Trio Media Group’s Ron Slotin traveled to Ghana this week with Trio client Laura Turner Seydel to meet with members of the Ghana Planeteer Movement.

Laura, an eco-living expert and chairperson of the Captain Planet Foundation, along with Captain Planet Foundation founder and Captain Planet co-founder Barbara Pyle, will meet with the Planeteers, as well as the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and the Minister of the Environment to discuss environmental issues affecting the African nation.

Trio Media Group provides public relations, digital content strategy, creation and management as well as social media services to Laura and the  Captain Planet Foundation. While in Ghana, Laura will meet with the media for interviews and speak to influential groups.

The Ghana Planeteer Movement was launched in October 2010 by Laura, along with Edward Boateng, executive chairman of Global Media Alliance, and Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, Omanhene of the Akyem Abuakwa State. The group plans hands-on clean-up activities in their area as well as environmental education campaigns in schools.

Visit Laura’s blog to learn more about this exciting global movement!

Photo courtesy of the Ghana Planeteers

Atlanta-based Trio Media Group (http://triomediagroup.com/), a full-service interactive, public relations and marketing firm, has been recognized by the University of Georgia’s Alumni Association as a member of the 2012 Bulldog 100, which honors the fastest growing businesses owned and/or operated by UGA alumnus. The firm was named the 27^th fastest growing business at the Bulldog 100 award ceremony. Trio Media Group’s co-founders, Denise Evans Elsbree and Ron Slotin, are both alumni of the University of Georgia and met while working on The Red & Black newspaper staff.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized among many distinguished companies by our alma mater,” said Denise Evans Elsbree, chief executive of Trio Media Group. “The education and experience gained from my time at the Grady College of Journalism was truly a launch point for my career in building successful companies.”

“Who would have thought meeting at The Red & Black student newspaper would one day lead to winning this award?” said Ron Slotin, co-founder and principal at Trio Media Group. “UGA played an instrumental part in where our business is today.”

“Most of our business focuses on new media now. We work in the digital content arena, creating innovative websites, video platforms and interactive environments on mobile and the web. Trio Media Group is a leader in this competitive industry. Our goal is to make our clients successful. That is what propels our growth and our success,” said Evans Elsbree. “This award recognizes that we have created a formula that works. The staff at Trio is talented and ready to break more records this year.”

Companies are ranked by a three-year compounded annual growth rate of revenues and were required to meet the following criteria: companies must have been in business for at least five years; have revenues of at least $100,000 in the 2008 calendar year; a UGA alumnus must either own at least 50 percent of the company or serve as CEO, president, or managing partner; and the business must operate in a manner that is consistent with UGA’s “Pillars of the Arch” character statement. One hundred companies were selected out of 800 applicants to make up the Bulldog 100.

Trio Media Group and other Bulldog 100 recipients were honored at a special event on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta. The event was hosted by Emmy award-winning television journalist and University of Georgia alumna, Deborah Norville. For more information about the Bulldog 100, visit http://www.alumni.uga.edu/alumni/index.php/site/bulldog100/b100_about.

Social Media Content:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TRIOmediagroup

Twitter: http://twitter.com/triomedia

About Trio Media Group:
Trio Media Group is an Atlanta-based award-winning, full-service resource for film/TV projects, interactive development, public relations and advertising. A strategic and creative partner for national and regional companies, Trio provides market strategy, branding, web design, interactive, mobile, event, social media, email marketing, print, PR, film and video production services, as well as online and on-air news content solutions. For more information, visit http://triomediagroup.com/.

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This year has flown by and many of us are wondering where the year has gone.  All of us have been busy tweeting, maintaining our LinkedIn status and connecting with others on Facebook.  We’ve spent more time discovering our favorite videos on YouTube while simultaneously checking into restaurants and venues via Foursquare.  2011 can be defined as a year of social media boom and mobile networking, keeping us connected more than ever before.  In fact, earlier this year Pew Internet released a study that shows more than 1/3 of American adults not only own a smartphone, but use it mainly as a data source.  This means many of us are interacting with businesses and social media platforms on the go.

