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	<title>In The Profession</title>
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		<title>Path to #PR: Q&amp;A with Amy Jones Schwinge; @PRSSA</title>
		<link>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/05/path-to-pr-q-prssa/</link>
		<comments>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/05/path-to-pr-q-prssa/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 16:05:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mary Beth West</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Public Relations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Amy Schwinge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[careers in public relations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[East Tennessee Children's Hospital]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Motors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mary Beth West Consulting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oak Ridge National Laboratory]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PRSSA]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://marybethwest.com/blog/?p=1584</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This month, we’re sharing experiences from all of our staff about their career paths in PR – and a few other fun things, too!  Enjoy this Q&#38;A with Amy Jones Schwinge . . .   Tell us a little about yourself? Hometown? Family? I am a hometown girl; I was born and raised in Knoxville.  [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #003366;"><em><strong>This month, we’re sharing experiences from all of our staff about their career paths in PR – and a few other fun things, too!  Enjoy this Q&amp;A with <a href="http://marybethwest.com/ppl-amyjones.php" target="_blank">Amy Jones Schwinge</a> . . . </strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Tell us a little about yourself? Hometown? Family? </strong></span></p>
<div id="attachment_1586" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 252px"><a href="http://marybethwest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Amy-and-Chelsey-PRSA-Awards-2012-RESIZED.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1586" title="Amy and Chelsey PRSA Awards 2012 RESIZED" src="http://marybethwest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Amy-and-Chelsey-PRSA-Awards-2012-RESIZED-242x300.jpg" alt="" width="242" height="300" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Volunteer Chapter PRSA President-Elect Chelsey Riemann, APR, (L) presents a PRSA Award of Excellence in April 2012 to Amy Schwinge (R)</p></div>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I am a hometown girl; I was born and raised in Knoxville.  With the exception of living in Atlanta for about nine years, I have lived in Knoxville all of my life.  I am married to Guy, and we have two young children:  our daughter, Jade, and our son, Levi.  They are my world!</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>What was your first job?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">My very first job was working for one of my favorite uncles in a concession stand at the UT football stadium.  It was a lot of fun; we all would take turns watching the game too. Nepotism was not an issue as most everyone who worked there was a member of the family—mostly cousins and my brother too.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">My first PR job was an unpaid internship for the <a title="ETTAC" href="http://www.ataccess.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=41&amp;Itemid=0" target="_blank">East Tennessee Special Technology Access Center</a>; this experience helped me obtain three other internships during my undergrad college years, including overseeing the newsletter for the <a title="PRSSA" href="http://www.prssa.org/" target="_blank">Public Relations Student Society of America</a> chapter at <a href="http://www.cci.utk.edu/" target="_blank">UT</a>, <a href="http://www.etch.com/" target="_blank">East Tennessee Children’s Hospital</a> and <a href="http://www.ornl.gov/" target="_blank">Oak Ridge National Laboratory</a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Did your collegiate life prepare you for your current job?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Yes!  In addition to the great curriculum, the required internships definitely prepared me for my career, including my current job. When I was at UT in PR, a minimum of two internships were required to graduate.  My internships proved invaluable to me.  I know they put me a step ahead and helped me land a communications position at Boeing in Oak Ridge right after I received my undergrad degree. This was my first “real” job after I graduated.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>How long have you been with MBWC?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I started performing some project work for <a href="http://www.marybethwest.com/" target="_blank">MBWC</a> in late fall of 2006 after I left the <a href="http://www.gm.com/" target="_blank">General Motors</a> Southeast Regional Communications office in the Atlanta area.  I served as MBWC’s satellite office in Atlanta for almost two years.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Why did you join MBWC? </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">After GM moved the Southeast Regional office 26 miles north of Atlanta, it took me an hour and a half EACH WAY to get to and from work.  I just couldn’t take the drive and missing that time with my family and young daughter at the time.  That is when I started doing project work for MBWC while I was still in the Atlanta area.  Then, after my husband was offered a job in Knoxville, Mary Beth offered me a position at her office in Maryville.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>What is your biggest pet peeve?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I just don’t care for fake people; just be yourself.  The truth will come out sooner or later anyway…</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>What was your favorite tradition during your childhood?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I loved to picnic with family and friends in the <a href="http://www.cadescove.net/auto_tour.html" target="_blank">Cades Cove</a> area of the mountains.  We also would ride horses and drive around the loop.  Wonderful memories!</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>What is your favorite quote?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Today is a gift; that is why it is called the present.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>What do you like most about working at MBWC?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I enjoy the people—both at MBWC and the clients we work with.  I also love the flexible work schedule, which helps me achieve better work/life balance.  There is never a dull moment.  I like performing work for a variety of diverse clients.  No two days are the same!</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Who has had the greatest impact on your professional career?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">My parents who instilled in me that I could do anything that I wanted to if I just tried hard enough.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>If you could give any professional advice to someone who is graduating this month, what would it be?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Never give up or burn any bridges with friends, professors or co-workers! It is amazing how you will cross paths with various people throughout your career. Always, continue to learn as much as you can!  Embrace lifelong learning; consider an advanced degree, technical training, accreditation or training/seminars offered through work.  Keep up with trends and new technology as it becomes available. Most of all, enjoy every minute of it; it goes by fast!</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong> </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"> </span></p>
