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.
Month: April 2009
Volume, Linhart Win BMA Colorado Awards
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Cherry Creek North has posted its soon-to-be-vacant Marketing and Communications Director position.
INDenverTimes Releases Anemic Subscriber Numbers
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?
Today marks what would have been the 150th anniversary of the Rocky Mountain News.
Financiers Pull the Plug on InDenverTimes
The former Rocky Mountain News reporters’ ambitious plans to launch a subscription-based online news site to compete with the Denver Post just got harder. After failing to reach their goal of 50,000 subscribers, the projects financiers have pulled out. But business reporter David Milstead hasn’t given up, and he told the Post, “The take-away is that (managing editor) Steve Foster, myself and others who are committed to this venture will continue to pursue the concept, and we are now looking for new backers.” Joey Bunch at the Post has the details.
Linhart Named Co-chair of Girl Scout ‘Distinction’ Event
Linhart PR’s Sharon Linhart has been named a co-chair of the 2009 Girl Scouts of Colorado’s annual Women of Distinction event. As a co-chair, Linhart will help plan the festivities for the annual Girl Scout fundraising program that recognizes outstanding women in the business and philanthropic communities.
Brickley Leaves Cherry Creek North to Start Agency
Christina Brickley is leaving her position as marketing and communications director for the Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District to form her own PR and marketing agency, C5. The agency, which has already inked three clients, will be located downtown. Brickley’s experience includes positions with Barnhart, JohnstonWells, University of Colorado and the Denver Art Museum.
Colorado Springs Gazette Launches New A.D.D. Edition
If you are one of those chumps who spends more than 10 minutes reading a newspaper, help is on the way.
IABC Colorado Award Entries Due by May 22
IABC Colorado is accepting entries for its annual Bronze Quill Awards through May 22. Details are here.
That’s What Good Media Training Can, You Know, Do
In Jay Cutler’s 5:32 NFL Network interview, he manages to utter “you know” every 5.82 seconds on average. Seriously.
(Hat tip to CJ Powell)
Denver PR Twitterers You May Want to Follow
If you are interested in following the tweets of Denver’s PR community, PRSA Colorado is assembling the comprehensive list.
Hearings to Examine the Future of Journalism
If you were concerned about the future of journalism, you can relax. Congress is on it.
‘Three Questions’ for Jeff Cohn
The Denver Post profiles Cohn Marketing’s Jeff Cohn in its “Three Questions” feature.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are FCCServices, Jefferson County Public Library, GHX, Sunbridge and the Zocalo Group (Chicago).
‘Media on Twitter’ Database Moves to its Permanent Home
The “Media On Twitter” coalition – Digital Idea Media’s Melissa Hourigan, Elgin Community College’s Sarah Evans, Help a Reporter Out’s (HARO) Peter Shankman, FutureWorks’ Brian Solis, and TrackVia’s Ed Dunigan – announced today that the database has moved to its permanent home at http://www.mediaontwitter.com. The database has grown to nearly 1,000 reporters, editors and producers since it launched three weeks ago.
One Peabody, 40 Emmys, Zero Jobs
The number of Denver television anchors and reporters who have departed over the past year has been brutal, but the behind-the-camera exodus has been just as bad. Joanne Ostrow at the Denver Post reports today that CBS4 producer Vicki Hildner’s contract was not renewed. Hildner’s resume includes a Peabody Award and 40 Emmys in her two decades at CBS4.
Xcel Hell Coming to an End
A shout-out to Xcel spokesman Joe Fuentes, who has no doubt been working triple time during this brutal snowstorm. Hopefully Xcel will finish restoring service soon, and Joe can take a long nap.
Somali Pirates Look to Diversify Income through Endorsements
Crocs stock is up about 70 percent over the past three weeks, and insiders are attributing the spike to the clever endorsement deal Crocs PR’s Shelley Weibel struck with Somali pirates:
(Hat tip to Daniel Brogan at 5280).
