LaBreche announced the expansion of its team with the addition of two new employees, Jessica Petrie and Krissy Schoenfelder, both of whom have joined the media relations team. The company also promoted team member, Kate Rogers, to manager of written content.

Media relations specialist, Jessica Petrie, joins LaBreche from Perception Ink where she worked as an assistant account executive. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre and a minor in business administration. Petrie’s client list includes law alliance Meritas, Capital Safety, Tastefully Simple, Computype and Oak Grove Capital.

Krissy Schoenfelder was also hired as a media relations specialist, and she comes to LaBreche after working as an assistant account executive at Spotlight Media Relations. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in both public relations and sociology from the University of St. Thomas. Schoenfelder’s client roster is comprised of MicroCare Medical, Victaulic, Faegre & Benson and Great Clips.

Newly promoted manager of written content, Kate Rogers, began her career as an account executive at LaBreche in October 2010. In her new role, Rogers will oversee content development needs for clients. Rogers is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Her client roster includes Stryker Sustainability Solutions, Oak Grove Capital, Wealth Enhancement Group, Computype, Meritas, and Proto Labs.

KC Associates (KCA) a b2b information technology marketing and public relations firm announces the addition of Eva Keiser as PR Director and Ali Finer as a PR Manager to the firm’s PR agency arm. Together, they bring more than 30 years of PR and IT industry experience to KCA’s team of highly experienced b2b technology marketing and PR professionals.

As PR Director, Keiser is responsible for working with clients to develop and execute PR strategies as well as overseeing KCA’s PR agency business. A key area of focus for her is to work closely with the firm’s digital marketing and PR director, Tom Pick, to fully integrate social media and online marketing with PR to provide clients with sophisticated digital strategies that result in more pervasive web presences. Reporting to Keiser is KCA’s PR team of media relations professionals, IR Counsel and writers.

As a PR Manager, Finer is responsible for finding and leveraging media opportunities for clients. She also oversees tracking and measurement of PR programs and works closely with Keiser on developing client PR strategies.

”The need for our PR services had begun to outstrip our capacity in a couple of ways,” commented KCA’s principal, Kirsten Chapman. “Our growing client base and our focus on more earned-media results meant that I had to beef up our PR strategy capability and our media relations muscle. I recruited Eva because she’s a phenomenal PR strategist with heavy social media experience and a strong managerial background. I went after Ali because I’ve seen that she does a great job putting technology companies on the national map.”

Prior to KCA, Keiser spent five years as a senior vice president at Risdall McKinney Public Relations, where she was responsible for developing PR strategies and overseeing and managing their tactical execution, using both traditional and social media programs. She also worked on brand strategy development and integrated digital marketing campaigns. Before Risdall, Keiser served for 11 years as an account supervisor at Padilla Speer Beardsley. While there, she led the PR support for a product launch which culminated in the client’s receiving unprecedented industry recognition, including winning an Industry Week Technology the Year award and numerous editorial endorsements. Keiser has also secured publicity that led to contracts with Fortune 500 companies and was responsible for high-profile placements in national, local and business publications.

From MNPR Blog I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas.

I hope you can enjoy time off over the holidays to enjoy the things that really matter.

Have safe travels and we will see you next week sometime. Cheers.

-Ryan

announced today that Christine Tsang has been hired as an account executive and social media specialist for the marketing and public relations firm.  She will work in media relations, advocacy and social media for the firm’s business and nonprofit clients.

Ragaller joins Spyglass

Spyglass Creative has added a new employee to its roster: Sara Ragaller joins the growing team as an account manager. In her new role, Ragaller is currently working with OptumHealth Financial Services to help sharpen their customer engagement strategy, Carlson Wagonlit Travel to launch their first mobile app around the globe, as well as managing branding projects for FedRooms and Reeher.

After receiving an advertising degree and marketing minor from Iowa State University in 2009, Minneapolis native Ragaller moved to Dallas where she served as the web content editor for Flowserve, a world leader in supplying equipment and services to the power, oil, gas and chemical industries. She focused on internal communications reaching the company’s 15,000 employees across 50 countries, writing for the website and intranet, as well as spearheading social media outreach.

During college, Ragaller served in several leadership roles for the Iowa State Advertising Club. She also interned at The Meyocks Group, a Des Moines-based advertising agency.

