1.

The Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas making use of the side of their building to advertise Donny and Marie’s upcoming appearance at their venue.

2.

At the Las Vegas airport, Monte Carlo’s master magician Lance Burton makes use of the luggage carousel to promote his shows. His stunt turns quite a few heads!

Check out Lori’s original article in the Memphis Daily News.

http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=56149

Raging Inferno - These brands were definitely on fire making good use of their Super Bowl investment:

Chrysler – “Born of Fire”

Best Buy – “Ozzy vs. Beiber”

Audi – “Release the Hounds”

Volkswagen – “The Force”

Solid Heat - These brands also generated some heat:

Motorola – “Empower the People”

Bridgestone – “Karma”

Doritos – “Pug Attack”

Smoldering - These brands, sadly couldn’t even muster a flicker of flame:

Stella Artois – “Crying Jean”

Skechers – “The Break Up”

Teleflora – “Help Me Faith”

Special to The Daily News

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a two-part series.

I flew into New York City on New Year’s Eve, five days after a historic blizzard – the worst in six decades. The snowpocalypse brought bustling Manhattan and its neighboring boroughs to their knees.

Despite early and accurate forecasting, the region was ill prepared. Subways, buses and trains were crippled for days. Road closings thwarted emergency vehicles and 911 response time was significantly delayed, resulting in needless deaths.

Two city politicians made multiple PR blunders, likely damaging their political futures. One area leader stood out, however, as a master at crisis management.

Small businesses owners can learn from these PR tactics and missteps. Here’s my take on these PR “pros” and “schmoes”:

New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie – PR Schmo.

Taking a family vacation to Disney World days before the storm hit, Christie refused to shorten his trip short to help his state battle the storm’s aftermath. Rather than simply providing regular 10-minute briefings from Florida to demonstrate leadership, he focused on his vacation.

Serving as New Jersey’s defacto leader after the storm was Michael Drewniak, Christie’s spokesperson. He made dismissive comments to constituents’ concerns such as “the world is not coming to an end.” 

When asked about his spokesman’s callus responses, Christie backed him by explaining Drewniak’s “flippant” remarks were “part of his charm.”

NYC Mayor, Michael Bloomberg – PR Schmo, Then Pro.

Bloomberg generally shines in PR situations, yet he flailed early on. He fielded questions and complaints with sarcasm, saying things like “people should have gone to the park and enjoyed this time with their families.”

He also made promises he couldn’t keep, such as getting every street plowed by a particular date. Unable to deliver, Bloomberg was forced to make a public apology. Ultimately, he took responsibility for the city’s failures and committed to taking measures to ensure this never happened again ― partially redeeming himself. 

Newark Mayor, Cory Booker – PR Pro.

Booker’s hands-on management post-storm earned him hero status. He established a plan for digging out and resuming city services. Then, he transformed his more than one million Twitter followers into an emergency dispatch channel and hit the streets. He literally dug people out of snow banks, checked on the elderly, and even helped deliver a baby.

Here are a few of his tweets:

• “I’m patrolling with my shovel; helping dig out. Let me know if any seniors or disabled need help.”
• “Responding to a distress call – woman in labor. EMS on the way but I have a feeling my team will beat them there.”
• “Expecting mother is in a lot of pain but OK. We are waiting on EMS. She is a courageous young woman.”  

Booker demonstrated positive leadership, communicated early and often, and jumped in to help, making him a stellar PR Pro.

A PR crisis can just as easily impact a small business as it does a large organization. Check back next week for tips on creating a crisis communication strategy for your small business that can actually strengthen your brand in a time of crisis.

Lori Turner is managing partner of RedRover Sales & Marketing, www.redrovercompany.com. You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Basketball phenom Rudy Gay showed his true colors by helping The MED’s Adult Special Care Center get the word out to people with HIV to “Live Positive.”

The “Live Positive” message is directed at the more than 3,000 people in the region who know they are HIV positive and yet are not receiving care. People with HIV who consistently receive treatment are less likely to spread the virus and more likely to enjoy long and healthy lives.

Rudy’s message encourages people with HIV to seek treatment at The Adult Special Care Center, located at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis, which offers an integrated approach to patient care including, doctors, nurses, therapists, and nutritionists. Staffers are also trained to enroll patients in special programs that make care and medications available with no expense to the patient.

“So many of the people in Memphis who know they are positive and not seeking treatment are young, urban males,” explained Lori Turner, managing owner of RedRover Company. “We wanted a campaign spokesperson who had credibility with this target market, and Rudy Gay was a natural fit. We’re delighted that he was so willing to get involved.”

