At a grand affair at Salt Lake City’s Grand America hotel, the Utah Student 25 announced this week its 2012 winners, representing amazing student entrepreneurs from colleges and universities across the state of Utah. In its third year, the Utah Student 25 recognizes the achievements of student entrepreneurs, the innovative companies they founded and their contribution to the Utah economy.

React Games, a digital game development company founded by BYU students, was honored as the top student-founded business in Utah. With digital swords and lasers flashing against virtual dragons and such, React founders Brad Moss, Chad Lee, and James Oldham well…reacted as expected with a very real battle cry known well by successful entrepreneurs.

The other top 25 were no less thrilled by the recognition of hard work, in many cases well into the night…after night, after night. Garrett Gee (UVEF apprentice when I was chairman of Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum) drew wild applause when his quippy remarks included the $1.7M venture capital raise in response to his rapid rise with www.Scan.me . He focused for a minute on 2 a.m. collaboration meetings with his partner. Keynote speaker, Todd Pedersen, the candid CEO and employer of 6,000+ Vivint upped the anty, mentioning his 4 a.m. bedtime the very day of the US25.  Steve Gibson, prolific social entrepreneur representing the silver generation, indicated such crazy hours were a “young man’s game.” He said at his seasoned age, he is up at night at 2, 4, & 6 a.m. This drew hearty laughter from the wall to wall crowd dressed to the nines for the evening.

List of winners.

There are many personal favorites among the winners. Five schools were represented. UVU’s Kisstixx, an honoree whose product I have personally researched and tested, drew some cat calls for their bold new look at flavored lip balm. Their success is especially satisfying as I consulted with the company when they were part of Orem’s CEDO business incubator. Kisstixx tastes great, especially when mixing  complimentary flavors with my wife! Kisstix will be featured on tonight’s entrepreneurial reality TV show Shark Tank. UVU is hosting a pre-show party and viewing of the show at the UCCU center tonight at 6 p.m. It’s open to the public.

The youthful energy, vision and hope were thick in the room as winner after winner took the stage to rousing applause. What a great evening. And, thanks Keith McCord of KSL, for your gracious emcee role. You rock!

Did I mention the food was great?

PilmerPR client Brent Brown Toyota Scion has teamed up with UVU Athletics to host the Wolverine iQ Scholarship Competition for all UVU students. This is a first-of-its-kind scholarship competition, in which UVU students design a school-themed car wrap for a Scion iQ, a sporty new fuel-efficient car geared towards the student consumer. The dealership will award the winner with a $1,000 textbook scholarship, and apply the winning design to an iQ for the university’s use!

In addition to setting up the social media campaign, we also arranged for them to introduce the contest during halftime at the last UVU Men’s Basketball home game of the season. The winning car will be unveiled on May 1st when UVU Men’s Baseball faces BYU at the Brent Brown Ballpark.

Students can download entry forms from the Brent Brown Toyota Facebook page. Entrants must post designs to the contest page no later than 11 p.m. on Mar. 25. Public voting will take place the following week on Facebook. Full rules and timelines are available on the Facebook page.

The public can also like the Facebook page to win other prizes throughout the contest.

We are proud to support clients like Brent Brown Toyota Scion which gives back generously to their community. Brent Brown has been an active supporter of Utah Valley University as part of its broader efforts to improve childhood education. In 2007, the dealership made a 10-year $1 million donation to then-UVSC in exchange for naming rights to the ballpark.

Help spread the word to any Wolverine friends or family, to help them combat the rising costs of textbooks, and join to possibly win a prize yourself!

How would you customize your dream car?

Would you be surprised if this headline was the finding from Whitney Houston’s autopsy? Thoughtful, and somber, fans have already considered it likely. This fan is not surprised, yet am saddened by the early flame-out of another brilliant Candle in the Wind. Yea…me too. I do think of Marilyn Monroe and Heath Ledger and Michael Jackson. All brilliant entertainers, all beautiful, all rich, all famous, and all very troubled.

As a Public Relations professional, I can’t help but wonder what went through her head before making a deadly decision, assuming she did end her own life. Even as her Publicity machine choreographs her funeral arrangements, you can’t ignore the proximity of time-of-death to the Grammy Awards telecast the next day. Was this some disturbed effort to make her last performance a publicity win? Was it a tragic effort to give to her colleagues and fans a gift as she is credited by some with the 50% increase to 40 million Grammy viewers?

