Buffalo Archives -

Skillshop Recap: Public Relations 101

February 1, 2017Dan Nesselbush

by Andrew Bevevino

“So what exactly do you do?” That’s a question that a lot of PR people get. PR is multifaceted to say the least, so it’s tough to put your finger on.

But, if you had to describe it, what would you say? Luckily, Martin Davison Public Relations employee Kelsey Hanks and I recently hosted Skillshop: Public Relations 101 at The Martin Group offices to discuss what PR encompasses.

What do PR people actually do?

There are many PR practices, so it’s difficult to come up with a one sentence definition. However, we spoke briefly about several areas that PR practitioners work within on a regular basis.

Advocacy: If an organization needs help gaining community and/or influencer support for a certain initiative, PR people can help craft the messaging around that cause or initiative by writing speeches and talking points, organizing forums or community meetings, placing stories with the media or administering media training.
Content marketing: When we talk about content marketing, we’re referencing blogs, podcasts, infographics or other content-based pieces of communications. This content has some sort of value for consumers (i.e. education or entertainment), and PR people help create that content and the strategies for promoting it.
Internal communications: Internal PR is useful for keeping employees satisfied and informed. A good example of internal PR is a company newsletter detailing notable employee news and company updates and accomplishments. PR people are often tasked with keeping tabs on company news and creating internal promotional materials.
Crisis management: When something happens that could damage a company’s reputation, its often the job of PR practitioners to minimize or eliminate that damage. Doing so requires careful crafting of a strategic message that is relayed through press conferences, media relations and various other PR tactics.
Social media: You can use social media to accomplish many of the same goals that accomplish with more traditional PR. You can use social to promote content you create internally or for clients (i.e. blogs, podcasts), or you can spread positive buzz through the various social media channels and tools.
Media relations: Media relations = getting your clients in the news. This is what a lot of people think about when they reference PR. If you’re pitching stories about your clients to reporters or bloggers, you’re practicing media relations.

These are just a few areas within PR that we discussed during the workshop. There are many more, and their applications vary depending on the situation.

What is newsworthy/pitching basics

We took a bit of a deeper dive into media relations and discussed what makes a story newsworthy as well as some basics for media pitching.

There are several aspects of a story that make it newsworthy. Human interest, awards, product launches, major accomplishments and original content are all good examples of characteristics that might catch a reporter’s eye.

But, when pitching a story to the media, you always have to make sure you have a good angle. The angle is the story’s point of relevance or uniqueness. Without a good angle, your story will be glanced over. During the workshop, we outlined strategies to finding a good hook, as well as some basic steps to reaching out to the news media.

10 ways to promote your brand or event

If you’re having a big event or launching a new product, you’ll definitely want some PR to spread the word. We talked about ways to promote your event or product using PR, and I’d lay those out for you now, but I’m sure you’d rather just look at this artsy infographic that details PR activations for those occasions.

We talked about a few other subjects during our presentation at The Martin Group, but these are some of the broader points we spent a little more time on. All in all, we had some solid conversation about PR basics that the attendees seemed to find interesting based on the feedback I received.

Thanks to all who came! We really enjoyed giving the presentation, and we hope to see you at more AAF Buffalo events in the future.

Blog Events

2015 WNY ADDYs

March 12, 2015October 28, 2016Corey Crossman

It was a rewarding night for the nearly 400 people who gathered at the Tralf in downtown Buffalo for the annual WNY ADDY Awards Show on Friday, March 6. The theme for the show, “See, the ADDYs are Rewarding,” was created by Buffalo agency The Martin Group and was brought to life through an array of performances throughout the night — everything from a magician, to a violinist, to roller girls handing out free ice cream. And of course, the most important rewards were handed out to those individuals and teams who won silver or gold ADDYs and special awards.

