VHPR.COM Newswire

New Wentworth, Hauser and Violich Media Montage!

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Wentworth, Hauser and Violich's Steven Rhone and Patricia Edwards are featured in this media montage.

Social Media still makes companies nervous – but they know they have to make the jump

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By Stuart Perkins

Boyd Vander Houwen, Heather Reynolds and Stuart Perkins of Vander Houwen Public Relations presented Harnessing Social Media with Humor, Patience, and a Plan! to the Lake Washington Human Resources Association at the Bellevue Red Lion on April 30, 2008. The venue was packed, with over 70 attendees representing companies across the Puget Sound.

The social media theme was timely as more and more companies are seeing the need to join the online conversation. Vander Houwen compared the need to use social media to the need to have a homepage for your company. “A little over a decade ago companies began realizing how much money they were losing by not having an online presence. The same thing is happening now with social media, and companies need to get started,” Vander Houwen said. He added that even if you aren’t using social media to tell your story, someone else probably is, and that can be a dangerous thing.

A key to the presentation was VHPR’s three core social media beliefs: That social media applications are just tools, that now is the time for companies to get started, and that using these tools without a strategy and a plan is a sure way to get burned. Attendees seemed to agree with the message and shared their ideas on getting management on board and how to get started. They also brainstormed the barriers to getting started and how to overcome those barriers. Through a show of hands, it was found that while most attendees use LinkedIn, few have their profile completed to 100%, which Vander Houwen noted as an important first step. Also, while a few have Facebook accounts, most of them are personal, with only a few people using them for business purposes.

VHPR demonstrated the differences between traditional and social media information flows, noting that in traditional models the information and feedback processes follow a top-down and bottom-up approach, while the social media model is jumbled, with everyone getting information from all outlets and sources.

The presentation included a definition of social media, examples of social media tools and websites, ways companies can use these tools, success stories, and ways to track results. Mary Drobka, a Seattle-based attorney, spoke and led a Q&A session on the legal concerns of social media. She said that following a few simple steps, like a blogging code of ethics, should reduce companies’ legal concerns.

During the brainstorming session, attendees offered ideas on several key issues. Here is a sample of the results:

How do we get management on board?

· Explain the return on investment and other benefits.

· Talk about metrics.

· Invite them to join a social media site.

· Give them a report on what is already being said about the company.

· Find out what is being said about your competition.

· Find out what the competition is doing to respond.

· Show them both successes and failures.

· Involve your generation Y employees.

· Show how trends have changed.

What are the main concerns management might have regarding social media?

· The amount of time and resources it will take.

· Information overload.

· Understanding what results to expect.

How do we overcome these concerns?

· Get involved with social media.

· Become informed on social media.

Attendees also discussed how they were currently monitoring what is being said about their company on social media sites. The top three resources used were Google Alerts: http://www.google.com/alerts, Google Blog Tracker: http://blogsearch.google.com, and Technorati: http://technorati.com

Also, an audience member mentioned We Are Smarter Than Me, a book about how businesses can use social media. To find out more about this book, visit http://www.wearesmarter.org.

To find out more about Vander Houwen Public Relations, visit www.vhpr.com.

Baker Boyer Bank in Union-Bulletin - "Baker Boyer reports first-quarter income increase"

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By: Union-Bulletin Staff Reporter

Baker Boyer Bank reported increases in profitability, deposits, investments, net income and loans for the first quarter of the year. Megan Clubb, Baker Boyer Bank's president and CEO, comments in this article. It read:

"'This is good news for residents and businesses in the local area since Baker Boyer is a bellwether for the economic health of our community,' said Megan Clubb, Baker Boyer's president and chief executive officer, in a prepared statement."

"'While it would be naive to assume that national economic problems will not affect our region, our bankers tell us that most local businesses are weathering the storm quite successfully,' Clubb said."

WHV's Patty Edwards in The Morning News - "Wal-Mart's perfect storm paying off"

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By: Kimberly Morrison

Wal-Mart is doing well amid a recession like retail environment by continuing to focusing on low priced goods. Patty Edwards comments in this article. It read:

"Gas prices have increase almost 25 percent in the first quarter, reaching $3.59 this week. That's pushing squeamish consumers also facing increased food prices, job worries and plummeting home values to trade down, said Patricia Edwards, fund manager with Seattle-based Wentworth, Hauser and Violich."

