China’s population (1.3 billion) holds BIG opportunities — including import, export and investment — for American companies, as illustrated by Hanser & Associates’ clients already doing business there.

Since the financial crisis, China and other large developing countries are playing a bigger role in the world economy. And, fast-rising consumption and affluence among the Chinese people, especially in urban centers, has creating new opportunities for American businesses.

These changes play out well for the clients of strong public relations and communication firms like Hanser & Associates and our IPREX-affiliated offices in China. Through our reach across Asia-Pacific, we’re building “corridors of business” between major cities around the world.

In China, we have strong connections via IPREX offices in Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shanghai. For example, Newell PR, our Hong Kong-based partner, has been recognized as a leader in Asia for 20 years.

Call president Ronald Hanser at 800-340-6434 or email to to discuss how our China Connection can help your company.

More About IPREX

Principals of Hanser & Associates were in China during May, participating in IPREX’s global annual meeting in Shanghai. The topic was developing Asia-Pacific — especially Chinese — markets in the global economy.

We provide global resources and connections for our clients via our partnership in IPREX, which delivers comprehensive services for some of the world’s most successful companies. IPREX now has:

• 121 offices across Asia Pacific, North and South America, Europe and the Middle East
• More than 1,900 professionals in our partner offices; all intimately familiar with their local markets.
• $243 million USD revenue (2012)

American Marketing Association in May presented Hanser & Associates three NOVA Awards, recognizing Iowa’s best marketing work.

The awards — for Integrated Marketing Campaign (social media, media relations, events and advertising); Public Relations and Advertising — recognized measurable results that exceeded goals for our national client, megabus.com, related to megabus.com’s entry into the Texas market during 2012.

We’re honored to receive these awards, especially when presented by industry peers, recognizing our team’s work for a national client.

Here is the complete list of 112 awards won by Hanser & Associates since 1996.

New Client

Our newest client is Washington, DC-based When.in, the insider’s guide to everywhere™. When.in is an all-in-one discovery app, enabling travelers to book local services (cabs, hotels, events), discover popular destinations (restaurants, parks, museums) and get recommendations for great local venues across town or around the world. Hanser & Associates will provide integrated marketing communication services to launch When.in this summer.

Paramus, N.J.-based Coach USA/megabus.com signed a new three-year agreement with Hanser & Associates following an RFP among eight national PR firms.  Hanser & Associates has been AOR for megabus.com since 2005.

Mike Alvich, Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations for Coach USA, said, “Hanser & Associates has helped megabus.com change the way Americans travel.  The award-winning firm delivers top return on investment; and their unique insight into consumers’ travel and e-commerce behaviors continues to build megabus.com’s brand across the continent.”

The agency is tasked with raising awareness of the megabus.com brand and driving sales through an integrated program of media relations, social media, events and advertising, said Ronald Hanser, president and principal of Hanser & Associates.

The account is being managed from Hanser & Associates’ headquarters in West Des Moines.

Annual budget information was not disclosed.

# # #

ABOUT MEGABUS.COM
Megabus.com is one of the largest privately funded providers of city-to-city express bus transportation and serves 100 cities in North America. Megabus.com operates service from 12 hubs in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Texas Triangle (Dallas, Houston, San Antonio), Washington D.C. and Toronto. Megabus.com is the first bus line to offer high-quality travel for as low as $1 via the Internet. Since its launch in April 2006, megabus.com has served more than 25 million travelers. Megabus.com is a subsidiary of Paramus, N.J.-based Coach USA, one of the largest transportation companies in North America.  Visit www.megabus.com for more information.

