Draft Proposal Letter

USU Health Services Hosts

The 35th Great American Smokeout


Table of Contents

I –

II –


November 17 & 18, 2010

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.


Supported by the American Cancer Society

Dear Nicorette,
Utah State University Student Health Services is hosting a chapter of the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout. As a student wellness center, we value the health of our students and we want to provide them with every tool necessary in becoming tobacco free. We need the best quality of product to help our students quit, and we are extremely confident your company offers what we are looking for. Sponsors like you help us to give our students the materials they need to succeed. By donating your products and services, students can become tobacco free and will continue to use your product on their road to success. We anticipate attendance from 100 students, and we would appreciate lozenges, mini lozenges, and gum to accommodate all attendees. We have had great success in the past and expect this year to be no different, but we need your help. By promoting your company products your logo will not only be seen by the attendees, but by students and faculty through our advertisements for the event. By contributing to this event you can help improve the lives of young people.

Nicorette is a strong company that values helping people stop smoking. We love how you say, “to be successful, you need to overcome both your physical addiction to nicotine and your psychological addiction.” Because you understand this so well, you offer a reliable product that will help stop peoples physical cravings, and help them understand quitting and offer a quitting plan which adheres to their psychological needs. We feel proud to say that you would include our national organization, The American Cancer Society, as a resource people can trust to gain quit-smoking support. Other companies ,like yourself, donate roughly $4,000 annually to more than three different events, like the one we are holding. Donating to our project would be a portion of your annual amount of planned donations. Please keep in mind that this is a non-profit event, so all donations are tax deductible.

According to a report done by the Center for Disease Control, “Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States. An estimated 46 million American adults currently smoke cigarettes and annually cigarette smoking causes approximately 443,000 deaths. For every person who dies from tobacco use, another 20 suffer with at least one serious tobacco-related illness. In 2004, this addiction cost the nation more than $96 billion per year in direct medical expenses as well as more than $97 billion annually in lost productivity1.” Among these smokers 70 percent want to quit and millions have tried but only a few were successful2. We believe these smokers would quit if they had the resources available to them. That is the main reason we established the The Great American Smokeout, we want to see an increase in the percentage of smokers that successful quit.

As mentioned before, Nicorette is known for giving people a doable option for quitting. We are confident that if you can offer each visitor a Nicorette product, either gum, lozenge, or mini lozenge, they will be able to see the difference of having another option rather than smoking. By doing this, it will most importantly motivate the smokers to quit and it will help you generate more sales because the quitters will most likely continue to buy your product until they are clean. You could also include hand outs talking about your “my quit plan” that you offer. This would increase people’s visit to your website, generating you more online hits, and eventually more sales. To go even further, we think it would be advantageous to both you and the smokers looking to quit if you could do a half an hour presentation about how your products work, the statistics of their effectiveness, and the other resources you have available such as “understanding quitting,” and “my quit plan.” With a powerful selling presentation, and the easiness of us gathering an active audience for you, it is a winning situation for both.

The Great American Smokeout is an annual event that is held at various locations in every state. Nationally, the Great American Smokeout has helped over 500 people quit each year. Locally, we had over 100 people attend the event, and ten have reported being smoke-free since our last smokeout. Our objective is to have more people attend the event each year and have more quitting success stories.With the right tools to success, we believe more people will attend the event, which in turn will cause more people to be smoke-free. We plan to hold the event on campus and offers students informational handouts; quit-kits that will include Nicorette products, tooth brush, tooth paste, suckers, gum, stress sticks, and more. We also plan to have a thirty minute presentation offered by one of Nicorette’s personnel. In order to succeed in our campaign for tobacco prevention, we will focus our message toward key audiences. It has been determined that the following populations are more susceptible to tobacco use: first year students, fraternity and sorority members, men’s athletic teams, art students, GLBT students, and women3. By tailoring our message to attract members of these groups, we can help them understand the benefits of quitting. Once their decision to quit has been made, they will be encouraged to use Nicorette’s products and services to help them succeed and meet their goal.

Utah State University is home to over 25,000 students from all 50 states and 82 international
countries4. Their events have the ability to capture attention from a variety of people. This year is the 35th Great American Smokeout, meaning this event has succeed for 35 years. The American Cancer Society, an organization that has been around for almost 100 years, believes that the USU Student Health Services will portray the ideals of their organization. That is why they have put James W. Davis, a honored USU faculty member, to head this project. They have teamed up with the same goal in mind, helping smokers quit. Research has shown that strong support networks increase the chance of quitting smoking. This fact will allow us to reach out to those willing to quit and be their strong support team. It is essential that they know they are not alone. With the assistance and support of USU Student Health Services, the American Cancer Society, and Nicorette, students will gain the strength and determination it takes to quit smoking.

At the 2010 Great American Smokeout, we anticipate no fewer than 100 people at the event, but would like to be prepared for at least 200. Therefore, we will have at least 200 pamphlets and 200 quit-kits. To effectively help the smokers quit, we feel that a sample of each Nicorette product is necessary in the quit-kit. On average your products cost 50 cents each and you offer them through sample kits. Each sample kits includes 10 pieces of gum, 5 lozenges, and 5 mini lozenges. This would cost $10 per kit, meaning $2,000 to donate 200 kits. To send a national Nicorette representative from Massachusetts to Utah airfare cost $500 round trip. The representative will have to rent a car or take a taxi to Logan and back to the airport. This will cost roughly $200. Hampton Suites in Logan is donating a room for two nights and that includes a continental breakfast. Your representative however would have to pay for lunch and dinner for their intended stay, and plan to spend roughly $20 per meal. On the day he/she presents, lunch will be on us. Your donation will total $2,800. This is less than the average company donates to each project per year and would have a large impact.

