Archive for PR
Check Your Crisis Communications Plan’s Expiration Date
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Does your company’s crisis communications plan look like this?
If you went through an expensive planning process that ended up with a bulky three-ring binder that’s now stuck on a shelf, it might have been a huge waste of money if it hasn’t been updated. If the words “Twitter” and “Facebook” aren’t even mentioned, it’s time for a re-fresh.
Today’s crisis communications plans focus less on setting up a media headquarters, holding press briefings and assigning phone tree responsibilities. Instead, your plan needs to incorporate social media so you can monitor and respond quickly – and while mobile – even before you get the first text, Tweet, email or even phone call from the media.
Is Your Website Press Room Missing Something?
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Does your website press room offer the information the media expects to find there, including an image library, useful contact info for your spokesperson and easily-printable fact sheets and background material? If not, you’re making a journalist’s job more difficult and that could reflect poorly on your brand.
Here’s a link to an informative blog post based on research on “what journalists really want from an online newsroom,” by David Bowen of Bowen Craggs & Co. and posted on the MyNewsdesk customer blog. [Thanks to Keith Childs for sharing it on the FIR FriendFeed room.]
Sawmill Partner Invited to Share Public Affairs Success Tips
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I will be a featured speaker at a full-day learning event, “Resources & Tools for Public Affairs Success,” co-hosted by Erickson Living and the Maryland Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel on Thursday, September 29, 2011 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The day includes panels looking at the role of social media in crisis communication and today’s newsroom, as well as hands-on workshops on Twitter and LinkedIn. Attendees will also hear the State of News Media from Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism.
Here are “my” sessions:
The Role of Social Media in Crisis Communications – 9 a.m.
Featuring a behind-the-scenes account of a shooting at Johns Hopkins Hospital and how social media was used, I will guide a discussion that will demonstrate the importance of monitoring and being aware of today’s online tools to protect your company’s reputation. 9:00 a.m.
• Justin Fenton, Crime Reporter, Baltimore Sun
• Anthony Guglielmi, Spokesman, Baltimore City Police Department
• Jeffrey A. Davis, APR, Sawmill Marketing Public Relations
Twitter Tactics for PR Professionals – 10:15 a.m.
From basic tools and etiquette to the many ways media and PR professionals are using Twitter, this session will offer a hands-on look at the latest tactics.
• Jeffrey A. Davis, APR, Sawmill Marketing Public Relations
The event is held in collaboration with Erickson Living as part of their national Corporate Communications Summit. Because of this, PRSA is limited to 20 seats at $50 for PRSA members, $65 for non-members. For additional details and to register, visit the PRSA Maryland Chapter website.
Media Training Can Help in a Variety of Situations
Posted by: | CommentsIn getting ready for an important meeting later this week that will include an in-depth question and answer period, I was reminded of media training basics including answer only the question that was asked and do not speculate.
Learning how to deliver your key messages clearly, concisely and consistently has so many valuable uses beyond communicating effectively in a media interview such as meetings and presentations of all descriptions, employee/staff situations, hiring interviews, and even sensitive family discussions.
There are several other basic media interview tips that can come in handy in a variety of situations beyond those with the media. Email me at susan.anthony@sawmillmarketing and I will be happy to share them with you.
This Hit Never Gets Old
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One thing that never gets old in our business is getting a client mentioned in the media, otherwise known as a “hit.”
Today we got our hands on the August issue of Baltimore magazine and inside is an article about seniors housing communities that includes our client, Crystal Spring. It’s a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) coming to Annapolis in 2012 that will also include village center-style townhomes for people of all ages and a destination retail village with shops and outdoor cafes, as well as a cultural arts center and village green. A boutique inn and spa is also being considered. It’s all on one “campus,” and is the new way CCRCs are being designed and built vs. the old stand-alone model that isolates the residents from the broader community.
Sawmill has been working with the writer for many months. In fact, the paragraph were I am quoted comes from an interview I did back in January. Proof that publicity also requires patience.
The Same Old Story – This Time from Inc. Magazine
Posted by: | CommentsInc. is a favorite magazine of mine because I always learn something and enjoy a good read as I do so. Imagine my chagrin when editor Jane Berentson
took the PR profession to task with yet another trip to the woodshed for irrelevant pitches and obvious email blast pitches.
When will we learn?
Ms. Berentson shares that, for her, the best story ideas “unfold in a conversation about this and that” which provides valuable insight into her approach for exploring and discovering stories that reside beyond the obvious and the expected.
Our challenge is to find a way to be a part of one of her conversations about “this and that” and in so doing, uncover a story that neither one of us knew was there.
Baltimore PR Firm Partner Named to SMEI Baltimore/Washington Chapter Board of Directors
Posted by: | CommentsThe Baltimore/Washington chapter of SMEI (Sales and Marketing Executives International) issued the following press release announcing the 2011-12 Board of Directors, which includes Sawmill Marketing Public Relations partner Jeffrey A. Davis:
HUNT VALLEY, Md. (July 8, 2011) – The Baltimore/Washington chapter of Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI) today announced that David G. Poulos, CEO of Granite Partners, LLC has been named president of the regional chapter of the international sales and marketing organization, to serve along with seven members of the board of directors for the 2011-2012 term.
Poulos founded the Sparks, Md.-based Granite Partners in 2006, after serving as Director of Marketing Communications for Graphic Arts Show Company, Inc., Reston, Va., producer of trade shows exclusively for the graphic communications and converting industries. He holds a bachelor of science degree in marketing communications from Northeastern University in Boston.
Joining Poulos on the SMEI Baltimore/Washington board for the 2011-12 term are the following directors:
- Lynn K. Argenbright, employee benefits advisor, PSA Insurance & Financial Services, Hunt Valley, Md.
- Mary Lou Coyle, president, Coyle Studios, Towson, Md.
- Jeffrey A. Davis, partner, Sawmill Marketing Public Relations, Baltimore
- Seth McElroy, VP, marketing & sales administration, Dunbar Armored, Hunt Valley, Md.
- Steve Navarro, director, business development, R2integrated, Baltimore
- Jonathan Oleisky, CEO/founder, Media 924, LLC, Baltimore
- Concetta Sipes, sales representative, Trade Division, K.C. Company, Inc., Hunt Valley, Md.
About SMEI
Founded in 1935, Sales & Marketing Executives International (SMEI) is the worldwide organization dedicated to ethical standards, continuing professional development, knowledge sharing, mentoring students and advancing free enterprise. For more information about the Baltimore/Washington chapter, visit www.smeibaltimore.org
Kudos to Fireline Corp. President for Maryland Daily Record Award
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We were delighted to nominate Anna Gavin, 28, president of Fireline Corporation, a Sawmill client, for the Maryland Daily Record “20 in their 20′s” award that recognized young leaders for their exceptional professional and personal achievements at this early stage of their careers.
The award is meaningful and the recognition is invaluable!
Sawmill spent part of the afternoon today in West Baltimore, helping client Greater Baltimore AHC, Inc., a developer of affordable housing, celebrate the launch of a major renovation project that will result in upgraded homes for 72 families.
Union Rowe is an affordable housing complex located at 1500 West Fayette Street which will undergo a $4.4 million renovation over the next 10 months.
The scope of work includes a new community space, leasing space, a common laundry room, freshened stairwells and beautiful landscaping. Residents will enjoy new EnergyStar appliances, mechanical systems and updated kitchens new flooring and lighting.
When the Union Rowe renovations are completed, GBAHC then expects to implement a resident services program.
