The Abbi Agency 2014 Media Placements
The Abbi Agency Table Of Contents
Date
Publication
Title
12/15/2014
Ragan.com
5 Tips For Writing A Perfect Press Release
12/10/2014
NCET
12/1/2014
NNBW
12/1/2014
NNBW
11/1/2014 11/1/2014 10/12/2014
Reno Magazine Reno Magazine RGJ
9/21/2014
Reno Gazette Journal
9/12/2014
KRNV
9/12/2014
KOLO
9/10/2014 9/1/2014 6/28/2014
RGJ-Online Reno Magazine RGJ-Online
6/19/2014
Nevada Business Magazine
6/15/2014 6/14/2014 6/12/2014 4/20/2014
RGJ RGJ RGJ RGJ
3/23/2014
RGJ
3/14/2014
RGJ
Top 5 Tips To Writing That Perfect Press Release The Secret To Effective Content Marketing: Make It Relevant In Her Own Words: Social-Strategy Manager Allegra Demerjian Life and Gossip Tipping Point Constance Aguilar of The Abbi Agency In One Ear: Reno Magazine Celebrates Women of Power Local Developer Spending Millions to Revitalize Midtown Demolition Project Spotlights South End of Midtown A High-Rise Welcome for Tesla Women In Power People on the Move Raymond James Reno Branch Welcomes Financial Planner Jeff Eckroth Fourth Street Shows off its Potential 'Cheesey' Shots Rile Renoites Proof Positive Biggest Little' Movement Takes Off Abbi Whitaker, Owner and President- The Abbi Agency NCET Award Winners Named
5 tips for writing a perfect press release Apply these tips to keep your next press release out of reporters' trash bins. December 15, 2015 When you write a press release, remember the dos and don'ts. They determine whether busy reporters cover your story or toss it in the trash. The top ways to catch a reporter's eye and avoid the garbage pile: 1. Appeal to your audience. Like with all writing, consider your reader. More often than not she will be a busy reporter or calendar editor whose inbox is flooded with emails. 2. Give some love to the subject line. This is the first thing your audience will see, so don't overlook it. The inverted pyramid starts with the subject line, not the email message. Strike the perfect balance of straightforward and enticing. Save the details for the meat of your release. Let the reader know why she should open your email.
Lackluster subject line: Announcing Our New Cupcake Flavor
Better subject line: Rich Buttercream Cupcakes Now Up for Grabs
3. Provide all the facts-fast. Again, your audience should be in the back of your mind throughout your writing. Your reader is in a hurry to get through endless emails, looking for a reason to weed out the unnecessary ones. Don't be unnecessary. Follow this formula: "Here is my subject matter, this is why you should care and this is additional information to make your job easier." The more well-written the press release, the more information the reporter can pull from it. This means less work, which makes any busy writer happy. 4. Minimize the fluff. Reporters don't want to wade through fluff to get to the meat of the release, so don't bombard them with cheesy, descriptive words. Too often PR pros throw out excessive adjectives that scream "overcompensation." Yes, you want to sell your story or product, but don't cross the line.
Don't write this: "These deliciously succulent pillows of sugary bliss will tantalize your taste buds."
Write this: "Our new buttercream cupcakes are rich with flavor and sure to make your day more decadent."
The first sentence oversaturates the reader. The second promotes the product, but uses real language between the sell words. 5. Stick to basic formatting.
Your press release should be stimulating and fun, but remember, you're writing professional correspondence that not only represents you and your company, but your client. Keep the format simple. Use a readable, universal font such as Cambria or Times New Roman. Use a default font size, like size 12. And use black type; it never goes out of style. Tone is important. It's OK to be enthusiastic, but don't scream every sentence! One exclamation point does the trick. Use several exclamation points when you tweet "Giants win!!!" To put it simply, you're not in middle school, writing a gossip note to your best friend. "Fun" additions such as this *~*, AlTeRnAtInG tExT and colorful headlines have no place in your press release. Now, go write that perfect press release. Laura Davis is an account coordinator at The Abbi Agency. A version of this article originally appeared on The Abbi Agency blog.
