This year the Lord gave my life verse early. I usually prayerfully ask for wisdom on December 31st in seeking a Life Verse for the year, but when I read this scripture mid-December I knew it was me in 2012. It's in Hebrews, the Bible's Hall of Fame of Faith, and its perfect for where I am right now in my life spiritually, professionally, personally, financially, emotionally and all those other words that end in lly!

"So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong." Hebs. 12:12-13

Contrast that verse with the ones He gave me last year and you will see how wonderful they complement each other and how this year's verse is a natural next step in His teaching, guiding and healing.

Regarding my general walk last year, He pointed my heart to follow Isaiah 41:13.

For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!

Then, regarding 2011 business and other such endeavors, He gave me Habakkuk 3:19:

The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!

Those who know me have often heard me say that I want the New Year to start in the worst way. I am personally done with 2011 and am not sad to see it end by any means. I do understand that it's through trials that we grow the most, but, I am anxious for a reprieve. 2011 was marked by great loss, disappointments and frustrations - more so than  usual. I needed those verses and many times they got me through difficult times because I knew God was holding my right hand and that His army was battling for me. How I clung to those verses.

This year, due to weathering the storms of 2011, I do feel a bit stronger and need to take

a new grip with my tired hands and thus, strengthen my weak knees. It's time to stand firm in my Faith and know that God is in control and is going to provide. There's no more room for DOUBT. And there's no more excuses for me not marking out a straight path so I won't fall but become strong! This verse is perfect.

I often teach students that if they don't have a plan or goal, they won't have direction. Heck, without a map or a GPS device, we get lost.

So I'm charting out a map and keeping to it. God is my compass and I Trust Him Always. He's keeping up his end of His promises and all I need to do is take a new grip. Will you join me?

Happy New Year!

All My Best,

Cindy

Attending the Los Angeles Auto Show as a member of the press, I thought that I was going to hear an earful about added horsepower, hemi engines and fuel-efficient cars. Never did I imagine I'd belearning about the world's first social gaming initiative for a product reveal.

FORD AND ZYNGA PARTNER ON PRODUCT LAUNCH

In full disclosure, Ford Motor Corporation through Scott Monty offered me the opportunity to receive a press credential to cover the LA Auto Show.  That offer did indeed impact my desire to cover Ford's press conference, but, even if I hadn't been a guest of Ford, I'd cover this story for it's game changing and absolutely brilliant. Ford is definitely breaking new marketing ground and thinking outside the box in connecting with consumers.

Ford has partnered with Zynga, the world's largest social gaming developer. What? Yes Ford, one of the largest car manufacturers on the globe has partnered with Zynga's Words with Friends game (think online Scrabble) to launch the all-new model of the Escape, the company's newest sport utility vehicle which will arrive next year. This new model includes 11 new exclusive features, including an available hands-free power liftgate that allows quick and easy access to cargo with a kick of the foot.

Yeah, this stuff is cool...but I can't get over Ford's brilliance in understanding the power behind social gaming, which a few years ago was known as casual gaming. According to a survey conducted last February for Popcap Games by Information Services Group, one hundred million people are playing social games and approximately $1 billion in revenue is expected this year. Did you see that figure - over 100 million people play social games.  So, if word-of-mouth is the best form of advertising, Ford is on to something marrying a launch of a product with a social game. What a brilliant move. Bravo Ford.

SOCIAL GAMING IS GOOD PR

I was able to videotape Jim Farley, Ford Motor Co.'s Group Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Service, as he announced the Zynga deal as well as their new reality web component called Escape Routes. Ford is teaming with Emmy award-winning reality producers to create an interactive web series and are going to send out six teams of two in a Ford Escape and imbed a blogger in each car. The teams will be cast and the series should resemble CBS' "Amazing Race." To find out more or to learn about local casting calls, visit Escaperoutes.com.

Want to hear about Ford's social gaming iniatiatives yourself. Check out the video of Jim Farley below from the company's LA Auto Show Ford press conference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

. I never thought those two words would enter my life. But they did last May when my 83-year-old mom was diagnosed with the disease.  She was one of the nearly 290,000 women in the U.S. who have tumors discovered in their breasts, according to the American Cancer Society.

EARLY DETECTION IS KEY

What causes this disease? There are many factors that are linked to cancer including family history, gene mutations and a women's reproduction history. I can venture to say that almost everyone reading this article knows someone who has been affected by this disease for it is estimated that one out of every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes. One in eight...that's a number too close to home.

The disease comes in many forms and has a variety of treatments. My mom was extremely fortunate that her lumps were found early in their first stages of cancer.  She initially was brought in for one breast tumor, but in a MRI it was discovered that the cancer was also present in the other.  As a result, she underwent a double mastectomy and is healing well. Thank you or all your prayers who have been a part of this with us. With that, I can't emphasize the importance of having an annual mammogram for women over 40 or immediately after a lump is discovered. Early detection is key with this particular disease.

