L&F are very honored to have recently received sixteen "Premier Awards" from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) - Northeast Wisconsin Chapter. We recieved the awards for our work in six categories, including: integrated communications, issue communication, media relations, press kits, newsletters and special events.
Our awards included:
• Three “PRemier Entry in Category Awards” for:
- LibertasTreatment Centers (media relations)
- Bellin Health’s Advance Care Planning (integrated communications)
- TransCanada’s Bison Pipeline Project (issue communication)
• Three “PRemier Awards of Excellence” for:
- Burger Fest (media relations)
- Sanimax Community Outreach (issue communication)
- School Name & Logo Issue (issue communication)
• 10 “PRemier Awards of Merit” for:
- Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary (media relations)
- Bellin Health’s Make the Right Call Campaign (integrated communications)
- California Association of Business Brokers (media relations)
- Green Bay Converting’s Ever-Green™ and Spray & Dry™ Product Rollout (media relations)
- Fox River Cleanup Project (issue communications)
- Green Bay Packers Lambeau Field Atrium (media relations)
- Leonard & Finco’s PRactical PR (newsletter)
- LZ Lambeau Media Kit (media relations / press kits)
- Pioneer Credit Union (integrated communications)
- The Salvation Army – Season of Hope (special events)
PRSA-NEW’s “PRemier Awards” recognize the exceptional practice of public relations by professionals throughout Northeast Wisconsin. Award submissions were judged by the Madison, WI chapter of PRSA. Entries were evaluated against an established standard based on the primary tenants of public relations, as well as creativity and efficient use of budget.
We extend our congratulations to other award winners, including the Grand Award entry from Schneider National and winning entries from Integrys Energy Group, Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, Write Image, LCC and ThedaCare.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
What’s the Fuss All About?
By Cole Buergi, Senior Account Executive, Leonard & Finco Public Relations
Unless you’ve unplugged yourself from the media in the past few weeks, I’m sure you’ve heard about the complaints from airline travelers about the new Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) protocol on scanning and pat downs. Some travelers feel the new full body scanning machine is too intrusive and takes too detailed a scan of the human body. Their fear is that the scans will end up on the Internet. The option of having a body pat down isn’t any better. Some say the pat down search is intrusive and a violation of their personal rights.
To those individuals who oppose these security measures, I say find an alternative way to travel. I travel frequently and, although I’m not a big fan of the pat down or the body scan, the safety of myself, my fellow passengers and the potential targets on the ground, far outweighs the few moments of an uncomfortable search by TSA. In addition, the pat downs I’ve personally experienced, and witnessed other passengers experience, are very respectful and professional.
In chatting with TSA agents, they’ve explained that they are just as uncomfortable as the traveler with having to perform a pat down. I actually feel bad for the harassment the agents have to go through by travelers who freely choose to fly yet are against the pat down and raise a stink when they experience it.
From my perspective, what TSA gets a failing grade on is not informing the public in advance about the new security measures before implementing them. I believe that’s why people were so upset about it; they had no idea it was going to happen until they were standing in the line. Next time, give the traveler forewarning. Then they can make an informed choice. If they don’t want a scan or pat down, then they can choose not to fly and seek some alternative form of transportation.
For me, security isn’t a problem. I’m usually more worried about whether or not my bag will make it to my destination at the same time I do!
What are your feelings towards the body scan or pat down? What alternative solutions do you think would work as well yet be less intrusive?
Unless you’ve unplugged yourself from the media in the past few weeks, I’m sure you’ve heard about the complaints from airline travelers about the new Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) protocol on scanning and pat downs. Some travelers feel the new full body scanning machine is too intrusive and takes too detailed a scan of the human body. Their fear is that the scans will end up on the Internet. The option of having a body pat down isn’t any better. Some say the pat down search is intrusive and a violation of their personal rights.
To those individuals who oppose these security measures, I say find an alternative way to travel. I travel frequently and, although I’m not a big fan of the pat down or the body scan, the safety of myself, my fellow passengers and the potential targets on the ground, far outweighs the few moments of an uncomfortable search by TSA. In addition, the pat downs I’ve personally experienced, and witnessed other passengers experience, are very respectful and professional.
