Greenhaus, a San Diego creative marketing agency, has launched a branding platform and national advertising campaign for client Visit Dallas, a destination marketing organization for the Texas metroplex.

The mission of Visit Dallas is to promote tourism, increase business and city revenues and create and sustain jobs, a statement said.

The ad campaign, scheduled to roll-out in June and continue over the next three years, will include traditional print, broadcast, outdoor, digital placements, search and social buys, event sponsorship and activations and selected travel platform partnerships, according to Greenhaus.

Initially, over an eight-week run, seven billboards and 16 kiosks throughout Dallas will feature the campaign’s theme of “Maverick, Can-Do Spirit,” which highlights a diverse, welcoming intermingling of personalities, perspectives and passions.

Also, a 30-second TV spot features local Dallas personalities, including Arike Ogunbowale, who plays for the Dallas Wings, a women’s professional basketball team, and Cynt Marshall with the National Basketball Association’s Dallas Mavericks and the first black woman to serve as CEO of an NBA team.

Total media expenditures were not disclosed, but a Greenhaus spokesperson told Times of San Diego the national campaign features a multi-million dollar budget.

“We wanted to craft this unified destination brand to illustrate the individuality that is Dallas, transformed from the oil cowboy cliché into an emerging global power, future facing, magnetically energetic and impossible to ignore,” said Paul Whitbeck, managing partner, Greenhaus. “The creative campaign will then build upon this foundation, showcasing a destination full of homegrown tastemakers and innovators driving the concept that Dallas allows and invites everyone to experience and do whatever you need for fun and work alike.”

The national campaign is planned to reach into other markets outside of Texas, according to Whitbeck.

“While there continues to remain a strong focus on core Texas travel markets and popular drive-short-haul flight audiences, we felt the time was right to add in major metro fly markets with substantial spends and innovative city takeovers in large markets such as Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, Seattle-Tacoma and San Francisco, among others,” he said.

According to Greenhaus, the campaign represents the culmination of nearly two years of research, outreach and community feedback. Input came from more than 30 individual stakeholder interviews, eight national and local qualitative focus groups, three customer advisory board groups comprised of meeting professionals and three Dallas-based, brand workshops, as well as more than 1,500 individual survey responses.

“We are thrilled to work with Greenhaus to redefine Dallas and share a new destination brand with our local, regional and national audiences,” said Visit Dallas CEO Craig Davis. “Greenhaus has been an essential partner in telling the Dallas story and including all of our partners as a vital part of this process as we embark on this new journey and create what’s next.”

San Diego’s Crowe PR Adds Staff in Florida

Crowe PR, a San Diego-based integrated public relations agency with 26 employees, has announced the hiring of two team members who will remain in Florida, including Jamie Avalon of Fort Lauderdale and Alana Pulver of Delray Beach.

The agency said the two new employees based in Florida, each with five years of PR experience, will serve clients in the consumer packaged goods, apparel and spirits industries.

Avalon has experience working with food-and-beverage brands, including Dunkin, Caribou Coffee and Little Caesars. Pulver has experience with Kay Jewelers, Coca-Cola and Mars.

Also newly hired is Veronica Correa as social media manager, with five years of PR experience. Correa, who will be based in San Diego, will focus on driving digital brand growth through the creation of compelling social media strategies, a statement said.

“As Crowe PR continues to expand its services and client roster, adding these three powerhouse women is a significant asset to our team,” said Natalia Barclay, senior director of communications, Crowe PR. “Their wealth of expertise in media, social media and influencer marketing strategy will only further our capacity to create and implement effective campaigns for our clients. This strategic move reaffirms our commitment to delivering targeted solutions and measurable outcomes for our clients as we expand our team and expertise.” 

Crowe PR also announced the promotion of four employees, including Cara O’Connell to media manager, Madison Garca and Grace Singh to PR manager and Angelica Olivas to integrated PR executive.

Headquartered in San Diego, Crowe PR has a second location in New York City and staff around the country

KCD Public Relations Wins Award for eBook

KCD PR, a San Diego-based, boutique public relations agency specializing in financial services, fintech and technology industries, reports it has received an Award of Distinction from the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts for its free eBook, “Fintech PR: Strategies for Growth and Success.”

“It’s an honor to receive this award for something our entire team worked on,” said Kevin Dinino, KCD PR founder and president. “We’re thrilled to see our work recognized on such a high level. We pride ourselves on providing clients with the expertise needed for success and are happy to create this guide as a free resource for any who need it.” 

A statement said the ebook features techniques for maximizing media coverage, practical tips for crisis communications, tips for driving thought-leadership efforts and PR perspectives unique to the fintech industry. The ebook is available at kcdpr.com/fintech-ebook-download/.

(W)right On Communications Recognized by Newsweek

(W)right On Communications, a San Diego public relations firm, has announced it has been included on Newsweek magazine’s inaugural list of America’s Best PR Agencies.

The agency said the list was based on a survey of 2,400 industry professionals who identified the top 150 PR firms among more than 12,000 agencies operating in the U.S.

(W)right On also said that Newsweek noted the firm’s expertise in four categories, including: healthcare and pharmaceuticals; consumer goods, retail and fashion; internal corporate communications and employee engagement; and brand reputation and marketing.

“This achievement is a testament to the trust placed in us by our incredible client partners and the savvy and imaginative (W)right On team delivering impactful results every day,” said Grant Wright, CEO of the agency. “This recognition reaffirms our dedication to leading the way in the ever-changing communications industry.” 

Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.

Former NFL San Diego Chargers pass-rusher Shawne Merriman’s Lights Out company, based in Los Angeles, has launched a free ad-supported streaming TV service called Lights Out Sports.

Merriman’s nickname during his six seasons (2005-2010) with the Chargers was “Lights Out.”

As reported by Broadcasting+Cable, an industry media outlet, Lights Out Sports will be available on Roku, Apple iOS and Android TV connected platforms, with more to come.

Content will be available from a number of sports programmers, including Glory Kickboxing, World Poker Tour, Swerve Combat, Chess.com, Streetbeefs, Outdoor America, Speedvision, Cineverse and the American 7s Football League (A7FL), along with Lights Out Xtreme Fighting (LXF), the mixed-martial arts (MMA) league that Merriman owns. LXF is known for developing a system for generating real-time data about matches using cameras and sensors in the combatants’ gloves to deliver delivered data about punch frequency, velocity and power.

“This (Lights Out Sports) is a big undertaking,” Merriman told Broadcasting+Cable. “You’ve got to make sure you’ve got all your ducks in a row and everybody’s on the same page. We want to make sure that all the partners coming feel confident that they’re getting a full service.”

Merriman played outside linebacker in 60 games for the Chargers, starting 53 of them and recording 43.5 sacks. He was the 2005 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, led the league in sacks in 2006 and was an All-Pro in each of his first three seasons in the league.

After a string of injuries, Merriman was waived by the Chargers in midseason 2010. He was picked up through waivers by the Buffalo Bills, but played only minimally due to continued injuries. He retired as an NFL player in 2013 and worked for the next few years as a commentator at NFL Network, Fox Sports, ESPN and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)

Lights Out Sports is one of the newest players in a fast-growing media segment called free, ad-support streaming television, or FAST, as reported by Sportico, a trade industry newsletter.

Recent FAST-related news includes The Roku Channel’s announcement that it will show Sunday night Major League Baseball games at no charge. Also, sports-centric bundler Fubo said it will offer a free tier of 25 sports stations, including Real Madrid TV, Pickleball TV, Surfer and World Poker Tour. Also, FanDuel TV Extra is launching its own free network that will stream live basketball from leagues in China, Germany and Turkey, along with soccer from South Korea.

The world ad market for FAST could top $9 billion in 2024, according to U.K. analyst Omdia, a consultancy specializing in telecommunications, media and technology. Two years ago, global FAST ad revenue was less than half that.

IABC Honors Communicators of the Year from Intuit, SDSU

The San Diego chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators has named Intuit exec Angie Robert for its 2024 Communicator of the Year award and Aasrita Patibandla of San Diego State University as its Junior COTY award recipient.

