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Steve Luquire to Lead Sports PR Panel

LGA — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:20:14 +0000

What are some of the unique communications issues in the sports industry? What have sports PR professionals faced over the past few years, and what have they done to effectively get their messages across to fans? On Wednesday, Sept. 22 , Steve Luquire, founder and CEO of Luquire George Andrews, will lead a panel of sports PR professionals in a conversation about recent challenges and victories in their industry.

Luquire will moderate the discussion as leaders in the sports arena answer questions and share their insights. Panelists include: Carolina Panthers Director of Communications Charlie Dayton, Charlotte Bobcats Director of Corporate Communications Michael Thompson and Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, Inc. Vice President of Communications John Olquin.

The Charlotte Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is the host of this event. To attend or for more information, visit www.prsacharlotte.org and click on “An inside look at sports PR.”

Be a part of Goodstock™ 2010

LGA — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:54:16 +0000

For the second year in a row, we’re launching Goodstock™ 2010, a 24-hour pro bono advertising, public relations and marketing marathon. Beginning Thursday, October 7 through Friday, October 8, our staff will work 24 hours straight to complete projects for free to benefit a select group of Mecklenburg County nonprofits that we choose. These projects might include a print ad, feature article, radio script, press kit, logo or social media strategy – whatever you need most. You’ve done so much to help so many. Now let us help you.

The application process for Goodstock 2010 is now closed. Please check back in late September to learn more about the non-profits that will participate.

LGA AWARDED PRSA’S SILVER ANVIL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

LGA — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:17:43 +0000

Agency’s Integrated Communications Program for Methodist Sports Medicine / The Orthopedic Specialists Earns National Recognition for Outstanding Strategy and Results

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 16, 2010 — Luquire George Andrews (LGA), one of the Southeast region’s leading advertising, marketing and public relations firms, received a Silver Anvil Award of Excellence from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) at a ceremony held June 3 in
New York City. The Award of Excellence recognizes outstanding strategic public relations planning and implementation.

“The Award of Excellence recognizes top public relations programs in our industry,” James J. Roop, APR, Fellow PRSA, 2010 Awards and Honors Committee chair and president of Roop & Co., Cleveland, Ohio. “To receive an Award of Excellence, programs must be of Silver Anvil caliber and represent some of the finest strategic and creative thinking in our profession.”

LGA was selected from more than 800 entries nationwide to receive the 2010 Silver Anvil Award of Excellence for its “Jumpstarting a Physician Practice in a Competitive Market” campaign in the integrated communications category. Methodist Sports Medicine / The Orthopedic Specialists, Central Indiana’s premier provider of comprehensive orthopedic services and the official team physicians for the NFL Indianapolis Colts, had not promoted itself in years and was losing market share when LGA developed an integrated communications plan to reestablish the practice and increase new patient volumes. With public relations, advertising and marketing supporting each other, 2009 was the orthopedic practice’s most successful year ever.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the impact this campaign has made for Methodist Sports Medicine / The Orthopedic Specialists, and we are equally proud to receive this national recognition for a program that involves brand strategy, public relations, advertising and new media,” said
Judi Wax, LGA’s executive vice president of public relations. “It is a testament to the creativity, hard work and dedication of the integrated team and our agency.”
The Silver Anvil Awards program has grown in scope and stature since its inception in 1946, and awards are now given in 59 categories and subcategories. In the 60-plus-year history of the Silver Anvils, many organizations have been recognized, including solo practitioners, agencies of all sizes, large and small businesses, top corporations, nonprofits, associations and government agencies.

About Luquire George Andrews
A leader in integrated communications in the Carolinas for more than 25 years, Charlotte-based Luquire George Andrews (LGA) provides advertising, marketing and public relations services to a broad range of clients from major regional corporations to global Fortune 500 companies. For more information, visit www.lgaadv.com.

About the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
With more than 31,000 members, PRSA is the largest organization of public relations professionals and students. PRSA is comprised of 111 local Chapters organized into 10 geographic Districts; 16 Professional Interest Sections that focus on issues, trends and research relevant to specialized practice areas, such as technology, health care, financial communications, entertainment and sports, and travel tourism; and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), which has more than 300 Chapters at colleges and universities in the United States and abroad. PRSA is headquartered in New York.

