Minnesota Public Relations Blog

Job - Marketing Coordinator - Liberty Diversified International

2009-07-14T20:32:00.000-05:00

Marketing Coordinator - Liberty Diversified International

Job - Communications coordinator job opening at the Minnesota Society of CPAs

2009-07-13T11:19:00.002-05:00

Communications coordinator job opening at the Minnesota Society of CPAs

Job - Leum PR Group - Account Executive

2009-07-10T10:10:00.002-05:00

Leum PR Group - Account Executive

Job - INFORMATION OFFICER 2 / SOCIAL MEDIA AND MARKETING COORDINATOR

2009-07-09T14:28:00.000-05:00

INFORMATION OFFICER 2 / SOCIAL MEDIA AND MARKETING COORDINATOR

Ashley Bruce Joins Risdall Marketing Group as Associate Strategist

2009-07-09T13:53:00.000-05:00

Risdall Marketing Group (RMG) continues its expansion with the addition of Ashley Bruce to its Strategic Consultation division. As an associate strategist, Bruce will focus her time on market research and strategy for new and existing clients.

“Insight into the target and marketplace is critical for a solid strategy, whether it’s for an existing brand or a new product launch,” said Cindy Lord , president of Risdall Strategic Consultation (RSC). “Ashley brings more depth in our strategy offerings, including significant online experience that will allow us to better serve clients with Web-oriented projects. I’m excited to have her rejoin my team in a new agency setting.”

In her most recent position as a search marketing specialist for TopRank Marketing, Bruce developed and ensured consistency of online messages, analyzed Web analytics to identify opportunities for usability improvements and managed search marketing efforts. Bruce also worked as an account planning intern with Lord at Martin|Williams Advertising and as a public relations intern for The Family Institute for Creative Well-Being.

CONSUMER MARKETING AGENCY FAST HORSE ANNOUNCES THREE NEW HIRES

2009-07-07T05:41:00.000-05:00

Fast Horse, a Minneapolis-based integrated marketing agency, recently strengthened its social media marketing, event marketing and sports marketing capabilities by hiring Jodi Petrich , Mike Keliher and George Fiddler .

Petrich, who spent five years at Best Buy Co. before joining Fast Horse, brings 11 years of event marketing and account service in the sports and entertainment sector to the agency. At Best Buy, she was instrumental in building the company’s first-ever NASCAR® program and supported multiple product category campaigns and product launches with sweepstakes, contests, in-store and online promotions and cause marketing campaigns. As senior director, she will provide account leadership while working on the agency’s largest account, The Coca-Cola Company, as well as Radisson Hotels & Resorts.

Prior to joining Fast Horse as client relationship manager, Keliher managed the public relations practice at Provident Partners in St. Paul , Minn. In that role, he managed traditional media relations and online outreach efforts for SoftBrands, a global software company with more than 700 employees, and led an ongoing thought-leadership campaign for the business advisors at Technomic Asia, an international strategy consulting firm. He also helped launch Governor Tim Pawlenty’s audio podcast. He will provide Fast Horse clients Marvin Windows & Doors and Radisson Hotels & Resorts with social media marketing strategy and execution, as well as new media and traditional media relations.

Fiddler joined Fast Horse as an intern in January after graduating from the University of Minnesota and holding marketing internships at the Minnesota Daily newspaper and Contacto Integrated Media, a Minneapolis-based bilingual marketing company. In his role as a Fast Horse associate, he will work with Insight Schools of Minnesota, part of the nation’s leading network of online high schools, and Aquarius Spring!, a natural spring water from The Coca-Cola Company that promotes watershed conservation. He will also support the agency’s sports marketing practice and provide social media marketing counsel and execution to clients.

Job - Editorial Coordinator - MINNEAPOLIS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

2009-07-02T21:35:00.002-05:00

Editorial Coordinator - MINNEAPOLIS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

Campbell Mithun Creates a ‘Colive’ in New TV Spot for Land O’Lakes

2009-06-26T07:56:00.004-05:00

Butter comes from a cow, olive oil comes from olives, and butter with olive oil comes from – “Colives,” of course. At least according to Minneapolis-based advertising agency, Campbell Mithun, in a new spot developed to promote LAND O LAKES® Butter with Olive Oil.

