Steve Jobs, 1955-2011
Apple encapsulates our feelings, and the feelings of billions worldwide this day by saying,
“The world has lost an amazing human being.”
In the sadness surrounding the death of visionary Steve Jobs, we’d like to remember the joys his innovations brought to our lives, and the ways it changed our industry forever.
Thank you, Steve.
There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline rush that comes from covering breaking news. Being in the midst of a news event on deadline makes my heart beat faster and all my senses sharpen in order to ask just the right questions and get the story out on time.
While it’s been a long time since I was a daily newspaper reporter, the rush of responding to a news event remains as fresh and exciting as ever. Now, when the news media calls the Lenz public relations team, we jump into fire-truck-chasing mode and get the information as quickly and accurately as possible.
Since our clients include a number of major health care practices, reporters know they can call us for comments from doctors.
In one two-day period, we received calls from television, radio, and newspaper reporters wanting to talk to doctors about a story on drug shortages.
As our Lenz PR Director Ryan Klee explained, “The reporters thought of Lenz as a great overall medical resource. To me, this means we’re doing our job of keeping the media aware of us and our healthcare clients.”
We arranged interviews for:
- Diana Davis of WSB-TV
- Sheila Poole of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- Connie Cummings of 640 WGST
- Jennifer Mayerle of CBS Atlanta
Maybe the rush of covering breaking news as a reporter is a bit different from responding to a reporter’s request for help, but the result is the same — helping to tell important stories in a timely fashion so that people understand the impact of news events.
That’s what I call a banner day at the office.
Richard Lenz's Executive Profile
Lenz, Inc. President and CEO Richard Lenz is featured in The Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “Executive Profiles” section today.
The article honed in on Richard’s passion for “the written word and the sound of it.” And making a business out of both. The founder of Lenz, Inc. has a long history of being able to flavor the creative with a marketing slant. The article covers Lenz’s ventures into literature with the AJC Decatur Book Festival, broadcast media with the new radio program The Weekly Check-Up, and music with Red Eye Gravy Records.
Pick up a copy on newsstands around town, or read more here.
Lenz recently launched a new website for Red Eye Gravy Records recording artist Nathan Beaver. The smart design is a reflection of Beaver’s growth as an artist – a stylish product mirroring a smooth sound.
Beaver currently has two studio albums under his belt, and a recently released EP, Everybody’s Out Tonight.
Beaver wanted a website that showcased his music with equal parts flair and accessibility. The new website is home to upcoming show dates and performances, Beaver’s press kit and bio, booking information, and – most importantly – is an easily navigable spot for Beaver’s fans to purchase his album and custom merchandise.
Lenz hopes that when Beaver’s fans are perusing the website they visualize what they hear when listening to his record – a delightful fusion of energized country and Beaver’s consistently thoughtful lyrics and clear vocals.
Listen to the audio clips on the website and see for yourself why Eddie Owen, founder of Eddie’s Attic says, “Nathan has talent, pure and simple.”
Every marketing textbook tells you there are four Ps of marketing — price, product, placement, and promotion.
What the textbooks don’t tell you is that in the rapidly evolving world of public relations, there are three more Ps to remember — personal relationships, patience, and persistence.
Now that social media is more compelling than the printed press release, it’s easy to hit the send button and move on to the next big thing. However, building personal relationships with reporters and exercising patience and persistence pay off in the long run.
Below are two examples how our Lenz PR team used all three Ps of Public Relations to help our client Resurgens Orthopaedics:
Resurgens doctor Antenor Velazco:
We first wrote about Dr. Antenor Velazco in February of 2010. After learning that he is an ultra marathon runner who travels the world to compete in races of up to 100 miles, we were hooked on his story. Reporters were interested, but never took the time to write about him.
But our PR Director Ryan Klee persevered. We tried to time the story to the 2010 Peachtree Road Race, but no luck. The story stayed in our files, resurfacing every few weeks. We nudged our contacts periodically as the months went by, but no bites. That’s when a personal relationship came in handy. When a reporter for the Atlanta Business Chronicle asked about candidates for their Executive Profile feature, Ryan immediately thought of Dr. Velazco. We quickly updated our story and sent it over. The result: a major feature in the Friday, Aug. 26, 2011 issue of the Business Chronicle.