IABC said its COTY award, now in its 11th year, recognizes a San Diego-area leader who demonstrates strategic excellence in communications and serves as an outstanding example of others through quality work and contributions to the professions. Similarly, the Junior COTY award recognizes a communications professional with less than seven years of communications industry experience.

In her role in executive communications at Intuit, Robert supports product, money, design and business operations teams for the QuickBooks brand with strategic communications, change management, employee engagement, executive leadership and messaging and narrative building.  

She also is serving as global co-chair of the Intuit Women’s Network, the oldest and largest employee resource group at Intuit with more than 2,600 members worldwide.  

During her nearly 10 years at Intuit, Robert’s previous roles have included public relations, internal and external digital communications, social media and influencer relations, crisis and risk management and corporate branding for the TurboTax and Intuit Brands. Before joining Intuit, she held a variety of marketing and communications roles at financial and tech companies.

“IABC has long been the most innovative and cutting-edge organization for professional communicators, so it is truly an honor to receive this recognition,” Robert told Times of San Diego. “Receiving this award is a powerful reminder of the significance of the communications discipline, and the importance of building relationships that lift both corporations and people up to their highest potential.”

Patibandla, a web and systems strategist for the past two years at SDSU, manages technical operations for the university’s digital landscape. She supports projects to enhance the university’s online presence and optimize key systems, including email automation and websites.

“It is truly humbling and an immense honor to be recognized by IABC-San Diego among such exceptional corporate communicators,” said Patibandla, “I deeply appreciate IABC’s initiative in spotlighting the impactful work being done within the field of communication. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the leadership at SDSU for their consistent support, their emphasis on the importance of effective communication, and for nurturing an environment where employees can thrive.”

Robert and Patibandla will be recognized at a reception starting at 5 p.m., Wednesday, May 29, at Karl Strauss Brewing Company, 9675 Scranton Road. Cost to attend is $40 for members, $50 for nonmembers.

Health Care Communicators Present Annual Awards

The Health Care Communicators of Southern California, a professional networking group, said it presented 71 awards from among 39 categories to 17 different organizations at its recent Finest Awards, held May 17at the El Adobe de Capistrano restaurant in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. About 100 people attended the awards event, HCCSC said.

The awards program featured gold, silver and bronze awards. Awards recognized excellence in healthcare marketing and advertising. A record 125 entries were received from organizations in San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange counties and the Inland Empire.

Top winner was UC San Diego Health with 11 awards and Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego with 10 awards.

Other multiple award winners (number of awards received appears in parenthesis) included Maricich Health (8), CalOptima Health (7), Scripps Health (6), City of Hope Orange County (5), Reveille Inc. (4), Loma Linda University (4), Scatena Daniels Communications (3), Loma Linda University Health (3) and Providence Little Company of Mary (2).

Single award winners included Institute for Healthcare Advancement, Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, UC San Diego Health Marketing and Communications and Westcott Communications.

Best of Show awards, one apiece, were presented to UC San Diego Health and City of Hope Orange County. The San Diego Blood Bank was presented with two Best of Show awards.

Scholarship recipients included: Zoe Levin, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Darcey Tran, University of California, Los Angeles; Mirela Guzman, Stanford University; Cameron Patton and Emily Rodriguez, both from San Diego State University.

Members of the group include communications professionals who work in the health care, wellness, biotech, medical device, health information technology and pharmaceutical industries in San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange counties, as well as the Inland Empire. Formed in 1977, HCCSC serves as the Southern California chapter of the Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development (SHSMD), a membership trade group that provides resources for healthcare-provider planners, marketers and communications practitioners nationwide. SHSMD is affiliated with the American Hospital Association.

Mindgruve Achieves Google Premier Partner Status

Mindgruve, a San Diego-based digital marketing agency, has announced it has achieved 2024 Premier Partner status in the Google Partners program for the fourth consecutive year.

The agency said the accomplishment grants Mindgruve clients exclusive access to prime business growth opportunities across Google services.

“Mindgruve’s close partnership with Google has led to incredible growth for our clients,” said Chad Robley, CEO of Mindgruve. “This recognition underscores our commitment to mastering Google’s full suite of cutting-edge tools and insights to drive meaningful growth for our clients. Together, we’re setting new benchmarks for success in our industry.”

A statement said the Google Partners program empowers agencies with essential training, support and tools for client success, making them more competitive. Premier Partners represent the top 3% in the country benefiting from advanced Google resources, including early product access, tailored training and expert support, enhancing their service quality and innovation.

Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.

Taco Bell, the quick-service restaurant chain based in Irvine, is promoting its new $5 Taco Discovery Box with a quirky 30-second TV spot called “Taco Twosday” featuring NBA Lakers basketball star LeBron James and comedian Jason Sudeikis.

The commercial, resembling a throwback faux sitcom, was described as “goofy, silly, kooky” by advertising industry commentator David Gianatasio.

Created by ad agency Deutsch L.A. and directed by Jake Syzmanski, the spot begins with the two friends asking whether they should change up their Tuesday routine.

Next, both of them imagine an adventurous spoof sitcom where they try new things, including painting, beekeeping, rollerblading and the chain’s new Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco.

“Sure, such prime-time spoofery feels plenty familiar,” wrote Gianatasio. “But everyone loves a good rerun. This one’s nicely done; and as ever with Taco Bell, celebs deliver a satisfying comic crunch. A swarm of bees chasing LeBron plus robots? Sounds like a ratings winner to me!”

A Taco Bell statement said the collaboration between James and Sudeikis is the latest in the brand’s ongoing Taco Tuesday journey. In March, Sudeikis partnered with Taco Bell for the nationwide launch of the Cantina Chicken menu. A year ago in May, James was part of the chain’s rallying cry to liberate Taco Tuesday for all who make, sell, eat and celebrate tacos.

“Last year’s Taco Tuesday liberation was only the start, and now it’s on us to provide our fans with new innovations, experiences and value-driven offerings that continue to make Taco Bell a part of their Tuesday routines,” said Taylor Montgomery, chief marketing officer at Taco Bell. “Our new Cantina Chicken menu is quickly becoming a fan-favorite and this $5 Taco Discovery Box makes it easier than ever for consumers to get a taste with the Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco that’s included within.”

“Taco Twosday” runs nationally through June 4, a date which coincides with the $5 Taco Discovery Box menu item that is available every Tuesday through June 4. The Taco Discovery Box includes a Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco along with a crunchy taco, Doritos taco and medium fountain drink.

Soapy Joe’s was Top Winner at San Diego AMA Sandie Awards

Soapy Joe’s, the San Diego-based car wash chain, was the top winner at the 2024 Sandie Awards presented by the American Marketing Association San Diego chapter.

Soapy Joe’s five awards included three Gold awards in the Experiential Marketing, Cause Marketing-Nonprofit and Event Marketing categories, one Silver award in the Experiential Marketing category and one Bronze award in the Marketing Innovation category.

The San Diego Tourism Authority won two Gold awards in the Marketing Innovation and Public Relations categories, as well as the “Best of Show” award for its “The Sunny Side of Things” campaign.

Also, Kerri Verbeke Kapich, the tourism authority’s chief operating officer, was selected by the AMA board of directors as the chapter’s 2024 Marketer of the Year.

An AMA statement said Kapich “has demonstrated unparalleled dedication, creativity, and leadership in the field of marketing, making her a standout candidate for this esteemed recognition. Kerri’s impact extends beyond the boundaries of the tourism authority, as she frequently shares her wealth of knowledge as a guest speaker at industry conferences nationwide. Her commitment to education is evident in her role as a guest lecturer at the San Diego State University School of Hospitality and for LEAD San Diego, inspiring the next generation of marketers and leaders.”

Winners of three Sandie awards included San Diego Foundation, Enlyte, Belmont Park and The Shipyard.

Winners of two Sandie awards included Winners of two or more Sandie awards included Buchanan Brand + Design, Movetic, University of California San Diego, Compass Digital, Visceral, Mari + Gold, Loma Media, Red Door Interactive, and InnoVision Marketing Group.

