Tips on coping with winter weather

Gannett’s Courier-Post ran the following weather tips for those of us affaceted by today’s snow storm. Be careful out there. [To comment: larry@larrylitwin.com]

Here are tips on coping with winter weather:

Road conditions

Check on road conditions by going to the state Department of Transportation’s website for up-to-date traffic information and images from live traffic cameras. Go to www.state.nj.us /transportation and click on Commuter Information and then click on Real Time Traffic information.

You can also visit www.nws.noaa.gov for up-to-date weather information.

Driving safety

Keep an emergency kit in your trunk in case your car breaks down. The kit should include: a snow shovel, ice scraper, jumper cables, tools, flashlight with fresh batteries, paper towels or rags, bag of rock salt or cat litter for added traction, blanket, warm clothes, gloves, bottled water and food, extra washer fluid, oil and antifreeze.

Keep your car’s gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.

Let someone know your destination, your route and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.

If you get stuck in your car:

— Stay with your car. Do not try to walk to safety.

— Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see.

— Start the car and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won’t back up in the car.

— Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so you can be seen.

— As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and to stay warm.

— Keep one window away from the blowing wind slightly open to let in air.

Home safety

Keep an emergency kit at home. The kit should include: several days’ worth of food that needs no cooking or refrigeration, such as bread, crackers, cereal, canned foods and dried food, baby food and formula, bottled water (five gallons per person) in case your pipes freeze or rupture, any medicine you may need, portable radio and flashlights with fresh batteries.

Important numbers for Southern New Jersey. Check in your local area.

New Jersey Transit: (800) 772-2222

PATCO Hi-Speedline: (856) 772-6900

Atlantic City Electric: (800) 833-7476

PSE&G: (800) 436-7734

The Return of the Philadelphia Challenge Cup

[To comment: larry@larrylitwin.com]

The 2011 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta, Presented by Coca-ColaR will host the
return of rowing’s premiere Amateur Single Sculling Championship event on
the Schuylkill River.

Philadelphia, PA (December 21, 2010) – The City of Philadelphia, along with
the Philadelphia Gold Challenge Cup Foundation are proud to announce the
return of the Philadelphia Challenge Cup event-The Gold Cup, at the Aberdeen
Dad Vail Regatta, Presented by Coca-ColaR, Saturday, May 14, 2011, on the
Schuylkill River.

The Philadelphia Challenge Cup is presented to the undisputed amateur single
sculling champion of the world. Inspired by John B. Kelly Sr., a
Philadelphian and 1920 Olympian (Brussels, Belgium), the newly revitalized
event will showcase the top four men and women single scullers in the world.
These elite athletes will row in separate men’s and women’s races.    Each
champion will receive a newly minted commemorative of the Gold Cup along
with a prize award of $10,000.  Second and third place finishers will be
awarded $5,000 and $2,500 respectfully.

“Athletics are an integral part of our city’s culture especially those
played on the scenic Schuylkill River. The storied history of the Gold Cup
Challenge is uniquely Philadelphian, and I am looking forward to watching
elite athletes compete for it again in our city,” said Mayor Michael A.
Nutter.

In restoring the Philadelphia Challenge Cup event, Philadelphia will again
play host to the top elite men and women international scullers in the
world. Last contested on the Schuylkill River in 1962, on hand today to
witness the revival of this Philadelphia tradition is John B. Kelly III,
grandson of Kelly Sr.  the  inspiration and first recipient of the Gold Cup,
and 1964 U.S. Olympic oarsman and 1966 Gold Cup winner, Don Spero.

About the Philadelphia Gold Challenge Cup Foundation:  A private group of
Philadelphia rowing enthusiasts who rediscovered the Gold Cup and hope to
reinstate the Philadelphia Challenge Cup event and tradition to its rightful
place in single scull rowing prominence.

About the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta, Presented by Coca-ColaR: The largest
collegiate regatta in North America with over 100 colleges and universities
from the United States and Canada.  Held annually since 1953 in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on the Schuylkill River, thousands of student
athletes and spectators visit the City of Philadelphia during the weekend of
the second Saturday in May.

About the Schuylkill Navy: An association of amateur rowing clubs in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1858, it is the oldest amateur
athletic governing body in the United States.  The member clubs of the Navy
are all located on the Schuylkill River where it flows through Fairmount
Park in Philadelphia, with most of the clubs being located on historic
Boathouse Row. The Navy organizes several rowing events during the year.
Many of the clubs in the Navy have a rich history and have produced a large
number of Olympic and World class competitors.

