Archive for the ‘PRevelations’ Category

Q: Hi, I came across an old article you wrote about the argument for using AP style. How in the world can I convince people in my government agency to use it?

I’m a former newspaper journalist and seeing people just distort the writing drives me crazy. They’re talking about even using Chicago style for our press releases and pamphlets.

What’s a good reason to get them on board??

–        Tony

Ah, the ongoing dilemma … when non-journalists don’t understand the importance of AP style. Read the rest of this entry »

Get “Lei’d” with San Diego PR’s Finest at This Year’s Bernays Awards
Actors have the Oscars. Musicians have the Grammys. And here in San Diego, public relations professionals have the Edward L. Bernays Mark of Excellence Awards.

Better known simply as the Bernays Awards, every year PR practitioners from all walks of professional life, from agency to in-house, new pros to seasoned practitioners, come together at the awards to honor the best and brightest work from the past year, mixed in with a whole lot of fun.

This year, the Bernays Awards are setting sail for paradise on October 5. Destination: Bali Hai Restaurant on beautiful Shelter Island. We hear from the planning committee that this year’s event is sure to be extra special and we can’t wait after getting a peek at some of the details:

It’s no secret that PR people love a good party, so the committee is making sure there’s plenty of Island spirit to go around by offering hosted signature cocktails, small bites and leis during the welcome luau, as well as an authentic ukulele show and hula performance. The aloha spirit will continue with a fantastic, three-course meal, featuring Polynesian-inspired fare such as macadamia nut-crusted mahi mahi, grilled kalbi asada steak, pineapple upside-down cake and more. As a special bonus this year, hosted beer and wine will be provided throughout dinner. And just when you think you’ve finished feasting and celebrating like a king (King Kamehameha, that is!), you’ll be sent home with your very own custom “Mahalo” cupcake, provided courtesy of Sprinkles Cupcakes.

All of this, plus the chance to network with San Diego public relations’ finest, is just $85 for PRSA chapter members ($105 for non-members), but buy your tickets soon because after September 12, prices increase to $100 and $120 respectively. Hawaiian-chic luau attire is suggested, so get your grass skirt ready.

See you in the South Pacific!

2011 Edward L. Bernays Mark of Excellence Awards
6 to 9:30 p.m. (welcome luau begins at 6 p.m., dinner/awards begins 7 p.m.)
Bali Hai Restaurant, 2230 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego, 92106
To register, visit http://www.prsasdic.org/pieventsmgmtsys.asp?itemid=40&submit=getrecord&recordid=130

Shortfuse Marketing Selected for Launch of iMingle™ Insurance

Shortfuse Marketing has been retained to provide public relations support for the national launch of iMingle™, a new marketing approach for direct-to-consumer insurance and the first provider to offer group buying for auto insurance.  iMingle is aimed at what the company calls the i Generation, those consumers who routinely turn to their social networks to find information, compare deals and seek recommendations from their peers. For the first time, an insurance product has been designed specifically to meet the needs – and expectations – of these policyholders by rewarding them for two things they are already doing: using social media and buying insurance. The company is first in the insurance industry to tap social media to allow individual policyholders to link, or “mingle,” their auto insurance policies with those of their friends so they all qualify for group discounts. 

Shortfuse is handling national and regional publicity for the launch of the iMingle brand, which is so far available in 12 states including: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Wisconsin, Virginia and Iowa.

Stalwart Communications moves from virtual office to Class A space

Stalwart Communications® recently moved into Kearny Mesa’s StoneCrest Office Park Class A complex after achieving revenue breaking records in 2010. The agency  took occupancy after achieving annual double-digit revenue growth since its inception – including a 50 percent rise in 2010 –  with a desire to  have a creative, team-oriented, collaborative environment . 

Nuffer, Smith, Tucker Appoints Bryan Spevak to V.P.

Nuffer, Smith, Tucker has promoted Bryan Spevak to vice president. Spevak will continue to spearhead public relations and marketing efforts for a number of the firm’s clients, including WD-40 Company, Viejas Entertainment & Production, Super Glue Corp. and the Museum of Making Music. Spevak joined Nuffer, Smith, Tucker in 2006 as an account executive.

Prior to joining NST, Spevak spent three years at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, where he served as public relations/marketing manager, overseeing all institutional, exhibition and program-related communications. Spevak started his career as a publicist at Geffen Records and relocated from Los Angeles to San Diego in 1994 to manage the daily operations for local label Cargo/Headhunter Records. He received his bachelor’s degree from California State University-Fullerton. He is also a member of the San Diego Music Foundation’s board of directors.

Arika Anderson Daniels is a founding partner of Scatena Daniels Communications, a boutique marketing communications agency focusing on connections, creativity and results based out of San Diego, Calif., as well as one of the founding editors of SoCalPRBlog. Follow her on Twitter.

As an agency owner, you can attract your ideal “A” clients even in a tough economy with a little planning and creative visualization.  When times are tight, it can be tough to turn down opportunities that would bring immediate financial benefit, but might not be a good fit for your business in the long term. Filtering out these “B” and “C” clients will save you time and resources while producing more meaningful and profitable relationships in the future. Use your imagination and visualize the perfect client roster with the help of these five strategies.

