Final Press Release 3: Cause Promotion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 24, 2009
Cache Valley Area Investors Association
Preston Parker, president
806-755-8889
http://www.cvaia.com

KEYS TO FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE
Local club teaches members how to invest

LOGAN, Utah- Cache Valley Area Investors Association (CVAIA) allows everyone to learn how to increase their passive income and become financially independent.

Most people do not understand what passive income is or how they can obtain it. Passive income is not financial freedom. People with lots of money are often times not financially independent themselves. Most people have to keep earning income every month to support their lifestyle. Passive income is determined by how long you will last if you stop working. Passive income is about investment. Best of all, it does not require thought and within five to ten years anyone can become financially independent. CVAIA teaches people how to accomplish this goal.

Two years ago Preston Parker, president of CVAIA, started the company. Parker wanted anyone to be able to come and talk about passive income and have people feel comfortable asking questions at an array of knowledge levels.

The next CVAIA meeting will he held October 1 at the Cache County Chamber of Commerce at 160 N Main Street at 7:00 p.m. The meetings start with a 30 minute mingling session and then a lecture by a guest speaker. Justin Hamilton and Mark Lunt are a few of the guests who will be speaking the month of October.

The meetings are about all different types of investments. There is no fee to join and members get access to professionals who normally charge hundreds of dollars an hour.

The purpose of the club is that Parker wants people to be happy. “You spend too much time working to do a job you don’t enjoy. Most of the millionaires in America are self-made. They keep expenses low for five to ten years and then they find themselves financial independent,” said Parker.

For further information please contact:

Shaelee Barker
Public Relations Specialist
303-903-7336
shaelee.b@aggiemail.usu.edu

Cache Valley Area Investors Association (CVAIA) was established by Preston Parker August 2007. The two main goals of the organization are education and networking. CVAIA is free to join and teaches members how to gain financial independence and become happy with their careers and their lives. CVAIA members and network continue to grow.

-END-

Draft Press Release 3: Cuase Promotion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 24, 2009

Cache Valley Area Investors Association
Preston Parker, president
806-755-8889
http://www.cvaia.com

Keys to Financial Independence
Cache Valley Area Investors Association Makes Financial Independence Possible

LOGAN, UT- Cache Valley Area Investors Association (CVAIA) allows everyone to learn how to increase their passive income and become financially independent.

Passive income is something that most people don’t understand what it is or how to get it. Passive income is not financial freedom. People with lots of money are often times not
financially independent themselves. Most people have to keep earning income every month to support their lifestyle. Passive income is determined by how long you will last if you stop working. Passive income is the opposite of earned income. It is about investment. Best of all, passive income does not require thought and within five to ten years anyone can become financially independent. CVAIA teaches people how to accomplish this goal.

There are two ways to increase your passive income: increase your passive income and decrease your expenses. When you become financially independent you can do whatever you want for a job and not do it for money. You are living off of your interest on investments.

Two years ago Preston Parker, president of CVAIA, started company. Parker wanted anyone to be able to come in and talk about passive income and have people feel comfortable asking questions at whatever level.

The next meeting will he held October 1 at the Cache County Chamber of Commerce at 160 N Main Street at 7:00 pm. The meetings start with a 30 minute mingling session and then a lecture by a guest speaker. Justin Hamilton and Mark Lunt are a few of the guests who will be speaking the month of October.

The meetings are about all different types of investment. There is no fee to join and there are experts talking at the meetings. CVAIA allows you to get access to professionals who normally charge two hundred to three hundred dollars an hour. The two main goals of the club are education and networking. The more educated you are the less risky you are and the more people you know the more connections you have.

The purpose of the club is that Parker wants people to be happy. “A lot of people are complaining about their jobs. This is America. It is the land of opportunity and abundance. There is plenty for everyone. We should all be able to have jobs that we love. You spend too much time working to do a job you don’t enjoy. Most of the millionaires in America are self-made. Most didn’t invest something cool. They keep expenses low for five to ten years and then they find themselves financial independent,” said Parker.

For further information please contact:

Shaelee Barker
Public Relations Specialsit
303-903-7336
shaelee.b@aggiemail.usu.edu

(END)

Final Press Release 2: Image Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 22, 2009

Contact:James E. Muellenbach III
CEO of Burger Planet
Phone: 888-555-5555
Fax: 888-555-5588
E-Mail: j.e.muellenbach@burgerplanet.net
www.burgerplanet.com

BURGER PLANET REVAPS FAST FOOD WORLD
Fitness Guru Supports New Healthy Line of Products

GARY, Indiana- Jayne Peterson, celebrity fitness instructor, has joined Burger Planet in supporting their new line of healthy fast-food options.