Media Contact:
For The Philadelphia Challenge Cup — Jim Murray Ltd., 856-985-0848,
JimMurrayV@aol.com
For The Schuylkill Navy — Jim DeLorenzo, Jim DeLorenzo Public Relations,
215-266-5943, jim@jhdenterprises.com

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Flyers’ Tough Guy to Accept Sports Writers’ ‘Team of the Year’ Award

Ian Laperriere, PSWA's Team of the Year

[To comment: larry@larrylitwin.com]

Even in the National Hockey League, they don’t come much tougher than Ian Laperriere.

The Philadelphia Flyers’ forward is sidelined indefinitely with “post concussion syndrome.” To keep “Lappy” off the ice … well, it’s just not easy.

In the first round of last year’s NHL playoffs, Laperriere through himself in front of a shot and took the puck square in his face. He suffered a concussion and a brain contusion, to go along with a broken nose. He required almost 70 stitches in his face, and was expected to miss the rest of the playoffs.

But for one of the toughest men to ever lace ‘em up in the NHL, missing the Flyers’ inspired playoff run was not an option. He returned to action in the Conference Finals against Montreal.

Laperriere isn’t on the ice right now, but he will be on the dais for the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association’s 107th annual Awards Dinner, 6:30 p.m. Monday, January 31, 2011. For tickets, visit www.pswa.org.

Lee — Always in the cards — thanks to wife’s PR knowledge

Cliff Lee flashes the No. 1 finger as he poses with his No. 33 Phillies jersey after his news conference Tuesday. (Associated Press)

Below is an excerpt of David Hale’s story in the Dec. 16, 2010 “Courier-Post.”

In it, Cliff Lee’s wife, Kristin, made use of a popular strategic communication tactic depended on by many strategic communicators: The “Force Field (Conflict) Analysis” – (see it in Chapter 15 of “The Public Relations Practitioner’s Playbook). If it weren’t for that “Force Field,” there is a good chance Lee would be a Ranger – or worse – a dreaded Yankee.

Here is the excerpt [Scroll down below picture].

For Hale’s full story, go to the “Courier-Post” website. It carries the full story of Lee’s return to Philadelphia.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20101216/SPORTS01/12160329/ALWAYS-IN-THE-CARDS. [Scroll down below picture]

[To comment: larry@larrylitwin.com]

PHILADELPHIA — There’s a scrap of paper sitting on the kitchen counter in Cliff and Kristin Lee’s house in Arkansas, a scrap that Kristin nearly threw away before leaving for Philadelphia, where her husband was officially announced as the newest member of the Phillies’ starting rotation Wednesday.

Before the paper reached the trash, however, Kristin realized just how important the words on it were. She knew that piece of paper might have been the turning point that led her husband to come back to Philadelphia, to come back to a place they both longed to call home once again.

Of course, that scrap of paper is just part of the story — and the twisted tale of Cliff Lee’s return to the Phillies was filled with more than its share of twists and turns.

Still, it took that scrap of paper to provide the final push.

The night before, when the negotiations still looked bleak, Kristin Lee had trouble sleeping. She knew she wanted Cliff to sign with the Phillies, but she also knew the money wasn’t close to what the Yankees or Rangers had offered.

So when she woke up, she grabbed a piece of paper and began to write. She drew out three columns — one each for reasons to sign with the Phillies, the Yankees and the Rangers. By the time she was done writing, the Phillies’ column dwarfed the other two.

“That morning I was thinking of all those things that were so great about this place, so when we’re trying to figure out what to do I wanted to be able to say, “Hey Cliff, we can’t forget these things,’ ” she said.

Once the deal was done, it didn’t take long before the Lees were reminded all over again of how much they loved Philadelphia.

Flying into the airport, the city was lit up and Kristin Lee was thrilled to be home. At the airport and at dinner, fans came and congratulated the couple on returning to Philadelphia.

It was a most unlikely outcome, but it was the perfect ending for Lee.

“It’s been a whirlwind couple of years for me, and it’s been a fun ride,” Lee said.

“This offseason has been full of unknowns, but it feels great to land back here in Philadelphia.”

Again, full story: http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20101216/SPORTS01/12160329/ALWAYS-IN-THE-CARDS

[To comment: larry@larrylitwin.com]

Phillies’ Pitcher Roy Halladay Named ‘Pro Athlete of the Year’ by Philadelphia Sports Writers Association

[To comment: larry@larrylitwin.com]

Phillies Cy Young Award-winner Roy Halladay, the only pitcher ever to throw a perfect game and no-hitter in the same season, has been named the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association’s Pro Athlete of the Year, it was announced by PSWA president Rich Westcott.