More than 375 entries were received, and the big winner of the night was Gelia, picking up the best of show award for their Queen City Roller Girls 2015 season teaser campaign. Watch our awesome judges from Baltimore, Washington D.C. and New York City decide on their choice in this video:

The full list of winners had Gelia at the top as they were awarded the most ADDYs of the night, taking home 38 awards (13 gold and 25 silver). Crowley Webb received a total of 21 awards (three gold and 18 sliver), Block Club was honored with 11 awards (eight gold and three silver), White Bicycle took away seven awards (five gold and two silver), and dPost secured six awards (four gold and two silver). Other award winners include:

The Martin Group (one gold and eight silver)
Paget Films (one gold and three silver)
Quinlan (one gold and one silver)
Karn Creative, Inc. (one gold)
Luminus Media, LLC (one gold)
Villa Maria College (one gold)
Cumbo, Inc. (four silver)
B McCrone Photography & Design (two silver)
SKM Group (two silver)
Cenergy (one silver)
Eric Mower + Associates (one silver)
Hadley Exhibits (one silver)
JCharlier Communication Design (one silver)
Manzella Marketing Group (one silver)
OtherWisz Creative Corporation (one silver)
Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity (one silver)
Propellerhead Media (one silver)
Riveter Design (one silver)
State University of New York at Fredonia (one silver)
Telesco Creative Group (one silver)
Visit Buffalo Niagara (one silver)

These winning entries wouldn’t be possible without the talented individuals behind them. In addition to the gold and silver awards, this year’s Special ADDY awards were also handed out. The 2015 winners include:

Tod Martin, The Martin Group – David I. Levy Communicator of the Year Award

This award was created to recognize outstanding achievement and service in the communications industry.

Kathy Kastan, Gelia – Alex Osborn Award for Creativity

Named in honor of Alex Osborn of Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn fame, this award recognizes individuals who, through outstanding creative achievements, have left an indelible mark on the Western New York creative community.

Independent Health Marketing Department – The Odysseus Award

The Odysseus Award was established in 2011 by the Advertising Club of Buffalo to honor a client in the Western New York market (individual or group/department) who has used the discipline of strategic marketing and advertising in an extraordinary way.

Jason Yates, Gelia – Joe Crowley Award for Service

This award recognizes not only hard work, but also outstanding achievement in furthering the activities and interests of the club.

Adina Pera, Crowley Webb – Future Star Award

This award honors an outstanding young professional in the marketing and advertising field who has demonstrated great potential in his or her early years in the industry.

The Xpedx creative use of paper award went to White Bicycle for the Andrea Nardello “Echo” CD Package. And the Best Showbook ad went to OtherWisz Creative Corporation.

College students were also included in the action. Taking home the student best of show award was Lisa Hinterberger of SUNY Fredonia for her Code Letterforms. Chad Hornberger from SUNY Buffalo State College also received two gold awards. Students each taking home one gold award included:

Tylandt A. Doyle, St. Bonaventure University
Maribel Avila, Alison Dyer, Kayleigh Forger, Lisa Hinterberger, Athena Kolokotronis, Anne Leue, Jon Mc Cray, Jessica Wilcox; State University of New York at Fredonia
Lucy Norton, Villa Maria College

Student silver award winners include:

Carl Hunley Jr., Villa Maria College
Emma Zaremba, St. Bonaventure University
Kerri Linsenbigler, St. Bonaventure University
Rachel Rising, Villa Maria College
Joe Carney, Villa Maria College
Samantha Lonczak, Villa Maria college

A thank you once again goes out to Kristen Cronyn, this year’s show chair for her leadership, commitment and hard work to make this show possible. Also, thanks to Sarah Dipofi and Christie Witt-Berardi for leading the effort on behalf of the Martin Group team. And finally, thank you to all the volunteers who chipped in along the way. We couldn’t have done it without this great support!

To see all of this year’s winners, check out the ADDY showbook below!
2015 ADDY SHOWBOOK

Events

Hey Entrepreneurs: Buffalo Startup Weekend Is Almost Here!