This post is dedicated to my greatest hero, my mom, and to every women, child, husband and family affected by this disease. I am sending you my support and encouragement to all those who are dealing with this disease in your household. I am sending you my best wishes and will happily pray for you if you let me know.

PINK IS ALWAYS APPROPRIATE

I appreciate all the attention that is drawn to this cancer every October with Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Some companies that doing their part are The NFL who is bringing recognition to the disease by having its teams accessorize in pink; Yoplait for its 13th year is  sponsoring "Save Lids Save Lives," a campaign donating money to breast cancer outreach programs and Lifetime Network who has produced a TV movie about breast cancer, "5", in support of bringing more attention to this disease.

The hospital, Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital (PIH), who treated my mom planned a special event for breast cancer survivors. The Hospital sponsored a special art show where breast cancer survivors decorated bras to tell the journey of their disease.  My mom participated in this project and it definitely assisted in helping to lift her spirits.

Her particular bra for the "Bra-Vo" contest was as a beautiful as she is...it's a positive look at the cancer and I wanted to share her story with the world.  My mom does make this world a better place to live...and I hope that her story helps to inspire others.

Here's my mom's story.

Target in that list? I recently was researching the price of an appliance and was soon blown away (in a good way) by Target's re-design of its website.  Have you seen it lately? It's hip, relevant, useful, trendsetting and on the mark in so many ways.

A NEWS MAGAZINE LOOK AND FEEL

I must say that as a consumer the look and feel I experience watching Target's TV commercials and browsing its web are entirely different that the emotions I feel while shopping in its stores. I do have several new Targets (built from scratch) in my neighborhood and although, the store is getting hipper in its wares, I still find the store clunky to navigate and often have to wait long periods of time to check out. However, that's not what I feel about its website.

Target is a major department store, however, the front page of its website does not convey that fact. Target has re-designed its website to display the appearance of an online news magazine or with that, even a writer's online portfolio. I love this new layout.

Target provides more space on all of its pages versus the traditional sites that compact products in rows and columns. The company has also designed the site with the first focal point being the top right side of the pages. Experts note that we naturally read like a backward "S" starting at the top right side of web pages.

Here's a look at Target's landing page.

As you can see by the screen grab above, each of the three sections give the appearance of a blog with news stories. Let's take a deeper dive into its layers. Let's look what happens when we click on Women's Clothing.

NATURAL CROSS PROMOTION - CALL FOR CONSUMER SHARING 

Clever, clever, clever. What a well thought out website! I've included two areas where I particularly am impressed with this website.  Did you see the call to action in the upper right hand image - they want customers to post a picture of their fashion style on Target's Facebook page and if they do they will get special discounts. I love that engagement and call to action to "like" their page. (I just reviewed Target on Facebook and didn't see any consumer posts...so perhaps they should highlight that section a bit more.)

Also, did you see that Kellogg's Special K is an advertiser on its page.  It definitely is the right product for that particular page for what woman doesn't want to lose a couple of pounds to look better in their clothes?

In addition to a more streamlined website, Target has beefed up its relationships with celebrities and fashion designers. Recently, Target made the news when its site crashed about the announcement of carrying the Missoni line. Customers were mad that the product sold out in minutes, but this was GIANT win-win for Target. Free publicity. New customers and a hip product.

Target is definitely hitting the bullseye and marketers could learn a few new tricks from them.

What do you think?

 

 

Can you "win" too much?

In the case of Charlie Sheen, he's gulping a tall glass of mea culpa and eating humble pie right now for he's done just that - except his winning wasn't that, it was the opposite...losing. And now after not being able to handle being fired from a $1.2 million dollar a week paycheck on CBS' "Two and a Half Men," he is trying to mop up after himself and doing a PR about-face.

Do you think Charlie will be able to rebound after his unstable recent past?

I know I don't need to explain Charlie Sheen's predicament and what lead him to start his own crisis management. You all are too well aware of his podcasts, tweets, live shows and contentious battles with his former employers, Warner Bros. TV.

However, all of a sudden Sheen has apparently seen the light. I don't know where and when the light bulb went off and he started realizing that he was a tornado that was destroying everything and everyone in his path. But, I'd glad he did and I'm happy that he's trying to make amends wherever and whenever possible.

As a PR practitioner, Charlie Sheen has been an amazing case study to follow. From being a train wreck taking his own PR into his own hands last March, to now, publicly pleading for forgiveness, we all can learn from his mistakes. Sheen is on the Good Ship Lollipop PR train doing whatever he can to be self-deprecating about his past and trying to move forward so he can be perceived as a stable employee, father, son and well, human being.