We know that by donating to the Great American Smokeout, the Utah State University Health and Wellness Center and The American Cancer Society will benefit greatly. Along with Nicorette, both parties will receive publicity for their organization, and be able to help smokers quit all around Cache Valley. Though this event does not reach millions of people, it will make a difference in the lives of many people. We appreciate your generosity, and are excited to work with you. Please send the 200 kits and the pamphlets in them mail by November 10 to 1200 North 850 East, Logan, UT 84322. As soon as you confirm this arrangement please notify us with the name and title of your representative, along with the details of their arrival. If you have questions, please contact Erika Rasmussen at erika.ras@aggiemail.usu.edu.

Best regards,

James W. Davis

End Matter:
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/state_data/state_highlights/2010/pdfs/highlights2010.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/cessation/quitting/
www.usu.edu/health/
www.usu.edu

Draft Speech/Presentation Assignment

Outline:

Beginning emotionally charging video

Kayla opens talking about sponsor appeal and problem

Erika talks about solution and capabilties

Tessa will close talking about budget and conclusion

Online JCOM: Twitter Readings

After reading ...
www.hubspot.com/Default.aspxapp=LeadgenDownload&shortpath=docs/HowToUseTwitterForBusiness.pdf
I feel like I can take on the world of twitter! I have always heard that twitter can help companies and improve your job opportunities but as I used it (incorrectly) I was not seeing how that would be possible. After reading this PDF I have discovered the proper use of Twitter. The first mistake I made was not establishing my profile before I added people as friends. If I would have filled out the profile information then I would be added to the twitter location search and people who I follow would be able to see my interests and decide to add me or not.

I never knew I could send a direct message to people just by writing D KaylaEntLLC (the twitter handle, aka username). I never know it didn’t look good if you were following TONS of people and a lot of people aren’t following you.

The best way to increase your followers is to Tweet things people are interested in. “You are what you tweet.”

Use hashtags to help start and follow a particular topic.

I recommend everyone interested in Twitter read this. Thanks Shane!

Kayla

Draft Position Paper

Tessa Karrington
Erika Rasmussen
Kayla Hall
Position Paper

As leader of the Quick-Service Restaurant industry, Burger Planet has served 52 billion customers and counting. Burger Planet has almost 9,000 franchises in every state and 17 countries. At the same time, in the past two years research has shown that sales to Burger Planet’s base customer, women in their 30s and 40s, have decreased.

Today more than ever, women are more conscious of their body image. In order to do maintain a healthy lifestyle and satisfy this desire, women often seek a healthier diet. According to helpguide.org, living a healthy lifestyle depends on eating plant-based foods and whole grains, while cutting back on protein and caffeine. Burger Planet’s current menu items do not meet these standards. In a Pew Research Center study, only 35 percent of women eat fast food weekly compared to 47 percent of men.

To affect women, we researched to find who influences women and how we can use that person to our advantage. We found that Opal Whitcomb, the talk show hostess of Opal Speaks, is known for her immense credibility with middle-aged women who followed her personal travails of striving to lose weight. With the help of Jayne Petersen, a fitness guru, Whitcomb was able to lose 75 pound. This was an accomplishment no other fitness guru was able to achieve with Whitcomb. Because Petersen’s success, women around the world now look to Petersen as a credible health icon. We believe that an affordable, but highly esteemed person like Petersen, or someone similar to Petersen, would be an ideal Burger Planets spokesperson.

According to this research, it is evident that we must appeal to middle-aged women. Incorporating a new line of healthy food and a trusted fitness icon as our spokesperson would be beneficial to Burger Planet. Doing this would increase sales and improve our image as a better option for eating out. Not only will this increase sales to our clientele of women, but it will also encourage women to bring their families to our restaurants.

We believe that our goal to become a healthy food option can be accomplished in two years. First, we need to establish a credible line of healthy food, followed by a trustworthy spokesperson. After applying these output objectives, the impact objectives that will follow include: increase awareness of our healthy menu and new spokesperson to 60 percent of women, cause 40 percent of women to view it as a healthy-option restaurant, and gain a 30 percent increase in women customers ages 30 to 50.

It is essential for Burger Planet to attract women. Besides the fact that women want healthy food for themselves, they also want healthy food for their families. If Burger Planet offers a new line of food including items with fewer calories and low-carb options, as well as utilizes a positive fitness icon as our spokesperson, we can improve our image as a healthy quick-service restaurant. Doing so will allow us to gain back our base customer and enhance our company as a whole.

Online JCOM Photoshop Assignment 5

This is an engagement picture of my husband and I. Although the colors are already really bright, I wanted to make the colors even brighter.

Final picture (above)

1. I used hue/saturation to make the blues in our shirts and the greens in the tree come out. I raised the saturation a little on both.
2. The wood piece we are sitting on had green that was brought out when I did the green saturation so I erased the top layer so that the orignial layer would show through the true brown color.
3. I used the clone stamp to make Tyson's sun glasses disapear.
4. I used the burn tool to make the outside of the picture have a darker hue.

Original picture (above)

Final Picture
Necklace I put around my neck

Origninal picture

This photo is of my dear friend Buck Dopp, (Buck judged me when I won Miss Utah) my lovely hubsand Tyson, and myself.

1. I didn’t like how red my face was so that was and I wanted to do other touches to make the photo look better. In photoshop I went to image, adjustments, hue/saturation. I clicked on red and then lowered the saturation to -21.

2. I wanted to make the three of us stick out above the crowd so I made two layers of the picture. On the top layer I went to fliter, blur, gaussian blur and I chose 2.0 pixels of blur. On that same layer I esrased us three so that the original image would show through.

3. I wanted to fill my hair in because it looked too thin so I used the clone tool. I went to clon stamp and then filled in my hair.