Winners of one Sandie award included Winners of one Sandie award included the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, 62Above, Allison Worldwide, Greenhaus, Jacob Tyler, Mentus, Boys & Girls Club of Greater San Diego, MiresBall and Preferred Employers Insurance.

AMA officials said 65 awards were presented from among the 100 entries submitted by 26 companies or agencies and five collegiate institutions. Judges included AMA members from local chapters in Lincoln and Omaha, Neb. and Cincinnati.

The AMA awards event, the San Diego chapter’s second annual, drew about 220 attendees on May 2 at the Town & Country Resort Hotel in Mission Valley. Claudia Chow, 2024 AMA San Diego chapter president, said, “It was an epic evening celebrating a year of marketing excellence, but, more importantly, gathering a community that champions and supports one another.”

A list of winners and event photos can be viewed at sandieawards.org/.

Digital Out-of-Home Advertising Impact Study Released

Out-of-home advertising, such as billboards, bus shelters and ads on transit buses, is growing as an ad medium. However, findings of a recent study announced in San Diego found that digital out-of-home advertising has an unparalleled ability to engage consumers. This advertising refers to digital screens and displays placed in public spaces delivering targeting messages.

According to an April survey of 1,023 U.S. adults, ages 18 to 64, conducted by market research firm The Harris Poll, 73% of consumers view these digital ads favorably, 76% of viewers had taken action because of an ad and 93% of consumers who visited a business after noticing its ad completed a purchase.

The poll was funded by the Out of Home Advertising Association of America, a Washington-based national trade association. More than 1,000 people attended the association’s 2024 Media Conference, held at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad.

The Harris research also found the most effective digital out-of-home consumer ads offer special deals on groceries and restaurants, as well as current weather conditions. Also, time-sensitive promotions resonated strongly with consumers with 80% of consumers noticing ads that feature time-specific offers on food and beverages or special deals on clothing, shoes or accessories. 

“Digital out of home not only captures consumers’ attention but also drives meaningful actions making it an indispensable tool for marketers seeking to engage and influence consumers,” said Anna Bager, president/CEO of the OAAA. She said dynamic advertising “represents a paradigm shift in the way brands connect with consumers, offering unparalleled flexibility and relevance.

“By delivering hyper-targeted contextual messaging that aligns with consumers’ interests and needs, advertisers can create immersive experiences that resonate deeply and drive tangible results, all while leveraging the power of location to enhance engagement and deliver messages in precisely the right place at the right time.”

John Gerzema, CEO of The Harris Poll, said the findings show digital out of home is a “highly effective advertising medium that can be both striking and shareable” and drives ability to drive consumers to take action.

Founded in 1891, the OAAA Boasts more than 800 members represent leading media companies, advertisers, agencies, ad-tech providers and suppliers.

Adweek Names Ryan Joe as Editor-in-Chief

Adweek, an advertising industry trade publication, has appointed Ryan Joe as its editor in chief.

Joe, who has covered the advertising industry for more than 15 years, joins from Business Insider, where he has spent the past three years as advertising editor.

Previously, Joe served for eight years as managing editor at AdExchanger and two years as senior editor at Haymarket Media Group’s Direct Marketing News. He holds a bachelor’s degree from UCLA and a master’s degree in fine arts in writing from Columbia University.

“I am thrilled to join the award-winning Adweek brand, with its reputation as the go-to resource for this engaged community,” said Joe. “Our newsroom will expand editorial coverage as we adapt to the fast-changing marketing industry ecosystem and make the increasingly complicated world of digital media more understandable and accessible to our audiences.”

Joe will report to Zoë Ruderman, Adweek chief content officer.

“As our new editor in chief, Ryan will help lead the way in our continuing efforts to elevate the Adweek newsroom to deliver even more incisive, data-driven insights and intelligence to our audience across multiple platforms,” said Ruderman.

Joe’s appointment is one of several new recent hires for Adweek, now celebrating its 45 anniversary. Ruderman and Drew Schutte as chief revenue officer joined in November 2023. Joining Adweek in summer 2023 included Will Lee as CEO and Eric Hayden Shakun as CFO.

Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.

Austin-based Red Fan Communications, a public relations and marketing consultancy serving business and technology clients, has opened a San Diego office headed by San Diego resident and PR industry veteran Glenn Mandel.

A Red Fan statement said the new San Diego office follows additional Red Fan recent office openings in Dallas and Asheville, North Carolina.

Founded in 2008 by CEO Kathleen Lucente, Red Fan said its annual billings ranges from $1.8 to $2.5 million. The 10-person staff focuses on a maximum of 12 clients per year with the clients remaining with the firm from three to seven years.

Red Fan said it has partnerships with data scientists, events firms, research professionals and other communications and marketing professionals.

“Our decision to establish a presence in San Diego is driven by a trio of compelling reasons,” Lucente told Times of San Diego. “San Diego is a dynamic hub of high-tech innovation driven by many of our industries of expertise. California, and San Diego in particular, is a hub for tech innovation and venture capital activity. The San Diego office is a natural progression of our growth. It’s not just about geographic expansion. It’s about being physically present in a state that is a focal point for many of our existing and potential clients.

“This move enhances our service offerings, expanding access to our services for our existing clients who have customers or operations on the West Coast and benefit from having boots on the ground in key markets. As a high-tech corporate communications agency, we understand the importance of being where innovation happens. Our clients, ranging from VC-funded startups to Fortune 500 companies, require round-the-clock, top-tier communication services.”

Lucente said she has known Mandel for more than 20 years.

“Most importantly, this strategic expansion is one built on trust,” she said. “Having known Glenn for over two decades, his unwavering dedication and insight into West Coast markets and technology trends and media have been integral to the work our team does on behalf of our clients. This step marks not just a geographical expansion, but a deepening of our commitment to fostering growth and seizing new business opportunities in San Diego and throughout Southern California.”

Mandel, with 30 years of national PR agency experience, has led award-winning communications campaigns across multiple industries, including lifestyle, business, gaming, wireless, apps, entertainment, sports, health and fitness, food and beverage, real estate, gadgets and gear, travel, consumer goods and products, restaurant, retail and marketing.

During his career, he has worked as such accounts as Google, Nintendo, Microsoft, Ally Bank, Lending Tree, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Bungie, JVC, Subway restaurants, Alltel Wireless and Nielsen. His gaming experience includes DOOM II, Quake, Command & Conquer, Sim Theme Park, Halo, Unreal, NFL Blitz, NBA Jam, Mortal Kombat, Monopoly Go!, Mario Kart and Pokemon.

A spokesperson said current Red Fan clients include CSI, Fluence, Candid, Green Rebates, Texas Original, Proximity Learning and ibelong. The spokesperson declined to disclose San Diego-area clients currently served by Red Fan.

J. Walcher Communications Announce Staff Changes

San Diego public relations and marketing agency J. Walcher Communications has announced the promotion of Olivia Stafford from senior account executive to account supervisor and the addition of Molly Pincherli as an account executive.

Stafford, who joined JWC nearly five years ago as an account executive, was previously with a PR and government relations firm where she was involved in media outreach for the San Diego Asian Film Festival, Japan Society and San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, as well as San Diego Gas & Electric.

In 2017, Stafford was named New PR Professional of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America San Diego and Imperial Counties chapter. She graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish, and minors in public relations and writing.

Pincherli previously worked as a news producer at KION-TV in Monterey and KFMB-TV in San Diego. She also spent time as an associate producer of Nurse TV, a nationally-syndicated show about nursing. She graduated cum laude from Emerson College with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and minor in magazine publishing.

Founded in 2001, JWC is celebrating its 23rd year in business this year. JWC offers media and community relations, social and digital media, content creation, branding, messaging, crisis communications, media training and advertising. Clients represent such industries as hospitality, real estate development, nonprofit arts and culture and professional services.

Alternative Strategies Hires, Promotes

Alternative Strategies, a San Diego marketing and public relations agency specializing in restaurant and hospitality clients, has announced the hiring of Christian Spangler as media relations coordinator and the promotion of Alyssa Hiestand from media relations coordinator to media relations manager.