All of this networking means we’re becoming accustomed to instant access and information.  This is great for consumers, but how does this impact businesses who want to remain cutting edge?   Here is our list of 4 important social media trends that will impact the way businesses connect with their customers:

• Social shopping or ‘f-commerce’- will begin to be an important addition to a company’s social media strategy.  Currently several companies are offering it, but in 2012 we’ll begin to see more growth of shopping via Facebook.  Burberry is one company that has begun to tap into social shopping.  This allows businesses to have a further reach when the purchase posts to a customer’s Facebook page or is instantly tweeted.
• Social TV is another big area of growth for 2012.  Consumers will be able to interact with fans in real time through a show’s Twitter #hashtag, smartphone and tablet apps, and even Facebook.   CBS show the Amazing Race used social media as a tool for communicating episode delays due to football & Fox’s the X Factor offers fans a smartphone app that allows them to engage while the showing is airing.
• Branded content will also play a bigger role in how consumers engage socially with companies.  Many businesses are already incorporating blogs and video into their online presences.  However, there will be a shift in 2012 where these are not just marketing tools but offer consumers a richer experience with your products.  Encouraging customer-created video that showcases your brand has been a success for companies like Red Bull. Small businesses can enjoy the benefits too.
• Location-based networking is another trend that is showing continued growth into 2012.  Offering a way for your customers to check into your Facebook page and receive an incentive to share their location helps a company obtain further reach.  One Atlanta company that has been successful with this concept is Yeah! Burger.  Fans who interact with their page know to check in and receive a discount or special offer.  Providing customers a way to check in with your restaurant, spa or boutique lets them share what they’re doing in real time, while also giving you the opportunity to listen to what your customers are saying about you.

Are you already incorporating any of these trends into your business?   Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Websites on budget and Denise on CNN
Advertising campaigns and new Facebook friends
Video production and stylish designs
These are a few of our favorite things

With the year rapidly coming to an end, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite things for 2011.

We kicked off the year with the launch of PATH Foundation’s website to celebrate the Foundation’s 20^th anniversary. Many people know about the Silver Comet Trail, Stone Mountain Trail and Chastain Park Trail, but did you know they were all built by the PATH Foundation? Trio developed customized Google mapping for the trails so visitors can get real-time location information on their smartphones.

Trio worked with Georgia Commerce Bank to launch their new website. The website and advertising campaign highlight real life customer testimonials that discuss the personal service the bank offers as well as how the bank has worked with them to help make their businesses more successful. The slogan of the bank is “Your Success is our Business,” and it really rings true for their customers.

Trio worked with Piedmont Healthcare and Dr. Randy Martin to launch HealthwatchMD.com, which has revolutionized the way health care consumers are getting their information. HealthWatchMD produces original content seven days per week reporting on new studies, issues in the news, and health questions seen in movies or affecting celebrities. The video and social media integration is on the cutting edge for the health industry, leading HealthWatchMD to partner with The Weather Channel as the channel’s provider of health news.

Adding to our work with health care, Trio started working with Laura Turner Seydel on her website, social media and public relations. Laura’s mission is to create a sustainable and healthy planet for our kids. She serves as chairperson for the Captain Planet Foundation and Zero Waste Zone, and is co-founder of Mothers and Others for Clean Air as well as the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. Her new website and social media platforms are the best way – and maybe the only way – to keep up with her numerous events and activities.

In the spring, Trio helped PATH Foundation with their inaugural TriPATHlon. Ron not only helped with the race, but was also a participant. He is challenging all of his friends to sign up for next year’s race. If you have ever thought about trying a triathlon, this is the best race to start.

Denise stayed busy in 2011 with many speaking appearances on social media and merging media technologies, including CNN, a Ragan Healthcare webinar, Digital Atlanta and the Wedding MBA Conference in Las Vegas.

Finally, what a great year for the movies in Georgia! Denise and Ron were part of the original team that developed the business plan and legislation that led to the current entertainment tax incentives offered by the state. This tax incentive has been a tremendous economic generator for Georgia and resulted in the creation of thousands of jobs. Denise and Ron set up a sister company, Georgia Film Credit Consultants, to work with film studios to sell their tax credits to companies and individuals in Georgia.

