Thorp & Company's Source Blog

Florida’s Super Lawyers

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:43:00 +0000

Attorneys from Tripp Scott and Ratzan & Rubio were recently recognized as Florida 2010 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.

Super Lawyers magazine is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

From Tripp Scott in Ft. Lauderdale

Edward Pozzuoli, president

Super Lawyer in business litigation

Edwards R. Curtis, director

Super Lawyer in personal injury plaintiff: products

Paul Lopez, director

Super Lawyer in labor and employment

Alexander Brown, associate

Rising Star in business litigation and labor and employment

From Ratzan, Rubio in Miami, Florida

Stuart N. Ratzan

Super Lawyer in Personal Injury Plaintiff: Medical Malpractice

Maria L. Rubio

Super Lawyer in Personal Injury Plaintiff: Medical Malpractice

G. Scott Vezina

Super Lawyer in Florida Rising Stars

Thorp & Company president, Patricia Thorp, judges for the Influential Business Women Awards

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:19:00 +0000

The South Florida Business Journal recently invited Patricia Thorp to serve on the advisory panel for its 2010 Influential Business Women Awards.

On this panel she selected the top 25 business women candidates from across South Florida with the criteria being:

leadership
performance within their industries
innovation within their industries
meaningful community involvement

Patricia was asked to be part of the panel based upon her own history of leadership, performance and innovation in public relations.

Winners of the 2010 Influential Business Women Awards will be announced in a special ceremony on September 16.

Kaufman, Rossin's Steven Demar discusses importance of cash flow in Florida Real Estate Journal

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:44:00 +0000

The Florida Real Estate Journal has published an article from Kaufman, Rossin principle Steven Demar that discusses the importance of cash flow for commercial real estate businesses.

Read the full article at: http://www.frej.net/news/column/2010-06-09/cash-flow-lifeblood-your-business

Tripp Scott's Matthew Zifrony discusses CMBS loans in today's Daily Business Review

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:40:00 +0000

10 percent of CMBS loans in default, and rising
Daily Business Review
By: Polyana da Costa
June 10, 2010

lan Gross and his partners didn’t expect to become part of the commercial real estate meltdown when they bought a Boca Raton office building for $20 million.

But months after last year’s purchase, the $18 million loan they assumed became a small piece of the more than $1.6 billion of commercial mortgage-based securities loans that are delinquent in South Florida.

More than 10 percent of South Florida’s CMBS loans are delinquent, compared with the national delinquency rate of about 8.4 percent, according New York-based real estate research company Trepp, which tracks CMBS loans.

The local delinquency rate is expected to climb until at least mid-2011, said Trepp vice president Paul Mancuso.

Gross and his partners bought the Compson Financial Center in April 2009 through an entity called 980 North Federal Highway LLC, which assumed the mortgage on the property. At the time, it seemed like a good deal. The building had sold for $26 million in 2005, was 91 percent leased, and the rental income was enough to cover the mortgage payments.

Today, the building is 53 percent occupied, worth about $10 million at most, and rental income is barely a third of the more than $100,000 monthly mortgage payment.

“We are still losing tenants,” Gross said. “Not only have rents declined tremendously, but tenants also are looking for large tenant-improvement packages to sign a new lease; plus the building is so far underwater.”

Gross said he tried to work out a deal with the special servicer, Miami Beach-based LNR, to buy the note for less than the principal balance, but LNR had “unrealistic” expectations.

LNR representatives did not return a call seeking comment.

Gross said he is negotiating a deed in lieu of foreclosure to surrender the property in a “smooth transition.”

Fortunately for Gross and his partners, the loan was nonrecourse, which means they are not personally liable for the debt.

Distressed properties, like the Compson Financial Center, that are worth less than the remaining loan amount have contributed in large part to the troubled CMBS loans across the area.

In Sunrise, another property in distress because of the loss of a tenant is the former regional headquarters of Canadian telecom company Nortel Networks.

According to Trepp, TMW, an investment fund managed by an arm of Prudential Real Estate Investors, was more than 60 days delinquent on its $26.5 million loan for the building at the end of May.

TMW paid $40.7 million for the 185,000-square foot property in 2006. The building was constructed to house Nortel’s corporate offices in 1995. Nortel, which has vacated the building, occupied most of the property at one time. Pediatrix Medical Group continues to occupy some space and pays about $78,000 in rent per month, according to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in Delaware. Nortel’s lease was to expire in 2017. It asked the court to allow the termination of the lease as it reduced its workforce.

Nortel was paying more than $245,000 in monthly rent, according to court records. TMW’s mortgage is not due until 2016, but it went into default after Nortel left the building.

“We are meeting our financial obligations and are actively seeking a new tenant for this property,” a Prudential Real Estate representative said. She declined further comment.

FEAR OF REGULATORS

Properties with high vacancy rates have little chance of being refinanced, especially because of tighter lending regulations implemented since the global financial crisis, said Matthew Zifrony, an attorney and director at Tripp Scott.

“We are hearing this from time to time from lenders: ‘I would love to lend you that money, but if I make this loan, I’ll run afoul of the regulators.”

