Thursday, November 10, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Aurora’s Lacy Robinson Speaks at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service’s Annual Alumni Event
For Immediate Release
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Aurora’s Lacy Robinson Speaks at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service’s Annual Alumni Event
Senior Professional Trainer Covered Topics Ranging from Cremation to Generational Differences
October 27, 2011 – Houston, TX – Aurora Casket Company’s Senior Professional Trainer Lacy Robinson presented eight hours of continuing education at the “Alumni Annual CEU Program” hosted at the Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston, Texas on Oct. 13. Drawing from her experience consulting funeral homes on communications skills and meeting the personal needs of families, Robinson shared her insight on numerous topics including cremation, personalization and generational differences.
“Lacy encouraged funeral directors to change their way of thinking in many instances,” said Jim Flippen, sales consultant for Aurora. “Her purpose and theme throughout her presentations focused on trying new things you may have never thought of before. Participants were on the edge of their seats.”
Flippen has worked with Aurora for 26 years, is a Board Member of the Commonwealth Institute’s Alumni Association as a 1973 graduate and serves on the Commonwealth’s Advisory Board.
Robinson’s presentation detailed the golden opportunities of relationship building with families. Attendees were challenged to understand thoughts and feelings from their families’ perspective in order to fully grasp the emotional concerns that exist. Robinson motivated funeral directors to rethink and retool how they communicate with the families they serve.
Robinson is a member of Aurora’s Speakers Bureau whose participants deliver presentations to industry organizations. For more information about the Speakers Bureau, contact 859.291.4302. For more information about Aurora Casket Company, visit www.AuroraCasket.com.
About Aurora
Founded in 1890, Aurora is the largest family-owned funeral service supplier. Aurora caskets are proudly made in the United States and Canada, with headquarters based in Aurora, Indiana. For more information about Aurora products and services, visit www.auroracasket.com.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
2/3 of CMOs Prefer Small Firms, Execution, Survey Says
What is a CMO looking for in the PR firm he or she is working with? Execution beats reputation seven times over. Check out the full results and the infographic at the link below:
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Case Study: Blockbuster Acts Fast to Scoop Up Disgruntled Netflix Customers
Found this nifty little article on PRWeek's site. Great case study of creating a PR campaign based on social media commentary.
Original article is accessible to PRWeek subscribers are the following link:
http://www.prweekus.com/blockbuster-benefits-from-netflixs-social-media-criticism/article/208338/Blockbuster benefits from Netflix's social media criticism
July 25, 2011
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MCKINNEY, TX: Blockbuster has seen positive results from its "Hello Blockbuster" campaign, launched in response to consumer comments expressing criticism of Netflix's new pricing model.
The campaign was created immediately following the announcement that Netflix is increasing its prices by 60%. After seeing many “Goodbye Netflix, Hello Blockbuster” tweets that day, Marc Lumpkin, a spokesman for the Dish Network, which owns Blockbuster, said the company “took advantage of the angst” by offering consumers low-priced promotions.
The company targeted former Blockbuster customers and fans through emails, which included the greeting, “Netflix Customers, Say Hello to Blockbuster.”
“It's a social media concoction of a campaign that we are now using in our stores,” Lumpkin added.
Consumers who prove they are Netflix subscribers can now sign up for a new Blockbuster promotion—a one-disc plan for $9.99 per month, with Blu-ray dvds included.
Blockbuster is spreading the word to consumers about the campaign through its Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as through traditional media platforms, like press releases. The campaign launched a little less than two weeks ago and has already proven to be a success.
“We've seen an increase in traffic in our stores and in followers on our Twitter page and Facebook page,” Lumpkin said.
The company's in-house PR and marketing team is in charge of the campaign, but the idea was originally developed by Blockbuster CMO Kevin Lewis, president Michael Kelly, and Lumpkin.
In addition to promoting new deals, the campaign is meant to create consumer awareness that Blockbuster still has more than 1,500 stores open around the country, despite facing bankruptcy issues in the spring. Through social and traditional media, the company plans on continuing its outreach to customers.
“We think there are a lot of opportunities to show our current and future customers that there is an alternative with Blockbuster and we offer so much more than Netflix,” Lumpkin explained.
Although Blockbuster doesn't have a streaming video service like Netflix, Lumpkin said it's looking into providing one in the future.
According to Steve Swasey, VP of corporate communications at Netflix, the company plans on sticking with its price changes. He added that the many negative remarks stemming from the announcement do not represent a significant percentage of the Netflix membership base.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Webinar Will Introduce First Customer Service System for Funeral Professionals
Aurora’s Advisor Helps Funeral Homes Interact with Families in New Ways
Aurora, IN – September 26, 2011 – Top funeral directors from across the country will gather around their computers at 2 p.m. EST this Wednesday as the nation’s leading funeral services supplier unveils the new standard in funeral service technology. Aurora Casket will formally present the much anticipated ‘Advisor’ to the funeral industry September 28th during a live online webinar.