In chatting with TSA agents, they’ve explained that they are just as uncomfortable as the traveler with having to perform a pat down. I actually feel bad for the harassment the agents have to go through by travelers who freely choose to fly yet are against the pat down and raise a stink when they experience it.
From my perspective, what TSA gets a failing grade on is not informing the public in advance about the new security measures before implementing them. I believe that’s why people were so upset about it; they had no idea it was going to happen until they were standing in the line. Next time, give the traveler forewarning. Then they can make an informed choice. If they don’t want a scan or pat down, then they can choose not to fly and seek some alternative form of transportation.
For me, security isn’t a problem. I’m usually more worried about whether or not my bag will make it to my destination at the same time I do!
What are your feelings towards the body scan or pat down? What alternative solutions do you think would work as well yet be less intrusive?
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
5 Things that Make A Great Client
By: Susan Finco, President, Leonard & Finco Public Relations, Inc.
We were having a discussion the other day about favorite clients. You know, the ones you’ll jump through hoops for, drop everything for and will generally go to war with? OK, OK, I know that as an agency leader I should say that ALL clients are favorite clients. The reality is…some are better than others and I’m not talking about how much a client is spending with us. So what makes a client, a great client? Here are my top five:
5.) They set realistic deadlines. If you want our best work, we can’t give you a full blown social media proposal overnight. It’s important we understand what you’re hoping to accomplish, who your target markets are, etc. Yes, we can do things quickly and will gladly do so when it’s important but everything shouldn’t be a crisis.
4.) They pay on time. Everyone likes getting a paycheck. It’s tough to meet payroll if your clients aren’t paying in a timely manner.
3.) They’re upbeat. Let’s face it, we all prefer working with people who are genuinely nice. There’s never a need to be nasty, snarky or downright abusive toward the agency people you work with. If you think your agency is that bad, then maybe you need a new agency!
2.) They’re responsive. It’s pretty hard to get anything accomplished if a client isn’t giving you feedback or signing off on work.
1.) They view our relationship as a partnership. Success doesn’t occur in a vacuum. If a client is involved from start to finish, without being overbearing, it’s much easier to be successful. We are respectful of our clients’ expertise, and hope they are respectful of what we do as well. That’s why a partnership approach works best.
What other things make a client, a GREAT client? And, while you’re thinking, what things make an agency GREAT to work with? Love to hear your feedback.
We were having a discussion the other day about favorite clients. You know, the ones you’ll jump through hoops for, drop everything for and will generally go to war with? OK, OK, I know that as an agency leader I should say that ALL clients are favorite clients. The reality is…some are better than others and I’m not talking about how much a client is spending with us. So what makes a client, a great client? Here are my top five:
5.) They set realistic deadlines. If you want our best work, we can’t give you a full blown social media proposal overnight. It’s important we understand what you’re hoping to accomplish, who your target markets are, etc. Yes, we can do things quickly and will gladly do so when it’s important but everything shouldn’t be a crisis.
4.) They pay on time. Everyone likes getting a paycheck. It’s tough to meet payroll if your clients aren’t paying in a timely manner.
3.) They’re upbeat. Let’s face it, we all prefer working with people who are genuinely nice. There’s never a need to be nasty, snarky or downright abusive toward the agency people you work with. If you think your agency is that bad, then maybe you need a new agency!
2.) They’re responsive. It’s pretty hard to get anything accomplished if a client isn’t giving you feedback or signing off on work.
1.) They view our relationship as a partnership. Success doesn’t occur in a vacuum. If a client is involved from start to finish, without being overbearing, it’s much easier to be successful. We are respectful of our clients’ expertise, and hope they are respectful of what we do as well. That’s why a partnership approach works best.