4. I wanted to be wearing a necklace so I googled a necklace image. The necklace had a black background so I used the magic wand and selected the balck areas and erased them. I then click Control T and held down the shift button to make the image smaller. I tilted the image to fit around my neck and then I erased the parts that were supposed to be behind my hair.

Online JCOM Photoshop Assignment 4

Final Press Release Assignment 4

Press Release
11-08-10

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Spirit Ridge Rifle Golf
9846 N. Highway 38
Deweyville, UT 84309
Contact: Misty Petersen
435-764-6980
www.spiritridgeriflegolf.com

Long-Range Shooting Company Hosts an African Safari Tournament
Spirit Ridge Rifle Golf is offering tournament winner an $8,000 African hunt

WHITES VALLEY, Utah -- Spirit Ridge Rifle Golf (SRRG) and Africa Sport Hunting Safari are hosting an African Safari Tournament Nov. 12 and 13,. The winner of the tournament receives a seven-day African Safari hunt with lodging, food, laundry, and a professional guide included. The winner can also bring a companion of choice. The prize includes three different hunting tags for an impala, warthog, and steenbuck or duiker. This hunt is worth $8,000. The purchase of more animal hunting tags is permitted.

Africa has over 167 different species ... and a lucky Spirit Ridge Rifle Golfer is going to have the chance to hunt there! Spirit Ridge Rifle Golf’s Director of Marketing understands the enormity of the tournament.

"There is a ton of excitement surrounding this tournament,” Peterson said. “The stakes are high, the competition is first rate and a trip to Africa is on the line!"

At the tournament, shooters will be taking aim at African animal targets. Half of the course’s targets will feature African safari animals, like lions and cheetahs, while the other half will still include bears, elk and buffalo. For lunch, shooters will feast upon an authentic African meal and will conclude the tournament with a raffle and the announcement of the grand-prize winner.

The tournament is $150 per person, which includes lunch. Viewers, spotters and friends are welcome for free and can call ahead to purchase lunch for $10.

The course is laid out with four stations, three holes at each station. Each hole has two different life-size animal targets ranging from 200 yards to 1000 yards. Although the targets are life-size, each target has a metal plate, no more than 12 inches in circumference, that must be hit to score points. Once the metal gong is hit, everyone will first see it swing and then hear the glorifying sound of a ping.

Rifle golf is scored almost identical to regular golf. If the shooter hits the target on the first try he gets an eagle, two points below par. If he hits the target on his second try he gets a birdie, one point below par. If he cannot hit it on his first two tries he then moves down to a closer target and shoots for par. If he misses that target he gets a boogie, one point above par, and is finished with that hole.

Golfers bring their own equipment, ammunition and ATV. ATV’s can also be rented at the course.

If you love the thrill of competition, want to improve your shot for the hunting season, or want to win amazing prizes, SRRG is the where you belong. SRRG can help you improve confidence in your shot by the first visit.

Eddy Crookston has shot the Spirit Ridge Rifle Golf course at least seven different times and has won over four different prizes, including a prize for hitting the 1,000-yard-shot.

“Each time I come to Spirit Ridge I improve my shot,” Crookston said. “It is impossible to come here and not leave being a more advanced shooter.”

Spirit Ridge Rifle Golf started as only a dream shared by brothers: Stewart, Jeff, and Kameron Petersen. It became reality when one of the brothers married into a family with 10,000 acres of land and an open mind for business. Stewart Petersen, and his wife Misty Goring Petersen, took a mere fantasy and made it a reality by developing the Goring ranch into a rifle golf course. With the help of Mrs. Petersen’s father, Jr. Goring, and all three of Mr. Petersen’s brothers, SRRG became outdoorsmen’s ultimate playground. Spirit Ridge Rifle Golf is becoming national by sharing a partnership with Sportsman Warehouse, Vortex, and Wasatch Precision. Spirit Ridge Rifle Golf is located just 12 miles southwest of Tremonton, Utah, and sits on 10,000 acres of land.

One will not want to miss out on such incredible prizes. Call today to register for the African Safari Tournament, 435-764-6980. For more information visit www.spiritridgeriflegolf.com, or visit the blog at www.spiritridgeriflegolf.com. SRRG can also be found on Facebook.

-END-

Media Contact: Kayla Hall spiritridgepr@gmail.com 435-232-0130

FInal Media Pitch

Cache Valley Radio Group
Les Patterson
801 W. 200 N.
PO Box 3369
Logan, UT 84323
435-792-1319 Office
435-994-9296 Mobile
les@cvradio.com

Subject: CVAIA helps citizens gain financial independence through understanding passive income.


Dear Les,

As a personal Cache Valley Radio Group supporter, I appreciate the fact that you broadcast a mixture of information, public affairs, and fine arts programming. Many Cache Valley residents listen to your broadcast because they know UPR keeps them informed on current resources available to them.

I want to inform you of a free financial-guidance club available locally in Cache Valley, called The Cache Valley Area Investors Association (CVAIA). I know this club will be beneficial to your demographic of listeners.

CVAIA is dedicated to helping residents increase their passive income -- an income they do not have to work for -- and decrease expenses. The goal is to help people become financially independent within ten years.

Passive income is the income you earn when you are not doing anything to earn it. It is research done in advance that enables a flow of income, without an equal ratio of work performed to receive the income. Passive income can be thought of as investments.

The club meets every first and third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. On the first Thursday the club meets in the Chamber of Commerce Building, 161 N. Main St. in Logan. The third Thursday is held at a local restaurant where a guest speaker will address the group.

We believe that if people learn the right mentality and approaches to investing, they can all be successful in what they desire. People should be able to spend their time doing something they love, not just a job that provides an income. Passive income largely makes this possible. Cache Valley Area Investors Association teaches people how to increase passive income.

