Webb, Philosophy Win Big at 2016 PRSA Gold Picks

Webb Strategic and Philosophy Communication were the big winners at the the 2016 PRSA Colorado Gold Picks awards event. Using the proprietary and highly sophisticated Denver PR Blog formula to determine who fared best (two points for a gold, one point for a silver), the results are:

1. Webb Strategic (14 points) – Seven gold
1. Philosophy (14 points) – Five gold, four silver
3. WildRock (10 points) – Four gold, two silver
4. Denver Art Museum (8 points) – Nonprofit Award, three gold
4. Linhart PR (8 points) – Four gold
6. CIG (7 points) – Three gold, one silver
6. Colorado State University (7 points) – Two gold, three silver
8. Bawmann Group (6 points) – Three gold
8. Farm Credit Council (6 points) – Three gold
10. Blake Communications (5 points) – Two gold, one silver
10. Weber Shandwick (5 points) – Two gold, one silver
12. B Public Relations (4 points) – One gold, two silver
12. Denver Water (4 points) – Two gold
12. Fyn PR (4 points) – One gold, two silver
12. Lola Red (4 points) – One Grand Gold, one gold
12. Malen Yantis (4 points) – Small Practice award, one gold
12. MWH Global (4 points) – Two gold
12. SCRAM (4 points) – One gold, two silver
19. Darnaeur Group (3 points) – One gold, one silver
20. Bonfils Blood Center (2 points) – One gold
20. DISH Network (2 points) – Two silver
20. City of Commerce City (2 points) – Two silver
20. Fletcher Group (2 points) – One gold
20. Level 3 (2 points) – One gold
20. Mulligan & Co. (2 points) – Two silver
20. SideCar PR (2 points) – One gold
20. Sling TV (2 points) – One gold
20. Xstatic (2 points) – One gold
29. Orapin (1 point) – One silver
29. RightScale (1 point) – One silver

PRSA Colorado Announces 2016 Award Winners

Congratulations to the 2016 PRSA Colorado Gold Pick special award winners:

  • Swede Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award : Dan Hopkins, Scientific and Cultural Facilities District
  • PR Person of the Year Award: Jordan Blakesley, B Public Relations
  • Business Person of the Year Award: Nicolle Davies, Arapahoe Libraries
  • Joe Fuentes Rookie of the Year Award: Taylor Prather, Eagle County Government
  • Mentor of the Year Award: Nicole Yost, Fyn Public Relations
  • Chapter Service Award: Elizabeth Jumel, Jumel Public Relations
  • PR Team of the Year Award: Colorado State University’s External Relations Team

The Special Award and Gold and Silver Pick award winners will be recognized at the Gold Pick Awards ceremony on Thursday, May 5, 2016, at the EXDO Event Center.

B PR, CSG and CSU Land Bronze Anvil Awards

I’m way late on this, but a shout out to my friends Jordan Blakesley and BrieAnn Fast at B Public Relations for their national PRSA Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation. This year’s Bronze Anvil competition drew a total of 828 entries. Of those, only 71 organizations were selected by the Bronze Anvil Judges as Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation winners. And congratulations to CSG and Colorado State University, which also won Bronze Anvil awards this year.

CSG, CSU Big Winners at 2015 PRSA Colorado Gold Picks

Communications Strategy Group, JKD & Company, Cutter Communications, and Mulligan & Co. were the big agency winners at last night’s PRSA Colorado Gold Picks awards event. Using the proprietary and highly sophisticated Denver PR Blog formula to determine which agencies fared best (two points for a gold, one point for a silver, two additional points for the Grand Gold Pick/Small Practice/Nonprofit Best in Show awards), the results are:

1. CSG | PR (14 points) – Seven gold
2. JKD & Company (12 points) – Two Grand Gold Picks, Small Practice Award
3. Cutter (9 points) – Grand Gold Pick, Small Practice Award, one gold, one silver
4. Mulligan & Co. (8 points) – Four gold
5. Linhart PR (6 points) – Three gold
5. Philosophy (6 points) – Three gold
7. Blake (5 points) – Two gold, one silver
8. B Public Relations (4 points) – Two gold
8. Novitas (4 points) – Nonprofit Best in Show gold
8. WildRock (4 points) – Two gold
11. DStreet (3 points) – One gold, one silver
11. Webb (3 points) – One gold, one silver
13. Ayers PR (2 points) – One gold
13. CIG (2 points) – One gold
13. Gonder PR (2 points) – One gold
13. Monaghan (2 points) – One gold
13. Volume Nine (2 points) – One gold
18. Barefoot PR (1 point) – One silver
18. MGA (1 point) – One silver
18. Weber Shandwick (1 point) – One silver

And Colorado State University led the non-agency winners:

1. Colorado State University (14 points) – Seven gold
2. Leidos Engineering (4 points) – Two gold
2. University of Colorado/Skaggs (4 points) – Two gold
4. Kaiser (2 points) – One gold
5. Commerce City (1 point) – One silver
5. Colorado Health Foundation (1 point) – One silver
5. Denver Union Station (1 point) – One silver

The 2015 Special Award winners were:

• Pete Webb, Webb, Swede Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award
• Michelle Ellis, Orapin Marketing + PR, PR Person of the Year
• Meg VanderLaan, MWH Global, Business Person of the Year
• Amber DiGiallanardo, Linhart, Joe Fuentes Rookie of the Year
• Kristen Yantis, Malen Yantis, Mentor of the Year
• Margaret Fogarty, Farm Credit, Chapter Service Award

And the Public Relations Team of the Year was awarded to Sage Hospitality, Dunn Communications, Larimer Associates, dovetail solutions, and Aiello Public Relations & Marketing.