Regardless, this is a tragedy that seems to repeat itself in the entertainment world as well as other areas of fame and fortune.  Is there something we can learn? Here are some possibilities:

• Caregivers and professional associates risk becoming accomplices when they become “yes men” instead of calling us on our addictive and bad behavior. I’ve had to make tough calls for relatives and even clients who were wandering down dangerous paths.
• Good looks, fame, fortune do not guarantee happiness. The most happy folks seem to be giving back of themselves to benefit the human race, and humanitarian work makes for good PR (ie. Angelina Jolie).  Most of us idealize and wish we were there in the limelight with more “stuff,” but reality is something quite different than ideal once we get there.
• Hollywood, and the work place, are rampant with age and weight discrimination. The entertainment “machine” is especially ruthless on aging women. Utah Business Magazine has a “40 Under 40″ business leader competition. Where’s the “40 Over 40″ competition? Ever tried to get a job past age 50 or 25% over weight?
• Celebrity worship is a dead end road. There was only One I’m aware of who lived so perfectly as to earn such veneration.

I may add to my thoughts later, but finally I would say that Whitney proved once again that  you can rise above childhood challenges to become something better. She certainly had a qualified public relations team. They and others may have tried hard to pull Whitney back from the edge. My thoughts go out to her family and loved ones as we reflect on her One Moment in Time.

Do you agree?

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source: VentureBeat

While 2011 Cleantech investment in 2011 is down from 2010, there is a BIG silver lining.

San Diego Source reports that “In terms of investments made, venture capitalists dealing in clean technology across the country were nearly as active in 2011 as they were in 2010, but the total dollar value of their investments declined around 4.5 percent, according to an Ernst & Young LLP analysis.

The analysis was based on information from Dow Jones VentureSource, and it showed that while there was a decrease from 2010 to 2011, the $4.87 billion invested in 2011 still represented a 29 percent increase from 2009.”

Why is this AWESOME news from my view? In my work on entrepreneurial boards like UVEF, CEDO, US25, as well as advising groups like BoomStartup I work closely with some of the wisest angel investors from groups like Utah Angels, etc. These investors are now much more rigorous in pre-screening startups prior to investment as compared to 2009.  It follows then that if 2011 cleantech investment is up from 2009 that there are  more and better prepared startups receiving funding.

So, things are looking up, not down, for Cleantech!

Do you agree?

For years, PilmerPR has been at the forefront of Public Relations firms counseling cleantech and other clients its Rule #1 for Corporate Responsiblity: “First Be Good, Only Then Talk About Being Good.” While companies outside the U.S. have led the way in Sustainability planning, U.S. based companies are starting to “get the memo.”

Environmental Leader reports on this trend as follows:

“Two-thirds of corporate leaders say management attention to and investment in sustainability rose from 2010 to 2011, according to a global study by MIT Sloan Management Review and The Boston Consulting Group.

In the third annual Sustainability & Innovation Global Executive Study, sponsored by SAP and Shell, two-thirds of companies also said sustainability is necessary for competitiveness, up from 55 percent a year before.

The study of over 2,800 corporate leaders found 31 percent companies saying that sustainability is contributing to their profits, while 70 percent have placed sustainability permanently on the management agenda. Among the companies investing time and money in sustainability strategy and practices, according to the report, are Duke Energy, CEMEX, BMW, UPS, HSBC, HP, Florida Ice & Farm, Campbell Soup, GE, Nike, Kimberly-Clark, Wal-Mart, and India’s Jain Irrigation.”

For strategic counsel on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) & Sustainability email us as info@pilmerpr.com

When I was fresh out of college I served as administrative assistant to an exceptional corporate CEO, Richard “Dick” Smith  of Smith Administrators in Salt Lake City.  Dick used to teach employees, “Rule #1: the customer is always right. Rule #2: when the customer is wrong, refer to rule #1.”

In every position since that time, and as the owner of my own PR firm, I strive for the highest level of customer satisfaction possible. As we round the corner to a new year, my staff and I recommit ourselves to this standard. Over the past year, I have utilized many vendors, service providers and products. Some have impressed me greatly with exceptional customer service — others, not so much. Social Media’s empowerment of the common consumer keeps savvy companies on their toes to excel at service and to monitor their online reputation. (Self-serving comment since PilmerPR offers this service.)

