A survey conducted by a PR firm says using a PR firm makes you more successful. We all know that, of course, but why can’t it ever be a Harvard Business Review or McKinsey & Company case study that proves it instead of some dodgy survey from a PR outfit like BIGfrontier Communications.
Author: Jeremy Story
Finding a Good Job in a Bad Economy
Everyone’s favorite jobs guru Andrew Hudson will be on the CBS4 10 p.m. newscast tonight to share his tips for finding a new job in a bad economy. And if you want the full Andrew Hudson experience, head over to El Chapultepec where Andrew will be performing between tonight 9 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Post Profiles New JohnstonWells Office
How many times have you tried to tell clients that no reporters care that they moved offices? JohnstonWells just made that a tougher argument.
PRNewswire Cuts 25 Positions
It’s not just PR agencies that are suffering from reduced client budgets. PRNewswire has eliminated 25 positions “due to the loss of market share” and its president will step down in the first half of 2009.
At the Very Least They Could Have Jetpooled …
Nothing says “We understand the gravity of the situation and humbly request your help” like flying to Washington, D.C., in three separate private jets.
Longmont Publisher: ‘… and Bring Your Journalism Degree Along In Case We Need to Dry Off Any of the Cars’
What would the holiday season (whoops, I meant “Christmas season”) be without a little insult to injury. Michael Roberts at Westword has the details on the Longmont Times-Call’s holiday bonus program.
Clark to Leave Schenkein
Following a tough year that saw Schenkein reduce its headcount by nearly one-third, principal and co-owner Leanna Clark announced she will be leaving the firm in January. She plans to devote more time to her philanthropic endeavors, while still remaining an advisor to the firm. The DBJ called Clark one of Denver’s “communications leaders” and noted that Schenkein has “represented many of Denver’s top companies and nonprofit groups as well as national firms.”
Who is Behind the Denver PR Blog?
Over the past year, I have received a lot of questions about who I am. I have been accused of working for GroundFloor Media, GBSM, Linhart and JohnstonWells. And more specifically, I have been accused of being Steven “Steve” Silvers, Paul Raab, Dan Welch, Ramonna Tooley, Donna Crafton, Bruce Goldberg (just learned that one yesterday), Matt Wagner, Melissa Hourigan, Andrew Hudson, and (my favorite) Bill Husted.
For the record, none of those guesses is right. So why am I telling you this? Because Bruce Goldberg at the Denver Business Journal has figured out who I am and will disclose it Friday in his Street Talk column. So until then, I’ll enjoy my last few days of anonymity.
Catapult Lands JNBridge
Catapult PR-IR won Boulder-based JNBridge, a supplier of Java/.NET interoperability tools for software developers, as a client.
Has Bob Ewegen Retired from the Denver Post?
It would seem so.
Focus on the Family: ‘Christmas. There, Was That So Hard?’
Colorado Springs-based Focus on the Family has released its annual list of naughty and nice Christmas retailers. Those retailers headed to heaven include Cabella’s, Kohl’s and Wal-Mart, while Barnes & Noble, Best Buy and Dick’s Sporting Goods will have to settle for purgatory. Those destined for hell include Banana Republic, Old Navy and Lane Bryant. See the entire list (and FOTF’s rationale) here.
PRSA Colorado Announces Annual Holiday Party
PRSA Colorado is holding its annual Holiday Party on Thursday, Dec. 11, from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Magnolia Hotel (17th & Stout), and the agency with the most attendees will win a free happy hour for up to 20 people at Harry’s Bar. To qualify, email Dana Berry (dberry@magnoliahotels.com) with your list of agency attendees by this Friday. More information is here.
Starz Film Festival to Screen ‘Stop the Presses’
Kelly Pascal Gould of Pascal PR points us to Stop the Presses, a documentary about the troubled newspaper industry that will appear at the Starz Film Festival today at 4 p.m. Patty Calhoun at Westword has the details on its premier yesterday in the auditorium at the Denver Newspaper Agency, which, according to former Post columnist Al Lewis, was “like showing a horror film inside a graveyard.”
Burson/PR Week Release Annual CEO Survey
Burson-Marsteller and PR Week have released their Eighth Annual CEO Survey.