From firing his longtime publicist early last year, he's now employed one once again.  And although, he was allowed to be a presenter at the Emmys for ratings, you have admit that it was smart strategy to use that platform to publicly apologize and try to save your face. Can you think of another venue that would allow you to be in front of over 12 million viewers in one swoop?

PR WHIRLWIND

The PR profession is alive and well and in full operation with the triad surrounding Sheen. Not only is Sheen trying to stay in the message, publicists for "Two and a Half Men" are trying to keep their message in the trend whirlwind as well. For no matter how you slice it, when Sheen speaks, the media and public listen. When someone from "Two and A Half Men" speaks...they have to speak loader to get noticed if Sheen is not recognized. He is a news magnet.

With that, have you noticed Ashton Kutcher making the rounds to talk shows? Did you see Jon Cryer get a star on the Walk of Fame? CBS' PR team is on high alert to succeed this year without Sheen.

Who will get the last laugh? Well, if you tuned into Comedy Central's Roast of Charlie Sheen Monday night  (another perfectly timed appearance), Charlie would tell you he's already won.

And who could argue that! He's now allegedly getting a $25 million settlement and doesn't have a financial worry in the world. However, with this new Charlie we are seeing, he has a conscious and an awareness that his behavior was in poor judgement. I just hope he starts the healing process toward finding that peace that passes all understanding.

Time does heal all wounds...and the viewing public will come around once he consistently proves that he on the stable train to wellness. That's the best PR he can buy.

Don't take my word for it. Here's Charlie's view from his recent roast.

Roast of Charlie Sheen	Mon, Sept 19 10/9c
Charlie Sheen - Charlie on Mars
www.comedycentral.com
Comedy Central Funny TV Shows Roast of Charlie Sheen

 

 

Yesterday I was interviewed by at third-year college student for an assignment in one of her public relations classes.  I do about a dozen of these a year for various students and I love how each one is always different. This particular student wanted me to define what public relations is...and so I threw it back in her court to answer first. She gave a very intelligent long answer about like its caring for a brand and communicating messages effectively through the use of journalists. But I told her my answer was in the title. Public Relations is just that. Public - Relations.

KEEP PR SIMPLE

It's all about how you relate to the public, the media, colleagues, companies...public relations is about relating in any form or fashion.  It's really that simple.

Public relations professionals are only as good as their contacts and as good as their strategies for spreading a message.  And that's why social media is the perfect complement to public relations. Success on that platform deals with how well a person can provide engaging content.

Sometimes when looking for an answer, its right in front of your face. PR people often forget that at the end of day that it is how well we are able to communicate to others how they should write about whatever we are representing.  Therefore, for anyone starting out in the PR field or for those who are responsible for that area in their job, they should heed these simple suggestions.

TIPS FOR PR SUCCESS

(1). Don't ever assume people will write about your product. Great content will get covered if its story is told interestingly for coverage.

(2.) A press release on its own is never a good strategy for pick up. Distributing press releases over a wire will not garner top-notch results, because you need to send it to a targeted list of people whom you know that cover that sort of product. It's a left-right punch.

(3.) Relationships are the key to any business. Therefore, build up your followers and fans so that when you need some help in starting a movement, you have a terrific base to start from and grow upon. Keep meeting people online and in person - every connection made does present some opportunity.

Yep, it's that simple. If you know how to relate to others, then you are on your way being a success in public relations. That's my PR tip for the day.

Cindy Ronzoni is a public relations veteran who has been building media relationships her entire career. She often speaks to college students and provides seminars to train small business professionals. In all her efforts, she exhorts simplicity in all that she does.

 

I'll never forget the occurrences of 9-11, and I know you won't either. What an unreal day.  At 8:46 a.m. ET/5:46 a.m. PT the first plane crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center and 17 minutes later it happened again to the south tower. And, it wasn't over - at 9:37 a.m., Flight 77 rammed into the west wing of the Pentagon building and later at 10:03 a.m. Flight 93 crashed near Pittsburgh, PA. The horrors and nightmare of September 11, 2001.

The human race lost nearly 3,000 people with these four combined incidents. The skies turned into a war zone and New York City a triage area. America and the world was never the same.

Even though it occurred ten years ago, to me it still feels like yesterday. As I watch the TV specials and documentaries about this day, old feelings and memories are flooding my mind.

I remember how scared I felt about not being able to control what was happening to my country. I felt vulnerable because as a nation we were vulnerable. I've never known that in my lifetime, before or since.

ENEMY ATTACKS

I remember how the news reporters said that anyone currently in flight had reason to worry. If there were four planes hijacked, could there be more? I remember canceling my plans for the day and staying home where I thought it would be the safest. The only thing that I do on that day was fall on my knees in prayer.

