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“What is my PR agency actually doing for my brand?”

January 23, 2023 by mike bonts
Press

The field of public relations encompasses more than navigating the dialogue between clients and the media. It is a complex, detail-oriented communications discipline that builds relationships and reputation, resulting in a measurable impact on the achievement of strategic goals.

Providing meaningful client service in a service-based business that’s filled with intangibles requires dedication and a commitment to excellence to ensure a client never has to wonder, “What is my PR agency actually doing for my brand?”

Consistent structure is essential, using procedure and document templates as the building blocks of effective service. Phone calls and meetings are somewhat fluid, so creating productive agendas, recaps, and weekly/monthly reports helps provide clients with assurance that the agency is effectively and consistently moving towards completing key tasks that will ultimately achieve business objectives and goals.

Three things that are imperative in a successful client/agency relationship are: Values, Trustworthiness and Clear Communication.

Values

Relationships are about understanding one another’s core values, and in turn, these values stand at the very core of decision-making.

According to a study by Barrett Values, value-driven organizations are the most successful because they adhere to a very simple algorithm:

  • Values and behaviors drive culture.
  • Culture drives employee fulfillment.
  • Employee fulfillment drives customer satisfaction.
  • Customer satisfaction drives shareholder value.

Clients want a PR agency that takes a genuine interest in them, so make sure you clearly understand the values that drive the brand and/or client and ensure you guide them towards achieving their goals while aligning with their values.

By understanding how your role aligns with their day-to-day activities and accomplishments, you will strengthen the relationship and trust factor.

Trustworthiness

Have you ever played the “trust fall” game, where you tip backwards and hope the person assigned to catch you actually follows through so that you don’t hit the ground? A PR agency is like the catcher and the client is the one falling backwards, trusting that you will catch them before they tumble over. Clients need to believe you are going to provide a safety net and come through for them at all times.

This trust is ultimately about integrity and transparency in your activities, which is just as vital as tangible results because clients will sense if you are just telling them what you think they want to hear. Honest feedback as to why something succeeds or fails is important so that clients trust that you have their best interests in mind. After all, trust is the most important aspect of any relationship.

Clear Communication

Regular status updates and consistent communication has always been a necessary component in establishing strong partnerships with your clients, and it is also critical that you are engaged on their behalf on any relevant communication via social media that may have an impact on their brand, their service or their company.

Applying the trifecta of Values, Trustworthiness and Clear Communication will help cultivate a dynamic relationship with clients that support a long-term business relationship. By incorporating a disciplined approach into your practice that includes message development, strategic planning and media relations outreach, while maintaining sight of a company’s value proposition and branding goals, your agency will be synonymous with high-visibility coverage and meaningful client service.

Public Relations and ESG: Where to Start

January 18, 2023 by mike bonts
Press
ESG, Mike Bonts Public Relations, PR

Stuck on how to get started communicating your ESG policies and results? You are not alone. Many companies and organizations face challenges when determining what components of ESG to share and how to share it.

The good news is that there are no right or wrong answers when determining your approach. Currently, there are no SEC reporting requirements, there are no big expectations (yet) from the investor community, and business schools have barely scratched the surface on ESG reporting.

If you are struggling with the first step towards creating an ESG reporting and communications framework, let us share a few ideas. Below are three topics that you can use to jump start the development of your ESG policy framework.

Explain the company’s vision and values. We didn’t start here by accident: every action taken to improve your company’s ESG performance is linked to your vision and values. Just as your company’s operations are guided by your vision and values, so is your ESG framework.

When communicating about vision and values in your ESG framework, it is important to be intentional, simple, and transparent. Anyone who reads it should immediately understand what your company’s values are, and see how these values map to other areas of your ESG framework.

Acknowledge controversies and dilemmas. No company is protected from controversy. If you are in a competitive marketplace, working hard to create value for stakeholders and profit for shareholders, you simply cannot please all the people all the time. Be transparent about what you are doing, the reasons for doing so, and why you believe that this is a sound choice moving forward. Let dissenters be heard, and be respectful.

Notice, this does not say avoid them. It will be impossible to avoid some controversies and dilemmas in the course of business. How you handle them when they come up can make all the difference.

Acknowledging controversies and dilemmas shows that you are thoughtful. It can often head off aggressive attacks from opponents, and being transparent can fend off “gotcha” style attacks in the media. This is a key area of ESG reporting that supports a strategic communications strategy around some of the company’s most sensitive issues and may require outside counsel.

Identify areas of action. To begin identifying areas of action, ask yourself these questions. What big picture ESG initiatives can your company endeavor to improve upon in the coming year? How will these areas of action help employees, suppliers, customers, neighbors, the environment, and the bottom line?

