According ARAnet's new study, Americans are increasingly turning to online and radio sources for news and information, while relying less on daily newspapers and television. In the second year of a media use and credibility survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation and sponsored by ARAnet, daily newspaper usage dropped 4.1 percent and television usage dropped 3.6 percent, while radio usage increased 2.9 percent and online usage increased 1.9 percent.

• Television: 31.1 percent (down from 34.7 percent a year ago) 
• Daily newspaper: 19.4 percent (down from 23.5 percent)
• Radio: 19.4 percent (up from 16.5 percent) 
• Online: 14.6 percent (up from 12.7 percent)
• Weekly community papers: 4.4 percent (down from 5.1 percent)
• Free shopper newspapers: 2.9 percent (up from 2.2 percent) 
• Magazines: 2.1 percent (up from 1.6 percent) 

Get the results of the full ARAnet survey here.

This has been a challenging year for professionals across all industries and, despite the relative resilience of the public relations field, PR executives also experienced their fair share of obstacles. Whether it was deflated budgets, scaled-back client accounts or necessary layoffs, the effects of the downturn were unavoidable—which is why the winners of PR News’ first annual “Top Places to Work in PR” competition are all the more laudable.

Nominations submitted to PR News by industry professionals were divided into three categories—agency, corporate department and nonprofit—and were reviewed by a panel of external judges as well as PR News editors, who considered everything from the organization’s turnover rate and opportunities for growth, to employees’ candid descriptions of the intangibles that keep them happy and driven.

The winners, listed below, will be profiled in a special issue of PR News to be published on October 19, 2009; they will also receive special recognition at the Platinum PR Awards luncheon in New York City Oct. 21. At the luncheon we will also announce our "Best in Show"—the top place to work in each of the three categories.

:

Corporate:
Best Buy
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals 
Chesapeake Energy Corp.
Cisco
Discovery Communications
First Horizon National Corp.
Pfizer
State Farm Insurance
Symantec
Turner Broadcasting System

Agency:
APCO
Carmichael Lynch Spong
CJP Communications
Cohn Marketing
Marina Maher Communications
MWW
Sterling Communications
Text 100
Waggener Edstrom
Weber Shandwick

Nonprofit:
American Red Cross
Children’s Home Society of Florida
Cleveland Metropolitan School District
Georgia Tech Research Institute
Kaiser Permanente

Does the relentless flood of information telling you how to use social media for your business make you weary? Would you prefer to sit with peers and colleagues and talk about how it affects you in the real world? If you answered yes, please join us for breakfast as we discuss the realities of social media instead of the theories. Come with questions and experiences to share. The conversation will be facilitated by David Krejci and Chris Werle of Weber Shandwick's digital communications and consumer marketing practices.
 

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WHEN:	Thursday, October 8      Breakfast/registration: 7:45 a.m.      Roundtable discussion: 8-9 a.m.
WHERE:	Weber Shandwick, ,      Suite 400,
RSVP:	Please contact Leah Kondes at      or .
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Brian Anderson has been promoted to counselor in Carmichael Lynch Spong’s Minneapolis office. Anderson joined the firm in 2005 as an associate. In his position, Anderson serves as the day-to-day contact on Rapala, the agency’s first client and longest client relationship: 19 years. He also provides support on Jack Link’s Beef Jerky and Thinsulate™ Insulation. In addition, Anderson chairs the firm’s Outdoor and Leisure practice group.

Prior to joining Carmichael Lynch Spong, Brian was an intern at Tripp Agency located in Minneapolis, Minn., where he worked on ATK Ammunition and related products. While at Tripp Agency, Brian helped produce a cause-marketing campaign for Ducks Unlimited and Federal Premium Ammunition. Brian also worked at Russell & Herder Advertising and Public Relations located in Minneapolis, Minn.

“Brian is an outdoor enthusiast to the core, and he brings his passion for the category to many of the country’s best outdoor brands,” says Douglas K. Spong, APR, president of Carmichael Lynch Spong.

Outside of work, Anderson is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking and canoeing. Anderson earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising and public relations from Bemidji State University.

Multi-disciplinary design star Beth Mueller joins OLSON as design director, most recently from her own interior design company, LifeSpace Interiors. Prior to LifeSpace, Mueller was a creative manager at Target Corporation, and a major driver behind the brand’s iconic look, feel and expression. And before that, she developed powerful and beautiful design for Fortune 100 companies as a principal and creative director at Catalyst Studios, Minneapolis.


“Olson's idea-centric processes and insight-driven design approach really resonate with me. I believe great design is at the heart of every meaningful, effective solution. And no matter the medium, great design comes only from truly understanding the challenge from the inside out,” says Mueller, OLSON’s design director. “I was looking to apply my passion somewhere that appreciates the role great design plays in satisfying client challenges, and OLSON couldn’t be a better fit. I’m invigorated by this creative powerhouse of solid theory, amazing people and great collective energy.”

“At OLSON, we have a broad definition of 'design,'" says Tom Fugleberg, executive creative director, OLSON. "It ranges from print design to product design; from spatial design to experiential design. Beth is that rare talent who has proven herself in every facet, with world-class work that moves the needle for clients time and again. We find her to be one of the most optimistic, energetic and down-to-earth people, and we’re thrilled to have her leading our design discipline."