Some of the CMBS delinquencies can be blamed on the lack of refinancing of loans for properties — including those with high occupancy levels and financially strong tenants — that are current but are coming due, Mancuso said. But in many of those cases, he said, lenders have been more flexible in giving extensions.

“We are seeing two scenarios: troubled properties, where there is a cash flow problem — and in those cases the lenders are forced to foreclose and take ownership — and cases with properties in a strong market with strong fundamentals. And in those situations, we are seeing the volume of loan modifications rise.”

One high-profile South Florida property, the Cocowalk retail center in Miami’s Coconut Grove area, recently was able to work out a loan modification after it was hit with a $97.6 million foreclosure lawsuit from the Bank of America, the trustee on the CMBS mortgage.

A spokeswoman for PMAT CocoWalk, which owns the 200,000-square-foot retail center, said the owner has “worked diligently” with the lender over the past several months to restructure the mortgage.

She said PMAT closed “the loan modification with no change of the ownership or of the operating entity,” at the end on May. The modification document has not yet been recorded in Miami-Dade County records.

Zifrony said he represents several lenders and borrowers in CMBS workouts. He blames some of the high CMBS delinquencies on lenders. He said many resist working with borrowers on a loan modification prior to default, when the troubled borrower is still paying. He said CMBS lenders are more open to negotiations once a loan goes into default.

“It’s frustrating that I still see out there lenders that continue to treat borrowers that are delinquent entirely differently than borrowers that are paying,” he said. “The only way a lender will work with [borrowers] is if they are delinquent.”

Fort Lauderdale broker Lloyd Berger, who has been appointed receiver on several commercial deals, including some backed by CMBS loans, said the larger the loan, the more inclined the lender is to opt for a workout.

TROUBLED HOTELS

The hospitality sector is one that is increasingly in need of workouts. With more than $300 million in past-due CMBS loans, hotels account for about 17 percent of all CMBS defaults in South Florida.

Owners of the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott have been delinquent on their $50 million loan since late last year. An entity managed by executives at Investcorp, a New York investment company, paid more than $59 million for the 279-room hotel in 2007. The hotel is assessed by the property appraiser’s office at $34 million.

John Fraser, the co-head of Investcorp’s real estate group, did not return a call seeking comment.

Another hotel with a troubled loan is the Carlton Hotel in Miami Beach’s South Beach district. The hotel’s owner, Carlton Hotel LLC, has been in default on a $13 million mortgage since December. The entity formed to managed the CMBS loan, JPMCC 2007 CIBC19 Collins Lodging, filed to foreclosure on the hotel late last month. The case is pending.

Among other major South Florida hotels with troubled CMBS loans is the high-profile Shore Club in South Beach. After defaulting on a $110 million loan, owner Philip Pilevsky was hit with a foreclosure lawsuit in March. Even at rates ranging from a few hundred dollars to $3,000 per night, the hotel has seen its revenue drop by more than half, according to reports by the Morgans Hotel Group, which managed the property for Pilevsky.

“Office, hotels and the retail market have all been hit really hard,” Gross said. “But if you think the hotel market is hurting now, just wait until that oil [from the Gulf of Mexico spill] hits our coast.”

INCREASING DEFAULTS

South Florida’s commercial loan delinquencies are expected to continue to rise, Mancuso said. He predicts South Florida’s CMBS delinquency rate could hit 12 percent or 13 percent by mid-2011.

“By then, the [loans originated in 2005 through 2007] will have worked their way through system,” he said.

Mancuso said the volume of loans transferred into special servicing has and will continue to rise over the next months.

“I think we are two-thirds of the way through” the CMBS problems, he said.

On Wednesday, the ratings agency Fitch Ratings announced another troubled loan in Boca Raton. The $24.5 million CMBS loan secured by a 132,000-square-foot building at 7000 W. Palmetto Park Road was transferred to special servicing due to “imminent default,” according to Fitch. The building’s main tenant is Bank of America.

Some South Florida real estate professionals say they realize there are more troubled commercial loans ahead, but they believe the worst has passed.

“I don’t expect it’s going to get that much worse,” Berger said. “More loans are going to go into default, but I don’t think it will trickle down to pure devastation like some people are expecting.”

Zifrony agreed.

“I think there are a lot of signs out there to show that, while things are not getting significantly better, they are not getting significantly worse.”

Tripp Scott's Ed Pozzuoli comments on government spending in today's South Florida Sun-Sentinel

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:29:00 +0000

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel today published an op-ed from Tripp Scott president Ed Pozzuoli about how the growth in government spending and waste is causing irreparable damage to the economy.

Read the full article at http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/commentary/fl-private-pay-forum-20100610,0,4554249.story

Steven Hayworth, president of Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust, quoted in The New York Times

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:46:00 +0000

Steven Hayworth, president of Gibraltar Private Bank and Trust, was recently quoted in a New York Times article about teaching the value of hard work to children of wealthy parents.

Read the article at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/your-money/29wealth.html.

Hudak On Hollywood Comments on Dismal Memorial Day Weekend Box Office

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:13:00 +0000

Dan Hudak, a multimedia film critic and creator of HudakonHollywood.com, recently commented on the dismal Memorial Day weekend box office, which traditionally sets the tone for the summer movie season. According to Hollywood.com the number of tickets sold over the holiday weekend were about 23.4 million, the lowest since 1993.

