Denver PR Blog


Is Twitter Ultimately Doomed?
July 2, 2009, 6:59 am
Filed under: Social Media, Twitter

Scatterbox makes the case that “engagement” eventually will give way to noise and a relentless bombardment that will cause the “the hottest social media thing since the one before it” to collapse under its own weight.



Nuggets PR Director Takes Memphis Position
July 1, 2009, 7:22 am
Filed under: PR Moves

Denver Nuggets public relations director Eric Sebastian is leaving to accept a job as director of basketball operations for the University of Memphis.



Dovetail Lands Midchix.com
June 30, 2009, 9:31 am
Filed under: Dovetail, Wins

Dovetail Solutions has added Midchix.com to its client roster. Based in Denver, Midchix is a boutique social networking community for women over the age of 40.



Denver PR Jobs
June 30, 2009, 9:03 am
Filed under: Andrew Hudson, Jobs

Among those hiring this week are Volume PR, Blue Mountain Arts, Bonnier Mountain Group, CIGNA, Mercy Regional Medical Center (Durango), National Governor’s Association, University of Northern Colorado (Greeley), Brewers Association and Otterbox (Fort Collins).



CIGNA’s Wilson Elected to OSU AA BOD
June 30, 2009, 9:00 am
Filed under: Awards

Wilson_mugCongratulations to CIGNA HealthCare public relations manager Kathryn Wilson, who has been elected to the Ohio State University Alumni Association’s Board of Directors. She will start her five-year term in September.



ESPN Zone Closure to Hit Penny & Bill Hard
June 30, 2009, 8:54 am
Filed under: Bill Husted, ESPN, Penny Parker

If you run into Penny Parker or Bill Husted today, you should buy them a drink (and then give them the receipt so they can expense it). Denver’s ESPN Zone, which has provided the backdrop for some of their lamest “sightings” ever – is closing. In honor of ESPN Zone, here is a brief retrospective of Penny and Bill’s work:

And although this one isn’t technically an ESPN Zone sighting, it remains my favorite:



GBSM’s Silvers Doing Well Following Heart Surgery
June 29, 2009, 8:59 am
Filed under: GBSM, Scatterbox

Great news – GBSM’s Steven “Steve” Silvers, author of the Scatterbox blog, has returned home and is doing well following emergency double bypass surgery last week. Steve will remain out of action for three to four weeks, but doctors expect a full recovery.



Westwordies Land AAN Awards
June 29, 2009, 8:52 am
Filed under: Awards, Westword

Congratulations to Westword’s Michael Roberts, Joel Warner, Jared Jacang Maher and Kenny Be, all of whom picked up awards at the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies annual conference.



In Memoriam
June 28, 2009, 9:41 am
Filed under: Obit

Billy Mays, the television pitchman who helped launch Denver-based Orange Glo into a national brand, is dead. He was 50.



Dovetail Adds Consulting Firm to Client Roster
June 24, 2009, 7:11 pm
Filed under: Dovetail, Wins

Dovetail Solutions has landed the Denver-based business consulting firm RAS & Associates as a client.



Cactus Hosting ‘Bike to Work’ Day Party
June 23, 2009, 12:06 pm
Filed under: Cactus, Events

In spirit of Bike to Work Day, Cactus is throwing the most eco-friendly after party on the block – the 1st Annual Bike From Work Bash. Enjoy lots of freebies: snacks from Illegal Pete’s, cold spirits from Breckenridge Brewery and live tunes. Word on the street is that there will even be a a Revenge of the Nerds style trike relay and a free bike valet.

When: June 24, 2009; 5 – 8 p.m.
Where: Cactus Parking Lot (2128 15th St., Denver)
Cost: FREE



Vladimir Jones Lands Broadmoor as Client
June 23, 2009, 9:02 am
Filed under: Vladimir Jones, Wins

The Broadmoor has selected Vladimir Jones to promote its summer sale and photo contest in the Denver area.



Andrew Coltrane Hudson
June 22, 2009, 10:46 am
Filed under: Andrew Hudson

Denver PR jobs guru/bassist Andrew Hudson made the front page of Sunday’s Denver Post Entertainment section as part of an article on Denver’s best jazz spots (guest-authored by KBCO’s Bret Saunders). Those of us who were in Denver pre-Coors Field remember what a great dive El Chapultepec was before LoDo existed (it’s still a great spot – just different now).



Denver PR Jobs
June 22, 2009, 9:51 am
Filed under: Andrew Hudson, Jobs

Among those hiring this week are Kaiser Permanente, Arrow Electronics, BAE, Exempla Lutheran Medical Center, Mercy Housing, ReadyTalk and tw telecom.