On September 13, 2009 at 4:14 a.m. my wife Stacy and I welcomed our second child into the world. At eight pounds, eight ounces our little girl is doing great. Momma is doing well too, although a little nervous to becoming home to a family of four with two kids under one year of age.

Lauren Ruby May you are loved!

MWMC Learning Lunch :: Tuesday, September 15

You don't have to be a comic to use improvisation. Being able to think on your feet and listen effectively makes you a better communicator. At the upcoming Learning Lunch, you'll learn the eight rules of improv to improve your presentations, client meetings and interactions with your staff. And, yes, have a little fun along the way.

The Details
Tuesday, September 15
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Lunch will be served

Location
The Woman's Club of Minneapolis, reet, Minneapolis

Speaker
Maureen Tubbs, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal and professional improviser
Maureen Tubbs, marketing director for the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal and professional improviser, will give you real tips you can use to feel more comfortable in front of a business audience - whether that audience is your employee or a room full of prospective clients. Learn how to be a better listener, trust yourself and find the "yes, and" in every situation - whether you're a seasoned communications professional or just starting your career.

Register Now
Member Rate: $30
Non-Member Rate: $50
Student Rate: $20

At the event, enter your business card into a drawing for a free VIP pass to:
RockStars@Work Conference
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Minneapolis Convention Center
Value of the VIP pass = $529

Take a break from your work week and join Minnesota PRSA for an evening of networking, food and drinks. Everyone is invited to the last Meet & Mingle Wednesday of 2009! Meet new industry peers and catch up with old ones. This is a great opportunity to expand your network of business friends and referral sources in a casual, lighthearted atmosphere. Hope to see you there!

Early registration is encouraged.

Light appetizers are included. A cash bar with happy hour specials on wine, beer and rail cocktails are available at the bar until 6:30 p.m.

There is validated parking in the Calhoun Beach Club ramp off Thomas Ave.

Details & Registration:
Time: 5:30 p.m. Registration
6:00–7:30 p.m. Networking

Location: The View Restaurant | Bar
2730 W Lake St



Price: $10 members, $15 nonmembers
(Price increases by $5 after October 12)

Registration: Register online or contact the PRSA office by October 12

Snow Communications, Inc. has promoted Jeff Trauring to the position of account supervisor. Trauring has spent the last five years at Snow Communications, where he has energized successful, award-winning public relations and advertising campaigns for legal, food, life sciences and technology clients, most recently as a senior account manager.

is selling half-price memberships to Ad Fed for one night only at the free annual membership drive party on September 17. Drench yourself in the nostalgia of the Prohibition era speakeasy at Bootleggers, and celebrate the allure of a time when people banded together socially.

Ad Fed/Ad2 is only as strong as its membership. Together we thrive on the educational, networking and other outstanding opportunities that Ad Fed/Ad2 membership offers. All members and those interested in joining Ad Fed/Ad2 are welcome to this event. Check us out and see how you can grow by becoming a member.

We’ll be smuggling in a BIG bag of loot just for you:

• Half-price Ad Fed memberships (great time to renew!)
• Two FREE memberships
• Coupons for FREE Ad Fed breakfasts and luncheon events
• Grand prize: Amazon Kindle Wireless Reading Device
• FREE food
• Drink specials
• Music provided by Bootleggers DJ

With deals this good, you can’t afford not to be a member of Ad Fed/Ad2.

Remember, the code word is Ad Fed!

(Note: the half-price membership offer applies only to Ad Fed memberships and not Ad2.)

Get a leg up on awards season this year by judging ’s Golden Spike Awards. Once again, Minnesota PRSA is partnering with the Utah chapter, and we will judge their entries this month. Our awards program cannot continue without judges, so we need your help!

• All judges will be listed in the Minnesota PRSA Classics Awards program (a one-hour minimum is required)
• If you or your organization enters an award this year, you can receive one award binder back for free for each hour served (a $20 an hour value)

Plan to come and bring a colleague. Judging provides new ideas and further insight into developing your awards and planning for 2010, and the sessions are a great networking opportunity.

Opportunities to participate
Time: Tuesday, September 15, 8 - 11 a.m.*
Where: Weber Shandwick, , Suite 400, , 55437
*Breakfast will be served and parking is free

Time: Friday, September 18, 9 a.m. - Noon*
Where: Carmichael Lynch Spong, ,
*Breakfast will be served. Hourly-fee parking is available in Ramp B or C, or on the street.

Please RSVP to or indicating the date/location you are available. A one hour minimum commitment is preferred.

In addition to building brands and creating campaigns, business-to-business marketers face many challenges, including how to manage increasing demand for qualified sales leads and how to balance marketing campaign effectiveness and efficiency. Recognizing the need for more streamlined processes, the Minnesota chapter of the Business Marketing Association (BMA-Minnesota) will host “Marketing Automation Best Practices” led by Steven Woods, co-founder and chief technology officer of Eloqua, on September 24.

(MIMA) has released a new video featuring Seth Godin at the Minnesota State Fair...well sort of. They are hyping their 2009 MIMA Summit October 5, 2009 at the Minneapolis Hilton. Take a look and then register here.