What’s Next for Industry after the Gulf Disaster?

by Tony Shelton, Shelton and Caudle Communication Training and Crisis Counsel, a division of Vollmer Public Relations

For some,  it’s a wash –

What company looks really good so far in the aftermath of the disaster in the Gulf?

Procter & Gamble, which has been supplying its Dawn dishwashing liquid for wildlife clean-up. In fact, a recent Huffington Post poll found that 39 percent of respondents said they would make sure to buy Dawn. 

At some point, of course, the leak will be stopped, clean-up and reparations will be concluded, and the world will move on from this tragedy.   But it’s clear the energy industry will have to operate differently.  The government will require it, and the public is demanding it.

Who’s got the solution?  The smart companies involved in offshore drilling and spill response are already asking:  How can we do this better next time.  What’s the new plan?

The really smart companies have realized that the needed technology, engineering and equipment already exist.  These essential elements reside with the independent companies that specialize in spill response and containment.  We don’t necessarily need new technology, although research is essential.  What is needed is a plan coordinated and put forth by industry response specialists, certainly with review and oversight by the federal government.

In the current disaster, the problem was not lack of response methods; it was that BP acted too slowly to get them into place. And it will be up to the responders to lead the charge. Any new plans put forth solely by BP and the other major producers – the ones who call in the response specialists – are unlikely to be warmly embraced on Capitol Hill.  It doesn’t help that, in recent testimony before Congress, the response plans of the majors all sounded a lot like BP’s.  (We’re likely to continue hearing about the plans’ protections for Gulf walruses, who haven’t called the Gulf home for millions of years. That unfortunate reference is the stuff from which legends are made.)

We need a plan that focuses on quick response for containment, as well as “stopping the leak.”  The idea is to contain and remove leaking oil as close to the source as possible, at the same time the best minds are figuring out the final fix for the problem.

In addition to the good news that the needed response and containment technology already exist is the news that, in order to be fully prepared, they don’t need to be kept in storage until a spill.     For example, with some modifications, response vessels can be ready to disconnect at virtually a moment’s notice from wells they might be working on and motor under their own power to the site of a spill.

With a plan in mind, the independent response experts, especially those willing to take leadership roles, are likely to find a friendly reception on Capitol Hill.

The major producers?  Well, they’ll have to pay for it.  But at least with a better response plan in place, they may be able to get back to the business of finding and producing the oil and gas this country is still going to need for a long, long time.

And more Americans will likely be stocking up on bottles of Dawn.

Vollmer is Passionate about Generation TX

by Denisha Stevens, Vollmer Public Relations Dallas

One of the great things about working at Vollmer is the fact that we have the opportunity to take part in programs that we are especially passionate about.  Today that special program is Generation TX (GenTX).

We are working with Milkshake Media, an Austin-based brand agency, to support the campaign by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to foster a college-going culture in the state.  To understand the challenge and why we are so fired up about this assignment, consider these statistics:

• Texas has a population where 20 percent of residents over 25 have failed to complete high school and only 55 percent of students go to college.
• A high percentage of the public school students in Texas will be the first in their family to pursue college or career education beyond high school.
• Studies show that a college graduate will have $1 million more in lifetime earnings than a high school dropout.

It’s safe to assume that many of us wouldn’t be in our current professions if we hadn’t had the opportunity to pursue a college education or specialized training after high school.  Where would we be today if we’d had difficulty making our way through the application process or failed to find a way to pay for tuition?  The GenTX initiative has been created to help students overcome these obstacles.

Through a variety of grassroots tactics, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is asking community organizations and leaders to engage students and then connect them and their families to the resources   they  need to prepare for, apply to and pay for college and career education beyond high school.  The program will be launched in the pilot markets of Fort Worth and San Antonio this fall, with plans to reach out to additional markets in the future. 

We invite you to learn more at www.GenTX.org and check back frequently to watch the program take shape in the coming months.  Likewise, we invite you to do your part to reach out to students in your community to share this important resource.  After all, educating the next generation of Texans is something we all should be passionate about.

Send a Note -- You Can Thank Me Later

by Denisha Stevens, Vollmer Public Relations Dallas

It arrived in the mail in a white envelope, just blue ink on simple white card stock standing a mere four inches tall.  I called out to my office mates in excitement.   Soon, we were gathered in the hallway staring at it in amazement. 

