The Sir Robert Bond Papers and The Persuasion Business are in suspended animation effective today.
There will be no new posts for the foreseeable future. That's the suspension.
Old material - in the usual animated style - is still available. You can find posts through the archives list on the right hand navigation bar (scroll down a bit) or through google searches.
The Bond Store will remain open for those who are looking for great gifts or a way to show your contrarian nature on the beach or the golf course.
The reasons are simple.
First, it is a matter of time. New projects will consume most of the time available to your humble e-scribbler over the coming months and work takes priority, right after family.
Second is a matter of how Bond Papers has always run. There's never been client business here nor has there been a discussion of issues related to a client. In the projects now starting, it will be difficult if not impossible to maintain the commentary on numerous aspects of public relations and public affairs without impinging on client affairs in one way or another. That's the more important reason behind the change.
Bond Papers is at a peak. Readership remains high with over 11,500 readers each month and over 18,000 page loads. That's where it has been since early 2007. Readers include opinion leaders across the country but the bulk are opinion leaders within Newfoundland and Labrador. They may not think of themselves in those terms, in many cases, but they are.
It's been humbling to take a look each day at the traffic. Thanks for your interest and for your feedback over the past three and a half years.
They will find other places to spend a few minutes each day. Other blogs are available, like nottawa and labradore, to fill their need for a daily dose of pithy commentary and uncomfortable truths. If they want something a little saucier and considerably better written they can try Serious Business. If they like it straight, there are none straighter or more readable than Gary Kelly.
Public Ledger is back, for those who like Craig Westcott's take on things. For the musings of another bastard, this time a townie, they can check out Craig Welsh's appropriately titled towniebastard. Both Craigs will not take offense at a little name calling. The appellation is offered with greatest respect; both have earned that regard for different reasons.
Geoff Meeker is still highly recommended for those who prefer some discussion of media issues and some cross over to a discussion of public relations and communications. Geoff may have inherited some things to get him started in his work but he has given professionalism a new definition both in his life as a journalist and as a public relations practitioner.
Other than that, there are simply too many good public relations blogs out there to recommend one or two over the rest. Just google search and you'll get hits.
There are plenty of other blogs that focus on different aspects of life. As much as people have tried to define or categorize blogs, each definition ultimately falls far short of what they are. Blogs are as varied in subject and tone and content as the people who write them. You will find a good sampling in the links to local blogs over there at the right. Blogs take work and thought - despite what some think - and blog writers are always appreciative of visitors. Drop in and check them out. You may be surprised at what you'll find.
Blogging is a powerful medium and that fact has been proven numerous times across the globe. Influencing public opinion is the stock in trade of public relations practitioners and many have ignored blogs at their peril. The dearth of locally produced blogs on public relations or the dearth of local blogs on any subject that aren't privately and personally generated should give local communications practitioners cause to reconsider what they do.
With all that said, readers render the final judgment. If Bond Papers and Persuasion Business have proven valuable, even if infuriating sometimes - or every day - then they hit the target.
The e-mail addresses still work if you need to vent or to make an inquiry. The comments sections will stay open for a short while, but the basic rules still apply: take responsibility for your words.
Whether or not the suspension turns out to be permanent remains to be seen.
In the meantime, the last words are the simplest and the most heartfelt:
Thank you.
-srbp/tpb-