Great Moments in Journalism XVI
June 19, 2009, 7:28 pm
Filed under: journalism

(Hat tip to LocalTVNews)



Fox31 Picks Up Meteorologist Nick Carter
June 19, 2009, 7:22 pm
Filed under: Fox31, Journalism Moves, KUSA, Layoffs

Meterologist Nick Carter, who was let go from 9News for salary reasons in January, has landed at Fox31.



The Perfect Marriage of Columnist and Subject
June 19, 2009, 4:42 pm
Filed under: Denver Post, Penny Parker

Who says Denver media doesn’t cover the local public relations scene? Denver Post gossip columnist business columnist Penny Parker offers an in-depth review of the bathrooms at SE2/Eric Sondermann’s new office. I smell Pulitzer!



U.S. Bank Forecloses on Bjorkman’s Home
June 19, 2009, 4:36 pm
Filed under: Denver Business Journal

Ernie Bjorkman is in the news again this week, but it isn’t a New York Times profile or a guest appearance on Oprah. He and his wife are listed in the foreclosures section of the Denver Business Journal, with U.S. Bank foreclosing on his home in Englewood that carries a $367,470 balance. I stand by my last comment on the subject:

Could someone please explain to me how former KWGN/Channel 2 anchor Ernie Bjorkman can make the rounds on national media talking about his financial struggles after losing his anchor job? Today it was the Oprah Winfey show. The guy made $250,000 a year and within five months of being out of work he has to borrow $1,000 from a friend to cover his car payment. Seriously?



Post Editor Moore: Denver is No Boston When it Comes to Brainpower
June 18, 2009, 11:06 am
Filed under: Bill Husted, Denver Post, Penny Parker

Bill Husted catches up with elusive Denver Post editor Greg Moore as part of his recurring “Bar & Grilled” column. Normally I wouldn’t be that impressed with a columnist scoring an interview with his own editor, but when was the last time you saw Greg Moore in public? Husted should enjoy this one for now, because I fully expect Penny Parker to up the ante with an exclusive with publisher Dean Singleton any time now.



Mango Media Lands New Clients
June 16, 2009, 7:17 pm
Filed under: Wins

Internet marketing and social media firm Mango Media has picked up PaySimple, Alive at 25, Similasan USA, Albeo Technologies, Hammond’s Candies and The International Center for Performance & Health and The Healthiest Executive Competition as clients.



GroundFloor Joins PRGN
June 16, 2009, 7:12 pm
Filed under: GroundFloor Media

GroundFloor Media has joined Public Relations Global Network, an international network of 40 independent public relations agencies representing six continents.



State Department Sees Twitter as Critical News Source
June 16, 2009, 7:06 pm
Filed under: Twitter

How important has Twitter become? From today’s Washington Post:

“The State Department asked social networking site Twitter to delay scheduled maintenance earlier this week in order to avoid disrupting communications among tech-savvy Iranian citizens as they took to the streets to protest Friday’s reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. …

” ‘One of the areas where people are able to get out the word is through Twitter,’ said a senior State Department official in a conversation with reporters, on condition of anonymity. ‘They announced they were going to shut down their system for maintenance and we asked them not to.’ “



Politics and Twitter
June 16, 2009, 3:56 pm
Filed under: Social Media, Twitter

I keep reading media articles that position politicians such as U.S. Rep. Jared Polis as technology-friendly leaders who use social media to connect with constituents, and I have to shake my head. Rep. Polis has 2,439 Twitter followers, and he has followed a grand total of 59 of them back. To Rep. Polis, Twitter appears to be just another bullhorn through which he can spread what he wants constituents to hear. And he isn’t alone:

The power of social media is in creating relationships – or at least engaging conversations – with people who matter to you (and to whom you matter). Of the major elected officials in Colorado, only one at least makes an effort to create the appearance he uses social media to listen to constituents:

And, surprisingly, a significant number of high-profile Colorado politicians aren’t even using Twitter yet:

  • U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet
  • U.S. Rep. Diana Degette
  • U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey
  • U.S. Rep. John Salazar
  • U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn
  • State Sen. Brandon Shaffer
  • Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper


Fogo de Chão Selects Linhart
June 16, 2009, 8:50 am
Filed under: Linhart, Wins

Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão, scheduled to open downtown in mid-July, has selected Linhart PR to handle its launch communications.



Andrew Hudson to Host ‘Reinvent Event’
June 16, 2009, 7:29 am
Filed under: Andrew Hudson, Events, Jobs

Denver jobs guru Andrew Hudson is hosting a “Reinvent Event” seminar and networking party on Wednesday, June 24. Click here for more information or to register.



