Category Archives: Clients in the News
1968 – The Year My Mom Surprised Us!
War in Vietnam. Riots at home. The assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. Black power, women’s liberation and rock concerts. The first images of earth from outer space. In 1968, we saw it all.
The War in Iraq. Same-sex marriage. Public space travel and tourism. The first black president. Women breaking the glass ceiling. The parallels between news in 1968 and news today are strikingly similar. Never before had we experienced such broad sweeping and lasting events as those in 1968 — until now. With events that have the power to transform a generation and a nation, the impact of 1968 is still relevant today as America is once again redefining its identity and legacy as it navigates comparable events and decisions.
Clients in the News: University of Minnesota’s Institute of Technology
Each month, we spotlight a “client in the news” in our e-newsletter. This month, we’re highlighting the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Technology.
A brand is far more than a name, logo and tagline. Yet these are the visual representations of the brand and lay a foundation for us to attach our perceptions. Some names stick around forever. Others lose their relevancy. And one was celebrated with a flash mob!________________________________________________
Preserving Tradition and Embracing Change: Transitioning the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Technology to the College of Science & Engineering
For the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Technology, that name no longer accurately reflected its scope. The shorthand for Institute of Technology – IT – made people think of Information Technology, conjuring images of computers, high-tech equipment and technical support instead of science, mathematics, engineering and other related disciplines. This disconnect presented a challenge and after exhaustive brand research by the graduate school’s Carlson Brand Enterprise, a simple, new name emerged: the College of Science & Engineering.
Clients in the News: Affinity Plus
It is no secret that media influence reputation and purchasing decisions. For this reason, media relations is often an integral to a PR campaign. In conjunction with other strategies, it can increase visibility and significantly evolve a brand – all part of RMPR’s results-that-matter approach to public relations.
Each month, we spotlight a “client in the news” in our monthly e-newsletter. This month, we’re highlighting Twin Cities-based Affinity Plus.
Recent headlines have been riddled by news of government bailouts and the recession, but Affinity Plus’ “members first, business second” credo helped the organization steer clear of controversy. RMPR boosted the visibility of Affinity Plus, Minnesota’s second-largest credit union, with a media relations campaign touting its different approach to service.
To gain media coverage and establish thought leadership among its current and potential members, Risdall McKinney Public Relations (RMPR) developed and executed a public relations campaign aimed at the key Minnesota markets. The media outreach was implemented concurrently with a media audit that gauged existing media coverage of Affinity Plus as well as reporters’ familiarity with the organization. The outreach focused on introducing Affinity Plus and its different way of doing business to reporters while presenting Affinity Plus President and CEO Kyle Markland as a thought leader in the industry.
Learn more about the campaign and the results of RMPR’s efforts in our newsletter.