Twitter Takes Down Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson brand Motrin got schooled in the finicky art of social media over the weekend when one of the ads it wanted to “go viral” did just that. Unfortunately, the conversation, which began on Twitter and spilled over into the blogosphere, focused on why the ad was insulting rather than clever.
By 8:30 last night, the Motrin website was down as the company removed the ad. Unfortunately for Motrin, the print executions will continue for another month before they cycle out.
API Conference Finds Newspaper Industry in ‘Crisis’
An American Press Institute closed-door summit has concluded that the newspaper industry has reached “full-blown crisis” stage and will need outsiders to help it weather the storm. Editor & Publisher has the details.
Great Moments in Journalism X
MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough drops the F-bomb (0:25 mark) in a discussion about presidential politics and takes 55 seconds to realize he’s done it (1:20 mark).
It’s Official: Clowns Are Running Wall Street
A reminder to the NYSE that symbolism still matters. So in the current economic environment that has left the reputations of many of Wall Street’s leading brands in tatters, you might want to avoid having a clown ring the bell.
Live Blogging the PRSA Colorado Member Retreat
Didn’t sign up to attend the PRSA Colorado Member Retreat? Efrem Rodriguez from JohnstonWells will be live blogging the event, and keynote speaker Dave Taylor is tweeting the event.
Sun to Cut 6,000; Colorado Effects Unknown
Sun Microsystems, which has been chasing Crocs for the title of worst Colorado-related investment play of 2008, announced it will cut 6,000 employees, which translates to approximately 18 percent of its workplace. It is unknown how many of those cuts will come from the company’s Broomfield campus.
DMCVB Selects Delightfully Pushy New Name
Following the lead of cities such as New York and Los Angeles, the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau has changed its name to something more memorable: Visit Denver. “Our challenge was to find a 21st Century name that would be easy to remember and enunciate, be consistent with our brand, and have a call to the action,” said DMCVB/Visit Denver President Richard Scharf.
TW Telecom Exec Leads LDS Response to Arson Case
TW Telecom VP of Corporate Communications Bob Meldrum is doing double duty this week as a spokesman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after a burning Book of Mormon was found on the steps of a Denver-area LDS church.
Linhart Lands Healthcare Award
Linhart PR won a Colorado Healthcare Communicators Bronze Leaf Award in the Newsletters-Electronic category for its work on behalf of New West Physicians’ Health E-Newsletter.
Women, Hispanics Hardest Hit by Colorado Layoffs
Women and Hispanics are bearing the brunt of Colorado’s weakening economy, according to an analysis of BLS data by the Denver Business Journal.
JohnstonWells Reduces Staff
JohnstonWells has grown to be the largest public relations agency in Denver, but even it hasn’t escaped the effects of the softening Denver market. The agency let three staffers go in the past few weeks “after looking at our projections and evaluating the economic realities many companies are facing,” according to President/COO GG Johnston.
And JohnstonWells isn’t alone. Last June, Schenkein reduced its headcount by nearly one-third, and a number of agencies continue to quietly downsize through attrition.
Press Release of the Week
You make the call:
- McStain Neighborhoods — Denver Examiner Reporter ProConnect’s Steve Caulk is spinning a tale that McStain is abandoning its headquarters building so that the company can be “more nimble (and) efficient” (rather than because the company is in such a dire financial situation that it has reduced headcount from 155 to 20 employees over the past year).
(UPDATE: Here’s the Rocky’s article on the news)
- 90octane — Announced it is “going green” by implementing such cutting-edge steps as having employees turn out lights, and recycling paper and cans (and, apparently, press releases other companies issued 10 years ago).
Vail Trail Ends 46-Year Run
The Vail weekly newspaper Vail Trail has ceased publication after 46 years, a casualty of the economic downturn.
The ‘Obama Whisperer’
Howard Kurtz at the Washington Post profiles the “Obama Whisperer” Robert Gibbs, who is likely the incoming White House press secretary.
Catfight Alert: Bob Kendrick vs. Dusty Saunders
It looks like Bob Kendrick is no fan of Dusty Saunders after Dusty guesstimated (incorrectly, Bob asserts) the salaries of various Denver TV newsers. And, no, Steve Saunders wasn’t among those whose salaries were listed.
