Provident Partners news

Provident Partners’ Albert Maruggi, who, once upon a time, served as the press secretary for the Republican National Committee, has written an article for Media Bullseye about how the McCain and Obama campaigns are using social media in the run-up to the November election. Media Bullseye provides media, public relations, and marketing professionals with news and commentary about the modern communications landscape.

A taste of the article:

Republicans have always prided themselves on organization, game plan and execution, similar to a well-run football team. There are set plays, and everyone knows where they are supposed to be - improvisation accepted only if the play breaks down. The Democratic Party brand includes activism and individualism, more like a basketball team. In general there is a plan, but for the most part, basketball is a reaction to the flow of the individual with the ball.

Today, in many respects, the pace and format of how Republicans and Democrats use social media tools is a reflection of their organizational cultures. You can see this in the general presentation of the candidates’ and political parties’ home pages.

You can read the full article here. Also, if you want to chat about how your organization can use social media to mobilize a community and reach new people — or if you just want to talk politics — give us a call. 651-695-0174.

Provident Partners’ president Albert Maruggi will take part in another upcoming event put on by the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce. Health and Human Services Day, taking place Aug. 14 at United Hospital in St. Paul, gives members of the chamber’s Leadership Saint Paul program an opportunity to learn how:

• major local hospitals do — and don’t — work together
• health and human services organizations operate and are funded
• social media tools affect health care providers and consumers

That last item — social media’s impact on health care — will be a presentation from Albert. His discussion will cover how and where consumers are getting their information, how are health care organizations responding to or “fighting back” against outspoken consumers, as well as the issue of whether physicians are now expected to do public relations.

Leadership Saint Paul is a community leadership program that challenges, engages and prepares emerging and existing leaders to strengthen the Saint Paul/East Metro area. One aspect of the program includes day-long sessions focusing on significant challenges facing the region, such as community effectiveness, education, health care, regional economic development and criminal justice. Each program day strives to enlighten, inspire and transform participants by exposing them to a vast array of perspectives, resources and mentors.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Beth Albrecht at 651-265-2767 or elizabeth@saintpaulchamber.com.

This past spring, Provident Partners’ PR manager Mike Keliher reported on a couple of key sessions from the Society for New Communications Research’s New Communication Forum: a panel presentation called “Exploring the ROI of online press releases” and a debate/discussion with Todd Defren and Maggie Fox called “Perspectives on the social media press release.”

The report was initially published by Media Bullseye in April, and today the Summer 2008 print edition of Media Bullseye magazine arrived in the mail. Mike’s article is on page 12. It’s a good read for anyone looking to start exploring the concept of distributing news and information online or for folks interested in significant trends in the space.

You can read the full article here.

Our very own founder and president Albert Maruggi, who back in the day served as press secretary for the RNC and presidential cabinet members, will lead a discussion on how social media communication is affecting politics and political campaigns.

Albert is one of many presenters taking part in My ooVoo Day Political Edition, which the organizers describe as “an eight day online video conferencing event joining leading political bloggers covering the entire spectrum of belief and persuasion with their communities, fans and friends.”

These days, Albert spends most of his time working on public relations and social media consulting for businesses, but he can’t help himself from jumping back into the political realm from time to time. For a few of his thoughts on issues related to politics and communication, see these posts from his Marketing Edge Blog and Podcast.

In a Sunday article on how businesses can tap into social media, the York Daily Record talks to Albert Maruggi, president of Provident Partners and senior fellow at the Society for New Communications Research.

From the article’s intro:

If a few years ago someone had asked me what a “tweet” was, I would have told them it was the sound a bird makes.

Only more recently would I have said a tweet is a posting on Twitter.

Twitter?

What the heck is that?

Unless you are really tapped into the newest methods of social media and technology, Twitter is most likely something new to you.

So consider this your Twitter tutorial.

The article goes on to offer just that — a good tutorial for Twitter beginners. Maruggi’s contibutions include some insights on which types of businesses “absolutley” should look into Twitter and how they can get started.

