Lou Hammond Group (LHG) announced four new clients for public relations/corporate communications, strategic planning, branding and digital marketing: Jukes Cordialities – Launched in 2019 in the U.K. by internationally acclaimed wine writer and taster Matthew Jukes and his co-founder Jack Hollihan, Jukes Cordialities is a unique category of sophisticated beverages for discerning adults, with complex flavors assembled by the olfactory and sensory expertise of a professional wine taster. Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau – Located some 20 minutes north of Uptown Charlotte, it encompasses five municipalities; the cities of Concord and Kannapolis, and towns of Harrisburg, Midland and Mt. Pleasant. Known as a hub of engaging experiences, the destination is home to premier motorsports entertainment, shopping, family-friendly attractions, outdoor adventures, historic sites, charming downtowns, and so much more. The Carlton Tower Jumeirah – Situated in the heart of Knightsbridge, one of London’s most affluent and exclusive neighborhoods, the hotel is a five-star luxury property where history and sophistication meet. Owned and operated by global luxury hospitality company Jumeriah Group, The Carlton Tower Jumeirah, previously known as Jumeirah Carlton Tower, opened at the end of July with a new name, design features and amenities after an 18-month $137 million renovation. SquareMouth – America’s fastest growing travel insurance comparison website that has helped over two million travelers find the best travel insurance policy for their trip at the lowest possible price. With decades of expertise, a multi-award-winning customer service team and industry-leading technology, SquareMouth allows travelers to save money and time by instantly comparing and purchasing a travel insurance policy from every major provider in the U.S. Lou Hammond Group is an award-winning full-service marketing communications firm representing premium brands globally. The company, founded in 1984, is headquartered in New York with offices in Atlanta, Charleston, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and Tampa. Visit www.louhammond.com. via Lou Hammond Group https://louhammond.com/2021/09/28/four-new-clients-join-lou-hammond-group-september-2021/
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A crisis is defined as a time of great danger, difficulty or confusion when problems must be solved or important decisions must be made. So how does this translate in the world of public relations and communications? From a negative review to a natural disaster to a global pandemic, a PR crisis can come in all shapes and sizes, some having a large impact or others that may slide under the radar unnoticed. Crises can happen at any turn and with little to no notice. And in today’s world, the power of social media and going viral can turn any crisis into a #PRnightmare. So how do we avoid the pitfalls of bad publicity? Having a team of PR pros on your side to protect your brand’s hard-earned reputation is an invaluable asset. Should the unthinkable ever occur, the below strategies are a few tools we utilize at Lou Hammond Group to navigate crises efficiently and successfully, no matter the size. PreparationNavigating a crisis is something that every organization should be prepared to face at some point in its operational life cycle. Developing a crisis communications plan allows you to respond quickly, efficiently and confidently. An effective plan will 1) designate a spokesperson for all media relations and to whom you will attribute media statements to 2) identify your key audiences 3) distinguish the best communication channels – whether social or traditional – to reach your target audiences and 4) inform all employees, board and team members of the above protocols so that communication efforts are streamlined. Key MessagingOnce an emergency, disaster or misstep occurs, it is important to gather all the facts in order to craft your response. Every situation varies but leading with transparency and honesty is always recommended for when a public statement is necessary. The best responses typically address the key facts – the who, what, where, when and why – as directly as possible. To put it simply, sharing what your company has done, will do or when an update should be expected without placing external blame is the hallmark of any effective response. By creating these holding statements in advance, you are setting your company up to respond to any situation promptly and confidently. DeliveryThe saying – delivery is more important than the content – rings true in crisis communications. While content informs our audiences, its delivery can cause the message to be interpreted entirely out of its intended context. With that, the importance of how you choose to share your message cannot be over emphasized. The delivery of a crisis statement can find itself taking many forms, but the first pivotal decision can be boiled down to whether you want your message shared proactively or reactively. The benefits of a proactive approach allow you to get in front of the situation. The sooner you address the issue, the sooner people