Press Room
Why Are Communications Professionals Losing Sleep?
Posted 08/09/2010
MINNEAPOLIS, August 9, 2010 – What keeps agricultural business communicators up at night? Rapidly changing media channels – especially ever-expanding social media – can provide a nightly reason for insomnia, according to a survey of agribusiness communications professionals. Fortunately, in what’s perhaps a comforting sleep aid, the survey also shows the communications industry is quickly adapting.
Exponent PR surveyed 118 members of the American Agricultural Editors’ Association, Livestock Publications Council and American Business Media Agri-Council. As the number of communication channels increases each day and technology requires communicators to utilize more of them, journalists have more to do in less time.
The survey shows nearly 90 percent of respondents’ organizations have added social media to their offerings. While nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of respondents say they work with social media on a professional level each day, about half (52 percent) of respondents reported feeling confident using it in their current positions.
“More than half of the respondents are confident using social media, and that’s a significant portion,” said Tom Lindell, managing director of Exponent and co-manager of the survey with Exponent counselor Sara Petersen. “This industry has always had an appetite for change and communicators continue to embrace change.”
In the midst of the changing media landscape, respondents also worried about budgets (65 percent), competition for audiences (47 percent) and the impact of consolidation on the agriculture industry (35 percent).
Multimedia technology skills are another concern for communications professionals as technology blurs the lines between the types of media. For example, about half (46 percent) of respondents reported using broadcast skills in traditionally print-only jobs.
With increased responsibility comes less comfort. Only about half (51 percent) of respondents say new media has had a positive impact on their jobs, and similarly, only half say they believe new media gives communicators an advantage.
Lindell and Petersen say the survey results are another reminder that job responsibilities in business-to-business communications, including the agricultural industry, have changed dramatically and will continue to change.
“It’s up to communicators to improve their skills to meet the demand for faster, better and more accessible information,” said Lindell. “And it’s up to employers to provide employees the
tools and training necessary for keeping up, or even better, leading the change.”
Optimism for the future was reflected in respondents’ responses. Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of the survey-takers, 26 percent of whom are under the age of 35, believe they’ll still be employed in the communications industry in the next five to 10 years, but 79 percent acknowledge that they’ll need many more skills in order to remain in their professions.
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Gia Vitali Joins Exponent PR
Posted 06/08/2010
MINNEAPOLIS, June 8, 2010 –Gia Vitali has joined Exponent PR as a counselor with the agency’s public affairs and crisis management team.
Vitali has an extensive background in public policy, community organizing and strategic communications. Most recently, she served as campaign manager for the Thissen for Governor campaign. Previously, Vitali was political director for Progressive Majority Minnesota and field and communications director for U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn).
Vitali joins the burgeoning public affairs practice at Exponent. Led by Bob Gagne, the practice is one of the region’s most respected – providing public education, policy development and crisis management strategies to a range of corporations, nonprofits and government agencies.
“Gia has a track record of forging coalitions and mobilizing stakeholders, and we’re thrilled to offer her expertise to our clients,” said Tom Lindell, managing director, Exponent PR. “Leveraging the power of stakeholder support is often at the core of our successful public affairs strategies.”
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Exponent PR Wins Silver Anvil Awards
Posted 06/04/2010
MINNEAPOLIS, June 4, 2010 – Exponent PR won two Silver Anvil Awards at the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) 2010 Silver Anvil Awards Ceremony. The Silver Anvil, considered the icon of the public relations industry, honors organizations that have successfully addressed a contemporary public relations issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. Exponent PR received the awards at the Silver Anvil Celebration Event in New York.
Exponent PR took the Silver Anvil Award in the Public Service (Business) Category for the “Helping Brand Lends Helping Hand to Fight Hunger” program, an effective cause-marketing campaign for General Mills and Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief charity. To extend their commitment to fighting hunger in America, General Mills’ Hamburger Helper® launched Show Your Helping Hand™, a national hunger relief campaign in partnership with award-winning singer and actress Beyoncé Knowles. Exponent helped build and sustain awareness for the campaign.
The agency also won a Silver Anvil Award of Excellence in the Marketing Business to Business (Products) Category for the “New Vision Plants Seeds of Growth for DuPont” program. To spark the imagination of employees, as well as bring a new customer promise to life for external audiences, DuPont Crop Protection tapped Exponent PR to implement a campaign that shifted perceptions and helped build sales in a declining market with sharp competition.
“We are honored to be recognized for some of the public relations industry’s best work of the year,” said Tom Lindell, managing director, Exponent PR. “We are grateful to have remarkable client-partners who value the powerful combination of creativity, collaboration and measurable results.”
PRSA had selected 134 finalists from 823 entries this year.
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Ted Haller Joins Exponent PR
Posted 05/27/2010
MINNEAPOLIS, May 27, 2010 – Exponent PR announces the hire of Ted Haller as an associate. Haller brings his talent and experience to the DuPont Crop Protection account and supports clients in public affairs and crisis management.
Haller has a successful background in broadcast journalism and strong skills in social media. He spent the last four years as a general assignment and political reporter at a CBS-affiliate in Traverse City, Mich., where he won multiple awards from the Associated Press and Michigan Association of Broadcasters. Haller graduated from Northwestern University, double-majoring in journalism and political science.
“We welcome Ted’s contagious curiosity, valuable experience and powerful communication skills to our team,” said Tom Lindell, managing director, Exponent PR. “Ted will provide our clients with increased value and further success.”
Exponent PR Receives Silver Anvil Recognition
Posted 04/01/2010
MINNEAPOLIS, April 1, 2010 – Exponent PR is a finalist in two categories of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) 2010 Silver Anvil Awards. The Silver Anvils honor organizations that have successfully addressed a contemporary public relations issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. Silver Anvil and Award of Excellence winners will be announced at the Silver Anvil Celebration Event on June 3 in New York.
Exponent PR is a finalist in the Public Service (Business) Category for the “Helping Brand Lends Helping Hand to Fight Hunger” program, an effective cause-marketing campaign for General Mills and Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief charity. To extend their commitment to fighting hunger in America, General Mills’ Hamburger Helper® launched Show Your Helping Hand™, a national hunger relief campaign in partnership with award-winning singer and actress Beyoncé Knowles and her Survivor Foundation. Exponent helped ignite awareness and build momentum for the campaign throughout the year.
The agency is also a finalist in the Marketing Business to Business (Products) Category for the “New Vision Plants Seeds of Growth for DuPont” program. To spark the imagination of employees, as well as bring a new customer promise to life for external audiences, DuPont Crop Protection tapped Exponent PR to implement a campaign the shifted perceptions and helped build sales in a declining market with sharp competition.
“Our clients expect game-changing ideas that make a significant impact on their business,” said Tom Lindell, managing director, Exponent PR. “This recognition is a testament to our client partners and the creativity, passion and effectiveness of our work.”
PRSA has selected 134 finalists from 823 entries this year. Silver Anvil winners in all categories are automatically considered for the Best of Silver Anvil Award, representing the finest example of public relations programming in 2009. The Best of Silver Anvil recipient also will be announced at the Silver Anvil Celebration Event.
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