PRSA Colorado Announces 2015 BOD

PRSA Colorado announced its 2015 Board of Directors:

Executive Committee:
President: Cara Crifasi, co-founder, Evoke Creative Services
President-Elect: Nicole Yost, founder and president, Fyn Public Relations
Immediate Past-President: Julie Scott, director, Bonfils Blood Center Foundation
Secretary: Suzanne Trantow, Aguilar PR
Treasurer: Jerry Brown, APR, independent practitioner

Assembly Delegates:
Elizabeth Jumel, APR, president, Jumel Public Relations
Stacey Sepp, APR, principal, Xstatic Public Relations
Sara Spaulding, APR, vice president of communications and marketing, CenturyLink
Dana Stone, external communications director, Elavon, Inc.
Sarah Thornton, president, Thornton Public Relations

Directors:
Michelle Kern, marketing and communications manager, Optis
Claudia Morlan, communications specialist, Elmore Public Relations
Diane Mulligan, president, Mulligan & Co.
Renee Robinson, APR, corporate communications manager, Ball Corporation
Jessica Sidener, director of communications, Arapahoe Library District
Jennifer Tillis, account director, Linhart PR

PRSA Colorado Marijuana Brand Challenge Tonight

Standing Out in a Field of Cannabis Edibles and Other Brand Challenges of Legalization is the subject of this year’s Brand Challenge that takes place today at the Oxford Hotel in downtown Denver.

Join panelists Stacey Stegman from DIA, Ricardo Baca from The Denver Post and Joe Hodas from Dixie Elixirs as they and attendees discuss how the legalization of marijuana has changed our state brand, issues that exist at the state and federal levels as visitors travel to and from Colorado through DIA, some complicated definitions, and more.

No registration is required – walk-ins are welcome.

PRSA Colorado Brand Challenge
4-6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28
Oxford Hotel
1637 Wazee Street
Denver, CO 80202
$35 / $20 for students

Linhart, Philosophy, CSG Big Winners at 2014 Gold Picks

Linhart PR, Philosophy Communication and Communications Strategy Group were the big agency winners at last night’s PRSA Colorado Gold Picks awards event. Using the proprietary and highly sophisticated Denver PR Blog formula to determine which agencies fared best (four points for the Grand Gold Pick, two points for a gold, one point for a silver), the results are:

1. Linhart PR (17 points) – Seven gold, three silver
2. Philosophy (13 points) – One grand gold, two gold, five silver
3. CSG | PR (10 points) – Three gold, four silver
4. DStreet (6 points) – One gold, four silver
5. Weber Shandwick (5 points) – Two gold, one silver
6. CIG PR (4 points) – Two gold
6. Webb PR (4 points) – Four silver
7. Bawmann Group (1 point) – One silver
7. Blake Communications (1 point) – One silver
7. GroundFloor Media (1 point) – One silver
7. WildRock (1 point) – One silver

And the non-agency winners were:

1. Dish (6 points) – Two gold, two silver
2. Exclusive Resorts (5 points) – Two gold, one silver
3. DIA (4 points) – Two gold
4. Denver Art Museum (3 points) – One gold, one silver
4. Farm Credit (3 points) – One gold, one silver
6. CU Skaggs School (2 points) – One gold
6. Great Outdoors Colorado (2 points) – One gold
8. Arapahoe Library District (1 point) – One silver
8. City of Aurora (1 point) – One Silver
8. Colorado State University (1 point) – One silver
8. Kaiser Permanente (1 point) – One silver

Note: This list has been updated to reflect several non-agency winners that I inadvertently excluded.

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

Help Those Who Need a #PRBoost

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PRSA’s annual community outreach event—PR Boost—is just a few weeks away, and it needs your help. PRSA is looking for top-level PR practitioners with at least 5 years of experience who have a passion for public service to mentor area nonprofits in need of a little communication assistance.

Fifth Annual PRSA PR Boost Event
Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 7:30-11 a.m.
(7:15- Check In and Breakfast)
Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce,
1445 Market Street, Denver CO 80202

Here’s how it works: PRSA Colorado aligns PR pros with area nonprofits for two one-on-one sessions in which you’ll work together to mentor members from these organizations to help them achieve their communication goals.  It’s a small commitment from you, but it will mean a lot to these nonprofits, and to the communities they serve.

Register here: http://www.prsacolorado.affiniscape.com/displayconvention.cfm?conventionnbr=12545

Linhart, Philosophy Big Winners at 2013 PRSA Gold Pick Awards

What does Sharon Linhart call it when you pick up a half-dozen wins at PRSA Colorado’s Gold Pick awards? An off-night.

Linhart PR and Philosophy Communication were the big agency winners at last night’s awards event. Using the proprietary and highly sophisticated Denver PR Blog formula to determine which agencies fared best (four points for the Grand Gold Pick, two points for a gold, one point for a silver), the results are:

1. Linhart PR (21 points) – Two grand gold, six gold, one silver
2. Philosophy Communication (11 points) – Five gold, one silver
3. Pure Brand (7 points) – Three gold, one silver
4. JKD! & Co. (4 points) – Two gold
5. CSG | PR (3 points) – One gold, one silver
5. MGA (3 points) – One gold, one silver
7. Weber Shandwick (1 point) – One silver

And the big non-agency winners were:

1. Kaiser Permanente (10 points) – Five gold
2. Commerce City (7 points) – Three gold, one silver
3. Denver Art Museum (6 points) – Three gold
3. Farm Credit (6 points) – Two gold, two silver