What other things make a client, a GREAT client? And, while you’re thinking, what things make an agency GREAT to work with? Love to hear your feedback.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
A Royal Wedding
By: Kristen Paquet, Account Executive, Leonard & Finco Public Relations
The pending nuptials of theUK ’s Prince William to Kate Middleton have caused quite a stir not only in Britain
Obviously, with a royal wedding you would anticipate a huge fan fare – the Prime Minister is even urging a parliamentary committee to declare the date a public holiday. But this is a whole different game when it comes to the technology we have at our fingertips today.
When William’s mother, Diana walked down the aisle, although it was broadcast for the world to see, there wasn’t anyone blogging about it during the ceremony or sending out a tweet about the dress or taking a photo of the crowd outside the church with their camera phone and posting it online in a matter of moments. But they will be now.
The date and location of the wedding, the dress Kate selects, and everything in between will undoubtedly be posted around the world in some way for everyone to re-tweet, ‘like’ (or not) and comment on. And with the date now locked in for late April, there will be plenty of time to pore over every blissful detail using the power of social media. So get ready because I don’t know if anyone is going to be able to escape it.
Will you be watching the royal wedding – and everything that leads up to it - or do you think you will have William and Kate overload by the time the big day arrives?
The pending nuptials of the
Obviously, with a royal wedding you would anticipate a huge fan fare – the Prime Minister is even urging a parliamentary committee to declare the date a public holiday. But this is a whole different game when it comes to the technology we have at our fingertips today.
When William’s mother, Diana walked down the aisle, although it was broadcast for the world to see, there wasn’t anyone blogging about it during the ceremony or sending out a tweet about the dress or taking a photo of the crowd outside the church with their camera phone and posting it online in a matter of moments. But they will be now.
The date and location of the wedding, the dress Kate selects, and everything in between will undoubtedly be posted around the world in some way for everyone to re-tweet, ‘like’ (or not) and comment on. And with the date now locked in for late April, there will be plenty of time to pore over every blissful detail using the power of social media. So get ready because I don’t know if anyone is going to be able to escape it.
Will you be watching the royal wedding – and everything that leads up to it - or do you think you will have William and Kate overload by the time the big day arrives?
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Food for Thought: Today’s News NEVER Dies
By: Beth Kneisler, Account Executive, Leonard & Finco Public Relations, Inc.
While we all know that the media world is changing, you might not realize just how much it has changed. Case in point: the news never dies; it lives on in cyberspace. It used to be that broadcast news was aired and quickly faded away and we’d toss out or recycle our newspapers. Now, thanks to the Internet, news can, and does, resurface years later.
That fact was recently driven home at our office. A man from the New Orleans area contacted one of my co-workers to ask where he could buy “Curly Leaf” spinach. This, of course, struck us as a rather odd question since we don’t have any affiliation with spinach.
The man went on to explain that he had done a web search for Curly Leaf spinach and came across my co-worker’s name on a news release from September 23, 2006. (You may remember a big spinach recall that occurred at that time. L&F worked with “Curly Leaf,” or Savoy spinach, producers and growers, whose spinach was safe to eat, but got lumped in with the type of spinach that was being recalled.) The New Orleans man loves “Curly Leaf” spinach, but hasn’t been able to find it near his home and was making some calls following his Internet search.
While we didn’t know the answer to his question, we did know the right people to call about it and were happy to help him out. The real life lesson here – remember that the news NEVER dies, no matter if it’s good or bad. Obviously if it’s positive news, it’s good that your news resurfaces now and again. But if there is negative news floating around about you or your business, it could come back to haunt you. Be sure you’re continuously monitoring the web to find out what is being said about your business. If there’s a negative post, reach out to the person who posted the information to see if you can resolve the situation or misinformation. Remember, image is everything and it can, and does, make or break companies.
Do you have any examples of how “old” news has resurfaced? Do you have other suggestions on how companies can keep news about themselves positive? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
While we all know that the media world is changing, you might not realize just how much it has changed. Case in point: the news never dies; it lives on in cyberspace. It used to be that broadcast news was aired and quickly faded away and we’d toss out or recycle our newspapers. Now, thanks to the Internet, news can, and does, resurface years later.