ABOUT HANSER & ASSOCIATES
Des Moines, Iowa-based Hanser & Associates is a national public relations and communication firm that creates and manages relationships to deliver powerful results for clients. The firm, founded in 1996, is headquartered in West Des Moines and has an office in Omaha, Neb., and 111 affiliated offices worldwide through its partnership in IPREX. The firm has been named “Best Public Relations Firm” in Central Iowa 11 years; nationally ranked among the top independent firms in Midwest cities; and won more than 100 awards for its work, including three national Bronze Anvils — the “Oscar” of PR — awarded by Public Relations Society of America,. Visit www.hanser.com for more information.

Expansion Situation: Megabus.com is the first city-to-city express bus service to offer high-quality travel with fares as low as $1 via the Internet. Megabus.com in November 2012 announced expansion – with new hubs in Los Angeles and San Francisco – and now serves more than 100 cities from 12 hubs in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Texas Triangle (Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio), Toronto and Washington, D.C.

Action: For the announcements in LA and San Francisco in November and December 2012, Hanser & Associates implemented the PR-led integrated communications campaign across more than 100 cities, including:
• News conferences in LA, San Francisco and cities to be served from those new hubs, involving megabus.com customers and executives; government officials and local tourism leaders
• Social media engaged potential passengers across North America
• Advertising (TV and transit) in LA and San Francisco reached millions of potential passengers
• Event team engaged thousands more

Executives (L to R) of Los Angeles Metro Transportation Authority, LA Tourism & Convention Board and megabus.com – along with megabus.com’s mascot “Chuck” – announced the expansion to LA-area news media in November 2012.

The program, sustained since 2006, has placed more than 15,000 news stories and delivered “industry leader” status for megabus.com, including:
• Time magazine in November 2012 featured megabus.com with the headline “Reinventing The Wheels”
• Bloomberg Businessweek in 2011 credited megabus.com with introducing a new way for Americans to travel, calling it the “Megabus Effect”
• The Motorcoach Council began using the term “MegaBus movement” in 2009 to describe the rapid growth of city-to-city express bus service.

Hanser & Associates’ worldwide resources and connections grew recently with additional affiliated offices in:

• India: Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune
• The Netherlands: Amsterdam, (this new partner location cannot be announced until April 25)
• United States: New York, NY

We provide global resources and connections for our clients via our partnership in IPREX, which has more than 100 offices (across Asia Pacific, North and South America, Europe and the Middle East) delivering comprehensive services for some of the world’s most successful companies.

More than 1,500 professionals in our partner offices are intimately familiar with their local markets.

Meet Lindsey

Lindsey Schwarck joined the Hanser & Associates team as a part-time intern while finishing her senior year at Iowa State University. Recently awarded the Cardinal Key, a prestigious honor society which is awarded to one-half of the one percent of seniors for academics and extra-curricular leadership, Lindsey will graduate in May 2013.

After graduation, Lindsey will continue with Hanser & Associates, serving a variety of clients.

New Clients

Hanser & Associates is pleased to announce two new clients:

1. Repair.com, a company of Sterling, Virginia-based NEW Customer Service Companies. Repair.com is dedicated to fixing the “broken” repair experience. We are providing public relations services for Repair.com’s launch, and supporting the company’s mission to fix the world of home repair one appliance at a time starting in metro Des Moines
2. HCI Care Services – Des Moines, Iowa-based HCI, formerly named Hospice of Central Iowa, is a not-for-profit, independent healthcare organization which has brought comfort and supportive care to individuals and their families since 1978.

Awards

Public Relations Society of America Central Iowa on April 25 presented Hanser & Associates three Public Relations Mark of Excellence (PRIME) awards:

• Integrated Communication Campaign: For “MEGABUS.COM GOES BIG IN TEXAS” — our work (media relations, social media, events and advertising) propelled the expansion of our client megabus.com into the Texas market in 2012.
• Media Relations Program: For “MEGABUS.COM GOES BIG IN TEXAS” — our work with news media in Texas and nationwide propelled the megabus.com expansion in Texas in 2012.
• Media Relations Program: For “Des Moines Home & Garden Show Offers Something for Everyone” — our work with Central Iowa new media drove success of the 2012 Show for our client Marketplace Events.

