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Tips and information for effective public relations - Spring 2014 

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Here's a sampling of what's going on with our clients and staff:

 

Zipping to the Zoo

The rain cleared long enough for an exciting Grand Opening of Brown County's newest attraction - the NEW Zoo Adventure Park. Gov. Scott Walker and Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach zipped through the ceremonial ribbon on the Dual "Racing" Zip Lines to officially open the new features, which also include an Aerial Adventure Course and a Climbing Tower.

 

The Madison Beltline Study team is on a speakers bureau tour, presenting information about the study to a variety of local governments, plus business, neighborhood and civic organizations in the Madison area. The goal is to gather feedback on ways to improve mobility on and near the Beltline.

 

Brown County Golf Course is getting ready to hold its grand re-opening following a big upgrade to its greens. This is an award-winning course that has won many accolades throughout the years and it's back on track to turn heads once again!

 

New Community Shelter in Green Bay recently celebrated its 20th anniversary of helping people facing, or dealing with, homelessness. Since New Community Shelter began operations, it's estimated the organization has helped more than 16,000 individuals become self-sufficient.

 

The Green Bay Packers™ Pro Shop is undergoing a major remodeling and expansion. Look for grand opening activities in mid-July. This is one store Packers fans across the country will have on their bucket list.

 

Congratulations to

Menominee Indian School District on a very successful "Scholarship Gala." This year's event raised more than $21,000 for student scholarships! 

 
The Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling honored Diana Abelt during the 15th
Annual Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling Statewide Conference. Abelt received the Nancy Baker Award, named for the long-time WCPG board member and supporter who died last summer. The award honors Abelt for her dedication, outstanding contributions and long-term support of problem gamblers and the WCPG.

 

Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction Inc. was featured in the March issue of
Midwest Real Estate News. Bill Aubery provided insights about healthcare and the changing culture of senior living environments.

 

L&F's Kristen Paquet along with Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, Inc. senior educational facility designer Catherine Cruickshank and Robert Eidahl, superintendent of the Berlin Area School District presented
"3 to 1: The Anatomy of a Successful Referendum."
The presentation was part of the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators conference in May.

 

The Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary celebrated Spring's Wings: International Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 10. The day featured bird hikes and other activities at a variety of nature centers in Brown County.


It's a Crisis - Now What?
 

Waiting until you have a crisis isn't a good way to develop a crisis communication plan. But, the reality is, many businesses and organizations don't feel they have the time to plan ahead and they wing it until a crisis hits. So what do you do when something hits and you don't have a plan? Here are some tips that will help:

  • Gather your leadership team - and do it fast!If it's a true crisis, you can't afford to wait hours or days.You need to talk about what happened and what you know about the situation to date.
  • Determine what happened, why it happened (as much as you can tell to this point), and what you're going to do about.
  • Develop messaging related to the situation.
  • Understand that, in today's 24/7 instant media world, your crisis story isn't likely to fly under the radar for long.
  • Determine which stakeholders need to be communicated with, including employees, customers, vendors, etc.
  • Communicate. Communicate. Communicate. Even if you don't have all the answers, you need to communicate. And you need to provide periodic updates.

Obviously, it's best if you have a crisis plan, or at least a crisis communication framework in place, before something happens. But if you don't - don't let the thought of communicating paralyze you and prevent you from moving forward with what you need to do. Your business or organization reputation depends on it! 

Too Much of a Good Thing

 

The other day I picked up my son's iPod to check out his social media accounts and noticed yet another new platform he was now a part of. Upon further inspection of this 'new' site, I noticed that it really wasn't that different from many other social platforms out there. When I asked my son why he chose to join this particular platform, his answer was simple: Because everyone else is.

 

That answer, unfortunately, is the same one many businesses give when it comes to answering why they chose the social media platforms they are on. It's not the smartest strategy, but it is a common one. For some businesses, social media is a confusing and ever-changing concept that can be so overwhelming that it's just easier to follow the crowd. Or we hear about the latest and greatest in social media and instantly feel the need to have a presence on it. These are the businesses that are being led by the fear of missing out instead of taking an analytical look at how a certain social platform can help meet business goals.

 

To know whether you are on the right platform(s), try answering a few simple questions:

  • Is my main audience using it?
  • Can creative and different content be developed and kept up with on a regular basis?
  • Is the audience engaged with what I have to say?
  • Is there time to monitor all the accounts every day?

If you're struggling with your online presence, it might be because you have too many platforms to maintain or you are on the wrong one. Don't be led by fear; be smart about your social plan so the platforms you do engage with will give you the results you are looking for. 

Are you ready if a reporter calls?
   

Being prepared can be the difference between a good interview and one that you hope no one sees. Leonard & Finco Public Relations, Inc. has the experts to help you understand today's media and help you prepare if you're approached for an interview. For more information, contact us at (920) 965-7750 or [email protected].

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Quick Quote

  "Be careful of the environment you choose, for it will shape you;
be careful the friends you choose,
for you will become like them."


-Author, W. Clement Stone