It’s been busy at Dovetail Solutions lately. The firm landed new client Colliers International, added Kreya Kadam as a production coordinator and was named a finalist for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade’s “Colorado Companies to Watch” award.
Linhart Tops Colorado Firms in Annual O’Dwyer’s Rankings
If you, like me, wondered how Linhart PR could afford to hire Paula Berg away from Southwest Airlines and then send her out of town every week so her potty mouth and semi-secret smoking wouldn’t corrupt the other employees, we have the answer: Linhart PR is crushing it when it comes to revenue.
The latest O’Dwyer’s rankings are out and here are the Colorado numbers:
#70 – Linhart PR – $4.11 million – Up 35% from 2009#90 – GroundFloor Media – $3.00 million – Up 15% from 2009#135 – Catapult PR/IR – $0.84 million – Up 2% from 2009
Duo Announces Two New Clients
Duo Marketing & PR, has picked up two new clients: premium raw dog food company Redbud’s Raw and Michelle Maloy Dillon Photography. Duo will handle public relations and social media efforts for both clients.
Linhart Finalist for Denver Metro Chamber Award
Linhart PR has been named a finalist for the Denver Metro Chamber’s 2011 Small Business of the Year award. Winners will be announced at the chamber’s annual Business Awards Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Denver on Wednesday, May 4.
FP Launches New Site, Adds Three Clients
Fitzgerald Petersen Communications has launched a new website and announced three new clients: Pioneers Volunteer Network, Peak Resources and Disney Live! and Monster Jam.
Cohn Expands, Opens Dallas Office
Denver’s Cohn Marketing has expanded to Texas, opening its new Cohn Southwest office in Dallas. Cohn Southwest will be lead by Ron Brady, who will also manage business development for Cohn in the retail and real estate industries nationally and internationally.
“The climate and timing is right for us to grow the company via a second office in Dallas,” said Jeff Cohn, CEO and chief brand strategist. “A city known across the globe as a hub for retail and real estate services, Dallas is the ideal location for our expansion, and Ron is absolutely the perfect choice to lead the charge for us.”
Additionally, Cohn announced it won its fourth ReBrand 100 Global Award for its work with Cleveland-based client, Developers Diversified Realty.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are Booyah Online Advertising, Catholic Health Initiatives, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, IHS, Moss Recruiting, Mt. Evans Hospice, National Parks Conservation Association, Scream Advertising Agency, The New Teacher Project and tw telecom.
CPR Launches Annual Instrument Drive Today
Colorado Public Radio launches its annual instrument drive today. You can give the gift of music to deserving elementary and middle school students in Colorado by bringing your gently-used instrument to any of nine drop-off locations in Denver, Boulder, Golden and Grand Junction.
GroundFloor Announces 2011 Pro Bono Non-profits
GroundFloor Media has named Jeremy Bloom’s Wish of a Lifetime and SafeHouse Denver as its 2011 nonprofit, pro bono accounts. GroundFloor will work with both organizations to develop strategic positioning, implement targeted media relations programs, and offer social media support across a variety of media.
Vote Early, Vote Often
Voting for 5280’s Top of the Town awards ends March 18.
PR Plays Key Role in Wisconsin Battle
Politics is like a pendulum, with wild swings in either direction inevitably returning back toward to the middle. Last week, the story was how unions had lost their mojo through years of PR neglect. This week, it is Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker suffering the PR consequences of overreaching.
DPC to Honor Anna Quindlen with Damon Runyon Award
The Denver Press Club has named Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times best-selling author Anna Quindlen as the recipient of the 17th Annual Damon Runyon Award. Quindlen will accept the award at a banquet in her honor on Friday, April 29, 2011 at the Denver Marriott City Center.
“Anna Quindlen exemplifies the high standards of journalism and of writing that the Runyon Award is meant to honor,” DPC President Bruce Goldberg said. “We are looking forward to hearing what she has to say about both her career and about journalism on April 29.”