Those interested in accessing the free webinar may view a brief informative video and register at www.AuroraCasket.com/webinar.
“Aurora’s Advisor gives our firm a new way to reach out to families in the planning process,” said John McQueen, CFSP, president and owner of Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home in St. Petersburg, Fla. “We can now provide each family we serve with a private website so they can learn more about their choices even before they meet with our staff. I also like the fact that Advisor is all-encompassing, that it simplifies all of the products and services we offer and covers everything from management to marketing. I was also impressed by the system’s speed and accuracy in comparison to competing funeral service technology.”
McQueen refers to some of the top advancements of the new cloud based system, including the ability to access the system from anywhere at any time. Advisor allows funeral homes to present more choices to families in an easy-to-understand approach, while also automating the creation and printing of forms and documents required for funeral service.
The interactive webinar will go into detail regarding specific benefits to any funeral home that needs to streamline and gain greater visibility of its overall operation, and the ability to better serve the needs of their families – all with no software to install, purchase or update.
About Aurora
Founded in 1890, Aurora is the largest family-owned funeral service supplier. Aurora caskets are proudly made in the United States and Canada, with headquarters based in Aurora, Indiana. For more information about Aurora products and services, visit www.auroracasket.com.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Texas Independent Health Insurance Agents Recognized at National Level
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Media Contact:
The Eisen Agency
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“Gold Certification is bestowed upon chapters that have demonstrated developmental excellence in their local area, nationally and in the health care industry,” said NAHU CEO Janet Trautwein. “The volunteers in the Texas chapter met our expectations and far exceeded them.”
TAHU’s Gold Certification is one of several distinctions TAHU has received this past year at the national level. At the 81st annual national convention in June, the organization received 14 national awards and had the most new members of any chapter, adding more than 401 members to the organization. TAHU’s Gold Certification will be recognized at next year’s convention and featured in Health Insurance Underwriter magazine.
“Receiving this certification is a collaboration of efforts and illustrates the hard work and dedication of our members and board of directors,” said Joanna Antongiovanni, president of the Texas Association of Health Underwriters. “I applaud all of our volunteers and thank them for this honor.”
For more information about the Texas Association of Health Underwriters, visit www.TAHU.org.
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About the Texas
A state chapter of the National Association of Health Underwriters, TAHU is a professional organization of agents and insurance company representatives aiming “…to inform and protect the consumer by enhancing the professional growth of its members.” Since its founding in 1930, there are now over 200 state and local chapters of the NAHU servicing the insurance needs of millions of Americans. More information can be accessed at www.TAHU.org.
Friday, August 26, 2011
New $25,000 Set in Production for “In Love with Tyrone” Tour
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Media Contact:
Beth Parker
The Eisen Agency
859.291.4302
New $25,000 Set in Production for “In Love with Tyrone” Tour
Gospel stage play scenery 40 feet wide by 14 feet tall with state-of-the-art lighting
Cincinnati, OH — August 26, 2011 — Urban theatre playwright Ericka Nicole Malone is putting the finishing touches on a $25,000 set for her play “In Love with Tyrone” in time for its Cincinnati debut and subsequent national tour this fall. Upgrades to the set that is 40 feet wide and 14 feet tall include additions such as state-of-the-art lighting, a kitchen backsplash and an illuminated cross in the newly expanded church scene. The set also includes a kitchen and a living room. “In Love with Tyrone” is Malone’s tenth gospel stage play that conveys the story of a successful lawyer’s rediscovery of her faith following the heartache of her husband’s affair.
“When people watch a play, their understanding of the work extends beyond the words and movements of the actors,” Malone said. “A beautifully designed set creates context, establishes mood and adds to the meaning of the piece.”
“In Love with Tyrone” will debut at the Aronoff Center for the Arts on Oct. 14 and 15 before heading to Dayton, Columbus, Akron, Cleveland, Toledo and Chicago. Tickets for the Cincinnati performance are available at www.CincinnatiArts.org.
“What I love about gospel theatre is that it is often a reflection of that which we experience in our everyday lives,” Malone said. “An all-too-familiar plotline of the right woman falling in love with the wrong man becomes even more identifiable as it is played out at church, at the salon and even in the kitchen.”
For more information about Ericka Nicole Malone and “In Love with Tyrone”, visit www.InLoveWithTyrone.com.
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About Ericka Nicole Malone
You’ve seen Tyler Perry’s hilarious work and David Talbert’s gripping plays, but the buzz of an emergence of a female voice is beginning to be heard around the country. Ericka Nicole Malone has written, directed and produced more than 9 stage plays including “I Feel Like Praising Him” and “You Can’t Keep a Good Woman Down.” Her latest project and tenth stage play, “In Love With Tyrone”, is making a seven city tour in fall of 2011. For additional information, visit www.ErickaNicoleMalone.com.
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