Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Online Reputation

TO: Amanda Harris
FROM: Sarah Foote
DATE: 11/22/2011
SUBJECT: Online Reputation

Recently, I was asked to find out all the information that I can online about you. However, I have to say--you are one hard person to locate. Did you know there are over 30 Amanda Harris’ in Utah? However, this is the dirt I was able to dig up.

You are from Dallas Texas, you went to Stonewall Jackson elementary school and while you were living in Dallas you worked for CBS radio for a little over 4 years as well as Snuffers restaurant and Bar. You now attend Utah State University, and are majoring in Public Relations with a marketing minor. After you graduate college though, you hope to get back into the music industry. You have 2 children. You love traveling, hiking and camping. You are not married, but have a pretty serious boyfriend.

You enjoy a lot of different music. Some artists that you love are boys named sue, Johnny cash, modest mouse, and death cab for cutie. You love tattoos. Your favorite athlete is Dirk Nowitzki and you also love TV programs such as entourage and Dexter.

Unfortunately that’s really all I found find on you seeing as there are so many Amanda Harris’ that I never know if my searches are referring to you or another person. Your reputation seem pretty clean to me! nice work.

Sincerely,

Sarah Foote

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Draft Position Paper

Sarah Foote

Annie Jackson

Kandace Reader


outline for a position paper:

1. Introduction

___A. Introduce the topic

Women’s fitness professional, Jayne Peterson recently joined Burger Planets team to work as their spokesperson to help announce and promote the healthy new options added to Burger Planets classic menu.

___B. Provide history or background on the topic

Some healthy options that have been added to the menu include fruit and low-carb options such as chicken and salads. What is great about the new menu is that the healthy options are simply an addition to the already loved and classic burger and fry options that burger planet in known for. By providing a mix amount of health food options as well as the classic favorites, the menu now allows costumers to have more of a choice on the calories and nutrition they are receiving.

___C. Describe your view of the issue (thesis)

Burger Planets team of spokespersons appeals to healthy active moms and children on the go. Jayne Petersen has helped a number of women lose and maintain their weight and she hopes to teach the same lessons to children.

2. Opposing Argument

___A. Briefly describe some of the counter arguments

People are unaware that our new menu will include their original favorites.

___B. List some facts or details that support the counter claim

Of a 100 people surveyed online 45% misinterpreted our health message, thinking that we were eliminating original menu items and replacing them with healthier options.

___C. Refute the opposing view using facts or details that support your side

Since the survey was taken, we have begun addressing the issue, and increased our publicity about our additional, healthy options as well as our classic menu items.

3. Your Argument - 3 Points of Attack, try to make your points directly refute the counter argument points when possible.

The first issue we would like to address is how many calories are in all our menu items. We are currently testing out this idea by making all the calories available at one specific restaurant. We are using this store as a pretest to see if the calorie content promotes a healthy lifestyle or discourages costumers from ordering our classic items.

___A. State the first point of your argument

_____1. Give your personal opinion about the point

We predict that listing the calorie content will help to reinforce our healthy choice options without harming the sales of classic items.

_____2. Provide evidence, research, testimony, other detail that support your opinion

As seen in the 2008 study done by the FDA, listing calories on menu items create trust between a business and their customers. It also allows people with many different lifestyles to enjoy our products.

A testimony by Jayne Peterson will be shown on our upcoming ads to inform the public of the changes.

___B. State the second point of your argument

A common issue that we have been faced with is the fact that our current customers were unaware that we are continuing our classic items with the addition of healthy options.

_____1. Give your personal opinion about the point

By increasing our publicity about keeping the classic items we will be able to address this issue.

_____2. Provide evidence, research, testimony, other detail that support your opinion

When Ronald McDonald announced that McDonalds would be serving apple slices in their kids meals, sales increased by 20%. We plan to follow this example with both Jayne Peterson and Corny the Clown.

4. Conclusion

___A. Restate both sides of the argument

Costumers are concerned about our changes, however, with our new PR plan we will be sure to clarify questions and concerns.

