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WMPRSA

June 2006 E-Newsletter

In this issue

July event:

WMPRSA will be taking July off - enjoy your summer! 

July – No Program

August – Summer Social Event

September – Downtown Development

Dates, times and locations are being finalized.

Visit www.wmprsa.org and watch for future program announcements for more information about these events.

Member Mixer - now with Ad Club & AD2!

Join the Ad Club of West Michigan, AD2 of West Michigan and WMPRSA for an informal gathering of our industry comrades and a relaxing evening of wit and wisdom. Network, converse, learn from industry veterans, or just enjoy great drink specials and complimentary appetizers with friends, both old and new. All Advertising, Public Relations, Marketing and Communication Professionals, and students are invited to come and check it out - even if you are not yet a member.

Check www.wmprsa.org for updates.

  Event Recaps:

Record numbers for WMPRSA Tech Boot Camp

By Molly Klimas, APR, Seyferth, Spaulding Tennyson Inc., and Pat Prosser, Structure Interactive

WMPRSA Tech Boot Camp presenters (left to right) Keith Brophy (NuSoft Solutions), Brett Chaffer (Structure Interactive), Brian Lewis (Fusionary Media) and Brian Burch (Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park).

WMPRSA member, Marty Fahey, APR, discusses product offerings with Paxton Bates, Woodland Mall Apple Store.

If you attended the June 15 WMPRSA Tech Boot Camp, at a minimum you left with a whole new vocabulary (pods, vods, blogs, wiki … ) – and on the other end of the spectrum, you might have scooped up some ideas for new ways of communicating.

Nearly 100 communications professionals attended the June 15 WMPRSA meeting, dubbed a “boot camp” because it was meant to quickly immerse PR practitioners in new media technologies that have sprung up in the past year.

Participants came from Detroit, Kalamazoo, Traverse City, Holland, Grand Haven and throughout the greater Grand Rapids area, representing businesses, local governments, non-profit organizations and PR and ad agencies. Held at the University/Press Club in downtown Grand Rapids, the camp was produced by Structure Interactive and Seyferth Spaulding Tennyson, Inc.

Technology demos by Apple Store-Woodland Mall’s tech gurus and representatives from a local company, PDBconnect, gave attendees the opportunity for hands-on learning during informal networking. For the formal part of the program, presenters Keith Brophy (NuSoft Solutions), Brett Chaffer (Structure Interactive), Brian Lewis (Fusionary Media), and Brian Burch (Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park) spoke about technology’s impact on public relations – and what the future holds.

One participant won an iPod donated by Seyferth, Spaulding Tennyson, Inc. and another won a card reader, donated by Structure Interactive.

Thank you to our presenters and demo-ists:

Apple Store

Thank you to our generous program sponsors:

Look for more technology-based programs in the futu re!

 Publicity Hound Speaks as PR reps dial in

If you tried to reach a WMPRSA member via phone the afternoon of May 25, you probably got a busy signal. Why? Many members dialed in to hear Joan Stewart, the Publicity Hound, discuss the importance of positioning your executives and clients as experts. “Joan’s energy and enthusiasm was inspiring, said Courtney Dirschell, Marketing Specialist, Community Health Center of Branch County.” Not to mention, her ideas were applicable to my job here at the hospital. Since the seminar I've logged onto her website several times and have received great tips." The topic of garnering coverage on the editorial page was one portion of WMPRSA’s time with Joan. She suggests the following:

• Write letters to the editor regarding recent coverage
• Editors love to print letters that comment on a past article
• Op-ed columns
• Letters/columns focused on hot topics – i.e. immigration – have better chance of getting published

Every PR person knows relationships are a key part of media relations. Joan also offered the following tips to consider building your new relationship with a key journalist.

• Comment on article written by reporter noting another item of interest for his/her consideration.
• Journalists love comments on their work – first contact may be to comment on work and second contact may be invitation to lunch.
• Always ask the reporter “how can I help you?”
• Clip articles, highlight excerpts and send personal note
• Learn of a reporter’s personal interest and clip/send them articles they might appreciate

Joan’s Web site provides a plethora of media relations resources. You’ll find numerous free articles on everything from “7 Deadly Sins of a News Release” to “How to ask for a Correction”. You can download these articles at http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/free.html. Don’t forget to sign up for her weekly free e-newsletter while you’re there.

 Chapter News

West Michigan PRSA congratulates Lambert, Edwards & Associates for winning a PRSA Silver Anvil Award for its campaign for Zondervan and the launch of the Today’s New International Version Bible, a new Bible translation aimed at the younger generation.  The award was given at a ceremony in New York City on June 8. 

"The Silver Anvil is the 'Oscar of PR', and we're honored to be in the elite group of agencies to win this award and be recognized by our peers as truly best-in-class," said Jeff Lambert, LE&A managing partner.  

Through targeted outreach to influencers and potential consumers and leveraging national media opportunities, the campaign produced coverage in more than 1,500 media outlets to become the biggest Bible translation launch in history.  More than 700 entries, the second highest number in the 60-year history of the program, were submitted for the 2006 Silver Anvils Awards program.

On the web:  http://www.prsa.org/_Awards/silver/winners2006.asp

Welcome new members!

Holly Okonoski

PRSA ANNOUNCES 2006 BEST OF SILVER ANVIL AWARD WINNER

“Dove Campaign for Real Beauty” Receives Top Honors at Annual PR Event

NEW YORK (JUNE 9, 2005) – For their bold campaign that challenged today’s stereotypical view of beauty, and celebrated diversity and real women, Unilever’s global beauty brand Dove was honored with the 2006 Best of Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The announcement was made last night during PRSA’s annual Silver Anvil Awards Evening, held at the Equitable Tower in New York City. 

