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July 2013 | www.odwyerpr.com Julymagazine_Layout 1 6/28/13 3:30 PM Page 2 Julymagazine_Layout 1 6/28/13 3:31 PM Page 3 Julymagazine_Layout 1 6/28/13 3:31 PM Page 4

Vol. 27, No. 7 July 2013

EDITORIAL TRAVEL INDUSTRY IS MADE TO I Spy: a look at cognitive dissonance. SHARE STORIES Stories are often the best way to 6 18 share authentic content that engages audiences and compels them to take WASHINGTON POST UNVEILS action. SPONSORED SECTION RICH GET RICHER FOR EXECS In an effort to raise cash, The OF AD/PR CONGLOMS Washington Post unveiled a new sponsored8 Stockholders are complaining about 10 section that would feature special interest 20 the pay levels for corporate executives commentary to run beside online editorials. at WPP Group and Omnicom. LAS VEGAS TRADE SHOW PUTS PR BILLING RATES DIPPED IN SPOTLIGHT ON TRAVEL PR 2012 22 Hosted in Las Vegas, the 45th annual A flat economy and stagnant indus- IPW trade show broke delegate try growth caused average billing rates9 at records, bringing in 6,400 attendees PR firms to fall in 2012, according to a from 74 countries around the world. recent report. PROFILES OF TRAVEL & 22 TOURISM PR FIRMS www.odwyerpr.com CRUISE INDUSTRY SINKS 24 Daily, up-to-the-minute PR news PR OPPORTUNITIES The cruise industry has taken a RANKINGS OF TRAVEL & beating over a series of recent PR10 night- TOURISM PR FIRMS mares. However, the industry may also be 35 missing out on several positive PR opportunities. WASHINGTON REPORT TAILORING MOBILE FOR 40 TARGET TRAVELERS COLUMNS The biggest challenge for travel PR professionals now is how to capitalize12 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT on an environment where spending is up, 36 Fraser Seitel while content has diversified. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 37 Richard Goldstein HAVE THINGS STAYED THE OPINION SAME FOR TRAVEL PR? 38 Jack O’Dwyer Does the old saying “the more things change, the more they stay14 the GUEST COLUMN same” still hold true for today’s travel PR 39 Stefan Pollack practitioners? PR BUYER’S GUIDE BUILDING THE SOCIAL 42 MEDIA BRAND EDITORIAL CALENDAR 2013 With more than 80% of travel- January: Crisis Comms. / Buyer’s Guide July: Travel & Tourism related decisions beginning 15 February: Environmental & P.A. August: Financial/I.R. online, PR practitioners now face the chal- March: Food & Beverage September: Beauty & Fashion lenge of driving results by accessing multi- April: Broadcast & Social Media October: Healthcare & Medical ple media channels. May: PR Firm Rankings November: High-Tech June: Global & Multicultural December: Entertainment & Sports TRAVEL BOUNCES BACK AMID OPTIMISM ADVERTISERS The economy continues to J Public Relations...... 5 Omega Travel...... 19 improve, but travelers are still 16 holding KEF Media...... 3 Quinn & Co...... 13 onto their wallets. How can PR pros push Live Star Entertainment...... 9 Ruder Finn...... Back Cover messages that stress leisure, luxury and Log-On...... Inside Cover Shoot Publicity Wire...... 17 value at the same time? Lou Hammond & Associates...... 7 Strauss Media Strategies...... 8 Murphy O’Brien...... 11 TV Acess...... 39

O’Dwyer’s is published monthly for $60.00 a year ($7.00 for a single issue) by the J.R. O’Dwyer Co., Inc., 271 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016. (212) 679-2471; fax: (212) 683-2750. Periodical postage paid at New York, N.Y., and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to O’Dwyer’s, 271 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016. O’Dwyer’s PR Report ISSN: 1931-8316. Published monthly. Julymagazine_Layout 1 6/28/13 3:31 PM Page 5 Julymagazine_Layout 1 6/28/13 3:31 PM Page 6

EDITORIAL I spy: a lesson in modern hypocrisy

he public’s outrage surrounding President Obama’s expansion of National Security EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Agency surveillance programs — as well as new details into the Justice Department’s Jack O’Dwyer Trepeated subpoenaing of journalist phone and email records — has grown palpable. [email protected] Decoding the nation’s apoplexy, at least as it’s been ferreted out on the nightly news, has been interesting, and not because of what our partisan pundits have had to say (that, for the ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER most part, has been painfully predictable). More than anything, it’s been interesting to see Kevin McCauley who’s outraged this time and who isn’t. [email protected] I was flipping through the channels the other night when I stumbled upon something that, at first glance, appeared to be nothing other than network news boilerplate. Sean Hannity EDITOR Jon Gingerich and Juan Williams were yelling at each other again. This time, they were arguing about the [email protected] aforementioned NSA issue. Much to my amazement however, I soon discovered through the course of the argument that both men had flipped 180-degrees from positions they’d SENIOR EDITOR held on this issue just several years before. Hannity (once an ardent supporter of the Patriot Greg Hazley Act) was now reproaching NSA surveillance under the Obama administration, while [email protected] Williams (who spoke out repeatedly against NSA overreach during Bush’s Presidency) was now a proponent of the program. CONTRIBUTING EDITORS A recent Fox News poll on ongoing attitudes regarding the NSA program aptly elucidates John O’Dwyer the hypocrisy that has besieged our nation’s talking heads. It’s also simply one of the most Fraser Seitel telling examples of confirmation bias I’ve ever seen. Richard Goldstein Way back in 2006, at the height of President Bush’s storied spying program — when it was discovered that American telecom companies had worked in collusion with the NSA to Sarah Nicole Smetana Ostiz perform wiretaps of U.S. citizens without warrants — a Fox study reported that only 37% Editorial Assistant & Research of Democrats found the NSA’s snooping “acceptable,” while a whopping 75% of Republicans approved of the initiative (conversely, 61% of Democrats referred to Bush’s ADVERTISING SALES John O’Dwyer spying program as “unacceptable,” while only 23% of Republicans said this). Advertising Sales Manager Fast-forward to 2013. A new Fox study finds that surprisingly, 64% of Democrats now [email protected] find the NSA surveillance initiative to be “acceptable,” while only 52% of Republicans now believe this (conversely, only 34% of Democrats now consider the spying programs “unac- Sharlene Spingler ceptable,” while 47% of Republicans now agree). Associate Publisher & National Sales Director In case you still need help putting this together: a majority of Republicans who were once [email protected] in favor of surveillance when Bush was in office are now opposed to it, and a majority of Democrats who were once opposed to surveillance are in favor of it now that Obama is in O’Dwyer’s is published monthly for $60.00 office. a year ($7.00 for a single issue) by the Call it a working primer for cognitive dissonance. It’s simply easier for us to retrofit our J.R. O’Dwyer Co., Inc., existing beliefs to accommodate new information than it is to change our beliefs; it’s a far 271 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016. more furtive exercise in humility to evolve our putative opinions than it is to admit we were (212) 679-2471 wrong. For many of us, the prospect of admitting that someone we supported did something Fax (212) 683-2750. we disagree with is a pill too bitter to swallow. To accept the obvious would be tantamount to accepting that our fragile identities are built on faulty foundations. And we can’t have © Copyright 2013 that. J.R. O’Dwyer Co., Inc. One thing’s for sure: most of us seem to have made up our minds on how we feel about privacy. The media’s romanticism surrounding Edward J. Snowden’s fugitive run in the third-world has turned him into a modern day Robin Hood for big data. It’s interesting that OTHER PUBLICATIONS & we should celebrate someone who serves not only as a warning regarding what’s being done SERVICES: to us, but what we’re already doing to ourselves. As the debate over surveillance wages on, www.odwyerpr.com 4 breaking news, the divide between our public and private lives has grown increasingly fuzzy. By our own commentary, useful databases and more. choice, we seem to take great pleasure in externalizing ourselves in gadgets, promulgating our identities into the ether, and rendering our personalities into a series of multiple choic- Jack O’Dwyer’s Newsletter 4 An eight- es. page weekly with general PR news, media Aldous Huxley’s dystopian novel Brave New World imagined a future where a public appointments and placement opportunities. sated with information and anesthetized by every pleasure would willingly sign over auton- omy, gladly enslaving themselves when presented with the false notion of freedom. George O’Dwyer’s Directory of PR Firms 4 has Orwell’s totalitarian vision of the future never came to fruition. However, Huxley’s words listings of more than 1,600 PR firms through- couldn’t be more prophetic. Information is our most valued commodity. We love it so much out the U.S. and abroad. we’re willing to open every door, surrender every secret, just for the sake of being a coin in O’Dwyer’s PR Buyer’s Guide 4 Products that currency. and services for the PR industry in 50 cate- Sadly, I’m convinced there are untold scores of people today who would be less outraged gories. to discover their conversations were being listened to than to accept the far more humbling £ notion that they aren’t being heard. jobs.odwyerpr.com 4 O’Dwyer’s online — Jon Gingerich job center has help wanted ads and hosts resume postings.

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MEDIA REPORT Washington Post unveils new sponsored section The Washington Post, in an effort to raise some much needed cash, unveiled in June its new “Sponsored Views” section, a paid services; healthcare/wellness; defense/mil- online opinion feature that would serve as an opportunity for PR itary; gun rights; budget/taxes/ deficits; firms and other special interest groups to place commentary education; energy/environment; foreign beside the paper’s online editorials. policy; human/gay/women’s rights; tech- By Kevin McCauley nology/telecom/intellectual property; trans- portation/infrastructure; and nutrition/ Manager of The Washington Post, said the food/agriculture. he new sponsored content section, “premium placement enables participants The first Sponsored Views were from which made its debut in June, will to provide their perspectives with unparal- National Resources Defense Council on Tappear only in the paper’s online leled contextual relevance, while still keep- the need for a carbon tax, CTIA-The edition. The program will also be expand- ing the lines between news and sponsored Wireless Association on cybersecurity and ed to include Washington Post blogs. In a messages crystal clear.” The Cato Institute and Center for American June 12 announcement regarding the Sponsored Views will be labeled in yel- Progress on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Sponsored Views section, the paper said low, and will run up to 600 characters Brian Weiss, Manager of The the purpose of the new feature is to allow along with a logo and a link to direct read- Washington Post’s New Ventures group, trade groups, lobbying firms and commu- ers for more information. There will be a who served as a developer of Sponsored nications professionals to post commen- limit of three Sponsored Views slots per Views, declined to provide specific pricing tary related to or in response to content editorial. info to O’Dwyer’s. from The Washington Post’s Opinion sec- Submissions will be reviewed before “At this time we’re only providing the tion. posting to ensure that content isn’t rate card to prospective advertisers, rather “The product offers an opportunity for libelous, defamatory, pornographic, vulgar, than media,” Weiss said via email. “Our advocacy, communications and govern- hateful or in violation of local/state/nation- rates depend on the length an advertiser ment affairs professionals to place their al or international laws. wants its Sponsored View posted and the message in front of key constituents,” the A user must subscribe to one or more length of time since an opinion piece has Washington Post said. Sponsored Views categories including been published.” Steve Hills, President and General business/economy/labor, trade/financial Weiss did say the ads “will range from as little as $500 to several thousand.” £

PR News Briefs PR PRO SAYS US ATTORNEY SUBPOENAED RECORDS A Georgia PR pro said the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Francisco has subpoenaed his records of representing Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms whistleblower/agent Vince Cefalu. Patrick Crosby, former Spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta, told O'Dwyer's he was shocked to receive a subpoena this week in his client's civil suit against the ATF, demanding docu- ments and other information about communications between him and his PR client. Crosby, a former journalist and news anchor, worked public affairs for the Atlanta USAO for 15 years before retiring. He opened Georgia Newsmakers to provide media relations counsel and knew Cefalu from the agent's time stationed in Atlanta. Cefalu, a 25-year ATF veteran and ongoing critic of the agency, made headlines last year for speaking out about the controversial "Fast and Furious" gun-running operation. He was fired before being reinstituted and has filed the civil suit against the ATF for retaliating against him. The subpoena of Crosby's records is related to that case. "It's not like this is a murder trial or anything like that. He's suing them," said Crosby. He also questions the value and precedent of issuing a subpoena for PR records: "It's odd, invasive and a waste of resources. I don't want to be put in a position to put my client in jeopardy."

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PR billings rates dipped in 2012 Average billing rates at PR firms fell in 2012, likely the result of a flat economy and stagnant revenue growth across the point to $148. Smaller firms (less than industry, according to a report by New York based mergers $3 million) reported A/E rates flat at and acquisitions consulting firm StevensGouldPincus. $153. For those in the upper echelons, By Greg Hazley billing rates at the president/CEO level declined from $361/hour egionally, large mar- in 2011 to $356, while kets saw the largest EVPs fell from $315 to Rdeclines in A/E billing $304 and VPs slipped rates. In the New York/New from $263 to $258. Jersey market, rates fell from StevensGouldPincus $152 to $149, while rates in Managing Partner Rick Washington, D.C. saw a $7 Gould said productivity, drop to $140. Rates in north- or the utilization of bill- ern California plunged $17 to able time, is far below $159. optimal levels as evi- StevensGouldPincus in May denced by senior VPs reported that average mini- reporting only 64% of mum PR fees declined nearly Average hourly rates for practically every staff level were within a few dollars their theoretical yearly 3% last year to $9,609. of the year before. Average utilization was also consistent for account staff. capacity of 1,700 hours. Billings rates for A/Es at Source: StevensGouldPincus. That figure is down from large agencies ($25 million- 78% in 2011. plus) fell from $164/hour in Smaller growth mar- 2011 to $152 last year, while slightly average dipped from $151 to $150, kets showed noticeable gains, however. smaller firms ($10 million to $25 mil- given a large sample of A/Es at firms in The southeast gained by $4 to an aver- lion) cut billing rates from $155 to $150, the $3 million to $10 million range, age of $147, and the Midwest gained by according to the survey. Overall, the A/E where the rate actually ticked up one $5 to an average of $151. £

PR News Briefs BANGLADESH TAPS FOLEY HOAG FOR WORKER RIGHTS Bangladesh, the site of a horrific garment factory collapse in April, has retained Foley Hoag to promote the government's interest in workers' rights in that country. Foley Hoag also will stress the importance of trade with Bangladesh to members of Congress and the Obama administration, as well as main- taining trade breaks for the impoverished nation. More than 1,000 workers died in the April collapse of the Rana Plaza clothing complex in Savar. The complex was home to factories that manufac- tured clothing for many Western retailers, including WalMart, GAP, Bennetton, Target, and many others. A U.S. Labor Department statement released in June concluded "Reports have shown that sub- standard buildings, poor emergency procedures, blocked fire exits, overcrowded workplaces, and inadequate inspection practices have resulted in a high death toll." It made a $2.5 million grant to improve garment plant conditions in Bangladesh. The country's central banker, Atiur Rahman, told the BBC in June that the vast number of Bangladesh's factories comply with safety regulations. He urged garment buyers and trade unions to push for improved working conditions. Gare Smith, Founder of Foley Hoag Corporate Social Responsibility practice, heads the lobbying push for Bangladesh. He coordinates activities with Akramul Qader, Bangladesh's Ambassador to the U.S.

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FEATURE Cruise industry sinks positive PR opportunities People love a PR disaster. In today’s media saturated world, a company can find itself attracting unwanted attention in the blink of an eye. The cruise industry in particular has experienced this extreme scrutiny following a rash of recent public relations nightmares. Amidst these rough seas however, the cruise industry may be missing out on several positive PR opportunities. By Allison Schroeder and fast! Thankfully, the year is only half terly basis, it takes no time for the ship acklash from the February spent, and barring any major incidents, videographer to snap some video of the Triumph incident, where Carnival that traction can be regained with the rescue and send it to the corporate PR BCruise Lines’ signature ship lost right marketing strategy. department, which will then distribute it power in the Gulf of Mexico, resulted in Don’t think there is any good news to to national news outlets. a media furor that bordered on the obses- come out of th e cruise industry? Think As much as people love disasters, they sive. Even mainstream comedians like again. also love heroes and happy endings — who John Stewart picked up on the bit, poking I just returned from my cruise in late cares if maritime law mandates that you fun at CNN’s constant coverage of every May — yes, a Carnival cruise, and con- have to stop for a last detail. trary to the expectations of my friends stranded vessel? It’s The industry reputation has gotten so and family, I had a great time. No, we still good fortune that bad that when I told friends and relatives didn’t lose power or run aground or any Carnival was able to I had a cruise booked in May, they sort of mishap, but I did experience what lend assistance when cringed and asked me if I regretted my could have been a newsworthy and posi- they were needed and choice of vacations. tive PR opportunity for the brand. they should shout it To be honest, I wasn’t worried. from the rooftops. The risk of an accident or mishap is It’s unfortunate just as likely — if not more so — that the day after Allison Schroeder on any alternative vacation I might I returned from have considered. The difference in my own cruise, this case? Negative publicity. news broke of a Royal Caribbean Combating such unfavorable ship that had caught fire at sea, word of mouth can be like pushing inciting another wave of negative a boulder uphill if you’re constant- press lamenting the state of the ly doing damage control. It’s industry. Thanks to a swift evacua- impossible to get ahead of the bad tion and an injury-free escape how- news. While this may be mitigated ever, the negative press was mitigat- by a solid crisis communication ed, and some good customer service plan, a healthy dose of positive kept follow-up stories to a mini- human interest stories can go a mum. long way in countering a tarnished While the media won’t let us forget image. Sure, they might not always The high-proﬁle February disaster that took place on that there is always a risk when tak- Carnival Cruise’s Triumph ship proved the cruise industry be as sensational as an accident, but remains especially susceptible to crisis. ing a cruise, events like what hap- it helps soften the brands’ image pened to the Concordia or the and provide fresh stories for the Triumph are few and far between. newsroom other than crisis While there are several blogs claim- updates. We were a party to a daring rescue at ing to report incidents of all sorts from Unfortunately, the bad publicity seems sea. onboard crime and staff issues to illness to be sinking in with consumers. A recent During our second day, the 110,000-ton and accidents, these have been compiled Harris Poll conducted in May found that Carnival Valor ground to a halt in the largely by hearsay and serve more to cap- public perception of cruise line quality middle of the ocean to pick up some fish- italize on passenger uncertainty than has declined 13% since March. The aver- ermen from Dominica who had been accurately inform. age trust score among all seven cruise stranded for four days without food or The fact of the matter is that cruising is brands was down 12% and intent to pur- water after their tiny boat broke down. a $30 billion a year industry. While the chase was also down 11%. I’m no nautical genius, but I’m fairly cer- major lines have faced several challeng- This particular statistic should have tain that had we not been cruising by at ing situations over the past year, there is industry insiders worried, given the lofty the right place or the right time, these still opportunity to recover their carefree industry forecast expecting 20% more men may never have returned home. luxury image. If only these giants could cruisers in 2013, according to the Florida After speaking with a few ship employ- capitalize on positive news, like what I Caribbean Cruise Association. To accom- ees, I came to learn that this wasn’t an witnessed firsthand, the impact of unfore- modate the forecasted demands, the uncommon occurrence — in fact the very seen incidents might not be so bad. industry introduced 11 new ships with ship we were on had picked up stranded Allison Schroeder is the Word of Mouth 12,125 beds. That could mean big bucks fishermen earlier this year. Even if some- Marketing Manager at Sunrise if intent to buy doesn’t turn around — thing of this sort does happen on a quar- Advertising in Cincinnati. £