And, finally, congratulations to the Special Award winners:

• Linhart PR’s Sharon Linhart (Swede Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award)
• Bagnulo Communications’ Meredith Bagnulo (Chapter Service Award)
• Chipotle’s Chris Arnold (PR Person of the Year)
• JKD! & Co.’s Jane Dvorak (Mentor of the Year)
• MGA’s Matthew Rodriguez (Joe Fuentes Rookie of the Year Award)
• 2012 PRSA Western District 2012 Conference Planning Committee, led by chairwoman Lisa Cutter (PR Team of the Year)

PRSA Colorado Luncheon: Following the ‘Rocky’ Road

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Following the “Rocky” Road
Former Rocky Mountain News Staffers Share Their Stories Four Years Later

After 149 years and 311 days, the Rocky Mountain News published its final edition on February 27, 2009. As the four-year anniversary of its closure approaches, PRSA Colorado reflects on this stark example of the ever-changing media landscape in our own backyard. A panel discussion will feature former Rocky reporters David Milstead, Sam Adams, Penny Parker and Chris Walsh, and will be moderated by Andrew Hudson.

Details
11:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
The Four Seasons Hotel
1111 14th Street
Denver, CO 80202
Register

Young PRSA Pros Benefit from Pushkin PR Grant

Jon Pushkin is celebrating Pushkin Public Relations‘ 15th anniversary by funding a PRSA Colorado scholarship to help young professionals get started in their careers. The $1,500 donation will help young professionals attend PRSA Colorado programs and become more active members of the chapter.

“We believe that integrity and a thirst for learning are fundamental to building solid reputations and successful careers,” said Pushkin. “Over the past 15 years, we’ve helped dozens of organizations grow and prosper. So we are proud to honor our 15th anniversary by helping young professionals grow into successful practitioners.”

Second Annual PRSA Colorado ‘Brand Challenge’

PRSA Colorado is hosting the Second Annual Brand Challenge – a networking, collaborating, creative thinking and pitching competition – on Wednesday, Oct. 24, at the Wynkoop Brewery.

Representatives from Colorado organizations, including Visit DenverColorado Ski Country USA, and RiNo Arts District, will each present the audience with a unique communications challenge. Teams of 10 people will have 50 minutes to collaborate, brainstorm and develop a solution. Each team will then have five minutes to pitch their idea in front of the audience. The brand representatives will select the best pitches– one for each brand. Each member of the winning teams will receive a prize. Teams will be assigned upon arrival – first come, first serve.

Colorado Nonprofits Need Your Help

Okay, PR experts. It’s time to give a little something back. PRSA Colorado is soliciting experts to help counsel non-profits as part of its annual “PR Boost” event. The event connects local non-profits with Denver PR experts for a morning of PR counsel and guidance tailored to the organizations. Topics typically include issues such as how to start a crisis communications plan, what content to include in newsletters, how to use social media to gain fans and volunteers, how to get coverage in the media and how to communicate with volunteers or donors.

PRSA Colorado ‘PR Boost’
7:30 – 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 13
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
1445 Market Street, 5th Floor
Denver, CO 80202
Questions? Contact Quinn Kelsey or Andy Peters

And if you know a non-profit that could use some PR help, point them to the PRSA Colorado nonprofit sign-up page.

Linhart, Pure Brand Big Winners at PRSA Gold Picks

If you see Sharon Linhart and Larry Holdren at the Capital Grille today smoking cigars, swilling scotch and generally cackling like they own the town, well, actually that’s just a typical Friday for the two of them. But there’d also be another reason: their firms were the big agency winners at last night’s PRSA Colorado Gold Pick Awards.

Using the proprietary and highly sophisticated Denver PR Blog formula to determine which agencies fared best (four points for the Grand Gold Pick, two points for a gold, one point for a silver), the results are:

1. Linhart PR (16 points) – One grand gold, five gold, two silver
2. Pure Brand (15 points) – Four gold, seven silver
3. Webb PR (8 points) – Three gold, two silver
4. GroundFloor Media (4 points) – Two gold
5. Downing Street (3 points) – One gold, one silver
6. Communications Infrastructure Group (2 points) – One gold
6. Communications Strategy Group (2 points) – One gold
6. Philosophy (2 points) – Two silver
9. JDK & Co. (1 point) – One silver

And the big non-agency winners were:

1. Pinnacol Assurance (7 points) – Three gold, one silver
2. Farm Credit (5 points) – Two gold, one silver
2. Kaiser Permanente (5 points) – One gold, three silver
4. Colorado State University (4 points) – Two gold

And, finally, congratulations to the Special Award winners:

• JKD & Co.’s Jane Dvorak (Swede Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award)
• Rocky Mountain Arsenal: Charlie Scharmann/U.S. Army, Roger Shakely/Shell Oil Co. and Steve Berendzen/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Business People of the Year)
• Margaret Fogarty/Farm Credit and Carey Madsen/InView Communications (PR Team of the Year)
• EnCana’s Bridget Ford (Chapter Service Award)
• Linhart PR’s Ashley Frost (Joe Fuentes Rookie of the Year Award)

PRSA Colorado ‘Media Roundtable’ Luncheon

PRSA Colorado’s annual Media Roundtable luncheon is next week, and it is a chance to connect with Denver media such as:

  • Julie Dugdale, senior editor, 5280
  • Amber Johnson, editor, The Denver Post’s Mile High Mamas
  • Kelley Griffin, executive producer, Colorado Public Radio
  • Kathy Walker, news director, KOA-850 AM
  • Rory Schmalzried, executive producer of news logistics, 7News
  • Dennis Huspeni, staff writer, Denver Business Journal
  • Doug Hoffacker, assignment editor, CBS4News
  • Greg Griffin, business reporter, The Denver Post
  • Suzanne Brown, features editor, The Denver Post
  • Curtis Hubbard, editorial page editor, The Denver Post
  • Misty Montano, digital content manager, 9News
  • Erika Napoletano, writer, Entreprenuer magazine & The Bitch Slap
Details:
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012
Registration and Networking | 11:30 a.m.
Luncheon | Noon – 1:30 p.m.
NEW LOCATION: The Four Seasons Hotel | 1111 14th Street | Denver, CO 80202

PRSA Colorado’s Chapter Retreat – CoLab

The CoLab (formerly the PRSA Chapter Retreat) will feature hands-on, intentionally collaborative workshops that will encourage and inspire you to build chemistry with fellow industry professionals, test your limits and expand your capabilities. You’ll develop a strategic mindset, strengthen your relationships and pick up practical tips.

Early-Bird Pricing through Oct. 27: Fees for PRSA Colorado members is $130 for full retreat, $50 for keynote lunch only, or $25 for Young Pros session only. Non-member fees are $170 for full retreat, $65 keynote lunch only, or $35 for Young Pros only. Student discounts available for $65-$85. Click here for details. Continue reading “PRSA Colorado’s Chapter Retreat – CoLab”

PRSA Colorado ‘Brand Challenge’

Next Wednesday, in lieu of its monthly luncheon, PRSA Colorado will host its first Brand Challenge – a networking, collaborating, creative thinking, pitching competition.

Representatives from Crocs, the Four Seasons Hotel, and Smashburger will present three unique communication challenges. Randomly assigned teams will have 30 minutes to develop a solution and three minutes to pitch their idea. Each member of the winning teams will receive prizes up to $100 in value.

In addition to food, drinks and great prizes, the event will be a great opportunity to:

  • Visit with friends and colleagues
  • Network with local PR professionals
  • Learn about the communication challenges that major brands are experiencing
  • Participate in an integrated brainstorming and pitching exercise with a diverse team of communicators
  • Observe the creative thinking and pitching style of peers
  • And, did we mention…prizes up to $100 in value from Crocs, the Four Seasons and Smashburger

REGISTER NOW:  http://bit.ly/mVQsy5

$25 for Students
$35 for PRSA Colorado Members
$45 for Non-members

The PRSA Colorado ‘Great Brand Challenge’

When

  • October 19, 2011
  • 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Where

  • Braun’s (24th and Blake near Coors Field in the Ballpark District)

What

  • Representatives from three nationally recognized brands (Crocs, The Four Seasons Hotel, and Smashburger) will present the audience with a unique communication challenge.
  • Teams of eight to 10 people (attendees) will have 30 minutes to collaborate, brainstorm and develop a solution.
  • Each team will then have three minutes to pitch their idea in front of the audience.
  • The brand representatives will select the three best pitches – one for each brand.
  • Each member of the three winning teams will receive a prize from the brand they pitched.
  • Note: Teams will be assigned randomly to foster networking and fresh thinking by bringing together groups of people with diverse skill sets and experience levels.

Why

  • A fresh approach to networking
  • Exposure to real brands and real brand challenges
  • Opportunity to participate in an integrated brainstorming, planning and pitching exercise with a diverse team of communicators.
  • Exposure to the approach, creative thinking, ideation and pitching style of peers.
  • Opportunity to win big prizes

Registration

  • $35 for PRSA Colorado Members
  • $45 for Non-members

PRSA CoLab

Registration has opened for PRSA CoLab, a full-day experiment in innovative thinking and discussion for Colorado’s public relations professionals. The hands-on, intentionally creative and challenging workshops will encourage and inspire participants to build chemistry with other industry professionals, test their limits and expand their capabilities. The CoLab will feature top speakers, energizing activities and a collaborative work environment.

PRSA CoLab
9 am – 5 pm, Thursday, Nov. 3
Denver Art Museum

 

Denver’s PR Agency Leaders

If you are interested in learning first-hand what it takes to build one of Denver’s biggest and/or best PR agencies, plan to attend PRSA Colorado’s September luncheon. I am moderating an all-star panel discussion that features six of Denver’s most notable agency leaders:

Send me an email or post a comment if you have a question you would like me to ask any or all of these agency leaders. And don’t be afraid to make them tough – they can take it.

PRSA Colorado Taps Six All-Stars for Panel Discussion

If you are interested in learning first-hand what it takes to build one of Denver’s biggest and best PR agencies, plan to attend PRSA Colorado’s September luncheon. I am moderating an all-star panel discussion that features six of Denver’s most notable agency leaders:

Send me an email or post a comment if you have a question you would like me to ask any or all of these agency leaders. And don’t be afraid to make them tough – they can take it.

Colorado Non-profits Need Your PR Help

Okay, PR experts. It’s time to give a little something back. PRSA Colorado is soliciting experts to help counsel non-profits as part of its annual “PR Boost” event. The event connects local non-profits with Denver PR experts for a morning of PR counsel and guidance tailored to the organizations.

PRSA Colorado ‘PR Boost’
7:30 – 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 7
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
1445 Market Street, 5th Floor
Denver, CO 80202

And if you know a non-profit that could use some PR help, point them to the PRSA Colorado non-profit sign-up page.

