Archive for the ‘PR’ Category

Sometimes desperate situations call for desperate solutions. So we decided it was time for a little agency-wide chat. Literally. Our employees were getting so glued to phones, email, and IM that everyone was forgetting how to talk with one another.

A few insurgents left these “No butts about it” cards, candy cigarettes, and email reduction patches on everyone’s desks to institute a “No internal phone calls or emails day” yesterday.

Results were extraordinary. Idle chit-chat spawned into numerous ideas. One old-timer discovered a copywriter had a baby a couple months ago. And an account executive even decided she could eat more cookies since she was walking around the office so much. Now that’s sweet.

We came, we built a ton of furniture, we conquered. Miranda traded heels for hiking boots. And some of us even broke a sweat – all in a day’s work for a tremendously worthwhile cause.

The first week of June 2011, the Burns Marketing crew rolled west to Roundup River Ranch, a camp for children with life-threatening illnesses located near Gypsum, Colorado. They needed a little help getting their facilities ready for their first campers later this summer, and we had the volunteer workability to get ‘er done.

What an amazing facility staffed by truly inspirational people, tucked into a postcard-perfect setting in the Colorado Rockies. We were glad to move awesomely heavy tables, carry cubbies, build a couple boating docks, and tackle furniture assembly… armed with little more than flathead screwdrivers. A few of us wielded power tools. But don’t worry, none of the creative types were harmed (although there was some gratuitous whining about the nausea-inspiring cruise ship conditions on the bus – and spotty cell phone coverage at the camp).

At the end of the day, the dining hall and cabins at Roundup River Ranch moved ever closer to reaching camper-ready status. We’re happy to report that when the first campers arrive in early July, there will be tables to sit at and beds to sleep in. Because many a camp memory is made over good eats in the cafeteria – and embellished from the bunks after lights out.

In arguably the most useless (and obvious) research ever, social media experts have quantified that cleavage sells stuff.

That’s why it’s no surprise that cleavage thievage has increased dramatically (not proven by research).

Case in point. An online ad in the Coloradoan stole (ya, I said it) a photo taken three years ago at ad:tech San Francisco.

Happens all the time, right? So how are we connected to this story? Our senior copywriter broke the news to the fine folks over at adrants. Turns out that the woman’s strategically placed name badge — which was accentuated by her profitable cleavage — was just the type of picture nefarious ad makers covet. Read the adrants article here

Just goes to show that despite tremendous increase in ad response rates, we need to keep our cleavage to ourselves — otherwise it might get stolen.

That’s just the first of many Tweets from BP Twitter impostor, @BPGlobalPR.

With nearly 20,000 followers (and growing), you would think BP would be trying to cap, plug with trash, or otherwise reduce the mess of this feed. But sticking to their traditions, they’re just going to let it go.

According to this Advertising Age article , Toby Odone, a spokesman at BP, said, “I’m not aware of whether BP has made any calls to have it taken down or addressed. People are entitled to their views on what we’re doing and we have to live with those. We are doing the best we can to deal with the current situation and to try to stop the oil from flowing and to then clean it up.”

Entitled to their views, indeed. And this Twitter feed isn’t backing up.

Do you think BP is making a smart move?

Don’t be fooled, Marc Delphine, Oregon’s Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate, is not big into hockey. You might assume he’s a huge Columbus Blue Jackets fan, but you’d be wrong. So why the assumption?

You see, Delphine’s patriotic Senate campaign logo has an uncanny resemblance to the Blue Jackets’. But when word got out that the logo was a copy-cat, it was quickly removed from his web site and Facebook page.

Delphine’s logo Blue Jackets’ logo

It appeared that the Blue Jackets’ logo was simply flipped to the opposite side, the red circle removed from the flag, and voila — Delphine’s campaign symbol.

And that’s why you shouldn’t use a donated logo “designed” by a volunteer to represent you and your campaign — at least without some due diligence.

If you’ve indulged in a Nestle Crunch lately, you may have seen a promo code and 1-800 number inside the wrapper. If not, don’t feel bad since the code is printed in a light chocolate color and difficult to see or even read unless you’re paying close attention.

Didn’t call the promo number? No worries — there’s no promotion currently running. But do keep your wrappers and check back periodically… explains the automated voice.

Waste of time, no promo, suggestion to hoard the wrappers until the unforeseen promotion, and an automated recording.

Bad call, Nestle. That’s four reasons for consumers to be annoyed and angry.

What’s the world coming to? Do we really need a spokespig to defend the pork industry after the worldwide outbreak of Swine Flu? One PR expert seems to think so, and even went so far as to suggest the right sow for the job. None other than Miss Piggy. (We might need to mention this expert represented oinkers, Gov. Blagojevich and Sgt. Drew Peterson.)

Of course, Miss Piggy isn’t the only beloved member of the swine family. What about Pumba, Hamm, or even Piglet? Are they not worthy of lending their voices to repair the reputation of the pig?

Let’s all take a minute to remember that despite all the recent bad press, some pigs are even loveable.

As EA Sports releases Madden 09 today, one has to wonder if the curse is getting stronger with each passing year. In years past, the curse has only affected the cover boy, albeit physically. Only this year, what should have been a safe release has turned into a PR mess, not just for the cover boy, but for many others.

Yes, with none other than unretired NFL hero Brett Favre gracing the cover in a Green Bay Packers uniform, Madden 09 has touched the lives of fans and multiple teams alike…

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You should. His story of inspiration in spite of cancer is one of the most inspiring examples of the awesome power of social media. But mostly, it’s a profoundly influential lesson about life.

It began as the final lecture of a popular professor dying of pancreatic cancer. It’s now a tribute to capturing all that life has to offer, and it’s touched millions around the world. (Excuse us while we reach for a Kleenex.) His story has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, on Good Morning America, and an hour-long ABC special featuring Diane Sawyer.

Not to sound trite, but for yourself and all those important to you, be sure to embrace what will forever be known as “The Last Lecture.”

Do you know what sport is played by two-thirds of the world? No, we’re not talking about Polo or Jai Alai. It’s Cricket and it’s taking over America.

In case you haven’t seen the billboards, TV commercials, and print ads that have flooded the Fort Collins market in recent weeks, the Stanford 20/20 Cricket Tournament, played in the West Indies each year, has selected our town to make its American broadcast debut.

Throughout the next month, Stanford 20/20 Cricket is taking over the town and hosting a series of viewing parties for each match and a family day where residents can learn and play the sport of cricket. The Fort Collins cricket adventure will culminate at a Caribbean-themed street festival in downtown to celebrate the final weekend of the tournament. Check out www.yougottaseethis2020.com for more information.