What can marketers and clients do when they want to spread the word about an important topic on a shoestring budget? The answer often lies in guerilla marketing, word-of-mouth and earned-media tactics. (more…)

Once upon a time, the business aviation industry worked itself into a frenzy leading up to the NBAA convention, then heaved a collective sigh of relief when the show ended. Those days are long gone. A seemingly endless succession of business aviation conferences keeps OEMs and vendors busy year-round.

This month it’s the Dubai Air Show, a biennial event that in just 22 years has grown larger than NBAA. Nearly 1,000 exhibitors will serve well over 50,000 attendees. The show runs Nov. 13-17 at Dubai’s Airport Expo. (more…)

Paul and Gail Bowen with Greteman Group's Ashley Bowen Cook at Safety Standdown 2011.

I spent my week soaking up aviation knowledge from the last man to walk on the moon and from Captain Kirk. Yes, my colleagues were jealous.

This week, I had the privilege of attending the 15^th annual Bombardier Safety Standdown. I’ve heard about the advanced safety training seminar for years from my Greteman Group colleagues and our Bombardier contacts, but this was the first time I had the opportunity to experience it. (more…)

What Christmas is to elves at the North Pole, NBAA is to Greteman Group. As the days tick off, the activity in our agency continues with a focused intensity. Deadlines that must be hit. Last-minute client requests that need to be worked in. Production files to check and check again. (more…)

Helitech opens tomorrow. And we’re going to be wishing we were on the other side of the pond. Watching the aerial demonstrations. Checking out the static displays. Talking to folks. Specifically, those who build, fly and maintain these amazing aircraft.

As it is, we’ll have to content ourselves with news reports, feedback from clients and social media. Projections call for 200 exhibitors, 35+ aircraft and more than 4,000 attendees. The site, the Imperial War Museum Duxord, is a draw all its own. The museum started life as a World War I airfield, served a pivotal role in WWII and now has one of the UK’s (and probably the world’s) finest military exhibits. The museum doesn’t celebrate war. It commemorates it. Acknowledging the sacrifices and toll paid by all. (more…)

When receiving his Living Legends Ambassador of Aviation Award, Travolta read from a favorite childhood book. On aviation, of course. Photo by John Wright

Longstanding client Bombardier Business Aircraft made an announcement today that has us dancing.

John Travolta has been named a brand ambassador for Bombardier’s Learjet, Challenger and Global jets. (more…)

2010 Miss Kansas Lauren Werhan offers her own deed suggestions in her handout above. Special thanks to Slawson Companies and NewMarket Square for helping sponsor the presentation.

Throughout the fall semester, students have taken part in programs designed to make kindness top of mind. And to put those lessons into action. Miss Kansas Lauren Werhan and I recently addressed the student body to explain Greteman Group’s Do the Deed initiative. (Miss Kansas has adopted Do the Deed as part of her platform.) The kids are about to tackle it next. Look out, world. (more…)

Don't let silence intimidate you.

Polished oratory is great, but what you say isn’t as important as how you say it. Be caring, personable and human. Smile. Don’t talk in generalities or simply say that yours is a good product or service. Say why. Tell brief, interesting personal stories. Think of pictures that communicate your story. The media must reduce complex issues into simple stories. Help them do their job. Remember, a typical TV sound bite is only nine seconds. That’s time for one complete thought. (more…)

Earned media can bring you a lot of value.
(cred RedSky1)

As the newsgathering industry realigns and re-engineers itself, PR practitioners are following suit. Integrating new digital tools. Leveraging the use of social networks. Engaging target audiences with a specificity never before possible.

Some have said that Twitter and other microblogs like it will soon put an end to the traditional press release – and PR as we know it. They may be right. Or not.When stories need to get out fast, there’s still nothing quicker for a reporter (more…)

Sheep Thrills; lots of 'em!

Ten days of sunshine, beautiful weather and a killer campaign helped bring long lines at vendors’ booths, busy buildings and a packed midway. Attendance was 354,184 — the best since 1998. Teen Disney star Selena Gomez brought thousands of young fans to the fairgrounds, which resulted in a $20,000 increase. And it was a great year for the midway overall as it experienced its highest gross sales at the Kansas State Fair this year. Yee haw!

Congratulations to our friends at the Kansas State Fair. Here’s to 2011!

What are you most looking forward to with the 2011 Kansas State Fair?