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		<title>Has @theTomatoHead Just Made 27,000 Maryville “Frenemies”?</title>
		<link>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/05/has-thetomatohead-just-made-27000-maryville-frenemies/</link>
		<comments>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/05/has-thetomatohead-just-made-27000-maryville-frenemies/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 13:21:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mary Beth West</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Public Relations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Downtown Knoxville]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Downtown Maryville]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mary Beth West]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Tomato Head]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tomato Head]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://marybethwest.com/blog/?p=1570</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By Mary Beth West, APR Holy tofu and organic black beans, Batman – The Tomato Head is leaving Downtown Maryville!  The announcement of The Tomato Head’s Maryville closure in favor of plans to build a West Knoxville location at the Gallery Shopping Center hit all-things-social last night, and, to say the least – the Maryville Tomato [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #000000;">By <a title="MBW" href="http://marybethwest.com/ppl-marybethwest.php" target="_blank">Mary Beth West</a>, APR</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Holy tofu and organic black beans, Batman – <a title="TH" href="http://thetomatohead.com/" target="_blank">The Tomato Head</a> is leaving <a title="downtown maryville" href="http://downtownmaryville.com/" target="_blank">Downtown Maryville</a>!</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"> <img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1571" title="Tomato Head" src="http://marybethwest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Tomato-Head-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></span><span style="color: #000000;">The <a title="new sentinel article" href="http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/14/tomato-head-to-close-in-maryville-open-in-west/" target="_blank">announcement</a> of The Tomato Head’s Maryville closure in favor of plans to build a West Knoxville location at the Gallery Shopping Center hit all-things-social last night, and, to say the least – the Maryville Tomato Head faithful are none-too-happy.  </span><span style="color: #000000;">Some of the comments via FB and the News Sentinel website (apart from the “Yeah Baby!”s of our West Knoxville friends):</span><span style="color: #000000;"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">“Maryville has completely supported TH, and their presence has helped jumpstart revitalization in downtown Maryville. Notice they didn&#8217;t say they were losing money (the restaurant is always busy).  I will drive past the Gallery, and I will take out-of-town guests to Cafe 4 and Latitude 35 on Market Square.  The whole vibe of TH can now be transferred to a suburban sprawl location.  Maybe their &#8216;unattainable&#8217; 3rd location could open at Turkey Creek? They can close the Market Square location when space becomes available in Farragut.”</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">“Really disappointed in @thetomatohead decision. Quite illogical. I&#8217;ve eaten my last meal there.”</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">“This is not right!! I cannot imagine that this location hasn’t been successful. . . .what a crock.  Seriously.”</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">“Crazy.  I’ll not be back.”</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">And my personal favorite:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">“Booooooooooo!!!”</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">In this economy, The Tomato Head’s visionary founder, Mahasti Vafaie, and business partner Scott Partin have achieved a brand with legions of followers in both the Knoxville and Maryville downtowns.  Great atmosphere.  Great vibe.  And absolutely delightful food. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">On the one hand, it’s an enviable position for any brand to have such a fan base that an announcement like this one evokes such a strong reaction (West Knoxville: “Yayyyyyy!”; Blount County: “Doh!”). </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">What’s unenviable: the backlash itself.  And for The Tomato Head, they’re about to get backlash-whiplash from Blount County in a big way, I fear.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">As a business owner, I understand and fully respect that many valid factors can play into a company’s unpopular decisions, made for the greater long-term good of the business.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">However, as I put on my public relations hat (and let’s face it, it’s always on), I have to question whether The Tomato Head’s handling of this announcement – and of course, the very decision itself – presents far more damage to the brand in a significant enough geographic area to nullify the gains of greener pastures elsewhere.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I have a lot of West Knoxville friends.  Love &#8216;em.  But as a Blount Countian, it’s more than a bit irksome watching some of them take that deeply inhaled drag from the stogie of geo-economic superiority here.  They’re sympathetically patting us Maryville folk on the back at our culinary loss, then two seconds later gently closing the door and breaking out into a full-on Church Lady Superior Dance (and I don’t mind aging myself with that comment; it’s gotta be said). </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>A few tips for companies considering a controversial decision:</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Don’t take your fan base for granted</strong> when making decisions that are personal to those fans.  For The Tomato Head, it’s not just that they’re politely asking their Blount County diners simply to drive across the river to West or Downtown Knoxville instead.  The exodus feels far more personal than that.  And what’s more, in the initial news reports, The Tomato Head apparently isn’t politely asking their Blount patrons for anything.  They didn&#8217;t express anything to Maryville verbally – only through its actions of abruptly leaving.  (Note: <a title="TH FB" href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/thetomatohead" target="_blank">a Facebook post by TH</a> in recent hours explains the decision and shares stronger personal sentiments about the departure, but one wonders if it&#8217;s coming too late.) </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>If the tough decision must be made, put thought into how it’s announced</strong> by anticipating the feelings it will elicit and demonstrating some level of sensitivity toward those impacted.  It probably would have been far less damaging to The Tomato Head in Blount County if the Downtown Maryville closure had been announced prior to any mention being made of the West Knox plans.  Yes, there still would have been deep disappointment about the loss, but at least there wouldn’t have been the feelings of an overt snub factor involved.      </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">As for myself, I wish The Tomato Head well, and I’m going to miss their presence, their people, and most especially, their southwestern salad with organic blue corn chips and southwest vinaigrette.  I&#8217;m also going to miss what they brought to our Downtown and the way Maryville felt about the people in that nice yellow building on West Broadway.  </span></p>
