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 Minette Yao

Today’s generation is often criticized for having a short attention span.  According to some psychologists and neuroscientists, the explosion of social networking sites like Facebook, instant messaging, and blogging (especially compacted micro-blogging tools, like Twitter), is a detriment to society. The conventional complaint goes: with more and more people at their computers or in front of the television, we are quickly losing the ability to have real life conversations, and certainly not conversations about anything of substance. But wait.

Tonight in downtown, an event called Ignite Raleigh might just prove the experts wrong. Ignite is a sort of variety show—an evening of inspiring, creative, interesting talks and presentations—from members of the very generation accused. The idea is a bit like TED, another online draw that provides streaming videos (often around 20-30 minutes) of “riveting talks by remarkable people” (TED’s motto). The difference is that Ignite is local—attended, presented at, and lead by people interested in hosting and participating at one in their city or town. More importantly, the talks only last five minutes.

Individuals are allowed to share their passions at an Ignite event informed by the motto, “Enlighten us, but make it quick.” Presenters are given five minutes to talk, with 20 slides up for 15 seconds each. Talk about a short attention span!

This will be Raleigh’s second Ignite event, with a total of 15 presentations given within 2 hours (from 7-9pm) by community speakers and featured speakers alike (including a WRAL meteorologist and Miss NC USA 2010). The topics range from “20 Rules for Start-Ups”  to “Why the Triangle is America’s Hotspot for Way Cool Houses” to “NerdGirls Unite! Fact: Women Don’t Have to Be Lame.”

For those interested in opinions from the social media savvy, a few of these talks might catch your attention:

“What happens to your digital identity after you die?”; “All media is social. You are no expert. Go read McLuhan”; and “Anti-Social Media: Breaking Connections for Fun and Profit.”

… even if only for five minutes. The @Ignite Raleigh event is also all over Twitter (#igniteraleigh), if you just can’t focus for that long.

Photo source: Ted Leung

by Minette Yao

Though the Oscars are coming up in less than a week, citizens of the Triangle should exercise their jaws for a different awards ceremony. Not the Academy Awards, but the James Beard Foundation Awards—dubbed “The Oscars of the Food World,” by Time magazine.

A James Beard Award is the most prestigious honor that members of the food world can achieve nationally, and five locals have been deemed worthy of that that respect. This is why foodies in the area are lucky that semifinalists in three separate categories call the Triangle home. The coveted awards cover all aspects of the industry—from chefs and restaurateurs, to cookbook authors, food journalists, restaurant designers, and more. Up for Best Restaurant and Outstanding Service is Durham’s Magnolia Grill, while chefs from the Nana’s (in Durham), Poole’s Diner (in Raleigh), Lantern and Crook’s Corner (both in Chapel Hill), stand a chance at being named Best Chef: Southeast.

It may come as no surprise that restaurants in Durham-Chapel Hill have such a strong presence on the list of nominees—the area recently garnered attention from Bon Appétit magazine as America’s Foodiest Small Town in 2008. Raleigh is putting its face on the map, with Poole’s executive chef Ashley Christensen making the cut.

Awards and accolades are staples of any PR menu, and this is just as true in the culinary trade as any other. Receiving a James Beard award is, above all, a point of pride for the chefs and restaurants in contention. But, it also garners well-deserved media attention, and this brings customers to the table. Magnolia Grill is no stranger to this fact; it was ranked #11 in Gourmet magazine’s list of Top 50 American Restaurants. The restaurant’s overwhelming popularity is undoubtedly backed by both quality and reputation.

If high praise translates to more people recognizing (and delighting in) the delicious food and warm hospitality that these restaurants have to offer, everyone wins. We’d like to thank the Academy…

Photo Source: James Beard Foundation

By Kelley Brackett

Sunday’s Superbowl brought home big bucks, not only for the New Orleans Saints’ owner Tom Benson, but also for a North Carolina company, Five Point Productions.  For a second year, the Raleigh-based company gained national attention for a Doritos spot, “Underdog,” one of four ads to air.  The spot featured a Doritos’ loving Labrador, Rosie, who used her anti-bark shock collar to steal a bag from her taunting owner.   Kudos to both companies for capitalizing on user-generated content.

First, to the Doritos brand for putting a price tag on quality user-generated content.  Since YouTube’s unveiling in 2005, users have flocked to post videos that generate, sometimes thousands of hits per day.  Doritos, noting the trend, decided to capitalize on the phenomenon by asking individuals to submit content for Superbowl ads beginning in 2007 for its “Crash the Superbowl Contest.”  Fast forward to 2010, Doritos’ user-generated ad, “House Rules”, was hailed as the top spot by TiVo.

