KLUGERTOWN is also looking for interesting guests. “Not your usual PR shill,” Barry says. ”Issues and fun are what matters. I know how hard it is to get decent coverage for clients so drop a line to our Associate Producer, Brett Leviton and let the games begin.”

Readers can listen to Kluger’s show on-air or live on the web. For the webcast, visit www.nbc1260.com and click on the “Listen Live!”  button.

Several months ago, I explained why I went for an MBA. Now that I have a six foot-long shelf of textbooks and course notebooks crammed into my head, I thought it might be interesting to share some of what I learned, at least the parts that related to PR and communications practice:

• Even if you have a great team, you have to regularly network outside the team.
• Having your priorities straight and being well-organized are often more important than having the knowledge itself. Being able to say “no” sharpens your focus.
• Setbacks set you free. You can’t be the best at everything. And knowing exactly when you’re not is great information.
• It’s life-work balance, not the other way around. Stress will literally tear you apart.
• The best teachers set the highest bars, offered the most practical methods and were the most available to others.
• You must go outside your comfort zone in order to succeed.  If you don’t, you won’t.
• People skills are critical to success. Patience and listening are the most important skills for advocating. It’s never about you. Your opinion, however good, is just one of many valuable others.
• Excellent presentation skills save all. It’s amazing how many people fear public speaking even to a small, friendly audience; pay attention to detail in their powerpoints, or fail to put any energy into their talks.
• Your ethics must be beyond reproach — always.
• It is not always about the numbers, but it usually starts there.
• Here are the two answers that crack 90% of B-school cases: (1) failure to set clear expectations up-front and (2) misalignment between desired behavior and employee incentives. If these fail, look hard at inventory, receivables and cash flow.
• The Goal is to make money
• Engaged, hardworking people are easy to spot and they are magnets for others. The people I respect the least were “social loafers”. Sadly, we had a few in the program. They worked the least, listened the least and participated the least — and I feel sorry for them. They have an MBA but in the long run will get nothing out of it.
• PR is a real niche. It hardly ever came up in coursework because managing operations makes or breaks public perception.
• All politics is macroeconomics. Understanding macroeconomics, I found, is also the key to enjoying the Wall Street Journal.
• The best negotiating tactic is respect.
• Many PR firms I know lack a business strategy.
• For all the complaints about Washington DC, the American government up-close is inspiring and well-run. Lobbyists are generally the most skilled PR people.
• Most important internal skills to have in business: managerial accounting and supply chain management. Most important external skills: finance and emotional intelligence.
• Bagpipes are better than “Pomp & Circumstance”.

Nine years in the making, A Life Undone is the story of the tragic loss of Barry’s daughter, Erica, in a car accident here in Arizona — and as you can imagine, it’s his story too.

I am headlong into the book and it’s not what you might think. A Life Undone is a warm and witty celebration of Erica’s life. If you’ve read Barry’s posts here at Valley PR Blog, you’ll have a good idea what to expect.

With that said, if you do purchase the book, go to www.alifeundone.com and order a signed copy. While it’s available on the “other sites,” and will be in bookstores around approximately May 15, Barry’s site is conveniently set up with PayPal and a portion of those proceeds will go to several organizations (e.g., Erica Kluger Scholarship at The Spotlight Dance Academy and Autism Speaks™). And if you order in the next few weeks through www.alifeundone.com, your book will be personally inscribed

Says Kluger, “Thanks for living through it all, and for comforting me, during these years after Erica. Erica’s life is worth remembering and now I can ensure this story will be known.”

Book synopsis:
When a parent has to bury a child, there is no manual, no guide and no 12-step program. A Life Undone, A Father’s Journey Through Loss is the story of one father’s voyage through this most horrific experience, battling unimaginable grief to find a new way of life.

In A Life Undone, Barry Kluger shares his struggle to regain his footing after losing his 18-year old daughter Erica – his only child.
It is not surprising that Kluger, a corporate communications executive and writer, would compose a story about his daughter’s life, her tragic death and his grieving process.

It will, however, surprise many that Kluger holds nothing back—not his own failings nor his daughter’s. His realism, tempered with humor, is refreshing and inspiring.

