I’ve been to a ton of receptions. Political receptions, anniversary receptions and meet and greet receptions, to name a few. I’ve been to more receptions than I can remember.
I’ve been to hundreds of events. Ground-breaking events, ribbon-cutting events and inauguration events. I’ve been to weddings, and I’ve been to banquets. I’ve been to rallies, and I’ve been to meetings. I bet you have, too.
I’d be hard pressed to remember details about any of them. The majority of them have been remarkably unmemorable. So why would Saxum spend our money and our time on an open house reception for our new office in Tulsa?
Our objective for last night’s open house was simple – make it memorable.
When you put creative minds together and throw out the traditional PR playbook to solve problems, good things happen and memories are made. Sustainable solutions mean campaigns that ultimately change public perception.
Good public relations is so much broader than making introductions, securing articles in the local paper and working political connections for board positions. If you say “contribution” and I say “oversized check” or if you say “grand opening” and I say “ribbon cutting” then you’ve hired the wrong firm. The days of hiring agencies only for traditional services is coming to a close. Today’s firms must be creative, serious, transparent, measureable, responsive, resourceful, thoughtful and effective. Or we get fired.
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It’s an exciting time for Saxum Tulsa. The last few weeks have been among the most fun in my career, doing everything from hiring staff and landing the best office space in Tulsa (We love you, Brady Arts District!), to whirlwind meetings across the state, writing proposals and working with our outstanding clients.
Having worked for years with the franchisees of Thrifty Car Rental and Dollar Rent A Car, I received a strong dose of entrepreneurial spirit. But never in a million years had I dreamed I’d be part of the entrepreneurial world through helping to launch the Tulsa branch of Saxum, a creative public relations and strategic marketing firm.
Lucky for me, I’ve had great support from the Saxum troop, particularly from our newest team member, Chris Oden, formerly with the Tulsa Metro Chamber, where she served as executive director of TYPros (Tulsa Young Professionals). If Chris O. wasn’t already accomplished enough, she was recently named an “Achiever Under 40” by the Journal Record for her accomplishments as one of Oklahoma’s talented young leaders. Then she also made Oklahoma Magazine’s “40 Under 40.” The awards are stacking up on the many shelves in our new building.
We are up and running smoothly in the new Tulsa office at 200 E. Brady. Tom Wallace and his crew at Wallace Engineering are very welcoming, and we appreciate them greatly. Not to mention the added bonus of being smack-dab in the middle of a lot of exciting things happening in Tulsa.
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As nonprofits approach the end of a fiscal year and gear up to begin a new one, fundraising campaigns are top of mind. This is the time of year when capital campaigns are launched and invitations to gala events are sent to loyal supporters.
A recent study, titled The Next Generation of American Giving, cites that the majority of fundraising targets older, more mature donors, but this segment of the population is quickly shrinking. Nonprofits are going to be forced to attract a new generation of donors. Generation Y, or the Millenniums, is a growing segment of the population with more than 71 million people compared to the 41 million Generation Xers before them.
The study also reports that matures give, on average, $1,066 per year to 6.3 charities, while baby boomers give $901 per year to 5.2 charities. Generation X gives $796 on average to 4.2 charities, and Generation Y gives $341 to 3.6 charities.
So the question is, how do we persuade Generation Y to give more? Consider the following recommendations to help attract young donors:
1) Host events that appeal to younger audiences. Each year, Allied Arts hosts their “ARTini” fundraiser, an event inspired by dedicated young professionals in the Oklahoma City metro area. This year, the event raised more than $20,000 to support arts programs in central Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Saxum, a multi-dimensional creative, public relations and marketing firm, announced today it has selected Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma (BBBSOK) as the recipient of the firm’s $50,000 pro bono service grant for 2010-2011.
“Saxum is pleased to add Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma to our client roster,” said Saxum CEO Renzi Stone. “We look forward to a year-long partnership with this dynamic statewide organization, based in Tulsa. They have an important story to tell that we are excited to help share in the communities they serve.”
BBBSOK has offices in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Bartlesville, Claremore, Stillwater, Ada/Shawnee and Norman.
Step Up is a grant program that will provide BBBSOK with access to a suite of integrated public relations, marketing and creative services at Saxum that will include a combination of strategic counsel, media relations assistance and select creative services.
“We are so thrilled to have been chosen for the Saxum Step Up grant,” said Sharla Hall Owens, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma CEO. “We know that with Saxum’s expertise and guidance, the next year will be full of new opportunities to raise awareness for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma and, ultimately, positively impact the lives of thousands of children in Oklahoma.”
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As oil continues to flow from an accident that occurred in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the reputation of one of the world’s largest corporations, along with the reputation of an entire industry, are at stake.
Most companies and industries will never have to face a crisis of this magnitude; however, the BP incident of 2010 will no doubt serve as a case study for business and organization leaders and public relations practitioners for years to come.
This is just one reminder that it is critical for companies and organizations to prepare for crisis, not only from an operational and safety standpoint, but also from a communications perspective. I am sure there will be ongoing assessment of BP’s operational and communications responses.
A few early thoughts on their crisis communications-
- Safety: British Petroleum said they placed top priority on the safety of their workers, but comments from those aboard the rig are positive and negative. Lesson: The safety of your workers, neighbors and the general public must be top priority in everything you do. It’s not enough to just say it – it must be true. Also, remember your most important audience is your employees and their family members – don’t forget internal communications.
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