The Doritos brand is revolutionizing the marketing process by asking individuals to submit content for cash prizes.  Through relinquishing power to the audience, Doritos is tapping into the resource that knows them best–their consumers.  By asking fans to create content on small budgets, Doritos can take the backseat in the marketing process, while still reaping the benefits for a fraction of the cost. The brand has seemingly created a win-win situation by utilizing a unique marketing strategy.

Five Point Productions answered the brand’s call by producing yet another winning ad, although it received second place, the group won $600,000 and national recognition.  With such award-winning creativity and local talent  found in our own backyard, maybe “Raleighwood” is a more fitting name?

Photo Source: mattieb

By Kelley Brackett

Anticipation is building across the state, as the countdown to the reopening of the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) nears.  Upon its reopening, NCMA will be the nation’s largest art museum park at a sprawling 164-acres! As the museum nears its 60th birthday and its reopening on the weekend of April 24-25, art lovers young and old will be able to reunite in its newly renovated and expanded location on Blue Ridge Road.

The expansion has given NCMA the opportunity to redefine itself, a PR move that is often necessary, and prepare for another 60 years.  NCMA’s new, modern logo brings the museum into a new decade.  Designed by Pentagram Designs, Inc, the logo is reportedly inspired by the 362 signature coffers enclosing the new building.

The transformation will reveal a 127,000-square-foot building that will house the NCMA’s permanent collection and will include a larger exhibition space, complete with day lit galleries.  The museum is also “going green” as it will be surrounded by extraordinary outdoor gardens filled with large-scale sculptures.

NCMA is not only staying young by redefining itself, but also by showcasing its new branding in multiple facets of social media.   Follow along with 2,000 others @ncartmuseum, become one of its fans on Facebook, check out its newest pictures on Flickr, or read their blog Untitled.  As NCMA’s countdown to the opening celebration continues, social media fans can constantly be in the know, proving that an older establishment can change with the times.

NCMA receives a final nod for good PR in its efforts to reach out to the community. NCMA is requesting  North Carolinian’s photos of what makes the state home by sharing your favorite destinations and faces for an exhibit on display opening weekend.  Join the celebration April 24-25, and celebrate a cultural treasure of our fine state!

Photo: Everlasting Gallery

By Mallory Pfeffer

The anticipation around the Triangle was unmistakable this past Friday as people began preparing for the snow. Grocery store shelves were stripped of milk, eggs, bread and batteries, salt caked the highways, and people raced home from work to beat the oncoming storm.  We all awoke Saturday morning to a winter wonderland — children frolicked, couples went on walks, and families relaxed in the warm sanctuary of their homes.  Now, fast forward. The fun is over, and cabin fever is certainly setting in for Wake County students.

While most have returned to work and college co-eds are attending classes, Wake County has issued its third snow day for public schools. With yet another day of cancellations, fingers point towards the N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT). On Monday, ABC11 Eyewitness News anchor Barbara Gibbs reported that the DOT is being both “criticized and praised for their response” to the storm, and an N&O article released Tuesday stated that “there were varying degrees of success in how well streets were cleared of ice and snow.” Clearly, the DOT can’t please everyone.

I am certainly one of the disgruntled citizens scrutinizing the DOT for failing to venture into roads surrounding my house. The plows reached hundreds of other secondary streets, so why couldn’t they turn down mine when neighboring streets received attention? Jon Nance, chief engineer for the DOT, was interviewed by ABC11 Eyewitness News stating that, “some of the state’s smaller roads have taken a back seat to bigger roads, but…all the major thoroughfares were clear Monday and for some that’s good enough.” He also stated that at night “it was too cold and there was nothing on the roads but unplowable ice,” suggesting that at times there was little crews could do to improve the situation.

Whether or not the DOT is to blame for the snow and ice that is still on the roads and for the kids that are still out of school remains unsettled. Representatives continue to assert that every effort is being made to get the roads cleared, but it appears some roads are still unsafe. With a weekend forecast calling for a possibility of more freezing rain and snow can we trust the DOT to respond to our needs, or will see the same results? Looks like we will just have to wait and see.

