Saltability was awarded in the category of body exfoliator for their Himalayan Salt Cellulite Body Scrubbers. And, Himalayan Source was recognized for their Himalayan Salt Panels in the category of spa decor. These two companies continue to work hard and be innovative leaders in the spa and wellness industries on an international level. 

We appreciate the opportunity to support their marketing and communications efforts which include print advertising, social media, web site support, and media relations. Serving our customers in this way allows them to focus more on the health of their businesses, products and clients.  

We enjoy celebrating our clients’ victories and recognitions. Congratulations to Saltability and Himalayan Source – you’re doing amazing things!  

Shout out to The Cookie Club for a great job on the cookies. 

On Nov. 5, please support Propositions 1 and 2 to improve safety, justice and law enforcement in Callaway County. Increases in activities have outgrown our current facilities and support for law enforcement. We can and need to do better for the safety of all, in particular those who serve us, county-wide, to enforce the law and bring justice.

A few important points …

• The Callaway County Courthouse was built more than 80 years ago. Increases in court activity over the years have left inadequate space and increased risk for victims, attorneys and judges.
• Approx. 600 individual cases are handled in an average week at the Callaway County courthouse. A new justice center would improve safety and move crowded court activity out of the current courthouse.
• The current Callaway County jail was built to hold 74 inmates (male and female). Increased criminal activity and arrests has meant the facility has repeatedly exceeded 100 inmates at a time.
• Callaway County Sheriff’s deputies are compensated up to 51% less per year compared to neighboring Cole and Boone counties and local municipalities. Increased salaries are prudent to retain highly qualified and trained deputies.

Until November 15th, for every coat dropped off at Buckshot Saloon, Garrett Painting, Catchphrase Communications, and Buckshot Saloon are donating $5 to Wyatt’s Warriors. Let’s keep our kids warm and help get Wyatt’s car ready to roll!

As shared on Wyatt’s Warriors Facebook page: Wyatt purchased this ’57 Chevy with his own money to one day be able to work on this with his dad Jason. Wyatt’s goal was to have this complete when he turned 16. The new goal is to make this the best Christmas for Wyatt and make this dream a reality as a present from his Wyatt Warrior Family!!!

Their efforts came to fruition in March, when they secured an appearance on Fox2 at 9 a.m. with Kim Hudson.  

In his interview, Röbller Winemaker Jerry Mueller discussed the historical significance of the 1818 Franklin County Reserve and promoted its unveiling at the Franklin County Bicentennial Event. He was also given the opportunity to highlight Röbller’s feature wine, St. Vincent Rosé, as well as some of Röbller’s classic favorites– the Old Vine Norton, Le Trompier Noir and Reserve Vidal. 

Röbller Vineyard is a family-operated winery located on a beautiful hillside in the heart of Missouri Wine Country. Their use of land, choice of grapes and extended time in Missouri-sourced Chinkapin Oak barrels, combined with their distinctive European-inspired winemaking traditions, created the ultimate synergy of complexity and balance in the 1818 Franklin County Reserve.  

As the oldest vineyard growing Norton in Franklin County, Röbller’s own land grant and history match closely with Franklin County’s historical timeline, creating a special tie between the winery and the community. The Norton was chosen as a tribute to the friendship between Thomas Jefferson, who helped develop Norton in the New World, and Benjamin Franklin, the county’s namesake. 

Catchphrase Communications considers projects like this – tied deeply in the history of a community – a special honor to be a part of. They know Röbller has something truly special to share with their fellow Missourians, which makes this marketing mission an especially rewarding endeavor.  

Watch Jerry Mueller’s Fox2 interview with Kim Hudson here.  

Each story has a message of hope, fight and resilience. These men and women have a perspective on life that no one wants but gives them an insight and world knowledge that carries them forward in an undeniably powerful way.

