DENVER, Colo. (Feb. 27, 2009) – Skintinu, a branded, results-driven professional skincare line, announces its launch into the national and international market with highly-effective and relevant, protocol-backed products, all of which are accompanied by creative marketing materials professionals can use to drive retail sales.

Skintinu is a multi-dimensional professional brand with six product lines including, Pro, Clear, Quiet, Lift, Bright, and Etc, which comprise all elements relevant to total skincare with attack ingredients that target specific conditions. The company, always focused on remaining relevant, is also expanding to peels, hair masks and other products to maintain a remarkable book of protocols.  Each of the Skintinu products utilizes high-performance, earth-active ingredients that focus on brightening and toning, collagen stimulation, antioxidant and mitochondria defense, cellular generation and repair, and exfoliation and barrier support.
 
“We want professionals to have the ability to carry an effective product, one that appeals to their clients, without breaking the bank,” said Kris Campbell, Skintinu director of sales. “In creating Skintinu, our goal was to first create a highly effective product, keep our minimums low, develop loyalty and referral programs to reward our clients, and give the professionals the tools they need to drive retail sales.”

About Skintinu

SkintinuTM is a multi-dimensional PRO skincare brand, specifically designed to resolve complex skin issues, while delivering total skin health. Each of the products uses high-active strengths and delivers high-performance results. SkintinuTM professional products lines include, Pro, Clear, Quiet, Lift, Bright, and Etc and comprise all elements relevant to total skincare with “attack” ingredients that target specific conditions. Every product is complete – utilizing the most effective solutions and combination levels that make them adaptable to ever-changing skincare needs. For more information, visit http://skintinu.com

PHOENIX (Feb. 26, 2009) – The Phoenix Animal Care Coalition (PACC911) and the Grayhawk Community have come together in true Pow Wow fashion to forge new friendships between families and homeless animals during the Bow Wow Pow Wow adoption event, scheduled for Saturday, March 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Grayhawk Park located at 77th Street and Rose Garden Lane in Scottsdale. Homeless animals are in tremendous need as a result of the down economy and increase in foreclosures, and these adoption events have become even more crucial in finding homes for the countless displaced animals.
At the event, more than 25 animal rescue groups will be on site with hundreds of family friendly dogs, cats, rabbits and other critters for adoption. The adopt-a-thon is open to all, and those who are not currently looking for a pet are encouraged to come and meet the organizations effecting change in the rescue community.
Gifts will be given with every animal adoption and prizes raffled off throughout the day. Animal lovers can also purchase items from the PACC911 gift shop, with all proceeds benefiting the PACC911 Emergency Medical Fund (EMF), which provides financial aid to the nearly 90 PACC911 partner rescue groups needing assistance with medical costs.

What: Bow Wow Pow Wow

When: Saturday, March 14
                10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Grayhawk Park
                  77th Street and Rose Garden Lane, Scottsdale 
                  (Northwest corner of Hayden and Grayhawk Dr.)
 
Cost: Free admission, adoption fees vary by group

Contact: Bari Mears at (602) 992-4779 or Valerie Unger at (602) 340-0415.

PHOENIX (Feb. 11, 2009) – The Phoenix Animal Care Coalition (PACC911), a nonprofit that works to unite the animal welfare community in Maricopa County, has partnered with the Franciscan Renewal Center to host its fifth annual spring adoption event scheduled for Saturday, March 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Franciscan Renewal Center located at 5802 E. Lincoln Dr. in Paradise Valley. The purpose of the event is to build awareness for animals in need and find loving homes for the countless homeless animals that have been left behind as a result of the economic downturn and increase in home foreclosures.
 At the adoption event more than 50 Valley rescue groups will be on hand with purebred and mixed breed dogs, cats and critters. There will also be a dog wash and grilled food available for purchase. Guests can also purchase tickets for entry to win several raffle items, with all proceeds benefiting the PACC911 Emergency Medical Fund (EMF), which provides financial aid to Valley nonprofit animal welfare groups needing assistance with medical costs. Those who bring an unopened bag of pet food will receive entry into the raffle.

