In honor of Halloween, Tom Nixon compiles the list.
Month: October 2010
CSU Prof Named PRSA ‘Outstanding Educator of the Year’
Congratulations to Kirk Hallahan, a professor in the Department of Journalism and Technical Communication at Colorado State University, who was named the PRSA 2010 Outstanding Educator of the Year Award. Hallahan was recognized, in part, because “he developed a new undergraduate course in digital promotion management, one of the first of its kind, to address the use of Internet- and mobile-based media.”
Interestingly, prior to moving to academia, Hallahan worked at one of the worst-named PR firms in the country, Harshe-Rotman & Druck.
Catfight Alert: Shell vs. BP
Shell Brand International Chairman Bruno Motta is calling out BP for misleading consumers with its “Beyond Petroleum” branding:
“For the last few years [BP] has repositioned in an interesting way. We should look into the DNA of the company and project an essence or truth – say what you are, even if it’s not as appealing. It makes for a long-lasting brand.”
Adrenalin Adds Graphic Designer
Branding firm Adrenalin has added Danielle Vala to its staff as a Graphic Designer. Vala joins Adrenalin from Bennet Adelson in Cleveland, where she was worked on the Cleveland Clinic wellness website.
Linhart Growth Continues
In February, I accused Linhart PR’s Sharon Linhart of “talking a little veiled trash” when she was quoted in the Denver Business Journal as saying:
“In comparison to other firms, I’d have to say we’re doing very, very well.”
But give her credit – her agency is walking the walk. Linhart announced that it has hired Robin Zimmerman as an Account Executive, giving the agency 19 22 employees (six of whom have been added this year). As for Zimmerman, she will provide media relations and communications counsel for our consumer-focused clients like Crocs, Old Chicago, and ShopAtHome.com.
CDPHE Selects Amelie Company for ‘Smart Meal’ Campaign
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has selected Amélie Company to conduct marketing services for its Smart Meal program that promotes healthier eating in restaurants throughout Colorado. Amélie was awarded a two-year contract with CDPHE for market research, public relations and implementation of a campaign to increase consumer awareness of the Smart Meal program.
CHC Announces ‘Gold Leaf’ Award Winners
The Colorado Healthcare Communicators announced its 2010 Gold Leaf Award winners. The agency winners were:
- Armada Medical Marketing – One gold Leaf award; two Silver Leaf awards; three Bronze Leaf awards
- Vladimir Jones – One Grand Gold Leaf award; one Gold Leaf award
- GroundFloor Media – One Gold Leaf award; two Silver Leaf awards
- Cactus – One Gold Leaf award
- Weise Communications – Two Silver Leaf awards
- CSG – One Silver Leaf award; two Bronze Leaf awards
The big non-agency winners were Centura Health (five awards) and Pinnacol Assurance (five awards).
And congratulations to Weise Communications’ Tracy Weise, who was named 2010 CHC Professional of the Year, and Colorado Public Radio’s Eric Whitney, who was named 2010 Media Representative of the Year.
Trippe & Co. Contest Focuses on Personal Brands
Trippe & Company is sponsoring a Do You Radiate contest “to help women achieve their professional goals by improving their personal brands.” The winner will receive a package of services valued at more than $1,500 that includes image styling, speaker training and a professional headshot.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are Jefferson County, Westword, Accuvant, AJ-Hutson Group, Ashford University, Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Policy Studies, Sony Online Entertainment and the University of Northern Colorado (Greeley).
Also, Andrew Hudson is hosting his annual Jobs Gobble event, “Cracking the Code: Secrets of the Successful Job Seekers,” on Thursday. Nov. 11.
Great Moments in Journalism XXXIV
Denver Post Ranks Eighth Among Newspaper Twitter Followers
Circulation numbers are still king, of course, but here is the ranking of U.S. newspapers according to their Twitter followers (Note: it only ranks the newspapers’ primary Twitter accounts).
The Denver Post ranks a very respectable eighth, although the follower numbers fall off a cliff after the top three.
- @nytimes – 2,668,948
- @wsj – 464,591
- @washingtonpost – 204,514
- @latimes – 83,335
- @usatoday – 72,929
- @newyorkpost – 57,605
- @chicagotribune – 34,490 *
- @denverpost – 32,755
- @dallas_news – 24,726
- @seattletimes – 22,286
- @suntimes – 18,952
- @freep – 18,851
- @nydailynew – 15,744
- @houstonchron – 14,108
- @azcentral – 10,407
- @oregonian – 10,338
- @phillyinquirer – 9,819
- @SFGate – 9,508
- @clevelanddotcom – 7,943
- @MN_News – 7,008
- @NJ_News – 6,181
- @SDUT – 5,886
- @tampabaycom – 3,168
- @insidebayarea – 2,810
- @cctimes – 2,705
- @mercurynews – 2,536
- @newsday – 2,302
Volume PR Launches First ‘Medical Marijuana PR’ Agency
Medical Marijuana has grown to be a $14 billion industry, and publications such as Westword and the Colorado Springs Independent are reaping financial windfalls from the industry’s advertising efforts. So it is not surprising that public relations would be the next marketing discipline to recognize the opportunity.