Spangler, a 2020 graduate of California Baptist University with a degree in public relations, was previously with a software marketing firm where he maintained the online reputation of such brands as Red Robin, Ace Hardware and various property management firms.

A native of Santa Clarita, Calif., Heistand first worked with the agency as an intern in 2022. She was hired in January 2023. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and media studies and a minor in recreation and tourism management from San Diego State University.

Poll Reveals Americans Have Little Faith in Media Election News

Americans rely heavily on local and national news organizations as sources for news about elections, but a new poll says most adults have concerns about the reliability of information they will get this year.

According to a new poll from the American Press Institute and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, about half of Americans, or 53%, say they are extremely or very concerned that news outlets will report inaccuracies or misinformation.

The poll also found 47% of Americans expressing serious concerns that news outlets will report information that has not been confirmed or verified, while 44% worry that information will be presented in a way that favors one side or another and 48% say the news media will focus too much on divisions or controversies.

“The level of engagement is good,” Michael Bolden, CEO, American Press Institute, told AP. “The thing that’s most concerning is that they’re not sure they can actually trust the information.”

Your age determines your level of interest in election news, pollsters said. About two-thirds of Americans age 60 or older say they keep a close eye on presidential election news, compared with roughly one-third of those under age 30. In addition, the poll found that 46% of Americans age 60 or older say they follow news about local and state elections closely, while only 16% of people ages 18 to 29 said the same thing.

Who’s to blame for the distrust in the news media? Years of suspicion about journalists, much of it sown by politicians, is partly responsible, Bolden told the AP. Also, people today are less familiar with how journalism works.

Hot Air, a conservative news outlet, was critical that the AP failed to blame itself. Hot Air Managing Editor Ed Morrissey wrote, “Guess who the AP blames for this sad state of affairs? Child, please. The mainstream media still won’t do anything to address the problem, even when seven out of every eight American consumers doesn’t trust them. We all know how journalism should work. It’s the journalists that seem less familiar with the concepts, and especially their editors.”

The headline on Morrissey’s story stated, “Only 14% of Americans Trust the Media.” Morrissey wrote in his opening sentence: “I know what you’re thinking: That many?”

Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.

SeaWorld San Diego has launched its first major U.S. advertising campaign in six years. The campaign coincides with SeaWorld’s 60th anniversary. The original SeaWorld park opened in March 1964 in Mission Bay.

A SeaWorld spokesperson told Times of San Diego the “So Many Worlds to Love” campaign, which began in early April, includes placements on various media channels, including regional market broadcast TV, streaming TV and social media platforms. Media expenditures were not disclosed.

A 15-second and 30-second spot “allows you to experience the magic through the eyes of a real family as they discover the wonders of SeaWorld, from up-close animal encounters to the thrill of riding world-class roller coasters,” a statement said.

The spots highlight SeaWorld’s different “worlds” with heartwarming scenes overlayed with text that says “All The Feels World” (a boy petting a penguin), “Zero Gravity World” (children riding a roller coaster upside-down) and “Best Day Ever World” (a little boy napping in his car seat with a stuffed orca).

Creative agency Innocean, based in Huntington Beach, partnered with SeaWorld on the campaign.

Marisa Thalberg, SeaWorld chief marketing and communications officer, told Ad Age, an advertising industry trade publication, “It is an interesting moment to be introducing this because it does coincide with the official kick-off of the brand’s 60th-anniversary festivities.”

She told Ad Age that “So Many Worlds to Love” is “more of a brand campaign. It’s the first time we’ve done something completely new that’s not a redo of something we’d been working with already.

“We did some value proposition research and made up the methodology ourselves with our consumer insights team. We took different tracks at what makes the SeaWorld experience so worthwhile. Getting those learnings from current and prospective guests informed the brief to tell us we’re now ready to go take a fresh approach through upper funnel storytelling of answering what is SeaWorld and why is SeaWorld so special.”

The spokesperson’s statement to Times of San Diego said SeaWorld’s 60th year celebration is designed to reintroduce itself to a new generation by proudly showcasing its ongoing commitment to animal care and rescue, while doubling down on the thrills it’s always been known for.

SeaWorld theme parks are located in San Diego, Orlando, San Antonio and Abu Dhabi. Earlier this year, SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. changed its name to United Parks & Resorts. The company’s seven brands include SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove, Sesame Place, Water Country USA, Adventure Island and Aquatica.

Pro Surfers Partner with Rubio’s for Marketing Campaigns

San Diego-based Rubio’s Coastal Grill has announced future marketing campaigns will include participation by brothers Griffin and Crosby Colapinto, two of the country’s top professional surfers.

The marketing campaigns will feature VIP experiences, giveaways and product collaborations, a statement said.

“As Rubio’s celebrates 41 years, we are embracing our Baja roots, and that includes surf culture,” said Ralph Rubio, Rubio’s co-founder. “I took surf trips to Mexico as a student at San Diego State University, and we would eat fish tacos on the beach for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Griffin and Crosby are surfing superstars, we’re excited to fuel them up and cheer them on.”

Rubio’s said Griffin, 25, will compete on the 2024 U.S. Olympics team this summer, and Crosby, 22, recently qualified to compete on the 2024 World Surf League championship tour. A Rubio’s statement said, “Known for their incredible talent, they share a mutual love of the ocean, surfing and fish tacos with Rubio’s.”

Orange County Business Journal Names New Editor-in-Chief

Neal Koch, an award-winning business journalist, has been selected as editor-in-chief at the Orange County Business Journal, headquartered in Irvine.

The weekly business news publication said that Koch succeeds Mark Mueller, who will remain on the OCBJ editorial staff as community editor. Executive Editor Peter Brennan will continue in his current role.

“The Business Journal has been blessed with superb editors from Rick Reiff forward,” said Richard Reisman, OCBJ publisher. “Neal is a veteran business journalist who will continue that proud heritage and take us to new heights.”

Trained as a lawyer, Koch previously worked as deputy editor of the Los Angeles Business Journal, executive editor of the Pacific Coast Business Times, which covers Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties, and acting business editor of the since-closed Los Angeles Herald Examiner.

He also has been a contributor to The New York Times as a Sunday Business Executive Life columnist. His work also has appeared in Businessweek, Forbes, Institutional Investor, Worth, Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, Inside and Columbia Journalism Review.

Koch also has served as an adjunct journalism professor at the University of Southern California and chaired juries for national and international journalism awards. Early in his career, he served as law clerk for a former U.S. attorney general and a federal district court judge.

“I feel enormously grateful for the opportunity to work with everyone at OCBJ, and to carry on the paper’s laudable legacy of providing the innovative Orange County business and civic communities with news and context to enhance opportunity and vibrancy in this truly unique part of the world,” Koch said.

Mindgruve and Kick It California Tackle Smoking

Mindgruve, a San Diego-based digital marketing agency, has announced a partnership with Kick It California, a taxpayer-funded, tobacco cessation program.

The agency said its collaboration focused on a redesign of an app formerly known as NoButts and NoVape, now rebranded as the Kick It app, which is tailored to aid users in their journey to quit smoking tobacco and vaping. The new Kick It app was launched at the beginning of this year.

A statement said the app includes a personalized dashboard including last-check-in, longest streak and money saved, along with a focus on positive reinforcement through messaging, graphics and badges and gamification elements, such as missions, tasks, games and distractions, similar to meditation apps.

Kick It California, funded by the California Department of Public Health and First 5 California, has been helping Californians quit smoking, vaping and smokeless tobacco for more than 30 years, Mindgruve said.

Mindgruve declined to respond to requests from Times of San Diego for dollar amounts relating to taxpayer expenditures.

Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.

The Shipyard, a Columbus, Ohio-based advertising agency with offices in San Diego, Newport Beach and Sacramento, has announced it will acquire Fahlgren Mortine, a public relations firm also headquartered in Columbus.

The acquisition is expected to close at the end of April, a Shipyard spokesperson told Times of San Diego. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The combined company will have nearly 400 professionals with industry expertise in tourism, economic development, financial services, consumer products, energy, retail, building products, logistics, technology and healthcare.