KMGH/Channel 7: ‘How Tweet it is for Local Businesses’
Cori Keeton Pope of Keeton PR was featured in a KMGH/Channel 7 story on companies that are using Twitter to connect with consumers.
The 50 Best Publicity Stunts of All Time
Taylor Herring compiles the list.
22 Tips for Landing that Next Job
If you are job hunting, here are 22 tips for ‘nailing the interview.’ While the tips may be helpful, the confidence that you’ll get by knowing that you are better than these morons is invaluable. Hat tip to Seth Godin.
Denver Agency Wins
- Volume PR has added American Energy Resources, Faction Media, JuicedHybrid.com, WebSafety.com, Auto-trol Technology and The Alternative Board as clients
- The Bawmann Group landed HSA Colorado and HPL as clients, and added David Whitney as account coordinator
- SSA Public Relations has been selected by TeleTech as its agency of record
- GroundFloor Media was selected by Westwood College as its national public relations agency of record
Domino’s Crisis Response Rates Highly
Domino’s is getting relatively high marks from social-networking and crisis-management experts for its response to a YouTube video that shows two of its employees “tampering” with food.
PRWeek Morphs into a Monthly, Plans Content and Staff Changes
PRWeek announced several changes today, the most dramatic of which is that the previously weekly publication will now be a monthly. PRNewser has the details.
9News’ Woodward Discusses Her Decision to Leave
Former 9News investigative reporter Paula Woodward talks to Michael Roberts of Westword about her decision to leave the station after 32 years.
PRSA Colorado Announces ‘Gold Pick’ Nominees
PRSA Colorado is out with its list of 2009 Gold Pick nominees. The organizations/agencies nominated are:
- 104 West Partners
- Bonfils Blood Center
- Carmichael Lynch Spong
- Cohn Marketing Group
- Denver Art Museum
- Denver Botanic Gardens
- First Data Marketing and Communications
- GroundFloor Media
- JohnstonWells Public Relations
- Linhart Public Relations
- Metropolitan State College of Denver, Office of College Communications
- Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation
- MGA Communications
- Morris Animal Foundation
- National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
- Newmont Mining Corporation
- Philosophy Communication
- Pure Brand Communications
- Rocky Mountain Health Plans
- Room 214
- SSA Public Relations
- University of Denver, University Communications
- Xstatic Public Relations
So far, Linhart leads the field with six nominations. If you know someone with more, let me know. You can register to attend the Gold Pick awards at http://www.prsacolorado.org/cde.cfm?event=257309.
UPDATE: Carmichael Lynch Spong is the new Gold Pick nominee leader with nine.
9News’ Paula Woodward Announces Her Departure
It took nearly a week to become official, but the Denver Post is now reporting that 9News’ investigative reporter Paula Woodward is leaving the station after 32 years. No official word on CBS4’s Reggie Rivers yet.
Westword Blasts CBS4 for Advertorial
Michael Roberts at Westword roasts CBS4 for violating the “important tenet of editorial independence” in a story about hands-free cell phone calls.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are Exempla Healthcare, City of Westminster, FTI, Lake Dillon Fire Protection District, Starz Entertainment, and U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Event: Mile High Social Media Club
Free drinks alert! The Mile High Social Media Club’s April event is “How to Improve Customer Service and Protect Your Brand Through Social Media,” and will feature Bridgeline Software’s EVP/GM Tim Higgins. The details are:
Mile High Social Media Club
Wednesday, April 15, from 5-8 p.m.
Curtis Hotel, 1405 Curtis Street
Click here to register
GBSM Lands Slew of Consulting/Communications Assignments
GBSM has been awarded management consulting, strategic communications and/or public affairs assignments over the last quarter from AARP State Operations, Black Creek Capital Group, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Denver International Airport, Denver Water, Evergreen Energy, Grease Monkey International, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, The Klutznick Company and the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments/Fort Carson Regional Growth Plan.
