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Inman News Hack the Flack; Web site promises no PR flack Sick of PR flack? Northern California-based Gallen Associates, Inc. boasts it can wipe the PR flack from the media's plate. And sometimes, for a real estate journalist, that plate can be smeared with what looks like the greasy, stubby half-morsels at an all-you-can-eat shrimp place. The stories keep coming and coming, with many half-cooked or so diminutive they should've been tossed back. Others are simply a batter-ball that accidentally got fried up. Occasionally, the fare is good and tasty. But, either way, the friendly server usually has a dopey grin on their face, like they're passing you the best plate of shrimp you ever done eat. Sometimes, real estate journalists walk away from the feed bloated, bored and tangentially ballistic from the experience. But Gallen hopes to make things a little easier on the stomach ? as well as on the journalist's writing ? by allowing them to pick out their own shrimps? er? stories? And sources. The Web site promises "No flack. Just real estate and real sources," up-to-date industry information and contact information for quotable sources within the industry. A news flash page makes new stories available. At the site many are about Japanese markets and Asian real estate investment. An industry sources page provides links to the Web sites of various firms such as Alliance Capital, the Swig Company and Citicorp Real Estate. A backgrounder gives details on Gallen's background, founding and areas of expertise, as well as the company's views on media strategies. A links page provides off-site jumps to a host of sites, such as the National Association of Real Estate Editors, the Real Estate Conference Group and Pikenet. The list of news stories ranges from a handful per month to a few months without any. Gallen Associates was established in Miami, Florida in 1974 and relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1980. The firm has developed image programs for virtually every conceivable function in the real estate industry and, in recent years, for law firms, hotel/resorts, city governments and private political initiatives. The site also includes a poem about the industry entitled, "The essence of an Entrepreneur." |