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		<title>Path to #PR: Q&amp;A with @marybethwest</title>
		<link>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/05/path-to-pr-qa-with-marybethwest/</link>
		<comments>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/05/path-to-pr-qa-with-marybethwest/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 20:51:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mary Beth West</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Public Relations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mary Beth West]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PRSSA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Relations Society of America]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://marybethwest.com/blog/?p=1542</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Kicking it off with Mary Beth West, we’re sharing experiences from all of our staff about their career paths in PR – and a few other fun things, too!  Enjoy . . . What was your first job?  What did you learn from it? Working in the shoe department of my hometown’s local department store.  [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #003366;"><strong><em>Kicking it off with <a title="MBW" href="http://marybethwest.com/ppl-marybethwest.php" target="_blank">Mary Beth West</a>, we’re sharing experiences from all of our staff about their career paths in PR – and a few other fun things, too!  Enjoy . . .</em></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>What was your first job?  What did you learn from it?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Working in the shoe department of <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a title="Maury Alliance" href="http://www.mauryalliance.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff;">my hometown</span></a>’s</span> local department store. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I learned that everyone should have some type of work experience early in their lives that is directly customer-facing.  It’s a big eye-opener to how people really tick, and it creates a level of appreciation for any person in a customer-service job. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Did your collegiate life prepare you for your current job?  </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Absolutely.  The <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a title="UT cci" href="http://www.cci.utk.edu/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff;">University of Tennessee College of Communication &amp; Information</span></a></span> provided a terrific foundation.  It so happens that everyone in my company is a product of UT-Knoxville as well.  We’ve stayed very involved there.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Why did you choose public relations as your career?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I knew at age 16 or 17 that a career in communications was where I wanted to be, but I wasn&#8217;t sure of the exact path.  I later learned that among communications professions such as advertising, broadcasting, journalism, speech communications, etc., public relations appealed to me as holding <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a title="PRSA biz case" href="http://www.prsa.org/Intelligence/BusinessCase/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff;">the greatest game-changing potential</span></a></span> in society . . . the idea of being able to apply communications in a direct way to help people, businesses and organizations achieve success.  That’s what PR is all about.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Who has had the greatest impact on your professional career?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">My parents.  They made my college education possible, and they demonstrated by example the commitment of being a business owner.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>If you weren’t in this field, what else could you see yourself doing?  </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I would enjoy being a writer – maybe a political columnist.  Politically, I&#8217;m a weird bird, which makes for interesting writing as well as audience reactions.  </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>What is your favorite quote?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Margaret Thatcher:  “Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren&#8217;t.”</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>If you could have one superhero power, what would it be?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">The ability to be in five places at once would come in handy.  As a rule, I would love for one of those places to be cuddled up with my kids reading stories and taking naps. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>What is your biggest pet peeve?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Poor editing, especially when I’m the one guilty of it.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>What was the funniest thing you have ever experienced?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://marybethwest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/MB-Statue-of-Liberty.jpg"><span style="color: #000000;"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1543" title="MB Statue of Liberty" src="http://marybethwest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/MB-Statue-of-Liberty-300x218.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="218" /></span></a>Back in college, I took a conference trip to New York with a bunch of my </span><span style="color: #0000ff;"><a title="PRSSA" href="http://www.prssa.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff;">PRSSA</span></a></span><span style="color: #000000;"> friends, and we made the obligatory trek to the top of the Empire State Building.  In <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a title="ESB gift shop" href="http://www.esbnyc.com/observatory_gift_shop.asp" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff;">the gift shop</span></a></span>, they had these foam Statue of Liberty crowns and silly sunglasses, which I stuck on my head and raised up my right hand stoically as if I were holding the torch – and we all got our picture together, just goofing off.  </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Suddenly – out of nowhere – every tourist in the gift shop swarmed over to get their picture taken with me posing as the Statue of Liberty . . . most of them speaking foreign languages.  At least a dozen strangers had their picture taken with me, most of them insisting I hold my arm up like I was Lady Liberty bearing the torch. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Twenty years later, across the globe, there are probably pictures of me in people’s scrapbooks with the caption (translated to English): “Visiting Empire State Bldg with weird American chick wearing WAY too much red.”  If smartphones had been around back then, I would have had my 15 minutes of fame in 1993.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Any embarrassing professional moments you’re willing to share? </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Apart from the Statue of Liberty thing, no.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Joe Bogardus – Hats Off to a Great Career</title>
