ClarityCoverdale Fury has announced that Nicole Mickelson has joined their team as an Assistant Media Planner. Nicole will be responsible for helping Diane Ethier, the V.P./Director of Traditional & New Media and Andy Brunn, Media Supervisor, with a variety of media planning tasks including tracking the progress and performance of online campaigns and reporting the findings to clients.

Broadhead continues to expand its involvement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).  The Minneapolis-based advertising and marketing agency was recently awarded a contract to raise awareness of the invasive species known as the emerald ash borer (EAB).

The new-business announcement came just days before the nationwide kickoff of APHIS’ Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week. Broadhead sprang into action, developing a social media campaign and a full satellite media tour. “We really had to kick things into high gear,” says Kiersten Schroeder, vice president and account director at Broadhead, “and the hard work paid off tenfold.”

The satellite media tour included radio interviews that aired on numerous stations across many of the states impacted by the EAB, and gave the effort’s “I Promise” campaign a renewed push on social media. The nationwide push, leading into the Memorial Day weekend, reached millions in targeted markets. “Our task was to increase engagement through multiple channels, creating a momentum that would last throughout the summer,” adds Schroeder.

Since becoming a federal government contractor in late 2008, Broadhead has worked with the General Services Administration (GSA), USDA APHIS, USDA Rural Development, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The agency has worked with USDA to help raise awareness of devastating pests such as the gypsy moth, the Asian longhorned beetle, and the emerald ash borer.

, received the Donald G. Padilla Distinguished Practitioner Award at this year's Minnesota PRSA Classics Awards. He also is the president of Kostik Associates, Inc.

1. What role has PRSA had in your career?

It is probably difficult for most members today to understand fully what I mean when I say that PRSA has been my primary source of professional development in public relations. I never took a single college course on public relations. I don’t remember the term “public relations” ever being spoken while I earned my undergraduate degree and completed a year of graduate study in journalism. I learned public relations on the job.

I used my involvement in PRSA to build a foundation for my career. PRSA grounded me in the theory and application of public relations principles through formal professional development opportunities and my preparation for the . Through PRSA I came to appreciate public relations as a profession, not just a collection of activities.

I also view my involvement in PRSA as a “leadership academy.” Being a member of and leading PRSA committees and serving on the Chapter Board gave me an opportunity to develop and hone my leadership skills – leadership skills that have served me well as a professional on-the-job and in the community.

While all of these foundation elements have played a very important role in my career, I value most highly the close relationships I’ve built with my PRSA colleagues. They have taught me, supported me, occasionally listened to me, and often have laughed with me. They have helped me grow as a professional, and helped me navigate difficult public relations challenges.

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

David Kostik, APR

It’s all about the “relations” in public relations. We focus a great deal of energy on learning various technical skills, and probably not enough time mastering the art of developing and nurturing relationships.

Nature hates a vacuum. When people don’t have enough information about an important topic, they will use their imagination to fill the gap. Too often organizations wait until they have all the details before they communicate, but then it’s usually too late.

You’ll probably never be able to talk about the best crisis plan you ever implement. The best story you’ll never tell will be about the crisis that never happened because you and your team anticipated a dangerous situation and convinced management to act promptly. You probably won’t be able to enter this situation into competition, but you’ll know you deserve an award.

The worst thing they can do is fire me. I firmly believe I became a much more effective public relations professional once I learned I could survive being out of a job for an extended period. From that point on I could put my commitment to professionalism ahead of my need to protect my job. I have been free to offer advice and counsel with no strings attached.

3. How did you get involved in YouthLink? What would you like readers to know about the organization?

One of the reasons I started my consulting business five years ago was to have the ability to invest my time and professional abilities in organizations that reflect my values. As a result, I spend most of my time working with nonprofit organizations. I’ve learned that new business for me often comes in ways that I don’t expect.

My work on a project for one nonprofit client brought me into contact with a group of nonprofit agencies that serve youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Through this project I got to know the executive director of YouthLink, who subsequently invited me to carry out some project work for YouthLink. This relationship turned into an 18-month contract in which I provided leadership for the agency’s public relations and fundraising program, and helped YouthLink design and staff the internal department.

During the time I had the opportunity to work with YouthLink I had the privilege of getting to know a number of youth who were homeless at the time, and working closely with the talented and dedicated professionals on the YouthLink staff. This experience shattered any preconceived notions I had about young people who are experiencing homelessness. The young people I met are very much like every other young person – they are filled with hope for their future. The difference is most of these young people are carrying a heavy burden of trauma-filled life and as a result they face many barriers. YouthLink responds to the basic needs these youth have and offers a responsive community where they can choose to take positive steps in their lives toward self-sufficiency. They can find the support they need to cross those barriers.