Peterson said, “Burger Planet has been a leader in the Quick Service Restaurant industry in offering healthy menu choices. The company believes in encouraging customers to live healthier, active lifestyles and I have spent my life trying to teach women that lesson.”

Peterson is president and CEO of Looking Glass, Inc., a multi-billion dollar fitness and health enterprise. Peterson recently helped popular television star, Opal Whitcomb, lose 75 pounds and keep it off. Peterson continues to help women everywhere use moderation combined with a healthy lifestyle to lose weight and keep it off. She suggests trying new menu options from Burger Planet, “such as their fruit packages.”

Burger Planet is combining classic fast food staples with new and innovative healthy choices. Burger Planet now allows customers the option to substitute combo meal options with the new line of food choices. For instance, this means combining Burgar Planet’s traditional burger with packets of five different kinds of fruit at no extra charge. Gourmet salads at 300 calories and white chicken breast wrapped in lettuce are also available to reduce overall meal calories and still enjoy Burger Planet classics.

Peterson says that women should take advantage of these options, but still not feel restricted from a traditional burger and fries. Peterson explains that as long as women are using moderation, they can combine Burger Planet’s menu to live a healthy lifestyle.

James E. Muellenbach III, company CEO said, "Jayne Petersen and Burger Planet share a commitment toward health. The women Jayne Petersen have helped lose weight eat at Burger Planet. Burger Planet and Jayne Petersen are launching a comprehensive program to assist those women in eating healthy."

In support of the new campaign, Peterson and Burger Planet’s own Corny the Clown will also be making appearances at 12 Burger Planets and 7 shopping malls to give nutritional packets to customers as well as heath advice.

Overall, Muellenbach is excited about the new hire of Peterson because “Burger Planet cares about its customers.” Burger Planet has always put its customers first, and Peterson and the new line of food choices are a way to keep this integrity alive.

For more information contact:
Shaelee Barker
Public Relations Specialist
Phone: 303-533-7333
Shaelee_b@prprime.net

(END)

Draft Press Release 2: Image Building

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 22, 2009

Contact:
James E. Muellenbach III
CEO of Burger Planet
Phone: 888-555-5555
Fax: 888-555-5588
E-Mail: j.e.muellenbach@burgerplanet.net
www.burgerplanet.com

BURGER PLANET REVAPS FAST FOOD WORLD
Fitness Guru Supports New Healthy Line of Products at Burger Planet

GARY, Indiana- Jayne Peterson, celebrity fitness instructor, has joined Burger Planet in supporting their new line of healthy fast-food options.

Peterson said, “Burger Planet has been a leader in the Quick Service Restaurant industry in offering healthy menu choices. The company believes in encouraging customers to live healthier, active lifestyles and I have spent my life trying to teach women that lesson.”

Peterson is president and CEO of Looking Glass, Inc., a multi-billion dollar fitness and health enterprise. Peterson recently helped popular television star, Opal Whitcomb, lose 75 pounds and keep it off. Peterson continues to help women everywhere use moderation combined with a healthy lifestyle to lose weight and keep it off. She suggests trying new menu options from Burger Planet, “such as their fruit packages.”

Burger Planet is combining classic fast food staples with new and innovative healthy choices. Burger Planet now allows customers the option to substitute combo meal options with packets of five different kinds of fruit at no extra charge. Gourmet salads at 300 calories and white chicken breast wrapped in lettuce are also available.

Peterson says that women should take advantage of these options, but still not feel restricted from a traditional burger and fries. Peterson explains that as long as women are using moderation, they can combine Burger Planet’s menu to live a healthy lifestyle.

James E. Muellenbach III, company CEO said, "Jayne Petersen and Burger Planet share a commitment toward health. The women Jayne Petersen have helped lose weight eat at Burger Planet. Burger Planet and Jayne Petersen are launching a comprehensive program to assist those women in eating healthy."

In support of the new campaign, Peterson and Corny the Clown will also be making appearances at 12 Burger Planets and 7 shopping malls to give nutritional packets to customers as well as advice.

Overall, Muellenbach is excited about the new hire of Peterson because “Burger Planet cares about its customers.” Burger Planet has always put its customers first, and Peterson and the new line of food choices are a way to keep this integrity alive.

