PR Tip #345

If a public relations firm promises to get you media coverage, they're probably doing one of two things:

1. Lying (to you and/or themselves).
2. Actually selling you an ad.

Look for another firm that tells you the truth: they will put their skills, contacts and creativity to work to give you a great shot at publicity--but they cannot guarantee anything.

Shaken Not Stir Fry

or: A Quantum of Stir Fry

In keeping with the Sauce's predilection for good recipes, we present this offering, loosely inspired by James Bond (somehow).

I’ll be the first to cop to being a pretty boring cook. Unless it was toast, eggs, spaghetti or something you could put on the grill I was reliably Dr. No. However, one evening in a fit of inspiration I gave my wife a break and created this dish using ingredients we had on hand. It’s now a family favorite (at least I think it is).

The shot of vodka is really the only thing remotely tied to James Bond, but hey, it sounds cool. Tastes alright, too.

Have fun with this—you don’t need all these ingredients (you may not eat meat–hey, whatever works for you) or you may want to add some ingredients of your own. It’s really up to you. After all, you only live twice, 007.

Your License to Kill…The Ingredients:

1 medium-sized red, yellow or white onion, chopped

1 medium-sized red pepper, chopped

1 medium-sized green pepper, chopped

1 medium-sized yellow pepper, chopped

1 clove of fresh garlic, chopped

Optional: Fresh diced tomatoes, chopped

¾ cup of olive oil*

3 tbsp balsamic vinegar

* Or 1/4 cup butter

1-2 tsp crushed black pepper

1-2 tsp kosher or sea salt

14 oz. summer “rope” sausage or kielbasa, sliced

Louisiana Hot Sauce

1 shot of vodka

3 cups No Yolks egg noodles

5 cups water

From Q…The Tools:

1 medium-sized skillet

1 medium-sized pot

Strainer

Spatula

Walther PPK (Kidding…)

The Mission

1. Heat olive oil and balsamic vinegar (or if you choose, melt REAL butter—if you use margarine I don’t know you) in a medium skillet over low heat. Add onion, pepper(s), garlic (tomatoes if you choose) and sauté all over low heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Add sliced sausage or kielbasa—they should resemble little coins of flavor amidst a sea of veggies. Move the pieces around in there frequently.
3. Season with Louisiana Hot Sauce, black pepper and salt to taste, stir frequently.
4. Add 3 cups of egg noodles (or noodles of your choice) to 5 cups boiling water. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until tender.
5. Cover skillet and let cook 10 minutes—especially good when sausage starts to blacken at edges. Juice should be red and taste a little spicy. Add more olive oil and vinegar if necessary.
6. Drain noodles.
7. Try not to let the skillet contents overcook, as vegetables will become too soft.
8. Add shot of vodka just prior to serving, stir.
9. Serve vegetables, sauce and sausage over noodles in wide bowl. I prefer chopsticks, but it’s a little labor intensive. (Keep in mind, though, the chopsticks are an effective weapon in case Blofeld and his cat shows up uninvited.)
10. Serve with wine, beer, Vesper martini or any other beverage.

Enjoy and try not to let it drip on your tuxedo—Moneypenny will notice!

Originally posted at AlexanderG Whiz Blog.

Tooting Our Own Horn...and Yours

The Kansas City Business Journal did a fantastic piece on the Bernays Sauce parent company, EventPros, Inc.

Just goes to show you what a good public relations pro can do for your business--no matter what the size. If your story is compelling and you pitch it right, good things can happen!

Here's an excerpt, followed by a link to the complete story.

When you listen to the clients of EventPros Inc. talk about the company’s owners, it’s easy to envision the two men as something straight from DC Comics, the letter S emblazoned on their chest, faster than a speeding bullet and always able to save the day.

Example one: Setup was complete for KCRiverFest in the summer when a microburst hit the evening before the event. Half of the tents were destroyed, the stage lighting was blown off, and debris littered the park. The day of the event, the two men and their team were up before dawn and set everything back up in five hours, in time to open that afternoon.

Example two: The HNTB Cos. 2002 holiday party was in danger after parting ways with another event planner just two weeks before the event. The day of the party, EventPros showed up unexpectedly and unannounced, spent two hours with the group and saved the party.

“They were wonderful. They were our heroes,” said Amy Rempel, an executive assistant for Scott Smith, CEO of HNTB.

Read the rest of the story here.

Contact us today to discuss your public relations and special event needs.

Who knows? Maybe someday soon the media will publish something about your company to toot about!

KCRiverFest Promotional Video 2008

A successful event produced by our firm, EventPros. Check it out!



This great July 4th event returns next year. For sponsorship opportunities, contact us here.

KCRiverFest 2008 Success Nets Three-Year Commitment for EventPros

Just tooting our own horn a bit...--Editor


(KANSAS CITY)—Production management of the next three KCRiverFests has been awarded to EventPros, a leading Kansas City event planning, production and communications firm.

“As producers of KCRiverFest 2008, EventPros cut costs, negotiated contracts with vendors and initiated a very successful media plan. They worked with Friends of the River –Kansas City to successfully reinvigorate the festival—putting it on a firm footing to continue for years to come.” said Chris Gutierrez, KCRiverFest Chairman. “We are very excited about the prospect of working with EventPros to make each succeeding KCRiverFest bigger and better.”

“EventPros is honored to accept this unprecedented offer from Friends of the River,” said Bill Svoboda and John Short, owners of EventPros. “It’s gratifying that our work has been embraced by this great organization. We are very proud to be their partner in making KCRiverFest not only the Fourth of July destination of choice, but ultimately the premier annual festival in Kansas City.”

This year’s KCRiverfest attracted more than 35,000 visitors July 3 and 4 to Richard L. Berkley Riverfront Park. It featured local bands, entertainers, food and a variety of exhibit booths. The festival culminated in an 18-minute high altitude fireworks display broadcast live by presenting sponsor KCTV 5. More information is available at www.KCRiverFest.com. Information about next year’s event will be added to the site soon.

“Under the direction of Festival Chairman Chris Gutierrez, the EventPros team is already developing some exciting ideas that will make 2009’s Fourth of July more memorable for the entire community,” Svoboda added. “The Port Authority of Kansas City has made Berkley Park into a fantastic community resource, and KCRiverFest is a great way to show it off. The sky’s the limit for our next festival.”

Founded in 2001, EventPros, Inc. specializes in all facets of event planning and production of any size and budget, including large-scale community festivals. The firm recently introduced extensive public relations, marketing and communications consulting services tailored for midsized to small businesses and organizations. EventPros also performs functions for events, conferences and parties including theme development, food and beverage design, transportation and tours, talent sourcing and on-site event management. Visit http://www.eventprosinc.com or call 816.960.3400 for more information.