Draft Press Release 3: Cause Promotion

PRESS RELEASE
February 17, 2010
For Immediate Release

Contact Information:
Preston Parker
President and Founder
preston@cvaia.com

Financial Independence can Lead to Greater Happiness
Living correct financial principles leads to greater independence

LOGAN, Utah— Happiness can be gained by achieving financial independence. Increasing one’s passive income and cutting expenses will lead to financial independence.

“Passive income comes through planned investments like real estate or stocks,” said Preston Parker, President and Founder of Cache Valley Area Investors Association (CVAIA). “By increasing passive income, and minimizing expenses people can pursue careers that they really enjoy instead of jobs that make them unhappy.”

CVAIA is committed to helping people gain financial independence. The organization holds meetings every other Thursday in the Cache Camber of Commerce Building (160 N. Main St.) The meetings focus on teaching members financial principles, and networking skills. Everyone is invited to attend and membership is free. “Meetings are intended to be really non-threaten and any question can be asked,” said Parker.

For more information on the movement toward financial independent or the Cache Valley Area Investors Association please contact Cameron Cutler.


Contact Information:
Cameron Cutler
PR Specialist CVAIA
Cell: 543-789-5643
Email: ccutler@cvaia.com

-END-

Final Press Release 2 Image Management

PRESS RELEASE
February 15, 2010
For Immediate Release

Contact Information:
James E. Muellenbach III
Chief Executive Officer, Burger Planet Inc.
851 N Madison St.
Gary, IN 53562
544-312-7843

Burger Planet adds Healthy Items to Menu
New menu items to help women live healthier lifestyle

GARY, Ind.- Burger Planet Inc. has added several healthy items to their menu. These items allow Burger Planet customers to enjoy delicious food without sacrificing taste. Some of the new menu additions include: white meat chicken breasts, gourmet salads, and packets of fruit.

Five different fruit packets are available (apples, peaches, bananas, pineapple and grapes) and chicken breast sandwiches can be ordered wrapped in lettuce and without mayo to meet the varying health needs of Burger Planet customers. None of Burger Planet’s competitors currently offer these healthy food options.

To promote the healthy additions to the menu, Burger Planet has hired Jayne Petersen, the fitness expert known for helping Opal Whitcomb lose weight. “The company believes in encouraging customers to live healthier, active lifestyles and I have spent my life trying to teach women that lesson,” said Petersen.

Burger Planet CEO James E. Muellenbach III also expressed a shared commitment when asked about Petersen’s hiring, “Jayne Petersen and Burger Planet share a commitment toward health. The women Jayne Petersen has helped lose weight eat at Burger Planet. Burger Planet and Jayne Petersen are launching a comprehensive program to assist those women in eating healthy.”

For more information on Burger Planet’s healthy menu, or the hiring of Jayne Petersen please contact Cameron Cutler.

Burger Planet Inc. has been a leader in the quick service restaurant industry for over 70 years. Headquartered in Gary, Ind., the company continues to serve customers in all 50 states, and 17 countries. Burger Planet is committed to providing quality service to their customers all over the world.

Contact Information:
Cameron Cutler
PR Specialist Burger Planet Inc.
Cell: 543-789-5643
Email: ccutler@burgerplanet.com

-END-

Draft Press Release 2: Image Management

PRESS RELEASE
February 9, 2010
For Immediate Release

Contact Information:
James E. Muellenbach III
Chief Executive Officer, Burger Planet Inc.
851 N Madison St., Gary, IN 53562
544-312-7843

Burger Planet Menu has Healthy Options
New Menu Items to help Women live healthier lifestyle

GARY, IND.- In response to their customers need for healthier food, Burger Planet Inc., has added several healthy items to their menu. These items allow Burger Planet customers to enjoy delicious food without sacrificing taste. Some of the new menu additions include: white meat chicken breasts, gourmet salads, and packets of fruit.

Five different fruit packets are available (apples, peaches, bananas, pineapple and grapes) and chicken breast sandwiches can be ordered wrapped in lettuce and without mayo to meet the varying health needs of Burger Planet customers. None of Burger Planet’s competitors currently offer these healthy food options.