“We’re excited to have Sara join our growing team,” says Molly Rice, Spyglass Creative co-founder and CEO. “Sara’s skill set as a communicator is a perfect match for our clients who want to quickly and effectively connect with their customers and their own internal teams.”

• Business: Many people hide behind emails today. Tracy Crevar Warren, a consultant for the Crevar Group agrees that “…the "younger" generation lack poor social skills and the ability to conduct successful face-to-face meetings because of their virtual interactions” (Can Facebook Kill Face-to-Face Networking?).
• Family Dynamics: Children are so caught up in social media, they forget to converse with their family, unless it’s through social media.
• Education: Students are less engaged in school and learning because they are distracted by social media.
• Communication between Friends: No longer do you call up your friend to hang out, plans are always made through social media.

Face-to-face communication is slowly phasing out because of social media, but it is still a skill that is extremely important to have. So the next time that you have important news to tell, I challenge you to call up your friends rather than tweeting or posting about it.

Stacy Amstadt
University of Minnesota
Jour 3279
Blog Assignment   

Public relations is not machine run, yet, but in a sense it the people must work together like a well-oiled machine with interactive parts. This can only be achieved by recruiting the best possible people for your team, and this can only be achieved by recruiting in new ways. David Spark, of Spark Media Solutions and www.dice.com discussed new recruiting tips for 2012 at the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit, but here’s the great eight.

1. Find the Best People First, Train Later
Just as candidates are, always be looking for hiring the right people, not just when you need to fill a slot. If people stick out in your mind when you’re not looking, it’s a good sign. When it comes to the Y Generation, many have skills and few the right attitude. Hire for the attitude and train for the skills.

2. Make Sure Everyone Likes the Candidate, Somewhat
Like a well-oiled machine, the parts have to work well together. The correct parts are the most important aspect of the tool. Make sure the other employees like the candidate, somewhat. Find someone who compliments the staff, but doesn’t fit the mold. Organizations that continue to replenish the mold, continue to replenish a way of thinking without being innovative.

3. Assign Homework, Maybe a Little Math
Viktor Nagornyy, founder of Viktorix, requires a little basic math in every submission. If they answer it correctly, it lets him know they are paying attention to details, and it screens out those who refuse to answer.
An unpaid assignment, acts as a mini-unpaid internship. It demonstrates the candidates that are passionate as much about the company as you may be about them. It will weed out numerous candidates, while showing you the candidates’ attention to detail, creativity and how they communicate their ideas.

4. Don’t rely on the Resume
It may show their ability to create a professional document, but it does not demonstrate a person’s passion and communication skills. Follow up

5. Ask Their Favorite Cuss Word
James Lipton of Inside the Actors Studio, he says it is so unexpected and catches them off-guard that it will see how they act on their feet. Perhaps if you demonstrate what cuss word is your favorite, it will throw them off so much they cannot recover, or you will be able to experience their sense of humor.

6. You Have the Right, to Probe
Ask what the candidates’ dream job is. It will demonstrate their motivations and their ability to be open and communicative with you. It will also let you know if their motivations compliment that of the company. Even if your offered position is not their dream job, it doesn’t mean that it might not be soon. Also inquire to their past positions. If they seem uncomfortable talking about their past jobs, it could suggest they were fired, or it could show you that they were unwilling to do certain tasks.

7. Practice What You Preach; Conduct a Follow-up
Go beyond the interview. Send not just a follow-up e-mail but also ask to meet up for a cup of coffee. Get to know the potential candidates beyond just the interview.

8. Value Social Networks
“Good talent knows other good talent.” Look to your employees to find the best fit, and look to your top followers. It’s a great start if the people demonstrate a passion for your brand before they are even employed.

Elizabeth Schoenborn
University of Minnesota
Jour 3279
Blog Assignment  

The Minneapolis office of Weber Shandwick today announced the promotions of Rachel Camann, Elissa Dingmann, Keith Grauman, Sarah Stakston, Angela Thompson and Jackie Vos within its consumer marketing, corporate, community and public affairs, digital communications, financial services and healthcare practices.