For more information contact:
Shaelee Barker
Public Relations Specialist
Phone: 303-533-7333
Shaelee_b@prprime.net

(END)

JCOM 2160: Branding Yourself

In the journalism world of today, branding yourself on the web can be one of your best tools. I recently started this blog and am working to collaborate entries about my thoughts and knowledge about public relations. When I am writing, I often times find myself double checking my work and making sure it sounds just the way I want it to. Posting your work makes it a lot more serious than just turning it in to a professor. It is crazy to think that anyone who wanted to could be viewing my profile. Alfred Hermida wrote, “With journalism shifting toward an era of the personal, rather than the institutional, brand, students need to consider how they are going to stand out as the expert in a knowledge-based economy.” I personally feel that blogging is a great way to showcase your skills and talents as a public relations student. Although I am not interested in becoming a journalist, I can still display my writing skills as well as blog about my event planning and media relations skills.

Here are ten tips I found to develop a personal brand:

1. People in your field should know who you are.
2. Someone who Googles your first and last name should be able to find out who you are.
3. Your online self-representation should demonstrate that you are a serious, ethical journalist.
4. Samples of your best work should be linked to your home page or online (HTML) resume.
5. Your real work experience should be easy to find and easy to scan quickly. People will want to check this for verification, so dates should be clear, not obfuscated. Example: “June – August 2006″ is clear and honest. “Intern” is honest when “reporter” might not be. Consider “correspondent” or “stringer” too, when accurate. Lists of dodgy freelance work make you appear dodgy. Links to work add credibility. (Use PDFs for work that has been locked behind a pay wall or deleted.)
6. Make sure your online pages can be read easily on various cell phones, including the iPhone.
7. If you supply a link to a PDF of your resume, make sure the pertinent job or freelance-experience information is also available via simple HTML (not exclusively in the PDF). Word Docs are not good for online resumes. A Google Doc would be better.
8. People who might want to hire you need to be able to find your contact info EASILY. Don’t make them hunt all over for it. If you supply an e-mail address, make sure you check mail at that address just about daily, if not more often.
9. You need to be around, to be visible, to be seen — people should see your name in comments, retweets, etc.
10. People online should point to you from time to time, as I have pointed to Joe, Dave, Ryan, Greg, and Lauren in this post. This confers authority on you. Brands rest in part on authority, in part on name recognition.

JCOM 2160: Internet Tug of War

Another interesting behind the scenes Internet battle is the control of the web by telecommunication groups. Within just a few years, telecommunication companies may have the potential to alter the flow of information on people’s computer screens. For a price, companies like Google and Yahoo are going to compete for “time” on the web. Throughout Internet history, we have become accustomed to the Internet being a neutral space where every company had equal opportunities. Companies are lobbying their views on both sides, each arguing that one way will help better support and market their company. Alan Davidson, Washington policy counsel for Google comments, "If carriers are able to control what consumers do on the Internet that threatens the model of Internet communications that has been wildly successful.” Overall, the neutrality of the Internet is a heated battle that keeps on getting hotter.

JCOM 2160: The Truth about Google

Most of us go about our day using Google to search for anything and everything. What most people don’t realize is that Google keeps a personal history of what everyone searches for on the Internet. Recently, a North Carolina man was found guilty of murder based on words he had searched for on Google prior to his wife’s death. As a Google user myself, I first found this information to be extremely shocking. However, thinking about it more fully I don’t believe people should have anything to hide under their search terms. Overall, I believe Google’s power will provide more good than harm. People who are innocent will not be affected by the lack of privacy. The only time this issue will really affect people is when a crisis happens, like a crime, and Google’s power can help solve the case.

JCOM 2160: Netiquette.

Netiquette. It is not a word that most of us hear very often, but simply put it is the set of rules for behaving properly online. Cyberspace is its own culture, and with each new culture comes a different and unique set of rules. Luckily, netiquette consist of ten basic rules, that when followed, will provide you with the skills to behave appropriately.

These ten rules are as follows:

1. Remember the human.
2. Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you would follow in real life.
3. Know where you are in cyberspace.
4. Respect other people’s time and bandwidth.
5. Make yourself look good online.
6. Share expert knowledge.
7. Help keep flame wars under control.
8. Respect other people’s privacy.
9. Don’t abuse your power.
10. Be forgiving of other people’s mistakes.

In my opinion, the most important of all these rules is to remember the human. When you communicate on cyberspace it is important to remember that you don’t see the person face-to-face, you only see the computer screen. Therefore, you need to realize that people can’t see gestures or facial expressions. Sometimes what you might mean to say sarcastically will only come off cold and mean. Also, remember that if you wouldn’t say something to someone’s face don’t say it online. It can often times be easy to say whatever you feel like when you are only looking at a computer screen, but manners are important, especially when it comes to people’s feelings.

