Among those hiring this week are A Precious Child, Aspen Skiing Company, Ball Corporation, Barokas Public Relations, Catapult PR-IR, Center for Work Education and Employment (CWEE), Clyfford Still Museum, Highlands Ranch Metro District, Investment Management Consultants Association, National Endowment for Financial Education, Penton, Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank, The Denver Post, University of Colorado and University of Denver.
Great Moments in Journalism
Linhart Adds Two Clients
Linhart PR has been retained by two new clients: CoreSite Realty Corporation and DSM Nutritional Products.
Great Moments in Journalism
Which is tougher – A snow plow or a road-side reporter? Slide ahead to the 0:45 mark to find out.
104 West Adds Clients
104 West has added TrackVia, If You Can Company, Placeable and Levels Beyond as clients.
SE2 Hiring Digital Strategist
SE2 may not have “rolling office coffee bars, … carbon-neutral bamboo bicycles … or organic microbrews flowing from the drinking fountain,” but it does have an in-house Ms. Pac-Man machine. And it is hiring for a digital strategist, so get your resume in early and often.
So, Who Had the Worst Olympics? Kazakhstan.
DBJ 2014 ’40 Under 40′ Winners
Congratulations to the marketing/public relations/communications winners of the Denver Business Journal’s 2014 “40 Under 40” award:
- Marie Rotter with Mercury Payment Systems, and
- Sabrina D’Agosta with the State of Colorado’s Department of Personnel & Administration
Great Moments in Advertising
Great Moments in Journalism
Wouldn’t you be more likely to watch the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams if this showed up every once in a while?
GroundFloor Hires One, Promotes Two
To paraphrase NBA basketball player/poet LeBron James, I am taking my talents to Market Street and joining the talented team at GroundFloor Media. And congratulations to two of my new GFM colleagues, Gil Rudawsky and Jim Licko, who have been promoted to vice presidents.
Quiet Light Brokerage Selects VolumePR as AOR
Quiet Light, a brokerage firm that helps Internet business owners sell their websites, has selected VolumePR as its agency of record.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are Ardent Mills, Arkansas Valley Publishing Co., City of Commerce City, Colorado Community Media, Colorado Regional Health Information Organization, Communication Infrastructure Group (internship), CSU College of Engineering, Denver Health, Denver Kids, Echostar, Financial Planning Association, The Fletcher Group (consultant), Level 3, RTD (internship), Summit Professional Networks, University of Colorado at Boulder and Zlux.
Fitzgerald Petersen Adds Three Clients
Fitzgerald Petersen Communications has added three clients: the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver’s Mark Mothersbaugh career retrospective, sports medical technology company MuscleSound, and Colorado Succeeds’ Future Forward campaign.
PRSA Colorado Gold Pick Award Call for Entries
DMNS Names O’Neal Media & Comms Manager
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has named Maura O’Neal manager of communications and media relations. O’Neal previously was with dovetail solutions.
Wertz Joins Stratton-Carpenter & Associates
Cody Wertz has joined Stratton-Carpenter & Associates as a senior consultant for media relations, public affairs and communications. Wertz previously was a principal at GBSM and, prior to that, communications director for U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar.
BMW Championship Names Volume PR AOR
Volume PR has been selected as the agency of record for the BMW Championship 2014, the PGA Tour FedExCup Playoff event that will be held at Cherry Hills Country Club in September. The agency also is representing the organizing body, The Western Golf Association, and its charity, the Evans Scholars Foundation.
Volume PR also has announced its “Cognitive PR” services that integrate neuromarketing and cognitive science principals with public relations. The services – “Your Master Plan” and “Corporate Fuel” – are available to clients with existing partners or in-house communication teams.
SAP VP to Keynote BMA Colorado Dinner
Michael Brenner, VP of Global Marketing and Content Strategy at SAP, will keynote BMA Colorado’s monthly dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 5:30 pm at the Embassy Suites Denver – Downtown. During his keynote session, Brenner will share how he built the business case within SAP for a more strategic approach to content marketing.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are the E-470 Public Highway Authority, American Rivers, Customer Communications Group, Environment Colorado, Financial Planning Standards Board, Judi’s House, Lockheed Martin, Reuters, SendGrid, SolidFire, The Leadership Program of the Rockies, and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association.
