At PKE we work hard to provide that exquisite balance of stability and innovation – we have to keep the tried and true while having the courage to try something new.

So as we embark on our 2012 adventure, here is what is happening at PKE to keep us fresh, energetic and ready for a creative, productive and exciting New Year:

New Marketing & PR Coordinator

Kate Walter

We recently welcomed Kate Walter to our firm — she brings great PR and marketing experience, warmth and sincerity, vitality and an openness to new ideas.  Kate has already developed strong media relationships and has successfully pitched and placed several stories on our clients’ behalf.  Plus, Kate has begun developing strategic social media plans for our clients who are new to that arena – she is helping us make the social media aspect a seamless part of our overall planning. We are looking forward to even more fabulous things to come!

New Technology

As part of our plan for continuous improvement, we have adopted new web-based software to provide our clients with even more accurate and thorough month-end reporting.  We want to make sure our clients understand the value we are providing and that we are doing the most that we can with their dollars.

We have also added on new options for media distribution and media tracking to increase exposure of our clients’ news — we are also linking those articles back to social media to complete the circle and to generate consistent messages.

New Literature

At PKE, we are committed to being Lifelong Learners – to that end, we are reading voraciously.  Not only important new books that address public relations, marketing and social media, but also those that deal directly with our clients’ industries.  The Big Thirst, for example, by well-known author Charles Fishman, teaches us about how our lives are integrally entwined with water and how we must focus on this crucial resource to avoid disastrous consequences.  This book has had an incredible influence on one of our clients who is building a sustainable community - and if it impacts him, it impacts us.

New Ideas

Another effort at keeping it fresh requires us to strive for self-improvement in all areas of our lives.  To be at our best, we have re-committed to another year of running longer, working on our yoga practices, reading for pleasure, eating healthfully, and nurturing our family and personal relationships.  While all that may sound a bit self-indulgent, we know that it makes us more creative, positive and valuable to our clients in the long run!

To all of our friends, clients and readers — all the best for a wonderful 2012!

Deliciously handcrafted by Royal Palm Chocolates

One of the best parts about being a PR professional is getting to know a wonderful variety of people and discovering their passions along the way.  Over the past few weeks, I have devoted a lot of time to “new client immersion” with Royal Palm Chocolates of Naples, Fla., owners Philip and Stephanie Fincher and their strategic manager, Sam Hernandez.  How to describe this experience?  In a word: sweet!

To get educated on the world of fine Belgian chocolate and the artistry that goes into creating these confections, I spent some time last week with Philip Fincher who shared information about combining just the right amounts of specially imported ingredients, as well as the finer points of temperature and how it affects the final, scrumptious results. His demonstration revealed the perfect blend of precision and creativity as he spoke about innovative recipes and tantalizing flavors while measuring to the exact iota. Daughter Brittany pitched in, already an able apprentice on her way to becoming a fine chocolatier in her own right.

A former attorney, Philip, Stephanie and their family took a huge leap to fulfill his lifelong passion.  Once he decided to leave the practice of law, Philip attended the renowned Ewald Notter’s School of Pastry Arts where he graduated at the top of his class.  Next, Philip landed a coveted position in the pastry kitchen of the 5-Star and 5-Diamond Ritz Carlton Beach Resort in Naples. When the opportunity arose for the Finchers to open their own chocolate shop, Royal Palm Chocolates was born.

Since then, they have moved forward with a clear vision and an incredible passion for what they do.  In only two years, the company has garnered local and national acclaim for creativity, adventurous flavor combinations and “true” chocolate taste that comes through in every bite.  They have expanded from retail to include corporate gifting, the bridal industry and major special events.

A fabulous selection includes more than 23 gourmet flavors enhanced by fruity fillings, smooth liqueurs, exotic spices and more, with no added preservatives. One can also indulge in delicate chocolate wafer cookies or a delicious array of milk and dark chocolate bark. The entire staff has an impeccable eye for detail that extends from the distinctive chocolate creations to gorgeously designed jewel box packaging. To put it simply, they are doing everything right.

Royal Palm Chocolates...absolutely delicious and beautifully packaged!

One of the best aspects of my daily PR life is growing and nurturing client relationships with those who are so dedicated to quality and excellence in everything they do – their work inspires me to be better too.  And one or two chocolates along the way makes the experience even sweeter!

To continue the conversation, visit my site at pkecreative.com.

