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Thursday, July 31, 2003

Blogging for Business

Here are the from About.com guide .
Bull Fighting

Yup, bull fighting might be the only sport that frightens me too much to try. Besides the fact I don't readily have access to a bull. But, when it comes to fighting bull in writing, there is a tool that is available to us all courtesy of Deloitte Consulting.

This handy tool was brought to my attention by a fellow blogger.
If you are aware of other handy PR tools, please shoot me an . I am always looking for self-improvement tools and links to include on this site.

The Bull Composite Index for the two paragraphs above = 9.1

Wednesday, July 30, 2003

Depressing Day in the Minnesota Business World

The front page of today's Star Tribune business section reads like a rap sheet. Consider the following above-the-fold stories: Onvoy CEO Defends Firm, FBI agent testifies in 3M worker fraud case, and Feds investigate former HEI boss.

As is if that weren't enough, a quick glance below the fold reveals consumer confidence is down and that the , Nasdaq and S&P 500 were down yesterday.

As if that weren't enough to depress you Home Products International, Inc., announced Tuesday their Eagan factory will close in January, taking 130 jobs.

Time to hit the Prozac?!?

Tuesday, July 29, 2003

The Real Reason

In my third year, of my six year college career, one of the main reasons I decided to major in public relations and advertising was for the golf. Since then I think I have only golfed a handful of times.

For those of you who golf better than me (or as bad as I do, but enjoy an excuse to spend a day on the course) consider signing up for sponsored by the Minnesota chapter of .

The tournament is a best ball tournament, so even if you think fore is just a number, it will still be fun. The tournament will be at Majestic Oaks Golf Club August 11.

For more details and info on how to register .

Monday, July 28, 2003

Why buy new when slightly used will do?

The above slogan rings in the ears of many Minnesotans and if you have the TV on more than an hour a day, you have probably seen Dick Enrico's commercials for 2nd Wind Excercise equipment.

The Business Journal reported over the weekend that Enrico's self-made ad campaign has been so successfull his business has exploded. So much so that, he no longer has time to create his own ads and has hired Edina-based Integrated Advertising Network to manage the new campaign including indoor and outdoor billboards, newspapers and television. Get the full Business Journal story here.

Friday, July 25, 2003

Public Relations Volunteer Opportunities

Check out the new public relations related volunteer opportunities, provided by the Management Assistance Program for Nonprofits (MAP) and the Minnesota Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Thursday, July 24, 2003

F.C.C. Media Rule Blocked in House in a 400-to-21 Vote

The U.S. House of Representative voted to block a new rule supported by the Bush administration, yesterday, that would have permitted the nation's media moguls to expand larger by owning more stations. Read this morning's New York Times for more info. How will this impact PR? Stay tuned.

Wednesday, July 23, 2003

FAST HORSE INC. HIRES VICE PRESIDENT

Fast Horse Inc., a public relations firm specializing in consumer marketing, has hired Scott Broberg as a Vice President.

Broberg’s experience includes strategic brand counsel, sports and entertainment marketing, event planning, media relations and research for premier national marketers such as The Coca-Cola Company, Jim Beam Brands and Polaris Industries.

Most recently an Account Director at Weber Shandwick Worldwide in Minneapolis, Broberg was responsible for managing the global firm’s work on behalf of The Coca-Cola Company.

Monday, July 21, 2003

Guerrilla Marketing Isn't Just Monkey Business

Guerrilla marketing is the latest fad in public relations and advertising. Star Tribune staff writer John Reinan wrote an interesting piece in Monday's paper on the foot hold guerrilla marketing has taken here in Minnesota. Here is an excerpt from his article:

"People are looking to do more with less," said Jorg Pierach, president of Fast Horse Inc., a public relations firm in Minneapolis. "In this economy, the winners may be the people who are able to come up with nontraditional things that are strategic and effective."

So what exactly is guerrilla marketing? Find out from Wired.com. If you already have a good grasp on the subject maybe you want to think about joining the Guerrilla Marketing Association run by Jay Conrad Levinson the self-proclaimed father of guerrilla marketing.
Ken Dayton's Contribution to Minnesota

A Minnesota icon passed away this weekend, but he left behind a legacy of generosity. Ken Dayton, former owner of Dayton Hudson Corporation -- now Marshall Field's, passed away Saturday evening.


The magnitude of Ken Dayton's generosity is summed up in his book The Stages of Giving, this book tells the story of Dayton's lifetime of giving.

Dayton was also a leader in laying the ground work for ethics in Minnesota companies long before scandals like Enron and WorldCom.

To learn more about this Minnesota icon read today's Star Tribune tribute.

Saturday, July 19, 2003

Subway -- Starts Fresh

If your like me you jump for the remote to change the channel every time a Subway commercial comes on. I think Subway has cornered the market on cheesy, repetative commercials, but that might all change. Fallon, Minneapolis, won the creative portion of the estimated $220 million Subway account, executives confirmed Thursday. The Business Journal has more details.

Want to just rant about commercials you hate? Visit complaints.com or .

Thursday, July 17, 2003

Gold Mining

On occasion, if your lucky, you stumble upon a gold mine. Well, yesterday I stumbled across the proverbial gold mine of pr blogs. To be more accurate they stumbled across my site, but thanks to my web tracking system I caught wind of NatterJackPR.