JobsGobble Networking Party Still Has a Few Tickets Left
Andrew Hudson’s JobsGobble seminar Wednesday has sold out, but there are still a few spots open for the evening networking party. Register here if you are interested.
PRSA Adds Recession-focused Panel to Member Retreat
PRSA Colorado has added a panel to its Member Retreat titled, “How Do We Survive and Thrive in this Economic Recession.” Targeted at senior-level public relations/communications practitioners, the panel features GroundFloor’s Laura Love, the DBJ’s Scott Bemis, Andrew Hudson, Qwest’s Sheila O’Neill and Steele Street Bank’s Matt Baldner. Registration for the event has technically closed, but if you hurry you can probably still sneak in. Register here.
Noodles & Company Selects Carmichael Lynch Spong
Colorado-based Noodles & Company has selected Carmichael Lynch Spong as its public relations agency of record. CLS will begin work immediately on brand strategy, creative development, local relationship marketing and public relations services.
Mile High Social Media Club Plans November Meeting
The Mile High Social Media Club’s next meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. at The Whiskey Bar. Details are here.
Scripps to Lay Off 400 Workers; Rocky Not Affected
Roger Fillion at the Rocky reports his paper will be spared as parent company Scripps prepares to layoff 400 workers and eliminate its dividend.
ProConnect Hires One
ProConect Public Relations hired Elisa Herzog as an account associate. Herzog formerly was with JohnstonWells.
History
PRSA Colorado Member Retreat Deadline Looms
This is the last week to register for the PRSA Colorado Chapter Member Retreat. Details are here.
Starbucks Offers Free Coffee to Voters … And Non-voters
Starbucks quickly went from offense to defense and back to offense again with its free coffee promotion. Better hurry if you want your free cup.
Less-Expensive Mark Koebrich to Replace Bob Kendrick
Dusty Saunders at the Rocky Mountain News conducts the most extensive post mortem to date on Bob Kendrick’s departure from 9News, and concludes that he is a victim of the sagging economy. Dusty also guesstimates the annual salaries of various local news personalities:
- Jim Benemann, CBS4 – $700,000
- Adele Arakawa 9News – $500,000
- Bob Kendrick, 9News – $400,000
- Mike Nelson, Channel 7 – $400,000
- Kathy Sabine, 9News – $400,000
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are Pure Brand, CloudMade, DirecTV, ExxonMobil, FEMA, Kaiser Permanente, Momentum Media, Playa Lakes Joint Venture and Qualistar Early Learning.
PRWeek Finds Out PR Pros Can Read Polling Data
PRWeek asked for presidential election predictions from a number of notable practitioners, and an Obama victory was the overwhelming consensus. The only local connection was Linhart’s Paul Raab, who predicts, “An Obama victory is likely.”
Happy Birthday, LoDo
It was 25 years ago today that former Denver Post columnist Dick Kreck coined the term “LoDo.” Bill Husted has the back story.
Aiello, Redux Redux
We were going to stop taking shots at Wendy Aiello because she invited us to sit at her table at the Denver Press Club’s annual Gridiron Show (and because Walt kept eyeing us with a “I’m-not-afraid-to-stick-this-fork-in-your-throat” look), but then the entertainment was so godawful* we decided she was fair game anyway.
So imagine our glee when Wendy appeared in this morning’s Bill Husted column. Unfortunately, there really wasn’t much to make fun of. Successful restaurant launch. Placido Domingo. Big write-up in the News. No “PR Princess” comments. But after being a little optimistic with our over/under on Wendy Aiello mentions for both Bill and Penny Parker, we’re taking any mentions we can find. And we’re still gunning for you, Wendy (but please don’t mention that to Walt).
*We enjoyed Andrew Hudson’s band with that skinny lead singer guy
MediaNews Group Calls MediaNews Group Clueless
Aldo Svaldi at the Denver Post gets some serious reporter street cred for writing an article about his paper’s circulation drop that has resulted in a VP from his publisher’s company writing a scathing letter to the editor. And how badly does the Post not want you to read Aldo’s piece? Click the link to the original story in the VP’s rebuttal and see where it takes you. Not to Aldo’s piece. And good luck finding the original story linked anywhere else on the Post’s Web site. Mark Harden at the DBJ and Fitz & Jen at Editor & Publisher have more details.
