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

Sep 30, 2010 – Colorado Public Radio - "Biotech in Colorado: Synthetic Sharkskin and So Much More" - http://media.cpr.org/audio/NewsFeatures/2010/09/30/100930_1001_ATC_500_EW_Biotech_Venture_Showcase_-_WITH_LEAD.32.mp3 MP3 and PDF: https://www.dropbox.com/s/yvbylspntloll3p/ColoradoPublicRadio%20BioWest2010%2030Sept2010.mp3?dl=0 

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

Dec 1, 2008 – Bylined Article: Drug Discovery & Development – “Rocky Mountain High Bioscience” – http://www.dddmag.com/articles/2008/12/rocky-mountain-high-bioscience PDF: https://www.dropbox.com/s/2hvjgg2kikicxsb/DD%26D%20WebExclusive%20RockyMountainHighBioScience%209Dec2008.pdf?dl=0 

Nov 13-14, 2008 – Colorado Public Radio – 2008 Venture Showcase at BioWest 2008  – Part 1 & Part 2 MP3s: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7yu97kcud6u5066/ColoradoPublicRadio%20BioWest2008%2013Nov2008%20PtOne.mp3?dl=0 and https://www.dropbox.com/s/xf0vgij0ubsbsjj/ColoradoPublicRadio%20BioWest2008%2014Nov2008%20PtTwo.mp3?dl=0 

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: 

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/COBioscience     

LinkedIn Group: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?about=&gid=98468&trk=anet_ug_grppro     

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/ColoradoBioScienceAssociation   

Blogger:  http://coloradobio.blogspot.com    

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/COBioscience    

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/COBioscience    

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/101998361861247247369/posts   

Tumblr: http://cobioscience.tumblr.com  

Instagram: http://instagram.com/coloradobioscience  

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.” 

Link to the news release pdf

Link to the release posting on SlideShare

Link to the 2014 Media Metrics Overview

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

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

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.

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 

JULY – Denver Business Journal: 'Amgen [Foundation] supports STEM effort' – Colorado BioScience Institute - http://coloradobio.blogspot.com/2014/08/dbj-amgen-foundation-supports-stem.html and http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/print-edition/2014/08/08/auction-golf-event-help-raise-funds-for-kids-in.html?page=all  

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.

Link to the PR.com posting