Month: April 2014
PR Week: Agencies Report Double-Digit Growth
PR Week reports that:
The average revenue growth of the agencies that submitted figures for PRWeek’s Agency Business Report both this year and in 2013 was up slightly to 11% from 9% the year prior. They also expanded their workforces. Of all reporting agencies, the median staff increase in the US was 8%, while the average of the top 50 firms was 10%.
PRSA Colorado Announces Gold Pick Special Award Winners
Congratulations to the PRSA Colorado 2014 Gold Pick Special Award winners:
Chapter Service Award: Lisa Newkirk, DCP Midstream
Joe Fuentes Rookie of the Year: Kersten Baldwin, City of Centennial
Mentor of the Year: Amy Johnson, Amy Johnson Public Relations
PR Person of the Year: Molly Keveney, The WhiteWave Foods Company
PR Team of the Year: Office of Communications, CDOT
Webb PR Rebrands as Webb Strategic Communications
Webb PR has rebranded to Webb Strategic Communications, and relocated to a new office at Sixth Avenue and Speer Boulevard downtown. Founder Pete Webb says the firm “will focus on our core competencies, which include Social Marketing, Media Relations, Digital, Crisis and Latino.”
The Bawmann Group Adds Kris Kitto as Senior Counselor
The Bawmann Group has added Kris Kitto as a senior counselor. Kitto returned to Colorado in 2013 after spending seven years in Washington, D.C., covering Congress, the White House and national politics for The Hill newspaper and other publications. He continued his policy communication work in Colorado last spring as a consultant on a project involving the new recreational marijuana market’s regulatory framework.
“We are honored to welcome Kris to the TBG team,” said Brad Bawmann, TBG president and CEO. “As a former journalist, Kris brings a unique perspective to our work with clients. His experience and expertise make him a perfect fit for our team as we all work together to consistently meet and exceed our clients’ communication goals.”
Get Ink PR Wins Two, Adds One
Get Ink PR has added two new clients: Pura Vida Fitness Club and Spa in Cherry Creek and LoDo’s coming Dorchester Social Eatery. The agency also hired Christine Vazquez as a publicist. Christine joins the team from Blossoming.
WordenGroup Adds Civitas as Client
WordenGroup has added Denver-based urban design studio and landscape architects Civitas to its roster of clients. WordenGroup’s other architectural clients include Boulder’s Arch 11 and Jackson, Wyo.’s Blake Architects.
Civitas has done redevelopment projects in the Central Platte Valley, Stapleton and Larimer Square, and was recently named part of the team selected by the City of Denver to morph the National Western Stock Show into a vibrant year-round Western heritage-based National Western Center development.
Sports Anchor Wargin Latest to Leave 9News
9News sports anchor Susie Wargin is the latest KUSA-TV employee to join the 9News Alumni Association. Wargin, who is leaving the station to pursue a real-estate career, joins Will Ripley, Kirk Montgomery and Amelia Earhart as the most recent high-profile departures.
GroundFloor Adds Door to Door Organics as Client
Louisville, Colo.-based Door to Door Organics has named GroundFloor Media as its agency of record. GFM will develop and execute a national media relations program to increase awareness for Door to Door Organics among prospective customers, industry stakeholders and investors.
Denver PR Moves
- Cactus has hired Jenny Topolosky as PR manager. Topolosky joins the agency from IMA.
- The City of Arvada has hired Maria VanderKolk as communications manager. VanderKolk previously was the PIO at Adams County School District 14.
- dovetail solutions has hired Mary Kusek as a client services associate. Kusek most recently was assistant director for media relations at the Univiersity of Texas at Austin.
- Avnet has hired Julie Wagoner as web & social media specialist. She previously was a social media specialist at Bellco.
- Linhart PR has promoted Tim Streeb to senior account director.
- Barefoot PR has added Jamie Bradley as a senior associate.
Ron Zappolo In, Kirk Montgomery Out at 9News
9News entertainment reporter Kirk Montgomery wasn’t offered a full, one-year contract and is leaving for Lansing, Mich.’s WILX. And former 9News sports anchor and Fox31 news anchor Ron Zappolo is returning to 9News in a move that may give Drew Soicher nightmare flashbacks from when he was unceremoniously drummed out of the San Francisco market.
Huh?
CareerCast ranks “Public Relations Executive” as the 140th best job in America, 16 places behind “Dishwasher.”
That Awkward Moment …
… when 10 million public relations practitioners realize there is no one left in the media.
