PR Program Management
Express bus service builds explosive sales and profitability
Situation: Paramus, N.J.-based Coach USA, a subsidiary of UK-based Stagecoach Group, selected Hanser & Associates in 2005 to launch Chicago-based megabus.com, the first company in North America to offer intercity express bus service with fares as low as $1 via the Internet. Megabus.com launched service in March 2006 from its Chicago hub and seven other [...]
Hospital mergers improve profitability
Situation: Catholic Health System, a five-hospital healthcare-provider network in Western New York, was under significant financial distress in 1998. Shrinking Medicare reimbursements coupled with shorter patient stays and fewer overnight admissions due to new technologies and therapies had put Buffalo, NY-based CHS at a crossroads. Management at CHS decided to “retask” three hospitals – providing [...]
PR transforms University division into fee-based enterprise
Situation: Strategic Marketing Services (SMS), a unit of the Cedar Falls, Iowa-based University of Northern’s Iowa College of Business in 1997 found it necessary to move from a federal grant-funded organization to a fee-based enterprise. SMS’ client base for its market research services was Iowa manufacturing companies. Having very little time to make this transition [...]
Public input supports community/performing arts center
Situation: Hanser & Associates was retained in 2004-2005 to manage the overall process of forming an advisory committee and supporting all of the work of the committee – to assess the feasibility of a Community Center and Performing Arts Center that would be jointly operated by the City of West Des Moines and West Des [...]
International media relations drives record sales and profits
Situation: Scottsdale, Ariz.-based RSC Equipment Rental, the leading provider of equipment rental services for the construction, industrial/petrochemical, manufacturing and government sectors in the United States, Canada and Mexico, sought to increase awareness of the benefits of rental equipment vs. ownership. PR Action: Hanser & Associates created an international media relations program targeting national trade and [...]
PR/labor relations during strike maintains customer relations
Situation: Monroe, La.-based CenturyLink, the third largest telecommunications company in the United States, was formerly named Qwest Communications and US WEST. The company was faced with a labor strike by 36,000 members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) in 1998. In Iowa, 1,900 workers were off the job. In CWA, US WEST was dealing [...]
Recycling campaign supports fee change – participation remained high
Situation: Metro Waste Authority is the waste processing agency for Central Iowa. In addition to managing the area’s solid and toxic waste disposal, Metro Waste Authority (MWA) administers the recycling program for Des Moines and most of its 14 suburbs. MWA retained Hanser & Associates for communication strategy and counsel when fee structures for recycling [...]
Manufacturer expands out-of-state – protects and builds reputation
Situation: Bayport, Minn.-based Andersen Corporation is the world’s largest manufacturer of wood windows and patio doors. Des Moines, Iowa-based EMCO Doors—Andersen’s wholly owned subsidiary since 2001—manufactures and distributes all-season/storm doors, is a top supplier to national retailers such as Home Depot, has an 80-year history in Des Moines and is a respected member of Iowa’s [...]
PR drives manufacturer’s nationwide product recall
Situation: Oskaloosa, Iowa-based Clow Valve Company, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of fire hydrants, has millions of fire hydrants in use across the United States. Clow discovered in 2006 that a lubricant used in its Medallion and F2500 brand hydrants (manufactured 2002-2004) can corrode internal hydrant parts. The lubricant, containing a calcium acetate additive [...]
Computer manufacturer increases international sales and marketplace awareness
Situation: Des Moines, Iowa-based HandEra (formerly named TRG Products) is a manufacturer and marketer of the TRGpro handheld computer and related Palm OS software. The tech company retained Des Moines-based Hanser & Associates in 2000 to create a global public relations program. The company delivered the TRGpro at the end of 1999 and, shortly, the [...]