Flint Communications « Flint Group Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Flint Communications’

Praxis Strategy Group President to speak at the Annual School of Public Affairs Leadership Conference

By Dave Roby, March 8, 2010

Dr. Delore Zimmerman

The Center for the Study of Government and the Individual will be co-sponsoring the Annual School of Public Affairs Leadership Conference at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs on Thursday, April 8, 2010. The Center will be bringing in David Osborne and Delore Zimmerman.

David Osborne is the author of the best seller “Reinventing Government” and co-author of “The Price of Government: Getting the Results We Need in an Age of Permanent Fiscal Crisis.” He also served as senior advisor to Vice President Gore.

Delore Zimmerman, Ph.D., President of Praxis Strategy Group, is a strategy consultant with twenty-five years of domestic and international experience working with local and regional economic development groups, businesses and universities. He is the publisher of http://www.newgeography.com/, a website devoted to analyzing and discussing the places where we live and work. As a researcher he has been awarded eight Small Business Innovation Research awards to develop leading-edge practices and tools for use by development professionals and community leaders to work more effectively with entrepreneurs and to build competitive, innovation based economies in the global, networked economy.

The conference will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2010, 8:00am to 5:00pm.

To reserve a spot in the conference, please contact Jane Muller, jmuller@uccs.edu or 719.255.4093.

Praxis Strategy Group is a partner with the Flint Group

Posted in AadlandFlint, Flint Communications, Flint Group, HatlingFlint, SimmonsFlint, WestmorelandFlint | Comments

Tags: Annual School of Public Affairs Leadership Conference, David Osborne, delore zimmerman, Economic Development, Flint Communications, Flint Group, newgeography.com, Praxis Strategy Group, Reinventing Government, The Price of Government, University of Colorado

A big day in Des Moines with WoodMaster, SunButter.

By Jodi Duncan, March 4, 2010

The beautiful showcase kitchen at Meredith Corporation

Last week, we were thrilled to be invited to the fabulous showcase kitchen at Meredith Corporation in Des Moines, IA.

The Meredith National Media Group features 23 subscription magazines – including Better Homes and Gardens, Family Circle, Ladies’ Home Journal, MORE, Parents, Fitness, and American Baby – and approximately 150 special interest publications. Why were we there? To put a WoodMaster pellet grill to the test. The event included a presentation and demo of the grill, with lunch prepared on the grill for 25 editors and Meredith employees.

WoodMaster Pellet Grill performs masterfully

Meredith Chef, Steve, checks out the new WoodMaster pellet grill

Chuck Gagner, President of Northwest Manufacturing, an extremely intelligent and humble guy, introduced and demoed the grill. As he spoke, the magnificent aroma of cherry-wood grill pellets filled the air. A welcome and unusual smell on such a cold day. Des Moines was incredibly cold while we were there (and this is no exaggeration from a North Dakota girl), but the grill performed beautifully out on the patio.

Before we knew it, delicious bratwurst (specially made for the event by B&E Meats in Crookston, MN), were hot off the grill, along with shrimp skewers (yum), hamburger sliders and chicken breasts.

The chef at Meredith couldn’t get over how easy the grill was to use and how well it performed. He was very impressed by the number of brats on the grill at one time with no flare ups. Actually, he was impressed by the overall performance of the grill so we brought him out to do a little endorsement to the editors.

How did it taste? In a word, fantastic. Juicy, flavorful, and kissed with a gentle flavor of real cherry-wood smoke. The grill did us proud. Check out the WoodMaster pellet grills for yourself. With real hardwood flavor; easy, fast cooking; a three-year warranty and performance that stands up to a frigid February day in Des Moines, you can’t go wrong. They are going fast, so get your order in early.

Interest in WoodMaster Flex Fuel heats up

To get the most out of our Meredith visit, we also scheduled some additional meetings with editors about the latest and greatest furnace options from WoodMaster. We had a great time talking with Meredith editors about the new flex-fuel heating technology from WoodMaster. Living the Country Life posted an article about the WoodMaster Flex Fuel Furnace before the night ended!

