Sunday, May 10, 2015

PR TACTICS: "Move Over Millennials, Here Comes Generation Z"

For those keeping up on our demographic subgroups, here's an excellent overview about the "under 20-year-olds," called Generation Z (the new realists) by Stephen Dupont, APR.

Quoting from the introduction:

"Roughly defined as those born since 1996, Gen Z is the group of under-20-year-olds, the first generation born into a digital world. The next generation of trendsetters — representing more than 25 percent of the U.S. population (larger than the boomers or millennials, according to the U.S. Census Bureau) — is already beginning to put its stamp on the world."

Link to the Full PR Tactics article.

Friday, April 3, 2015

Absolutely PR Celebrates Its Sweet Sixteen

Absolutely Public Relations is celebrating its 16th year in business, achieving key media placements for clients in both the traditional and social media spaces. The announcement is made by Absolutely PR Principal/Founder Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, who says, "During the past year, Absolutely PR assisted Colorado BioScience Association, Galichia Hospital Group/Kentuckiana Medical Center, Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority, Boettcher Foundation, Colorado BioScience Institute and CID4, the Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development.”

Holben has been providing pro bono PR and marketing communications counsel, plus board and advisory board service, to Denver’s Cat Care Society since 2011.

Absolutely PR specializes in media relations, the strategies and tactics necessary to achieve impactful editorial placements in the international, national, trade press, local and social/digital media space. Visit http://www.AbsolutelyPR.com.

Link to the full release including a recap of recent placements and coverage

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Innovation and Job News: "State of Downtown Denver 2015 has plenty to praise"

Quoting from Chris Meehan's posting yesterday in Confluence Denver:

"Last year, downtown Denver saw $1 billion in investments through completed projects. In 2015, that figure is expected to nearly double to $1.9 billion. That's just one key takeaway from the State of Downtown Denver 2015 event, hosted by the Downtown Denver Partnership (DDP) on March 24.

There was a host of data showing the recent successes of Denver and how the city is poised to keep growing -- for instance, residential population has grown 165 percent since 2010. "In order to ensure future success we need to understand what we did right to get us where we are today," explained DDP CEO Tami Door at the event."

Link to the full article at Confluence Denver

Link to the 2015 State of Downtown Denver report

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Inc: '74 Attention-Grabbing Blog Titles That Actually Work'

If your blog headlines need a booster shot, make sure to read Larry Kim's article about Twelveskip's headline idea list. Quoting Kim, Twelvestep's list may not be the full solution:

"Seriously though, those types of headlines are incredibly effective, but they're not the be all that ends all. In fact, they work really well in social stories, but will just annoy people if you're blogging about your business and related topics.

So what's a run-of-the-mill blogger to do?

Develop a bank of catchy titles you can draw on to ensure you have lots of ideas to draw from and your titles aren't an afterthought."

Link to Inc.

Friday, February 27, 2015

Denver International Airport: Celebrating Two Decades and Ambitious New Plans...Happy 20th Birthday, DIA!

Quoting from the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation:

"A lot can happen in 20 years. In Metro Denver, we’ve seen it all – a massive light rail expansion, a growing Millennial population that is attracting companies and expansive mixed-use developments, four new professional sports stadiums, the revitalization of countless neighborhoods, and the diversification of the region’s industry base with eight major clusters. 

And today, Denver International Airport (DIA) is a glowing example of just how good two decades can look. Established in 1995 as the largest airport in the United States by total area, this regional economic engine is now consistently ranked as one of the busiest airports in the world. It now houses 109 gates and 42 regional aircraft positions, and served a record 53 million passengers last year, a massive growth from figures seen on its first birthday.

Now, as we collectively celebrate the 20th anniversary of this important pillar of Metro Denver’s growth, on Saturday, Feb. 28, we are also excited to embrace a rapidly evolving DIA into the future and the further growth anticipated on the immediate horizon."

