Tag Archives: Public Relations

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Column: Now is the Time to Prepare for 2012

by Frank Williams

I don’t know about you, but I find it hard to believe that we are already in late October.  2011 has flown by, and 2012 will be here before we know it.

If you are a business owner or organizational leader, now is the time to begin preparing for 2012.

While many retail businesses and other businesses that sell consumer products are gearing up for their busiest time of the year (the Christmas shopping season), many companies that offer professional services or sell primarily to other businesses are entering what is often a down time.

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Pioneer Strategies celebrates ten years in business

Frank Williams

LELAND, N.C. – Pioneer Strategies, Inc., a Brunswick County-based public relations agency, is celebrating ten years in business this month.  The firm was founded in August 2001 and incorporated in September 2001.

“As a small business owner, it is exciting to achieve this important milestone,” says Frank Williams, president and founder of Pioneer Strategies.  “We are grateful to the numerous small businesses, entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations and other clients we have worked with over the past decade.  Businesses exist to meet their clients’ needs, and without our clients we would not have made it to this point.  We are thankful to be celebrating our first ten years in business, and we look forward to many more.”

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Pioneer Strategies launches new campaign website for State Representative Grey Mills

LELAND, N.C. – Pioneer Strategies, Inc., a Brunswick County-based public relations agency, recently designed a new campaign website for State Representative Grey Mills, an Iredell County Republican.  The website can be viewed at http://www.votegreymills.com.

“Pioneer Strategies did an excellent job of developing a sharp website that allows supporters to connect with me in a variety of ways,” says Mills.  “My new website clearly communicates my message, efficiently integrates with Facebook and Twitter, and provides supporters with a quick, easy way to join my campaign e-mail list.”

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Column: Keeping Your Eyes on the Ball in a Tough Economy

Frank Williams

by Frank Williams

The current economic climate leaves much to be desired, to put it mildly.  Unemployment remains high.  Gas prices have skyrocketed in recent weeks, a fact that cuts into many business owners’ bottom line.  Every day I talk with small business owners and entrepreneurs who are struggling to make ends meet and scrambling to get through their to-do lists.

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Column: 2011 is Coming. Is Your Business Ready?

Frank Williams

by Frank Williams

2011 is coming — it will be here before we can blink.

As the holidays approach, now is the time to step back, take a look at your business, and determine what, if any, changes or tweaks you need to make as you move into the New Year.

A few questions you should ask yourself are:

  • What are our goals for 2011?  Are they in writing?
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Column: NPR’s Massive Public Relations Blunder

Frank Williams

by Frank Williams

On October 20, National Public Radio (NPR) fired analyst Juan Williams for comments he made on Fox News.  I have heard a wide range of opinions on Williams’ remarks and on whether NPR should have fired him.  This column does not focus on the substance of his remarks or whether he should have been fired; instead, it focuses on a few public relations lessons we can glean from the manner in which NPR handled his firing.

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Pioneer Strategies’ president joins Brunswick Community College Small Business Center Advisory Committee

LELAND, N.C. – Frank Williams, a Brunswick County native and president of Pioneer Strategies, Inc., has been named to the Brunswick Community College (BCC) Small Business Center Advisory Committee.  BCC’s Small Business Center provides seminars, workshops, a resource center and local, confidential counseling for new and existing businesses.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” says Williams.  “Brunswick Community College’s Small Business Center plays an important role in helping foster an environment in which small businesses and entrepreneurs can grow and prosper in Brunswick County.  I am pleased to assist with their efforts by serving in this capacity.”

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Pioneer Strategies signs on as Bronze Sponsor of Communities in Schools of Brunswick County’s Ninth Annual Benefit Gala for Children

LELAND, N.C. – Pioneer Strategies, a Brunswick County-based public relations agency, has signed on as a Bronze Sponsor of Communities in Schools of Brunswick County’s Ninth Annual Benefit Gala for Children, which is set for Thursday, Oct. 21 at the Sea Trail Conference Center in Sunset Beach.  Tickets are available for the gala.  For more information about the event, please visit http://www.cisbrunswick.org/gala.html.