Had we been blessed with a winning lottery ticket?  Free passes to a sporting event?  VIP party invite?  Actually, it was something far more meaningful and surprising.  We had received a handwritten thank-you note from a potential client.

Our contact had taken the time to send us a note to thank us for our RFP response.  She explained that her organization would require a few weeks to review all of the submissions and would contact us regarding next steps.  

Why the big surprise?  Unfortunately, participating in a new business pitch these days doesn’t always yield a response.  After brainstorming, meeting and preparing detailed proposals, some contacts just disappear, never to be heard from again.  Was it our recommendations?  Was it the budget?  Did they even move forward with hiring a PR firm?  Without feedback, we are just left scratching our heads.  While some potential clients send follow-up communication, a handwritten thank-you note is especially rare.

How did we get to this point?  Did we stop writing thank-you notes when we started communicating in 140 characters or less?  Are our schedules so crazy that we can’t take a moment to express our gratitude?  Face it: Whether it’s handwritten, emailed or tweeted, a simple acknowledgement still goes a long way. 

Personally, this whole experience has inspired me.  I’m going out to buy some note cards!  

Get Inspired This Summer!

by Lindsay Stout, Vollmer Public Relations Dallas

Every summer, my family vacations on a little island that’s part of the southern Outer Banks of North Carolina.  (In fact, as you read this, I’m probably in my beach chair, reading my summer book and sipping some lemonade.)

I find the beach to be a magical place.  Porpoises dance through the waves, fragile seashells wait to be discovered, endangered loggerhead turtles venture onto land to lay their eggs in the protection of the sand dunes, and lifelong friendships are made with people from all over the country.  For me, it might even be the most magical place on Earth (sorry, Disney World).

But recently I’ve been to a few other magical places where I found some new inspiration.

Camp For All near Houston definitely fits into the magical category.  Adults and kids with special challenges come here throughout the year to enjoy a barrier-free camping facility.  Camp For All is the host site for groups serving people with special needs, including those with HIV, epilepsy, cancer, multiple sclerosis, kidney disease, autism, hearing and sight impairments, and brain injuries,,   Camp For All helps people with these challenges discover life by learning what they can do, as opposed to what they can’t do.

A few weeks ago, I spent a day at camp watching kids with muscular dystrophy participate in a ropes course that I would never have the courage to try.  The kids also rode horses, tried archery and paintball, and panned for gold. Most of the kids were in wheelchairs.

I wish you could have seen the light in their eyes during these activities!  Watching them was completely inspirational to me.  They’re brave, they have a contagious energy, and yet they have gone through more in their young lives than I can imagine.

Another magical place I’ve been to recently is Fenway Park, home of my beloved Red Sox.  Don’t ask how an Oklahoma girl fell in love with them; it just happened.  I had the good fortune to squeeze in a trip to the nation’s oldest active major league ballpark during a recent trip to Beantown for the Association of Travel Marketing Executive’s 30^th annual conference. 

The Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME) is a  professional association made up of senior-level travel marketers representing all segments of the industry.  ATME is the only organization of its kind and is committed to enhancing skills, recognizing excellence and advancing the highest standards of travel marketing leadership.

A large part of the conference focused on social media and mobile marketing. I left Boston feeling energized, with a new passion to always be on the forefront of PR and marketing trends in order to provide the best possible service to clients.  (I also left with a new Red Sox shirt).

So this summer, whether you find yourself taking in the glory of a beautiful beach, realizing how precious and fragile life truly is, or accepting a new challenge to be better in your career, I hope you feel inspired and energized, ready for the second half of 2010! 

Yes. Take the Trip Insurance.

by Judy Haveson, Vollmer Public Relations New York City

When you make a big purchase such as a car, boat, house, television or jewelry it isn’t unusual to buy insurance to protect it against loss or damage. So why not your vacation? Just like these big ticket items a vacation can be something you’ve saved for years, but what happens when you get sick or you have to reschedule? According to a survey released last year by the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, Americans spent nearly $1.6 billion on travel insurance.

I was definitely one of those people who used to think travel insurance was just another way to get my money. I wasn’t one who changed their travel dates and nothing bad had ever happened to me on vacation…until it did. Well, indirectly, as it happened to my parents.