Today's topic is Blog Relations, check it out!

Wednesday, July 16, 2003

Weber Shandwick New Hires

The Twin Cities office of Weber Shandwick announced the hiring of employees in the consumer marketing and investor relations technology groups.

The consumer marketing group hired former interns Jon Mason and Brooke Tvedten as assistant account executives.

Mason, a native of Wisconsin, graduated from the University of Minnesota and worked for both the and the City of Minneapolis before joining Weber Shandwick. He currently works with clients and The Coca-Cola Company.

Tvedten came to Weber Shandwick after graduating from Springhill College with a degree in public relations. Tvedten is originally from Minneapolis and her accounts include Polaris Industries and Best Buy Co. The investor relations technology group hired Allison Fox as an account executive.

Fox previously worked for the New York office of FitzGerald Communications and has been doing freelance marketing communications and public relations work since her return to the Twin Cities in August 2001. Her accounts include Honeywell, ACS Service and ACS Industry Solutions.
Fight the System

So I am driving along thru road construction (you know the season after winter), just coasting along when I see a cop ahead. Like most people, I instantly looked down to see if I was speeding and was releaved to see I was going the posted 30 mph. About two blocks later I glance in my mirror to switch lanes and I see flashing red cherries. I thought to myself as I pulled out of the officers way, "wow, I feel sorry of the poor sap that gets tagged with a ticket," only to see the cop pull in behind ME!

I will spare you any more of the details, but fortunately I am armed with an assortment of resources on the web, that can help me fight my speeding ticket when I appear in court on August 7. In fact, MSN reported today that it can pay to fight your ticket rather then letting it slide.

I will keep you posted on the outcome of my situation.

Tuesday, July 15, 2003

Literacy in Minnesota

The Business Journal reported last week that Minneapolis is the most literate city in the country, according to a study by a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater professor.

Monday, July 14, 2003

Public Relations Employment is Up!

The Business Journal reported this weekend that PR, advertising firms are hiring again. "While the floodgates are by no means wide open -- only a handful of new jobs are being created at most agencies -- many firms say it is the first time in two years they have been able to create and fill new positions. "

Get the full story here. If you are looking for a job, don't forget about Minnesota Public Relations Society of America's job board.

Friday, July 11, 2003

Iowa Jokes...

Did you hear about the skeleton they found in the closet on the Iowa State campus last weekend? He was the winner of the 1965 hide and seek contest.

What makes an Iowan's eyes light up? Stick a flashlight in his ear.

How do you know when an Iowan has been using your computer? There are eraser marks on the screen.

As a life long Minnesotan, who was born and raised with jokes like these, you can imagine how I felt when I read this article from the Star Tribune about 10 fun things to do in Iowa. If you would rather read more jokes about Iowans click here. Ohh, be warned, there are also a few jokes about Minnesotans too.

Thursday, July 10, 2003

What's Lumin

Five public relations agencies announced on June 26 that they have formed Lumin, the industry's first "intellectual collaborative."

The founding member agencies include Carter Ryley Thomas (Richmond, Va.), PainePR (Los Angeles), Patrice Tanaka & Company, Inc. (New York), Peppercom (New York) and Minnesota's own Padilla Speer Beardsley. The firms have nearly 300 employees, 11 offices and approximately $35 million in fees.

Get the full story from the Richmond Times Dispatch here.

Wednesday, July 09, 2003

Make Work Safer
With job stress increasing daily in this tight economy, I think it might be helpful to examine how we can make our work place safer and prevent events like yesterday's shooting in Mississippi.

As a PR professional how do you handle on-the-job violence? that gives some suggestions.

Tuesday, July 08, 2003

Take Heart

If you are like many in the PR industry you are looking for a job! But don't let tough times get you down. According to the NY Times, you can be jobless without being hopeless.

Monday, July 07, 2003

"Skippies" Not Just Peanut Butter Anymore

Martha Irvine of the Associated Press, explores a new market for many businesses know as "Skippies" --- a market research label for school kids with income and purchasing power. How could targeting this market help you and your current PR plans? Read the article here and then .
Keep your networking sharp

Keep your networking sharp with the eWomenNetwork Accelerated Networking events. Get tangible networking tools and discover how to transform your business
story into “news” that will catch an editor’s eye.

Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2003
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Marriott City Center, 30 South 7th Street, . Call for directions

Cost: $35 eWomen members; $48 nonmembers

For more information and a registration form, go to www.ewomennetwork.com or call Kristine Spangard at .

Wednesday, July 02, 2003

Target passes Sears on retailer list

The Star Tribune reported today that Target Corp. passed Sears on the largest retailer list to become the fourth-largest U.S. retailer.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is the nation's largest retailer, followed by and grocer Kroger Co., according to Stores magazine list of Top 100 Retailers.

Tuesday, July 01, 2003

Radio Station Gone!

If you haven't noticed the Twin Cities lost Classic Hits 100 about two weeks ago and it is now a smooth jazz station. Will Jazz be able to find a niche in the Twin Cities market, Clear Channel is banking on it.
Music Mag Enters the Twin Cities

The Business Journal reported yesterday that media mogul Clear Channel Radio will launch a new magazine in the Twin Cities this summer. The magazine Music Guide Live! is a free national publication that showcases national recording artists, music news, touring information and local information related to the Minnesota market.
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