Minnesota Public Relations Blog

Job - AmeriPride Services - Director of Communications

2009-12-06T21:37:00.000-06:00

AmeriPride Services - Director of Communications

Social Media / Online PR Associate

2009-12-05T20:57:00.001-06:00

Social Media / Online PR Associate

Job - Milestone AV - Public Relations & Communications Specialist /Marketing/Brand Management/

2009-12-04T15:04:00.002-06:00

Public Relations & Communications Specialist /Marketing/Brand Management/

Marketing in the Green Era

2009-12-04T13:13:00.000-06:00

How Is an Environmentally Conscious Corporate Culture Relevant to Market

How is an environmentally conscious corporate culture relevant to marketing? Hear from Benjamin Mattson of Chipotle and Melanee Megan of Peace Coffee on December 18 at 8:00am over breakfast as they discuss ways to integrate a company's commitment to going green with positive and successful marketing efforts. There will be a drawing for prizes to include products/items from Peace Coffee and Chipotle.

Benjamin Mattson graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in advertising and public relations, and began his career at 3M as a public relations consultant. He has since acted as the sales/advertising manager at Wild Mountain, director of golf operations & marketing for the Luck Golf Course and Country Club in Northwest Wisconsin, and for the past five years served as a marketing consultant for Chipotle Mexican Grill. In his spare time, Ben is also a guest lecturer at the Carlson School of Management, Hamline University and the University of St. Thomas, speaking about advertising and branding.

Melanee Meegan is a Minneapolis native who grew up working in her parent's custom tailoring business in Uptown until attending Antioch College in Ohio where she received her B.A in International Business. Since returning to the Twin Cities 8 years ago, Meegan has been selling beans and pulling shots at Peace Coffee. In her role as marketing manager she manages the look and feel of its product and brand across a wide spectrum of print, radio and online mediums.

RMG adds seven new accounts in November

2009-12-04T10:04:00.000-06:00

Risdall Marketing Group (RMG) continued to expand its client roster in November, with the firm adding and expanding seven accounts during the month. Since January 2009, RMG has added 88 new accounts.

“Clients are working to finish 2009 on a high note and continue that momentum to start 2010 with a bang,” said John Risdall , vice chairman and CEO of RMG. “Our integrated approach provides clients the means to achieve results that matter for their organization.”

RMG’s new and expanded accounts include:

American Pest Solutions – Sponsored search marketing
College of St. Scholastica – Online advertising and search marketing
Huckleberry – Web support, internal identity documents, collateral development
Lumens Integration, Inc. (an ASUS company) – Web site redesign including back-end application revision
Med Supports – Sponsored search marketing
Memoir of Me – Expanded engagement to include search marketing and social media marketing
“See New Now” – Public relations and social media marketing

Kohnstamm Hires Nelson and Boeser

2009-12-03T13:21:00.000-06:00

St. Paul-based Kohnstamm Communications has added two new staff to bolster its growing organic and natural foods PR portfolio.

Kate Nelson has been hired as an Account Executive and Samuel Boeser has joined as an Assistant Account Executive. Kate is formerly the senior publicist for Lola Red PR, and was a contributing editor for Minnesota Monthly. Sam Boeser is formerly an account assistant with Tunheim Partners, and a member of the Minnesota Interactive Marketing Association. Both are graduates of the University of Minnesota.

Job - United Health Group - Director of Media Relations

2009-12-02T10:28:00.002-06:00

United Health Group - Director of Media Relations

Job - MD Biosciences - Marketing Communications/PR Specialist

2009-12-02T10:19:00.002-06:00

MD Biosciences - Marketing Communications/PR Specialist

Job - Director of Marketing - PLATO Learning Inc

2009-12-02T09:56:00.000-06:00

Director of Marketing - PLATO Learning Inc

WEBER SHANDWICK PROMOTES LIDA POLETZ TO VICE PRESIDENT

2009-12-01T15:16:00.000-06:00

The Minneapolis-St. Paul office of Weber Shandwick today announced the promotion of Lida Poletz to vice president in the financial services practice.