Halladay will be honored at the PSWA’s 107th annual Sports Awards Dinner on Monday, January 31, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, on Route 70 in Cherry Hill, N.J. Tickets are available to the public.

Halladay threw a perfect game in Florida on May 29, then tossed a no-hitter against Cincinnati on Oct. 6 in the opener of the National League Division Series. It was only the second post-season no-hitter in history.

Halladay, who also won a Cy Young with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2003, joined Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, and Gaylord Perry as the only pitchers to earn the awards in both the National and American Leagues.

Halladay led the Phillies to the best regular season record in major league baseball in 2010 by going 21-10 with a 2.44 ERA and 219 strikeouts. He led the National League in wins and topped the major leagues in innings pitched (250 2/3), shutouts (4) and complete games (9).

The Philadelphia Flyers, the 2010 Stanley Cup runner-ups, will be honored as the Team of the Year at the dinner. Other prestigious awards, including Outstanding Professional and Amateur Athlete, Living Legend, Native Son, Humanitarian of the Year, and Good Guy Athlete, among others, will be announced in coming weeks. The most coveted award—Most Courageous—is kept secret until the night of the dinner.

Tickets for the dinner at $95 apiece and can be purchased by clicking here.

Fans can also friend PSWA on Facebook.

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Procter & Gamble ends soap opera sponsorship – a must read for Rowan U. and other advertising majors

As Professor Litwin has said in class, so many times:

The way it was. From Procter & Gamble, AP. Cast of "Guiding Light" in 1937, a radio (and later TV) show sponsored by Procter & Gamble, which helped coin the term "soap operas." Ratings for daytime dramas have been sinking for years. Now, P&G and other big firms recognize social media as the efficient way to connect with customers. (Associated Press)

“The future is now and will (probably) change before this class ends.” To comment: larry@larrylitwin.com

By DAN SEWELL • Associated Press •

December 10, 2010

“As the World Tweets”

CINCINNATI — Goodbye, “Guiding Light.” Hello, YouTube.

Procter & Gamble Co., whose sponsorship and production of daytime TV dramas helped coin the

term “soap operas,” has pulled the plug after 77 years. Instead, the maker of Tide detergent, Ivory
soap and Olay skincare is following its customers online with a big push on YouTube, Twitter and
Facebook.

“The digital media has pretty much exploded,”
marketing chief Marc Pritchard said in an interview.
“It’s become very integrated with how we operate, it’s

become part of the way we do marketing.”

The last P&G-produced soap opera, “As The World
Turns,” went off the air in September. The show was
the leading daytime soap for decades, but had lost
some two-thirds of its audience at the end.

Over the years, P&G produced 20 soap operas for
radio and TV. But ratings for daytime dramas have
been sinking for years, as women, their target
audience, increasingly moved into the workplace,
switched to talk and reality shows, and spent more
time using online media and social networking
sites.

P&G, the world’s biggest advertiser, still buys
individual commercials on daytime dramas. But the
dollar amount has shrunk. P&G won’t say by how
much.

Dori Molitor, whose WomanWise LLC agency
specializes in marketing brands to women, says big
companies are realizing that social media is an
efficient way to connect with customers.

“Social media has become mass media, and for
women especially,” she said. “I think for all
marketers, these one-way, 30-second (TV) spots are
very expensive, and are less effective for the way
that women make decisions.”

Marketing experts say the biggest companies were
generally slow to adapt to the rapid rise of social
networks, but that beverage rivals Coca-Cola Co.

and Pepsico Inc., and P&G and fellow consumer
products makers Unilever PLC and Johnson &
Johnson are among those quickly making up for
lost time.

In recent months, P&G began selling Pampers
diapers on Facebook, offering an iPhone application
for Always feminine products that allows women to
track menstrual cycles and ask experts questions,
and using social media to turn a campaign for the
venerable Old Spice brand into a pop-culture icon.

The “Smell like a Man, Man” commercials starring
hunky former football player Isaiah Mustafa became
a YouTube sensation, drawing tens of millions of
views and spawning parodies such as one with
Sesame Street’s Grover, and generated another
round of attention with Twitter questions that
Mustafa answered in videos — such as on ABC’s
Good Morning America when he suggested that
President Barack Obama could improve standing
with female voters by wearing only a towel and
beginning speeches with “Hello, Ladies!”

The echo effect gives P&G a bigger bang for its
nearly 9 billion bucks a year spent on advertising.