Thread Summit Announces Keynote, Panel Speakers

The Thread Summit has announced its list of speakers. Keynote speakers include:
- Aaron Kennedy, founder of Noodles & Company and chief marketing officer of the state of Colorado
- Shawn Amos, founder and chief executive officer of Freshwire
- Jason Lankow, chief executive officer and co-founder of Column Five and author
- Ben Edwards, vice president global communications and digital marketing for IBM
- Dave Senay, chief executive officer of FleishmanHillard
- Helen Clark, head of corporate marketing for Chevron
- Katherine Yip, chairman and founder of KYG International
Additionally, the conference announced the list of panel participants:
- Ken Lund, executive director of the Office of Economic Development
- Ramonna Robinson, president of GroundFloor Media
- Eric Brown, director of communications for Governor John Hickenlooper
- Stephanie Donner, Governor John Hickenlooper’s senior deputy legal counsel
- Jennifer Nealson, chief marketing officer for Denver Center for Performing Arts
- Perry Evans, founder and chief executive officer of Perch;
- Marcus Jimenez, founder and chief executive officer of StickyDocs
- Luella Chavez D’Angelo Chief Communications Officer at Western Union
- Maril MacDonald, CEO and founder of Gagen MacDonald
- Bill Myers, vice president of communications, marketing and CSR at DaVita
GBSM Promotes Two
GBSM has promoted Andrea Cunningham and Miles Graham to the position of Senior Associate. Cunningham joined the firm in 2011 and has worked with clients such as RTD, the City and County of Denver, Google, Colorado Children’s Campaign and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado. Graham joined GBSM in 2006 and works with clients including Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Over the River, Delta Dental of Colorado, the Delaware Division of Public Health, Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, Metro Wastewater Reclamation District and the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network.
Great Moments in Journalism
The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore plays a little offense with a (hopefully) drunk college student.
(Hat tip: Jeni Anderson)
Turner PR Named AOR for JayBird
Turner PR has been named public relations agency of record by JayBird, a premium sports brand known for its innovations in the wireless premium headphone category. Turner PR will lead all public relations efforts and work to drive sales and consumer engagement surrounding current and new product categories. The agency also is supporting JayBird’s recent entry into wearable tech following the debut of its Reign wireless activity tracker at the International Consumer Electronics Show this month.
Katie Shapiro Media Adds Three Clients
Katie Shapiro Media has added three new clients: Something Independent’s Art of Winter, Denver-based film company Listen Productions, and the Denver Film Society’s Women + Film VOICES Film Festival.
Four Seasons Hotel Denver Names Jim Guttau as Director of PR
Four Seasons Hotel Denver named Jim Guttau as its Director of Public Relations. Guttau, who previously was Director of Public Relations for Four Seasons Resort Vail, replaces Dana Berry, who was recently appointed Director of Public Relations at the new Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World.
Great Moments in Journalism
I wish NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell had resigned on the spot rather than make this one of the defining moments of her career:
Great Moments in European Championship Speed Skating
Colorado Poll Finds Tight Budgets Are Elevating Social Media
Tightening budgets are causing Colorado marketing and communications executives to lean more heavily on social media and content marketing , according to a new poll by The Thread Summit and the Business Marketing Association of Colorado (BMA Colorado).
Among the findings:
- Most senior-level marketers believe social and digital channels are delivering the biggest bang for their marketing buck, followed by public relations activities, sponsorships and advertising.
- The top three external marketing/communication challenges in 2013 were competition, technology and innovation.
- LinkedIn is the social media platform used most often to engage with customers, followed by Facebook and Twitter.
- About half of the respondents indicated “big data/analytics” is of medium importance to them.
- The favorite marketing buzzwords of 2013 include “content marketing,” “integration” and “engagement.”
- The least favorite buzzwords from 2013 include “big data,” “social media” and “content marketing.”
Results of the poll are being used to guide themes, speakers and panels at The Thread Summit in Denver, Feb. 19-20, 2014.