For more information please visit www.cvaia.com

I would love to establish a time to meet and discuss the benefits of CVAIA in more detail. Would Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 10:00 work for your schedule? Please call or email me with any immediate questions and let me know if the 26th works for you.

Sincerely,

Kayla Hall
Cache Valley Area Investors Association
Public Relations Specialist
Kayla.hall@avaia.com
www.cvaia.com

Draft Advertising Assignment

Draft Media Pitch

Cache Valley Radio Group
Les Patterson
801 W. 200 N.
PO Box 3369
Logan, UT 84323
435-792-1319 Office
435-994-9296 Mobile
les@cvradio.com

Subject: CVAIA helps citizens gain financial independence through understanding passive income.


Dear Les,

As a personal Cache Valley Radio Group supporter, I appreciate the fact that you broadcast a mix of information, public affairs, and fine arts programming. Many Cache Valley residents listen to your broadcast because they know the radio group keeps them informed on current information, and benefits them greatly by discussing resources available to them that could help improve different aspects of their life.

I want to inform you of a free financial-guidance club available locally in Cache Valley, called The Cache Valley Area Investors Association (CVAIA). I know this club will be beneficial to your demographic of listeners.

The Cache Valley Area Investors Association (CVAIA) is dedicated to helping residents increase their passive income -- an income they do not have to work for -- and decrease expenses.

Passive income is the income you earn when you are not doing anything to earn it. It is research done in advance that enables a flow of income, without an equal ratio of work performed to receive the income. Passive income can be thought of as investments. The way to establish a passive income is by investing three things, time, assets and experience. Just like any investment, it is about understanding risks and calculating which ones are worth taking and which ones are not.

The club meets every first and third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. On the first Thursday the club meets in the Chamber of Commerce Building, 161 N. Main St. in Logan. The third Thursday is held at a local restaurant where a guest speaker will address the group.

If people learn the right mentality and approaches to investing, they can all be successful in what they desire. People should be able to spend their time doing something they love, not just a job that provides an income. Passive income largely makes this possible. Cache Valley Area Investors Association teaches people how to increase passive income. CVAIA embraces the law of attraction, law of abundance, and law of exchange. CVAIA began in August 2007 and now has members from many geographical locations and from all walks of life. The members come together with the same belief: that education mitigates the risks of investing.

I would love to establish a time to meet and discuss the benefits of CVAIA in more detail. Would Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 10:00 work for your schedule? Please call or email me with any immediate questions and let me know if the 26th works for you or if there is a more convenient day for you.

Sincerely,

Kayla Hall
Cache Valley Area Investors Association
Public Relations Specialist
Kayla.hall@CVAIA.com
www.cvaia.org

Draft Press Release 4

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Spirit Ridge Rifle Golf
9846 N. Highway 38
Deweyville, UT 84309
Contact: Misty Petersen
435-764-6980
http://www.spiritridgeriflegolf.com/

Rifle Golf Company Hosts an African Safari Tournament
Spirit Ridge Rifle Golf is offering tournament winner an $8,000 African hunt

WHITES VALLEY, Utah -- Africa is the world’s second largest continent with over 167 different species ... and a lucky Spirit Ridge Rifle Golfer is going to have the chance to hunt there!

Coming Nov. 12 and 13, Spirit Ridge Rifle Golf (SRRG) and Africa Sport Hunting Safari are hosting an African Safari Tournament. The winner of the tournament wins a seven-day African Safari hunt with lodging, food, laundry, and a professional guide included. The winner also gets to bring a companion of choice. The prize includes three different hunting tags, for an impala, warthog, and steenbuck or duiker. This hunt is worth $8,000. The winner can also purchase a tag to hunt more animals while in Africa.

"There is a ton of excitement surrounding this tournament,” Jeff Petersen, Spirit Ridge Rifle Golf’s Director of Marketing, said. “The stakes are high, the competition is first rate and a trip to Africa is on the line!"

At the tournament, shooters will be taking aim at African animal targets. Half of the course’s targets will feature African safari animals, like lions and cheetahs, while the other half will still include bears, elk and buffalo. For lunch, shooters will feast upon an authentic African meal and will conclude the tournament with a raffle and the announcement of the grand-prize winner.

The tournament cost $150 per person, which includes lunch. Viewers, spotters, and friends are welcome for free and can call ahead to purchase lunch for $10.

Spirit Ridge Rifle Golf is located just 12 miles southwest of Tremonton, Utah, and sits on 10,000 acres of land. The course is laid out with four stations, three holes at each station. Each hole has two different life-size animal targets ranging from 200 yards to 1000 yards. Although targets are life-size, each target has a metal plate, no more than 12 inches in circumference that must be hit to score points. Once the metal gong is hit everyone will first see it swing and then hear the glorifying sound of a ping.

Rifle golf is scored almost identical to regular golf. If the shooter hit the target on the first try he gets an eagle, two points below par. If he hits the target on his second try he gets a birdie, one point below par. If he can’t hit it on his first two tries he then moves down to a closer target and shoots for par. If he misses that target he then gets a boogie, one point above par, and is finished with that hole.

Golfers bring their own equipment, ammunition and ATV. ATV’s can also be rented at the course.

If you love the thrill of competition, want to improve your shot for hunting season, or want to win amazing prizes, SRRG is the where you belong. SRRG can help you improve your confidence in your shot by the first visit.

“Each time I come to Spirit Ridge I improve my shot,” Eddy Crookston, an avid rifle golfer, said. “It is impossible to come here and not leave being a better shooter.”