Top 5 Tips to Writing that Perfect Press Release December 10, 2014 When writing a press release, it’s important to keep in mind the do’s and don’ts. After all, they can make all the difference in whether or not that busy reporter you’re targeting narrows in on your blood and sweat or simply tosses it in the virtual trashcan. To help keep you on track, we’ve compiled the top surefire ways to catch the eye and prevent immediate deletion. Appeal to your audience. Like all forms of writing, your first step in writing the perfect press release is to keep in mind who will be reading your work. More often than not it’s a busy reporter or calendar editor who is opening their inbox to a flood of emails bidding for their time. Give some love to the subject line. This is the first thing your audience will see, so it shouldn’t be overlooked. The inverted pyramid of writing starts with the subject line on your email blast, not the email message itself. You want the to strike the perfect balance with being straightforward yet enticing. Save the extra description for the meat of your release, but let them know why they should care to open your email.
Lackluster subject: Announcing Our New Cupcake Flavor.
Better: Rich Butter Cream Cupcakes Now Up for Grabs.
Provide all the facts, fast. Again, your audience should be in the back of your head throughout the entire writing process. Your reader is likely in a hurry to get through their endless emails, and they are just looking for a reason to weed out the unnecessary—so don’t give them one. “Here is my subject matter, this is why you care, and what additional information can I provide you to make your job easier.” The more well written it is, the more they can pull from your release to their article—equaling less work for them, and that make a busy writer happy.
In One Ear: Reno Magazine celebrates women of power Johnathan L. Wright, RGJ 10:56 p.m. PDT September 21, 2014
We're back. After a few weeks of traipsing around the Pacific Northwest, we're back. While we were there, Portland, Ore., one of America's great food towns, enjoyed a week in the high 80s and low 90s. Wonderful. And then it rained without stopping for three days. Now, that's the Portland we know. Because of the weather, when you visit Portland, you always have to take several pairs of shoes. Some that are stylish to wear when it's dry (you hope) and some that just get you through the wet. Portland is a casual city, to put it charitably, and we're frequently overdressed, especially on the hispter-choked east side. But you know what? So what? We'll never think of fleece, no matter how tarted up with hi-tech embellishments, as anything other than fleece. Portland can have its fleece, thank you very much. When we're in PDX, we're putting on those suede Manolos and hitting East Burnside with pride. In the mix After the flight home in a tiny Bombardier jet with propellers and almost no overhead storage, we only had a few minutes to shower, change and head to Heritage in the Whitney Peak Hotel for Reno Magazine's party celebrating its September-October 2014 women of power issue. Our cover ladies were Nicole Gross of Whitney Peak, Abbi Whitaker of the Abbi Agency, Karen Purcell of PK Electrical, Phyllis Freyer of Renown, Isabelle Rodriguez Wilson of Nevada Women's Fund and Dr. Maria Sheehan of Truckee Meadows Community College. All the women were able to attend except for Dr. Sheehan. After a bit of a slow beginning, the party really started to swing, and our area of Heritage filled with folks. An easel with a poster-size version of the cover garnished the gathering. Annie Flanzraich, Reno Mag's editor, mingled to the max (as she should have — she was the host). Also in the mix: Seema Donahoe, Eugenia Larmore, Brian Bonnenfant, Bonnie Drinkwater, Kerry Eaton (in a striking sleeveless electric blue shift), Veronique Guyot, Katie Leao, Melissa Schoenbachler, Denise Kline, Ty Whitaker, DeAnn Vasquez, Liz Bowling and scads of other revelers reveling. We enjoyed quick chats with, inter alia, Chelsea Moore and Luke Leonard, Isha Casagrande, Jennifer Cunningham, Karen Vibe of Morgan Stanley (Got some wealth that needs managing?
Give Karen a call.), and Laura Conrow of Wedge Cheese Shop (Haven't been? Stop by now — at 16 St. Lawrence Ave.) When the party cleared, we sat down to dinner with some longtime chums. Schmoozing is swell, but so is breaking bread with old friends. Johnathan L. Wright is the food and drink editor of RGJ Media. Join him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RGJTaste or follow him on Twitter @RGJTaste.
