Weber promotes Gustner to Senior Vice President

The Minneapolis office of Weber Shandwick today announced the promotion of Jackie Gustner to senior vice president in its financial services practice.

Gustner brings a unique and powerful combination of strategic and critical insight, creativity and financial services acumen to all of her clients and assignments. In her 11 years with Weber Shandwick, she has developed a deep knowledge and expertise in the electronic payments industry, banking and asset management sectors, and with the hard-to-reach unbanked/underbanked audience.

For the past four years, Gustner has led Weber Shandwick’s work for a Big 4 accounting client, managing a team that pairs financial services with social strategy professionals to produce hard-working digital content strategies for the client’s highly targeted B2B thought leadership. Under Gustner’s direction, the team has advanced video and animation-enhanced reports and surveys, infographics, and multi-pronged search-engine marketing and social media campaigns. Her leadership has resulted in impressive increases to the client’s website traffic and its reputation in influential financial circles.

 

Gustner has set precedents for new digital and social media best practices. She also played a key role in architecting the media strategy and programming model for the agency’s award-winning Go Direct campaign, a U.S. Treasury initiative aimed at encouraging federal benefit recipients to switch from paper check payments to an electronic option. The long-standing campaign is a sought-after case study in effective metrics-driven public relations.

“Jackie is an extraordinary asset to all of her colleagues and clients,” said Sara Gavin, president of the Minneapolis office of Weber Shandwick. “This promotion recognizes her deep subject-matter expertise, key account leadership and dedicated and innovative client work.”

 

Gustner co-leads the office’s “Making a Difference” program, and provides senior oversight for the current pro-bono account, Minnesota Teen Challenge. She is accredited in public relations (APR) by PRSA, and has worked closely with many over the years to share her wisdom and to help them become stronger strategic counselors, media strategists and writers in their own right.

Prior to Weber Shandwick, Gustner worked as an independent PR practitioner and as a public relations specialist at NordicTrack. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations from the University of Minnesota.

Carmichael Lynch Takes the Sasquatch Out of His Element in New Campaign for Jack Link’s Beef Jerky

You can take Sasquatch out of the woods—but you can't take the woods out of Sasquatch.

 

Carmichael Lynch is putting beloved Jack Link’s brand mascot Sasquatch in unfamiliar territory in its latest effort for the brand, showing that jerky is way more than an outdoorsman’s snack.  The new “Snackin’ with Sasquatch” campaign puts Sasquatch in all new scenarios and environments, but maintains what fans of the Effie-winning “Messin’ with Sasquatch” campaign have loved all along: funny interactions with snack-hungry jerky fans.

 

Eight new “Snackin’ with Sasquatch” :15 spots find Sasquatch indoors -- a bit naïve and curiously exploring unfamiliar surroundings, such as a book club, gaming session, carpool and coffee break room.  In “Coffee Break” Sasquatch is horrified by the taste of hot coffee and goes to great lengths to protect colleagues from taking a sip.

 

The campaign also includes new “Messin’ with Sasquatch”:30 spots, in which Jack Link’s jerky eaters continue to prank an unsuspecting Sasquatch. The spots show new pranks, locations, and monster-size retributions.  In one, campers around a fire pull the classic “Snakes in a Can” trick on Sasquatch. They run back to the safety of their trailer, but are quickly one-upped when Sasquatch throws a live snake through the window.  

 

“Nature evolves.  And thus, so does nature’s biggest fan, Sasquatch. We are giving fans of this campaign what they love, and at the same time welcoming them to a whole new world of jerky snacking,” said Carmichael Lynch Chief Creative Officer Dave Damman.  “As this work shows, you can feed your wild side anywhere, anytime, and when you do, Sasquatch will be there--so be prepared."

 “’Messin’ with Sasquatch’ has become synonymous with Jack Link’s,” said Bret Ocholik, VP of Marketing at Jack Link’s. “We love how the ‘Snackin’ with Sasquatch’ campaign adds new layers and dynamics to the concept.”

The new spots begin running on Memorial Day, two weeks prior to National Jerky Day (June 12), and run throughout the summer. Additional components of the campaign include custom Sasquatch integrations on sites such as Funny or Die, Break.com, and the Onion.