MHSMC June Meeting Wednesday
June 15, 2009, 9:35 pm
Filed under: Events, Social Media

The Mile High Social Media Club’s June meeting is this Wednesday. The details are:

Mile High Social Media Club
Wednesday, June 17, from 5–8 p.m.
Wynkoop Brewing Company
1634 18th Street, Denver 80202
Click here to RSVP (the event is free)



Denver PR Jobs
June 15, 2009, 11:04 am
Filed under: Andrew Hudson, Jobs

Among those hiring this week are ColoradoBiz Magazine, JANUS, Arapahoe House, BAE Systems Information Technology, Donor Alliance and Skyworks (Irvine, Calif.).



Former Rocky Editor Joins GroundFloor
June 14, 2009, 1:04 pm
Filed under: GroundFloor Media, Journalism Moves, PR Moves

Former Rocky deputy editor Gil Rudawsky has joined GroundFloor Media as a senior public relations manager.



Denver Magazine Appoints Associate Editor
June 12, 2009, 11:23 am
Filed under: Denver Magazine, Journalism Moves, Rocky Mountain News

Former Rocky reporter Jeff Kass has been named associate editor of Denver Magazine.



Johnston Named SAGE Counselor
June 12, 2009, 9:18 am
Filed under: Johnston Wells

Congratulations to JohnstonWells’ owner and chairman Gwin Johnston for being named a SAGE Counselor by the PRSA’s Counselors Academy.



PRSA Luncheon to Examine Social Media at Southwest Airlines
June 12, 2009, 9:12 am
Filed under: Events, PRSA

Paula Berg, manager of Emerging Media for Southwest Airlines, is the featured speaker at next week’s PRSA Colorado luncheon. Berg will discuss her experience developing and managing Southwest’s corporate blog, “Nuts About Southwest.” Details are:

PRSA Colorado Luncheon
Wednesday June 17, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
The Curtis Hotel (14th & Curtis)
Click here to register



Denver Post Business Department Dwindling
June 11, 2009, 10:24 am
Filed under: Denver Post, Journalism Moves

Maybe the Denver Post’s wire-heavy, two-page business section is more out of necessity than choice. In the past two weeks, two Post business reporters have announced their departures, and neither is being replaced. First up was energy reporter Gargi Chakrabarty, who announced she was leaving to join her husband in Boston. And now word comes that business reporter Elizabeth Aguilera will be leaving to accept a fellowship at USC (the good one).



Linhart Elected to Board of CJI
June 10, 2009, 1:09 pm
Filed under: Linhart

Linhart PR’s Sharon Linhart has been elected to the Colorado Judicial Institute (CJI) Board of Directors. The CJI’s mission includes preserving and enhancing the independence and excellence of Colorado courts; furthering public understanding of the Colorado judicial system; and ensuring the courts meet the needs of the people.



Denver Agency Wins
June 10, 2009, 1:06 pm
Filed under: Metzger, Vladimir Jones, Wins
  • Metzger Associates picked up the Metropolitan Denver Affiliate of Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure as a client.
  • Vladimir Jones landed a project with the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) to handle marketing strategy, creative and media planning/buying to promote its Colorado ENERGY STAR New Homes Program.


‘Ignite Boulder 5′ Tickets Available
June 9, 2009, 10:28 am
Filed under: Events, Ignite Boulder

Tickets are now available for Ignite Boulder 5.



Two Pages, Five Articles, Zero Denver Post Bylines
June 8, 2009, 9:30 pm
Filed under: Denver Post, Penny Parker

I’ve written before about how sad it is to read the Denver Post’s two-page Business section on Mondays, but it hit a new low this morning: Two pages, five articles and zero bylines from any Denver Post business reporters. The only upside? No insipid Penny Parker column about “business” topics such as Carmelo Anthony’s girlfriend being harassed at basketball games.

Here again is the link if you would like to also subscribe to the Denver Business Journal.



Denver PR Jobs
June 8, 2009, 10:20 am
Filed under: Andrew Hudson, Jobs

Among those hiring this week are Xcel, Dish Network, Echostar, DWG & Associates, CSU Housing and Dining Services and Great Plains Communications (in scenic Blair, Neb.).



Linhart Reschedules June ‘Inside Scoop’ Event
June 8, 2009, 6:06 am
Filed under: Events, Linhart

Linhart PR’s June “Inside Scoop” event has been rescheduled for Tuesday, June 16. Inside Scoop is a monthly information session for those looking for jobs at the agency or careers in the public relations field, and anyone interested in attending should RSVP to info@linhartpr.com.



MGA, Cattlemen’s Association Win Silver Anvils
June 7, 2009, 4:40 pm
Filed under: Awards, Linhart, MGA, PRSA

The national PRSA finally posted the list of 2009 Silver Anvil winners, and there are two Denver connections. Denver-based MGA won a Silver Anvil in the Events and Observances category for its campaign “Refuge Roundup 2008 at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge,” and Centennial-based National Cattlemen’s Beef Association won in the Issues Management category for its campaign ”Better Safe & Savory Than Sorry.”

