's top MSP had missed this opportunity entirely? Clearly, social networking is a force today's PR professionals can no longer afford to ignore.

Cheryl Snapp Conner

Managing Partner

Snapp Conner PR has unveiled a revamped website targeted for interactivity and conversation with clients, news professionals, and others.

The website, which is built on the open-source Wordpress blogging platform, features a blog where Snapp Conner PR’s staff will write commentary about the industry, a section for both internal and client news releases, more information about their services and staff, and innovative ways for clients and news agencies to stay up to date with their new content using RSS feeds and email subscription tools.

Additionally, the changes to the website incorporate smart Search Engine Optimization techniques to help Snapp Conner PR promote its clients more-effectively using the Internet.

Finally, the website encourages feedback through Wordpress’s built-in comment system… What do you think?

We've all seen the field in our e-mail settings, but there has been some confusion as to how/why one would use the “blind carbon copy" function – BCC.

Unfortunately, there are some out there who can't help but spam their press releases. And, it's true that it is the quickest way of getting your message to reporter (though not the most effective).

Consider the fact that you have personal information on each of these reporters (their e-mail addresses). You realize how important it is to respect privacy, and not list everyone's e-mail address in the “To" field visible to all, but you want to get this e-mail out right now. This is where the “BCC" field becomes useful.

The BCC field acts much like “To," but when the e-mail is received, all addresses will not be visible to the recipients; even if they click on “reply to all," the addresses will still be kept private.

Note: We don't ever recommend spamming, but if you must send a pitch to multiple recipients, this approach is the lesser evil by far.

Don Osmond

Senior Associate