The winning campaign, Dove Campaign for Real Beauty, was selected as the best of the 52 public relations programs receiving Silver Anvil Awards, the icon of best public relations practices. On hand to accept the award were Stacie Bright, senior communications marketing manager, Unilever and Larry Koffler, senior vice president, consumer brands, Edelman.  

“This winning entry represents the level of excellence we all aspire to achieve for our clients and employers,” said PRSA President & CEO Cheryl I. Procter-Rogers, APR, Fellow PRSA, who presented the Best of Silver Anvil Award to Bright and Koffler. “Here’s a campaign that breaks all the rules, takes strategic risks, and insists that the team and the consumer step outside of their comfort zone for greater rewards. Congratulations to the Unilever-Dove and Edelman team for providing us with a case-study that raises the bar for all of us!” 

According to a global study, two-thirds of women strongly agree that the media and advertising set an unrealistic standard of beauty that most women can’t ever achieve. Inspired by these findings, Dove launched the Campaign for Real Beauty in September 2004. This campaign, featuring six brave women who faced the world in nothing but their underwear and a lot of “sassy attitude,” was launched with the hopes of changing the way women perceive their bodies, and their beauty, by widening the definition of what it means to be beautiful. Dove’s “real women with real bodies and real curves,” were embraced by women worldwide. 

“On behalf of the Dove brand and our team, it is a tremendous honor to accept the PRSA Silver Anvil which truly represents the pinnacle of achievement in our profession,” said Koffler. “This initiative was a collaborative effort grounded in research that not only engaged key stakeholders to help provoke a societal debate, but ultimately resulted in a strong self-esteem awareness program.” 

The campaign also extended to girls ages 8 to 17 through the “Uniquely Me!” program, developed by Dove and the Girl Scouts of America. Dove donated one dollar to “Uniquely Me!” for every person who signed the Campaign for Real Beauty pledge between July 7 and August 31, 2005, up to $50,000. 

“The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty was chosen by a panel of judges as the Best of Silver Anvil because it clearly demonstrates the power of a well-researched, planned and executed public relations program,” said David M. Imre, APR, 2006 PRSA Silver Anvil chair and president, Imre Communications, LLC. “This campaign effectively challenged hundreds of thousands of men and women worldwide to rethink their ideas of what beauty really is.” 

The Silver Anvil Awards program has grown in scope and stature since its inception in 1946, and are now awarded to programs in 54 categories. In the 60 years since the inception of the Silver Anvil Awards program, more than 1,000 organizations have received Silver Anvils for excellence in strategic public relations planning and implementation. For a complete list of all 2006 Silver Anvil winners, click here. The winners of the 2006 Bronze Anvil Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in public relations tactics, were also acknowledged during the Silver Anvil Awards Evening. For a complete listing of winners, click here.

Job Listings and Jobs Wanted

Public Relations & Marketing Associate 

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Grand Rapids Community Foundation seeks a proven communication professional to assist with PR and Marketing efforts. The ideal candidate will be a solid writer, experienced in media relations, must be persuasive and possess excellent teamwork skills

In this role, the Associate will:

• Write and edit copy for the Foundation’s website, quarterly journal and other publications.
• Write, distribute press releases and follow up with the media. Coordinate press conferences for major grant announcements.
• Assist with primary research, conduct database literature searches and other information searches for all departments.
• Work on special event planning and major foundation including marketing campaigns and outreach strategies.
• Organize and maintain news clipping files; maintain files of relevant articles regarding foundation strategy issues, funding areas and community issues.

Requirements include:

• BA/BS in public relations, marketing or a related field
• A minimum of three years of work in the communication field
• Research, writing, editing and production skills
• Strong interpersonal, customer service and organizational skills
• Ability to successfully manage a diverse, demanding workload and multiple deadlines

Salary range: $36,500 to $43,800

This is a full-time position with benefits and a competitive salary. Please submit your resume, cover letter, three work samples and salary requirements to the Human Resource Manager at Grand Rapids Community Foundation, 161 Ottawa NW Suite 209-C, Grand Rapids MI 49503 by July 14, 2006. EOE

Independent Bank Corporation is currently seeking a highly motivated, organized, and independent Senior Public Relations Specialist in Ionia.

The person filling this key role will report directly to the Director of Corporate Marketing and will be responsible for coordination of company-wide public relations efforts as well as assisting the Corporate marketing team with various other marketing projects. Specific duties will include, but not be limited to, extensive press release development from concept to media distribution, oversight of all written communication, and management of media clips.

Qualifications include a minimum of a Bachelors Degree in a related field and 4-6 years experience in public relations, with specific PR agency experience preferred.

Qualified individuals may submit a resume in confidence to

Independent Bank Corporation,
Attn: Marty Spencer, 227 W. Main St.,
Ionia, MI  48846

or you may email your information to mspencer@ibcp.com.

Subscriptions and 2006 Newsletter

Editor Contact

This monthly electronic newsletter comes from the West Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.  Sponsorship of the newsletter is provided by http://www.pathwaynet.com, which also hosts the WMPRSA Web site.

WMPRSA
PO Box 68124
Grand Rapids, MI 49516
Phone: 616.336.0678
Fax: 616.451.3108

admin@wmprsa.org

www.wmprsa.org

Send newsletter feedback, ideas and accompanying photos to newsletter editor/webmaster Jill Ward at jhward@gmail.com.