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FEATURE Tailoring mobile content to target travelers It’s an exciting time for tourism marketers. Spending is up, travel employment growth is outpacing the economy, and flights are full. Consumers are trading staycations for new destinations and focusing on quality over savings. Times are good and, seemingly, only getting better. The new challenge for destinations and their PR professionals is how to capitalize on this environment. By Meredith Pratt for 15 seconds, what would you want them a historical story through images that oth- he key is to pay attention to behav- to know? Provide a one-stop shop — a go- erwise would be hard to communicate. ioral trends that offer the opportunity to app for a city or state that wraps the vis- Give them a reason to return Tto turn travelers into communicators itors guide in with deals, check-ins, attrac- Business travelers tend to be most inter- on behalf of destinations. tions, restaurants and more. Consumer ested in traveler loyalty programs — Given the new travel enthusiasm, it’s no attention online is fleeting, so when creat- accessible through mobile apps — while surprise that vacationers want to show off ing a mobile app around a destination, com- leisure travelers are more interested in dis- their adventures — before, during and after municate the high points quickly. counts and promotions. Even still, nearly their trip. They are frequently turning to Marketers have the opportunity to show 80% of travelers join travel loyalty pro- social sources to find information about travelers what they want them to see. Build grams provided by airlines, hotel chains where to stay, what to do and how to get the story you want to tell through your and rental car companies. Such discounts there. Because travelers use the Web not mobile app. Is it the waterfront? Great and promotions have only for research but also to share their pos- restaurants? Kid friendly attractions? been hailed as the top itive travel experiences, they function as a Having mobile-friendly brochures and reason why people virtual media outlet disseminating news, tours built into the app guides visitors on a “like” brands on information and opinion in real time. specialized tour of your destination and Facebook. Given the Marketers that recognize travelers’ greatly enhances their experience. overwhelming interest obsession with social and mobile content Showcase the experience in such programs, a already have answered the call with interac- For the most part, mobile apps for rewards program tied tive Websites, content-rich social channels Convention and Visitors’ Bureaus to check-ins at local and innovative promotional efforts. In fact, (CVBs) follow a similar format. While establishments and Meredith Pratt 88% of smartphone users in the U.S. access the format is useful for visitors, it doesn’t attractions offer multi- travel-related information through their make the destination stand out. Instead, ple benefits. Visitors mobile devices, spending an average of 93 maximize visitor’s travel and feature the have a reason to return to your destination minutes per month on travel apps and web- experience through photos. Cut the text to earn and redeem points. Locals are sites, according to a 2012 study by Nielsen and add more colorful and vibrant photos encouraged to spend their money close to for xAd. But even as marketers do a better of your destination to demand attention. home. Hotels, restaurants and retailers gain job of engaging travelers through social Take it one step further and offer travel- an additional avenue for attracting and media while they are planning trips, it ers the opportunity to share, post and keeping customers. seems many continue to miss the sweet spot comment on the images as well as add Measure success in visitation: hooking visitors once they their own pictures. Give travelers the The number of hits and posts is impor- arrive and providing mobile friendly sites ability to forge a virtual connection with tant, but even more important is the tone and apps that focus on what to do once they the destination. Miami’s CVB app offers and frequency of messages from travelers. get there. Miami images available for download as The beautiful thing about a mobile app for Consider this: according to a recent wallpaper through a Flickr photo stream client destinations and experiences is that TripAdvisor survey, 28% of travelers while the Maryland Office of Tourism’s marketers can track data in real time. See checked into an attraction using their Civil War Trails app encourages users to what visitors are downloading the most or mobile device and 38% posted status “make a vintage photo” by taking or posting from the image gallery. If an event updates to social networking sites to keep uploading a photo and then sharing via earns a certain number of likes on the friends updated on their travels. Prosper Facebook, Twitter and email. Each app mobile app, hold it again the next year. Mobile Insights surveyed U.S. smartphone provides an example of how to effective- The wide adoption of smartphones is and tablet owners and found that approxi- ly engage your audience and simultane- transforming how consumers plan, book mately 98% took their mobile devices with ously build your photo gallery. and navigate through their vacations. The them on vacation; nearly four in five Make sharing easy relative ease of developing mobile websites respondents in this group used them “all the Once travelers arrive, capitalize on and apps is opening new avenues for desti- time.” their trips and encourage them to “check nations, travel services, attractions, proper- While travel-related apps are not as pro- in” through your mobile app. The New ties, restaurants and retailers to connect lific as their mobile Web cousins, they score York Public Library Time Traveller is an with their customers and get them talking higher in terms of consumer loyalty and app that alerts Foursquare users whenev- about their experience. Ultimately, the goal user retention. So, how can marketers up a er they check into near historical sites in of engaging travelers is to guide them destination’s appeal? Below are five tips to New York City. The app offers users through their stay, but also to keep them help build that presence even further. images from the 1870s to 1970s from the coming back. Leverage your high points Photographic Views of New York City Meredith Pratt is Account Manager at If a traveler logged onto your mobile app Collection. It inspires action and features Stanton Communications, Inc.£

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REPORT Has anything stayed the same in travel PR? We all know the proverb: “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” But does this maxim hold true for today’s acknowledging them? I’ve seen many Facebook pages with travel PR practitioners? So much of what we learned at the no dialogue: and even more appalling, beginning of our careers has been upended by seismic media with unanswered questions from days or shifts. Can industry professionals honestly say we’re still experi- weeks earlier. That’s simply rude — as though you’ve ignored someone who has encing anything that resembles business as usual? By Peggy Bendel spoken to you in your own living room — and there’s nothing more enraging for emphasized that thought leadership and many of us than being ignored when ave social media — Twitter, innovation is what makes news: audits, we’ve been invited into a conversation. Pinterest, YouTube, Vine, survey results, market research can all Travelocity’s Joel Frey addressed what HFacebook, whatever’s next — lead. She walks the talk: some years ago, happens when the conversation — in this completely replaced traditional press a passenger survey for a cruise client case on Twitter — doesn’t go well, in a kits, brochures and image libraries? Has highlighting the finding that passengers follow-on panel, which also included the printed visitor’s guide given way to have more frequent sex on a cruise made Jennifer Oberstein of Leading Hotels of an app? Do you drop travel writers from headlines in consumer and trade media. the World and April your press list if they ask not to be One size does not fit all when it comes Dinwoodie of pitched by email? to media lists for a pitch or press release, JetBlue. Earlier this year, I moderated a panel Escalera said, and custom-tailoring a list “We listen; there- discussion at the Association of Travel to make the pitch effective can take a day fore we tweet,” Frey Marketing Executives (ATME.org) in — worth the time, since the number-two said. In this instance, Miami that found itself discussing these media complaint is “mass pitching to a Mommy blogger very questions. Three top travel PR social media,” according to PRGenie. who had problems experts — Angela Berardino, Vice One thing that hasn’t changed: 60% of with Travelocity President of Turner PR; Karen Weiner journalists still complain they’re being posted that to her Peggy Bendel Escalera, President of KWE Partners; pitched irrelevant material. blog, and within 30 and Jodie Diamond, President of While nothing beats one-on-one rela- minutes received an Diamond PR + Social Media — each had tionships with the media, Escalera noted email from Travelocity, hoping to fix the their own take. many of us are bolstering and broadening problem. While they tried their best, she Social media maven Berardino still those contacts by connecting on wasn’t satisfied and “wrote up a storm” sees the need for such staples as good Facebook and following on Twitter. I can on her blog, on Facebook and in tweets. product images for her destination and vouch for that, and find that journalists After several exchanges, it was clear hotel clients, noting that while user-gen- often post about family activities, too, there would be no happy ending, so with erated content is a big part of the mix, allowing you a glimpse of their “real a final pleasant comment, Travelocity most media outlets still need high-quali- life” which can reinforce, or begin a ended the conversation. Should they ty images and video. Pinterest — consid- friendship, built on shared interests. have replied at all, or just ignored the ered responsible for 40% of social Looking forward, Diamond said “Mix tempest? That discussion could be anoth- media-driven purchases, according to a it up” and have fun while staying rele- er entire article. thought-provoking infographic from vant. Fresh ideas and concepts are more Many of the tried-and-true techniques InkHouse (found here: important than ever to cut through the of the profession are still just that — but http://bit.ly/13SXmiW) — and YouTube clutter and get your message out. new technology and social media oppor- are valuable delivery methods, making it Collaborate with others, partners and tunities have brought swifter, more per- even easier for editors to find and access even competitors, to increase coverage sonalized contact with key media, and your content, as Turner has proven with for each of you: three is still a trend. Be more effective ways of reaching them. portfolios for such clients as Four Season a resource: offer a story angle or focus Much like the journalists we work Hotels. idea — tweet, post, pitch. with, we’ve added video and photogra- Is the desk-side media appointment “The ‘public’ is back in public rela- phy skills to our repertoire, often using dead, replaced by that 10-minute phone tions,” Diamond said. “Don’t broadcast our smart phones. We’re still getting on call? Well, there are certainly fewer peo- — engage. Have a strategy, and a voice.” planes to meet with media, and heading ple at desks these days with staff some- And don’t think — or let your clients to the airport to welcome them to our times working from home, or around the believe — that having set up a Facebook destination or property. world — and fewer desks, as publica- page and a Twitter account is enough: as What will never change, we’re confi- tions downsize or disappear. But it’s still Diamond puts it, “Don’t saddle up if dent, is the power of a good story, essential for writers to experience a des- you’re not going to bother to ride.” pitched to the right journalist, at a propi- tination, adventure travel option, cruise Engagement, not the number of “likes” tious time — whatever each new tech- or hotel to write about it — and tweet, on your Facebook page, is your metric. nology brings. and blog, and post to Facebook, often Are people responding to your posts? Peggy Bendel is President of Bendel multiple times during their visit, And is someone monitoring those Communications International and Berardino noted. responses and answering questions, giv- author of the book “It's a Crisis! Now However you deliver it, Escalera ing more information, or simply What?” £

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Beyond the buzz: building the social travel brand In the world of integrated marketing, the lines between advertising, social communications and public relations have become almost non-existent. With more than 80% of travel-related decisions beginning online, today’s public relations practitioners face the challenge of taking a destination, resort or hotel brand and driving results by accessing multiple media channels. By Kerry Anne Watson

script location on a college campus. access to Audi joyrides throughout R experts with a travel/tourism Bringing the brand to life in the design Seattle in an R8 Spyder and a recreated practice do this not merely by and all aspects of the hotel experience, romantic sail in Puget Sound. Beyond the Pbeing social butterflies. Instead, the team played off the collegiate and his- 95 million impressions on NBC’s “Today true integration cuts through the informa- toric industrial scene at the University of Show,” CBS News, CNN and USA Today. tional clutter, building buzz in the head- Minnesota and in Minneapolis to develop The campaign increased summer occu- lines and across an array of social chan- brand extensions such as a Words with pancy by 12%. nels. Friends Wine Hour, Smart-tini Sundays Moving beyond the buzz Socially savvy saturation in Beacon Public House, literary tie-ins Creating an exclusive positioning is vital For client Noble House Hotels & such as a 24-hour Book Butler and Meet for existing resorts to Resorts, Ltd — a collection of 18 luxury & Tweet Book Signings. Not only did the remain competitive. hotels and resorts — food and beverage coverage saturate 100% of industry Our agency is con- outlets were a major revenue source. To trades, but the positioning established the stantly faced with leverage its unique menus, mixology new Commons Hotel brand and corporate developing new cocktails, and other differentiating fea- Noble House Hotels & Resorts as a trend- approaches for its lux- tures, The Zimmerman Agency dug deep- setter to potential investors, igniting ury clients. er than the traditional food critics and desire to expand the brand and open Consistently ranked as restaurant reviews and targeted influen- Commons Hotels in other cities. the No. 1 resort in tial “tweeps” in the food and Florida and a Kerry Anne Watson travel categories. We created a perennial Conde Noble House Happy Hour Nast and Travel Twitter Chat, that aimed to capi- + Leisure award winner, Little Palm talize on the “best hour of the Island has been the escape of choice week” through themed, hour- for presidents, high profile celebri- long live chats every Wednesday ties and savvy travelers with its icon- evening. The agency engaged ic history. To ensure its storied past with Twitter users in real time, didn’t outshine the present day offering recipes as well as food resort, the agency launched a Million and beverage pairing suggestions Dollar Island Buy-Out campaign, to connect with consumers and reaching travelers eager to “own the build on the Noble House reputa- The Zimmerman team launched Gateway Canyons, a private island” in outlets including Wall tion of fantastic food and bever- Colorado resort for the Founder of The Discovery Channel, Street Journal, Forbes and age programs. In addition to the John Hendricks. The launch allowed editors to experience Departures. Additionally, to spark more than 10.3 million impres- driving the Red Rock Canyons in a Bentley Continental Super renewed interest in the re-launch of Sport and to ride in a Eurocopter AStar helicopter. sions and more than 8,221 uses resort Gateway Canyons, for of the Noble House hashtag, the Discovery Channel Founder, John program received first runner up in the Betting on buzz Hendricks, guests of the western Colorado Travel + Leisure’s “Social Media In Public relations firms must stay on top resort can now enjoy privileged access to a Travel + Tourism” (“SMITTY”) Award of trends to grab ink and turn prevalent luxury fleet of 18 vehicles as part of the for the Best Twitter Chat of 2013. news stories into client headlines. We call just-launched Driven Rentals program — Building brands through PR this “news hijacking.” For The including, but not limited to a Porsche 911 Another approach is to go beyond Edgewater Hotel in Seattle, our public Carrera Coupe, Mercedes-Benz SL550 awareness and consistent messaging by relations team leveraged the media frenzy Roadster and Corvette ZR1 Coupe, to developing programs that establish an surrounding the wildly popular Fifty name a few. emotional bond with guests. To position Shades of Grey to hijack prolific news Public relations goals don’t stop with Noble House as an expert in strategic and stories to include The Edgewater by cre- creating a difference. The exciting twist to creative brand development for new ating a “50 Shades of Romance” program travel and tourism public relations story- investors, the agency was tapped to for book fans to spark their own Christian lines now is to use smart branding, social launch The Commons Hotel in and Anastasia like escape. Guest pro- marketing and strategic partnerships to Minneapolis. The buzzworthy “Geek gramming included an inspired personal- find new ways to communicate messages Chic” brand helped breathe life into a ized shades of romance story creation to put clients on top. reflag and renovation of an older unin- with the book’s signature Bollinger Rose Kerry Anne Watson is Public Relations spired hotel product located in a nonde- champagne in-room, as well as exclusive President of The Zimmerman Agency. £

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REPORT Travel bounces back, amid cautious optimism After years of struggle, the travel industry is back on track. As cessful,” said Zapala. the economy continues to improve however, travel marketers Zapala said travelers are first sold on have discovered that the value-conscious traveler is in for the the destination and then the resort or long haul. How do PR pros push leisure and luxury when they hotel. “Destination marketing is critical know consumers are still watching their wallets? in this day and age as the world is the By Andrea Doyle stage for travelers. How do you differentiate, keep your destination new, exotic resulting in 823 room nights sold, and out of the ordinary? Farm-to-table, KF Hospitality Research reports reflecting a revenue of over $130,000. micro-craft brews, that next year’s U.S. hotel occu- Mobile moves travelers new wineries, haute Ppancy will be the highest since Value-conscious travelers who are dig- chocolatiers, and 1997. With supply set to rise just 1% itally savvy are keeping today’s travel PR more are gaining in next year, 2014 occupancy will increase professionals on their toes. popularity as they are to a whopping 63.8%. Concurrent with a lingering value one-of-a-kind finds,” Still, consumers remain cautious. trend, New York City-based Lou said Zapala. Many of today’s travelers want to know Hammond & Associates, founded by Lydia Graham, up front what they are being charged for industry icon Lou Hammond, now releas- President and CEO of absolutely everything. They do not want es a value blast every Wednesday that San Francisco-based to be nickel and dimed by hidden fees includes many of its global clients. “I’ve Graham & Associates, Nina Zapala, CEO and many are finding that all-inclusive been in business for 28 years and am so agreed with Zapala of Zapala PR packages are the way to go. Although impressed by the pickup that our value regarding the impor- some people still shudder when they blast gets,” Hammond said. “It has been a tance of digital. hear the phrase “all-inclusive,” these great success and has taken on a life of its “Marketing cam- resorts have come a long way. own.” paigns are focusing on “Travelers have become increasingly Charles Armstrong, Founder and CEO the digital world now value focused, and they are willing to of TourWrist, a mobile and web-based more than ever. With give up space for savings,” explained 360-degree virtual tour hosting company, the increasing amount Nancy Friedman, President and Chief said at the World Travel & Tourism of digital-savvy trav- Creative Officer of Nancy J. Friedman Council Global Summit in Abu Dhabi elers, many guests are PR. “However, they don’t have to sacri- that by the end of 2014, half of all traffic doing their research Lydia Graham, fice style and amenities on a budget.” to travel websites will originate from on their tablets and President and Hoteliers around the world are capi- mobiles, generating $26 billion in book- smartphones.” CEO of Graham & talizing on value conscious travelers. ings. He called mobile devices modern A recent study con- Associates One way they’re doing this is by per- journals, as users continue to wanto t ducted by Google pre- fecting the concept of space-saving share their personal experiences with dicted that U.S. hotel Japanese capsule hotels. The trend friends and family. searches would rise began with hotels like The Jane in the “Everyone is on his or her smart phone 24% in 2013 with a West Village neighborhood of New when traveling and they are uploading 68% increase in York and The Pod Hotel in Midtown live to social media channels like mobile searches. East. With newcomers like the Yotel Instagram, Pinterest, Vine, or Facebook. Searches from tablets near Times Square and The Pod expan- 52% of Facebook users stated that seeing are expected to sion with the new Pod 39, these micro- friends’ vacation pictures inspires them to increase 180%. hotels are hotter than ever. Some tradi- book a vacation to the same destination,” Another study on trav- Lou Hammond, tional hotels are even offering pod-like explained Nina Zapala, CEO of Winter el behavior by Adobe Founder of Lou accommodations as a room category. Park, FL-based Zapala PR, a boutique PR Systems found that Hammond & THE OUT NYC in Hell’s Kitchen offers firm that caters to luxury, travel, and 60% of mobile visits Associates Shared Luxury Accommodations, which lifestyle brands. “You can’t be static in a came from tablets. In offer shared rooms that begin at $99 per world that is moving at light speed.” fact, travel consumers bed per night. Zapala keeps this in mind when creat- were more likely to use tablets than any Hotels have also looked toward other ing marketing campaigns for her clients. other consumer group searching for industry best practices to grow business, “I am looking for opportunities that are products. It was the only industry that particularly in needs periods, said organic to the property or destination. actually saw more use of tablets than Friedman. Two years ago, Nancy J. Then I wrap these opportunities into smartphones. Friedman PR created “Hotel Week enticing, engaging, and entertaining “Hotel websites need to entice and be NYC,” based on the wildly popular strategic marketing campaign approaches readable on these devices. Guest rooms Restaurant Week. The program offers a using websites, blogs, and a variety of are becoming more seamlessly high-tech discounted, tiered pricing structure to social media channels that can be sup- providing an opportunity to communi- entice hotel stays in a historically slow ported by the brand or destination. Vine cate and engage with guests during their travel season. In just two years, the pro- to me is the travel video postcard that Continued on next page gram has grown to 26 hotel partners every lifestyle brand can use to be suc- 0