My mom and dad were both turning 75 years old and they decided to take themselves on a big birthday cruise to South America. About 45 minutes out from landing in Panama to change planes to Sao Paulo my father took ill. He had to be transferred by ambulance to a local hospital. Given that my mother’s Spanish language skills didn’t go much beyond asking where the bathroom was, and the fact the hospital was asking her to give them $10,000 cash in order to work on my father,  I was very eager to get my parents home. So, several phone calls later and less than 24 hours from when the incident occurred, they were transported home via an air ambulance. I was told the cost of the air ambulance was $20,000. At the time I wasn’t thinking about how I would pay for it, I was just thinking I wanted them home. Once everything was stable and reality kicked in that I just put $20,000 on my American Express, my mother informed me that as part of the cruise package she paid an additional $745 for trip insurance. I was ecstatic! According to the contract any services related to medical emergencies, including air ambulances, were fully covered!

While this is an extreme example, you never know what can happen to you. There are a lot of reasons to buy travel insurance, and every policy is different. Here are a few reasons you should definitely think about it:

• Medical emergency in a foreign country and/or needing medical evacuation
• Flight is cancelled
• Bags are lost
• Trip needs to be cancelled due to illness
• Travel supplier goes bankrupt
• Terrorist incident
• Hurricanes or other natural disasters
• Passport or wallet is stolen

Ultimately, the decision to purchase travel insurance is very personal as it is directly related to cost. So the question you need to ask yourself is how much is your vacation worth to you if you’re not able to take it based on one of the reasons above. As you’re putting your checklist together for items to take with you on that trip of lifetime, after a good book and before suntan lotion, don’t forget travel insurance!

Ah, Freedom.....

by Helen Vollmer, Vollmer Public Relations CEO

Have you ever wondered what America’s founding fathers were thinking when they decided to make a break from Jolly Old England?  Why the heck did they resolve to shape their own destiny 234 years ago?  Sure, the onerous taxes were a drag, but what is it about the notion of independence that allows the human spirit to risk it all, dream big and defy conventional expectations?

Beyond Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Madison and the others (for a fascinating summer read check out the Pulitzer Prize winning “Founding Brothers:  The Revolutionary Generation” by Joseph J. Ellis), history repeats itself.  Is there a bit of Davy Crockett (who died fighting for Texas independence at the Alamo) in all of us who  treasure  independence to the point of foolhardiness?

As the founder of the largest independent public relations firm based in the Southwest, I have a definite  POV on the value of independence.  I think it’s a perspective that all independent firms - from the largest to the smallest - share.  And, at a time when we celebrate our hard-earned freedoms this July 4, it might be worth considering the finer points of independence.

• Independence demands responsibility.  If you are going to be successful as an independent business or as an entrepreneur, you understand from the get go that there is no other safety net.  There is no one to “pass the buck” to, and there’s a pride in taking ownership.
• Independence fosters the freedom to think wholly and creatively.  With no one telling you “these are the rules,” you tend to evolve based on the needs of those you are servicing, the marketplace and your own ability to connect the dots for a greater good.  The result is you get to look at all the angles in making a decision and are guided by the desire to do the right thing with the knowledge you can sleep well at night.
• Independence breeds responsiveness.  Without layers of approvals, bureaucracy and time lags, you can move at lightening speed, under radar or as long as is necessary, depending on the need.
• Independence is an underpinning for tolerance.  When you treasure freedom, you also understand that it is something everyone, regardless of his or her beliefs or culture also has the right to pursue with the caveat that, “Your rights end where my nose begins.”

Don’t get me wrong.  Independence is not synonymous with great strategy, leadership and innovation.  Those can be found anywhere among individuals.  We all have to work hard every day to command the respect of clients, colleagues, friends and mentors.

But like the Founding Fathers, and all those who have fought for our freedom since this nation began, our common ground is that we believe independence in all its forms is worth a struggle.  Independence is worth fighting for. Always raising standards while exploring individual strengths breeds greater success, greater opportunity and more personal reward. 

And if you don’t believe me, just take a few minutes to read the words of the ultimate spinmeister, Thomas Jefferson, at the Declaration of Independence website.  You’ll be proud of your independence and your freedom at a time when freedom has never been more precious.

Vollmer Summer Recipes - Camp For All Peanut Butter Wraps

From Camp For All

This high protein, easy to make recipe is perfect for a healthy breakfast or picnic snack!  Replace peanut butter with Sunbutter for a nut-free alternative.  This Camp For All breakfast favorite is just what the campers need to fuel their full day of Discovering Life!