Previous winners include P.J. O’Rourke, Tim Russert, Bob Costas, George Will, Ed Bradley, Maureen Dowd, Ted Turner, Herb Caen, Molly Ivins, Mike Royko and Jimmy Breslin.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are the 9Health Fair, Coca-Cola, Colorado Public Radio, IHS, Intrado, Morris Animal Foundation, Safeway, TIAA-CREF, the University of Colorado Denver and the University of Denver.
In Memoriam
They say suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, and in that spirit let us remember that it was two years ago today that Scripps pulled the plug on the Rocky Mountain News. In that moment, 150 years of scrappy journalism was abandoned, hundreds of talented journalists and production staff suddenly were without jobs and Denver was left with one less important community voice.
Here is a behind-the-scenes look at how Scripps’ decision played out in the newsroom.
Wells Communications Announces New Client
NewMark Merrill Mountain States has hired Wells Communications to assist with public relations related to its 1,500,000 square feet of shopping center real estate in Colorado. NewMark Merrill Mountain States purchases, redevelops, repositions and manages shopping centers throughout the Rocky Mountain region, with a focus on Colorado. Current projects include Arvada Marketplace East, Broomfield Plaza, Fort Collins Marketplace, Waneka Marketplace (Lafayette), and Twin Peaks Mall and Harvest Junction (Longmont).
Pure Snags InterMountain’s Drew Kramer
Pure Brand Communications has hired Drew Kramer, formerly of InterMountain Corporate Affairs. Kramer will continue to be involved in public affairs consulting, as well as working with Pure’s other clients.
‘P.R. People Drive Me Crazy…’
… and other public relations observations from a New York restaurateur.
Unions Losing PR Fight in Wisconsin
Why are unions in Wisconsin – and nationwide – so vulnerable? Because they lost the public relations battle years ago.
Many strategists and even some labor officials argue that the genuine passion and emotion being felt and displayed on the ground in Wisconsin is obscuring a central problem: Unions still haven’t figured out even a semblance of an effective PR strategy.
‘9/11 Freedom Rally’ Seeks Pro Bono Support
The 9/11 Freedom Rally is looking for pro bono support to help it with messaging and media outreach. The group is a nonprofit organization that is trying “to reclaim the date of September 11 each year as a time of honoring and helping instead of just mourning.” Sponsors include Best Buy, Harley-Davidson, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and American Family Insurance, among others. Email the planning committee or Randy Blauvelt if you are interested.
CPR Adds Murrow Award Winner to Staff
Colorado Public Radio (CPR) hired award-winning journalist Pat Mack as a reporter and producer for its daily interview program, “Colorado Matters.” Mack previously was with South Dakota Public Radio, and prior to that served as health affairs communications coordinator for the University of South Dakota’s Sanford School of Medicine and School of Health Sciences. Mack received two Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for his feature stories and production work.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are the American Animal Hospital Association, Avaya, DaVita, the Financial Planning Standards Board, High Country News, Smashburger and The University of Colorado Denver.
PitchEngine Founder/CEO to Headline Next ‘Social Media Breakfast’
PitchEngine founder and CEO Jason Kintzler will discuss how businesses can expand beyond the traditional news release to a true Social Media Release at Metzger Associates’ next Social Media Breakfast. Kintzler is a former journalist turned PR guy who founded PitchEngine in 2008, and last year more than 100,000 pitches were shared by 30,000 organizations looking to get the word out to journalists, bloggers, consumers and other influencers. Details:
Social Media Breakfast
Friday, Feb. 25, at 7:45 a.m.
Metzger Associates
5733 Central Avenue
Boulder, CO 80301
[Map]
RSVP to Lisa Metzger at 720.833.5920 or via email.
LEED Project Seeks Pro Bono PR Work
If you bleed green and love all things LEED, The Green Cube Showhome invites you to join its steering committee. The PR sponsorship offers “tremendous exposure to work and network with the nearly 100 green trades, suppliers and services required to build the home from start to finish.” If you are interested, contact Brett Robben at 303-433-6212 or brettrobben@comcast.net.
