Political PR

Yesterday I saw a posting on a fellow PR blogger's site talking about a highly successful PR tactic that was used by Senator McCain in his bid for the White House.

The New York Times turned down an editorial by Senator John McCain, so the McCain camp leaked it to the Drudge Report, which not only published the editorial but made a news event out of the turndown. The result is that more people are seeing the editorial than readers of The New York Times -- and the Times looks bad. The negative to this, of course, is that the Times will get even, but the McCain camp apparently feels that the Times won't be fair in any event. The McCain camp has burned its bridge to the Times with style.

Today, I received an e-mail talking about the controversial cartoon in the New Yorker featuring Barack Obama in Islamic dress beside a burning US flag in the Oval Office. AdWeek offers one interesting perspective on the Barack cartoon saying that advertisers should be thrilled.

Meanwhile, within this world of minute media issues that are sensationalized enough to fill a full 24-hour news cycle, are there any lessons to be learned from this latest New Yorker kerfuffle? No. 1: I think that the magazine's advertisers should be thrilled. Any cover that through sheer cleverness generates this kind of attention is to be worshiped.

Get the rest of the story here. Thoughts? Comment below.

Job - Linnihan Foy Advertising - PR Specialist/Account Manager

Linnihan Foy Advertising - PR Specialist/Account Manager

ATTENTION - SJMC Graduates!!!

Murphy Hall is now represented on LinkedIn. Check it out!

Mentorship Circle Event - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

A casual and engaging evening of interaction

The Ad Fed Mentorship Program is designed to allow members to individually interact with potential mentors by meeting them in an informal group setting called a Circle Group. These are held four times a year and offer introductions based on areas of interest. Following each Circle Group Event, Ad Fed facilitates the formal expression of interest between mentees and mentors. Once the pairs yes, it is easy! The mentee and mentor set their own schedule, their own topics and their own meeting forum/location. The rest is a fantastic experience for both the mentor and mentee to heighten the satisfaction they get from their respective careers. Participants can also choose to simply attend quarterly Circle Events where mentorship will happen via group discussions by area of interest.

Thanks to our sponsors Digital People and The Times/Jitters Bar and Café, this event includes free appetizers and one free drink ticket.

When: Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Time:
5:30pm to 7:30pm
Where: The Times/Jitters Bar and Café
201 E Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414
Cost: FREE for members and nonmember mentors

Guest Mentors:

Michael Delgado/Associate Publisher, METRO Magazine
Guest Mentor Media/PR

Scott Grand/Managing Account Director, Little & Company
Guest Mentor Marketing

Aaron Gasperi/Manager Interactive Campaigns, Kruskopf Coontz
Guest Mentor Interactive

Adam Kmiec/Interactive Account Director/Colle+McVoy
Guest Mentor Interactive

Bryan Nanista/Creative Director, METRO Magazine
Guest Mentor Creative

Christopher Taylor/Interactive Planner, Carlson Marketing’s Door C Group
Guest Mentor Account Management

Click here to register or call the Ad Fed office at (651) 917-6251.

Registration Deadline: 5:00PM, Monday, May 12, 2008

Selling Creative Ideas to Clients: A Client’s Perspective

Ad Fed Breakfast Meeting
Friday, May 16, 2008

Speaker: Michael D. Keller, International Dairy Queen Corporation, Chief Brand Officer

Michael Keller from Dairy Queen will share his insights on how to get clients to approve your creative ideas. He will share with us what it took to help DQ begin to modernize by embracing a cutting-edge creative, national TV campaign.

Click here to see the latest DQ Spot.

How do you get great creative approved? How do you sell edgy creative?

Come to find out from the guy who said yes.

Michael Keller, chief brand officer, is responsible for the brand, concept and product strategies for International Dairy Queen Corporation (IDQ). Keller began his career with IDQ in 2001. Prior to that, he worked for Jamba Juice, Inc., Realtor.com, Koo Koo Roo, Baskin Robbins USA, Nestle Chocolate Co., and Bain & Co.

Keller graduated from Dartmouth College in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. In 1991, he earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College. Keller and his wife, Laura, have a daughter, Ava, and two sons, Davis and Alden. They have their home in Minneapolis, MN.

In his spare time, Keller currently enjoys serving on nonprofit boards, on the Children's Miracle Network Board of Directors and on the Pacer Center Advisory Board. He also enjoys training for and competing in triathlons, following the New York Giants and Yankees, driving his 1960 Morris Mini, building a tree house and spending as much time as he can with his wife and children.

Location:
The Woman’s Club
410 Oak Grove St
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Time:
8:00am - Registration/Networking
8:30-9:30am - Continental Breakfast and Speaker (including Q&A)

The Cost:
Ad Fed Members: $15
Nonmembers: $20
Students: $15

Register online or call the Ad Fed office at (651) 917-6251.

