Blog

Link: Dems see a 2012 boost from Medicare debate. True, but show why Washington can’t solve big issues anymore After Kathy Hochul, campaigning on the issue, wins a congressional seat in a reliably Republican district in New York, Democrats hope the GOP’s midterm momentum is finally over.

CHICAGO CUBS  Cubs unable to beat rain, Mets May 25, 2011 The Cubs played most of Wednesday night’s game…knew a prolonged rainstorm was coming, the Cubs sounded like the motorists who ignored all…storm could hit at any time. It was the Cubs’ second rain-shortened loss in their last…   Blame pitchers for Cubs’ struggles Chicago

Link: Snoopy analogy aside, good point. The best PR strategy takes place long before you need it. Are We Fault Managers Or Value Communicators? Watching the barrage of news coverage last week that expounded on the personal indiscretionsof politicians and celebrities made me consider what counsel I might have for these individuals. Clearly, prevention is worth a pound

ILLINOIS MEDICAID   CommunityHealth works to catch those who fall through cracks   May 25, 2011   …being eligible for Medicaid , the federal health…CommunityHealth, one of Illinois’ largest volunteer…are not eligible for Medicaid. We are a safety net…the exception of Medicare Part A, which is…Memorial, University of Illinois     CUBS/RICKETTS/WRIGLEY FIELD              

Link: In past tragedies, fliers were posted looking for the missing. Today it’s social media. Joplin Globe’s Facebook page locates, reunites missing people in tornado aftermath After a massive tornado roared through Joplin, Mo., Sunday night, much of the city was left isolated without electricity, telephone service, or Internet connections. Survivors have found it difficult

CHICAGO CUBS/WRIGLEY FIELD   Wrigley Field doesn’t match Fenway Park’s atmosphere May 23, 2011 …Wrigley Field . Can the Cubs replicate that kind of atmosphere in Chicago? Would Cubs fans even go for listening…But he doesn’t believe Cubs fans would act in a similar…lean on. “I think in Chicago they definitely would be…    Quade

CHICAGO CUBS Pena making most of trip to Boston May 21, 2011 …Republic and moved to Haverhill, Mass., in his teens. He played briefly with the Red Sox in 2006, and some of his Cubs teammates asked him last week what Fenway Park was like. “I said, ‘I’m not saying a word. I want you

CUBS/RICKETTS/WRIGLEY   10 Things To Know About the Red Sox/Cubs History   The Chicago Cubs’ last visit to Fenway was 93 years ago.   By William Legault | Email the author | 1:05pm   The Chicago Cubs face off against the Red Sox tonight at 7:10 p.m.   Here are tens facts about the 1918 World Series between the Red

Link: Behind every #lobbying effort, a #communications strategist Under The Radar, PR’s Political Savvy by ELIZABETH BLAIR When it comes to the inner workings of Washington, you often hear about lobbyists influencing the political process. But there’s another time-tested profession that works just as hard trying to do much the same thing: Public relations. In D.C.

Chicago Cubs/Ricketts Family/Wrigley Field May, 20, 2011 Soriano vs. Green Monster might be a scratch By PAUL SULLIVAN / Chicago Tribune   MIAMI — As the Chicago Cubs head to Fenway Park this weekend, manager Mike Quade is contemplating whether to let Alfonso Soriano battle the Green Monster in left field Friday or serve as the

ILLINOIS MEDICAID   Discount drug cards aren’t always a prescription for savings   By Robert Joiner, Beacon staff    Posted 10:56 am Thu., 5.19.11   Illinois consumers are being flooded this week with offers of a free program that is supposed to help them save money at the pharmacy. Called the Illinois Rx Card, the program promises

Link: Big bucks in social media LinkedIn Shares Soar After IPO By LYNN COWAN Social-media companies, take note: LinkedIn Corp.’s swift rise on its first day of trading Thursday proves that U.S. investors are hungry for similar stories.

