On the plane back, I selected a variety of vertical publications.  Sure enough, from Vogue to People…. a smattering of ads with them…I am sure these are driving the art directors crazy.   Here CNN reports, I thought this would be helpful to many of my colleagues, clients and friends…. http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/mobile/03/28/qr.codes.marketing/index.html?hpt=C2

Did you know Londoners refer to "What's New" as "What's On" and "Watch Your Step" becomes "Mind the Gap" on the famous Tube (Subway in NYC)?  I say, what fun!  I learned that and more as I spent some time in London while animal health, particularly pharma, continues its rapid transitions.   Before I left  Craig Wallace was being named Ceva' … Read More

via Goodnewsforpets.com Blog

NEW YORK (January 12, 2011)- Germinder & Associates has announced Lea-Ann Germinder, APR, Fellow PRSA, president of Germinder & Associates, Inc., has been elected to the Executive Committee of the board of directors of the Public Relations Society of America, New York City Chapter (PRSA-NY).  Germinder will serve as Vice President , Membership and will continue another term as Big Apple Sponsorship Chair.  Germinder previously served as director and had served on the Greater Kansas City PRSA chapter board for ten years including as chapter president.

“I am honored that the membership elected me to continue to contribute to this prestigious group of public relations professionals. PRSA-NY is the best choice in New York City for professional development, networking and contributing to the profession.  I look forward to working with my colleagues to bring that message to new and prospective members and sponsors,” said Germinder.

Germinder has advanced the state of the public relations profession with her early advocacy for public relations professionals to embrace the Internet as an important communications channel.  Leveraging over 20 years in the channel, Germinder utilizes a blend of social media and traditional media tactics to develop successful campaigns.

Germinder’s accomplishments in creating successful campaigns and educating others regarding best public relations practices and leadership in business have resulted in several awards including the PRSA Silver Anvil Award of Excellence; the Business Marketing Association Fountain Awards; the “Enterprising Women of the Year Honoree” Award from Enterprising Women Magazine and the “Women Who Mean Business” Award from the Kauffman Foundation/Kansas City Business Journal. Germinder was inducted into the PRSA College of Fellows in 2008. 

About Germinder & Associates, Inc. & Goodnewsforpets.com

Germinder & Associates, Inc., was founded by Lea-Ann Germinder, APR, Fellow PRSA in 1998.  The firm provides strategic counsel, digital publishing content and national campaigns for niche markets.  Germinder is publisher of Goodnewsforpets.com which recently celebrated its 10^th anniversary with a $10,000 contest including donations to pet shelters nationwide. 

 About PRSA-NY

The Public Relations Society of America, New York City Chapter, is one of the founding chapters of the Public Relations Society of America, the world’s largest professional organization for public relations practitioners. Founded in 1948, PRSA-NY is the third largest PRSA local chapter in the United States. The chapter serves the interests of public relations professionals working in business and industry, counseling firms, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. Chapter board and committee members are volunteer public relations professionals who work in the New York metropolitan area.

After creating over 125 animal health initiatives (yes, I’ve counted), at first it was a tough call to figure out which campaigns to highlight.  I decided to showcase 4 campaigns that are in different “lifestages” to demonstrate what can happen when a creative message backed by research and effective partnerships is created — and given time to mature in the marketplace.

The longest campaign,  ”Pets Need Dental Care, Too!” — now in its 14th year, is sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) and Hill’s Pet Nutrition to educate veterinarians and the public about dental care for pets.  I am especially proud of the campaign for two reasons.  First, it established the dental category and is still going strong, and two, it was created and executed with an outstanding group of individuals.

The next campaign was “KNOW Heartworms” — an initiative to educate veterinarians and the public about feline heartworm disease or heartworm associated respiratory disease syndrome or (HARD).  Next came highlights of the CATalyst Council, to raise the stature of the cat.  The AVMA had just come out with some stark statistics about cats via its Pet Owner Survey and this was a good follow-up to the KNOW Heartworms campaign to educate about the cat.  Finally, I wrapped up with the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor, an initiative we were involved with early on and now have been re-engaged. 