____Provide a plan of action

We are beginning filming a new series of ad campaigns. Along with that, we are currently working with Jayne Peterson’s publicist to create a “healthy living” promotion to be featured in each of our stores nationwide.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Media Pitch Final

Final Media Pitch

To: Nancy Conway

Salt Lake Tribune

Editor

Financial Independence is possible

Nancy,

With the economy like it is today, many people have been interested in articles pertaining to how to save money and become financially comfortable. I know you have already released many articles in relation to these issues in the recent months; however, I wanted to inform you of how my company, Cache Valley Investors Association (CVIA) doesn’t just teach its members to save, but to grow their money in such a way that will ensure their financial independence during these hard times.

The key principle when it comes to becoming financially independent is that your passive income is greater than your expenses. The main goal is to help people understand the concepts that come with investing so that they can make wise decisions and be financially set for life.

Finding the proper businesses to invest with is key, and with CVIA we will teach you where and how to start. Passive income allows for not only an extra, stable income, but it also allows people to spend more time doing what they love, being with family, and pursuing other areas of interest.

CVIA uses the same principles taught in the book “The Secret” ; principle’s such as the Law of Attraction, Law of abundance, and Law of exchange. Since CVIA was first established in 2007, it has grown to hold several members from all over the country and that number continues to grow monthly. If you would like to know more about CVIA and how everyone has the ability to become financially independent, please contact me.

Best Wishes,

Sara Foote

Cache Valley Investors Association

Public Relations Spokesperson

555-555-5555

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Draft Press Release 4

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 25, 2011

Organization name: Primary Care Pediatrics

Contact Information: Barbara 435-793-4332

Don’t be InFLUenced

Flu Shot clinic 2011

LOGAN, Utah—With Winter just around the corner and children being stuck in the classroom all day, many are sure to be negatively inFLUenced by the Flu. These days, about 20% of Utah’s population gets the Flu each year. However, Primary Care Pediatrics, located in the North Logan Specialty Hospital is holding a Flu Clinic from October 26, 2011 to November 17th Tuesday through Thursday from 12:00—4:00 and encourages all to come get vaccinated.

Primary Care Pediatrics isn’t only offering the Flu shot vaccination, but for kinds over three, there is a Flu Mist option available as well. Haley Johnson, a nurse for the clinic said, “We encourage all to get vaccinated for the Flu this year, I can’t begin to count how many patients we see that are sick with the Flu—if only they had their shot!”

Unlike other offices around town, Primary Care Pediatrics offers Flu Shots for free as long as proper identification is provided. Primary Care Pediatrics Manager Carol Booth said, “We provide the best service to not only our patients, but to anyone who wants to get vaccinated—we are trying to fight the Flu in any way we can.”

We encourage all to make the time to come get vaccinated, so the Flu don’t inFLUence you!

Media Contact:

Sarah Foote

555-555-5555

-xxx-

Media Pitch Draft

Draft Media Pitch

To: Nancy Conway

Salt Lake Tribune

Editor

Financial Independence is possible

Nancy,

Unfortunately with the economy like it is today, many people have been interested in articles pertaining to how to save money and become financially comfortable. I know you have already released many articles in relation to these issues in the recent months; however I wanted to inform you of how my company, Cache Valley Investors Association (CVIA) doesn’t just teach its members to save, but to grow their money in such a way that will ensure their financial independence during these hard times.

The key principle when it comes to becoming financially independent is that your passive income is greater than your expenses. The main goal is to help people understand the principles that come with investments so that they can make wise decisions and be financially set for life.

Finding the proper businesses to invest with is key, and with CVIA we will teach you where and how to start your investigation. Passive income allows for not only an extra, stable income, but it also allows people to spend more time doing what they love, being wit family, and pursuing other areas of interest.

CVIA uses the same principles taught in the book “The Secret”;principle’s such as the Law of Attraction, Law of abundance, and Law of exchange. Since CVIA was first established in 2007, it has grown to hold several members from all over the country and that number continues to grow monthly. If you would like to know more about CVIA and how everyone has the ability to become financially independent, please contact me.

