Media Kit Table of Contents Letter Opinion Editorial Biographies and headshots Fact Sheet Local Press Release National Press Release 30-second Broadcast Release 60-second Broadcast Release
Emily Petree 370 Samford Ave. Auburn, AL 36830 December 8, 2008 Amy Weaver Auburn University News Reporter Opelika-Auburn News P.O. Box 2208 Opelika, AL 36803 Ms. Weaver, In your time in the Auburn-Opelika area, you have likely become familiar with the traditions and passion that accompany Auburn football. On A-Day 2009, the day of the annual spring scrimmage game, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce hopes to institute a new tradition. Our goal is to make the Boda Getta BBQ contest, a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned event, synonymous with Auburn始s A-Day game. With 8,000 members worldwide, KCBS holds more than 300 events in the United States each year. The contest will begin Friday, March 28, 2009, as teams set up and begin cooking. Two divisions will make up the contest: amateur, or tailgater, and professional. The amateur division will offer three categories of competition, and the professional division will offer four. A Grand Champion will be named for each division. Live entertainment will be provided and local food and drink vendors will be in attendance. Cooking will continue into Saturday, March 29, until judging begins around noon. KCBS rules will be enforced, and representatives will be present to supervise and judge, further ensuring the integrity of this contest. I understand that your readers care a great deal about Auburn football and about the local business community. This event connects those elements in a unique way. Because of these traits, and the proximity of your readers to the event, I始m extending the opportunity for this story exclusively to you. Please feel free to contact me for assistance in arranging interviews, and I would be happy to pass along more information as it develops. Whether or not you choose to write the story, a response by Dec. 18, 2008, would be greatly appreciated. I will call you next week to discuss any questions you may have and to do anything I can to make this story a success. Thank you for your time and consideration of this story. Sincerely,
Emily Petree
Contact Information: Emily Petree, Communication Director Office: (334) 555-9370 Cell: (334) 555-2880 Emily@AuburnChamber.com
December 8, 2008 Shop Locally for the Holidays
In light of the current economy, with buzzwords like “bailout,” “bank failure” and
“mortgage crisis” pervading the media, I would like to issue a reminder on the importance of supporting local businesses. The Auburn-Opelika community is home to a vast number of unique retailers that are locally owned and operated.
By keeping sales tax revenue in the community, we are contributing directly to
the longevity of our city. This revenue supports our award-winning public school system, as well as the infrastructure and maintenance of the city.
Although surveys have shown that people are planning to spend less on holiday
shopping this season than in previous years, each of us can lessen the impact of the current economy on the Auburn area by shopping locally.
To encourage your patronage, many local retailers are providing incentives like
discounts and specials on merchandise. Rather than making the drive to a neighboring city to shop for holiday presents for your loved ones, take a closer look at the retailers down the street or around the corner.
Lolly Steiner has served as president of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce since
2001. She works to continually adapt the functions of the chamber to the changes in the business community as well as the national economy. Steiner is dedicated to the
improvement of Auburn through a number of commitments beyond her role as chamber president, such as efforts on several planning commissions with the City of Auburn.
AUBURN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STAFF BIOGRAPHIES Lolly Steiner, President Lolly Steiner became president in 2001, but joined the chamber in 1997 as the director of membership development. As president, Steiner maintains close relationships with business leaders in the community and works to find ways to meet its changing needs. The Auburn Chamber of Commerce, like many nonprofit organizations, is governed by a board of directors. Steiner serves as the liaison between the board of directors, the chamber staff and the business community. Before joining the chamber, Steiner gained extensive experience in business from a career in sales and marketing. She has also served on numerous boards of directors for banks, churches and other nonprofit organizations. Steiner is also involved in many functions of Auburn City Council, including service on various planning commissions. Jennifer Dodson, Director of Communications and Marketing A Pennsylvania native, Jennifer Dodson came to Auburn shortly after graduating from Grove City College. She earned a bachelor始s degree in communications with a minor in business. Dodson served on a county chamber of commerce in Pennsylvania before joining the Auburn Chamber of Commerce in 2006. Dodson始s responsibilities at the chamber are vast and greatly varied. She constructs all publications distributed by the chamber and executes a number of events held by the chamber, such as the annual meeting and various business networking events. Dodson serves on the board of the East Alabama Public Relations Council, one of six chapters of the Alabama Public Relations Council, an organization that connects public relations professionals to further the field. She was recognized in 2007 as practitioner of the year. Stephanie Calhoun, Director of Membership Development An organization which exists because of and to benefit the business community, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce could not function without its members. As director of membership development, Stephanie Calhoun continually explores new membership opportunities while maintaining relationships with existing members. Calhoun is often the direct contact between the Auburn Chamber of Commerce and its members. Calhoun earned her bachelor始s degree in business administration at Auburn University. She takes part in a number of community outreach events and works constantly to improve each member始s experience and satisfaction.