PRSA Comps Local Dues for New Members in February
If you’ve been thinking about joining PRSA, this is the month to do it: you’ll get your Colorado Chapter dues comped. Enter promo code FEB11. Not sure why you should join? Come to an orientation for new and prospective members Wednesday, Feb. 16, before the PRSA media roundtable luncheon. 11 a.m. Curtis Hotel lobby.
Vladimir Jones Expands Web, Mobile, Digital Capabilities
Vladimir Jones has beefed up its website, mobile and digital marketing capabilities through a strategic investment in Voltage Digital Advertising and Design. VJ and Voltage will remain separate entities, but work exclusively with each other and function as a single force when working on joint projects.
Great Moments in Employee Communications
If your employee communications efforts aren’t landing people in jail or causing mass panic, you need to try harder.
Metzger Offers Free PR Advice to Celebrate 20th Anniversary
Metzger is continuing its year-long 20th anniversary celebration by offering free strategic marketing and communications advice to local businesses – from solo practitioners to start-ups to established operations – via monthly open office hours at Boulder Digital Arts beginning Feb. 22. Metzger’s office hours will be held at BDA’s coworking space in east Boulder the fourth Tuesday of every month beginning Feb. 22, and Metzger office hours are open to the public.
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.
CSG Promotes Fern to Lead Health & Wellness Practice
Communications Strategy Group (CSG|PR) promoted Shannon Fern to director of its Health & Wellness practice. Fern is CSG|PR’s lead health PR specialist, and she has more than 10 years of diverse communications experience with expertise in the areas of public and community relations, communications plan development, writing, event planning and sponsorship marketing.
Grants Allow CPR to Add Education Reporter
Colorado Public Radio has received a grant from The Colorado Health Foundation to continue funding a health reporter position and grants from the Gates Family Foundation and The Piton Foundation to add a new education beat reporter to its staff. Eric Whitney is CPR’s health reporter, and a new education reporter search is under way.
Linhart Finalist for ‘Top Workplace’ Award
Linhart PR has been selected as a finalist for the 2011 Top Small Company Workplaces award, a nationwide award sponsored by Winning Workplaces and Inc. Magazine.
9News’ Schrager Bids Farewell to Denver
One by one, Denver’s best television political reporters are leaving. First, CBS4’s Raj Chohan leaves to become a lawyer, and now 9News’ Adam Schrager is leaving today for a job in Wisconsin to be closer to family. Let’s hope Adam’s departure is of the Gregg Moss variety, and that Adam is back in Denver in a year or two.
Eli Stokols, you are officially on the clock.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are: 9to5, National Association of Working Women, American Cancer Society, Archos, BI Incorporated, Colorado Legacy Foundation, Emily Griffith Opportunity School, TeleTech Holdings and The Denver Post.
Pure Brand Launches ‘Pure Good Works’ Pro Bono Program
Pure Brand Communications has launched its inaugural Pure Good Works call for applications. Pure Good Works awards one nonprofit organization—located anywhere in the U.S.—one year of integrated creative services valued up to $75,000.
Whether it’s logo re-design, message development, guerilla marketing or social media, Pure will craft a comprehensive strategy to help advance the chosen brand. Karma is at the core of these proposed partnerships. Pure wants to elevate great causes with great work, allowing both parties to walk away galvanized for the future. The nonprofit’s passion will become Pure’s inspiration, fueling the agency’s many disciplines to sculpt the best possible product.
Perini Adds Two Clients
Perini & Associates has added two new clients: Mountain Paradise Family Fun Center and ToothIQ.
Guttau Relocates, Adds Clients and Employee
If you see Jim Guttau, you may want to encourage him to take a nap. Guttau PR has landed six new clients (Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping, Rivé, Thermal Clean, neuroAgility, Caroline’s Cuisine, Infinite Harvest), added Kelly Ozinga as a new account coordinator, and relocated to a new office in Denver’s LoHi neighborhood.
