In The Spotlight

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Pum Lefebure, co-founder of Design Army, was honored in "People to Watch 2008" by Graphic Design USA Magazine. Each year GDUSA chooses a group of people to watch — creative, talented, successful, newsworthy and influential — who embody the spirit of the creative community.

Michael Petruzzello, founding and managing partner of Qorvis Communications will receive the Excellence in Business Award from the Sons of Italy Foundation at a May 22 black-tie dinner in DC. Before establishing Qorvis, Petruzzello was the CEO of Shandwick North America and, before that, was president of Shandwick Public Affairs in Washington.

Tony Keller, VP at SS PR, has been named the 2008 Tech PR Idol, reports O’Keeffe & Company. Keller won the agency’s “Tech PR Idol Challenge” – and $5,000.00 - in a contest that asked participants to develop a PR plan for a fictitious software company looking to position itself as a thought leader in information security.

Richard S, Levick, president and CEO of Lecik Strategic Communications, and Larry Smith, senior VP with Levick, have released the second edition of “Stop The Presses: The Crisis and Litigation PR Desk Reference.” The 233-age book by Watershed Press deals with “Bullet-proofing Brands and Protecting Reputations in an Age of Peril.”

Andy Williams retired after 39 years with Williams Whittle. Rob Whittle, president, hosted a surprise gathering with current staff and some alumni - including the founder of the original agency, Ham Morrison. Williams plans to travel, which includes wine tasting in France; and skiing, mountain climbing, and hunting in Colorado; and will also spend time involved in philanthropic endeavors. From what he calls his home-based philanthropic headquarters, Williams plans to use his marketing expertise to benefit the many historic preservation organizations he is aligned with.

Carolyn Belefski, a graphic designer and illustrator working professionally in the DC area, has embarked on the Curls Studio 2008 Carnival Tour. She will by traveling the East Coast promoting her comic creations published by Curls Studio. Belefski writes and draws the weekly comic strip "Curls" and works on the comic books "Kid Roxy" and "Black Magic Tales." Highlights of her 2008 tour include New York Comic Con in April and Small Press Expo in October.

Supon Phornirunlit, an award-winning creative director, has been keeping busy since he left his firm, Supon Design Group, several years ago, and has branched out recently into home accessories and product design. This winter, he launched the 2008 spring collection of his new home accessories company, Naked Decor. His line of decorative pillows is being featured in upcoming issues of "Architectural Digest," "Metropolitan Home" and industry publication, "Home Decor Buyer."

Charlie Brotman, a living legend in the local communications community, turned 80 and had a blow-out party to celebrate the milestone. We asked Brotman to send us a warp-up on his own party and here’s what the publicist told us: “Without question, it was the best and most exciting birthday party I’ve ever enjoyed! Friends I adore – friends galore! Friends from TV, newspaper, radio, show biz, politics -- Tony Kornheiser, Lindsey Czarniack, Mark Russell, Maureen Bunyan, Andy Ockershausen, Jim Bohannon, Christine Brennan, Bob Madigan, Bret Haber, Tom Boswell, Frank Herzog, Johnny Holliday, Tom Sherwood, Mark Lerner, Harry Jaffe, and about a thousand others. And to make it a really “HAPPY BIRTHDAY,” Council Member Jack Evans and Council Chairman Vincent Gray, presented me with a Resolution, resolved by the Council of the District of Columbia, declaring my 80th birthday as “Charlie Brotman Day in the District of Columbia.” WOW! As a native Washingtonian, I could not have been happier or prouder! (If I had known how much fun it was to get older, I would have done it long ago!)

Where Power Plays

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:00:00 GMT

If you missed out on the ADDY competition, March 21 is the deadline for “Where Power Plays”, this year’s AMA-DC M-Awards, which is described as the area's most prestigious event honoring area marketers. AMA-DC notes the award competition is your platform to highlight your organization's ingenuity in meeting your client's needs. The award dinner is set for May 8 at Marriott Metro Center hotel. More info at www.amadc.org.

What's On The Horizon

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:00:00 GMT

To state the obvious, for communicators these are times of evolutionary and revolutionary change. And one of the goals of the Capitol Communicator is to keep you abreast of what’s ahead in communications. To that end, we’ve assembled a premier group of experts who, on a regular basis, will keep you updated on what you need to know to remain valuable in the months and years ahead to your employer and/or clients.