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visits in a variety of ways including rise. Demographically, our hotel clients are “Consumers are more comfortable pay- through social media,” said Graham. targeting regular local diners in addition to ing upwards of $500 a night for a luxe Even airport terminals are getting hotel guests, as visitors want to dine at local hotel room but they don’t want to be nick- high-tech. Airport terminals were once spots, not just the restaurant in the hotel. el and dimed once they’re there,” said dreary places where travelers dreaded That means promotion must be local as Sarah Evans, Partner, J Public Relations, a getting stuck. Those days are over. well as national. In California, we see a lot bi-coastal PR firm specializing in high- Today, terminals are being transformed of farm-to-table, local, and sustainable food end travel, hospitality, and lifestyle clien- into sophisticated atmospheres with first- sources being popular with guests from tele. Value-add packages are resonating rate retail and esteemed dining outlets. local providers and even the chef’s person- more than ever, adds Evans. “People will Global and green are in — “big” is out al organic gardens and handcrafted charcu- pay but they want to ensure that they’re According to Laura Davidson, President terie,” said Graham. getting a lot out of it. For example, 20- of Laura Davidson Public Relations, The concept of “big” has apparently fall- room Twin Farms in Vermont is widely today’s travelers are increasingly global. en out of fashion everywhere. According to coveted because it’s super luxe but it’s all- “They are looking for Hammond, segmentation with the press inclusive at the same time. You pay a pre- experiences versus continues to be the preferred media narra- mium to go but you don’t sign a check the simple touristy things tive du jour. Key editors only want informa- whole time you’re there, even tips are to do. They are going tion related to very specific interests, travel- included.” to Asia, Africa, and ing with pets, spas, culinary-related events, Most successful marketing campaigns Europe and those that festivals, traveling with children, and trav- today are built off a partnership with like- are well traveled are eling with tweens. minded brands, said Evans. She cites the seeking off the beaten “Big is out all around. Today, everything Bentley Suite at the St. Regis Hotel in path experiences,” is personal. That holds true for press trips, New York City as an example. “It’s bril- said Davidson. “The as journalists prefer individual trips with liant because it takes two brands market- Laura Davidson, super high end market tailor made schedules. Press events have ing to the same consumer and cross polli- President of is really booming evi- also taken on a more intimate feel,” said nates. We recently developed a FlyBarre Laura Davidson Public Relations denced by a company Hammond. Retreat at our client, The Regent Palms. like Abercrombie & Luxury travel remains hot FlyBarre is huge in the northeast and the Kent selling out their Although value is important to today’s northeast is a target market for The 2014 private jet trips, travelers, luxury travel remains hot. Regent Palms. It’s taking two hot brands both Africa: Across a Consumers don’t mind spending extra for and putting them together to create an Continent and their luxury but they want to feel as if they got experience for clients. It’s a win-win all Around the World the most bang for their buck. around.” £ trips. Demand was so high, they added a second departure for the Africa: Across a Sarah Evans, Continent trip, which Partner at J is also expected to sell Public Relations out.” Environmental sustainability has also grown the past few years but is now seri- ously kicking in, reported Graham. “Hotels and their guests are ready to commit to downsizing Nancy Friedman, their travel footprint. President of Greenwashing in com- Nancy J. munications is just not Friedman PR acceptable, and never was, but it especially won’t fly now as the bar becomes higher and higher as consumers become more educated,” Graham added. What has become passé is fine dining, said Graham. “Stiff is now being replaced with an elegantly casual ease. Guests want less formality but still demand quality food and service. While ambience is key, the PR focus is shifting to the food and the chef’s signature dishes and food philosophy now more than ever. Fusion of styles is on the

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FEATURE Travel industry is made to share stories One of the most overused buzzwords in marketing, advertising and social media these days is “storytelling.” There’s a reason for this: stories are often the best way to share authentic peoples’ words and emotions. content that engages audiences and compels them to take Use humor and anecdotes. Millennials in particular love humor. action. It just so happens the travel industry has been doing They are looking for the quirky story or this since its beginning. funny adventure that will allow them to Leading the Travel Industry By Cathleen Johnson imagine having fun in your destination. Travel is about escape from the ordi- telling as a standalone method of com- nary, so tell stories that can take your by Providing Professional ravel experts have known about munication can result in a retention rate readers out of the routine. the importance of storytelling as of 65% to 70%! The reason of course is Don’t forget romance. It doesn’t Travel Services Since 1972 Tlong as the industry has existed. simple — people will listen and retain just have to be for couples. The From Scheherazade’s tales of mystical information if they are emotionally romance of a travel lands visited during 1001 Arabian engaged. destination or experi- Nights to Mark Twain’s observations in Think about the latest crop of mega- ence can be the Innocents Abroad, stories of visits to successful travel storytelling that’s far enjoyment of prac- places beyond our imagination have less about data and far more about ticing yoga alone on motivated travelers to explore the experience: Over 10 million people the beach, a sunset world. (and counting) have been captivated by dinner for two or a The difference now, however, is the Elizabeth Gilbert’s story of love and nature adventure for sheer accessibility of destinations that renewal set to the excitement of travel the whole family. were once thought to be beyond reach. in Italy, India and Bali in Eat, Pray, Romance is defined Cathleen Johnson Travel + Leisure Editor Nancy Love, while Cheryl Strayed’s best- as “a narrative deal- Novogrod, when asked where she’d selling Wild brought the trails of the ing with heroic or most like to travel, said she wishes the Pacific Northwest to life in a way that mysterious events set in a remote time world would spawn a new, never- not only illustrated beautiful scenery, or place.” Who’s not looking for some before-visited destination because the but also the peaks and valleys of her of that! world seems to hold fewer and fewer inner journey. Remember it’s a once-in-a-lifetime surprises. Stories have legs. They can find experience. It’s what many travel mar- She’s not alone, which is why captur- foothold because they can be told keters are talking about these days, so if ing travelers’ attention has become through words, pictures, videos, graph- you really believe you can provide it, more difficult — and at the same time, ics and more. Stories live to be passed tell stories of people who have experi- more necessary — than ever. on, fueled by fans and advocates who enced it. These are the heroes of your To compete, we have to return to the have shared the place or the experience, story, who can tell their travel tales in • Business Travel Consultants device that inspired The Odyssey — the or who simply want to live vicariously their own words and with their photos story of the journey. As we seek to cap- through another’s adventure. to prove it. • Strategic Meetings Management ture the attention of potential travelers By crafting a strong story, your Offer great visuals, both yours and throughout their decision-making chances of success at transmedia expo- theirs. For any travel story, photos and • Government Travel Contractors Locations: process, from awareness to booking, sure increase because it will open up video are a must, but the staged photo there is one thread that can pull it all your ability to illustrate it in a variety and scripted video are things of the North America together: the unique story that your of ways that appeal to traditional and past. Travelers today are looking for • Over 200 Offices Worldwide travel destination or product has to social media, to owned and earned authenticity, and that applies as much to Middle East offer. media. the visuals as to the story itself. Find • Competitive Online Booking Your story may include a list of The rise of transmedia storytelling at channels for your travelers to share Europe amenities or distinctive menu items or the same time that storytelling itself has their photos and videos that tell their • One-on-One Travel Consultation the latest water feature on a cruise ship. become more important than ever is unique story, with your destination as Asia But those alone cannot be the story. The fortuitous, since it lets you take advan- the perfect setting. story that will motivate a travel seeker tage of multiple media in unique ways. As travel marketers, we are the envy • Leisure Travel Experts Find out about cruises sailing from New York to act is the tale they will be able to tell If you give it a try, keep these tips in of our fellow PR practitioners. We have and other worldwide destinations of the experience they have on your mind. long known that the essence of travel is watch. Make your story about the people, the stories that can be told to our 888-333-3116 Facts matter, but stories penetrate. In not the place. Anyone can find out friends and family during the journey fact, the London School of Business information about a place with a quick and the memories that the stories create completed a study on people’s retention search on the Internet. What people for the rest of our lives. Our opportuni- of information and found that when want to know is how do people feel ty is to tell them with color and authen- people hear statistics, their retention about their experience at a place? Who ticity and to spread them skillfully. rate is from 5% to 10%. When a bit of goes there and why? Readers are look- Cathleen Johnson is Director of storytelling is combined with the stats, ing for ways they can relate to experi- Edelman’s Travel & Hospitality prac- 212-563-3500 • OmegaNewYork.com the rate goes up to 30%. But story- ences, so tell your story through other tice.£ World Headquarters • 3102 Omega Office Park • Fairfax, VA 22031• 703-359-0200 18 JULY 2013 4 WWW.ODWYERPR.COM Julymagazine_Layout 1 6/28/13 3:31 PM Page 19

Leading the Travel Industry by Providing Professional Travel Services Since 1972

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REPORT Rich get richer for ad/PR conglom executives Stockholders are griping about astronomical pay levels of taxes to bring the $1.5 billion held over- seas to the U.S. corporate executives including those at the two biggest Geniuses or glorified bookkeepers? ad/PR conglomerates — WPP Group and Omnicom. Are Sorrell, Wren and Weisenburger By Jack O’Dwyer geniuses worth every penny they are getting or just back-office types who got Only Wren and Weisenburger get “per- their mitts on the money flow? PP investors trimmed CEO sonal use of aircraft hours.” This value for WPP’s debt is $7.66 billion while Martin Sorrell’s pay by 20% Wren was $132,841 in 2012 and $136,319 OMC’s is $4.46 billion. Wand plan a 34% cut this year in 2011. For Weisenburger, it was WPP carries on its books $15.3 billion relative to his 2011 pay. $111,590 in 2012 and $74,582 in 2011. of “goodwill,” meaning the amount paid Sorrell’s pay was $28.2 million in 2012, As of March 15, Wren owned for acquisitions over and above cash and up 47% from the previous year. 1,084,048 shares and Weisenburger, equipment. WPP never writes any of it The company’s annual report said the 821,927. Wren had 1,050,000 options and off. It assumes it paid just the right cut was made after “consultation with Weisenburger 525,000 on Feb. 29, 2012. amount for its acquisitions. many of our major shareholders.” The only shareholders with larger OMC The firm’s balance sheet thus shows it WPP, with 2012 revenues of $16.6 bil- blocks were BlackRock, with 13,433,977 has minus net tangible assets of $7.2 billion, is slightly bigger than OMC, which shares (5.1%), acquired last year, and lion. Its stock is around $90, which is has revenues of $14.3 billion. Massachusetts Financial Services, where it was in 2000. Sorrell’s 2012 pay is chickenfeed com- 28,630,083 (10.9%). OMC carries goodwill of $8.7 billion pared to what the top two people at OMC BlackRock’s CEO Steve Schwartzman causing it to have net tangible assets of got: $47.3 million for CEO John Wren is cited by The New York Times as some- minus $5.9 billion. It says there has been and $44.3 million for CFO Randall one making megabucks — $204 million no “impairment” of the value of what it Weisenburger for a total of $91.6 million in “distributions” in 2012 plus pay of $8.4 bought and no need to write down good- for one year. Their pay packages have million. will. Its stock has made a move in recent Stock repurchases are controversial been hefty for many years. OMC stock- weeks, perhaps reflecting the fewer shares holders are beefing and filing petitions at Company stock buyback activities out, and is now around $62. It was $53.50 the annual meeting but so far to no effect. often generate criticism because one in 1999, 14 years ago. Wren made No. 11 on the Bolt effect is to boost the price of the stock and PR firms owned by the two conglomer- Insurance list of the 15 highest paid CEOs make options more valuable. ates, including Hill & Knowlton, Burson- in 2012, which put his pay at $42.6 mil- Christopher Byron, writing in the Aug. Marsteller, FleishmanHillard, Ketchum, lion. Weisenburger was not on the list but 14, 2006 New York Post, in a column Porter Novelli and many others have should have been. That would make OMC headlined “Buyback Blarney,” said the “gone dark.” The conglomerates, includ- the only company with two employees on OMC program was “staggeringly expen- ing Interpublic, bought up 19 of the 25 Bolt’s highest paid list. sive and “seems to be skirting the edges of largest PR firms in the O’Dwyer rankings Wren, 60, and Weisenburger, 54, who outright stock manipulation.” He said it and we basically never heard from them are accountants by occupation, almost had added more than $3 billion in debt to again. function as co-CEOs. Their pay packages the balance sheet. The stock at that time Pliant directors are to blame are similar and far above packages that go was $43, having fallen from a high of Extensive literature exists on the CEO to other executives including Philip $53.50 in 1999. He also rapped Wren’s pay issue. It includes numerous articles in Angelastro, 48, SVP-finance; Dennis refusal to deal with the press. Press con- The New York Times such as Hewitt, 68, treasurer; and Michael tact Patricia Sloan told him to send in “Shareholders Say ‘Enough Already’” by O’Brien, 51, SVP-general counsel. written questions which he did but they Gretchen Morgenson April 7, 2013, and Angelastro’s pay in 2012 (not counting were never answered. books like The Great Divergence by stock sales) was $2,131,962; O’Brien Byron noted that OMC spent $958 mil- Timothy Noah, who notes that the top one received $1,733,696, and Hewitt, lion on buybacks in the first half of 2006. percent doubled their income to 20% of $1,170,635. Wren’s 2012 listed pay, not CreditSights, a stock analyst firm, said the total from 1979-2009. Since then they counting a net gain of about $33 million in a report dated Oct. 21, 2012, that stock have had an 11% rise in income while the from sale of OMC stock, was repurchases in the first nine months 99-percenters had a slight income drop. $14,846,067. Weisenburger’s pay, not totaled $1 billion. OMC’s 2012 report Pliant, cozy, overpaid boards that are counting about $33M from sale of stock, says it purchased 2,799,803 shares at too tight with CEOs are getting much of was $10,571,547. $48.21 for a total of $1.3 billion in the last the blame. Board critic Nell Minow of Angelastro sold stock worth $186,000 three months of 2012. Number of shares GMI Ratings says directors lose half of in 2012. In the previous year, he sold outstanding was reduced from their I.Q.s and all of their guts while 350,000 shares worth $16.7 million for 277,312,701 on April 2, 2012 to James Surowiecki of the New Yorker has which he paid $9.1 million. 262,949,729 on April 2, 2013, a decline of written two columns on boards which he O’Brien paid $1,228,500 for 52,500 14,362,972. Fewer shares outstanding says are hotbeds of conformity. They are shares ($23.40) in October and sold them increase per share net. “Board Stiffs” (May 8, 2004) and “Board for $2,573,804 on the same day, at about CreditSights noted that only $452 mil- Stiff” (June 1, 2009). Both are accessible $49 a share, for a net gain of $1,345,000. lion of OMC’s cash/STI is in the U.S., Continued on next page Hewitt sold stock worth about $85,000. saying it would have to pay additional 0

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on the magazine’s online database. Compensation committee, member, ple” who become directors find “their I.Q. Stockholder John Chevedden, noting Finance and Executive committees, ex- points drop by 50% and their courage dis- that GMI had given OMC a “D” since Chairman, Dover Corp. appears entirely (told a “Credibility 2005 on executive pay, governance prac- Bolt includes Wren on top paid list Seminar” in Washington, D.C., in tices, and length of service by directors, Bolt Insurance, Farmington, Conn., is December, 2002). proposed at the 2013 annual meeting that circulating a graphic of the 15 highest paid Bloomberg reported May 30 that direc- senior executives be required to retain a CEOs in the U.S. and ranked Wren as No. tors of the Standard & Poor’s 500 compa- “significant” percentage of shares 11 at $42.6 million in 2012 just ahead of nies were paid an average of $251,000 in obtained through equity pay programs. It Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase, who 2012, the sixth straight year of increases, was defeated, garnering only 19% of the took home $41.9 million. JPMorgan had noting that this is almost six times the vote. revenues of $112 billion in 2012. $42,700 salary for full-time private sector Board has financiers, corporate execs The 2013 proxy said Wren owned workers. Chevedden said six OMC directors are 1,084,048 shares and had no options exer- OMC’s current debt is $4.46 billion. Debt age 71 to 83, including 60% of the audit cisable within 60 days. The 2012 proxy said of the four conglomerates including also committee. Nine directors each had 10 to he had 1,050,000 options exercisable with- WPP, Interpublic and Publicis is $15.46 26 years on the board including more than in 60 days. They were all exercised. billion. 80% of the nominating committee. OMC, although out of the “Director independence erodes limelight in recent years, has after 10 years,” said Chevedden. an uproarious past. Our question about the OMC A Wall Street Journal front board is where are the creatives? pager June 12, 2002 accused The directors listed below are all OMC of buying its earnings either financial or corporate execu- via acquisitions made with tives. Their pay in 2012 averaged stock and borrowed money, $224,969, a 25% boost from the and withholding details of the $1,972,444 they were paid in 2011. purchases. Director Robert They are: Callander had resigned after Alan Batkin, 67, (Director since posing questions about 2008), member of Compensation Seneca, an off-balance sheet and Finance Committees, Vice entity created for OMC’s 16 Chairman of Eton Park Capital Mgmt. Calculating executive pay has attracted Internet investments. Mary Choksi, 60, (2011), Audit reform efforts by the government since so The stock had crashed to $36.50 as of Committee, Strategic Investment Group. many elements are involved. The pay June 27, 2002 from a high of $93 in mid- Robert Clark, 68, (2002), Governance schemes at OMC take up 26 pages in the May. Committee, Audit Committee, Harvard 2013 proxy statement and include, besides Critics noted high pay to insiders, debt of Law School. the Performance Restricted Stock Units, $2.9 billion, and what Merrill Lynch called Leonard Coleman, 63, (1993), Chairman base salary, annual performance-based “a staggering” amount of options provided of Executive Committee and member of compensation awards, incentive bonus to insiders. Compensation and Governance plan and the “Senior Executive Restrictive The stock recovered, split, and in recent Committees; Senior Advisor, Major League Covenant and Retention Plan” (SERCR) weeks has topped its 1999 high of $53.50 Baseball, 1999-2005. that provides pay for 15 years following by reaching $63. It has taken more than ten Errol Cook, 72, (2003), audit and gover- voluntary termination. years to win back Wall Street’s favor. nance committees, private investor former- Stockholders, led by Amalgamated OMC/Ketchum create bad PR press ly with Warburg Pincus. Bank, garnered 40% of the votes in a failed OMC was the target of The New York Susan Denison, 66, (1997), Vice move in 2010 to block the so-called “gold- Times’ page-plus Sunday, Feb. 14, 2005 Chairman, Compensation committee, en coffin” for Wren and other executives. feature, titled “Spinning Frenzy: PR’s Bad member, Governance committee, Cook The SEC filing said Wren’s beneficiaries Press.” It was about broadcaster Assocs., recruiters, ex-Revlon, Madison would get $1.25 million yearly for 15 years Armstrong Williams pushing the “No Square Garden. upon his death plus an incentive bonus of Child Left Behind” program while under a Michael Henning, 71, (2003), vice chair- $5 million and stock options valued at $240,000 contract with Ketchum. No one man, audit committee, member, compensa- $17.4 million. The New York Post figured from Ketchum or OMC would talk to tion committee; Ernst & Young, 1961- the total at $41 million. reporter Tim O’Brien who fleshed out the 2000. Income disparity a hot button story with quotes from PR people such as John Murphy, 78, (1996), Chairman, Bolt, in highlighting CEO pay, has Dan and Richard Edelman and Howard Audit Committee, member of Finance and latched onto one of the hot button issues of Rubenstein. A large part of the article was Executive committees; former Vice the day — income disparity. a history of PR. Chairman, National Geographic Society. Hurting lower income people is that Ketchum and three other OMC PR John Purcell, 80, (1986), Chairman, unions now only enroll 7% of the private firms (not named in the article) won about Governance committee, member Finance sector labor force vs. nearly 40% 60 years $223 million of the $250 million the gov- and Executive committees; ex-CEO, ago. ernment spent on PR contracts from 2001- Grenadier Assocs. Nell Minow, a Founder of GMI Ratings, 2004. Linda Johnson Rice, 54, (2000), a merger of the Corporate Library that she Reporters for O’Dwyer’s, which has Compensation and Governance commit- co-founded, Governance Metrics stock in OMC, had gone to its annual meet- tees; Chairman, Johnson Publishing Co. International, and Audit Integrity, has said ing at 437 Madison Ave. until 2003 when it Gary Roubos, 75, (1986), Chairman, that “Intelligent, capable, honorable peo- was shifted out of town, never to return. £

