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.
Month: June 2009
Denver PR 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
Congratulations 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
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:
- “Adam Foote at ESPN Zone for lunch Wednesday.“
- “Broncos CB Dre Bly lunching at ESPN Zone.“
- “San Francisco Giants outfielder Aaron Rowand and starting pitcher Matt Cain both ate lunch at the bar at ESPN Zone Denver this afternoon.“
And although this one isn’t technically an ESPN Zone sighting, it remains my favorite:
GBSM’s Silvers Doing Well Following Heart Surgery
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
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
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
Dovetail Solutions has landed the Denver-based business consulting firm RAS & Associates as a client.
Cactus Hosting ‘Bike to Work’ Day Party
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
The Broadmoor has selected Vladimir Jones to promote its summer sale and photo contest in the Denver area.
Andrew Coltrane 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
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
(Hat tip to LocalTVNews)
Fox31 Picks Up Meteorologist Nick Carter
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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:
- U.S. Sen. Mark Udall – 2,016 followers; follows 10
- U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman – 1,140 followers; follows 17
- U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter – 714 followers; follows 9
- State Sen. Josh Penry – 185 followers; follows 9
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:
- Gov. Bill Ritter – 2,149 followers; follows 2,002
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
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’
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
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
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
Former Rocky deputy editor Gil Rudawsky has joined GroundFloor Media as a senior public relations manager.
Denver Magazine Appoints Associate Editor
Former Rocky reporter Jeff Kass has been named associate editor of Denver Magazine.
Johnston Named SAGE Counselor
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
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
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
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
- 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
Tickets are now available for Ignite Boulder 5.
Denver PR 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
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
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
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
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
Mango Media has hired Sabrina Comroe as Marketing Director. Comroe formerly was Director of Digital Media at 5280 magazine.
SJPR Announces New Client
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
Who has more credibility? Shagman or Tom Martino?
Denver PR 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).
Denver Public Relations Blog 