Pick a couple areas, identify associated goals and a course of action, and execute. To set yourself up for success, the action areas don’t have to be vast, or require the work of many people. However, they must be clear, actionable, and measurable at first.

From a communications standpoint, these areas of action create opportunities to inform stakeholders through a multi-channel approach, including positive earned media. Because few companies have a formalized ESG framework, this type of innovative thinking is interesting to journalists in the financial press and mainstream media. Employees with a renewed sense of pride and greater purpose will share positive news about the company on social media, with friends, and others in the business community.

If your company is thinking about building a formalized ESG framework, and the appropriate communications strategy around it, you are on the right track. We are here to guide you in creating the ESG framework that best suits your organization and selecting areas of action, share industry best practices, and ensure you get the ROI that your company deserves for this important topic. Ready to dive into ESG? Complete the contact to learn more.

This post originally appeared on the blog of our PRGN partner agency in Denver, Novitas Communications.

St. Johns Housing Partnership Unveils 25th Anniversary Logo

January 18, 2023 by mike bonts
Press
mbpr, Mike Bonts Public Relations, SJHP, St. Johns Housing Partnership

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (January  19, 2023) – The St. Johns Housing Partnership (SJHP), creating safe, clean, affordable housing in North Florida since 1998, has unveiled its 25th Anniversary commemorative logo.

“I have a deep appreciation for and pride in our agency and what we have accomplished. I want to extend my sincere gratitude and thanks to the extraordinary staff members, volunteers, donors, and partners who have contributed significantly to SJHP’s mission over the last 25 years,” said SJHP Executive Director Bill Lazar.

SJHP works with public and private sectors to enhance and provide affordable housing programs. Services vary with always that mission in mind. They include a nationally recognized Weatherization program, new construction, energy audits, repairs for the elderly, disabled or low-income families and rental and purchase programs.

“Affordable housing is housing that a household can pay for, while still having money left over for other essentials like food, clothing transportation, and healthcare,” added Lazar. “That means that what’s considered ‘affordable’ depends on a household’s income.”

The St. Johns Housing Partnership is committed to creating, maintaining, and preserving high-quality affordable housing and providing supportive services for residents of low and moderate incomes as well as an emerging, struggling segment that includes first responders, teachers, health care workers, hospitality, and restaurant employees.

They do this by creating links between the public and private sectors on projects that create low- and moderate-income housing, rebuild neglected homes and neighborhoods, thus benefiting disadvantaged areas and enhancing community economic and social development.

“Our goals have remained consistent for 25 years, but the economy, Pandemic and soaring prices have presented unprecedented challenges that we face every day,” Lazar noted.

To help, call (904) 824-0902 or email info@sjhp.org for more information.

ABOUT THE ST. JOHNS HOUSING PARTNERSHIP

Founded in 1998 the St. Johns Housing Partnership (SJHP) is committed to creating and preserving quality affordable housing and providing supportive services for residents of low and moderate incomes in Northeast Florida. SJHP creates partnerships between public and private sectors including investors on projects that create low- and moderate-income housing, rebuilds neglected homes and revitalizes neighborhoods in disadvantaged areas while supporting programs that enhance community economic and social development including counselling on homeownership and finances.

For more information visit www.sjhp.org.

Danniel Goldburg Looking Forward to Promoting Florida Green Building in 2023

January 18, 2023 by mike bonts
Press
Daniel Goldburg, FGBC, Florida Green Building Coaliton, ISMA, Mike Bonts PR

Daniel Goldburg, who already competed several seasons in the LMP3 prototype category in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship as well as the Prototype Challenge Championship, has joined JDC MotorSports for the 2023 season in the new sprint format VP Racing SportsCar Challenge LMP3 class category.

The Minnesota-based team will field one Duqueine D08 LMP3 for Dan in all rounds of the six-event, 12-race schedule for the inaugural season of the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge – featuring LMP3 prototypes and GT4 machinery running together for the first time under the new format, with backing from CSCI as the program’s main commercial partner and raising awareness for the Florida Green Building Coalition.

“I am really excited to join JDC MotorSports for the 2023 season and kick off this new VP Racing SportsCar Challenge.  In a way it’s kind of going back to my roots as the 45-minute sprint format is more like my club racing days. It’s just me driving, no pit stops, and it’s just flat out for the 45 min… go go go!  We’ve got the GT4 cars in the GSX class to work around, but in the past few years I’ve had some of my best passes in Weathertech using GT traffic to aid me (check out my youtube), so I look forward to putting that experience to use this year.” said Daniel.

