Blog

Join us in conversation on the topics we believe matter...to our industry, our city and our society.

Target's Top Three PR Mistakes

By Kelda Rericha | Jan 14, 2014

Of all the PR fiascos that a retailer could potentially face, none may be more disastrous than Target’s 2013 security breach, which took place between Black Friday and mid-December. As news began to spread — at the height of Christmas shopping, no less — the word on the street was that only Target credit card […]

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Happy Word Nerd Day!

By Ann Smith | Jan 9, 2014

Today is National Word Nerd Day (although some feel strongly that it was yesterday…who are we to judge?).  We are celebrating with our friends (and clients) at the American Copy Editors Society (ACES).  Check out the great guest articles by ACES Board member Karen Martwick in PRNewser and ragan.com.  Now go unleash your inner word […]

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“Because” is the 2013 Word of the Year

By Mary Gorretta | Jan 9, 2014

The American Dialect Society has announced their 2013 Word of the Year is “because.” While “because” is a traditional word, in this case it is being recognized in a new form of use, as “introducing a noun, adjective, or other part of speech (e.g., ‘because reasons,’ ‘because awesome’).” Rising online Ben Zimmer, chair of the […]

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The Growth of Social Media in 2013

By Ann Smith | Dec 18, 2013

Social media continues to make leaps and bounds in how we communicate with one another. This is crucial to the world of public relations, as it is one of the leading avenues used to reach target audiences. 2013 was the year Twitter made it onto the stock exchange, Vine launches and Snapchat continued to break […]

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Ouvroir de Littérature Potentielle

By Ann Smith | Dec 16, 2013

More than writer’s block, what plagues me the most in writing is when I can feel my language getting stale. When my sentences aren’t popping like they should, my syntax is weak, and something just feels off. In creative fields like public relations, when the original and effective arrangement of words is vital to conveying […]

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The PR Behind GM’s First Female CEO

By Kelda Rericha | Dec 12, 2013

This week the media buzzed with news of Mary Barra’s appointment to the role of General Motor’s CEO, the first female CEO in the company’s history, and the first female to head a major U.S. car company. Barra, 51, will replace retiring CEO Dan Akerson, who has chosen to step down ahead of schedule to […]

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A Christmas (and PR) Miracle

By Ann Smith | Dec 12, 2013

WestJet made Christmas dreams come true Oh Wow. Incredible idea. Brilliant PR move. WestJet shared a full serving of Christmas joy and happiness to customers, and the results will make any heart grow three sizes. Take the 5 minutes to watch this Christmas (and PR) miracle – it will inspire you to believe that miracles […]

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Six Tips for Social Media in 2014

By Ann Smith | Dec 10, 2013

In the interest of year-end list-making, let’s talk social for a second. It’s not going anywhere. Whether or not you’re avidly updating and tweeting in your off-time, social media is an established tool in the marketing and communications field. So how is your company using it? Consider these options and best practices as you embrace […]

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Five Good Design Habits to Practice in 2014

By Kris Travis | Dec 4, 2013

Whoa, December already?! On top of all the holiday craziness, December is an important month for businesses to do a bit of planning and goal-setting for the new year. (If New Year’s resolutions are the last thing your business is thinking about right now, bookmark this post to review once you’ve recovered from the holiday […]

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The End of Dave's Killer Bread as We Know It?

By Ann Smith | Nov 19, 2013

If you live in the Northwest and you aren’t on the gluten-free bandwagon, you’ve probably tried (and loved) Dave’s Killer Bread. GMO-free, organic, vegan and made with whole grains, it boasts everything that health-conscious Oregonians could ask for. Beyond tasty bread, the company’s message centers on the feel-good story of an ex-con that cleaned up […]

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