Click to review "Six Significant Changes for DIA as it begins its Third Decade of operation"

Link to the DIA website

Link to "DIA20: The complete DBJ special report on Denver International Airport"

Monday, February 2, 2015

Super Bowl Ads: Maggie Holben's Top Favorites Aren't the Same as the National Poll; They Agree on Fiat for #3

Maggie Holben's choices from last night:

BMW - Katie Couric Asks 'Can you explain what Internet is?' - http://youtu.be/U1jwWwJ-Mxc

Snickers - Brady Bunch and Others - http://youtu.be/rqbomTIWCZ8

Fiat - Blue Pill - http://youtu.be/YAcLViTHDOo

USA Today via 9News.com Weighs In: "The most popular Super Bowl ad is..."

http://bcove.me/f1vczi6t

Budweiser - Lost Dog - http://youtu.be/xAsjRRMMg_Q

Always - Run Like a Girl - http://youtu.be/q3GpXgFwWmk

Fiat - Blue Pill - http://youtu.be/YAcLViTHDOo


 Lastly, Holben's favorite image was Katy Perry's shooting star "lifter upper device." It reminded her of an old friend in Wichita, the Wichita Children's Theatre and Dance Center logo. Holben served a three-year board term there in the late 80's and has the fondest of memories of Monica Flynn and her amazing program that's going stronger than ever - http://wctdc.com/.

Here's where to view all the 2015 Super Bowl commercials: http://www.superbowl-commercials.org

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Absolutely PR Wraps Up Ten-Year Consulting Relationship with the Colorado BioScience Association

Absolutely Public Relations completed ten years of consulting the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) last month, retiring from the contractual commitment. The announcement is made by Absolutely PR Principal/Founder Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, who says, “I proactively ended this long, productive and valuable client relationship after a decade in order to redefine how I deliver PR consulting services to clients going forward. Absolutely PR, founded in April 1999, remains open, and I will be taking on projects of a lesser scope than in the past to allow more personal time for travel and relaxation with my family.” Absolutely PR also remains a CBSA member company. 

Since April 2005 when CBSA began its proactive media relations program with Absolutely PR's assistance, there have been 1,588 recorded print editorial media placements featuring Colorado Bioscience Association, which is the equivalent of $1,037,078.72 if the same of space was purchased as advertising. This exposure totals 61,588,714 in circulation and is in addition to those same articles also appearing in online versions of the various publications. Online exposure (reported starting in 2009, totals 1,128,221,316). Geographic readership focus of the placement outlets (international, national/trade and regional/local) to date breaks out accordingly: 2% have been international; 47% national/trade; and 51% regional/local since we began monitoring.

Here is a sampling of placement highlights from the past decade of CBSA’s PR program lead by Absolutely PR:

2014

Sep 11, 2014 - Denver Post – BioWest 2014: 'Colorado biotech firms…innovate efficiently' - http://www.denverpost.com/Business/ci_26510215/Colorado-biotech-firms-trying-to-innovate-efficiently 

Sep 11, 2014 – Denver Business Journal – BioWest 2014: ‘'FDA could be source of innovation, Hamburg says' - http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/boosters_bits/2014/09/fda-could-be-source-of-innovation-hamburg-says.html?page=all  and speech posting at the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Speeches/ucm415798.htm 

Sep 11, 2014 – InnovatioNews - ‘BioWest 2014 offers insight on creating healthier workforce, getting products to market’ - http://innovationews.com/science/bioscience/biowest-2014-offers-insight-on-creating-healthier-workforce-getting-products-to-market/  

2013

Nov 8, 2013 – Denver Business Journal – Colorado “Biotech industry honors founders, companies” - http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/boosters_bits/2013/11/biotech-industry-honors-founders.html

Oct 16, 2013 - Xconomy: 'Colorado Biotech Searches for a Few More Investors, Anchor Tenants' - http://www.xconomy.com/boulder-denver/2013/10/16/colorado-biotech-searches-investors-anchor-tenants/?single_page=true 