Shot by Irv Blitz, widely regarded as the most respected tabletop director in the United States, the “Colives” spot comes on the heels of the successful campaign for LAND O LAKES® Butter with Canola Oil. Utilizing a real cow on set for the opening frame, Campbell Mithun’s “Colive” spot illustrates the blending of two pure, natural ingredients, symbolized by a cow and an olive, to create the fictitious “colive,” the source of the rich and creamy LAND O LAKES® Butter with Olive Oil.

“With ‘Colives,’ we sought out to use humor and simplicity to build awareness and bring the new

LAND O LAKES® Butter with Olive Oil into America’s households,” said Steve Wehrenberg, CEO of Campbell Mithun. “Our goal with this spot is to not only make this butter a new household staple, but to illustrate the simple goodness Land O’Lakes has come to represent throughout the years.”

Launching June 29, the spot will air nationally and will also include an online banner advertising component, offering a coupon for the new LAND O LAKES® Butter with Olive Oil.

For 75 years, Campbell Mithun has developed integrated communication solutions for Land O’Lakes. “The creation of the ‘colive’ was a way to bring Land O‘Lakes, a brand that has been around for over 85 years, to a new group of consumers,” said Robert Clifton Jr., creative director at Campbell Mithun. “As Land O’Lakes products continue to evolve we have been given the opportunity to introduce the value each brings through such lighthearted communication as “Colives” that will appeal to this audience.”

Kane Consulting announces presenters for "PR 2.0: New Tools of The Trade" on July 13, 2009

2009-06-25T15:15:00.000-05:00

Explore the new public relations terrain with industry experts including keynote speaker, Jason Kintzler of Pitch Engine

Social media is changing the traditional rules of public relations. Helping public relations professionals adapt traditional methodologies for an online world, "PR 2.0: The New Tools of the Trade," will present cutting edge and innovative thinking on how to navigate this rapidly changing industry. The conference will take place on July 13, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at The Westin Galleria in Minneapolis.

Kane Consulting announces the PR 2.0 conference speaker line-up featuring keynote presenter, Jason Kintzler, founder and CEO of PitchEngine, the social media release service that is helping to evolve the PR industry.

Breakout presentations include:

"Using Social Media Behind the Firewall," presented by Cameron Gross, Owner of GreaterThan Media and social media consultant to Best Buy.
"Pitching Using New Media Tools," presented by Eva Keiser, Senior Vice President of Risdell McKinney Public Relations.
"Online Reputation Management," presented by Greg Swan, Digital Strategy Manager, Weber Shandwick Digital Communications.
"Incorporating Podcasts and Video Into Your Marketing and PR Mix," presented by Albert Maruggi, founder of Provident Partners and Producer of the Marketing Edge podcast.
"Self Publishing for PR," presented by Arik Hanson, ACH Communications/Chief Blogger, Communications Conversations.
"How to Monitor Your Brand Through Social Media Channels," presented by Connie Benson, Community Strategist for Techrigy.
"Optimizing Content of Press Releases and Beyond," presented by an expert from TopRank Online Marketing.

"Our staff has been listening to and engaging in conversations with PR 2.0 thought leaders from across the country for the past year. We felt like it was time to bring the conversation to Minnesota," says Jennifer Kane, principal of Kane Consulting. Our hope is that this event not only educates PR and marketing professionals on the changes in our industry, but also demystifies the applications that are quickly becoming the new tools of the trade."

Conference registration is open at http://www.kaneconsulting.biz. Registration price is $250 ($200 for PRSA members) and includes a continental breakfast, keynote lunch and breakout sessions. To book a hotel room, please visit The Westin Galleria or call 888-627-8245.