About Florida Green Building Coalition

The non-profit Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) is the state’s leading certifier of green homes, buildings, communities, and local governments. In 2000 FGBC brought together industry professionals from the construction, government, academic and research communities to create green standards tailored specifically to Florida. To date it has certified over 29,000 residential, commercial, high-rise, land developments and local governments participating in its certification programs. FGBC certification programs are the only standards developed with state specific criteria to address Florida’s hot-humid environment, climate, distinctive topography, unique geology, resiliency, and natural disasters.

For more information, please visit: www.floridagreenbuilding.org.

The Connection Between PR and ESG

November 24, 2022 by mike bonts
Press
Environmental, ESG, Public Relayions, Social and Governance

Public relations initiatives that prioritize Environmental, Social and Governance issues have become a key to success for not only brand reputation and marketability, but for the planet as well.

The Labor Department issued a final rule on Tuesday rolling back a Trump administration policy that limited the ability of fiduciaries to consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in making investment decisions.

The rule change makes clear that 401k plans and other investment vehicles can take into account the potential financial benefits of investing in companies committed to promoting ESG.

Though the previous Trump edict policy didn’t explicitly make ESG investing against the rules, industry groups argued that it had created a chilling effect with high-net-worth individuals, millennials, and women who have expressed interest or already invested in sustainable assets.

Make America Great Again Trump Republicans likely won’t be happy with the Biden administration’s move. They’ve been pushing back against ESG investing at the state level including ours, with some going as far as to stop doing business with investment firms like BlackRock Inc., and are poised, led by our Gov., to expand those efforts.

As communicators, it is up to us to roll out ESG-friendly initiatives that go beyond philanthropy and tell sustainable stories to those who matter most: the targeted audience.

CoRK Arts District Opens Studios to Public

November 22, 2022 by mike bonts
Press

The CoRK Arts District at 2689 Rosselle Street in Norh Riverside held their open studio event this past weekend.

CoRK’s mission is to support artists in the community by offering artist workspaces in an environment that is conducive to creativity and collaboration.

Yellow House also shares community with the CoRK Arts District, the campus space that houses an 80,000 square-foot warehouse which is home to close to 70 artists and related businesses.

Great, well attended event celebrating the arts, diversity, creativity and Riverside

St. Johns Housing Partnership’s Bill Lazar Receives National Award as Weatherization Champion

November 9, 2022 by mike bonts
Press

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (November 2, 2022) – – St. Johns Housing Partnership (SJHP) Executive Director Bill Lazar has received the Jean Diggs Weatherization Champion Award (WAP) from the National Association for State Community Services Program (NASCSP).

The Jean Diggs WAP Champion Award is presented at the NASCSP Annual Conference to individuals who are true champions for the cause of weatherization. The St. Johns Housing Partnership has been a weatherization provider in Northeast Florida since 1998.

“We always want to be at the front end of building industry trends. Our weatherization training has always been a key part to our success. Working in hot humid climates has more challenges with mold mildew and indoor air quality,” noted Lazar.

The Department of Energy’s Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program administered by SJHP works to increase the energy efficiency of homes owned or occupied by low-income persons by reducing their total residential energy expenditures and improving their health and safety.

“Knowing what to focus on when we have a limited budget makes all the difference in the world. I’ve been able to leverage our weatherization funds many times over to reduce the sub-standard conditions in the neighborhoods we serve,” added Lazar.

In 1998, Lazar started as a carpenter in a home repair program with Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida that received a weatherization contract called Florida Fix.

Now, as a residential contractor overseeing a rehab program that currently improves sub-standard housing in more than two hundred households annually, the energy conservation training provides a fundamental baseline for all SJHP projects according to Lazar.

The SJHP not only rehabs homes but is building new green certified homes and infill rental property for low-income households. Energy and water conservation along with accessibility are the baseline of SJHP green building certifications.

Lazar has built his career around improving sub-standard housing and providing clean, safe, affordable housing. He attributes a major part of that to the training he has shared over the years from weatherization.

The SJHP has earned a statewide reputation with affordable housing advocates due in no small part to the ongoing weatherization training for SJHP construction crews and the result for residents.

For more information on the SJHP Weatherization Program contact the St. Johns Housing Partnership at (904) 824-0902 or info@sjhp.org.

ABOUT THE ST. JOHNS HOUSING PARTNERSHIP

Founded in 1996 the St. Johns Housing Partnership (SJHP) is committed to providing safe, decent, and affordable housing in North Florida. SJHP creates partnerships between public and private sectors including investors on projects that create low- and moderate-income housing, rebuilds neglected homes and revitalizes neighborhoods in disadvantaged areas while supporting programs that enhance community economic and social development including counselling on homeownership and finances. For more information visit www.sjhp.org.