Sep 20, 2013 – InnovatioNews – Colorado’s “CBSA investor and partnering conference shines spotlight on region’s most promising bioscience firms” http://innovationews.com/science/bioscience/investor-and-partnering-conference-shines-spotlight-on-regions-most-promising-bioscience-firms/

2012

Dec 14, 2012 – Denver Business Journal – “Colorado BioScience Association hands out nine awards” -  http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/print-edition/2012/12/14/colorado-bioscience-association-hands.html?page=all

Nov 8, 2012 - Denver Post: 'April Giles named CEO of Colorado BioScience Association' - http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_21956260/april-giles-named-ceo-colorado-bioscience-association 

Oct 22, 2012 – BIOTechNow – “Biotech is Growing in Colorado” http://www.biotech-now.org/public-policy/2012/10/biotech-is-growing-in-colorado# 

2011

Dec 9, 2011 – Denver Business Journal – “Colorado BioScience Association bestows 2011 awards” - http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/morning_call/2011/12/colorado-bioscience-association.html 

Sep 23, 2011 – Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor & Partnering Conference: Denver Post – “Colorado biotechs court financing by showing off inventions” - http://www.denverpost.com/Business/ci_18958018/Colorado-biotechs-court-financing-by-showing

Sep 15, 2011 – Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News – “GEN on Fort Collins, Colorado-based VetDC: 'Firm Finds New Uses for Drugs, Diagnostics, and Devices in Companion Animals' - http://www.genengnews.com/gen-articles/repurposing-biotechnology-products-for-pet-care/3803/?kwrd=VetDC 

2010


Sept 7, 2010 – Denver Business Journal – “CSU prof Temple Grandin, subject of HBO movie, to keynote Denver’s BioWest”  -  http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2010/09/06/daily8.html

Sep 2010 – Bylined Article: iStudent Advisor: “The Science of Biotechnology: Why Colorado is a perfect place to study” – PDF: https://www.dropbox.com/s/c44bj863vnuz7xy/iStudentAdvisor%20Sept2010.pdf?dl=0  

2009

Nov 2009 – Inc Magazine – “Innovation: A New Way to Fight Germs - Sharklet Technologies' Tony Brennan invented a sharkskin-like pattern that resists microbes” - http://www.inc.com/magazine/20091101/innovation-a-new-way-to-fight-germs.html 
 
Oct 11, 2009 – Denver Business Journal – Colorado’s ”CBSA pushes education initiatives to help attract future workers” - http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/10/12/story7.html?page=all

Sep 18, 2009 – Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference: Denver Post – “Biotech companies court venture capitalists: Medical Money” - http://www.denverpost.com/Business/ci_13362212/Biotech-companies-court-venture-capitalists 
 
2008



Sep 2008 – Nature Biotechnology – Colorado: “Growing the bioscience career pipeline – a new program connects local science teachers with the bioscience industry” – PDF: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ydd5bgezt985qxh/NatureBiotechnology%20Externship%20September2008.pdf?dl=0 

Aug 29, 2008 – Denver Business Journal – Colorado – “Med device industry stays healthy” – PDF: https://www.dropbox.com/s/l556qpo9em2x6tu/DBJ%20MedDeviceOverview%2029Aug2008.pdf?dl=0 

2007

Dec 12, 2007 – Medical Device Daily - BioWest 2007- Ubl: healthcare ‘homogeneous’ for Dems, not ‘at top’ for GOP” PDF: https://www.dropbox.com/s/20ef3o5tvfxc0ug/MedicalDeviceDaily%2012Dec07%20UblCollinsRecap.pdf?dl=0 

Dec 11, 2007 – Medical Device Daily – ‘BioWest 2007: ‘Showcase,’ and MDD, select ingenious valve firm as tops’ – PDF: https://www.dropbox.com/s/0hsfz3qs2z5loqe/MedicalDeviceDaily%2011Dec07%20VentureShowcaseResultsAndRecap.pdf?dl=0 
 