+Good:

Sonny Bryan’s BBQ – Yesterday, I ate at the nearly new Sonny Bryan’s BBQ in Sandy, UT. Dallas residents are familiar with this humble cornerstone of Texas BBQ. Service was fast, ribs were great! Pat’s BBQ in Sugarhouse may still lead the BBQ pack in Utah (they have live Blues bands weekly) and Good Wood may dominate Utah Valley so far, but Sonny service is great!

Brent Brown Toyota – Every car dealer I know of has had unhappy customers at one time or another. Brent Brown did something about that in 2011. They hired a new service manager, and Toyota customer surveys are now tracking near 95% happy customers. Other steps now in place increase the speed with with the dealer responds to customer feedback. PilmerPR is proud to be a part of those efforts.

EP Auto – I don’t trust auto mechanics in general. Sorry, guys! Eric and staff at EP Auto in Orem, UT are an exception. I’ve used them for a decade and see no need to change. They other day, I was prepared to spend $300 on a fix to my wife’s car. When the final bill came, that amount was $150 because we didn’t need to replace what was originally considered the faulty part.

-Not so good:

CocaCola - Last year, I found a piece of clear plastic in my bottle of Coke Zero.  (I love Coke Zero). When I tweeted about the find to test the company’s social media savvy, they tweeted back the same day. Impressive! However, it went downhill from there. Instead of saying, “Mr. Pilmer, we are so sorry for your experience. What would it take to make this right for you?” the company sent me questionnaires and phone calls crafted to mitigate their risk. This made me less happy at each step as they appeared to assume I would sue them at the drop of a hat. They ultimately sent me a letter from what appeared to be a law firm saying there was no evidence wrongdoing on their part.  Give me a break!!! (The local bottler did send a couple of coupons which I still have not used–kind of left a bad taste in my mouth.)

Gold’s Gym – For around eight years, my daily exercise 5 days/week has included cardio or core workouts at Gold’s in Orem, UT. When the gym was new, I really felt there was something special about being a member there. Not so much now. Today, the TV didn’t work on the bicycle I rode; the heart monitor didn’t work on the treadmill I used; and the jets on one side of the jacuzzi haven’t worked for a week.  And, last week there was a Health Dept warning on the jacuzzi. I’ve never seen one of those before.

Have you had a customer service experience that was exceptionally good or bad?

graphic courtesy of CommunItelligence

Last night I had a dream of consulting a prominent Utah CEO regarding a current crisis situation. Hence, it’s on my mind this morning. As we launch into a new year, we hear “year-in-review” reports of crisis after crisis endured during the past year.

Mayan Calendar

During the coming year, mark my word, we will be snowed under with doomsday speculation about the 2012 December deadline for the Mayan Calendar. Regardless of apocalyptic hyperventilation, crisis hits companies and the news daily. As a CEO, you are wise to consider the crisis ahead before it happens. The best way to mitigate bad company news is to prepare in advance. It’s the old “pay me now, or pay me later ” message or “an ounce of prevention…”

A few years ago, the Crandall Canyon Mine crisis and the company’s CEO, Robert “Bob” Murray, have riveted media viewers/readers across the country on the plight of six miners trapped underground. FlackLife, Rockford Gray, USCHO and the Moderate Voice are examples of bloggers chiming in. We all are hoping for the best and bracing for potentially tragic news for the families of the six missing miners. Much has been said regarding Mr. Murray’s handling of press relations during this crisis and perhaps when our hearts heal from this tragedy Crandall Canyon will become a case study for PR students to learn how to better plan for and handle crisis communications.

For corporate leaders in the boardroom seeking to better prepare for crisis communications, perhaps some tips would be helpful.

Create a Plan – it’s usually better to be proactive, than reactive. Before the crisis hits have a written communications plan that clearly assigns responsibility, accounts for media deadlines, and has total agreement among key management. Running a simulated crisis scenario can help work out kinks in the plan. This is especially important for companies that offer services impacting large numbers of people or that perform work that is potentially dangerous.

Appoint One Spokesperson – usually a top executive, this should be an individual who engenders trust and who has authority to speak for the company.

