Minneapolis-based health and medical advertising agency StoneArch recently announced the promotion of to Senior Project Manager. She is responsible for managing multichannel print and digital projects, overseeing work teams, budgets and timelines.

Kiki joined StoneArch six years ago, starting as an account assistant before moving into project management. “Kiki’s project management skills are exceptional,” said Katie Uphus, director of production. “She has shown leadership in helping us refine our internal processes and ensure our teams are working most effectively to achieve clients’ goals.”

          There’s a new app in town and it is bound to add zing to your promotional Twitter strategy.  The new feature ­– an app called Vine – allows users to post 6-second looping videos to their Twitter wall.  The app is currently available for .
           Vine was launched this year and companies like MSNBC, NBC News, Al-Monitor, Red Vines brand licorice, and BuzzFeed use the app regularly.

Image from iTunes

          “People should be able to focus on being creative, not on how to use the app,” wrote Vine co-founder Dom Hofmann in a recent blog post.  “Posts on Vine are about abbreviation – the shortened form of something larger.  They're little windows into the people, settings, ideas and objects that make up your life.”
           Vine is indeed an effective instrument for creativity.  Companies can encourage their employees to create their own videos for entertainment.  For example, they can post “behind the scenes” clips from events or company activities, allowing the audience to have an easier time connecting with the brand on a personal level. 
           Vine can be great for introductory videos.  It will give the audience a chance to view a live-action visualization of a product or service.  The addition of music is effective in creating emotion as well.
           Additionally, brands can save money by creating mini commercials.  No longer will the audience need to sit through lengthy ads created for the company YouTube channel.  Now the ads are quick and far more convenient.  This may lead to increased interest in a product launch.  A company can also make “sneak peak” videos for an upcoming product.  Similar to a mini movie trailer, the clips will surely generate audience curiosity.
           Creating instructional videos is another task fit for Vine.  Making how-to clips is a valuable way for marketers to prove that they are the expert source in their field.  The audience will be content with these convenient mini lessons.  During the lessons, you can also provide quick product promotion.
           Click to see Vine video examples and read the official blog announcement.

The Minneapolis office of announces the promotion of to vice president, Healthcare. Since joining the firm in 2006, McCartney has worked on a number of award-winning healthcare communications programs. His team’s work has been recognized with a Silver Anvil from the Public Relations Society of America and PRWeek’s “Healthcare Campaign of the Year.”

has joined Padilla Speer Beardsley as a director, primarily leading work for client Rec Boat Holdings. She will direct integrated marketing communications programs to increase lead generation, drive sales and build brand loyalty for Four Winns®, Glastron® and Wellcraft® boats.

Graves brings a wealth of experience gained while at the Minneapolis-based advertising agency Periscope. She most recently managed multidiscipline campaigns for Cox Business, Cox Communications and Kemps. Her earlier experience includes positions at Martin/Williams as media analyst and at Daktronics as animation marketing assistant.

Graves earned her bachelor’s degree in advertising journalism from South Dakota State University.

Spyglass Brand Marketing announced today that has selected the agency to help them prepare for significant growth in the marketplace. Minneapolis-based eLumen is a software company that has developed a best-in-class platform that helps colleges and universities track and assess actual student outcomes across courses and programs in real time, as well as helps them meet accreditation requirements. eLumen is looking to clarify its position in the marketplace, grow exponentially, and have a major impact on the entire higher-education community over the next 2 to 3 years. “We chose Spyglass because their team has done this before with proven results, and they truly understand our need for goal-driven strategies and fast turnaround,” says David Shupe, CEO, and co-founder of eLumen. “We’ve made great strides over the past several years, and we’re confident that Spyglass will help take us to the next level.

Social media has changed the way the world communicates.  The tools of communication have gone digital and continue to get smaller, faster, and smarter.

Join us at the NAWBO-MN February lunch event and ask the media how they are using social platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to search for experts and news.

Are you using social channels to convey the right message to make you front page news? On the other hand, are you watching what you say to make sure you are not negatively portrayed in the news?

Ask these pros and learn how their role in traditional media has evolved with their use of social media communication tools.

"style="height: 152px; width: 100px;" title="" width="100">Moderator – John Vomhof
Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal Staff Reporter/Broadcaster

John’s first role with the paper eight years ago was to write breaking news for the website. Today, his job has expanded to include covering a variety of beats for the print edition, website, a reporter blog, and Twitter.

He also serves as the face and voice of the paper with daily call-ins to the WCCO-AM morning show and live appearances Friday mornings on FOX 9 TV during the 5:00 and 6:00 a.m. segment blocks.

Twitter:
Blog: www.mspbj.com/blog/sports-business



"style="height: 113px; width: 150px;" title="" width="150">Jason DeRusha
WCCO TV/Minnesota Monthly

For nearly 10 years, Jason has worked at WCCO TV as an Emmy award winning news reporter.  His role has expanded into the anchor desk as his ever growing audience on Twitter and Facebook continue to cheer him on and provide resources and commentary on    the stories he covers.