SunButter takes the stage

Last but not least, we had an editorial session introducing one of our new clients, SunButter. SunButter is a spread made from roasted sunflower seeds – a tasty, allergy-free alternative to peanut butter. Although the product has been around for more than 10 years, it was new to most everyone in the group at Meredith Corporation. We will be working with some Meredith publications on different options for recipes and recipe contests, as well as providing information appealing to the growing number of peanut-allergy suffers.

If you haven’t tried SunButter yet, look for it on the peanut butter shelf or natural foods section of your grocery store, or order SunButter online. It is so good!

A big thank you goes out to the Meredith folks who made our visit so pleasant and worthwhile. They are an extraordinary company with a remarkable story. And to our clients, Chuck Gagner, Todd Strem and Kelsey Gagner, who remind us everyday why we love our jobs.

Posted in Flint Communications, Flint Group | Comments

Tags: Clients, Flint Communications, Flint Group, Marketing, Public Relations

Tips on public relations: pitching to journalists

By RaeAnn McLean, February 8, 2010

Think it’s impossible to get a reporter’s attention? Think again. As newsrooms are increasingly overworked and understaffed, public relations professionals, businesses and organizations may actually have more opportunities to successfully pitch their stories. At the same time, getting the attention of very busy journalists requires that you do your homework, take a strategic approach and work hard to give them good stories. There is more to it than simply sending out a news release and crossing your fingers (although we do still cross our fingers!).

From flack to friend

photo by jgodfrey13 on Flickr

In this day and age of so much information—much of it unsourced—reliability is a major concern. Far from being the stereotypical flack of bygone days—the one who showed up with a story idea and bottle of liquor—PR professionals are increasingly viewed by time-pressured reporters and editors as valuable resources who can help them do their jobs.

According to a recent survey, most journalists turn to public relations professionals for assistance in their primary research. Editors and reporters surveyed said they depend on PR professionals for “interviews and access to sources and experts” (44%), “answers to questions and targeted information” (23%), and “perspective, information in context, and background information” (17%). Clearly, PR professionals have an increasingly valuable role to play when it comes to getting media attention and maintaining media relations.

Think before you pitch

The principles of good media relations haven’t changed: build relationships and connect with the right reporter on the right topic with the right information. Don’t waste their time—hone your message before making contact. Do your homework to ensure:

the topic is relevant (of interest to the reporters you have selected)
the story idea is sound (demonstrate why their readers/listeners/viewers would want to know this information)
the background information you provide them is useful and accurate (anything that helps them write the story and makes their jobs easier)

Use all the tools to make it easy for busy reporters

The avenues to communicate with reporters increase every year. Just think—not too far in the past we sent all our news releases via a fax machine. Now, it’s best to send your news via email, the delivery mode preferred by most reporters. If they’re interested, they’ll want to find out more and they’ll use the Internet to do it. A new survey revealed “89% said they turn to blogs for story research, 65% to social media sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn, and 52% to microblogging sites (think Twitter), and 61% use Wikipedia.”

This means you need to go one step further before sending your initial news release via email, making sure you post the news in your company’s online newsroom, send it through a wire service and post it on other sites that allow free postings (www.i-newswire.com). This tiered approach will give you multiple connection points with the journalist. Then follow up to find out if they got your information and if there is anything more you can do to help.

Listen to them, they’ll listen to you

Bottom line: find the people who fit the pitch, determine how that reporter wants to get information, then make it easy for them to get what they need. Everything from the content to the delivery to the follow-up should be customized to that reporter. Build relationships with reporters. Be a part of their world, be where they are and know what they read. Don’t expect them to want to listen to you if you aren’t listening to them.