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Pioneer Strategies launches SmallBizPRTips.com, a membership website that provides affordable public relations and marketing advice to small businesses

LELAND, N.C. – Pioneer Strategies, a Brunswick County-based public relations agency, has launched SmallBizPRTips.com, a new members-only website that provides small business owners with affordable access to professional public relations and marketing advice.  Pioneer Strategies is owned and operated by Brunswick County native Frank Williams, a 1988 graduate of North Brunswick High School.  Williams serves on the boards of directors of the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce, the Leland Area Rotary Club and Communities in Schools of Brunswick County.

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Column: Five Public Relations Landmines

Frank Williams

by Frank Williams

On far too many occasions, I have seen well-meaning and otherwise effective businesspeople and organizational leaders step on public relations landmines that blew up in their faces and greatly impeded their ability to do their jobs.

Here are five such public relations landmines:

1.  Failure to plan in advance. Far too many organizations fail to plan in advance.  Their leaders and team members must then scramble like mad — usually with no semblance of organization or focus — when trying to implement their communication campaigns.  Advance planning can help prevent this crunch time pandemonium.

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Pioneer Strategies celebrates nine years in business

LELAND, N.C. – Pioneer Strategies, a public relations agency that does business in southeastern North Carolina and the Triangle area, celebrates nine years in business this month.  The firm was founded by Brunswick County native Frank Williams in August 2001 and officially incorporated in September 2001.   Williams is a 1988 graduate of North Brunswick High School.  He currently serves on the boards of directors of the Leland Area Rotary Club, the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce and Communities in Schools of Brunswick County.

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Column — Follow-up: Public Relations Lessons from the LeBron James Media Spectacle

Frank Williams

by Frank Williams

On July 9, I posted an article entitled “Public Relations Lessons from the LeBron James Media Spectacle.”

I received several e-mails in response to that article.

One of the e-mails came from a friend I have known since college.  The subject line was “Are you kidding?”, and the e-mail said the following:  “LeBron did this publicity stunt for the Boys and Girls Clubs. He will not be hurt at all from this.  You should know better.”

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Pioneer Strategies’ president addresses South Brunswick Islands Rotary Club, discusses “Social Media 101″

Frank Williams

OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C. – Frank Williams, a Brunswick County native and president of Pioneer Strategies, Inc., addressed the South Brunswick Island Rotary Club on Friday, Jul. 23.  Williams, a charter member and president-elect of the Leland Area Rotary Club, discussed “Social Media 101.”

“Social media has become an increasingly important communication tool in the past few years,” said Williams.  “My talk covered several important facts about social media, some tips for using social media as a public relations tool, and a few social networking land mines people should avoid.”

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Pioneer Strategies’ president speaks at N.C. Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ conference

Frank Williams

RALEIGH, N.C. – Frank Williams, president of Pioneer Strategies, Inc., facilitated a public relations workshop Monday at the N.C. Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ inaugural conference in Raleigh.

“Public charter schools are an important and underrated piece of our state’s education puzzle,” says Williams.  “We are pleased to support the N.C. Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ inaugural conference by facilitating this workshop, which focused on communication tools and strategies to increase awareness and understanding of public charter schools in our state.”

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Column: Public Relations lessons from the LeBron James media spectacle

Frank Williams

by Frank Williams

Over the past couple of weeks the media has made much of NBA star LeBron James’ free agency and subsequent decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and join the Miami Heat.  When I look at this situation from the perspective of a public relations counselor, several things jump out at me.

First, let’s consider some background and context.

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Column: Public Relations Lessons from the BP Oil Spill

Frank Williams

by Frank Williams

For the past two months, much of America’s attention has been focused on the unfolding disaster resulting from the explosion of BP’s oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico.  I believe we are all united in our hope and prayer that those charged with capping the well and getting the leak under control will be able to do so soon.  As someone who lives in coastal North Carolina and values our coastal resources, that is certainly my hope and prayer.