Great Moments in Journalism Retrospective
As requested, here is the complete list of “Great Moments in Journalism:”
Great Moments in Journalism II
Great Moments in Journalism III
Great Moments in Journalism IV
Great Moments in Journalism VI
Great Moments in Journalism VII
Gran Momentos en el Periodismo IX
Qwest Q4 Layoffs to Total 1,200, Company Says
We have been chronicling (anecdotally) the Qwest layoffs for the past few months, and now the company has disclosed a cumulative number: 1,200 jobs, or 3 percent of its workforce. Based on our conversations with Qwest employees, that number seems awfully low.
Westword: Kendrick’s ‘Steady, Reliable and Dull’ Act Never Caught On with Denver Viewers
Michael Roberts at Westword weighs in on 9News’ curious decision to dump half its top-rated anchor team. Meanwhile, 9News news director Patti Dennis is blaming tough economic times for the decision not to renew Bob Kendrick’s contract (as if his contract was anywhere near those of castmates Adele Arakawa, Kathy Sabine and Drew Soicher), and she says she has “no idea” who Adele Arakawa’s co-anchor will be (or whether she will even have one) going forward. If anyone sees Ernie Bjorkman delivering a bouquet of flowers to Dennis, let us know.
Newspaper Update, Sponsored by Zoloft
Where to begin?
- The venerable Christian Science Monitor is moving nearly all of its news operation online to save money.
- A coalition of Northeast newspapers and CNN are fighting to offer wire stories to papers that are unhappy with the Associated Press’ high price tag.
- Gannett’s newspaper division will cut another 10 percent of its staff in a next round of layoffs.
- Moody’s Investors Service may downgrade its stellar rating of the Post Co.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are the Colorado Association of School Boards, MWH Global, Raytheon, RES, Starz, Synergy Home Care and Western Union. And if you’re looking to get out of the state, you might consider Advent Solar in New Mexico, the Greater Albuquerque (N.M.) Association of Realtors and Union Telephone/Union Wireless in scenic Wyoming.
Bob Kendrick Out at 9News
9News anchor Bob Kendrick’s contract has not been renewed and he will leave the station at the end of November when the sweeps end. Details are scarce, but Penny Parker at the Rocky and Joanne Ostrow at the Post have the latest.
Separated at Birth?
Gwin Johnston (circa ~1984), Art Buchwald and Match Game stalwart Brett Somers.
Five Things Every PR Student Should Know (About PR)
As a follow-up to our recent post about Generation Y/Millenial career tips, here are five things every PR student should know courtesy of GBSM’s Steven “Steve” Silvers.
Linhart Lands Allon Hill
Linhart PR has picked up Allon Hill, a mortgage due diligence provider, as a client.
Quote (Actually Paraphrase) of the Week
“In other news, the Denver Press Club reported record profits this year due to the explosion in farewell parties for Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News reporters.”
–- Cynthia Hessin, Rocky Mountain PBS, during the Fake Newscast bit at the DPC’s 2008 Gridiron Show
Post, News Report Latest Circulation Drops
And the drumbeat continues. In the latest ABC numbers issued today, the Denver Post reported a weekday circulation drop of 6.5 percent to 210,585, while the Rocky Mountain News saw its weekday circulation numbers drop 6.6 percent to 210,281. Mark Harden at the DBJ has all the details.
Career Tips for Generation Y/Millenials
God knows there are plenty of you in public relations. Here are some career tips from Careerealism (by way of Guy Kawasaki).
Picture of the Week
(Hat tip: Bits & Pieces, by way of The Denver Egotist)
If You Have Run out of Reporters to Pitch …
…the Denver Independent launches next week.
Who is Will?
We think it is Goodwill Industries.
Is the Big-Agency Public Relations Model Dead?
John Onoda tells the Council of PR Firms that it is as antiquated as GM in a hybrid world. Weber Shandwick CEO Harris Diamond respectfully disagrees.
GBSM Names Senior Associate
GBSM hired Lynn Brackpool as Senior Associate. Brackpool has a 20-year background driving communication initiatives in the technology, health care, retail, tourism and transit industries, including with AT&T Wireless, Walt Disney and Albertson’s among others.