Since joining the agency in 2003, Poletz has been instrumental in developing, planning and executing the award-winning, high-profile U.S. Treasury campaign. For nearly two years, Poletz has directed the expansive account team, which includes a highly talented group in Minneapolis, as well as individuals in eight other Weber Shandwick and partner-agency offices. Prior to joining Weber Shandwick, she was a senior financial journalist with Reuters.

With more than 15 years of communications, public relations and marketing experience, Poletz brings to her new position a proven history of successfully managing strategic communications programs, reaching hard-to-influence audiences and delivering measurable results.

Poletz holds an MBA and a master’s in journalism from Columbia University in New York, and she graduated magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism. Outside of work, she is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

“Lida is a major force and leader in the financial services practice. Her commitment to excellence is not only respected and revered by colleagues, but also by senior government officials,” said Barb Iverson, president of Weber Shandwick’s financial services industry practice.

Job - University of Minnesota - Communications Director - Office for Equity and Diversity

2009-12-01T08:55:00.000-06:00

University of Minnesota - Communications Director - Office for Equity and Diversity

KraftMaid Cabinetry selects OLSON

2009-11-30T13:08:00.002-06:00

KraftMaid Cabinetry, one of the largest and most recognized brands of cabinetry for the home, has selected OLSON as its agency of record after a national competitive review. OLSON will partner with KraftMaid to develop and execute strategy, advertising, PR and interactive for the Ohio-based company.

“We were looking for a holistic partner that could bring new, better, different thinking to KraftMaid’s marketing program. And OLSON clearly demonstrated the passion and deep strategic understanding for our business we were looking for right from the beginning,” says Mara Villanueva-Heras, managing director, marketing, KraftMaid. “We have already built a great relationship—we’re very excited to begin work.”

“We’re honored to help KraftMaid redefine itself in this new economic reality. We knew after our first meeting these were people we really liked, and a brand we were excited about. OLSON looks forward to using traditional and nontraditional marketing approaches to help deliver the KraftMaid message,” says Kevin DiLorenzo, president, OLSON. “We already know we will take them in a distinctly new direction, that will certainly make them stand out. KraftMaid allows you to create a kitchen that reflects who you are and how you live.”

For more than 40 years, KraftMaid Cabinetry has been one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of semi-custom cabinetry. Today, KraftMaid continues to lead the industry in innovation and design with an extensive product selection featuring more than 100 trend-on door styles and more than 45 furniture-quality finishes. In 1990, KraftMaid was purchased by Masco Corporation of Taylor, Michigan, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of brand-name consumer products for the home and family. KraftMaid is the anchor brand of the Masco Retail Cabinet Group. All KraftMaid Cabinetry is backed by a limited lifetime warranty. For more information, visit www.kraftmaid.com.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T08:23:00.007-06:00

Hope you all have a fabulous day of rest and relaxation as we dwell on all of the things we are thankful for today. I am counting my many blessings!

Job - Carl Zeiss IMT Corporation - Marketing Communications Specialist

2009-11-24T09:09:00.002-06:00

Carl Zeiss IMT Corporation - Marketing Communications Specialist

Job - Internship - Strother Communications

2009-11-24T08:57:00.002-06:00

Internship - Strother Communications

Red Kap work wear brand chooses OLSON

2009-11-23T12:46:00.000-06:00

Red Kap work wear brand has chosen OLSON as agency of record, to handle holistic marketing efforts to build the ultimate movement and to reach microcommunities.

“Every day, six million people wear Red Kap clothing to work, but very few of them even realize it,” says Stephen Phanco. director of marketing, VF Imagewear. “We’ve hired OLSON to help change that.”

“Red Kap is the ultimate community brand, and it’s so right for the times,” says Kevin DiLorenzo, OLSON president. “The people who wear Red Kap to work today are the ones who keep our country moving, just like those who were wearing it back in 1923. Red Kap is an authentic work wear brand, not a fashion statement.”

As part of the world’s largest publicly owned apparel company, VF Imagewear, Red Kap, based in Nashville, Tenn., is part of a family of leading brands, such as Wrangler, Lee, The North Face, Vans, Reef, Jansport and many more, that provide complete apparel solutions.