JW Sponsors ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ Awards
JohnstonWells has been named the local public relations sponsor of Ernst & Young’s 2011 Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards in the Mountain Desert region. This is the second year that JW has served as sponsor.
DPC Hosts Internationally Syndicated Cartoonist
Desperate for a laugh after a few days of subzero temperatures? Check out internationally syndicated cartoonist Leigh Rubin this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Denver Press Club. Rubin, the artist behind the cartoon Rubes, will discuss “maintaining creativity and staying inspired — all while having to meet the daily deadline that creating a daily cartoon demands. Of course, because it’s a cartoon program, he uses many visuals.”
The program is free, and a pre-program dinner at the Denver Press Club is $10.
New Denver Ad Club Announces ‘The Fifty’
The New Denver Ad Club debuted “The Fifty” top advertising ideas, recognizing the most exceptional advertising ideas as selected by nationally respected judges with no categories or rankings.
Companies named to The Fifty include: Amelie Advertising & PR, Barnhart, Burns Marketing, Cactus Communication, CCT Advertising, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, David Pahl Photography, Denver Bike Sharing, Futuristic Films, Integer, Juice Communications, Karsh Hagan, Launch and Rabble+Rouser, Location 3 Media, Red Door Interactive, Scream Agency, SpyderLynk, Starz, Sterling Rice Group, Sukle Advertising & Design, Vermilion, and Vladimir Jones.
The Fifty winning entries can be viewed at winners.denver50.com.
Brand Iron Adds Two
Brand Iron named Kassandre Linstroth as brand manager and Leilani Derr as graphic designer. Linstroth will be charged with creating and implementing strategies for Brand Iron clients; Derr, who joins the agency’s creative team, will be responsible for providing Brand Iron clients with creative concepting and design for both print and website applications.
Pure Brand Relocates
Pure Brand Communications has completed its move to a new location at 2401 Larimer Street. Larry Holdren wanted the new office to resemble a cross between Snooze and a United Airlines Boeing 757, his homes away from home, but he got this instead:
Directly East of Ballpark Lofts, the new office was refurbished with the help of local design firm Xan Creative, who also completed nearby Snooze, Marco’s Coal-Fired Pizza and the Great Divide tap room. A central aisle in Pure’s open floor plan hosts 24 feet of bar-height tables—with tops doubling as white boards—for brainstorms and critiques. The aisle diverges into work pods on either side. A series of factory windows atop the walls pours natural light onto all desks. Highlights include two meeting spaces at polar ends of the aisle: a covered booth whose curves resemble a Shasta trailer and “The Shed” whose walls combine beetle-kill pinewood and translucent write-on glass. The office’s flowing, inclusive organization facilitates the integration of Pure’s many disciplines as they serve clientele needs.
Exclusive Resorts Selects VOCA PR
VOCA Public Relations announced that it has been chosen by Exclusive Resorts to spearhead the company’s public relations efforts. VOCA will promote Exclusive Resorts brand image as the world’s leading destination club and the best way to enjoy consistently exceptional vacation with family and friends.
Linhart Promotes Kelsey
Linhart PR has promoted Quinn Kelsey to account executive. In her new role, she will provide communications counsel and media relations support to clients Comcast, Colorado Technical University, Johns Manville and UnitedHealthcare.
Goodwill Industries Issues RFP
Goodwill Industries of Colorado Springs has issued an RFP for branding/public relations/marketing services.
Are ESPN Sideline Reporters ‘Journalists?’
No, they are entertainers who may be telling you only what their sponsors want you to hear.
Stasko Inks Three New Clients
Denver design firm Urban Dwellers has selected The Stasko Agency as its agency of record. Additionally, Stasko has been retained to provide publicity services for Mountain States Employers Council and the Alexander Dawson Foundation. Mountain States is the region’s largest employer services organization, with 3,000 member employers, and the Alexander Dawson Foundation is a Las Vegas-based non-profit, which provides educational enrichment opportunities for high-achieving, public school students.