Event: Denver’s New Media Landscape
PRSA is sponsoring a luncheon next week that will examine Denver’s changing media landscape, and what implications it has for the city generally and public relations professionals specifically. The panel will include:
- Jeanette Chavez, managing editor of the Denver Post
- Darrell Proctor, online content channel manager for Examiner.com, in charge of content for the business and finance, careers and workplace, and gadgets and technology channels
- David Milstead, former reporter for the Rocky Mountain News, representing InDenverTimes.com
- Jim Anderson, Colorado Associated Press news editor
- Sharon Linhart, founder and managing partner of Linhart Public Relations
If you are interested in attending, the details are:
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Curtis Hotel, 1405 Curtis Street
Registration and Networking: 11:30 a.m. – Noon
Luncheon: Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Click here to register
Woodward, Rivers Latest TV News Casualties?
We’ve heard rumors for several days that 9News is dumping investigative reporter Paula Woodward, and now the rumor mill has Reggie Rivers out as CBS4’s weekend sports anchor. We’re starting a pool for the last Denver news personality over age 30.
Another Veteran News Anchor Says Goodbye to Denver
There is yet another television news anchor shake-up in Denver. Univision Denver’s 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. anchor Rodolfo José Cárdenas has departed, and it doesn’t sound like it was his decision. Media Moves has the details.
Why PR Matters in a Downturn
Courtesy of PRWeek.
Linhart CFO Finalist for DBJ Award
Congratulations to Linhart PR partner and CFO Carri Clemens for being named a finalist in the annual Denver Business Journal “CFO of the Year” awards.
Local Agency Wins
- Trippe & Company has landed Lafayette-based Aegis Analytical as a client and announced a dedicated social media practice.
- Pivot Communications has been selected as agency of record by What’s Next Career Transition Services.
Life After Newspapers
Washington Post columnist Michael Kinsley lays out his vision.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter, City of Westminster, Corinthian Colleges, Lake Dillion Fire Protection District and One Beacon Insurance.
Top 10 Reasons Your Company Should Not Tweet
What’s Next Blog compiles the list.
Nearly 90 Percent of Firms Report ‘Idea Theft’
Nearly 90% of respondents to a recent PR Leaders’ Panel said that ideas they pitched to clients in proposals had been used by the client without the agency being hired or receiving any compensation. As PRNewser notes:
“This is food for thought about on the age-old question of how much detail to include in a new business pitch. It’s tough to prove theft unless the company in question hires no firm and immediately implements a program. The inclusion of detailed strategy should be weighed against how well you know the client contact, and what the odds are of landing the account.”
The FTC is Having a WTF Moment
Inexplicably, the FTC is considering revised guidelines that would hold companies liable for inaccurate statements written by bloggers who receive samples of the companies’ products.
KMGH/Channel 7 Wins Prestigious Peabody Award
Congratulations to KMGH-Channel 7, reporter John Ferrugia, producers Art Kane and Tom Burke, and photojournalist Jason Foster for winning a prestigious Peabody Award for their investigation into the deaths of children in the care of the state of Colorado. Joanne Ostrow at the Denver Post has the details.
PRNewswire Reorganizes, Cuts Staff
PRNewswire is reorganizing some departments and cutting staff, although its not clear whether its headcount will drop or if the cuts will be balanced with hires in other areas.
Common Grounds Relocates
One of the heartbeats of Denver’s public relations community – the Common Grounds coffee shop in LoDo – has moved.
Fogo de Chao Seeks Denver PR Agency
Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão will open a Denver location at 15th & Wynkoop this summer, and the restaurant is looking for a Denver PR agency with recent upscale dining experience to handle press kits, media relations, event planning, VIP outreach and more. Anyone interested should send a media kit with relevant client experience to fdekker@fogodechao.com (They request no phone calls).
11 Percent of Us Spend ‘Weeks’ Getting Releases Approved
File this under “Clients You Hope You Never Get:” 11 percent of respondents to a Business Wire poll said it takes “weeks” to get a press release drafted and approved.
Denver Public Relations Blog 