We are especially honored by awards, presented by industry peers, recognizing our team’s work for our distinguished clients. You can see the more than 100 awards presented to Hanser & Associates here.

Potential customers say their peers – “a person like me” – provide the most credible third-party endorsements. That’s why public relations strategy that mobilizes voices of our clients’ customers — and news media, industry influentials, civic leaders, etc. — help maximize brand awareness and drive sales.

With Hanser & Associates’ roots in public relations, we have unique insight into how to cost-effectively mobilize the voice of our clients’ customers. Today, we’re producing written and video testimonials for almost every client program and campaign today.

Two client examples…
1. Des Moines, Iowa-based Calvin Community uses customers’ voices effectively in TV commercials and video testimonials of residents and their families
2. Here are examples of the power of megabus.com customer testimonials, as told to a reporter in Los Angeles

Your potential and current customers seek the voice of your customers online and via word of mouth and share it as they plan purchases. Take a minute to think of where these voices could help your company – sales pitches, internal meetings, customer support, news releases…

We’ll help you mobilize those voices. Call or email Ryan Hanser if you have questions or need help anywhere in the world.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Des Moines Home & Garden Show at Iowa Events Center will honor all Heroes on Sunday February 10th. The show will provide free admission that day for all past and present Firefighters, Law Enforcement and members of the Military.

The 35th annual show, Feb. 7-10, 2013, is “The Big One!” – a “must see” Iowa tradition that combines relevant experts and hundreds of creative and trend-setting ideas for your home, garden and lifestyle.

“For your service and sacrifice, thank you,” said show manager Shannon Nathe. She added that these “heroes” get in free by stepping up to the HERO Box Office window at Iowa Events Center, and simply showing their I.D.

Show hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 10.

About the Des Moines Home & Garden Show
The Des Moines Home & Garden Show – The Big One!SM is the city’s oldest and largest show of its kind, featuring the latest trends in home, garden, remodeling and interior design concepts from more than 400 exhibitors and 1,000 experts. The 35th annual Show is Feb.7-10, 2013 at Iowa Events Center. Visit www.desmoineshomeandgardenshow.com or call 800.HOM.SHOW (800.466.7469) for discount tickets and more information.

# # #

Landscapers for Des Moines Home & Garden Show

New Concepts Presented in Des Moines Area for First Time

“The Big One!” Attended by More Than 38,000

WHAT: Come take the first look at spring as landscapers prepare for the 2013 Des Moines Home & Garden Show.

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 6: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 7:  5 a.m. – show opening at noon

Call Bonnie Hanser to schedule a time.

WHERE: Iowa Events Center

730 Third Street

Des Moines, Iowa

PHOTO/B-ROLL: On-site photo and b-roll opportunities of landscapers setting up the seven innovative feature gardens.

NOTE : Interview opportunities with show manager Shannon Nathe.

Interviews also available with on-site landscapers, exhibitors, etc.

CONTACT: Bonnie Hanser
Hanser & Associates (for Des Moines Home & Garden Show)
(Office) 515.224.1086

(Mobile) 515.224.9242

bhanser@hanser.com

About the Des Moines Home & Garden Show

The Des Moines Home & Garden Show – The Big One!^SM is the city’s oldest and largest show of its kind, featuring the latest trends in home, garden, remodeling and interior design concepts from nearly 400 exhibitors and 1,000 experts. The 35^th annual Show is scheduled for Feb. 7-10, 2013 at Iowa Events Center. Visit www.desmoineshomeandgardenshow.com or call 800.HOM.SHOW (800.466.7469) for discount tickets and more information.

