Julin is raising "bail" money to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The funds he raises will send some very special kids to summer camp in Empire, CO.

Through this Friday, Aug. 13, you can enter a cooking contest on NatureSweet's Facebook page with a chance to win $2,500.

By Jennifer Watson

The chicken bus rumbled as our driver floored it up the twisting mountain road. Like most busses in Guatemala, ours had a Christian name painted across the front.

"Our Savior Protects," the letters proclaimed. I hoped the name applied to traffic as well as spiritual hazards. In the United States, we have a tomb for unknown soldiers who die in combat.

On August 25, we'll tackle the topic of making your strategic communications plan work for you – and how it can help your nonprofit save time and be more efficient!

This month Denver is staging the first ever 2010 Biennial of the Americas, an international collaboration of the arts, culture, ideas and music among the 35 nations of the Western Hemisphere.  The Biennial should remind us of the connection we have with 910 million other earth inhabitants to help make this side of the planet secure and economically sustainable.

Each week in MGA's staff meetings, we share "lessons learned" from the prior week. At the end of last month, I shared mine: If you have someone who believes in you, and you put your mind to it, you can accomplish more than you think you can. On June 20th, I rode 100 miles on my bike as part of the Denver Century Ride. Previously, the furthest I had ridden at one time was 40 miles.  ]]> Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:26:00 -0400 http://www.mgacommunications.com/blog/2010/6/15/to-joke-or-not-to-joke-a-career-question-to-consider/ http://www.mgacommunications.com/index.php?cID=503 Author: Jennifer Watson

You're writing a speech or sitting in a meeting when you have a funny thought. Do you share it? Do you include it in your remarks?

Before you answer, let's stipulate that your funny thought isn't an obvious clunker. You're not prone to sexist comments, racist jokes or unkind put-downs. Your thought is just funny - at least to you. ]]> Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:54:00 -0400 http://www.mgacommunications.com/blog/2010/6/9/is-wikipedia-part-of-your-online-communications-strategy/ http://www.mgacommunications.com/index.php?cID=501 Author: Doug Magee

Most of the discussion about online communications by organizations focuses primarily on websites, blogs and social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. You seldom hear any discussion about the importance of Wikipedia. I know I didn't until I read an interesting blog post by Katie Paine, CEO and founder of KD Paine & Partners, LLC. Paine is an expert in measuring relationships and organizational accountability. ]]> Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:52:00 -0400 http://www.mgacommunications.com/blog/2010/6/3/journalists-ask-what-is-news-ira-glass-asks-what-is/ http://www.mgacommunications.com/index.php?cID=499 Author: Kip Cheroutes

Public Radio International personality Ira Glass was in Denver recently to talk about his show and his method of journalism. My family and I went to the historic Paramount Theater expecting to be mildly entertained. We left greatly impressed. ]]> Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:36:00 -0400 http://www.mgacommunications.com/blog/2010/5/18/mga-is-hiring/ http://www.mgacommunications.com/index.php?cID=495

MGA is looking for an Account Executive with experience in public relations and social media. See description below. Position closes Friday, May 28.

MGA Communications is seeking a public relations professional with exceptional writing and social media skills to join its growing team. 

Regardless of whether you or your organization sees value in participating in social media, you still need a policy – lack of one is simply not an option.

Why? Because whether your organization is actively participating or not, it’s highly likely someone connected with you is – your employees, vendors, partners, customers, and/or competitors. At a minimum, you need to provide guidance to employees and have a way to monitor the conversations taking place.

In accepting the award, Julin spoke from the heart and earned a standing ovation from the crowd of over 200.

Volunteering and community involvement are values my parents instilled in me when I was young. When I found myself in Denver in the summer of 2005 looking for a job, I turned to what I knew to do – get involved.
 
A close friend on the board of directors for an up-and-coming marathon that was focusing on economic redevelopment recommended I talk with the then executive director. The executive director quickly suggested I talk with the public relations firm supporting the inaugural Colfax Marathon, MGA Communications. ]]> Thu, 29 Apr 2010 11:31:00 -0400 http://www.mgacommunications.com/blog/2010/4/28/the-squirm-factor/ http://www.mgacommunications.com/index.php?cID=486 Author: Jim Mascolo

MGA has given me the flexibility for the last year to volunteer each Friday in a local second-grade classroom. In that time, I’ve had the privilege of working with one of the kindest, most masterful teachers on the planet. She’s something of a cross between Mother Theresa and Stephen Covey: not tough love, but highly effective love. (Where was she when I was in second grade?) I’ve been impressed by her since she taught my son not so many years ago, and, to my surprise, she had no reservations about me helping out.