Iverson appointed by the St. Thomas to serve on the Opus College of Business Executive Education Advisory Board

2009-11-21T07:00:00.006-06:00

Barb Iverson, president of Weber Shandwick’s financial services industry practice, has been appointed by the University of St. Thomas to serve on the Opus College of Business Executive Education Advisory Board. This group of Twin Cities business and community leaders advises on matters that advance the mission of the Center for Business Excellence to build the leadership capacity of individuals and the organizations they serve.

“Barb is a well-respected leader and counselor, and we are delighted she is sharing her knowledge and expertise to support the work of the Center for Business Excellence at the University of St. Thomas,” said Sara Gavin, president of Weber Shandwick’s Minneapolis-St. Paul office.

“The University of St. Thomas is honored to have an individual with Barb’s experience and leadership skills provide us with advice and counsel on the educational programs that can best serve business executives and other leaders in the Twin Cities and beyond,” said Durwin A. Long, assistant dean, executive and professional development at the University of St. Thomas.

Iverson has more than 30 years of communications management experience in business, government and education. She has spoken at national forums on trends, issues and communications challenges facing the financial services industry. In addition, she has particular expertise in the banking, electronic payments and retirement services industries. Her practice group’s blog can be found at http://www.financialstatementsblog.com/.

CLS Hires Anna Morrison as Social Media Specialist

2009-11-20T10:54:00.000-06:00

Anna Morrison has been named social media specialist in the Minneapolis office of public relations firm Carmichael Lynch Spong, after previously serving as an intern for the agency. In this new role she is responsible for researching social media opportunities for client initiatives as well as advising client teams on strategic blogger relations and effective social media practices.

Morrison comes to Carmichael Lynch Spong from The Angel Foundation, a Minneapolis-based charitable organization working to fulfill unmet non-medical needs of adult cancer patients and their families. While there, she served as the public relations and communications intern where she planned, implemented and monitored a new social media initiative.

“We are so pleased to welcome Anna to Carmichael Lynch Spong,” says Douglas K. Spong, APR, president of the firm. “Her diverse work history, coupled with her knowledge of social media makes her a valuable addition to our team, and ensures continued expertise in the social media space for our clients.”

Prior to her role at The Angel Foundation, Morrison was a high school English teacher for Greenville-Weston High School in Greenville, Miss. She also served as the public relations and marketing intern for the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C.

In her spare time, Morrison serves on a grant-making committee through the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, which gives grants to Minnesota nonprofits that work to build low-income girls’ future economic success.

Morrison received her bachelor of arts degree in English from Williams College in Williamstown, Mass. She has her masters in education from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss.

ANNIE BASINSKI AND MATT DEPOINT JOIN EXPONENT PR

2009-11-19T12:12:00.000-06:00

Minneapolis-based public relations agency Exponent PR announces the hiring of Annie Basinski and Matt DePoint.

Basinski has joined the agency as a senior associate on the Caribou Coffee, DuPont and Koala Ranch accounts. Basinski was previously in the Consumer Brands/Food & Nutrition department in the Chicago office of Edelman Worldwide where she oversaw a variety of well-known, national consumer food brands and nutrition commodity accounts including National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Heinz, Nestlé, Kraft, Hidden Valley Ranch, KC Masterpiece and the Mushroom Council.

DePoint has been added as an associate on the DuPont and Caribou Coffee accounts. He was previously at Minneapolis-based Tunheim Partners where he worked with a diverse group of consumer, pharmaceutical, education and agriculture clients including Target, Pfizer, The Minnesota Private College Council and No Name Steaks.

“We are extremely excited about these two great new additions to our team,” said Tom Lindell, managing director, Exponent PR. “Annie and Matt bring tremendous experience, energy and new ideas to the table to help fuel Exponent’s ongoing growth.”

In recent years, Exponent PR has received increased industry recognition and its client roster continues to expand with nationally recognized brands. After ending 2008 with three years of double-digit growth, the agency and its advertising partner Colle+McVoy continue to grow in 2009.

Job - PLATO Learning, Inc. - Director of Marketing

2009-11-18T09:51:00.000-06:00

PLATO Learning, Inc. - Director of Marketing

Job - Kohnstamm PR hiring Assistant Account Executive

2009-11-18T08:43:00.000-06:00

Kohnstamm PR hiring Assistant Account Executive

GIVE NOW! - GiveMN.org - Give to the Max Day!