SOTU Bingo
Planning to watch the State of the Union tonight? Download Sarah Moss’ SOTU bingo card.
Cohn Announces Winners of its ‘Power of 10’ Pro Bono Contest
Cohn Marketing has selected three non-profit organizations from across the country to receive pro bono work as part of its “Power of 10” contest: Cancer Crusaders (New Orleans), Cat Care Society (Denver) and Empower Playgrounds (Provo, Utah).
Faction Finalist for ‘Best of Web’ Award
Congratulations to Faction Media, which has been named a finalist in the CableFAX Best of Web Awards for its website redesign work with Comcast Spotlight. In addition to being a finalist, Faction Media is the only B2B digital marketing agency on the nominations list. The winner in each category will be announced at the CableFAX Digital Awards in April.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are the American Humane Association, AORN, Art Students League of Denver, the City of Westminster, CoBank, Colorado Rural Electric Association, Conergy, Coram, Great-West, Newmont Mining, Policy Studies, The SolutionPR and Traction Communications.
Revolt Brewing Around Pricey CU Brand ‘Update’
If you dropped three-quarters of a million dollars on a branding project, would you expect more than a new font suggestion and a recommendation to standardize on a single, existing logo? And, if not, are you free for lunch sometime to discuss your other marketing needs?
Denver Agency Wins
- Philosophy Communication won Decorative Materials, a high-end tile company with showrooms in Denver, Aspen and Vail.
- Malen Yantis Public Relations has added two new clients – Vail Summer and Phoenix-based BlackBox Interactive.
- Gain-Stovall has been retained to provide public relations services to Denver’s Champion Window Company.
DBJ Hires Draper for Banking/Finance Beat
The Denver Business Journal has hired Heather Draper to cover the banking/finance/professional services beat. Draper, a former Rocky Mountain News and Dow Jones reporter, most recently was marketing/communications manager at the GLBT Community Center of Colorado. She replaces Renee McGaw, who left the DBJ to become the Director of Communications at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.
Singleton Relinquishes CEO Title at MediaNews Group
MediaNews Group’s William Dean Singleton announced he will step down as CEO but remain as executive chairman. MediaNews Group owns dozens of newspapers, including the Denver Post.
PR Quote of the Week
Courtesy of this morning’s Denver Post (Nation & World Briefs, Page 4A):
“Republicans immediately disparaged the analysis as ‘public relations’.”
PPG Selects Philosophy for Branding, PR Campaign
Peregrine Property Group has selected Philosophy Communication to develop a branding and public relations campaign.
Weise Wins Medical Technology Client
Weise Communications has been selected by Moog Medical to handle public relations, social media and creative design, as well as product photography, strategic research and marketing.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are The GLBT Community Center of Colorado, Boston Market, CoBank, Colorado AIDS Project, Colorado Association of School Boards, Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado Lottery, DISH Network, Financial Planning Association (FPA), Harrison School District Two, Kaiser Permanente, Marsh & McLennan Companies (MMC), Metropolitan State College, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Outward Bound, Regional Air Quality Council and Southwest Art Magazine.
Conversation Starters Completes Two Video Projects
Conversation Starters has completed marketing video projects for clients EmbroidMe Denver-South and Catch Fire Marketing.
Fresh Ideas Group Adds Three Clients
Fresh Ideas Group has added three new clients: 34 Degrees Crispbread, Dr. Alan Greene and his new Project WhiteOut, and Blue Horizon Wild Seafood.
Dovetail Wins Law Firm Client
Denver business litigation law firm Sander Ingebretsen and Wake has selected Dovetail Solutions as its agency-of-record to lead its community outreach and marketing efforts.
SE2’s Next Goal: OpEd Pieces in the Coupons
SE2 has unceremoniously (or maybe ceremoniously – it’s hard to tell) deflowered the Denver Post’s editorial section.
