A new year is always a time when people take a look at themselves, evaluate and look for ways to do things a little differently.  Maybe a new look.  A new approach.  We call them resolutions of course.

For a business or organization, it’s called rebranding.  It’s obviously a much more complicated and important process than your typical resolution because unlike a resolution, your brand actually needs to last.

A little more than a year ago, Ron Fournier returned home to Michigan after covering three US Presidents for the Associated Press in Washington DC.  He joined Crain’s Detroit Business and today is the publication’s publisher and editor.

What was the single more important day he spent covering the White House?  How has he found the transition from journalism to the business of journalism?  Is social media leading journalists to show too much of themselves?

We ask Ron these questions and more. 

Despite what some on this podcast may think, there is more to owning and operating a soccer club than “kicking and stuff.” 

Today, we talk about the PR behind the PKs (that’s penalty kicks) with Jeremy Sampson, the President and CEO of Lansing United.

When we first started to map out plans for this podcast on public relations and the media, one of the very first names we wrote down on our guest wish list was Dawson Bell.

The “Pure Michigan” campaign is more than a decade old. How did it start?  How is it doing?  Where is it headed?

Today, on the Cold Oatmeal podcast, we talk with Lindsay VanHulle of Crain’s Detroit Business and Bridge Magazine about her reporting on the coming of age of Michigan’s popular tourism campaign.

Then, we say so long and good luck to a great colleague.

How do you market an entire state?  How about some advice every PR professional should follow?  How many burpees are too many burpees?  Let’s find out.

Today, we talk with Emily Guerrant, a great friend and the vice president for marketing, communications and public relations for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.