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Tips and information for effective public relations - Fall 2014 

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Name Dropping

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

 

Congrats to the
Port of Green Bay on receiving
the Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award for its increase in international tonnage during the 2013 shipping season. This is the Port's 11th Pacesetter Award and is the third straight year that the Port has been recognized.

 

400 walkers came out to the 9thAnnual Walk for Wildlife at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary
  September 20th. The event helped raise money for the Sanctuary's wildlife rehabilitation program which cares for more than 5,000 animals each year!

 

Congratulations to U.S. Oil and its GAIN� Clean Fuel compressed natural gas (CNG) division for the recent grand opening of GAIN CNG stations in Alabama, Colorado, Indiana and Ohio. U.S. Oil is on track for developing a nationwide network of CNG stations  

 

Growth continues at ARMS (Automated Records Management Systems, Inc.). The De Pere-based full service information management company has acquired Fox Cities Records Services (FCRS) of Appleton.

 

Grande Cheese Company has started construction of a new home office and research center which will be located on 40 acres of land in Fond du Lac, WI. A hallmark of the new campus will be the natural integration of the buildings into the landscape in a way that takes advantage of the land, with a central courtyard that connects all phases of development. Grande will seek LEED Gold Environmental Certification for the facility.  

 

More than 1,800 people took part in the first-ever 5K GRB fun run/walk at
Austin Straubel International Airport in early September. It was a chance to "run the runway" and take part in a great tailgate party held in the new Jet Air hanger. Proceeds were donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.

It's all things Packers!  The "new" Green Bay Packers Pro Shop opened this summer with a week of activities and a kickoff ceremony at Lambeau Field. The new store is double the size of the previous Pro Shop and has the look and feel of a high end department store.
   
will enshrine quarterback Brett Favre into the Packers Hall of Fame, and retire his number, in 2015. They made the announcement at a media-packed news conference.
 

 Dynamic Drinkware is partnering with KwikTrip and the Green Bay Packers on a 3D animated Player Cups promotion running throughout the 2014 season. Featured players include Jordy Nelson, Clay Matthews, and Eddie Lacy. To see the full list of players to be featured on the Player Cups, go to: 


Never Too Early to Plan
   

There are less than three months remaining in 2014 - is your 2015 PR plan ready? Haven't even started? Don't worry, you aren't alone. But, now is the time to start putting a plan together that will help direct your PR efforts for next year. Starting now allows you time to develop the plan, get feedback and make revisions so the final version is ready to go by January 1, 2015.

 

Here are some ideas that might help you in the planning process:

 

Set your goals.

Take a look at your plan from last year and identify what worked and what didn't. Use that information to help you define your goals for 2015. Is it to gain more exposure? Increase your social media engagement? Whatever you decide, be sure your goals are specific and clear.

 

Identify opportunities.

What kind of PR opportunities will 2015 offer? Take a look at the year ahead and note any big company projects, accomplishments or milestones as these are good targets for media coverage. In addition, research media outlets and specific reporters, bloggers and editors that cover and write about your industry so you know who to contact.

 

Give the plan structure.

Now that you have defined your goals and identified potential opportunities, it's time to put the plan together. Draft a PR calendar that clearly identifies what PR activities will take place throughout each month and what the focus will be. This should include story pitches to media, news releases, speaking presentations, columns and social media engagement. Things will undoubtedly change over time so be sure to revisit and revise your plan as needed in order for it to be a useful resource. Happy New Year!
Know Your Audiencemicrophone
  

There's always a point in a conversation with a prospective client when we ask, "So who is your target audience/market/client?" Most of the time, the client has a solid answer to the question. But, now and then, we run into business owners/leaders who say "everyone."

 

That answer always gives us pause because you just made your job, and ours, a whole lot harder. Even if you haven't yet done research, you should know more specifically who your target client or audience is; even if it's an educated guess. At least you have a starting point.

 

It's great to be enthusiastic about what you do and the products or services you offer. To get the best bang for your time, money and effort, it should always be clear who you want to reach and why. It's one of the most important starting points for any marketing or PR effort. Research can help define and refine your targets and then you can develop a plan to reach that audience. It will help ensure your success! 

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 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

"Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall."

 
-Author, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.