September 30, 2013October 28, 2016Ad Club Of Buffalo

A lot of us think about starting our own business. We experience a burst of inspiration, a sudden vision about a market gap we could fill. We are almost surprised to realize that we have the market-tested skills to make this work. We stare at the walls of our offices and fantasize about how delicious it would be to stop working for The Man.

Buffalo Startup Weekend offers an opportunity to get a taste of entrepreneurialism before cashing in your 401k. The event is slated to run from Friday, Oct. 4 through Sunday, Oct. 6 in Davis Hall at the University at Buffalo North Campus.

Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. and Buffalo Startup Weekend will then run straight through until 9 p.m. on Sunday. There will be brief interludes for eating and sleeping.

Tickets to Buffalo Startup Weekend are $50. Student tickets are $25. Registration is limited and is currently available online. Over five hundred people are currently registered.

Buffalo Startup Weekend is sponsored by the University at Buffalo and 360 PSG.

The Buffalo Startup Weekend reports that “Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. It is the largest community of passionate entrepreneurs with over 400 past events in 100 countries around the world in 2011.”

All are welcome at Startup Weekend — programmers, marketers, designers, public relations wonks, accountants, you name it — because anyone with business or creative skills can play a role in the launch of a new business.

Here’s how it works:

Participants show up on Friday night, have dinner, and listen to a series of short pitches for new businesses (if you have an idea, prepare to present your pitch). Everybody votes for the top ideas, and then teams are formed around the winners. The teams get organized and make a game plan for Saturday and Sunday’s work.

Starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, the teams work as hard as possible for as long as possible to get their startup launched. Coaches will be available to help work through thorny issues. The work can go as late as necessary…or not stop at all.

The same process on Sunday — but the teams also need to prepare for presentations at 5 p.m. Following presentations, the judges will select winners and award prizes, and you will go home, your head swimming with ideas, connections, and probably enough caffeine to kill a horse.

The top three teams will receive prize packages that include professional web design and hosting, legal advice, marketing assistance, Venture Club memberships, and tickets to Helium Comedy Club, among other items. For a full list of prizes, visit the Buffalo Startup Weekend website.

This year’s judges include John Seman, president and CEO of Launch WNY; noted entrepreneur and advisor Aron Solomon, entrepreneurial law expert Diane McMahon; Brigid Doherty, executive director and secretary of the James H. Cummings Foundation; and Adrian Roselli, vice president of Algonquin Studios.

Buffalo Startup Weekend can be followed on Facebook and Twitter.

AdWeek Events

Ad Week 2013 – From Reverse Mentoring to Questioning It All…

September 29, 2013October 28, 2016Ad Club Of Buffalo

Whoa! What a whirlwind week we had to close out September! Another Ad Week – generously sponsored by The Buffalo News – is officially in the books. And this year, we did not disappoint.

Hopefully you got as much out of it as we did. The panels and speakers were engaging and informative. And the crowds (thanks to you) were large and lively. If you ask us, that’s a great recipe for success.

In case you didn’t make it to all of the events, here’s a quick synopsis in short-bit Twitter form.

Tuesday: AdLab – Leadership at Every Level – In partnership with Performance Management Partners and Leadership Buffalo

We had a great crowd to kick off the Ad Week festivities and re-open another season of our popular AdLab series. All in attendance were very eager for a great discussion on reverse mentoring and how can generations work together.

As our AdLab offerings evolve, you’ll see more topics like this, which break from the typical marketing/communications topics and additionally explore leadership and best practices.

Throughout the year it should make for a nice mix of shop talk, but also bolster skills that will help us become more well rounded leaders in our field.

What we learned: Since anyone at any age or stage of their career can lead, there’s no reason to let generation gaps get in the way of good work. Leaders can emerge at any age or any level.

Wednesday: Social Media Coffee Talk with Craig Kanalley of the Buffalo Sabres

This Ad Week event was bright and early and had another great turnout. In conjunction with the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and the Social Media Club of Buffalo, the Ad Club hosted Buffalo Sabres Social Media Manager Craig Kanalley. Craig shared his story of being successful so quickly in the social media world, taking his talents from Buffalo, to Chicago, to New York City and now back to Buffalo.