Fahlgren Mortine will retain its brand, and its leadership will remain in place, including CEO Neil Mortine and Marty McDonald, who was named president in 2022. A statement also said Mortine will be named vice chairman for The Shipyard. In addition, Christine Turner will continue as president of Turner, a travel, tourism and active lifestyle shop that FM acquired in 2014. Turner operates offices in New York City, Denver and Chicago.

According to a statement, Mortine said, “From the complementary nature of our services to the timing of this partnership, we are certain this is the right next move for Fahlgren Mortine. With a shared love for our community, bold national vision, and a commitment to keeping our people at the center of our work, we know the future is bright.”

The PR firm, currently owned by Eastport Holdings, a leading communications network, has been ranked as No. 19 in a list of top PR firms in the nation by O’Dwyer’s PR News, an industry trade publication. O’Dwyer’s said FM’s 2023 fee income was $39.2 million.

The firm, named Mid-Sized Agency of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America, has worked for Smucker’s, Bob Evans Restaurants, Kroger, Ohio Lottery, Avery Dennison, Visit Myrtle Beach, Cardinal Health, University of Buffalo, Travel Nevada and DHL.

“Brand success comes from orchestrating creative across all paid, owned, earned and emerging media,” said Rick Milenthal, The Shipyard founder and CEO. “Fahlgren Mortine is recognized as a leader in the industry. We are aligned with shared values, combined resources and a galvanizing mission of ‘Engineering Brand Love’ wherever audiences consume media.”

The Shipyard, cited by advertising industry magazine AdWeek as one of the fastest-growing independent advertising agencies in 2023, has reported 150% growth in the past four years.

During the past year, it has been named the agency-of-record for several new clients, including Prestige Consumer Healthcare with 22 consumer brands, San Diego Zoo, American Freight, San Francisco Ballet and Snowbird, a Utah ski resort.

Also in August 2023, Alaris Equity Partners Income Trust, based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, invested $59.5 million into The Shipyard, with a commitment to fund an additional $5.5 million if the agency achieves certain financial hurdles, according to an announcement.

The Shipyard opened its San Diego office in December 2020 with the acquisition of Mering, a San Diego-based advertising agency that had operated since 1985.

Intesa Hires a ‘Hiring Our Heroes’ Military Spouse

Intesa Communications Group, a San Diego-based strategic communications and government relations firm, has partnered with the Hiring Our Heroes’ Military Spouse Fellowship Program and announced the hiring of Jordan Vesey as an account coordinator and the firm’s first military spouse fellow.

An Intesa statement said military spouses often suffer from high rates of unemployment due to their service member’s military service. Hiring our Heroes matches fellowship candidates with participating companies based on their skills and preferences to provide them with networking, professional development and hands-on experience.

Vesey has a decade of experience in broadcast news and documentary development, including six years with the PBS Newshour. She is the recipient of a National Educational Telecommunications Award for best instructional media for the PBS series “Level Up” and an Environmental Media Award for best documentary series called “Activate.”

She also has worked on multi-part documentaries that have aired on PBS, Discovery, National Geographic and Oxygen. Vesey, who is fluent in Spanish, graduated from MacalesterCollege in St. Paul, Minn.

“We’re delighted with the opportunity to bolster support for military spouses in San Diego in a way that also directly benefits our clients,” said Intesa founding partner Margie Newman Tsay. “Partnering with the Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Fellowship Program allows us to show Jordan the ins-and-outs of the communications industry while leveraging her exceptional skills and experience, all without any cost to our small business. It’s highly rewarding for our team, our clients and military spouses seeking on-the-job training and resources.”

Crowe PR and Movetic Formalize Strategic Alliance

Crowe PR, a San Diego-based integrated public relations agency, has announced a strategic alliance with Movetic, a San Diego marketing consultancy.

The two firms have worked together on consumer goods brands for the past six years. Formalizing the relationship will better serve food and beverage, wellness and apparel brands with a more robust creative services offering, a statement said.

“The formalized alliance will further optimize the teams’ collaborative work, starting with branding and content development through strategic communications plans, message elevation, media relations, influencer marketing and social offerings,” a statement said.

“Crowe PR’s partnership with Movetic has been years in the making, starting in the spirits industry and growing into wellness and food-focused brands,” said Anna Crowe, founder and CEO of Crowe PR. “This alliance is truly built on shared values and a commitment to excellence. Together, we will continue our work to provide exceptional, ROI-driven services to our clients in the ever-evolving landscapes of our industries.” 

Movetic’s services include brand positioning, integrated product launch campaigns, website development and social media and online communications strategies. Crowe PR’s services include media relations, thought leadership, crisis communication, social media management, influencer marketing and content creation.

“Since the day I met the Crowe PR team, it was clear to me that we shared similar business values — do well by others, create great work for our partners and, most importantly, think differently with storytelling, creativity and results at the core of our businesses,” said Josh Roush, CEO of Movetic. “

Sports Fans Listen More — 6.5 Hours of Audio Daily

The average American sports fan listens to an average of six hours and 26 minutes of audio content daily, which is two hours more than other American audio consumers, according to findings from a recent survey by Sirius XM Media, GroupM and Edison Research.

An online survey of 3,500 Americans who identify as sports fans were asked about their listening habits to radio sports programming, podcasts and satellite offerings, as reported by Inside Radio, an industry trade publication.

Unsurprisingly, a fan’s favorite audio source largely depends on their age: Sports radio is tops for Gen X and baby boomers, while Gen Z and millennials gravitate toward podcasts.

“There is a deep connection between listeners and the audio content they consume, whether it’s music, sports, talk shows, books or podcasts,” said Jen Soch, executive director, GroupM, as quoted by Inside Radio. “Many times, audio audiences find content related to their interests and passions, and we know sports fans’ zeal is unmatched. Audio is a critical component of holistic media investments, and it needs to be a top consideration for brands looking to extend their reach and overall presence in sports.”

Among other findings from the survey:

• 89% of sports fans say they frequently or occasionally watch sports content.
• 52% listen to be a more informed sports bettor, and 44 percent a more informed fantasy sports player.
• Two in three like hearing or seeing their favorite athletes in advertisements. That number is higher among those who consume sports content via podcasts (81%) or SiriusXM (76%).
• 46% would be more likely to buy a product or service if it were advertised by a favorite athlete. That number rises to 68% for podcast listeners and 64% for SiriusXM listeners.
• Sports audio listeners spend an average of $262 on sports merchandise or memorabilia annually (even higher for sports podcast listeners at $321), compared to $185 for sports video viewers.   

Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.

San Diego-based Trust & Will, an online digital estate planning platform, has launched its latest national TV advertising campaign themed “Make It Count.”

A 30-second spot begins with a couple sharing their end-of-life wishes with a favorite aunt. Then, spokesperson Eddie Blackwell Williams appears to explain why the couple’s wishes only count when documented in a will or trust, which is available from Trust & Will. Williams was selected because he is likeable, authoritative and funny, a statement said.

Marketing Architects, an all-inclusive TV agency based in Minneapolis, produced the latest creative for Trust & Will. The spot, shot in Salt Lake City, is scheduled to run on both linear and streaming TV in several U.S. markets over the next year. Media expenditures were not disclosed.

A Trust & Will spokesperson told Times of San Diego the spot will appear across a variety of day-parts and categories, including news, entertainment, lifestyle and sports. Networks airing the spot will include ESPN, MSNBC, Lifetime, FX, Travel Channel, Food Network, Discovery and Travel Channel.

“For many, estate planning can feel daunting,” said Dale Sperling, chief marketing officer at Trust & Will. “At Trust & Will, we’re making the difficult conversations of end-of-life planning easier than most imagine is possible, and this campaign reflects that by bringing a light, engaging tone to a challenging topic.” 

Founded in 2017, Trust & Will have helped hundreds of thousands families create estate plans and settle probate with affordable and customizable plans, a statement said.

The TV ad campaign, which began in late March, will run with new creative iterations in the coming months, a Marketing Architects spokesperson told Times of San Diego.