2009-11-17T08:00:00.039-06:00

Today, Tuesday, November 17th, 2009, your gift to any nonprofit listed on GiveMN.org will be matched, but only by using the www.GiveMN.org website. The gift needs to be made by credit card. GiveMN.org is an innovative online resource that is working to make giving a little easier while creating a stronger nonprofit community for Minnesota.

On November 17th, beginning NOW - 8:00 a.m. until http://givemn.razoo.com/8:00 a.m. November 18th, any credit card gift you give through www.GiveMN.org will be matched by of a generous $500,000 grant from The Saint Paul Foundation, Minneapolis Foundation and Bush Foundation. The exact match amount per dollar donated will be determined when the Give to the Max Day is over. There will be additional cash awards to three organizations for the most individual donors.

You may have received this from charities you support, but two important charities to me include the following:

ImpactLives

Association of the US Army - AUSA, General John W. Vessey Jr.

Thank you for considering a donation and maximizing your support through “Give to the Max Day!”

-Ryan

Job - Weber Shandwick Worldwide - Account Supervisor

2009-11-16T21:09:00.000-06:00

Weber Shandwick Worldwide - Account Supervisor

Managing Economic Challenges and Anticipating New Opportunities in 2010

2009-11-16T10:36:00.000-06:00

Tumultuous financial markets and the economic recession have brought about many challenges for communications professionals over the past year. Declining profits, decreasing charitable contributions and tightening budgets have impacted corporations, government entities, agencies and nonprofits. At the same time, the inevitable economic recovery will likely provide opportunities for those who can weather the storm.

Jorg Pierach, President and Creative Director at Fast Horse, will provide an agency perspective and Marsha Pitts-Phillips, Public Relations Manager for Greater Twin Cities United Way, will represent the nonprofit sector in this executive roundtable discussion on managing the economic downturn and preparing for the recovery.

Details & Registration:

Time:
7:30 a.m. Registration, light breakfast and networking
8:00–9:00 a.m. Roundtable discussion

Location:
Fast Horse
240 N 9th Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Directions

Price:
PRSA Member - $30
Nonmember - $45

Registration closes at 5 p.m. on November 18.
Walk-in registration is an additional $5.

Registration:
Register online or contact the PRSA office by November 18

Job - Fleishman-Hillard Inc. - Senior Vice President, Consumer Brand Marketing

2009-11-13T16:41:00.002-06:00

Fleishman-Hillard Inc. - Senior Vice President, Consumer Brand Marketing

Minnesota Public Relations Blog

Job - AmeriPride Services - Director of Communications

Social Media / Online PR Associate

Job - Milestone AV - Public Relations & Communications Specialist /Marketing/Brand Management/

Marketing in the Green Era

How Is an Environmentally Conscious Corporate Culture Relevant to Market

RMG adds seven new accounts in November

Kohnstamm Hires Nelson and Boeser

Job - United Health Group - Director of Media Relations

Job - MD Biosciences - Marketing Communications/PR Specialist

Job - Director of Marketing - PLATO Learning Inc

WEBER SHANDWICK PROMOTES LIDA POLETZ TO VICE PRESIDENT

Job - University of Minnesota - Communications Director - Office for Equity and Diversity

KraftMaid Cabinetry selects OLSON

Happy Thanksgiving

Job - Carl Zeiss IMT Corporation - Marketing Communications Specialist

Job - Internship - Strother Communications

Red Kap work wear brand chooses OLSON

Iverson appointed by the St. Thomas to serve on the Opus College of Business Executive Education Advisory Board

CLS Hires Anna Morrison as Social Media Specialist

ANNIE BASINSKI AND MATT DEPOINT JOIN EXPONENT PR

Job - PLATO Learning, Inc.​ - Director of Marketing

Job - Kohnstamm PR hiring Assistant Account Executive

GIVE NOW! - GiveMN.org - Give to the Max Day!

Job - Weber Shandwick Worldwide - Account Supervisor

Managing Economic Challenges and Anticipating New Opportunities in 2010

Job - Fleishman-Hillard Inc. - Senior Vice President, Consumer Brand Marketing

Job - PLATO Learning, Inc. - Director of Marketing