"PR 2.0: New Tools of the Trade," is presented by Kane Consulting with promotional support from Minnesota PRSA.

Job - Senior Director/Managing Supervisor Padilla Speer Beardsley

2009-06-24T08:49:00.000-05:00

Senior Director/Managing Supervisor Padilla Speer Beardsley

Job - UnitedHealth Group - Corporate Communications Senior Writer

2009-06-22T09:07:00.000-05:00

UnitedHealth Group - Corporate Communications Senior Writer

Job - Health Care Market Research Director - UnitedHealthcare

2009-06-17T09:10:00.000-05:00

Health Care Market Research Director - UnitedHealthcare

Job - Polaris - Corporate Marketing Manager

2009-06-17T08:55:00.002-05:00

Polaris - Corporate Marketing Manager

Last of the Summer - Social Media 101: A Beginner Bootcamp

2009-06-16T15:55:00.000-05:00

http://events.linkedin.com/Social-Media-101-Beginners-Bootcamp/pub/81889

This is the third time we’re offering this session, and will be the last time this summer.

If you are someone who is already savvy with social media tools, I’d appreciate it if you could please pass this info along to a colleague or client who may be eager to learn the basics.

For those of you who are not as familiar with these new marketing technologies – or would like to get a birds-eye view of how it all works, and works together – I’d love to have you join us.

There will be some great speakers, hand-on learning opportunities, time for networking and everyone will leave with a flash drive (it’s real cute) of resource materials to take back to the office.

Our last bootcamp sold out and this one will likely, too. So register soon.

Feel free to call or email if you have questions or want more info or visit our press room at http://pitch.pe/14445

For more details, go here.

VISIONS, INC. ACQUIRES PRINTING ARTS INC. AND AFFINITY MARKETING

2009-06-16T11:18:00.000-05:00

Visions, Inc. of Plymouth, Minn. has announced the acquisition of Printing Arts, Inc. of Brooklyn Park, Minn., and Affinity Marketing of Edina, Minn., making Visions, Inc. one of the largest Native American-owned marketing services companies in the United States. The new company will market itself as Visions.

Visions will offer a full range of offset, digital, and variable data printing, mailing and fulfillment services, along with full-service advertising and marketing capabilities – providing a single-source solution to clients. The new $20 million plus company will have 100 employees, who will work from two locations in Plymouth, Minn. and Brooklyn Park, Minn.

“We were attracted to Printing Arts because of their unique capabilities and full complement of print services that are focused on delivering innovative solutions beyond that of traditional printers,” said Visions CEO, Jon Otto. “We were also very interested in Printing Arts because they are an award winning ‘green company’, with certifications from two environmental leaders: the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the PIM Great Printer Environmental Initiative.”

“The acquisition of Affinity Marketing adds a strategic component to our Advertising and Marketing services as well as strengthens our current design and creative capabilities. We are truly an Integrated Marketing Solutions provider… results oriented, and focused on delivering the greatest overall value.”

Business Marketing Association - Integrating Data-driven Marketing and Improving Channel Effectiveness

2009-06-15T20:23:00.001-05:00

Do you know the secret to increasing your sales and market share? Join BMA-Minnesota on June 25 to explore the answer with Amy Anderson Sherek, executive vice president of Client Service at SmartBase Solutions and Mark James, president of Mark James & Associates.

James and Anderson Sherek will share insights from a Fortune 50 manufacturing company that was recently challenged to rethink its dealer support and customer marketing strategy. They will also demonstrate how to combine a channel "push" strategy and a marketing "pull" strategy to close the marketing loop. The proven case study resulted in more engaged dealers, a 500 percent growth in sales, a significant return on investment and validated best business practices.

Attendees will walk away with a better understanding of how preparing a dealer network improves marketing effectiveness, how modeling isolates a customer group 10 times more likely to buy and how an integrated strategy can produce a return on investment of 60 to 1.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009

Time: 5:30 p.m. registration and light hors d'oeuvres
6:00 to 7:00 p.m. presentation

Location: Minneapolis Club
729 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Cost: $30 for BMA-Minnesota members, $45 for non-members.
Free event parking. Every attendee will also receive a free drink as part of their registration.

