Mark Cuban Shows How to Respond to News With Your Blog

If there was ever any question about the role of blogs in public relations, the answer was given Wednesday by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

Cuban used his blog to respond to Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who had accused the Mavericks owner of trying to influence NBA referees.

What is striking is not that Cuban blogged his response, but rather that ESPN.com reprinted Cuban's blog entry in its entirety alongside the original story about Jackson's comments.

Questions of content aside, Cuban's response shows how the Internet – especially more recent Web innovations like blogs and podcasting – is emerging as an effective, reliable and necessary communications tool.

Blogs are fast becoming a cost-effective PR tool to which many high-profile people and organizations are turning to reach key audiences in creative ways.

Feel free to first visit Mark Cuban's blog, then click over to see the ESPN.com story.