CHC Sponsors Breakfast Seminar
The Colorado Healthcare Communicators are sponsoring a breakfast seminar on “The Art of Storytelling” on Wednesday, Jan. 26, at 8 a.m. Led by former journalist and current PR practitioner Jerry Brown, the seminar will help attendees “find interesting hooks for the stories you want to tell.”
Philosophy Promotes ADCD Paper Fashion Show
Philosophy Communication is promoting the Art Directors Club of Denver’s Paper Fashion Show for the second year in a row. Last year, Philosophy’s work led to double attendance with more than 600 paper patrons, a 35 percent increase in event sponsorship dollars, and a 100 percent increase in design teams.
Designers, art directors, marketers, advertisers, communication professionals and fashion enthusiasts who are interested in participating should register by February 18, 2011.
‘Deadly Spin’ Author to Appear at Tattered Cover Jan. 20
Former CIGNA communications chief turned activist/author Wendell Potter has been called everything from a public relations hero to a traitorous villain for his decision to walk away from the corporate world and testify before the U.S. Senate panel on health care reform.
His testimony on how the health care industry uses propaganda and lobbying efforts to maintain profits at the expense of patients sparked outrage among activists and health care providers alike. And the behind-the-scenes view he provides of the role of public relations in these debates has ignited passionate discussion in the public relations community.
Potter now is a Senior Fellow on Health Care for the Center for Media and Democracy, and he has followed up his initial testimony with a recently released book, Deadly Spin: An Insurance Company Insider Speaks Out on How Corporate PR Is Killing Health Care and Deceiving Americans. He will be at the Tattered Cover on Colfax on Thursday, Jan. 20, at 7:30 p.m. to sign copies of the book.
If you are interested in an insider’s account of how public relations often is played at the highest and most sophisticated levels – and what impact that has on you, your career and your clients – you should attend.
[Disclosure: I am friends with Wendell Potter, and I worked closely with him when CIGNA was a client of mine at Weber Shandwick. However, my work (and Weber Shandwick’s work) with CIGNA did not include any of the industry policy, regulatory or lobbying efforts that he chronicles in his book.]
Evatran Selects JohnstonWells for Product Launch
JohnstonWells has been hired by Evatran to manage media relations as the company unveils its Plugless Power charging system in 2011. Plugless Power is the world’s first charging system that allows electric vehicles to refuel without a cord and plug or any driver interaction. The technology is based on inductive power transfer that has been used in electrical transformers for more than a century.
PR Quote of the Week
In honor of Penny Parker, here is the Denver PR Blog “Eavesdropping” bit of the week:
“Be prepared for a constant barrage of flip remarks and undying skepticism. We’ll all wonder why we even considered running this gauntlet. And our clients will ask – ‘What were you thinking?’ ”
– An anonymous pro-business Denver PR practitioner discussing Denver Post columnist Mike Littwin’s appointment to the paper’s editorial board.
OnTheSnow Selects Linhart
Linhart Public Relations has been selected to lead a public relations campaign for OnTheSnow, the most visited snow sports website in the world. Linhart PR will lead proactive, strategic public relations activities to help build global brand awareness of OnTheSnow as the top global site for mountain snow sports, as well as position the website as an expert news source among domestic digital, print and broadcast media.
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are Bloomberg, UCAR, Larimer Associates, Metro State College, Financial Planning Association, Wilderness Society, Padres Unidos, Donnell-Kay Foundation and Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation.
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
Menezes Joins Research Firm
Bill Menezes has joined the research firm One Touch Intelligence. He formerly was with VisiTech PR.
Sprocket Lands Two New Clients, Hires One
Sprocket Communications has landed two new clients – Shanahan’s Steakhouse and medical marijuana center The Clinic. Sprocket also added Lauren Butts, who previously worked at Aiello Public Relations and Marketing and Donate Life Ohio.
Hernandez Joins Jackson National Life Insurance
Melissa Hernandez has joined Jackson National Life Insurance as a media relations specialist. Prior to joining Jackson, Hernandez was a senior account executive at Christopherson & Co. Communications in Greenwood Village and a contractor for Pushkin Public Relations in Denver.