Three year ago, he began a monthly food column and blog at Minnesota Monthly that features his restaurant reviews in print and online.  His food expertise has also evolved into regular restaurant reviews in the format of edited field stories on the WCCO TV Saturday morning show.  For the past two years Jason also guest hosts on WCCO AM. 

Home page: www.jasonderusha.com
Facebook:
Twitter:
Food Twitter:
Blog: http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/media/Blogs/Twin-Cities-Taste/



"style="height: 100px; width: 100px;" title="" width="100">David Brauer
MinnPost

David brings 30 years of journalism expertise from reporting and editing along with three years as radio talk show host to his current role as staff writer for MinnPost.

For the past six years, David has followed and reported on the local media.  On his Twitter account, he’s collected nine exclusive Minnesota/Twin Cities media lists following 2,490 journalists, sports broadcasters, producers as well as news RSS feeds.  Producing 48,000+ tweets, he knows how to interact and share in the social conversation.

Facebook:
Twitter:
Blog: http://www.minnpost.com/braublog/2012/12/minnesota-news-media-who-tops-twitter-1000



"style="height: 100px; width: 100px;" title="" width="100">Julio Ojeda Zapata
St. Paul Pioneer Press

Julio has been on the front lines of the internet and technology revolutions as a columnist, editor, and award-winning reporter for more than a decade. His personal website is the best place to see what is on Julio’s mind as he posts information on his TwinCities.com tech reporting and blogging, his tech and social-media books, his frequent media appearances, his Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ activity, plus any social platforms he is testing for work.
 
Julio effectively uses his 13,000+ Twitter followers to source stories, follow trends or share updates on the latest tech and nerd news.  By following over 14,000 Twitter accounts, he’s only a DM away from his next story or his newest friendship.

Home page: www.ojezap.com
Tech writing: www.ojezap.com/writing
Tech blogging: www.yourtechweblog.com
Facebook: www.ojezap.com/facebook
Twitter: www.ojezap.com/twitter
Google+: www.ojezap.com/plus



"style="height: 115px; width: 100px;" title="" width="100">Julia Schrenkler
Minnesota Public Radio

Julia Schrenkler has managed online communities, handled digital communications, and hosted interactive and social media spaces on a multitude of platforms since 1999. She has contributed her expertise to MPR.org, playfromscratch.com, iVillage.com, as well as other independent online communities.

Also a digital volunteer, Schrenkler advises organizations and local projects to engage or create their own online communication and connections. Her personal favorite social media space is Twitter.

Facebook:  
Twitter:    

Click HERE to register for this event.

We are offering special pricing (including lunch) of $20 for members and $35 for non-members. 

Date:
February 27, 2013

Time:
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Cost:
Members: $20 (includes lunch)
Non-members: $35 (includes lunch)

Location:
Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Company LLP
2501 Wayzata Blvd


Click HERE to register for this event.

Over the past few months, select members of the Willard Thompson PRSSA Chapter at the University of Minnesota have been working on a bullying prevention campaign for the 2013 Bateman Case Study Competition. 

For our campaign, Together, For Good, we partnered with Maple Grove Junior High to help expand their bullying prevention efforts. We chose to go with a positive approach and instead of telling students what not to do, we encourage students to build healthy relationships with their peers. To do so, we created the MGJH Nice Box where students can nominate peers who are seen demonstrating what it means to be 'Maple Grove Nice.' Four winners are drawn each week and a majority of the nomination comments are posted through @. @MGJH_NiceThings was created after we met with Osseo senior, Kevin Curwick, who received national attention and news coverage after he started the twitter account @. Kevin will also be speaking at a couple of student assemblies at MGJH to talk about why he created @OsseoNiceThings, ways students can make an impact, and how the students can come together as a community. During the assemblies, Kevin will also be promoting our campaign. Below are a few nominations from students:

• Alyssa S. has shown so many acts of kindness, it is hard to pick one! She is a really good friend and she instantly made my day just by talking to me! I think Alyssa demonstrates MGJH nice :)

• Lauren T. is always nice to everyone and makes you feel good when you're sad. She never talks behind people's backs and has never said a mean thing.

We started a project with the students called "The Chain Project" where students, teachers, and faculty write a pledge, words of encouragement, or their signature on a paper link, and at the end of the month all of the links will be put together in a giant paper chain to signify the community uniting together against bullying. During the student assembly, every student will complete a link. The finished chain will be on display throughout MGJH. The Chain Project extends outside of MGJH with a station at the Maple Grove Community Center as well as a place on our website where anyone can submit their pledge and we create a link and add it to the chain.  We've received some great feedback about The Chain Project and were even contacted by the director of PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. The director,  was very impressed with the project and the simple, yet powerful message it sends. We met with the her last week and she brainstormed with us potential opportunities to collaborate with PACER in the future. PACER will also be featuring us within the next week or so on its website under the Student Action section. Read below for examples of what some students have written on their chain links:

• “Words, in my not so humble opinion are our most inexhaustible source of magic.” Use them for good!

• It isn’t big to make others feel small!

