In a bold move, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce is the first chamber in the United States to launch a series of communication seminars for businesses specifically designed to communicate news to internal and external audiences during these tough economic times.

The goal of the 2-1/2 hour seminar, which will take place in Novi, Lansing and Grand Rapids will provide Michigan businesses with proven practical strategies and tactics to help them communicate good news and, if needed, bad news.

Today with the media microscope looking down at each business action, trying to get your companies good news above the fold is next to impossible. Should a business need to announce bad news they can do it properly without adding legs to the story.

  Rick Kamel, President of PRBYTHEMINUTE.com said, "I have been receiving
  phone calls from Michigan companies who have good news to share but the
  media decision-makers are not picking up the story pitches and if they
  are, the good news stories are getting buried in the back of the
  newspapers or during the last segment of the newscasts before the weather
  recap. Also, on the other side of the coin, many companies are calling me
  asking advice on how they can prepare should they need to disseminate bad
  news to the media such as layoffs, delays in construction plans or hiring
  freezes."

Kamel, longtime public relations practitioner, is teaming up with the Michigan Chamber to conduct the first ever three-city communication road show to help Michigan businesses prepare for the distribution of bad news or the dissemination of good news.

  When and Where:
  -- Thursday, February 5, 2009, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. -- Walsh College,
     41500 Gardenbrook Road, Novi
  -- Thursday, February 5, 2009, 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. -- Michigan Chamber,
     600 S. Walnut Street, Lansing
  -- Friday, February 6, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 -- WMU Beltline Campus, 2333 E.
     Beltline Ave SE, Grand Rapids

  Who: Michigan Chamber presents Rick Kamel, President of PRBYTHEMINUTE.com

  Cost: $95. ($75 for Michigan Chamber members.)

To register or get more details on the seminar, please visit http://mcs2.michamber.com/semevent/seminars.asp .

  Aimee L. Bahs, CAE, Director, Marketing & Events, for the Michigan Chamber
  said, "The Michigan Chamber is proud to be the first chamber in the
  country to conduct a series of communication workshops that we believe
  will support Michigan business communication efforts. These very
  affordable workshops will provide Michigan businesses with positive,
  proactive communication and reactive messaging strategies and tactics that
  Michigan businesses can use as economic developments unfold here in the
  state."

Rick Kamel, in cooperation with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, has worked on many seminar and leadership conferences over the past two decades.

  What They Will Learn:
  -- Strategies for identifying and prioritizing your internal and external
     audiences
  -- Communication timing strategies that maximize the good news and
     minimize the bad news
  -- Using new media to communicate good or bad news
  -- The three basic food groups of the news media
  -- The four elements of a news story
  -- How to pitch positive news to your industry trades, business and mass
     media
  -- Tried-and-true formulas for how to construct statements
  -- Clear and concise words and phrases
  -- Specific words to use and to avoid
  -- How to stay in control during a Q & A session with employees or the
     news media
  -- Being prepared to disseminate bad news in case of an emergency

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

SOURCE: Michigan Chamber of Commerce

CONTACT: Aimee L. Bahs, Director, Marketing & Events, +1-517-371-7679,
or Rick Kamel, +1-312-775-8399 or +1-312-802-0455, both for Michigan Chamber
of Commerce

Web site: http://www.michamber.com/
http://mcs2.michamber.com/semevent/seminars.asp
http://www.prbytheminute.com/