Hodas Leaves Vladimir Jones for Marijuana Industry Position
Congratulations to Joe Hodas, who has accepted the Chief Marketing Officer position at Dixie Elixirs & Edibles, a Denver-based manufacturer of marijuana-infused foods and beverages. Hodas formerly was an Executive Vice President at Vladimir Jones.
Who Had the Worst Week?
New Jersey Governor and Presidential hopeful Chris Christie?
Unofficial U.S. ambassador Dennis Rodman?
Former U.S. Senate candidate from Wyoming Liz Cheney?
Miami Herald columnist/ESPN talking head Dan Le Batard?
The parents of this tough-talking, bird-flipping toddler?
Turner PR Acquired by Columbus, Ohio-based Fahlgren Mortine
From the announcement today:
Fahlgren Mortine, one of the nation’s largest independent marketing and communications agencies, and Turner PR, a boutique public relations and digital communications firm, announced today that Fahlgren Mortine acquired Turner PR as a wholly owned subsidiary, effective January 1, 2014. Under the agreement, Turner PR will operate as an independent boutique agency, preserving its brand, leadership, employees, New York and Denver offices, and global client portfolio. Financial terms of the deal will not be disclosed.
CPR Names Open Air’s Corey Jones as Arts Reporter
Corey Jones, previously a host and producer for Colorado Public Radio’s OpenAir, is transitioning to the role of reporter for CPR’s new arts bureau and online arts hub. Jones will cover a wide range of topics including museum exhibits, the theater, concerts and new-music collaborations. He joins Arts Editor Chloe Veltman and fellow arts reporter Ange-Aimee Woods, officially completing the bureau that is funded by a three-year, $900,000 grant from the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation.
Early Registration Open for Denver’s Thread Summit
The Thread Summit — hosted in Denver on February 19-20, 2014 — is a unique gathering designed for marketing and communications leaders based in the Rocky Mountain region. This day-and-a-half Summit, features seven distinct, but related modules led by some of our profession’s most respected leaders.
The summit is designed to share ideas, exchange knowledge and build relationships – without having to fly to New York or San Francisco. The agenda is designed to address topics of interest to organizations that are large, medium or small and concepts that are applicable across industry sectors.
DPC’s Runyon Event to Honor Katie Couric
Great Moments in Journalism – 2013 Edition
The definitive list of the best news bloopers of 2013 (hat tip to Brad Bawmann).
‘Troubleshooter’ Tom Martino Arrested After Allegedly Punching Wife
Tom “The Troublemaker Troubleshooter” Martino was arrested this weekend after allegedly bloodying his wife’s nose with a punch, according to Jordan Steffen at The Denver Post. It apparently has been a tough few months for Martino, who in October was cited for harassment after an incident at a Douglas County restaurant. Prosecutors dismissed that charge, although they may be having second thoughts following this weekend’s events.

CSU Suspends Defensive Line Coach for Anti-Gay Slur
Colorado State University has suspended defensive line coach Greg Lupfer for two weeks without pay for shouting an anti-gay slur at a Washington State player during the teams’ bowl game Saturday. The slur – reported to be “F… you, you f…..” – embarrassed the university when it made headlines nationally. It also took attention away from the team’s dramatic comeback win.
Great Moments in Tweets from PR People
From Justine Sacco, Director of Corporate Communications at the publicly traded IAC/InterActiveCorp. If you are job hunting, there likely will be a position open there on Monday.
Bawmann Group Adds Seven Clients
The Bawmann Group has added seven new clients: Temple University’s National Responsible Fatherhood Research Network, Detroit’s Frankel Jewish Academy, The Mothers’ Milk Bank, Porter Memorial Hospital, Congregation Bonai Shalom, Community Health Services and Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates. TBG’s work includes brand development, website creation, advertising, marketing, PR, social media and community engagement.
Merry Christmas! (Cough, cough)
Farewell, Paula Berg
2013 PR Disasters – The Finalists
I will be joining April Zesbaugh on 850 KOA tomorrow morning to share my official list of the year’s biggest PR disasters, but in the meantime here is the list of finalists:
Cinemark re-opens the Aurora Shooting theater despite protests from families of the victims.