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REPORT Las Vegas trade show puts spotlight on travel PR The premiere trade event for the travel industry, the U.S. Travel Association’s 45th annual IPW trade show — formerly known as the International Pow Wow — pulled out all stops this year. Hosted in entertainment mecca Las Vegas, the 2013 IPW event broke delegate records, bringing in 6,400 attendees from 74 countries around the world. By Carla Marie Rupp and Jason Rupp

were international and domestic media, “We reached out to our PR and tourism cclaimed performers appeared at who arrived to gather story leads and contacts in the Las Vegas resort commu- the 2013 event, including celebrities United States travel material. One of nity and worked together with them to ACeline Dion and Donny and Marie, them, Christina Wynne, Editor of online develop unique and one-of-a-kind, who were at a closing Caesar’s Palace con- publication Global Trekkers in Tampa, themed tours for our visiting delegates cert. Roseanne Cash also sang “Land of said that for the travel journalist, “IPW is to IPW,” said Jacks. Dreams” to great applause at an IPW lunch- the jewel of all travel trade shows.” Sunday is always one of the bigger eon, and Cyndi Lauper emceed for New “The value of having all major travel days for media delegates, with this year York & Company’s Broadway Collection suppliers in America under one roof is featuring an outdoor press brunch at The event, which also brought in singers from immeasurable,” Wynne said. Smith Center for the Performing Arts. popular productions Dozens of high-tier such as “Kinky restaurants showed off Boots,” “Chicago,” their eclectic tastes, and “Wicked,” and the event proved to be a “Once.” networking bonanza for “This is one for the international journalists record books,” said set on bolstering their Roger Dow, President travel contacts. and CEO of U.S. “This is really a hot spot Travel, who referred to here in Las Vegas. I’m the 2013 IPW event as happy we have more inter- a resounding success. national journalists than Dow said travel ever,” said Rossi trade shows such as Ralenkotter, President and IPW are invaluable Photos courtesy of the Las Vegas News Bureau CEO of LVCVA. because they bring A show following the professionals from all over the world togeth- P ress tours aplenty press brunch offered entertainment for er to talk about the industry. “Travel is a The sweltering heat — temperatures delegates with performances from Las special industry, and journalists tell the reached 114-degrees during our stay — Vegas shows such as “Jersey Boys,” story of that industry, ” Dow said. More didn’t keep delegates from enjoying some “Rock of Ages,” “Terry Fator,” than 500 of the delegates at the event of the unusual tours offered in and around “Jubilee,” and “Million Dollar Quartet.” town. There was the Awesome The city also sprung for tickets to see a Adventures tour of Nevada’s Valley of host of shows, including Cirque du Fire state park. Others chose a more Soleil’s “The Beatles Love” and a sneak tranquil houseboat ride on Lake Mead peek at the newest Cirque du Soleil pro- at Callville Bay Resort Marina, or duction, “Michael Jackson’s One.” enjoyed vintage Las Vegas sights at the Brand USA is now in the stages of Neon Museum, the Mob Museum, an beginning an inaugural partnership with assortment of wedding chapels and Cirque du Soleil to use entertainment as other popular local haunts. a vehicle for travel promotion purposes Dig This, a recreational heavy equip- abroad. ment playground, offered free tours to “It’s all a celebration of America this journalists to use the machinery and week,” said Christopher L. Thompson, (hopefully) write about their experi- President and CEO of Brand America, ence. Owner Ed Mumm said publicity whose mission is to increase internation- is crucial and that “hiring a PR person al visitations to the United States and to who could get us out there and put us grow its share of the global travel mar- on the map” was “the best decision” he ket. ever made. Throughout IPW, publicists were Janelle Jacks, International PR pitching stories to writers and editors. Specialist for the Las Vegas William P. DeSousa-Mauk, President of Convention and Visitors Authority, said DeMa PR in Hyannis, MA, worked pro- reaching out to journalists has been a 0Continued on next page priority for the event this year.

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motion for the Cape Cod Chamber of Grand Central Station for The Commerce. He said PR is “the most Independent in London, titled “A effective way to get an unbiased, posi- Century of Great Railway tive endorsement” of any destination, far Romance”; and Lieven Mathys (who exceeding any other platform of promo- writes for the travel section of tion, such as advertising or Web based Belgian Newspaper De Zondag) who efforts. wrote a story about Johnny Cash “It’s our bible. When it comes to the titled “Everyone Loves Johnny.” travel media, we put our money on PR,” Mathys, attending his second Pow DeSousa-Mauk said. Wow, said: “It feels great to win a Travel writers need experiences at writer award. I just had a simple idea American destinations to write stories. and took pictures on Instagram. I Yet Cindy Dupree, Director of Public went looking for the legacy of Relations for the Tennessee Department Johnny Cash during a trip to of Tourist Development, said her organ- Nashville, Tennessee. I used all my ization tries to bring some of the quali- little pictures of Johnny that I found ties of the people in her state to writers around the city to tell my story.” she meets. Janice Strong, an editor and writer “Most of all, what we bring to IPW is from the British Columbia city of Southern hospitality. When we are in our Coquitlam, won the writer award for appointments, we are showcasing our her article “The Real Hawaii,” pub- state with our own personal Southern lished in Canadian Traveller. charm. I bring travel writers down to my According to Strong: “It’s really state all the time, and they are over- so exciting to be a winner. It was the whelmed by all the great warmth.” cultural side of Hawaii that I wrote Travel journalists honored about.” She said she stayed at sever- Travel writer award winners were al hotels and looked for tours that announced at a reception sponsored by reflected traditional Hawaii. CityPASS. New features, new events for IPW “It was nice to be on the other end of The Tuesday press conferences the spectrum for a change at this reverse were required attendance for travel experience,” said travel writers Diane journalists. This year the day of confer- “I really enjoyed it and had a chance Sukiennik and Michael Reiss, of Food ences included SeaWorld Parks & to talk about my American territory of and Wine Access, of Woodland Hills. Jim Entertainment, with penguins even visit- Guam and our must-see stops to jour- Ferri, Editor of neverstoptraveling.com, ing the room; Los Angeles Tourism and nalists and travel buyers,” said Publicist said he always enjoys seeing writers get Convention Board; the U.S. Travel Pilar Laguan, of the Guam Visitors awards, adding his impression of the Association; Choose Chicago (a future Bureau. IPW this year: “I see the whole travel host city); Visit Orlando, and Universal Another improvement this year was industry in America coming back, espe- Orlando Resort/Universal Studios the IPW Online Marketplace that will cially during the last five months.” Hollywood, which surprised journalists be accessible year-round at ipw.com. The winner of the best story this year was with characters of the “minions” posing Additionally, several states worked Elzbieta Pawełek, a writer for VIVA!, a with writers. together to organize one of the post- national bi-weekly IPW tours for delegates. consumer magazine The Cowboy Country in Warsaw, Poland. tour flew participants to Pawełek’s article, Reno, gave them a tour “Jak zdobyć of the automobile muse- Hollywood?” (“How um and then delivered to get Hollywood?”), via Amtrak to Elko, was on the history of where they began an the famed Los adventure that took them Angeles neighbor- to the border towns of hood. Wendover and West “I’m surprised I Wendover before finish- won because I’m ing in Salt Lake City. new to Pow Wow. “We had an unusual It’s a new experience group, being from 10 for me,” Pawełek told O’Dwyer’s. “This is Some new features at this IPW different countries. We sang a lot, got to only my second time here. I have met so included the first-ever Taste of America know each other, took a lot of group many friends, and we speak so many lan- networking luncheon, which provide photos. I think pictures and songs really guages in the press room. It’s a wonderful cuisine from around America allowing do bring a group together,” said time for me.” for more networking between all the Nevada’s Larry J. Friedman, who led Two journalists won for the best story tables of regional food, including wines, this IPW tour. on a destination in the U.S. They were and photo opportunities with Texas The next IPW is set to be held in Chris Coplans, who wrote a story about scenery. Chicago from April 5-9, 2014. £

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Peggy sits on the Boards of the BENDEL Destination and Travel Foundation and the Association of Travel COMMUNICATIONS Marketing Executives, and chairs INTERNATIONAL the Marketing Committee of the Society of American Travel Writers (sate.org). She is the author of It’s a New York • Arizona • California • Crisis! Now What? A Step-by-Step North Carolina • Oregon • Washington, D.C. • Sydney, Crisis Communications Handbook Australia for the Global Hospitality Industry. 917/969-9919 www.BendelCommunications.com BLAZE

Peggy Bendel, President 225 Santa Monica Blvd., 3rd Flr. Sue Lomenzo, Strategic As the agency of record since 2011, Coyne PR successfully negotiat- Communications/Social Marketing Santa Monica, CA 90401 310/395-5050 ed and placed South African Tourism on NBC’s hit series, All-Star Bill Baker, Destination Branding Fax: 310/395-5001 Hank Todd, Destination Strategy Celebrity Apprentice to unveil a new campaign developed by the [email protected] agency — “What’s your Big 5?” With over 4.5 million viewers tuned www.blazepr.com in, the campaign drove mass awareness of South Africa’s diverse Travel is our passion, and among and authentic travel experiences beyond its famed safari. our team, we’ve covered the globe Matt Kovacs, EVP/GM — well, not Antarctica (yet)! Headed by HSMAI Lifetime BLAZE is the nationally recog- tion as an agency that brings top Achievement public relations nized PR firm that attracts com- ALPAYTAC media to experience the global air- award-winner Peggy Bendel, we’re pelling and aggressive consumer lines and hotels it represents in the a consortium of senior travel indus- brands that need to win. BLAZE MARKETING most memorable way. Whether it try professionals with more than a develops campaigns that help our COMMUNICATIONS/ is an exclusive press trip to Paris century’s real world experience, clients create or reclaim relevance with top-tier travel and gourmet representing almost every facet of in the marketplace. Utilizing com- PUBLIC RELATIONS media, or an authentic trip to the the travel industry, including coun- prehensive strategic communica- touristic hot spots of Turkey, tries, regions, cities, NGOs, hotels, tions campaigns to differentiate and 445 North Wells Street, Suite 401 Alpaytac’s efforts result in a trade shows and tour operators. elevate our clients from their com- Chicago, IL 60654 stronger bond between clients and We’ve created award-winning petitors, we are able to exceed our 312/245-9805 influential travel, gourmet, wed- solutions to marketing challenges, clients’ expectations when it comes www.alpaytac.com ding and lifestyle media members, led teams of top marketers, handled to positioning them to their audi- leading to multiple stories and dra- c rises of startling proportions, ences and attracting positive atten- Huma Gruaz, President/CEO matically elevating clients’ brand escorted press trips, planned special Michelle Mekky, Senior Vice tion from both consumers and the President/Director of the Chicago awareness. events and promotions, solved media. BLAZE also offers full pub- Office Airlines and hotels Alpaytac has thorny problems, spoken at confer- lic affairs capabilities through its worked with include Turkish ences and trade shows around the parent company DAVIES. Alpaytac Marketing Comms / Airlines, British Airways’ world, written articles and books Clients include: AmaWaterways, Public Relations is a multi-faceted, OpenSkies, Avantair, JetEdge, The — and had an exciting and fulfill- Anaheim Marriott, Claremont award-winning marketing commu- Four Seasons in Istanbul and ing time doing so. Hotel, Club & Spa, Destination nications and public relations firm Kempinski Hotel in Bodrum, We also enjoy working in part- Dana Point, Elephant Parade USA, with an outstanding track record in Turkey. During those press trips, nership with other firms to tackle Los Angeles Airport Marriott, the travel and tourism industries. Alpaytac has provided media with special assignments that might dis- Manhattan Beach Marriott, Marina Founded in 2004 under the lead- unforgettable experiences at some rupt ongoing client services, from del Rey CVB, Marina del Rey ership of the multilingual Huma of the world’s leading hotels such crisis communications to special Marriott, Monterrey Marriott, Rock Gruaz, a praised PR, marketing and as Hotel Le Bristol, Le Meurice events. and Roll Fantasy Camp Las Vegas. branding expert who won the 2012 Ritz Paris, Plaza Athenee, Hotel de Public speaking is a forte, as Lifetime Achievement Award from Crillon and Park Hyatt in Paris. well: among us, we have served as COYNE PR PR Daily, Alpaytac’s travel indus- Alpaytac’s comprehensive serv- keynote speakers, workshop lead- try practice has included major air- ices include public relations, inte- ers and panelists on the topics of lines and international hotel chains. grated strategic marketing, cutting- public relations, marketing, social 5 Wood Hollow Road Parsippany, NJ 07054 The agency has strategically helped edge social media initiatives, event media, destination branding, strate- 973/588-2000 build and maintain strong brand marketing, trade show support and gic communications, media train- www.coynepr.com presence and generated unparal- crisis communications. ing and organizational structure at leled nationwide media coverage in Alpaytac is headquartered in conferences around the world, most 1065 Avenue of the Americas major publications and on national Chicago with offices in New York, recently in Canada, Norway, 28th Floor television shows for its travel Los Angeles and Tampa. It is also Madeira, Uganda and the US. New York, NY 10018 industry clients. the leading U.S. agency for ECCO, Current tourism clients include 212/938-0166 The press trips Alpaytac organ- one of the world’s largest networks Arizona Office of Tourism, Peter Tom Coyne, CEO izes are considered to be “the gold of independent PR agencies, pro- Sommer Travels, the Ecology Rich Lukis, President standard” among U.S. travel viding the opportunity to represent Project International and the Outer John Gogarty, Executive VP, media. Alpaytac has built a reputa- Alpaytac clients in 40 countries. Banks National Scenic Byway. Travel, Entertainment & Lifestyle

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Jennifer Kamienski, Senior VP Lauren Mackiel Gory, Assistant VP DEVELOPMENT Min Tak, Assistant VP COUNSELLORS Coyne PR’s Travel practice possesses the creativity, experi- INTERNATIONAL ence and passion to make a game- (DCI) changing impact on your business. Our team has managed and executed world-class events and 215 Park Avenue South, 10th Fl. New York, NY 10003 promotions, brand building cam- 212/725-0707 paigns, social media programs www.aboutdci.com and media relations for somef o Twitter: @AboutDCI the travel industry’s most prominent brands and destinations. Andrew Levine, President/Chief Clients include South African Creative Officer Tourism, Disney Parks & Karyl Leigh Barnes, Executive Resorts, Adventures by Disney, Vice President/Partner Disney Cruise Lines, South African Tourism, and Heathrow DCI is the leader in market- Airport and Hard Rock ing places. Since 1960, our firm International. The Coyne Travel has represented more than 400 team has developed ideas and destinations around the world, campaigns that take our clients stimulating visitor arrivals and where they want to be — and investment through economic beyond. Our in-depth knowledge development and tourism mar- of the travel industry and long- keting. DCI’s Tourism Practice standing relationships with the features three divisions: public travel media help brands stand relations/consumer marketing, out in the crowded travel market- travel trade marketing/repre- place. sentation and meetings/incen- DQMPR’s (L to R) Erin Levi,Yves Gentil and Julia Levi at the HSMAI awards tive sales. Our Tourism in January 2013, where they received six Gold Adrian Awards. CRT/TANAKA, LLC Practice’s digital/social media team designs digital strategy and tactical programs for DMOs. from morning television to print 320 West 13th Street, 7th Floor DCI’s current client roster and online coverage. Clients rely EDELMAN New York, NY 10014 includes some of the most 212/229-0500 on the agency’s industry experi- dynamic destination brands in ence, compelling storytelling Fax: 212/229-0523 200 E. Randolph St., Ste. 6300 www.crt-tanaka.com the travel space including such and relationships in the execu- states as California and North Chicago, IL 60601 tion of media events, press trips 312/240-3000 Mike Mulvihill, President Carolina; cities such as and trade shows. In addition to [email protected] Patrice Tanaka, Co-Chair Louisville, Park City, and media relations, DQMPR’s trade Ellen LaNicca Albanese, EVP Toronto; and international des- division works with the travel 250 Hudson Street tinations including Australia, trade, meetings and incentives New York, NY 10013 CRT/tanaka is an award-win- Dubai, Ecuador, Namibia and and the cruise industries on 212/768-0550 ning public relations and market- Scotland; as well as the U.S. behalf of clients. [email protected] ing firm known for its inspiring Travel Association. These desti- DQMPR’s excellence in pub- workplace culture and approach nations are served by our staff lic relations has been recognized Leticia Lyra, Executive VP to business. With offices in New of more than 50 destination by Hospitality Sales & Lorri Christou, Executive VP marketers, from our New York Denisha Stevens, Executive VP York, California and Virginia, Marketing Association Ian Jeffries, Vice President the agency is near some of the headquarters and regional International with 12 Gold United States’ favorite tourism offices in Denver, Los Angeles, Adrian Awards as well as the destinations. Tampa and Toronto. Society of American Travel Edelman is a global family of CRT/tanaka provides creative Writers with two gold and one public relations companies, ranked solutions from senior counselors DQMPR silver award for work with #1 since 1999 on O’Dwyer’s list of with extensive expertise in the Extraordinary Journeys Africa, agencies specializing in tourism. travel sector. Travel and tourism Finnair and Tourism Quebec. Edelman’s Travel, Hospitality and experience includes work for a 25 E. 21st Street, 11th Flr. The agency was honored with Lifestyle practice is unique among New York, NY 10010 its peers for its strategic combina- variety of clients, including Air 212/598-1160 HSMAI’s Platinum award for its New Zealand, Amadeus North work with the Today Show and tion of consumer branding, digital Fax: 646/219-0086 innovation and media relations America (global distribution [email protected] an Emmy nomination for bring- service), The Breakers in Palm www.dqmpr.com ing WNYW Fox 5’s Toni On! to savvy. Our global team of passion- Beach, Cambria Suites (Choice Quebec for segments in Mount ate tourism experts uses the world- Hotels International), Costa Headquartered in New York Tremblant and Quebec City dur- wide reach and resources of the Cruises, Omni Hotels, Palm City with a satellite office in ing its 400th anniversary. Edelman network to deliver award- Beach County Tourism, Princess Miami, DQMPR is an award- Current clients include the winning results with a boutique Hotels, Sandals and Beaches winning, multi-lingual boutique Croatian National Tourist Board, service ethic and dedication to Resorts, South African Tourism, travel and lifestyle public rela- Extraordinary Journeys Africa, clients. Clients include destina- State of Connecticut Tourism, tions agency. DQMPR leverages Finnair, Geringer Global Travel, tions, hotel and hospitality brands, Virginia Tourism Commission, its extensive network to organize Perillo Tours, Tourism New airlines and airport authorities, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and coast-to-coast targeted media Zealand, Tourism Quebec and Continued on page 26 World Yacht/Circle Line. campaigns on behalf of clients, Zicasso Handcrafted Travel. 0