Lolly Steiner, President
Jennifer Dodson, Director of Communications and Marketing
Stephanie Calhoun, Director of Membership Development
714 E. Glenn Ave. Auburn, Alabama (334) 887-7011 auburnchamber.com
BODA GETTA BBQ & KANSAS CITY BARBEQUE SOCIETY FACT SHEET • Boda Getta BBQ, Auburn’s first Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanctioned event, will take place Saturday, March 29, 2009, at Ag Heritage Park during Auburn University’s A-Day. The A-Day game is Auburn’s spring football scrimmage, which draws fans from around the country to see the Tigers play before the season starts. • Festivities will begin Friday evening, March 28, 2009, with live entertainment as the teams set up their areas and begin cooking. Judging will start around noon on Saturday, as the A-Day game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. • Registration is available to everyone, although participants must be members of the KCBS. All KCBS rules will be strictly enforced, and KCBS representatives and judges will be present to supervise. • Boda Getta BBQ will hold competitions for two separate divisions: amateur and professional. In accordance with KCBS, barbeque will be judged on taste, appearance and texture. • The amateur, or tailgater, division consists of categories for chicken, pork and pork ribs. A team is allowed to compete in any number of the categories. A Grand Champion will be named for this division. • The professional division will hold competitions in chicken, pork, pork ribs and beef brisket. In this division, a Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion will be awarded, as will the top ten teams. A team may participate in any number of categories, however, to be eligible for Grand or Reserve Grand Champion, a team must participate in all four categories. • The KCBS is an organization of barbecue enthusiasts from around the world. Boasting over 8,000 members worldwide, the KCBS sanctions more than 300 events in the United States each year. • Accomplishing a KCBS sanction for the Boda Getta BBQ contest was important because of the integrity it brings to the event. The involvement of KCBS promises a professional event, the awarding of prizes as announced and the presence of representatives and judges at the event. -###-
NEWS RELEASE December 8, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Information: Emily Petree, Communications Director Office: (334) 555-9370 Cell: (334) 555-2880 Emily@AuburnChamber.com
AUBURN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES THE “BODA GETTA BBQ” CONTEST Competition Will Be Held During Auburn Universityʼs A-Day AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn Universityʼs Ag Heritage Park will host the first Boda Getta BBQ competition on March 29, 2009. The contest will kick off Friday, March 28, with live entertainment as the teams set up and begin cooking. On Saturday, March 29, judging will begin around noon, as the A-Day game is scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. start. Food and drink vendors will be at the park, and live entertainment is scheduled, as well.
A Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned event, the contest will feature two
divisions. The amateur division is geared toward enthusiastic tailgaters with categories for chicken, pork ribs and pork. Teams can compete in any number of categories and a Grand Champion will be named.
In addition to the amateur division, there will be a professional division with
categories for chicken, pork ribs, pork and beef brisket. Again, a team can compete in any number of categories, but to be eligible for Grand or Reserve Grand Champion, a team must be entered in all four categories. In the professional division, the top ten teams will be awarded.
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Auburn Chamber of Commerce President Lolly Steiner explains, “Working with
the Kansas City Barbeque Society for the Boda Getta BBQ contest raises this event to a whole new level. The KCBS is known throughout the country, and their competitions draw great cooks and crowds. This event will be great for Auburn business and itʼs sure to be a fun way to enjoy a day of Auburn football with friends and family.”
Registration fees are $100 for the amateur division and $400 for the professional
division. Because this is a KCBS event, all competitors must be registered KCBS members and KCBS rules will be enforced. Among these rules, teams may use only wood, wood pellets or charcoal, and may not use gas or electricity in the contest.
For more information, please contact Emily Petree at (334) 555-9370 or by email
at Emily@AuburnChamber.com. Updates about the event will be posted at BodaGettaBBQ.com.
The Auburn Chamber of Commerce exists because of and to benefit business.
Dedicated to connecting members of the business community in and around Auburn, Ala., to one another, the chamber strives to maintain Auburnʼs reputation for excellence and encourage economic growth. Built of almost 1,000 businesses of all sizes, and their employees, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce prides itself on a close relationship with its members and is always searching for new opportunities to improve its role in the community.
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NEWS RELEASE December 8, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Information: Emily Petree, Communications Director Office: (334) 555-9370 Cell: (334) 555-2880 Emily@AuburnChamber.com
AUBURN DRAWS UNIQUE VARIETY OF NATIONAL ATTENTION Auburnʼs First KCBS Sanctioned Barbecue Contest to be Held Amidst of Football Preview AUBURN, Ala. -- The town of Auburn, Ala., will capture thousands of fansʼ attention from across the nation on the day of Auburn Universityʼs traditional A-Day spring scrimmage. This year, itʼs not only the attention of football fans, but barbecue fans, as well. The Auburn Chamber of Commerce is hosting the first Boda Getta BBQ contest, a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned event, Saturday, March 29, 2009.