Resurgens patient Larry Castillo:
We regularly write patient success stories for the Resurgens Orthopaedics web site. http://www.resurgens.com/media/success-stories
And we are often able to interest local reporters in how Resurgens patients successfully return to their favorite activities after their treatment. But like the story on Dr. Velazco, some stories take longer than others to generate media interest.
We completed a release about Resurgens patient Larry Castillo on Jan. 4, 2011. Dubbed “the bionic man” by his doctor, Larry continues to win canoe races even after 16 different surgeries over two decades to repair his shoulders, hips, knees, and back. We loved Larry’s story, but knew mid-winter wasn’t the best time to make the local news. So we patiently waited, contacting local reporters periodically to tell his story. Then in mid-summer, our patience paid off. Both The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Fox5 News told Larry’s story to a citywide audience.
http://images.burrellesluce.com/image/10873/10873_1602
http://www.resurgens.com/media/news/2011/07/resurgens-orthopaedics-patient-featured-on-fox5
So yes, we’re always ready to respond to breaking news and help our media friends connect with our clients. But we’ve learned that the proactive process of interesting media in feature stories takes time. And we’ve found it’s well worth the effort.
2011 DBF Poster art by Lenz Creative Director, Scott Sanders.
“Decaturites” sense the excitement in the air, and have reportedly heard the stomping of Bookzilla echo ominously around the square. The AJC Decatur Book Festival is finally upon us.
As the host of the Author Hospitality Suite, Lenz anticipates welcoming authors from around the nation and world to the Festival. In our six years of marketing the Festival Lenz has witnessed Decatur become a literary destination of the Southeast with the Festival’s exponential growth.
This year the Festival once again will be bringing over 300 authors to our hometown. Festival-goers are looking forward to a bevy of events unique to this year including an adaptation of the Brer Rabbit Tales for the Atlanta Opera, a commemorative 9/11 storytelling event, and a ruthless, game-show-style match between competing writers.
Lenz is proud to present the Business and Marketing track this year. The Business and Marketing track features best-selling authors Greg Lindsay, Danny Kofke, Jim Beach, David Beasley, Chris Hanks, and Barbara Giamanco to discuss topics ranging from growing your small business to leadership strategy.
Our PR team has been busy this summer garnering media hit after media hit. Check out the interview Program Director Terra Elan McVoy did for this Sunday’s AJC, and an interview in Publisher’s Weekly with executive director Daren Wang. Even Bookzilla was interviewed.
Join us this weekend to understand firsthand what it means to have a massive celebration of the written word in all its forms and flavors. Understand that the Book Festival is more than a capstone to the summer season – it’s a Decatur institution.
Lifestyle, Media, Technology: Apple has transformed these realms right before our eyes, changing the way we enjoy art and music, the way we communicate, and the way we do business. The revolution isn’t over for Apple, but with the recent resignation of CEO Steve Jobs, can we expect another 15 years of culture-shaping products?
There is something indescribably charismatic and brilliant about Jobs. As the face of Apple, Jobs gave us stylish products and innovations that are…well, cooler than the rest.
Not only have we as a company benefited from the capabilities of iPhone and the Mac, but also from learning about Jobs’ leadership style. The reason why Apple has been so genius is because Jobs lead with direction and attention to the smallest details in design – micromanaging while maintaining the grander vision of one of the world’s largest businesses. He anticipated what we wanted before we even knew it.
So, thank you Mr. Jobs for the inspiration, and for my iPod.
Good health and good living is at your fingertips with Atlanta’s newest healthcare news and information program—The Weekly Check-Up with Dr. Bruce Feinberg—airing Sundays at 3 p.m. on AM 750 and NOW 95.5 FM News/Talk WSB. The show, produced by Lenz, debuted on June 12.
The Weekly Check-Up with Dr. Bruce Feinberg is brought to you by Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia and will address a wide range of topics about healthcare, from current events and healthcare policy to daily tips for better health and fitness.
The live, hour-long show will include caller questions, fielded by featured guests and the show’s host, Atlanta oncologist Dr. Bruce Feinberg.