Just a sampling of the movies filmed in Georgia this year:

• X Man: First Class
• Wanderlust
• Footloose
• What to Expect When You’re Expecting
• Madea’s Big Happy Family
• Fast & Furious 5
• The Three Stooges

Thanks for a fantastic year – we look forward to a great 2012!

Control your message. If you don’t issue a statement or speak to the media during a scandal, someone will inevitably do it for you. While Kim Kardashian’s quick divorce might have damaged her reputation, she did control the message by posting a statement to her fans on her blog. Whether or not you agree with her actions, she did at least one thing right by issuing a statement before unnamed “sources” or media could speak on her behalf.

Lesson: When faced with a crisis PR situation, don’t ignore the media, your customers or the public. Prepare talking points, issue a statement and handle media requests. Even better, have a plan in place before a crisis actually occurs.

Take responsibility. One of the worst things Penn State’s (now former) president Graham B. Spanier could have done was issue a statement in support of the officials who did not report the cases of alleged child molestation. This statement lacked sensitivity, and made it appear that Spanier was siding with the officials rather than recognizing the suffering of the victims. The Penn State board of trustees later issued their own statement offering, first and foremost, their support to the families affected in this case.

Lesson: Focus on solutions. When crisis situations occur, it can be tempting to immediately defend yourself. However, appearing defensive will only further damage your image. By Spanier immediately defending the university officials, Penn State appeared to be indifferent to the actual victims in this situation. There is nothing wrong with elaborating on the steps you are taking to repair a situation, but don’t place blame. The public wants to know what is being done to remedy a crisis.

Tell the truth. And tell it right away. One of the first things I learned when I began my career in PR was to “tell the truth, tell it all and tell it fast.” The truth will come out, sooner or later. And if you’re not the one to tell it, you will surely damage your reputation and end up looking like a liar.

Crisis situations are never easy and there is often a lot of gray area. An effective public relations strategy can be your best friend during a catastrophe. Control your own message, accept responsibility and tell the truth right away. While you cannot control everything that is said in the media or by the public, you can significantly reduce the damage to your brand and/or reputation. Remember: the worst thing you can do in a crisis PR situation is nothing.

We are excited to announce we are recipients of a 2011 Davey Gold Websites/Online Marketing award for creative excellence. Our client, PATH Foundation’s website was chosen among thousands of entries. PATH Foundation is a nonprofit group that has developed more than 160 miles of trails throughout Georgia for recreation and commuting since 1991.

We worked with PATH to develop a strategy for brand awareness as the organization celebrated its 20^th anniversary. The site serves as a PATH media center and includes news, upcoming events, articles and Google trail maps. Trio used the Google API to accurately map PATH’s trails and to feature points of interest, parking, restrooms, bridges and picnic areas. Additionally, trail users can access GPS on their mobile devices to determine their exact location on the trail or report any problems.

Trio designed the site to dynamically highlight PATH’s achievements, with a user-friendly format and an active media center. The integrated design, smartphone technology and social media campaign gives trail users an improved experience, whether they are online or using their mobile devices, and resulted in a significant increase in traffic to PATH’s website.

The Davey Awards is an international creative award that honors outstanding creative work from the best smaller firms worldwide. The 2011 Davey Awards received more than 4,000 entries and judges selected fewer than 10 percent to receive a Gold Davey. The Davey is judged and overseen by the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA). The IAVA is an invitation-only member-based organization of leading professionals from various disciplines of the visual arts dedicated to embracing progress and the evolving nature of traditional and interactive media. Current membership represents a “Who’s Who” of acclaimed media, advertising, and marketing firms including: Conde Nast, Coach, Disney, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Estee Lauder, HBO, Monster.com, MTV, Polo Ralph Lauren, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Victoria’s Secret, Wired, Yahoo! and many others.

Digital Atlanta is only weeks away! This all-volunteer conference is for people who use and appreciate social media, the digital universe, and consumer technology. Trio’s own Denise Elsbree will be a speaker for the conference’s entertainment track.