Should I take some time to unplug? Would it be mentally healthier to cut myself off for a few days from the ubiquitous iPhone and trusty MacBook? The article’s description of a “Digital Detox” vacation where in some cases you even have to surrender your electronic devices at the check in counter certainly sounded appealing.  After all, I might have more time to finish that great novel now overdue at the library (Julie Orringer’s “The Invisible Bridge”). Or I might be newly inspired to get back on track with the book my daughter and I are writing together (I am on it Emily!).  I am nearly seduced by those thoughts when the consequences start creeping into my consciousness.

What happens to the hundreds of email messages that will pile up — will my inbox simply explode?  What will I miss on Twitter – will the latest rules on social media news releases pass me by? And what about Facebook – how will I possibly keep up with community events in Southwest Florida and even more concerning, the barrage of family drama?

While others might find greater relaxation by disconnecting themselves, I think it’s important to understand your own stress triggers – and a huge one for me would be not to know what is going on and not being able to respond in a timely fashion.  So if anyone asks me to surrender my electronic connections to the world, I will politely decline — at least for now.

For me to stay cool, calm and collected, I must remain connected.

I am curious to know how others feel about this issue – please continue the dialogue!

Every day is like a new gift!

Every day offers something exciting and new — I am constantly amazed  by the talented and passionate people I come across in my life as a PR professional. What other career would present the opportunity to meet with experts in environmentally friendly trash bin cleaning, olive oil and wild animals — all in the same week?  Here’s just a sampling of the inspiring, exciting goings on in my little realm….

American Bin Cleaning's wash container truck: eco-friendly & clean bins!

While it doesn’t sound sexy or glamorous, American Bin Cleaning has a whole new take on properly cleaning trash bins in Florida. We all know how unpleasant it can be when even after the trash is picked up, vile germs and odors remain. Well, this company has outfitted an automated truck that lifts trash bins and toters with a robotic arm, pressure washes the bin and puts it back in place.  The best part?  The water and cleaning agents are contained within the truck so they don’t upset the water table or drainage systems — the dirty water is taken to an approved location for disposal keeping the environment safe from bleaches or chemicals that could seep into the drainage systems.  It’s a great service that even if done only once a month makes a huge difference in keeping the neighborhood free from ecoli and other bacteria — and smells a whole lot better!

Naples Olive Oil Company offers more than 40 flavors of organic olive oil...fresh from the press!

Next, I had the lovely opportunity to meet Marie Heiland, olive oil purveyor and owner of the Naples Olive Oil Company in Naples, FL.  She awoke my taste buds to a whole new sensation — I had no idea that organically grown, extra virgin olive oil of the highest quality could be so completely different from the ordinary variety we usually have in our pantries.  I have now been introduced to a whole new world of culinary delights — infused olive oils and balsamics that have come to Naples straight from the presses in record time.  It’s important to note that the higher levels of antioxidants and polyphenols depend on the speed in which the olives are picked, pressed and transported — at Naples Olive Oil Company, one is assured of the freshest oils with the area’s highest levels of healthy antioxidants.  And the tastes are wonderful!  From blood orange infused (perfect for fish) to Tuscan herbal (great on pasta), there is something to please every palate.  Our mini-tasting reminded me of wine tasting….and I am excited to now be part of a whole new “foodie” world. Watch for Marie on an upcoming segment of Lifetime TV’s The Balancing Act in January!

You can discover exotic birds, rare reptiles & pink flamingoes at Sarasota Jungle Gardens, one of Florida's oldest attractions!

Finally, I learned that Sarasota Jungle Gardens’ 70th anniversary year is capping off with an extra special Holiday Lights event at the family-owned attraction.  Beautiful decorations, elaborate lights, musical entertainment and a truly cost saving menu enhance an adventurous walk through the gardens — what a setting to encounter alligators, snakes, exotic birds (including flamingoes), monkeys and more….kicking off a really “wild” holiday season!

So how’s that for variety?  It comes as no surprise that I am engaged and inspired by the people I meet each day. Learn more about my daily delights at www.pkecreative.com.

Steven, Emily, Jen & me with the Philadelphia Museum of Art (think Rocky) in the background

In any given career, it begins with education and/or knowledge about your craft or product. But to be successful, you have to have a natural curiosity to know more and a passion for what you do. That passion fuels the desire for continuous improvement which in turn provides better and better results.

The notion of a strong foundation is equally important in physical training.  To run 26.2 miles within a reasonable timeframe and without injury, a customized strength training program, proper nutrition and a smart, gradual increase in distance are the essential building blocks.  And just as a mentor can help you in your career, working with a personal trainer (like my clients LouAnn and Jamie at Fitness Together Fort Myers) can do wonders to build that foundation.

At the end of the day, or at the end of the race, you can ask yourself many of the same questions:

Did you achieve your goals?

Were you well prepared?