Registration Deadline: 5:00 pm, Wednesday, May 14, 2008

*Register Today* - Green Lights & Red Flags: FTC/BBB Rules of the Road for Advertiser

On Thursday, April 24th, national advertising experts will gather in Minneapolis for Green Lights & Red Flags: FTC-BBB Rules of the Road for Advertisers, a dynamite advertising event highlighting the ‘how-to’s in complying with federal and state truth-in-advertising standards. Sponsored by the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota and the Federal Trade Commission, Green Lights & Red Flags will feature knowledgeable speakers discussing what you need to know about:

Advertising Law: Understanding the Rules of the Road – The FTC’s approach to ad claims, disclosures, endorsements, and substantiation

Avoiding a Promotion Commotion – Complying with new standards for rebates, gift cards, commercial email, and other promotional practices

The Secure Entrepreneur: Data Security & Consumer Privacy – Best practices to avoid, assess, and address a data security breach

If the Government Comes to Call – An inside look at federal and state consumer protection investigations

When Your Competitor Crosses the Line – Self-regulation or litigation? Weighing the options when a competitor’s practices violate the law

Presenters:

Honorable Lori Swanson, Minnesota Attorney General

Bert Hubbell, President, Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota

Lesley Fair Attorney, Federal Trade Commission

Jim du Bois, President & CEO, Minnesota Broadcasters Association

Charles Weier Corporate Counsel, Best Buy Enterprise Services, Inc

Maureen English Carroll Advertising Attorney, ShopNBC

C. Steven Baker Director, Midwest Region, Federal Trade Commission

Rolando Berrelez, Deputy Director, Midwest Region, Federal Trade Commission

Paul Luehr, Managing Director & Deputy General Counsel, Stroz Friedberg, LLC

Prentiss Cox, Associate Clinical Professor, University of Minnesota School of Law

Karen Olson, Deputy Attorney General, Minnesota Attorney General’s Office

Rachel Williams, United States Postal Inspector

Steven Wernikoff, Attorney, Midwest Region, Federal Trade Commission

Lisa Jemtrud, Trade Practices Manager, Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota

David Mallen, Associate Director, National Advertising Division, Council of Better Business Bureaus

Stephen R. Bergerson, Attorney, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

Event Partners:

Advertising Federation of Minnesota

American Association of Advertising Agencies

Department of Ethics and Business Law of the University of St. Thomas’ Opus College of Business

Greater Metropolitan Auto Dealers Association

Metropolitan Independent Business Alliance

Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce

Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association

Minnesota Broadcasters Association

Minnesota Journalism Center of the University of Minnesota

Sales and Marketing Executives Association of Minneapolis/St. Paul

LAST DAY TO REGISTER IS WED., APRIL 23rd
Click Here to Register

Ad Fed Mentorship Program

The Ad Fed Mentorship Program is designed to allow members to individually interact with potential mentors by meeting them in an informal group setting called a Circle Group. These are held four times a year and offer introductions based on areas of interest. Following each Circle Group Event, Ad Fed facilitates the formal expression of interest between mentees and mentors. Once the pairs yes, it is easy! The mentee and mentor set their own schedule, their own topics and their own meeting forum/location. The rest is a fantastic experience for both the mentor and mentee to heighten the satisfaction they get from their respective careers. Participants can also choose to simply attend quarterly Circle Events where mentorship will happen via group discussions by area of interest.

Thanks to our sponsors Digital People and The Times/Jitters Bar and Café, this event includes free appetizers and one free drink ticket.
The Cost:

FREE for members (non-member mentors may also participate for free).
The Categories of Interests/Topics:

Creative

Marketing

Interactive

Account Management

Media/PR

When:

4.16.2008, 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Where:

The Times/Jitters Bar and Café
201 E Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414

AdFed Monthly Meeting - March 19, 2008

More than ever, audiences are in control over when and how they receive information about products and services. Panelists from four well-known and highly respected agencies will talk about how advertisers are using digital media to reach them.

AdFed Meeting Specifics

The Spot:
The Metropolitan,
5418 Wayzata Blvd, Golden Valley, MN 55416
Directions

The Time:
Registration/Networking: 11:15 am
Lunch: 11:45 am
Panel: Noon – 1:30 pm (Includes Q&A)

The Cost:
Members: $30
Nonmembers: $65
Students: $25

The Registration:
Register online or call the Ad Fed office at 651-917-6251. ($10 late fee applied after March 16.)
Registration deadline: 5:00 pm, Monday, March 17, 2008

Advertise on MNPR Blog

I added a new feature on the blog today, because many of you from the agency world have been requesting information on how to advertise on this site. Now you can. Click here to find out more information.

Minnesota State Lottery Ads

Find more videos like this on AdGabber

Adrants points to several Minnesota State Lottery ads that "capture store clerk geekism perfectly." The ads were created by the folks at Minnesota-based Colle+McVoy. Catch all three ads here.