CBS apologizes after football commentator Brent Musburger, who is approximately 120 years old, ogles a college coed on national TV.
“So, are you a duplicitous liar or just the world’s biggest chump?” is a tough question to answer. Just ask Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o.
Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong finally admits using PEDs and lying to the world for years.
Subway claims that “footlong” was never intended to imply a specific length when it is sued for subs that don’t quite measure up to their name.
The Boy Scouts of America manage to piss off everyone by punting on a decision to allow gay scouts instead of just ripping off the band-aid one way or another.
When courtroom battles don’t go their way, CBS executives get even with Dish Network’s ad-skipping DVR technology the old-fashioned way: passive aggressively.
Amazon is forced to apologize and pull T-shirts with the slogan, “Keep Calm and Rape a Lot.”
Gallows humor in the public relations world holds that there is no bad situation that you can’t make worse, and Rutgers University proved this point this spring.
Media coin the term “Poop Cruise” to describe the latest tragecomedy that is a Carnival cruise.
Harvard is caught snooping on faculty members’ email accounts.
CNN offers sympathy for convicted rapists whose “promising futures” were stunted by the convictions.
Google chooses to honor Cesar Chavez instead of the Easter holiday. FoxNews goes bitchcakes.
The Pac-12 Conference’s head of officiating puts a bounty on one of its coaches, then tries hard not to resign.
Butter-laden recipes and down-home charm weren’t the only Old South affectations celebrity chef Paula Deen used.
Who knew a reality show about a bunch of rural West Virginia hillbillies could go so wrong? Clearly not MTV.
Dear Reebok: Vicarious street cred can turn on you. Quickly.
CNN‘s coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings set a new low for cable news coverage, which is saying something.
If Elvis Dumervil could punch Fax machine buttons as fast as he chases quarterbacks, he’d still be a Denver Bronco.
The Associated Press learns that “password” is a bad password after someone hacks its Twitter account and falsely claims the White House has been bombed.
AOL CEO Tim Armstrong shows the world how tough Donald Trump-wannabes fire someone: live on a conference call with hundreds of other employees.
Fox31 finds out what it feels like when 9News turns its investigative team on you.
If you didn’t already love sorority girls, you will after reading this epic rant from a University of Maryland Delta Gamma.
The Obama Administration: Take your pick of Benghazi, government shutdown, IRS , AP Wiretaps, Obamacare, NSA spying, etc.
JC Penney finds that Hitler is marketing gold when it comes to unloading crappy teapots.
Ohio State President Gordon Gee proves he’s the most interesting college president ever, right up until they made him resign.
Dear Men’s Wearhouse: This is why you don’t let your company chairman star in every commercial you’ve run for decades.
San Francisco’s KTVU and the National Transportation Safety Board fight to see who can look worse after this racist and ridiculous report.
The Denver Broncos front office shows its not just entitled athletes who can make an organization look bad.
Johnny Football became Johnny Autograph.
Rolling Stone reminds everyone it is still publishing by putting the Boston Marathon bomber on its cover.
If Geraldo Rivera can’t convince you that a selfie is a bad idea, nothing will.
Miley Cyrus shows us what a prepubescent girl would look like grinding on a 1940s gangster. You can’t unsee that.
Dear Von Miller: It shouldn’t be this hard to outsmart a guy who collects urine for a living.
The worst PR crises are often self-inflicted, as Barilla Pasta and last-minute-entrant “Duck Dynasty” showed us. Both were unforced errors.
Peter Boyles. Again.
When did the University of Denver start to think it is to college hockey what the University of Alabama is to football?
AIG’s CEO compares criticism of Wall Street bonuses to Jim Crow-era lynchings.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk really is the basis for Tony Stark, judging by his wild, frenzied responses to media questions about the electric car company’s safety.
ESPN reminds us the the “E” stands for “Entertainment” when it pulls out of a documentary examining the devastating effects of concussions after its partner, the NFL, asks it to.
You will never win a PR battle against a blind guy with a cute dog, US Airways.
