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Greetings! 
In between spending your pot of gold and keeping tabs on March Madness, check out this month's Vollrath Vibe
...you won't be upset. Happy reading!
The Vollrath Associates PR Team |
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Employees: A Brand's Best Advocates
Most corporate communications plans focus on delivering messages to an organization's external stakeholders. However, it can be easy to forget about a company's most important stakeholders: its employees. No one is m ore knowledgeable about a company or more invested in its mission than its employees. Putting brand ambassadorship in the hands of employees will give them the confidence to reach their potential and, in turn, enhance the overall performance of the company.
Employees First. Whenever critical information regarding the company arises, employees need to be the first to know. Employees are a company's most valuable resource, both in good times and in bad. Friends and families will ask employees about events or incidents happening at a company, so it is important to equip them with accurate and complete information. Knowledge truly is power when it comes to brand advocacy.
Social Media. It's no secret that the social media revolution has changed the way companies do business. But social media is not only an effective platform for reaching a larger audience, it is also another way for employees to act as brand ambassadors. When an organization posts company news to a social media site, employees can comment on the posting or share it with their own followers. This type of advocacy publicly reinforces the brand.
In summary, it's important not to overlook the power of an employee's unique expertise and stake in a company. Valued and informed employees will promote a company's message more meaningfully than any marketing campaign!
Article adapted from, "Inside Out: Employees as Our Best Brand Advocates," by Diane Gage Lofgren and Catherine Hernandez Tirey in the Winter 2011 issue of The Strategist. |
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Maximizing your Financial Brand
Most successful companies spend an immense amount of time and resources developing a consumer brand to market their products or services. What is often overlooked, however, is a company's financial brand. Financial brands are rooted in the company's performance, rather than its products.
An enduring financial identity is dependent on investor relations  that promote transparency, responsiveness and honesty between a company and its investors.
A financial brand, as with a consumer brand, requires significant resources to create and sustain. Usually, these resources include research, investor outreach and a highly trained IR team. Continuous research allows for carefully crafted messages that will endure for longer periods of time. Once the message is clear, the company needs to focus on building relationships with shareholders. Traveling to meet with investors, in good and bad financial times, will reassure patrons that their investment is worthwhile and in good hands. Members of an IR team delivering these messages need to know the company better than anyone.
A strong financial brand is a platform on which a company can effectively communicate with investors about financial issues and concerns. During a crisis, a company cannot afford to be hesitant with investors; and a financial brand provides a precedent and reputation upon which to build for the future.
The formation and maintenance of a financial brand is something every company should consider. While it requires both time and resources, the benefits of financial branding are many. The consumer brand might be the representation of a company's product or service, but the financial brand is the face of the company itself.
Article adapted from, "Maximizing your Financial Brand," by Alexandra Walsh for the January 2012 issue of the IR Update. |
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Milwaukee Celebrates Armed Forces Week May 11-19
 The annual celebration of Milwaukee Armed Forces Week is May 11-19, and will feature a number of exciting events. Highlights include a military display, service club luncheons for military personnel, distinguished guest speakers, dinners and a golf outing, all of which will be capped off with the Harley Davidson Ride For The Troops.
On Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 13, the 128th Air Refueling Wing will offer a military display featuring aircraft and systems from all branches of the military. The display will provide the public with a behind-the-scenes look at the aircraft and weapontry responsible for protecting our country.
For a complete schedule of events, visit www.armedforces.org, and follow the week's celebrations on Facebook and Twitter (@ArmedForcesWeek). |
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Ma Baensch Herring is on Facebook!
Ma Baensch Herring is now on Facebook! "Like" Ma's page for tasty herring recipes, photos and updates on your favorite herring brand.
It's not a party unless you "like" Ma! |
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Return of Milwaukee IndyFest!
Kudos to Marcus Hotels & Resorts for being a major player in the effort to revive the Milwaukee Mile! On March 1, Milwaukee IndyFest and Andretti Sports Marketing Wisconsin held a press conference to announce the new Milwaukee IndyFest race this summer on June 15 and 16. The Vollrath Associates team was on the scene at the Pfister to help deliver the big news.
 Marcus Hotels & Resorts announced it will be a major and inaugural sponsor of the event as well as the official hotel and catering partner. For its efforts, Marcus Hotels & Resorts will be recognized as a Champion of the Community Partner this summer for Milwaukee IndyFest.
Summer in Wisconsin is shaping up to be fast and furious! To learn more about the race, visit www.milwaukeeindyfest.com, and follow Milwaukee IndyFest on Facebook and Twitter(@MKE_IndyFest). |
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Vollrath Associates Featured in BizTimes Milwaukee
Each week we scour through BizTimes Milwaukee in search of client mentions. However, when the March 19 issue arrived, we were on the lookout for a few familiar faces.
 | | Phil, Marilyn and Jessica Vollrath at the Vollrath Associates offices located in downtown Milwaukee. |
The article, "Families provide continuity in business," featured Phil, Marilyn and Jessica Vollrath. The feature captured the unique challenges faced by family businesses and how they can be overcome to find success both personally and professionally.
To read more about how the Vollraths put family first, read the full article here. |
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Blog: Have you had your VA today?
Visit our blog for a variety of stories written by our very own VA team members! |
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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. |
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