FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Jacksonville Business Journal honors Hunter & Associates P.A. with Diversity Award

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Business Journal has given Hunter & Associates P.A. a 2010 Diversity Award for its work as a Professional Service Provider  for minority-owned businesses in Northeast Florida.

Hunter & Associates was one of eight award winners and the only its category. Hunter & Associates provides accounting, business development and consulting services to small- and medium-sized businesses.

Hunter & Associates was honored for helping clients get certified as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, thereby generating business opportunities. The firm has extensive experience in auditing firms that work with government agencies, which often seek DBEs as contractors and consultants.

In a profile of the firm in the Aug. 6-12 issue of The Business Journal, client Nina Sickler, president of Landmark Engineering Inc., stated that the financial audit that Hunter & Associates conducted of her transportation-engineering company helped it earn a DBE certification with the Florida Department of Transportation. Sickler also stated that the firm helped her evaluate tax issues and manage expenses.

Because it works with numerous small businesses and DBEs, Hunter & Associates conducts many audits for the FDOT and often provides financial management training for the department’s contractors. Hunter & Associates also has contracted with the U.S. General Services Administration to provide accounting and development services to agencies and companies that work with them across the country.

“Government agencies and the contractors that work with them are focused on ways to maximize their time and minimize their expenses,” said Lewis Hunter, president of Hunter & Associates. “We help them find ways to do both.”

About Hunter & Associates P.A.

Based in Jacksonville, Fla., Hunter & Associates provides accounting, business development and consulting services to small- and medium-sized businesses. The firm also assists government agencies and contractors. Hunter & Associates provides accounting and development services to government agencies through a contract with the U.S. General Services Administration.

As a member of the international RAN ONE network of Certified Public Accountants, Hunter & Associates has invested heavily in specialized training and tools.

Additionally, Hunter & Associates Principal Lewis Hunter is a partner in international consulting firm ROCG, which specializes in assisting entrepreneurs with business transitions.

Contact:

Lewis Hunter

Hunter & Associates P.A.

Phone: (904) 731-9222

E-mail: lhunter@huntercpa.com

###

August 5, 2010

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Baymeadows Vision Center has launched the North Florida Corneal Rehabilitation Center to help patients with distorted corneas find alternatives to invasive surgical procedures.

North Florida Corneal Rehabilitation Center is the region’s only facility dedicated to treating damaged corneas with specialized contact lenses that are effective and comfortable. Read the full release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                       

8/2/10

Hire Methods Inc. Named to Top 100
 Best Companies To Work For in Florida

 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Aug. 2, 2010) — Hire Methods Inc. has been named one of Florida’s Best Companies To Work For.

The second annual statewide Best Companies list is available in the August issue of Florida Trend and on FloridaTrend.com. A provider of health care, information technology and professional staffing, Hire Methods has made the list two years in a row.

“Hire Methods Professional Staffing was founded with strong principles that put employees, candidates, and clients first,” Co-founder Clint Drawdy said. “We work diligently every day to make Hire Methods a great place to work for both our internal staff and our temporaries.”

The Best Companies To Work For in Florida program was created by Florida Trend and Best Companies Group and endorsed by the HR Florida State Council.

One-hundred companies were recognized this year, in small, medium and large company categories. Hire Methods ranked 17^th among the Best Small Companies (15 to 49 employees).

 “Companies that retain the best employees with strong workplace programs are frequently the very same companies that serve their clients exceptionally well,” says Florida Trend Publisher Andrew Corty.

To be considered for participation, companies or government entities had to employ at least 15 workers in Florida and be at least a year old. Each company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophies and systems were evaluated. Employee satisfaction also was measured, through a survey. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking.

Best Companies Group managed the overall registration, survey and analysis process and determined the final rankings. Companies were not required to pay to participate.

“The surveys show that while employees like ‘bells and whistles’ types of benefits, the companies that make the list all are very good at the basics — especially at communicating with their employees and offering training and opportunities to work creatively. This year’s stories are a great how-to guide for companies looking to improve,” says Mark Howard, executive editor.