Dec 10, 2007 – Medical Device Daily - “BioWest 2007: Making med-tech & providing the services to do it well” - PDF: https://www.dropbox.com/s/m5vy4m84mjrif0a/MedicalDeviceDaily%2010Dec07%20RitterBeamOneQuestPD.pdf?dl=0 

2006

Oct 2006 – Medical Design – “BioWest 2006 closes with record attendance” – PDF: https://www.dropbox.com/s/jnds7f96ub19rqj/MedicalDesign%20BioWest2006%20Oct2006.pdf?dl=0  

Sep 25, 2006 – Denver Business Journal – Colorado “State offering $2M in bioscience grants” -  http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2006/09/25/daily12.html

Sep 5, 2006 – Medical Device Daily – “BioWest 2006: TheraTogs is a ‘wearable hugs’ maker right at home in Telluride” – PDF: https://www.dropbox.com/s/a5uxv0se0owtfpv/MedicalDeviceDaily%205Sept2006%20TheraTogs.pdf?dl=0  

2005

Nov 9, 2005 – Denver Business Journal – Colorado “Bioscience group bestows awards” - http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2005/11/07/daily46.html

Oct 9, 2005 – Denver Business Journal – “Dollars flowing to Colorado's biotech players: Replidyne, GlobeImmune net $96M in only one month” - http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2005/10/10/story3.html?page=all


Oct 2, 2005 – Denver Business Journal – “Authority, incubator boost Colorado Biotech” - http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2005/10/03/story4.html?page=all

2008-2014

Absolutely PR also initiated and maintained CBSA’s social media channels. These channels included: 

Additional Backgrounding

In 2006, Absolutely PR was named CBSA Partner of the Year during the annual Awards Dinner. During the presentation Emcee Rob Reuteman, business editor of the now shuttered Rocky Mountain News, shared these comments on behalf of CBSA: “Holben, founder of Absolutely Public Relations, has worked tirelessly to promote the Colorado bioscience industry message to local and national media. Holben works her public relations magic to promote coverage of Colorado events and industry news. Moreover, she chairs the CBSA Communications Committee, serves on the CBSA Board of Directors, and helps to organize incoming press delegations. She coordinates the industry’s media initiatives with CBSA partners, such as the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation. As a media consultant, Holben represents several of Colorado’s leading bioscience companies. Due to Holben’s professionalism and effort, Colorado’s bioscience industry isn’t such a secret anymore.” 




Friday, January 23, 2015

Loved Reading: 'What to Do in Denver' In This New York Times Feature (posting includes video)

Quoting from the January 21 posting by Freda Moon:

"The signs of Denver’s economic high times as a pot boomtown and bastion of progressive urban policies are everywhere. There is the B-cycle bike-share program, among the most affordable and best-run systems in the country, and the newly renovated Union Station, which has taken a still-in-use 1881 train station and made it the focal point of the thriving LoDo neighborhood. And there are the inconspicuous marijuana dispensaries that dot nearly every neighborhood, and more stunning public spaces — from Washington Park to the Cherry Creek bike path — than one city has a right to."

Link to nytimes.com to read the full article and view the video

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Great Read: 'The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users'

Last week a Guy Kawasaki e-mail arrived offering a free Kindle copy of his (and Peg Fitzpatrick's) new book, "The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users." I'd received review copies of his books in the past. He said this was a thank you for my help in the past.

I partook and thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated it. When PR people aren't PRing these days, quite often they're pondering and carrying out social media tactics. This book feeds that beast.

