On the heels of a recently completed consumer research study, American Lamb Board (ALB) is elevating its 2014 strategic communications program to focus more on educating consumers about the basics of lamb, from cuts and cooking methods to the responsible practices of the industry’s 82,000 shepherds. Dubbed ‘Curriculamb,’ the campaign aims to inspire home cooks to purchase and prepare lamb more frequently. ALB has selected Harvest PR (www.Harvest-PR.com), a Minneapolis and Portland, Ore.-based firm with deep food and agricultural experience, to manage the program.
 

If you follow my you may have seen me trying to contact about some charges that came through on my account that I didn't authorize. My hope was that I could rectify the situation through Skype customer service, but since my account has been hacked I have no way to log in. I looked everywhere for a phone number or a way to contact customer service directly. The only thing I could find was their . What ensued was a series of frustrating posts:


The good news was that Skype was active enough on Twitter to notice my mention of them. And they
 started following me so we could Direct Message.




From January 14 to January 20 I had the above conversation, but have not heard from them since my post on January 20 requesting a refund. Has anyone else had problems with Skype? Send me a Tweet and be sure to mention @Skype! Lets make some noise!

UPDATE FROM SKYPE:



REFUND RECEIVED

Refund Received!

Proving once again that Twitter is the answer to all customer relations problems, my issue has been solved. In just three days vs. the weeks it took me before bring this issue to the blog. I am disappointed that it took so long to resolve, but happy that I am getting refunded my money. Thanks @Skype and @SkypeSupport!

This year's Minnesota PRSA Professional-Amateur Day (Pro-Am Day) is coming up on Friday, March 7. Registration is now open for professionals, and we hope you'll participate.

Pro-Am Day is an annual mentoring event matching PR professionals around the Twin Cities with PRSSA students in an effort to provide a day of job shadowing and networking for participating students to learn more about the PR industry. The job shadowing portion of the day is from approximately 9 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. with an optional speed networking event taking place later that afternoon.

Please consider participating this in this year's Pro-Am Day event by hosting a student. You'll be giving an eager student an experience he or she will never forget!

Suggested job shadowing activities for your student
If you're interested in hosting a student but aren't sure how to fill his or her time, there are plenty of activities that can both ease your workload and provide a valuable learning experience for your student. You can:

•    Review your student's resume or portfolio.
•    Share your own resume and/or portfolio with the student.
•    Conduct a mock interview with your student to preview what a real internship or job interview might involve.
•    Schedule a round of meetings where the student can learn more about each person's previous experience and responsibilities. Encourage your student to prepare interview questions for you and your colleagues;
•    Develop a media list or research a key media outlet for your organization.
•    Have your student participate in a brainstorm session, planning meeting or conference call.
•    Allow your student to participate in a writing project (news release, media alert or pitch letter, etc.).
•    Walk your student through some social media activities you are conducting with your clients.
•    Provide your student with key messages or press materials from a recent project and interview recordings. Allow your student to observe the recordings to see how messages come to life. Discuss your student's observations. Use print placements for a similar exercise.
•    Walk your student through all components of a recent project or initiative, from initial plans to media materials to placements and results reports.
•    Show and discuss a Classics entry your organization worked on and encourage your student to apply for a Student Classics award this year.
•    Have your student take your company's writing test (if available).
•    Allow your student to assist with a media kit stuffing or mailing.

Registration information
Please register before Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014. Please make sure to indicate whether you are interested in hosting a student, attending speed networking or both using the check-box menu on the registration form. Your student match will be sent on Friday, Feb. 28, 2014.

Any questions can be directed to Steve Bailey, Exponent PR (
). We look forward to seeing you at Pro-Am Day!