Is Your Job ‘Very Secure?’
A PRNewswer survey finds 68 percent of PR execs feel their jobs are “very” or “somewhat” secure.
Denver Magazine Proves Us Wrong
We put the over/under on Denver Magazine at six issues, and Jay Daignault reminds us that it is now at seven issues and counting. After the collapse of Shine, we were skeptical about Denver Magazine’s chances, and while there have been some turbulent times (replacing Dahlia Jean Weinstein as editor), there have been some good times as well (snagging the exclusive Barack and Michelle Obama interview leading up to the DNC). Here’s hoping that Denver Magazine rides out the economic downturn and becomes the yang to 5280‘s yin. Click here if you want to subscribe.
Denver Post May Go International – But Not in the Good Way
If you are a Denver Post copyeditor or graphic artist, it may be time to give you union rep a quick buzz. Post publisher Dean Singleton told the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association that papers should explore outsourcing domestically or internationally for nearly every aspect of their operations. He pointed to copyediting and design jobs that could easily be outsourced overseas, noting, “In today’s world, whether your desk is down the hall or around the world, from a computer standpoint, it doesn’t matter.” USA Today has the details.
The Future of Newspapers
What is the future of (successful) newspapers? Stay local, provide analysis and focus on investigative reporting.
104 West Lands Venture Capital Conference
104 West Partners has picked up the 2009 Venture Capital in the Rockies Winter Conference as a client.
PRSA Colorado Career Fair Targets Students
PRSA Colorado’s Engage ’08 career fair for students is Saturday, Nov. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Denver’s Governor’s Ballroom. Topics will include “interviewing skills, resume tips, finding your niche and tips to impress your first employer.” The cost is $10, and details are here.
Proof That a Free-Market Economy Works…Eventually
MillerCoors announced today that it is discontinuing the Zima brand.
Troubled Papers Leaving AP Due to High Costs
Is the Associated Press’ house of cards about to collapse? That should be a scary thought to the Denver Post considering that 70 percent of the articles in today’s front page/national section carried bylines from non-Post reporters.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are ARCHOS, Archstone, Canon Communications, Denver Kids, Oracle, Petroleum Development Corp., University of Colorado School of Pharmacy, VisiTech and the Visiting Nurse Association of Colorado.
Andrew Hudson Launches JobsGobble
Andrew Hudson has created JobsGobble, a quarterly job-seeker seminar, job fair and networking party, and the inaugural event is Wednesday, November 12, at the Denver Athletic Club. The event includes a CEO Roundtable featuring GroundFloor’s Laura Love, Webb’s Pete Webb and Cactus’ Joe Conrad, followed by a networking party and jobs fair. Details and registration are here.
Post Endorses Obama; News Decides to Forego Endorsements
The Rocky Mountain News, widely expected to endorse Sen. John McCain for president, instead decides that endorsing political candidates no longer fit with its editorial philosophy:
“In the end we’ll leave it to you to come to your own conclusion, trusting that’s what you want and believing this newspaper’s editorial page can be most valuable to you if it helps you reach an informed decision, with an emphasis on informed. After all, ultimately that’s our job. It’s not to pick presidents, senators or representatives.”
The Denver Post, for its part, has now endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president.
