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Local journalists served as panelists at the second D/FW American Marketing Association (AMA) Health Care Special Interest Group (SIG) event, providing insight to local communicators on how to connect with media.

DALLAS – March 1, 2010 – The upward shift from traditional media to online – from blogs to social media – has left communications professionals with fewer reporters to connect with and more competition for less space in print. To offer these professionals an opportunity to learn current tips and best practices from journalists first-hand, Jim O’Gara, leader of the D/FW American Marketing Association (AMA) Health Care SIG and president of Dallas-based advertising agency OnMessage, teamed up with its Dallas-based public relations firm, C. Pharr & Company, to organize a panel of local health care journalists for the SIG’s second event: “How Your Company Can Secure Coverage in Healthcare Media.”

The panel, moderated by O’Gara, included Jason Roberson, health care business reporter, Dallas Morning News; Elizabeth Bassett, health care, science and technology reporter, Fort Worth Business Press; Chad Watt, associate editor, Dallas Business Journal; and Jan Jarvis, health care reporter, Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

“As a firm with several clients in the health care field, having the opportunity to interact face-to-face with these journalists and learn the topics that appeal to them individually is invaluable to our business,” said Cynthia Pharr Lee, president of C. Pharr & Company.

The panel agreed that when considering a pitched idea, the news that affects the largest number of people with relevancy to the area has a better chance of becoming a story.

“If a nationwide health trend can be localized, it becomes more significant to our readers,” Bassett said.

Watt added, “Health care is a complex topic. Bring it home to the people – make it accessible to many and keep it simple.”

Communicators may be surprised to hear that despite the “buzz” surrounding social media, it does not rank high as a channel to find sources and story ideas for these individuals.

“I want to brainstorm story ideas and angles with you on the phone,” Roberson said.

Jarvis added, “I prefer face to face. I’ve found that some of the best stories developed while I was out of the office, on the ground.”

About OnMessage
OnMessage is an integrated advertising agency focused on creating brand stories that emotionally connect with a specific audience, and telling those stories through the most appropriate advertising and marketing vehicles. Leveraging traditional and digital media, OnMessage has helped clients such as AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group, 3M Unitek, The SCOOTER Store, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and others improve the return on investment they receive for every marketing dollar they spend. With a core philosophy of staying “on message,” and its team of branding and storytelling professionals, OnMessage is the agency leading companies turn to for innovative advertising ideas. For more information, please visit www.itsonmessage.com or call 972-931-3444 Ext. 1106.

About C. Pharr & Company
C. Pharr & Company is a Dallas-based public relations and marketing communications firm with a proven track record of leadership in communications, providing strategic services to select clientele. Business-oriented communications expertise coupled with intensive senior counselor involvement are the firm's competitive edge. C. Pharr prides itself on implementing successful media campaigns that bring increased recognition for its clients, helping them to achieve their business goals while yielding greater stakeholder support. For more information, please visit www.pharrpr.com.

About DFW AMA
The DFW American Marketing Association (AMA) is the number one source for marketers in the Dallas /Fort Worth Metroplex. With an impressive 700+ professional members and host to more than 50 informative and educational events annually, it is the ninth fastest growing chapter and the tenth largest in the nation. Recent keynote speakers include: Mary Kay, Frito-Lay, Texas Instruments, American Airlines, Xerox, JC Penney and La Quinta Hotels and Inns. For more information, please visit www.dfwama.com.

Media Contact:
Marie Powell, C. Pharr & Company
214-208-5964
marie@pharrpr.com

DALLAS – September 2009 – C. Pharr & Company, a public relations and marketing communications firm that provides strategic services and business-oriented communications expertise, has named Leah Ekmark as director of account services. In this role, her duties will include account and project management, strategic traditional and social media relations planning and implementation, crisis communication management, community relations and marketing communications. Ekmark has been with C. Pharr & Company for five years.

Ekmark works with a variety of clients that have a major impact on the local business community including those involved in the financial, commercial real estate, design, and construction, technology, health care, retail and advertising industries. Her media relations expertise has helped clients accomplish their business goals, leveraging their profiles in the business community through her proactive work efforts with both traditional and new media outlets on a local, regional and national scale.

She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America’s North Texas Chapter and served as the publicity chairman for more than two years, most recently transitioning in to a new role to institute more diversity initiatives within the chapter. Ekmark actively participates in The Real Estate Council (TREC), working on the core marketing/public relations committee and was also selected to serve as the 2009 FightNight publicity chair for the 21st annual FightNight, the premier fundraising event within the Dallas real estate community. She is also involved in TREC Young Guns, a group of young commercial real estate professionals driven by a common goal to support TREC’s vision, and was selected to serve as the 2009 marketing/public relations chair for this core group.