Posted in Flint Communications | Comments

Tags: Business, Communications Strategy, Flint Communications, Public Relations

How Y94 listeners used Facebook to bring Conan O’Brien to Fargo (almost)

By Libby Issendorf, January 25, 2010

Millions tuned in Friday to watch Conan O’Brien’s last episode of “The Tonight Show.” A few fans here in Fargo, ND were watching for more than just his final monologue. Earlier this month, local Top 40 radio station Y-94 offered Conan a morning show sidekick gig to solve his post-Tonight Show employment problem. They sent the press release to local media and hoped it would get picked up in the Forum and local TV stations. Imagine their surprise when Conan discussed the job offer on the air:

Conan invited viewers to vote on his next move on The Tonight Show blog, and Y-94 activated their fans to campaign on their behalf. I want to highlight what happened over the course of the next week as a great example of how a movement can spread organically through social media. I asked The Morning Playhouse co-host Zero a few questions about what happened next, and how the Fargo-Moorhead community jumped into action.

Flint: You posted a job offer to Conan on your website. How did he find out about it?
Zero: We assume he Googled himself, or someone from his show Googled “Conan O’Brien job offers” since they knew he wanted to do that bit. The next day we started getting phone calls saying, “You were on The Tonight Show, did you see it?” Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine that he would mention it on the air.

F: The next thing I saw was the Facebook group, Conan O’Brien to Y94 and Fargo!!! Go Vote. Did you make that on behalf of the station, or was that organic?
Z: That was an NDSU student who has no affiliation to the station. He was a listener who made the group and sent us a bunch of emails that first night to tell us about it. It was really fun to watch that group grow before our eyes. It went up to over 5,000 members in just a few days. [ed. note: currently the group has over 7,900 members]

F: What other social media content did you create, or did you see fans create?
Z: There were a few smaller Facebook groups, but the first one was by far the biggest one. We posted a few YouTube videos and we also saw some Fargo high school kids had made their own video, which we posted on our Morning Show Facebook page.

F: Why do you think the listening community got so passionate about this cause?
Z: When Conan mentioned it on the show, he didn’t just say “become a morning show sidekick on Y-94,” he said “become a morning show sidekick on Y-94 in Fargo, North Dakota.” It struck a chord with people in Fargo because it’s not too often that Fargo gets a national shout-out. Especially for something positive. Usually it’s when we’re flooded. Also, Y-94, Conan O’Brien, and Facebook all have a younger audience, so it was kind of the perfect storm. It made sense that it would spread over Facebook.

F: Did you win the voting on the blog?
Z: We did win, we ended up with 44% of the votes.

F: I thought the “adult film” option was going to win, to be honest.
Z: Yeah, it is hard to beat that!

F: Did Conan mention Y-94 in his last episode of The Tonight Show?
Z: No, he didn’t. But we’re still hoping something else might come out of it. We’ve made a lot of phone calls so we’re not giving up yet…

Zero is right on when he says that this is an example of a “perfect storm” for social media. Conan O’Brien fans across the country have been creating Team Coco Facebook groups; Conan-related graphics have been created, remixed, re-tweeted, and posted on blogs. When Fargo was mentioned on the air, the cause became especially relevant to Y-94 listeners. Add that enthusiasm to a specific action that people can take, such as voting, and you have all the ingredients for a successful Facebook campaign.

What other Facebook movements have you seen that developed organically?

Special thanks to Zero of Y94 for making this post possible.

Posted in Flint Group | Comments

Tags: Facebook, Flint Communications, Social Media

Red River Valley Research Corridor ~ Life Sciences Action Summit ~ February 19, 2010 Fargo, ND

By Dave Roby, January 20, 2010

Co-hosted by U.S. Senator Byron L. Dorgan and the Red River Valley Research Corridor. Fargo, ND, February 19, 2009

This year’s summit will focus on developing and strengthening the Red River Valley’s burgeoning life sciences industry. Presenters including entrepreneurs, financiers, researchers, and scientists from the region and around the nation will discuss and explore actions the region can and is taking to foster strong, sustainable growth in the life sciences sector.

