Yes, this headline is a question because I’m not sure I know the answer.  I know the right answer for me personally but I’m not sure there is a right answer that applies to everyone or everything. Continue Reading »

I try to keep up with what’s happening with franchises and QSR’s for both personal and professional reasons.  However; I missed this one story that a co-worker sent to me about the ongoing KFC vs. El Pollo Loco debate/feud/stunt comparing their two versions of grilled chicken. It’s quite entertaining so I feel compelled to comment and pose a few questions. Continue Reading »

Recently, like most Americans I have been watching the flurry of media regarding the swine flu also known as the H1N1 virus and the reference to its being a pandemic.  Fox Business recently reported http://bit.ly/gRyfQ  that officials led by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack are waging a battle against bad public relations targeting the pig.  Continue Reading »

I must give credit to Quiznos.  On March 2, 2009 I shared my frustration when I tried to redeem a coupon I printed from the Quiznos Web site for a free sub offered in the Quiznos Million Sub Giveaway.  My frustration was that I couldn’t find a Quiznos that was participating in the promotion.  I received an e-mail apology from Quiznos that asked for my name and home address.  A couple of weeks later I received six (6) coupons from the Quiznos located closest to my home but none of the coupons were for the “free” sub.  I was disappointed and said I wouldn’t eat at Quiznos anytime soon. Continue Reading »

The Quiznos one million “free” sub story continues.  On March 2, 2009 I shared my frustrating Quiznos experience.  Like many other consumers I printed a coupon from the Quiznos Web site for a “free” sub and attempted to redeem it at four (4) different Quiznos and was told at each location that they were not participating in the sub giveaway.  The most frustrating was that only one (1) of the four (4) posted a sign that stated they were not participating. Continue Reading »

Many consumers heard Quiznos would give away one million free subs.  Consumers were instructed to go to the Quiznos Web site and enter their contact information and a coupon for a free sub would be sent to them via e-mail.   Does this sound too good to be true? Continue Reading »

Two days ago, as I reminisced with one of my colleagues, I was reminded of a course I took my senior year in college called advanced public relations writing. Throughout the semester, the focus of our class was food – How it’s made? What’s it made with? Is it good for you?

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It may not be national news but for some allergy sufferers, it’s huge news.  Last November, the Chicago Tribune did another investigative report similar to one from several years ago during the height of the stories about lead paint on children’s toys. This time, the testing and subsequent report was on various food products labeled “gluten-free” that are on the shelves of several Chicagoland grocery stores. 

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As a mother, I have always tried to persuade my children to make healthy, nutritious food choices.  When my son was young his cereal of choice was sugar based and almost always had some toy inside that he just couldn’t live without.  I read with interest the 9/16/08 article in PR Week by Kimberly Maul read more and was reminded of a day in 1992 (I think)…

when Michael Jordan changed my son’s cereal of choice.  I asked him what cereal he wanted and to my delight his response was “Wheaties”!  The reason for his cereal choice change was due to the wise decision General Mills made in their choice of Michael Jordan as their celebrity spokesperson.  That same son – now in his 20′s – still eats Wheaties!  He may never have tried the cereal if it weren’t for MJ!  Ms. Maul reported on the recent PRWeek’s Entertainment and Media Roundtable panel discussion of the changing celebrity culture, with celebrities touting themselves as brands, and how celebrities can work with products and companies in the PR world.  The right celebrity spokesperson choice can boost the sales of a product for years to come!

Patti Knight

Blog posting by Cory Sealey

A recent Chicago Tribune article made everyone aware that this year’s “Taste of Chicago” there will be super healthy items available for sampling, like potato chips from Billy Goat Inn, a slice of deliciousness from Eli’s Cheesecake, and the staple of supermodels the world over – apple pie with ice cream on top. This year organizers have some crazy ideas about what constitutes “healthy”. Megan McDonald, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, who also thinks up is down and black is white, told the Trib, “As part of this year’s application each restaurant had to explain what its healthy item would be. “Some of the restaurants had a difficult time with this, but I say, you know, if you fry a vegetable, it’s still a vegetable.” I swear she has to be on some type medication, and it’s not for high cholesterol apparently. Continue Reading »