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PROFILES OF TRAVEL & TOURISM PR FIRMS

clients through our measureable Fahlgren Mortine works with bottom-line results and by com- clients in 29 states and is a top 30 prehending their unique histories, independent firm nationally. The preserving and bolstering their agency has been recognized with reputations and understanding dozens of national PR and their vision for the future. tourism awards, including Silver Our commitment to our clients and Bronze Anvils from PRSA is to be an extension of their and a Mercury Award from the brands — a true partner in every U.S. Travel Association. In sense of the word. When that com- 2013, Fahlgren Mortine was rec- mitment is combined with unsur- ognized with a PRSA Bronze passed skill and experience in all Anvil for media relations for the the critical areas of tourism mar- Office of TourismOhio, and a keting and economic develop- Lara Kretler, Fahlgren Mortine’s social media lead (center), pictured Travel + Leisure Magazine ment, we produce the results our with fellow presenters at the national PRSA Tourism Section confer- SMITTY Award for work on clients depend on for successful ence in Memphis, May, 2013. behalf of the Myrtle Beach Area brand life, share of mind and share Chamber of Commerce/CVB. of market. telling. Headquartered in Columbus, Our services include strategic EDELMAN We transform brand mind-share Ohio, Fahlgren Mortine also has public relations planning and exe- locations in West Virginia, cution, global consumer and trade Continued from page 25 into brand market-share. 0 EVINS is the leading and award- Colorado, Florida, Kentucky and media relations, crisis communi- winning branding, marketing, com- South Carolina. Travel industry cations, reputation management, munications and public relations client experience includes Office of branding, social and digital appli- iconic attractions, cruises and trans- firm in the luxury and prestige sec- TourismOhio; Myrtle Beach Area cations, special event planning, portation, travel technology and tors, with specialist expertise in Chamber of Commerce/CVB; and promotions. industry associations. In the rapidly travel and hospitality. We have Experience Columbus; Hyatt With a staff of over 40 highly changing world of tourism, made an invaluable contribution to Regency; Hilton; North Dakota skilled professionals, we represent Edelman is helping clients find new the growth and development of Department of Commerce/Tourism; domestic and international desti- perspective and solutions to mar- numerous industry icons, including Hocking Hills Tourism Association; nations, hotels and resorts, air- keting challenges, particularly in American Express and many other destinations, lines, cruise lines and rail compa- social media integration. We devel- Centurion/Platinum, Departures regions, festivals, hospitality prop- nies, real estate developments, op programs that are grounded in Magazine, Exclusive Resorts, erties and more. travel associations and travel serv- research, demonstrate thought lead- Hotels & Resorts of Halekulani, ice providers. ership and integrate a holistic Marquis Jet, Park Hyatt, Preferred FINN PARTNERS The greatest measure of our success is the satisfaction of our approach to marketing, from tradi- Hotels & Resorts, Rosewood Hotel TRAVEL & tional media relations and & Resorts, The Lanesborough and clients, the longevity of our client digital/social engagement to crisis Turnberry Isle Miami, amongst ECONOMIC relationships, and the recognition and business + social purpose. many others. We are consistently we’ve received for delivering recognized for excellence in cre- DEVELOPMENT quality and substantive work. EVINS ativity, strategies and tactics. FRENCH / WEST / COMMUNICATIONS Mathew Evins, the firm’s chair- 301 East 57th Street man, has lectured on luxury and New York, NY 10022 VAUGHAN LTD. hospitality at the Cornell Hotel 212/715-1600 School and NYU’s Graduate www. finnpartners.com 112 East Hargett St. School of Business, and has con- , Senior 635 Madison Avenue tributed to industry publications and Richard Funess Raleigh, NC 27601 New York, NY 10022 Managing Partner business media. Questex 919/832-6300 212/688-8200 Gail L. Moaney, Managing www.fwv-us.com www.evins.com Hospitality + Travel recently Partner/Director, Travel & facebook.com/EvinsCommunications appointed Mr. Evins to serve on the Economic Development Rick French, Chairman & CEO twitter.com/EVINSsct Boards of Luxury Travel Exchange Morris Silver, Managing Partner, David Gwyn, President / Principal pinterest.com/Evins/ International (LTX), the leading Travel & Economic Development Natalie Best, Executive Vice event for today’s travel professional Virginia M. Sheridan, Managing President / Director of Client Mathew L. Evins, Chairman focused on luxury and premium Partner, Travel & Economic Services / Principal Louise R. Evins, CEO Development niche markets, and of ULTRA French/West/Vaughan (FWV) Jaimie Chew, Vice President Luxury Exchange (ULTRA), an Elyse Heckman, Director The Finn Partners Travel and is the Southeast’s leading public David Harrison, Director, Digital invitation-only conference engag- Economic Development practice relations, public affairs and & Social Integration & Content ing the world’s elite travel profes- is a team unrivaled for the creativ- brand communications agency, sionals. ity, execution and commitment we independent or otherwise. We help to define a brand’s bring to our clients. Our capabili- Founded in April 1997 by essence & create emotive experi- FAHLGREN ties and experience has been Agency Chairman & CEO Rick ences that bring brand essence to MORTINE proven by our successful represen- French, FWV now employs 84 life. tation of some of the world’s top research, public relations, pub- We utilize brand experiences to travel brands. With the recent lic affairs, advertising and digi- catalyze brand passion and engage- 4030 Easton Station, Suite 300 merger of M. Silver Associates, a tal marketing experts among its ment. Columbus, OH 43219 leading independent tourism mar- Raleigh, N.C. headquarters and We cultivate & nurture brand 614/383-1500 www.fahlgrenmortine.com keting specialty agency, Finn New York City, Dallas, Los engagement to foster brand advoca- Partners now boasts one of the Angeles and Tampa offices. cy and storytelling. Neil Mortine, President and CEO largest travel practices in the pub- FWV’s dedicated travel and We optimize brand mind-share Marty McDonald, SVP, Tourism lic relations industry. We have tourism practice, ranked as the through brand advocacy and story- Practice Leader consistently gained and retained #13 firm for Travel and Tourism

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PROFILES OF TRAVEL & TOURISM PR FIRMS

PR by O’Dwyer’s, boasts exten- agency also has a proven spe- sive destination marketing cialty working with companies experience, specializing in with an environmental and lifestyle and leisure marketing socially responsible focus. and public relations. Current Founded in 1996, the agency travel and tourism industry is known for its successful clients include the Dude launches, relaunches and highly Ranchers’ Association, the creative and results-driven cam- Wilmington and Beaches CVB paigns. Graham & Associates (N.C.), Carolina Beach, Kurie has a successful track record Beach, Wrightsville Beach, and with hallmark and emerging Tweetsie Railroad — North companies and properties, Carolina’s Oldest Theme Park. including Cavallo Point, Jean- In addition, FWV has worked Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands with Divi Resorts and its nine Resort, Post Ranch Inn, El Caribbean properties, and co- Capitan Canyon, Evergreen operative destination marketing Lodge, Wyndham Worldwide, with each of the tourism organi- Luma, and more. zations for Aruba, Barbados, Graham is recognized in the Bonaire, St. Croix (U.S.V.I. industry with more than 60 top Dept. of Tourism) and St. national PR awards (since Maarten; Gatlinburg, Tenn.; 2002), including Stevie’s Best Cabarrus County, N.C. — home Communication Campaign, to NASCAR’s Lowe’s Motor North America; PRSA’s Silver Speedway; Oakland County, Anvil; a Special Creativity Mich.; Branson, Mo.; the Old Award from the International Salem Moravian Village in Public Relations Association N.C.; the Greater Raleigh CVB; (all in tourism); and the and America’s Historic Magellan “Best Agency Triangle, located in Communications Campaign Williamsburg, Va. Worldwide.” Graham operates In addition to its portfolio of throughout Europe via Plexus, travel and tourism clients, FWV an exclusive organization of works with many of the world’s agencies it co-founded. leading companies and brands, including international utility JANINE GORDON Janine Gordon Associates Account Supervisor Heather Durkee with provider ABB, Wrangler, SAS, client Noel Lee, Director, Global Business Development, RBC Bank, Justin Boot ASSOCIATES Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), seeing the sights Company, Melitta Coffee, during the ACTE Global Conference in Rome, October 2012. Moe’s Southwest Grill restaurants, spirits company Hood 11 East 26th Street, 19th floor River Distillery (Pendleton New York NY 10010 Interbrand, brings world-class clients. If you want to expand 212/831-3020 branding skills to JGA clients. your brand’s connections, start Whisky, Pendleton 1910, Yazi [email protected] Ginger Vodka, Broker’s Gin and www.jgordonassociates.com JGA understands the chal- by visiting our website. SinFire Cinnamon Whisky) and lenges to be surmounted in the U.S. Polo Association. The building relationships with high J PUBLIC Janine Gordon, President & net worth and super-affluent agency’s fully integrated cre- CEO RELATIONS ative and digital team provides Alvin Schechter, Chairman and travelers. As long-term publi- award-winning advertising, Director of Branding cists for the annual American graphic design and digital and Lauren Banyar Reich, Vice Express Publishing-Harrison 131 Varick Street, #909 social media services for a wide President Group Survey of Affluence and New York, NY 10013 range of clients. Christie High, Account Director Wealth in America, we are privy 212/924-3600 John Donofrio, CFO to the most up-to-date findings Fax: 212/898-1361 GRAHAM & on what drives the behavior of www.jpublicrelations.com Janine Gordon Associates the rich and the super-rich. twitter: @jprpublicity instagram: jpublicrelations ASSOCIATES, INC. excels at creating and expand- Our work is characterized by ing brand connections for travel ingenuity of thinking and trans- and tourism clients. We com- J Public Relations is a savvy, 111 Maiden Lane, Suite 650 parency in style. We are experts San Francisco, CA 94108 bine fresh ideas with flawless in the full range of communica- connected bi-coastal public rela- 415/986-7212 execution. The agency is highly tions tools. Our goal is to deliv- tions agency specializing in high- Fax: 415/986-7216 focused on luxury lifestyle er shrewd brand strategy, high end travel, hospitality and lifestyle [email protected] brands. profile media coverage, A-list clientele. With offices in New York www.graham-associates.com Established in 1993 by Janine events, compelling celebrity and California, and among the Gordon, formerly founder and endorsements, social media nation’s fastest growing agencies Graham & Associates is head of Saatchi & Saatchi Public content with viral appeal and with 54% growth in 2012, JPR is renowned for award-winning Relations, JGA is a cutting-edge high-impact strategic alliances committed to delivering high- expertise in strategic national New York City PR boutique — always within the context of impact results through creative, and international PR, communi- with the energy and sophistica- a fully integrated, multi-channel customized PR campaigns and cations, branding and social tion required to pierce the clutter strategy. brand partnerships. The firm is media programs for travel and of communications in the travel Result: Positive brand aware- known for creating “buzz” among hospitality, consumer lifestyle industry. Chairman Alvin ness, increased sales and long- Continued on page 28 and real estate clients. The Schechter, a former CEO of term brand value for JGA 0

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PROFILES OF TRAVEL & TOURISM PR FIRMS

LDPR’s Sara Hill and Dana Curatolo celebrate Scotland Week 2013 Pups in paradise. Furry friends and their masters joked for a “woof with VH1 anchor Carrie Keagan and vikings from the Shetland Isles woof” press trip to Florida’s Paradise Coast (Naples, Marco Island, of Scotland. the Everglades). So timely, as traveling with pets is one of the most important segments in the travel world reports Lou Hammond & Associates. Only two weeks following the trip, resulting online and prestigious travel brands social medic coverage from the tour’s participating journalists gen- through an evolving media LOU HAMMOND & erated nearly 1.2 million impressions. landscape with creativity, pro- fessionalism and enthusiasm. ASSOCIATES We are a highly driven and had many clients for over a decade. innovative travel and lifestyle 39 East 51st Street J PUBLIC RELATIONS Creator of the KWEst PROcess public relations agency with a New York, NY 10022 212/308-8880 Continued from page 27 for strategic market positioning and global roster of clients from 0 product development, KWE destinations and tour companies Fax: 212/891-0200 Partners believes that all successful to exclusive private islands, E-mail: [email protected] programs begin with a solid strate- www.louhammond.com media, influencers and industry hotels and resorts. Our unique www.twitter.com/louhammondpr insiders. Our team creates and gy to most effectively merchandise culture is defined by our collab- www.facebook.com/louhammondpr implements strategies based on what already exists or to create orative and strategic approach www.pinterest.com/louhammondpr specific client goals and revenue- something new and different. This to working with clients, media driving markets. is why we go to great lengths to and our staff, leading to solid Lou Hammond, Founder and With two robust offices on both identify emerging trends to connect partnerships with measurable Chairman coasts and long-standing relation- clients with luxury travel and results that make a positive dif- Stephen Hammond, President lifestyle trends, so they benefit ference for our clients’ brands. Terence Gallagher, Executive ships with top journalists nation- Vice President wide, JPR has earned the team a from changes in the marketplace as LDPR prides itself on creat- reputation as a trusted resource for well as best practices in PR tactics. ing integrated communications journalists working on travel, hos- Last year the firm’s social media programs for its clients that Founded in 1984, Lou pitality, culinary, and luxury practice won prestigious awards include targeted media out- Hammond & Associates (LH&A) lifestyle articles, as well as journal- from Travel+Leisure (SMITTY) reach, events, and partnerships, has long set the gold standard as ists in key regional markets. and Hotels’ Social Hotels competi- all enhanced by strong social the recognized leader in travel and The team is comprised of publi- tion. media programs led by a dedi- hospitality public relations. The cists, strategists, tastemakers, food- Named one of the “Top 25 Most cated digital media team. company’s passion, as well as an ies and travelers. Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Our client roster includes unwavering commitment to quali- Marketing” by Hospitality Sales VisitScotland; Tourisme ty, is driven by its legendary KWE PARTNERS and Marketing Association Montréal; Destination New founder and chairman, Lou International (HSMAI), Karen is a South Wales, Australia; Bal Hammond, regarded as one of the frequent speaker on trends and is Harbour, Florida; the island of most well-known and enthusiastic 75 SW 15th Road editor of a syndicated luxury travel Mustique; Eden Rock, St advocates in the industry. Miami, FL 33129 and lifestyle trends newsletter and Barths; Curtain Bluff, Antigua; LH&A is widely known as an www.kwepr.com blog. The Resort at Paws Up, innovator in the field, as evi- 305/476-5424 Montana; Abercrombie & Kent; denced by its award-winning [email protected] LAURA DAVIDSON The Thinking Traveller luxury work. In fact, the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association Karen Weiner Escalera, villas in Italy and Greece; President & Chief Strategist PUBLIC RELATIONS Atlantis Paradise Island, International (HSMAI) has hon- Bahamas; Residence Inn by ored the agency with more of its For over 30 years, first in New 72 Madison Ave., 8th Floor Marriott; Mayflower prestigious Adrian Awards over York and now in Miami, KWE New York, NY 10016 Renaissance, Washington DC; the past 15 years than any other Partners has developed marketing 212/696-0660 ONE UN New York; The Ocean entrant. and public relations solutions for all www.ldpr.com House, Watch Hill, Rhode Hammond Digital+, the Facebook.com/lauradavidsonpr Island; The Ritz-Carlton, agency’s boutique digital firm, segments of the luxury travel, hos- Twitter.com/ldpr pitality, real estate, and lifestyle Naples; The Ritz-Carlton and was launched this year by Sarah Spagnolo, a nine-year veteran of industries. From boutique hotels, Laura Davidson, President JW Marriott Grande Lakes spas, and resort development, to Leslie Cohen, Executive VP Orlando; Washington Marriott Travel + Leisure where she served cruise lines, travel technology, and Marquis, D.C.; and Millennium as digital projects editor. The For over 20 years LDPR has Hotels & Resorts, North tourism boards, our programs get Continued on page 30 results, which is the reason we’ve guided some of the world’s most America, among others. 0

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ential travel brands. We reach keters pairs innovative thinking today’s traveler by using tradi- and never-say-never attitudes to tional media relations as a plat- deliver significant results and form for larger, more compre- exceed expectations. Industry hensive campaigns that leverage experience includes: The Art social media, strategic partner- Museums of Colonial ships, co-branded promotions Williamsburg; Aspen Ski Co.; and TV/film integration. The Auden Bar & Bistro; Cayman agency is a recognized leader in Airways; Cayman Cookout; The effectively utilizing social Cayman Islands Department of media channels for travel Tourism; Charlie Bird brands, and currently manages Restaurant (NYC); The Colonial ongoing campaigns that create Williamsburg Foundation; communities, conversation and Colorado Ski Country; engagement, with measurable Disneyland; Disneyland Food & MMGY Global secured a strategic partnership for the Colorado results. Beverage; Golden Horseshoe Golf Club; Intrawest; Limelight Tourism Ofﬁce with top outdoor recreation brand Eddie Bauer, fea- Over the last 15 years, our travel practice has collaborated Hotel; The Little Nell; The turing a series of interactive learning events led by experts from with high-profile destinations, Lodge at Woodloch; The Mark Men’s Journal and Backpacker Magazine. (Pictured from left to both domestic and international, Anthony Group; Michelin Food right: Will Cockrell, articles editor, Men’s Journal; Roland Alonzi, as well as leading travel and hos- & Travel; Mission Hill Family vice president, group director, MMGY Global; Chad Peele, profes- pitality brands in the following Estate; Montagna Restaurant; sional climbing guide and Eddie Bauer First Ascent athlete.) categories: hotels and resorts, National Trust for Historic cruise, online travel sites, travel Preservation; The Ritz-Carlton Resort, Uncommon Journeys, content and guidebooks, and Hotels of New York; Roadtrips LOU HAMMOND Hotel Ella, Patton Hospitality travel service providers. Clients Inc.; Royal Plantation have included Montage Hotels & Collection; Sandestin Golf and 0Continued from page 28 Management, Laucala Island Resort and Explore Bristol. Resorts, Travelzoo, Frommer’s, Beach Resort; The Spa of Branding Greenland, the Turkish Colonial Williamsburg; Squaw agency’s newest enterprise offers M BOOTH Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Valley; Steamboat; Trapp custom social media and digital The United States Virgin Islands Family Lodge; Twin Farms; marketing services that capture the Department of Tourism, Whistler Blackcomb; and more. 300 Park Avenue South EasyCruise, Yahoo Travel, media’s attention, drive consumer New York, NY 10010 engagement, and draw on the Tourism Victoria (Australia), MMGY GLOBAL 212/539-3246 Allianz Travel Insurance, and excellent skills honed from Fax: 212/481-9440 PR Spagnolo’s industry experience [email protected] Room Key, among others. and the company’s nearly 30 years [email protected] of quality PR service. www.mbooth.com MISSY FARREN & 245 Fifth Avenue, Suite 902 The Lou Hammond approach ASSOCIATES New York, NY 10016 focuses on delivering ROI through Margaret Booth, CEO www.mmgyglobal.com strategic campaigns that are both Jamie Foley, Vice President measurable and achievable. This 33 E. 33rd Street, Suite 905 Charles Mardiks, Managing work meets the needs of a diverse M Booth, Creative Agency of New York, NY 10016 Director 212/528-1691 Elisa Fershtadt, Senior Vice clientele encompassing all facets the Year, fuses consumer mar- www.mfaltd.com President of tourism, including destination, keting and travel industry Roland Alonzi, Vice President hotel, spa, cruise and culinary expertise to inspire today’s trav- Missy Farren, Founder & CEO marketing. eler and drive bottom-line Agatha Capacchione, Vice Client longevity is an agency results for our clients. Our cre- President, Travel & Tourism MMGY Global PR is a divi- hallmark, and this year LH&A has ative science approach — the Samantha Lacher, Deputy sion of MMGY Global, a full- added to their list of distinguished intersection of research, insight Director, Travel, Hospitality & service marketing communica- partners: Blount Small Ship and imagination — shapes opin- Culture tions company working exclu- Adventures, Seadream Yacht ion and enhances reputation for sively in the travel and tourism Club, Deepwater Cay, Wild Dunes some of the world’s most influ- Missy Farren & Associates is industry. a mid-sized agency offering the Providing expert strategic powerful combination of cus- counsel in media relations, tomer assistance, attention to branding, event marketing and detail and dynamic, meaningful crisis communications, our team coverage results. Our passion has a track record of developing for travel drives professional and implementing award-win- success and relationships in var- ning, creative public relations ious niches, including: culinary, programs and brand-building adventure, family, romance, campaigns for clients from arts/culture, Caribbean, well- around the world. We’ve ness/spa, culture, wine/spirits recently added expert research and fitness/sports. The agency capabilities to include develop- specializes in strategic media ment of primary client insights, relations; social media strategy brand and strategy creation, and management; partnership analysis of traveler trends and development; event facilitation; an unmatched understanding of M Booth promotes the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival during an spokesperson positioning; and consumer and intermediary NYC food blogger event earlier this year. crisis communications. Our audiences. Through our Digital team of agile, professional mar- Media Practice, MMGY has