Timing is everything, a point that was momentarily lost on Connect for Health Colorado’s Patty Fontneau.
GoldieBlox creates a brilliant parody of a Beastie Boys song, then ruins it all by taking it one step too far.
This is not the kind of media coverage retailers like Target want heading into the last shopping weekend before Christmas.
VJ Adds Elitch Gardens, DU and Sizzler as Clients
Vladimir Jones has added Elitch Gardens, The University of Denver and Sizzler USA as clients. VJ will handle media planning and buying for Elitch Gardens; website development, campaign creation and event planning for DU; and branding for Sizzler.
Broncos’ Press Box Named for Saccomano
Congratulations to Denver Broncos Vice President of Communications Jim Saccomano, who had the press box at Sports Authority Field named after him in a ceremony Sunday. Saccomano has been with the Broncos for 36 years, and he will retire at the end of this season.

Tributes to Saccomano have been offered by many in the media, the latest from Peter King of CNNSI and NBC Sports:
“I think of all the media-relations professionals I’ve worked with in 30 seasons covering the NFL, none has been more professional than Jim Saccamano…. You always knew who Saccamano worked for, but the mark of a good PR guy—I’ve always thought—is he understands those sent to cover the games have pressures on them, too, to come back with unique takes and insight, and he was always prepared to go as close to the line as he could without going over it to help us do our jobs. I’m grateful for the help he’s been to me, and SI, over the years.”
SE2 Adds Five Clients
SE2 has added five new clients: American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Colorado Apartment Association, Colorado Department of Human Services’ Office of Early Childhood, Colorado School of Mines Alumni Association and Donor Alliance.
Giocomo to Lead Metro Chamber Marketing, Communications
Congratulations to Laura Giocomo, who has been named the director of communications and marketing for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. Giocomo’s resume includes then-Mayor John Hickenlooper’s administration, the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Centura Health and SE2.

PrintReleaf Selects Jumel PR
PrintReleaf has selected Jumel Public Relations to implement a public relations program that will raise awareness about its PrintReleaf Exchange product, the first technology platform that measures a customer’s paper consumption and connects them directly to reforestation projects. PrintReleaf guarantees to reforest every piece of paper consumed by its customers.
PRSA Colorado Holiday Party

Register now for the annual PRSA Colorado Holiday Party
5:30 – 7 pm
Thursday, December 12
Trillium in LoDo
2134 Larimer Street
Denver, CO 80205
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are the American Transplant Foundation, Arapahoe County Government, City of Boulder, Craftsy, Falcon School District 49, Food Bank of the Rockies, Local Magazine, MillerCoors, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, University of Colorado KCOL News (Loveland) and The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (Colorado Springs).
SE2 Adds Allison Nipert as Associate
SE2 has added Allison Nipert as an associate. Nipert previously worked as special projects coordinator for Denver Bike Sharing, the non-profit owner and operator of Denver B-cycle, where she handled duties as varied as communications, social media, sponsorship relations, and grant writing for the non-profit. The addition brings SE2 to a total of 12 full-time employees.
CU Boulder Division of Continuing Education Selects Vermilion
Vermilion has teamed with the CU Boulder Division of Continuing Education to create the “Take Another Look” campaign. The campaign “positions the course offerings as both exciting and relevant through bold, unexpected illustrations and copy” and uses multiple touch points, including web, bus boards, online and print ads, and digital signage.
Family Tree Selects Blake, Piper Vitale for Rebrand Work
Family Tree has selected Blake Communications and Piper Vitale Graphic Design for strategic communication planning and logo design as part of a broader rebranding effort. Family Tree is a Denver-based nonprofit providing innovative, life-changing services designed to end child neglect and abuse, domestic violence and homelessness.
Kyle Clark’s Snow ‘Rant’ Goes National
Bravo to 9News anchor Kyle Clark, whose demand for better snow pictures has made it all the way to CNN.
Great Moments in Journalism
DStreet Wins MarCom Award for its Cabela’s Work
Vermilion, Whole Foods Launch ‘Good Food Matters’ Campaign
Vermilion and Whole Foods have teamed up to introduce “Good Food Matters,” a comprehensive in-store program to engage shoppers in the incredible story and values behind their food.
