By Marsha Hall, Senior Counselor

More rhythm in writing

Rhythm in writing can be as pleasing to the ear as lyrics set to music. We established this in the first blog on rhythmic writing and mentioned that we can adopt the techniques of fiction writers who are often adept at creating a lilting cadence within their pages.

In this blog, we will discuss techniques to craft sentences that seem to sing. While no set formula exists for creating rhythmic writing, the guidelines that follow can help advance your skills.

Longer sentences, shorter sentences—and everything in-between. Michele Pariza in “Three Tips to Improve Your Writing Rhythm” points out that in music, a steady beat is usually an admirable quality. In writing, however, it’s a deadly obstacle that slows the reader with jerky copy.

Writing that features a distinct rhythm often includes a combination of long, short and medium length sentences that establish a tempo that encourages the audience to keep on reading. While you may employ short sentences for emphasis, you will probably want to vary sentence length and avoid sentences that become too long and boring.

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By Melissa Koski, Senior Account Executive

Have you heard about the new Tribe Social Deck?

This season, the Cleveland Indians are engaging audiences both on the field and online with their new social media deck — the Tribe Social Deck. No longer is traditional media the only group to receive an insider’s view with their own section, now citizen journalists can as well! This new seating section at Progressive Field is reserved solely for social media users to have an exclusive view of the game.

I was lucky enough to be one of the first social media folks to try out the Social Deck at the Indians Home Opener in April. I received an email a few days before the game from the Indians’ newest PR professional, Rob Campbell, which read:

“As a fellow member of the Cleveland social media community, we at the Cleveland Indians have identified you as a key player with a passion for the City of Cleveland, as well as our baseball team.  The Indians organization would like to extend to you the opportunity to attend Opening Day at Progressive Field … seated in the newly created Tribe Social Deck. The Tribe Social Deck sits atop the left field wall at Progressive Field near the base of Section 180 in the bleachers and provides not only stunning views of the action on the field, but also the opportunity to network with 9 other social media peers in your very own private section.”

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By Paul Vetter, Vice President

How to make a rugby player cry and other leadership lessons.

I was recently asked to pick which actor would best play the story of my life. I chose Neil Flynn, who plays the dad in the sitcom The Middle. We share similar parenting styles. Whenever he’s determined to impart Important Life Lessons to his kids, his solution boils down to one word — “sports!” Of course his efforts, like mine, are usually greeted with much eye-rolling and loud protests.

Even if, like my kids, you don’t think sports analogies are the answer to all life’s questions, as a PR person you’re probably interested in how to rally people to a cause. If so, I recommend checking out The Sixteenth Man. It’s a documentary about how Nelson Mandela forged national unity in South Africa in the mid-1990s.

When he became president of South Africa in 1994, Mandela faced enormous challenges in uniting a nation fractured by 50 years of apartheid. After generations of being terrorized and tortured, many black South Africans sought bloody revenge. White South Africans felt the country of their forefathers had been unjustly taken from them, and were mobilizing to re-take power by armed insurrection.

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By Liz Sidor, Account Associate

Fahlgren Mortine earns top awards for local and regional PR work.

Each year the public relations community reflects on the past year. We look back on the hard work, the late nights and the fun projects and formulate the entries for the national Silver Anvil Awards and the local PRism Awards. These awards acknowledge the best of the best in public relations, recognizing the leading minds and outstanding projects in our field. The entries are judged on the execution of research, planning, implementation and measurable results.

From the Central Ohio PRSA chapter, Fahlgren Mortine received 16 PRism awards and 15 awards of excellence on behalf of 24 clients. Longaberger’s Baskets for Bloggers, Elmer’s Glue Crew and Lifeline of Ohio’s Live On. Ride On. campaign are some of the entries that received top accolades.

In Dayton, Fahlgren Mortine submitted seven entries. Five were awarded PRisms, and one entry was given an award of merit. The Dayton office’s strengths in media relations and writing were highlighted through entries such as the launch of Crown Equipment’s C-5 forklift and support of the local taping of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

We’d like to give a special shout out to our new Rising Star, Hartley Mikus! This year, the Central Ohio PRSA chapter recognized Hartley as an individual with three or fewer years of experience who has demonstrated commitment to the public relations profession and community involvement. Hartley is our tenth Rising Star winner in the past 11 years.