Digital Currents

Every week, Fleishman-Hillard/Washington's digital communications group compiles and analyzes news stories focusing on the ever-evolving role of digital strategies, tools and tactics in the communications mix. A common thread can be found in this week’s compilation for the Capital Communicator, it’s the continued growth and importance of social media tools – from those with health conditions connecting with one another to major brands shifting significant communications resources to this area:

If there was ever a time for marketers to get involved in social media, this is it, says a recent op-ed in PR Week. Over the past year, more brands began shifting marketing communications and research priorities to this area - a trend that will only continue. Jeff Zabin, research fellow at Aberdeen Group, predicts that social media is quickly moving from the "fringe to the center." Thanks to social media, consumers are freely providing brands with an endless source of insights about their products, customer service, and competitors. Savvy marketers are identifying where customers and influencers intersect on the Web and are quickly improving their ability to listen, learn, and participate. "Businesses that don't participate are going to be left behind," said Richard Feinberg, director of the Center for Customer-Driven Quality at Purdue University.
A report in AdWeek states that an economic downturn may lead to a decrease in ad spending, but marketers are likely to continue shifting money into social media, that according to a new study from Forrester Research. Forrester reports that marketer moves into areas like word of mouth, blogging and social networking will withstand tightened budgets. Sophisticated marketers are shifting their focus from building awareness to motivating consideration, which social media applications are ideally suited. Forrester found that Procter & Gamble's BeingGirl.com, an online community for adolescent girls, is four times as effective as a similarly-priced marketing program in traditional media.
A report in The Washington Post notes that a growing number of individuals with health conditions are seeking help online, connecting with others through social networking tools such as online forums, special Web sites and listservs. Large health groups like the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) have created online communities where individuals can create profiles, write journals and join discussion groups. "You could describe it as Facebook for diseases," said Brian Loew, whose online start-up, Inspire, developed NORD's online features. While experts say the site is no substitute for a doctor, it can provide patients with valuable information and much-needed support.
Marketers are increasingly emphasizing the need for databases and analytics to support their efforts, according to a new study by research firm Alterian. Sixty-seven percent of those surveyed agreed that the most desired skill sets today are in this area and required the biggest investment in 2008. "Marketing led by an integrated database and analytical foundation will continue to drive online programs," said David Eldridge, Alterian CEO. "Increased spending in this area will continue to improve the customer experience." A recent study from Forrester had similar findings.
The New York Times said it will cut 100 of its 1,332 newsroom positions, primarily due to the shift of readers and advertising dollars to the Web. While other newspapers like the Los Angeles Times and Boston Globe have reduced editorial staff in recent years, the Times has increased it by adding Internet-based positions in an attempt to take advantage of the trend for online news. But the paper has struggled to monetize its online operation at a rate that can make up for its annual ad revenue loss of nearly five percent. "To meet our budget goals, we will have to do a little less, and every time we do less, we cede a bit of advantage," Bill Keller, the Times' executive editor, said. "Our challenge will be to set our priorities in such a way that we do less in the areas that damage our competitiveness least."

Video Insights:

Video programming over the Internet is exploding, and reports, Jeff Weingarten, president of Interface Media Group, this sea change will forever alter the systems and conventions where we are entertained, informed, educated and influenced - and it will cause radical realignments in the news, entertainment, instructional and ad businesses.

Weingarten reports that 2008 is already shaping up to be a very intriguing year as we continue to see video expand its reach into a multitude of areas. Internet streaming - video advertising and video branding - all are now mainstream methods for communicating with constituents, employees, associations and the public. Weingarten also had the following observations:

Organizations need to identify and develop strategies to capitalize on the convergence of television and data. The continuing migration of advertisers chasing the viewers that have migrated to the Web will open up new markets for videocentric communication. These new media growth opportunities come in a myriad of areas centered on the digitization, management and distribution of content across multiple platforms. A sampling of these platforms includes: traditional broadcast, video on demand, Internet protocol television, cellular and site based networks.
Once an esoteric technology, online video is now commonplace, we distribute from our studios, clients offices and on the road at events both unique in nature and the mundane. This explosion of online video communication is the culmination of the sea change that has been sweeping our industry. We communicate with our desired audience instantly. Whether it is internal or external communication, online training, online investor relations, online media tours, corporations can be seen and heard immediately on cell phones, pda’s, computers and of course television. Yes you can watch your CEO’s webcast live on your iphone. Savvy companies are keeping this material in online archives to be accessed for as long as necessary.

