|
Join Our List |  |
|
|
|
Greetings!
Luck is in the air! On your way to find your pot of gold, ch eck out this month's Vollrath Vibe. - The Vollrath Associates Team |
| | |
Don't Believe Everything You Read
When you read a blog, or a comment left on a website, how do you know that person wasn't paid to say those things? Or if it is even a real person at all?
HBGary, a defense contractor who works with the government (such as the Department of Defense or CIA), had files leaked by an anonymous hacker detailing information that HBGary was planning to create personas to "attack" journalists, bloggers, commentators and real people who were categorized as "enemies."
To do this, the files describe creating sets of personas on twitter, blogs, forums and myspace under created names that will be linked together and updated automatically through RSS feeds, retweets and linking together social media commenting between platforms, all with  only one person on the keyboard.
What does this mean to you?
These personas can group together and spam your personal and company websites with negative comments. These personas could even change public perception because of the sheer number of "people" talking about one side of an argument, all because they were hired to do so.
How can we protect ourselves? Constantly monitor what is being said about your company. There are also free tools, such as Google Alerts, and more sophisticated tools like Spiral 16 and Radian6 to help you monitor, listen and analyze.
Be careful about what you read because it may not be an actual consumer writing it.
Adapted from Gini Dietrich's "Gini Dietrich: Personas created to attack and smear" from Enterprise City, February 25, 2011. |
| | |
The Most Respected Companies
Each year, Barron's surveys professional money managers about their views on the world's 100 largest companies
The top 10 most respected companies for 2011 are:
- Apple
 - Amazon.com
- Berkshire Hathaway
- IBM
- McDonald's
- Google
- 3M
- Coca-Cola
- PepsiCo
- Procter & Gamble
What inspires respect? When asked, the survey participants voted for "sound business strategy" the most, with 32%. "Strong management" came next with 28% of the votes, followed with a tie between "ethical business practices" and "competitive edge" at 12%. "Revenue and profit growth" came in last with only 7% of the votes.
There is a general consensus between the voters that respect is the result of strong investment performance, which reflects a multitude of smart decisions made by employees and management. Respected companies treat their shareholders, customers and employees well, and companies with rising shares gain even more respect.
Amazon.com is noted for always investing for a better consumer experience. Berkshire Hathaway earned respect due to its long history of operating and investment successes.
McDonald's is praised for its ability to reinvent itself, moving away from just burgers as the consumers' attitudes towards health changed.
And the big number one company? Steve Jobs and Apple are worshipped for their "visionary," "courageous," "innovative" company, which also possessed a "strong corporate culture" that fosters "consistent execution."
Adapted from "...And the Award Goes to Apple!" by Vito J. Racanelli in the February 14 Barron's. |
| | |
CARMEN in 3D
Vollrath Associates assisted Marcus Theatres and RealD in promoting the first opera shot and produced LIVE in 3D, CARMEN in 3D, to the Milwaukee media before its worldwide premier March 5.
Tim Cuprisin with OnMilwaukee.com shares his view of the film. CARMEN in 3D is currently playing at area Marcus Theatres. For a list of locations, please visit www.marcustheatres.com.
Tim Cuprisin, a self-proclaimed non-enthusiast of opera with OnMilwaukee.com, believes that if you want to try to become an opera fan, or just experience opera, CARMEN in 3D can be a great film to explore with. To read Tim's full article, please visit OnMilwaukee.com/Movies. |
|
| | |
Vollrath Associates Welcomes Casey Schaak!
Hello friends and colleagues of Vollrath Associates! I am excited to join the VA team as an assistant account executive! I graduated from the J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication at Marquette University in May 2010, with a major in public relations. I was even lucky enough to have Phil as a teacher in a few of my courses! Since then, I w orked at Johnson Controls as a corporate communications intern.
Outside of my new and exciting position, you can find me coaching the Marquette Women's Club Lacrosse team. Additionally, I'm from Indianapolis, Indiana, and cannot wait for the snow to melt so I can enjoy summer in Milwaukee!
I look forward to putting my public relations major and my communications experience to good use and am grateful to be a new member of Vollrath Associates. |
| | |
All Caught Up with Your Reading?
"Have you had your VA today?"
Keep up with our blog! Follow our blog for the latest thought leadership in investor relations, public relations, marketing communications and environmental business practices.
To read our blog, visit our website at www.vollrathpr.com. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter, @Vollrath_PR, for all blog related updates! |
Vollrath Associates, Inc. is an award-winning full-service public and investor relations agency. We help our clients effectively communicate their story, every day, to customers, employees, shareholders and communities.
Sincerely,
The VA Team |
|
|