Webb PR Dominates 2011 PRSA Gold Pick Awards

You have to hand it to Pete Webb. His team either does really good work or they really know how to fill out an award nomination (I’m guessing both). Webb PR was the big winner at last night’s PRSA Colorado Gold Pick Awards. Using the proprietary and highly sophisticated Denver PR Blog formula to determine which organizations fared best (two points for a gold, one point for a silver), the results are:

1. Webb PR (13 points) – Six gold, one silver
2. Linhart (pronounced “len-hahrt”) (6 points) – Three gold
2. Pure Brand (6 points) – Two gold, two silver
4. Denver Art Museum (5 points) – One grand gold, one gold, one silver
4. Philosophy Communication (5 points) – One gold, three silver
6. CSG|PR (4 points) –  Two gold
6. Colorado State University (4 points) – Two gold
8. GroundFloor Media (3 points) – One gold, one silver
8. JKD & Company (3 points) – One gold, one silver
8. JohnstonWells (3 points) – One gold, one silver
11. 104 West (2 points) – One gold
11. Carmichael Lynch Spong (2 points) – One gold
11. Children’s Hospital (2 points) – One gold
11. MWH (2 points) – One gold
11. MGA (2 points) – Two silver
11. Pinnacol Assurance (2 points) – Two silver
17. Bonfils Blood Center (1 point) – One silver
17. Cohn Marketing (1 point) – One silver
17. Dovetail Solutions (1 point) – One silver
17. First Data (1 point) – One silver
17. Galloway Group (1 point) – One silver
17. Kirshner Communications (1 point) – One silver
17. University of Denver (1 point) – One silver
17. Vail Resorts (1 point) – One silver

Also, congratulations to the big award winners:

Denver Art Museum’s “Rolling Out the Gold Carpet: King Tut’s Denver Debut” (Grand Gold Pick Award)
• Mitchell Communications’ Sydney Ayers (Swede Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award)
• Bonfils Blood Center President & CEO Tom Puckett (Business Person of the Year)
• MGA’s Raquel Fuentes, Sarah Rasmussen and Jennifer Watson (PR Team of the Year)
• Linhart’s Quinn Kelsey (Joe Fuentes Rookie of the Year Award)
• CL Orwig & Associates’ Cherie Orwig (Chapter Service Award)

PRSA Starts Book Club for Young Professionals

Colorado PRSA’s Young Professional Development Committee has started a book club for young PR pros. To kick off the club, we will be reading fashion PR publicist Kelly Cutrone’s If You Have to Cry, Go Outside And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You.

“Known to those in the industry as the founder of People’s Revolution, Cutrone will be remembered to some as the tough boss to Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port on MTV’s The Hills. The book catalogs both her personal and professional successes.  Her advice is applicable for those in every business.  Helpful tips include: phone calls are better than emails, don’t blog about your job, and go outside to cry.”

The club will meet on the last Tuesday of each month. The first meeting is Tuesday, May 31, at 6 pm at Paris on the Platte. RSVP to haleyhennes@gmail.com.

PRSA Colorado 2011 Gold Pick Awards Dinner and Ceremony

PRSA Colorado has scheduled its annual Gold Pick Awards Dinner and Ceremony for Thursday, May 5, 2011. Download the 2011 Call for Entries form to enter a public relations program or campaign for one of the 49 award categories.

Early entry deadline:
February 25, 2011 – Noon

Late entry deadline:
March 5, 2011 – 4 p.m.

Special Awards deadline:
March 25, 2011 – 4 p.m.

The PRSA Colorado Chapter Gold Pick awards program is aligned with the PRSA Silver Anvil awards program. Visit http://www.prsa.org/awards/silveranvil for complete details on the national awards.

 

PRSA Colorado Luncheon Features eBay’s Skyberg

eBay’s Rolf Skyberg is the featured speaker at this month’s PRSA Colorado luncheon, where he will discuss how to control the destiny of your campaigns – and your business – by mastering the elusive patterns of growth and decline. Some of the topics Rolf will cover include:

  • How to tell the difference between a fad and a trend
  • When to respond quickly and when to simply “keep calm and carry on”
  • What to do when the hype dies down
  • How not to get bitten in your career
  • How to get the most out of your team

The details are:

Wednesday, Jan. 19, at 11:30 a.m.
The Curtis Hotel, 1405 Curtis St., Denver, CO 80202
$35 for PRSA Colorado chapter members; $49 for guests and $30 for students

The Importance of Maintaining Integrity in a Crisis

PRSA Colorado is hosting an all-star panel to discuss how can you keep your personal and professional integrity during a crisis situation while also keeping your company or client happy. Panelists include PRSA National Chair and CEO Gary McCormick and PRSA Colorado’s newest inductees to the College of Fellows – Sydney Ayers, Jane Dvorak and Jeff Julin.

The Importance of Maintaining Integrity in a Crisis
Wednesday, Sept. 15, at 11:30 a.m.
The Curtis Hotel, 1405 Curtis St., Denver, CO 80202

Click here to register (deadline is noon today).

Is PRSA’s APR Credential Relevant Anymore?

With “only 904 Society members hav(ing) become APR in the past six years, which represents a decline of more than 50% in participation by members over the two previous six-year periods,” it would appear it is headed toward irrelevancy.

Those numbers don’t surprise me. National PRSA’s attempts to gin up relevancy for the APR by requiring it to serve on its board only serves to underscores the situation. I’m perfectly fine with a CPA-like certification that requires a rigorous path and a corresponding level of respect within the public relations and broader marketing communities. But the APR credential isn’t that, and the most dictatorial holders of the certification should stop acting as though it is.