		<link>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/05/joe-bogardus-hats-off-to-a-great-career/</link>
		<comments>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/05/joe-bogardus-hats-off-to-a-great-career/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 May 2012 15:05:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mary Beth West</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Public Relations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Bogardus]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://marybethwest.com/blog/?p=1529</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By Mary Beth West, APR Our team experienced the bittersweet newsflash this week that one of our own, Joe Bogardus, has decided to enjoy the rewards of retirement.  And yes, we’re a little bit jealous! Our gratitude goes out to Joe for his nearly four years of service with MBWC, where he helped lead many [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #000000;">By</span> <a title="MBW" href="http://marybethwest.com/ppl-marybethwest.php" target="_blank">Mary Beth West, APR</a></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Our team experienced the bittersweet newsflash this week that one of our own, Joe Bogardus, has decided to enjoy the rewards of retirement.  And yes, we’re a little bit jealous!</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://marybethwest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mbwest.headshots.014.jpg"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-1535" title="mbwest.headshots.014" src="http://marybethwest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mbwest.headshots.014-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="118" height="177" /></a>Our gratitude goes out to Joe for his nearly four years of service with MBWC, where he helped lead many client projects and campaigns with award-winning success. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I met Joe about a year or so after he and his terrific wife, Mary Kay, had moved to East Tennessee from Chicago, where Joe served as national executive director of brand marketing communications for Blue Cross &amp; Blue Shield Association.  Prior to his work at BCBS, Joe had spent the majority of his career in marketing communications with Eastman Kodak, from the company’s home base in Rochester, NY, to other outposts worldwide.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Despite his global-brand corporate background, Joe demonstrated a real passion for the smaller-market agency business in Greater Knoxville that served our team well.  Joe loves the work of strategic communications and brand development, and his enthusiasm and expertise have made an impact here that will long be appreciated.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">We send our best wishes to Joe and Mary Kay . . . and we know we’ll be seeing them soon!    </span></p>
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		<title>#Crisis or #Controversy: #PR Steps for Managing Protests</title>
		<link>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/04/crisis-or-controversy-pr-steps-for-managing-protests/</link>
		<comments>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/04/crisis-or-controversy-pr-steps-for-managing-protests/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:23:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mary Beth West</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Public Relations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crisis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crisis communications]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crisis management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mary Beth West]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mary Beth West Consulting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[media relations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social media]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://marybethwest.com/blog/?p=1524</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By Mary Beth West, APR In my early career, I worked in corporate communications for a highly successful company that managed private-sector prisons, jails and detention facilities for local, state and federal government agencies across the U.S. – and even some facilities internationally. The experience provided my first front-line experience with seeing just how complicated [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #000000;">By <a title="MBW" href="http://marybethwest.com/ppl-marybethwest.php" target="_blank">Mary Beth West, APR</a></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">In my early career, I worked in corporate communications for a highly successful company that managed private-sector prisons, jails and detention facilities for local, state and federal government agencies across the U.S. – and even some facilities internationally.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://marybethwest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/MB-crisis-blog-2-pic.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1525" title="MB crisis blog 2 pic" src="http://marybethwest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/MB-crisis-blog-2-pic-300x226.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="226" /></a>The experience provided my first front-line experience with seeing just how complicated controversies and crises could be.  </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I remember one occasion in Florida where the company was seeking to site a county jail facility in a fairly rural area.  The local Chamber of Commerce decided to host a community forum for the public to discuss the issue with elected officials. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Off I was sent to Florida to help represent the company, where I fully expected to hear diverse points of view.  In my naiveté at the time, I had no idea the level of raw emotion I would see thrown in the company’s face – or mine – from picket signs and near-tearful opposition testimonies to venom-eyed stare-downs by people I’d never met before.   I left the event that night with local law enforcement escorting me to my car and my hoping that no one followed my co-workers and me back to our hotel.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">That was in the mid- to late-1990s.  Our company didn’t even use external e-mail at the time.  To that point, I certainly didn’t know what I didn’t know back then . . . that in terms of complicated, I’d seen nothing yet. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Interestingly, though, in the area of staging protests, many of the same tactics of yesteryear remain firmly entrenched in the toolbox of people who wish to organize around a common cause and state their case in as big a way as possible.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>When a company or organization is confronted with a protest movement of any sort, there are several rules of thumb:</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Take it seriously, even if it’s small or seemingly disorganized.</strong>  Controversies can morph into crises quickly, and you never know how it might evolve and gain steam quickly. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Get at the heart of the matter.</strong>  Establish a point of contact within the group’s leadership.  What is the protest about, and does it have legitimacy?  