Top Newspaper Websites for September
September was a very good month for newspaper Websites, thanks in part to the 2008 election and the financial meltdown. Here’s a list of the 30 most-trafficked sites during September, according to Editor & Publisher:
Website — Visits — Increase
NYTimes.com — 20,068,000 — 37%
washingtonpost.com — 12,956,000 — 43%
USATODAY.com — 11,439,000 — 33%
LA Times — 10,022,000 — 102%
Wall Street Journal Online — 9,047,000 — 94%
Boston.com — 8,610,000 — 122%
SFGate.com/San Francisco Chronicle — 5,129,000 — 18%
New York Post — 4,815,000 — 98%
Politico — 4,605,000 — 219%
Chicago Tribune — 4,558,000 — 46%
Daily News Online Edition — 4,439,000 — 56%
DallasNews.com – The Dallas Morning News — 3,777,000 — 115%
Chicago Sun-Times — 3,676,000 — 64%
The Houston Chronicle — 3,396,000 — 51%
Newsday — 3,051,000 — 13%
International Herald Tribune — 2,940,000 — 121%
The Washington Times — 2,410,000 — 78%
Philly.com — 2,332,000 — 73%
The Seattle Times — 2,256,000 — 22%
Anchorage Daily News — 2,190,000 — 928%
Atlanta Journal-Constitution — 2,180,000 — 14%
Boston Herald — 2,153,000 — 118%
Baltimore Sun — 2,136,000 — 30%
Star Tribune — 2,134,000 — 50%
NJ.com — 2,086,000 — 70%
Seattle Post-Intelligencer — 2,070,000 — 17%
Detroit Free Press — 1,994,000 — 62%
MercuryNews.com — 1,964,000 — 64%
MiamiHerald.com — 1,895,000 — 64%
Village Voice Media — 1,745,000 — (-13%)
DAM PR/Advertising Director Steps Down
Best of luck to Deanna Person, who is retiring as director of public relations and advertising for the Denver Art Museum.
TiVo Alert
What happens when you get Gov. Sarah Palin, actress Tina Fey and “W” star (and Barbra Streisand stepson) Josh Brolin in a room together? We’ll find out on Saturday Night Live this weekend.
‘Judge Naughtyham’ to Step Down; Diamond Cabaret Cuts Staff
It is a sad day in Denver. Chief U.S. District Judge Edward W. Nottingham Jr. appears poised to resign his position in order to head off a judicial probe into his ethics, or lack thereof. Nottingham presided over many high-profile Colorado cases, including the trial of former Qwest CEO Joe Nacchio. But he is best known as the judge who admitted he might have spent $3,000 over two days at the Diamond Cabaret but that he was “too drunk to remember much of it,” and for having his name allegedly appear on a list of clients for a high-end, Denver-based call girl syndicate.
Denver’s ‘Thin Air Summit’ to Offer New Media Expertise
Registration is underway for the Thin Air Summit, a Denver new media conference that provides hands-on learning sessions and discussion panels presented by nationally-recognized and local New Media Professionals. The conference runs Nov. 7-9, and you can register here.
Blogroll Warning
We’re going to be updating our blogroll soon, so we wanted to give everyone fair warning. If you aren’t posting, we will be pulling you out (that means you, Schenkein).
Zen and the Art of Public Relations
GBSM’s Steve Silvers shares the advice he gives to his clients with the Rocky Mountain News:
“Bad news happens with you or without you.”
Linhart Promotes Three
Linhart PR has promoted three employees: Tim Streeb to account supervisor, Jennifer Tilliss to senior account executive and Ashley Campbell to account executive.
Ernie Bjorkman to Cat: ‘Turn Your Head and Cough’
Here at the Denver PR Blog, we are committed to covering Ernie Bjorkman the way Penny Parker covers Wendy Aiello Trista and Ryan (seriously, Penny, we wish them the best but their 15 minutes of fame was up four-and-a-half years ago. Let it go). So in that spirit, we offer you the following “Ernie Update” sponsored by Andrew Hudson’s Jobs List, Denver’s leading purveyor of marketing-related jobs:
Ernie is headed to his mountain home in South Fork to become a veterinary technician.
BREAKING NEWS: Rogue Elephant Maims One in Denver
What? Oh, never mind. At least it was nice to see a Rocky Mountain News screw-up that didn’t involve Twitter.
Update: Ernie Reappears
An update from last week’s update: Ernie Bjorkman’s bio has now reappeared on the CW2 Web site.
Qwest, Union Reach Agreement, Part II
This contract should certainly last long enough for Verizon to acquire Qwest and move the headquarters to New York City. Sigh.
Give Us $31K, and We’ll Give You the World
Despite what political consultants think, we flacks know that we are the King-makers (and Queen-makers) on the American political landscape. Without us, Sarah Palin is handling ribbon-cuttings at the new Wasilla Piggly Wiggly. With us, she’s a half-dozen points from vice president. So let’s be sure to use our powers for good, alright?