I have no doubt that my 15 years of public relations experience working with and for some of the most recognizable companies in the world has given me the knowledge and expertise I need to become credentialed. And as a PRSA Colorado board member, I more than meet the various requirements to remain credentialed. But I am not an APR. And the only explanation that I can give is to explain that when someone asks me to go jump through hoops for no reason, I just smile politely and say, “No thanks.”

(Note: If Gina, Jeff, Sydney, Sarah, Jon, Jane or any other APRs would like equal time, I’m happy to post it).

PRSA Colorado Trivia Night

Have a gift for remembering useless information? Want to test your wits against your fellow marketing and PR professionals? Then Colorado PRSA invites you to Trivia Night on Wed., Sept. 1.

Colorado PRSA Trivia Night
Scruffy Murphy’s, 2030 Larimer St., Denver
Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010
5:30 p.m. – Registration & Networking
6 p.m. – Trivia Begins – Don’t be late!

Click here to register. PRSA will pair up individuals that evening, and teams can have a maximum of six players. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams. Last-place team will be required to pay Paula Berg’s bar tab.

Free PR Help for Colorado Nonprofits

Do you know a nonprofit that is looking for guidance on PR campaigns, traditional and social media, crisis communications and other communications issues? Let them know about PRSA Colorado’s annual PR Boost event on Wednesday, Aug. 18, from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.

PR Boost brings together experienced public relations practitioners with local nonprofits to provide PR counsel and guidance specific to your nonprofit organization’s communications needs.  Each attending nonprofit will be matched with a public relations volunteer for individual counseling sessions.

Click here to learn more or register.

PRSA Colorado Soliciting Non-profits that Need a ‘PR Boost’

Do you know a nonprofit leader whose public relations efforts need a boost? If so, let them know about PRSA Colorado’s 2010 PR Boost on Wed., August 18, which connects non-profits and PR experts for a morning of PR counsel and guidance specific to the organization’s communications needs. Each nonprofit will be matched with a public relations volunteer for individual sessions. A $25 registration fee includes breakfast and free event parking.

Jim Hooley, PRSA Hosting Web Video Workshop

PRSA Colorado and longtime Denver journalist Jim Hooley are hosting a hands-on web video workshop where participants can learn how to produce, edit and share web video. The workshop will focus on scripting, shot selections, audio tips and tricks, basic video editing techniques and how to share videos online. The details are:

Web Video Workshop
2:30 – 5:00 p.m. MDT | Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Denver Press Club | 1330 Glenarm Place | Denver, CO 80204
Click here for more information.

PRSA Colorado Sponsors Mentoring Event

PRSA Colorado is hosting a free (that’s right, Ef Rodriguez, FREE) mentorship event on Tuesday, July 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Lobby (2191 Arapahoe St. in Denver). The event will include:

  • Extended happy hour and complimentary appetizers
  • An opportunity for attendees to connect with potential mentors/mentorees in an organic setting

According to PRSA, “A recent PR Tactics article found the most valuable mentor relationships evolve through everyday work interactions and civic and volunteer activities. We’re bridging the two and providing the resources and a fun environment for all PR pros, young and old, to nurture meaningful relationships and possibly, life-long friendships.” RSVP to Erin Collins.

PRSA Luncheon to Focus on Community Partnerships

Creative Strategies Group’s Bruce Erley will discuss how to “create compelling storytelling opportunities for event sponsorships and community partnership initiatives that align with your organization’s strategic objectives” at PRSA Colorado’s June luncheon:

“Bring Strategic Sponsorships and Community Partnerships to Life through PR”
11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Curtis Hotel (1405 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80202)

Click here to register.

PRSA Colorado’s ‘Business Person of the Year’ Threatens to Break KMGH/Channel 7 Reporter’s Finger

How’s this for irony: A week after accepting PRSA Colorado’s “Business Person of the Year” award at the organization’s annual awards gala, Pinnacol Assurance CEO Ken Ross (allegedly) had to be restrained from attacking KMGH/Channel 7 investigative reporter Tony Kovaleski and threatened to break the reporter’s finger.

The confrontation (allegedly) took place at the famed Pebble Beach resort in California, where Pinnacol was hosting a controversial junket for board members and its top sales brokers.

From KMGH/Channel 7:

Following a golf round on May 13, Kovaleski asked Johnson about whether it was appropriate for him to be on the trip.

“What do you think the governor is going to think about you taking this kind of golf with you and your wife,” Kovaleski was asking (Pinnacol board chairman Gary) Johnson when Ross interrupted and prevented the board member from answering.

Ross, on the 18th hole, seemed very agitated.

“You point your finger at me again, and I’m going to break it,” Ross said while pointing his finger at Kovaleski. He turned to the camera and demanded that it be turned off.

“This has nothing to do with Pinnacol,” Ross said.

“It doesn’t?” Kovaleski asked. “Then why did your employees let us know you were here? Why are your employees outraged? You are spending a lot of money on a trip and you have board members who are appointed by the governor.”

CALL7 Investigators were tipped of to the trip by a source who had information from inside Pinnacol.

Ross, who was being restrained by colleagues, surged at Kovaleski.

“Please, don’t push me,” Kovaleski said.

