The Twitter Connection to Media –
“What Are You Doing?”

The third largest social network with more than five million users, Twitter has become a key tool for journalists tracking down breaking news and hot stories. Twitter is immediate and to-the point. With only 140 characters, a Tweet can tease the news and draw an audience to the in-depth story on a website or Social Media Newsroom. It should be an integral part of any media relations campaign to make the critical connection with the press as well as with consumers.

Twitterberry, a Blackberry application, provides complete access to Twitter anytime, anywhere. In fact, a reporter for the Wichita Eagle in Kansas was granted the right to Twitter proceedings during a high-profile court case in March.

Virtually every news outlet and/or journalist actively participates. Check out Twellow.com, the Yellow Pages for Twitter, to find more than 2713 pages listing links to reporters, anchors, producers and other key news contacts. Twellow organizes those five million Twitter-folks according to popular categories. Another helpful directory for connecting to reporters is the Twittering Journalist Wiki. And, currently in beta test is TweetDeck, a desktop application allowing Tweeters to group people together (friends, business associates, cat-lovers) and search across the Twittersphere by subject to monitor discussions or locate an expert.

A few more facts on Twitter:

• The breakdown of users is approx 53% female and 47% male.
• The average number of Tweets per day is an estimated 1.9 million
• Celebrities on Twitter include Lance Armstrong, Demi Moore, Shaquille O’Neal, Ellen Degeneres, Ashton Kutcher, Martha Stewart, John Cleese and many more.
• Twitter has grown from an estimated one million users to an estimated five million users in the last year.

I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences on Twitter. Send me a Tweet @jhegenderfer.

Best,

Consumers Told to “Listen to Their Clothes”

A larger-than-life clothesline in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal challenged consumers to stop and listen to their clothes. Colleen Burns, “Mom on the Run,” aired “the dirt” on bleach to launch Spray ‘n Wash® Bright & White from international consumer products leader Reckitt Benckiser. The integrated, year-long communications campaign is designed to connect the brand’s messages with moms on- and off-line.

JSH&A to Speak at Marketing 2 Women Conference in Chicago

Founder and Chief Vision Officer, Jonni Hegenderfer, and Senior Vice President, Laura Dihel, will be presenting “Can You Hear Us Now? Meeting the challenge as mass media explodes to become a mass of media online and offline” at the Marketing 2 Women Conference in the Chicago Cultural Center on April 30th at 1:30 p.m. Interested in attending? Visit www.m2w.biz and include JSH&A on your registration for a 25 percent discount.

JSH&A Tops the List for Suburban Chicago

JSH&A was recently ranked number one out of 23 suburban Chicago public relations firms in The Business Ledger’s 2009 Book of Lists. The Business Ledger is the leading provider of news and information about businesses and the economy in suburban Chicago and 2009 marks the 15th annual edition of the Book of Lists.

Jennifer Podkasik Celebrates Five Years
at JSH&A

Jennifer Podkasik, Account Supervisor, is celebrating her fifth year at JS&A Public Relations. Her work includes strategic program development, media outreach and event planning for high-profile clients including The Hershey Company. For more about Jennifer’s background and expertise, visit www.jsha.com/about-us/staff/.

Two-Year Anniversary for Colleen Lies

A graduate of Wisconsin, Colleen Lies, Account Executive, has been a key member of the JSH&A team for more than two years now, specializing in the execution of strategic public relations programs on behalf of Beam Global Spirits & Wine and The Hershey Company. To learn more about Colleen, visit www.jsha.com/about-us/staff/.

Celebration at the Beach

Celebrating our 20th anniversary this year, JSH&A is hosting a day at the beach in Grand Beach, Michigan. Save the Date! – Saturday, July 18. Details to follow.