Just when I thought I was out…they pull me back in

August 25, 2010

By Chad Mertz, account manager

I thought I had filled out my last timesheet. I thought the days of three client events happening simultaneously were in my past. I saw greener pastures with dancing bears, giggling children and double rainbows.

Let me explain. I began my career in an agency setting. Even before I graduated from Indiana University, I was working full time in the world of client acquisition and service. And don’t get me wrong—I loved it.

But after awhile, I felt the need to explore other avenues.

So when my wife and I moved to Cincinnati for her job, I decided that was the time to make a change. I met an amazingly talented and energetic woman who would eventually become my boss and introduce me to the truly fascinating world of museums.

After a wonderful stint at Cincinnati Museum Center, we moved back to Indiana where I signed on for a temporary gig at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Both organizations are remarkable and I highly recommend a visit to either, regardless of your age.
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The true act of giving back

August 23, 2010

By Karen L. Alter, ABC, senior vice president

Every time August rolls around, I’m flooded with emotions – summer ends, school begins and the seasons change once again. It also marks an annual community event – one that I’m extremely involved in and very passionate about.

Kristi’s Games” is a family festival and fund raiser held in memory and honor of my sister, Kristi Schultz Broughton. Kristi was tragically killed by a drunk driver on September 8, 2001. During her short life, she was very involved with her community and worked to raise funds for a cause near and dear to her heart – Lutheran High School of Indianapolis.

Prior to her untimely death, Kristi had put the wheels in motion for the first-ever “Lutheran Fam-Jam” as she coined it. As cheerleading coach at Lutheran High, a volunteer coach for several sports and a former high school athlete herself, Kristi was eager to bring her vision to life as a way to help students and provide additional funds for the private school’s athletic programs.

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Borshoff draws first blood

August 19, 2010

By Lisa Tellus, account manager

Borshoff employees are known for their competitive nature and will to succeed; but do they actually take it as far as to draw blood? Well, this morning 26 Borshoff employees did just that at our first ever blood drive. With outstretched arms and a foam squeezie in hand, we lined up and took one for the team.

The initial motivation to host a blood drive at Borshoff’s office came from our participation in this year’s Indiana Sports Corp’s Corporate Challenge. Corporate teams have the opportunity to earn points by donating blood. While the idea to host a blood drive may have started as a way to improve our score for the Corporate Challenge, we ended up learning a lot about how we were helping our community and are energized to encourage others to do the same.

Did you know?

  • Every three seconds someone needs blood.
  • 4.5 million Americans would die each year without lifesaving blood transfusions.
  • Approximately 32,000 pints of blood are used each day in the United States.
  • Just one pint of donated blood can help save as many as three people’s lives.
  • Cancer patients may need transfusions daily.

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Love Freebies? Looking for ways to save energy and money?

August 18, 2010

Join IPL for free lunch on the Circle and learn more about the Home Energy Inspector

By Bryana Schreiber, account associate

Borshoff client Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) will serve 500 free lunches in front of the Emmis Communications building on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis starting at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 19.

IPL recently launched the Home Energy Inspector, an online energy audit tool that allows visitors to answer simple questions about their home and receive customized tips on how to save on utility bills.

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My name’s been off the door three years – but I’m still here

August 16, 2010

By Susan Matthews, APR, principal

Three years ago this month, my name came off the door. We said farewell to “Borshoff Johnson Matthews” and our co-branded creative branch “2Fold.” We melded together and became known as simply “Borshoff.”

It was a good move. We believe in collaboration and coordinated communications. One name for one team in one company – working together for our clients.

Yes, I had been very proud to have my name on the door. But I’m even prouder today, as our focused vision has moved our agency forward with purpose and clarity. In spite of the recent economic challenges, and in part because of the name change and all it represents, we are stronger than ever.

Three years ago when I told my mother we were sunsetting the name Borshoff Johnson Matthews, she paused and said, “Well, it does sound like a fuddy-duddy law firm.”

Mom was right. But because she’s a mom, she still drinks her coffee from a Borshoff Johnson Matthews mug.

Welcome Angélique d’Estève and Stéphanie Kanoui

August 10, 2010

By Susan Matthews, APR, principal

Borshoff’s public relations professionals generally don’t have accents in their names. And they don’t live in Paris, France either.

But Angélique and Stéphanie do. And while they are not Borshoff employees, they are definitely part of our team – our IPREX team that is.  Angelique and Stephanie run The Desk, the newest public relations firm to join this international association of independent communications agencies.

IPREX brings together 68 independent agencies from 30 countries, totaling 90 offices worldwide. So far this year we’ve welcomed new partners in Madrid, Copenhagen, and New Zealand.

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Super big sports reputation in Indy

August 6, 2010

By Bob Schultz, APR, senior account director

Congratulations Indianapolis for scoring – once again – a huge sporting event that is sure to draw thousands of visitors and millions of dollars to our hometown. Just yesterday, the newly expanded Big Ten Conference leadership called an audible and handed off the hosting rights for its inaugural Big Ten football championship to Indianapolis in 2011.

No doubt, the passionate and talented leadership of the Indiana Sports Corporation and the ever-professional staff of the much-acclaimed Lucas Oil Stadium will run with the proverbial football in the same cadence that has proven success with other recent high-profile events, such as the Big Ten and NCAA basketball tournaments here.

How did this happen? And just as critical – why is this important?  All answers point to the word, “reputation.”

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We’re going to Monument Circle today. Are you?

July 30, 2010

By Holly Havener, CPS, executive administrator

Here’s why you should…

Today marks the sixth annual Ronald McDonald House of Indiana Pop Tab Drop. Staff and volunteers from the House are convening until 2 p.m. at Monument Circle to collect pop tabs.

The effort raises money to benefit families with seriously ill or injured children who are staying at Riley Hospital. This is the second year Borshoff has participated in the Pop Tab Drop.

Pop tabs seem small, but they make a huge impact. The dollars raised by recycling the tabs total between $50,000 and $70,000 annually. That covers the cost of three rooms at Ronald McDonald House of Indiana for an entire year and helps countless families of sick kids.

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I want to be a clinical psychologist, says a “strong, smart, bold” Girls Inc. girl

July 28, 2010

By Susan Matthews, principal

Today I had the pleasure of attending the 2010 “Making Herstory” Touchstone Awards, the annual Girls Inc. luncheon.

Congratulations are due to the four outstanding women who are this year’s Touchstone Honorees: Juana O. Watson, Ed.D., founder of Friends of Hidalgo and Badges Without Borders; Fay H. Williams J.D., attorney, private practice; the honorable Becky Skillman, Lt. Governor, State of Indiana – and our own Myra Borshoff Cook, founding principal of Borshoff.

Before the ceremony, Myra took a few minutes to chat with one of the terrific young girls who participate in Girls Inc. programming. Hear what Myra learned from Makala, who wants to be a clinical psychologist when she grows up.

The gift that keeps on giving

July 26, 2010

By Katherine Coble, vice president

Last Saturday I attended the United Way Diversity Volunteer Recognition breakfast at the invitation of one of my fellow Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership (SKL) Series classmates, Sonia Chen. I was excited to go because I’d recently taken over our firm’s diversity initiative, and I thought this would be a great opportunity to connect with others and see what was going on in the community.

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