Additionally, Linhart PR received a Silver Anvil Award of Excellence for its work with Rudi’s Organic Bakery.



Let’s Just Call it SA, Because the PR Seems to be Missing
June 5, 2009, 2:33 pm
Filed under: Awards, PRSA

Want to know who the winners were from last night’s 2009 Silver Anvil Awards? Me too. But the national PRSA won’t announce the list of winners until tomorrow, 48 hours after the event ended and cleverly buried on a Saturday. Nice.



Register for the Annual PRSA Golf Tournament
June 5, 2009, 2:32 pm
Filed under: PRSA

PRSA Colorado is now taking registrations for its annual golf tournament, which will be held at the Arrowhead Golf Club on Aug. 21. The cost is $70 per player (foursomes get the PRSA discount rate of $280), and everyone who registers before June 15 gets one free swing tip from Gina Seamans. Register here.



Mango Names Comroe Marketing Director
June 5, 2009, 2:31 pm
Filed under: 5280, PR Moves

Mango Media has hired Sabrina Comroe as Marketing Director. Comroe formerly was Director of Digital Media at 5280 magazine.



SJPR Announces New Client
June 5, 2009, 2:30 pm
Filed under: Wins

Stefanie Jones PR landed Sport Dimensions as a client. Sports Dimension is a motorsports marketing firm in Denver that works with companies such as Shell Oil, Penzoil and Best Western.



Rocky’s Autos and Tom Martino: A Marriage Made in Heaven
June 5, 2009, 11:55 am
Filed under: Advertising, Fox31

Who has more credibility? Shagman or Tom Martino?



Denver PR Jobs
June 1, 2009, 11:04 am
Filed under: Andrew Hudson, Jobs

Among those hiring this week are the Colorado Association of School Boards, EchoStar, Jeppesen, ProBuild, ReadyTalk, Spectra, Teletech, Sports Authority and Westwood Colleges (you might want to read Al Lewis’ recent column before applying for that one).



‘Word of Mouth’ Becomes ‘Word of Keyboard’
May 28, 2009, 1:26 pm
Filed under: Social Media

GBSM’s Steve Silvers argues that although social media “isn’t actually selling anything but itself” right now, you cannot afford to ignore it.



Denver Client Wins
May 28, 2009, 8:46 am
Filed under: Pivot Communication, Wins
  • Pivot Communication won Memphis-based Correctional Counseling as a client. Correctional Counseling provides a wide range of treatment and training programs for offenders involved in the correctional system.
  • Traction Communications added sun and sport performance eyewear company Native to its client roster.


GBSM Seeks Associate
May 28, 2009, 8:44 am
Filed under: GBSM, Jobs

GBSM is in the market for an associate to support the firm’s public affairs and public outreach work. Send your resume/etc. to Raleigh Decker. No phone calls. Details are here: GBSM Associate_Public Affairs – 52009.



Turner PR Appoints VP
May 28, 2009, 8:30 am
Filed under: PR Moves, Turner PR

Turner PR has hired Aliza Rothman as vice president of the travel/hospitality and real estate team in Denver. Rothman previously was Vice President of Ogilvy Public Relations in Denver and Vice President at Robinson Lerer & Montgomery in New York City.



Denver PR Jobs
May 26, 2009, 11:24 am
Filed under: Andrew Hudson, Jobs

Among those hiring this week are Children’s Hospital, Jeppesen, LiveWell Colorado, Sony Online Entertainment, the Sopris Sun (Carbondale), and Starz.



Bjorkman Unlikely to Start New Career as Money Manager
May 22, 2009, 3:37 pm
Filed under: Layoffs

Could someone please explain to me how former KWGN/Channel 2 anchor Ernie Bjorkman can make the rounds on national media talking about his financial struggles after losing his anchor job? Today it was the Oprah Winfey show. The guy made $250,000 a year and within five months of being out of work he has to borrow $1,000 from a friend to cover his car payment. Seriously?



KMGH Declines to Renew Steve Saunders’ Contract
May 22, 2009, 2:15 pm
Filed under: Journalism Moves, KMGH, KWGN/News2, Layoffs

KMGH/Channel 7 won’t renew longtime Denver news reporter and anchor Steve Saunders’ contract, and his last day will be Aug. 15. Saunders, the son of former Rocky Mountain News media critic Dusty Saunders and the widower of Emmy-award-winning Denver television news producer Pam Saunders, spent the past decade at KMGH, and was at KWGN/Channel 2 for eight years prior to that. Joanne Ostrow at the Denver Post has the details.



Dovetail Picks Up DBJ Philanthropy Award
May 21, 2009, 12:20 pm
Filed under: Awards, Denver Business Journal

Congratulations to Dovetail Solutions, which recently won the Denver Business Journal’s Small Business Partners in Philanthropy award.