• I pledge to show respect to all genders, races, and ages.

For parents, we created an easy-to-use website with resources, definitions, and ways to get involved. We are also hosting a Parent Meeting on Tuesday, February 19th at MGJH where we will be discussing the definition of bullying, how to spread bullying awareness, and the available resources to parents if their child is being bullied, or is the bully. A panel of experts--including counselors and administrators from Maple Grove Jr. High, mental health experts, and specialists from PrairieCare's Maple Grove clinic-- will be present to answer questions and share their knowledge. The meeting is at 7 pm in Maple Grove Jr. High Auditorium.

We are looking forward to the remaining two weeks of the campaign and appreciate all of the support! If you haven’t already, please check out our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter!

Quick links: Website -  - 

Meet our team:

Brooke Dotson: @

Taylor Kippels: @ 

Megan Mell: @

Ryan Roddy: @

Allie Zeman: @

If you have additional questions, please contact Taylor Kippels at 

Stevens joins StoneArch

Minneapolis-based health and medical advertising agency StoneArch recently announced the hiring of as account supervisor. She will be responsible for developing and managing client relationships and generating new business opportunities. Leah has over a decade of experience in healthcare marketing. Prior to joining StoneArch, she managed accounts at Tad Ware & Company.

Padilla Speer Beardsley, an integrated communications firm, has been engaged for communications services by Midwest and Mountain Dental, and Patterson Companies, Inc.

In her time with Himle Rapp, Bell has played a key leadership role in many of the firm’s critical client engagements, and her extensive background in corporate communications and public policy serves her well with Himle Rapp’s diverse client base. Bell provides project management and strategic counsel to a variety of clients including strategic planning, reputation management, corporate communications, public affairs, issues management and crisis communications.

In order to market a website, you need to do more than simply sell a product.  That might have worked years ago, but these days it is imperative that you keep your target audience engaged by creating quality content.  Your audience must believe that you are the expert on all things related to your product.  If they are interested in your content, you will gain more followers online, which will boost sales.  Additionally, Google will see that you have more followers and place you higher in its search rankings.

1. Blogging.  Kuenn recommends that businesses place their blog on their website instead of putting it on a separate platform.  Websites that include a blog get double the amount of inbound links as sites that do not.  Additionally, blogs can be an excellent source for user feedback.  
2. Community Forums.  These are conversation sites where users discuss the forum topic with each other.  By adding a community forum, you can manage what is said.  A forum offers user-generated content, feedback and increased traffic to a website. 
3. Curation.  You can display your expertise by collecting web content that relates to your brand.  For example, you can post summaries and links on your website to others’ articles and add your opinion to them.  Your audience will know that you are updated on current trends in your industry.   
4. Contests.  Online contests are fun and they will certainly influence traffic and user participation.   Your target audience will compete with each other to win a prize.  Visitors can judge the contests.  This way, contestants will urge their friends and network connections to vote on your website.  Read this article by Wendy Kenney for contest ideas.
5. Podcasts are audio or video files ­that can be downloaded or subscribed to.  All of the content on your website that is audio-based should be podcasted.  Podcasts are a great promotional tool and can be shared by users.  To find out more about the marketing value of podcasts, I also recommend checking out Six Reasons Why Podcasts Make Good Business Sense by marketer John Leavy. 
6. Videos.  Though it might be difficult to create a viral video, it is possible.  However, if your video does not go viral, it can still be valuable.  Creating a YouTube channel, for example, and posting relevant videos will help users find you easier.

“It was a privilege to attend the recent Angel Awards Gala and witness the generosity and joy of 610 people coming together to support this inspirational organization,” says O'Meara. “It will be an honor to help tell the Angel story all year long.”

PetChatz let's owners talk to pets

PetChatz, the first-ever system that lets pet owners remotely hear, see, greet and treat their pets from anywhere, has selected Harvest PR & Marketing, Inc., to manage its public relations and social media.

Based and made in Minnesota, PetChatz (www.PetChatz.com) launches this year and features a wireless two-way camera pet parents install in their homes. Owners can then call their pets from anywhere, anytime on their smartphones, laptops or tablets to greet their pets, give a treat, discharge a soothing scent, and record and share videos.

Harvest PR will manage media relations for PetChatz as it premieres first at Minnesota retailers and then national pet stores later this year. The agency also will cultivate PetChatz’ social media channels, engaging with a national community of pet lovers and PetChatz customers as they develop PetChatz videos and share their experiences.

“PetChatz is a brilliant product that is going to change the way pet parents will be able to interact with their pets,” said Heidi Nelson, Harvest PR principal and founder. “And because no other product has addressed the human side of pet separation anxiety like PetChatz, it’s also a powerful story to share with media and social channels. We’re excited to be a part of it.”

“We love Harvest’s focus on promoting brands, organizations and individuals that make strong emotional connections with their audiences,” said Lisa Lavin, president and CEO of PetChatz developer Anser Innovation. “That’s PetChatz, which seeks to deepen the relationship owners have with their pets. Harvest and PetChatz are a perfect combination.”