###

NEW YORK, NY (November 28, 2012) – Megabus.com, the first city-to-city, express bus company with fares from $1, today announced expansion to California and Nevada. California and Nevada residents can now travel express to/from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Calif., Riverside, Calif., Las Vegas, Sparks/Reno, Nev., Sacramento, Calif., and San Jose, Calif. for as low as $1. Frequent daily service will begin Dec. 12, and customers can begin booking travel at www.megabus.com today.
Fares start as low as $1 every day and increase gradually as the traveling date gets closer. Customers are encouraged to book early to secure $1 fares.

“Express bus service from new hubs in San Francisco and Los Angeles is another way megabus.com keeps Americans connected,” said Mike Alvich, megabus.com’s vice president of marketing and public relations. “As California and Nevada residents continue to look for ways to stretch their dollar, megabus.com is committed to safe, affordable travel during this holiday season and beyond.”

To celebrate the new service, during first week of travel Dec. 12-19, all tickets will be $1. Megabus.com always offers fares as low as $1, with many other affordable fares on all of its services.

“Megabus.com, which previously served West Coast residents in 2007-2008, has returned based on customer demand,” said Alvich. “We’ve seen impressive growth throughout North America and are confident that our 21st century double-decker buses with Wi-Fi and power outlets combined with our outstanding prices will be a success among California and Nevada residents.”

More than 80 new jobs will be created with megabus.com’s expansion into Nevada and California.

In addition, megabus.com has partnered with Clean Air-Cool Planet, a national nonprofit organization that works to reduce carbon emissions and help create a sustainable environment. For every new Facebook friend and Twitter follower added on Nov. 28, megabus.com will donate $1 to Clean Air-Cool Planet; megabus.com will present a check to Clean Air-Cool Planet in December.

Megabus.com, a subsidiary of Coach USA, launched in April 2006 and has served more than 22 million travelers. In addition to affordable fares, megabus.com offers customers state-of-the-art, green-certified double-decker buses with free Wi-Fi, power outlets, seat belts, restrooms and are wheelchair accessible.

Visit www.megabus.com for additional information about the service, schedules, arrival and departure times and fares.

# # #

Megabus.com high-resolution photos and broadcast-quality video for download:
PHOTOS:

Double-decker bus at Los Angeles Union Station
Double-decker bus at Los Angeles Walt Disney Hall
Double-decker bus on Interstate-15
Double-decker bus at San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf
Double-decker bus in downtown San Francisco
Double-decker bus on Las Vegas Strip

B-ROLL VIDEO: Link to video of buses in Los Angeles/San Francisco/Las Vegas: http://bit.ly/westcoastmegaB

ABOUT MEGABUS.COM
Megabus.com is one of the largest privately funded providers of city-to-city express bus transportation and serves more than 120 cities in North America, including routes operated by other Coach USA subsidiaries.

Megabus.com is the first express bus line to offer high-quality travel for as low as $1 via the Internet. Megabus.com operates service from 10 hubs in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Texas Triangle (Dallas, Houston, San Antonio), Washington D.C. and Toronto – creating more than 1,000 new, professional jobs. Visit www.megabus.com for a complete list of cities served.

Service for megabus.com operates daily. Fares shown are one-way and include all government taxes. Since its launch on April 10, 2006, megabus.com has served more than 22 million travelers. For the latest news and travel deals, follow megabus.com on Twitter at @megabus and Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/megabus.com.officialpage.

Megabus.com is a subsidiary of Coach USA, one of the largest transportation companies in North America, and maintains the highest safety compliance rating (Satisfactory) from the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Paramus, N.J.-based Coach USA owns and operates 30 local companies in North America, some that have been in business for more than 70 years, which operate scheduled bus routes, motor coach tours, charters and sightseeing tours.

Additional safety information can be found in the video here.

Your Winter issue of Communication Strategies is now available. To view, click here.

We hope you find this news from Hanser & Associates informative and helpful, including…

• Looking ahead: Media in 2013
• International award for television ad
• Staff news: Hanser on industry Exec. Board; Van De Walle joins staff
• New technology client

Your resource for powerful results,
Hanser & Associates

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