“We’re thrilled to partner with a company drawing attention to the need for a legally upholding document to facilitate people’s final plan,” said Dhiren Khemlani, senior VP of client growth at Marketing Architects. “We’re excited about Trust & Will further tapping into TV’s ability to drive brand growth and help more people than ever in the estate planning process.”

Previous Trust & Will national TV campaigns have featured NFL quarterback Matthew Stafford and wife Kelly, along with Trust & Will founder and CEO Cody Barbo and general counsel Patrick Hicks.

Crown + Conquer Taps Franklin as its First CEO

Crown + Conquer, a Los Angeles-based creative agency, has appointed Donald Franklin as its first CEO.

Franklin previously spent seven years with United Entertainment Group, an entertainment, sports and lifestyle agency, as VP of marketing, senior VP of marketing and executive VP of Business Strategy. He also previously held senior positions at Edleman and UBS. Franklin graduated from Howard University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

A statement said Franklin will work closely with April McDaniel, who founded the agency in 2016. “This is a milestone moment for our agency,” McDaniel told Media Post, an advertising trade publication. “With his unique background in both marketing and finance, Donald brings a firm belief in the business proposition of marketing and an incredible level of business acumen to our enterprise.” 

Crown + Conquer’s client list includes Spotify, Netflix and Adidas, according to its website.

AM/FM Radio is Most Popular Medium for Black Adults 18+

As the economic clout of Black Americans expands, advertisers are tapping into the buying power represented by this growing population group.

As reported by Inside Radio, an industry trade publication, a recent study by research firm Katz Multicultural noted the number of Black Americans over age 18 with a household income of $100,000 or more has increased 43%over the past five years.

Currently, Black Americans make up 14.4% of the total U.S. population, numbering 47.9 million. And, this group is on track to increase by 35.7% by 2060, while the white population will shrink by 10%. Also, the Black population is younger with a median age of 33, compared to 38 for the U.S. population as a whole.

According to Katz Multicultural’s report, “Advertising to the Black American consumer is imperative for brands and advertisers to gain exposure and grow market share. With a history of under-serving this consumer life-group, advertisers and brands have an opportunity to tap into this market to expand their reach and cultivate brand awareness in addition to servicing often neglected communities and creating value for consumers.”

Also noteworthy is another new study from broadcast ratings company Nielsen that revealed Black Americans are avid media consumers spending more than 81 hours each week, which is 17% more than the general population.

Nielsen also reports that AM/FM radio reaches more Black adults over age 18 than any other medium, including TV, smart phones apps and the Internet.

Inside Radio said, “What’s more, radio reaches more than eight out of ten Black consumers across most demographic targets. The one exception is Black persons 18-34, where radio reaches 78%. Among Black adults 18+, radio captures 94% of the ad-supported audio pie in reach and 62% of time spent listening.”

The Katz report also shows the loyal, longtime bonds Black Americans have with their favorite radio station. Roughly seven in 10 Black American listeners (69%) have a favorite radio station and that station has been their favorite for the past 18 years.

Journalism Scholarships Offered by SPJ

The Society of Professional Journalists San Diego Pro Chapter is offering scholarships to journalism and communications college students. Deadline for applications is 9 p.m., Monday, April 22.

Five scholarships of $1,200 apiece are available to local college students in the areas of print, photojournalism and video-audio-multimedia.

In addition, one $1,000 scholarship in memory of science and technology reporter Bradley J. Fikes is available. Fikes wrote for The Daily Transcript, North County Times and The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Also available is one $1,400 scholarship named after the late Agnes Diggs, columnist for the North County Times. This scholarship, administered by the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, is available to college sophomores, juniors or seniors who need assistance with tuition, campus fees or on-campus housing. The money will be paid directly to the student’s school.

Applicants must write an essay and submit examples of their work. For more information, visit www.spjsandiego.org, or send an email to spj.sandiego@cox.net.

Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.

On a weekly basis, someone inquires whether San Diego creative marketing agency 62ABOVE is for sale.

And for good reason: The agency has amassed an impressive list of high-profile clients, including Qualcomm, See Monterey, Visit Carlsbad and Love Catalina. The distinctive name comes from its Downtown San Diego location, which sits at 62 feet above sea level.

“We receive M&A (mergers and acquisitions) inquiries every week,” Indra Gardiner Bowers, 62ABOVE’s chief communications officer, told Times of San Diego. “But this one was different. And, ultimately, the right one.”

62ABOVE, with 25 employees, has announced it has been acquired by Associated Luxury Hotels International, a global sales organization that serves more than 250 luxury properties worldwide. Terms of the acquisition and a purchase price were not disclosed.

“We were not looking to sell,” said Gardiner Bowers. “We were approached by ALHI in September 2023. We negotiated through the balance of that year and into the early part of 2024.” The acquisition became effective April 1, she said.

“This was an unusual opportunity,” Gardiner Bowers said. “Unlike selling to a holding company, ALHI offers us the chance to continue to manage the agency as we see fit.  They had been looking for an agency like ours that offered a full suite of marketing services and had deep expertise in the tourism and hospitality industry.”

62ABOVE offers a suite of marketing services, including strategy, creative development, paid media, public relations and social media.

ALHI, with 80 employees located in 26 offices across North America and Europe, books and manages group sales for independently-operated or owned hotels, resorts, cruise ships and destination management companies. Annually, ALHI accounts for more than one million room nights annually, Gardiner Bowers said.

“We are not an in-house agency (for AHLI),” she said, “We will continue to operate as an agency, taking care of existing clients and pitching business both within the ALHI network and outside of it. We will provide our services to those ALHI members interested in hiring a marketing firm for one or more of our service offerings.”

This is the latest chapter for the agency, which began as a public relations firm called Bailey Gardiner, founded by Gardiner Bowers and Jon Bailey in 1995. In 2012, the agency expanded as a full-service marketing agency with a new name, i.d.e.a. In January, 62ABOVE was launched.

Greg Carson joined the firm in late 2019 and became a partner in 2022. Today, Carson serves as president and chief operating officer.

“The transition will be seamless for our clients,” said Carson. “And we’re thrilled to work with ALHI to bring its research and insights to new and existing clients.”

According to Gardiner Bowers, “It has been our plan for several years that Greg step into the leadership role as Jon and I focus on our primary responsibilities, new business for Jon and PR and social media for me. We sure do hope to retire one day, whatever that means, but we have a few more years of work as part of our earn-out.

“We loved the team at ALHI, especially its president & CEO, Mike Dominguez, who is an inspiring and likable leader. We both felt like we would enjoy working for him and with the ALHI team. ALHI will present a pipeline of new business opportunities that was hard to resist, plus a strong operational function, which means we can focus more on what we love doing and less of what we don’t.”

In a statement, Dominguez said, “We are excited that we can now offer 62ABOVE’s expertise and its full range of marketing. 62ABOVE completes a critical segment of our comprehensive service portfolio.”

TW2 Marketing Hires Lauren Stovern as Marketing Coordinator

TW2 Marketing, a Carlsbad-based marketing and public relations firm, has hired Lauren Stovern as a marketing coordinator. Stovern will broaden client relations through news release development, social media management, marketing research and account coordination, a statement said.

With a career spanning 12 years, Stovern has successfully managed her own marketing agency, called Northern Pines Marketing. She also has held various positions, including marketing strategist at Cuno365 in Meriden, CT; marketing coordinator at Evolving Solutions & Keyva, an IT consulting firm in Minneapolis; and digital communications specialist at Eastern Carver County Schools in Chaska, MN. She holds an associate degree from Lake Superior College in Duluth, Minn.

“Lauren brings her high standards, organizational skills and creativity to TW2,” said Nicole Hagaman, president of TW2 Marketing. “She has the experience supporting clients and implementing marketing campaigns that will allow TW2 to continue to provide best-in-class service to clients.”

SOCi Adds Ben Bronlee as Chief Customer Officer  

SOCi, a San Diego-based developer of social media and marketing platforms for multi-location brands, has announced the appointment of Ben Brownlee as chief customer officer.