Denver Metro Association of Realtors RFP
The Denver Metro Association of Realtors has issued an RFP for public relations services. The deadline for response is December 5, 2013.
Media Zone Supporting ‘Santa’s Elves’ Campaign
Deborah Sherman of Media Zone Consulting is representing the “Santa’s Elves: Kids Giving to Kids” campaign, which collects and distributes gifts for some of Colorado’s poorest children. Visit the website if you are interested in supporting the organization.
Boom Adds Two Clients
Boom Broadcast and Media Relations will again assist the March of Dimes Foundation with the announcement of its annual March of Dimes 2013 Premature Birth Report Card. Boom also has added the Joyful Heart Foundation as a pro-bono client to help it launch the NO MORE PSA campaign – a ground-breaking celebrity-driven PSA campaign featuring more than 40 celebrities and public figures saying NO MORE to domestic violence and sexual assault.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are Amelie Company, Catapult PR-IR, Pivot Communication, Boulder County CareConnect, Colorado School of Mines Foundation, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Frontier Airlines, Janus, Jeppesen, Johnson & Wales University, Pinnacol Assurance, Regis University, Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting Network, Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, St. Mary Parish and School, The Cable Center, Weld County Government, Xcel Energy, GBSM (intern), Denver Business Journal (intern), Colorado State University (Fort Collins), The (Fort Collins) Coloradoan, Focus on the Family (Colorado Springs), Rocky Mountain Health Care Services (Colorado Springs) and Clovis Media (New Mexico).
Who had it first?
Ben Kunz of Mediassociates took great offense in a Digiday column at having his website plagiarized. In that spirit, I took a look at some Denver area websites, and I quickly found one – Linhart PR – that appears to be the victim of some online theft.
If you need a website, I bet Jennifer Wezensky at JW Public Relations can cobble one together for you pretty quickly.
Linhart Public Relations vs. Indiana’s JW Public Relations
Both firms use: “We realize there aren’t always silver-bullet solutions to client challenges. That’s why we always bring together a mix of services and formulate a customized approach for each client.”
Kismet Promotions vs. Indiana’s JW Public Relations
Both firms use: “In this crowded marketplace, communicating the right message about your business or organization is crucial to building and maintaining a strong brand. It is imperative that you establish meaningful relationships with any audience that impacts your image and business customers, prospective customers, the media, employees, the community and others.”
Sherman Communications & Marketing vs. Indiana’s JW Public Relations
Both firms use: “Positive media coverage lends your business invaluable third-party credibility. Public relations can be one of the most cost-effective means of gaining positive exposure and building your brand.”
SSPR vs. Indiana’s JW Public Relations
Both firms use: “We provide every client with a focused plan to reach the right media and the right target audience. PR is not a one-size-fits-all proposition.”
Evan Carmichael vs. Indiana’s JW Public Relations
Both firms use: “Social media over the Internet has rapidly claimed its place as an essential piece of a public relations campaign. It is the new form of spreading the news by word of mouth. Call it word of web.”
Google News Submit vs. Indiana’s JW Public Relations
Both sites use: “A press release is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways of getting your message out when you have something to announce regarding your business. But to be effective, a press release must focus on the most newsworthy, interesting and unique element to emphasize the news angle.”
CPR Adds Digital Editor, Arts Reporter
Colorado Public Radio has added Digital Editor Jay Keller and Arts Reporter Ange-Aimée Woods.
Keller, who managed the digital assets of some of the country’s top newsrooms including U.S. News & World Report and The Washington Post, will lead the newsroom’s digital expansion, helping CPR launch a more robust online presence and build a four-person digital news team. And Woods will cover all aspects of the Colorado arts and cultural community.She has worked in public radio for almost a decade as both an arts and social media reporter.
Two Companies Name Capital City AOR
Capital City Public Relations has been name agency of record for two companies: Anthony’s Pizza and Pairings – Modern Introductions.
Great Moments in Journalism
An oldie but a goodie.