Photo Source: Flickr

By Kelley Brackett

In today’s economic funk, many companies are searching for new ways to reinvent themselves to avoid losing business or even worse closing their doors.  Just last week, local nightclub, Buckhead Saloon, was forced to close after losing clientele to neighboring competitors.  In an area with many restaurants and bars its important to find your niche and stick to it.  If one approach isn’t working, try, try again (that can get expensive though).

That’s exactly what local eatery Fins and its renowned chef William D’Auvray did.  Fins, located at 110 East Davie Street, has gotten a face lift recently to compete with other downtown restaurants.  Formerly known for their exquisite seafood dishes with an Asian fusion, Fins is now reopening under the name Bu.ku.

In a sea of many, Fins has reinvented itself to compete with the hundreds of dining options in the Triangle.  The name Bu.ku originates from a French-Asian twist on the phrase “merci beaucoup,” meaning “thank you, very much.” D’Auvray aims to present global street fare from the four corners of the globe in an exotic, yet simple way.

Niche Marketing enables companies to identify a highly targeted audience, creating a unique business concept that allows you to emerge from the masses. As a former seafood restaurant, Fins had a target audience.  But by creating a unique concept, Bu.ku will attract a target audience that is open to ditching normal American fare and exploring cross-cultural cuisine.

Photo Source: viZZZual.com

Addition Of Joseph Hice Signals A First Step In University’s Crisis Recovery

By Kathleen Mongero

When it comes to North Carolina State University these days, there is one obvious fact that is hard to argue – they could use some good PR right about now.  Between dealing with budget cuts, free speech issues and corrupt officials, the university has spent the last several months being publicly stoned, taking one momentous blow after another.  It seemed this past summer that every time one turned around there was a chancellor, or provost, or chairman with an FBI agent on their doorstep.

In an attempt to start anew the school recently announced the addition of Joseph Hice, who will serve as the chief of public relations at the university.  Hailing from his most recent gig as the associate vice president of public relations at the University of Florida, Hice’s resume is decorated with past experience, including stints as chief marketing director for Segway and director of corporate communications for Harley Davidson Motor Company.

As reported by local media outlets, Hice will bring in an annual salary of $190,000, which amidst budget chaos could very well make him the Fonz of university PR. Among speculation over the subject of Hice’s salary is the fact NC State offers a Bachelor of Arts in public relations.  Is hiring a pricey PR “expert” during the university’s financial woe the most practical solution, especially when you give degrees to students that aim to make them credible practitioners in the field?  In defense to this and similar criticisms, university officials have argued that the search to fill the position in question has been going on for several years, however, all of us in PR cannot help but point out that when it comes to public relations, timing is everything.

North Hills Fun for All Ages

By Natalie Fioto

In difficult times, communities often come together to support one another.  Well, in this turbulent economy one local shopping center is helping to bridge the neighborhood, connecting people all over the Triangle.  Without spending a dime, you can take the whole family out to North Hills and have a great evening out, as it proves to be more than just a shopping center.  North Hills hosts many events and compiles them on a comprehensive calendar on its Web site, which includes restaurant specials to help us all save a couple bucks.

Every Thursday throughout the summer months, North Hills hosts Midtown Flower Market during the afternoon and the Midtown Beach Music Series in the evening.  Children play on the grass eating Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, teenagers hang out with friends listening to the music, and adults drink cold beers and shag the night away.

North Hills also hosts competitions throughout the summer.  On June 6, professional shag dancers from up and down the east coast flocked to the North Hills Commons to compete for plaques and prizes.  In addition, North Hills is currently holding the Plein Air art competition, which it plan to hold annually, where competing artists must paint “in the open air” on North Hills property.  The art submissions will culminate in an art festival in August featuring a silent auction of the works.  Proceeds  will benefit the United Arts Council.

Junior Jazzercise, geared toward children ages 2-8, is held two days a week to get kids active and learn the importance of exercise and health.  With North Carolina’s alarmingly high obesity rate, this is likely to be a vital lifelong lesson.  Raleigh residents can support local farmers and enjoy live entertainment through November by attending the Midtown Farmers’ Market and buying fresh organic produce from a variety of vendors.

North Hills, a mixed-use community, should also perform mixed services to the surrounding neighborhoods.  It is the an all-inclusive destination to live, work, shop and socialize because North Hills is focused on building relationships within the Raleigh community.  With enormous amounts of money going into the continued construction of North Hills East, it is important that the community maintains its positive view of North Hills’ contributions to the neighborhood.  Its activities are a great way to reach out to the public and also encourage some spending to stimulate the economy at the same time.