Imagine how your life would change if you went completely deaf in a matter of hours? How would you avoid slipping into depression? How would you press on with life? Now imagine gaining your hearing back through modern technology. This is the experience of Michael Chorost Ph.D., () author and key-note speaker at the Minnesota Public Relations Society John Beardsley Lecture on October 6.

I still remember seeing my first PowerPoint presentation.  It was in the mid-1990s, and it was the best presentation I had ever seen in my life.  My mind, which was accustomed to chalkboards and overhead projectors, was astounded by the visual stimuli.  The colors, images, and transitions made me gaze at the screen like a southerner watching snow fall for the first time.  Since that day, almost every presentation I have given has been a PowerPoint.  As one might imagine, 15 years of slides and bullet points can get a little old.

posted by Chris Duffy on September 27, 2011

has donated an integrated campaign to support Greater Twin Cities United Way’s annual campaign which has the theme “Every ONE Counts.”  The work shows the power of ONE – one dollar, one donor, one donation – to make a one-by-one difference for real people in need. The work marks the seventh campaign donated by Campbell Mithun in support of United Way.

• Online digital video
• Digital / mobile banners
• Out-of-Home billboard / bus shelter displays
• Coffee sleeve with QR code
• Radio

The Minneapolis office of Weber Shandwick today announced six new hires in its Healthcare, Digital Communications, Consumer Marketing, Technology and Financial Services practices.

Liz Miklya, a vice president in the Minneapolis office of Weber Shandwick is the author of a chapter in the “PR News Media Training Guidebook – Vol. 4.” Miklya wrote the chapter on the crucial importance of television news to the media cycle and tips on how to prepare for a TV interview.

“There’s a perception today that people get all their news from the Internet,” says Miklya. “That’s not true. Television is still an unmatched vehicle for storytelling and delivering information.”

Miklya, a former award-winning Twin Cities news reporter, has drawn on that experience in her frequent contributions to PR News about the best ways for organizations to work with the media. In 2009 she wrote a chapter in the “PR News Guide to Best Practices in Nonprofit Communications – Vol. 1”. Her work helps prepare company representatives and PR professionals to work with television, print and radio reporters to conduct interviews and effectively communicate their messages to key audiences. Topics that she has focused on include the “Art of the Sound Bite,” “Helping Time-Strapped Reporters,” and many others.

Minneapolis-based LaBreche announced today that Oak Grove Capital has selected the agency as its communications partner.

“After researching several local and national firms, we selected LaBreche based on its collaborative and comprehensive approach.  LaBreche invested time understanding our business and key constituencies and, consequently, has become an important participant in our overall business strategy discussions,” said Brian Ranallo, chief operating officer of Oak Grove Capital.

LaBreche is providing branding, PR and marketing services for Oak Grove Capital as it continues to grow as a company. In 2009, its first year of operation, Oak Grove Capital originated $421 in mortgages and almost doubled that total in 2010. The company has edged up over $1 billion in 2011 originations and was recently honored by Fannie Mae as its top affordable housing lender.

“Oak Grove Capital is a category leader that recognizes the importance of building equity in its brand as it grows,” said Beth LaBreche, CEO of LaBreche. “We’re looking forward to helping Oak Grove Capital achieve its business goals through strategic national communications.”

Oak Grove Capital is a mortgage lender specializing in affordable housing, market rate multifamily housing, seniors housing and healthcare, serving clients who are owners, operators and developers within these sectors. Oak Grove Capital offers loan products for acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and refinance via Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, Ginnie Mae and other funding sources.

Oak Grove Capital is based in St. Paul, with offices in Texas, Florida and Washington. D.C.

Intensive Workshops, Evening Reception, Full Day Conference, and top it off with a Happy Hour(s). In other words, that's 50 sessions choices and two parties over a day and a half. Let's break it down:

• Tuesday: 10 in-depth two-hour session choices, where you get to pick the two sessions that are right for you.

• Tuesday night: Follow up the sessions with an evening soiree with the fantastic speakers, other lovely attendees, and our awesome sponsors.

• Wednesday: Kick it off with the morning keynote, Avinash Kaushik co-Founder of Market Motive Inc and the Analytics Evangelist for Google. Then work through selecting 2 sessions to attend from the list of 16 breakouts and 4 Geek Outs. Follow that by grabbing some lunch with your fellow attendees, and listening to the afternoon keynote, Chris Anderson editor-in-chief of Wired magazine. After lunch, select 2 more session from another 16 breakouts and 4 Geek Outs. So many choices, so little time...
• Wednesday night: After all that learning, kick back and enjoy the Happy Hour with all your comrades. The Happy Hour is usually a good time, so be prepared for the pluralization of "Hour".
  Keep checking mimasummit.org for breakout speaker announcements or on . They'll be coming fast and furious.
  
  *Limited Number of Student Member Full Package Tickets are Available

RedBrick Health, the Minneapolis-based health technology company that drives sustained engagement through innovative health improvement programs, has chosen Maccabee as its national agency for public relations, corporate communications and social media/online marketing.

Broadhead, a Minneapolis-based advertising and marketing agency, announces it is adding three well-known consumer marketing veterans to its creative leadership team.  

Pam Mariutto brings over 25 years of mastering numerous communications challenges, from creating and producing TV spots, to conceptualizing print campaigns, and even launching her own retail brand. Mariutto has worked on brands such as Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, Target, This Old House Paint, 3M, Syngenta, Swiss Miss and Radisson Hotels.