Congratulations to SE2’s Kurz, Guttmann
The SE2 2029 intern class just got bigger with the births of Emerson Blanche Kurz (Sarah Kurz) and Asher James Guttmann (Amy Guttmann).
Scott McInnis Finally Wins One
The votes have been tallied and Westword’s “Shmuck of the Year” is … failed gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis. Probably not the consolation prize he was looking for, but at least he finally won something.
Linhart Celebrates 15 Years
Happy 15th anniversary to Linhart Public Relations.
The Year in Review: 2010 Public Relations Disasters
Here is the list of the year’s biggest PR disasters that I shared during an interview with 850 KOA this morning:
CORPORATE
BP
Last year, the Tiger Woods sex scandal was the gold standard for PR debacles. This year, that honor belongs to BP. The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was enough to put them on anyone’s list, but it was the company’s response that catapulted them to the top. Doctored photos, attempts to strong-arm locals into signing liability waivers, and one gaffe after another from CEO Tony Hayward – “It wasn’t our accident … I just want my life back …” Remember, 11 people died when the rig exploded and thousands of lives were devastated in the aftermath. No one wanted to hear him complain about how unfair he felt he was being treated.
Toyota
The overwhelming safety and reliability issues were bad enough, but the countless recalls and the appearance of a company trying to hide safety problems rather than fix them really shook a lot of people’s faith in Toyota. The good news for Toyota is that it has decades’ worth of goodwill built up with the American public. If it can fix the safety issues, the brand should be fine over the long run.
Continue reading “The Year in Review: 2010 Public Relations Disasters”
Webb PR Promotes Two
Pete Webb Public Relations has promoted Jen Holliman to account manager and Sarah Gianti to account assistant.
Duo Adds New Client
Duo Marketing & PR has added “Your Lucky Deals” to its client roster. “Your Lucky Deals” is a locally owned daily deal and city guide website that is dedicated to helping charities within the Denver community. The website will offer Denver subscribers 40 to 90 percent discounts to, among other things, restaurants, spas, special activities and events.
Denver Magazine Announces Largest Press Run Ever
Denver Magazine continues to mock my prediction that it would only last six issues, this time by announcing its largest ever press run of 50,000 copies for its January 2011 issue.
Great Moments in Litigation
Perini Announces Three New Clients
Perini & Associates has added JPE Inc., The National World War II Museum of Aviation and Paradise Spas as clients.
2010’s Biggest ‘PR Blunders’
Fineman PR is out with its annual list of the year’s “Top PR Blunders:”
- BP
- Toyota
- NPR
- Craigslist
- Amazon
- Nestle
- Johnson & Johnson
- LeBron James
- Glenn Beck
- Alaska Airlines
Denver PR Jobs
Among those hiring this week are Coenergy, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce (intern), Dish Network, Andria Mitsakos PR (intern), TransAmerica Corp., Turner PR (intern), USA Cycling and the Wildlife Experience (intern).
CU Hospital’s Schroffel Named Business Person of the Year
Congratulations to University of Colorado Hospital CEO (and Dovetail Solutions client) Bruce Schroffel, who was named the Denver Post’s 2010 Business Person of the Year.
Best Coloradans to Follow on Twitter?
Weber Shandwick, 3 Others Named Best for Social Media
Mashable has named Adobe, Best Buy, IBM and Weber Shandwick as four of the top employers for social media professionals.
Happy Holidays from Scream
Dovetail Hires Marketing Coordinator
Dovetail Solutions named Whitner Belk as marketing coordinator. She is responsible for supporting the firm’s client service managers and director, as well as for producing collateral materials and implementing social media initiatives for both clients and the firm. Belk previously was design coordinator for Ralph Lauren’s Black Label women’s clothing line team in New York.
Charter Names Cactus AOR
Charter Media, the advertising sales division of Charter Communications, named Cactus agency of record for branding, marketing and advertising.