Not even the stiletto-clad ladies of "Sex in The City 2" were daring enough to make a dent Memorial Day weekend, they shimmied into the third spot. Behind that came "The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" and the movie that raked in the most green for the second weekend in a row was "Shrek Forever After."

So what's to blame for the lusterless summer movie season? Check out Dan's comments to The Christian Science Monitor and go to his website HudakonHollywood.com to see which summer flicks are creating a buzz.

Link to Article:
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0603/Lackluster-Memorial-Day-box-office-Economy-or-bad-films-to-blame

Doctors Hospital Names Patricia Thorp to Board of Directors

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:47:00 +0000

Doctors Hospital, a part of Baptist Health South Florida, has named Patricia Thorp a member of its board of directors. Patricia is president and founder of Thorp & Company, a full service public relations firm based in Coral Gables, Fla.

Patricia currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Commonwealth Institute, a women's peer mentoring group, Miami Coalition of Christians and Jews and Suited for Success. More recently Patricia served as board member of the local chapter of the International Women's Forum.

Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade Announces “Kickoff To Rebuild” in Coconut Grove

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:14:00 +0000

On Thursday, December 3, Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade held a press conference in the historic Coconut Grove community to announce “Kickoff to Rebuild”, an NFL-sanctioned event hosted annually by Rebuilding Together in the Super Bowl host city.

Local dignitaries, sporting celebrities and major sponsor Choice Hotels gathered to announce “Kickoff to Rebuild” event that will take place on Feb. 4, 2010 in Coconut Grove. City of Miami Mayor Thomas Regalado, Commissioner Carlos A. Gimenez, former Miami Dolphin and Hall-of-Fame player Dwight Stephenson, former NFL placekicker Bill Gramatica and others teamed up to make it known in the community that “Kickoff to Rebuild” has been preserving affordable homeownership and revitalizing neighborhoods for 15 years.

Kickoff to Rebuild will include a community clean-up and the revitalization of five homes in the Coconut Grove neighborhood. To date, Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade has rehabilitated more than 70 homes. After the work day, volunteers and community members will enjoy a block-party style celebration for their hard work and dedication to rebuild.

PHOTO: Wesley Truesdell (center with blue shirt), a disabled Army veteran of WWII and Coconut Grove resident of 46 years ago, was chosen for Kickoff to Rebuild because he was ripped off by a contractor who took money, but never completed the work, leaving the home in code violation. Truesdell stands with members of his family in front of his home.

To become a volunteer or sponsor for Kickoff to Rebuild, please visit www.rebuildingtogthermiami.org.

Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade chapter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation that preserves homeownership and revitalizes neighborhoods by providing free of charge rehabilitation services to the elderly, veterans, disabled and low income homeowners. The organization is part of a network of more than 204 affiliates and is the nation’s leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities. For more information, visit www.rebuildingtogethermiami.org.

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Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade is a client of Thorp and Company

Etra Fine Art Gallery Invites you to the Nov. 19 Reception Featuring Simona Fedele and Agostino Rocco

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:54:00 +0000

On November 19, our client Etra Fine Art Gallery is hosting a reception for an exhibit featuring Agostino Rocco and Simona Fedele between 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The exhibit features two contemporary artists who experiment with photography as painting and painting as photography. The cocktail reception will be sponsored by another client, Skyline Equities Realty, developer of the exciting new SkyPalace at Mary Brickell Village.

Agostino Rocco is an experimental photographer whose works reflect passion for painting and portraiture. Rocco uses technique to make his figures appear as marble sculptures and surrounds them with iconography of 18th and 19th century portrait paintings. Simona Fedele’s emotive paintings feature the close-up of a gaze or candidly captured moment with different photographic techniques applied artistically to the texture and background of the painting.

Etra Fine Art Gallery is located at 50 N.E. 40th St. Miami Design District, Miami, FL 33137. To RSVP, please send email to info@SkyPalaceMiami.com.

Etra Fine Art Gallery is a contemporary arts gallery located in the Miami Design District in Miami. Etra Fine Art Gallery has a reputation for featuring avant-garde collections by well established contemporary artists. The gallery features a permanent collection of works by internationally renowned artists. Gallery owners Stefano Campanini and Alicia Restrepo opened Etra Fine Art Gallery in 2004 after nearly two decades in Soho, New York City. For more information, visit http://www.etrafineart.com/.

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Etra Fine Art Gallery is a client of Thorp & Company

Client Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® Brings Record Breaking Crowds

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:08:00 +0000

Race for the Cure Attracts Nearly 19,000 Participants in Miami

The Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® today reported that 18,990 individuals, including more than 900 breast cancer survivors, participated in the 2009 Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®. This is the largest participation in the event’s history.

Despite the current downturn in the economy, the number of participants at this year’s event also made it the largest 5K Run/Walk in Miami-Dade County in 2009. This marks another outstanding year since the first Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Race for the Cure® in 1996.

Some of the major local sponsors of this year’s Race for the Cure® included Publix/Kellogg’s, Macy’s, South Florida Ford Dealers, Chevron, CBS4/MY33, The Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald, Momsmiami.com, Univision, and Clear Channel.