Brownlee brings 25 years of experience in post-sale functions, with a focus on revenue-generating support and services, account expansion and customer retention disciplines. He previously served at Gong, a San Francisco-based, artificial intelligence services global company, and Blackbaud, a cloud software company based in Charleston, SC.

As chief customer officer at Gong, Brownlee oversaw the customer journey from point of sale, including monetization of services, to renewal and expansion.

During nearly two decades at Blackbaud, Brownlee held various leadership roles, including VP of global customer success when the company scaled from privately held to a publicly-traded global organization.

“Ben’s appointment to SOCi’s award-winning success team underscores our commitment to invest in our customers’ success, and to deliver an exceptional experience that matches the power of the CoMarketing Cloud platform,” said Afif Khoury, CEO of SOCi. “With Ben’s expertise and strategic guidance, we will build upon the outsized value we provide to our clients while driving tangible results, solidifying SOCi’s position as a trailblazer in digital marketing automation.”

A SOCi statement said Brownlee will help build a strong connective tissue between product development, marketing efforts and customer engagement.

“I was immediately drawn to SOCi’s unparalleled CoMarketing Cloud, exceptional team and forward-thinking product strategy,” said Brownlee. “The company’s commitment to simplifying tech stacks and its innovative approach to customer success truly sets it apart in the industry.”

Digital Marketer Cordial Signs Agreement with Realtor.com

San Diego-based Cordial, offering a cross-channel marketing platform for retail brands, has announced it has signed a new digital marketing agreement with Move Inc., the operator of Realtor.com, to deliver highly-personalized and unified marketing campaigns to Realtor.com audiences.

“Large, sophisticated brands, such as Realtor.com, have complex data, personalization and orchestration needs, especially in today’s marketing and customer experience climate,” said Jeremy Swift, CEO of Cordial. “We are proud to help Realtor.com leverage real-time data for automated, personalized messaging at an unlimited scale and drive better customer experiences.”

Cordial’s advancements in the AI space also will allow customers to execute strategies faster, anticipate their customers’ every move and make more adaptive, better-informed decisions, a statement said.

“Since the beginning of our transition process, Cordial has showcased the exceptional firepower of its platform for a brand of our size and its excellent service team, which got us up and running quickly and efficiently,” said Jenna Klebanoff, VP of marketing at Realtor.com. “Cordial’s ability to help us optimize our messaging will enable us to deliver high-quality, personalized touch-points to our consumers at the right moment.”

Cordial’s marketing platform automates billions of data-driven emails, text messages, social media, direct mail and mobile app messages for such retailers as PacSun, L.L. Bean and Revolve.

Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.

The Shipyard’s San Diego office has launched its latest, multi-million-dollar advertising campaign for Visit California, a nonprofit that promotes the Golden State as a travel destination.

The “Let’s Play” campaign, with a $32.8 million budget for two months of global advertising expenditures, will include placements on network TV, streaming platforms, digital media, podcasts, social media and out-of-home in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Australia and China, The Shipyard said.

The campaign, debuted in early March, will run through May 5, a Shipyard spokesperson told Times of San Diego.

It’s Visit California’s first brand-positioning change in more than a decade, a statement said. The nonprofit said global research validated the positioning theme that California inspires people to play, making it the ultimate playground.

“California’s DNA as a famously playful place is globally recognized,” said Caroline Beteta, Visit California president and CEO. “With sunny weather year-round and endless options for entertainment, California is the ultimate playground for visitors from across the globe. This new campaign beautifully captures this distinction and invites the world to come express their individual form of play in California.”

The campaign’s TV spots include a 60-second and 30-second with an announcer’s closing tagline of “Find your ultimate playground at visit-california.dot.com.”

The TV spots feature Californians in different locales, all contributing to keep a beach ball up in the air. The locations include a San Francisco cable car, towering sequoias in Northern California, sunny beaches, an outdoor wedding in Temecula and a Palm Springs swimming pool. The background music is “Mr. Blue Sky” by Electric Light Orchestra.

“Play is a critical part of human existence and can be transformational, especially when combined with travel,” said Kerry Krasts, executive creative director, The Shipyard. “California is blessed with the biggest and best playground anyone could ask for and the beach ball represents California’s playful spirit and the contagious nature of fun and joy that you feel when you are here. Using a beach ball to journey across the state was a fun, visual metaphor for the spontaneous adventures waiting around every corner.”

In December 2020, The Shipyard inherited the Visit California account when it acquired advertising agency Mering from Dave Mering, who founded his agency in 1985.

The Shipyard is believed to be one of the nation’s fastest-growing independent advertising agencies with a reported 150% growth in the past four years. During the past year, it has been named the agency-of-record for several new clients, including Consumer Healthcare with 22 consumer brands, San Diego Zoo, American Freight, San Francisco Ballet and Snowbird, a Utah ski resort. The Shipyard operates California offices in San Diego, Newport Beach and Sacramento, as well as the Columbus, Ohio headquarters.

KCD Public Relations Celebrates 15-Year Anniversary

KCD PR, a San Diego-based, boutique public relations agency specializing in financial services, fintech and technology industries, recently celebrated its 15-year anniversary in business.

The firm, founded in 2009 by Kevin Dinino, has a mission to provide clients with customized, modern communications campaigns that embrace evolving tools and technology through all market cycles, a statement said.

“It’s been a pleasure to hit our 16th year in business as the premier, specialized financial PR and strategic communications agency in the San Diego region,” Dinino told Times of San Diego. “We remain committed to servicing our motivated clients and serving as a trusted resource for prospective clients. Market cycles have come and gone but one thing remains clear — specialized communications counsel from experienced professionals remains paramount for communicating your brand’s story to its key audiences and stakeholders. I’m excited for what’s to come at KCD PR.”

Agency services include media relations, event activation, digital marketing, social media and community management, executive visibility, change management and crisis-cybersecurity breach management support. 

The agency said recent awards received have included a MarCom gold award for its “Wonders & Blunders” newsletter, a grand prize in the NYX Awards for media relations campaign and a Davey silver award for its “Cyber Insiders” podcast. Key partnerships with influential event organizers include Fintech Meetup, Finovate, Fintech Talents, Mobile Payments Conference and Fintech Connector.

“These past 15 years have been an incredible journey full of twists and turns, meaningful partnerships, and of course plenty of rewarding work along the way,” Dinino said.

InnoVision Named Agency for Brotman Law

San Diego-based InnoVision Marketing Group has announced it has been named the agency-of-record for Brotman Law, a boutique tax law firm specializing in tax controversy, compliance, optimization and tax credit services for businesses and individuals facing tax-related challenges.

InnoVision said it will oversee and execute comprehensive marketing initiatives across various channels, including digital, video, web, public relations, branding, TV and print.

With nine attorneys, Brotman Law operates offices in San Diego, Los Angeles and Chicago. The law firm was founded in 2013 by tax attorney Sam Brotman, who currently serves as managing attorney of Brotman Law.

“We chose to use InnoVision because of their extraordinary reputation not only in San Diego, but nationally, and strongly believe that they are the right partner in helping us inform and educate the public on important tax issues,” said Brotman. “There are so many things happening in tax at the federal and state levels that there has never been a greater urgency to serve and protect.”

Ric Militi, CEO  and executive creative director of InnoVision Marketing Group, said, “Partnering with Brotman Law marks an extraordinary opportunity for us on multiple fronts. They stand as a paragon of trust, distinction, and recognition in the realm of tax law, and we are privileged to have been chosen as their agency-of-record. Brotman’s illustrious track record in resolving intricate tax issues for businesses is a subject every business owner and CEO should be eager to explore further. Our strategic vision involves positioning them as the preeminent tax law firm not only in San Diego but beyond, solidifying their reputation as the go-to experts in the field.”

IABC San Diego Hosts Webinar on Listening

The International Association of Business Communicators San Diego chapter will host “The Age of Listening,” a webinar from 11 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, April 9, over Zoom. The public is invited to attend. Presenter will be organizational communications expert Howard Krais, co-founder of True, a consulting firm.