What we learned: No matter how far you go or how successful you become, there’s always that chance to land your dream job back home. Craig did just that.

Thursday: The Golden Age of B.S. Bob Hoffman, author of The Ad Contrarian

%#$@ this was a great presentation! Pardon our French but some of Bob Hoffman’s passion rubbed off on us. He certainly didn’t disappoint the crowd by making us think about present-day advertising and shooting holes in commonly held beliefs.

What we learned: Bob believes it’s all B.S. The DVR hasn’t killed television advertising. Social media isn’t the be-all, end-all. Good creative still wins out in the end.

Friday: Ad Club After Hours

We raised a glass to a successful Ad Week at Lobby Bar at Statler City! Fun was had by all after what we believe was an invigorating and educational week.

What we learned: Every week should end with a Happy Hour!

We’ll see you at the next Ad Club event!

AdWeek Events

Great Mentoring Goes Both Ways

September 6, 2013October 28, 2016Ad Club Of Buffalo

AdLab: Leadership at Every Level (Because Great Mentoring Goes Both Ways)
Tuesday, September 24th
Templeton Landing, 2 Templeton Terrace, Buffalo
Cash Bar & Hors D’oeuvres @ 5:15 p.m. | Presentation @ 6 p.m.
Student Members: $5 | Members: $10 | Non-Members $25

RSVP Now >>

The wait is finally over. AdLab is back in action and this event is one that you won’t want to miss. We’ve teamed up with Leadership Buffalo and Performance Partners to explore how leadership happens at every level. We’ll hear from local Millennial Gen X/Yers, on the importance of letting the young guns in an organization champion new ideas or initiatives.

Let us explain a bit more. While the majority of us look up to the well-seasoned vets for their knowledge and expertise, a new trend called “Reverse Mentoring” is sweeping the industry. These vets have begun to look to the younger generation of advertisers for advice on key business objectives such as enhancing brand awareness through social media and digital spaces.

We’re certainly not discrediting the senior decision makers, but is 20+ years of experience required to take ownership of a project or come up with a great idea? We’re not convinced.

If all of this makes you a little uneasy, you’re not alone. That’s why we’ve called in some of the best in the biz to share their experiences, best practices and provide some insight on this important topic. RSVP today and join us Tuesday, Sept. 24th. We’re fairly certain it’ll be an enjoyable evening. Hey, you may even learn a thing or two!

AdWeek Events

The Golden Age of BS

September 5, 2013October 28, 2016Ad Club Of Buffalo

Thursday, September 26
Ad Contrarian
“The Golden Age of BS” – presentation by Bob Hoffman
Karpeles Manuscript Library | 453 Porter Ave, Buffalo, NY
Discussion: 7 p.m.
Members: $25 | Non-Members: $45

Author and advertising veteran Bob Hoffman will question some of the “truths” about advertising and marketing that you may currently hold to be self-evident. He’ll nudge you toward a state of skepticism about what you hear from advertising experts and pundits.

Bob will discuss the myth of advertising interactivity; the language of brand babble; frauds in display advertising; the fantasy of social media marketing; and the rise and fall of some advertising prophets.

If you’re in the industry – or even if you’re not – this lecture is sure to leave you asking yourself about the truth behind the advertising you consume. Prepare to be challenged, but also entertained.

RSVP NOW!

Bob Hoffman is a partner in the Type A Group, a consultancy that helps businesses understand and influence consumers over 50. He is the author of “101 Contrarian Ideas About Advertising” and “The Ad Contrarian” as well as “The Ad Contrarian” blog, which was named one of the world’s most influential advertising and marketing blogs by Business Insider.

Bob has created advertising for McDonald’s, Toyota, Shell, Nestle, Blue Cross, Chevrolet, Pepsico, Bank of America, AT&T, and more companies than he cares to remember.