Local developer spending millions to revitalize Midtown Published: 9/12 11:05 pm
RENO, Nev. (MyNews4.com & KRNV) -- A local developer is pumping $5 million into redeveloping Midtown. The demolition started on Friday at the Heritage Bank of Nevada to make way for a new multi-use development called The Cov. It will be an 11,500 square foot mixed-use complex, with restaurants, retail space, rooftop lofts and as many as 15 townhomes. Developer Blake Smith is also the developer of the Somersett residential community in northwest Reno. He said north Midtown is already getting bigger, and he wants the area he is developing to be the starting point for growth in the south side of Midtown.
Demolition Project Spotlights South End of Midtown Updated: Fri 8:29 PM, Sep 12, 2014
RENO, NV - The abandoned Heritage Bank makeover.
of Nevada building in Midtown is finally getting a
The new development will be called The Cov. This empty bank space will be expanded and turned into a mixed-use complex. It will be home to restaurants, retail stores and even up to 15 town homes. The $5 million project is meant to bring more people to the south end of Midtown. The demolition project started Thursday to restore the building's historic look. "Over the years they kind of put a dress or a dressing on it," said Blake Smith, The Cov'smanaging partner. "We want to bring it back to its natural look while bringing it to the 21st century also." Aiming to fit the Midtown mold, the owners want give the closed bank an entirely new look that embodies the live-work environment . "The lower floors will be 100 percent commercial. We're in talks with high end restaurants, food services, coffee services and also some retail tenants in here," Smith added.
In addition, the top floor will have four rooftop lofts with decks. The building will expand 2,500 squarefeet to create 11 to 15 townhomes. "It'll lift the bar a bit in Midtown." Businesses next door say they're just glad to get some attention in that part of Midtown. "Better than an empty building next door," said Sara Rollins of Statewide Lighting and Accents. "A lot of therenovations have been happening on the north end of midtown, but it's nice to see the south end get revamped." "The more businesses , competition if you want to call it that, is always good because it draws people to the area," said Elmer Figueroa, owner of Miguel's Mexican Food. The full project will be complete next spring.
A high-rise welcome for Tesla Bill O'Driscoll, RGJ5:46 a.m. PDT September 10, 2014
Reno developer Blake Smith added a crowning welcome to Tesla Motors atop one of his downtown properties Tuesday. "I was talking with one of my developers and said, let's just do it," said Smith, managing partner of 1 E. Liberty LLC, owner of the seven-story building at the northeast corner of Liberty and South Virginia streets. The banner, reading, "TESLA Welcome to Nevada," measures 60 feet wide, Smith said, and he hopes it will get noticed just as Tesla's announcement last week of its $5 billion, 6,500-job gigafactory east of Sparks did. "We wanted to give them a huge Nevada welcome. We want to welcome a great neighbor," Smith said. The banner went up on the eve of a special legislative session to address $1.25 billion in tax incentives that helped convince Tesla to choose Nevada over four other states vying for the gigafactory to be built in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center.
People on the Move: June 29 REN9:13 p.m. PDT June 28, 2014
• Mark Krueger of ArchCrest Commercial Partners represented the seller, City National Bank, in the sale of about three acres at Lake and Second streets in downtown Reno to Lake Street Parcel, LLC. • Sierra Technology & Consulting, an information technology and consulting firm in Reno, hired Kyle J. Kelly to add to its roster of technology consultants. Kelly brings more than eight years of experience. He previously was a lead network security analyst at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. • Northern Nevada Medical Center recently hired Margaret Dowling as manager for the hospital's surgical/rehab unit. Dowling comes to Northern Nevada Medical Center from Cabinet Peaks Medical Center in Libby, Mont., where she was director for inpatient services. Dowling has more than 30 years of nursing experience, including 15-plus years as a nurse leader. Dowling earned a bachelor's of science in nursing from Saginaw Valley State University at University Center, Mich., and her master of science in nursing from Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, Calif. in 2007. • Buckle, Inc. recently announced that Shirley Murray has been named manager of its Summit Sierra Buckle store. Murray began her career with the Buckle in 2011. She was a management trainee at the Meadowood Mall and the Killeen, Texas, Buckle stores. • J. Brin Gibson of Lionel, Sawyer & Collins was reappointed by Gov. Brian Sandoval to serve a second term as a member of Nevada's Colorado River Commission, which is responsible for acquiring, managing and protecting Nevada's water and hydroelectric power resources from the Colorado River. Gibson will serve as one of seven commissioners for another three-year term. • Dr. Kelly King has joined the practice of Dr. Dennis J. Brown. Her medical areas of interest include preventative medicine and geriatrics, but she welcomes all patients to her adult primary care practice.
