Thank you, Katie Place, for the invitation to share with your University of Maryland public relations class my thoughts about Web content strategy and my obsession with the Internet.

Among other things, we talked about the importance of ensuring your Web and new media content is truly in service to the audience you’re trying to reach, as well as the goal of your communications campaign.

Does the client just want Twitter because everyone else is doing it? Or is there a purpose? The burden is on you, the PR pro, to ask these questions of your client.

Of course, you know I can’t speak to a group of people and not work in a quick lecture on how there is no privacy on the Internet and how if you want to be known for your pr and new media expertise, you must strive to be your own guinea pig. So there was plenty of that, too.

To Katie’s students: I thank you for being so attentive, asking thoughtful questions and taking me to meet “Testudo” the Diamondback turtle who brings luck to those who rub his nose and leave him food. There were old gummy worms and soggy croutons at his feet.

Thanks to you folks, I not only fear the turtle, I completely respect him–and even left a piece of gum to prove it.