Identify all of the protestor messages that involve your organization, its performance, its policies, etc. . . . whatever the situation involves. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Engage legal counsel.</strong>  While PR and legal experts sometimes disagree about certain aspects of responding to protest movements – particularly how communications should be handled to avoid liability issues – it’s still important to have all voices at the table for the full management team to make informed decisions. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Determine if there are indeed issues that need to be addressed publicly.</strong>  If the protest organization is small, contained and/or seems to be operating with a logical mindset (which sometimes isn’t the case), it could be prudent to work with the group on a one-to-one basis to address their issues, which in rare instances can nip the whole issue in the bud without a public spectacle.  At the opposite end of the spectrum, however, “fringe” groups can pose risks completely apart from the apparent issue at hand.  Be aware if security or law enforcement needs to be contacted.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">If the protest movement has little to no legitimacy with regard to the validity of its claims or otherwise includes protestors who behave unreasonably or erratically, <strong>be careful about interactions or communications that inadvertently lend credence</strong> to the protestors where none is deserved.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">At the same time, <strong>maintain a consistent undertone of respect, restraint and control</strong> – particularly with media communications. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Keep your message simple, direct and above all, honest. </strong></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Avoid public “forums” for discussing the issues at hand</strong> – harkening back to my Florida experience.  Generally, the only winners of those things are the protestors.  In areas of government, it’s often difficult or impossible to avoid these situations resulting from sunshine laws and governance requirements – in which case, the critical factors are detailed preparation, clear messaging and as much control over the venue as possible.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Above all – you need to remain proactive enough that you’re staying in control of your own organization’s actions and communications and not being manipulated by others.  By being responsive from the onset, these issues potentially can be contained and, hopefully, successfully concluded.</span></p>
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		<title>Schwinge: Being Prepared Makes or Breaks Companies during a #Crisis or Controversy</title>
		<link>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/04/schwinge-being-prepared-makes-or-breaks-companies-during-a-crisis-or-controversy/</link>
		<comments>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/04/schwinge-being-prepared-makes-or-breaks-companies-during-a-crisis-or-controversy/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:33:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mary Beth West</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Public Relations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Amy Schwinge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crisis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crisis management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crisis preparedness]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://marybethwest.com/blog/?p=1516</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By Amy Schwinge, MAOM In real estate, it’s location, location, location.  During a crisis or controversy, it’s preparedness, preparedness, preparedness.  Most people know in their specialized fields of work the majority of the possible crises or controversies that can occur.  Have you or the leadership in your company ever sat down and listed all of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #000000;">By <a title="Amy" href="http://marybethwest.com/ppl-amyjones.php" target="_blank">Amy Schwinge</a>, MAOM</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">In real estate, it’s location, location, location. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://marybethwest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/amy-crisis-post.jpg"><span style="color: #000000;"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1518" title="amy crisis post" src="http://marybethwest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/amy-crisis-post-300x252.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="252" /></span></a>During a crisis or controversy, it’s preparedness, preparedness, preparedness. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Most people know in their specialized fields of work the majority of the possible crises or controversies that can occur. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Have you or the leadership in your company ever sat down and listed all of the possible crises and controversies that you can think of possibly happening at your organization? </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">If so, congratulations – you’ve completed the first step in creating a crisis communications plan. If not, start planning and getting prepared for a potential crisis by thinking through possible scenarios.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Whether it is a true crisis or a minor controversy, public relations plays a huge role.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">In my career, I have participated on crisis preparedness teams for a couple of different corporations.  The role of the public relations professional was to communicate about the crisis to both internal and external audiences, which can be very tricky, especially in this day and age of social media and smart phones. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">You want to get your key message out internally and externally before someone else takes a photo or video from their smart phone and posts it on Facebook or YouTube, for example.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">The key is being prepared with all of the possible scenarios, then plugging in the related information if and when a crisis or controversy occurs. So, your organization is as ready as it can be.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Check out <a href="http://www.google.org/crisisresponse/prepared.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000000;">this link</span></a> for some case studies and tips for using technology during a crisis.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">It is never too late to get prepared!</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"> </span></p>
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		<title>Survey: Legal Concerns About Social Media Not a Major Issue for Tennessee Communicators</title>
		<link>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/04/survey-legal-concerns-about-social-media-not-a-major-issue-for-tennessee-communicators/</link>