That fact was recently driven home at our office. A man from the New Orleans area contacted one of my co-workers to ask where he could buy “Curly Leaf” spinach. This, of course, struck us as a rather odd question since we don’t have any affiliation with spinach.
The man went on to explain that he had done a web search for Curly Leaf spinach and came across my co-worker’s name on a news release from September 23, 2006. (You may remember a big spinach recall that occurred at that time. L&F worked with “Curly Leaf,” or Savoy spinach, producers and growers, whose spinach was safe to eat, but got lumped in with the type of spinach that was being recalled.) The New Orleans man loves “Curly Leaf” spinach, but hasn’t been able to find it near his home and was making some calls following his Internet search.
While we didn’t know the answer to his question, we did know the right people to call about it and were happy to help him out. The real life lesson here – remember that the news NEVER dies, no matter if it’s good or bad. Obviously if it’s positive news, it’s good that your news resurfaces now and again. But if there is negative news floating around about you or your business, it could come back to haunt you. Be sure you’re continuously monitoring the web to find out what is being said about your business. If there’s a negative post, reach out to the person who posted the information to see if you can resolve the situation or misinformation. Remember, image is everything and it can, and does, make or break companies.
Do you have any examples of how “old” news has resurfaced? Do you have other suggestions on how companies can keep news about themselves positive? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Media Won’t Cover My Story – Why?
By: Susan Finco, President, Leonard & Finco Public Relations, Inc.
Every now and then, we’re contacted by someone who is frustrated by their inability to generate media coverage. Oftentimes they are at a point where they realize they need professional expertise to get their story told. But sometimes they’re simply looking to us to “fix it.” Their first question usually is: “Why won’t the media cover our stories?” As someone who was a journalist in a former life, and as someone who now makes a living (in part) through media relations, the answer generally falls into one or more of these answers:
It’s not newsworthy. Is it something new or different; something people want to know about or should know about; is it a trend or a human interest story? Make sure your story is truly newsworthy. If you’re not sure, it’s probably not.
It’s not interesting. Slightly different from “it’s not newsworthy.” Why should the journalist (or his/her readers) care? It may be important to your firm or organization, but it might not be interesting to others. Is there a way to make it interesting? Maybe. We’ll need to talk and find out more.
It doesn’t grab their attention in the headline or first few sentences. Let’s face it, everyone is extremely busy these days and getting bombarded from every angle. If you don’t grab a reporter’s attention right away, you’re in trouble.
It doesn’t relate to their area of focus / interests. Know your reporters and media outlets (traditional and social). Don’t waste their time, and yours, by sending a pitch about a company’s environmental efforts to the religious reporter. I’ve seen things like that happen.
Information is missing. Go back to the basics whether you’re pitching a story, writing a release or calling a reporter. Include who, what, where, when, how and why along with a dateline, locator and contact information. Contact info should include after hours numbers, email, social media addresses, etc. Don’t forget to double check dates, times, addresses and phone numbers. Yes, it’s a reporter’s job to find out more about a story, but if you don’t give them the basics, they might not bother to look up the information.
It’s poorly written. Make it a policy to have at least one other person you work with check items going to reporters / media outlets. Go beyond a simple grammar check. Have them check for content, interest level, etc.
Of course, there are other reasons some routinely strike out with their media relations efforts. What would you add to this list?
Every now and then, we’re contacted by someone who is frustrated by their inability to generate media coverage. Oftentimes they are at a point where they realize they need professional expertise to get their story told. But sometimes they’re simply looking to us to “fix it.” Their first question usually is: “Why won’t the media cover our stories?” As someone who was a journalist in a former life, and as someone who now makes a living (in part) through media relations, the answer generally falls into one or more of these answers:
It’s not newsworthy. Is it something new or different; something people want to know about or should know about; is it a trend or a human interest story? Make sure your story is truly newsworthy. If you’re not sure, it’s probably not.