Sterling-Rice Group Hires Account Director
May 21, 2009, 10:01 am
Filed under: PR Moves

Brand strategy and marketing communications firm Sterling-Rice Group has hired Jill Holmstrom as account director. Holmstrom previously was with Karsh/Hagan.



Noodles & Company Names New VP of Marketing
May 21, 2009, 9:56 am
Filed under: PR Moves

CLS client Noodles & Company has hired Dan Fogarty as vice president of marketing. Fogarty’s responsibilities will include overseeing all marketing, advertising, public relations and brand development.



Catfight Alert: Denver Egotist vs. Chipotle
May 21, 2009, 9:49 am
Filed under: Chipotle, Denver Egotist

The advertising gurus behind the Denver Egotist have had enough of Chipotle’s new “Low Roller” marketing campaign, and they are fighting back with a new Web site: Cheapotle.com



It Worked for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
May 20, 2009, 9:02 pm
Filed under: Denver Nuggets, Newspapers

Denver’s second major daily could be the Los Angeles Times of Denver, if the Denver No Guts can beat the L.A. Lakers.



What’s in a Name?
May 19, 2009, 7:52 am
Filed under: Denver Post

Maybe the Denver Post should have splurged and brought over a Rocky copyeditor or two



Denver Losing City’s Best TV Business Reporter
May 19, 2009, 7:10 am
Filed under: Journalism Moves, KUSA

9News business reporter/anchor Gregg Moss is leaving the station to take the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer position at Alem International Management. Mosss has been at 9News for most of the past decade. The station also announced that reporter Carrie McClure will not return when she takes maternity leave in June. Joanne Ostrow at the Denver Post has all the details.



Denver Agency Wins
May 19, 2009, 7:08 am
Filed under: Johnston Wells, Weise, Wins
  • JohnstonWells landed law firm Faegre & Benson as a client.
  • Pushkin Public Relations added the Medical Group Management Association as a client.
  • Weise Communications announced the Eating Disorder Center of Denver (EDC-D), Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers (RMCC), St. Louis University Hospital and SALT Electric as clients.


Denver PR Jobs
May 18, 2009, 12:23 pm
Filed under: Andrew Hudson, Jobs

Among those hiring this week are the Nurse-Family Partnership, Boulder County Commissioners, New West Physicians, South Suburban Parks & Recreation, Bethany College (Lindsborg, Kansas) and AmerenUE (St. Louis).



Colorado Springs ABC Reporter Shocked to Find that Businesses Contribute to Politicians Who Can Help Them
May 17, 2009, 11:31 am
Filed under: Linhart

And in the process, political reporter Marshall Zelinger of Colorado Springs’ ABC affiliate gives a shout-out to Linhart PR’s Russ “Ratso” Rizzo.



They Could Call it ‘Shine’; That Name isn’t Being Used
May 14, 2009, 2:36 pm
Filed under: INDenverTimes, Rocky Mountain Independent, Rocky Mountain News

Several of the more prominent backers of the ill-fated InDenver Times have stepped forward with a new, more streamlined approach: The Rocky Mountain Independent. Designed as a “daily online news magazine,” the Rocky Mountain Independent is backed by former Rocky Mountain News journalists, including Steve Foster, Cindy House, David Milstead and John B. Moore. Michael Roberts at Westword has the details (and so does Ed Sealover at the Denver Business Journal).



JW Selects DMCLF as 2009 Pro Bono Project
May 13, 2009, 8:04 pm
Filed under: Johnston Wells

JohnstonWells has selected the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation as its 2009 pro bono recipient.



Linhart Names VP
May 13, 2009, 10:09 am
Filed under: Linhart, PR Moves

Linhart PR has appointed Kelly Womer as vice president. Womer joins Linhart from her own Chicago-based independent consultancy, where she worked with clients such as McDonald’s and Aviva. Prior to forming her own consultancy, she was a principal in the Chicago office of Carmichael Lynch Spong.



Catfight Alert: BusinessWire vs. PitchEngine
May 12, 2009, 6:41 pm
Filed under: BusinessWire, PitchEngine, Social Media

Is BusinessWire blocking its clients from including links to PitchEngine in press releases it distributes? PitchEngine says yes, but BusinessWire isn’t saying anything. Right now, it appears individual BW employees are enforcing the rules at their discretion, so we’ll see where the official BW corporate policy lands.



Denver Post Publisher Floats ‘Pay-to-Read’ Web Strategy
May 12, 2009, 4:11 pm
Filed under: Denver Business Journal, Denver Post, INDenverTimes

Fresh off the success of InDenver Times, MediaNews CEO and Denver Post publisher William Dean Singleton told his employees that the company “cannot continue to give all of our content away for free,” and that the company will stop offering free online access to its 53 daily newspapers and will instead develop an online subscription model. Mark Harden at the Denver Business Journal has the details.