Stay Classy, NFL
Clark Rebrands as Wolfpack Communications
Jay Clark has rebranded his agency as Wolfpack Communications. Formerly Lonewolf Communications, the agency’s clients roster includes the Denver Cutthroats, Douglas County Water Resource Authority, Metropolitan State University of Denver and Steele Street Bank & Trust.
PRSA Colorado Annual Chapter Retreat

Join industry leaders and public relations professionals from across the state as we strip down and get back to the basics for Naked PR: Authentic, Transparent, Effective – 2013 PRSA Colorado Chapter Retreat.
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013
9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Four Seasons Hotel Denver
1111 14th St. Denver, CO 80202
Frusciano Leaves BusinessWire for Start-up GutCheck
A shout-out to Dylan Frusciano, who this week left BusinessWire after 12 years to join the start-up world with GutCheck (a really innovative research company – check them out).
Journalism Is … A For-Profit Venture, Afterall
Rolling Stone reminded us this summer that there is nothing like a provocative cover to elevate the visibility of a flagging publication. The Columbia Journalism Review apparently noticed, and it is enjoying some buzz for putting the F word on its most-recent cover.

Goldberg Leaving the Denver Business Journal
Congratulations to Bruce Goldberg, who is leaving the Denver Business Journal to be the first franchisee of Louisville-based One Business Connection. 1BC operates networking, leads and referral groups in Denver and along the Front Range, which are an alternative marketing chamber of commerce made up of local and national businesses, entrepreneurs and sales professionals sharing referrals, ideas and business expertise.
A farewell event for Bruce will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 8, at the Denver Press Club.
Great Moments in Photojournalism
The last year has been a bloodbath for photojournalists as newspapers across the country continue their cost-cutting measures. But, really, who needs professional photographers when Renaissance men like Chuck Fieldman can snap a photo while also reporting a story?
And can someone please convince the National Press Photographers Association to create an anti-Pulitzer award that recognizes photos taken by reporters like this one?
Castle Pines PR Fight Continues
Castle Pines council member James Einolf figures he earns “about $1.23 an hour making guitars” at his day job, so you can imagine his response to Aguilar Public Relations’ contract that pays the firm $81 an hour.
“I’m sorry, but we’re now paying more for public relations than we’re paying for (our) attorney. … Einolf said in an interview later that he thinks spending the money for a public relations firm ‘is a terrible waste of money.’ Einolf said, ‘These days’ you just need email and good website to communicate.”
Because who knows more about marketing and public relations more than a guy making what the minimum wage was in 1963?
Great Moments in Journalism, Halloween Edition
Blake Communications Adds New Client
Blake Communications has added Veree Chocolate as a client. Veree brings a fusion of art and flavor to the world of chocolate and currently is offering a fall collection that includes Fairy Dusted Pumpkin Latte and Maple Pecan Truffle. Blake will handling media relations and ongoing PR efforts for the client.
Last Day to Register for PRSA Colorado’s Breakfast with the Mayor
Today is the last day to register for the PRSA Colorado Breakfast with Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock (Monday, Nov. 4 at 7:45 a.m. at Tom’s Urban 24 downtown).

Great Moments in Journalism
9News cuts to the chase …

Third Annual PRSA Colorado Brand Challenge
Linhart PR Named ‘Top Place to Work’
Linhart Public Relations has been named to PR News’ Top Places to Work in PR 2013 list. The list recognizes the top 50 PR firms and organizations nationwide based on excellence in workplace culture, benefits, training and professional development, retention, leadership and other employee engagement best practices. Linhart PR also made the Top Places to Work in PR list in 2011.

Capital City PR Adds AE/Senior Writer
Capital City Public Relations has added Dina Berta as senior writer/account executive. Berta is a former journalist and restaurateur.
VOCO Creative Adds Client
VOCO Creative, has added Denver-based Housegreening as a client. VOCO will provide social media management and marketing consulting for Housegreening, an eco-friendly house cleaning company serving Denver and Boulder.