A Life Undone is not a how-to book; it is a view into one man’s parenting and grieving. Readers get a road map—not a guide—via Kluger’s thoughts, emails and recollections, on how to adjust to life’s inevitable changes, from the miniscule to the monumental. Readers see Kluger adjust as a new father, as a divorced parent, a remarried man and finally, as a grieving dad.

Kluger, who was for many years “casual” about religion, turns to his faith as an anchor to help him cope with his grief. The experiences he shares help people of any faith traverse the fine line between embracing their beliefs and becoming strangled by religion when faced with turmoil.

Readers learn much about Erica; the first half of the book is a celebration of the times they shared together. Kluger does not sugar-coat the bad times, grappling with the realization that his decision to divorce Erica’s mother may have contributed to her demise. But he learns to accept that he did the best that he could, an invaluable lesson to all parents.

The beginning of A Life Undone, Kluger includes an article by Rabbi Jack Riemer about a concert given by Itzhak Perlman, during which one of his violin strings broke. This article sets the stage for the book’s most powerful message: Like Perlman’s playing at the beginning of his concert; Kluger lived life with all that he had. And akin to Perlman’s masterful completion of his concert with only three strings, he now lives to the fullest with what he has left. A Life Undone recounts one man’s grieving process, but more importantly, it is a celebration of love and life.

Here is something he is proud to share with you all…

“By sharing his most loving memories of his daughter, Barry Kluger has written a powerful book filled with humor, heartache and an unflinching form of introspection.In his words, we see our own losses, and possibilities of life also.” — Jeffrey Zaslow, coauthor of The Last Lecture

Finally…
“There’s no tragedy in life like the death of a child. Things never get back to the way they were.” —Dwight David Eisenhower

“Death ends a life, not a relationship.” —Robert Benchley

InView will deliver strategic national, trade and local communications programs to support Craters & Freighters’ 20th anniversary.

Craters & Freighters helps businesses and consumers with specialty freight handling, including container construction, pick-up, crating, shipping, tracking, insuring and delivery of shipments that are too heavy, large, valuable, awkward, and time-sensitive for other shipping agencies. The firm also operates a Global Logistics division to focus on custom logistic solutions for complex domestic and international packaging.

Here are the details:

The position is for a Director Public Relations in Tempe, AZ.

http://www.CyberCoders.com/qb.aspx?posId=MCV-DIRPR&ad=CSHJMarie.Cravey

Maximize Search Marketing Opportunities with Bestselling Author Bill Hunt

Wednesday, February 24^th, 2010

5:30-7:30pm

SkySong
1475 N. Scottsdale Road, Convergence Room #129
Scottsdale, AZ 85257

Join us at 5:30pm for networking and enjoy two free drinks!

Click Here to sign up: http://sempoaz.eventbrite.com/

Leveraging over 15 years of global search experience, Bill will review the current state of search marketing and his view of the future. Bill will talk about the things advertisers and agencies should be doing today to leverage the eventual upturn in the global economy to increase their business and client opportunities. He’ll also take a closer look at the synergies with other forms of marketing and how to maximize the real opportunities of search marketing to gain a larger share of mind of senior executives to drive global expansion and increased revenues.

About Bill Hunt (@billhunt)

Bill Hunt, author of the bestselling book “Search Engine Marketing, Inc.” has been a pioneer in Search Marketing and is considered the top thought leader on Enterprise and Global Search Engine Marketing. He is an internationally recognized Search Marketing expert who has spoken at conferences in over 30 countries. Press, industry analysts and corporate leaders frequently seek Bill’s advice to effectively leverage Enterprise and Global Search Marketing. Bill is the President of Back Azimuth Consulting, which focuses on helping companies understand the Voice of their Customer by aggregating multiple digital signals into actionable insights, product innovation and messaging strategies.

This event is open to SEMPO members and non-members

Price for STUDENTS to attend: $10
Price for MEMBERS to attend:  $20
Price for Friends and Family to attend: $25
Price for NON-MEMBERS to attend: $30

]]> http://www.valleyprblog.com/uncategorized/sempo-event-wed/feed/ 2 http://www.valleyprblog.com/agencies/ma-hires-clawson-promotes-renneke/ http://www.valleyprblog.com/agencies/ma-hires-clawson-promotes-renneke/#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:06:10 +0000 Dan Wool http://www.valleyprblog.com/?p=3818 Moses Anshell has hired Steve Clawson in the agency’s PR group and promoted Marina Renneke to Senior PR Manager.