LGA RECEIVES FOUR INSPIRE AWARDS FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA CHAPTER OF PRSA

LGA — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:10:55 +0000

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 23, 2010 — Luquire George Andrews (LGA), one of the Southeast region’s leading advertising, marketing and public relations firms, was the recipient of four awards from the North Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (NCPRSA) at the 2010 InSpire Awards event on May 5, held at the Brier Creek Country Club in Raleigh, N.C.

The InSpire Awards exemplify the best of the best in public relations. They honor communications programs that incorporate sound research, planning, execution and evaluation. They must meet the highest standards of performance in the profession. LGA won the following awards:

• Award of Excellence/Communication Management, Media Relations – Babson Capital: Showcasing an Undiscovered Gem

• Award of Excellence/Events & Observances – Goodstock: 25 Hours of Great Work for Good Causes

• Award of Excellence/Integrated Communications – Methodist Sports Medicine/The Orthopedic Specialists: Jumpstarting a Physician Practice in a Competitive Market

• Award of Excellence/Marketing Consumer Products or Services, Business-to-Business – National Gypsum: Showcasing Innovation to Build a Brand

“LGA is honored to be recognized by our industry peers,” said Judi Wax, executive vice president/director of public relations. “The awards demonstrate the quality of our public relations team and reflect our goal to provide winning results for our clients.”

Philip Tate Elected Treasurer of PRSA’s National Board of Directors

LGA — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:58:16 +0000

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 25, 2010 – Philip Tate, senior vice president at Luquire George Andrews (LGA), a leading advertising, marketing and public relations firm in the Southeast, recently was elected treasurer of the Public Relations Society of America’s 2010 board of directors.
“I welcome the opportunity to expand my role on the PRSA national board by serving as treasurer in 2010. It is an honor to be a part of this outstanding organization and work with other leaders to advance the profession,” said Tate.

In his role as treasurer, Tate will serve a one-year term. He will chair the PRSA Finance Committee and work closely with Phil Bonaventura, PRSA’s chief financial officer, to oversee the budget for PRSA. He also will oversee the PRSA Investment Committee and PRSA Audit Committee. Tate is one of 17 other professionals selected for leadership on the national board.
“We are proud of Philip and his leadership role in PRSA,” said Peggy Brookhouse, president of Luquire George Andrews. “His commitment to the organization makes him well-suited for the treasurer position.”
Prior to being elected to this position, Tate served as the Southeast district director on the PRSA national board and served the PRSA Charlotte chapter as president (2006), vice president of programming (2005), secretary/treasurer (2004) and as an at-large board member (2002-2003). In February 2002, he received his Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Universal Accreditation Board and remains deeply involved in the Charlotte chapter’s accreditation program.

Tate graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a double minor in political science and history. Away from the office, he has served as volunteer chair for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte Y-Guides Program, a father-child program for more than 3,000 families, which ranks as one of the largest programs of its kind in the United States. He also has spearheaded local fundraising campaigns for the American Heart Association, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the YMCA of Greater Charlotte.

Goodstock Recap

Judi_Wax — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:27:56 +0000

Goodstock was amazing, exhausting, exhilarating – and I can’t wait until next year.

I was up at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, Goodstock began at 11 a.m., it was over by 1 p.m. Friday, and my head hit the pillow with a thud after 36 hours without sleep.

It was worth it for so many reasons.

First and foremost, it was inspiring to meet the Goodstockers from the nine nonprofits we offered to help, and to hear what they needed to accomplish with diminished resources, but great drive and spirit.

It was amazing to see what everyone at LGA could create and produce in 25 hours – brochures, taglines, logos, new names, iPhone apps, PR strategies, key messages, donor presentations, direct mail, and the list goes on.

It was fun to work side by side with my Goodstock team, and to brainstorm at midnight into the wee hours with others in search of a bigger, better idea.

It was humbling to present the work to these stellar organizations and to experience their joy, gratitude and excitement – all for something we do every day.

And finally, it was one of the highlights of my 25-year career that I hope to repeat and repeat again.

In short – helping those who help others feels good. If you work for an agency and want to feel good, too, go to www.goodstock24.com.

You’ll be glad you did.

Goodstock Starts Tomorrow

Judi_Wax — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:38:31 +0000

LGA’s Goodstock is tomorrow and it couldn’t be more exciting. I still remember the first time I heard about Goodstock. I was head of the PR department at an agency in Madison, Wisconsin, and one of my former co-workers – Andy Wallman – thought up the idea of Goodstock with some of his colleagues at his new agency, Knupp & Watson, also in Madison.