A former president of the United Kingdom IABC, Krais will discuss why listening is important, the benefits of listening, obstacles to listening how listening drives success and long-term sustainability and how leaders can create a climate that supports effective listening. Krais, co-author of “Leading the Listening Organisation,” is a frequent presenter at international events, including the last three IABC World Conferences. 

Admission to join the webinar is free for member, $10 for nonmembers. The Zoom link will be provided upon registration. For more information, visit http://sandiego.iabc.com/.

Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.

Nuffer, Smith, Tucker, considered San Diego’s oldest operating public relations agency, will soon begin its 51st year in business. The agency opened on April 1, 1974.

“While a lot has changed in 50 years, some things remain the same, like our commitment to our values, building strong relationships and doing good work,” said Teresa Siles, NST president and partner, told Times of San Diego. “As we look to the future, we do so with excitement that the best is yet to come as we continue to redefine the public relations agency and explore new ways to better ourselves, our partners and communities.”

NST said it is marking its 50th anniversary with a redesigned website and an expanded client roster and team.

An agency statement said the revamped website offers a fresh, modern look and its forward-thinking approach.

NST said its new clients include Mission Federal Credit Union, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, California Bountiful Foundation, a nonprofit that supports the state’s agricultural industry, and Divine Flavor, a produce grower and distributor. The agency said it will provide services in media relations, social media strategy, strategic planning and stakeholder communications.

Also, the agency said it was awarded a renewed contract with the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program through the California Department of Food and Agriculture after a competitive bidding process. NST said it has supported the California citrus industry for the past 15 years.

In addition, recent staff changes have included the promotion of Natalie DeAngelo Neal to account supervisor and the hiring of Elle Seeler as an account coordinator.

During her five-year tenure at NST, DeAngelo Neal has led public relations strategy and managed project execution for such clients as Ag Vision, Food Foresight, WD-40 Company and EOS Fitness.

Seeler, a former NST intern, was previously the vice president of marketing at The Women’s Network.

“From the agricultural industry to financial services to San Diego’s public transportation service, our new and existing clients rely on NST for a strategic, value-driven approach that drives results and fuels connections,” said Siles. “The depth in expertise of our talented team allows us to continue to expand our client portfolio across industries.”

NST also announced the second year of “Make Things Better,” its companywide charitable initiative, will include provide services for the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.

“The selection of the 2024 initiative was almost universally chosen by our team, which sees it as a way to make a positive impact on the well-being of our fellow San Diegans,” Siles said. “What’s more, our history working with food and agricultural organizations and in tracking food and health trends has taught us that the goal is not only ensuring people have food, but ensuring they have access to nutritious food for good health and wellness.”

The San Diego Council on Literacy was the inaugural recipient for NST’s “Make Things Better” initiative.

Over the past five decades, NST has partnered with or represented many of San Diego’s most notable brands and organizations locally, nationally and internationally, including WD-40 Company, Chicken of the Sea, Sony Electronics, McDonald’s, San Diego Zoo and San Diego State University.

NTS was founded by Dave Nuffer and Bob Smith, both deceased. Kerry Tucker joined the team in 1980 and grew the agency’s reputation as a leader in the agri-food space. From 2000 to December 2016, the agency was led by the late Bill Trumpfheller, a champion of local nonprofit organizations, universities and businesses.

In 2016, NST became a member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a global partnership of independent public relations firms. Worldcom membership affords international member agencies access to a network of collaborative firms.

In 2020, the agency was acquired by three long-time employees, including Siles, Mary Correia-Moreno and Price Adams, each with a tenure at NST of more than 15 years.

Manolatos Public Affairs, IVC Media Announce Partnership

Manolatos Public Affairs, a strategic communications firm founded by Tony Manolatos in 2009, and IVC Media, a full-service digital marketing firm founded in 2013, have announced a strategic partnership offering integrated public relations and marketing services.

“Both companies have strong brand equity, so we didn’t want one brand to swallow the other,” Manolatos told Times of San Diego. “The strongest path forward was to formalize our business relationship by announcing a strategic partnership.”

Over the past five years or so, Manolatos said the two firms have collaborated on several projects for a variety of clients, including a November 2022 housing-related ballot measure and a 2021 effort to increase summer school enrollment.

Currently, both companies are representing Project Santee, a ballot measure initiative to raise the sales tax in Santee by a half cent to support the city’s firefighters with new stations, new equipment and more personnel, said Manolatos.

Also, they represent LISC SD, a nonprofit community development financial institution that supports affordable and middle-income housing.

“There’s good synergy between us and our skill sets don’t overlap so we’re able to provide wraparound service or a wide variety of specific services, all tailored to whatever the client needs,” said Manolatos. “Together, we also have a pretty great network to call upon to help our clients achieve their goals. In many ways, in public affairs, you’re only as strong as your network.”

IVC Media (IVC is an acronym for “Integrated Vertical Communications”) is led by three partners, including Chad Peace, Juan Hernandez and Anthony Astolfi.

“Back in 2013, I met Juan when I was representing Kevin Faulconer and he was working for David Alvarez in the mayoral election to replace Bob Filner,” said Manolatos. “Although we were competitors, we became friends. We respected each other and the work each of us did.”

In a February 2014 runoff election, Faulconer, a Republican San Diego City Councilman, won a decisive victory (54.5 to 45.5 percent) over Democratic Councilman David Alvarez to replace former Mayor Bob Filner who resigned in August 2013, following a sexual harassment scandal. Faulconer finished the remaining 33 months of Filner’s term before winning reelection in 2016.

Since September 2023, Manolatos and Hernandez have been co-hosting “Dear San Diego,” a public affairs podcast sponsored and syndicated by Times of San Diego. The podcast features interviews with San Diego newsmakers and policy advocates.

To date, 10 podcast episodes of the popular podcast have been recorded. Upcoming guests will include Ricardo Campos, executive vice president of club operations for San Diego FC, the new MLS Club, and Lenny Leszczynski, CEO, San Diego Automotive Museum.

KPBS Receives $3 Million Gift from Irwin and Joan Jacobs

KPBS, San Diego’s public broadcasting TV and radio station, has announced it has received a $3 million gift from Irwin and Joan Jacobs to fund the KPBS Democracy Project, which will include a new journalism team focusing on election coverage and local government reporting, ranging from school boards to city councils, over the next three years.

The gift also will include Spanish translation of election coverage, civic education, expansion of a voter guide and social media content, a statement said.

The Democracy Project also will include news organizations inewsource and Voice of San Diego sharing political and governance content on the KPBS TV, radio and digital platforms.

“The democracy project strives to expand the culture of civic engagement in our community through increased public conversation and increased coverage of issues that matter to our region, specifically within communities that are often left on the fringes of political power,” said Deanna Mackey, KPBS general manager.  “These three nonprofit news organizations are coming together to address access to information and coverage needs across the county to build a more informed, connected future for all San Diegans.”

KPBS said the Jacobs are longtime supporters having previously made gifts to support the expansion of the KPBS newsroom, its digital innovation and the building capital campaign.

“Joan and Irwin’s gifts to KPBS over time have continually allowed us to make transformational change in our digital content, becoming a significant news service, and now I believe in helping bring people together in divisive times,” said Mackey.

Study: No Clear Winning Strategy for Political Ads

Billions of dollars will be spent on political advertising during this election year. However, there’s only one problem.

A study of more than 600 political ads produced by more than 50 campaigns during the 2018 and 2020 election cycles revealed there’s no way to predict what makes a political ad resonate with voters.

The study, conducted by Swayable, a platform used by Democrats to test the effectiveness of different messages, determined that among popular strategies, including mentioning key issues, giving facts about the candidate, taking a positive or negative tone or showcasing everyday voters, none stood out as a predictor of which type of ads would be most effective from one cycle to the next.

“Making these findings more problematic is that political ads performing best were more than twice as effective as the average ad, making it tough to determine what content strategy should be used to ensure the best return on investment,” as reported by Inside Radio, an industry trade publication.

As reported by Politico, while some ads might be more effective at influencing voter choice than others, what voters respond to year-over-year is far less clear. “The biggest lesson for all campaigns may be to not rely too much on what worked in the past,” wrote Politico.

Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.