Linhart, Webb Dominate 2010 ‘Gold Pick’ Agency Awards

If you see Sharon Linhart and Pete Webb at the Capital Grille today smoking cigars, swilling scotch and generally cackling like they own the town, there’s a reason: they were the big agency winners at last night’s PRSA Colorado Gold Pick Awards. Using the proprietary and highly sophisticated Denver PR Blog formula to determine which agencies fared best (two points for a gold, one point for a silver), the results are:

1. Linhart PR (10 points) – One grand gold, three gold, two silver
2. Pete Webb PR (9 points) – Three gold, three silver
3. Carmichael Lynch Spong (4 points) – Two gold
3. Pure (4 points) – Two gold
3. Philosophy (4 points) – One gold, two silver
6. Xstatic (3 points) – One gold, one silver
7. GroundFloor Media (2 points) – Two silver
7. Peri Marketing & PR (2 points) – Two silver
9. InView (1 point) – One silver
9. JDK – (1 point) – One silver
9. Vladimir Jones (1 point) – One silver

And congratulations to the Denver Art Museum, which if an agency would have placed third with 6 points (three gold). Also, congratulations to the big award winners:

• MGA’s Jeff Julin (Swede Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award)
• Pinnacol Assurance President & CEO Ken Ross (Business Person of the Year)
• Red Energy PR’s Amy Sufak (PR Person of the Year)
• Subaru’s Rachael Tucker Dorr (Joe Fuentes Rookie of the Year Award)
• Denver Art Museum (Nonprofit Award)
• Bonfil’s Julie Scott, Larimer Square’s Erika Sauerwein and Linhart’s Jennifer Tilliss (Chapter Service Awards)
• Applewood Plumbing & Heating/JKD (Small Business Award)
• Audubon Surgery Center/Vladimir Jones (Golden Spur Award)

PRSA Colorado to Honor Fuentes at ‘Gold Pick’ Awards

PRSA Colorado will pay tribute to Joe Fuentes at its annual Gold Pick Awards ceremony on Thursday, May 6. Joe, who lost his battle with cancer in March, was a longtime PRSA Colorado member and well-known in the Denver PR and media communities. According to PRSA Colorado, “The tribute to Joe will include a video featuring many of his friends and colleagues reminisremembering the five attributes he displayed daily throughout his life, including: professional excellence, community, mentorship, family and ethics/integrity.”

Following the video, Joe’s widow, Christine, and her family will present the “Joe Fuentes Rookie of the Year Award.” The award was renamed to honor Joe and will continue to be awarded annually at the awards ceremony. The tribute also will include a Coors toast in Joe’s memory as a nod to the 14 years he spent leading PR efforts for the Coors Brewing Company.

PRSA Hosts ‘Young PR Professionals’ Event

Nothing makes you want to drink as much as landing your first job in public relations and seeing first-hand how the PR sausage is made (except maybe trying to find that first PR job). So, either way, head on over to the Ginn Mill bar at 2401 Larimer Street this Thursday from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. to attend PRSA Colorado’s Young Pros Event. The event is celebrating the formation of PRSA Colorado’s Young Professionals group that is designed to be a go-to resource for all young pros looking for peer-to-peer networking opportunities, professional development and a nontraditional mentorship experience. Click here for more details.

PRSA Colorado Luncheon to Feature #journchat’s Sarah Evans

Public relations and new media consultant Sarah Evans — the founder of #journchat who is one of Forbes’s 14 Power Women to Follow on Twitter — is the speaker at this month’s PRSA Colorado luncheon on Wednesday, April 21.

Evans will share successful ways to create online media relationships and shed light on balancing social media with traditional PR tactics, including:

• What motivates both local and national journalists in the online world.
• How to define online media targets and objectives.
• How to pitch in 140 characters or less.
• Time management tricks to help you manage the growing number of tools at your disposal.

Click here to register or for more information.

PRSA Luncheon: PR in a Digital World

GroundFloor Media VP and Managing Partner Ramonna Tooley will headline PRSA’s monthly luncheon with a presentation titled, “PR in a Digital World: What’s in your Toolbox?” Tooley will present some of the digital PR strategies her team recommends to clients to stay competitive in a digital world and share examples from a variety of industries including nonprofit, food and beverage, and sports and entertainment. Details are:

PR in a Digital World: What’s in your Toolbox?
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. MST
The Curtis Hotel, 1405 Curtis St., Denver, CO 80202
PRSA Colorado Members: $35; Students: $28; Non-Members: $49

Click here to learn more or to register.

PRSA Tweetup

PRSA and Linhart are sponsoring a Tweetup on Thursday to welcome new PRSA members. Door prizes include two roundtrip airline tickets from Southwest Airlines. Details are:

5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 4
Cru Wine Bar, 1442 Larimer Street (in Larimer Square downtown)

PRSA Colorado Roundtable Features Denver Journalists

PRSA Colorado has lined up more than a dozen Denver journalists for its Media Roundtable next Wednesday, January 20. Among the journalists attending to discuss how they select stories in this new media environment will be the Deuce’s Greg Nieto, Denver Post’s Vikki Migoya, 9News’ TaRhonda Thomas, CBS4’s Gloria Neal and Misty Montano, 850 KOA’s April Zesbaugh and Colorado Biz’s Mike Cote. Click here for more details.

2010 Denver PR Predictions – Gina Seamans

By Gina Seamans
Senior Counselor, JohnstonWells

My predictions for 2010 are drawn from my experience of leading the PRSA Colorado Chapter during 2009. They are geared toward the people, rather than the business. I predict that even more PR professionals will seek membership and involvement in strong professional organizations like PRSA, where they can receive professional development and connect with people who will help shape their careers. Our chapter will be invigorated by  another year of membership growth, record levels of member involvement and demand for the strongest professional development schedule ever. All this invigorated activity is driven by three realities:

  1. The practice of public relations is evolving and smart professionals must stay on top of all points in the broad continuum of communication options.
  2. The job market is tight, so successful career movement depends on having an expanded network that can lead to meaningful introductions, referrals, and references.
  3. A successful professional must be willing to invest in themselves. This is the new normal, so professionals must grow and change, and be ready to move forward rather than look back.