If you are interested in Atlanta’s growing entertainment field or work in the entertainment industry and want to learn more about how to maximize your exposure online – then Digital Atlanta is the place to be!

On Friday, November 11th, join Digital Atlanta’s Entertainment track starting with Emma Loggins’ presentation on Attracting Fans And Engaging Your Community (10am – 11am) followed by Mickey Desai’s presentation on A Grassroots Approach To Social Gaming (11:30am – 12:30pm), next join Extras Casting Atlanta for Using Social Media To Cast Extras And Local Talent (1pm – 2pm), followed by Dan Webber’s Digitainment and the Effect of Disruptive Social Media (2:30pm – 3:30pm), and closing out our track we have Denise Elsbree’s presentation with Chris Ritger of The Weather Channel on Merging Digital and Entertainment: A Closer Look at What is Happening and What Is Possible (4pm – 5pm).

Make sure you don’t miss Denise for Merging Digital and Entertainment – A Closer Look at What is Happening and What is Possible! Description below -

Merging Digital and Entertainment – A Closer Look at What is Happening and What is Possible

Speakers:
Denise Elsbree, Chief Executive, Trio Media Group
Chris Ritger, Digital Distribution and Business Development, The Weather Channel

The Media and Entertainment industry is at a crossroads – with both opportunities and challenges as it works to meet  demand for high-quality content through multiple devices. New revenue opportunities are arising with new ways to deliver content monetizing new content capabilities and services in different segments (broadcast, film, telecom, mobile, retail), across a multitude of screens and devices). Join us as we walk through some exciting examples of this evolving industry vertical.

Denise Evans Elsbree is Chief Executive  of Trio Media Group which is a full-service advertising, PR, interactive and new media company. Trio also has a full TV/Film production division that produces HealthWatchMD  as well as other entertainment projects.  Denise advises clients on social media strategies with LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and blogging to increase brand strength and sales. Denise is an experienced technology leader, having founded and sold StayOnline.net – a company that became the largest wireless internet company in the hospitality industry. She is a fully immersed, early adopter of new media. She appears in the news media as a go-to Social Media Expert, including CNN. Because of this, she is often sought out to speak to large audiences to help them understand and successfully employ social media strategies.

Chris Ritger is part of the Digital Distribution and Business Development team at The Weather Channel, where he specializes in strategic partnerships, distribution and new revenue opportunities across all digital properties including web, mobile, video, tablets and other emerging platforms. Previously, Chris identified and evaluated new business opportunities for an early stage venture capital firm/technology incubator. Chris received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia as well as an MBA from the University of Georgia.

More information at DigitalAtlanta.org

Denise Elsbree and Ed Lovern to Host “Hospital Marketing: Why Your Hospital Must Have an Online Newsroom” on Nov. 9

Trio Chief Executive and HealthWatchMD News Director Denise Elsbree and Piedmont Healthcare Chief Executive Ed Lovern are hosting a webinar presented by the Mayo Clinic Center for Social Media and Ragan Communications entitled, “Hospital marketing: Why your hospital must have an online newsroom,” Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. EST.

During the webinar, Denise and Ed will explain how HealthWatchMD increased health promotion efforts for Piedmont Hospital, created greater awareness of the hospital’s unique capabilities, reached larger audiences with critical health messages and increased regional brand recognition of Piedmont Healthcare as a premier hospital.

The webinar is open to the public; registration is $139 and $99 for Ragan Communications members.

HealthWatchMD was created to bring a multimedia response to breaking health news and make it relevant to everyday life. Dr. Randy Martin serves as the medical correspondent working with Piedmont Healthcare to provide a unique look at the latest in health news and research for consumers through web, mobile phone and social media technology.

A few months ago Jamie Turner, the chief content officer at 60 Second Marketer, broke down social media ROI cycle into three stages.