In keeping with Komen guidelines, 75 percent of the net proceeds raised stay in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties to support education, screening and treatment in underserved communities. The remaining 25 percent is pooled with money raised by other Komen affiliates for national research grants.

“The support we have received from the South Florida community will allow us to continue to expand our ongoing educational outreach and screening programs in the Miami/Ft Lauderdale and Florida Keys,” said Bobbi Meyers, executive director for Susan G. Komen Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate. “We are expecting to exceed the $1.2 million raised last year. This money will bring us one step closer to our vision of a world without breast cancer.”

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is dedicated to saving lives and ending breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures. Since its inception in 1996, the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Race For the Cure® and the Affiliate has raised more than $9 million and has reached hundreds of thousands of women and men through educational outreach. For more information, visit http://www.komenmiaftl.org/.

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Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate is a client of Thorp & Company

Messages for Recession & Recovery

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:24:00 +0000

During this economic downturn, we’ve worked closely with our clients to help them get their messaging right. An article posted on the Daily Dog by Frank Zeccola called, “Words that Resonate in Recession and Recovery: PR Messaging Expert Reveals Phrases and Hot Buttons that Move Publics Now,” featuring Michael Maslansky, CEO of Luntz, Maslansky Strategic Research, addresses this notion. Maslansky explains that there are opportunities to use the right kind of corporate messaging to lead your company out of the recession and into recovery. He stresses that it’s not just about what you say and how you say it. You must also consider how the audience will hear your message and interpret it. You need to put yourself in their position and ask yourself: Is this really the message my audience wants to hear? And will they receive it the way they want to receive it?

Six key areas to focus on moving forward:

• Inspiration vs. aspiration. During the recession, focus on stories of everyday people and what they can achieve.

• Responsibility vs. opportunity. In recovery, the language will shift from responsibility to opportunity. Where are the opportunities? How can we think about upward mobility?

• Stability vs. growth. Today, the language of stability is very important. Emphasize your company's stability and stable results in investment. People start looking for more growth in better economic times.

• Control vs. spontaneity. In a recession, it's about smart choices and control. For example, if a company is pitching a product or issue, they have to offer tools that give you control over finances and expenses. However, recovery is more about spontaneity and the fun choices that make you feel good.

• Jobs vs. careers. Right now, people are worried about whether they will have a job tomorrow. In recovery, they have a career, which is rewarding in ways a job never is.

Fundamentally, what this means is that it is important to strategically craft your corporate messages in order for them to be received in the way you want. Your messages should be relevant to your audience’s point of view. This will not only strengthen your communications platform; it will also allow your messages to be easily understood and remembered. The key messages will be meaningful to the audience which will facilitate a strong and loyal relationship.

Client Susan G. Komen for the Cure Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate to Host Fundraisers – Want to help the fight against breast cancer?

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:56:00 +0000

On September 15, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate and Massage Envy will host “Massage for the Cure,” a one-day event to raise funds for breast cancer education, screening and treatment while also providing people with the health benefits of massage therapy.

Massage Envy clinics will offer $35, one-hour therapeutic massage sessions, and donate $10 per massage to the local Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Affiliate.

Interested participants can schedule their massage from 9a.m – 10p.m., Tuesday, September 15 at all participating Massage Envy in Miami-Dade and Broward counties by calling 866-933-3689 or visiting www.massageenvy.com

If a massage is just not for you, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate will also partner with the Florida Marlins as they play a double header with the Philadelphia Phillies to benefit the fight against breast cancer.

The game starts at 4:10 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22.Tickets for this game start at $23 and are valid for both games. A portion of proceeds from each ticket purchased will benefit the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. If you are interested in purchasing tickets, please visit www.komenmiamftl.org and click on events.

Support the fight against breast cancer by enjoying one of these events.

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Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate is a client of Thorp & Company

Client Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade & UM Volunteers Provide Home Repairs to Coconut Grove Family

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:47:00 +0000

On Saturday, August 29, Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade, and more than 25 student volunteers from the University of Miami, and volunteers from the Community Improvement Organization Inc. worked together to provide home repairs for a needy disabled family in Coconut Grove.

Tyrone Borden, a retired employee from the City of Coral Gables, is currently on kidney dialysis. His wife, Patricia, retired after suffering from a heart attack and diabetes and is also on dialysis. The couple’s daughter also lives in the residence and suffers from a kidney disease.

Due to their disability, the Bordens have been unable to keep up with maintenance on their home. They were facing fines from the city for not being compliant with code enforcement due to chipped paint on their home and also needed a new toilet and handicap bars so they are able to maneuver around their bathroom.

The volunteers spent several hours repainting the entire exterior of the home, installing handicap bars, landscaping and making other minor home repairs.

Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade chapter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation that preserves homeownership and revitalizes neighborhoods by providing free of charge rehabilitation services to the elderly, veterans, disabled and low income homeowners. The organization is part of a network of more than 204 affiliates and is the nation’s leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities. For more information, visit www.rebuildingtogethermiami.org.