Best Wishes,

Sara Foote

Cache Valley Investors Association

Public Relations Spokesperson

555-555-5555

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Final Press Release 3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Preston Parker, President and CEO

Cache Valley Area Investors Association

Phone: (123) 456-7890

FAX: (321) 654-0987

www.cvaia.com

Attraction, Abundance, Exchange

Financial Independence is available for all Americans

LOGAN, Utah- In a recent interview with Cache Valley Area Investors Association President, Preston Parker said “if people learn the right mentality and approach to investing, all can be successful in what they desire.” Parker claims that by use of the Law of Attraction, Abundance, and Exchange; such laws discussed in books such as The Secret, and The Automatic Millionaire, all can become as successful and wealthy as they desire.

Parker seeks to promote the idea of Passive income Rather than Active income. Passive income is that income from such entities such as investing, as Active income is that income coming from a job or career. Financial independence is achieved when passive income exceeds expenses. Cache Valley Area Investors Association is a local organization that supports this cause and is looking to help advance members to learn and practice these laws themselves. “I want people to be happy, to have jobs they love and to be financially independent.” said Parker.

CVAIA meets every-other Tuesday to teach and discuss ways to build strong foundations of financial independence and they encourage all to attend.


Sarah Foote
sarah.foote13@gmail.com
(6030 793-3300

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Draft Press Release 3: Cause Promotion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Preston Parker, President and CEO

Cache Valley Area Investors Association

Phone: (123) 456-7890

FAX: (321) 654-0987

www.cvaia.com

Attraction, Abundance, Exchange

Financial Independence is available for all Americans

LOGAN, Utah- In a recent interview with Cache Valley Area Investors Association President, Preston Parker said “if people learn the right mentality and approach to investing, all can be successful in what they desire.” Parker claims that by use of the Law of Attraction, Abundance, and Exchange; such laws discussed in books such as The Secret, and The Automatic Millionaire, all can become as successful and wealthy as they desire.

Parker seeks to promote the idea of Passive income Rather than Active income. Passive income is that income from such entities such as investing, as Active income is that income coming from a job or career. Financial independence is achieved when passive income exceeds expenses. Cache Valley Area Investors Association is a local organization that supports this cause and is looking to help advance members to learn and practice these laws themselves. “I want people to be happy, to have jobs they love and to be financially independent.” said Parker.

CVAIA meets every-other Tuesday to teach and discuss ways to build strong foundations of financial independence and they encourage all to attend.


Sarah Foote
sarah.foote13@gmail.com
(6030 793-3300

Press Release 2 Final: Image Management


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

James E. Mullenbach III, CEO

Burger Plant

Phone: (123) 456-7890

FAX: (321) 654-0987

burgerplanet@gmail.com

burgerplanet.com

Burger Planet Launches new healthy menu

Janye Peterson makes healthy changes to Burger Planet menu


GARY, Indiana- Women’s fitness professional, Jayne Peterson recently joined Burger Planets team to work as their spokesperson to help announce and promote the healthy new options added to Burger Planets classic menu.

Some healthy options that have been added to the menu include fruit and low-carb options such as chicken and salads. When asked why Peterson feels so strongly about helping to promote the new well balance menu, she responded; "Burger Planet has been a leader in the Quick Service Restaurant industry in offering healthy menu choices. The company believes in encouraging customers to live healthier, active lifestyles and I have spent my life trying to teach women that lesson."


What is great about the new menu is that the healthy options are simply an addition to the already loved and classic burger and fry options that burger planet in known for. By providing a mix amount of health food options as well as the classic favorites, the menu now allows costumers to have more of a choice on the calories and nutrition they are receiving. “Burger Planet cares about its customers. For more than seven decades, the company has succeeded because it put customers first. We listen to our customers. And our customers desire healthy choices, of which we offer many.” Said the companies CEO James E. Mullenbach.

Burger Planet has 8921 franchises and 48,272 employees nationwide. The burger joint was founded in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1934 by James E. Muellenbach. Currently, the headquarters resides in Gary, Indiana under the direction of Muellenbach’s grandson, James E. Mullenbach III.


Sarah Foote
sarah.foote13@gmail.com
(6030 793-3300

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Press Release 2: Image Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

James E. Mullenbach III, CEO

Burger Plant

Phone: (123) 456-7890

FAX: (321) 654-0987

burgerplanet@gmail.com

burgerplanet.com

Burger Planet Launches new healthy menu

Janye Peterson makes healthy changes to Burger Planet menu


GARY, Indiana- Women’s fitness professional, Jayne Peterson recently joined Burger Planets team to work as their spokesperson to help announce and promote the healthy new options added to Burger Planets classic menu.