ADAPT: Green Chamber Featured on WJCT Panel Discussing State of St. Johns River

November 3, 2022 by mike bonts
Press

North Florida Green Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jessica Tittl was on a panel Thursday night discussing the recently released State of the St. Johns River report as part of ADAPT at WJCT Public Media.

Following the release on Oct. 14 of the 15th annual State of the St. Johns River report, the panels reacted to the report and reflect on how actions taken now could affect the river’s future health as well as what individuals can do to help.

Tittl joined J. Logan Cross, Chair, Sierra Club Northeast Florida Executive Committee and Shanell Davis-Bryant, Program Development Consultant Representing Groundwork Jacksonville, Inc. on one of two panels.

The other panel was Anne Coglianese, Chief Resilience Officer, City of Jacksonville; Dr. Gerry Pinto, Assoc. Research Scientist, Jacksonville University and Lisa Rinaman, Riverkeeper, St. Johns Riverkeeper.

The moderator was Brendan Rivers, Special Projects Producer, Jacksonville Today.

FGBC Presenting Free Webinar: ‘Babcock Ranch: A Blueprint for Sustainability in the Built Environment’ 

November 2, 2022 by mike bonts
Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (November 1, 2022) – While hard-hit Fort Myers continues its recovery from Hurricane Ian, hope can be found twelve miles to the northeast at the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) “Florida Green” platinum certified planned community of Babcock Ranch. 

Join FGBC for a free Webinar, Tuesday, Nov. 8 at noon, “Babcock Ranch: A Blueprint for Sustainability in the Built Environment.” Register at www.floridagreen.org. 

FGBC member Dr. Jennifer Languell, Founder and President of Trifecta Construction Solutions, will outline how Babcock Ranch was designed and built to FGBC standards and how disaster mitigation played a key role in the community’s resilience. 

She has become a trusted consultant to developers, governments and municipalities that are rapidly moving toward more sustainable and fiscally prudent operating and management practices. 

Babcock Ranch developer Syd Kitson and his partners are building a sustainable town that is 100 percent solar powered. Residents of Babcock feel that their community serves as a blueprint for growth in a world experiencing climate change. All homes and commercial buildings must meet FGBC standards. 

Babcock Ranch is made up of seven hundred thousand individual panels, which generates more electricity than the 2000-home neighborhood uses. Learn about the sustainable design features that allowed this new town to weather the storm without losing power, internet, or water service. 

In 2000 the non-profit FGBC brought together industry professionals from the construction, government, academic and research communities to create green building standards tailored specifically to Florida.  

Celebrating its 22nd year, the non-profit FGBC has certified over 28,000 projects “Florida Green” since being founded. FGBC is by far the largest certifier of green residential and commercial construction, local governments, land developments and communities in the state. 

Unlike USGBC LEED, Green Globes, and other standards, FGBC “Florida Green” takes a scientific approach developed with state-specific criteria. They address Florida’s hot-humid environment, distinctive topography, unique geology, resiliency, and natural disasters. 

Register at www.floridagreen.org for the free Nov. 8 Webinar, “Babcock Ranch: A Blueprint for Sustainability in the Built Environment.” 

Going Green? In Florida you have a choice. Contact the Florida Green Building Coalition at info@floridagreenbuilding.org, visit www.floridagreenbuilding.org or call (407) 777-4920. 

About the Florida Green Building Coalition 

The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) is a nonprofit 501(C)3 Florida corporation founded in 2000 and dedicated to improving the built environment. Its mission is “to lead and promote sustainability with environmental, economic, and social benefits through regional education and certification programs.” FGBC certification programs are the only standards developed with climate specific criteria to address issues caused by Florida’s hot-humid environment and natural disasters. Currently, FGBC is the leading certifier of green projects in Florida. FGBC’s membership is comprised of individuals and businesses from all areas of the building industry, including research, design, materials, products, construction, inspection, marketing, finance, and public advocates. For more information about the FGBC “Florida Green” certification programs visit www.floridagreenbuilding.org. 

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Mike Bonts Public Relations 

(904) 424-6641 

mike@bontspr.com 

CRE: The Star Developed as a First-of-its-Kind Partnership in Frisco, Texas

October 27, 2022 by mike bonts
Press

Visited The Star, 91-acre campus of the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters and practice facility in Frisco, Texas.

This project was developed as part of a public-private partnership between The City of Frisco, including the Frisco Economic Development Corporation, the Frisco Community Development Corporation, the Frisco Independent School District and Dallas Cowboys.