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Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade is a client of Thorp & Company

Social Media Becoming a Necessity for Major Companies

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:18:00 +0000

A recent article published in The Wall Street Journal about major companies using Twitter demonstrates how prevalent social media is becoming in the PR realm – and it continues to grow. Social media is being incorporated into essential business practices and is also being used in all aspects of public relations; from media relations and branding to crisis communications. It’s becoming a necessity.

Companies like Coca-Cola are hiring social media experts to monitor and help manage corporate image on social sites. This trend is not only about building and maintaining relationships with target publics but also with potential and current clients.

However, social media can be both detrimental and beneficial to companies – they must monitor closely and respond accordingly.

Please follow the link below to read article on The Wall Street Journal.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124925830240300343.html

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Thorp and Company

Client Tripp Scott Discusses Florida’s Future with Senator Jeff Atwater

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:41:00 +0000

Webcasts have emerged as an effective way to communicate messages to a target audience, and smart companies are using web casts internally and externally to help accomplish their communications goals.

Internally, they can help to create a sense of pride among employees, keep employees engaged, boost morale and cross-sell information with other departments and services.

Externally, they can help to get you in front of a target audience, build your brand, demonstrate knowledge and build trust.

Here's a great example from one of our clients. Tripp Scott uses webcasts to communicate with their clients and prospects, demonstrating their commitment to stay ahead of the curve by engaging the leading players involved in key issues.

This one features Sen. Jeff Atwater. Click the link to watch.

http://www.trippscott.com/CM/Videos/Jeff-Atwater.wmv

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Thorp & Company

Client Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Miami/Fort Lauderdale Affiliate to Host Fundraising Event

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:56:00 +0000

California Pizza Kitchen to Benefit the Fight Against Breast Cancer

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) at Mircale Mile, Pembroke Pines and Ft. Lauderdale locations is hosting a fundraiser to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate on Tuesday, July 28. Customers can bring in a printable flyer that can be found on the Komen website so that 20 percent of their check will be donated to the Komen Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate.

Anyone who is interested in participating in the event can go to www.komensmiaftl.org and click on events to download the CPK flyer.

Participants can download the flyer and present it to restaurant servers before they pay their check.

For questions or concerns about the event, contact the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

Participating CPK are open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Coral Gables location:
300 Miracle Mile
Coral Gables, Fla. 33134

Pembroke Lakes Mall location:
11401 Pines Blvd
Pembroke Pines, Fla. 33026

Ft. Lauderdale location:
2301 N. Federal Hwy
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 33305

Susan G. Komen For the Cure® is dedicated to saving lives and ending breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures. Since its inception in 1996, the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Race For the Cure® and the Affiliate has raised more than $8 million and has reached hundreds of thousands of women and men through educational outreach. For more information, visit www.komenmiaftl.org.
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Susan G. Komen Miami/Ft. Lauderdale is a client of Thorp & Company

Client Susan G. Komen Receives Support from Designer Red Carter

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:48:00 +0000

Model sports signature Komen® pink ribbon on swimsuit

Miami-based swimwear designer Red Carter showed its support to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Miami/ Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week SWIM. The designer supported breast health and breast cancer awareness at his 2010 swimwear collection runway show. One of the Carter’s models sported the signature Komen® pink ribbon on her swimsuit during the show on July 17 at South Beach’s The Raleigh hotel.

“I was excited to show my support to the local Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Komen® Affiliate because I truly believe in the cause,” said Carter. “My grandmother struggled with breast cancer and since her diagnosis and passing it has been a very important issue for me.”

Red Carter brand delivers two seasonal swimwear collections a year, in addition to ready-to-wear and mens swimwear. Red Carter swimwear is sold domestically in better department stores such as Barneys New York, Bloomingdales, Intermix, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue and specialty boutiques in Europe and South America.

The Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate’s goal is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care forall and energizing science to find the cures. The 14th Annual Race for Cure® will be held on October 17 at the Bayfront Park in Miami. For more information, please visit www.komenmiaftl.org.

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Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate is a client of Thorp and Company

Client Susan G. Komen Expands to Include Monroe County

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:02:00 +0000

Client Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate is pleased to announce it will not only serve Miami-Dade and Broward County but is expanding to include Monroe County, which spans from Key Largo to Key West. The expanded Affiliate will bring breast health/breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs in the area. The goal of the foundation is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cure.

“We are so excited about our presence in the Florida Keys,” said Bobbi Meyers, executive director for Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate. “The expansion allows us to help those organizations who provide the necessary breast health services and education to the community through outreach and grants.” Meyers added, “Our goal is to assist in creating awareness about breast health and breast cancer.”

The Florida Keys’ lack of resources for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer has increased in the last two to three years. Susan G. Komen for the Cure® affiliates locate and fund unmet breast health needs in the local communities through extensive community health assessments. The Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate found that Monroe County would benefit from grants that support programs that reach the medically underserved.

“The expansion will help us offer resources to women who have limited access to healthcare,” said Betsy Langan, executive director of WomenKind, Inc., a unique healthcare facility that offers medical services specifically addressing women’s concerns in the Florida Keys.

Another organization that is looking forward to the affiliate’s expansion is the Florida Keys Area Health Education Center (FKAHEC), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote health and wellness through education, health assessments and professional development using partnerships and other contract-funded services.

