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Many organizations won’t have a choice but to go from good to great in 2008. With the economy slipping and signs we’re likely in a recession, revenues may be stabilizing, or on the decline for many businesses. The net result is leadership will be forced to evolve in order to reverse that trend and hit target growth goals.
While reversing that trend may be challenging, there are some simple ways to proactively move organizations in the right direction to bolster the bottom line. From where I sit, developing and executing on a robust communications plan is one such clutch component.
For more details on how PR and Marketing can bolster your 2008 bottom line, call or email us for a meeting at 301-581-7298 or laurav@vepublicrelations.com. We will help you go from “good to great in 2008” by being your strategic communications partner!
- Laura Van Eperen
 The VE PR team is honored to announce that the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) granted certification to our firm in January 2008. As the most widely recognized and respected certification in the U.S. for women's business enterprises, this coveted WBENC “stamp of approval” assures our partners looking to meet set-aside requirements for working with women-owned businesses that we are indeed business is effectively managed and woman-owned.
VE PR is proud to announce that the firm has been selected to represent the Baltimore/Washington region’s largest healthcare organization and community-based network of eight hospitals and other healthcare services. Among the projects we are assisting with include educating community members about expanded patient services at a Montgomery County hospital and announcing the organization’s second-ever CEO.
Despite cold temperatures, the VE PR team has cozied up in a new office located in Bethesda, Md. The space, which became our home last fall, enables us to continue to provide high-quality customized communications that achieve renowned results on behalf of our clients. It also will enable the firm to grow as we expand our services. The VE PR office is located in the Bedford Building at 6500 Rock Spring Drive, Suite 400, Bethesda, MD 20817.
Celebrating her seventh month with VE PR since graduating from the University of Maryland in May 2007, Allie Gebhardt has been promoted from account coordinator to account executive. With a knack for writing and proven success with media relations, Allie will take on a more managerial function with client work in the new role. Congratulations Allie!
VE PR is also pleased to announce we have named Jacque Barlow as our new Marketing Director. Jacque’s public relations and marketing experience includes working with several nonprofit organizations such as Juvenile Diabetes Association, Tourette Syndrome Association and the Alzheimer’s Association. She has had success raising funds for continued research by creating public awareness campaigns and coordinating special events for these organizations. Due to her efforts, Alzheimer’s patients are now eligible for security bracelets as tracking devices known as Project Lifesaver.
Barlow also has extensive experience promoting retail stores. In much of her retail marketing experience, Barlow has paired up retail stores with non-profits such as MADD and Big Brothers to create winning strategies for all involved.
Welcome Jacque!
We are also proud to share that Jennifer Strohm has been named the 2008 newsletter editor for the Public Relations Society of American National Capital Chapter.
The Public Relations Society of America is the country's largest professional organization of public relations practitioners with more than 19,000 members nationwide. PRSA offers members many professional development opportunities, national awards programs, and leadership and networking opportunities. The National Capital Chapter is one of the strongest chapters in the country.
 SUDSING UP FOR GOLDENS… Jen donated her time to help GRREAT (Golden Retriever Rescue Education and Training) promote and implement a successful ‘Dog Wash’ fundraiser in September. Along with washing canines, which raised more than $1500 for GRREAT, Jen helped create awareness about the organization with media outreach. As a result, GRREAT was featured in a photo essay in the Washington Post- Fairfax Extra. One of the photos was selected for a world-wide ‘The Day in Review’ photo section on www.washingtonpost.com. Jen has assisted the organization with a variety other projects and fundraisers and in January 2008, she was named to the nonprofit organization’s board of directors.
 Join us at the annual Women In Business Luncheon on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at the Bethesda Marriott and Conference Center. This signature event will feature networking opportunities as well as the chance to congratulate the winners of Rockville Economic Development, Inc.’s Fifth Annual StartRight! Women’s Business Plan Competition. Visit www.rockvilleredi.org for more information.
(left to right) Laura Van Eperen joined Edward Papazian of Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., Timothy Dugan of Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, and Timothy Quinn of Rodgers Consulting, as faculty panelists in a recent program on how to successfully navigate the complex world of development in Maryland in October. The next in the series of seminars will focus on Plat and Subdivision Law on March 18.
March 18, 2008 – Plat and Subdivision Law. VE PR will present on how to utilize the court of public opinion to gain project support for development in Maryland. Click here for more information or to register.
April 1, 2008 – 2008 Women-In-Business Event and StartRight! Business Plan Competition Awards Ceremony. Click here for more information or to register.
Raise awareness about your organization, business, product, or issue by getting involved in social media. Consider starting a blog (www.blogger.com) if you can dedicate once per week or more to updating it. Or join the dialogue by commenting or responding to online discussions related to your interests.
Social media offers numerous new communications and marketing opportunities, and the earlier an organization becomes educated about this phenomenon, the sooner it can reap the benefits.
For more communications tips, contact Laura Van Eperen at 301.926.3394 or laurav@vepublicrelations.com.
“Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.” – Rollo May
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New Bethesda Office Location
Strohm Named PRSA-NCC Newsletter Editor
Navigating The Development Process