More about the Life Sciences Action Summit

River Valley Research Corridor Action Summits

The Red River Valley Research Corridor and U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan work in cooperation with leading economic, science and technology-based organizations in North Dakota and the Great Plains region to organize action summits.

Action summits are high-impact conferences that have a razor-like focus on specific research and technology development opportunities in the region. The summits are intended to:

Facilitate learning, networking and collaboration in the region.
Connect with key partners in business and government from outside the region in a highly focused and purposeful manner.
Showcase science and technology-based capabilities and initiatives in the Corridor.
Engage key players inside and outside the region to put a focus on what do we do now and in the future to make the Red River Valley Corridor an epicenter of research, development and/or production in this particular science and technology field.

Previous Research Corridor action summits have focused on hydrogen energy, venture capital, radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies, polymers and coatings, life sciences, animal identification systems and unmanned aircraft systems.

The Red River Valley Research Corridor is an independent non-profit corporation committed to catalyzing and promoting science, technology and engineering initiatives that create new opportunities in the region

Red River Valley Research Corridor Coordinating Center

Dr. Delore Zimmerman, President & CEO of Praxis Strategy Group in Grand Forks, Fargo & Los Angeles, California was named to serve as the Coordinator. Delore has over twenty years experience working with companies in technology and information industries, universities and local development groups. Since its founding Praxis has been awarded 8 Small Business Innovation Research Awards.

Praxis Strategy Group is a partner with the Flint Group.

Posted in Flint Communications, Flint Group, SimmonsFlint, WestmorelandFlint | Comments

Tags: Action Summit, Byron Dorgan, delore zimmerman, Dr Michael Kurilla, Flint Communications, Flint Group, Flint Interactive, G. Steven Burrill, Gregory A. Poland M.D., HatlingFlint, joel kotkin, Media Productions, Praxis Strategy Group, prime contact, Red River Valley Research Corridor, Research Corridor, SimmonsFlint, WestmorelandFlint

Coming SOON – Joel Kotkin’s book THE NEXT HUNDRED MILLION: America in 2050

By Dave Roby, January 18, 2010

THE NEXT HUNDRED MILLION: America in 2050
By Joel Kotkin

Release date: February 4, 2010. Published by The Penguin Press

Read more about The Next Hundred Million

In stark contrast to the rest of the world’s advanced nations, the United States is growing at a record rate and, according to census projections, will be home to four hundred million Americans by 2050. This projected rise in population is the strongest indicator of our long-term economic strength, Joel Kotkin believes, and will make us more diverse and more competitive than any nation on earth.

Drawing on prodigious research, firsthand reportage, and historical analysis, The Next Hundred Million reveals how this unprecedented growth will take physical shape and change the face of America. The majority of additional hundred million Americans will find their homes in suburbia, though the suburbs of tomorrow will not resemble the Levittowns of the 1950s or the sprawling exurbs of the late twentieth century. The suburbs of the twenty-first century will be less reliant on major cities for jobs and other amenities and, as a result, more energy efficient. Suburbs will also be the melting pots of the future as more and more immigrants opt for dispersed living over crowded inner cities and the majority in the United States becomes nonwhite by 2050.

The Next Hundred Million provides a vivid snapshot of America in 2050 by focusing not on power brokers, policy disputes, or abstract trends, but rather on the evolution of the more intimate units of American society—families, towns, neighborhoods, industries. It is upon the success or failure of these communities, Kotkin argues, that the American future rests.

Visit Amazon…
Visit Barnes & Noble.com…

Joel Kotkin is executive editor of NewGeography.com and is a presidential fellow in urban futures at Chapman University. He is author of The City: A Global History and is finishing a book on the American future.

