New-to-me blog alert! I just stumbled upon Bulletproof Blog and I’m savoring every word.  It’s the well-written and highly relevant product of Dallas Lawrence (and others) of DC-based Levick Strategic Communications. I don’t know much about the firm, but I hear they are a big deal and I sure dig the blog.

Anyway, this post about the death of print journalism is a great (albeit sad) one. Rather than just reminding us that the end is near, Lawrence cites numerous sources as he piles up the stats that make your smarter. Like this:

Today, newspapers are struggling to keep up with the evolving needs of a next-generation audience. According to one estimate gathered online, more than 10,000 newsroom jobs ??? that???s 40 jobs per day ??? have been cut in 2008 alone.

I love stats. Oh, and he gives kudos to the Washington Post for their use of Facebook and calls on others to follow suit, adding:

If its industry is to survive, others must take a page from the Post???s online playbook and engage the next generation whether they???re ready or not.

All that said, print journalism isn’t dead yet. While I’m thrilled that so many PR pros and journalist are learning to embrace their inner geek, I hope we don’t fail to stay engaged in the present state of media relations. Print – daily and weekly – still has a place today, particularly if you live outside of a top five media market.

Successful PR pros must have a balanced skill set and that means you’ve gotta be willing to kick it old school if need be. Tennessee markets aren’t even in the top 30, but they are still very important to our clients. Your best tweet merely complements your ability to craft a well-written op-ed – it does not replace it.

Just say’n.