We let each individual’s story tell itself. It’s never about MCA, although we do share the MCA connection in the story. Instead, it’s about the challenge, support and strength that it takes to overcome cancer. Through these stories, we are able to share, as evidenced by the survivor testimonials, the staff at MCA is an incredibly special group of caregivers and healthcare providers, but we let the focus stay on what is most important for MCA — how these men and women have risen above and how their lives have been transformed but not defined by cancer.

View the 2019 “Words to Live By” calendar we created for MCA.

Here are five things on their minds that PR pros should note:

1. Great words need great visuals. When pitching a story, think about you how you support the pitch with great photography or videography or with opportunities for great photos and video.
2. Go after the element of surprise. Put a twist on what’s normal. How can you help a media outlet tell a story in a way that others haven’t thought about?
3. This about the “people interest” factor when sending photos to local lifestyle publications. Taking a photo of an award winner in your organization? Don’t send a photo with one person when you can send a photo with six (which equals six more people + their following who will potentially get engaged with the publication and expand the publication’s reach).
4. Fresh photography needed. Publications may use stock photography from time to time, but original, new photos will often trump the stock options. Add value to your media contacts by making great photography assets available to them.
5. Find the story within the story. The best stories go beyond the surface. Help your media contacts by brainstorming at a deep level to come up with creative, engaging stories that will grab readers.

(BTW — Here’s a great TED talk about the lack of stopping cues and “Why Our Screens Make Us Less Happy.”)

One thing at the top of my “how to better spend my time” list: Reading. I love to read and always have, but with work life and parenting, I don’t always prioritize time to read — even though I value that time and feel the difference in how it engages my brain and heart compared to digital interaction.

So this year I am working to be more intentional with my time and how I fuel myself, starting with making sure I always have a book with me to make the most of downtime.

If you are ready to read more in 2018 as well, here are a few recommendations from our team. Happy reading!

Jennifer O’Donley
Director, CatchPhrase Communications

The Best Yes 

by Lysa TerKeurst

Before reading this book, I prided myself in saying yes to nearly every opportunity and project that was asked of me. Which more often than not, left me feeling frazzled, stressed-out, and unfulfilled. This book offers practical advice on making intentional decisions and choosing the Best Yes to regain balance in everyday life.

Recommended by Alicia Burke-Aguero, graphic designer

In the Company of Women

by Grace Bonney

I loved this book the first time around, and it’s one I continue going back to any time I need to feel inspired. A compilation of 100+ interviews with successful women from a variety of creative fields, In the Company of Women shows the magic that can happen — and the success we can find — when we embrace our creative spirit and pursue the work that truly brings us joy.

Recommended by Katrina Tauchen, writer/copyeditor

The Novel Cure: From Abandonment to Zestlessness, 751 Books to Cure What Ails You

by Ella Berthoud & Susan Elderkin

Have you ever read a book that meets you right where you are, speaking to the life experience you’re grappling with at that moment and changing your perspective? The Novel Cure, styled as a home remedy guide, matches you with those transformative books. It’s my go-to resource when I don’t know what to read next, or when I want a meaningful gift for a loved one.

Recommended by Anna Comfort, communications specialist

The Power of the Other

by Henry Cloud

I’ve read a number of books in the past couple of years that have been pivotal for me. The Power of the Other has helped me to think about who is in my life for what reasons, personally and professionally, and spurred me to think more intentionally about those who are in my corner and about which relationships to cultivate.

Recommended by Jenny O’Donley, director

Impatient with Desire: The Lost Journal of Tamsen Donner

by Gabrielle Burton

I have to include a book of fiction on this list, because reading fiction can help us to be better writers and understand others more. (Here’s a look at a study that shows how reading fiction improves empathy.) A couple of months ago, I picked up Impatient with Desire at random at the library, intrigued by the premise — it’s told through diary entries of Tamsen Donner, wife and mother of the leaders of the ill-fated Donner party in the 1800s. Burton does a great job of getting in Donner’s mind and heart and telling the story of a woman trapped and struggling to keep her family alive, while she is conscious of the decisions she and her husband made that led them to where they are.

Recommended by Jenny O’Donley, director