It’s not interesting. Slightly different from “it’s not newsworthy.” Why should the journalist (or his/her readers) care? It may be important to your firm or organization, but it might not be interesting to others. Is there a way to make it interesting? Maybe. We’ll need to talk and find out more.
It doesn’t grab their attention in the headline or first few sentences. Let’s face it, everyone is extremely busy these days and getting bombarded from every angle. If you don’t grab a reporter’s attention right away, you’re in trouble.
It doesn’t relate to their area of focus / interests. Know your reporters and media outlets (traditional and social). Don’t waste their time, and yours, by sending a pitch about a company’s environmental efforts to the religious reporter. I’ve seen things like that happen.
Information is missing. Go back to the basics whether you’re pitching a story, writing a release or calling a reporter. Include who, what, where, when, how and why along with a dateline, locator and contact information. Contact info should include after hours numbers, email, social media addresses, etc. Don’t forget to double check dates, times, addresses and phone numbers. Yes, it’s a reporter’s job to find out more about a story, but if you don’t give them the basics, they might not bother to look up the information.
It’s poorly written. Make it a policy to have at least one other person you work with check items going to reporters / media outlets. Go beyond a simple grammar check. Have them check for content, interest level, etc.
Of course, there are other reasons some routinely strike out with their media relations efforts. What would you add to this list?
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
2010 Election and Facebook
By: Kristin Rabas, Account Executive, Leonard & Finco Public Relations, Inc.
I have to admit (like most people are in their mid-20s) I’m probably not as politically savvy as I should be. However, one thing that helped me sort through the mess of political ads that constantly claimed this person was a liar and that person said this was social media.
It’s no surprise that candidates have embraced social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. When you think about it, what better way is there to interact with the masses, hear from everyday people about the types of things they want to see changed and respond to the dirt that is flung in the TV ads?
While reviewing some of the candidates Facebook pages, I found it interesting to see just how many people are actively commenting on posts and engaging in the topics that the candidates are talking about. This is especially true for Tom Barrett’s and Scott Walker’s Facebook pages.
In the last week, most of the posts focused on getting out there and actually voting. Earlier in the campaign season there were discussions about issues such as stem cell research, abortion and education. In many cases, the posts were backed up by actual articles showing each candidate’s beliefs, not just words of he said, she said.
Here are a couple of Facebook pages of Wisconsin candidates from this year’s election. Do you think these pages had an impact on the election’s outcome? What other ways might candidates leverage social media?
Tom Barrett:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/barrettforwisconsin
Scott Walker:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/scottwalkerforgovernor
Reid Ribble:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/reidribble
Steve Kagen:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/pages/Steve-Kagen/8032945425
Ron Johnson:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/ron4senate
Russ Feingold:
http://www.facebook.com/ron4senate#!/russfeingold
I have to admit (like most people are in their mid-20s) I’m probably not as politically savvy as I should be. However, one thing that helped me sort through the mess of political ads that constantly claimed this person was a liar and that person said this was social media.
It’s no surprise that candidates have embraced social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. When you think about it, what better way is there to interact with the masses, hear from everyday people about the types of things they want to see changed and respond to the dirt that is flung in the TV ads?
While reviewing some of the candidates Facebook pages, I found it interesting to see just how many people are actively commenting on posts and engaging in the topics that the candidates are talking about. This is especially true for Tom Barrett’s and Scott Walker’s Facebook pages.
In the last week, most of the posts focused on getting out there and actually voting. Earlier in the campaign season there were discussions about issues such as stem cell research, abortion and education. In many cases, the posts were backed up by actual articles showing each candidate’s beliefs, not just words of he said, she said.
Here are a couple of Facebook pages of Wisconsin candidates from this year’s election. Do you think these pages had an impact on the election’s outcome? What other ways might candidates leverage social media?
Tom Barrett:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/barrettforwisconsin
Scott Walker:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/scottwalkerforgovernor
Reid Ribble:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/reidribble
Steve Kagen:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/pages/Steve-Kagen/8032945425
Ron Johnson:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/ron4senate
Russ Feingold:
http://www.facebook.com/ron4senate#!/russfeingold
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