Create an Ideal Client Profile

Create a list of ideal qualities for “A” clients and focus your business development efforts on retaining and attracting clients that fit Read the rest of this entry »

Jeneration PR has hired Kathy Pape as Account Executive

Jeneration PR is pleased to announce that Kathy Pape will join the agency as the newest Account Executive.  Pape is a former newscaster who left the anchor desk to pursue a successful career in public relations.  She specializes in beauty, fashion and childrens’ products, and has secured placements on NBC’s TODAY Show, Access Hollywood, Good Morning America and all the major fashion magazines.  Pape will be responsible for managing day-to-day strategy, executing media outreach and celebrity seeding plans, and working with the Jeneration PR team to deliver exceptional results.  Follow Kathy on twitter @kathypape and Jeneration PR @JenerationPR. Read the rest of this entry »

NextFoods retains RKPR

Boulder Colorado-based NextFoods has retained Rachel Kay Public Relations (RKPR) to promote its GoodBellybrand, the organic probiotic juice drink. GoodBelly was founded by Steve Demos, Whitewave, Inc. founder and former president, and Todd Beckman, former vice president of business development and operations at WhiteWave Foods Company, the largest producer of soy-based products in the United States.  RKPR will be responsible for cultivating the company’s messaging, and promoting the line of quarts, on-the-go drinks and shots, which are a convenient source of live and active cultures of Lp299v, a patented strain of probiotics shown to promote digestive health and support the immune system*. NextFoods joins the agency’s growing roster of national natural brands, which has included Mary’s Gone Crackers, Corazonas, BellyBar, Coromega, Earnest Eats and others.  

*Some studies suggest that GoodBelly’s probiotics may help balance bacteria in your gut when eaten daily as part of a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle. GoodBelly is a food product and not a treatment or cure for any medical disorder or disease. If you have any concerns about your digestive system, you should consult your healthcare professional.

Scatena Daniels celebrates anniversary with new hire and website  Read the rest of this entry »

Scatena Daniels Adds San Diego REP, Senior Community Centers and Marshall Faulk Foundation to its Growing Client Roster

Scatena Daniels Communications, Inc., is pleased to announce it has added San Diego REPertory Theatre (San Diego REP), the Marshall Faulk Foundation and Senior Community Centers to its growing client roster.

San Diego REPertory Theatre chose Scatena Daniels to manage its show publicity leading into its 35th season beginning with “The Road to Mecca,” and “Storyville.” San Diego REP produces intimate, exotic, provocative theatre with vivid works that nourish progressive political and social values and celebrate the multiple voices of our region. 

Senior Community Centers selected Scatena Daniels to manage public relations and social media promotion to support the organization’s fundraising efforts. Senior Community Centers, which is celebrating it’s 40th anniversary this year, is the leading provider of services to culturally diverse, low-income, at-risk seniors in downtown San Diego. 

The Marshall Faulk Foundation selected Scatena Daniels to promote the Third Annual Aztec for Life Homecoming Celebration held Fri., Oct. 15 at the SDSU Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center. The event kicked off SDSU’s Homecoming Weekend and all proceeds benefitted the SDSU Aztec Athletic Foundation and Jackie Robinson YMCA.

Jeneration PR Retained by blindmice Knit Goods, Inc.

Jeneration PR has secured blindmice Knit Goods, Inc. as a client.  blindmice socks are a favorite of celebrity moms Jessica Alba, Kourtney Kardashian, and Amy Adams.  These clever socks come three or five in a pack so you can mix & match, and you always have a pair and a spare. Read the rest of this entry »

Q: As much as I admire AP style, I was raised to believe in the absolute necessity of the serial comma. If the serial comma can save just one sentence from being misleading, then surely it is valuable enough to use consistently. We can fight about this if you want, but I’ll never change! (Just sayin’.)

–        TJ

Yes, TJ, you are correct. We could argue all day.

I used to be an avid serial comma user until I became an AP style convert. I find that most of the time, the serial comma is unnecessary and just takes up extra space. It can also be considered redundant, as the conjunction already serves as the separation between the two final items in a series. Read the rest of this entry »

Q: What do you think about The Yahoo! Style Guide?

– Kristen

I have actually been quite vocal and critical of this guide and the AP Stylebook’s Web guidelines.

And because of this, Yahoo!’s senior editorial director and head writer for the book, Chris Barr, contacted me and offered to send me a copy of the reference guide, so I could see its benefits for myself.

Here are some of the things I like about The Yahoo! Style Guide: Read the rest of this entry »

Q: Just checking … are titles of newspapers supposed to be in italics or quotes?

– Robert, South Park

I had to look this one up. And to my disappointment, I have been doing it WRONG!

(Back story: I did not grow up using AP style, nor was I trained in it in college, so when I started my career in PR, I had many writing habits inconsistent with AP style. For example, for the longest time, I still put two spaces in between sentences. I thought I had pretty much weaned myself from all non-AP practices, but apparently I had ingrained in my mind somewhere that italicized composition titles were AP-approved. This is incorrect.)  Read the rest of this entry »