I don’t know if I’m really much use in the classroom. I have trouble keeping my parallelograms straight from my trapezoids, but I’m having fun. And the kids? They are still--as always- sweet, lively and precious. Call me a Rousseauian romantic, but I think of them as our national treasure, the untapped reservoir of dreams that will spell our future as a nation. ]]> Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:15:00 -0400 http://www.mgacommunications.com/blog/2010/4/27/mrs-pattons-lesson-on-leadership/ http://www.mgacommunications.com/index.php?cID=484 Author: Jennifer Watson

Years ago, during an unusually busy day at the office, I ripped open a note addressed to me, glanced at the signature and stopped.

The heavy stationary bore the handwriting of Joanne Holbrook Patton, wife of Maj. Gen. George S. Patton and daughter-in-law of the famous World War II general.  The lengthy note contained her thanks for my assistance on a conference she was helping to organize on volunteer administration.

We are honored to be selected among other winners including Qwest Communications International, Education Partner of the Year, Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell LLP, Medium Business of the Year, CoBank, Large Business of the Year and Peter Beaupre’, President PCL Construction Enterprises Inc., Corporate Citizen of the Year. 

The Pew Research Center for People and the Press reported Monday that public trust of the federal government has reached near record lows. From a survey in March, the Pew Center found that 22% of U.S. adults say they trust the government in Washington almost always or most of the time. As they write in their report, “…(the new) survey finds a perfect storm of conditions associated with distrust of government – a dismal economy, an unhappy public (and) bitter partisan-based backlash…” that has led to ratings among the lowest in half a century.

A recent program by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce on the State of DIA had me reflecting on the long road (or runway) we have traveled to get us where we are today.

There is no question, except to a few hard core critics, that Denver International Airport has become an economic development engine for Colorado. The near future plans for the airport, both air side and land side, make it even more important for our economic stability and quality of life. ]]> Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:05:00 -0400 http://www.mgacommunications.com/blog/2010/4/7/three-social-media-wishes-for-the-colorado-rockies-on-opening-da/ http://www.mgacommunications.com/index.php?cID=472

Author: Ginger Pelz

My favorite holiday is finally here! This Friday is the Colorado Rockies Home Opener, and for me, Opening Day is pretty much baseball Christmas. With that being said, here are my three Opening Day wishes for my favorite baseball team.

1) Get rid of the RSS feeds on your Twitter and Facebook accounts!
In social media, transparency and authenticity are valued more than most other things. I don’t want to talk to a robotic “feed,” I want to interact with someone who is connected with the organization. Unfortunately, the Rockies have chosen to resort to RSS feeds on both their Twitter and Facebook accounts to post content.

On Sunday March 28th, The Denver Post ran an article titled Comments On-line Often Manufactured by Special-Interests Groups by Andy Vuong. The article talks about using posting as key part of influencer campaigns. 

The article touches on the fact that the Federal Trade Commission now requires bloggers to disclose any “material connections” they may have with organizations they blog about. This is a good thing, but Andy goes on to point out that political communications receives the “highest level of free speech protection,” which allows anonymous blogging and posting.

MGA and its clients at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal were recently recognized for conducting one of the Top Five PR Campaigns of the Decade by The Holmes Report.

We know we do good work, but being recognized by someone such as Paul Holmes (and among such international firms like Ogilvy, Ketchum and Fleishman-Hillard) is great validation. We share this honor – along with the many other awards we’ve received over the years – with our clients.

]]> Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:27:00 -0400 http://www.mgacommunications.com/blog/2010/3/23/how-will-qr-codes-extend-your-public-relations-or-marketing-prog/ http://www.mgacommunications.com/index.php?cID=458 Author: Ginger Pelz

MGA recently sent me to SXSW Interactive (which I will affectionately refer to as SXSWi) in Austin, TX to immerse myself in all things social media, share ideas with others who are active in this area and return with insight on emerging technologies that will impact the future of our profession. I can happily say that each one of these goals was fulfilled, and then some.

SeaWorld and Shamu have been a part of my world for as long as I can remember. I’m originally from San Antonio, which is where one of the three locations of SeaWorld can be found. I had the privilege of having season passes every summer until it wasn’t the ‘cool’ thing to do. I remember sitting in the Splash Zone during the “Believe” shows watching the trainers and their dolphins doing amazing tricks (which were always my favorites).

Respect the mountain.

The wise old adage of mountain climbers and skiers came to mind recently when I heard that CitiBank was freezing the financial accounts of at least two companies that posted online content the bank deemed “objectionable.” ]]> Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:59:00 -0500 http://www.mgacommunications.com/blog/2010/3/4/five-lessons-i-learned-from-george-clooney/ http://www.mgacommunications.com/index.php?cID=449 Author: Jennifer Watson

If you want to see a great example of public speaking, skip the upcoming Oscars broadcast and head to the movies for a lesson from George Clooney. ]]> Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.mgacommunications.com/blog/2010/3/2/show-up/ http://www.mgacommunications.com/index.php?cID=447 Author: Jon Ekstrom

It seems like just yesterday the ball was dropping in Times Square to welcome 2010. Suddenly it is almost March! How did that happen so fast?! Sometimes, the more you have to accomplish, the less time it seems you have to accomplish everything.

