Connection of the month
Smart Television Alliance and National Education Association Work Together to Promote Reading to Kids
Working with TV producers, the Smart Television Alliance is using book recommendations from popular children’s television programs like Curious George and Super WHY to highlight Read Across America, the National Education Association’s ongoing project to promote the importance of reading for children. In particular, the Alliance has teamed up with the producers of Bunnytown, a popular children’s television program on the Disney Channel, to create a short web video for parents to watch with their kids. In the video, Super Bunny, one of the stars of the show, helps out a sleepless friend by reading a bedtime story, A Boy and His Bunny, by author Sean Bryan and illustrator Tom Murphy. (Note: the Smart Television Alliance is an Amplify client.)
Get to know your Web 2.0
New Best Practices Documents Now Available Online
Need a short and simple guide to some of the premier online tools for communications and marketing?
Click here to access one page best practices documents on the following:
- Blogging
- Podcasting
- Second Life
ACLU Second Life Event
In March, Amplify produced the ACLU’s second virtual world musical concert as part of its ongoing Close Guantanamo campaign in Second Life. The campaign includes “Gone Gitmo,” an interactive recreation of Camp X-Ray. The first concert, which was held in January, launched the organization’s campaign presence. This latest concert featured Cyberpiper, a popular Second Life musician who integrates live music with choreographed dancers and visual special effects. Overall, this is the ACLU’s third live event in Second Life. The first event took place last June at the steps of the virtual US Capitol in conjunction with a live rally.
See also the Vanity Fair article on "Gone Gitmo".
The PR Bar — A Shot of Public Relations Insight and Advice!
Internal Buy-in is Critical First Step in Implementing Successful Communications Plan
Frequently you will hear organizations or companies say that they would love to see their name in the paper more often, but a lack of time and resources often prevents them from putting a communications strategy into place.
While "too much to do and not enough time or money" is a valid and real concern, the fact is most companies can’t afford not to have a solid communications plan in place. And the sooner everyone is on board with this mindset, the sooner the company can start realizing the benefits.
Here are a few simple steps to achieving buy-in:
- Show the Value. Convince everyone how valuable earned media really is. Not only does it add credibility to your company or organization, compared to advertising it’s extremely cost effective. For example, even a small ad in the Washington Post can cost several thousand dollars.
- Be Realistic. Don’t commit man hours or money the company doesn’t have. Dedicate a small amount of budget and/or staff time to show that it doesn’t require a huge investment to see gains.
- Start Small. Begin by setting small, manageable goals – once you have your first success it will only motive the team to make your communications strategy a higher priority.
APA Promotes Historic Genetic Information Bill
Amplify recently worked with the Coalition for Genetic Fairness and the Genetic Alliance to help promote a bill barring employee and health insurer discrimination based on an individual’s genetic information. Thirteen years in the making, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) finally passed both the House and the Senate in late April. Amplify’s rigorous press outreach strategy resulted in national media coverage for both organizations spanning print, Web and broadcast. Outlets including the Associated Press, Washington Post, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun, BBC and ScienceDaily all covered the story.
APA Out and About
APA at NTEN
Kevin Reid and Shana Glickfield were pleased to join hundreds of their nonprofit technology peers in New Orleans for NTEN's annual Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC). NTC drew a record crowd for three days of activity around our passion for innovative solutions for nonprofits. Highlights included a plenary by New York Times tech columnist David Pogue, a "science fair" where vendors demonstrated their products, and of course, an Amplify sponsored ice-cream and cookie cart.
APA at Take Back America
Shana Glickfield attended the Take Back America gala dinner during the recent conference hosted by Campaign for America's Future. At the gala dinner, Norman Lear received the America's Future Lifetime Leadership Award for his work as both a groundbreaking television producer and an outspoken progressive activist and benefactor. Click here to watch Norman Lear's acceptance speech.
APA at Blogger Social
The first weekend in April, Jennifer Berk traveled to New York City for the first ever Blogger Social, a gathering of marketing and PR bloggers from around the world. The event made possible meetings between many people who have been friends online for years, and it featured conversations about book promotion, Facebook’s business strategy, social media fundraising, and even modern art. In the coming months, look for links out to some new blogs from bloggerrelations.com!
APA Presents at PodCamp DC
Internet Strategist Jennifer Berk presented on April 19th at PodCamp DC, an unconference focused on podcasting, blogging, and other new media. Her presentation described five strategies for linking between your online pieces of content: are you a nebula, with almost no links between your profiles, or a black hole, with everything pulled into one place? She personally prefers the solar system model and would love to hear from anyone with more examples of these strategies.
You can see slides from the event here.
APA Presents at Social Media Summit
Kevin Reid and John Breyault brought cutting edge information to the 2nd National Forum from the Advanced Learning Institute's acclaimed executive training series For FEDERAL, STATE & LOCAL government communicators. During the 3-day conference titled "Social Media for Government" Kevin and John presented Second Life as a way to engage employees and citizens to drive communications results. Not only did attendees learn about the tool, but they set up avatars and begin their virtual world experience.
Join Us...
June 5: Sam Simon to Receive Frank Bowe Award
APA Chairman Sam Simon will receive the inaugural Frank Bowe award in recognition of his contribution to the development of disability policy in telecommunications at a reception at Hofstra’s University Club. The award will be given following a Disability Policy Summit sponsored by Hofstra University, the United Spinal Association, and the Nassau County Office for the Physically Challenged. Dr. Frank Bowe was the Dr. Mervin Livingston Schloss Distinguished Professorship for the Study of Disabilities at Hofstra until his untimely death in August of 2007. He was once labeled the father of modern American disability policy.
June 11: APA Breakfast Briefing
SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, June 11th
8:00 - 9:30am – Breakfast Briefing
The Newseum, Washington DC
The State of the Art of New Media in Health Care:
Harnessing the Power of Digital Communication and Social Networking Tools
Speakers Include:
- Robin Strongin, Amplify Public Affairs
- Elisabeth Goodridge, US News & World Report
- Ed Fishel, University of Maryland, News Bureau
- Matt Koll, Revolution Health
- Joel Selzer, Ozmosis
- Christopher Fleming, Health Affairs blog
RSVP today!
Podcast of the Month
IFAW Seal Hunt Podcast
IFAW has led the fight to stop the cruel slaughter of seal pups since the 1960's. Today, with offices in 15 countries, IFAW is the world's leading animal welfare organization, fighting to save seals both on the ice and through vital scientific and market research. Listen to IFAW Seals Communications Officer Katie McConnell respond to recent statements made by Candian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Minister Loyola Hearn on the practice.