The impact of the September 11 shocked the nation for days. I remember being transfixed for about four days to my TV set. You couldn't take your eyes off of it....you yearned for stories of hope, of families being reunited and fire personnel being found.

NEVER FORGET

And now as I ready to the 10th Anniversary tomorrow, I'm in the same position. On my knees praying that the potential new terrorist threats are not true. For the life of me, why do people on this earth think mayhem by violence is the best way to get attention or control.

My heart is heavy to all those family members who lost a loved one on this day. The pain that they constantly feel is one that they carry with them the rest of their lives.

September 11, 2001 will never be forgotten and the victims will not be forgotten. They are modern-day heroes and as such, deserve honor. They died at the hands of an enemy - and - God forbid may we never experience such a catastrophe on our soil ever again.

 

 

Did you happen to catch today's Wall Street Journal front page feature on paper clips? Yes, I just wrote paper clips.

At first I thought this was an odd, boring choice for a story selection, and I pondered why this premier publication would devote prime real estate to such an ordinary product.  It didn't take me long, a couple of sentences, to get its point.  I learned that a paper clip is rare because it has withstood its classic design for over 100 years. How many things can you say that about?

This thought led me to further thought about whether we should keep certain things that work well alone and stop slapping "new improved" stickers on just about everything that gets sold or consumed.

DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE NEW AND IMPROVED?

I mean we've all heard this statement before, if it ain't broken don't fix it.

I don't like that statement - but, in this case it certainly applies. Paper clips are still as relevant today as they were the day they were introduced into the marketplace in 1903. Sure, you can add colors to them or designs or coat them in plastic. But at the end of the day is there any better tool to fix papers without leaving a mark, to un-clog glue bottles or clean under your finger nails in a pinch?

With that being said, are there things about your business or the work that you do that you shouldn't improve upon because they work well?

A CLASSIC BUSINESS PLAN

Here's what I would say about my PR business. No matter what new whiz-bang social media tool that comes out, I don't want to lose personal connection and phone calls. My business success lies in having connections with real people, journalists, and I've built up those relationships through the years by having conversations with them over the phone or in-person. That's really my business secret, my paper clip, if you will and one that I hope to never change.

But, I do feel that most things in life and businesses lend themselves to change. And here's another example.

Last night I was watching "Ludo Bites America" on the Sundance Channel. It's a reality series featuring Chef Ludo Lefebvre and his wife Krissy and it chronicles the process they go through as they take over spaces or restaurants for an evening to create a "pop up" food experience worthy of a multi-Michelin star chef. This particular episode centered on Chef Ludo taking over a family owned local Mexican restaurant in Redondo Beach, CA.

Now, any business owner with a sluggish, older clientage would jump at this once-in-a-lifetime chance to pick up some new younger, hipper foodie customers. Even though, Krissy and Chef Ludo packed out this older establishment, this particular episode gave us viewers the impression that the general manager was not going to incorporate any of the new menu items or business practices that "Ludo Bites" brought in.

The GM said numerous times on camera, "that if it ain't broken, we aren't going to fix it." In my head, my response to that each time was how she was missing an amazing opportunity to bring in new business.

Mind you, I love a great shredded beef taco or burrito - keep those items on the menu, but add tapis which are certainly "in vogue" these days. Also, by adding in reservations and allowing people to sit and enjoy their meals longer, their bar tabs would be higher. There was so much the GM could have taken away from this experience - heck, I have no food knowledge or experience at all, but I saw these glaring plus marks.

It may feel like I'm flip-flopping on this issue, but...the real question and where true wisdom is needed is knowing what should be fixed and what doesn't need touching in your particular line of business. If you can figure that out - then you most certainly are employing a succesful business model and strategy.

Who ever thought a paper clip could help your business?  Apparently, the Wall Street Journal understood its true merits and now hopefully you do too.

Fun Paper clip Facts

• 11 billion paperclips are sold in the US (that averages to 35 per person a year)
• ACCO puts in 102 paperclips in each box (just in case 2 fall out during shipping) Apparently, some customers have been known to count them!

What is something about your business that you would never change?

Take care,

Cindy

 

 

Nick Kitinski, Sin Sity Spiel Commissioner, and I could not be more thrilled to announce that the USCA's Project 2018 Men's National Curling Coach Phill Drobnick is participating in the first inaugural Sin Sity Spiel.  Nick and I were able to catch up with Coach Phill today fresh off a win at the Fort Wayne Summer Spiel and in this interview you'll learn more about him, his position and why he's coming to Vegas. And if you feel you'd like to hear more from "The Coach" you can for we will sharing Part 2 of our interview in a couple of days.

Sit back and enjoy these 10 minutes with one of the nicest people on this earth. If you are coming to the Spiel be sure to spend some time with exceptional curler, instructor and coach. If you would like to follow Phill on twitter, you can find him @coachphill.

Good Curling Cindy