For a complete list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in Florida, go to www.FloridaTrend.com/BestCompanies.

Contact:

Hire Methods                                                                          Florida Trend

Clint Drawdy, Co-founder                                                     Mark Howard, Executive Editor

cdrawdy@hiremethods.com                                                    mhoward@floridatrend.com

904-398-4133                                                                          727-892-2644

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 30, 2010

Study seeks secrets to successful nursing homes

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Predictive Results has launched a pioneering project that could improve the quality of nursing homes across the state, and perhaps nationwide.

Predictive Results and the Florida Health Care Association launched July 1 a comprehensive e-mail survey of the administrators of the state’s 625 nursing homes.

The survey identifies administrators’ leadership styles through a behavioral assessment tool that has reduced turnover and improved performance at nursing homes across the country. A New England nursing home chain has reduced its turnover rate to 42 percent, less than half of the industry range of 85 percent to 112 percent, by using the behavior assessment tool that is the basis for the FHCA survey.

Researchers from Eastern Kentucky University and Predictive Results will review the results of the FHCA survey for statistical evidence that establishes correlations between an administrator’s level of patience, for example, and the ratings that their nursing home receives under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Five-Star Quality Rating System. The goal is to learn how leadership styles and staffing decisions affect ratings and patient care.

“We don’t come into this with any preconceived ideas,” Predictive Results President Steve Waterhouse said.

The survey runs through Aug. 31. Results should be available by mid-September.

The Florida survey is intended as a pilot program. Similar projects may be launched throughout the country by early 2011, through Predictive Results’ parent organization, PI Worldwide®.

The survey is based upon the Predictive Index®, a scientifically validated behavioral assessment tool that has been used in organizational settings for more than 50 years. Nursing homes and other health care facilities use the Predictive Index® to ensure that employees are placed in the appropriate positions.

For more information on Predictive Results and the Predictive Index®, contact Steve Waterhouse at (904) 269-2299 or steve@predictiveresults.com.

About Predictive Results

Based in Jacksonville, Fla., Predictive Results’ major markets also include Tampa Bay, Orlando and Miami. The company helps businesses improve their bottom lines by addressing their most valuable resource: their people. Predictive Results’ services include the Predictive Index® and the Predictive Leadership Series™.

Students across the country could benefit from Terry Bartow’s near tragedy. Stricken by a stroke two years ago, and first treated at Crucial Care, the Headmaster at Jacksonville Country Day School now wants to serve the healthiest lunch program in America, creating a model that could be replicated nationally.

Already an avowed nutrition and fitness advocate before his stroke, at age 54, Bartow partially attributes the speed and scope of his recovery to being in good physical condition. He has since taken it to an even higher level, personally and professionally.

He has lost 35 pounds by refining his diet further. In addition to consuming shelves worth of books on cooking and eating healthy foods, he has researched graduate programs on nutrition, with the intent of beginning studies as soon as this fall. 

He has already applied many of the lessons that he has learned, by improving the nutritional value of the meals at Jacksonville Country Day School. Adding a fresh salad bar, and homemade soups and breads are just a few examples of how Bartow has enhanced the diets of his students.

“If you want children to begin to understand the importance of a healthy meal, the best place to do that is at school, where they teach you the right things,” Bartow says.

Learn more at Crucial Care and Jacksonville Country Day School.

Taco Bell donates $30,000 of improvements to Greater Jacksonville Area USO Mayport Center

Jacksonville, Fla., April 22, 2010: Taco Bell franchisee Southeast QSR Inc., has donated a remodeled communications room and children’s play area to the Greater Jacksonville Area USO on behalf of the Armed Forces Families Foundation (AFFF) to upgrade the USO Mayport Center.  The total donation, including construction and new equipment, was $30,000.