We’d like to thank our great clients for their support throughout the year. We’re honored to be a part of your award-winning communications programs.

By Julie Russo, Vice President

Fahlgren Mortine earns top national PR awards.

On my “bucket list” rests one unrealistic to-do: attend a major, glamorous, Hollywood-style awards ceremony.  Unrealistic, because I’m not an actress, screenwriter or director, or even someone who gets coffee for actresses, writers or directors.  Nor do I aspire to be.

Yet it’s on the list. And that’s all about the fashion, I admit it. I want to wear a vintage Channel, or Valentino, or Armani Prive and see what everyone else is wearing up close. So glamorous.

So last night was especially thrilling—and much more meaningful and relevant.

Last night, my Emerson Network Power and Lifeline of Ohio clients, Neil and Christine Mortine and I trotted our black-tie attired selves to PRSA’s Silver Anvil Award Ceremony in New York City.

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By Marsha Hall, Senior Counselor

Newsletters: does your audience read or toss them?

That’s the decision readers make every time they receive your newsletter or Ezine. What they decide will depend largely on two factors: the newsletter’s content and the quality of the writing.

Actually, there is no single or “right” way to write a newsletter or Ezine. Content and style will be determined by the communication piece’s audience and its purpose.

The newsletter you compile for a local hospital to encourage employee retention and boost morale may be light, chatty and personal. The newsletter that updates customers and potential customers about new high-tech products and services will likely be more serious and may have an educational tone.

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By Katie Riehl, Former Fahlgren Mortine Intern

Advice for the next leg of your career.

What do you want to be when you grow up? This question still stumps me. Although I have a good idea, it is difficult not to wonder if I truly know what I want to do for the rest of my life. But then again, who does?

As I near the end of my internship at Fahlgren Mortine, I can’t help but think of my career path as a series of connecting flights that will take me to my ultimate destination.  My upcoming summer internship at Southwest Airlines may have encouraged this analogy, but I would like to use it as a way to offer some insight into my approach to becoming what I want to be when I grow up.

My experience at Fahlgren Mortine has exceeded my expectations, allowing me to grow not only professionally, but personally as well. Although I am only a college junior, here is my advice for approaching the next step in your career, whatever it may be.

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By Marsha Hall, Senior Counselor

Add a dash of flavor.

If you like to cook, you have probably followed recipes that include a dash of salt, pepper or another ingredient. While adding a dash of a salt can spice up a culinary creation, using a dash in your copy—when appropriate—can add flavor to your writing.

The dash as a grammatical element, however, can be tricky and is often misused and even overused. Following the guidelines below will help you decide whether a dash is right for your sentence.

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By Jenny Fuerst, Director, Corporate Communications

Addition of veteran communicators broadens expertise

As part of its expanded commitment to meeting the needs of clients interacting with all levels of government, Fahlgren Mortine is increasing its public affairs staff as well as continuing to broaden the scope of its full-service offering.

“The interaction between the public and private sectors is growing more and more complex, and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively has never been greater, ” said Neil Mortine, CEO of Fahlgren, Inc. and president of Fahlgren Mortine. “The additions and changes we are making position us as the leading agency in Ohio in helping public and private organizations work together.”

For more details, please view the complete news release.

photo credit: Manicosity

By Marsha Hall, Senior Counselor

The do’s and don’ts to successfully work at home. 

The river valley that stretches beyond my office window extends nearly 15 miles. I gaze across emerald hillsides dotted with picturesque and even historic farmsteads. Contented cattle and grazing horses replace the more traditional views of brick buildings and busy highways. When I open my window, I hear the growl of a tractor or the bray of mule. 

As a public relations professional working from home, do my pastoral surroundings inspire? Certainly! Do they distract? Only if I let them. 

I have had the privilege of working from home during much of my 34-year career. Over the years, I have compiled several do’s and don’ts that can help ensure a productive environment. 

• Do set aside designated space. My office is located in the bonus room above our garage. When I enter this space, I am officially on the clock. Even my four canine coworkers understand that they are not allowed to disturb me when I sit at my desk.

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