Festivities will begin on Friday, March 28, as the teams prepare their stations and
start cooking. Throughout the evening, there will be live entertainment, as well as food and drinks from local vendors. Saturday will be full of competition and excitement. Live entertainment will be on hand again, and judging is set to begin around noon. Face painting and inflatable games will be provided for children in attendance, and the Auburn University cheerleaders and Aubie, the universityʼs mascot, will be making appearances throughout the morning.
Named for a popular Auburn University cheer, the Boda Getta BBQ compeition
will be one of KCBSʼ nearly 300 yearly events. The contest will feature two divisions, one for amateurs, or tailgaters, and another for professionals. The amateur division will -more-
page 2 of 2 offer competitions in chicken, pork and pork ribs. In addition to these, the professional division will also compete in beef brisket. Teams may compete in any number of categories.
“Weʼre very excited for the Boda Getta BBQ contest in Auburn. The tradition of
the school itself, the warmth of the town and the stateʼs passion for great barbecue make it a great place for our organization to hold an event. I think our relationship with the Auburn Chamber of Commerce for this event will certainly continue for many years,” KCBS Manager of Special Projects, Kelly Cain, said.
The efforts of these teams will not go unrewarded. A Grand Champion will be
named in the amateur division, and in the professional division, a Grand and Reserve Grand Champion will be named. For a professional team to win Grand or Reserve Grand Champion, they must compete in all four categories.
For more information, please contact Emily Petree at (334) 555-9370 or by email
at Emily@AuburnChamber.com. Updates about the event will be posted at BodaGettaBBQ.com.
The Auburn Chamber of Commerce exists because of and to benefit business.
Dedicated to connecting members of the business community in and around Auburn, Ala., to one another, the chamber strives to maintain Auburnʼs reputation for excellence and encourage economic growth. Built of almost 1,000 businesses of all sizes, and their employees, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce prides itself on a close relationship with its members and is always searching for new opportunities to improve its role in the community. -###-
CLIENT:
Auburn Chamber of Commerce
TIME:
TITLE:
BODA GETTA BBQ
DATE: December 8, 2008
:30 seconds
LOLLY STEINER:
HI, I始M LOLLY STEINER, PRESIDENT OF THE AUBURN
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND I始M HERE TO INVITE
YOU TO BE PART OF A NEW AUBURN TRADITION. WE
ARE SPONSORING THE FIRST BODA GETTA BBQ
CONTEST ON A-DAY 2009. OPEN TO TAILGATERS AND
PROFESSIONALS, EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO
COMPETE.
THE FESTIVITIES KICKOFF FRIDAY, MARCH,
TWENTY-EIGHTH, AT AG HERITAGE PARK, AND
JUDGING BEGINS AT NOON ON SATURDAY. THE
WEEKEND ALSO INCLUDES LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND
ACTIVITIES FOR THE KIDS.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO REGISTER, VISIT
BODAGETTABBQ.COM OR THE AUBURN CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE WEBSITE AT AUBURNCHAMBER.COM.
CLIENT:
Auburn Chamber of Commerce
TIME:
TITLE:
BODA GETTA BBQ
DATE: December 8, 2008
:60 seconds
LOLLY STEINER:
HI, IʼM LOLLY STEINER, PRESIDENT OF THE AUBURN
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND IʼM HERE TO INVITE
YOU TO BE PART OF A NEW AUBURN TRADITION. WE
ARE SPONSORING THE FIRST BODA GETTA BBQ
CONTEST ON A-DAY 2009. OPEN TO TAILGATERS AND
PROFESSIONALS, EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO
COMPETE.
A KANSAS CITY BARBEQUE SOCIETY EVENT, THE
COMPETITION WILL TAKE PLACE AT AG HERITAGE
PARK ON AUBURN UNIVERSITYʼS CAMPUS, ONLY TWO
BLOCKS FROM JORDAN-HARE STADIUM. KANSAS CITY
BARBEQUE SOCIETY RULES WILL BE ENFORCED.
TEAMS WILL COMPETE IN CATEGORIES FOR CHICKEN,
PORK, PORK RIBS AND BEEF BRISKET.
WHETHER YOUR FRIENDS REFER TO YOU AS “KING OF
THE GRILL,” OR YOUʼRE INTERESTED IN A WEEKEND
OF FUN WITH YOUR FAMILY, GATHER A TEAM AND BE
PART OF OUR COMPETITION.
THE FESTIVITIES KICKOFF FRIDAY, MARCH,
TWENTY-EIGHTH, AS THE TEAMS SET UP AND BEGIN
COOKING, AND JUDGING BEGINS AT NOON ON
SATURDAY. THE WEEKEND ALSO INCLUDES LIVE
ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE KIDS.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO REGISTER, VISIT
BODAGETTABBQ.COM OR THE AUBURN CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE WEBSITE AT AUBURNCHAMBER.COM.