Countrywide Avoids Controversy and Announces Good News!

Avoiding the issue of whether or not it created or contributed to the subprime mortgage problem, Countrywide promoted the ongoing efforts it is taking to curb forclusuers and the actions it is taking to work with distressed borrowers.

In its September 24th press release, Countrywide promoted its Home Retention Team / Preservation Program and announced the steps it is taking to save mortgages (35,000 so far) from foreclosure including telephone outreach and working with non-profit and community groups nationwide.

While Countrywide has received a significant amount of media coverage in the last few weeks, the company had little coverage as a result of this release. However, the first 2.5 Google pages are various sites/wires that posted the press release verbatim.

Fun example of a video mashup

Thought you would enjoy this.

Matthew

Peace Churches Meet with Iranian President

A coalition of “peace” churches from the U.S. and Canada held a meeting with the controversial Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, earlier this week (9/25/07) at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York. The ecumenical group consisted of 100 religious leaders who say that engaging in a dialogue with the Iranian leader is the only way to peacefully handle the political, economic and religious conflicts between the U.S. and Iran. While a wide variety of religions attended the discussion, there was no Jewish representation—a rather glaring omission. This meeting occurred after Ahmadinejad was greeted with extreme hostility at Columbia University, his first stop in the U.S.

To read the release click here.

To read a story in the New York Times about the meeting, click here.

Laura

New College Consumer Information Web Site Debuts

On September 26, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) held a telephone press conference to announce the launch of its new U-CAN database, an online program for use in researching and comparing colleges. The announcement, publicized through both a press release and a media advisory, included comments from presidents of several private universities as well as an online demonstration of the site.

The new U-CAN database includes information on private colleges and universities provided by the institutions themselves, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of the data. The program also features search options that allow students to find schools that match their preferences.

Nicole Mednick

In the Neighborhood: Blood Cancer Strikes Wisteria Lane

This season on ABC's Desperate Housewives, Felicity Hoffman's character Lynette Scavo will struggle with Hodgkin lymphoma. Currently, more than 138,000 Americans are living with this disease or are in remission from it. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society hope that the show will raise public awareness and understanding about Hodgkin lymphoma and other blood cancers.

Tymika Morrison

Apple Unveils iPod touch

Apple's press release announcing its new iPod touch highlighted its exciting new features - its revolutionary multi-touch user interface and built-in Wi-Fi. It also discussed the new iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store and the related agreement with Starbucks.

A dense release with lots of details such as this one could have used a little better and clearer organization so that readers could easily process all the information.

Of course, a critique of the standalone press release fails to take into account that most of the key press outlets are in attendance for Steve Jobs' live announcements - particularly when it comes to new product launches. I imagine that the press release was not meant to pique reporters' interest, but simply to provide the on-paper details as a follow-up to the live event.

Link: http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/09/05touch.html

100 Black Men of Atlanta Sponsors Atlanta Football Classic

To see the full release, visit: http://prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-13-2007/0004662432&EDATE=

The 100 Black Men of Atlanta is an organization that provides a wide array of services to African American youth in the Atlanta area. The group sponsors the Atlanta Football Classic, a popular college football game between Florida A&M and Tennessee State as well as events surrounding the game such as the Georgia Power Parade of Excellence showcasing academic talent in local schools. The game is scheduled to take place September 29th, with a week of related activities leading up to the game. The Atlanta Football Classic is held at the Georgia Dome, which seats 70,000 people, and traditionally sells out for this match-up.

The Ethical Fashion Show(R) Paris

The Ethical Fashion Show(R) Paris is a five-day trade event targeted at fashion and environmental industry insiders and the media. The event, taking place in Paris on October 11-14, is in its fourth year. Fashion designers from around the world participate in the celebration of sustainable practices in fashion design and manufacturing. Relevant topics include responsible manufacturing and production, the use of sustainable fabrics and materials and lost or forgotten textile and production methods. Events include several conferences covering a wide variety of eco-fashion topics, open show rooms displaying the participating designers’ fashions, invitation-only runway shows and a Scrap Fashion Award presented by BBC.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-13-2007/0004662304&EDATE=

CDC study reveals rise in teen suicide rate-Stephaney

On September 6, 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a disturbing report on the rise of suicide rates in United States teens. The Atlanta based agency reported that their study on these rates showed a marked increase in teen suicides during 2003 to 2004 and that the most common mode of suicide among adolescent females had changed from firearms to hangings/suffocation. Additionally, the suicide rates among 10 to 19 year old females rose more than their male counterparts. In the days following this release, there was heavy broadcast and print media coverage on the suicide rates among children.