Great Moments in Journalism
A day after CBS announces that Stephen Colbert will replace David Letterman as host of The Late Show, Denver Post editors run a story wondering who will replace David Letterman.
Boom Adds BizDev SVP
Denver’s Boom Broadcast has added Susan Sikora as senior vice president of business development. Based in Raleigh, NC, Sikora will focus on business development as well as new marketing initiatives for the agency and its clients.
PRSA Colorado Media Roundtable Luncheon
Registration has opened for PRSA Colorado’s most-popular lunch program – the annual media roundtable.
Annual Media Roundtable Luncheon
11:30 – 1 p.m., Wednesday, April 23
Comedy Works South
5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
$30 for students; $35 for members; $49 for nonmembers
This year’s media attendees include:
- Vicky Collins, Teletrends
- Kasey Cordell, Senior Editor, 5280 Magazine
- Heather Draper, Banking/Finance/Legal Reporter, Denver Business Journal
- Jim Hooley, General Reporter, Fox 31 and KOA
- Rob McClure, Photojournalists, CBS4
- Barry Petersen, Correspondent, CBS News
- Rory Schmalzried, Executive Producer News Logistics, KMGH-TV
- Kristine Strain, Assistant News Director, CBS-4
- Eric Whitney, Reporter, Colorado Public Radio
- Daliah Singer, Associate Editor, 5280 Magazine
Great Moments in Sports
The Atlanta Braves celebrated the opening of the 2014 MLB season by … accidentally setting an American flag on fire.
Robin Chocolates Retains DStreet
Longmont-based artisan chocolate maker Robin Chocolates has retained DStreet to promote its products and recent recognition as an industry leader for its handmade chocolates and pastries.
SE2 Promotes Two to Principal
SE2 has promoted Abbie Vacanti Kesner and Jill Hamilton to the position of principal. From SE2:
Jill Hamilton and Abigail Kesner have been with SE2 for four and three years, respectively. During this time they have managed significant integrated communications campaigns for public, nonprofit and private-sector clients. Their work has ranged from promoting public health to early childhood education to energy.
Great Moments in Journalism
The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune apparently has replaced all of its editors with 10-year-old boys:
Ex-CEO of Patagonia Joins Backbone Media
Former Patagonia CEO Casey Sheahan has joined Backbone Media as a senior advisor. Backbone, which specializes in outdoor clients, has offices in Denver; Carbondale; and Jackson, Wyo. According to the Associated Press, “Sheahan lives in Carbondale and left Patagonia in February. At the time, he said he wanted to spend more time with his family, enjoy outdoor recreation in the area and help the fight against oil and gas development on the Thompson Divide.”
Lack of Research Gives Chili’s Black Eye in Autism Flap
Restaurant chain Chili’s is playing some defense after it apparently failed to conduct its due diligence before agreeing to support the National Autism Association, a non-profit group that has linked vaccinations to autism in some cases. Chili’s announced on its Facebook page that it has canceled the fundraiser that would have donated 10 percent of today’s proceeds to the NAA.
Private Equity Firm to Acquire Vocus for $450M
Private equity firm GTCR Valor Merger Sub Inc. is acquiring Vocus for nearly $450 million, according to Reuters. PR Week notes that this isn’t GTCR’s first attempt to get into the space – “GTCR has also been trying to acquire Stockholm-headquartered Cision since February.”
GM CEO Credited for Handling of Recall Crisis
When General Motors named Mary Barra its first female CEO three months ago, who knew the biggest hurdle she would likely face would be trying to undo the damage done by her predecessors? For all of her business acumen, it may simply be her likability and sense of trustworthiness that determines whether she survives.
Forbes, among many others, gives her credit for navigating the crisis with aplomb:
… Ms. Barra struck exactly the right tone: calm, in control, honestly sympathetic, yet not going to be pushed into a statement she did not want to make. She was unfailingly polite, and seemed dedicated to finding out the truth, and then to addressing it head-on. She did not grandstand nor was she flustered; she did not defer nor did she deflect the criticism, but she did stand up to her questioners when they were not clear, in a way that was neither angry, nor defensive, nor subservient.
Samsung Takes Some Heat for Big Papi/Obama Selfie
In a word where consumers increasingly value transparency, Samsung’s “Selfie Stunt, Part 2” is falling flat.
Linhart Cracks 5280’s ‘Most Powerful People’ List
Congratulations to Sharon Linhart, who was named the 49th most powerful person in Denver.
Denver Public Relations Blog 