Overall, following these ten rules will help you represent yourself better and keep the culture of cyberspace a happy and professional one.

JCOM 2160: Email Etiquette

Often times I believe that people underestimate the power of the written word. In the professional world, one of the most important tools an employee can have is to possess high-quality writing skills. One of the areas that most people lack writing skills is in electronic communication. A section from “Writing Effective Email” states, “By requiring employees to use appropriate, businesslike language in all electronic communications, employers can limit their liability risks and improve the overall effectiveness of the organization's e-mail and Internet copy in the process.”

With the new wave of technology so much of our communication, business and personal alike, is handed through email. Looking at email etiquette from a business standpoint, a company needs to implement etiquette rules in order to achieve professionalism, efficiency, and protection from liability. If employers take the time to construct high-quality work, then it is going to tell the clients that the company they are working with is professional and cares about them as a client. Emails that get to the point are not only more professional, but are much more efficient and beneficial. Lastly, if employees use etiquette when communicating electronically, then they are potentially saving the company from costly law suits.

An article discussing email etiquette gives these 32 rules to follow when writing an email:

1. Be concise and to the point
2. Answer all questions, and pre-empt further questions
3. Use proper spelling, grammar & punctuation
4. Make it personal
5. Use templates for frequently used responses
6. Answer swiftly
7. Do not attach unnecessary files
8. Use proper structure & layout
9. Do not overuse the high priority option
10. Do not write in CAPITALS
11. Don't leave out the message thread
12. Add disclaimers to your emails
13. Read the email before you send it
14. Do not overuse Reply to All
15. Mailings > use the bcc: field or do a mail merge
16. Take care with abbreviations and emoticons
17. Be careful with formatting
18. Take care with rich text and HTML messages
19. Do not forward chain letters
20. Do not request delivery and read receipts
21. Do not ask to recall a message.
22. Do not copy a message or attachment without permission
23. Do not use email to discuss confidential information
24. Use a meaningful subject
25. Use active instead of passive
26. Avoid using URGENT and IMPORTANT
27. Avoid long sentences
28. Don't send or forward emails containing libelous, defamatory, offensive, racist or obscene remarks
29. Don't forward virus hoaxes and chain letters
30. Keep your language gender neutral
31. Don't reply to spam
32. Use cc: field sparingly

In order to enforce these rules in a company, a written email policy must first be established. Not only should the policy outline the do’s and don’ts of professional email communication, but the employees should also be trained on the rules to make sure they fully understand them. As long as these procedures are followed and the policies implemented, then the company will not only function better, but hold a higher image.

JCOM 2160: The Basics of HTML

Until I started my Online JCOM class I had only every heard of HTML. On our second day of class we learned the basic codes that allow you to begin creating webpage. At first, I was nervous to start using HTML because in my mind it was simply a bunch of dashes and codes that seemed far too confusing. However, once I started practicing, it was a lot easier and more exciting than I expected.

In an article that discusses the basics of beginning XHTML it defined the practice as: “…a way of describing how a set of text and images should be displayed to the viewer, similar in concept to a newspaper editor's markup symbols." This definition helped me to better understand HTML and think of it as the overall blueprints and layout of what you want your webpage to look like.

As a PR major, I have realized the importance of learning at least the basics of HTML. Being able to tell a future employer that I know how to construct a webpage is going to give me an advantage over my competitors. This ability also lets your employer know that you are technologically savvy and comfortable using tools and resources that could help the business.

Another note to add is that like all technology, HTML will eventually infiltrate throughout society and eventually be used and understand by the vast amount of people. Realizing this, it is important to get ahead and master HTML concepts now so you can already be ahead for the future.

Final Press Release 1: Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 15, 2009
Contact: Preston Parker
President of the Social Media Club of Cache Valley (SMCCV)
Phone: 661-772-7537
Website: http://www.smccv.net/

Social Media Club Comes to Cache Valley
New organization provides social media networking and knowledge

LOGAN, UT- The Social Media Club of Cache Valley (SMCCV) is a new organization in Logan that allows members to learn more about the concepts of social media through guest speakers and panel discussions.

Preston Parker, president of the organization, said, “The goal of our organization is to inform people about social media and create a network of like-minded individuals.”

The club meets on the second Thursday of every month at different locations around Logan. Businesses that are willing to offer a venue receive free publicity since members of the group Facebook, blog, and tweet about their experiences.

