One of the most important components for a Thomas Center client is their social media strategy.  Empire Home Remodeling owner Burke Barker has collaborated with our marketing team to launch a Facebook page, create a spot on his website for customer reviews and launch a campaign with Angie's list.  In a recent feature in the Puget Sound Business Journal, Burke says it's helped fill the void from jobs lost because of the recession.  (Check out story at http://www.facebook.com/THOMASCENTER) A recent article in Inc. magazine featured some new tools to help small businesses engage customers online.  The Thomas Center marketing/social media team ... Read More

It’s not often that a single company can achieve a Golden Anniversary and beyond.  Equally impressive, The Evans Company has tapped Stanley Roofing as a trusted resource starting in the 1960’s.  Since 2008, Stanley has installed roofing systems for all 10 of the existing buildings at the Snohomish Station Shopping center.  Phase 2 started this winter. Project Manager Ed Babbitt has been working with Stanley teams for all of his 32 years working at The Evans Company.  “Ray and his teams go above and beyond to maximize budget and timelines,” he said.  “Whether installing a new or replacement roofing system, I ... Read More

It never ceases to amaze me the gap between myth and reality regarding the role of PR.  The subject was part of a recent discussion with a colleague.  This marketing manager was sharing with me how much she would appreciate it if someone could spend time with her boss to help define the role of PR within her department.  The boss was constantly pressuring her to drop what she was doing to focus on the next real-time opportunity to create publicity and sales for the company. I'm often reminded of the following folk tale shared for generations among PR flaks: Management to ... Read More

As a member of the Public Relations Society of America, I continue to monitor industry trends, thought leadership and best practices.  I was heartened to read a recent article in the March issue of Tactics titled, "The newsroom approach: Make customers care with brand journalism."  The article suggests that more organizations are using strategic brand journalism and content marketing to create news and educational materials that benefits their audiences, rather than purely promotional advertisements.  Since joining Thomas Center in Spring 2010', Tom Rose and I have tirelessly promoted the need to create and distribute proprietary, valuable content to target audiences ... Read More

I was reminded once again the value of taking the time to conduct strategic media calls on behalf of clients.  My successful M.O. for quite some time has been to send an email pitch followed up by a phone call.  I stopped leaving VM's years ago but will make several strategically timed attempts to reach an editor.  Last Friday was a perfect example of the "unexpected fruits of the "personal touch."  I was able to reach an editor at the premier business journal in our area to discuss a local story pitch.  The end results were positive and unanticipated at ... Read More

We've all read stories regarding the impending "death" of the traditional press release.  I personally have NOT sent a press release to a media contact to garner attention for ages.  That being said, I believe the press release remains a valuable tactic for additional target audiences.  In the case of a local TV station, these include viewers, donors and corporate sponsors. Consider a recent experience.  The launch of a new public affairs program on a local TV station.  The management has an objective to increase awareness and visibility of public affairs programming among local media.  The first panel discussion will focus ... Read More

This often happens to me when I read something interesting in a PR resource and don't bother to save.  You may have read the same piece. The basic premise was to re-define PRSA, "The Passionate Relationship Minded Storyteller Association." The author suggests that we should tell stories that are predictable enough yet different enough to hold attention.  The content should contrast traditional styles to interrupt patterns to initiate surprise, hold interest and compel audiences to read more to learn final outcomes.  For me this begs the eternal question, "Who is the Storyteller and Who/What is the Storymaker?"  In the case of ... Read More

Ron Cox and his lab team are serving a growing list of dentist's implant work utilizing new Edit Technology associated with the Astra Tech Atlantis 3D Viewer.  "For more than 5 years, we have continued to expand our working relationship with Atlantis technology to handle most implant abutment needs," said Ron. 'It's worked well as both parties have adopted new technologies to improve processes." Cox says the Edit Technology is a game changer to gain real-time control of pre-mill images.  "I can login into the viewer to quickly and easily manipulate ... Read More

Ron Cox and his lab team are serving a growing list of dentist's implant work utilizing new Edit Technology associated with the Astra Tech Atlantis 3D Viewer. "For more than 5 years, we have continued to expand our working relationship with Atlantis technology to handle most implant abutment needs," said Ron. 'It's worked well as both parties have adopted new technologies to improve processes." Cox says the Edit Technology is a game changer to gain real-time control of pre-mill images. "I can login into the viewer to quickly and ... Read More

Saint Paul's Episcopal Church original foyer built in 1960's The challenge was clear; remove the old canopy entry of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church and replace with a new addition to complement the historical copper cladding. Even with years of combined experience, this would be the first sheet metal roof design for the team of Stanley Roofing, Foushee Construction and atelierjones Architects. "Stanley and the team were great to work with," said Susan Jones, atelierjones. "Together we were able to pull off the delicate balance to ensure functional quality and aesthetics compatible with the original hemmed copper shingles." Read More