"'They couldn't have known this was coming, but they got to the right place at the right time, and the economy decided to help them out with that,' Edwards said."

Video podcast: Boyd and Heather on upcoming VHPR website redesign

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Boyd Vander Houwen and Heather Reynolds discuss the upcoming changes to VHPR’s website, including new social media tools, in this video podcast.

Fortune Bank holds annual meeting April 28, 2008

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A large group of shareholders turned out at Benaroya Hall for Fortune Bank's annual meeting, marking its first full year in operation. President and CEO David Straus told investors that the bank exceeded its goals for loans, SBA guaranteed loans, and recruiting new loan officers. Total assets grew from $26.2 million in December 2006 to $53.2 million at the end of 2007.

Straus said that he is looking forward to the coming year, predicting that opportunities for Fortune Bank will be created as big bank customers bcome impacted by the current economic conditions.

It was also announced that Alan Cashman was named Chairman of the Board. Cashman is a founding board member and replaces Albert Rosellini, who did not run for re-election in order to deveote more time to his own business. The board of directors that were up for nomination were also all elected to one-year terms. They are Bette Floray, Richard Green, Gregory Hubert, Jens Jorgensen, Robert Mellon, and David Straus.

WHV's Patty Edwards in Kiplinger - "Coach on sale"

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By: Anne Kates Smith

Coach shares are down 40% compared to a year ago, even though they have been reporting good numbers this quarter. Patty Edwards comments in this article. It read:

"Patricia Edwards, a portfolio manager at San Francisco-based money manager Wentworth, Hauser and Violich, says investors blinded by near-term shortcomings may be missing an opportunity. 'I understand why people don't want to own the stock -- it's retail and retail has cooties right now,' she says. 'I think the stock is incredibly cheap, frankly. Once you get through the downturn, you can see something like this take off to the races.'"

VHPR to present to Lake Washington Human Resource Association

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

VHPR TO PRESENT TO LAKE WASHINGTON HUMAN RESOURCE ASSOCIATION

MERCER ISLAND – April 22, 2008 – Vander Houwen Public Relations of Mercer Island will present to Lake Washington Human Resource Association on April 30, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. at the Red Lion Hotel in Bellevue, Washington.

VHPR’s social media presentation will offer insights into social media (online tools such as blogs, podcasts, wikis, and networking sites) and the way it is changing communications. The presentation covers the evolution of social media, social media tools and formats, and using social media to communicate with key audiences. Marketing professionals from a variety of Puget Sound businesses were in attendance.

The registration deadline is April 24 at 8:00 p.m.. For more information, or to register for the event, visit the link below.

http://www.lwhra.org/wasamasnhr/events.nsf/Events/Featured/9C05E22662072913872574210004572C

VHPR starts work with Clark Nuber

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

VHPR is proud to announce a new client - Clark Nuber, an accounting firm headquartered in Bellevue. Clark Nubers is the 6th largest accounting firm in the Puget Sound (ranked by the Puget Sound Business Journal's 2008 Book of Lists) and was ranked as one of the best companies to work for in 2007 by Washington CEO. The firm was founded in 1952 and has over 115 skilled tax and audit professionals and 13 partners that serve commercial businesses, high net work individuals, and not-for-profit organizations.

VHPR will be helping Clark Nuber use social media to get in front of their most important audiences. We are proud to be working with this great firm!

Fortune Bank in the Puget Sound Business Journal

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A team of Fortune Bank employees participated in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Big Climb for Leukemia on March 16, 2008. Their team photo was included in the "Scene" section of the April 4th issue of the Puget Sound Business Journal.

WHV's Steve Rhone on CNBC

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Steven Rhone, CEO of Wentworth, Hauser and Violich, appeared on CNBC’s The CNBC Edge program in a segment titled How to Make Money Now. Steven spoke about maintaining a defensive investment strategy and staying away from risky investment sectors. Steven said he likes the energy sector and one of his current picks is Transocean.

April 20th? You've got to be kidding - VHPR Pictures

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Pictures by Loma Vander Houwen

Fairhaven Highlands in the Bellingham Herald

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Bellingham Herald editorial board published an editorial in their "Our View" section about Fairhaven Highlands. The writers are in support of development as opposed to city purchase. Here are some excerpts:

"We remain convinced that the land should be developed. Building Fairhaven Highlands will benefit the goal of containing growth inside the current Bellingham city limits, especially if it is built to the highest proposed density allowed on the site."