Goodstock was so Andy – community-minded, heartfelt and fun – with the end goal, the common good. I fell in love with Goodstock then and have been trying to figure out how to be a part of it ever since.
When we were trying to determine how to celebrate LGA’s 25th anniversary and say thanks to the community that has been so good to us, Goodstock immediately came to mind and LGA embraced the idea full force.

Community service has been part of LGA’s culture and character ever since the firm was founded, and the way we see it, Goodstock continues the tradition.

Beginning at noon tomorrow, nine LGA teams will meet representatives from the nine organizations from Mecklenburg County we selected – and the work and fun will begin.

We will have 24 hours to complete one, two or three projects for each group – everything from new logos and identities to PR plans to brochures, direct mail and social media strategies. I can’t wait to be in the room at noon on Friday when we showcase all of the great work for great causes we’ve created in our Goodstock marketing marathon.

Right now, we all just have to get a good night’s sleep and be ready to go, go, go on Thursday. Let the fun begin.

9 Nonprofits Selected for Goodstock

LGA — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:07:40 +0000

LGA is excited to announce nine nonprofit organizations that were selected from nearly 30 applicants to receive marketing, advertising and public relations support this year during Goodstock, our first 25-hour pro bono marketing marathon taking place October 15 – 16. Goodstock is one way LGA is giving back to the community in honor of our 25th anniversary.

We hope you will visit the Web sites below to learn more about these organizations.

Carolina Raptor Center
Dedicated to environmental stewardship and the conservation of birds of prey through education research, and the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors.
www.carolinaraptorcenter.org

Charlotte Community Health Clinic
Provides acute medical care to uninsured, low income, 19 and older Mecklenburg County individuals.
www.mycchc.com

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Council on Aging
Mission is to transform Charlotte-Mecklenburg into a senior-friendly community through education and advocacy so all aging adults are able to enjoy the best quality of life and the best physical and mental health.
www.charmeckcoa.org

Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center
Mission is to provide a full range of effective, family-centered speech, language and hearing services to everyone in need.
www.charlottespeechhearing.com

International House
Mission is to promote international understanding by serving as a center for diversity, advocating for people of diverse national backgrounds and facilitating professional and cultural programs.
www.ihclt.org

Jacob’s Ladder
Provides job readiness and job retention training to help the unemployed and underemployed find and keep living wage jobs.
www.jacobsladdercharlotte.org

Lifespan
Works with children and adults with developmental disabilities in the areas of education, employment and enrichment activities to transform their lives.
www.lifespanservices.org

Operation Home Front of North Carolina
Provides emergency financial assistance and morale to our troops, to the families they leave behind, and to wounded warriors when they return home.
www.operationhomefront.net

Summit House
Provides mothers convicted of non-violent crimes a residential alternative-to-prison program to create a new life for themselves and their minor children.
www.summithouse.org

Sports and Social Media: How to Engage Fans Off the Field

S_McCray — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:59:43 +0000

The explosion of social media can be a boon to sports public relations. After all, the role of a sports PR professional is to feed the public’s hunger for news and player information, and tools such as Twitter and Facebook allow us to do just that through quick, real-time updates. We also play an important role in generating public interest, increasing player or team visibility and filling the stands with fans.

Stacey McCray, LGA senior account supervisor of public relations, provides helpful tips on how to use social media to increase engagement with fans, enhance brand affinity and drive ticket sales.

Read article posted on PR News.

http://www.prnewsonline.com/prinsiders/Sports-and-Social-Media-How-to-Engage-Fans-Off-the-Field_13216.html

Desk-Sides: Antidote to Shrinking Newsrooms

K_Gepfert — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:50:51 +0000

In an era of shrinking newsrooms and disappearing travel budgets, public relations professionals are having a hard time finding editors and reporters with the time and resources to hop on a plane to pursue a story in response to even our most irresistible pitches. “Sounds interesting, but I’m swamped at the moment. I’ll keep you in mind for the future,” is an all-too-familiar response. One answer is to reverse the equation and take our clients to the newsroom.

Ken Gepfert, LGA senior vice president of public relations, discusses the effectiveness of desk-side media briefings and ways to assure the desk-sides pay off for both clients and journalists.

Read article posted on PR News.

http://www.prnewsonline.com/prinsiders/Desk-Sides-Antidote-to-Shrinking-Newsrooms_13220.html