CDC Press Release:http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/r070906.htm
Washington Post story:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/07/AR2007090702523_pf.html
NY Times story:http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/07/health/07suicide.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
USA Today story:http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-09-06-youth-suicide_N.htm?csp=34

Make a Date With Your Family: Ralph Encourages Families to Share a Meal on September 24, 2007

Ralphs Grocery Company and The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) announced that they are partnering together to encourage families to share a meal on Monday, September 24, 2007 to celebrate Family Day—A Day to Eat With Your Children. Through this event, Ralphs and CASA hope to raise awareness about the benefits of eating meals together as a family and promote meaningful conversation among parents and their children. This press release is very informative, but fails to offer creative suggestions that will spark family participation.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news/index_mail.shtml?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-11-2007/0004660886&EDATE=

Nissan-Renault Alliance Confirms New Engine

The Nissan-Renault Alliance announced the production of a clean diesel engine for the US market scheduled for 2010. The engine will be placed in Maxima models and marketed by each firm independently. Nissan was responsible for performance targets and Renault handled engineering.

The clean diesel is an addition to Nissan's current hybrid line-up. Current hybrid configurations are praised by some experts, but the clean diesel is totally different--fuel use, design, purpose.

The clean diesel adds to the clutter of the US clean vehicle market. This product will most likely challenge GM and Ford who are entrenched in E85 technology and fear the introduction of diesel hybrids in the US due to manufacturing and financial circumstances.

Jose Cuervo Announces Ultra Premium Silver Tequila

Jose Cuervo announces the introduction of a limited-edition ultra premium silver tequila called Jose Cuervo® Platino™ on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 in New York City.

Jose Cuervo is attempting to position its news sliver tequila as sophisticated, complex and unique by creating a special limited-edition product. Jose Cuervo wants its new Platino™ brand to be viewed as more sophisticated than its other brands.

Super-Premium Stiletto Vodka Launches in New Orleans

Stiletto Vodka, a new super-premium brand, distributed a press release to announce that it will launch its product at a company-hosted event in New Orleans.

The release appears targeted toward food/beverage trade publications as well as local New Orleans media. However, the organization could have attracted attention from broader audiences by designing a launch that highlights its unique brand personality and corporate social responsibility efforts.

Nicole Mednick

Ecolab Helps Customers Clean up During Food Safety Month

Ecolab Inc., global leader in cleaning and infection prevention products, issued a press release to announce its Clean HandsTM educational program, designed to encourage workers in foodservice, hospitality and healthcare industries to make hand washing a natural part of their daily routine.

Using the celebration of the “National Food Safety Education Month” (Sept. 07) as a pretext, Ecolab introduces a detailed corporate presentation, strategically targeted to potential and existing customers, investors, and consumer organizations.

(Business Wire – September 12, 2007)

Neiman Marcus celebrates its 100th Anniversary!

Retail icon, Neiman Marcus announced its 100th Anniversary on September 10, 2007 via a media advisory on PR Newswire. The extremely brief advisory, distributed from the NM headquarters and flagship store in Dallas, Texas, mentioned that NM stores nationwide are participating in the anniversary celebration by giving away legendary chocolate chip cookies, launching a memorabilia treasure hunt and offering exclusive products from top designers.

What the media advisory failed to provide was the juciest information about all the other anniversary activities planned nationwide. It also did not provide any contact information.

>> Media Advisory: NM 100th Anniversary

j.cox

Hope Your Registration Worked

This is a post from my other Google account to see how it works. Once you get an account, it is very easy to add a new post. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. Have a good weekend.

Matthew

Sample release for deconstruct

From Business Wire. A release on accessories for some of the new Apple products.

Apple Products

Matthew

A little video fun

Funny how 8 seconds can get so many people's attention.



Matthew

Welcome Fall 2007 Class

Welcome to our class blog. This is our first post for this fall.

Here is an example of how you link a story to the blog. USA Today story on widgets and online news.

For your "deconstruct" assignments you would post a link and add a paragraph or two summary on the release. Each student will do that as a new post and sign their name at the end of the post. Thanks.

Matthew