• Launch
• Management
• Optimization

He details out that as businesses move into establishing social media, as a way to network and communicate with customers, many focus on the ‘Big 4′ platforms.  They set up Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn pages, then actively pursue numbers.  As Jamie explains, the Launch phase focuses on getting started rather than a long term plan.  They’re in response mode, providing what they perceive the customer wants from them. Quickly the focus moves to a Management phase, where they begin to connect with customers and focus on building higher numbers.  Typically, according to his research a business will focus only about 10% on creative and offer development, while 20% is on quantitative metrics.  This is the stage where most businesses feel stuck, not sure how to move from management into Optimization phase.  This is when a business is wanting to optimize campaigns, with focus equally on creative, quantitative and qualitative metrics.   It’s a phase when businesses feel comfortable in trying different campaigns and testing successes and failures.

One way I recommend clients view social media ROI is to picture social media networking similar to getting a new puppy.  Your launch phase is like going out and adopting a new, very adorable puppy that’s extremely playful. You’re very excited for the new addition to your home.  You rush out and get toys, a fancy collar and maybe even a few pieces of clothing.  You’re anxious to share your dog with friends and this is how many businesses use the ‘Big 4′ social media platforms to brand themselves.  It’s an online method for sharing with your customers; you’re excited and ready to show them off!

Suddenly you’ve moved into management phase with your puppy.  You have to feed it, clean up after it and provide exercise.  You’re more focused on taking care of basic needs than anything else.  You’re still trying to find out what will make the puppy happy and how to connect with him long term.  You’ve realized this is a long term relationship that needs a bit more nurturing and creativity, but first puppy classes.  In social media, when we’re in the management phase we interact the very same way with our customers; we’re more focused on learning how to manage the new addition.  After all, it’s not always getting them to like the page but providing creative content that will build a long term relationship of communication.

Ultimately your goal with a puppy or in social media is to know that your ROI is quantitative and qualitative.  This is where you begin to focus on optimizing your time with the puppy; you’ve done the classes and they’re fully prepared to interact with society.  In social media you begin to focus on ways to give back to your loyal customers, especially those who have been influential in your growing fan base.  Your social media ROI has successfully moved from managing platforms and information to learning about your audience and how they want to receive relevant news from you.

1.  So you’ve tagged, posted, tweeted, circled, checked in and now what? Another new social media tool?  It seems overwhelming because it is.  My advice is to select a few to use and monitor your time and results.  Social media should compliment your life, rather than compete in your life.

2.  When utilizing each platform, Facebook, Twitter, Google +, LinkedIn, consider how each helps you in your life.  Does it help you keep in touch with your kids? Let you broadcast a message to your business connections all at once? Share photos easily? Just because they are there does not mean you need to use them. I say 15 minutes a day is a good amount of time to engage in social media.  You could save that time up for the weekend or use it for work and personal each day by smartphone. Social media makes it incredibly easy to stay connected if you want to be..

3.  You don’t want to add everyone to each platform because then you overload yourself with repetitive communication AND you overload your followers. Be careful about connecting your posts to each other.

4.   Decide which one you want linked to : Foursquare or other location based applications.  This will save you time when communicating events you want to share with certain groups. Location based social media will become more and more important because of the rise in use of smartphones. Getting discounts and information will be even simpler so using these tools is a smart way to save.

5. These days social media is not simply communicating what you’re doing or who you’re with at dinner.  It’s showcasing the vast aspects of our personalities.  See it as the scheduling calendar for your personality that needs organizing like your personal event calendar. The parent side, work side and just fun side of your personality.

6. What not do – basic etiquette is still important. Recent studies suggest that women and kids share too much information on FB. Who’s to say really?  But learning that your friend is pregnant because she posted a photo of her positive urine stick is just too much. Really?  Ask yourself if that’s a good idea. A good test is : would I tell this info to the person in line at the grocery store?  If the answer is no…Then don’t post it on FB.

Also blunders happen when people drink and post and when they are linked from one profile to another…like Facebook to Twitter. Oops you may have shared the wrong info to the wrong group.  Once a month, review your progress and why you are spending time on sites…and maybe adjust or add new apps, photos and updates to your profile.  Remember, it’s your brand.  You are in charge.

Check out Trio’s Denise Elsbree discussing Social Media Overload on CNN -