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We all use them — after all, buzzword has become a buzzword. But that doesn’t mean we have to like it, or continue to put up with it. Maybe we could call an end to buzzwords. Right. Now. Of course, first we have to identify them. Good thing San Diego-based Mynt Public Relations did an unscientific poll on the PR profession’s worst buzzwords. Here are just a few: cutting edge, game changer, attention mode, presser. There are many, many more.  Have a look . What’s missing?…

Got a story you think would be great for a blog? Make sure you consider not only how the blog’s readers will respond to the story, but also how it will benefit the person behind the blog. At least that’s the advice from Darren Rowse at ProBlogger . “The key is to find a way to not only deliver value to yourself and their readers – but to them [the bloggers] also,” Rowse wrote.

While most industry organizations, like the Public Relations Society of America, offer scholarships and programs for minority college students, a nonprofit in Minneapolis-St. Paul called BrandLab is gearing a new program at students in local high schools that “includes classroom curricula, internships, scholarships and even office-tour field trips,” reports The New York Times .

Does the world need another Twitter-like application with a silly name? Judge for yourself. Blellow lets people connect according to projects. So if you’re in the middle of a giant freelance assignment and need some advice, check Blellow for someone working on a similar project.

You probably know “that” guy. According to social media consultant Jimmy Gilmore, “that” guy — or gal, it could also be a gal — is a “cliché agency jerk,” who “thinks SEO is someone else’s job.” Gilmore provided 10 signs for identifying “that” guy. “So please, if you recognize any of these behaviors as something you or your colleagues do, please do your best to put a stop to it,” he wrote.

The University of Notre Dame is inviting applications for the position of communication specialist within the Sociology Department. This position will work with the principal Iinvestigator of the Science of Generosity project—a global RFP competition for scientific research on the sources, manifestations, and consequences of generosity. Read more about this job.

Marking a turnaround from last year, Omnicom Group — whose PR holdings include Fleishman-Hillard, Porter Novelli, Ketchum, and Brodeur — reported a 4.2 increase in quarterly net income, reports The Associated Press. Last year, the company saw a steep decline in profits. PRNewser   reports that revenue for Omnicom’s PR holdings was up 7.1 percent in the second quarter.

Maurice Levy, the chief executive at Paris-based Publicis, the third largest advertising group in the world,  told The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday that in the digital world, “There is nothing big left to buy.” The statement is significant, writes paidContent.org , because Publicis experienced a “three-year digital acquisition binge” that began when the company paid $1.6 billlion for the firm Digitas in 2006.

“Social media can be a selfish space, and it’s starting to reflect in the blogosphere,” Lauren Fernandez wrote for PRBreakfastClub . “Who has the best posts? [Who has] the most comments? Who’s publishing the story first? All questions that I hear people chattering about.” Does this mean there is more self-promotion than community building happening online? “Our industry is about being in the background,” she continued. “We put our brands and clients f…

If you want to make a professional New Year’s resolution, start by banning “excited,” “thrilled” and “honored” in all press releases.

The job doesn’t offer health insurance and only lasts for six months, but that hasn’t stopped hundreds—probably thousands by now—from applying. “The Sonoma County winery is on a nationwide hunt for someone to fill its ‘Really Goode Job,’” reported the Los Angeles Times . “The successful applicant will earn $10,000 a month to tweet and use other social media skills to generate buzz about its reds and whites.”

Lindy West, a film critic for Britain’s Telegraph paper, received what appeared to be a blood-soaked funnel cake in the mail. No note, no press release, just the funnel cake. After a few minutes of Internet research, she learned it was a promotion for Let Me In , the American remake of the Swedish vampire film Let the Right One In . Here’s the coverage that PR stunt inspired: “There is absolutely no reason to remake this film. Except that Americans like to make money. And did you know t…

A conversation with a well-known journalist inspired PR pro Kate Ottavio to write this blog post about what PR people do not do. The list includes, “Make six figures.” She wrote, “Yes, many journalists have come over to ‘the dark side’ as one of my college professors used to refer to it. Some for more money. But let’s be honest, this isn’t the highest paying job. I would love to know where people get that impression …  Related PRBreakfastClub And here are …

The top search engine released its Zeitgeist Report 2010 , listing the year’s most popular searches. In the U.S., iPad, ChatRoulette, and iPhone 4 were the “ fastest rising ” queries. Among people, pop star Justin Bieber led the pack . The report also names the “fastest falling” searches. Topping that list was swine flu, which confirms it: Bieber fever has replaced H1N1 as America’s most contagious malady. Related PR Junkie What were the top searches at Bing …

Bankers aren’t that popular these days. Helping create an economic downturn has that kind of effect. Apparently, though, if banks were better at social media they could begin restoring consumer trust. (Seems some people believe anything is possible, especially if it involves social media and people who say the word “engagement” a lot.) “Nearly one in three social network users value the opinions and recommendations of family and friends over industry experts, or any other source o…