was promoted to account executive in the consumer marketing practice group. Camann joined Weber Shandwick as an intern in 2009, and her insightful and results-focused work has quickly earned praise from consumer marketing clients and colleagues alike. Before Weber Shandwick, she interned with Minnesota Green Communities and served as special projects manager for Children’s Safety Centers. She holds a bachelor’s degree in strategic communications from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

was promoted to senior account executive in the corporate, community and public affairs practice. Dingmann began as an intern in 2007 and quickly distinguished herself as an exceptional team member. She has become an integral member of the account team for a major agricultural client and effortlessly manages a client website, plans online webinars and helps execute regional crisis drills. Previously, she interned with Fairview Health Services. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications from the University of St. Thomas.
 
was promoted to Account Executive in the financial services practice. Since joining Weber Shandwick in 2010, he has been a critical player in planning and executing crisis readiness drills for a national agricultural trade group. He has also applied his organizational and PR talents to developing a government website, supporting the launches of three additional sites, and preparing cogent reports for financial services clients. Prior to Weber Shandwick, Grauman worked as a reporter with the Hastings Star Gazette. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Carmichael Lynch and FirstEnergy Solutions want people to know if you make the switch; you'll save. A message this simple deserves a straightforward campaign. The agency took the structure of traditional advertising platforms and made a statement by only using a fraction of the time and space to get the "switch and save" message across. "The other directors we talked with wanted to fill the extra time in the spots with traditional gags, instead of allowing it to just be extra time. We went with Harold Zwart because he got it, and said it was unlike anything he's ever seen. The campaign's uniqueness makes it memorable," Brock Davis, Group Creative Director at Carmichael Lynch. Click here to view the campaign and download the work: http://carmichaellynch.com/firstenergy

Website vs. Blog: What’s the difference? It’s crucial for companies to have both a company website as well as a blog. The two compliment one another. The website is a place where consumers go to get a basic overview of a company whereas the blog is the where they learn more in depth about what your company is doing —the question then becomes how to differentiate what gets published on the website and what gets published on the blog?

A companies website is crucial to their online presence. It’s the first thing that consumers will turn to when searching for your company online. Use your website in a way to introduce yourself to your consumers. Your website should publish content that goes over who you are as a company and what products and/or services you offer. As well as your companies’ history, values, mission statement, and so on.

A companies blog is much different then their website. A blog is a place where consumers can go to, to find out more information about who are and what you are doing. Instead of providing them with the generic information (as would be found on your website), you would provide them with:

• Consumer testimonies about how great your product is, 
• Reviews from critics, 
• Prestigious awards that you won, 
• Events you are planning 
• Charities that you are sponsoring,
• Or introducing them to a new hire within your company

Blogs use a more personal approach. The key here is to write stories that your consumers can relate to. For examples of exceptional blogs, click here. A company website and blog are very much similar in that they are producing content that informs their consumers. The major difference between the two is the approach (generic vs. personal) in which they do so. Remember this simple tip and you are set to go!

Sadie Frauendienst
University of Minnesota
Jour 3279
Blog Assignment

In the midst of the Jo Paterno scandal, Ashton Kutcher hastily made a tweet about how insulting it was that Jo Pa was fired. He was immediately criticized and ridiculed for his comment. In response to the backlash, Ashton posted on his blog and explained his reasoning for the post. He said that he did not know the full story, and had only seen a headline that Paterno had been fired. Later, when he saw the full story on ESPN, he went back to Twitter to correct his error. Unfortunately, it was far too late. Kutcher said he would quit Twitter. This brings me to a question I’ve been pondering for a while. Does “quitting” Twitter work as an effective public relations crisis management solution?

In Jim Tobin’s book, Social Media is a Cocktail Party, the author states explains that even if you’re not a part of social media, your clients are. This book is focused on social media tools and tips for companies, but can be applied to celebrities as well. Even if Ashton leaves his Twitter account, fans and critics will still be talking about his comment and posting their opinions. Is it better for Ashton to be off of the sites, or would it be more fitting for him to stay online, defend himself, and show that his Twitter feed can be appropriate and informative?

Ashton Kutcher decided to stay on Twitter, but to let his management company take over his posts and control the content. Followers have an issue with this too, as they would prefer honesty and transparency than doctored comments by his management team.

Kutcher is not the first to claim he was dropping his account. Miley Cyrus stated she was quitting Twitter in 2009, due to the lack of privacy. When I checked Twitter today, she had an active account that had posts several times daily. John Mayer quit his account, citing the need for a lack of distractions while recording. Amanda Bynes quit her account without notice, later saying that she was uncomfortable with the lack of privacy. These celebrities currently have active accounts.