An award-winning creative director and art director, Jon Montgomery comes to Broadhead with over two decades in the creative arena. His client experience includes driving awareness for brands such as Target, Purina, Life Time Fitness, Pfizer, Cargill, Coleman, 3M and Victory Motorcycles.  


Dan Roettger has been the writer behind campaigns for Harley-Davidson, Coca-Cola, Korbel, Northwest Airlines, Mack Trucks, Tractor Supply Company — just to name a few. In the process, Roettger has captured numerous national and international advertising awards over the course of his 30-year career.

Mariutto, Montgomery and Roettger will serve as associate creative directors at Broadhead under the leadership of John Walker, creative director.

“Pam, Jon and Dan’s combined experience in creative leadership and their collective understanding of what drives consumer behavior made hiring them an easy decision,” says Dean Broadhead, agency president and CEO. “Their respective tenures in the industry align with our commitment to bring senior-level experience to our clients’ business every day.”

Public Affairs Company is pleased to announce the addition of Tony Gorder as its newest Associate Account Executive. Tony joined Public Affairs Company this past summer as an intern, where he impressed our staff and clients with his professionalism, creativity and enthusiasm to learn and grow.

McFarland Cahill Communications (MCC) recently added five new clients and hired two employees.

Dave Mona is the chairman of the Minneapolis office of Weber Shandwick, which has its roots in the one-person shop he started in 1981. Mona also is the co-host of "Sports Huddle with Sid & Dave" on WCCO Radio.

1.  What are the highlights of your public relations career?

The only truly unique thing I’ve done was to write a news release that I had been fired as VP of Communications at The Toro Company during an economic downturn in 1981. It turned out to be a significant date as they offered to become a client if I were inclined to start my own PR firm. That was the beginning of what was a one-person shop, David L. Mona & Associates, in the spring of 1981. Joining forces with Dennis McGrath in 1983 was a major step in building a large regional firm, and merging with Dorn Communications in 1986 brought us together with Scott Meyer and Sara Gavin. Out of that came Mona Meyer McGrath and Gavin and a partnership that lasted for 15 years and a friendship that will last forever. Becoming part of Shandwick in 1988 certainly accelerated our growth and helped us become a true global player.

2.  What are some of the key lessons that you have learned in your career?

From the beginning we hired great people into a climate of mutual trust and respect. We thought from the beginning that if we created a great work environment that we would attract and retain the best employees and best clients. We also knew from the beginning that we wanted to give back to the community. I’m proud of our various pro bono programs and the way our employees embrace them.

3.  You have hosted the Sunday Morning Sports Huddle with Sid Hartman for 30 years. Who are some of your close personal friends?

I reserve the Close Personal Friends category for Sid. It was an invention of the late Steve Cannon that stuck. I can’t believe I’ve been doing that show for more than 30 years. It was only 25 minutes long when I started back in 1981, and it’s been two and a half hours for the last 25 years or so. I enjoyed working with Eric Eskola and his clever introductions for more than a decade. I always looked forward to the Tom Kelly Show and learned something new about baseball from him almost every week. Nothing is more fun than doing the show from the Minnesota State Fair where we get to work with a live audience. And what could be more fun than working with Sid and his animated opinions of the geniuses, stiffs and jerks who populate our audience and the state legislature.

4.  What advice would you give to new public relations practitioners?

Make sure it’s where your passion lies. Do you look forward to going to work? Are you surrounded by smart, creative and motivated coworkers? Is there an environment in which your work is appreciated by your coworkers and clients? Do you have a life outside the office? Do you have the best stories to tell when you go back to your high school reunion?

5.  Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Good for now. Thanks.

-- / Skogrand PR Solutions, LLC

After a review of several agencies, Anytime Fitness, the 24/7 worldwide fitness franchise, has engaged the marketing and social media services of Gabriel deGrood Bendt (GdB) to share how the chain has helped its customers change their lives.

Known as the best place for fitness because of its convenience, affordability and friendly atmosphere, Anytime Fitness has been lauded as the fastest-growing private company in Minnesota – offering franchisee opportunities across the globe.

“Anytime Fitness has opened more than 1,600 clubs around the world,” said Tom Gabriel, agency CEO. “Despite this amazing growth, they remain true to their core values. We’re delighted to be partnering with them, and look forward to helping them strengthen their brand.”

“We’re excited to have GdB help us as we continue to grow the Anytime Fitness brand,” said Libby Crooker, Identity Division vice president, Anytime Fitness. “After meeting with a number of agencies, we felt it was a good fit, both in work style and culture.”

Anytime Fitness clubs are open around the clock, allowing members to work out any time of the day or night, even when clubs are not staffed.

Joe Germscheid has been promoted to director of consumer engagement, partner at advertising agency Carmichael Lynch. Since joining the agency in 2009, Germscheid has led digital media planning and buying. With over 25 years of experience, Germscheid has transformed several agencies from traditional media to digital and interactive media departments. Before joining Carmichael Lynch, Germscheid was an interactive media director for Fallon in Minneapolis.

Prior to that, he served as associate media director at MRM Worldwide where he oversaw online ad planning and placement. He began his career in media at Miller Meester Advertising. Outside of work, Germscheid is a certified fitness instructor specializing in group cycle instruction at the downtown Minneapolis YMCA. He is a graduate of St. John’s University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Germscheid resides in Brooklyn Park, Minn.