The improved communications room will allow military families to see their loved ones overseas as they speak to them through an online connection.  Renovations include privacy cubicles around all computer stations, 12 new Dell computers with Skype telecommunications technology (nine for the communications room and three for USO staff), and nine Logitech Web cams. 

“This will make a huge impact on families, especially the children, here,” Mayport USO Center Director Ed Champagne said.  “It’s one thing to talk to someone over the phone, but to be able to see your loved one who is 8,000 miles away is phenomenal.” 

The children’s play area will receive new carpeting, a baby changing table, toys and books, a fresh coat of paint and an improved heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.    

“The new children’s room will allow parents the freedom to talk during play groups,” said Helen Williams, New Parent Support Specialist for the Fleet & Family Support Center.  “They need to connect with other parents in the same situation while their children are kept busy playing.” 

Area residents can donate new toys, games and books for the children’s play area, during a collection at participating Taco Bell restaurants in Jacksonville, from Monday, April 26 through Friday, April 30.  Taco Bell will provide donors a coupon redeemable for a free Seasoned Beef Taco while supplies last. 

The completed project will be presented at 3 p.m., May 3 at the USO Mayport Center.  At the event, Taco Bell will host a catered lunch and announce the renovations that have been made to the military families in attendance.

At 3:15 p.m., a virtual ribbon cutting will take place in the communications room.  Delina Eden will connect with her son, Sgt. Marshall Tostie, in Iraq via the new Web cams and computers with Skype. 

“I’m so excited,” Eden said.  “I’ve come here for three years to talk to my son and husband during deployments, and now I will be able to see their faces.  I plan to use these computers a lot more now.”

The improvements were funded through a Freedom Bells fundraiser in November, in which Taco Bell sold paper bell icons for $1 with all proceeds going to the AFFF.  More than $60,000 was raised at Taco Bell restaurants in Mobile, Ala.; Augusta and Southeast, Ga.; and Pensacola and Jacksonville, Fla.; to benefit military families in each area.

The AFFF is a nonprofit organization focused on improving the lives of service members and their families.  One hundred percent of all donations go to benefit the well-being and support of troops and their families. 

“With the help of Taco Bell volunteers and the many loyal patrons who gave donations during our fundraiser, we are able to give families at Mayport a better experience when communicating with loved ones overseas,” said Thaddeus Foster, Chief Operations Officer for Southeast QSR, a Taco Bell franchisee.  “Next, we plan to implement similar projects in areas of need at military bases in Augusta and Mobile.”

The AFFF asks the public to suggest projects in Augusta and Mobile, or to give feedback. Visit www.facebook.com/armedforcesfamilies.

For more information:

Southeast QSR: http://www.theborder.com/BA/pledge.asp

Armed Forces Families Foundation: http://www.armedforcesfamilies.org/

USO Jacksonville: http://www.usojax.org

Media Contact:

Julianne Shasteen
(904) 343-0211
jshasteen@creatwoodpr.com

Taco Bell Contact:

Thaddeus Foster
Chief Operations Officer/Franchisee, Southeast QSR
(904) 543-1838
Thaddeus@theborder.com

###

Taco Bell volunteers will work on Mayport USO Center renovations Monday, April 26

Jacksonville, Fla., April 22, 2010: Taco Bell franchisee Southeast QSR Inc., has donated a remodeled communications room and children’s play area to the Mayport USO Center on behalf of the Armed Forces Families Foundation (AFFF).  The total donation, including construction and new equipment, was approximately $30,000.  The funding for these projects was raised during a November fundraiser at Taco Bell restaurants.

From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, April 26, Taco Bell volunteers donning t-shirts to support the AFFF will work on the renovations.  The renovations include new computers with Skype capabilities and Web cams in the communications room so military families can better communicate with loved ones overseas.  The children’s play area will receive a new batch of toys and books, an HVAC heating and air conditioning system, carpeting, a flat screen TV, and a fresh coat of paint.

Renovations are set to be complete by Monday, May 3.  Media are welcome to stop by the USO Center any time Monday, April 26 to see the volunteers at work and to capture images of the improvements local military families have to look forward to.