Joel serves as a Senior Consultant with Praxis Strategy Group a partner with the Flint Group

Posted in AadlandFlint, Flint Communications, Flint Group, HatlingFlint, SimmonsFlint, WestmorelandFlint | Comments

Tags: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Chapman University, delore zimmerman, Flint Communications, Flint Group, Forbes.com, Joe Kotkin, newgeography.com, Penguin Press, Praxis Strategy Group, Red River Valley Research Corridor, The Next Hundred Million

Show me the video

By Maureen Olsen, January 14, 2010

Recently, I heard about a new restaurant in Fargo, so I asked a few friends about it. It seemed like the word hadn’t yet spread around:

“Haven’t tried it yet.”
“Haven’t heard of it.”
“Oh, is that the new one south of town?”

No real luck.

Next, I searched for the restaurant on Google, and I found a TV commercial on YouTube.

“Great,” I’m thinking. “A chance to get a feel for the place.”

photo by schmilblick on Flickr

I learned a little bit from the 30-second commercial. The place had a ton of pool tables, and some pretty-good looking pizza.

But I still wanted more.

What if I don’t play pool? Can I sit down and have a meal with my family? Is the ambiance refined and quiet, or more social and fun? How about a word from the kitchen or the wait staff?

Is your commercial enough for online users? Is that what they are looking for?

A TV spot is supposed to generate awareness, and sometimes a specific action. But on the web – especially searching on YouTube – your audience is already engaged and interested. Online video gives you a platform to tell them more.

Coined the “lean forward” medium, online video gives you access to an interested user, and a chance to talk to them one-on-one. Don’t miss out on that opportunity.

Here are a few tips to make the most of your online video:

Your communications strategy is key. Online video should support your business goals and communicate your key messages.
Use relevant content. Give your users what they’re looking for. Do they want to be entertained and get a feel for your brand? Or do they need more information about your product before they buy?
Be Sincere. Keep it real. For example, use testimonials from the real users of the product or service—not models or actors.
Decide what production value you need. Don’t spend any more money than necessary on production. A Flip camera works great for simple blog interviews. For anything more than that, consider working with a professional to produce your original content.
Keep it Short. Online videos should meet your user’s time constraints. Usually nothing longer than 1-2 minutes. Make every second interesting.

Here’s to your engaging online videos in 2010.

Posted in Flint Communications, Flint Group, Flint Interactive | Comments

Tags: Flint Communications, Media Productions, online video, Social Media, YouTube

Fargo aglow with Hollywood version of Madison Avenue

By Kim Kemmer, December 10, 2009

On the day of our 61st annual Christmas client party, one may be consumed with the thought that tonight will be a step back to the future in this year’s theme of “AdMen and AdWomen.” Our themed Christmas party for clients, suppliers, partners and friends is a long-standing tradition in Flint Group culture.

This year’s theme of course, is in homage to the popular television show, now in its third season. A brief background for those who may not have noticed the fervor; “Mad Men” is an AMC period drama centered on Madison Avenue advertising executives in the early 60’s.

Our 2009 Client Holiday Party: "Admen Yourself" at http://www.flintcom.com/holiday/

Historically, the early 60’s was a noteworthy time in advertising history. Some industry experts cite the period as a highpoint, “with skinny ties and fat budgets.” Others look to the era as a turning point of advertising decay and rebirth. Interestingly enough, one needs to read only an industry article or two to note emerging patterns that are reminiscent to the time period of the television series.

For those who experienced the era in real-time or who have heard the story from those who did, a recent article in Advertising Age puts the television series, “Mad Men” in perspective. “Those things did not happen that way” – Ken Wheaton as quoted in the November 2, 2009 article, “Real London Fog Adman Not Happy About “Mad Men.”

When asking Flint staff about past client parties, perhaps the same is true, that “those things did not happen that way.”

Happy Holidays.