(Hat tip: Mark Harden at the DBJ)
Flacks to Add Color to Annual DPC Gridiron Dinner
Warm up those video cameras — the Denver Post’s Bill Husted is reporting that a few as-yet-unnamed PRSA Colorado members will join Gov. Bill Ritter, Mayor John Hickenlooper and others as performers at the Denver Press Club’s annual Gridiron Show on Sunday, Oct. 26 (tickets are here).
GroundFloor Wins ‘Chip Your Cat’ Campaign
The Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society and the Dumb Friends League have selected GroundFloor Media to handle their Chip Your Cat campaign.
Post: Ernie Bjorkman, 25 Other Staffers Let Go at CW2
The details of the CW2 layoffs are starting to emerge, and Joanne Ostrow at the Denver Post reports that more than 25 staffers are being let go. Anchor Ernie Bjorkman, a fixture of Denver television news for 26 years, is the highest-profile employee to be let go, although he will remain on the air for the next three months.
UPDATE: And, gracious to the end, Fox 31’s Dennis Leonard (yes, the guy who discovered John Mayer, Maroon 5 and Five for Fighting) has wasted no time marginalizing Ernie Bjorkman. Here is Ernie’s CW2 bio prior to the layoff announcement, and here is the new-and-improved version.
‘Turning Lemons into Lemonade’ Award
LeGrand Hart wins this award for its announcement that it has donated six Dell computers to a local Catholic school. Of course, with a headcount rumored to be half of what it was a little more than a year ago, LeGrand Hart probably didn’t feel much sting donating a half-dozen now-unused computers.
JohnstonWells Moves into Swanky New Office
Let’s face it — moving sucks. And moving offices is even worse, because client work doesn’t stop while you try to unpack boxes. But at least the team at JohnstonWells got some fancy new offices (and some less fancy new cubes) out of it. Pictures are here.
CW2 News Staff Gets Foxed; Layoffs ‘Significant’
We noted last month that the Fox31/CW2 news “marketing agreement” would likely result in layoffs, and today we have learned those layoffs will be “significant.” A CW2 official confirmed that news director Carl Bilek was among those notified today they are being let go, but the official refused to discuss whether any on-air personalities have been affected. Mark Harden at the DBJ has the details.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are the University of Denver, the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, ARCHOS, the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver, Renewable Energy Systems, The Bennion Group (Provo, Utah), The Comex Group, The Western Museum of Mining & Industry and the University of Arizona.
104 West Hires One, Promotes One
104 West has promoted Courtney Walsh to account manager and hired Kim Schloss as account associate. Schloss previously was with the dreaded EchoStar.
New Denver Ad Club Hosts ‘The (Agency) Dating Game’
The New Denver Ad Club is sponsoring its version of “The Dating Game,” where local client and agency representatives will talk about “what makes a match made in heaven and how to avoid bad breakups.” Panelists include employees from MillerCoors, Village Inn, Rainbow Rewards, Cactus, TDA and The Media Team, and Bob Taber of Thomas Taber & Drazen will moderate. Details are:
Thursday, October 9, 6-8 p.m.
Denver Newspaper Agency Auditorium
101 West Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80203
$25 for NDAC members; $40 for others
(join or renew a membership before or at the event to get in free)
DBJ Lauds Pete Webb
Bruce Goldberg at the Denver Business Journal recognizes Pete Webb and his agency’s 20th anniversary.
Daily Camera Moving Print Operations, Planning Layoffs
The Boulder Daily Camera is moving its remaining printing and packaging operations from Boulder to Denver and plans to lay off nearly 30 more workers by the end of this month.
Interesting PR Stat of the Week, Part II
Andy Vuong’s Denver Post article about reaction to a peace agreement between organized labor and business spent four times as many words identifying Sharon Linhart as it did quoting her:
“‘That’s great,’ said Sharon Linhart, managing partner at Linhart Public Relations.”
‘An Uptick in Hostiles’
Oh to be young, ruthless and in New York City. Just make sure you don’t get stiffed by representing the losers.
Interesting PR Stat of the Week
Peter Shankman’s HARO generates revenues of $800,000 per year (and, you had to know this, he picks off the best leads for his clients before you ever see them).
Update: Peter emailed us to say, “Don’t believe the hype.” And if you haven’t signed up for HARO, you can do so here: http://www.helpareporter.com/