Some healthy options that have been added to the menu include fruit and low-carb options such as chicken and salads. When asked why Peterson feels so strongly about helping to promote the new well balance menu, she responded; "Burger Planet has been a leader in the Quick Service Restaurant industry in offering healthy menu choices. The company believes in encouraging customers to live healthier, active lifestyles and I have spent my life trying to teach women that lesson."


What is great about the new menu is that the healthy options are simply an addition to the already loved and classic burger and fry options that burger planet in known for. By providing a mix amount of health food options as well as the classic favorites, the menu now allows costumers to have more of a choice on the calories and nutrition they are receiving. “Burger Planet cares about its customers. For more than seven decades, the company has succeeded because it put customers first. We listen to our customers. And our customers desire healthy choices, of which we offer many.” Said the companies CEO James E. Mullenbach.

Burger Planet has 8921 franchises and 48,272 employees nationwide. The burger joint was founded in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1934 by James E. Muellenbach. Currently, the headquarters resides in Gary, Indiana under the direction of Muellenbach’s grandson, James E. Mullenbach III.


Sarah Foote
sarah.foote13@gmail.com
(6030 793-3300

Monday, September 19, 2011

Final Press Release 1: Announcement

Press Release 1: Annoucement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September, 13 2011

Social Media Club of Cache Valley (SMCCV)
President Preston Parker
1504 Lynnwood Ave.
Logan, UT 84341
661-772-7537

Social Media Club of Cache Valley takes charge
Get it, Share it.

LOGAN, UTAH--Social Media Club of Cache Valleys president, Preston Parker speaks out about his newly found organization founded in August of 2009. The Social Media club that was once only national, has recently become global and is seeking new members in the Cache Valley area.

After traveling to Salt Lake City to attend the cities social media club meetings, Parker and a few colleges decided it was time for Cache Valley to have the same education and recourses about social media as many other cities throughout the world. The social media club seeks to educate the public about how and when to use social media. “Social Media can be used for productivity” said Parker when asked about why social media is such a useful tool in communication.

Social media is all about communication, whether that is promoting a business, staying in touch with family, or even to play games! The Media club holds meetings the second Tuesday of every month at different locations and encourages all to attend.

Sarah Foote
Public Relations Manager
Sarah.foote13@gmail.com
(603)793-3300

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Press Release 1: Annoucement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September, 13 2011

Social Media Club of Cache Valley (SMCCV)
President Preston Parker
1504 Lynnwood Ave.
Logan, UT 84341
661-772-7537

Social Media Club of Cache Valley takes charge
Get it, Share it.

Social Media Club of Cache Valley president, Preston Parker speaks out about his newly found organization founded in August of 2009. The Social Media club that once was only national, has recently become global. After traveling to Salt Lake City to attend the cities social media clubs meetings, Parker and a few colleges decided it was time for Cache Valley to have the same education and recourses about social media as many other cities throughout the world. The social media club seeks to educate the public about how and when to use social media. “Social Media can be used for productivity” said Parker when asked about why social media is such a useful tool in communication. Social media is all about communication, whether that is promoting a business, staying in touch with family, or even to play games! The Media club holds meetings the second Tuesday of every month at different locations and encourages all to attend.

Sarah Foote
Public Relations Manager
Sarah.foote13@gmail.com
(603)793-3300

Thursday, September 8, 2011

United Breaks Guitars

When Dave Carroll and his band, Sons of Maxwell, went on their week-long-tour of Nebraska, tragedy happened. The band boarded a United plane to fly from Halifax to Omaha with the assumption that their luggage and equipment would be safe with the honorable United flight staff. However, when the planed stopped in Chicago to make a connection Carroll heard the woman sitting behind him cry out “My God, they’re throwing guitars out there!” Unaware of what had been happening, Carroll and his band looked out the window to see the United Baggage handlers throwing around their bass and other instruments as if they were pillows. Carroll’s $3500 dollar Taylor guitar had already been thrown, and the neck broken.