Are you happy with the results?

How can you improve for next time?

Did you learn anything from the experience?

In both cases, the answers are important and can help you plan your next steps — in life or on the track….

More to come soon! In the meantime, you can visit my website to learn more about me and my work.

It’s Monday, it’s raining outside, and the economic forecast hasn’t really brightened since Friday, but that doesn’t give us a free pass to curl up on the couch and retreat from the world.  On the contrary, now is the time to seek motivation where we can find it — it’s the time to discover our strengths and pursue our passions. How else can we ensure a brighter tomorrow?

Here are three approaches that can inspire a more positive, productive mindset:

LEARN SOMETHING NEW

Stimulating your brain power and looking for ways to improve are surefire keys to start moving in a positive direction.  You will have an opportunity to know something that others may not, enhancing your expertise in a particular area.  Here’s an example: I recently entered an award-winning PR project into a statewide competition. It did not win, and the judges’ report indicated that even though it achieved stellar results for the client, it was rejected for being in pdf format instead of html. Yes I was disappointed, and no, I did not understand why the format disqualified the project, but I can’t let it deter me. Instead, I am going to learn why html is preferred over pdf.  And if it turns out that the change will benefit the client, I will do it immediately…all part of the quest for continuous improvement (thank you, Dr. Deming!).

TAP INTO YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM

When your self image can use a little boost, doesn’t it make sense to be around the people who make you feel good about yourself?  Family, friends, a favorite client…a few words reminding you of something great you accomplished can erase that negative vibe or uncomfortable situation at work. Last week, I let a colleague who is having personal issues know that I am available to her if she needs a sounding board — she was so grateful for those few kind words. Sometimes we just need to know there’s someone on our side.

SEEK OUT YOUR GURUS

Inspiration comes from many places, and you may be surprised at what voices can trigger a turnaround in your attitude.  Attending a professional conference may provide you with new ideas and a burst of motivation that can get you right back on track.  A vigorous personal training session or an encounter with your yoga instructor can elevate your mood.  

Even an extraordinary book or an invigorating speech may reignite the spark you were afraid went out.  The key is to be open to the possibilities and to listen for the words that might improve your outlook.

So here’s to a brighter tomorrow….contact me if I can help!

Today is Day 1 of my personal training program at Fitness Together Fort Myers and so far, I see many parallels between their personalized, one-on-one attention and an effective public relations plan that focuses on achieving client’s goals and objectives.

As of today, I am a client of my client, LouAnn Good, owner of the private training studio on Gladiolus in Fort Myers where the theme is, “One Client. One Trainer. One Goal.” This is really exciting for me as it is the beginning of a five-month journey leading up to the Philadelphia 1/2 Marathon on September 19, and then the NYC Marathon on November 7.  My husband Steve and I want to make sure we get there in a safe healthy way (we haven’t run a marathon in several years!), so we enlisted the help of LouAnn and personal trainer Jamie Swagler to help us. I already know that this was a very wise decision! I will be punctuating my regular blog posts with weekly updates on our progress (with some real pics, not just representative), and the benefits of a sound mind AND a sound body.

Here’s how it went today: our first session included a customized fitness evaluation where we were measured, tested and evaluated as to our level of fitness — not sure what the results are yet! LouAnn will enter the data into her specialized software program along with all our stats. In the PR world, this would be the research phase of the plan. This will generate a complete report that will specifically evaluate my body — where it is now, and where it needs to be over the next several months. LouAnn and I are setting goals and objectives that will lead to the strategic component of this “campaign”  – another similarity to the PR business.

So far, this is a unique experience. I have gone to gyms before where the atmosphere is very impersonal, usually with a staff member giving you a tour of the facility, a worksheet to figure out your reps, and a generic description of what you should do.  Then all of a sudden you’re alone with the equipment.  This is especially frustrating for me — being mechanically challenged, I would spend more time figuring out how to use each machine than actually using it.  And do I really want a room full of people watching me do this?

At Fitness Together LouAnn and Jamie are working with us in a private studio setting and showing us exactly what to do — correctly.  I really like their approach and we can all learn from it — no two clients are the same, and we have to plan differently for each based on individual needs and goals.

That’s why even though this is more of a physical process, I can’t help comparing it to the work we do every day in public relations and marketing — both include Research and incorporate Goal-Oriented Strategies.  Plus, very clear Measurement procedures are in place — and what’s more important than positive results?

And so the journey begins….I am excited about our first real training session next week, bringing us one step closer to our goals!  Stay tuned…in the meantime, check out www.ftfortmyers.com or www.pkecreative.com to learn more about us.

