It’s just after midnight, early Friday morning, and Chip and I are in Lumberton, N.C. for a day-long strategy and planning meeting with our new SOAR Communications client: The Tour of America.
We helped TTOA with its initial press conference and publicity efforts back in September at Interbike, and we’ve now been awarded a contract to handle all of the PR efforts for The Tour of America.
We distributed a news release yesterday announcing plans for a new, shortened race route (21 days, approximately 2,200 miles) for The Tour of America. A copy of the release can be found here at Bicycle.net, while some of the media outlets that have picked up the story include VeloNews, BikeRadar, CyclingNews.com, the Orlando Sentinel and Cincinnati Enquirer, among others.
Although there’s much to be done between now and September 2008 (the planned launch for the inaugural race), we’re excited to be on board and help move The Tour of America forward.
Media now have easier access to suggested retail prices, product images (low and high res) and spec sheets for Scott USA merchandise as a result of a newly launched marketing/press only Web site and portal.
Scott USA marketing team members say they hope the site will help on-deadline media get a logo or product fact quickly without having to rely on a member of the marketing team. (See today’s BRAIN article)
From my perspective, this Web site is yet another example of bike industry leaders showing the importance of using the Internet to better communicate with media and how better business practices can improve the industry’s environmental impact, one company at a time.
A few years ago, the Interbike Expo announced its Green Steps program. The program offsets energy used to operate the show by purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (REC), recycling aisle and booth carpeting and increasing electronic communication with exhibitors, attendees and media.
New this year, Interbike provided downloadable press kits of more than 40 participating exhibitors for the media to cut down on the amount paper used in the press room.
My hat goes off to these two companies who know how to work with the media and protect the environment as well!
I’ve been putting off writing something for our blog for a couple of reasons. One, life here at SOAR has been incredibly busy. Our biggest client, Interbike, is having their annual bicycle tradeshow in Las Vegas in 4 days and we have spent the last couple of months ramping up for that. The other reason is, I’m new to blogging, and I wasn’t sure I had anything interesting or significant to post. Now I do.
I’m bummed. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency found Landis guilty of doping (see AP story here). I haven’t ridden regularly in a while, but I’m still an avid fan of cycling and racing. My wife and I cheered loudly at the TV during Stage 17 of the 2006 Tour, only to stare silently again later while learning that Landis was accused of doping.
I’m not even going to pretend to understand the facts surrounding the case and spout my opinion here in this post. I’m just bummed for Landis, racers in general and for recreational cyclists and potential recreational cyclists who might think twice about participating in a tainted activity.
The news about Landis will make for an interesting next few weeks, especially with the industry’s largest trade show, Interbike, and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) World Championships taking place at the same time. I’m sure everyone will be talking about the verdict and will have an opinion.
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By the way, we have filled the open job position at SOAR Communications.
Maura Lansford, formerly (and officially) an Assistant Account Executive at Politis Communications, has accepted the full-time position as an AAE at SOAR Communications.
Maura has been actively involved in supporting SOAR clients on an as-needed basis almost since joining Politis Communications. She also proved invaluable in almost single-handedly overseeing media registration for Interbike 2006.
So . . . formally, the position at SOAR Communications is now closed.
However, Politis Communications is now looking for two or more account reps. PR/journalism background preferred. Good writing skills a must.
Any ideas? Reach me via email at dpolitis (at) politis.com or by calling 801-523-3730 xt. 11.