Spirit Ridge Rifle Golf started as only a dream shared by brothers. It became reality when one of the brothers married into a family with 10,000 acres of land and an open mind for business. Stewart Petersen, and his wife Misty Goring Petersen, took a mere fantasy and made it a reality by developing the Goring ranch into a rifle golf course. With the help of Mrs. Petersen’s father, Jr. Goring, and all three of Mr. Petersen’s brothers, SRRG became outdoorsmen’s ultimate playground. SRRG is becoming national by sharing a partnership with Sportsman Warehouse, Vortex, and Wasatch Precision.

You do not want to miss out such incredible prizes, call today to register for the African Safari Tournament, 435-764-6980. For more information visit www.spiritridgeriflegolf.com, or visit the blog at www.spiritridgeriflegolf.com. SRRG can also be found on Facebook.

-END-

Media Contact: Kayla Hall spiritridgepr@gmail.com 435-232-0130

Press Release 3: Cause Promotion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cache Valley Area Investors Association
435 E. 600 N.
Logan, UT 84321
President Preston Parker
435-857-0987 Office

Local Club Promotes Financial Independence
CVAIA helps citizens gain financial independence through understanding passive income

LOGAN, Utah – The Cache Valley Area Investors Association (CVAIA) is dedicated to helping residents increase their passive income -- an income they do not have to work for -- and decrease expenses.

“You will be happier if you don’t have to go to work for money,” President Preston Parker said.

Passive income is the income you earn when you are not doing anything to earn it. It is research done in advance that enables a flow of income, without an equal ratio of work performed to receive the income. Passive income can be thought of as investments. The way to establish a passive income is by investing three things, time, assets and experience. Just like any investment, it is about understanding risks and calculating which ones are worth taking and which ones are not.

The club meets every first and third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. On the first Thursday the club meets in the Chamber of Commerce Building, 161 N. Main St. in Logan. The third Thursday is held at a local restaurant where a guest speaker will address the group.

The CVAIA’s main goal is to help people become free from financial worry. Parker stresses the reason behind building a passive income, which is to eventually become financially independent. Financial independence is gained through education, specifically education and understanding of passive income. The association informs people of the two types of income, earned income and passive income. Both incomes are earned, just the former works for you even when you are not. Once you can understand how to have passive income work for you, you can make choices independent of finances.

One of the first steps to gaining financial freedom is getting expense down and passive incomes up. Once your monthly passive income passes your expenses, you are financially independent. This could become possible in 7 to ten years, meaning the house and car will all be paid for, just by living a regular lifestyle and changing a couple of things.

In 2007 Parker established the association to offer an avenue of education for people seeking financial independence. Parker was constantly hearing people complain about their financial situation and trying to give them financial advice. “I was sick of people complaining about their jobs,” Parker said. “This is America, no one should work because they have to, they should work because they like to.”

If people learn the right mentality and approaches to investing, they can all be successful in what they desire. People should be able to spend their time doing something they love, not just a job that provides an income. Passive income largely makes this possible. There are many organizations with the stated goal of helping people understand the relationship between assets, liabilities, income, expenses. They practice the methods found in the ideologies of books including “Rich Dad Poor Dad”, “The Wealthy Barber”, “The Millionaire Next Door”, “Atlas Shrugged”, “The Automatic Millionaire”, and “The Secret.”

For more information about the CVAIA, meeting times, or upcoming events, please contact President Preston Parker by calling 435-857-0987, or emailing parker@cvaia.org.

Cache Valley Area Investors Association teaches people how to increase passive income. CVAIA embraces the law of attraction, law of abundance, and law of exchange. CVAIA began in August 2007 and now has members from many geographical locations and from all walks of life. The members come together with the same belief: that education mitigates the risks of investing.

-END-

Media Contact: Kayla Hall 435-898-3456 Kayla@prforyou.com

Draft Press Release 3: Cause Promotion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cache Valley Area Investors Association
435 East 600 North
Logan, UT 84321
President Preston Parker
435-857-0987 Office

Local Club Promotes Financial Independence

LOGAN, Utah – The Cache Valley Area Investors Association is dedicated to helping residents increase their passive income, an income they don’t have to work for, and decrease expenses.

“You will be happier if you don’t have to go to work for money,” President Preston Parker said.

Passive income is the income you earn when you are not doing anything to earn it. It is when a person researches and does work ahead of time, to enable them to receive an income when they are not working.

The club meets every first and third Thursday at 7:00 p.m. of every month. On the first Thursday the club meets in the Chamber of Commerce Building, 161 North Main Street in Logan. The third Thursday is held at a local restaurant.

The club was started by President Parker who gave people advise… “I was sick of people complaining about their jobs. This is America, no one should have to work because they have to, they should work because they like to.”

Boiler Point #1

Action/contact

Boiler Point #2

-END-

Media Contact: Kayla Hall | 435-898-3456| Kayla@prforyou.com

Press Release 2: Image Building

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMIDEATE RELEASE

Burger Planet
52 Winchester Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53201
262-578-9845

Quick-Service Restaurant Changes Menu
Burger Planet is adding a new healthy food item

MILWAUKEE- Burger Planet has enhanced their menu this year by adding healthy options. Customers can continue to order food from the original menu as well as order new lower-carb items.

"Burger Planet cares about its customers,” CEO of Burger Planet, James E. Muellenbach III, said. “For more than seven decades, the company has succeeded because it put customers first. We listen to our customers. And our customers desire healthy choices, of which we offer many.”

Burger Planet draws customers with its burgers, fries and soda, and is continuing to adhere to what their customers want by keeping the original menu items and welcoming new ones.

Jayne Petersen, a personal trainer and dietitian, is also a new addition to Burger Planet as their new spokesperson. Petersen is fitness guru to many stars, CEO of a fitness and health enterprise, Looking Glass, Inc., and author of a bestseller “Looking Good in a Leotard.” Petersen is well-known for her success in helping Opal Whitcomb lose 75 pounds.