And it appears that that recognition is starting here in Denver. Elizabeth Robinson of Volume PR is launching what she calls the nation’s “first and only business development and public relations firm exclusively focused on the medical marijuana industry.”
Grow Room Communications, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volume PR, offers public relations, marketing communications and advertising services to medical marijuana providers. Elizabeth says she is targeting only legitimate medical marijuana providers.
“We are very selective in who we work with,” Elizabeth said. “Our clients’ ability to serve their patients effectively is directly related to the public’s appreciation for marijuana’s proven medicinal benefits and shows that the industry takes seriously its role in the provision of healthcare.”
Elizabeth’s belief in the value of medical marijuana came from her own experience watching her dying father suffer from nausea and pain that were treated with less effective drugs than medical marijuana.
“I believe in the medical marijuana industry, and our goal is to help businesses that are doing things the right way,” Elizabeth said.
Catfight Alert: Yes Men vs. Chevron
The Yes Men may have temporarily hijacked Chevron’s public relations and advertising mojo, but when Chevron chastised “the pranksters (for not being) interested in a constructive dialogue,” you knew the corporate PR drones were back in charge of the messaging.
How Much Do You Know About the Real Colorado?
Not as much as this guy is going to know 17 months from now.
Guttau PR Adds Account Manager
Guttau Public Relations has hired Jesse Spencer as Account Manager. Spencer’s experience includes positions in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles wwith E! Network, Warner Brothers and the Gersh Agency. He also has helped with various public relations, marketing, and social media campaigns for organizations such as Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Qwest, Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Downtown Denver Partnership, Namco Networks, and Wilson Electronics.
Trippe & Co. Sponsoring Brand-Building Seminar
Trippe & Company is teaming up with the Arvada Chamber of Commerce to conduct a seminar to help business professionals create personal brands. “What is a Personal Brand and How Can It Move Me Forward?” will be held on Nov. 18 from 2:00-4:00 at Bread Winners, located at 7311 Grandview Avenue in Olde Town Arvada. The cost is $25 per person. To register, email info@trippecompany.com or call 970-389-3672.
Dovetail Announces Two New Clients
Dovetail Solutions has been named agency of record for Rivet Software and LifeQuest World Fund. Rivet Software is a leading provider in standards-based business reporting and analytics, and LifeQuest World Fund provides a complete solution to planning, life insurance premium lending, wealth creation and risk mitigation to clients ranging from individuals and small start-up businesses to large corporations and charities.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are Turner PR, RTD, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Rio Tinto, Beaver Creek Resort, Summit Business Media, CH2M Hill, Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine, Friends First and Webroot Software.
Turner PR Hiring AE
Turner PR is hiring an Account Executive for its travel/real estate practice. Three to five years of experience and travel industry background required.
DPC’s Gridiron Show Lands Coveted Fourth Governor
What’s better than three Colorado governors participating in the Denver Press Club’s annual Gridiron Show?* The answer, of course, is four governors, which is what Gridiron producer Bruce Goldberg and his team have now secured for this year’s show: Governors Ritter, Owens, Romer and Lamm will join the show. Tickets are still available.
Also appearing will be John Hickenlooper, Gloria Neal, Jim Benemann, Greg Moody, Fred Brown, Steve Koenigsberg and a host of others.
*If you said two governors, Bruce would like you to join next year’s writing staff.
Powell Joins Cohn Marketing
CJ Powell has joined Cohn Marketing as a PR advisor. Powell formerly was with Dovetail Solutions and Schenkein.
Linhart Promotes Tilliss
Linhart PR has promoted Jennifer Tilliss to account supervisor. Tilliss joined the firm as an account associate in 2006. As an account supervisor, she’ll now assume increased management responsibility for corporate and consumer-focused programs.
DPC Inducts 2010 Hall of Fame Class
The Denver Press Club inducted its 2010 Hall of Fame class: Mike McPhee, who recently retired from The Denver Post; Cynthia Hessin of Rocky Mountain PBS; Neil Westergaard, editor of the Denver Business Journal; and, posthumously, cable pioneer Bill Daniels; Greg Pearson, former journalism professor at Metropolitan State College of Denver; and William Byers, founder of the Rocky Mountain News.