AdWeek Events

Get Ready! Ad Week 2013 is Coming in Hot

September 5, 2013October 28, 2016Ad Club Of Buffalo

Now that The Big Tip-Off is behind us, it’s time to gear up for one of the biggest weeks on the Advertising Club calendar – Ad Week. Cheers to those that filled the tip jars at Soho; it was our best year yet with over $4,000 raised for education programming.

Ad Week comes right at the start of the Ad Club membership year, which makes joining, if you haven’t already, even more essential. Get the most bang for your buck on Ad Week events and many more throughout the year by joining today.

The lineup for the 2013 session is pretty exciting, if we do say so ourselves. Much like you’ve experienced from past Ad Weeks, expect to be engaged, educated and have a little fun.

Thursday of Ad Week, in particular, is a day we’re really anticipating. It’s our Ad Contrarian presentation called “The Golden Age of BS.” Bob Hoffman will discuss the myth of advertising interactivity; the appalling language of brand babble; the massive fraud of display advertising; the fantasy of social media marketing; and the rise and fall of false advertising prophets.

It will definitely pique your interest.

Whether you decide to attend one event, or come for the whole week, we’re confident you’ll walk away with some inspiration and some industry insight that’s sure to impress your colleagues back at the office.

So here’s the rundown for the week:

Tuesday, September 24
Ad Lab with Leadership Buffalo & Performance Partners
Leadership at Every Level (Because Great Mentoring Goes Both Ways)
Templeton Landing | 2 Templeton Terrace, Buffalo
Cash Bar & Hors D’oeuvres @ 5:15 p.m. | Presentation @ 6 p.m.
Student Members* $5 | Members: $10 | Non-Members: $25

RSVP NOW

Explore how leadership happens at every level. Having 20 years of experience under your belt is no longer required to take ownership of a project, but with painstakingly visible differences between Millennials, Generation X and Y, a trend has become more apparent. The industry-wide trend we’re talking about is sweeping the marketing world and it’s called “Reverse Mentoring.”

It can lead to professional development and overall better leadership skills for promoting key business objectives such as building community and public relations, increasing lead generation and sales, and enhancing brand awareness, especially in the ever-evolving social media and digital spaces.

——————————————————————————————

Wednesday, September 25
Coffee Talk with Craig Kanalley
Real-time advice from Buffalo’s social media superstar
The Knox Room at the Buffalo Niagara Partnership
665 Main Street – Suite 200, Buffalo
Donuts & Hot Drinks: 8 a.m.
Discussion: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Pre-Order: FREE | At The Door: $5

RSVP NOW

If you’re on Twitter and don’t know of Craig Kanalley – you’re not really on Twitter. After three years at The Huffington Post – yes that Huffington Post – and brief stint as a social media editor at NBC News – yep, NBC news –Craig, a Tonawanda native, has returned home to work full-time as the social media manager for our beloved Sabres. Craig will spend his morning with us, fielding questions from audience members like you and chatting about all things social media. #GetYourHashtagsReady

——————————————————————————————

Thursday, September 26
Ad Contrarian
“The Golden Age of BS” – presentation by Bob Hoffman
Karpeles Manuscript Library | 453 Porter Ave, Buffalo, NY
Discussion: 7 p.m.
Members: $25 | Non-Members: $45

RSVP NOW

Bob Hoffman will question some of the “truths” about advertising and marketing that you may currently hold to be self-evident. He’ll nudge you toward a state of skepticism about what you hear from advertising experts and pundits.

If you’re in the industry – or even if you’re not – this lecture is sure to leave you asking yourself about the truth behind the advertising you consume. Prepare to be challenged, but also entertained.

——————————————————————————————

Friday, September 27
Ad Week Social
Ad Club After Hours
Lobby Bar at Statler City, 107 Delaware Ave, Buffalo
2 for 1 Drink Special from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Price: FREE

Cap off a great week of events with a cocktail among friends. There’s no need to RSVP, just mark your calendar and prepare to have a good time. Hope you can join us for a drink!