A number of years ago, we represented the Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY), which has provided patients with in-home nurses for 125 years. The services provided by VNSNY are essential, and they help many patients and their families, but to many people, the health care industry is dry and incredibly serious. So, how do we promote such an organization to the press in a way that is fun and interesting, while still highlighting the importance of the service it provides?
Finding the Story
We found our answer in Sandra Fleming, the VNSNY nurse who zipped from client to client on... ⇢ read more
By Amy Kossoff Smith, Founder/Editor of PRCG Powerlines and Founder/President of Write Ideas, Inc. and Power Hour Editing
It was time to “plug into PRCG” with business development and community service in Tempe, Arizona, for PRConsultants Group’s 15th Annual Conference. Some 42 members attended, representing 40 markets, for education, networking, and strategizing how to capitalize on public relations opportunities in 2018.
The State of the Network revealed a robust combination of ongoing development, growth potential, and an unprecedented amount of intra-group collaboration. Next, members enjoyed a hands-on “Embracing Your Creativity” workshop with Many-to-One’s Dennis Skinner. This 17-year creativity veteran outlined the barriers... ⇢ read more
By Melinda Kruyer, Kruyer & Associates
The recent losses of David Carr, New York Times, and Bob Simon, CBS News, juxtaposed to the fall of Brian Williams, NBC News, got me thinking about the reporters in my world and how much I value them as collaborators and respect them as professionals. Here is an example.
I learned about water technology when I signed on to lead the branding, marketing and public relations efforts for the new WTIC, the water technology innovation cluster covering Ohio, Kentucky and SE Indiana. The first thing that we did was to change the name to Confluence.
What is... ⇢ read more
By Natalie Ghidotti, APR
It’s no shocker that online video consumption continues increasing at a rapid pace. According to comScore’s Video Metrix, 190.3 million Americans watched online content videos last summer.
Videos are easily viewed from a variety of devices – whether that’s a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer. They’re also entertaining, while informing. Think of the number of videos you probably watch just in your Facebook feed alone. Don’t tell me you haven’t clicked on one of those Buzzfeed videos before. We all have!
So knowing that people like to watch things, it’s no surprise that using video in your media relations... ⇢ read more
By Amy Kossoff Smith, Write Ideas, Inc., and Founder/Editor PRCG Powerlines
Boots and lots of brainstorming were on the ground in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, this year for the PRConsultants Group Annual Conference. More than 40 of the network’s markets attended for professional development, networking, and of course, some great Tex-Mex food. Themed, “Not the same old bull,” there was a healthy dose of humor and Southwestern fun as we held our annual crash course in PR education together.
Here are highlights from this year’s conference:
Day One, after a team brainstorm (get ready to be wowed in 2015 by some new... ⇢ read more
By Jennifer Evans
I live and work in Houston, Texas. Houston is known for many things, but the oil & gas industry remains a driving business here. Consequently, we see indicators of economic dips due to oil prices before other U.S. markets. While I don’t want to discourage anyone unduly, we are seeing some of those signs in the U.S. and in Texas right now. Public Relations practitioners – internal as well as agency leaders – should pay attention and prepare to help clients/employers adapt. After all, part of the job is therapy, right? Here are a few handy tips... ⇢ read more
By Solveig Raftery, The Firm Public Relations and Marketing
When it comes to national media, it doesn’t always have to be about you, you, you to make a lasting impression. So long as you are part of a compelling story, the message will stick.
The Firm Public Relations and Marketing’s client, Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN), was approached by a mother, Elizabeth, and her five-year-old daughter Abby, who wanted to distribute care packages to chemotherapy and cancer patients at CCCN offices throughout the Las Vegas valley.
This delivery though, was part of a larger initiative by Elizabeth and young Abby, who was... ⇢ read more
By Kim McKeeman
CEO, McKeeman PR
I was working on our PR agency’s business plan and had to take a step back and really, honestly look at why a client works with our company. Forget the 30,000-foot vision for a minute, and get down to reality.
It sounds easy. We do this for our clients all the time. We help them define what makes them unique, compelling -- what makes a customer turn right into their parking lot instead of left into their competitor’s lot. Sure, it sounds easy.
Instead, I looked at it from the other side. Why don’t our clients work with... ⇢ read more
By Brian Chandler, Commonwealth PR
I remember this client’s crisis like it was yesterday.
We were in the middle of a meeting at their office when the CEO was immediately ushered out of the room with no explanation. A few minutes later, I was also summoned out of the room, leaving everyone confused and unsure whether to continue the meeting or call it quits.
What happened next involved me setting up shop in someone else’s office, using their computer, paper and even some supplies, to handle a crisis situation that involved a death. In respect for the family and my client, I will... ⇢ read more
by Amy Kossoff Smith
Write Ideas, Inc.
@WriteIdeasPR
This year’s PRConsultants Group Conference rallied 32 PR pros from around the country in Kansas City for professional development, networking, and some CSI (Communication Strategies and Innovation) fun. Conference Chairs Alex Greenwood, Barb Harris, and Sharon Kreher, along with a committee*, planned 2+ jam packed days of seminars, meals at local KC hot spots, and a Mystery “Who Dunnit” dinner where members took on “identities” from the roaring ‘20s to compete to find out “who killed Ed Malone.”
All in good fun, and keeping with the CSI crime theme, the conference was a killer success!
Sessions along... ⇢ read more
By Sharon Kreher, teamworks communication management
I admit it. I don’t particularly enjoy confrontations, whether it’s in my personal or business relationships. As a result, my business partner and I have worked over the years to find ways to make budget, work scope, and expectation kinds of conversations direct and upfront at the start of our client relationships, when they’re less likely to be acrimonious.
So here are five recommendations for building a solid foundation for client relationships:
1. Always have a contract
While some might interpret a business relationship without a contract as a sign of real “trust,” we think it’s a recipe... ⇢ read more
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