CUBS/RICKETTS/WRIGLEY   Cubs’ Quade trying to maintain even keel By PAUL SULLIVAN - Chicago Tribune MIAMI Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade is an eternal optimist, which is one reason why the players backed him last September for the permanent gig and why general manager Jim Hendry subsequently hired him. But Quade’s rosy outlook, usually saying things will improve,

Cubs miscues do them in again May 17, 2011 …called a clubhouse meeting after the Cubs blew a four-run lead in Monday’s…conference while venting his ire. But the Cubs responded to Quade’s night of rage with…angle.” That error didn’t cost the Cubs, but Tuesday was the first time since… https:///www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0518-cubs-reds-chicago—20110517,0,2572945.story   Cubs’ Andrew Cashner dealt

Link: Paging Ross Perot! Electronic Town Hall is here.

Link: If the medium is the message, keep it simple, mobile and short It’s no secret that mobile is the future. While ownership of TV sets in the U.S. fell for the first time ever, smartphone ownership continued to explode — it’s up 60% versus a year ago. Marketers who had traditionally focused on getting their message across through broadcasts

CUBS Cubs send struggling Colvin to Triple-A Iowa May 16, 2011 …that was telegraphed for days, the Cubs optioned Tyler Colvin to Triple…the day after his first start with the Cubs. He’s with his family now and expected…Sunday’s game getting rained out, the Cubs are now in the second game of a   Quade upset

Link: Cautious CEO optimism on economy, better than none at all! America’s CEOs: Jobs outlook better, but … CNNMoney 6:24 AM CDT, May 16, 2011 advertisementBusiness leaders believe the economy is getting better and many even said they are hiring more workers as a result. But chief executive officers remain nervous about many things, most

BRIDGET GAINER The Top Challenges Facing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel MAY 16 2011, 7:30 AM ET When Rahm Emanuel is inaugurated as Chicago’s mayor Monday, he will confront the toughest job in America: chief executive of a major city. His challenges are stark, though the biggest is missed by most. https:///www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/05/the-top-challenges-facing-chicago-mayor-rahm-emanuel/238911/   ILLINOIS MEDICAID   Hospitals:

Link: The latest in newspapers vs. digital & social media Chicago Tribune testing premium daily edition By: Lynne Marek May 12, 2011  (Crain’s) — The Chicago Tribune is contemplating a pricier, premium daily newspaper to target affluent, more-educated readers, some of whom have dropped the biggest daily paper in recent years. The unit of Tribune Co. is

Cubs down in dumps after failure of 4th, 5th starters BY GORDON WITTENMYER gwittenmyer@suntimes.com Last Modified: May 13, 2011 02:16AM It’s days like this when the Cubs must feel tempted to drop their heads into their hands and mutter, “What would Randy Wells do?’’ https:///www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/5344533-417/cubs-down-in-dumps-after-failure-of-4th-5th-starters.html The ‘kids’ pummel Cubs at Wrigley BY JOE STRAUSS jstrauss@post-dispatch.com >

Former Illinois Running Back Mikel Leshoure on “The Final Word” May 1. Show didn’t air because of the breaking news with death of Bin Laden.

Link: Mistakes happen, but what was the strategy and goal? Facebook admits it hired PR firm to smear Google.   On Tuesday, USA Today reported that two reps for PR firm Burson-Marsteller were attempting to plant negative stories about Google, claiming that its Social Circle feature violates privacy and FTC rules. Burson’s client was a mystery, although some suspected Apple

Chicago Cubs Cubs’ bats shine after rain BY GORDON WITTENMYER gwittenmyer@suntimes.com Last Modified: May 12, 2011 02:34AM During a nearly hourlong rain delay Wednesday night, fans at Wrigley Field huddled in the covered seating and concourse areas, barely noticeable until an occasional stroke of lightning flashed over the ballpark — at which point the ‘‘ooohs’’ and