“Monroe County has never had a program that offers women breast health/breast cancer education, support and treatment,” said Michael Cunningham, director of the Florida Keys AHEC. “With the support from Komen, residents will now have available resources that are needed in this area.”

The expansion of the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate, which now serves the Florida Keys, earned the strong endorsement of notables, such as U.S Rep. Ros-Lehtinen; Dr. Sanford Yankow, director of Good Health Clinic; Nelson Lazo, CEO of Baptist Mariners Hospital; state Rep. Ron Saunders ; Richard D. Roth, sheriff of Monroe County; Dr. Nilda I. Soto, director of Open Door Health Center and many more.

“Without the strong support of these community leaders the Affiliate’s expansion would have been impossible,” said Patricia Thomson, new affiliate board member of the foundation. “We are taking the first steps to accomplish our main goal of spreading awareness in the Florida Keys.”

The Florida Keys residents are encouraged to get involved in the battle against breast cancer. For more information, contact (305) 383-7116 or e-mail info@komenmiaftl.org. To learn more about the foundation, please visit http://www.komenmiaftl.org/.

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Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate is a client of Thorp and Company

Writing a News Release Optimized for Search Engines

noreply@blogger.com (THORP) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:56:00 +0000

Tips every business should use when drafting news releases to ensure the greatest visibility online.

Social media is the talk of the town lately, and everyone is trying to figure out the best strategies to increase their Web site’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and rank on Google.

One strategy to increase SEO is to draft news releases specifically for online use and distribution. If keywords and links are used properly in a news release and posted online, including to your company Web site, the SEO of the release can increase.

The growing use of wire service, including Business Wire, Marketwire, PR Newswire and PRWeb, and many news outlets moving to online versions, makes it very important for your business to also make a transition from the traditional news release to a version that is suited for online.

Public relations teams can provide assistance in determining what keywords will set your release apart and increase the visibility, while also communicating the desired message to key audiences. The process of using SEO news releases can also increase your company’s Web site ranking in search engines if implemented properly.

When writing a SEO news release, there are a few rules of thumb to consider.

Use keywords throughout the news release but especially in headlines. There are several keyword search tools online that can help you determine which words will attract the most pickup. For example, Google AdWords allows you to search words from your news release and will provide you with keywords related to those words along with the monthly search volume for each word.

Avoid using industry jargon. If the purpose of writing an SEO news release is to maximize visibility and readership from customers, then you need to use terminology that your customers understand and will use in search engines. One way to determine if you have too much industry language in your news release is to ask someone outside of your industry to proof it, and if they don’t understand the language, then you need to change it.

Utilize links. This can include linking to your company Web site or other Web sites associated with some of the keywords or even secondary words and phrases throughout your release. Links are useful in more ways than one – not only will linking to other sites increase the SEO of the news release, but links can also be helpful to your readers who are interested in learning additional information.

Keep content interesting and newsworthy. Although it may take some time to master writing SEO news releases that still convey your message, it is very important to keep your release newsworthy. Without newsworthiness, SEO doesn’t matters. Public relations counsel can be a great asset in this area. A PR team can ensure the writing is strong, succinct and includes the keywords customers are searching.

Practice, practice, practice. Everything takes practice; even drafting a traditional news release takes time to learn. Don’t give up if on the first try your news release is not in the first position on Google search. Be patient and don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s also a good idea to research various SEO tools and how-to articles online.

Communicating with Employees – what are the best tools and strategies?

noreply@blogger.com (Thorp & Company) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:27:00 +0000

In the current recession, anxiety is high and employees are constantly seeking updates from employers about office news, new business developments and the stability of their jobs.

It is more important now than ever to form open lines of communication between senior management and staff to answer questions, calm concerns and ensure everyone is staying informed. Initiating tools and strategies to build internal communication can have many benefits including a boost in company morale in a time when employees feel uncertain about the future.

There are several tools available to small, medium or large employers for communicating with employees, especially with the growth of online social networking.

Weekly Staff Meetings – Staff meetings conducted once a week are a great way to open the floor for conversation among staff and senior management. While this may be a common practice in many small businesses and firms, most often these meetings are not being utilized to their full potential. Management should prepare an agenda, even if it’s simply an informal list of topics to be covered. This keeps the meeting on target and ensures that nothing is left out. This time should be used to make announcements, ask and answer any questions or concerns employees have and listen to any ideas staff may have for improvements in various aspects of the company.

Webcasts – Companies can use webcasts internally to create a sense of pride among employees, keep employees engaged, boost morale and cross-sell information, other departments and services. The webcasts can be posted on the company Web site and emailed to all staff with a short note from the executive who participated in the webcast thanking employees for their hard work and encouraging them to continue producing strong results. Some general topics internal webcasts can follow include: new company initiatives, best practices, information post-crisis and state of the industry.

E-Newsletters – electronic newsletters can be posted to your company Web site, emailed to staff and link to other social media sites. A newsletter helps educate and inform your employees about news and updates related to your company and/or industry.

Company Facebook pages/groups – Businesses can create Facebook pages and groups that employees can join and engage in conversations with one another and senior management who administer the pages/groups. This is a great tool for large businesses with various departments to use since employees in different departments may not have the opportunity to talk and get to know each other. This is also a place where senior management can upload information about company events, news and updates.

