by James Schlegelmilch

Austin, Texas’ South By Southwest (SXSW) festival has grown in size and popularity every year since its inception in 1987.  What originally began as a music festival that hosted 700 registrants, now plays host to more than 12,000 acts, directors, and companies each March.  In 1994, the festival added its film and interactive components to become a three-part wonderland of up-and-coming talent and creativity.

This year’s festival hosted a number of Triangle bands, and now that the festival has ended, these bands are making their way back home playing numerous gigs along the way.  What’s even better is that they are bringing their friends with them.  As all of these bands head back to their respective homes throughout the Eastern U.S., the major highways that run through North Carolina are providing them with many opportunities to make pit stops, play shows and help boost the North Carolina music scene.

As the festival grows, it enables more and more bands to get the chance to showcase their music in front of the 17,000 (rumored 2010) attendees.  This year bands from across the state made the 1,300 mile journey for a chance to be seen and heard.  Local favorites such as American Aquarium, Bowerbirds and Hammer No More The Fingers are just a few of the dozens of local bands showcased at the festival that call the Triangle home.

In addition to those returning home, this past week has seen a number of well known acts travel through the Triangle.  Durham played host to names such as The Pack A.D., Los Lobos and Leo Kottke.  Carrboro saw sold out shows by The XX and JJ, and Chapel Hill showcased numerous bands at the many venues that line Franklin Street.

As SXSW builds in popularity, it has become a great chance for local acts to get their names into the national spotlight.  These bands are an excellent example of how to take a small push and turn that momentum into a great PR drive.  By announcing their appearances at the festival, these groups are developing a wave of excitement as they return home and hopefully turn that anticipation into more gigs and a larger following.

While SXSW has ended for this year, the festivities back home have yet to cease as many bands will continue to make stops in the area.  This week is full of chances to see your local favorites back at the venues where they got their start.  Get out and support your local music scene!

Photo Source: adria.richards

by Audrey Beckett

There is no doubt that Tiger Woods has had more than his fair share of public relations issues in recent months. Ever since his late-night car accident in November, news relating to him has centered on scandal, rumors of divorce and public apology. Woods is an important example of how far-reaching the consequences of bad PR are for the high-profiled individual.

Beyond the constant media commentary, his family being followed by the paparrazi and his break from golf, his image problems have wreaked havoc in his more low-profile business endeavors.

In 2007 Woods began working with developer Jim Anthony on his first U.S. golf resort, The Cliffs at High Carolina in the mountains of Asheville. The community will be immaculate with each plot of land costing approximately $1 million before home construction even begins. Resort completion is expected for fall 2011.

His recent fall from the public’s admiration has potential to deeply impact the success of this project. While most of his endorsements don’t center around the fact that he’s a family man, this project has, with Woods stating in a promotion, “I want to have my kids experience something like this. I want to be able to bring them up here and feel safe, feel secure.”

Woods’ recently uncovered scandals combined with the lagging economy have resulted in a bleak outlook for this project. There have been reports, denied by Anthony, that the project has stalled. Home sales are also far below what was projected with only $34.7 million in closed home sales as of Feb. 26.

While Anthony has faithfully stood beside Woods and affirmed his commitment to the project, this remains a bad situation for Woods and one that highlights the pervasive affect of poor image for such a high-profile individual. It’s crucial that Woods and his public relations staff focus on improving his image through honest, consistent messaging. Until he begins to repair the damage that has been inflicted on his image and regains the public’s confidence he should expect even these business endeavors to suffer.

by Preston Kelly

Almost anyone can recognize the taste of a home-brewed beer – bitter, unique and almost always heavy.  Lucky for us, the Triangle is no stranger to these tasty ales.  And with such a selection at our fingertips, it’s hard to choose between them all!

The most recent addition to our lengthy list of breweries is the long-awaited Natty Greene’s Brewing Company, located in the Glenwood South area.  Its original location in Greensboro, N.C. has been popular among all ages for both their food and beer selection (for those of age).  Offering six year-round and six seasonal beers, this microbrewery is sure to become a local favorite!

With such a wide variety of local breweries down Tobacco Road, it is no wonder that Raleigh has been chosen for a fifth time to host the 2010 World Beer Festival!  This four-hour event features food from various local restaurants, live music and of course, beer tasting.