What: Franciscan Renewal Adopt-a-Thon

When: Saturday, March 7
 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Franciscan Renewal Center
             5802 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley
 
Cost: Free admission, adoption fees vary by group

Contact: Bari Mears at (602) 768-4954 or Valerie Unger at (602) 340-0415.

I finally got around to reading David Meerman Scott’s “The New Rules of Marketing and PR,” just in time for the release of his next book, “World Wide Rave.”

The book is amazing. It’s no wonder it’s used by university professors and often referenced by other notable marketing experts. This book is especially relevant as traditional media (primarily print) continues its near rapid demise. PR professionals, business owners, nonprofits and other organizations, now more than ever, need to shift their strategies and not solely rely on media to report their news.

David Meerman Scott provides a springboard for getting started in the world of social media and becoming the aggregator or your own news. The book is full of real-world, useful ideas and mini case studies, as well as tools and tips for developing effective strategies using the new rules. Some of which include:

• Rethink the way you write your press releases – write it to your audience and post it where your audience will find it – online. In addition to your Web site’s newsroom, shuttle it around on some of the search engines. Another good (and free) resource is pitchengine.com, a service that allows you to embed video, images and useful links in your releases. It then gets picked up by different online readers.
• Reform how you communicate with your audience. Don’t aim for the masses. Find your niche and go straight to the source by establishing a presence in the space your target audience occupies, i.e. blogs, podcasts, social networking sites and online forums. Be patient and remember this is a two-way street. Be interactive and listen.
• Keep your content relevant, informative, useful and/or entertaining. If you do this (not just push your own agenda) your audience will actually seek you out and be more likely to take action.
• Practice transparency. 
• Determine your voice and goals. Act as a publisher.
• Write short, concise posts. People don’t have time to read large blocks of content. 
• As always – it’s about the mix, and now that mix includes an online presence. Continue to utilize traditional media, but also practice reaching beyond your own Web site. Explore social media, even if you just start by reading blogs, just get out there. Know your audience and engage them in two-way conversation. It’s no longer about one-way communications or “interruptions.”

Now go out, get started and enjoy the journey!

It’s no secret that organizations need to have an online presence. Outreach through social media is increasingly important. But if you’re not quite ready to dip your toe in the social media water, you should, at the very least, make sure your Web site is serving your audiences’ needs and that your online newsroom is easily accessible, current and relevant.

TEKgroup International recently released results from its 2008 Online Newsroom Survey, which asks journalists what features they most utilize and look for in an organization’s online newsroom.

Not surprisingly, with greater frequency journalists are using online newsrooms to find out about companies. In fact, 87 percent of journalists polled rated the online newsroom as “important” or “very important.” Of those that visit an organizations newsroom, 88 percent want access to press releases (side note: be sure they are downloadable or can easily be printed); 78 percent want access to high- and low-resolution images; and 75 percent want access to product information. Here are a few more interesting statistics:

• Only 25 percent want to receive RSS feeds
• 92 percent want easy access to the PR contact’s information (cell phone #’s included)
• 56 percent want access to video – though I wouldn’t be surprised if this number grows
• 84 percent would register for a password-protected newsroom
• Only 32 percent visit company blogs
• 49 percent want access to social media links (company blogs, Facebook pages, YouTube, Twitter, etc.)

Do you have an online newsroom? If so, does it have enough useful information? Think about who your audience is (journalists, investors, consumers, etc.) and put yourself in their shoes. If you were visiting your site for the first time, would it provide you with a good understanding of the company? Keep your newsroom current and relevant with up-to-date press releases, fact sheets, product information, bios, FAQs, etc. Not only will this help make the journalist’s job easier, it will keep your Web site fresh and show how productive your company is (always a good feature if you’re seeking investors).