ColoradoBiz: ‘What Job Seekers Can Learn from PR Pros’
May 12, 2009, 7:31 am
Filed under: Jobs

Denver PR consultant Steve Koenigsberg is featured in this month’s ColoradoBiz in an article that examines “what job seekers can learn from PR pros.”



Denver PR Jobs
May 11, 2009, 7:04 am
Filed under: Andrew Hudson, Jobs

Among those hiring this week are Scream, University of Denver, Fentress Architects, Jefferson County and Teletech.



Catfight Alert
May 11, 2009, 5:48 am
Filed under: Events, Metzger, lawsuits

Metzger’s Doyle Albee vs. HWH PR’s Lois Whitman. And if Doyle isn’t careful on May 19, Catfight II will be Doyle Albee vs. Lois Whitman’s attorney.

UPDATE: Techcrunch has picked up the catfight, and I’m glad to see that it is obvious to neutral observers who is on the right side of this catfight.



Twitter Fail: The 8 Worst Brands at Using Twitter
May 9, 2009, 9:36 am
Filed under: Twitter

Revolut!on Magazine compiles the list and the reasons:

  1. Amazon.com
  2. Hewlett-Packard 
  3. eBay
  4. McDonald’s
  5. Pepsi
  6. Vodafone
  7. EasyJet
  8. Gucci

(Hat tip to The Denver Egotist)



CLS, Linhart, JohnstonWells Lead 2009 PRSA ‘Gold Pick’ Awards
May 8, 2009, 3:50 pm
Filed under: Awards, PRSA

The tables have been cleared, the floors vacuumed, the rented tuxedos returned, Elaine Ellis has posted bail and LoDo’s has agreed not to press charges, which can mean only one thing – The 2009 PRSA Colorado ‘Gold Pick” Awards ceremony is officially over. PRSA Colorado has posted the winners from Thursday’s event, and the Denver PR Blog has once again used a proprietary and highly sophisticated formula (two points for a gold, one point for a silver) to determine which agencies fared best:

1.  Carmichael Lynch Spong (13 points) – Three gold, seven silver
2.  Linhart PR (9 points) – Three gold, three silver
3.  JohnstonWells (8 points) – One grand gold, two gold, two silver
3.  Pure Brand (8 points) – Three gold, two silver
5.  GroundFloor Media (7 points) – Two gold, three silver
6.  Philosophy (6 points) – One grand gold, two gold
7.  Xstatic (4 points) – One gold, two silver
8.  104 West Partners (2 points) – One gold 
8.  GolinHarris (2 points) – One gold  
8.  MGA Communications (2 points) – One gold  
8.  Room 214 (2 points) – One gold  
8.  SSA (2 points) – One gold 
8.  Cohn Marketing (2 points) – Two silver
14. Dressel-Martin MediaWorks (1 point) – One silver 

Also, congratulations to the big award winners: Comcast’s Scott Binder and Goodwill’s Tim Welker (Business Persons of the Year), Denver Art Museum’s Ashley Pritchard (Rookie of the Year), Aurora Organic Dairy’s Sonja Tuitele (PR Person of the Year), First Data’s Cara Taylor (Chapter Service Award), Don Kirchoffner & Associates’ Don Kirchoffner (Swede Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award), and Morris Animal Hospital (Nonprofit Award).



Webb Lands Several New Accounts
May 8, 2009, 3:09 pm
Filed under: Webb PR, Wins

If you run into Pete Webb this weekend, make sure he buys the drinks. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has re-upped Webb PR’s three-year contract to promote CDOT’s anti-drunk driving and seat belt use campaigns, and the agency also nabbed several new accounts, including Colorado Department of Human Services, Jacobs Entertainment (owners of the Lodge and Gilpin Hotel Casinos in Black Hawk), Nobel Energy and Eagle County Ambulance.



Metzger Names CFO
May 8, 2009, 2:58 pm
Filed under: Metzger, PR Moves

Metzger Associates has promoted Sarah Engle to Chief Financial Officer. Engle, who is a CPA, has worked for Metzger as its controller since 2004.



104 West Picks Up Three Hermes Awards
May 7, 2009, 8:19 am
Filed under: 104 West, Awards

104 West Partners won two Platinum and one Gold Hermes Creative Awards for its work on behalf of BitGravity, The March of Dimes Colorado Chapter and MX Logic. The Hermes Creative Awards recognizes outstanding work in the industry while promoting the philanthropic nature of marketing and communication professionals.