Dr. Feinberg called the show an important addition to the comprehensive information already provided by News/Talk WSB, the dominant Atlanta radio station for adults 35+. News/Talk WSB reaches 1.2 million quality listeners every week.
“We will help Georgians separate fact from fiction on the healthcare horizon as we discuss the latest news and treatment options for a wide variety of health issues,” he said. “We want to educate, inform and enlighten listeners and help them become equipped to live a better and healthier life.”
Dr. Bruce Feinberg is widely recognized as a healthcare visionary, possessing a unique understanding of how health issues transcend Washington, D.C., hospitals and doctors’ offices, and each of our daily lives. Previously, Dr. Feinberg was instrumental in establishing Georgia Cancer Specialists, a Top 10 private cancer practice in the U.S. and a leader in advanced cancer treatment and research. Dr. Feinberg is the author of two best-selling books, Breast Cancer Answers and Colon Cancer Answers, and is often consulted by the national media, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and CNN.
Produced by Lenz, Inc., Atlanta’s leading healthcare marketing firm for two decades, The Weekly Check-Up with Dr. Bruce Feinberg is brought to you by Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia and will include featured guests from various healthcare fields, interviews with health and fitness experts, and tips to help people live better and healthier lives.
The AJC Decatur Book Festival, presented by DeKalb Medical (AJC DBF) held its annual Press Launch Party at Eddie’s Attic Thursday – it was a smash, err, a monster mash?
The Launch marked the return of the formidable but loveable AJC DBF mascot, Bookzilla, the announcement of the keynote speakers, and a chance for the media, sponsors, and AJC DBF Board members to re-connect over refreshments, live music, and a shared passion for what has become the fourth largest book festival in the nation.
Our office has been a flurry of excitement in preparation for this event. We take pride in helping the festival get off the ground. As we looked over the crowd of friendly faces last night, we again were reminded of why we love Decatur and the Festival.
The 2011 AJC DBF poster, masterfully designed by Scott Sanders, was unveiled to much excitement. Even Bookzilla himself was impressed – didn’t you see his tweet?
Speaking of which, Lenz is managing all social media for both AJC DBF and Bookzilla. Follow both on Twitter and Facebook for contests, comic musings, and informative festival updates.
And be sure to check out the official 2011 AJC DBF website www.decaturbookfestival.com. The website is better than ever; a clear and artfully designed guide to all things book festival.
Lenz was the first festival sponsor and has been a gold-level sponsor for every festival to-date. Last night was a proud moment for the Lenz team. Seeing a crazy-scheme to get book lovers together grow into a massive celebration of the written word with a beast of mascot – it’s a monster that just keeps getting bigger.
Healthcare decisions are the most personal and significant we make
Every business benefits from a strong brand, but in healthcare it is an imperative. Why? Because healthcare decisions are the most personal and significant we make. These kinds of decisions require enormous amounts of trust, and a brand’s primary job is to facilitate trust.
You’ll buy a hot dog from someone you hardly know, but spine surgery? I don’t think so. You have to trust your surgeon, whether you personally know her or not.
There’s a formula that helps us understand how consumer relationships work. It’s Brand Promise + Brand Experience = Relationship. Among other things, this means that what consumers think of you before they know you is just as important as their experience with your service or product. Your brand is half the battle. Treat it well.
All doctors are experts
There’s good news and bad news for you as an expert American physician. The good news is that 300 million of your fellow countrymen recognize your expertise. The bad news is that they recognize your competitions’ expertise, too. In other words, your abilities as a physician are assumed and do not differentiate you in the mind of the American public—but your brand does.
This concept is called “price of entry.” Safety for airlines or clean kitchens for restaurants are other examples. That’s why airlines sell customer service and restaurants the dining room atmosphere.
What emotional intangibles do your customers value?
You must sell them before they are buying
Nobody likes seeing the doctor, and few consider their healthcare choices until they need them. So, we as healthcare marketers are constantly selling to an audience who is not buying. Yet.
Why do we do this? Because consumers will need our services someday, and at that point the decision is already made. They will go with the best-branded healthcare provider who they have known all along but never thought they would need.