Colleen Schmid of Heathrow, Fla. Writes: “I’ve recently started a new business teaching families how to start going green in their homes. I go through their homes and, room by room, show them what things they can be doing to save on power and water bills as well as removing toxins. I will also begin… Read More
News & Events
More publicity for Dallas hardware store after Bush visits
Tying celebrities to your news story can generate publicity you never dreamed of. But if the celebrity responds, the publicity can multiply. That’s what happened to Elliott’s Hardware in Dallas, Texas yesterday when former President George W. Bush stopped in for a one-hour visit, bought a few items and joked that he was looking for… Read More
Home & garden show needs promotion ideas FAST
Lori Feldman of St. Louis, Mo. writes: “My client is a home and garden show that’s produced in four cities—Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Indianapolis and Portland—from late February through early March. “We’re launching a social media plan for this company that has done nothing but traditional advertising for the last 50 years! Last year was the… Read More
How a Dallas hardware store generated national publicity
Here’s how a locally owned independent hardware store in Dallas, Texas piggybacked off President Bush leaving office and generated a ton of national publicity when the Associated Press picked up the story. Elliott’s Hardware in Dallas invited former President George W. Bush to spend his retirement working as a part-time greeter at its Maple Avenue store. It mailed… Read More
Help promote a Wisconsin retirement community art show
Kendra Hinzmann of Oshkosh, Wisconsin writes: “I am the director for a fine art exhibit space within an upscale retirement community. This new venture was mostly set in place as life enrichment for the residents, but I really wanted to include the community as well. “I got on board with the local Gallery Walks (over… Read More
NPR canceling ‘Day to Day,’ ‘News & Notes’
National Public Radio is canceling “Day to Day,” and “News & Notes” March 29 and laying off 7 percent of its staff, after experiencing sharp declines in funding, especially from corporate sponsors. Twenty-two journalists will lose their jobs, including hosts Madeleine Brand and Farai Chideya. The shows are both based in Culver City, Calif., at NPR West, a… Read More
T-shirt companies need ideas to generate publicity, sales
This week, I received two Help this Hound questions from the owners of businesses that sell T-shirts. I’m including both of them here because their problem is similar—how to attract attention and generate publicity and interest for their shirts. Here are the two questions: Andrea Ayers of Boulder, Colorado writes: “I own Tees For Change,… Read More
RedEye, free Chicago tabloid, to publish on Saturday
RedEye, the free tabloid published by the Chicago Tribune, will start publishing a weekend edition, delivered for free, each Saturday. The newspaper is one of the many free tabloids that have sprung up in major cities throughout the U.S. to capture advertising and readership in the 18-to-34 age bracket, a group in which readership has been eroding. The… Read More
Flower magazine to debut March 15
Flower, the first magazine written for flower enthusiasts and novice and professional floral designers, will hit the newsstands on March 15. The quarterly publication will feature beautiful photography and articles on topics like learning how to hand-tie a simple bouquet, pick the perfect container, or take a garden tour across the southeast. It will include an events calendar featuring lectures, flower shows,… Read More
Music industry publicity course at UCLA
UCLA Extension is offering a one-day seminar exploring the role of public relations in pop music. “Publicity in the Music Industry: A One Day Seminar” features guest speakers from record labels and music industry journalists. The seminar is led by Cary Baker, owner of conqueroo, a Los Angeles-based music and entertainment public relations firm. It will… Read More