Tortillas
Peanut butter
Granola
Green apples
¼ cup lemon juice
¾ cup water

1. Wash apples.  Slice into thin slices. *If wraps will not be enjoyed immediately, dip apple slices into a mixture of ¼ cup lemon juice and ¾ cup water to preserve color and freshness.
2.  Spread a thin layer of peanut butter  one side of each tortilla.
3.  Put three slices of apple down the middle of the tortilla.
4.  Sprinkle a tablespoon of granola on top of the apple slices.
5.  Roll the tortilla up like an enchilada.  Enjoy!

Vollmer Summer Recipes - CHRISTUS Hospital's Cajun Pork Tenderloin

From CHRISTUS Hospital – St. Elizabeth and St. Mary's Healthy Recipe Collection

Serves 4

2 tbsp. paprika
2 tsp. each: onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper
1-1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. each dry thyme leaves, dried oregano leaves
1 lb. pork tenderloin

• Blend spices in small bowl. Rub onto pork (some spices may not stick to pork); let stand 30 minutes.
• Place pork on grill 4 inches from medium-hot coals.
• Grill turning occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes or until inserted meat thermometer reads 155-160 degrees.

Vollmer Summer Recipes - Carolyn Mayo's Beach Salsa

From @carolynmayo  Vollmer Public Relations President

2 cups canned black beans washed ( I usually just dump 2 whole cans in)
2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
2 cups frozen corn thawed
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup cilantro chopped
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup chopped green onion
Serve with blue corn chips!!!!!

Vollmer Summer Recipes - Lori Martin's Mambo Margarita's

From @lomartin Vollmer Public Relations Houston

(1)   12 oz can of frozen limeade
(1)   12 oz can of 7-UP (NOT sprite!)
(1)   Corona
(1)   Tequila to your liking. It’s suggested to use a 12 oz, but that makes it fairly potent.

Served chilled and over ice. Garnish with a lime. Salt is optional.

Vollmer Summer Recipes - Karen Marino's Mac'n'Cheese

From @karen_marino Vollmer Public Relations Dallas

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup heavy cream/whipping cream
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese grated
• 1 cup colby/jack cheese grated
• 1 cup 4-Italian cheese blend grated
• 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 16 ounces pasta shape of your own choosing.  (I used gemelli.)

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Grease a large casserole dish (9"X13" pan).

3. Cook pasta according to instruction for your chosen shape al-dente.  Toss pasta in olive oil when finished to prevent sticking.

4. Combine cream, half-and-half, egg yolks and nutmeg in a good-sized sauce pan over medium heat.  Let this get warm.  Add the cheeses, holding back just a little for the top. Stir frequently until all cheese is melted (about 10 minutes), being sure not to let it boil (boiling causes the cheese to "break" and gives it a distinct broken-down rubbery feel). Add Worcestershire sauce and pepper.

5. Place pasta in the casserole dish, and coat with melted cheese mixture. Stir to make sure everything is well-coated.

6. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

7. Bake for 15 minutes, until the top is golden brown.

8. Enjoy!!!

Soon Vollmer Can Say: ‘There’s an App – For Us!’

Vollmer is now an official registered member of the iPhone Developer Program.

by Eric Morrow, Vollmer Public Relations Houston

“There’s an app for that.”

 It is a phrase so common it is bordering on cliché. Despite the overuse of the phrase, it epitomizes one of the largest leaps in the evolution of mobile computing. Since the launch of Apple’s mobile platform, the iPhone (and now the iPad), the mobile software industry has been revolutionized by the emergence of the “app,” which is just a fancy name for a specialized software application design for a specific purpose.

 Three or four years ago, you were stuck with whatever software your phone came with, or what content your carrier provided -- and good luck browsing the web. The combination of different phones/ “smart” phones and data plans gave varying degrees of success, but overall to do anything web related wasn’t a pleasant experience.

I don’t know how many times I would be out and about and need the Internet for something and think messing with it on my phone was too much a hassle.  I’d rather wait and look it up at home. That is, of course, if I remembered later what it was I wanted to know.

With the creation of the app, anybody could learn the software and become an app developer. This opening of the mobile software market has led to a lot of new and practical ideas and changing the way we consume information on the go.