Looks like the threat to quit an account is truly just an empty threat. Celebrities must find more reasons to have an account that not, and that part of being a public figure means criticism and negative comments. Some stars have even used their social media platforms for a cause. In 2010, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian and Justin Timberlake stopped posting to raise money for Keep a Child Alive. They vowed to sign out of their accounts until they raised $1 million in donations for the organization. Advertisements were released to promote the cause. The stars raised the amount, and returned to tweeting and posting on Facebook.

Do you think quitting social media helps to quiet celebrities’ mistakes, or does it make fans and critics even more displeased with their actions?

Adreanne Peters
University of Minnesota
Jour 3279
Blog Assignment

For years marketers have tried to understand and track how consumers purchase and what influences buying decisions. From market research to focus groups to creating customer personas, understanding as much as possible about your potential audience is essential. The ability to tailor messages and content appropriately for every individual has always been a smart strategy. Now, with the expansion of social media and customized content, it is more important than ever to provide information that is relevant to the audience or it results in a quick click to delete your efforts.

As marketers seek to understand more about influence in the online world, one of the tools that has emerged and grown rapidly is which “measures influence based on your ability to drive action” online. The simple question: does it work? That’s where it gets complicated.

Klout uses an algorithm to measure three categories Reach, Amplification and Network

uses an algorithm to measure three categories: Reach (the number of people you reach), Amplification (how much you influence people based on responses and shares), and Network (how often do influencers respond to your content) and calculates a score based on these inputs. Ever since the introduction of Klout there has been a significant amount of controversy and some backlash against how the tool assigns value and influence. Some of the issue comes from assigning a numerical value to people, which some disagree with on principle. However, over the last two years, despite seeing hundreds in the social media space question or downright mock the ability of a tool to measure “influence” online there was significant public outcry when Klout changed the formula and many users scores went down. Many who had said Klout was irrelevant or said they didn’t care about their score were suddenly extremely upset about the change. In mid-November Klout posted commentary about the vision of the company to attempt to address some of the questions in the community.

I applaud the effort and thought behind Klout. A company seeking to understand how people make decisions and engage is a tremendous undertaking that every communications and marketing professional should appreciate. That said, there are a few considerations that we collectively need to evaluate to determine how this (or any other) tool can be utilized in our field.

- Quantity versus quality

One concern about a tool like this is how heavily it implies that by posting a great deal that someone is influential. By posting often it impacts the score and also gives more potential for shares/retweets/engagement which also drives a Klout score. However, there are many industry leaders online that simply don’t have the time to post a great deal. They’re busy creating new programs, helping lead client strategy, or working to grow a business.

- Singular number representing all industries and audiences

While Klout attempts to break out categories of influence (attempt is key as I’ve allegedly been influential on topics where I clearly have no idea like Ruby on Rails and Models) it still provides one final score talking about online influence. The danger lies within seeing a high Klout score and really assuming impact. Our job is to dive deeper and provide real counsel for our clients or employers. The fact that Justin Bieber has a Klout score of 100 clearly doesn’t mean he has relevant impact across all audiences or industries. Does he have tremendous influence? Absolutely he has great influence- with teens and particularly teen girls. Would I ever consider paying the beloved Biebs to speak on behalf of a B2B service in the technology market? Not a chance.

- Differing uses of channels

Also consider the fact that even legitimate online influencers use different online channels differently. A heavy Facebook user may have made the strategic decision to focus on that tool as it fits their business model well but does not believe that Twitter is a good fit. In cases like that, users are “penalized” somewhat by not having a presence all over the web though I fundamentally disagree with the premise that ten lousy networks is better than one strong, committed, and engaged two-way network. One of the best examples I’ve seen in illustrating this particular issue was done by Paul Gillin on his blog.

Ultimately, Klout or any other online “influence” tool will inherently have flaws. That doesn’t mean there isn’t value to be mined from the tool. By looking at categories of interest on Klout you may find a decent starting point to look at a topic and people that are discussing the topic online. The key is understanding that there is no magic Web success button where you push it and your perfect audience and influencers pop out the other side. A comprehensive strategy whether online, offline, or a combination of the two needs to begin with a deep understanding of your goals and of the market. This cannot be gleaned from a single data point but requires analysis and context. So use Klout but don’t leave your research skills, analytical thinking, personal experience, and some common sense at home.

-- / Community Business