Red Energy Celebrates Five Years
Congrats to Colorado Springs-based Red Energy Public Relations, Advertising & Events, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

WordenGroup Adds Tahoe Resort as Client
WordenGroup has added The Landing Resort & Spa in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., to its public relations client roster. The new resort, an 88-room luxury hotel, restaurant, spa and conference center on Lake Tahoe, is “one of a number of projects that are bringing a new hip energy and cachet to the popular resort town’s southern shore.”
Twitter Catfight Alerts
GroundFloor Picks Up Two Honors
ColoradoBiz Magazine has named GroundFloor Media as a 2013 Top Company, and the firm has been recognized by Bulldog Reporter in its 2013 Bulldog Stars of PR Awards with a silver award for Outstanding Achievement for a Small Agency.
ColoradoBiz recognized exceptional businesses in 12 categories, and GFM was named the Top Company in the “Media, Advertising and PR” category.
Great Moments in Journalism
COHN Named AOR, Hires One
COHN has been named agency of record for Centennial-based Playtime, Inc., the largest creator and fabricator of soft play areas found in places like malls, shopping centers, fast food restaurants and aquatic parks.
COHN also announced it has hired Hannah McCaffrey as an account executive. McCaffrey previously was an account manager for Factory Design Labs, and she will support COHN clients Mont Blanc, Brew 1, GoodDrinks, Water Tech and Payreel.
I Thought Old Ladies Loved Romance
It’s not just Todd Helton’s home run in his last game at Coors Field that is generating some national headlines for the Rockies. So is this photo-bomb of a Mile High marriage proposal. $10 to the first person who can identify her.
JW Adds Social Media Team Member
JohnstonWells Public Relations has added Serr Her to manage social media strategies for the firm and its clients. Serr’s experience includes managing social media for Denver Hmong Alliance Church and for the SALT young adults conference at Wheaton College. He graduated from the University of Colorado Denver in Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in marketing. He also received a public relations certificate from the Communication school at UCD.
VOCO Creative Adds Three Clients
VOCO Creative has added three new clients: Cuties, shoemaker Ghiselli + Schwartz, and Colorado Asphalt Services.
Gonder PR Celebrates 25 Years
Congratulations to Peggy Gonder as Gonder Public Relations celebrates 25 years of providing public relations and marketing services. To commemorate the milestone, Gonder PR is providing pro bono services to the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame (where Gonder is a board member).
Business Insider Names Ward “Top 50” in Tech PR
Congratulations to 104 West’s Patrick Ward, who was named as one of Business Insider’s “Top 50 PR People in the Tech Industry.”
Smashburger PR?
Steve Raabe at The Denver Post reports that Smashburger parent company Consumer Capital Partners has launched a Press Effect, a public relations firm led by managing partner Stacie Lange.
Guest Bartending at the Denver Press Club
Alana Watkins of Voca PR and I will be the guest bartenders at the Denver Press Club next Thursday, Sept. 19, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Please stop by if you can to enjoy a drink and say hello.
Jim Guttau Joins Wagstaff’s Aspen Office
Jim Guttau has joined Wagstaff Worldwide in Aspen as an Account Supervisor. Guttau formerly was Director of Public Relations for Four Seasons Resort Vail.
7News Adds ‘Amazing Race’ Contestant as Anchor
7News has added Emmy award-winning reporter and former “The Amazing Race” contestant Kellie Patterson as a morning anchor. Patterson joins 7News from WCNC, the NBC affiliate in Charlotte, N.C.
Abels Communication Company Celebrates 10 Years
Abels Communication Company is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month. The firm was founded by corporate communications executive Richard Abels, and the firm is providing pro bono counsel and support to the Denver Public Schools Foundation this year to commemorate this milestone.
DBJ Names Aguilar Named an Outsanding Woman in Business
Congratulations to Timi Aguilar of Aguilar Public Relations for being named one of the “Outstanding Women in Business 2013” by the Denver Business Journal. Aguilar was recognized in the Communications, Media and PR category.

University of Denver’s 2nd Annual Digital Marketing Summit
The University of Denver’s second annual Digital Marketing Summit has been scheduled for Friday, Oct. 18. The event brings together leaders in digital marketing and branding for an intense, one-day seminar.





