Petersen is developing a new adult Burger Planet Smiley Meal, which will include an ankle weight, white meat chicken entrée and a fruit package. She is working with Burger Planet chefs to ensure new menu items are as healthy as possible. Petersen, accompanied by Burger Planet’s mascot, Corny the Clown, will also do health-conscious appearances throughout the year at Burger Planet franchises and shopping malls around the country.

At the appearances, Petersen will list the healthy options Burger Planet is now offering, such as chicken filled lettuce wraps, fruit and gourmet salads. Customers can also ask to remove the bread or mayo to reduce calories.

Burger Planet will still offer the classic menu items customers still love. The Saturn with onion rings layered on top, the Venus with mushrooms and Swiss cheese, the half-size Mercury burger and the Hemisphere French Fries will all stay. Burger Planet now has a balanced menu with many available options.

"I emphasize a message of moderation,” Jayne Petersen said. “Women can have a burger and fries now and then as long as they are active. Try some of Burger Planet's exciting new menu choices, such as the fruit packages."

Petersen will be at the Burger Planet franchise in Times Square for the kick-off ceremony May 12. In June and July Petersen and Corny the Clown will be traveling around the country providing nutritional packets and advice for consumers. In June they will visit 12 Burger Planets and in July they will visit seven shopping malls starting with the Mall of America in Minnesota.

Burger Planet was started by James E. Muellenbach I, in a shack in Indianapolis. The company is now the largest quick-service restaurant. Burger Planet has almost 9,000 franchises, serves over 52 billion customers and employees over 48,000 people.

Meida Contact: Kayla Hall

Public Relations Assistant Account Executive

Kayla.hall@prforyou.com

-END-

Draft Press Release 2: Image Building

FOR IMMIDEATE RELEASE
Release Date: Sept. 28, 2010

Burger Planet
52 Winchester Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53201
Contact: Kayla Hall
Public Relations Assistant Account Executive
262-578-9845

Quick-Service Restaurant Changes Menu
Burger Planet is adding a new healthy food menu

MILWAUKEE- Burger Planet has remodeled their menu this year by adding healthy options.

Burger Planet draws customers with its burgers, fries and soda, and is continuing to adhere to what their customers want by keeping the original menu items and welcoming new ones.

"Burger Planet cares about its customers,” CEO of Burger Planet, James E. Muellenbach III, said. “For more than seven decades, the company has succeeded because it put customers first. We listen to our customers. And our customers desire healthy choices, of which we offer many.”

To build a healthy image, Burger Planet has hired Opal Whitcomb’s personal trainer, Jayne Petersen, as a spokesperson and a dietitian. Petersen is developing a new adult Burger Planet Smiley Meal, which will include an ankle weight, white meat chicken entrée and a fruit package. She is also working with Burger Planet chefs to ensure new menu items are as healthy as possible.

Petersen, accompanied by Burger Planet’s mascot, Corny the Clown, will do health-conscious appearances throughout the year at Burger Planet franchises and shopping malls around the country.

At the appearances, Petersen will list the healthy options Burger Planet is now offering, such as chicken filled lettuce wraps, fruit and gourmet salads. Customers can also ask to remove the bread or mayo to reduce calories.
Burger Planet will still offer the classic menu items customers still love. The Saturn with onion rings layered on top, the Venus with mushrooms and Swiss cheese, the half-size Mercury burger and the Hemisphere French Fries will all stay. Burger Planet now has a balanced menu with many available options.

"I emphasize a message of moderation,” Jayne Petersen said. “Women can have a burger and fries now and then as long as they are active. Try some of Burger Planet's exciting new menu choices, such as the fruit packages."

Petersen will be at the Burger Planet franchise in Times Square for the kick-off ceremony May 12. In June and July Petersen and Corny the Clown will be traveling around the country providing nutritional packets and advice for consumers. In June they will visit 12 Burger Planets and in July they will visit seven shopping malls starting with the Mall of America in Minnesota.

Burger Planet was started by James E. Muellenbach I, in a shack in Indianapolis. The company is now the largest quick-service restaurant. Burger Planet has almost 9,000 franchises, serves over 52 billion customers and employees over 48,000 people.

-END-

Press Release 1: Announcement

Social Media Club of Cache Valley
851 N. Main Street
Logan, UT 84321
Contact: President Preston Parker
(661) 772-7537

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: Sept. 21, 2010

THE SOCIAL MEDIA CLUB OF CACHE VALLEY

Cache Valley now has an access for residents to learn about social media

LOGAN, Utah – The Social Media Club of Cache Valley (SMCCV) is inviting interested Cache Valley residents to join.

The SMCCV is a non-profit organization that helps members learn more about essential social media skills. The club is directed by seven board members who are currently working, or have previously worked, as public relations coordinators. Residents and businesspeople who are interested in improving their social media skills can benefit from becoming a member.

“The club is one of the most effective ways people can learn about social media,” Preston Parker, president of SMCCV, said. “All of the social media experts in Cache Valley are involved.”

The club meets every second Tuesday of the month. Members learn how to operate cutting-edge social media through demonstrations, hands-on learning and group interaction. Through working with real social media scenarios, members become fully confident using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, MySpace and Blogs.

SMCCV was established in 2009 after SMCCV President Parker and colleagues visited the Social Media Club of Salt Lake City. They felt this club was so influential that they should create one for Cache Valley.

To become a member of SMCCV, visit www.smccv.net or join the SMCCV group on Facebook.com

Contact: Public Relation Specialist Kayla Hall kayla@prspeciailist.com

09-16-10 Online Journalism

After reading three different links about resumes and cover letters,
Six steps to Resume 2.0
How to avoid common resume mistakes and 30+ sites for resume and cover-letter inspiration , I have learned how I can improve my resume to make me an appealing job applicant.