As part of the campaign, Rudy lent his star power to a TV and radio commercials produced by Fox 13. Rudy’s face is also featured on bus shelter posters on MATA routes. The campaign was funded by a grant from The Mid-South AIDS Fund.

You can help the cause. View the spot and then forward it to friends, families and co-workers. Post it on your Facebook page. If you would like to support the campaign with a donation, you can give online (www.themedfoundation.org/donate) or by calling (901) 545-8372.

RedRover, a growing Memphis, Tennessee marketing and sales consulting firm is seeking a Marketing Account Executive with 5+ years experience either (1) in a similar role at an advertising agency, (2) in a similar freelance capacity, or (3) in a corporate marketing/communications environment in a mid-level managerial role or higher. Selected candidate must have a proven track record of generating measurable results. Bachelor’s degree in marketing, journalism, English or related field required.

The position requires someone with a broad marketing generalist background with the ability to both conceptualize a marketing strategy and execute on it independently. Selected candidate will be responsible for:

• Developing and delivering client pitches
• Completing budget estimates
• Conducting market/discovery research
• Designing complex marketing plans
• Concepting marketing campaigns
• Copywriting and proofreading
• Executing media relations/PR plan elements
• Coordinating event planning
• Coordinating creative with art director

Account executive will be responsible for both generating new clients and handling client work generated by management.

Candidates with recent Memphis area PR experience and strong copywriting skills will be given special consideration.

The selected candidate must have an entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic. Special “soft” skills sought:

• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing
• Ability to handle pressure well, including managing changing priorities
• Willingness to work long hours when deadlines require it
• Must demonstrate tremendous initiative in identifying and exceeding client needs
• Must have exceptional follow-through skills and be well organized
• Should have excellent people skills and the ability to work with a wide range of clients
• Must have a professional appearance
• Must demonstrate strong leadership abilities

RedRover offers competitive compensation, healthcare benefits, generous paid time off (PTO), and a dog-friendly environment. Interested candidates should send their cover letter and resume, with compensation history for the last three positions (required), by email to careers@redrovercompany.com or by mail to: RedRover AE Posting, 415 S. Front Street, Suite 121, Memphis, TN 38103.

No phone calls or unscheduled office visits please.

RedRover, a growing Memphis, Tennessee sales and marketing consulting firm, is seeking a sales pro with 5+ years experience in sales management and a track record of improving sales rep performance via one-on-one coaching and training.  Selected candidate must be able to demonstrate a history of measurable results – both in his or her own direct selling efforts and from sales teams managed. The ability to turn around a struggling sales rep is an essential skill.

The position requires someone with a broad sales management background with the ability to both develop a winning sales management strategy and execute on it independently. Selected candidate will be responsible for:

• Developing and delivering client pitches
• Conducting sales discovery research including shadowing of the sales team to identify training and coaching opportunities
• Designing sales improvement plans for client sales teams
• Executing on those sales plans to include:
  • Sales recruiting support
  • Sales forecasting
  • Delivery of classroom training on a variety of fundamental and advanced selling skills
  • One-on-one coaching in the field (phone sales and ride-alongs)
  • Fractional, outsourced sales management including directing client’s sales meetings
  • Realignment of sales territories
  • Revamping of sales compensation plans
  • Identification and reporting on key sales metrics
• Coordinating with RedRover marketing counterpart on the account

Selected candidate will be responsible for both generating new clients and handling client work generated by management.  Strong prospecting skills are a must.

Candidates with experience delivering classroom training on fundamental sales skills will be given special consideration. In addition, basic social media skills and CRM experience are pluses.

Bachelor’s degree in related field required. Note that occasional travel may be required – no more than 10% anticipated.

The selected candidate must have an entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic. Special “soft” skills sought:

• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing
• Ability to handle pressure well, including managing changing priorities
• Willingness to work long hours when deadlines require it
• Must demonstrate tremendous initiative in identifying and exceeding client needs
• Must have exceptional follow-through skills and be well organized
• Should have excellent people skills and the ability to work with a wide range of clients
• Must have a professional appearance
• Must demonstrate strong leadership abilities

RedRover offers competitive compensation, healthcare benefits, generous paid time off (PTO), and a dog-friendly environment. Interested candidates should send their cover letter and resume, with compensation history for the last three positions (required), by email to careers@redrovercompany.com or by mail to: RedRover Sales Trainer Posting, 415 S. Front Street, Suite 121, Memphis, TN 38103.

No phone calls or unscheduled office visits please.