Links to the work:

 

Snakes in a Can - http://bit.ly/JyvQOo 

 

Conference Call - http://bit.ly/N5UHYq

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Popeyes® is celebrat’n Rip’n Chick’n by rip’n “-ings” out of the Internet

No “-ing” is safe on the Internet in June, thanks to Popeyes^® Louisiana Kitchen, a division of AFC Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFCE), launch’n an app turn’n each “-ing” into an “’n.”  To celebrate the return of Popeyes Rip’n Chick’n, consumers can start read’n rip’d up web copy by drag’n the Rip’n icon to their bookmarks bar, go’n to their favorite websites and click’n the Rip’n Chick’n tab. The bookmarklet, developed by the restaurant’s digital agency Campbell Mithun, turns everyday content into a surpris’n and entertain’n experience.

 

“We’re excited about how this digital overlay brings our Rip’n Chick’n promotion to life,” said Dick Lynch, chief global brand officer at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. “It enables our customers, who are very active online, to experience this product in a very memorable way.”

 

Consumers who use the app can share links to their rip’d up content via Facebook or Twitter. The Rip’n Chick’n landing page also features a number of rip’d headlines from across the Internet. Examples:

·        “Mom pleads not guilty to allow’n daughter in tann’n booth”

·        “Giant cannibal shrimp invasion grow’n”

·        “Economic output: eas’n from prior quarter, but maintain’n sustainable pace”

 

“The combination of Popeyes engaged consumer base in social environments and its informal, fun-loving brand character lends itself to this kind of digital experience,” said Rachael Marret, president of Campbell Mithun. “Delivering experiences that are entertaining and shareable is essential to helping Popeyes create more buzz and awareness for their Rip’n Chick’n product.”

 

The Rip’n Chick’n effort follows Popeyes May “Mood Wing” promotion featuring an app which rated the tone of users’ Twitter or Facebook posts to support the restaurant’s Spicy or Mild Bonafide^® bone-in Chicken offer. Topline Mood Wing results indicate the promotion brought tens of thousands of incremental visits to Popeyes’ website and a 92-percent increase in traffic generated via social media sites in the first few weeks. That promotion debuted Campbell Mithun’s first work for Popeyes after being named digital agency of record for the restaurant.

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A newbie's perspective

I’m young. Impressionable. Ready to take on the world with little knowledge of what that entails.

My insight into the world of public relations is limited, but my eagerness to understand the in’s and out’s of the many sectors of the industry keeps me excited to learn more. After spending a year in the University of Minnesota’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), I have begun to understand more about myself, in particular I have become more aware of where I may fit into the industry in my years to come.

Speaking with the many public relations professionals who sacrifice time for us young professionals, I have come to realize the importance of feeling comfortable and excited about the work that I will be doing, who I will be working with, and the environment I will be performing my work in. After all, if this work is to become my career, I do need the motivation to keep rolling with it.

One of the best things that I have come to discover about the public relations industry is that, regardless of what you’re passionate about, what you support or don’t support, or what your goals are, there are areas within the industry that are suitable to every lifestyle. It has recently occurred to me that my first priority is to seek out a business with values that line up with my own. In turn, I hope to be spending my time working towards something I care about with people I can relate to and feel comfortable around.

With a desire to work in a collaborative, creativity-charged environment, I have been actively exploring the possibility of working at an agency. As previously mentioned, the thought of working in a setting that does not motivate me is very unappealing. After performing some research and weighing my values, I have realized that there are plenty of great agencies around the Twin Cities metro area that really excite me because the work that is done there. One such agency is Carmichael Lynch Spong, located in downtown Minneapolis.

At Carmichael Lynch Spong, an energetic and communication-based work model is derived from the desire to fulfill clients’ needs. The work performed there is driven by much more than the duties of the job, but also by a true commitment to the client. In addition, the sustainability efforts that Carmichael Lynch Spong puts forth in order to create less of a harmful impact on the environment is something to be applauded, and something that I value as a lifestyle choice.

It really is the little things that create the desire to turn dreadful duties at the office into an exciting and sought-after lifestyle…At least that is the perspective of a young, impressionable PR newbie.

You can contact Emily at homut011@umn.edu. You can also connect with her via Twitter or LinkedIn

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Beehive has added some sharp senior talent to our team.

Blaine Thompson has joined us as director, digital and social strategy. He has ten years experience developing and leading traditional and digital marketing programs for an impressive list of brands, including General Mills, 3M, OptumHealth and Mall of America. Before Beehive, Blaine was with space150, Atomic Playpen and Best Buy, Inc.