Maria Pearson (daughter of posthumous inductee Greg Pearson), Mike McPhee, Cynthia Hessin, Neil Westergaard, Linda Childears (representing the late Bill Daniels).
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are Jefferson County, Linhart PR, Mapquest, MWH Global, Cahoots Communications, the Colorado Hospital Association and the Department of Regulatory Agencies.
Turner PR Adds Four Seasons Vail, Two Other Clients
Turner Public Relations, a full service, national public relations and social media firm, has added Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail, Capella Telluride and Moonlight Basin Ski Resort to its portfolio of clients.
The firm also added Carrina Junge as assistant account executive, where she will support media relations initiatives for Turner PR’s luxury travel and real estate clients. Most recently, Junge was with VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau, where she spent the last four years working closely with the City of Denver and its more than 1,000 business members to promote the city.
CPR Promotes One, Hires One
Colorado Public Radio promoted Jennifer Flatt to director of marketing and hired Tara Friedman as director of philanthropy. Flatt is now responsible for execution and supervision of day-to-day marketing and public relations initiatives, and Friedman will develop and execute strategies to build financial support for the news, information and classical music that CPR provides.
104 West Adds Two Clients
104 West Partners has added ClickBank and Evolv as clients, and has promoted Ben Johnson to Account Executive and hired Kristen Winzent as Content Associate.
Conversation Starters Inks Joint Venture Agreement
Conversation Starters has inked a joint venture agreement with Baldwin Media Marketing of Hartford, Conn. Under the joint venture, both companies will expand their existing specialities in strategic media/marketing planning and traditional/social media training.
Weber Shandwick Study Finds CEOs ‘Unsocial’
Weber Shandwick has released a new report that examines the roles CEOs play in social media, and the news is mixed:
Our analysis revealed results that were good and not-so-good. Robust signs exist that CEOs are actively taking charge of their corporate reputations and demonstrating leadership through communications. For the most part, they are extensively quoted in the business press, frequently deliver keynote speeches at conferences, and participate in business school forums. But when it comes to digital engagement and social media, CEOs are generally “unsocial.” As more CEOs take on the mantle of “chief narrator,” however, we expect that this will change and change fast.
Onit Lands Two New Clients
Onit Marketing has added two new clients: Cowbells.com, the cowbell expert; and Conductrus, a web-based field service management application specifically designed to enable small businesses to demonstrate compliance.
Sprocket Relocates, Adds One
Sprocket Communications has relocated its headquarters to the Santa Fe Arts District (932 Inca Street) and added Jeff Cornelius to its team. Cornelius formerly was with Karsh/Hagan and CBS4.
SE2’s Kurz Wins Whippersnapper Award
SE2 principal Sarah Kurz has been named one of ColoradoBiz Magazine’s “Top 25 Most Influential Young Professionals in Colorado.”
2010 DPC Gridiron Tickets On Sale Now
Jumel Launches Own Firm
Elizabeth Jumel has started Jumel Public Relations, an agency focusing on media relations, communications, strategic planning and project management. Jumel formerly was with JohnstonWells.
Weber Shandwick, CLS Win PR News Awards
Congratulations to Weber Shandwick and Carmichael Lynch Spong for taking home the hardware at PR News’ annual awards event. Weber Shandwick was named the “Digital PR Firm of the Year,” and CLS was named “Midsize PR Firm of the Year.”
Amelie Wins CAAT Account
Amélie Company Advertising and PR has been selected by the Coloradans Against Auto Theft (CAAT) coalition to handle public relations, marketing communications and project management services. GBSM represents the Coloradans For Auto Theft (CFAT) coalition.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are InView Communications, the Colorado Education Association, the Denver Public Library, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Navarro Research and Engineering, Pathways to Leadership, Verde PR & Consulting and the City of Aspen Police Department.
‘Fastest-Growing PR Stunt’
Today’s Wall Street Journal examines the “fastest-growing PR stunt: Getting into the Guinness Book of World Records.“
Interesting (and Confusing) PR Stat of the Week
“Forty years ago, 27 percent of the PR profession was female. Today it’s nearly 85 percent, reports Russell Working for Ragan.com. And yet top management is 80 percent male.”
JohnstonWells Celebrates 39th Birthday
To mark JohnstonWells’ 39th year in business, Gwin Johnston has put together a list of the agency’s best 39 clients and programs.
Denver Public Relations Blog 