"We are well aware that this position is not popular with the well-funded group of neighbors who have come together in perhaps the best "not-in-my-backyard" organization in the city's history. But just because a group is well-funded and well-organized does not mean its members are right."

"The city of Bellingham also should not use tax money to protect one group of neighbors from the inconveniences of additional development while everyone else in the city lives with changes created by our continuing population growth."

To see the full article, visit http://www.bellinghamherald.com/315/story/372265.html.

VHPR presents to HR Now's Marketing Executive Roundtable

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

VHPR PRESENTS TO HR NOW'S MARKETING EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE

MERCER ISLAND – April 3, 2008 – Vander Houwen Public Relations of Mercer Island presented to HR Now's Marketing Executive Roundtable on April 3, 2008.

VHPR’s roundtable discussion, offered insights into social media (online tools such as blogs, podcasts, wikis, and networking sites) and the way it is changing communications. The presentation covered the evolution of social media, social media tools and formats, and using social media to communicate with key audiences. Marketing professionals from a variety of Puget Sound businesses were in attendence.

WHV's Patty Edwards in Bloomberg - "Coach net rises on U.S. sales; gros margin narrows"

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By: Cotten Timberlake

Coach's third-quarter profit rose, mostly due to a 20 percent sales gain at Coach stores in North America. Patty Edwards comments in this article. It read:

"The handbag maker, which stopped providing a sales breakdown for its own store formats this quarter, is selling more than outlets, and department stores are offering more discounts on Coach products, investor Patricia Edwards said. Gross margin is seen by many investors as a main measure of profitability."

"'Gross margin was worse than expected,' Edwards, who helps manage more than $14.5 billion including Coach shares at Wentworth, Hauser and Violich in Seattle, said in an interview today. 'I never used to see coach handbags on the sales table at Nordstrom, and I have seen some there.'"

Wentworth, Hauser and Violich Media Montage

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Wentworth, Hauser and Violich's Steven Rhone and Patricia Edwards are featured in this media montage.

WHV's Patty Edwards in Seattle P-I - "Starbucks in Texas finishes switch to AT&T

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By: Andrea James

Starbucks has started switching its wireless provider from T-Mobile to AT&T, starting with a Starbucks coffee shop in San Antonio. Patty Edwards comments on the switch in this article. It read:

"'We now have a younger generation that is getting older that is used to being able to do anything anywhere,' said Patricia Edwards, a Seattle-based analyst with Wentworth, Hauser and Violich. 'Interconnectivity is a big deal.'"

"Starbucks' free WiFi for cardholders encourages people to use the Starbucks card -- and that in turn allows the company to track habits and target its marketing, Edwards said."

"'It's another increment in the cool factor for Starbucks,' she said."

WHV's Patty Edwards in Billings Gazette - "$4 diesel prices squeeze truckers, others

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By: Tom Lutey

The price for a gallon of diesel fuel has shot up over the past year, and the effects are being felt by the general public through higher food prices at the grocery store. Wentworth, Hauser and Violich's Patty Edwards comments in this article. It read:

"The U.S. Energy Department predicts that diesel will hit $4.50 a gallon in the next few months. That spells bad news not only for Diversified but also for consumers who are picking up the tab for higher fuel costs whenever they go shopping. The subprime mortgage crisis dominates the headlines, but the cost of products rising because of energy prices is a sleeping giant, said Patricia Edwards, a retail analyst at Wentworth, Hauser and Violich."

"'We're seeing it, we're just not talking about it,' Edwards said. 'Honestly, I think it's the biggest looming issue we've got.'"

"Edwards, who on a national scale tracks everything from supermarkets to mall clothing outlets, said even retail giants like Wal-Mart and Costco are starting to worry about fuel prices. Costco, accustomed to buying months' worth of inventory at a fixed price, is now being told by suppliers that only a few weeks' worth of some products will be sold at once, Edwards said. Suppliers are worried that they could end up losing money on orders placed today that won't ship until months later."

"Grocery stores face significant challanges because product markup on food items averages 5 percent of less, Edwards said. With those kinds of profits, there isn't a lot of cushion for meeting a sudden rise in shipping costs. Analysts say grocery stores that sell nonfood items, which are usually marked up considerably more than food, will probably cope best. A traditional grocery store is going to struggle, which isn't to say food prices win't be passed on to traditional shoppers."