move on it from it and retain their trust in your brand. On the other hand, the benefits of a reactive approach allow a company to monitor the public sentiment and avoid shining additional light on an already negative situation. The particular crisis will inform your decision on how to time sharing your company’s response. Media training for executives and spokespersons is another tool we often recommend so that messaging can be practiced, tailored and effectively delivered in those more traditional interview settings. Find Your AudienceOnce you have established what your message is and when you want to deliver it, you will need to identify who you want it to be shared with – from stakeholders and employees to customers and media. Effective and swift communication with your target audiences is critical to a successful crisis strategy – whether you are sharing the protocols internally with executive leadership, informing stakeholders on the next steps and plan of action or communicating with the media publicly. Perhaps your crisis communications strategy is to share your holding statements with a few, targeted media that are familiar and friendly with your brand. Regardless of who your audience is, your messaging should be tailored to address their specific needs. And let’s not forget about social media here. Businesses now more than ever rely on social media to communicate directly with consumers. This direct line of communication can be an asset, as well as a potential risk, and needs to be navigated thoughtfully. Having a presence on social media makes brands completely accessible to the opinions of the public, which brings us back to the importance of transparency and honesty in your key messaging. MonitorA crisis communications plan should be treated as a fluid, living strategy that can evolve with the needs of the company. This is why it is imperative to monitor public sentiment both during and well after a response is made to a crisis. Understanding various viewpoints and tracking how they evolve will only strengthen a company’s response. These viewpoints can range from the general public, a business’ customer-base, the media or even competitors. Having a firm grasp on what others are saying about your brand and its actions through the crisis will allow you to not only address but curtail further negative commentary. By critically assessing how your response was received, companies are provided the opportunity to learn and grow as for future crisis planning and better meet the needs of their stakeholders and customers. The above strategies create a solid foundation for a successful crisis communication plan. The ultimate takeaway though is to create a strategy and stick to it. Take a sincere and honest approach. Communicate with transparency and demonstrate a willingness to learn and grow from the situation. via Lou Hammond Group https://louhammond.com/2021/08/24/crafting-a-crisis-communications-plan/ Those four years of college fun fly by quicker than most of us anticipate. The end of one season of life is just the beginning of the next. For newly graduated professionals, especially those eager to start their career, a strategic approach to networking will open the door to opportunities that may have seemed beyond reach. As a recent graduate and new hire at Lou Hammond Group’s Charleston office, I know that the experience can be challenging at times. Take a look at four personal tips on how to network after college, which helped ease this transition period in my life. Don’t be afraid to use the shotgun approach.Some people graduate from college knowing exactly what they want to do and where they want to work. However, most of us (like myself!) have no idea where to start and that is okay. My advice is to cast a wide net. Candidates stand a much better chance of getting an offer when they apply for more positions. College majors are designed to equip you with a wide variety of industry-related skills, so do not be afraid to look at non-traditional roles in your desired field. Networking is your friend.Ask for help and use your connections to collect new contacts in your desired city. Professors, LinkedIn and alumni resources are extremely valuable and can help you establish meaningful connections. Your professors are a great place to start because they know you on a personal level and are more likely to keep in touch on LinkedIn regarding future opportunities. Professors tend to have wide networks themselves, so they can likely introduce you to their personal contacts in the industry of your choice. Also be sure to take advantage of your college’s alumni association, which can assist as you build your resume and keep you informed about career events in the area. This will open further opportunities for you to network and develop as a professional – even if it is just for practice. Your parents’ friends remember what it was like to be young and new to the job world, so they understand what you are going through and want to help. You never know what connections these people might have, so reaching out and asking for help could establish some important connections. Understand that not all industries