VOCA Sponsoring Women’s Foundation Fundraiser
May 7, 2009, 8:16 am
Filed under: Events, Voca PR

VOCA PR is sponsoring The Women’s Foundation of Colorado and the Empowerment Council’s “Fill the Purse Summer Cocktail Party” to increase awareness of girls’ dropout rate in Colorado and raise money to provide sustained funding for the Foundation’s work with girls and critical research and education efforts. The details are:

WFCO Fill the Purse Summer Cocktail Party
Tuesday, May 19 from 5 – 7 pm
Parallel 17 (1600 E 17th Ave., Denver)
Tickets are $30
RSVP at www.fillthepurse.org by May 15



New Denver Ad Club Hosts ‘Connect 2009′
May 7, 2009, 7:57 am
Filed under: Events, Jobs, New Denver Ad Club

The New Denver Ad Club invites students and entry-level job seekers to connect with Denver’s top marketing industry professionals at Connect 2009.

The economy might be in a funk right now, but the Denver talent market is not. Fresh, new ideas and the exuberant energy of youth abound. Our community of experienced, well-seasoned marketing professionals will offer themselves up to guide, advise and mentor students for an afternoon. Or perhaps a future job, if the chemistry is right. The details are:

The New Denver Ad Club Connect 2009 
Friday, May 15, 2009, 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.        
Johnson & Wales University
7150 Montview Blvd, Denver
College of Business Foyer

Who should attend
Second semester juniors and graduating seniors looking at careers in marketing, advertising, interactive, graphic design, public relations, account management and planning, media and related fields. Also, agencies and clients looking to help mentor these students with the potential of internships, entry-level jobs or simple advice and guidance.

Click here to learn more. 



Denver Rates Highly for New College Grads
May 7, 2009, 7:51 am
Filed under: Denver

Denver has been named the eighth-best city for new college graduates, although Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Cleveland all rank higher than Denver, so clearly the methodology is out of whack.



Denver Agency Wins
May 7, 2009, 7:45 am
Filed under: 104 West, Pivot Communication, Wins
  • 104 West Partners won New York-based Daily Makeover, a leader in interactive media and virtual reality try-on technology.
  • Pivot Communication was selected as agency of record for Castle Country Assisted Living, a nonprofit organization based in Castle Rock and Parker.


Denver Metro Chamber Event Examines Media’s ‘Changing Face’
May 5, 2009, 10:19 pm
Filed under: Events, GBSM, Johnston Wells

GBSM’s Steve Silvers, JohnstonWells’ GG Johnston and Denver Post Business Editor Steve McMillan are panelists at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce’s “Gold Program” event titled “Old Media. New Media. The Extraordinarily Changing Face of the Information Age” (I’m betting that neither Steve nor GG were responsible for naming the event). Anyway, the details are:

Thursday, May 28
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Denver Metro Chamber
1445 Market Street, 5th Floor
www.denverchamber.org/goldprogram



Dovetail Adds Creative Services Director
May 5, 2009, 10:01 pm
Filed under: Dovetail, PR Moves

Dovetail Solutions has added Dave Farmer as the Director of Creative Services. Farmer formerly ran his own shop, Element 24.



Linhart Named SABRE Finalist
May 5, 2009, 9:55 pm
Filed under: Awards, Linhart

Congratulations to Linhart PR, which was named a finalist for a SABRE award for its work with Red Robin.



Webb Takes Colorado Legislators to Task
May 4, 2009, 3:25 pm
Filed under: Webb PR

In today’s Denver Post, Pete Webb’s Pete Webb takes the Colorado legislature to task for the “disparaging … caustic and sarcastic” manner legislators treat citizens and businesspeople who testify.



Denver PR Jobs
May 4, 2009, 2:43 pm
Filed under: Andrew Hudson, Jobs

Among those hiring this week are the Colorado Health Foundation, Dumb Friends League, DEX, Group Publishing, ITT, One Beacon Insurance, Reed Business Information, St. Mary’s Hospital (Grand Junction) and TaxSalelists.com.



Webb PR Hires Three
May 1, 2009, 8:33 am
Filed under: PR Moves, Webb PR

Pete Webb PR hired Sarah Oehler as an account manager, and Jody Gavin and Portia Berrey as account coordinators. Oehler joins Webb from SNO Public Relations, Gavin from The Hoffman Agency, and Berrey from Univision.



Click for a Cause
April 30, 2009, 1:47 pm
Filed under: Twitter

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Denver’s Tennyson Center for Children will receive a $5,000 gift from Noble Energy if it can hit 1,000 Twitter followers by the end of today. So go to http://twitter.com/tennysoncenter and click on “follow.” There are kids who desperately need your help.



Volume, Linhart Win BMA Colorado Awards
April 30, 2009, 9:50 am
Filed under: Awards, Linhart, VolumePR

Volume PR and Linhart picked up hardware at the BMA Colorado Gold Key awards. Volume won a Silver Key award for its work with its client The Alternative Board, and Linhart nabbed a Silver Key award for its work with client MWH’s hydropower practice.



