Social Media and PR Research Launch

In the US, PR veteran Don Bartholomew has launched a new social media and public relations measurement consultancy to help clients develop research and evaluation programs.

Dallas, Texas-based Acumentics Research offers a range of services from measurement consulting to full measurement program outsourcing.

The company uses a new model for social and traditional media measurement, replacing what Bartholomew views as the limiting 'outcomes, outtakes and outputs' model, with 'exposure, engagement, influence and action'. His consultancy also uses an approach it calls the 'PR Value Cube' to help map all the areas in which social media and public relations add value to an organization.

'With our current economic climate, we believe it will be increasingly important to demonstrate the value of public relations and social media initiatives, and in turn, their contribution toward achieving desired business or organizational objectives,' explained Bartholomew. 'Linking public relations and social media results to desired business outcomes is key in the ability to demonstrate true return on investment.'

Bartholomew has 20 years' experience in public relations and previously led the research and measurement practices at PR agencies GCI Group and MWW Group. Prior to this, he was MD at the Dallas location of Alexander Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide and MD of the Austin office at Cunningham Communication.

He is also an Adjunct Professor teaching Mass Communications Research at the University of North Texas, and is a member of the Commission on Measurement and Evaluation of the Institute for Public Relations.

'Acumentics' - which is a hybrid of acumen and analytics - is online at www.acumentics.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.