In the olden days, movie and music stars would hire a PR agency and release a statement to the press anytime they experienced a life-altering event. Every celebrity who got married, got pregnant or got divorced would make a huge production out of their official release. With more of these people turning to social media every day, mainstream media is losing out once again. Such is the case with pop diva Pink.

Just a few hours ago, Pink Tweeted to announce her pregnancy to the world. Instead of hiring some PR firm or having a manager release a dry statement, she chose to use her Twitter account. The singer is just as addicted to her Tweet stream as any of us are from all appearances. I love that she chose to share her important news in this manner. It shows once again how prevalent – and important – social media outlets are becoming in our society.

This brings up the question, though… what use do you think traditional Public Relations firms and people play in today’s society? Is there really still much of a need for them? Each day, we see more people, more brands and more businesses than ever turning to Facebook Fan pages, Twitter and many other dialed-in networks in order to spread their message. Many of them, like Pink herself, bring a very personal touch into what they’re doing online. They don’t simply announce tour dates or new product releases. They humanize themselves and show us we are all on the same level by sharing personal parts of their lives, much like you and I would.

What are your thoughts? Do you appreciate seeing people and companies putting themselves out there this way, or do you miss the days of dry press releases in a newspaper or magazine?

Pop Star Pink Uses Twitter To Announce Pregnancy

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Yes guys, it’s really true. Our very own Kat is off the market for good. Mike – aka Mouse in chat – asked her to marry him last Friday, just before Kat did the weekly giveaway!! She accepted, and they are planning to get married on May 16th of this year. When talk on our Ventrilo server turned to the pending nuptials after the giveaway, I had to be sneaky and record it all for posterity sake!

Even happier news… Mike and Kat are expecting a brand new baby Geek sometime in late September! I know that many of you have been asking on a regular basis how she is doing. Kat reports that all is “mostly well”. She’s awfully tired, so go easy on her in chat you guys! She has a lot of “morning” (read: ALL DAY) sickness, but that’s slowly getting under control. Otherwise, she’s doing wonderfully, and is very happy.

This now makes two marriages that I am sort of responsible for. A couple of years ago, two of our other long-time community members met and ended up getting married. BigRedPimp and TSSTechAngel are still happily hitched, and still a large part of our community of Geeks! Go me! Maybe I should open my own Cupid business or something?! What do you think?

Congratulations, Kat and Mike. All of us here in Pirillo-land wish both of you nothing but years of happiness!

Kat Got Engaged!!

I don’t get it. All newborn babies look alike to me – except for maybe a few minor things like skin color, earlobes, etc. I mean, like right when they’re born – for the most part, I just can’t tell the difference in their faces! Every one of ‘em looks the same to me. In the nursery, after they’ve had a chance to dry off and air out, maybe I can pick up a few of the more subtle features. Dunno. I’m not a daddy yet. But for the life of me, I just can’t tell the difference between a beautiful baby and an ugly one. Can somebody please enlighten me?

All Babies are Beautiful – or Ugly?