Company Twitter accounts – Twitter is the fastest growing social media channel currently being used, and it is guaranteed that some of your employees are already using it. If a manager starts a Twitter account on behalf of the company, employees can follow that feed and have up-to-date information about what is going on for the company in terms of client updates, event updates, office information, etc. This is a great tool for employees who work remotely or travel often, so they are always up to speed on office happenings.

What are some of the tools your company uses to keep employees informed and lines of communication open? How active is senior management at your company in communicating with other employees and staff?

Media Interviews - Delivering Your Company’s Message Instead of Just Answering the Questions

noreply@blogger.com (Thorp & Company) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:14:00 +0000

What are the best strategies for getting your company’s key messages across in a media interview, while still answering the journalist’s questions?

Media interviews are a great tool for gaining exposure and building your credentials as an expert. When you participate in a media interview, it is important to prepare ahead of time, and part of that preparation should include focusing on your company’s key messages when answering a journalist’s questions.

At Thorp & Company, we offer our clients media training before conducting interviews. Our media training includes preparation for the news interview; an explanation of how reporters work; a media interview checklist; training on maintaining control during an interview; and support on structuring answers and handling intimidating questions.

Preparing for an interview

Part of your preparation should include developing messages and dynamic sound bites that you can use to maximize your interview time. Before an interview takes place, work with your public relations team to develop at least three difficult questions the reporter may ask accompanied by a platform of prepared answers that will accomplish your agenda for the news interview and answer the reporter’s question. It’s also a good idea to have additional material on hand for examples including case studies, surveys, statistics, etc. This will increase your chances of being quoted and add human interest.

Media interview checklist

It is important to develop at least three “must air” points to cover during an interview. These points should reflect the key messages of your company relative to the interview topic. Remember a few strategies: avoid information overload, satisfy and steer the conversation, don’t repeat negatives and if you can’t answer a question then say so, but offer to find the answer if you can and get back to the reporter.

Maintaining control during the interview

A key strategy to gaining and maintaining control during an interview is by building immediate rapport with the reporter. If you can establish a relationship with a reporter, it is likely he or she will be more open to engaging in conversation with you instead of just getting through the interview. Also, remember to stay focused on your own agenda throughout the interview. If you stay focused on the information you want to get across, it will be easier for you to lead the direction of the interview.

Structure your answers and handle intimidating questions

We provide clients with a basic formula for structuring their answers to get the company’s message across: state your message in 30 seconds or less, support it with additional information and illustrate with examples. This concept, used along with strategies for steering the conversation and conveying key points, prepare the spokesperson to get the most benefits out of every interview.

By using these techniques and strategies, you can maintain control of the interview and will have a stronger grip on handling intimidating questions the reporter may ask. If you gain control early, you should be able to recognize an intimidating question and utilize deflectors to steer away from potentially negative conversation.

Boosting Company Morale Can Have a Positive Effect on the Bottom Line

noreply@blogger.com (Thorp & Company) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:40:00 +0000

The recession can impact your business in various ways, including a decrease in clients or customers, slowing of new business development, numerous budget cuts and for many companies a heavy focus on the bottom line. Yet, perhaps there is nothing more damaging to a business than poor morale.

Chances are, you've seen it take many forms - burn out, negative attitudes, internal fighting, and the list goes on. But the result is always the same. Poor morale has a negative impact on productivity which will hurt your business' bottom line.

In today's increasingly competitive environment, here are a few things to keep in mind to help you succeed in boosting your business' morale and keeping productivity to a maximum:

It starts at the top

Remember that your attitude has a big impact on your team. Set the example with a positive attitude and role model behaviors and expectations you want to be emulated.

Avoid burn out

It’s a good idea to introduce fresh ideas, encourage innovation and encourage your employees and teammates to get involved in projects in which they show interest.

Appreciation

Your employees and coworkers want to feel appreciated. Often, a little “thank you” makes a big difference. When offering praise, make sure it is timely and genuine.

Make it fun

Ultimately, employees thrive and find real enjoyment when their emotional and intellectual needs are met. This includes feeling challenged, being able to put skills to good use, being recognized and appreciated and being trusted with responsibilities.

What strategies and techniques have you found to boost internal morale? With the economy in turmoil and headlines constantly voicing layoffs and a recession, is there anything executives can do to lighten the mood in the office without seeming inconsiderate?

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This post was written by Heidi Armstrong, an account director at Thorp & Company, specializing in issues management. Heidi has had a fast-track career with many opportunities to influence public opinion on a national basis. She has experience working with campaign-style public relations efforts that successfully target key opinion leaders and the general public through political response, the media and community outreach. She has helped organizations, businesses and high-profile individuals deal positively with very complex, volatile issues.

Tips for Using Social Networks in a Job Hunt

noreply@blogger.com (Thorp & Company) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:37:00 +0000

Are social networks the best place to find a job?

Ultimately the best way to find a job is through networking, and in the current recession where the number of job-hunters is increasing every day, people who are looking for a job need to be resourceful and creative. Looking through the employment section of the newspaper or searching job postings online are no longer the most efficient and productive methods for finding a job.