WHV's Patty Edwards in The Columbus Dispatch - "Wal-Mart drops push for mega-store in Delaware"

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By: Dana Wilson

Wal-Mart withdrew its plans to build a Supercenter on the south side of Delaware as the company aims to 'more strategically prioritize development of Supercenters.' Wentworth, Hauser and Violich's Patty Edwards comments on Wal-Mart's plans in this article. It read:

"Wal-Mart also might be trying to avoid cannibalizing its existing stores, said Patricia Edwards, a retail analyst in the Seattle office of San Francisco-based investment manager Wentworth, Hauser and Violich, which owns 544,000 shares of Wal-Mart stores stock."

WHV's Patty Edwards in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette - "Retailers say sales flattened in March"

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By: Steve Painter and Toby Manthey

Wal-Mart's March sales rose 0.7 percent while the retail sector saw its worst March sales figures for 13 years. Patty Edwards comments in this article. It read:

"Patricia Edwards, a Seattle-based analyst with Wentworth, Hauser and Violich, said Wal-Mart resolved some of its merchandise missteps just in time to attract customers burdened with high gasoline and food prices."

"'Wal-Mart not only got their act together at exactly the right time, but the economy is giving them a huge tailwind,' she said."

"She called Wal-Mart's triple-digit increase in flat-panel televisions 'just phenomenal numbers.'"

WHV's Patty Edwards in Associated Press - "Wal-Mart eyes Russian market"

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By: Marcus Kabel

Wal-Mart has named a new president of Emerging Markets-East to "explore retail business opportunities in Russia and neighboring markets". Wentworth, Hauser and Violich's Patty Edwards appears in this article. It read:

"Fund manager Patricia Edwards said Wal-Mart needs to look at Russia to fuel overall growth as its U.S. business, still about three-quarters of sales, is no longer growing as fast."

"'The number of big countries that can really more the needle of Wal-Mart sales globally is limited,' said Edwards, who helps manage $14.8 billion in assets including 544,069 Wal-Mart shares at San Francisco-based Wentworth, Hauser and Violich."

"Edwards said Fanderl's appointment 'signals Wal-Mart is getting more serious and really looking for places they can go.'"

WHV's Patty Edwards on ABCnews.com - "Starbucks brews up changes"

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By: Terry Moran and Charles Herman

Starbucks is beginning a huge effort to revitalize its brand after stock prices took a hit and stores are closing for the first time in its history. Patty Edwards comments on this move in this article. It read:

"'I think it became too corporate,' said portfolio manager Patricia Edwards with Seattle-based Wentworth, Hauser and Violich. 'It used to be that you could go in, you could get coffee, you could get an espresso drink, that was pretty much it. And over time they added food, they added hot sandwiches, they added teddy bears, they added cups.'"

"With so much for sale beyond just coffee, Edwards believes the company lost its unique cafe experience. 'I think that's where their downfall has been.'"

Video Podcast: Interview with Dave Straus & Dan Dierdorff of Fortune Bank

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Heather Reynolds interviews Dave Straus & Dan Dierdorff of Fortune Bank and receives tips for how businesses can succeed in an unstable economy.

WHV's Patty Edwards in USA Today - "Bad economic news expected to pile up"

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By: John Waggoner and Christine Dugas

Economists predict that April will be an especially tough month for the economy, especially the retail economy. Patty Edwards comments in this article. It read:

"Despite soaring prices, consumers still have to buy food, gas and energy. So retailers that sell things that consumers can do without, like a new blazer or a new purse, are the ones that are likely to lose business, says Patricia Edwards, retail analyst at Wentworth, Hauser and Violich."

"'The stores that cater to middle-income consumers are going to be the ones that are the hardest hit,' Edwards said."

"Even high-end retailers, such as Nordstrom (JWN) and Neiman Marcus, are feeling the pinch. Middle-income consumers had been upgrading their shopping and buying more affordable luxury items. 'They frankly had a bad case of affluenza and now the bill is due,' Edwards says."

WHV's Patty Edwards on Nightline tonight!

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Wentworth, Hauser and Violich's Patty Edwards appears on Nightline tonight at 11:35 p.m. PST. Nightline is part of ABC News and is broadcast nationwide. Learn more about the show at http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/