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Pioneer Strategies’ president addresses Leland Business Association, discusses 12 Keys to Effective Business Networking

Frank Williams

LELAND, N.C. – Frank Williams, a Brunswick County native and president of Pioneer Strategies, Inc., addressed a gathering of the Leland Business Association (LBA) on Wednesday, June 9.  Williams discussed 12 keys to effective business networking.

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Facebook’s New Features and Your Privacy

Frank Williams

Frank Williams

by Frank Williams

Social networking giant Facebook has released yet another series of new features.

Some of the changes are relatively minor — for example, rather than becoming a “fan” of a business’ page, users now simply click a button indicating that they “like” the page.  The outcome is basically the same:  people who “like” a page are connected to the page in the same way as those who previously became a “fan.”  Not a big deal.

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Pioneer Strategies’ president makes presentation on earned media & public relations in political campaigns at Civitas Institute Academy of Practical Politics

LELAND, N.C. – Pioneer Strategies’ president, Frank Williams, conducted a workshop on earned media and public relations in political campaigns for the John William Pope Civitas Institute’s Academy of Practical Politics in Raleigh on Wed., Mar. 24.

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PR/Advertising Firm, Talk, Inc., Brings Home Gold and Silver Addy Awards from the American Advertising Federation of the Coastal Carolinas

talk_blackTalk-Christmas Card (1)WILMINGTON, N.C. – Talk, Inc. received a Gold ADDY award for its recently redesigned website (http://www.talkinc.com), and a Silver ADDY award for its 2009 holiday card from the American Advertising Federation of the Coastal Carolinas. The ADDY Awards, which recognize creative excellence in all forms of advertising, were presented on Feb. 6 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. As a Gold ADDY winner, Talk’s website will automatically be placed into the next round of competition at the district level, which includes North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

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Five Credit Unions Unite to Ensure No-Surcharge ATM Benefits for 12,000 NC National Guard Personnel Worldwide!

Raleigh, NC – Four credit unions with military ties have signed Bilateral Agreements with State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) to help ensure NC National Guard personnel have access to no-surcharge Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) worldwide.  SECU signed agreements with Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union, Marine Federal Credit Union, Navy Federal Credit Union and Pentagon Federal Credit Union that will allow Guardsmen to utilize more than 1,600 no-surcharge ATMs.  Whether serving in Guam, Japan, or stateside in locations such as Quantico, Virginia or Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Guardsmen will save as much as $3 per ATM transaction with the elimination of the surcharge fee!  The move is part of SECU’s ongoing effort to assist military personnel and thank them for their continuous efforts to serve our Country.  Military members at all five credit unions will also have surcharge-free access to all of SECU’s Cash Points ATM network, with over 1,000 ATM locations in North Carolina. 

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Little Debbie(R) Turns 50 – And She’s Giving Away Free Vacations

ltl deb giveawayltl debThe little girl on the box of snacks has grown up. This year marks the 50th anniversary of McKee Foods’ Little Debbie brand, America’s No. 1 selling snack cake. Believing it’s better to give than to receive, to celebrate this Golden Anniversary, Little Debbie is giving away 50 vacation packages as part of The Great American Getaway.

Each vacation package includes roundtrip airfare for two, anywhere AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AAI) flies in the continental U.S., two nights in a Holiday Inn, a rental car for two days and a $200 cash card.

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‘Massachusetts Miracle’ Video Goes Viral