         

He is one part detective and one part techno-fan. His passion is user behavior and experience. By digging into behavior, Blaine helps brands design better user experiences and drive brand engagement. In his spare time, Blaine's a runner, a traveler and a bit of a gear head (cars and motorcycles). He also has an enviable collection of shoes and watches - for which he has won the admiration of all the women at Beehive.

Eric Davis is our newest group director. He has 20 years of PR and marketing communications experience. Before Beehive, Eric spent 11 years at Haberman Media + Marketing in Minneapolis, where he led PR strategies for Volvo, Green Depot, and a long list of local and national nonprofits and leading organic and green brands.

  

Eric's a master at connecting the dots to tell a brand story. He blends a natural curiosity of almost everything with an obsession for news media and a passion for developing ideas. The results are campaigns that drive lasting success for your brand and business. PRWeek magazine has recognized Eric's work for Volvo with its Brand Communications Campaign of the Year and Cause Campaign of the Year awards. And his media relations expertise was recognized in 2011 by The New York Times columnist David Pogueas as a "Pogue Perfect Pitch." Who wouldn't want this guy working on their business?

And in other people news (in case you missed it), Ayme Zemke has been promoted to vice president. After nine years with one of the Twin Cities' largest PR firms, Ayme took a huge leap of faith to become Beehive's third employee in January 2005. She was quickly promoted from account director to group director and has been a member of Beehive's leadership team for six years. As vice president, she oversees Beehive PR's client service and talent development, while continuing to lead her client portfolio and account teams. So raise a glass in Ayme's honor. Shoot her a note or give her a ring. Congratulations are in order - and most richly deserved.

Weber Shandwick promotes Worden to senior vice president

Weber Shandwick announces the promotion of Brooke Worden to senior vice president in its financial services practice.

 

Since joining Weber Shandwick in 2000, Worden has been dedicated to helping her clients succeed through her deep knowledge of their business and passion for strategically tying communications goals to their business goals. She is highly regarded by her colleagues and clients for her resourcefulness, and for offering big-picture thinking, broad knowledge and perspective to both clients and the account teams she directs.

 

Worden has been instrumental in growing Weber Shandwick’s financial services practice by winning Fortune 100 clients, leading major client campaigns, and driving organic growth in the insurance and investment sectors. Among dozens of other major projects, she led the 2010 Census public relations team, overseeing proactive media relations, social media, crisis communications, message development, media training, internal communications and multicultural agency partner integration and the 13-vehicle “Portrait of America” Road Tour, serving as a leader of this multi-office, multi-discipline team. She has also played a key role in building Weber Shandwick’s capability in the retirement and longevity space through industry thought leadership activities and client work, including subject matter expert testimony in 2010 at a joint public hearing held by the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of the Treasury on lifetime income options in employer-sponsored plans.

 

“Brooke focuses on continuous improvement of our firm’s products, services and counsel – virtually everything we provide to our clients,” said Sara Gavin, President of Weber Shandwick’s Minneapolis office. “She’s driven – every minute of every day – to deliver results for her clients, and we are delighted to announce her well-deserved promotion.”

 

Worden is accredited in public relations (APR) by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). In 2011, she served as president of the Minnesota PRSA, and led the chapter to national recognition with its first-ever chapter diversity award. In 2010, she was named one of "25 Women to Watch" by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal and to PR Week's "40 under 40" list of early influencers in the public relations profession. In 2011, Worden was appointed to the editorial advisory board of PRSA’s Public Relations Journal.  In 2012, she served as a judge for PRSA’s Silver Anvils and as a member of the speaker proposal review team for PRSA’s International Conference. She also serves on the board of directors of the Twin Cities Media Alliance.

 

Prior to joining Weber Shandwick, Worden was a staff writer at Twin Cities Business magazine and worked in the financial services practice group at management consulting firm Accenture. She holds a B.A. in English and political science from Hamline University.

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PRSA - Meet & Mingle Summer Celebration at OLSON

What better way to celebrate the kick-off of summer in Minneapolis than a Meet & Mingle rooftop happy hour?! Join MN PRSA on Thursday, June 21, 2012, at OLSON’s new downtown location for an event offering networking opportunities with a diverse group of public relations, communications and media professionals while allowing you to experience the entertaining, contemporary environment of this agency in its exciting new space. 