To promote the healthy additions to the menu, Burger Planet has hired fitness expert Jayne Petersen. Petersen, who is know for helping talk show host Opal Whitcomb lose weight, feels her goals are supported by Burger Planet. “The company believes in encouraging customers to live healthier, active lifestyles and I have spent my life trying to teach women that lesson.”

Burger Planet CEO James E. Muellenbach III also expressed a shared commitment when asked about Petersen’s hiring, “Jayne Petersen and Burger Planet share a commitment toward health. The women Jayne Petersen has helped lose weight eat at Burger Planet. Burger Planet and Jayne Petersen are launching a comprehensive program to assist those women in eating healthy.”

For more information on Burger Planet’s healthy menu, or hiring of Jayne Petersen please contact Cameron Cutler (contact information provided below).

Burger Planet Inc. has been a leader in the quick service restaurant industry for over seventy years. Headquartered in Gary, Ind., the company continues to serve customers in all 50 states, and 17 countries. Burger Planet is committed to providing quality service to their customers all over the world for years to come.

Contact Information:
Cameron Cutler
PR Specialist Burger Planet Inc.
Cell: 543-789-5643
Email: ccutler@burgerplanet.com

-END-

SMCCV Finished Press Release

PRESS RELEASE
February 3, 2010
For Immediate Release

Contact Information:
Preston Parker
President Social Media Club of Cache Valley
851 N Main St., Logan UT 84321
661-772-7537


Social Media Club of Cache Valley Invites Everyone to get Social
Organization focuses on enriching lives through Social Media

LOGAN, UTAH- The newly formed Social Media Club of Cache Valley (SMCCV), is inviting all Cache Valley residents to participate in upcoming club activities. The SMCCV is dedicated to educating and encouraging people in the use of social media. Social networks like Facebook.com, and Twitter.com are two of the social networks the club discusses during meetings. Effective uses of these and similar social networks can help people build friendships, and create professional opportunities.

Club meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month at valley businesses like Boarders, and Café Sabor. Refreshments are usually served and those attending are encouraged to socialize freely with other club members. “We really want to create a place where people can come together in a comfortable environment, and learn more about social media,” said Preston Parker, club president.

The SMCCV currently has between 40 to 60 members and hopes those numbers will increase. Some club goals include: becoming a Non-Profit organization, obtaining more sponsors, and eventually holding social media conferences.

For more information or to get involved in the club please contact Cameron Cutler (contact information provided below).

The SMCCV was created in July of 2009. The club is a chapter of the Social Media Club headquartered in San Francisco, Calif. The international club was created in 2007 and continues to see consistent growth adding 10 chapters each quarter.


Contact Information:
Cameron Cutler
PR Specialist Social Media Club of Cache Valley
Cell: 435-553-5504
Email: cameron.cutler@aggiemail.usu.edu


-END-

Press Release SMCCV

PRESS RELEASE
January 27, 2010
For Immediate Release


Preston Parker
President Social Media Club of Cache Valley
851 N Main St., Logan UT 84321
661-772-7537



Social Media Club of Cache Valley Seeks Members
Organization offers connections on online networks

LOGAN, UTAH- The Social Media Club of Cache Valley, a club dedicated to educating and encouraging people in the use of social media is seeking members in Cache Valley. Membership is free and all are invited to attend.

Meetings are held once a month at local businesses and center around learning more about the rapidly growing

“We really want to create a place where people can come together in a comfortable environment and learn more about social media,” said Preston Parker, club president.

United Airlines Breaks Dave's Guitar

In the spring of 2008, United Airlines was accused of damaging a customer's guitar. The guitar belonged to Dave Carroll, the lead singer of the band Sons of Maxwell. Carroll saw United employees mishandling his guitar while loading luggage onto the plane. Upon further inspection Carroll found the guitar severely damaged. He then attempted to receive compensation by the airline for the damage to his $3,500 Taylor guitar.

Each employee that Carroll talked to did not deny the Airline's guilt in damaging Carroll's guitar, but refused to accept responsibility and passed him on to another employee for compensation. Eventually, United refused to compensate Carroll for his loss. Carroll decided to express his frustration by making a music video which recounts his experience with United. The video, which was released on YouTube, became very popular and has been viewed over 7 million times. The video which cost Carroll $150 to produce has cost United millions in the stock market and damaged their public image. In efforts to repair their damaged image United offered to pay Carroll $1,200 for guitar repairs along with some flight vouchers which Carroll refused.