Social networking is at the top of mind for people of all ages in all professions. Everyone is talking about it, and taking your networking skills online and using social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Jobster can only increase the results of your job search.
Social networking sites provide numerous benefits and tools to increase your personal brand recognition. LinkedIn is a network of 40 million professionals, 200 million active users are on Facebook and Twitter has more than 11 million accounts.

People on a job search can use each of these sites in a different way to reach the same goal. By establishing accounts and relationships on various social networking sites, you can reach a larger and more diverse audience.

LinkedIn is the most popular site for professional networking. This site provides members access to everyone in their personal network and everyone your connections know as well. When building your profile you can include an online resume that lists your experience, skills, a title and even tags that relate to your industry of expertise. The tags you list become useful when recruiters conduct a general search using keywords specific to your industry. Another tool LinkedIn offers is the Box.net tool that allows you to post documents for online portfolio. Joining industry groups is another way to develop your credentials and display your expertise in the industry. Some of the other benefits LinkedIn provides include:

• search through available jobs posted by employers which are high quality and professional
• request recommendations from previous colleagues and employers that can boost your resume
• request to be contacted about job opportunities

Facebook is similar to LinkedIn, but tends to be more popular among younger generations as a tool for job-hunters. The site originated as a social networking site for friends and family, and it more informal than LinkedIn. One suggestion for utilizing Facebook for a job search is to join groups where you can network and build relationships with other people in your field of interest. You can use your participation in these groups to build your credibility by offering useful information and opinions about trends or timely news issues. It is important to note that even if you are not using Facebook for your job search, you should ensure that your profile is employer-friendly.

Twitter is different because it gives you an opportunity to connect with people you do not know but who are interested in similar topics, industries, are located in your area, etc. by using the search tool. There are several recruiters, companies and industry organizations that use Twitter to post available jobs, including TweetMyJobs which sends automatic updates about job openings. By following these people and building a relationship through Twitter, you may have the opportunity to inquire about new positions and hiring. Twitter relationships are built on trust and conversations. If you are constantly updating your Twitter feed with information about your job search, your followers will be made aware and can offer suggestions, referrals and tips on where to look next.

Jobster is a networking site that allows you to connect directly with employers who are offering jobs. As a member of this network, you can upload a resume, embed a video resume, showcase links to other Web sites, upload a picture and tag industry specific skills. The site also offers a search tool that allows you to search for open positions and connect to the person who posted the position for more information.

While there are great sites that are solely dedicated to posting and searching for jobs, for examples Monster, Career Builder, Simply Hired and more, many of those sites have a fee attached. More companies are moving in a different direction and are posting job positions to their own Web sites and free online social networks before utilizing job search sites. If you are serious about your jobhunt then there is no reason you should not already be online using these social networks.

Networking Etiquette Dos and Don’ts

noreply@blogger.com (Thorp & Company) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:05:00 +0000

Thousands of people are on the job-hunt and one of the first things people tell you to do when looking for a job is to go out and network. This is also true for companies who are looking to attract new business and meet referral sources. Yet, how do you know where to go, what to do when you get there and basic networking etiquette to ensure you’re doing it right?

When making the decision to network, it is important to establish why you are doing it. Is it to meet potential employers, meet potential clients, meet referral sources and develop new business?

The first step is finding networking events hosted by organizations within your field or a field that you are interested in working with potential clients. A lot of these organizations will host networking events that are free or have a small cost to attend. One new trend that has become popular with the growth of Twitter is attending a Tweetup event. A Tweetup is a networking event hosted by a local organization as a means for local Twitters to meet and build in-person relationships.

Another outlet for establishing a new network is through volunteering. Not all networking must be done at an event designated for that purpose. Networking is simply going out and meeting new people to build relationships and new contacts.

After choosing where to start in building your network, make sure you are prepared. Never get caught in a networking situation without business cards. You should also be prepared to tell people why you decided to attend the event, what you’re there for, what you are interested in and so forth. It is a good idea to think about these questions before you go, instead of winging it when you are asked at the event. “What do you do?” is one of the most common questions you will be asked, and you should have a no-hesitation, succinct 30-second response ready.

In order for networking to work you need to believe it will work. When you go to an event, try talking to everyone you meet for a few minutes, taking the time to get to know them. Make sure you listen to what others have to say, and do not interrupt or brag about yourself and your accomplishments. When the conversation turns to you and what your industry, interests and skills are, it is important to be honest and fair in your representation of yourself. First impressions are key, and it is important to make a strong first impression by showing interest in the people and event you are attending.

One thing to remember is that you should not act desperate or too pushy. People don’t want to just hear a sales pitch from you, they want to get to know you. Show others at the event that you can bring value to the organization and group, but remember not to promise what you can’t deliver, whether that is resources, time or skills. Again, transparency is key when you are trying to build bonds.

Most importantly, do not get discouraged. If your phone is not ringing or your inbox is not full of offers after your first networking event, it does not mean the event and connections you made are not beneficial. Relationship building takes time. One strategy to stay top of mind of the people you meet to is follow up and keep your new contacts informed about what is going on with your life and business. Social networking sites have made this very easy.