		<comments>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/04/survey-legal-concerns-about-social-media-not-a-major-issue-for-tennessee-communicators/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:09:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mary Beth West</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[westwire]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://marybethwest.com/blog/?p=1512</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Knoxville, Tenn. — A new survey reveals that Tennessee’s communications professionals do not perceive legal concerns are a major barrier for them to engage social media for their organizations – but among those that do voice concerns, several specific industry sectors were identified. Interactive Springboard – a joint venture between Tennessee-based interactive firm Blue Media [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em>Knoxville, Tenn.</em></strong><strong> —</strong> A new survey reveals that Tennessee’s communications professionals do not perceive legal concerns are a major barrier for them to engage social media for their organizations – but among those that do voice concerns, several specific industry sectors were identified.</p>
<p>Interactive Springboard – a joint venture between Tennessee-based interactive firm Blue Media Boutique, LLC (a division of software firm Efficience) and public relations firm Mary Beth West Consulting, LLC – collaborated for a second year with Bryant Research, LLC, to field a survey of Tennessee communications professionals to quantify social media’s perceived benefits to companies and organizations statewide.</p>
<p>With a 40 percent response rate, the survey targeted members of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), which has chapters of communications professionals in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville and Tri-Cities.</p>
<p>When prompted, a significant minority of Tennessee’s communications professionals – only 25 percent – indicated that legal concerns create a barrier preventing them from using social media to its fullest potential on behalf of their organizations.</p>
<p>However, among communicators reporting legal concerns about social media, several types of organizations were identified through respondent demographic data as having a greater propensity to have issues:  healthcare, non-profit, education, financial and government.</p>
<p align="center">#          #          #</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">About Interactive Springboard</span></strong></p>
<p>Interactive Springboard is a joint venture between woman-owned firms Blue Media Boutique and Mary Beth West Consulting, LLC, providing an integrated, research-based approach to social media that supports client marketing communications and business objectives.  <a href="http://www.interactivespringboard.com/">www.interactivespringboard.com</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">About Blue Media Boutique, LLC</span></strong></p>
<p>Based in Knoxville, Tenn., Blue Media Boutique – a division of software firm Efficience – provides creative, technology and marketing services, including design, development, animation, video, illustration, branding, print, e-commerce, database, CMS, search optimization, copywriting, promotions, events and campaigns. <a href="http://www.bluemediaboutique.com/">www.bluemediaboutique.com</a>; CONTACT:  Tori Rose, <a href="mailto:tori@efficience.us">tori@efficience.us</a>, 865-824-9379</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">About Mary Beth West Consulting, LLC</span></strong></p>
<p>Based in Maryville, Tenn., Mary Beth West Consulting, LLC advances clients’ communications, relationships and reputations to meet business and organizational objectives.  The firm’s services include research strategy, integrated marketing communications campaigns; media, community and employee relations programs; interactive media strategy and program management; crisis preparedness; and special events.  <a href="http://www.marybethwest.com/">www.marybethwest.com</a>; CONTACT: Mary Beth West; <a href="mailto:mb@marybethwest.com">mb@marybethwest.com</a>; 865-982-6626; Twitter: @marybethwest</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">About Bryant Research</span></strong></p>
<p>Based in Knoxville, Tenn., Bryant Research provides custom, proprietary research to clients across a number of industries. Bryant Research has produced award-winning market research counsel, employing a custom blend of quantitative and qualitative methods to inform clients&#8217; marketing communications programs and to facilitate the best business decisions.  <a href="http://www.bryant-research.com/">www.bryant-research.com</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">About PRSA</span></strong></p>
<p>Chartered in 1947, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the world’s largest and foremost organization of public relations professionals, with a community of more than 21,000 public relations and communications professionals across the United States, from recent college graduates to the leaders of the world’s largest multinational firms. PRSA members represent nearly every practice area and professional and academic setting within the public relations field.  <a href="http://www.prsa.org/">www.prsa.org</a></p>
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		<title>Survey: Tennessee Communicators More Certain Now About Social Media’s Importance and ROI Than in 2010</title>
		<link>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/04/survey-tennessee-communicators-more-certain-now-about-social-medias-importance-and-roi-than-in-2010/</link>
		<comments>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/04/survey-tennessee-communicators-more-certain-now-about-social-medias-importance-and-roi-than-in-2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:17:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mary Beth West</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[westwire]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://marybethwest.com/blog/?p=1505</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Negative Gap Exists Between Social Media’s Importance and How Well It’s Actually Utilized Knoxville, Tenn. — A new survey reveals that Tennessee’s communications professionals are much more certain about the return on investment using social media in 2012 than in 2010 as well as more confident about measuring social media results. Interactive Springboard – a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><em>Negative Gap Exists Between Social Media’s Importance and How Well It’s Actually Utilized</em></p>
<p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><strong><em>Knoxville, Tenn.</em></strong><strong> —</strong> A new survey reveals that Tennessee’s communications professionals are much more certain about the return on investment using social media in 2012 than in 2010 as well as more confident about measuring social media results.</p>
<p>Interactive Springboard – a joint venture between Tennessee-based Blue Media Boutique, LLC (a division of software firm Efficience) and Mary Beth West Consulting, LLC – collaborated for a second year with Bryant Research, LLC, to field a statewide survey of Tennessee communications professionals to quantify social media’s perceived benefits to companies and organizations statewide.</p>
<p>The team last fielded the survey in summer 2010.  Both the 2010 and 2012 surveys targeted members of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), which has chapters of communications professionals in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville and Tri-Cities.</p>
<p>With a 40 percent survey response rate, the 2012 results show that 76 percent of Tennessee communicators think “the return on investment in social media is well worth it,” compared with 62 percent who thought so in 2010.</p>
<p>On this point, the number of professionals who agreed that this statement was “very true” more than doubled, from 15 percent of respondents in 2010 to 35 percent in 2012.</p>
<p>Also, a near-total majority of Tennessee communicators (97 percent) agree that “social media is an important component in any communications plan,” compared to 90 percent who agreed in 2010.</p>
