2012

As Millennials Grow, So Does Importance of Connecting with Them

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:48:00 -0700

Millennials have been making the news a lot recently, and if you’re not targeting them in your public relations or marketing programs, you’re missing out. This generation of Americans was born between 1978 and 1994 (now aged 18 to 34) and consists of the teens and young adults who make up the next wave of consumers and community leaders.

MGA Knows its Trivia

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:30:00 -0700

The largest public relations industry trophy—at least in terms of sheer enormity—has made its way to the MGA office. With a little help from our friends (and former MGA employees), our team, the Mike Gaughan Assassins, delivered the highest score in this year’s PRSA Colorado Geeks Who Drink Tournament.

Public Perceptions of the Affordable Care Act

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 09:15:00 -0600

A common conversation topic around the water cooler here at MGA and elsewhere is health care. While the escalating costs of health care, prescription drugs and health insurance are topics, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the U.S. Supreme Court’s favorable ruling on the constitutionality of the law also inspire debate.

Theater of Politics and the DU Presidential Debate

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 12:56:00 -0600

Hours before and in anticipation of last week’s first presidential debate, the Shorenstein Center for Press, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government hosted a panel discussion titled “Politics as Theater.” As a KSG alumnus, I watched with great interest. Are there takeaways from this discussion and from the debate relevant to public relations professionals and the clients they serve? Absolutely.

U.S. Hits Demographic Milestone

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:50:00 -0600

The U.S. Census Bureau reports minority births are a majority for the first time in U.S. history. As of July 1, 2011, 50.4 percent of our nation’s population less than one year old was minorities. This milestone includes births among Latinos, blacks, Asians and those of mixed race.

Leadership Crib Notes

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:56:00 -0600

Leadership can be trying. It can test you in ways you never realized and provide opportunities to learn and grow in ways that you might not otherwise experience. This year, I have the great privilege to serve as president of the Colorado Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Through next May, I am also serving as president of my homeowner’s association. There are thousands of books written about leadership. I’m no Colin Powell or Deepak Chopra, so here’s a short version of what I’ve learned so far this year:

Tips for Pitching Media across the U.S.

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 09:39:00 -0600

MGA recently embarked on a national media relations campaign for a client in the environmental measurement and monitoring industry. Even though MGA has done a lot of media relations over the years, our client was new to the process. The campaign was focused around a national product launch that consisted of a cross-country tour, Vaisala Across America, to over 40 cities in 16 weeks. The MGA team pitched media from Fargo to New York City and everything in between. For those of you new to media outreach, below are a few tips that we relied on throughout the tour.

How Do You Watch Television?

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 11:55:00 -0600

Two studies have just been released about how and where Americans are watching television. Of course, television is a relative term right now since so many enjoy their favorite shows using different platforms.

The Fourth without Fireworks

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 15:58:00 -0600

While there weren’t as many fireworks displays in Colorado this year as compared to previous years (because of the increased fire danger), MGAers found several other ways to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Is FEMA Up to Zombies? Signs are Good.

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 14:53:00 -0600

Strange news caught my eye recently. Eaten face and severed limb news appeared simultaneously. They were ghoulish to the point of prompting the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to reiterate, with tongue in disease-free cheek, its “No Zombie Apocalypse” statement. From a public relations perspective, this was a clever way to re-broadcast and reinforce the mission of the CDC.

Molly’s Top Social Media and Public Relations Blogs

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 08:48:00 -0600

I’m opening my secret vault of PR and social media resources for others to enjoy. Whether you’re helping a client develop online content, trying to convince your client Facebook isn’t scary, seeking juicy inside information from the pros, figuring out how to use various platforms for business-to-business marketing, or you just want to stay up on the latest news, trends and strategies in the social media and digital spaces, visit some of my favorite social media and PR-focused blogs. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

A Public Relations Professional’s Summer Reading List

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 13:17:00 -0600

To me, summer isn’t only 90-degree weather or going to Jazz in the Park. Summertime also means summer reading. Ever since elementary school, I have always read during my summer breaks. Before the official day of summer (which for me is the first day I hear Will Smith’s Summertime playing on the radio), I write out a list of books I want to read and then go place them on hold at the public library.

Casework Communications: What Not to Do

Thu, 31 May 2012 12:00:00 -0600

A California tax consultant was recently indicted for allegedly impersonating a congressional staff aide. For all current and former congressional staffers (me included), this must generate a chuckle. Why impersonate someone in a job that includes endless days of listening to constituent inquiries, legitimate opinions and semi-coherent rants?

New Social Media Tools to Integrate Into Your Plans

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:37:00 -0600

As I stated in my last blog post, I am a tech geek. I am fascinated with learning about new start-up companies and social media tools. Here are a few new social media tools I have read about recently on my favorite tech news websites and have seen on my social media feeds.

Saints Receive their Marching Orders

Tue, 22 May 2012 10:53:00 -0600

Defining a brand can be challenging, but at MGA, we define it as how you feel about an organization. So how do you feel about the New Orleans Saints? If you follow football, I would imagine it is very different than how you felt about them two or three years ago.