In hindsight I’m sure both parties may have handled things differently, especially United. Things have been difficult for airlines lately, everybody gets that. I’m sure they have had to make cuts to stay afloat, but it seems like all of their cutbacks are in the area of customer service. You don’t get complimentary drinks and snacks on short flights, and longer flights often don’t offer meals. Each bag is charged between 50 to 100 dollars to fly with you, and as Carroll’s incident shows that extra money spent to check an item doesn’t mean it is getting any kind of extra care.

Customer service has everything to do with solid PR. The companies that I will always buy from Apple, Nixon, and Netflix to name a few, have bent over backwards to make sure that I am happy with their products. Gaining long term loyal customers isn’t that difficult it is as simple as this: Be honest and fair. There it is United, in layman’s terms stop treating your customers like another bag that is being checked and start treating them like people.

United, if another customer ever calls with a broken guitar here is how you handle it. Apologize for the damage and inconvenience (people know your company isn’t perfect they’ll accept an occasional mistake). Then thank them for flying with you and look up the retail price of their damaged belonging. Finally, offer them a fair compensation for the item along with a travel voucher for a free flight. Initially, it will cost you some money but in the end it will pay off. Just think if Carroll’s situation would have been handled this way. You would create a loyal customer whose profession requires extensive travel. Not only does he travel, his band members and everyone that is associated with them is also traveling. Because you treated Carroll so well they all will fly with you. Then eventually if the band becomes well known you could have celebrities will vouch for you and still fly with you because you earned their loyalty. The initial investment will pay for itself in the end.

The only fear I have for Dave Carroll and the Sons of Maxwell is what they will always be known for. Carroll has already said that “United Breaks Guitars” is the band’s most requested song. It could be tough for the band to break away from their YouTube fame. I’m sure the band wants to be well known country music artists, and being the guys that did that YouTube video might be hard to overcome. It’s still possible for them to become a mainstream band, I just worry that it will be difficult and frustrating process.

What do Public Relations Professionals do?

The following is a letter I wrote to my cousin Jake giving him some information on the profession of Public Relations.


Jake,

Hope all is well. I wanted to share some useful information about public relations. You mentioned that you didn't know much about the profession. This letter should give you a general background. There are three areas that public relations professionals focus on: improving communication between the organization they represent and the public, producing quality written materials for their organizations, and building relationships.

Public relations professionals are paid to represent an organization. Any organization can be represented including businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. The goal of all work done by a public relations professional is to improve the image of the organization they represent in the eyes of all relevant publics (groups of people that an organization has some kind of contact with). By being honest in their communication, and by openly sharing company information the public relations professional helps build an organization's image. Image is also built by showing an interest in different public and community goals then working actively to help these groups achieve them. In summary, a public relations professional works as a bridge between an organization and its publics. The bridge allows a free flow of information back and forth. Without this bridge messages could be misrepresented and could lead to damaged relationships.

Writing is a second area of focus in public relations. By writing messages that are clear, concise, and accurate PR professionals can improve an organization's image. These written messages focus on bringing attention to organization successes, or minimize organization failures. Though the public relations messages tend to favor the organization being represented they should never lie or mislead in any way. Good public relations writing does not deny an organization's shortcomings and failures, but focuses on how the organization handles its shortcomings openly and responsibly. Public Relations writing often targets media members. Because of this messages should be concise and accurate. When messages are to the point and focus on the most important information they are more likely to be well received and used as intended. Some of the frequent tools that public relations professionals use to send messages are: press releases, newsletters, annual reports, and use of websites and social networks.

The last and perhaps the most important area in which public relations professionals focus their efforts is in building relationships. Relationships drive effort and change. Without effectively building relationships many efforts to further an organization's image may be ignored. People will work with and support those they can trust. This trust is built through honesty, respect and consistency. A public relations professional needs to be respectful of members of the media and to the organization's publics. Consistently delivering accurate information in a timely manner will positively build relationships.Once relationships are established a public relations professional should maintain those relationships and keep regular contact. By acting with integrity and never asking those they work with to compromise their standards a public relations professional can build many relationships that will benefit the organization, and also themselves.

This should give you what you need.

Sincerely,

Cam