Those of us in the field of public relations are trained from early on about the importance of creating a thorough, specific crisis communication plan. In most cases we file it away, secure in the fact that it’s there if we need it.  For me, that was yesterday. The beauty of a well thought out crisis communication plan? It actually works.

Leaving out names to protect the innocent, no sooner had I completed a crisis plan for a new client than a crisis occurred: a key employee walked off the job without notice. She was the only full time person licensed to manage one of the major functions of this organization and without a replacement, the regulatory agencies warned they would shut down the business within the next two days. To complicate matters, this same employee called the media about the impending shut down and two TV stations got right on it.  We had five hours to get control of the situation until the 6 p.m. news. What to do? Refer to our newly minted, trusty crisis plan, of course.

Within two hours, we appointed a spokesperson, drafted a statement for the media, coached the client, contacted the media with a response and set a time with the reporters for an update. The result? While the news stories ran as scheduled, the facts were presented fairly and the points we made in the statement were mentioned right up front.  The positive, timely communication with the media allowed the story to be reported accurately with little drama and minimal impact.

Here were the lessons learned:

1. By planning calmly and rationally in advance, we were prepared for the worst.

2. We had an immediate plan to put into action – no time was wasted.

3. Because we were so calm and organized, the client was too – and that made a huge difference in the outcome.

I highly recommend preparing a thorough crisis communication plan for your client’s or organization’s peace of mind – and yours as well! To learn more, visit my website.

I’ve written before about the exciting, interesting people I meet on a daily basis — one of my favorite aspects of my career in public relations. A great example is my friend and client Randy “RJ” Vann, a Southwest Florida business man and an avid horseman.  So what do a drive for solar technology and a passion Paso Fino horses have in common?  RJ shows us…After more than 34 years building a successful full service air conditioning and plumbing company in Fort Myers, FL, RJ Vann Mechanical Corp., Randy recently launched a new division of his firm, Solar Tech Energy Systems.

Harnessing his staff’s expertise with all things A/C and plumbing, the new division incorporates photovoltaic systems that convert sunlight to electricity, solar hot water, high efficiency air conditioning and customized solar packages that qualify for federal and state rebates. Randy’s team has been trained and has enthusiastically embraced the firm’s new vision, “Technology today for a greener tomorrow.” This is a bold adventure during challenging economic times but they are already gaining momentum.

Solar Tech is just one way Randy displays his sense of adventure.  When he’s not working at RJ Vann Mechanical, he nurtures his other passion, Paso Fino horses on his ranch, Corner Creek Ranch.

These beautiful creatures are known for their gentle disposition, intelligence, stamina, companionship and are excellent for both trail and show.  After a life threatening illness in 1994, Randy decided to go back and do something he truly enjoys — riding, breeding and showing horses — he became infatuated with the Paso Fino breed and the rest is history.

In doing what he loves, RJ is doing great things. In business, he is caring for the environment and exploring new territory — with his horses, he is fulfilling his passion and a sense of adventure.

I find his outlook and his approach very inspiring — Randy has taken hold of the reins….and the sun.

Also called Halotherapy (halos means salt in Greek), this natural treatment which is well-known and documented in Europe, takes place in a dry, sterile environment that recreates a natural microclimate identical to ancient salt caves and salt mines.  People who have turned to this natural solution have reported positive results. Very popular in Europe, Andrea says there are only three salt caves in the U.S. at this time.

Located on busy US 41 in North Naples, FL, once inside visitors enter a “cave” — a soothing, quiet environment created by Andrea, her sister and her husband.  Before opening, they imported and installed 20 tons of Himalayan dry rock salt. (Keep in mind this is very different from table salt which is nothing more than sodium chloride with additives.)

With our area’s only salt generator, the aerosolized microparticles are released, penetrating deep into the lungs, fighting pollutants and destroying bacteria.  The results?

People who undergo salt therapy have experienced improvement in ailments such as:

Asthma

Bronchitis

Pneumonia

Sinusitis

Hay Fever

Arthritis

Allergies

Smoker’s Cough

Stress & Exhaustion

Psoriasis and Eczema

The whole ambience and experience can make you feel better and breathe easier as soon as you walk in.  Special salt lamps and gemstone jewelry adorn the comfortable waiting area, and meeting Andrea is a special experience in itself.  She has in-depth knowledge of Halotherapy and is committed to helping others find natural alternatives to return to good health. Her concern is sincere and I am eager to know her better.

I am excited to get started on sharing more and writing about news and results from the Salt Cave, a very unique and fascinating holistic approach.

Check back for updates as we move forward or for more information on PR Solutions, visit me at www.pkecreative.com