“It is such an effective advertising campaign that we
are getting impressions that we did not pay for,”
CEO Bob McDonald told investors recently,
recounting that he saw an editorial cartoon showing
Obama on horseback, a takeoff on Mustafa’s “I’m on
a horse” Old Spice catch-phrase.

For a company known for measuring just about
everything, P&G touts big numbers from Old Spice

tracking:

Number of impressions (people who saw, read, or
heard about commercials): 1.8 billion.

Number of YouTube views for Old Spice and related
videos: 140 million and counting.

Increase in Twitter followers for Old Spice: 2,700
percent.

P&G also said Old Spice sales are growing at double
digits, taking more of the market for body washes
and deodorant.

Just 20 months ago, P&G hosted “digital night” at its
Cincinnati headquarters by inviting Google,
Facebook, Twitter and other online experts to help
test ways online and digital media could be used in
marketing. By the Vancouver Winter Olympics last
February, P&G was coordinating TV commercials
with Facebook messages and tracking instant
reactions to new commercials on Twitter.

P&G, which sponsored Team USA, unveiled
sentimental “Thank you, Mom!” commercials at the
Olympics that it estimates added $100 million in
sales. The campaign has included Facebook essay
contests and e-Cards for mothers.

P&G says it’s still exploring new uses for social
media.

“It’s kind of the oldest form of marketing — word of
mouth — with the newest form of technology,”
Pritchard said.

PR Seminar for educators and news media

Delsea Regional High School in Gloucester County, New Jersey hosted a public relations seminar for Gloucester County schools and news media outlets.

Here are the notes provided following the successful session. Anyone wanting more information may contact larry@larrylitwin.com. Much of what was discussed is availble in Litwin’s two books available on www.larrylitwin.com, digitally from Amazon for the Kindle, iPad and iPhone and at better book stores everywhere.

Public Relations Seminar Notes – December 6, 2010

Speakers  – M. Larry Litwin, APR, Fellow PRSA, Rowan University Associate Professor, Public Relations/Advertising

John Barna, Editor, Gloucester County Times

Resources:

Website – www.larrylitwin.com.

Student Resources Heading – handouts pertaining to audience engagement

Workshops/PowerPoints Heading -numerous detailed PowerPoints that contain information relevant to what we do every day.

Books – The ABCs of Strategic Communication by M. Larry Litwin

The Public Relations Practioner’s Playbook by M. Larry Litwin

Questions – How to Best Share Story and Get Media Attention?

How to Market Press Releases

How Do Schools Know Appropriate Person?

What is Hierarchy of Each News Media?

65-85% of news is PR generated

Keep media list up-to-date

#1 – Relationship – Develop relationships

#2-Knowing News

#3 Knowing Deadlines

Accuracy, Timeliness

Accessibility

Communicate from inside-out

Patch.com (AOL initiative – community journalism) – opportunity for schools to celebrate community – West Deptford will be soon included.

Make videos available to news – Jim Six – handles video content from GCT

School Budget Questions

How can schools sell budgets with 2 % cap?

News release approach

Electronic release (multi-platform approach – blogs, twitter, Facebook)

Need strong, strategic message – short message

Sit down with reporter before school board meeting where budget is released.  Give them the information and then follow-up

Remember information on website – 30% do not scroll to bottom of page – important message needs to be at beginning

Public education #1 commodity

United front from teachers and administrators

Turn around negatives and make them positives

Strategic message for seniors – Support education for your grandchildren

How can schools inform public without information seeming like a threat?

1.  Share reality of what will happen if budget does not pass.

Identify Yes Voters

Labor Intensive – but relatively new (for school communicators) One-to-One (1-1) Marketing is effective

2. Gaining, maintaining and enhancing public support as we move forward is just one of our challenges. Our taxpayers must be reminded, “We are in this together.”

No voters will come out to vote, so it is important to get as many people as possible to vote.

Day of Election – Get volunteer organization to bring voters to polls

Vote By Mail – Identify college students especially those away at school

Suggestions/ Considerations

Story ideas to consider – What is unique about the event?

Message

Audience

Channel for communication – where does audience get their information

Timing

And don’t lose sight of the purpose (why you are communicating the message)

Be persistent,  but pleasant

Monday – 3 PM – good time to contact media – looking for stories for week

Anniversary Dates are important to media – schedule an activity on an anniversary date

Reporters use Facebook for ideas and stories.

Know where information is going.

Strategic tweets – direct to website or Facebook

Plan your event for the fifth (5th) Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday of month – you stand better chance for coverage

No municipal or board meetings are planned for 5th day of month

To comment: larry@larrylitwin.com