Link to read my Amazon review: "This is the glove box manual for social media. The perfect guide to help we socializes work smarter. Thank you, Guy and Peg, for your insight. I expect I'll be returning frequently for ideas and suggestions, like I turn to my favorite cook books. Appreciate the review copy very much. @MaggieHolben "

Link for more information at the Absolutely PR website

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Denver PR Blog: 'Primavera Group Lands CBSA Account' -- Congratulations Primavera Group Principal Sarah Eder and Senior Communications Strategist Sheliah Reynolds!

Quoting from today's posting:

"The Primavera Group has taken over media relations and strategic public relations contract for the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) from Absolutely PR’s Owner/Principal Maggie Holben, who is retiring as CBSA’s PR consultant after more than ten years of service to the organization."

Link to the posting

Link to the related CBSA news release

Quoting from that release:

“I’ve worked with Sarah over the years and I’m simply thrilled to be able to pass CBSA’s PR baton to her and her team. I’m confident Sarah’s business and PR acumen is exactly what CBSA needs to take our organization to the next level in its awareness growth curve. While I’m retiring as CBSA’s PR consultant, I’m only semi-retiring from the PR business. I’ll continue to keep my Absolutely PR consulting firm open in the future, but will be taking on projects of a lesser scope than the CBSA contract to allow for more travel and time with my family,” Holben explains.

Friday, January 2, 2015

Denver's Absolutely PR Takes a Look Back at 2014

Absolutely Public Relations celebrated its 15th year in business in 2014 and achieved key media placement results for clients in both the traditional and social media spaces. This yearend review is shared by Absolutely PR Principal/Founder Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, who says, "Absolutely PR assisted Colorado BioScience Association, Galichia Hospital Group/Kentuckiana Medical Center, Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority, Boettcher Foundation, Colorado BioScience Institute, Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development and Cat Care Society in 2014.” Holben has been providing pro bono PR and marketing communications counsel, plus board service, to Cat Care Society since 2011.

2014 Campaign Coverage and Placement Overview:

JANUARY – Business Xpansion Journal: 'Bioscience’s Bright Spots' - Colorado BioScience Association - http://absolutelypr.blogspot.com/2014/01/business-xpansion-journal-biosciences.html and http://bxjmag.com/biosciences-bright-spots 

FEBRUARY – Xconomy: 'Colorado Legislators Aim to Reward Angel Investors with Tax Credit' – Colorado BioScience Association -http://absolutelypr.blogspot.com/2014/02/xconomy-colorado-legislators-aim-to.html and http://www.xconomy.com/boulder-denver/2014/02/04/colorado-legislators-aim-to-reward-angel-investors-with-tax-credit  

MARCH – Wichita Business Journal: 'Galichia-managed Indiana medical center earns patient safety award'/Kentuckiana Medical Center ranked #1 Hospital in Louisville Area for Patient Safety by Consumer Reports – Galichia Hospital Group - http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/blog/2014/03/galichia-managed-indiana-medical-center-earns.html andhttp://absolutelypr.blogspot.com/2014/03/kentuckiana-medical-center-ranked-1_31.html

APRIL – Healthcare Financial News: 'When finances fall apart: Bankruptcy may lead to salvation' – Galichia Hospital Group/Kentuckiana Medical Center -http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/when-finances-fall-apart and http://absolutelypr.blogspot.com/2014/04/hfn-when-finances-fall-apart-bankruptcy.html 

MAY – Denver Business Journal: 'Developer Shaw to advise Fitzsimons authority on real estate' – Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority -http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2014/05/28/developer-shaw-to-advise-fitzsimons-authority-on.html and http://absolutelypr.blogspot.com/2014/05/well-known-denver-real-estate-developer.html 

JUNE – Denver Business Journal Op-Ed: 'Welcome to the United States Patent and Trademark Office' – Colorado BioScience Association -http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/print-edition/2014/06/20/letter-to-the-editor-welcome-to-the-united-states.html and http://coloradobio.blogspot.com/2014/06/dbj-op-ed-welcome-to-united-states.html + Boettcher Foundation Announces 2014 Boettcher Investigators; Celebrating Fifth Class of Colorado's Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Program – Boettcher Foundation and Colorado BioScience Association - http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140603005054/en/Colorado-BioScience-Association-Praises-Boettcher-Foundation-Embarks#.VKMVHSvF98H 