Unlocking the Mayor Badge of Meaninglessness
Umar Haque in the Harvard Business Review is the latest to argue that most companies are merely scratching the surface of what social media can do for brands.
(Hat tip: Don Jennings [@djenningspr] of Lois Paul & Partners)
CHC Announces 2011 Board of Directors
The Colorado Healthcare Communicators announced its 2011 Board of Directors:
- President: Jennifer Wills, GroundFloor Media
- Vice President: Jacy Conradt, Mental Health America of Colorado
- Treasurer: Elizabeth Whitehead, The Children’s Hospital
- Programs: Paige Leonard, Centura Health at Home, and Kindle Fahlenkamp-Morell, Colorado Health Institute
- Gold Leaf Awards: Heather Hutchinson, Weise Communications, and Carie Sherman, COPIC
- Membership: Jessica Warren, Bonfils Blood Center, and Melissa Ford, First Choice Services
- Marketing: Micki Sievwright, Armada Medical Marketing, and Katie Cicerchi, Communications Consultant
JohnstonWells Hires Senior Associate
JohnstonWells has added Dan Peterson as a senior associate to its team. Peterson brings expertise in media and community relations, crisis communications, social media, business to business, and business development. Prior to joining JohnstonWells, Dan served as the Director of Communications for The Alexander Company, a Madison, Wisc.-based real estate developer.
Catfight Alert: FIFA vs. the Gay Community
Right now, gay rights groups are targeting Sepp Blatter, FIFA’s president, for his comments on how gays should behave at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. But it won’t be long until the groups turn their ire toward World Cup sponsors such as Coca-Cola, Budweiser, Visa, McDonald’s, Hyundai and Sony.
Dovetail Retained by HOK; Names Johnston, Finegan as Advisors
Dovetail Solutions has been retained by global architectural firm HOK to lead its community outreach efforts in Denver. Dovetail also announced that it has appointed former JohnstonWells CEO GG Johnston and Hogan Lovells lawyer Cole Finegan to its Board of Advisors.
Amdur Joins InView Communications
InView Communications hired Diane Amdur as senior account executive. Amdur, who formerly was with JohnstonWells, has more than 20 years of public relations experience specializing in strategic planning, brand and corporate positioning, business-to-business outreach and media relations.
DAZBOG, City of Longmont Hire Adrenalin
Adrenalin has been retained by DAZBOG Coffee Company and the City of Longmont for projects. DAZBOG hired the agency to develop a line of tin containers for its new series of loose-leaf tea blends, and Adrenalin will help Longmont drive retail sales and economic growth through a “Be Alive in Longmont” advertising and marketing campaign.
Newell Rubbermaid Selects CLS
Newell Rubbermaid has selected Carmichael Lynch Spong as domestic agency of record for four of its popular Home & Family brands, including its iconic Rubbermaid brand and Décor brands Levolor, Kirsch and Amerock. The agency has worked with Newell Rubbermaid’s leading culinary brand Calphalon since 2009.
Vladimir Jones Hires One, Promotes One
Vladimir Jones hired Sally Miles as its new Director of Creative Services. Miles has more than 20 years of experience in creative services after working with agencies in both the U.S. and U.K., “as well as insight gained as a contestant on two rounds of England’s ‘Wheel of Fortune’.” The agency also promoted Ryan Johnson to Creative Director, where he will oversee the day-to-day operations of the creative department.
Vote Early and Often for the ‘Women’s Saving Club’
Time is running out to vote for The Women’s Saving Club, started by Denver PR pros Tara Tongco Rojas and Kate Wilson Stabrawa. As part of the contest, the site can win up to $65,000 and a portion of the prize will benefit the Denver Women’s Bean Project. If you want to vote for the Women’s Saving Club, visit the “Raise the Rate” website. You can vote once a day every day through Thursday. As of this morning, The Women’s Savings Club was just 38 votes out of first place.
Denver Public Relations Blog 