We're grateful to everyone who has made this past nine years of providing public relations and marketing services to Tampa Bay and beyond possible. Thank you to our loyal clients, business associates, friends and family for your continued support! 

Madeira will lead a media training workshop at the annual meeting of the National Farm to School Network in Florida next month. Participants can look forward to learning what has replaced the old-fashioned press release and how to dazzle assignment desk editors with story ideas that capture headlines and book television appearances.

Questions to always ask before an interview and how to build the perfect media contact list will also be covered in this interactive and fast-paced workshop. If your organization is looking to brighten its media spotlight, create a marketing plan or develop other critical communications skills, we'd love to work with you to build a customized workshop tailored to your unique needs and objectives.

It's one of our favorite days of the year--Give Day Tampa Bay! We're pleased to be supporting our friends at Suncoast Organized Animal Relief (SOAR) as a match sponsor. SOAR is nearing its goal of opening a pet food bank in Pinellas County, Florida but needs your help to get there! Please give generously between now and May 1 by visiting here to ensure every needy pet has a full bowl. 

Having served as a Nonprofit Leadership Center trainer for many years, we're thrilled to be taking on a new role! We'll be working to increase the number of organizations that turn to NLC first for their professional development and problem-solving needs by brightening their brand spotlight. If you live in the Tampa Bay Area, chances are you might not be taking advantage of all NLC has to offer! 

Madeira is honored to win its third Hermes Creative Award for a strategic communication plan developed on behalf of the state of California Department of Public Health. The plan provides a researched based roadmap to increase visibility and participation in the state's nationally recognized asthma management programs.

The holidays are the perfect time to remind our valued clients and colleagues how much we appreciate your business and support. Warmest wishes for a happy holiday season and a delightful New Year!

Heather Grzelka, APR, principal and founder of Madeira PR has been appointed to the Florida Public Relations Association State Executive Committee. Grzelka will serve as the organization's Vice President of Research and Planning for the 2016-2017 board year. She will be responsible for leading statewide research initiatives strengthening the nation's oldest professional public relations association’s influence and impact on cultivating outstanding accredited practitioners.
 
Grzelka is also the immediate past president of the Florida Public Relations Association Tampa Bay Chapter where she was recently recognized with the prestigious state President's Award for Chapter Administration. Grzelka continues to serve on the chapter’s board of directors and is a passionate advocate for developing opportunities to help young PR professionals succeed in their careers.  

Madeira PR is pleased to welcome the Pinellas Community Foundation (PCF) to our client roster. Serving Pinellas County for nearly 50 years, generous PCF donors ensure local nonprofits receive necessary grant funding to continue their service missions.

Today, more than 130 Pinellas based nonprofits rely on the foundation's steady support. Donors who give to the foundation are committed to making a long term investment in their community. Interest and dividends yielded from these generous contributions are disbursed through a competitive grant program that is structured to provide perpetual annual funding to local charities making the biggest impact on hunger, homelessness and other critical issues impacting the quality of life in Pinellas County, Fla.

Madeira will be leading the foundation's rebranding efforts including the launch of a new website and increased earned media visibility. 

When caught in a prickly situation, deciding your next move can be a difficult task amidst increased media scrutiny. The key to navigating any crisis requires:
​

• Admitting there is a problem.
• Describing how your organization is taking action to correct the problem.
• Taking the corrective action you've promised as quickly as possible.
  
  

Need a lifeline? We're here to help. Know that  a crisis can happen to any organization and is not a question of if but when. The best defense is having a good plan in place.

Schedule your complimentary crisis consultation today to learn more about how your organization can better position itself to avoid or reduce the impact of troubled times.