During Game 4 of the Jazz and Lakers series, I came across a great Pizza Hut ad (below) that I thought was extremely well done.


As you’ll see, this was down with real people and hidden cameras.





Pizza Hut nailed this one, because, and this is my opinion, this ad will probably net them some ink. Not all ad campaigns create such a creative result that the media ends up following it. I haven’t checked to see if this has been written about yet, but the ad team definitely provided the PR team with some great pitching fodder.


Locally, Nationwide Auto Insurance’s unique ad campaign by putting their logo on parking stall lines netted some ink in a local paper here (sorry I can’t find the story).


As a PR guy, I tend to think PR rules the world (stole that line from Cheryl) but if you are going to do an ad, try and make it creative enough the notice will take notice of it so it has a longer shelf life.

One of the most satisfying experiences working in the PR industry comes when you secure an opportunity for a client to tell their story in front of a captive national audience. This week, after multiple phone calls, emails, and meetings, our colleague Don Osmond finalized an appointment for Footnote.com to showcase their site on the Glenn Beck Show, a true testament to the importance of networking.


Footnote.com will be talking about their most recent project, The Interactive Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall, as we prepare for the Memorial Day Weekend. The interview will detail the inspiration behind the project, the logistics of building the site, as well as share some of the wonderful and touching stories that people have posted on the site.


You can watch the Footnote.com interview Friday, May 23 on the Glenn Beck show on CNN Headline News at 5 p.m. ET (rebroadcast at 7 p.m. and midnight, check local listings), or listen for the radio interview with Glenn Beck on Premiere Radio Networks Friday at 11:30 a.m. ET (check local listings). Also available on www.glennbeck.com. Glenn can also be heard on XM satellite radio on channel 165.

Cheryl Snapp Conner has just been featured on this week’s MSPMentor Podcast discussing some of the key PR issues that channel focused companies, and MSPs in particular, should be aware of when engaging Web 2.0. She provides insight in effectively using social networking, corporate blogging, and the best tactics for issuing news.


Take a listen:

I have literally hundreds of business cards in my desk that I’ve accumulated throughout the years from trade shows, new business meetings, etc.

They range from editors to CEOs and contain nearly every bit of contact information that you can imagine: address, phone, fax, e-mail. Nearly ever way to contact someone; some even include Skype info for editors.

While all that information is valuable to the recipient, for a CEO it can be detrimental. That’s why we recommend a CEO have a stash of business cards that don’t include their cell or direct phone numbers that they can give to the press. Whyzat?

A few years ago on a press tour, a VP walked into a meeting with an editor to talk about his company’s channel strategy. Unbeknownst to the VP, however, his CEO had met with the same editor a year earlier to discuss the same thing. The editor wanted to follow up on a statement the CEO had made previously, but the VP’s message had changed.

After the VP left, the editor called the CEO on his cell phone, which he had obtained previously from the CEO’s business card he had saved. The editor couldn’t reach the CEO and ran a less than positive story accusing the vendor of changing its channel strategy and concluding with the statement, “Calls to the CEO were not returned.”

Here’s the problem: The CEO was on a plane when the editor called and didn’t get the message until after the story was published. Should the editor have called the PR agency? Yes. But many situations like this can be circumvented by ensuring that you give the reporter your PR agency’s number, or at least an alternate card.

A lot of details go into launching a new product/service, or even making the “big" announcement. On the PR side those can include (but not limited to) briefing analysts, reviewing messaging, developing collateral and even drafting a press release.

However with all the preparation that takes place beforehand, you cannot neglect having key executive spokespersons available for media when the calls start coming in.

A perfect example of everything working like clockwork is Cemaphore's MailShadowG launch, which took place yesterday. This is an announcement that broke in the NY Times, in a Scobleizer blog by Robert Scoble, and subsequently by more than 31 additional editors and publications in the space of the announcement's first 24 hours.

All prep work was done well in advance, and after the press release went out the phones started ringing. Having discussed availability prior to the launch made it easy for the Snapp Conner PR team to reach key executives immediately and secure interviews.

Congratulations Cemaphore for a successful launch of MailShadowG. We'll be sharing much more about this PR launch within the next several days.

