I was looking at Yahoo today and saw this video on the home page. I wonder what people are thinking when they dress up their pets, but then again this could also be why they bite people.

Everyone have a safe day trick or treating and celebrating this fun day.

Image: Crobike.de

Earlier today, I was people watching while on the train and saw something that I hadn’t in quite some time – a cassette player being used. I thought they were like the dinosaurs, something to be looked at in a museum. Hell, I thought they weren’t made anymore. But there it was, in use by this 35-40 year-old woman enjoying whatever was on the tape. Rewind, fast-forward or play, it didn’t matter that the technology was out dated, it held a use for the lady.

The example got me thinking of the ongoing conversation of PR being a dead or out-of-date industry. While I don’t think the industry as a whole is dead, it is going through a mid-life identity crisis. Much like the 40-something buying a Corvette, the industry is now reestablishing itself as the direct relationship manager and voice to the customer. Sure some in the industry won’t adapt and will keep doing the things that give the industry a bad name; mass pitching, including irrelevant contacts to a media list, etc.

In Spiderman, Peter Parker is told With great power comes great responsibility, in regards to his conundrum between being Spidey and being Peter Parker. The same can hold true for those of us entering the realm of social media. Unlike in the past with traditional PR, we need to be transparent and put ourselves out there. Scary, yes, but at the same time this also means that whether its a client or company, our online persona can and will be tied back to the brand we represent in a positive or negative way. Your words and interactions can help shape the conversation about the brand and  leave a positive vibe with customer X and his followers. Unlike word of mouth, our  It also means that like it or not, you are technically on 24/7 as a social agent.

In some instances it sucks, but in the here and now Internet age, you need to interact to brush fires as they happen. Plus it is a quick thing to do, for example I check my company’s Facebook fan page and Twitter towards the end of every night to make sure that there is nothing pressing that can’t wait until 9:00 and it takes two minutes max. Plus it’s worth the peace of mind knowing that you won’t come in and see a problem from the night before being circulated among your constituents.

So the question to you is simply this. Are you ready to embrace the way the industry is going or will you be like the cassette player to the woman mentioned earlier?

Image: Meredith.com

I love short weeks, especially ones where there is a hockey game leading into the Friday off-day. Only problem with this short week is that a major real-world event is now less than a month away. While this post is being auto-posted and Tweeted, I will be sitting in the bowels of the building dubbed the ugliest in the world – Boston’s Government Center filing an application for my marriage license. Hopefully the process is not as bad as the one to get a drivers’ license. Hopefully your day is as fun filled and you can find enjoyment in this week’s Five for Friday.

Nine social media Halloween costume ideas – Let’s face it Halloween is tomorrow and chances are you have a costume laid out for your night of tricks and treats. However, if you are slow to the punch or just a procrastinator, here are some great costume ideas that came way via @jessisjuicy.

The most important blog post you’ll ever read – The title sums it up. While we’d all love to hold the title of owning said post, it doesn’t reflect the post but rather the way of thinking. Thanks to the guys over at New Marketing Labs for passing this along.

Seven patty Whopper challenge – I am all for buzz-based marketing – but something that can kill you for just eating – no thanks. I love burgers as much as the next man, but seven patties is a whole lot of meat. This will go down as a Burger King and Microsoft fail.

Twitter cluelessness – Great post over on the Open Network from Guy Kawasaki. While the post is geared towards the small business owner, it can also be applied to many folks just jumping on board the Twitterwagon. Note to those on the high horse – you aren’t a guru, expert or swami – get over yourself.

Two more reasons companies need to pay attention to social media – A lot is being written and discussed on disclosure and the importance of social media. This post points out two great notions and is worth giving a read.

This week’s #followfriday is sponsored by the letter B

Here’s a Trick or Treat video to take you into the weekend.

Here is a great presentation from David Armano on bringing social media into the realm of social business. While a lot of the content is not cutting edge, and you’ve probably seen it numerous times, it offers an interesting take on what works and how business should be embracing the medium.