Breweries from Belgium to Wilmington, N.C. and everywhere in between are heading to Raleigh on Saturday, April 24 to take this PR opportunity and showcase their brewing skills.  Many of our own local breweries are making an appearance as well.

From Big Boss Brewing Co., Carolina Brewery, Lonerider Brewing Co., Top of the Hill Brewery, Triangle Brewing Co. to our newest Natty Greene’s, these breweries know what it takes to jump-start the enthusiasm of local beer-lovers.  And with national recognition from USA Today and Forbes.com, the World Beer Festival is sure to bring attention to the best of the Triangle breweries.

Four hours of beer, music, food and fun for only $40 bucks?  Sign me up!

Photo source: √oхέƒx™

by Minette Yao

It’s almost as if Google is having communities do their marketing for them. With localized campaigns and attention-grabbing publicity stunts, cities around the nation are competing for the chance to be Google Fiber’s community of choice.

Google Fiber is the Internet giant’s latest venture to the frontiers of the computing and the Internet. By building and testing a fiber-optic network in trial location(s) across the country, Google is promising to deliver Internet connection at unimaginable speeds (1 gigabyte per second! which is more than 100x faster than the average American has access to, and 20x faster than the highest speed available from Verizon).

Durham emerges from the bullpen

Among the most enthusiastic candidates nationwide is one of our very own: Durham, N.C. Within 24 hours of Google’s announcement in early February, the Bull City’s citizens started work putting together a submission and brainstorming creative ways to put Durham at the top of Google’s list. With no time wasted, a Facebook page was launched, “Bring Google Fiber to Durham, NC.” Shortly after, HiFiber Durham was launched – a website aggregating all of the city’s campaign efforts—and began tweeting, blogging, and posting videos on YouTube.

The response from individuals was equally timely and robust, with dedicated blogger Bull City Rising making an extensive argument for why Durham would be a great match (Google’s gigabit fiber gambit… and why Durham would be up for the challenge), and campaigners joining Frank Stasio at the American Tobacco District downtown for an interview on NPR’s The State of Things (“Give Us Google!”). A few weeks and some large-scale planning later, some 700+ residents gathered in the American Tobacco District on March 18, this time at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, in brightly colored shirts to spell out Google on the field for an aerial photo.

Both teams with a great pitch

In the midst of the hype, both sides are demonstrating great public relations. Durham has undoubtedly flexed its marketing muscles with a strong presence online (perhaps the only thing missing would be some Google Buzz-ing?) and community gathering events.

Google is no marketing dummy either. By offering to service an entire community with reliable, high-speed internet, Google is positioning itself as the provider and generous sponsor of a project that could revolutionize education, research, business and medicine. The experiment is at once both a major innovation in technology, as well as a great step forward for development and advocacy. A partnership between Durham and Google would prove to be very strategic… Batter up, HiFiber Durham!

Photo source: Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau

by Amy Gretenstein

Vice President Joe Biden held a brief tour and speech Thursday in an effort to tout the success of the Obama administration’s stimulus package.

Touring Cree with Energy Secretary Steven Chu and then speaking for about 25 minutes, Biden bragged that Cree, a Durham company that manufactures light-emitting diodes (LEDs), is an “American success story.”  Cree received more than $39 million tax credits and has hired around 375 new employees within the last year.

As if that was not impressive enough, upon Obama’s inauguration, Cree stock sold for $18.76 a share and to $19.99 when he signed the stimulus bill. Today, the stock has been selling for about $71.44. Super impressive, indeed!

Not only is Cree being highlighted for its impressive economic gains and hiring, but it is also being noted for its boosting of manufacturing in renewable and energy-efficient technologies.

While I do agree Cree is a stimulus success story, it sure doesn’t hurt to have the vice president come in and pat the president on the back. Just days before a major House vote on the health care bill, Biden’s appearance might have something to do with swaying last minute votes. However, it is always good PR to highlight your successes and it appears Biden is doing just that.

Biden and the administration could not have picked a better success story. Cree is an American company increasing jobs and revenue, and is promoting renewable energy-efficient technologies. Looks to me like Biden “hit the nail on the head.”