Clawson has been in broadcasting for more than 25 years.  Steve was heard for years on KTAR radio as an anchor/reporter and later as a talk show producer.  He also worked in Valley television on the assignment desk at KSAZ/Fox 10 and at KAET Channel 8, where he produced the Friday edition of “Horizon” known as the “Journalists’ Roundtable”. His work has been heard on everything from ABC radio news to the BBC and Voice of America. He also is the voice of the radio reporter in Michael Moore’s first movie, “Roger & Me.”

At MA, Renneke handled the NYC ” World of Warcraft” video game launch for Best Buy and a Sports Authority/Nintendo of America launch event in Los Angeles with star trainer Jillian Michaels. Prior to joining Moses Anshell, she worked for the City of Scottsdale’s Communication & Public Affairs office

Moses Anshell is an integrated marketing firm with nationally-known creative work as well as other disciplines from public relations and social media to interactive work, strategy and branding, and media buying.

Moses Anshell has hired Steve Clawson in the agency’s PR group and promoted Marina Renneke to Senior PR Manager.

Clawson has been in broadcasting for more than 25 years.  Steve was heard for years on KTAR radio as an anchor/reporter and later as a talk show producer.  He also worked in Valley television on the assignment desk at KSAZ/Fox 10 and at KAET Channel 8, where he produced the Friday edition of “Horizon” known as the “Journalists’ Roundtable”. His work has been heard on everything from ABC radio news to the BBC and Voice of America. He also is the voice of the radio reporter in Michael Moore’s first movie, “Roger & Me.”

At MA, Renneke handled the NYC ” World of Warcraft” video game launch for Best Buy and a Sports Authority/Nintendo of America launch event in Los Angeles with star trainer Jillian Michaels. Prior to joining Moses Anshell, she worked for the City of Scottsdale’s Communication & Public Affairs office

Moses Anshell is an integrated marketing firm with nationally-known creative work as well as other disciplines from public relations and social media to interactive work, strategy and branding, and media buying.

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Planchard will accelerate the firm’s growth in the region, leveraging her extensive experience in brand building and communications to fortify business development and the management of key accounts. Many Allison & Partners clients are headquartered in Phoenix, including Best Western and SEA LIFE Arizona.

Planchard’s experience includes working with some of the Southwest’s leading consumer, hospitality, healthcare and technology companies such as LifeLock, Hilton Resorts, Hilton, Doubletree and Motorola, among others. She is active in the local business community, serving as the Vice President of Communications for the Junior League of Phoenix and as a Board Member of the Phoenix Public Relations Society. 

Allison & Partners is a national independent public relations and public affairs firm with practice areas in consumer marketing, corporate communications, social impact, technology, public affairs and healthcare.

Clifford will lead the account services team and help develop strategy and branding for multiple clients. Prior to Off Madison Ave, Clifford was responsible for marketing efforts at DMB Associates, Inc., a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based luxury community and resort real estate developer. She also spent a combined total of eight years at Publicis, one of the largest advertising agencies in the world, working with high-profile clients such as Tree Top, Inc., First Security Bank, Gardenburger, Johnson & Johnson and PetSmart.

Ross will develop and seek new business in Arizona and across the country within various vertical markets. Previously, Ross was the owner of Echelon Consulting and specialized in sales recruiting and lead generation.

White joins Off Madison Ave’s public relations team to support a variety of local, national and international public relations clients. Most recently, she assisted in community outreach and marketing efforts for the City of Tempe, where she specialized in local media relations, community engagement and special event support.

Wilson will run e-mail campaigns and help create designs for Off Madison Ave’s clients. Wilson recently worked at London’s Crispin Porter + Bogusky during their Windows 7 UK campaign and received his bachelor’s degree in Creative Advertising Strategy from London College of Communication.

Felix will support the administrative group with accounting, office management and database management activities. She has previously worked for the Wyndham Resorts and First Choice Services in the accounting department.

The agency will create and execute local, regional and national campaigns to include public relations, advertising, social media and grassroots marketing.