Connect with industry professionals and expand your network while enjoying OLSON’s new rooftop venue overlooking Target Field. Check-in and site tours will begin at 5 p.m. with the main event taking place from 6 – 8 p.m. on the roof, weather permitting. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be provided and the event will feature music and trivia to provide a relaxed networking atmosphere. Parking is available for free in the visitor’s parking lot beside the building, located at 420 North 5th St Ste. 1000, on the corner of N 5th St and 5th Ave. In addition, metered parking is available for $0.25 per half hour. There is not a Twins’ game that evening, so traffic congestion likely won’t be an issue for those commuting downtown.

Registration fees will be $10 for PRSA members and all students and $15 for non-members. We hope to see you there!

Twitter hashtags: #MeetMingle #MNPRSA

For more information about OLSON, visit http://www.oco.com/. 

If you are looking for a chance to kick back with fellow professionals, discuss the challenges and highlights of your day, or gain a new perspective from another member, Meet & Mingle Networking Events are a “can’t miss” networking opportunity. These informal gatherings are designed to “advance the professional” and offer added value to our members.

DATE
Thursday, June 21, 2012

TIME
5:00 p.m. event begins
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. registration and site tours
8:00 p.m. event closes

LOCATION

OLSON
420 North 5th St Ste. 1000
Minneapolis, MN 55401

map & directions

PARKING
Free parking is available in the visitor’s parking lot across the street. Street parking is also available.

PRICE
• $10 for PRSA members and all students and $15 for non-members.
• $15 for non-members

Appetizers and beverages included

Cancellations received by the Minnesota PRSA office at least 48 hours prior to the event are eligible for a refund of the registration fee. No refunds will be provided for cancellations received fewer than 48 hours prior to the event. No-shows will be billed for any unpaid registration fees.

QUESTIONS?
Contact Minnesota PRSA

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Peace Coffee, JAMF Software Choose Maccabee Group

Peace Coffee, the Minneapolis-based coffee roaster which purchases 100% organic, fair-trade coffee direct from small farmer co-ops around the world; and JAMF Software, the Minneapolis-based developer of Mac and iOS client management software developed exclusively for the Apple platform, have both chosen Maccabee as their public relations and social media marketing agency.

Dino-Mite: Clarity Coverdale Fury Unleashes a New Campaign for Minnesota Zoo Sure to Thrill

Minneapolis based advertising agency, Clarity Coverdale Fury, has teamed up with client Minnesota Zoo once again with a new campaign promoting the opening of the zoo’s newest exhibit, Dinosaurs!

Knowing from the moment most children are able to talk they morph into small “Dino Fans”, Clarity aimed to bring the dinosaur experience to life through radio, online, outdoor and TV. The new exhibit features moving, life-size dinosaurs and is sure to please all ages.

Creative Director Michael Atkinson said, “Seeing a genuine sense of awe on your child’s face is amazing. Our job is to simply remind parents that when their child is standing in front of a life-size, moving, roaring dinosaur, a sense of awe is pretty much guaranteed.”

Commuters will see Southwest transit bus wraps featuring the much-anticipated dinosaurs, as well as hear the radio spots featuring adults and children of all ages experiencing the new exhibit. The TV spot, which will first air on May 21st, brings the experience to life by showing a child in “awe” in the shadow of a dinosaur.

“The Minnesota Zoo is a great activity for all families. And the dinosaurs are just one more great reason to go,” said Clarity’s Director of Brand Development Rob Rankin.

The Dinosaurs! exhibit opens Memorial Day weekend and will run through September 3rd at the Minnesota Zoo. For more information on Clarity Coverdale Fury please visit www.claritycoverdalefury.com. For more info on the Minnesota Zoo please visit www.mnzoo.org. To check out the work please click here: http://www.claritycoverdalefury.com/2012/05/leveraging-the-awe-factor-for-the-minnesota-zoo/.

Shandwick promotes Benbo to Vice President

Weber Shandwick today announced the promotion of Ryan Benbo to vice president in its Corporate, Community and Public Affairs practice.

Benbo directs teams responsible for the planning, managing and execution of strategic communications activities for corporate, B2B and business-to-government clients in a variety of industries. A specialist in defense and military affairs, he has supported many accounts for the Minneapolis office of Weber Shandwick, including leading defense contractor BAE Systems, Inc., which selected Weber Shandwick to be its Agency of Record in 2011.