<p>There was an overall decline in the concentration of those who believe that the cost of managing social media is too great for most organizations, from 58 percent in 2010, to 43 percent in 2012.</p>
<p>“Uncertainty is diminishing quickly about the value and necessity of social media in strategic communications,” said Mary Beth West, principal of public relations firm Mary Beth West Consulting, LLC.  “Communications professionals in Tennessee are getting a stronger foothold in the discipline of using social media effectively and making the case for social media ROI to their management teams.”</p>
<p>&#8220;The sophistication level about social media is rising,&#8221; said Tori Rose, creative director of Blue Media Boutique. &#8220;However, we still see a gap between communicators recognizing the importance of social media and being able to actually implement it in certain areas &#8211; like crisis communications, new product development and offering branded mobile apps to build stronger relationships with the public.&#8221;</p>
<p>The team’s survey data produced a “gap analysis” measuring the difference between what respondents said social media’s importance is toward accomplishing specific results and, in comparison, how well respondents’ own organizations are using social media to achieve those results themselves.</p>
<p>Just as the 2010 survey reflected, the 2012 gap analysis produced a negative gap score for every item queried – meaning that Tennessee communications professionals reported that their own organizations are underutilizing or underperforming with social media compared to the importance of using social media for particular needs.</p>
<p>Those needs with the biggest gaps between importance and actual performance: No. 1 – “using social media for crisis communications”; No. 2 – “including social media in new product development”; No. 3 – “offering a branded mobile application to build stronger relationships with stakeholders”; No. 4 – “monitoring social media for comments about the organization”; and No. 5 – “using social media as a tool for building a strong internal culture.”</p>
<p>When asked, Tennessee’s communications professionals most frequently cited a shortage of staff time and the lack of organizational support as the areas where improvements would increase their organization’s success with social media.</p>
<p align="center">#          #             #</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">About the Survey Methodology</span></strong></p>
<p>This census survey of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) members from across the state of Tennessee was conducted online from February to March 2012.  Members from the following chapters participated in the study:  Nashville, Knoxville/Volunteer, Chattanooga/Lookout, Memphis and the Tri-Cities.   The survey achieved an overall response rate of 40 percent and provides unique insight into the opinions of those whose day-to-day responsibilities include managing all manner of media for strategic communications, including social media.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">About Interactive Springboard</span></strong></p>
<p>Interactive Springboard is a joint venture between woman-owned firms Blue Media Boutique and Mary Beth West Consulting, LLC, providing an integrated, research-based approach to social media that supports client marketing communications and business objectives.  <a href="http://www.interactivespringboard.com/">www.interactivespringboard.com</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">About Blue Media Boutique, LLC</span></strong></p>
<p>Based in Knoxville, Tenn., Blue Media Boutique – a division of software firm Efficience – provides creative, technology and marketing services, including design, development, animation, video, illustration, branding, print, e-commerce, database, CMS, search optimization, copywriting, promotions, events and campaigns. <a href="http://www.bluemediaboutique.com/">www.bluemediaboutique.com</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">About Mary Beth West Consulting, LLC</span></strong></p>
<p>Based in Maryville, Tenn., Mary Beth West Consulting, LLC advances clients’ communications, relationships and reputations to meet business and organizational objectives.  The firm’s services include research strategy, integrated marketing communications campaigns; media, community and employee relations programs; interactive media strategy and program management; crisis preparedness; and special events.  <a href="http://www.marybethwest.com/">www.marybethwest.com</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">About Bryant Research</span></strong></p>
<p>Based in Knoxville, Tenn., Bryant Research provides custom, proprietary research to clients across a number of industries. Bryant Research has produced award-winning market research counsel, employing a custom blend of quantitative and qualitative methods to inform clients&#8217; marketing communications programs and to facilitate the best business decisions.  <a href="http://www.bryant-research.com/">www.bryant-research.com</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">About PRSA</span></strong></p>
<p>Chartered in 1947, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the world’s largest and foremost organization of public relations professionals, with a community of more than 21,000 public relations and communications professionals across the United States, from recent college graduates to the leaders of the world’s largest multinational firms. PRSA members represent nearly every practice area and professional and academic setting within the public relations field.  <a href="http://www.prsa.org/">www.prsa.org</a></p>
<p align="center"><strong><br />
</strong></p>
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		<title>Keeping East Tennessee Construction Projects in the Green</title>
		<link>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/04/keeping-east-tennessee-construction-projects-in-the-green/</link>
		<comments>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/04/keeping-east-tennessee-construction-projects-in-the-green/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:45:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mary Beth West</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[client-news]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[construction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hickory Construction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[John McMillan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://marybethwest.com/blog/?p=1491</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Alcoa, Tenn. — With Earth Day on April 22 and the East Tennessee economy gradually improving, many home and business owners are seeking to make their new building projects in 2012 and beyond greener but still affordable. “Many people automatically but mistakenly think that all things green and sustainable are more expensive and out-of-reach for them, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://marybethwest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/HCI-Logo1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1497" title="HCI Logo" src="http://marybethwest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/HCI-Logo1-300x136.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="136" /></a><span style="color: #000000;">Alcoa, Tenn. — With Earth Day on April 22 and the East Tennessee economy gradually improving, many home and business owners are seeking to make their new building projects in 2012 and beyond greener but still affordable.