Most typically, PR consultants operate in the background, heard but not necessarily seen. Today, however, we can't resist putting the following photo of our Senior Consultant Clay Blackham in lights. Notice the stunning mustache? Until the hour before his mother's wedding, Clay declared his intention to wear this manly addition to his persona all the way to the end. At the final minute, however, he relented and shaved the offending bristles once full shock value had been achieved.


In honor of the occasion, however, our partner in podcast Brad Baldwin has immortalized Clay's macho appearance in film. With all due respect and apologies to the original source files, today we share the true and typically hidden personality of Clay. Enjoy.

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.

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We've all seen the field in our e-mail settings, but there has been some confusion as to how/why one would use the “blind carbon copy" function – BCC.

Unfortunately, there are some out there who can't help but spam their press releases. And, it's true that it is the quickest way of getting your message to reporter (though not the most effective).

Consider the fact that you have personal information on each of these reporters (their e-mail addresses). You realize how important it is to respect privacy, and not list everyone's e-mail address in the “To" field visible to all, but you want to get this e-mail out right now. This is where the “BCC" field becomes useful.

The BCC field acts much like “To," but when the e-mail is received, all addresses will not be visible to the recipients; even if they click on “reply to all," the addresses will still be kept private.

Note: We don't ever recommend spamming, but if you must send a pitch to multiple recipients, this approach is the lesser evil by far.

Don Osmond

Senior Associate

Once you've begun a public relations initiative, it is important to maintain a steady flow of news. Communicatively speaking, nothing could be more detrimental to your business than to go quiet.

Regardless of extreme optimisms, human nature tends to gravitate toward the negative; and when your company stops making noise, the media began to wonder what is going on behind the closed doors. Or worse… they forget about you.

This is why it is imperative to continue sending out regular press releases, and conducting outreach. If you feel that there is little or no news to share, take a look back at where you've been and what has been completed. Is there something you could share about the growth your company has experienced? Is there an anniversary coming up? How do you compare with where you were last year this time?

Be creative about the news you share. You may not get the intended coverage as with the launch of a new product; however, simply continuing the conversation helps the media know they are working with a company that is more than just a “flash in the pan."

Don Osmond

Senior Associate

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