A new 90-second video comparing Tuesday’s special election in Massachusetts to the American Revolution has gone viral on the Internet. Since it was first introduced four days ago, the video has received more than 75,000 views on YouTube, more than any other video on the election, including one produced by President Obama in support of Martha Coakley.
The video highlights the fact that the American Revolution began in Massachusetts in 1775 with the battle of Lexington, where a brave group of Americans fought against a vastly superior tyrannical government to secure their freedom. The video asserts that Massachusetts has one again become a front line in the battle to defend liberty and that Tuesday’s election will be a referendum on this question.
“I believe this video captures the sentiment of a majority of Americans,” said Jeff Davis, the video’s producer. “President Obama and the Democratic majority in Congress are intent on advancing their agenda regardless of the will of the people. That is a trait of a tyrannical government which Americans reject, regardless of their party affiliation. Tuesday’s election could put a stop to the Obama freight train, including the government takeover of our health care system.”
Hundreds of comments have been logged on the video’s page from individuals across the nation. One commenter recorded, “To all my family and friends in Massachusetts where I was born and raised, now is the time to send a message to the whole world, we the people are still in control and there are still many patriots in the place where the fight for liberty began.” Another commenter states, “After 46 years, Massachusetts has the chance to elect a Senator instead of anointing a King.”
The video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nEoW-P81-0.

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ATMC Holds Successful United Way Campaign

(L-R): Brock Holmes, Christy Somersett, ATMC CEO/General Manager Allen Russ, United Way President Chris Nelson, Cathy Hankins, and Brent Brinson

(L-R): Brock Holmes, Christy Somersett, ATMC CEO/General Manager Allen Russ, United Way President Chris Nelson, Cathy Hankins, and Brent Brinson

Shallotte, NC – Allen Russ, ATMC CEO/General Manager announced that the cooperative has completed a successful United Way Campaign that brought in over $25,000.

Fund-raising activities included the traditional employee giving campaign, a silent auction and a reserved parking space raffle. Local merchants were also very generous in contributing merchandise and gift certificates for the silent auction.

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State Employees’ Credit Union Spreading the Word for US Census 2010

Raleigh, NC – State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is encouraging its members and all North Carolinians to stand up and be counted in the United States Census 2010.  The Credit Union will be utilizing various media outlets in the coming months to educate members on the Census.  With more than $400 billion allocated to states and communities each year based in part on Census data, it is crucial that all North Carolinians understand the benefits of participation to the State and its citizens.  Partnering with the US Department of Commerce, SECU launched its educational campaign with an article in its January 2010 Grassroots newsletter, reaching more than one million members. 

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PR & Marketing Advice: Are You Ready for 2010?

Frank Williams

Frank Williams

by Frank Williams

During these challenging times, the ability to effectively communicate your organization’s message is more important than ever.

However, good public relations does not happen on its own; it takes work, and it requires a clear, forward-looking strategy.

During these uncertain economic times, it is also more important than ever for businesses and other organizations to make the most of their resources.  Again, this does not happen on its own:  it requires a plan.

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Featured Business: Pioneer Strategies, Your Public Relations Partner

When Brunswick County native Frank Williams headed off to college after graduating from North Brunswick High School, he planned to major in Computer Science.  Shortly after enrolling at N.C. State University in Raleigh, he joined Theta Chi Fraternity and subsequently found himself serving as the chapter’s recruitment chair, or “rush” chair as the position is described in the college Greek community, as well as public relations chair.

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Cook up Thanksgiving energy savings with the help of Progress Energy

progress-energyRALEIGH, NC – Thoughts of Thanksgiving often conjure up sights, smells and tastes reminiscent of a holiday meal like no other. While you’re working up a sweat in the kitchen this November, take a few simple steps to make sure the only thing that’s sizzling is your roasting turkey.

Consider these valuable, energy-saving tips:

·         Shut the door: Admit it. You like to watch food cook. This Thanksgiving, resist the urge to open the oven door, as doing so will decrease the temperature inside by 25 to 30 degrees. Use your oven light instead to keep the oven hot and the kitchen comfortable.

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Pioneer Strategies launches new Web site

pioneer_strategies_logo_newLELAND, NC – Pioneer Strategies, a public relations agency owned and operated by Brunswick County resident Frank Williams, has launched a new Web site.  The site can be viewed at http://www.pioneerstrategies.com.

“Our old site was outdated and did not properly represent our company’s expertise and market position,” says Williams.  “Thanks to our design team our new site is sharp, professional and clearly communicates our company’s message and partnership approach to working with clients.”