Learning to Shoot

Thu, 17 May 2012 13:14:00 -0600

I’ve seen a lot of posts lately about the need for public relations professionals to be curious and stay informed in order to succeed in their careers. But how do you cultivate curiosity? One way I do this is by trying new things. In recent years, this has included Spanish, English horse riding, triathlons, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, knitting, and crocheting. Earlier this month, I learned how to shoot a handgun.

Vaisala: Touring Across America

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:32:00 -0600

Companies are continuously thinking of how to integrate their products, services and communications into giving and receiving information in real-time. Now, the road maintenance industry has found a solution to sharing data in real-time through a mobile system.

PROI Convenes in Helsinki

Thu, 10 May 2012 16:11:00 -0600

Each spring, Public Relations Organisation International (PROI), MGA’s international network of independent public relations firms, has its annual meeting. The meeting is a terrific opportunity to further both our global understanding of what is happening in public relations and continue building strong relationships with our colleagues from firms in major markets on six continents.

Employers Are Front and Center

Wed, 09 May 2012 16:41:00 -0600

When the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff hands out an award to an employer it must mean the award is pretty important. It also means no global military conflict is going on that requires his presence in the War Room.

MGA Clients Honored As Businessmen of the Year

Fri, 04 May 2012 09:36:00 -0600

It was all smiles last night for MGA and its clients from the Rocky Mountain Arsenal at PRSA Colorado’s annual Gold Pick Awards, at which three of our client contacts were recognized as the 2012 Businessmen of the Year.

Do Job Seekers Have a Right to Online Privacy?

Wed, 02 May 2012 15:50:00 -0600

Imagine you are interviewing for a position at your dream company. You answered all the questions and solidified yourself as the best candidate for the position. However, the interviewer has one last topic to go over. They would like for you to give them your username and password to your Facebook account. What would you do?

Obama’s Visit Coincides with Money Smart Colorado Week

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:49:00 -0600

Many college students, recent graduates and parents of college-bound students are faced with the challenge of managing student loan debt in these tough economic times, as underscored by President Barack Obama’s speech in Boulder this week.

20th Century Fox in No-Win Situation

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:20:00 -0600

Before an organization releases a product, it needs to know its audience, how to reach them and potential concerns they may have. But what happens when a tragedy makes an organization, through no fault of its own, appear insensitive, out of touch or worse – as if they are exploiting the situation?

Better Late than Never

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:47:00 -0600

It’s my junior year at the University of Northern Colorado, and it feels like just yesterday I set foot on the campus as a wide-eyed freshman full of excitement and direction. Three years later I am still full of excitement. However, I have recently changed direction from business management to journalism with an emphasis in public relations and advertising.

Don't be Afraid of Your Shadow

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:11:00 -0600

Hello. My name is Jimmy Luthye, and I am a shadow. I am also a soon-to-graduate senior at the University of Colorado Boulder, studying psychology and communication. I stumbled into public relations late in my college career but have quickly fallen in love with the field. Now that you know a bit about me, allow me to talk for a moment about my experience as a shadow at MGA Communications.

Can You Say Molybdenum?

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:43:00 -0600

Colorado is one of only a handful of states that has ample reserves of both energy fuels such as coal, uranium and natural gas, and critical and strategic minerals. The state is not only rich in some of these much-needed natural resources, but Colorado’s wind resources are some of the best as well.

Campaigning: Same as It Ever Was

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:52:00 -0600

The word “candidate” comes from the Latin “candida,” meaning clothed in white, referencing the bleached white togas Roman politicians wore to stand out in a crowd. The bleaching solution of the day was urine, a product vastly improved upon over time.

Intern Rundown

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:37:00 -0600

Although MGA is not my first internship, this is my first time interning at an agency – and it’s been a whirlwind experience! While I have learned and built upon my skills through other internships and experiences to make me a better public relations professional, I can truly say this time around it is different.

Forget ROI; Focus on ROA

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:14:00 -0600

Earlier this month, a few MGAers attended the annual Meetings Industry Council of Colorado (MIC) Educational Conference. It was interesting to attend a full day of professional development sessions for an area that MGA offers as a service (meetings and special events) and to be surrounded by professionals who do this full-time.

MGA Promotes Two, Hires Three

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:29:00 -0600

MGA is pleased to announce today the promotion of two employees and the hiring of three others.

Please join us in congratulating two MGAers who have been recognized for their outstanding client service and commitment to the firm:

MGA Supports PRSA’s Efforts with U.S. Senate

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:55:00 -0600

MGA was pleased to see PRSA’s op-ed last week in Roll Call, in which the organization urged the U.S. Senate to avoid actions that might diminish or severely restrict the federal government’s use of approved public relations and public affairs contractors. PRSA also issued a news release.

Sudan: Local Stand, National Action

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:16:00 -0700

“Taking A Stand: Youth Against Genocide” was a statewide conference for high school students held recently in Denver and sponsored by the Colorado Coalition for Genocide Awareness and Action. I again led a workshop on Congress and the media and was heartened by the students. But this year’s conference topic, Sudan, gave my workshop specific focus and produced a bona fide strategy.