Author Archive
Six Guidelines in the Pursuit of New Business
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Recently we were reminded of the many challenges in the new business process — some of them exhilarating and others that give new meaning to “maddening”! We know the new business roller coaster is far from unique to us. However, we once again had a heart to heart with ourselves and have recommitted to:
- Asking better questions earlier in the search including selection criteria, process and timeline, budget;
- Being more thorough at homework on the prospect, including reputation, history with working with agencies, leadership;
- Trusting our instincts;
- Passing on cattle calls;
- Seeking constructive feedback on wins as well as losses;
- Knowing that we have a caliber of Public Relations expertise that not everybody needs or wants.
The pursuit of new business is something we share with public relations and communications firms as well as with other business-to-business firms of nearly every description. We would love to learn what you would add to this list!
Berger Cookies ‘Administrative Goof’ Has Potential Silver Lining
Posted by: | CommentsThe recent coverage
here in Baltimore of the Berger Cookies “administrative goof” could actually turn out to have a silver lining for the local firm as people have been reminded of these wonderful cookies from coverage in the local media as well as seeing the empty shelves where these yummy sweets had a temporary leave of absence.
It’s always flattering to be asked your professional opinion by a respected reporter that served as the concluding paragraph in this article published on the front page of the Baltimore Sun.
Crisis Communications Summit Reveals Challenges with Leadership When Dealing with Media
Posted by: | CommentsWe recently conducted a crisis communications summit for the communications team of an international organization that highlighted best practices on crisis communications plans, including the integration of social media as a key engagement strategy.
It was a session filled with great conversation and the sharing of experiences, anecdotes and thoughtful questions and answers that all contributed to one of the best summits we have conducted.
However, we were struck with the old adage of “the more things change, the more they stay the same” when the 
day ended with participants talking about ongoing challenges with their leadership when dealing with the media – from media training to being accessible to a reporter to staying on message – and most everything in between.
We know of no simple, easy or pat answers to successfully dealing with this challenge other than to stay the course, keep trying and be ready to immediately implement a back-up scenario if the challenge becomes an insurmountable barrier to communicating effectively with the media.
Sawmill Partner Joins Arts Foundation Board
Posted by: | CommentsBALTIMORE, Md. (December 3, 2012) — Susan J. Anthony, partner, Baltimore PR firm Sawmill Marketing Public Relations, has been elected to the Northern Baltimore County Arts Foundation (NBCAF) Board, established in 2006 to promote arts awareness and education in northern Baltimore County as well as to financially support an arts scholarship program for area high school students.
“I’m delighted to be involved with the NBCAF and to help them move their important mission forward,” Anthony said. “I hope to increase the Foundation’s awareness among other arts/cultural organizations through introductions and similar activities as a strategy to accelerate its growth.”
NBCAF key fundraising activities include the annual Dinner with the Artists and the Gunpowder River Artfest held each June.
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Media Relations Tip #9: It’s About Relevancy and Newsworthiness
Posted by: | CommentsIn putting together a by-lined article pitch to an industry trade publication for our client AHC-Greater Baltimore, I have been reminded of the many panel discussions by reporters that most of us have attended through the years. Almost without exception, at least one reporter on the panel wearily requests, “please do your homework before you pitch me — know my beat as well as the types of stori
es I cover.”
With those words clearly in my head, I’m fine-tuning my pitch in anticipation that the lucky editorial recipient clearly sees, and therefore immediately agrees, that my article idea is both relevant and newsworthy.
Then all I’ll need to do is deliver on the promise.
BALTIMORE, Md. (July 23, 2012) – Susan J. Anthony, founder and partner of Sawmill Marketing Public Relations, a Baltimore public relations firm, has been appointed to the board of directors of Single Carrot Theatre
, an ensemble theatre company on North Avenue in Baltimore.
” I have been a season ticket subscriber, supporter, volunteer and even a participant in a recent Single Carrot production so I am delighted to now also be a member of its board of directors,” Anthony said.
Single Carrot Theatre begins its sixth season this fall with four productions, including a world premiere of a play and a growing offering of special events and activities.
About Sawmill Marketing Public Relations
Sawmill Marketing Public Relations is a Baltimore PR and social media marketing communications agency established in 1995 specializing in the development and execution of marketing public relations programs as business development strategies for business-to-business, business-to-consumer and professional services clients. The Maryland public relations company specializes in social media, traditional media relations, media training, and crisis communications. For additional information, visit www.sawmillmarketing.com
An Important Definition of News from the 1st Viscount Northcliffe
Posted by: | CommentsA recent return visit to the Newseum (a must see and see again, IMO) I discovered this quote carved into a wall: “News is what somebody, somewhere, wants to suppress,” from Lord Northcliffe
, a British newspaper publisher who died in 1922.
Based on that quotation, what was true in Lord Northcliffe’s day is even more so today, yet harder to accomplish given the amount of traditional and online sources of news and information.
Given the opportunity, how would he edit that quote today or would he say “stet”?
What Does Your Community Relations Program Say About You?
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We are firm believers in the important role community relations has in an organization’s public relations program. The issues, causes, activities and groups you support nearly always communicate your company’s essence and values.
For example, the Parks and People Foundation is an organization that we have supported in a variety of ways for many years. We believe in what they do and what they stand for and want to do our part to help them fulfill their mission. It’s that simple and also that important to us.
So Where Does the Name ‘Sawmill’ Come From?
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One of the most oft-asked question of us is, “where does the name “Sawmill” come from?” I wish there was a more exotic answer than the one I am about to offer.
The “Sawmill” in our name comes from the gentle, beautiful and meandering Sawmill Creek (left) that winds its way from northern Baltimore County, including where I live, through Anne Arundel County until it flows into the Patapsco River.
Sometimes we wish we had a more interesting answer. But in the more than 17 years that Sawmill Marketing Public Relations has been in business the “where does ‘Sawmill’ come from” question is a good reminder that it’s your definition of interesting that matters.
We’re all for continuing to answer “where does the name ‘Sawmill’ come from?” for at least the next 17 years!
Helping ‘Mother Made’ Helps Us All
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Our attraction to Mother Made was instant and compelling: helping single mothers to become entrepreneurs while also protecting our environment. The organization was created and is led by smart, creative, committed entrepreneurs — accessible, caring role models for the people they serve.
Their mission is to promote the financial independence and job training of low-income mothers/women in Baltimore by creating and selling products that reduce the impact of consumers on the environment.
We are looking forward to conducting social media workshops early next month — part of the job training curriculum the organization conducts for the women.
We eagerly anticipate lending our expertise in ways we hope will help the organization to grow, which in turn will help more single mothers in Baltimore to grow as well.
In the meantime, we hope our readers will also help by donating whatever is possible to help fund critical job training activities.