The facility is part of the Frisco North Platinum Corridor comprised of four mixed-use developments along the Dallas North Tollway in between Warren Parkway and Lebanon Road.

The Star already offers more than 35 restaurants, shops, and specialty services.

The Ford Center (also known as the multi-use event center) is owned by the City of Frisco, but it is managed by the Cowboys with NFL club paying all maintenance and operation costs. Jacksonville transplant Buddy Williams, now a resident of Plano, and Cowboys fan.

Green Chamber Names Jessica Tittl Executive Director

October 7, 2022 by mike bonts
Press

North Florida Green Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jessica Tittl spent some time today with Brendan Rivers of WJCT/ADAPT and WJCT photographer Andrew Wiechman.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The North Florida Green Chamber of Commerce (NFGCC) has announced that Jessica Tittl will serve as the new executive director for the four-year old organization.

“We are happy to welcome Jessica Tittl as our executive director,” said Dolly Penland, chair of the North Florida Green Chamber. “Her impressive professional and educational background, along with her knowledge and passion for sustainability in the corporate environment make her an excellent addition to our team.”

The Green Chamber is a regional organization for all sizes of businesses in Northeast Florida whose mission is to promote the region’s economy by helping businesses thrive with a focus on people, planet, and prosperity for generations to come.

Tittl’s energy and focus are on helping forward-thinking businesses that want to do the right thing and gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

“As executive director, I will provide high quality speakers and education and a multitude of networking opportunities for our members, so they have the tools and connections they need to make the best possible decisions regarding sustainability and their business model,” she said. “With the right tools, knowledge, and inspiration our members can make an enormous impact.”

Tittl resides in Keystone Heights, Fla. with her husband Tom. Tittl has made Florida her home and she is enthusiastic about promoting sustainable business throughout the state. She has dedicated her career to showing that sustainable business is good business and is excited to connect with a business community that shares that vision.

Tittl’s background is in new technology development. After settling in North Florida, Tittl launched Biome Future, a nature-inspired technology company. She is also a PhD student at the University of Florida, where she studies coral reef microbiomes and the role of business in driving conservation efforts and policy.

Tittl fully believes that business can be a force for good and she is excited to help companies and brands unleash that force.

“Being sustainable is not charity; it’s better business, and the point is for us to move the needle on ‘best practices’ further from just a project for extra credit and closer to universal compliance while improving the bottom line for our members,” noted Tittl. “Florida’s economy depends on a healthy and thriving environment, and as industry partners we can work together to strengthen our state and economy through good business practices that consider people, planet, and profits.”

To learn more email northfloridagreenchamber@gmail.com or call (904) 878-3474 or visit www.NorthFloridaGreenChamber.org.

Make a Difference Day is Oct. 22

October 7, 2022 by mike bonts
Press

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – – The St. Johns Housing Partnership (SJHP), creating safe, clean, affordable housing in North Florida since 1996, has announced a county-wide initiative on “National Make a Difference Day,” Saturday, Oct. 22, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Make a Difference Day will mobilize volunteers who will spread out over St. Johns County to help paint, clean and repair more than 15 homes for veterans, the elderly or disabled. 

Volunteers are needed for exterior house painting, repairs, landscaping, yard clean up and to help build wheelchair ramps. 

“Make a Difference Day promotes the idea of volunteering and making an impact in one’s own community,” noted SJHP Executive Director Bill Lazar. “It promotes that any act of kindness, no matter the size, can go a long way in making a difference for someone else.” 

Today Realtor Trudy Padilla talked with Lazar on WFOY about volunteering for the day. To volunteer on Make a Difference Day visit www.sjhp.org. 

In addition to recruiting volunteers, SJHP is offering sponsorships packages and taking donations of materials. Sponsorships range from $500 to $5,500. 

National Make a Difference Day was created by “USA Weekend” magazine in 1992 to offer community support and encourage volunteerism across the country.  

Points of Light, a non-profit organization founded by former U.S. President George H. W. Bush, is the official co-sponsor of Make a Difference Day. Ever since its inception, Make a Difference Day has echoed in 30 countries and has inspired over 30 million volunteer hours.  

For more information contact the St. Johns Housing Partnership at (904) 824-0902 or info@sjhp.org. 

Previous »

Recent Posts

  • “What is my PR agency actually doing for my brand?” January 23, 2023
  • Public Relations and ESG: Where to Start January 18, 2023
  • St. Johns Housing Partnership Unveils 25th Anniversary Logo January 18, 2023
  • Danniel Goldburg Looking Forward to Promoting Florida Green Building in 2023 January 18, 2023
  • The Connection Between PR and ESG November 24, 2022

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