With that in mind, there’s no time like the present to make sure you’re organized and what you do – whether it’s public relations, community engagement or work for a nonprofit – is actually strategic. I’ve found the easiest way to do that is by writing a strategic plan. ]]> Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:30:00 -0500 http://www.mgacommunications.com/blog/2010/2/16/say-ya-to-da-up-eh/ http://www.mgacommunications.com/index.php?cID=442 Author: Jennifer Watson

Miracles do happen.

I know that’s true because National Public Radio recently did a series on life on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Not a story, mind you, but a whole series. ]]> Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:35:00 -0500 http://www.mgacommunications.com/blog/2010/2/9/social-media-does-not-equal-instant-gratification/ http://www.mgacommunications.com/index.php?cID=439 Author: Sarah Rasmussen

When I hear the phrases “24 hour news cycle“ and “information overload,” part of me screams, “too much information!” This overload makes me want to go away, unplug and curl up with a good book or spend time with close friends. (Yes, to the surprise of many, I’m an introvert – an INTJ, actually.)

Why? I need balance between all-access all-the-time and focusing on the priorities I’ve set. Social media plays a role in these priorities – but it’s not a focus of my life. ]]> Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:05:00 -0500 http://www.mgacommunications.com/blog/2010/2/4/japan-meet-the-new-boss-same-as-the-old-boss/ http://www.mgacommunications.com/index.php?cID=426 Author: Kip Cheroutes

I am lucky in my professional association with MGA to do business with and in Japan. Because of long nurtured congressional relationships, I do business in the Japanese Capitol Hill of Tokyo. Given my background, I can even compare and contrast the experience with Capitol Hill in Washington, even down to the employees’ cafeteria.

The next group to surge into the blogosphere may well be Catholic priests.

Last year, I headed up the effort at MGA to craft an online communications policy. What started as a discussion around individual needs (what’s appropriate to post or mention publicly) soon evolved into a discussion of MGA’s online brand. The end result represents the results of both conversations.

It seems only fitting that on the day of President Obama’s first State of the Union address, which is one of the busiest nights for media interviews in the country, that MGA would host a presentation on how to coach individuals in media interviews. This morning, myself and fellow MGAer Sarah Rasmussen met with a group of nonprofit leaders from the Denver metro area for our newest installment in the series of presentations that we offer to nonprofit organizations called the Nonprofit Buzz. This series is free for nonprofit organizations. 

In Tuesday’s election in Massachusetts there was what some would consider a major upset victory for a Republican in a heavily democratic state. Newly elected Senator Scott Brown beat Democrat Martha Coakley in Massachusetts’ Senate election and it wasn’t even close. How could it be a Republican could win in the land of the Kennedy’s and the seat held by the democratic leader Ted Kennedy? Well one reason for this stunning victory can be attributed to Sen. Brown’s use of social media.

Move over, Twitter and Facebook. There’s another—potentially more powerful—social media tool in town.

]]> Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.mgacommunications.com/blog/2010/1/14/ask-your-clients-and-customers-what-has-changed/ http://www.mgacommunications.com/index.php?cID=414 Author: Doug Magee

So many things have changed for your clients, customers and stakeholders during the past year that organizations shouldn’t take anything for granted. Each of these groups is likely to have drastically different decision-making processes due to the global downturn and you need reliable information to know what has changed. ]]> Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:15:00 -0500 http://www.mgacommunications.com/blog/2010/1/12/theory-of-reasoned-action/ http://www.mgacommunications.com/index.php?cID=412 A giant thinker who influenced our world without most of us knowing it recently passed away.

His name was Martin Fishbein. And if you don’t know his name, you’ve likely seen the result of his work. ]]> Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:30:00 -0500 http://www.mgacommunications.com/blog/2010/1/6/are-you-listening-dominos-pizza-is/ http://www.mgacommunications.com/index.php?cID=405 Author: Ginger Pelz, Account Executive

For our first conversation of the New Year I want to share a little more detail about a couple of the “predictions” I recently gave the Denver PR Blog for their annual Public Relations in Prediction series.

Growing up outside a small town in rural British Columbia, Canada, my family was, well, in the boonies. We didn’t have electricity (I didn’t see color television until we moved to Denver when I was seven). My brother and I each had our own tree house and tire swing, we had a large garden and we had lots of chickens. My mom cooked on our wood-burning stove that heated our tiny home (built by hand by my parents). She pickled cucumbers, and canned tomatoes, peaches, pears, dilly beans, and more. As my dad once told me, she made “food for the belly, food for the heart” and she “could make something out of nothing and make it taste great.”