All of the links are helpful, but the one I found to be the most helpful was the six step resume. Shannon Paul, the author of “Six steps to Resume 2.0,” suggests accommodating the needs of the receiver by sending both an html copy of the resume and a word document. Paul gives basic steps in creating a resume. She says to first start in a word document, add hyperlinks to key words that the employer can click-on to gain more knowledge about you. An example of this is hyper linking your name to your professional blog. Send the resume in word, create and send an html version of the resume, and explain, in a personable way, why you sent an html copy. Paul ends by saying that when sending your resume information, never expect the employer to have read or clicked on the things you sent.

I learned new information from the other websites as well. A pointer I found helpful was from “Don’t make it a moral statement: it’s a marketing document.” This text explained how to market yourself by not stating what your job responsibilities were, but stating what you accomplished while you were at the company. An example is “I helped increase sales by 20% by my social media outreach.”

These links have loads of information that can help anyone succeed when creating a resume. Who knows, you might get a job based on the quality of your resume.

Draft Press Release 1: Announcement

Press Release

Social Media Club of Cache Valley
851 N. Main St., Logan UT 84321
Contact: President Preston Parker
(661) 772-7537

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: Sept. 14, 2010

THE SOCIAL MEDIA CLUB OF CACHE VALLEY

Cache Valley now has an access for residents to learn about social media

LOGAN, Utah – The Social Media Club of Cache Valley (SMCCV) is inviting interested Cache Valley residents to join.

The SMCCV is a non-profit organization that helps members learn more about essential social media skills. The club is directed by seven competent board members who are currently or previously worked as a public relations coordinator. Residents or businessmen and businesswomen who are interested in improving their social media skills can benefit from becoming a member.

“The club is one of the most effective ways for people to learn about social media,” Preston Parker, The president of SMCCV said. “All of the social media experts in Cache Valley are involved.”

SMCCV was established in 2009 after SMCCV President Parker and colleagues visited the Social Media Club of Salt Lake City. They felt like this was such an influential program that they should create one for Cache Valley.

To become a member of SMCCV, visit www.smccv.net or become a member on facebook.

Contact: Public Relation Specialist Kayla Hall kayla@prspeciailist.com

09-13-10 Journal - Intro to PR

What organization was using public relations?
THE WHITE HOUSE; Office of the First Lady

Where did you see the event/story?
Drudgereport.com

Briefly describe the situation.
Michelle Obama spoke at the National Restaurant Association meeting in Washington, DC Sept. 13 She spoke about how important restaurants are to our culture and how much all Americans eat out. She emphasized her “Let’s Move” platform to help childhood obesity and how she wants the help of the restaurants to start offering more healthy options.

What was the organization trying to accomplish?
Michelle is trying to help protect children from childhood obesity. She is trying to do this from various angles including informing parents and children, and by talking to restaurant owners. The Office of the First Lady also wants Americans to know that the First Lady is actively fulfilling her campaign. The more the general public feels like she is doing something positive, the more they will like her and possibly even like the President more.

What was their main message?
Michelle Obama is urging restaurant owners to make their menus less fattening by taking out lipids, and by giving more healthy options like carrots and apples instead of fries.

Who was their target audience?
Restaurant owners; Parents; Children; American public; voters

What media/activity were they doing?
Press release; public speaking; campaigning

Do you think they were successful? Why or why not?
Yes. Forty percent of the restaurants in America were represented at the Nation Restaurant Association and Mrs. Obama had enough time to plead her case, Americans are eating out far more than they used to and therefore they need healthy options when they go out to eat. They heard her loud and clear and I think they will choose to add healthy options. They might do it because they genuinely want to help eliminate obesity in the rising generation or because it is popular, but either way I feel they will make a change.
I felt like Michelle’s image was boosted by disseminating this information. It made the public feel like she wants to make a difference in America.

Here is a link to the press release sent out by the White House
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2010/09/michelle_obama_pushing_restaur.html

United Breaks Guitars

In the event “United Breaks Guitars,” David Carroll flew with United Airlines from Nova Scotia to Nebraska when he saw, out of his passenger window, United’s worker carelessly tossing his Taylor guitar into the plane. Upon arrival, Carroll discovered the neck of his guitar had been broken. Carroll attempted to receive reconcile from United Airlines, but after a year of vain attempts, the aspiring country singer, David Carroll, decided to compose a piece about how United broke his guitar in which he posted on Youtube.

Unbeknownst to United, Carroll’s video, “United Breaks Guitars” received over 100,000 views within the first day. The same day United’s stock prices fell 10 percent. By the first year his song generated almost nine million hits. Within days after the release, United contacted Carroll and offered compensation for his beloved guitar. He denied the money and asked them to instead donate the money to a charity of their choice, in which they did.

This story is a perfect example of why public relations is so important. If an institution is not meeting the needs of their customers, then they have broken the mutually beneficial relationship and will quickly lose support. This story also proves how influential one person’s opinion, combined with internet, can be.

In this particular situation I feel like Carroll took the most effective approach at getting the revenge he felt he deserved. After a year of suffering, trying to be compensated for the damage done to his guitar, he felt the only way to change United’s behavior was to publicly humiliate them. Carroll received the outcome he hoped for and some. United offered to compensate him for the damage, and Taylor guitars donated two guitars for Carroll’s second and third video. The aspiring country singer was now famous. He found instant notoriety within 24 hours all because of a broken guitar.

When watching the first “United Breaks Guitars,” the lyrics mention a United representative, Mrs. Irlweg. The music video displayed a lady holding a sign saying “Mrs. Irlweg” and then holding up a sign saying “no.” This singles out Mrs. Irlweg specifically. I do not agree with Carroll choosing to use exact names in his music video.