She is an active Big Sister and was recently invited to serve on the inaugural Junior Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). Ekmark has also volunteered her time to assist with publicity and promotion for the both the 2008 and 2009 BBBS Annual Big Black Tie Ball to help raise funds for this non-profit. Ekmark graduated from the University of Arizona in Tucson with a B.A. in communications summa cum laude and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa. She currently resides in the Park Cities area.

About C. Pharr & Company
C. Pharr & Company is a well-known public relations and marketing communications firm in Addison, Texas that provides strategic services to a select clientele. Business-oriented communications expertise coupled with intensive senior counselor involvement are the firm's competitive edge. C. Pharr & Company prides itself on implementing successful media campaigns that bring increased recognition for its clients, helping them to achieve their business goals. For more information visit C. Pharr & Company online at www.pharrpr.com.

DALLAS – April, 2009 Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of North Texas, a volunteer organization that provides children support, guidance, friendship and fun by matching them to adult role models, announced today its 2009 inaugural Junior Board of Directors. Leah Ekmark of C. Pharr & Company was one of seven young professionals selected to establish a Junior Board for the Dallas County region of BBBS. This core group of individuals was selected based on their leadership and dedication in previous roles with BBBS and overall community involvement.

The Junior Board of Directors will dedicate their time, talent and resources to further help support the mission of BBBS, helping the agency in reaching financial, community awareness and outreach goals. The Junior Board will also provide support to the Dallas County Board of Directors, working together to align with the agency’s strategic plan, helping to continue to grow the agency, recruit new Bigs and help raise funds for this non-profit to make more matches.

Serving as a Big Sister for more than four years, Ekmark has continually dedicated her time and professional expertise to this non-profit, including helping support regional events such as Bowl for Kids Sake, Big Picture Luncheon while also assisting with recruitment, including making introductions for the agency with other local professional organizations as well as personally introducing friends, family and colleagues to the agency, in an effort to further develop relationships that are beneficial and meaningful for BBBS. For the past two years Ekmark has assisted with the publicity and promotion for the annual BBBS Big Black Tie Ball, one of the primary fundraising events designed to inspire attendees through the people that inspire us every day, our children.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a donor-based organization that places caring adults in the lives of children in one-to-one mentoring relationships. Through the positive impact of those friendships, children with a Big Brother or Big Sister are more likely to graduate from high school and less likely to begin using drugs, begin using alcohol engage in negative behavior. Contact us at 888.887.BIGS or www.bbbstx.org.

DALLAS – January 12, 2009 – The Real Estate Council (TREC) Young Guns announced today its 2009 core executive committee, naming Leah Ekmark of C. Pharr & Co. as the public relations/marketing chair. Launched in May 2006 as a sub-membership level of TREC, this group is comprised of young commercial real estate professionals motivated by a common purpose to promote TREC involvement and to encourage participation in social, political and civic issues that affect the city of Dallas and North Texas.

Ekmark’s responsibilities include implementing awareness campaigns that remain consistent with the TREC Young Guns brand, coordinating media coverage and executing marketing tactics. Ekmark’s main responsibility will be to generate and increase awareness about TREC Young Gun’s three main programs – The Forum, View From the Top and Casino Night – among the membership base as well as for prospective members, enabling this group of young professionals to network with peers while learning more about the real estate industry in conjunction with Dallas’ current economic and political climate.

With a membership base of over 350 members, TREC Young Guns continues to grow at a rapid pace, making it increasingly important to focus on communication initiatives and marketing efforts to maintain this group’s focus of making the city of Dallas a great place to live while continuing to spread the word about all the effort this group has put forth to connect with the Dallas community and beyond.

About TREC Young Guns
Established in May 2006 as a sub-membership of TREC with more than 350 members, TREC Young Guns is comprised of young commercial real estate professionals driven by a common vision to promote TREC involvement and to develop, educate, and enable future leaders to accomplish civic initiatives in North Texas, with an emphasis on improving the quality of life in Downtown Dallas. To learn more visit, www.recouncil.com or call (214) 692-3600.

About TREC and TREC Foundation
Founded in 1990, The Real Estate Council is a dynamic organization of 1,600 commercial real estate professionals representing more than 500 companies in the Dallas area. Through investments of financial and human capital, TREC Foundation works to improve the quality of life in Dallas’ most distressed neighborhoods with programming to address job creation, child welfare, education, community revitalization, the environment and affordable housing. Since 1990 TREC has invested $7 million in cash and $75 million in pro bono professional expertise in the community. TREC is a leader of initiatives shaping the future of our community including the original $1.5 million grant spearheading Woodall Rodgers Park, and $250,000 in funding and $6.3 million in pro bono legal and title services creating the Urban Land Bank. TREC’s Government Affairs Board pursues advocacy efforts on local and statewide public policy issues. Find out more at www.recouncil.com or by calling (214) 692.3600.