Individuals of all knowledge and experience levels are welcome to attend meetings and become a member of SMCCV. When talking about the target market of the club, Parker said, “It’s for anyone that wants to learn about social media.” He also said that the organization is a great opportunity for students at Utah State who want to learn more about social media and expand their knowledge of public relations.

The next meeting will be held Thursday September, 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Club New York, located at 359 N. Main St. in Logan. Loralle Choate will be speaking about being discovered by the White House based on her personal blog entries on health care. Choate will be taking questions and discussing how to improve a blog. Approximately 50 to 80 people are expected to attend.

The Social Media Club of Cache Valley is a local chapter of a global organization that began three years ago and is headquartered in San Francisco. Parker and three colleagues started the Cache Valley chapter in July 2009 after attending a Salt Lake chapter meeting in Jan. 2009. The club began with three members, but has expanded to 27 official members according to the SMCCV website at http://www.smccv.net/.

For more information contact:

Shaelee Barker

PR Specialist

Shaelee.b@aggiemail.usu.edu

Phone: 303-903-7336

-END-

Draft Press Release 1: Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 8, 2009

Social Media Club of Cache Valley (SMCCV)

851 N. Main St., Logan UT 84321

Phone: 661-772-7537

Social Media Club of Cache Valley
New organization provides networking and knowledge

LOGAN, UT- Individuals who seek to learn more about social media and communication concepts are urged to join the new Social Media Club of Cache Valley (SMCCV).

According to Preston Parker, president of the club, “The goal of the organization is help people become acquainted with social media and create a network of like-minded individuals.”

The Social Media Club of Cache Valley is a chapter of a national organization and will be meeting Thursday September, 10 at 6:30PM at Club New York. A guest lecturer will be attending the meeting and discussing how she was discovered by the White House based on one of her personal blog entries.

The organization began meeting in July 2009 and currently has 26 members. Parker invites all ages to attend and hopes that the SMCCV will be a success.

For more information on SMCCV contact:

Shaelee Barker

PR Specialist

Shaelee.b@aggiemail.usu.edu

Phone: 303-903-7336

-END-

The Power of PR...

The situation that happened in relation to the song “United Breaks Guitars” is a great example of both poorly conducted and positively conducted PR. A little over a year ago as musician Dave Carroll was traveling on United Airlines from Halifax to Chicago, his $3,500 Taylor guitar was damaged and broken during the flight process. When Carroll approched United about replacing the guitar, his wishes were denied. Carroll vowed to write three songs about the poor customer service and two days after his first release the company was down $180 million.

The first mistake with the public relations on United’s end was that the company did nothing to apologize or explain why they could not replace the guitar. When a client has a problem with your company, it is the priority of the PR employees to make sure the customer leaves the situation happy and on good terms with the organization. No matter if the customer is in the wrong or not, it should have been the role of United to make sure Carroll left feeling satisfied. Without caring about your customers and listening to their concerns, there is no way for a company to be successful and United should have known this.

The second mistake on United’s end was ignoring Carroll’s threats at writing three songs. Considering that Carroll is a musician and could potentially have a lot of influence, United should have taken what Carroll said much more seriously. As public relation specialists, the employees at United should have known that the reputation of the company was in danger. First and foremost, I believe that United should have provided some sort of compensation for the guitar. Ata minimum United should have already had a statement prepared in defense against Carroll and his music. This way United could have quickly had a reaction statement and the losses could have potentially been avoided.

Looking at the actions of Dave Carroll, I believe that he did absolutely nothing wrong and handled the situation very professionally. Carroll tried to first handle his issues with the company. When nothing was done to assist him, Carroll forewarned United about the songs and gave them ample time to either defend themselves or help buy a replacement guitar.

Carroll’s songs and the enormous impact they had on people and United, are a great example of just how strong of an impact public relations can have. Neither Carroll nor United could have suspected that a simple song could change people’s views so strongly. With the social media of today, people see and hear things at a much quicker pace. Youtube and the Internet are so popular that millions of people can view content in a matter of days. As time continues and technology progresses, organizations and people are going to have to maintain an even stronger watch on their image and the reputation they have with the public.

Although the increase in technology and media resources can damage a company quickly, it can also change an image for the positive overnight. Dave Carroll is an excellent example of how in a matter of days he went from being hardly known to a social sensation. Today, PR can be used to the advantage or disadvantage depending on how resources are used and situations are handled. The overall message and key is to recognize the power of PR and use this power for good.