Read the full article here.

Mike Keliher, Provident Partners PR practice manager, will be part of a panel of local geeks (in the best way; no offense, co-panelists!) who will discuss how to handle information overload. The event, hosted by the Minnesota Interactive Marketing Association, will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11, at International Market Square in Minneapolis.

From MIMA’s event description:

Juicy blogs. Sweet tweets. Fresh, hot analytics. Today’s Internet is a virtual all-you-can-google buffet. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. Well, no more. Come learn how to manage all your information sources, and sift the gold from hundreds of options out there.

We’re bringing together a group of fine folks to dish about how they filter through the onslaught of RSS, email newsletters, Google Alerts and other research to find truly useful information, fast.

The panel also includes, Garrick Van Buren, president or Working Pathways and developer of Cullect; Greg Swan, social media strategist at Weber Shandwick and music blogger at Perfect Porridge; Alisa Coddington, knowledge specialist at Carmichael Lynch; and Tim Brunelle, founder and creative director at Hello Viking.

Come join us on July 16!

Provident Partners founder and president Albert Maruggi will lead a general session on “New Media and the Impact on Consumers” at the Minnesota Hospital Association Trustees Conference (PDF). The conference attendees are members of boards of directors of hospitals across Minnesota and the Dakotas.

Maruggi’s presention, on the first day of the conference, July 11, will focus on how social media is being driven by concerns over health care costs, performance outcomes and increased transparency in the health care profession. The official session description:

New and powerful communication tools are entering quickly into the health-care arena. Podcasts, video and blogs are used for telling stories and providing information for both professionals and consumers alike. What are the emerging trends that you need to be aware of? How will these trends impact or beneft your facility?  Maruggi, in his presentation, will provide you with information on the latest trends, an understanding of how to use the Internet to your beneft, and show several examples of health-care organizations utilizing these tools. You won’t want to miss this enlightening program.

For more information, visit http://www.mnhospitals.org.

Pioneer Press technology reporter Julio Ojeda-Zapata writes in a recent article that we’re in the midst of a “’social media’ revolution that has begun to change how civic and political groups — like the St. Paul-based team responsible for Republican convention planning — are using the Internet to publicize their causes.”

In the article, Provident Partners’ founder and president Albert Maruggi — also a former RNC press secretary — shares some of his insights on the convention organizers’ use of new Web communication methods. From the article:

“There has been a heated debate within Republican circles about social media,” [Maruggi] said. “I don’t think they jumped on it soon enough. What has worked in Republican politics has been more of a hierarchical structure.

“But little by little they’re starting to realize that this is about your own volunteers embracing your own brand,” he added. “You don’t worry too much that someone will get the talking points wrong. You want to see energy.”

Read the full article here.

Albert Maruggi moderates a panel today called “Social Media Bringing Change to Healthcare Marketing,” which, as you might imagine, examines the impact social media and online communication are having on the health care industry. The event is brought to you by the Minnesota chapter of the American Marketing Association.

Can you really shop for by-pass surgery the way you shop for a tie? Will the successful pharma practice of direct to consumer advertising work in other forms of healthcare? How can healthcare delivery practitioners prepare for consumer-driven selection? Marketers, advertisers, and PR professionals across the spectrum of healthcare will be impacted by these questions as social media pressures and opportunities come to healthcare. Websites like Thehealthcarescoop.com and Carol.com illustrate the dynamic social media marketing venues.

You can hear an audio preview of the panel discussion here.

Albert Maruggi, founder and president of Provident Partners and a senior fellow at the Society for New Communications Research, shares some social media insight with 1to1 Magazine for its article “Tapping the wisdom of online crowds” (subscription required).

A quick excerpt:

Most important for companies to remember, Maruggi says, is that social media today doesn’t come with identifiable revenue because it’s rooted in building and strengthening relationships.

“Marriages take time, work and flexibility,” he says, “and so does this.”

Read the full story on 1to1’s Web site.