AUGUST - Denver Post: "Tails of the Painted Cats comes together purr-fectly for Cat Care Society" – Cat Care Society - http://blogs.denverpost.com/style/2014/08/06/tails-painted-cats-comes-together-purr-fectly-cat-care-society/32692/ and http://absolutelypr.blogspot.com/2014/08/denver-post-tails-of-painted-cats-comes.html 

SEPTEMBER – Denver Post Business: 'Colorado biotech firms trying to innovate efficiently' – Colorado BioScience Association -http://www.denverpost.com/Business/ci_26510215/Colorado-biotech-firms-trying-to-innovate-efficiently + Denver Business Journal : 'FDA could be source of innovation, Hamburg says' – Colorado BioScience Association - http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/boosters_bits/2014/09/fda-could-be-source-of-innovation-hamburg-says.html?page=all 

OCTOBER – Denver Post: 'Denver-based Sapphire Technology gets funding for gemstone-tipped dental instruments' – Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development - http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_26681598/denver-based-sapphire-technology-gets-funding-gemstone-tipped + DrBiscupid.com general dentistry website news feed - http://www.drbicuspid.com/index.aspx?sec=ser&sub=def&pag=dis&ItemID=316548 

NOVEMBER – Denver Business Journal TechFlash: 'Colorado bioscience organization searches for new leadership' – Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development - http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/boosters_bits/2014/11/colorado-bioscience-organization-searches-for-new.html andhttp://absolutelypr.blogspot.com/2014/11/well-known-life-science-executive-kevin.html 

DECEMBER – InnovatioNews: '2014 was a successful year for major bioscience financings, acquisitions and expansions' – Colorado BioScience Association -http://innovationews.com/science/bioscience/cbsa-2014-was-successful-year-for-major-bioscience-financings-acquistions-and-expansions  andhttp://absolutelypr.blogspot.com/2014/12/2014-colorados-major-bioscience.html + BioSpace: Colorado BioScience Association Names Primavera Group To Succeed Absolutely PR As Media Relations & Strategic PR Consulting Firm - http://www.biospace.com/News/colorado-bioscience-association-names-primavera/359355 andhttp://absolutelypr.blogspot.com/2014/12/colorado-bioscience-association-names.html 

Concluding the year, Absolutely PR assisted Colorado BioScience Association in announcing that Colorado-based Primavera Group will assume the media relations and strategic public relations contract for the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) beginning January 5, 2015. 

CBSA President and CEO April Giles said: "We’re thrilled to welcome Sarah Eder and her associates at the Primavera Group to our CBSA team. They will be taking over from Absolutely PR’s Owner/Principal Maggie Holben who is retiring as CBSA's PR Consultant after more than ten years of service to the organization as a board member, contract PR resource and volunteer.”  

Holben served two three-year terms on the CBSA Board of Directors and retires as an ex officio member of the board. In 2006, Absolutely PR was named CBSA Partner of the Year during the annual Awards Dinner (http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/09/prweb431691.htm). Absolutely PR will continue as a member company of the CBSA in 2015, and Holben will continue to serve on the CBSA Communications Committee, providing for a smooth transition to the Primavera Group.

“I’ve worked with Sarah over the years and I’m simply thrilled to be able to pass CBSA’s PR baton to her and her team. I’m confident Sarah’s business and PR acumen is exactly what CBSA needs to take our organization to the next level in its awareness growth curve. While I’m retiring as CBSA’s PR consultant, I’m only semi-retiring from the PR business. I’ll continue to keep my Absolutely PR consulting firm open in the future, but will be taking on projects of a lesser scope than the CBSA contract to allow for more travel and time with my family,” Holben concluded.