Posts Tagged ‘indianapolis’

Women nurture nature

Monday, April 25th, 2011

By Linda Jackson, APR, senior account director

Earlier this month, our agency had the privilege of promoting the Indianapolis “red carpet” premiere of the IMAX documentary Born to Be Wild 3D.  My daughter and I took in the movie over the weekend at the Indiana State Museum, and we both left with a greater appreciation for the work done by two strong and determined female conservationists – celebrated elephant authority Dame Daphne M. Sheldrick and world-renowned primatologist Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas.

Dr. Galdikas – a nominee for the 2010 Indianapolis Prize, the world’s leading award for animal conservation – exemplifies what a truly special group of conservationists they are…a group that includes more than a dozen women, many of whom go about their work as guardians of the earth’s endangered animals without fanfare. (more…)

Earth Day 2011

Friday, April 22nd, 2011

By Holly Havener, executive administrator

Happy Earth Day! How are you celebrating?

Check out “A Billion Acts of Green®,” a project attempting to generate a billion green efforts before Rio’s Earth Summit in 2012. With the world population nearing seven billion people, that’s only one green effort for every seven people. If we each do our part, we can reach a billion green acts and then some.

My personal contributions include walking more and driving less. When driving is necessary, I’m finding ways to make my already fuel-efficient Prius even more efficient. I’ve already increased my average miles per gallon to 46.6 mpg. I’m also doing more reusing and recycling at home. And, as Borshoff’s “green queen,” I’m making sure that our company continues to find new ways to green the office as well. (more…)

“Health is the new green.” A look at IUPUI’s PR Lifelines in Health Care conference

Monday, April 11th, 2011

By Jackie Koumpouras, account associate

Working full time while being a part-time student certainly has its benefits. Last Thursday, the Master’s program I’m enrolled in conducted its third annual PR Lifelines in Health Care conference at its campus center in downtown Indianapolis.

PR Lifelines in Health Care is presented by the Indiana University School of Journalism Master of Arts in Public Relations program at IUPUI. The conference is designed to provide PR professionals, in the health care and life science industries of central Indiana, with some of the latest communications tools, information and strategies that can be a “lifeline” to new ideas and innovative programs involving health care. I had the opportunity to attend not only as a graduate student studying PR health care but also as a representative of Borshoff.

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Reflecting on the tower crisis, five years later

Friday, April 1st, 2011

By Susan Matthews, APR, principal

Tomorrow night marks the fifth anniversary of the “tower crisis,” when straight line winds in excess of 80 mph ripped through downtown Indianapolis, tearing off outer walls of the upper stories of One Indiana Square.

The building’s owners called us the next morning, and we immediately mobilized a team of crisis communication pros to drive a comprehensive communications effort.

We provided regular updates to some 40 businesses that were displaced from the City’s third largest skyscraper. We also served as the key media spokesperson, interfaced with the mayor’s office and public safety officials, and managed myriad logistics when 1,000 employees couldn’t work in their offices for a minimum of three weeks. (Some tenants couldn’t return for months.)

We learned a lot from that crisis. A few highlights: (more…)

Chet Burger: A generous mentor

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011

By Myra Borshoff Cook, APR, Fellow PRSA, Principal

When I bought out my first partner at the end of 1986, two years after we started the firm, I was exhausted and panic-stricken, so I sought advice from my mentor here in Indianapolis.  He asked, “Who is the preeminent professional in your business?”  I told him immediately, “Chet Burger.”  He advised, “Call him up and see if he’ll meet with you to talk about growing and managing a firm.”  I bought a ticket to New York City for March 17, thinking that I’d go to the parade if I couldn’t schedule the meeting with him.  Then I called his firm and asked to speak to him.  He took my call!  I said that I had planned a trip to New York and wondered if he would be willing to meet with me on the 17th.  He agreed. (more…)

How-to tips for planning a panel discussion

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

By Bill Lovejoy, vice president

As vice president of programming for the American Marketing Association (AMA), Indianapolis Chapter, I plan and moderate panel discussions on timely topics of interest to our members.

There are many important elements of planning and moderating a successful panel. Here are a few of my top tips: (more…)

One mile at a time

Friday, February 25th, 2011

By Angela Tuell, APR, account director

Josh Bleill, Indianapolis Colts community spokesperson, knows a lot about life-changing challenges. At the age of 27, he joined the Marine’s reserve and was deployed to Iraq where he experienced an IED attack, lost two close friends and both of his legs. Josh spent nearly two years recovering at Walter Reed in Maryland, where he met Colts owner Jim Irsay while the team was on a trip to the White House after winning the Super Bowl. That day, Jim made Josh a promise to fly him home and offer him a job with the Colts as soon as he recovered. (more…)

Super Serenity

Monday, February 7th, 2011

By Bob Schultz, APR, senior account director

Welcome home 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee! Once you chip and shovel away the ice blocking your front doors, it’s time to unpack those note-filled binders and share with us the lessons learned from North Texas. Yes, the Super Bowl – THE Super Bowl – is less than a year away now and all eyes turn to Indianapolis.

These past few months of solid planning, coupled with these past several years of vested experience, equals a great deal of wisdom and knowledge. And so I offer you a familiar prayer – the often-called Serenity Prayer:  “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”

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When will Spring spring?

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

By Holly Havener, executive administrator

While working from home this morning – stuck inside because of a colossal Midwest ice storm – I watched with the rest of the nation eagerly awaiting news about the arrival of spring. Would Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow, indicating another six weeks of winter? Or, would his shadow stay hidden, ensuring an early spring? (more…)

Recipe for recognition

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011

By Ryan Noel, senior art director

Our client Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) sponsors tons of worthy causes and community events. So we did a series of 12 ads focusing on how energy is well-spent in the following area: the arts, diversity, environment, social outreach, sports and education.

As you might imagine, the ads are placed in a wide range of programs and publications. Most recently the ad series appeared the Communication Arts (CA) Typography Annual! Pretty sweet, I admit.

But it’s still not as fun as getting to do work you love, with people you love working with (Jenn Berry, Creative Director; Bill Lovejoy, Account Director; Colin Dullaghan, Writer; Penelope Dullaghan, Illustrator). Awards and recognition… that’s gravy. Really delicious gravy.