UCD School of Medicine: Don’t Bother Responding to Our RFP

You would probably think there are dozens of public relations firms in Denver capable of “building external and internal awareness of the [University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine’s] Palliative Care Program and undertaking a successful fundraising campaign to raise philanthropic contributions for its educational and research program.” But not everyone sees it that way, and that has PRSA Colorado President Gina Seamans seeing red.

In a post today on JohnstonWells’ blog, Seamans takes the UCD School of Medicine to task for trying to sneak through a sham RFP Notice of Proposed Sole Source (NPSS) when the school has already decided to give the business to the only firm they think it qualified to handle the assignment. And while Seamans is too polite to name that firm, I’m not. It’s Davis Branding & Marketing.

Early Registration for PRSA Colorado Retreat Ends Friday

The Second Annual PRSA chapter retreat is Friday, Oct. 16, at the Curtis Hotel. Events include morning sessions for young professionals, a luncheon with keynote speaker Dana Perino, former White House Press Secretary, afternoon workshops covering topics for all types of professionals, an all-day resource fair, and a cocktail and networking reception. The early registration deadline ends Oct. 2. Click here for details.

Which is Cooler: Column Inches, Impressions or Buzzles?

When I worked at the data and Internet division of US West, I was always annoyed that they let the engineers name everything. Inevitably, products had names like Integrated Services Digital Network, Digital Subscriber Line and Asynchronous Transfer Mode. The only thing marketing could do at that point was to start using the acronyms: ISDN, DSL and ATM.

Anyway, the tide is turning. PRSA is on a quest to develop a unit of measurement for what it is we do in public relations, so presumably we will get to name it. In fact, in the spirit of true public relations, I think we should just name the unit of measurement and not bother figuring out what it quantifies. After all, we’ll probably just change that on a client-by-client basis to reflect best on our campaigns.

So if you have a suggestion, preferably something catchy like “buzzles” (as in, “Our last campaign generated 246,500 buzzles”), call Colorado PRSA President Gina Seamans at home post a comment on the PRSA blog.

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.

CLS, Linhart, JohnstonWells Lead 2009 PRSA ‘Gold Pick’ Awards

The tables have been cleared, the floors vacuumed, the rented tuxedos returned, Elaine Ellis has posted bail and LoDo’s has agreed not to press charges, which can mean only one thing – The 2009 PRSA Colorado ‘Gold Pick” Awards ceremony is officially over. PRSA Colorado has posted the winners from Thursday’s event, and the Denver PR Blog has once again used a proprietary and highly sophisticated formula (two points for a gold, one point for a silver) to determine which agencies fared best:

1.  Carmichael Lynch Spong (13 points) – Three gold, seven silver
2.  Linhart PR (9 points) – Three gold, three silver
3.  JohnstonWells (8 points) – One grand gold, two gold, two silver
3.  Pure Brand (8 points) – Three gold, two silver
5.  GroundFloor Media (7 points) – Two gold, three silver
6.  Philosophy (6 points) – One grand gold, two gold
7.  Xstatic (4 points) – One gold, two silver
8.  104 West Partners (2 points) – One gold 
8.  GolinHarris (2 points) – One gold  
8.  MGA Communications (2 points) – One gold  
8.  Room 214 (2 points) – One gold  
8.  SSA (2 points) – One gold 
8.  Cohn Marketing (2 points) – Two silver
14. Dressel-Martin MediaWorks (1 point) – One silver 

Also, congratulations to the big award winners: Comcast’s Scott Binder and Goodwill’s Tim Welker (Business Persons of the Year), Denver Art Museum’s Ashley Pritchard (Rookie of the Year), Aurora Organic Dairy’s Sonja Tuitele (PR Person of the Year), First Data’s Cara Taylor (Chapter Service Award), Don Kirchoffner & Associates’ Don Kirchoffner (Swede Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award), and Morris Animal Hospital (Nonprofit Award).

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.

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

Q2 PRSA Events

Damon Runyon Award Dinner 
Friday, April 17 at 6 p.m.
Sports writer, author and Colorado native Rick Reilly will attempt to cheat death by accepting the Denver Press Club’s Damon Runyon award. PRSA members can receive the Denver Press Club member rate when they purchase tickets online at http://www.blacktie-colorado.com

PRSA Western District Conference
April 22-24 in Newport Beach, CA
The conference program, registration, hotel information, and things to do are posted at http://www.westerndistrictconference.com.

2009 Gold Pick Awards
May 7, Ritz Carlton Hotel, 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Register today for PRSA Colorado’s 2009 Gold Pick Awards. Register before Monday, April 27 to take advantage of early registration prices: http://www.prsacolorado.org/cde.cfm?event=257309.

PRSA Event: Protecting Brand Reputations

PRSA Colorado is a hosting a March 18 lunch event/panel discussion that will examine how public relations has played a prominent role in trying to minimize the loss in consumer confidence during the recent financial and peanut-recall turmoils. Linhart’s Paul Raab will moderate, and the panelists are GolinHarris’ Mitch Head (who works with the U.S. Peanut Board) and Charles Schwab’s Sarah Bulgatz.

More information/registration is available here.

PRSA President: Don’t hide during times of economic woes

In her first DBJ bylined article, PRSA Colorado President Gina Seamons makes the argument that investing in public relations during tough economic times can be a powerful competitive advantage:

“Businesses can’t afford to leave customers behind during the recession and then find new ones after the economy rebounds. The cost to acquire a new customer is five to 10 times greater than the cost of retaining an existing one, according to research by Bain & Co.”

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.