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PROFILES OF TRAVEL & TOURISM PR FIRMS

integrated new media, social erful results for our clients. networking and LiveWeb strate- At Murphy O’Brien, we gies into an overall strategic develop each public relations direction for our clients. campaign to meet the specific While we offer large agency needs of our clients. From day resources, our PR team is small one, we focus on the client's enough to provide each client public relations objectives, tar- with senior-level, hands-on get audience and desired media involvement and service. Our results to craft a strategic pro- dynamic PR team has solid gram that tells their story in a industry experience and main- compelling way. By leveraging tains close contacts with both our personal relationships with traditional print and broadcast editorial decision-makers and media in addition to social/digi- key influencers, coordinating tal media and new buzz-build- newsworthy events and align- ing channels. ing clients with like-minded Current clients include: brands for impactful partner- American Association for Nude ships, we are able to secure Recreation; Choice Hotels; coverage in the media outlets 2012 was a stellar year for Nancy J. Friedman’s growth. As a way to cel- Colorado Tourism Office; Fiesta that matter most. ebrate its 25th anniversary, the agency rewarded each employee with a Americana Grand, by Grupo Year after year, Murphy round-trip ticket to anywhere in the world he or she wanted to go. Posadas; Grand Traverse Resort O’Brien creates award-winning and Spa, MI; The Beaches of PR campaigns. We are proud Fort Myers & Sanibel, FL; Live that our work has been honored New York; Copamarina Beach Aqua Cancun, by Grupo by industry organizations and Resort & Spa, Guanica, Puerto OGILVY PUBLIC Posadas; Regent Hotels & publications. The agency also Rico; Doubletree Hilton, San Juan, Resorts; Renaissance Aruba wins awards for our innovative Puerto Rico; Farmer’s Museum, RELATIONS Resort & Casino; Renaissance and positive work environment. Cooperstown, NY; Fenimore Art Curaçao Resort & Casino; We are consistently ranked Museum, Cooperstown, NY; 636 11th Avenue Rocky Mountaineer; Visit among the top 10 best places to Fodor’s Travel Guide; Gansevoort New York, NY 10036 Sarasota County; Select work in Los Angeles and one of Meatpacking and Park Avenue; 212/880-5345 Gansevoort Turks + Caicos and Las [email protected] Registry: Distinguished Inns of the top independent agencies in www.ogilvypr.com North America; Telluride, CO; the country. Vegas; Gemma at The Bowery Terranea Resort, CA; Travel Hotel, New York; Hotel El Convento, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Mitch Markson, President, Guard; the Vacation Rental NANCY J. Global Brand Marketing Managers Association; Atlantis, Hotel Week, NYC; Hyatt Regency Paradise Island, Bahamas; B FRIEDMAN Aruba Resort Casino & Spa; JW Resort in Walt Disney World; PUBLIC RELATIONS Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Ogilvy Public Relations knows South Dakota Department of Spa and Desert Springs Resort & tourism. Our team consists of trav- Tourism and Travel Portland. INC. Spa; La Concha Resort: A el and tourism experts with specific Renaissance Hotel, San Juan, strengths in the areas of consumer MURPHY O’BRIEN 35 East 21st Street, 8th Fl. Puerto Rico; Marriott Courtyard and brand PR, corporate communi- New York, NY 10010 Isla Verde, Puerto Rico; nyma, the cations, crisis communications and 212/228-1500 new york manhattan hotel, New reputation management, events 11444 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 600 Fax: 212/228-1517 York; Parker & Quinn, New York; management, trade marketing, Los Angeles, CA 90064 [email protected] Ramada Eastside, New York; partnership and alliances, sponsor- 310/586-7134 www.njfpr.com [email protected] Refinery Hotel, NYC; ship creation and leverage, content www.murphyobrien.com Nancy J. Friedman, President Rendezvous, St. Lucia; Sea Island, creation and development, and dig- Georgia; Sheraton Hotels & ital and traditional media relations. Allyson Rener, President NJFPR celebrated its 25th year Resorts; Spring Creek Ranch, Ogilvy PR has successfully elevat- in travel/hospitality/lifestyle PR by Jackson Hole, WY; St. ed brands across a variety of travel Since 1989, Murphy O’Brien incentivizing the staff with the offer Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida; industry categories including hos- has orchestrated some of the of a plane ticket anywhere in the The Body Holiday, St. Lucia; The pitality, tour, cruise, airline, trans- country’s most successful pub- world they wanted to travel. The Bowery Hotel, New York; The portation, technology and destina- lic relations programs, from staff made our sales goals and in Cloister, Sea Island, GA; The tions. luxury resort openings and 2013, took their dream trips to Elysian Spa Health Club, Chicago; Our combination of research high-profile brand launches to places including Thailand, Rio, The Hanover Inn Darmouth, NH; based strategy, break through cre- integrated marketing and social France, Greece, Japan, Spain and The Hotel @ Times Square, New ativity, and flawl ess execution media initiatives. We pride our- Australia. The dream trip promo- York; The Jade, NYC; The Jane, delivers strong media talkability selves on being a company tion was a way to reward our pas- New York; The Lodge, Sea Island, and business building impact. Our where creative ideas, strategic sionate staff with their trip of a life- GA; The Maritime Hotel, New work has helped clients to reach thinking and skillful execution time to commemorate 25 years of York; The Marlton, NYC; The Out potential travelers where they work together to produce pow- success. For 2013, the Agency is NYC; The Pod 39 Hotel, New work, live and play. Relevant travel offering dinner at any restaurant in York; The Pod Hotel, New York; and tourism clients include the The August issue of O’Dwyer’s will profile NY if we meet our goals. And The Quin, New York; The Spa at Mexico Tourism Board and the PR firms that specialize in investor relations Hotel Week is back for the 3rd Camelback Inn, Desert Springs, Government of Mexico, Fiji and professional services. If you would like straight year! and Rendezvous; The Waldorf Airlines, Virgin Airlines, Tourism your firm to be listed in the August maga- Clients include: Borgata Hotel Astoria Chicago; The Water Club, New South Wales, Hilton Hotels, zine’s profile section, contact Editor Jon Casino & Spa, Atlantic City; A Signature Hotel by Borgata; The Tourism Australia, Ireland Golf, 0Continued on page 32 Wellness Centre at The Body Singapore Airlines, Fiji, Brazil, Gingerich at 646/843-2080 or Broadway @ Times Square, New York; Condado Vanderbilt, San Holiday, St. Lucia; and Westin Scotland, France, Chile, Malta and [email protected] Juan, Puerto Rico; Cooperstown, Hotels & Resorts. Puerto Rico.

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PROFILES OF TRAVEL & TOURISM PR FIRMS

Astoria Hotel was getting six bee Homewood Suites by Hilton, hives, we staged a red-carpet Home2 Suites by Hilton, arrival that produced 150 national AMResorts and its five brands: and international print placements, Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, and 45 minutes of TV and 8.6 billion Secrets, Dreams, Now and media impressions. Sunscape Resorts & Spas. To promote El AL Israel Previously, rbb and AMResorts also Airline’s new EconomyPlus seat- were awarded PRSA’s prestigious ing, we developed a humorous Silver Anvil for their industry lead- video depicting the lengths people ing response to the H1N1 epidemic, will go to for free upgrades. “The Flu Free Guarantee” and To underscore Affinia Hotels as received an Anvil for best travel cri- pet-friendly, we invited Boo, the sis program for its work helping World’s Cutest Dog, with 4.6 mil- Costa Maya rebuild its cruise ship lion Facebook likes, for a sleep business following massive hurri- over. Boo’s epic visit produced cane damage. rbb’s portfolio of 57,654 likes, 4,856 shares and 994 travel clients has included numer- To position AKA Central Park as a lifestyle property to global comments, such as “I want to take ous domestic and international hotel nomads, Quinn & Co. invented NYC’s First Outdoor Hotel Room, my poodle to that nice hotel.” chains and individual properties, which doubled website trafﬁc, produced over 1-billion media (HSMAI Digital Platinum). destinations, airlines and cruise impressions, and went viral around the world. To reach the bridal market for lines. JW Marriott Resorts, we led a Four-time “PR Agency of the Pinterest contest with Nordstrom Year” winner, rbb Public Relations keting programs that help our Wedding Suite that generated over is a national marketing PR firm QUINN & CO. clients in Travel; Food, Wine + $24,000 in revenue, 500 followers with a reputation for delivering Spirits; Lifestyle and Real Estate and 27,000 entries, double what the meaningful business results to achieve their goals and drive busi- previous Nordstrom Pinterest con- clients who appreciate the individ- 520 8th Avenue ness. Here are a few examples of test received. (Best Luxury Media ual attention only a boutique agency New York, NY 10018 Campaign Q1 by Luxury Daily). can provide. As the champion for 212/868-1900 our Travel work: [email protected] To position Hilton’s Waldorf To launch Occidental Hotels & breakout brands, rbb supports com- [email protected] Astoria Hotels & Resorts brands at Resorts in the social media space, panies that want to challenge mar- www.quinnandco.com the forefront of the luxury conver- we developed and conducted a ket leaders and fuels brands that are Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter: sation, we launched Luxury four-day training in Mexico for 40 already category leaders, but want @Quinnandco Manifesto, a series of 12 video executives and staff from 13 hotels. to redefine the status quo and break chats with luxury pundits, includ- Our efforts increased Facebook out from traditional marketing tech- 605 Lincoln Rd. ing Tommy Hilfiger and Ferruccio “likes” by 600%. niques. Miami Beach, FL 33139 Ferragamo. To drive visitors to the rbb’s bilingual staff offers best 786/600-3954 Queensland website, we publicized practices in media relations, corpo- [email protected] To redefine Affinia Hotels’ service offer, we helped develop the The Best Job in the World, a viral rate reputation, promotions, com- phenomenon that generated more munity relations, product introduc- Florence Quinn, President Tender Loving Comfort (TLC) John Frazier, EVP (Travel) Movement, which produced 1-bil- than $100 million in ad value and tions, crisis communications, and Jim Lee, SVP, Miami Office lion media impressions, $1.2 mil- drove 6.7 million visitors to the digital/social media. Firm practice lion in revenue, #1 in customer website. (HSMAI Best of Show). areas include B2B, financial & pro- Q&C combines strategic think- scores, front page, USA Today and To bring back The Algonquin fessional services, consumer prod- ing and signature creativity with exposure to 52% of Americans. Hotel as an iconic “watering hole,” ucts, real estate, travel & leisure, agnostic communications to devel- (HSMAI Best of Show) we invented the $10,000 Martini on health & fitness, sports & entertain- op highly effective, integrated mar- To announce that Waldorf the Rock, which produced 400+ ment, and food & beverage. Find TV segments, cover of the Daily out how rbb can help your brand News, coverage on the Times break out by visiting Square Jumbo and became a ques- www.rbbpr.com or call rbb presi- tion in Trivial Pursuit. (HSMAI dent Lisa Ross at 305/448-7457. Gold). REDPOINT RBB MARKETING PR PUBLIC RELATIONS INC. 355 Alhambra Circle, Suite 800 Miami, FL 33134 161 Avenue of the Americas, 305/448-7450 Suite 1305 www.rbbpr.com New York, NY 10013 212/229-0119 Christine Barney, CEO www.redpointpr.com Lisa Ross, President [email protected] Tina Elmowitz, Executive Vice President Victoria Feldman de Falco and Christina Miranda, Principals Rbb Public Relations is proud to For client Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Times Square, Redpoint continually deliver award-winning Specializing in travel, hospitality, Marketing PR found a master cheese carver to transform a 160-pound campaigns to its hospitality clients. interior design, and home furnish- block of cheddar cheese into historic Mount Rushmore – Ripley’s This year, the agency was recog- ings, Redpoint is a full service mar- style! – to lure the camera crews on President’s Day weekend. nized with six HSMAI Adrian keting PR firm with an entrepre- Awards for its work with neurial style, brand building expert-

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ise, and a passion for results. We sports and entertainment events, orchestrate compelling campaigns managing PR for consumer- that integrate traditional PR with focused travel shows, and driving sophisticated digital and social ticket sales for shows / exhibits, media marketing initiatives. among others. Select travel/hospitality clients Current / past clients include include the Saint Lucia Tourist American Airlines, Canadian Board; Oceania Cruises; Regent Tourism Commission, Travel Seven Seas Cruises; Woodstock Inn Alberta, Royal Caribbean, & Resort, VT; Ripley’s Believe It or InterContinental Hotels Group, Not! Times Square; US Tour Miami Boutique Hotels, Los Operations Association; Hidden Angeles Times Travel Show, Bodies Pond Resort, ME; The Tides Beach the Exhibition, Titanic the Artifact Club, ME; Morey’s Piers and Exhibition, How to Train Your Beachfront Waterparks: The Dylan Dragon, Fuerza Bruta, Cirque Hotel, Amsterdam; Simon Pearce; Dreams, Yo Gabba Gabba Live!, Water’s Edge Resort & Spa, CT; The Seaport, USA Pro Cycling and Essex Resort & Spa, VT. Challenge and Rock N Roll Hall of Spring O’Brien brings Rapa Nui dancers from Chile’s Easter Island to Redpoint executives bring a Fame. Times Square during their ﬁrst trip to NYC. “nose for news” to every client challenge, ensuring that marketing RUDER FINN ideas have just the right dash of risk marketing communications agency New York, NY 10017 to make them significantly news- 212/616-3601 301 East 57th Street specializing in travel and hospitality worthy without being operationally New York, NY 10022 PR for over three decades. We have challenging to implement. successfully represented new and 300 E. Lombard St. 212/593-6400 Suite 1440 [email protected] established companies across every Baltimore, MD 21202 ROGERS & segment of the travel industry 410/727-6855 Kathy Bloomgarden, CEO, including tourism boards, cruise [email protected] COWAN Ruder Finn lines, airlines, railways, hotels, Michael Schubert, Chief Innovation Officer, Ruder Finn resorts, tour operators, web sites, Peter V. Stanton, President & CEO , Managing Director, 8687 Melrose Avenue, 7th Floor Louise Harris, Chief Global associations, and credit card compa- Lori Russo Los Angeles, CA 90069 Strategist nies. Travel & Tourism 310/854-8117 , Chairman, We uniquely achieve a competi- Jean-Michel Dumont Consumers’ intention to travel Fax: 310/854-8106 Ruder Finn Asia tive edge for clients with integrated [email protected] continues on an upswing and solutions, developing public rela- www.rogersandcowan.com competition for discretionary dol- As one of the largest independ- tions, social media and branding lars is increasingly fierce; the ent global communications agen- campaigns, as well as online mar- Tom Tardio, CEO challenge facing tourism mar- cies, Ruder Finn is dual-headquar- keting. keters is clear. We love a good tered in New York and China with We consistently achieve high- Rogers & Cowan offers signifi- challenge. an on-the-ground presencen i visibility TV, print and online cov- cant experience in creating and exe- The Stanton Communications Boston, San Francisco, erage to catapult client brands cuting integrated marketing, PR and team is made up of former travel Washington, D.C., London, beyond the fray. We pride ourselves social media campaigns for clients writers and network news affiliate Brussels, Beijing, Guangzhou, on our inventive approach to part- in the travel and tourism industries, assignment editors, and has placed Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, nerships, promotions, package and including resorts and resort devel- stories in some of the highest-pro- Bangalore, Mumbai, and New product development, rebranding, opers, hotel associations, govern- file travel and lifestyle publica- Delhi. Ruder Finn is uniquely posi- special events and strategic counsel. ment tourism offices, visitors tions. Over our 24 year history, we tioned to provide clients with glob- PR highlights this year included bureaus, museum and cultural have managed star-studded open- al perspective, insights and hosting Sports Illustrated Swimsuit exhibits, live shows, airlines, cruise ings of major luxury resort proper- resources, yet small enough to in Chile for a 16-page destination lines, sporting events and travel ties, served as a partner to state bring the exceptional client service, spread in the highly popular issue, media. and regional CVBs, led national creative edge and innovation of a arranging a Travel Channel shoot in We create marketing communi- media programs for well-known boutique agency. St. Vincent and the Grenadines for cations and social media strategies consumer brands and even staged Ruder Finn has ample experi- the new series “Island Secrets;” and that elevate a client’s core messages prominent media events at adven- ence with many of the activities securing hundreds of thousands of beyond travel outlets and into ture sports facilities. Our firm essential for communications work media impressions for Insight lifestyle media through the influ- knows how to market content for travel and tourism clients, span- Cuba, including interviews for the ence of entertainment. Our distinc- across traditional and digital plat- ning influencer engagement, brand president with CNN and CBS, and tive approach goes beyond core forms, develop compelling cre- awareness, online community cover stories in Los Angeles Times, media relations to include destina- ative that galvanizes attention and building, media relations, crisis USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer tion integration into entertainment tailor stories to reach editors at top management and public affairs. and South Florida Sun-Sentinel content, Facebook promotions, tier travel and consumer outlets. among others. influencer seeding / outreach, spe- SPRING O’BRIEN Unlike other agencies that cial events, social media strategies focus solely on travel and tourism, and green / sustainability initiatives. STANTON we have a well-rounded portfolio The agency’s work has included 30 West 26th Street, 4th Floor COMMUNICATIONS that showcases our strategic building awareness for hotels and New York, NY 10010 thinking, our creative approach to resorts through celebrity seeding 212/620-7100 public relations and our ability to programs, positioning countries as Fax: 212/620-7166 1150 Connecticut Ave., NW #810 develop relationships with a broad [email protected] Washington, DC 20036 perfect travel destinations through 202/223-4933 range of media. As your partner, destination integrations in films and Chris Spring, President www.stantoncomm.com we bring experience and sub- television shows, creating online Lauren Kaufman, Senior VP stance to the process, and just the content tied to entertainment prop- 400 Madison Ave. right combination of strategy and erties, activating sponsorship of Spring O’Brien is a full-service 14th Floor, Suite D creativity.