have the same process for hiring.I was constantly comparing my job search to that of everyone around me when I graduated. However, what I did not realize is that every industry has different workloads, structures and hiring practices. It is important to understand the industry you want to work in so that you can set realistic expectations and avoid feeling discouraged. Be yourself.I promise it is not cliché when I say this. Interviews can be nerve wracking, so it is often hard to feel comfortable and confident. Always remember that your resume is there to reference when you are not sure what to say and come prepared to discuss situations and roles that reflect your personality and strengths the most. It is encouraged to add a little anecdote to ease the tension and allow the interviewers to get to know you better, and always be transparent with the company about your knowledge and experience. If you do not know something then be honest and tell the company that you are open, willing and excited to learn. This does not come from reciting your resume, but instead shines when you are being yourself in a way that shows you are professional and poised even when nervous. Remember: Trust the process and you will ultimately find a great fit. via Lou Hammond Group https://louhammond.com/2021/07/13/4-tips-for-post-grad-networking/ Summer festivals are back! After many events were cancelled or held virtually in 2020, many events are returning to in-person in summer 2021. See a list of summer festivals happening in some of our LHG destinations below. UNwineD, Panama City Beach, FL – June 4-5, 2021UNwineD is an award-winning culinary event held in Aaron Bessant Park, featuring craft beer, spirits and wine from around the world, culinary creations by the region’s leading chefs and a Southern garden party presented by Southern Living. Guests can raise a glass at the Friday Night Kickoff Party, a time to mix and mingle with some of the South’s most elite chefs, mixologists and tastemakers. The celebration continues Saturday with the Grand Afternoon Tasting & Cocktail Competition, followed by a live concert. For more information, visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/unwined/. Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam, Panama City Beach, FL – June 4-6, 2021The Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam brings the best of today’s country music to the beach. Previous artists include Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Kid Rock and Eric Church. As the sun begins to set, free shuttles will take guests to the headline stage at Frank Brown Park. For more information, visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/events/. FestivalSouth, Hattiesburg, MS – June 5-26, 2021Hattiesburg’s FestivalSouth is an annual, multi-week festival presenting a variety of musical and other arts-related entertainment aiming to transcend social, cultural and economic lines. Events include a live concert by Motown Downtown Revival, a music theatre mashup Broadway in the ‘Burg, an International Ballet Competition Showcase, and A Night at the Opera. FestivalSouth offers exceptional performing and visual artists enriching and engaging Hattiesburg’s vibrant cultural community. For more information, visit www.visithburg.org. Summer Light: Art by Night at Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, SC – June 9-Aug. 21, 2021Brookgreen Gardens, South Carolina’s premier botanical garden, will hold an event series allowing after-hours access to the historic gardens. Summer Light: Art by Night will feature nine lighted art installations throughout the sculpture gardens and arboretum, live music and food vendors. The event begins June 9 and continues every Wednesday through Saturday until Aug. 21. In addition to the ethereal lighted displays throughout the grounds, Brookgreen’s indoor gallery spaces will be open and a pianist will play nightly on Anna Hyatt Huntington’s baby grand piano. For more information, visit https://www.brookgreen.org/. Art Week, Marquette, MI – June 21-26, 2021The City of Marquette Arts & Culture Division is excited to present the 2021 City of Marquette Art Week. Art Week is an annual event held during the last week of June that kicks off the summer event season. Local artists, organizations and businesses are invited to come together and collaborate on a series of free arts and cultural programming for the community including concerts, workshops, performances, exhibits and more. For more information on Art Week, visit www.mqtcompass.com or https://bit.ly/2PSH0XT. The 2021 City of Maquette Art Week is supported by the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs.
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AuthorLou Hammond Group is a global public relations agency specializing in lifestyle, travel & technology with offices in New York City, Charleston, SC, Houston, TX, Miami, FL and Los Angeles, CA. Contact
Lou Hammond Group - Houston 410 Pierce Street, Ste 220 Houston, TX 77002 Phone: 713-568-6109 Email: [email protected] Website: https://louhammond.com/houston-tx/ FIND ME ONLINE
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