Register: www.bmaminnesota.org by June 24

Invitation to B2B Social Media Roundtable: Making it Work

2009-06-12T13:29:00.002-05:00

The proliferation of social media channels like Twitter, blogs, YouTube and virtual events has given business-to-business communicators new ways to engage with and listen to key audiences, but how do you use these channels strategically, sell these programs internally and get them done?

Please join us for a group discussion of all things social media facilitated by David Krejci, SVP of Weber Shandwick's digital communications practice, Aaron Pearson, SVP of Weber Shandwick's technology practice and Andy Keith, B2B Strategist.

When: Thursday, June 25th
Breakfast/registration: 7:45 a.m.
Roundtable discussion: 8-9 a.m.

Where: Weber Shandwick,
8000 Norman Center Drive,
Suite 400, Bloomington, MN 55437

RSVP: Please contact Leah Kondes at 952-346-6115
or lkondes@webershandwick.com.

Please note: This session is designed for corporate marketing and communications decision-makers in B2B (or B-to-government) organizations. Also, space is limited to preserve the interactivity of the discussion.

Job - Marketing Consultant - Health Dimensions Group

2009-06-10T09:13:00.000-05:00

Marketing Consultant - Health Dimensions Group

AdFed - Women Who Make a Difference in the Media - 6.16.2009, 11:00am to 1:00pm

2009-06-09T13:54:00.000-05:00

Who in Minnesota hasn’t heard of television and radio sports reporter, Michele Tafoya? She has broken ground in what once was the male-dominated field of sports reporting. She is a highly respected sideline reporter for ESPNs “Monday Night Football,” a court-side reporter for the NBA on ABC, and a commentator/reporter for ESPN Radio’s “Mike Tirico Show.” She has also covered the Summer and Winter Olympics, the Final Four, the U.S. Open and many other national and international sports events.

Tafoya is also a major presence on the Minnesota sports scene, having covered the Minnesota Vikings and U of M women’s basketball broadcasts for KFAN-AM, and the Minnesota Timberwolves and Big Ten women’s basketball and volleyball broadcasts for the Midwest Sports Channel. She also spent three years as a sports anchor and reporter for WCCO-TV. She earned a Gracie Award from the American Women in Radio & Television for her outstanding achievement by an individual on-air TV personality.

Tafoya is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in broadcast journalism, and earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern California. She resides in the Twin Cities area with her husband, Mark, and their two children.

Now a presence on WCCO-AM weekday afternoons from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., Michele will share her views on the changing role of women in sports media during the Advertising Federation of Minnesota’s luncheon on Tuesday, June 16 at the Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley.

Annual General Membership Meeting
Please join us in welcoming our new 2009-2010 board as well as recognizing our 2008-2009 board, committee volunteers, and Star volunteers. We will also be briefly showcasing our plans for 2009-2010 along with a quick vote on our nominees and revised bylaws.

Register online or call the Ad Fed office at (651) 917-6251.

When: 6.16.2009, 11:00am to 1:00pm

Where: The Metropolitan Ballroom
5418 Wayzata Blvd
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55416

Cost: $30 members, $65 nonmembers, $25 students

German Cosmetics Maker Lavera Taps Kohnstamm PR To Boost U.S. Market Presence

2009-06-08T14:18:00.001-05:00

The North American distributors of the internationally renowned organic and natural cosmetics brand, Lavera Naturkosmetik of Germany, named Twin Cities-based Kohnstamm Communications as its U.S. public relations agency in order to gain significant market traction through media relations and online PR product exposure. The all-natural and organic personal care company holds a 27% market share in Europe and is launching its first mainstream consumer retail initiative in the U.S. through Target stores and CVS this summer.

Kohnstamm’s PR program will coincide with the client’s “Lavera is Truth” national advertising campaign that throws caution on the use of skincare products and cosmetics that use synthetic ingredients in favor of natural options. “Sixty percent of what goes on your skin is absorbed into your body,” according to the campaign.

