National News. Local Insights.

Crisis Communications – Lessons Learned by a Nonprofit

By Brenda Thompson, Brenda Thompson Communications A nonprofit organization providing services to 32,000 children in Austin, Texas, imploded recently when it was discovered that the agency was more than $3 million in debt to the IRS, had “financial irregularities” in its audits, and had no money left to continue operating. Arrest warrants have been issued for the former executive director, accusing her of tampering with audits officials say were forged.  Since the Austin American-Statesman broke the story in April, there have been more scandalous revelations and accusations. The story isn’t over yet. But from a crisis communications perspective it is already providing... ⇢ read more

Two San Antonio Runners Launch “Street 2 Feet” for the Homeless

By Kay F. Floyd, APR The American Idol judges repeatedly tell their young contestants, “Take the song and make it your own.” That good advice can be applied to community service projects and fund raising events. Megan Cullip of San Antonio delivered breakfast tacos to the homeless on Christmas Eve in 2008,... ⇢ read more

Doing PR for a Top Chef

Posted by Melissa Libby, Melissa Libby PR I work with a lot of top chefs. But 2009 was the year I got to work with a Top Chef. My client, Kevin Gillespie of Atlanta’s Woodfire Grill, rose to fame as a finalist on  Bravo’s Top Chef: Season 6 and was voted... ⇢ read more

Don't Rule Out ETV

My media buyer partner was looking for PR ideas for their client, Excel Physical Therapy.  In our meeting the client said many of the injuries they see in the spring are from gardening. So I suggested we pitch a segment to the wildly popular Backyard Farmer, produced by the University... ⇢ read more

Don’t Rule Out ETV

My media buyer partner was looking for PR ideas for their client, Excel Physical Therapy.  In our meeting the client said many of the injuries they see in the spring are from gardening. So I suggested we pitch a segment to the wildly popular Backyard Farmer, produced by the University... ⇢ read more

Kentucky Grilled… Genius, or Flaming Failure?

Debates are heating up on the web about whether or not Yum Brands succeeded or failed with the recent Oprah-promoted grilled chicken giveaway. Do you think it sizzled (created online/offline buzz/ink, stimulated trial, attracted new users) or soured (bad execution, negative buzz)? Experts are both praising and pummeling the brand for the... ⇢ read more

Manage the rumor mill – don't let it manage you

A few months ago, a student carrying a rifle and wearing a Fred Flinstone mask at St. John’s University in Queens was subdued by another student and a security officer. The school immediately went on lockdown and text messages were sent to students’ cell phones. Apparently, the text message went... ⇢ read more

Manage the rumor mill – don’t let it manage you

A few months ago, a student carrying a rifle and wearing a Fred Flinstone mask at St. John’s University in Queens was subdued by another student and a security officer. The school immediately went on lockdown and text messages were sent to students’ cell phones. Apparently, the text message went... ⇢ read more