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">“Many people automatically but mistakenly think that all things green and sustainable are more expensive and out-of-reach for them, particularly when it comes to building construction,” said John McMillan, vice president of Marketing for Alcoa, Tennessee-based <a title="Hickory Construction website" href="http://www.hickoryconstruction.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000000;">Hickory Construction, Inc</span></a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">According to McMillan, energy-efficient building materials and processes should always be considered as part of any new building project, especially those that ease the demand for electric energy produced by fossil fuels and reduce utility bills for the building owner.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">“There are many eco-friendly building products and construction methods that are very competitive in cost to traditional ones, and some actually save significant money, particularly over time in expenses like heating, cooling and water use,” McMillan said.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Green construction includes energy-efficient basics such as proper insulation, house wraps and site preparation. Hickory also considers the value of durable products that offer low maintenance for the client and less impact on the planet.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">“Hickory Construction has practiced many elements of ‘green construction’ for more than 30 years, especially when it comes to the building envelope, the area where energy efficiency is impacted most,” McMillan said.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Some other green products and areas of construction planning include:</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">• Geothermal heating and cooling systems (using ground source heat pumps to centrally heat and cool a building)</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">• Automated lighting controls and use of natural light</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">• Low-flow plumbing fixtures</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">• Fuel-efficient vehicle parking on business properties</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">• Bicycle racks on site</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">• Recycling of construction debris</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">• Regional and recycled building materials</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">• Indoor air quality enhancements (utilizing low VOC carpets, paints and other materials)</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">“For some materials that do require a higher initial investment, customers should consider longer-term returns,” McMillan said. “For example, slate roofing is more expensive, but it easily outlives other roofing materials and will reduce the environmental impact of the manufacturing process and the impact on landfills.”</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">ABOUT HICKORY CONSTRUCTION:</span><br />
<span style="color: #000000;">Hickory Construction, Inc., is a licensed general contractor headquartered in Alcoa, Tenn., offering services for commercial, industrial and residential projects. For more information, visit: http://<a title="Hickory Construction website" href="http://www.hickoryconstruction.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000000;">www.hickoryconstruction.com</span></a>.</span></p>
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		<title>Bogardus: &#8220;#Crisis or #Controversy? Understand the Difference in #PR / Take 2&#8243;</title>
		<link>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/04/bogardus-crisis-or-controversy-understand-the-difference-in-pr-take-2/</link>
		<comments>http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/04/bogardus-crisis-or-controversy-understand-the-difference-in-pr-take-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 14 Apr 2012 18:21:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mary Beth West</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Public Relations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crisis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crisis management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Bogardus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mary Beth West Consulting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://marybethwest.com/blog/?p=1487</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By Joe Bogardus Last week, Mary Beth West outlined in the first installment of “Crisis or Controversy? Understand the Difference in PR” a series of actions every public relations practitioner needs to take when confronted with a potential company crisis. Those key points are worth repeating here:  “Think through a Top 10 list of things that [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #000000;">By Joe Bogardus</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Last week, <a title="MBW" href="http://marybethwest.com/ppl-marybethwest.php" target="_blank">Mary Beth West</a> outlined in the first installment of “Crisis or Controversy? Understand the Difference in PR” <a title="MBW blog crisis" href="http://marybethwest.com/blog/2012/04/crisis-or-controversy-understand-the-difference-in-pr/" target="_blank">a series of actions</a> every public relations practitioner needs to take when confronted with a potential company crisis.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://marybethwest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Joes-blog-graphic.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1488" title="Joe's blog graphic" src="http://marybethwest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Joes-blog-graphic-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>Those key points are worth repeating here: </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>“Think through a Top 10 list</strong> of things that have happened or could happen to your company, along with their likelihood of happening in the future.  Don’t forget to look at competitors’ past crisis situations and resulting media coverage as well.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Evaluate each scenario by the laws of cause-and-effect</strong>.  If X happens, then who is impacted?  What are the stakeholder numbers, and how large are their spheres of influence? </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Which scenarios have the greatest possibility to damage reputation and brand</strong> – not just operations and infrastructure?  Good insurance can cover a factory fire in a matter of months; brand damage can last decades.”</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">A key element of executing the above actions is in making sure you have the facts. Often, this aspect is the greatest challenge of all in your analysis.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Whenever I was thrust into a company crisis situation, I recalled the words of a former journalism instructor: “The facts and nothing but the facts.” This same instructor was a stickler for preaching about making sure you had a second – and sometimes, even a third – corroborating source.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Gathering this information in the face of a burgeoning crisis adds to the stressfulness of the situation, but it is critical to guide you through the three steps Mary Beth recommends.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Without the proper information, a potential controversy could actually explode into a crisis.</span></p>
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