Anna Lewicki Long

• President – , APR, Communications Director, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
• Vice President – , APR, President, Risdall Public Relations
• Treasurer – , APR, President, Game Changer Communications
• Secretary – , APR, Director, Bellmont Partners 
• Ethics Officer – , APR, Director, Master of Business Communication Program, University of Saint Thomas
• Immediate Past President – , APR, Director, Media Relations,

•  , APR, Director of Communications, American Academy of Neurology
•  , APR, Principal, the plural i
•  , APR, Director of Strategic Marketing, Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota 
• , APR, Marketing Consultant, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
• , APR, Group Manager, Weber Shandwick
• , APR, Senior Vice President of Agency Operations and Strategic Insights, Kohnstamm Communications 

For information on the U.S. Commercial Service in Minnesota, visit www.export.gov/Minnesota.

Join us this Thursday, January 23 at Weber Shandwick for a lively panel discussion with top recruiters in the Twin Cities. Learn how they discover talent for local agencies and corporations and gain insight into the experience, skills and traits hiring managers are looking for in candidates today.

One lucky attendee will win a free one-on-one lunch with local recruiter Elizabeth Laukka, courtesy of Risdall PR and MN PRSA's Career Center Committee. Bring questions, business cards and an appetite for learning and breakfast treats.

For more about the recruiters joining us, visit mnprsa.com. Sign up for this great event today as prices increase at the door.

Event Details:

Date:Thursday, January 23*
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. (Breakfast will be served)

Location:

Weber Shandwick
8000 Classroom



Free parking is provided in the ramp connected to the 8000 Normandale Tower.

Cost:  

Members: $25 
Event Pass Holders: Free 
Non-members: $35 
Students: $20 
Job Seekers: $20
At the Door: Additional $10 to listed prices

Register Today!

*Please note that our holiday e-blast incorrectly listed this event as January 24 - we'll see you on Thursday, January 23, instead!

After an unprecedented year of growth in 2013, Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P. (LGN) announced Dan Larson has been promoted to Director of State & Local Government Affairs. He will provide leadership, management, and oversight of the LGN state government relations team, which is one of the largest and most politically diverse in Minnesota. 

Dan Larson

today that
“As the world of government relations, public relations, and grassroots advocacy continue to evolve and intertwine, it is critical to have seasoned leadership that is battletested in this all-inclusive approach,” said Ted Grindal, the named partner at LGN who has overseen the growth of this practice area for the last three decades.  “Grooming leadership to better serve our expanding client base has been a top priority at our firm. Dan and Rebecca’s new positions are a reflection of that commitment and will continue to be a distinguishing factor for our clients in this marketplace.”

Smile Network International, the Minnesota based nonprofit that provides life-altering, reconstructive surgeries to children and young adults in impoverished countries, is pleased to announce the addition
of Natasha Freimark as Director of Corporate Partnership and Events.

“We are thrilled to welcome Natasha to our team. She has consistently demonstrated her commitment and passion for serving the children helped by Smile Network, ” said Kim Valentini, founder of Smile Network. ”Natasha brings her years of corporate partnership experience along with her extensive event background that will be vital as Smile Network International continues to grow and evolve.”

Freimark has served on the Smile Network Board of Directors for the last year and in the new position as Director of Corporate Partnership and Events, she will be responsible for executing comprehensive strategies for developing new corporate partnerships and events.

“I am excited to join the Smile Network team where I will be able to combine my experience in the corporate arena and my passion for non-profit work,” said Freimark. “I have seen firsthand the work Smile Network does when I participated in a mission to Mexico and I am honored to be a part of this
organization that is truly changing the lives of children throughout the world, one smile at a time.”

Freimark has nearly 20 years experience in marketing, corporate partnership and event planning. She previously was the Director of Marketing and Events for Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. Prior to that, Freimark was the Director of Marketing for Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Minnesota, Account Executive at Carlson Leisure Group and Associate Sponsorship Manager at Mall of America.

Three Twin Cities public relations and public affairs professionals have been named by Governor Mark Dayton to a public service board – ServeMinnesota. Reappointed to the board are Nate Prouty, Vice President for Accounts at the Public Affairs Company and Bob Rumpza, President of RumpzaConsulting. Appointed for the first time is Elizabeth Emerson, Director of Government Relations at Goff Public.