2011 to Date 5/13/2011
 
Among my recent accomplishments on behalf of my clients:

Two excellent and lengthy feature articles on behalf of Ben Holtz, a fourth-generation avocado grower, which helped launch a new venture, California Avocados Direct.com The articles, one written by Tanya Mannes and appearing in the Business Section of the San Diego Union-Tribune, and the other written by Pat Maio and appearing on the North County Times Business Page, promoted the notion of having, as one headline put it, a "Guac on Every Block".

Getting the word out, via the Business Page of the San Diego Union Tribune, and the San Diego Business Journal, on the new partner and name change at the Office of Scott Peck CPA, now Peck & Schroeder, CPA, and a new firm, Patterson & Peck., CPA

A Work In Progress:
Reporter Dave Downey's excellent article on Amir's program appeared in Dave's Monday May 16th On the Road column in the North County Times: No one knows how to more effectively give back to the community than Amir Iravani, founder and president of NK Towing & Road Services. This July 4th marks the fifth anniversary of the company's Tipsy Tow Program which covers a five city North County area. Here is the press release I just serviced to local printed print media. I'm sure you will agree that this is an important service. Kudos to Amir!
New Business Parody 5/13/2011
 
I recently leaned on the talents of Irving Berlin to produce this What I Do For A Living explanation-in-song which I someday hope to warble to future clients

The tune is: Always

There are so many excellent versions of "Always". Benny Goodman's is one and the soundtrack of "Pride of the Yankees" is another. My version made its debut at the last Business Before 9 networking meeting


I'm Tom Hogarty, Public Relations
Working just for you with no vacations.
When the things you plan
Need an outside man
I will understand
Always, Always

Get your name in print, always
Also writ on walls in hallways
I'm good, I'll be frank
So don't go rob a bank
Hire me, you'll thank
Me always.

 Tom Hogarty
That's Entertainment: A PR Parody 07/28/2010
 
I write many parodies for guest speakers and colleagues at Rotary but this time I wrote one for myself. It is to the tune of " That's Entertainment" (from the MGM musical The Band Wagon and later used in MGM's 1970s compilation of its great musicals from the 30s ,40s and 50s).

A Salute to Public Relations The Tune: That’s Entertainment

I have the most wonderful job
Stand above all the rest of the mob
How to help the most ne’er do well slob?

Public Relations!

Your firm could be right on the brink
Your own mom comes and tells you: You stink!
What to do? That’s the time you should think:

Public Relations!

You stand all alone with your back to the wall.
You’re low as can be.
You got nowhere to fall.
Get up! Start running! Don’t crawl
In the worst kind of snafu
It’s me who can help you.

The spin, not the shape you are in
Helps you win friends so time to begin
I’ll treat you like the dearest of kin
If you’re up a tree Call Tom Hogarty

Public Relations!
 
 
It's a corollary to the parable of the shoemaker's family being the last to have decent footwear. Public Relations people often take a back seat at noting their own accomplishments.

Six years ago I conducted a Roundtable Forum on behalf of the Escondido Chamber of Commerce to focus on what additional programs the Chamber could institute to better serve it members. The consensus: while the Business After 5 monthly mixers were a good networking tool, members wanted a more one-on-one program. The result: Business Before 9, a morning networking breakfast. I volunteered to be the master of ceremonies. That was in November 2004.
Typically limited to a reservations-required gathering of 30 Chamber members per meeting, the event's popularity was established from the get-go. Next event is Friday Jan 22 at Romano's Macaroni Grill.  Thanks to Romano's for hosting and for the co-chair efforts of realtor Judy Jessup and insurance specialist Paul Smith--plus for the early efforts of Nick Macias.

Publicity anyone? Latest results:San Diego Business Journal's Newsmakers report on CPA Scott Peck, who recently formed his own CPA firm.

 Plus..I don't want to brag *but *take a look at the website just created for IGN Corporation. It's at  http://corp.ign.com by my son-in-law Nicholas Ryan Macias. Yeah, he's the son of the Macias mentioned above. Truly creative stuff!

Happy 2010. My New Year's Resolution as immediate past board chair of the Escondido Chamber of Commerce is to continue to be a recovering volunteer and to continue to serve my clients by keeping the focus on results instead of the process.

Tom