The Kohnstamm agency also announced the signing in recent weeks of Boston-based Kettle Cuisine and Santa Rosa, Calif.-based La Tortilla Factory, driving public relations to support national product sales. Kettle Cuisine is the leading maker of gluten free, organic and natural frozen soups. La Tortilla Factory is the originator of the “healthy wrap” category known for its first-to-market line of high-ingredient and inventive flavored tortillas under the Smart & Delicious, Sonoma and traditional La Tortilla brands.

The Vendor / Client relationship

2009-06-08T12:33:00.002-05:00

Unfortunately, while funny, this is all too real. Enjoy!

Job - Communication Specialist - CB Richard Ellis Inc.

2009-06-05T09:22:00.000-05:00

Communication Specialist - CB Richard Ellis Inc.

Red Wing Shoe Company Selects Beehive PR

2009-06-05T08:00:00.003-05:00

Red Wing Shoe Company has selected Beehive PR to provide public relations services to help drive key corporate and industrial safety projects. Red Wing is a leading global manufacturer of high-quality work boots, outdoor footwear and oil and gas workwear.

“The Red Wing brand has represented innovation, quality and performance for more than 100 years,” said Lisa Hannum, president and CEO, Beehive PR. “We are very pleased to partner with Red Wing to help it achieve its business goals using Beehive’s industry knowledge and heritage brand experience.”

Beehive began working with Red Wing Shoe Company this spring. The firm is supporting the global launch of an expanded Red Wing line of oil and gas workwear. Beehive will also partner to announce the opening of the brand’s flagship store and museum this summer.

Risdall Marketing Group Adds U.S. Toy, Home Valu Interiors and Rainbow Treecare, Along with Eight Other Clients in May

2009-06-04T10:32:00.000-05:00

Risdall Marketing Group (RMG) had a busy month, adding 11 new clients or expanded accounts in May. Since the beginning of 2009, RMG has added or expanded more than 48 new accounts.

RMG’s new accounts and expanded engagements include:

U.S. Toy Company – Web site design and search engine marketing
Advanced Carpet Restoration – expanded engagement to include sponsored search
Home Valu Interiors – expanded engagement to include search engine marketing and social media
Metro Dentalcare – expanded engagement to include search engine marketing and social media
Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS) – expanded engagement to include search engine marketing
Winthrop & Weinstine – expanded engagement to include survey research
Rainbow Treecare – media buying, public relations and radio advertising
American Anti-Aging – Web site development, branding and product identity
Twin Cities Originals (TCO) – expanded engagement to include event public relations and social media
Premier Card Solutions (Formerly UV Color) – Web Site design

“Providing clients with unbelievably creative and thoughtful work and results that matter continues to draw them back for new projects,” said John Risdall , vice chairman and CEO of RMG. “RMG works every day to maximize clients’ marketing efforts through traditional marketing tactics and strategies as well as working with newer tools such as online visibility, social media and SEO.”

OLSON Hires Keefe and Gould

2009-06-03T16:32:00.001-05:00

OLSON has packed on the pounds again, adding more interactive expertise in its media department. Vince Keefe joins as associate director, digital media, to lead interactive media initiatives; and Chris Gould joins as SEM/digital media strategist, to optimize campaign performance through multiple digital media management tools.

“As OLSON navigates with our clients around the digital space, we continue to grow to help deliver top-notch service to drive business,” says Steve Knapp, OLSON’s media director, VP. “As we all know, it’s a wild ride. The interactive media world is changing rapidly, but Vince and Chris have a firm grip on those reins as we gallop forward.”

Vince holds a BS in business administration from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisc., and has worked as a media strategist, planner and buyer for agencies including Colle+McVoy and Hoffman York.

Chris received his BA in communication from Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minn., and has worked as a media planner and buyer for Russell Herder.

Both Keefe and Gould came from digital agency MRM Worldwide.