On The Street

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:00:00 GMT

- The DC office of Ogilvy PR adds Virgin America, a new airline offering flights to cities including DC, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego and soon to Seattle. The agency also adds the National Crop Insurance Services and two senior staffers - Natalie Adler joins as senior VP and Dan Stoneking joins as VP. Adler joins Ogilvy PR after 15 years with Porter Novelli and Stoneking was deputy director of the National Guard Bureau’s Office of Public Affairs. Meanwhile, the agency’s 360° Digital Influence team adds Virginia Miracle as Senior VP and head of digital strategy. Prior to joining Ogilvy PR, Miracle served as director of word-of-mouth marketing with Brains on Fire.

- Qorvis adds Keep America Beautiful. The agency will produce public service announcements and create a new branding campaign for KAB, which is best known for its “Crying Indian” campaign.

- Environics Communications adds Sylvan Learning Center, provider of in-center and live, online home tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels.

- Strategic Communications Group adds the Card Printer Solutions division of Zebra Technologies, which provides specialty printing and automatic identification solutions; and Altron, a provider of professional services to government customers.

- Meryl Streep and Tony Bennett have joined a national campaign to aid Darfur. They star in public service announcements released by USA for UNHCR, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, that builds support in the United States for the humanitarian work of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

- The USO's public service announcement campaign, now in its fifth year, has just topped the $150 million mark. With an ad budget of zero, agency of record Williams Whittle has achieved that media value milestone using a combination of TV, radio, print, outdoor and online advertising. John Hanson, senior VP of marketing and communications at the USO, said, "We are extremely proud of this tremendous achievement. Having such extensive exposure across the country strengthens our great brand and gives us formidable air coverage for our fundraising campaign. The USO is now able to provide more services than ever to our troops."

- Williams Whittle also reports that the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) has completed a campaign designed to get commuters out of cars and into trains. The campaign echoed the sentiments of many Northern Virginia car commuters -- frustration, lost time, late arrivals and exasperation. The print and radio campaign, produced by Williams Whittle, increased riders by 15 percent.

- Two veteran Washington D.C. public affairs experts, Samuel A. Simon and Robin Strongin, created Amplify Public Affairs LLC. The new venture aims to blend “inside the beltway know-how” with innovative communication technologies to provide complete and integrated strategies for its clients. Simon will serve as chairman and Strongin will be president and CEO. Simon’s previous company was Issue Dynamics and Strongin comes from her position as partner at Polidais LLC, a Washington DC public affairs firm specializing in health care. The firm also announced that it acquired Progressive Island, a destination in Second Life designed for progressive, non-profit advocacy groups. The island is currently home to a number of non-profits including the ACLU, IFAW, RootsCamp and part of the NetRoots Nation Convention.

- Widmeyer Communications names Margaret Suzor Dunning to chief strategy officer. In her new role, Dunning will be dedicated to client strategy development and ensuring integration of agency services. Dunning had been VP and director of communications for Public Agenda, a New York-based nonpartisan, nonprofit public opinion research and citizen education organization. Dunning also worked for The Advertising Council.

- Infotech Strategies rebrands itself as e-Luminate Group and now is focusing exclusively on the education market.

- Patrick Riccards has launched Exemplar Strategic Communications. Riccards spent five years on Capitol Hill and 10 years with agencies - including as VP and practice director for Widmeyer Communications and as SVP and practice director for Lipman Hearne.

- IQ Solutions adds Carlos A. Ugarte, M.S.P.H., as senior VP of the knowledge creation group, and Stephanie Adams as VP of contact center operations. The firm also promotes Jennifer Isenberg, M.S., to VP of health communications.

- Marybeth Fraser and Dana Theus, executive marketing consultants and professors at George Mason University’s Technology Management Graduate School, have joined forces to launch B2B Marketing Excellence. The company will offer courses in the core marketing disciplines: branding, product marketing, marketing communications and sales enablement. More at www.B2BMarketingExcellence.com.

- SpeakerBox Communications promotes Lisa Throckmorton to executive VP. Formerly senior VP, she will focus on running the agency’s day-to-day business, overseeing client teams and staffing, and driving training and professional development opportunities for the company.

- J. Scott Punk, APR, long-time member of the DC marketing community, has taken telecommuting to the extreme. As the new director of global publication for ESI International in Arlington, he’s telecommuting full time from a flat in London. In addition to overseeing agency relationships in Singapore and London, he works with Four Leaf PR in Charlottesville.

- Laura MacLean, DC-based social issues communications expert, has been named a national spokeswoman by Trek Bicycle Cop to represent its Women Who Ride campaign and Women Specific Design bicycles and accessories. She is currently featured in Trek ads and catalogs and writes a Women Who Ride blog (http://womenwhoride.typepad.com/laura/). The goal of the campaign is to build a greater community of women cyclists, like her.