These campaigns were/are successful because of the partnerships, the collaborations, the science and industry support to bring solid information to veterinarians and the public. 

What’s next on the horizon?  Stay tuned or email me at lgerminder@germinder.com.

ORLANDO, FL (Global Pet Expo — March 26, 2010) – The Kansas City Animal Health Corridor today announced it has entered into an agreement with Germinder & Associates, Inc. a leading pet/vet public relations firm with offices in New York and Kansas City, to provide media counsel on international, national and trade media relations. 

“Germinder & Associates is widely known as one of the best in the industry.  We are pleased to have this agreement as it will greatly enhance our interaction with the animal health trade media and reporters who cover animal health,” said Lynn Parman, vice president, Biosciences Development, Kansas City Area Development Council.

Germinder will be integrally involved in helping communicate project successes and unveiling plans for the 2010 Homecoming event, the five year anniversary of this premier event, and the 2010 Animal Health Investment Forum, the only one of its kind in the world.  

“I am pleased to not only continue our longstanding relationship with the KC Animal Health Corridor, but now contribute in a meaningful way to the conversation about all the great news about the Animal Health Corridor initiative,” said Lea-Ann Germinder, APR, Fellow PRSA, president of Germinder & Associates, Inc. 

Germinder & Associates has provided counsel to dozens of organizations and international trade groups such as Ornamental Fish International (OFI), created several initiatives in animal health including the CATalyst Council, the “Pets Need Dental Care, Too!” campaign and helped introduce hydroponically-grown aquatic plants to the U.S. pet industry.  The company is publisher of www.goodnewsforpets.com and other niche web sites.  For more information, please visit www.germinder.com.

About the Animal Health Corridor:
The KC Animal Health Corridor stretches from Manhattan, Kan., to Columbia and St. Joseph, Mo. The Corridor is home to more than 220 animal health companies, which represents the largest concentration in the world. Those companies account for one-third of both the $19 billion global animal health industry and the $5 billion U.S. market.

“I am honored to join this prestigious group of public relations professionals.  After growing up in New York and leaving it for an extended period of time, it is a wonderful opportunity to contribute to my profession here in New York City in a meaningful way,” said Germinder.

Germinder was inducted into the PRSA College of Fellows in 2008.  She has advanced the state of the public relations profession with her early and continued advocacy for public relations professionals to embrace the Internet as an important communications channel.  Today, Germinder continues to advance the notion of practicing in a niche industry through her development of traditional and social media strategies for the veterinary profession and pet product industry. 

Germinder’s accomplishments in creating successful campaigns and educating others regarding best public relations practices and leadership in business have resulted in several awards including the PRSA Silver Anvil Award of Excellence; the Business Marketing Association Fountain Awards; the “Enterprising Women of the Year Honoree” Award from Enterprising Women Magazine and the “Women Who Mean Business” Award from the Kauffman Foundation/Kansas City Business Journal. 

Germinder is a member of the PRSA New Jersey and Kansas City chapters and several PRSA sections including the International Section and Healthcare Academy. She is also a member of the Women President’s Organization (WPO), the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and the Business Marketing Association (BMA). 

About Germinder & Associates, Inc.

Germinder & Associates, Inc., is a WBENC-certified communications firm founded by Lea-Ann Germinder, APR, Fellow PRSA.  The firm provides strategic counsel, Web publishing content and national campaigns for niche markets including the veterinary profession and pet product industry.  The firm has created more than 125 programs in animal health and is publisher of http://www.goodnewsforpets.com/ and http://www.catwellness.org/.  For more information, please visit http://www.germinder.com/.   

About PRSA-NY

The Public Relations Society of America, New York City Chapter, is one of the founding chapters of the Public Relations Society of America, the world’s largest professional organization for public relations practitioners. Founded in 1948, PRSA-NY is the third largest PRSA local chapter in the United States. The chapter serves the interests of public relations professionals working in business and industry, counseling firms, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. Chapter board and committee members are volunteer public relations professionals who work in the New York metropolitan area.

                                                                                                                      ###