– AxisPointe, Cemaphore, Cymphonix, DirectPointe, Grow Utah Ventures, InteliSum, NorthWest Dive & Travel, SilverLeaf and SISEL International make 19 companies to join Snapp Conner's roster since the agency's launch in 2007 –

SALT LAKE CITY—March 12, 2008—Snapp Conner PR, Utah's most progressive PR agency, has announced the addition of nine new clients: AxisPointe, Cemaphore, Cymphonix, DirectPointe, Grow Utah Ventures, InteliSum, NorthWest Dive & Travel, SilverLeaf Companies and SISEL International. These new clients are a strong component of the rapid growth Snapp Conner PR has experienced since its inception in April 2007.

“We are excited to be working in a region where companies know and understand the value of PR," said Jeremy Kartchner, Senior Account Director at Snapp Conner PR. “The growth we have experienced in the past 11 months is truly remarkable. This growth shows that we offer our clients an unsurpassed level of innovation as well as a results-specific approach to PR, giving them the tools they need to achieve optimal business success."

The agency's new additions are as follows:

AxisPointe is the leader in facility asset management and outsourced post-construction customer service. AxisPointe has fused and simplified the core facility management functions in a single, web-based system. Their outsourced post-construction services eliminate the hassle, risk and unnecessary cost during the builder warranty period.

Cemaphore Systems, Inc., Cemaphore Systems delivers unprecedented email continuity, disaster recovery and content management for organizations that demand greater uptime for their email systems.

Cymphonix provides small and medium sized organizations technology to manage network threats and resource optimization by controlling both Internet browsing activity and Internet application activity – ensuring that mission critical information has the resources it needs.

DirectPointe, recently ranked #1 worldwide by MSPmentor, is the nation's most comprehensive managed service provider (MSP), offering both a technology platform and the most complete and advanced managed services for VARs, service providers, businesses and individuals.

Grow Utah Ventures helps create new business and put money back into Utah by training, mentoring and funding local entrepreneurs. Grow Utah Ventures mentors and provides support in three key areas, training, funding and rallying to help entrepreneurs get started. They also provide and help entrepreneurs find all these services locally while educating current business leaders to ensure they recognize the important role entrepreneurs play on a local economy.

InteliSum, Inc.(ISI) is a fast-growing software and hardware technology company that specializes in next-generation 3-D visualization and design technologies. Its software takes LIDAR (Light Detection & Ranging) to another level with the integration of 3D applications into one easy-to-use software platform that enables real time, incredibly accurate 3D data capture.

NorthWest Dive & Travel Expo, May 2-4th at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, features the latest in training, exhibits, and hands on experiences for divers of all ages and skill levels. It is the first consumer dive show in the Pacific Northwest in more than 25 years.

SilverLeaf Companies is a fast-paced and progressive financial services company based in Salt Lake City. The company comprises four divisions: SilverLeaf Capital, SilverLeaf Realty, SilverLeaf Development and SilverLeaf Strategic Partners. In its first 10 months of life, SilverLeaf has already placed more than a half-billion dollars under management. With a board that includes top executives from throughout the U.S. and investors that span a variety of interests including the entertainment industry and well-known professional athletes, the company acts as a “fund of funds" to bring the right investors and deals together.

SISEL International was founded by industry icon, Tom Mower, Sr. and his sons, Tom, Jr. and Darick, SISEL has already positioned itself as a leader in the industry with scientifically-based products and an unmatched compensation plan. SISEL carries a full line of liquid nutritionals, nutritional supplements, hair care, anti-aging, skin care and home care products using natural ingredients.

Snapp Conner PR is also the agency of record for the Accend Group, Alianza, Altiris, Broadcast International, Central Logic, ContentWatch, Footnote.com, Finicity, Owen Jones and Partners, PresenceID, Timpanogos Technologies, the Utah Technology Council (UTC), and the Young Entrepreneurs Association (YEA).

For more information about Snapp Conner PR please visit www.snappconner.com.

About Snapp Conner PR
Born out of 23 years of specialized experience in the technology industry, Snapp Conner PR provides all aspects of strategic and tactical PR execution for companies in the technology, health and wellness and life sciences space. Snapp Conner PR assists organizations ranging from start-ups and growth companies to established ventures and public companies in creating and executing PR programs to achieve maximum possible business results.

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SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 27, 2008 –Snapp Conner PR, the Utah region's most progressive PR agency, today announced the addition of Jamie Kaneko as Senior Public Relations Associate, Kenny Caldwell and Brittany Snapp as Public Relations Associates.

Kaneko joins the Snapp Conner PR team from Richter7, where she was a public relations account manager and worked with clients such as ShieldZone, Vantage Legrand, O'Currance Teleservices, Dairy Farmers of Utah and Newpark Resort.

