Press Release 1: Announcement

For Release: Jan. 25, 2012

Social Media Club of Cache Valley (SMCCV)
President: Preston Parker
1504 Lynnwood Ave.
Logan, UT 84341
661-772-7537

CACHE VALLEY SOCIAL MEDIA CLUB GROWING RAPIDLY
Seeking Even More Members

LOGAN, Utah—The Social Media Club of Cache Valley (SMCCV) President is looking for additional members immediately.

Club President Preston Parker has organized many recruiting efforts, and the group is growing because of them. “We are the premier social media club in the state of Utah,” said Parker. In all, over 100 members make up the Cache Valley Club. The organization is ran by seven board members, all of whom Parker considers “prominent.”

According to Parker, the requirements of membership are simple. These include a commitment to attend weekly meetings, and sending an email requesting acceptance. The Club meets the 2^nd Tuesday of each month except for changed dates on February 7^th, and March 6^th (Due to Valentine’s Day and Spring Break). There is no payment, due, or fee.

SMCCV’s mission is 2-fold. Educate the use of social media, and increase networking. The Club is considered a Non-Profit Charity. Recently Parker has organized charitable projects for American Festival Chorus, Bear River Health Department, Logan Regional Hospital, and ICON Health & Fitness, to list only a few. Tactics have included setting up “flash mobs,” “youtube” channels, “facebook,” and “twitter” accounts.

Local sponsors Expercom, Multimedia Wise, Cache Valley Radio Group, and Bear River Health Department provide funding for SMCCV.

What now? Parker is insistent of reaching the Club’s goals of involving more small businesses, and reaching an older demographic.

The group is growing. At the same time, it seeks new members. After all, shouldn’t the SMCCV want to remain the premier social media club in the State?

After the founding of a SMC in Salt Lake City in January of 2009, the Social Media Club of Cache Valley was organized and founded in August, 2009. Interested individuals from Cache Valley were tired of driving South, so they started their own chapter. The original board started with a few members. In just over 2 years, SMCCV has grown to be the largest social media club in the state.

-END-

Media Director
Colton Thompson
435-890-7070
colton_jazz@hotmail.com

Press Release 1: Announcement Draft

For Release: Jan. 25, 2012

Social Media Club of Cache Valley (SMCCV)

1504 Lynnwood Ave.

Logan, UT 84341

661-772-7537

SOCIAL MEDIA CLUB GROWING RAPIDLY

Cache Valley Wants Even More Members

LOGAN, Utah—The Social Media Club of Cache Valley (SMCCV) President is currently looking for additional members.

Club President Preston Parker has organized many recruiting efforts, and the group is growing because of them. “We are the premier social media club in the state of Utah,” Parker said. Since becoming an official club in August, 2009, the SMCCV has grown to over 100 members. The organization is ran by seven board members, all of whom Parker considers “prominent.”

PR Case Study

PR Case Study

It’s been nearly four years since Dave Carroll’s guitar was damaged by United Airlines. In March of 2008, Dave was flying from Halifax to Omaha when a fellow passenger noticed mistreatment of a guitar case below the plane. The musical device was damaged, and the 9 month battle for compensation with “UA” failed. Or did it?

Many of us know the story. It is not my position or desire to retell the entire escapade, but rather, to share a summarization; including thoughts on who acted appropriately, and who did not. Although Dave was not reimbursed for his damaged guitar, the fame and fortune he gained from writing a song regarding the ordeal, is valued at a much higher price. The Canadian songwriter had inspiration to post a “youtube” video of a song titled “United Breaks Guitars.” Within two weeks, the video went viral. United Airlines lost an estimated $180 million due to the song and video.

Now let’s get to the fun part: Analyzing. Which party is to blame? Who acted ethically? My views are consistent with the majority of the human race when I say, “United screwed the pooch.” At first glance, and at quick take, an individual may think Carroll acted inappropriately and in a mean manner. After all, his actions cost a major airline millions of dollars. When the entire story comes to surface, the negligent party responsible is a no-brainer: “UA” all the way. (Said in a sing-songy chant)

Carroll seemed to be more than patient, calm, and accommodating to the run-around the airline gave him. He tried contacting the right people, filing claims, and making phone calls…but to no avail. Never did Carroll threaten to sue, or get involved with a giant legal dispute with United. Time and time again nothing was done about the damaged instrument. Dave spoke with representatives in India, Halifax, Chicago, and Omaha. The exhausting fight for simple compensation ended after 9 months with emails to “Ms. Irlweg,” who denied Carroll’s claim.

It seems Dave did everything right. At the end of the dismal climb, he told Ms. Irlweg he would be writing 3 songs, and posting the videos on “youtube” for the world to see. This is exactly what Carroll had done, and it has made him feel justified.

What did United Airlines do wrong? Nearly everything. Their entire customer service system is designed to frustrate the consumer until they go away. United took Carroll on a wild goose chase for months, which ended with the airline doing nothing. In my humble opinion, Carroll acted exactly how he should have. Simple customer service would have saved United in the long run.

My advice to Dave- Keep living the dream.

My advice for United Airlines- Go to hell.

I’m out.

Letter to Cousin

Letter to Cousin

Dear Andy,

It’s great to hear from you! Too much time has passed since our last conversation. Hopefully all is well.

I’m more than happy to answer your inquiries regarding public relations. As you know, I currently am studying the subject. Essentially, “PR” is a management function that identifies, establishes, and maintains relationships between an organization and the various publics on whom its’ success depends. It’s used to create quality, positive reputations for an organization or individual.

Celebrities may have a public relations representative to help maintain a positive image of themselves. Brittney Spears and Lindsay Lohan are two individuals who could use help with this. J Public relations is not a field or subject limited to individual people. The largest companies and businesses in the world place heavy emphasis on establishing a positive reputation.

Public relations professionals write about many different topics. These may include but are not limited to: advertisements, positive propaganda, apology letters, official statements, and anything dealing with who they represent. The “PR Director” is the official voice of a company.

Hopefully some of your questions were answered. If not, I would be more than happy to answer anything else! When you come to your senses, we would love to have you become an “Aggie.” You’re a legend, keep on keeping on. Lovey Dovey,

Colton Thompson