New Hires at YMM

Yamamoto Moss Mackenzie has hired Emily Ashenbrenner as project manager and Nanci Keller as office manager.

This is Ashenbrenner’s second time around with the agency. She has also worked at Falls Agency and Hanley Wood Custom Publishing, both in Minneapolis. Ashenbrenner holds a degree from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn.

Keller holds a degree from North Central College, Naperville, Ill. She was previously a manager for Chanel at Macy’s and clearly can handle anything, as she has also been a flight attendant, a radio announcer and a salon manager.

"These two bring years of important experience to strengthen our agency backbone to keep us organized," says Andrew Mackenzie, CEO, Yamamoto Moss Mackenzie. "They’ll keep our work on time and on budget, absolutely."

Yamamoto Moss Mackenzie has also hired Elizabeth Peterson as account manager. She joins the agency from Miller Brewing Company, where she was associate promotions manager for crafts and imports. She was previously a marketing manager at Lunds and Byerly’s, an account executive at Colle+McVoy and a regional marketing representative for M&I Bank.

"Yamamoto Moss Mackenzie continues to expand after this successful first year of our merger," says Andrew Mackenzie, YMM’s CEO. "We snapped Beth up because she’s smart, and brings new expertise and client-side experience to our team."

Last Chance - 2007 AdFed/Ad2 Holiday Party

UGLY SWEATER EXTRAVAGANZA!!!

In addition to celebrating the holidays with friends and co-workers, part of the proceeds from the event will benefit The Courage Center, a resource center that helps to empower, rehabilitate and uplift both children and adults experiencing barriers to health and independence.

Meeting Specifics

Location:
Trocaderos
107 3rd Ave. North
Minneapolis, MN 55401

Time:
5:00 PM Registration
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Program

Cost:
Ad Fed/Ad2 Members: $25.00
Nonmembers: $40.00
Students: $25.00

For more information, call the Ad Fed office at (651) 917-6251, or revisit the Ad Fed Web site at www.adfed.org.

Job - ARAnet, Inc. - Adfusion Online Media Buyer

ARAnet, Inc. - Adfusion Online Media Buyer

Extreme Ad2 Event: Magazine Edition

Magazines. Great for catching up on the latest celebrity dish, discovering new travel destinations or just spreading across your coffee table. Either way, there are magazines for all types of readers, meaning opportunities for all types of advertisers. Three periodical-pros from our very own Minnesota Monthly will join us to share the inside scoop on working in the magazine industry, how they work to fulfill clients needs through advertising and the pros and cons of magazine advertising compared to other mediums.

Minnesota Monthly speakers include Sara Soli, Marketing Manager; Kylie Engle, Sr. Account Executive; Chrissy Sarinske, Promotions Editor and Writer.

Who:
You and your advertising posse

What:
November Ad2 Event

Ad2 Members: Free with pre-registration, $5 at the door
Ad Fed Members: $10 with pre-registration, $15 at the door
Nonmembers: $15 with pre-registration, $20 at the door
Students: $5 with pre-registration, $10 at the door

Pre-Registration closes at 5:00 pm on Nov. 13, 2007

When:
Thursday, November 15
5:30-6:30 pm - Registration
6:30-7:00 pm - Speaker
7:00-On - Cocktails/Networking

Where:
The Imperial Room
417 1st Ave. N
Minneapolis, MN
(612) 376-7676

Why:
Because we promised you an Ad2 event. That's why.

Register Now!

Ad Fed November Luncheon - Social Computing

Ad Fed November Luncheon - Social Computing
Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Time: Registration - 11:30 am; Program - Noon
Location: The Metropolitan, 5418 Wayzata Blvd., Golden Valley, MN

Speakers:
David Krejci, Weber Shandwick
Larry Harris, Ansible
Tommy Arrix, Facebook

As the popularity of social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace outpace time spent on other Web sites and even email, marketers are left wondering how to harness the power of this new phenomenon ... or better yet, anticipate what the “Next Big Thing” will be and prepare for it!

Prepared to speak on this topic are David Krejci, VP of Interactive and Emerging Media at public relations firm Weber Shandwick; Larry Harris, formerly of Draftfcb and now with Ansible Mobile; and Tommy Arrix of Facebook.

Come see what these visionaries have to say – not only will you get a short break from the office, but you may take away a thing or two.

Cost:
Members: $30
Nonmembers: $65
Students: $25

Register Online Today

Reserve tables of eight for $400 (includes company mention in promotional materials and corporate signage on the table during the presentation).

Contact the Ad Fed office at (651) 917-6251 for more information.

Ad2 Returns, Like the Jedi

Still worried about the three month drought of Ad2 events? Worry not, because September is finally here and we're about to make it rain.