I think Carroll under estimated the fame the video would receive, and he too realized that spotlighting Mrs. Irlweg was uncalled for. He posted a self-made personal interview on youtube two days after stating that Mrs. Irlweg was in fact a kind person. After watching the video I felt like he had made a genuine mistake in mentioning her name and was trying to make amends. I also appreciated that he informed the public of the steps United was taking to fix the problem. This showed that Carroll was not trying to completely destroy United’s reputation, but was trying to make a point in a big way. I enjoyed how Carroll kept the situation comical throughout the videos and the interview. At the end of the personal interview he said, “One day I hope to have a good laugh with her [Mrs. Irlweg] about all of this,” which I too hope will happen.

I, like everyone else, have been an airline customer and have experienced the frustration of broken luggage, and the near impossibility of receiving compensation. It makes me happy to know that someone finally made a big enough stand to hopefully change their procedures and policies.

I am frustrated at how United chose to respond to their Carroll’s problem at the beginning. If they knew they were to blame for breaking his guitar, that they should put aside policy to compensate him for his losses. I feel this should be the ethics of any company willing to do business; they have to be aware there will be mistakes they will have to account for.

I did however, feel like United handled the problem in the correct manner after the video was publicized. Once Carroll launched the song, United chose to care because Carroll’s situation because it was damaging their image in a way that was immeasurable. United was quick to offer money compensation and then did as Carroll asked and donated the money. I felt like they had good damage control. Carroll had attained so much power over public opinion that if United failed to fulfill his request their image would continue to crumble.

This has fully awakened me to the power of youtube and other sites on the Internet that have changed the dynamic of public relations completely.

Online Journalism

This week we covered the different aspects of online journalism. We learned that a website ending in .org does not guarantee that it is a reliable site. Anyone can purchase a domain name ending in .org. In order to know if a website is reliable, a person must check their ABCs: Accuracy, Authority, Biased, Content and Design. If one or more of the ABCs is not in place it is most likely not reliable.

We talked about what the difference is between blogs and websites. “Blog” is short for web log, and was first used by Matt Drudge, the founder of drudgereport.com. A blog is more user-friendly and does not require computer science to manage.

Our online readings covered “netiquette,” the proper way to use the internet, what not to say in an online conversation and

The netiquette portion emphasized that when talking to others via the Internet, remember they are human beings with feelings and emotions. Choose your wording correctly and avoid using text in all caps. Use ethics on the Internet the way you would offline. Understand the site you visit before posting or commenting. Don’t be selfish by posting unimportant things and wasting others bandwidth and time. Use proper punctuation and avoid flaming wars and swearing. The Internet offers an immense amount of knowledge, use it and share your knowledge with others. We should always remember to respect others privacy, never abuse our power and be forgiving.

Letter to Cousin Explaining PR

Public relations does not have one specific definition, but can be defined in various ways with the same static key elements within each description. As “Public Relations Writing”, by Newsom and Haynes explains, when talking about public relations, “The ingredients to look for are ethical, social responsible, trusting relationships, reliable communication, anticipation of consequences, counsel to client/organizations, and evaluator of outcomes.” PR serves both the interests of the institution for which it belongs, and the public’s interests. It focuses on internal publics and media as well as external publics and media. PR insures the communication between the institution and its publics remain open. PR disseminates key information concerning the institution, that the public would be interested in knowing, as well as stays informed on the public’s opinion of the company and relays that information back to the head of the institution.

Two-way communication is essential in public relations. This communication can be made between employer and employees, employees and customers, institution and public, institution and government and so forth. The main channel of communication is through the written word. A majority of public relations is writing. Through a newsletter, a company can communicate with their stakeholders past, current and future happenings. They can construct a press release catered specifically for each medium such as print or broadcast. The press releases must include news-worthy information or faces the risk of being rejected by the media. News-worthy information could include the releasing of a new product, a prominent person speaking at their company or even bad news concerning the company. It is the job of the public relation specialist to inform the public of the problem and, with detail, explain how they are going to fix the problem and follow up with a press release concerning their success in correcting the problem. A company can also hold a conference call with their employees where the agenda must be written prior to the call.

PR communicates with their publics through an array of media. One of the newest, most effective forms of two-way communication happens through social media. Instead of just “pushing information” to the public through the media, they “pull people into discussion.” This helps give the institution significant information from their stakeholders and helps the institution with their publicity. Along with social media, the use of traditional media is still widely used and accepted. Public Relations still values traditional forms of media including print and broadcast, each reaching specified audiences and meeting the needs of the institution as well as the needs of its stakeholders.

JCOM 2010 Media Smarts

I am a Junior majoring in Public Relations, minoring in Political Science. My email is kayla.barclay@aggiemail.usu.edu. I am apprehensive to put my phone number online so I will send that to you in an email.

I am a 5' 8 blond and more likely than not I am smiling. In 2008 I was crowned Miss Utah and in 2009 was in the Miss America Reality TV show as well as competed in Miss America in Las Vegas. I won one of four non-finalist talent awards for my piano performance and my roommate, Kate Stam, Miss Indiana, was crowned Miss America. Hobbies of mine would include piano, dance (I love to dance more than playing the piano) singing and guitar. I also help in various ways with pageants around Utah. I am currently starting my own business in public speaking and am in the works of setting up a website kaylaspeaks.com. As Miss Utah I traveled the state speaking about Internet and cell phone safety as well as being a motivational speaker. I plan to continue those public speaking efforts.

I am from Manti, UT.

My main form of entertainment, sadly to say, would probably be the radio. I am often traveling for speaking engagements, helping with pageants, or visiting family, so I always have the radio on and either listen to NPR or music. My main form of news would be on the Internet, Drudge report is my favorite, and I also like Politico's playbook.