Photo source: NathanF

by: Mallory Pfeffer

Animal rights have always stirred up some sort of controversy (think PETA and its avant garde campaigns). The killer whale who just recently killed a trainer at Sea World has certainly ignited debate regarding the captivity of animals, so organizations such as PETA and Friends of Animals have  been given something current to talk about. Well, to add to the recent drama in regards to animal protection, an animal shelter in Robeson County, N.C. is receiving national attention and a multitude of negative publicity.

ABC11 Eyewitness News reported on the situation surrounding the Robeson County Animal Shelter and its treatment of animals. The situation all started when a video was found on YouTube which showed animals being “brutally euthanized” by shelter workers. The catch is the video was recorded 13 years ago and, according to current shelter director Jeff Bass, the facility has undergone drastic changes since then to ensure humane sedation methods.

The public isn’t buying it. Animal rights activists and organizations alike are lashing out against Bass. One group, MJ’s Animal Sanctuary, is even calling for an investigation on the grounds that they have evidence proving the shelter’s continued wrongdoings. Individual animal advocates are the ones who seem to be lashing out the most however, Governor Beverly Perdue’s Facebook wall has been taken over by complaints.

Thousands of people have posted comments about the situation and are urging her to take action against the shelter. Some have written extensive paragraphs regarding animal cruelty and actions the state should take to prevent such incidents, and others are simply asking Perdue to “please do something.” The governor responded to the outcry by assuring the public that her office has contacted the Commissioner of Agriculture’s office and the Robeson County Sheriff.

It seems like a huge mess at first, but there is actually a lot of good public relations at work. It is empowering to know that current trends in social media allow the public to voice their opinions directly to the people they think should hear. Concerned animal advocates were able to flood the governor’s office with  their grievances via Facebook and actually receive a response, however minimal it may have been.

On the other side of the issue, Bass has done well to maintain his composure and respond to the situation. He has calmly stated to reporters that “he keeps detailed records…and will gladly share them with animal rights advocates if they ask him and not accuse him,” but he refuses to have his face shown on camera because he has already received countless threats. Even though he is remaining somewhat anonymous, he is not keeping quiet. He is not pointing any fingers or trying to duel with the opposition, he is simply telling the facts as he knows them.

It’s certainly refreshing to see public relations tactics used appropriately.

Photo Source: garrardhumanesociety

by James Schlegelmilch

Today, State Treasurer Janet Cowell will announce the official in charge of North Carolina’s Innovation Fund.  The NC Innovation Fund will take $250 million from the state employee’s pension fund and invest the money into up and coming North Carolina-based businesses.

This investment idea, while not a new idea nationally, is an excellent way to lend a helping hand to businesses that have invested their own time and energy into North Carolina’s economy while generating a return on the money that is already in the system.

There are about 20 states in the nation that have this type of plan in place already, and North Carolina began the process of finding management of the fund and investment opportunities this past November when the state issued requests for proposals from private equity firms to manage the investments.

The state’s pension fund already has investments in stocks, bonds, real estate, and alternative investments like private equity, hedge funds, and venture capital.  This new plan will be a way to ensure that while growing the pension fund, the state’s economy is supported in a sort of “win-win” scenario.

While this investment plan will be good for the state on both ends, as with any investment, it will take time to see returns on the money invested in these local businesses.  I do feel though, that this is a great opportunity for the state to do something for itself.  In this economy, businesses need all the help they can get, and if the state itself can get something back for it, I’m not sure how this can be a bad thing.

Photo Source: Pfala

by Audrey Beckett

One of the global industries most impacted by the recession has been the aviation and travel industry. Even our own Raleigh-Durham International Airport, situated in the midst of Research Triangle Park’s hotbed of business travelers, has seen major declines in traffic as businesses have often resorted to telephone conferences and other means of cutting travel costs. As a former intern at the RDU Airport Authority, I like to stay informed on their happenings.

While the recession has been felt by the authority, it has continued to operate smoothly, even enjoying some growth and development. The construction of Terminal 2 is expected to be completed in the winter of 2011. As the largest construction project in the history of the airport, the completed terminal will add 36 new gates and 41 shops and restaurants. Being in the middle of such a large project when the economy tanked has surely been stressful for RDU, but the authority has continued to celebrate the project, hosting a well-attended open house and keeping the media informed all while receiving recognition along the way.