After witnessing the destruction of his instruments, Carroll decided to take up his concerns with the United flight crew. However, they seemed to want nothing to do with his concern and kept telling him to “take it up with someone else”. After trying to speak with multiple employees several times with no help, Carroll and his band decided to take matters into their own hands, threatening that if United didn’t pay to replace his $3500 guitar he would release three songs telling the world his story. Neglecting to think anything of the threat, United continued to do nothing about the issue. That is where Carroll’s tragedy slowly turned to be a United tragedy.

Within 24 hours of posting the first video on YouTube, it received over 150,000 hits and instantly became viral. What United assumed to be just a stupid little threat actually soon became extremely detrimental to United and their stocks. Carroll’s guitar could have been replaced for $3500, but consequently because of United's public relations humiliation and mistake, their stock went down 10% costing the stockholders over $180 million in value.

This incident was a horrible public relations issue for United. Customer service and satisfaction is the first step in good public relations. The main concern for public relations professionals is to maintain a positive image for their client or company and when customers are not satisfied, that image instantly drops. United learned the hard way that even one unhappy customer has the potential to spread a very negative image around about your company.

Due to the results of Carroll’s instantly viral YouTube video, United had a lot of damage control to do to save their reputation and make customers want to continue to fly with them. However, even the way they went about their fix wasn’t the right move either. United contacted Carroll after the video had become a hit, offering him money to replace his damaged guitar, however it was too late. Carroll insisted that he had already given them enough chances to make up for what had happened, and he suggested it would be better to donate that money to a charity than to give it to him. United should have just owned up to their mistake and had a public apology.

Carroll went about this issue in an extremely smart way and as a result the publicity of his band went up along with their number of albums sold. Additionally, this situation made for great PR for Taylor guitars, who ended up giving Carroll two guitars and other props for his second video. Also, since then Carroll has been in great demand for speaking on proper customer service.

The video “United breaks Guitars” now has more than 10 million hits and continues to grow every day. Learning about this story and analyzing its effects has taught me a lot about PR and how important it is for the success of a company. I now more fully understand that it’s never a good idea to take any situation lightly, because in the end the costs will far outweigh the benefits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Letter to Cousin

Today I received a letter in the mail from my cousin Rachel asking me what exactly Public Relations entails and what options I have for careers after I graduate. She was interested because her boyfriend Pete was thinking about changing his major to PR but was unsure what exactly it was all about.

Dear Rachel,

It was so good to hear from you! I feel like we haven’t kept in touch as well as I had hoped since the family reunion but I’m glad you still feel comfortable contacting me with your questions and concerns. I would love to be of any assistance to Pete as he struggles through the hard decision of choosing a major! I will first start off by saying, I was really confused for a while too about what I wanted to go into, but I am so happy to say that I have been overly satisfied with my decision to go into PR. Not only do I really enjoy it, but there are also endless amounts of career opportunities in this field. Let me explain a little about what public relations is and what public relations professionals do and write about.

First of all, Public Relations is a field associated with communications that mostly deals with creating positive relationships between two different entities. Some examples of these relationships may be between a corporation and the public, between two different companies, or between a single person and his or her targeted audience. To do this, PR professionals strive to create a positive image for their client while making sure the messages they are putting forth are being received in the way they want them to be received. Public Relations is a very interactive field where social, writing, and overall communicating skills are essential.

Some of the careers that PR majors seek after graduation are jobs in fields such as event planning, corporate relations, PR managers, fundraising, marketing communications or advertising, public affairs, publicity, internal communications, jobs in social media, public speaking or speech writing, and working for a PR firm. However, if I were to give Pete one piece of advice if he decides to go into this field would be to really try to develop his writing skills. I say this because in any PR related job writing skills are extremely important. Most jobs in this field will require tasks such as writing press releases, newsletters, emails, speeches, proposals, or letters.

I really hope that this information will help Pete in making a decision about whether this field is for him or not. I have loved my major so far and have already had many opportunities to put into practice the knowledge I've learned. Let me know if Pete has any more questions and I’d be happy to help!

Sincerely,

Sarah