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PROFILES OF TRAVEL & TOURISM PR FIRMS

parks, travel websites and even a Papal museum. THE ZIMMERMAN Weber Shandwick fields global crisis “go-to” teams for many AGENCY clients. Weber Shandwick was there when the lights went out at 1821 Miccosukee Commons the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Tallahassee, FL 32308 We are the agency that the New 850/668-2222 Orleans Convention & Visitors Fax: 850/877-5354 Bureau turned to help bring [email protected] www.zimmerman.com tourism back after Hurricane Katrina. And we created The Bahamas Weather Conference to Carrie Englert Zimmerman, protect and provide geographic Curtis Zimmerman, Principals accuracy of the multiple-island destination. The Zimmerman Agency’s competitive advantage in addi- Actor Chris O’Donnell, second from right, received a Certiﬁcate of Irish WEILL tion to blending endless energy Heritage from Ashford Castle’s Director of Marketing & Sales Paula with strategic creativity to capture revenue-driving results? Carroll, far left, Minister of State at Department of Tourism - Michael 27 West 24th St Not being social butterflies. Ring, and Ashford Castle GM, Niall Rochford, far right, during a CBS New York, NY 10010 With a pioneering platform com- Watch! photo shoot on the property. The shoot was coordinated by Weill. 212/288-1144 bining its public relations divi- 866/PR-WEILL sion with a robust 50-person in- Fax: 212/288-5855 Cultural Services in Spain. Find www.geoffreyweill.com house digital/social discipline, TJM us on Facebook at www.face- true integration drives not only book.com/TJMCommunicationsI Geoffrey Weill, President results, but penetrates beyond COMMUNICATIONS nc. Ann-Rebecca Laschever, Exec. publicity, deep into social chan- INC. VP nels. WEBER Tania Philip, Sr. VP The Zimmerman Agency boasts two divisions, 2441 West SR 426, #1061 SHANDWICK During its 18 years in busi- travel/tourism and consumer Oviedo, FL 32765 ness, Geoffrey Weill Associates, brands. Ranked by O’Dwyer’s as 407/977-5004 a boutique company specializ- one of the largest two hospitali- Fax: 407/977-5009 919 Third Avenue [email protected] New York, NY 10022 ing in upscale travel, tourism ty public relations firms in the www.tjmcommunications.com 212/445-8000 and cultural clients, has devel- United States, the agency main- www.webershandwick.com oped a reputation for creativity, tains its leadership position with originality, and honesty. In its Treva J. Marshall, President Rene Mack, President, Travel & global tourism clients from Hard Lifestyle continuing quest to showcase its Rock Hotels & Casinos (nine TJM Communications is an Alice Diaz, Executive Vice clients in new and interesting countries) and Club Med (seven award-winning boutique lifestyle President, Travel & Lifestyle ways, Weill has begun to inte- countries), to award-winning public relations firm specializing grate elaborate fashion and cat- resorts like Little Palm Island in in travel, food, wine and the arts. Fusing the mind of a travel- alog shoots at its properties to the Florida Keys, Waikoloa in Since 2001, the agency has industry insider with the muscle highlight the luxury travel Hawaii, the world’s first serviced international and domes- of a global network of con- angle. Discovery Resort at Gateway tic clients from its Orlando, sumer, crisis, digital and social These prominent shoots Canyons and Casa de Campo in Florida location and is a proud experts, Weber Shandwick’s include the Fall Preview the Dominican Republic, as well recipient of the Hospitality Sales Travel & Lifestyle practice is Catalog for Bergdorf Goodman as iconic destinations including and Marketing International committed to providing its at The Greenbrier Resort in the country of Aruba and North (HSMAI) Silver Adrian Award clients with award-winning pro- West Virginia; a Condé Nast Carolina’s Southern Outer for Public Relations. As a bou- grams that drive engagement, Traveler fashion shoot aboard Banks. tique agency, we focus on deliv- awareness and revenue. Aqua Expeditions’ MV Aria in The consumer brand division ering personalized service with Our approach is to focus on the Peruvian Amazon; and a touts national clients Firehouse an emphasis on innovation, cre- the essentials of public relations Town & Country Weddings fea- Subs, Party City, TPC Network, ativity and strategy. with a balance of strategy and ture at Ashford Castle, Ireland. Pilot Pens, Cooper Tire, Krystal, Comprised of a team of sea- creativity — and then blend Weill also organized a 15-page Homes.com, Nature’s Own and soned communications profes- brand alliances, broadcast, verti- fashion shoot at Ashford Castle Tastykake. Creativity is at the sionals, we are especially proud cal-market outreach, entertain- with celebrity Chris O’Donnell heart of the approach from of the diverse nature of our comment marketing, and social for CBS Watch! Magazine and launching a new fashion pen for pany, with staff members repre- media, as well as consumer catalog shoots with Neiman Pilot with a dress made from senting origins fr om around the events to propel leisure brands Marcus at Aman Resorts. 1,000 pens at New York Fashion globe. forward. We secure headlines Weill’s newest clients — QT Week to a national Mom TJM Communications has and ignite conversation to drive Sydney — a Design Hotel in Mashup for Cooper Tires, chal- been called upon to service the bottom line. Sydney, and Castiglion del lenging top mom bloggers on a clients in Spain, South Africa, Our client work ranges from Bosco, a Massimo Ferragamo distracted driving course with 33 Canada and throughout the small assignments to global estate in Tuscany — also inte- million social impressions. United States. Our travel and campaigns. We represent coun- grate design and fashion with The Zimmerman Agency tourism practice currently tries, states, CVB’s, airlines, sense of place. WOW! platform of planning has includes clients such as: Florida’s cruise lines, motorcycle and car In addition to traditional PR, proven to be a magnet for some Space Coast Office of Tourism; companies, hotels, resorts, casi- these fashion shoots have also of America’s most iconic Walt Disney World Swan and nos, travel suppliers and attrac- generated extensive social brands, in and out of the world Dolphin Resort; and Valesa tions. We’ve launched theme media buzz. of hospitality. £

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1. Edelman New York $24,856,685 2. The Zimmerman Agency Tallahassee 7,880,000 3. Finn Partners New York 5,938,623 4. Lou Hammond & Asscs. New York 5,320,531 5. Development Counsellors Int’l New York 3,796,063 6. Allison+Partners San Francisco 3,500,000 7. Coyne PR Parsippany, NJ 3,102,000 8. MMGY Global New York 2,522,452 9. Fahlgren Mortine Columbus 2,286,241 10. Zeno Group New York 2,034,458 11. J Public Relations San Diego 1,664,752 12. Ruder Finn New York 1,568,783 13. French | West | Vaughan Raleigh 1,350,000 14. Jackson Spalding Atlanta 1,316,415 15. Spring O’Brien & Co. New York 1,125,500 16. rbb Public Relations Miami 950,158 17. CRT/tanaka Richmond 740,000 18. Blaze Los Angeles 713,554 19. Levick Strategic Comms. Wash., D.C. 701,432 20. Hirons & Company Indianapolis 560,000 21. Padilla Speer Beardsley Minneapolis 417,609 22. McNeely Piggott & Fox Nashville 347,350 23. energi PR Montréal 309,864 24. Gregory FCA Ardmore, PA 200,000 25. Linhart PR Denver 119,208 26. Schneider Associates Boston 101,500 27. Perry Communications Group Sacramento 99,453 28. Bridge Global Strategies New York 91,349 29. Standing Partnership St. Paul 89,343 30. Maccabee Minneapolis 46,947 31. Ron Sachs Communications Tallahassee 26,255

OPINION Professional Development Plagiarism and PR By Fraser Seitel lic relations writers ghosting op-eds, 21st century plagiarists runs from the case histories or features for print or well-established — New York Times’ ‘Net, in behalf of clients. n his seven years in the U.S. Senate, Maureen Dowd, Boston Globe’s Mike Quoting others — particularly smart New Jersey’s Robert Menendez has Barnacle, author Doris Kearns others — adds heft to any article. An Inever distinguished himself as much Goodwin, to the up-and-coming Jonah op-ed of 500 or so words may contain of an orator. Lerner (of The New Yorker) — to the two attributed quotes to corroborate the Nonetheless, the distinguished senator obscure-and-never heard from again, writer’s arguments; longer features may was more than happy a week ago to like the allow greater attribution. promote in a blast email, the eulogy he New York Times’ Jayson Blair and Again, the cardinal rule is to attribute, “was honored to be Washington Post’s Janet Cooke. especially if not doing so might open asked by his wife, But what about plagiarism in PR? the writer to charges of plagiarism; an Bonnie, to deliver What are the rules or standards that allegation that poisons the reputation of at the memorial govern public relations professionals in any public relations person. service” for depart- using the words and works of others in Examples in recent years of PR firms ed comrade Frank their speeches and writings? anonymously “ghosting” articles for Lautenberg. In a general sense, PR writers should working journalists in order to support One reason that make it their business to keep files of clients is the most egregious example of Sen. Menendez was the best writing samples in their indus- what not to do. Scholarly articles and books Fraser P. Seitel has so eager and confi- tries or specialty areas. Speeches of been a communications dent to share this other CEOs, commentary from the In the 21st century, public relations consultant, author and particular speech media about industry issues, clever authors — of primarily professional teacher for 30 years. was that parts of it turns of phrase from gifted speakers and articles and books — have proliferated. He is the author of the Prentice-Hall text, The had been “road- writers — all should be retained for The rules for attribution in such schol- Practice of Public tested;” that is, lift- future use. arly works differ from those in trade Relations. ed from the remarks The problem arises when these media. Since scholarly books and arti- of another formida- retained gems are trotted out to appear cles must shine as exemplars for stu- ble speaker at another high profile in PR-authored writings. dents in the field, their allegiance to venue. While there are no hard and fast rules, attribution must be beyond reproach. In his rousing peroration, Sen. PR people should generally follow In quoting others in such scholarly Menendez declared, “Those of us who these guidelines to avoid even the tomes, public relations authors have a loved, admired or respected him — and appearance of stealing someone else’s choice in terms of attribution. The tradi- who take him to his rest today — will work without attribution. tional method, of course, is to footnote hope to see that what he stood for, what Speeches attributed works and identify the source he fought for, will come to pass for all Speechwriters should always opt on of the passage quoted at the end of an he served.” the side of attribution — with facts, article, chapter or book. Sound familiar? studies and memorable quotations. Scholarly articles today, however, It should ring a bell to anyone old Quoting noteworthy individuals in where the flow of the manuscript is enough to recall Sen. Edward speeches adds credibility and gravitas to most important, have adopted another Kennedy’s stirring tribute to his brother, the speaker’s point. Moreover, quoting equally-acceptable standard. The best Bobby, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral almost a memorable phrase from an honored such articles gather information from 45 years ago to the day. Said Sen. philosopher or scholar or politician sug- diverse sources and then synthesize that Kennedy, his voice wavering, “Those of gests that the speaker him or herself is a information to allow for the free flow of us who loved him and who take him to learned individual, knowledgeable of copy, uninterrupted by footnotes or his rest today, pray that what he was to other notable individuals who share the authors’ names, dates and citations. us and what he wished for others will speaker’s view on issues. In such cases, as long as attribution to some day come to pass for all the Likewise, citing the research of others authors whose material is used is found world.” helps to “prove” the speaker’s argu- in the text and a bibliography, this tech- Presumably, Sen. Menendez — or his ments and give them support. Three or nique is perfectly acceptable and even (I bet young) speechwriter — felt that four such attributed quotations in a 20- recommended in order to enhance copy they could get away with pilfering from minute address are the norm. flow and readership. the memorable Kennedy speech without In quoting others, speakers must be The key remains to cite somewhere in getting nabbed. Others — most notably, careful about two things: one, avoid the text the author and material that is 1988 Presidential candidate Joe Biden, using quotations or humor that is so borrowed to help make your arguments. who was forced to quit the race after well known to have become clichéd and The only time there is a problem is being caught plagiarizing the words two, whenever using a particularly when no attempt is made, anywhere in of British politician Neil Kinnock, well-known phrase, always apply attri- the text, to acknowledge the use of the Sen. Hubert Humphrey, and also Robert bution lest you be accused of pretending works of others. Kennedy in his speeches — haven’t to be smarter than you are. Hopefully next time, Sen. Menendez been as lucky. Trade articles and his speechwriter will remember this In journalism, the Rogue’s Gallery of The same general rules apply to pub- simple rule of attribution. £

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Financial Management Understanding the Roth qualified plan rollover rules By Richard Goldstein to a Roth account within the same plan. benefits advisor to coordinate account Even though the IRS treats the rollover administration with participant communi- henever I meet with a finan- as a taxable distribution from a tax- cations, recordkeeping and nondiscrimi- cial planning client, the sub- deferred account, by paying tax on the nation testing. Also, be prepared to clear- Wject of the Roth IRA comes conversion year, participants can poten- ly discuss the new Roth rollover option to up. By way of a refresher, unlike a tradi- tially save future taxes on the principal participants. tional IRA, contributions to Roth IRAs amount. Future investment gains are dis- The RMD for other than a Roth are nondeductible. tributed income tax-free! Bear in mind For employers sponsoring qualified For 2013, the maxi- that these types of conversions don’t plans, it is crucial to identify participants mum that can be con- allow participants to change their mind over 70 1/2 because of required mini- tributed to a tradi- after the conversions are made. mum distributions. tional and Roth IRA Recharacterizations are not allowed. The year the participant turns age 70 is the smaller of ATRA also reduced individual tax con- 1/2, they can either take their RMD by $5,500 ($6,000 if you sequences, such as a 10% early distribu- December 31 or defer it until April 1 of are age 50 or older) tion penalty, by changing the requirement the following year. If they choose to do or your taxable com- that they have a distributable event (such the latter, they must take their RMD by pensation for the as reaching age 59 1/2) to make an in-plan December 31 of that same year. Richard Goldstein year, subject to modi- Roth rollover. Thus, plan sponsors no Participants who are considered 5% is a partner at fied adjusted gross longer will have to ascertain if the partic- owners must take the RMD each year, Buchbinder Tunick & Company LLP, New income limits. ipant is eligible for an in-service distribu- regardless of their employment status. York, Certified Public Nonworking spouses tion under their plan’s terms before a However. participants that are not 5% Accountants. can also make Roth rollover. owners, but are still employed, can defer contributions as long What plans need to do their first RMD until their employment as their spouse has When offering in-plan Roth rollovers, terminates. Failure to follow the rules earned income. The Roth has many the plan must allow Roth contributions; can subject the participant to a 50% advantages over the traditional IRA it can’t permit the conversion unless it excise tax. If it is discovered that a plan including that the Roth grows tax-free already allows them. Employers don’t has not distributed the RMD timely or at while the traditional IRA grows tax- have to offer this option, but if they elect all, you can use the IRS’s Employer deferred; Roth’s have no age requirements to do so they must make a plan amend- Plans Compliance Resolution System to for when a taxpayer must start taking ment by the end of the year in which the correct the errors and avoid plan dis- withdrawals or stop making contributions. amendment is effective. qualification. If a participant over 70 1/2 Deductible contributions to a traditional As under prior law, plans just make wants to rollover the RMD to another IRA are generally the better choice for eligibility for the in-plan Roth rollovers qualified plan or IRA, the plan must first taxpayers expecting to be in a lower tax available to surviving spouse beneficiar- calculate and pay the RMD. Amounts marginal tax bracket when funds are with- ies and alternate payees who are current withdrawn above the RMD are eligible drawn. Deductible IRA contributions may or former spouses. For now, the IRS has for rollover. £ also be the better choice for a taxpayer not published final guidance for plan who needs the funds resulting from the amendments. People in PR tax savings to make the contribution. Roth distribution considerations Many higher earning taxpayers who par- While ATRA focused on rollovers from FH’S PENDERGAST TO ticipate in an employer plan may find existing tax-deferred money in qualified BRUNSWICK IN TX themselves locked out of the IRA option plans to Roth accounts in the same plan, Bill Pendergast, a FleishmanHillard veteran due to income limitations. don’t forget to communicate Roth tax The In-plan rollover since 1999, has joined Brunswick Group as consequences to participants. A Roth dis- Partner in Dallas. The American Taxpayer Relief Act tribution is tax-exempt if it satisfies cer- He served as Chief of FH’s (ATRA) expanded the opportunity for tain requirements. Washington office, where he bolstered the Omnicom participants to convert existing tax For example, the Roth distribution unit’s corporate practice in deferred money in qualified plans such as must be held for five years and be made the nation’s capital. a 401(k) plan to Roth accounts in the after an individual reaches 59 1/2, is dis- Pendergast moved to FH same plan after December 31, 2012. abled or dies. If any portion of the tax- from former Bell system Prior to the new law, the in-plan Roth operating company able amount is distributed within a five- Ameritech in metro Chicago, rollover conversion feature allowed par- year period (which begins on the first prior to its acquisition by ticipants to make in-plan rollovers for dis- day of the tax year in which the rollover AT&T. Earlier, he did stints at Pendergast tributable amounts, such as separation was made), it is subject to the 10% addi- Ketchum, Cohn & Wolfe and from service (termination), in-service dis- tional penalty on early distributions AXA Equitable insurance. Steve Lipin, U.S. Senior Partner at Brunswick, tributions, death or disability. The new unless the participant is age 59 1/2 or praised Pendergast as “one of the leading com- law permits an in-plan Roth conversion older. munications advisers in the field today.” without having a distributable event. The Get ready to offer rollovers At Brunswick, Pendergast will work in the cor- law also permits rollover amounts from Employers drafting the in-plan Roth porate reputation, crisis and telecom sectors. the pretax, matching or after-tax accounts rollover should work with their employee