• Meadows Bank is welcoming new employees. Lynne Adams joins the bank as AVP/SBA underwriter. Adams will be responsible for underwriting SBA loan requests for clients. Christina Leavitt is a part-time teller and vault teller at the Spanish Ridge location. Leavitt will be responsible for customer service. Sandra White joins the loan operations/note department as a loan document support specialist. Michelle Nunezjoins the Spanish Ridge branch as a teller. • Allstate exclusive agent Gene Gardella has been designated an Allstate Premier Agency for 2014. Designation is given to fewer than 48 percent of Allstate's nearly 10,000 agency owners across the country. • ArchCrest Commercial Partners announced that Grace Larkins has joined the team as its marketing and business coordinator. Larkins will assist the commercial leasing and sales teams with all marketing, graphics and administrative duties in addition to heading up the firm's social media and online marketing efforts. • The Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. branch in Reno announces that Jeff Eckroth is joining the local office. He has 30 years of experience. While finishing his bachelor's degree in business administration at North Dakota State University, Eckroth sold real estate and gained experience handling large assets. He then began his career as a financial adviser with IDS/American Express Financial Advisors after graduation in 1984. After moving to Reno in 1987, Eckroth continued work as a financial adviser. The local bank system linked Eckroth and Raymond James while he worked with Sierra West Bank. Since Bank of the West acquired Sierra West Bank, Eckroth has been working with clients independently with Raymond James serving as his broker dealer.
Raymond James Reno Branch Welcomes Financial Planner Jeff Eckroth JUNE 19, 2014 BY ABBI WHITAKER
Jeff Eckroth joins local team with 30 years of experience RENO, Nev. (TBD) – The Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC branch in Reno proudly announces that CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional Jeff Eckroth is joining the local office. Branch Manager Jim Marren and his team welcome Eckroth to the office. With 30 years of experience, Eckroth is sure to bring his skills to the table. While finishing his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at North Dakota State University, Eckroth sold real estate and gained experience handling large assets. He then began his career as a Financial Advisor with IDS/American Express Financial Advisors promptly after graduation in 1984. After moving to Reno in 1987, Eckroth continued work as a Financial Advisor for large wirehouse firms, local banks and independently. The local bank system linked Eckroth and Raymond James while he worked with Sierra West Bank. Since Bank of the West acquired Sierra West Bank, Eckroth has been working with clients independently with Raymond James serving as his broker dealer. “We are thrilled to have Jeff on our team,” said Jim Marren, Raymond James branch manager. “His experience and work style is exactly the type of addition we want for our team. I’m pleased to welcome Jeff to our office.” Eckroth takes a comprehensive approach to help clients achieve their financial goals within their time frame and risk tolerance. He currently manages more than $50 million in client assets and is ready to take on more. For more information visit http://www.raymondjames.com/jimmarren, call the Raymond James Reno branch at 775-321-6200, or drop by at 401 Flint Street Reno, NV 89501. About Raymond James – Jim Marren Reno Branch Jim leads all financial planning efforts and manages clients’ assets by maintaining regular contact with every client and conducting the research required to provide sound advice. Jim and his team provide sound financial advice and wealth preservation strategies through personal, proactive client
service. Jim specializes in advising small business owners and their multitude of wealth planning needs. Jim is experienced in guiding his clients through trust, probate and guardianship administration decisions. About Raymond James In 1962, Bob James set out to build a different kind of financial services firm – one that put people, planning and principles first. And now, more than 50 years later, Bob’s different kind of firm is one of the leading independent financial services companies in the United States. Raymond James has grown to become a well-respected, widely recognized multinational firm with distinct business units that serve a variety of clients, from individuals and small business owners to municipalities and major corporations.