Instead of fighting with the limitations of your phone and trying to use the web, a developer could consolidate all the ingredients for a specific resource or task into one place, bringing all that information to you at the touch of a button.

This change in design and flow of information provides a unique opportunity for companies, allowing them to create a virtual portal of information about themselves for everyone to see. They can even  provide their services on the move. This approach is different from a company’s website because it can provide the latest news, share social media content, or reach an audience it would not be able to ordinarily, in an easy mobile manner. Also, when a company creates its own app, it is helping to brand itselfin people’s minds, providing a quick and dynamic way to get its message out.

In an effort to help our clients and others realize this unique opportunity, Vollmer is now a registered member of the iPhone Developer Program! Yeah!

Anyone who knows me knows I enjoy learning about new technologies, and, as a student of this particular technology, I am looking forward to adding this creative service to the many we already have.

Soon clients will be able to come to us with their plan, and we will be able to say, “Yep, we have an App for that!”

Check Out These Top Reads for Summer!

Compiled by Kate Sutherland, Vollmer Public Relations New York

I can almost hear the ocean and smell the sunscreen already! While I love everything about the summer, I truly enjoy spending a day at the beach reading a juicy (okay, trashy) book.

Call me old fashioned, but sitting down with a “book” that does not have actual pages just doesn’t do it for me.  I still love going to my neighborhood bookstore and picking up a stack of summer reads.

Of course, times have changed, and if you are scrolling through the latest James Patterson on your Kindle or Nook or iPad, the end result is the same - a great book under your belt to talk about with co-workers when the weekend ends.

Check out the Top Summer Reading picks from Vollmerville:

• Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation, by John Carlin
• Millennium trilogy,  by Stieg Larsson
• Everett Ruess: A Vagabond for Beauty, by W.L. Rusho
• The Beach House, by Mary Alice Monroe
• The Twilight Series, Stephenie Meyer
• The Help, Kathryn Stockett
• I am Charlotte Simmons, by Tom Wolfe
• The Last Song, by Nicholas Sparks
• Summer at Tiffany, by Marjorie Hart
• Prey, by Michael Crichton

…and last but not least…Specific Impulse, by Charles Justiz – a great new thriller (compared to Michael Crichton) from the husband of Dayna Steele, our Vollocity Editor!

Is The Client Really That Into You?

Dating Can Sometimes Provide Guidance with Clients

by Judy Haveson, Vollmer Public Relations New York City

In today’s economy, the last thing on any business owner’s mind is getting rid of clients -- regardless of whether the client turns out to be a good fit.

Sometimes, client relationships can be compared to dating relationships: Do they get me? Are we on the same page? Do we want the same things? Is it all about money?

One of my favorite dating litmus tests was always, “if they treat you badly when you’re dating them imagine how they’ll treat you if you marry them.”  Unfortunately, the same can hold true for client/agency relationships.

No one wants to end a relationship, be it professional or personal, but sometimes you have to re-evaluate in order to determine if continuing is better for your end goal or not. In business, the best way to develop a good working relationship is to determine and agree up front on the ultimate outcome, as well as the process by which it will be achieved, before the contract is even signed. That way, everyone’s expectations can be managed, there will be fewer surprises, and you’ll always have something in writing.

Sounds easy, right? Too bad managing and meeting expectations isn’t always as easy as it seems. You’d like to assume that if it’s in writing and both parties have agreed, then it’s a pretty cut and dry process. But what if client expectations change and the reasons you and your client were originally a good match are no longer there? Sound like dating? This doesn’t mean you automatically throw in the towel and dump them -- or vice versa. The best case scenario is that the partnership you’ve developed with your client is transparent and open, allowing you to set new objectives, which will get you back on the same page, and focus on meeting new expectations.  

Here are some of Vollmer’s key tips on establishing and keeping good client relationships:

• Be realistic in what you’re capable of offering to a client.
• Define the working relationship and set client expectations up front.
• Don’t make it up as you go.
• Treat the client as if you were the client.
• Communicate, communicate, communicate -- and then communicate some more.
• Be the example.

If, after all of this, the relationship still isn’t working, then it might be time for a new direction. At least, you’ll know that you’ve been honest and given it every effort to work. The truth is that sometimes, no matter what you try, they’re just not into you. But you can always walk away friends.