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OPINION Opinion Gen McChrystal tells sad tale to PR Seminar By Jack O’Dwyer previous years, editors of The New York by Carey McWilliams titled Times, Wall Street Journal, CBS, Time, “Government by Whitaker & Baxter” CNBC, Fox, Financial Times and more took some of the wind out of its sails. etired General Stanley McChrystal, than a dozen other major me dia were sta- The American Medical Assn. dropped it. who led U.S. troops in Afghanistan ples on the program. Baxter “rarely” gave interviews, said Runtil a 2010 Rolling Stone article New Yorker profiles “lie factory” Lepore. She died in 2001 at the age of ousted him as the “runaway general,” told PR Seminar grossed $646,896 in the 95. his sad tale to the 2013 PR Seminar at the year ending August 31, 2011, the latest The Seminarians, as a group, are Ritz-Carlton at Half return available. EIN is 41-1838593. press-intolerant, a behavior now exhibit- Moon Bay June 2-5. Expenses were $496,850 for a profit of ed by many in PR. A current poll on Former Secretary of $150,046. Cash in a non-interest bearing odwyerpr.com finds the percentage of State Condoleeza account rose to $688,830 at the end of respondents who believe there is free- Rice initially accept- the year from $538,784 at the beginning dom “from” the press is 43%, the same ed the invitation but of the year. percentage who believe that. “It’s bad was unable to attend. Seminar, which this year opened a PR.” She was interviewed public website, www.theseminar.biz, Meuchner, Hudson, McConnell head PRS by CBS-TV June takes in most of its money from confer- Heading PR Seminar this year are Jack O’Dwyer 3, saying U.S. action ence fees of about $3,500 for attendees. Chair Gerard Meuchner, Chief Global is needed in Syria to The Sept. 24, 2012 New Yorker devot- Communications officer, Henry Schein, prevent destabiliza- ed eight pages to one of its earliest mem- Melville, N.Y., Healthcare Products; tion in the region. bers who was a regular attendee for Program Chair Betty Hudson, VP McChrystal has just authored My Share decades — Leone Baxter. Her name is on Communications, National Geographic of the Task: A Memoir, in which he gives the first attendance list we obtained Society, and Secretary-Treasurer Clay his view of events. Although his remarks (1969) and was also there in 1991. McConnell, VP Communications, Airbus to Seminarians were off-the-record, he has Only three other women were early Americas. made no secret of his feelings in recent PRS members. The 1969 list of 128 Seventeen of the 32 members of the months. attendees also included Denny Griswold, Seminar governing committee are also He told Yahoo!News in February that Editor of PR News, and Caroline Hood, members of the Arthur W. Page Society his firing by President Obama is still VP-PR, Rockefeller Center. Not attend- including Dave Senay of “painful” to him although it was three ing that year was member Melva FleishmanHillard who is also chair of the years ago. He says he could imagine being Chesrown, who had her own firm. Council of PR Firms; Ray Day, Ford; Jon fired for incompetence or being killed but The New Yorker piece, by Jill Lepore, Iwata, IBM; and Ray Jordan, Amgen. “I never thought I could be painted with titled “The Lie Factory,” tells of Attending Seminar in 2010 and 2012 any brush of disrespect or disloyalty.” Whitaker & Baxter’s campaign against was Oscar Suris, VP of Corporate He had been summoned to the White author and Democrat Upton Sinclair who Communications, Wells Fargo & Co., House to explain the article to President was running for governor of California who reports to Patricia Callahan, Senior Obama. Secretary of Defense Robert in 1934. He was the author of 47 books VP and Chief Administrative Officer. Gates said he had made “a significant mis- including The Jungle, which exposed Suris, although not a member of the PR take and exercised poor judgment in this abuses in the meat-packing industry. Society, is co-chair of the 2013 annual case.” Sinclair lost the campaign and attrib- conference in Philadelphia Oct. 26-29. Security expert DeWalt speaks uted this to a “Lie Factory” run by W&B This has caused ire among some mem- Seminarians spent a day at Stanford although its actual name was Campaigns, bers who wonder why such a lofty post University as part of the 2013 meeting. Inc. Lepore says it was the “first politi- was bestowed on a non-member. All scheduled speakers except Rice cal-consulting firm in the history of the Page has a new professional develop- appeared on the program including Dave world.” Baxter’s partner was Clem ment program whose initial cost is DeWalt, former CEO of McAffee who Whitaker, who died in 1961. $3,750. Heading it is Gary Sheffer, VP, took the same title at FireEye, virus track- Sinclair said W&B operatives poured CC and PA of GE, who is also a er, in November, 2012. over every word he had ever written Seminarian. Sources say Page members DeWalt said he hopes to take FireEye looking for quotes that could be used are dissatisfied with the APR program of public by the end of this year. Plans are against him. “They had a staff of politi- PR Society of America, which is attract- underway for an initial public offering. cal chemists at work, preparing poisons ing less than half the recruits it once did. Other speakers were Stanford profes- to be let loose in the California atmos- The International Assn. of Business sors Robert Sapolsky, Jennifer Aaaker phere on every one of a hundred morn- Communicators suspended its and Deborah Gruenfeld; futurist Edie ings,” he wrote. Accredited in Business Communications Weiner; Mattias Klum, photographer for W&B won 70 out of 75 campaigns it program last year. National Geographic; “social innovation worked on, says Lepore. The PR Society announced in May it is experts” Jason Clay and Jason Saul; and W&B is most noted for its campaign starting a plan to “enhance the profile Dean Ornish, M.D., whose topic was pre- against federal healthcare programs and prestige” of the APR credential and ventive medicine. which it labeled “socialized medicine.” has hired the Organizational Conspicuously absent from the list of Its modus operandi was “attack, attack, Performance Group, Hamden, Conn., to speakers were editors of major media. In attack.” An article in The Nation in 1951 assist with this. £

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Guest Column Communicating with the iGeneration By Stefan Pollack to this new “public” will be contingent to their peers. Brand communications must upon its ability to communicate with iGen change to be relevant to, and accessible, by and earn their advocacy. iGen. ust consider that more than half of the It will need to recognize that there has Brands have to earn admittance to their world’s population is under 30 today. J never before been a generation so globally infinite touch points. And there is a price plugged in and so informed, and that tradi- for admission. Brands must become fluent That means 50% of the world’s popula- tional strategies and tactics will be increas- in their language and habits, converse in tion was born after the year 1982. Nearly ingly ineffective ways to connect with two-way genuine and authentic communi- 20% of the world’s population was born them. iGen is a generation born with con- cation, and deliver on brand promises. after 1994 and they were born at such an sumer-driven capitalism at its core and An acceptable bypass into iGen’s circle astonishing rate USA altruism at its heart. Their patterns and of trust is to leverage influencers that Today called it the behaviors are opposed to anything that has already have access to iGen’s infinite touch next Baby Boom. come before them and they basically points. These influencers can be anyone The oldest member ignore messages from brands. from individuals active on social media to of this generation, as So if iGen-ers will no longer be paying just people with a lot of friends, or it can of this year, is old any attention to any traditional form of also include the professionals in the com- enough to drive, has controlled brand messaging, how are munication industry. voted in their first brands supposed to communicate with If a brand can ethically earn favor from presidential election iGen? influencers, then Brian Solis’ one-to-one- and is probably on Stefan Pollack, a It has become abundantly clear that it is to-many process of communication is their way to college. tenured PR and mar- simply in iGen-ers’ DNA to listen to their leveraged. iGen may not listen to brands, They don’t know a keting professional, is trusted network, rather than controlled but iGen will listen to influencers they trust President of The world without smart messages from brands. They only care when they talk about brands. Pollack PR Marketing phones, have never about information if it is relevant to them Since this is predicted to be the new nor- Group. used a card catalog, and, since the power of brand-engagement mal, the challenge then is how to be rele- consider email anti- is in the hands of the consumer, iGen-ers vant in this new environment, how to quated, and have no use for printed books. will serve as their own gatekeepers, award- leverage influencers and how to become a This year, and every year thereafter, digi- ing relevant information by sharing it with brand that iGen loves. Brands need to tal natives will be entering the marketplace their trusted network of peers and burying brace themselves, be alert to change and be in droves. By 2020, the entire generation irrelevant information so it will be invisible very, very smart. £ will be adult consumers. We are past the age of Gen Y, which entered the work force during the great communications disruption of the past decade symbolized by the iPhone and then iPad. They entered the workplace with a different mindset, changed social behaviors and a sense of entitlement. But with the coming of age of the next generation — a generation often called Generation Z, but more likely to be known as the iGen generation (a nod to Apple?) — there is likely to be such an enormous disruption that it will fundamentally change how brands and consumers communicate and, more importantly, what the media’s role is in this process. “iGen,” the generation born between 1994 and 2004, will in just a few short years be joining Gen Y as a majority among digital natives. This new consumer that came of age in 2012, landed in a marketplace environment where the online world and real world are inescapably connected and where TV is served through computers, where the Internet is omnipresent and global borders are virtually eliminated. iGen has the entirety of human knowledge on their phones and, as such, is projected to be the largest and deepest generation gap in history. A company’s success or failure in relating

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WASHINGTON REPORT Lockheed continues PR revamp

ockheed Martin, the $47 billion defense contractor hit hard by the federal budget sequester, has filled the slot of a retir- Ling communications exec and made an outside hire for another PR post. The moves follow last month’s hire of Bush White House and APCO alum Gordon Johndroe for Lockheed’s top media relations slot. Jessica Nielsen, who led Global Communications for Dell’s IT services business, has moved to Lockheed as VP of Communications for its Information Systems and Global Solutions division, a unit hit by voluntary layoffs in March. The VP post had been vacant for several months, according to a company spokeswoman. Vet affairs leans on Barbaricum Lockheed, which is facing an $825 million hit from the sequester and offered buyouts to employees earlier this year, also he U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs has moved to award two promoted Andrea Greenan to VP of Comms. for its space sys- no-bid contracts to Washington-based PR firm Barbaricum tems business to replace the retiring 35-year vet Jan Wrather. Taimed at increasing awareness of veterans health services Based in Bethesda, Md., Nielsen oversees PR for a unit of the and recruiting doctors for the VA. defense contractor with $9 billion in sales. The unit’s IT servic- Christopher Harvin, a former Bush administration staffer post- es and systems are used by NASA, the Defense Dept. and Dept. ed in Iraq, the White House and Pentagon, is a Partner in the firm. of Energy, to name a few, with applications as diverse as securi- Harvin confirmed his firm’s interest in the ty, human resources and data gathering. new assignments to O’Dwyer’s, noting Lockheed had 2012 sales of $47.2 billion. Marillyn Hewson Barbaricum currently provides communi- took the reins as CEO in January. cations and media analysis support to Gordon Johndroe, a Bush White House PR staffer, joined several prime contracts with the VA, in Lockheed as VP of Media Relations and International addition to the new opportunities. Communications last month from APCO Worldwide. £ The VA has issued procurement notices stating that it intends to contract Luntz works Redskins image with Harvin’s firm for both assignments. In the first, the firm is to be tapped to support the epublican polling and consulting firm Luntz Global has 2013 Military Base Awareness Campaign targeting veterans, mil- waded into the Washington Redskins name controversy and itary healthcare providers and “influencers” to burnish the Ris planning a focus group this week on the NFL and the fran- Veterans Health Administration. chise. A second pact under the MBAC targets urban doctors in transit ThinkProgress first reported that the firm of pollster Frank Luntz during their daily commute with the goal of persuading them is circulating an email survey on NFL “through a compelling recruitment marketing & advertising cam- fan opinions that includes five questions paign” to explore relocating to rural VA medical centers, accord- about the Redskins, the team’s owner- ing to an outline of the work. ship and its politically incorrect name. Harvin said his firm is designated as a “service-disabled veter- While ire over the ’Skins name has an-owned small business” under federal contracting rules. “We are ebbed and flowed for years, the team committed to improving the lives and well-being of our country’s was hit with a federal trademark lawsuit veterans,” he added. in March by a group of Native Harvin was previously a VP at Levick, directed communica- Americans who say the Redskins name tions for Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo), and was a Senior Advisor violates a prohibition on “disparaging” names. to the Dept. of Army’s public affairs and Secretary of Defense’s The NFL, which denied connection to the Luntz work, has strategic communications directorate. He was also a PR advisor to defended the Redskins name in the past as a symbol of “strength, the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq from 2003-04. courage, pride and respect.” Barbaricum, named after a Roman army term for the frontier beyond the Roman Empire, picked up a $900,000 comms. pact Luntz has worked with the NFL and NHL in the past during £ labor disputes. with the Army’s PA unit in September. “We will never change the name of the team,” Redskins owner Dan Snyder told USA Today in May, adding, “It’s that simple. US Attorney officer joins Sard NEVER – you can use caps.” That followed a letter to Snyder from 10 members of Congress urging a name change. llen Davis, chief public information officer at the U.S. One of the Luntz questions asks respondents to give their opin- Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York, is ions on the Redskins name, followed by answer choices of “I find Ejoining financial communications/corporate/crisis specialist the name offensive and they should change it” or “I don’t find the Sard Verbinnen & Co in September. name offensive and they should keep it as is.” She currently oversees media for U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, The Redskins have not commented on the poll nor confirmed who was appointed by President Obama in 2009, and 230 lawyers they engaged Luntz. £ in cases involving insider trading and other financial crimes. £

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International PR News H+K advises stricken Japanese Dept. in the U.S. embassy in London and earlier was Australia’s liaison to the U.S. Congress. nuke operator Created in 1915, The Shanghai chamber was AOC’s third oversees office. ill+Knowlton Strategies is providing advice and communi- The so-called “Voice of American Business in China” claims to cations counsel for Tokyo Electric Power Co., operator of be “committed to the principles of free trade, open markets, private Hthe wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex, which enterprise and the unrestricted flow of information.” fell two years ago to an earthquake and tsunami that knocked out Its June 14 marketing and media event covers relationships power and cooling systems to trigger three reactor meltdowns. between global brands and communications agencies. Tepco, which is 50% owned by the government of Japan, report- Speakers will include Clair Mah, Tiffany & Co.’s marketing ed yesterday that it detected radioactive cesium in groundwater chief in China; Hans Vito Lopez, executive planning director in flowing into its damaged reactor. That groundwater flows into the charge of General Electric and Pepsi accounts at BBDO/Proximity plant to be mixed with contaminated water from the melted fuel. China, and Cindy Chan, head of consumer engagement at Reuters commented that Tepco’s announcement was “just anoth- Mondelez International, Kraft Food’s spin-off. £ er example of Tokyo Electric initially downplaying a problem, only to revise its findings because of faulty procedures.” Qatar funds PR investments H&K is working for Tepco via the utility’s legal counsel. The WPP unit says there is no communication between it and Tepco. No formal contract covers the agreement, which came about via an atar Holding, the $60 billion investment arm of the Qatari exchange of correspondence. government’s sovereign wealth fund, has engaged RLM QFinsbury for global PR support. The Fukushima meltdown was the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986. £ QH is the constant subject of investment rumors and reports around the globe from the soccer club Arsenal in May to web video giant Hulu in June. Its prominent holdings include Harrods Shanghai COC signs DC firm Group, Miramax and the Paris Saint-Germain Football Club. London-based RLM is a unit of WPP. he America Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai has tapped QH in June sold its 10% stake in Porsche back to the families Crowell & Moring International to handle Washington controlling the luxury car maker. The SWF took the Porsche stake Tissues that may impact commercial ties between China and during the finance crisis in 2009 to shore up the company. It pre- the U.S. viously worked with Citigate Dewe Rogerson for financial PR. C&M’s Andrew Blasi, who was with US-ASEAN Business The value of the Porsche deal was not disclosed. Council in D.C., oversees the effort. He also worked for the State Oil-rich Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup. £ FARA News ¸ NEW FOREIGN AGENTS REGISTRATION ACT FILINGS Below is a list of select companies that have registered with the U.S. Department of Justice, FARA Registration Unit, Washington, D.C., in order to comply with the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, regarding their consulting and communications work on behalf of foreign principals, including governments, political parties, organizations, and individuals. For a complete list of filings, visit www.fara.gov.

Foley Hoag, LLP, Washington, D.C., registered June 12, 2013 for the Government of Bangladesh, to engage representatives of the Obama administration and Congress to promote respect for worker rights in Bangladesh and trade between the two countries.

Hill and Knowlton Strategies, LLC, Washington, D.C., registered June 15, 2013 for Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), Tokyo, Japan, to provide media monitoring and reports as well as strategic advice and counsel on communications, including media response.

Peck, Madigan, Jones &Stewart, Inc., Washington, D.C., registered June 10, 2013 for Embassy of New Zealand, Washington, D.C., to provide government affairs and lobbying services to assist with the passing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Covington & Burling LLP, Washington, D.C., registered June 10, 2013 for Embassy of New Zealand, Washington, D.C., to develop a legislative solution and strategy for facilitating greater trade and investment between the United States and New Zealand by improving temporary entry for New Zealanders into the United States. Lobbying News G NEW LOBBYING DISCLOSURE ACT FILINGS Below is a list of select companies that have registered with the Secretary of the Senate, Office of Public Records, and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Legislative Resource Center, Washington, D.C., in order to comply with the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995. For a complete list of filings, visit www.senate.gov.

MWW Group, Washington, D.C., registered June 17, 2013 for National Association of Colleges and Employers, Bethlehem, PA, to educate Congress on education, immigration and science issues pertaining to the employment of the college educated and the concerns of employers in obtaining high-skilled talent.

Barbour Griffith & Rogers, LLC, Washington, D.C., registered June 15, 2013 for The Working Group on Pharmaceutical Safety, Inc., Washington, D.C., to provide guidance and strategic counsel on potential federal legislation and regulations affecting pharmacy compounding.

The Glover Park Group LLC, Washington, D.C., registered June 14, 2013 for Fluor Corporation, Washington, D.C., regarding energy policy and funding.

JULY 2013 3 WWW.ODWYERPR.COM 41 Julymagazine_Layout 1 6/28/13 3:32 PM Page 42

To be featured in the monthly Buyer’s Guide, PR Buyer’s Guide Contact John O’Dwyer, [email protected]

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Monument Optimization, Washington, DC. 202/904-5763. john@monument Impact Communications, 11 Bristol Place, optimization.com; www.monument Wilton, CT 06897-1524. (203) 529-3047; At Point, Inc., P.O. Box 361, Roseland, NJ optimization.com. John Stewart, President. cell: (917) 208-0720; fax: (203) 529-3048; 07068. 973/324-0866; fax: 973/324-0778. [email protected]. Jon Rosen, President. [email protected]; www.atpoint.com. While we specialize in search engine BE PREPARED! Impact Commun- Mick Gyure. marketing, we are more than just an ications trains your spokespeople to SEO firm. We blend a variety of mar- At Point provides the services of successfully communicate critical keting tactics to maximize the effective- developing websites and managing the messages to your targeted audi- ness and return on investment of Internet operations of businesses, both ences during print, television, and search engine campaigns. small and large, that do not have the radio news interviews. Your cus- We excel in non-traditional search tomized workshops are issue-driven experience or the resources in-house marketing environments where the and role-play b ased. Videotaping/ to perform these functions. next steps are rarely obvious and there critiquing. Groups/privately. Face- Clients receive personalized and are not any existing models to copy or to-face/telephone interviews/news high quality customer service, solu- fall back on. conferences. Private label seminars tions that fit their budgets, and the Since every client’s situation is for public relations agencies. assurance of At Point’s reliability. unique, we focus to understand their Make your next news interview specific needs and create customized your best by calling Jon Rosen, solutions that accomplish their goals Impact Communications. Over 30 online. years of news media/training expertise.

PR JOBS - http://jobs.odwyerpr.com

Director, Public Relations

Sportsman Channel, the leader in outdoor TV for the American Sportsman, is looking for a Public Relations Director to oversee all public and media relations, effective immediately. Sportsman Channel is an innovative and quickly growing television network with leading social media and digital properties. The network, coupled with sister company InterMedia Outdoors (IMO), a premier outdoors digital and print publishing company, represent the largest and most comprehensive outdoor media conglomerate in the outdoors’ space.

The PR Director is a full-time position based in New York City. The position will require some travel, including to the network’s Milwaukee headquarters, and be responsible for managing the department’s Public Relations Manager based in Milwaukee.

Requirements: •Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in communications, PR or marketing •10-12 years of communications/PR experience; Cable/TV preferred

Qualified candidates should submit letter of interest with salary expectations and resume in confidence via email or fax. Please indicate the title of the position for which you are applying.

Judy Gilmore, [email protected]

Sportsman Channel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We offer a comprehensive benefits package.

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