- Jennifer Dunn joins Business Wire’s public policy group as account executive. She formerly was with Telecommunications Industry Association and SureScripts.

- Ariel Way, a Vienna-based developer of communications, multimedia and digital signage technologies, will acquire DC-based digital signage company Mason Media Networks.

Late Night Is Alive

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Hillary Clinton’s crucial primary victories in Ohio and Texas were preceded by significant exposure and appearances on two of late night’s biggest TV shows: Saturday Night Live (“SNL”) and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. According to Dan McGinn, CEO of McGinn MS&L, communicators often overlook, at their own peril, the importance of late-night television. His observations follow:

It’s become well-accepted that television, at least in its current form, is declining in importance. After all, ratings for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, and SNL have generally been in a long, slow decline for many years. So who could blame communicators who view late-night as a losing proposition for their brands?

Not so fast. In sharp contrast to morning shows, which have seen ratings declines among younger demographics in recent years, late-night is becoming more influential, and not in ways you might expect. Viewership, which had long been stagnant at best, is actually up over this time last year – and that’s coming off a three-month writer’s strike that left most shows dark. Meanwhile, cable funny men Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert have seen their ratings increase month-to-month among the critical 18-35 demographic, a trend which will only continue as the political season heats up.

This increase in viewership doesn’t even take into account the long tail of viral video. Late-night formats – consisting of 4-5 minute interviews and skits – are easily broken up and dispersed to YouTube and other video sharing sites, which have effectively extended late-night’s reach well beyond that box in the living room. Jon Stewart’s top-five most-watched clips on TheDailyShow.com have garnered 1.3 million hits this year alone with untold hundreds of thousands more views on sites like YouTube. More than a few recent viral phenomena have originated from late-night TV: comedienne Sarah Silverman’s Matt Damon clip originally aired on Jimmy Kimmel Live, has been viewed over 12 million times on YouTube, a figure exponentially higher than Kimmel’s nightly audience – and subsequent responses from the show have had similar success. Stewart, Colbert, and Conan O’Brien’s recent “feud”, where the three hosts were guests on each others’ shows, had extended viral legs as well: in addition to millions of views on YouTube, the video was on the front page of Digg.com, a site that allows users to submit and vote for their favorite news articles and video clips, for hours as a “most popular” item.

The less-serious confines of late-night often are a boon to candidates with perception issues. Clinton, who is often maligned for a seemingly wooden public persona, is much more charming in an interview setting with someone like Stewart. And Mike Huckabee, who in the fall was seen as a niche candidate, saw his appeal boost significantly after appearances on The Colbert Report and Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

In an age where viewers, especially key younger demographics, are being saturated by information from a variety of outlets and perspectives, it’s clear that the American ritual of late-night television is finding new ways to adapt and thrive.

Free Tix

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 20:00:00 GMT

We have two free tickets for a preview performance at the Arena Stage for either Death of a Salesman or A View from the Bridge. To enter our drawing, send an e-mail to phil.rabin@capitolcommunicator.com with the subject line “I want two tix to the Arena Stage” by March 21. The tickets are valid until April 2, 2008.

Premier Issue

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 20:00:00 GMT

The DC ad community honored the best locally-produced ads this month at the “Battle of Awesomeness.” Before an audience of about 375 communicators, the DC Ad Club presented its ADDY awards at the Ronald Reagan Building and Internal Trade Center. The award competition attracted 841 entries from 75 companies reflecting all facets of the communications community: Advertising and marketing agencies, design firms, PR companies, clients, media outlets, printers, suppliers and production companies.

In the awards competition, 104 ADDYs and 146 Citations of Excellence were awarded, with the Best of Show award going to Arnold Worldwide for its “25th Anniversary - A Conversation Piece” produced for USA TODAY. Arnold also won the most awards - a total of 58 (25 ADDYs and 33 Citations of Excellence)

Adworks received 24 awards (8 ADDYs and 16 Citations of Excellence), Rosenthal Partners won 20 (9 ADDYs and 11 Citations of Excellence), Design Army garnered 18 (9 ADDYs and 9 Citations of Excellence) and White Partners also won 18 (3 ADDYs and 15 Citations of Excellence).

ADDY winners now advance to the District Two ADDYs, competing against winners from New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware.

Besides the awards, another evening highlight featured sumo wresting competitions, where attendees dressed as sumo wrestlers and competed against each other. We have plenty of still photos from the ADDY gala on this website, so check them out.

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