Communicate Quickly, Thoroughly and Frequently – from a pre-arranged location provide access to vital crisis information. Who, What, Why, How, and When should be answered as quickly as facts become available. A constant flow of information to the media will mitigate the reporters’ tendency to fill in story gaps with inaccurate information or questionable sources. Provide the chain of events, graphics, data, and independent third party experts as quickly as they become available.

Focus on People – every media interview or press conference should begin with a focus on the human component of any tragedy. Location of those impacted, services for family members, and efforts to find survivors should be covered before other subjects are discussed.

Be Accessible – Be Transparent – Stick to the Facts – members of the media have a job to do. The vast majority of reporters and editors seek to get the story right. Work with them around their deadlines and communicate often regarding the crisis. When tough questions are asked, stay cool. Be as open as possible to avoid looking guilty. Provide the facts and encourage continued dialogue to fill in gaps in the story. Focus on what is being done to help people impacted by the crisis. Avoid speculation or assigning blame, especially in the early days after a crisis. This keeps the focus on the human component and away from rushing to judgment. Credibility during crisis is a fragile thing. Avoid rejection of alternative opinions or experts which can easily backfire.

MORE Crisis Planning Resources & DOWNLOAD 5 Crisis Tips for CEOs.

Social Media a now a key component of a well crafted Public Relations strategy. FIND OUT how the following news should affect your PR plans for 2012.

“According to StatCounter‘s measurements, StumbleUpon has just surpassed Facebook and now delivers more than half of all social media referral traffic in the U.S. StumbleUpon founder and CEO Garrett Camp tweeted the news this afternoon.

Facebook achieved this goal in April of 2010, but StumbleUpon was already well on its way. At that time, StumbleUpon already gave twice as many referrals as Twitter. StumbleUpon’s user experience is fanciful and fun, but its traffic power for publishers is quite serious. While the other social networks make the headlines, StumbleUpon has been a quiet success story. In light of today’s news, it won’t be so quiet for long.”

Source: ReadWriteWeb

I have done my time as a ravving sports fan. Playing little league baseball, football in high school, you soccer moms know the drill. Demands of career and family, along with a general disenchantment with arrogant athletes and greedy owners are the reasons I use to spend less time now following sports. That said, my alma mater BYU continues to get air time around my house, in part due to my wife’s passion for BYU football. Her favorite Christmas gift seemed not to be the great work area light I bought for her sewing room, but rather the BYU Football Vault memorabilia book.  With a degree from BYU and the University of Utah, my view may tends to be more global. The U, the Y, the Jazz, and a couple of specific athletes hold my interest.

In 2010 I must admit to being “Jimmered” by the amazing team on which Jimmer Fredette was a key player. The BYU run to the Sweet 16 was, well, SWEET! So much so that I had a FREE web app created to follow Jimmer news (www.FollowMyPlayer.com ).

Now, Jimmer is making his mark as a Sacramento King and the media likes what they see (story). Jimmer’s public relations charm is not just his explosive play and long shots from the parking lot, but also who he is and how he comes across to fans and media. In direct contrast to many pro athletes, here are some character traits others could learn from:

Humility - Jimmer’s self- effacing “it was a team effort” is key to his past and future success.

Dedication - Jimmer’s commitment to family, faith, community go far beyond just dedication to sport.

Friendliness - Have you ever seen Jimmer complain in a press interview? Nope. Always a friend to all.

Happiness - Alot of folks smile, yet, I see a deep inner happy streak a mile long, and it’s infectious.

Honesty - You have not, nor will you likely every hear of Jimmer breaking the law, beating or stepping out on his wife

Substance Abuse Free – Jimmer doesn’t drink, smoke, abuse or sell drugs.

Role Model – My niece recently named her new baby boy. The name she chose was Jimmer. Corny, yes? Unlike a bad tattoo, that little boy will always be proud of his name.

What other traits do you see in Jimmer that you admire?

Go Daddy customers seem to be running for the exits based on the company stance on SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act). Bleeding thousands of customers a day, Go Daddy PR folks must be pulling their hair out over this one. They might do well to bone up on PilmerPR counsel on Crisis Communications. At first blush Go Daddy supported SOPA in public. Upon further review, they saw the downside and reversed course. Too late?

So, what do you think. SOPA bad dog or SOPA good dog?

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