Posted in Flint Communications | Comments

Tags: AdFarm, Event, Flint Communications, Holiday Party, Media Productions

Life Sciences Action Summit # 3

By Dave Roby, November 26, 2009

Life Sciences Action Summit 3 – February 19, 2010

The Red River Valley Research Corridor and U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan are pleased to announce that a third action summit focused on the life sciences will be held on February 19, 2010. The summit will be held at the new Hilton Garden Inn in Fargo.

Action summits facilitate learning, networking and collaboration in the region and serve as a mechanism for marketing to and connecting with key partners in business and government from outside the region in a highly focused and purposeful manner.

More news about speakers and registration will be available in the next few weeks. If you are interested in sponsoring the Life Sciences Summit, contact Delore at delore@theresearchcorridor.com or 701-775-3354.

STEM Occupations are Growing in the Region

Regional growth in the Corridor science and technology-based economy is translating to more science, technology, engineering, and mathematics job opportunities in the Red River Valley.

Led by physical and life science occupations, the STEM category of occupations (see chart) has added more than 2,200 jobs for 35% growth since 2002. This is well ahead of the 8% growth in the nation for the same occupation group.

U.S. Senator Dorgan Co-Sponsors Building a Stronger America Act

Building a Stronger America Act amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to award grants for the development of feasibility studies and plans for the construction of new or expansion of existing science parks. Allows the Secretary to guarantee up to 80% of the loan amount for loans exceeding $10 million for projects for the construction of such infrastructure.

Grindberg Joins AURP Board

Tony Grindberg, Executive Director of the NDSU Research and Technology Park has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Association of University Research Parks.

The Association of University Research Parks is a professional association of university related research and science parks. AURP’s mission is to foster innovation, commercialization and economic growth through university, industry and government partnerships. For more information, visit AURP’s Web site at www.aurp.net.

Red River Velley Research Corridor History

In early 2002, Senator Byron Dorgan convened a meeting with the Presidents of North Dakota’s state universities and colleges to propose a bold new program to draw millions of Federal research dollars to North Dakota.

“Experience has shown that where there is significant federal research work going on, new jobs and new businesses begin to cluster in order to provide commercial applications for the result of that work,” Dorgan said. “I think this can be a very big and important part of North Dakota’s economic future.”

Dorgan envisioned the University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks and North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo anchoring the research corridor, and then reaching out and working cooperatively with state colleges and universities throughout the state.

That first step has stimulated a cycle of Federal research and economic development in North Dakota and is helping to develop the State’s major universities into world-class research institutions. Since 2002 more than $300 million of funding has been directed to North Dakota to build world class research centers, support our growing high tech sector, build critical infrastructure and specialized facilities, and train skilled workers for emerging industries.

Red River Valley Research Corridor Coordinating Center

Senator Dorgan announced on March 17, 2004 the establishment of a Red River Research Corridor Coordinating Center to coordinate the region’s science and technology-based development strategy. The Center will track and work to acquire federal research funding, provide basic infrastructure support that will attract such work, and identify gaps in technology infrastructure and work to fill them. The Center will also provide links between state colleges and universities, commercialization teams, and business investment capital, and will market the state’s research and technology assets outside the region.

Dr. Delore Zimmerman, President of Praxis Strategy Group, with offices in Grand Forks and Fargo was named to serve as the Coordinator. Delore has over twenty years experience working with companies in technology and information industries, universities and local development groups. Since co-founding Praxis in 1994 the company has been awarded 8 Small Business Innovation Research Awards.

Praxis Strategy Group is a partner with the Flint Group of companies.

Posted in Flint Communications, Flint Group, HatlingFlint, SimmonsFlint, WestmorelandFlint | Comments

Tags: Association of University Research Parks, community wind, delore zimmerman, Economic Development, Flint Communications, Flint Group, LinkedIn, NDSU Research and Technology Park, North Dakota State University, Praxis Strategy Group, Red River Valley Research Corridor, Senator Byron Dorgan, Tony Grindberg, Twitter, University of North Dakota, wind energy