recognition

Remember when “Windows” was ubiquitous with “home computer.” Even though there were a relative handful of holdouts, there was no doubt Microsoft ruled the home computing universe. This was the status quo for decades, as also-rans came and went. Various Windows versions also came and went, but customers didn’t have too much of a choice. Apple surged a bit, coming up on the outside to peel away some of the Microsoft market, but the company wasn’t too worried. They launched the XBox, blowing open an entirely new market – gaming. As Apple tried to beg, borrow and steal some Microsoft computer... Read More >

Beaver Creek Resort in Vail is one of the many locations owned by parent company Vail Resorts, and recently they had the opportunity, some might even say the blessing, of hosting a 17-year-old young woman, Isabelle Dunai, as their guest. Isabelle has a terminal disease and really wanted to be able to see mountains up close, enjoy the view while having a coffee and near a fireplace and the snow. Make a Wish and Vail Resorts teamed up to make her wish come true earlier in January. She got to spend the weekend along with her family enjoying the experience... Read More >

Snapchat, similar to tons of other social media tools, is an exciting new alternative for businesses to spread the word in the ever-changing market of today. For starters, using it is quick and easy, and it shows that you’re in the loop when it comes to trendy applications. But beyond that, Snapchat is a neat way to connect with clients or share news in an efficient manner. What Is Snapchat and How Do I Get Started? A Snap is either a picture or video a user can send to people via their cell phone. Each one lasts for roughly 10... Read More >

Xerox spinoff company Conduent touches about two-thirds of American households in some way, but almost no one has ever heard of it. And that’s the plan: keep it anonymous and yet make it the best while doing so. Xerox and Conduent’s chief marketing officer, John Kennedy, has expressed the company’s goal to make Conduent “synonymous with creating terrific experiences between businesses and governments and the people they serve.” But he’s also let it be known that they don’t want consumers to be aware of the brand. Conduent is a business-process-outsourcing company, and as such, they deal with the medical benefits... Read More >

The Borgo Pio branch of McDonald’s – just a double-arched throw from Vatican City – affectionately referred to as the McVatican, is working with Medicina Solidale, a charitable organization providing free meals and medical care to the homeless. Through their joint efforts, McDonald’s plans to give the homeless thousands of free meals. Lucia Ercoli, head of Medicina Solidale, confirmed that McD’s accepted the proposed joint efforts without delay. Beginning on Monday, January 16th, 1,000 meals are making their way to the homeless every Monday for the next six months, although they may need to be transported since there aren’t many homeless... Read More >

Reality television isn’t just tied to big brands through advertising time, but more in the way Ford Motors was tied to serial television shows in the 70’s. They are part and parcel of the programs. One of the most recent examples was on The New Celebrity Apprentice with Welch’s grape juice. The challenge was to find a way to showcase the healthy benefits that come with drinking Welch’s grape juice. The show also worked with King’s Hawaiian’s dinner rolls. Plenty of cooking shows use branded ingredients in their challenges, which is something to be expected. But over the years they’ve... Read More >

Recently the Cherokee County School District won 15 awards presented by the Georgia School Public Relations Association – that’s a record. They even won the top award presented for Best in Class. But they also won, along with many others, a Gold Award for Photography for a photograph titled Let Me Win. The award went to Carrie McGowan who is part of the Division of Public Information, Communications, and Strategic Planning. The photo showed Matthew Taylor as a participant in the Special Olympics competition — all smiles and joy — standing next to Sheryl Gould, the Cherokee County Supervisor of... Read More >

The American economy is changing. From a manufacturing economy in the 50s, the economy slowly morphed into a (mostly) consumer economy in the 80s and 90s. Still, despite this market shift, American business was still conducted in person, in traditional brick and mortar businesses and American malls, anchored by familiar brands and larger regional names. But times have changed. Driven by the once-upstart online bookseller, Amazon, the American economy has shifted, slowly at first but recently with increasing speed, into an online transaction-based economy. While the tipping point has yet to occur, it’s getting close, as larger chain stores that... Read More >

Joe Scarborough is frustrated with the partisan-based attacks on his job performance. In an interview with CNN, Scarborough, host of “Morning Joe” blasted partisan pundits and other critics for taking him to task. “I am sick and tired of people misrepresenting me and making snide assumptions and giving readers false conclusions…” Scarborough followed that up by promising CNN he would “go to war” against lies in 2017. One of the motivations for this tirade during an otherwise standard interview was a report, released on CBS that Scarborough and his co-host Mika Brzezinski have “partied with Trump” during New Year’s Eve.... Read More >

Linda Rutherford, VP and chief communications officer at Southwest Airlines, recently shared some tips for crisis communications and making a plan in advance. These ideas apply to all businesses and are pretty basic concepts. If you don’t already have a plan, start one, and if you do, continue to update and upgrade it with the following tips in mind. Planning Ahead First consider all the possibilities of what could happen to your company, especially things that are specific to your industry. As an example, airlines need to look at things like dealing with unhappy customers during delays, strikes, lost item... Read More >