10 / 07 / 2010

Adapting to the changing media landscape

By Linda Jackson, APR, account director

An interesting article was posted to the Bulldog Reporter site yesterday about the growing influence of social media and need for PR practitioners to keep up. Three take-aways pulled directly from the article:

1. The use of social media at public relations and public affairs firms has jumped 12%-15% in the past year. Currently, the total percentage of work devoted by firms to social media as opposed to traditional media is 30% overall, and next year, the percentage will increase to an average of 42%. In a year or two, the percentage will be over 50%.
2. PR practitioners — and firms in particular — must get increasingly up to speed to know what the online dynamic is all about and how to use it. They will need new skills, because mastering this space is a lot more than just setting up a Facebook account — PR people need to know how to create online advocacy programs that address issues, marketing support initiatives that help to push products, surveys that keep customers and others involved in what their clients do. Most important, they have to understand the of the need to create a strategic plan, not just throw stuff up helter-skelter like it is being done now by many firms.
3. Some people are interpreting our prediction of the dominance of social media as an outright replacement of traditional media — that won’t necessarily happen, but social media will become the primary focus of PR efforts in the next few years, overtaking traditional media as the dominant focus.

8 / 25 / 2010

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

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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3 / 22 / 2010

Meet some of Indiana’s best and brightest

by Bill Lovejoy, vice president

On Friday, the Borshoff hallways were buzzing with more voices than usual when we welcomed 15 college students who were participating in the first American Marketing Association (AMA) Marketing 360 event to our agency. The students are marketing, public relations and communications majors from schools across Indiana, including Ball State, Indiana Wesleyan, the University of Indianapolis and more.

How do you keep 15 college kids engaged for more than an hour? In our case, after giving them an office tour, five Borshoff staff members told the students a little about our widely different careers and what makes them challenging, interesting and fun. And since we were a diverse bunch (including our founder Myra Borshoff Cook and others who represent account management, events, public relations and art direction), we had a blast telling the students different stories about why we love what we do. (more…)

3 / 18 / 2010

‘Free Your Mind’ for Disability Awareness Month

By Jennifer Regnier, account coordinator

During March, people with disabilities, families, schools and others will celebrate Disability Awareness Month statewide with community events, school assemblies, classroom curriculum and other activities.

Led by the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, this year’s Disability Awareness Month features the theme “Free Your Mind.” The campaign inspires Hoosiers to embrace the differences of adults and children with disabilities – a group that represents nearly 20 percent of Indiana’s population.

Each year, Borshoff works with the Council to develop a unique theme for Disability Awareness Month and produces campaign materials. This year’s materials feature people of different ages and ethnicities – with and without disabilities – lying on the grass and gazing at the sky with optimism and enthusiasm. The text reminds us that by embracing people’s differences, we open ourselves to a world of new possibilities. When we free our minds and see the potential inside everyone, we’ll expand our horizons – and our circle of friends.

2 / 23 / 2010

It’s the Year of the TIGER in Indy

by Jennifer Dzwonar, APR, principal

I was elated when I learned that the Indianapolis Cultural Trail will receive a $20.5 million TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant from the federal Department of Transportation. This means the Trail, which will be an eight-and-a-half-mile urban bike and pedestrian path connecting various downtown cultural venues, can now be completed in the next two years.

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2 / 03 / 2010

They sent you WHAT?

By Josh Taylor, graphic designer

As a graphic designer at an advertising and PR agency, I’m charged with finding creative ways to send information on behalf of our clients. While it’s becoming increasingly rare to send direct mail, it still happens. The problem with direct mail is it’s often as well received as a telemarketing call – except instead of being hung up on it gets thrown away.

And that’s the challenge: make the mailer so interesting that the recipient’s gut reaction isn’t “trash, trash, bill, trash” but something more like “trash, trash, bill, oooooooh.” There’s a lot to consider before getting creative on a mailed piece: Can it be any shape? How small or large can it get? How much postage does this bad boy need? (more…)

1 / 26 / 2010

Why APR matters to me

By Linda Jackson, APR, account director

Some people have MBA after their name, others CPA or LEED. For me and my profession, it’s APR. In October 2009, I became one of only 5,000 public relations professionals who hold the APR mark, which stands for Accreditation in Public Relations.

Although Borshoff doesn’t require it, our agency places a high value on professional accreditation and advanced degrees. All four of our principals and several of the account staff have earned Accreditation or an advanced degree (or both). In fact, Borshoff has more accredited professionals than any other agency or company in Indiana. (more…)

11 / 24 / 2009

Turkey as easy as 123

By Susan Matthews, APR, principal

It’s Thanksgiving week, and I have a lot to be thankful for during these challenging economic times. Professionally, I’m grateful that our public relations and advertising agency is solidly in the black.

Personally, I’m eagerly anticipating the arrival of 22 family members over the next few days. My husband and I are well-seasoned when it comes to roasting a turkey and making all the sides. That is, we’re experienced preparing for a group of seven or 10.

This Thanksgiving is different. When I add in breakfasts as well as Wednesday and Friday dinners, I figure we’ll be serving a grand total of 123 meals. Gulp.

I must admit, about a month ago the challenge seemed daunting. More than 100 meals for family and friends aged 4 to 82. We have just one oven. We didn’t yet have a plan. For me, that’s scary stuff.

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