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

I often visit with new practitioners, and I’m always happy to do so. So, I’ve had a lot of practice offering advice. I’ll keep this shorter. I think every public relations practitioner – particularly new practitioners – should get their hands on the book "" by Bob Burg (www.burg.com). It provides a very practical guide to building and using a professional (and personal) network. They certainly didn’t teach this when I was in college, and I don’t know if they do today. It’s a tool I wish I had had when I was entering the profession.

-- / Skogrand PR Solutions, LLC

There are many ways and reasons to say ‘thank you’…but isn’t it how you say it that really matters? 

Bellmont Partners Public Relations has hired as senior account manager. O’Meara, who has worked as a writer, editor and project manager on several publications in Minnesota, most recently served as editor of Minnesota Business magazine.

The Minneapolis office of today announced the promotions of Lauren Melcher and Sarah Rydland.

LaBreche, a unified marketing agency, today announced the expansion of its team with the addition of three employees. Karen Schultz joins LaBreche as business development manager. Jeff Neidt and Siri Thompson have been added to the content team.

This year, PRSA Chicago is partnering with the 15 other Midwest PRSA chapters to offer two days worth of invaluable, educational sessions on July 19 and 20. The programs feature industry experts from leading brands and organizations across a variety of public relations disciplines, including digital and traditional media, crisis and issues management, consumer packaged goods, B2B, politics and more.

According to our recent Midwest regional survey, the leading topics in which today’s PR professionals have the most interest are branding, digital and social media, and crisis management. We are delivering on this need through the first PRSA Midwest Regional Conference by offering a full day and a half of engaging topics that are designed to inspire, challenge and educate.

This venerated shop launched a new brand identity, including a new website, logo and fully reimagined workspace in the agency’s downtown Minneapolis headquarters. The Carmichael Lynch logo mark was the starting point for getting Carmichael Lynch updated for the post-digital 21st century as well as the future to come. Conceptually, the idea was to transform the identity from one associated with nostalgia to one that bravely embarked on a new aesthetic journey with the agency.

Bright, energetic colors were adopted over muted predecessors. Combined with these new colors, patterns infused with motion and spontaneity added life to drab agency walls. The Carmichael Lynch website was overhauled to surface not just some of the work but all of the work since it is through the work that Carmichael Lynch continues to inspire and grow.

Today Stacy L. Bettison, Esq. announced the launch of Bettison Consulting LLC, a boutique public relations firm offering high-level strategic counsel to help clients use communications and media relations to support and achieve legal, business and reputational objectives.

Bettison offers what most PR professionals do not — an expert, complimentary blend of legal, business and communications experience. This unique expertise, coupled with a passion and flair for solving problems and developing opportunities, makes Bettison a valuable, trusted resource for clients.

“As an experienced litigator, I have a deep appreciation for how legal issues impact mission-driven organizations,” said Bettison. “In my work as a communications strategist, my legal experience gives me a great advantage in better understanding my clients’ challenges and opportunities. I am passionate about the law, communications and the media, and I look forward to providing my clients exceptional service through Bettison Consulting.”

A former litigator and general counsel, Bettison has navigated complex legal issues in litigation, transactional and regulatory contexts. Prior to launching Bettison Consulting LLC, Bettison served as senior communications counsel at Rotenberg Associates in Minneapolis. Bettison has led and managed all aspects of communications strategy development and media relations in a wide range of business and organizational settings. Below are some examples of when clients call Bettison:

• Responding to media inquiries 
• Serving as spokesperson
• Mitigating negative publicity 
• Pitching stories to media 
• Responding to employee, labor issues 
• Managing public relations concerning government investigations, citations 
• Responding and recovering from accidents, hazards or disasters 
• Notifying employees about significant change (consolidation, M&A, plant closures, layoffs) 
• Informing stakeholders of a problem (patients, customers, investors, suppliers, employees) 
• Developing strategy for public policy & advocacy 
• Managing, enhancing digital & social media reputation 
• Assisting executive teams with organizational changes, initiatives or special projects 
• Planning for crisis response & recovery 
• Training for media interviews or other high-stakes communications settings

• Lydia Botham (forms the top of the 4-person ramp): Land O’Lakes Foundation, United Way donor, Women’s Leadership Council member
• Scott Cummings (makes up the vertical line in the “B”): Accenture, United Way donor, Leadership Giving member
• Nadine Parris (forms the left side of the shelter roof): GE Capital Fleet Services, United Way donor, WINGs member