Vladimir Jones Inks COMPA Ministries
April 30, 2009, 9:32 am
Filed under: Vladimir Jones, Wins

Vladimir Jones has signed COMPA Ministries. VJ will help generate awareness of the non-profit organization serving the homeless, under-employed and at-risk in the Denver area. The part paid/part pro-bono scope of work is focused on positioning the organization to have greater fundraising potential in order to ultimately help more people in need.



Benedick Named VP of Sales/Services at Visit Denver
April 30, 2009, 9:30 am
Filed under: Jobs

Congratulations to Rachel Benedick, who officially has been named vice president of sales and services for VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau. Benedick has been in the position on an interim basis since September 2008.



Denver Post Re-exerts the ‘Denver’ Part
April 30, 2009, 7:20 am
Filed under: Denver Post

Now that it isn’t engaged in a circulation war, the Denver Post has decided to drop delivery to “outlying” areas of Colorado, which it defines as ”far western, southern and eastern parts of Colorado” such as Grand Junction, Durango,Trinidad, La Junta, Lamar and Burlington. Aldo Svaldi at the Post has the details.



GroundFloor Joins PRGN
April 30, 2009, 7:12 am
Filed under: GroundFloor Media

GroundFloor Media has joined Public Relations Global Network, an international organization of independent, owner-operated public relations agencies that collaborate to serve clients.



Westword Takes Issue with Post’s Rosy Circulation Picture
April 28, 2009, 8:44 am
Filed under: Denver Post, Westword

Aldo Svaldi at the Denver Post says the paper is satisfied with its post-Rocky circulation numbers, but Michael Roberts at Westword says Svaldi’s article is “journalistically appalling.” One thing is for sure – it is going to take six months to a year for the Post to truly understand what percentage of Rocky subscribers it held on to. Any analysis now is like trying to project a pitcher’s ERA during the first inning of the first game.



PRWeek Distributes Final Weekly Edition
April 28, 2009, 7:29 am
Filed under: PRWeek

As PRWeek distributes its last weekly edition before switching to a monthly, the New York Times notes:

“(PRWeek) is now in the embarrassing position of all businesses that choose a too-specific moniker — think of the chef who christens his restaurant ‘8 Jones’ after its street address, only to perplex customers when 8 Jones later moves to 14 Chestnut Street.”



Good News, Bad News for the Denver Post
April 27, 2009, 10:58 am
Filed under: Denver Business Journal, Denver Post, Westword

First, the good news: The Denver Post is now the 11th largest newspaper in the U.S., thanks to Scripps’ decision to shutter the Rocky (and the JOA’s ability to automatically switch Rocky subscribers to the Post). The bad news? The Post is already down 17.4 percent compared total Rocky/Post subscribers, making it tough for the Post to maintain its goal of keeping 80 percent of Rocky subscribers. 

Mark Harden at the Denver Business Journal and Michael Roberts at Westword have examined the numbers and what they mean.



Denver PR Jobs
April 27, 2009, 9:24 am
Filed under: Andrew Hudson, Jobs

Among those hiring this week are the University of Colorado Denver, American Sentinel University, Denver Public Schools, Echostar, Jeppeson (three positions) and Pendum.



Clifton Gunderson Names Clarus AOR for Colorado
April 25, 2009, 6:51 pm
Filed under: LeGrand Hart, Wins

National CPA firm Clifton Gunderson has selected Chicago-based Clarus Communications to handle public relations in Colorado. Clifton Gunderson was formerly represented by LeGrand Hart.



Apple Fumbles ‘Billionth Download’ Celebration
April 24, 2009, 7:54 am
Filed under: Crisis Communications

The truly great PR blunders are self-made, as Apple showed us this week. As the company prepared to publicly celebrate the one billionth download from its App Store, it managed to change the focus to how it ever could have allowed the Baby Shaker application to get approved. Apple finally hit the billion downloads mark early this morning, but every article written about the achievement will now mention the Baby Shaker controversy.



Cherry Creek North Seeks Marketing/Communications Director
April 23, 2009, 9:07 pm
Filed under: Jobs

Cherry Creek North has posted its soon-to-be-vacant Marketing and Communications Director position.



INDenverTimes Releases Anemic Subscriber Numbers
April 23, 2009, 10:18 am
Filed under: INDenverTimes

Michael Roberts at Westword confirms that INDenverTimes was only able to hit six percent of its goal of 50,000 subscribers. I knew they wouldn’t get 50,000, but I thought they’d do a lot better than 3,000. Ouch.



Happy, uh, Anniversary?
April 23, 2009, 7:26 am
Filed under: Rocky Mountain News

Today marks what would have been the 150th anniversary of the Rocky Mountain News.