OAKLAND, CA--(Marketwire - October 3, 2008) - PR and marketing professionals who want to discover new ideas for incorporating word-of-mouth marketing into conventional PR programs will acquire practical strategies at a new audio conference from Bulldog Reporter's PR University: "Mastering Word of Mouth PR: How to Use Powerful Digital and Grassroots Tools to Drive Brand, Loyalty, Media Coverage and Sales." Attendees will come away with proven techniques for using word-of-mouth strategies ranging from brick-and-mortar and creative grassroots campaigns to innovative "word-of-mouse" efforts that leverage online social media tools and networks.

This exclusive, dial in PR University audio conference takes place on Thursday, October 16th, at 1PM EDT (noon, CDT, 11AM MDT; 10AM PDT). The panel includes some of the nation's leading media relations experts:

-- Bob Pearson, Vice President, Communities and Conversations, Dell

-- Andy Sernowitz, CEO, GasPedal; Founder, Word of Mouth Marketing Association; Author, "Word of Mouth Marketing: How Smart Companies Get People Talking;" Lecturer, Northwestern University; Publisher, "Damn, I Wish I'd Thought of That"

-- Mike Manuel, Social Media Strategist, Voce Communications

This 90-minute interactive call will give public relations professionals actionable tips and practical ideas for using digital "word-of-mouse" marketing through search engines, Web video, forums, social networks, blogs and other social media to promote messages and brands. It will also address case studies and real examples of high-impact, low-cost offline and online word-of mouth campaigns -- and how to duplicate their successes. Here are some of the practical and immediately applicable techniques attendees will cover in this audio conference:

--  Concrete examples of low-cost, high-yield WOM campaigns you can take
    to your execs to show how these techniques drive brand and the bottom line
--  WOM Influencers: Secrets of finding, targeting and building
    relationships with trusted influencers capable of driving engagement and
    conversation around your product, service or brand among key client
    communities
--  How to work with clients and consumers as brand advocates via
    referrals based marketing and other approaches
--  Measuring ROI: How to measure your WOM campaign's value and prove  it
    to management
--  Seeding, shilling, flogs, message board propping --  the common
    perils, pitfalls and WOM faux pas to avoid at all costs -- from seeding to
    shilling
--  What's Next: How to stay relevant and drive WOM online in a the era of
    Second Life, wikis and Twitter
    

Attendance at Bulldog Reporter's PR University audio conference costs $299 per telephone site. Participants in the 90-minute call will be able to pose specific questions for the panelists at several junctures during the discussion. Attendees of PR University conferences receive one credit toward PRSA accreditation maintenance. Registration also includes an up-to-the-minute conference manual and a full transcript. For more information on taking part in the event, go to our conference home page or phone toll free: 1-800-959-1059.