Mayport USO Welcome Center
2560 Mayport Road
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
(904) 246-3481
www.jaxuso.org

Media Contact:

Julianne Shasteen
(904) 343-0211
jshasteen@creatwoodpr.com

###

Taco Bell donates improved communications center and play area to military base in need
Taco Bell asks for public opinion for similar projects on Augusta and Mobile bases

Augusta, Ga., April 20, 2010: Southeast QSR, a Taco Bell franchise, is using the proceeds from a November fundraiser to remodel the USO family communications center near Mayport naval base in Jacksonville, Fla., on behalf of the Armed Forces Families Foundation (AFFF). 

This project will install privacy cubicles around all computer stations, replace used computers with 12 newer model Dell computers (9 for the communications room and 3 for USO staff), and install 9 Logitech Web cams.  This will allow military families to better communicate with their loved ones while they are deployed.

In addition, the children’s play area in the same facility will receive new carpeting, a baby changing table, new toys and books, as well as improved HVAC air conditioning and a fresh coat of paint. 

“With the help of Taco Bell volunteers and the many loyal patrons who gave donations during our fundraiser, we are able to give families at Mayport a better experience when communicating with loved ones overseas,” said Thaddeus Foster, chief operations officer for Southeast QSR, a Taco Bell franchise.  “Next, we plan to implement similar projects in areas of need on military bases in Augusta and Mobile.”

The Armed Forces Families Foundation would like to ask the public to help identify areas of need for military families on or near bases in Augusta, Ga. and Mobile, Ala.  To give feedback, visit www.facebook.com/armedforcesfamilies and leave your opinions on the wall. 

The initial fundraiser for these projects, which lasted from Nov. 11 through 24, 2009, raised more than $60,000 at Taco Bell restaurants in Mobile, Ala., Augusta and Southeast, Ga., and Pensacola and Jacksonville, Fla. to benefit military families in each area.

The coordinated efforts of Southeast QSR partners, the Armed Forces Families Foundation (AFFF) and USO Jacksonville have made these projects possible.  “This will make a huge impact on families, especially the children, here,” said Ed Champagne, Mayport USO Center Director.  “It’s one thing to talk to someone over the phone, but to be able to see your loved one who is 8,000 miles away is phenomenal.” 

The grand opening for the improved Mayport family communications center and children’s play area is scheduled for May 3, 2010.  Plans for upcoming projects in Augusta, Ga. and Mobile, Ala. will begin shortly after.         

“The new children’s play area will allow parents the freedom to talk during play groups,” said Helen Williams, New Parent Support Specialist for the Fleet & Family Support Center.  “They need to connect with other parents in the same situation while their children are kept busy playing.” 

Southeast QSR Contact:

Thaddeus Foster
Chief Operations Officer/Franchisee, Southeast QSR
(904) 543-1838
Thaddeus@theborder.com

Southeast QSR: http://www.theborder.com/BA/pledge.asp

Armed Forces Families Foundation: http://www.armedforcesfamilies.org/

USO Jacksonville: http://affiliates.uso.org/Jacksonvilleflorida/

###

Newly combined services bolster brands for companies

Jacksonville, Fla., April 8, 2010: Businesses and organizations can boost brand awareness through a new partnership between Creatwood Communications and Doohickey Creative.

Brand Builder packages are ideal for start-up companies that want to make strong first impressions, as well as established businesses that want to refresh or extend their brands.

By pooling public relations and creative design services, Creatwood and Doohickey give clients fresh images and new exposure to potential customers. Services are offered at flat-rate prices, quoted up front.

“Clients deserve clear expectations,” Creatwood President Jim Molis said. “With Doohickey, we have collectively priced our services based upon the results expected and value delivered.”

Clients can customize packages based upon their budget. With extensive experience in design, marketing and public relations Doohickey and Creatwood have executed projects of varying complexities, for companies with a range of sizes and industries.