Caldwell recently graduated from Utah State University with a BS Degree in Journalism/Communications with a PR emphasis and a minor in Human Resource Management. While at USU, he worked on public relations campaigns with AirLaunch LLC.

Snapp holds an associates degree in political science from UVSC and is currently finishing her bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Utah. She brings years of experience in consumer relations and marketing strategy.

“Although our primary expertise is in the technology industry, we continue to demonstrate our diversity and depth by expanding our client roster to other industries," said Clayton Blackham, senior public relations associate. “Jamie, Kenny and Brittany all bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our agency that will enhance our existing team."

At Snapp Conner PR, Kaneko, Caldwell and Snapp will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic public relations programs for existing and new clients and helping the agency grow and meet key strategic goals.

About Snapp Conner PR
Born out of 23 years of specialized experience in the technology industry, Snapp Conner PR provides all aspects of strategic and tactical PR execution for companies in the technology, health and wellness and life sciences space. Snapp Conner PR assists organizations ranging from start-ups and growth companies to established ventures and public companies in creating and executing PR programs to achieve maximum possible business results.

# # #

This morning, we'd like to congratulate our client DirectPointe on their #1 ranking on the first-ever MSPMentor 100 list, a ranking of the world's most progressive Managed Service Providers (MSPs). More than 500 MSPs had entered this ranking. Based on a number of metrics comparing fiscal 2007 to fiscal 2006, DirectPointe clearly wins.

Where does social media play into this equation? The MSPMentor 100 project is the outgrowth of a new brainchild by leading IT and channel editor Joe Panettieri. Joe has been a renown editor for 16 years for publications including Informationweek, CMP and Ziff Davis Media. However, the MSPMentor multimedia platform and its accompanying publications and programs are new.

You won't find his editorial calendar on Bacons (Yes, we subscribe. As everyone should!)

We found out about Joe's new project through a posting he made on LinkedIn in early January. SCPR became DirectPointe's PR agency of record on January 15; Joe's deadline for submission was December 28. I know Joe well enough from his prior engagements that I jumped in and begged him for a slight extension. He agreed – and based on DirectPointe's breakout performance in 2007, today we are able to announce the company's win.

What if the world's top MSP had missed this opportunity entirely? Clearly, social networking is a force today's PR professionals can no longer afford to ignore.

Cheryl Snapp Conner

Managing Partner

Public relations play a vital role in a company's success. It is not a function handled exclusively by the internal PR department or the agency of record. Every company should implement a PR policy and regularly review the policy with employees to ensure that it is understood and followed.

The following are tips each employee should follow to assist with PR:

• Know and understand the company PR policy. If you aren't told about a policy when hired ask if one exists and if you can get a copy of it.

• Make sure you know who you're talking to at all times. If somebody calls asking questions don't be afraid to ask whose calling and what the purpose of the call is.

• Know who is in earshot. Be careful what you say in the company lobby, bathroom or when traveling while at an airport, hotel, restaurant, or trade show. If somebody overhears a confidential conversation, particularly the media it is now public information.

• If a reporter calls and wants information transfer him to the appropriate PR contact. Find out what his deadline is and what specifically it is they need. Once you have this information turn them over to the PR contact.

• Never give out cell phone or personal phone numbers to a reporter. Always take their information and pass it along to the proper PR contact for follow-up.

Jeremy Kartchner

Senior Accounts Director

Broadcast media (TV, radio, streaming online) can be a very effective outlet for creating awareness for your business, generating public support, building investor relations and simply getting customers. But while just sending a press release to an assignment editor or producer will sometimes land you a spot, there are several ways of increasing your success when pitching to a broadcast outlet.

Know the show

Knowing a little out a particular show or segment will go a long way when making a pitch. If you already know who the show is targeting, what their goals are and what the general viewer/listener is looking for, you can include that in your pitch.

Why they care

One of the most common phrases you'll hear in story idea meetings is, “Why do I care?" Simply announcing something in a press release usually won't be enough to get them interested. Take a minute to tailor a message to their particular programming. If it's a news show, tell them how it will benefit their viewers/listeners.

Cut the fluff

Assignment editors and producers are extremely busy. They don't have time to sift through all of the information in every press release they receive (usually hundreds per day). Get to the point as soon as you can and leave out information that isn't particularly important. Make sure to include contact information, times, dates and addresses.

While there are many ways to generate interest from broadcast outlets simply taking a few extra minutes to find out who you are dealing with will go along way.

Matt Stubbs

PR Associate