RDU has also continued to explore opportunities to expand service. Service to Milwaukee is scheduled to begin on April 1.

As finances have tightened, the authority has explored both innovative and traditional ways to cut costs. A major switch to LED runway and taxiway lighting began in July 2009 and is set for completion later this spring. It is expected that the conversion will cut energy costs up to 60%. RDU has also tightened up the budget, recommending no new hires and practicing frugality within departments.

Following in the footsteps of other major airports that are using Twitter to communicate with passengers, RDU launched a new Twitter account on November 4. The account has provided a valuable real-time communication option with passengers, especially helpful earlier this year with the frequent weather-related delays.

Things are starting to look up at RDU. January marked the second out of the past three months to see an increase in traffic, with more than 10,000 more passengers traveling through RDU in January 2010 than January 2009.

RDU has done a great job staying focused on the things they must do to operate effectively and successfully. There’s no doubt that poor economy and low passenger counts are something the authority has had to face constantly in recent months. However, their continued efforts to grow and stay up-to-date in their communication and customer service departments is an indicator of great PR in the midst of challenging circumstances.

by Amy Gretenstein

Cisco, the technology company that has helped provide the backbone and infrastructure for the Internet as we know it, announced today the next generation of router: CRS-3.

Cisco, which has large offices in RTP, is the maker of all sorts of Internet savvy technology such as VoIP phones and software, the Flip camera and all of those Linksys routers we use.

This router, which is touted to “forever change the Internet,” is three times faster than Cisco’s current “best” router with a capacity of 322 terabits per second, or 12 times faster than any of the competitors. Cisco brags that at this speed, the entire printed publications of the Library of Congress can be downloaded at around one second. Yes, I said one second.

Cisco goes on to say that the entire population of China (~1.3 billion people) could simultaneously video chat and every single movie ever made could be downloaded in just around four minutes.

All of this sounds fantastic, and I hope that Cisco can really live up to the hype. With more and more music, media, video, VoIP, games and apps available, it really is about time the Internet was as fast as my impatience is when I am trying to watch How I Met Your Mother.

Cisco’s PR campaign has been fierce with video chats, press releases and tons of media coverage on its announcement. Now it’s just important for Cisco to follow through on its promise including meeting all of its deadlines. I guess, only time will tell.

Photo source: BY-YOUR-⌘

by: Mallory Pfeffer

For as long as I have lived in North Carolina and attended the schools here I remember there being conflict after conflict relating to the bus system for public schools. Basically, the issue is that Wake County has a system of taking buses into inner-city areas and moving students to schools all over the county.

The reasoning behind it is to provide inner-city students with the same opportunities that the students in more affluent areas receive, and to add to the diversity of schools. The problems are some students have to travel more than 20 minutes to get to their schools, they arrive incredibly early and get home incredibly late, they are ultimately being stripped from their communities and the transportation costs really add up.

A meeting held by the Wake County school board on Tuesday was organized to vote on whether or not diversity busing should continue. The session began at 10 a.m. and extended into the night, so clearly a great deal was discussed. Previously, a vote had been cast to end the busing program and have students attend the schools in their communities, so the board was organized to discuss the possibility of passing the resolution.

With representatives from the different communities, as well as the NAACP, at the meeting there were plenty of differing opinions available to turn it into a heated debate. Civil rights became the center of the argument. Some were arguing “racism,” others were arguing that they “opposed anything that lead to re-segregation,” and still others were arguing that “morality doesn’t support the new plan.”

By the end of the session the board decided to keep the new plan and end diversity busing in communities. The opposition aren’t going down without a fight. Rev. William Barber, president of the NAACP in North Carolina declared, “don’t get discouraged” and “get your head up! We’ve got some courts we may need to get into.”

Although the meeting may have ended and the vote was determined, it appears the situation is far from over.  With Wake County now receiving national attention , the government and school board should tread softly. If you were to type “Wake County’s response to diversity busing” into a Google browser nothing but negativity towards the school system appears. Officials should be doing what they can to combat all of the negative headlines, but yet they don’t seem to be trying very hard to maintain a positive image. Well, good luck Wake County, it seems you may be needing it.

Image: laffy4k