Branding is always relevant, Doohickey Owner Dan Burgos said. “When marketing is done right, there’s a real connection made between your brand and your customers.”

All Brand Builder packages include:

• Logo
• Business cards
• Web site
• Letterhead
• Promotional Flier (8.5” x 11”, front and back)

Additional services available include:

• Stationery packages
• PowerPoint templates
• Press releases
• Social media assistance
• Blog administration
• E-mail newsletters
• Brochures
• Package design
• Tradeshow booths
• Print ads
• Direct mail
• TV/radio ads

For more information on the Brand Builder packages and samples, visit www.CreatwoodPR.com and www.DoohickeyCreative.com.

About Creatwood Communications

Creatwood Communications is a public relations firm that builds demand for products and services through compelling storytelling. Founded in 2008, it is based in Ponte Vedra, FL. For more information, visit www.CreatWoodPR.com.

About Doohickey Creative

Anything big agencies do, Doohickey Creative can do too – and we’ll save you money. We have the talented professionals who craft words and images into meaningful messages.

We build the kinds of Web sites that create a buzz. We design logos, ads and brochures that get noticed. We also produce broadcast, audio and video that move people.

Naturally, without huge overhead that big agencies carry, we are considerably more competitive. For more information, visit www.DoohickeyCreative.com.

Contact:

I'm trying hard to be more bubbly.

So, when I left the newsroom, I braced myself for the onslaught of jabs and jokes that were sure to come. I wrote the e-mail announcing my transition from journalism to marketing, I gritted my teeth as I hit the send button and closed my eyes and counted waiting for the rest of the newsroom to react. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, — “AH! Dave, you’re joining the DARK SIDE?!” That was the first thing I heard. From there the “joke” just lost humor, and became very real to me. I was in fact joining this dark side, which I wrestled with at first. Of course, there’s no reason to fight it, because then you’re just being a counterproductive, sour bastard. Suck it up, straighten up and do your job well.

I did that, and I soon started to realize the good things that could come from being a good Flack. Journalists do appreciate this, I promise. We might be the butt of their jokes, but at the end of the day, they will appreciate and recognize your hard work and good nature.

You want to know what they won’t appreciate? Here’s a list:

• Pitching a story to them after telling them their competition wouldn’t run it – This is just bad, and it should be obvious to most of you Flacks out there why this is bad. Journos tend to have a rival, or several in their line of work. The local business journal will always consider the daily paper’s business desk their main rivals. It’s not bitter, but it’s about outdoing one another and getting better stories before they do. So if you think you’re going to entice a journo to printing your story by saying your rivals had no interest in it, you  need to seriously reconsider your approach. It’s sloppy seconds, and if you pitch it that way a respectable news source will likely not print it. You might get lucky if they’re desperate, but don’t count on it. Instead, don’t mention the fact you pitched it elsewhere. If they ask, say their competition was considering it, but couldn’t devote the time to it. It’s a white lie, but if you’re a person of strong moral character, something tells me you can digest that one.

• Sending an incoherent press release with a lead buried amongst nonsensical gibberish – Most journalists don’t expect you to write a press release the reads like the Wall Street Journal, but for crying out loud, make sense. If you’re pitching a story and you don’t put the best information up top, you’re messing up your chances of a journo taking the time to read it. In my mind, if you know you want to be in PR, you should go to J-school and learn everything about organized writing, news-gathering and relevant news. Think like a journalist. It might be slightly depressing and ultra-realistic to the point where society makes you paranoid, but it’s a great way to improve your press release success. Also, if you can’t bother to spell check your document, there is a room full of journalists either mocking you or cursing the education system that taught you.

I’ll save my other tips for next week, and the weeks to come. And I don’t mean to come down hard on Flacks. There really are good Flacks out there, and some that I’ve become rather close with and trusted as a journo. But there are a lot of mistakes to be made when dealing with media, so if you stick with me and listen up, you might just get a bit of advice that can help you improve your PR approach.

Dave Strupp

Creatwood Communications