Drop by for a long awaited evening of networking, prize giveaways, food and cocktails. We'll also get reacquainted and hear from the Ad2 board about what's been, and what's yet to be in the world of advertising and Ad2. Plus we'll be giving away many door prizes including two iPOD Shuffles! We hope to see you there.

The Spot
Grumpy's Bar & Grill
1111 Washington Ave S
Minneapolis, MN
612-340-9738
click here for directions

The Details
Thursday, September 20
5:30-6:30 p.m. - Registration
6:30-7:00 p.m. - Ad2 Board
7:00-8:15 p.m. - Ad Games & Networking (Door prizes will be awarded after the presentation. Must be present to win.)


The Price
Ad2 Members: Free with
pre-registration, $5 at the door
Ad Fed Members: $10 with
pre-registration, $15 at the door
Students: $5 with pre-registration.
$10 at the door
Nonmembers: $15 with
pre-registration, $20 at the door

Ad2 Members Register Here
Ad Fed Members Register Here
Students Register Here
Nonmembers Register Here

GRAND OPENING FOR MINNESOTA'S FIRST ORGANIC CREATIVE JUICE STORE

Pushing Envelope, a new advertising, marketing and consulting firm in Hastings, MN, has opened their doors to the public offering 100% organic creative juice and business services.

"One day, while chopping up vegetables in my kitchen, I slipped and sliced my thumb. Instead of seeing blood, there was creative juice everywhere. After considering my family, I made the hard decision to not use his newfound superhuman giftedness to fight crime, but instead, to fight ineffective marketing plans and hideous graphic design," said president of Pushing Envelope, Kevin Norman.

Kevin Norman has a diverse marketing and sales background including direct marketing, traditional advertising and interactive campaigns for small local Minnesota business and large national clients including United Airlines, Ford Motor Company and BMW USA.

"Even though I'm not afraid to push the creative envelope with my clients to help them stand out from their competition, I have a lot of respect for the science of advertising" said Kevin Norman. "As much as I like putting together a creative campaign with a lot of buzz, our top priority is to develop a campaign that brings my client a lot of business."

The Alphabet Bash returns!!!

Please join...

IABC: International Association of Business Communicators
PRSA: Public Relations Society of America
AMA: American Marketing Association
Ad Fed: Advertising Federation of Minnesota

...as they host the 2nd Annual Alphabet Bash on Thursday, August 16 from 6 pm -9 pm at Trocaderos Night Club, 107 Third Ave N. in the Minneapolis Warehouse District.

The Alphabet Bash is a "can't miss" networking event celebrating Minnesota marketing and communications professionals! Make business connections, develop long-lasting relationships, explore other business development opportunities - or just come for a good time. Last year we had over 450 marketing and communications professionals in attendance — we hope to make this year even bigger and better!

Cost:
$30.00 for members of the above organizations
$40.00 for non-members
$20.00 for students
(cost will go up $10.00 if registering after August 2, 2007)

**Price includes drinks, heavy appetizers and a chance to win fabulous door prizes, including a pair of Sun Country Airline tickets to anywhere in the continental U.S. that Sun Country flies.

NEW THIS YEAR “Pre-Networking Workshop”
Beat the rush and check in early for the 2007 Alphabet Bash. Join us from 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. to learn the art of network from Joan Moser of Spoken Impact. Refresh your elevator pitch and get tips that you can put to work immediately – plus get an extra drink ticket to use at the event. Registration is an additional $10 and space is limited.

To register or for additional information please visit www.alphabetbash.com

The Miller High Life

I love these commercials. Maybe it is just because I love beer, but they crack me up!

Wingnut Adds PR to Its Capabilities

Wingnut advertising agency announced today that it is has added public relations to its integrated approach to client needs.

Wingnut is partnering with John Merritt, a PR veteran whose experience includes stints on both the agency and client side of the business, most recently at Carmichael Lynch Spong. Merritt’s work has been recognized by his peers in the public relations industry on numerous occasions, including both a PRSA Silver Anvil award and a PR Week Business-to-Business Campaign of the Year award in 2006.

"Clients look to Wingnut to provide integrated solutions to their marketing needs," said John Arms, partner and president of Wingnut. "With so many options available in today’s distributed media economy — including blogs, social networks and other emerging media — John’s expertise in these areas combined with his solid background in traditional PR tactics will allow Wingnut to broaden our approach and provide clients with new ways of approaching their marketing needs."

In addition to public relations and marketing communications, Merritt’s background includes experience in e-commerce, operations management and higher education. A Minnetonka native, he holds bachelor’s degrees from the University of Minnesota and master’s degrees from New York University.

"Like many of us here John is an outdoor enthusiast," added Arms. "We're really hoping that an added benefit of this partnership will be for some of his fishing skills to rub off on the rest of us."