Benbo also has helped lead corporate strategy for clients in the industrial equipment industry and has led Weber Shandwick’s public affairs work with a leading Twin Cities non-profit healthcare facility focused on children, working to raise awareness and support surrounding child health issues.

Prior to Weber Shandwick, Ryan worked at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture communications office. He holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Northwestern College, and recently completed a Master’s in Theology at his alma mater.

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A Pleasant Minnesota Surprise for PRWeek Editor-in-Chief

In his first trip to Minnesota, Steve Barrett, editor-in-chief of PRWeek, learned that his perceptions of our state were quite different from the reality.

"I saw 'Fargo' and I know that Prince lived here," Barrett told a group of approximately 60 public relations professionals and students. "You have something green called grass, which we don't have in Manhattan."

At the Minnesota PRSA event hosted by Carmichael Lynch Spong, Barrett discussed what's driving agency growth, how PRWeek is changing, and how agencies are evolving.

Steve Barrett, editor-in-chief of PRWeek

Calling this "the most exciting time to be writing about PR and to be in the communications industry," Barrett said that integration is the way of the future for public relations agencies.

With skills perfectly suited to the modern media environment, PR professionals are integrating with the marketing and investor relations fields like never before.

Barrett pointed out that last year PR agencies were up 10 percent, while the national gross domestic product was up 1.7 percent. Social media and content generation are two of the keys to that growth -- providing PR agencies a way to bypass traditional media and, in the case of social media, a cheaper way to connect with customers.

"Advertising is expensive," Barrett said. "As the saying goes, 'Fifty percent of advertising is effective, and we don't know which half.'"

This growth could lead to a billion-dollar agency possibly within the next five to 10 years.

Other aspects of this growth include globalization -- particularly in Latin America and China -- with agencies filling in the gaps to have a consistent offering around the world.

Three years ago, PRWeek changed its format to a monthly print publication, and continues to evolve.

"It's hard to peer into the crystal ball, although I can say we are integrating print with digital," Barrett said. "We have 22,000 Twitter followers and a YouTube channel. Our Tumblr blog is perfect for stories that wouldn't make the front page of the website."

Although there are no plans for a PRWeek iPad app, changes on tap for PRWeek include:  more special events, possibly a more global perspective, and more webcasts.

In regard to agency trends, Barrett noted that agencies are getting to become choosier about their clients and in which RFPs they participate.

He added that measurement continues to be the holy grail. Agencies -- and corporations -- are building their own analytics tools but are secretive about it because of the inherent competitive advantage.

Speaking of transparency, Barrett also touched on the mistakes that caused the CEO of Yahoo! to resign, as well as Best Buy's CEO and founder to give up their positions.

"Everything is transparent these days," Barrett said. "You're playing Russian roulette if you think that something isn't going to come out."

Feel free to come back to Minnesota anytime, Steve. Maybe you can experience the joy of a good snowball fight or the thrill of catching a big walleye while ice fishing.

-- Brant Skogrand, APR, MBC / Skogrand PR Solutions, LLC

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Siodlarz joins Spyglass Creative as project manager

Minneapolis-based Spyglass Creative has added a new employee to its roster: Ashlee Siodlarz joins the team as project manager.

 Siodlarz joins Spyglass Creative

In her new role, Siodlarz oversees clients’ digital, branding and public relations efforts – ensuring projects move smoothly and deliverables are met. With a background in public relations, Siodlarz will lend her expertise in media relations, social media outreach, digital strategy and monitoring and measurement to strategic marketing opportunities.

Currently, she is working with OptumHealth managing the development of web-tools and marketing sales collateral. Siodlarz also works closely with Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Group O, OptumHealth Financial Services, Reeher LLC and local non-profit Cookie Cart.

“We’re excited to add Ashlee to our team,” says Molly Rice, Spyglass Creative CEO. “Ashlee’s skills as a communicator contribute to our ability as a team to continuously produce exceptional work on behalf of ourclients.”  

Prior to joining Spyglass, Siodlarz sharpened her skills at St. Paul, Minn.-based Beehive PR, in the corporate communications department at Xcel Energy and at Aspect Communications Group in London.

A native of Milwaukee, she moved to Minneapolis and in 2011 graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities School of Journalism and Mass Communication with a Bachelor of Arts degree in professional strategic communications.

Connect with Ashlee Siodlarz.

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