Time to Be Thankful: An Inspiring Video

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Gourmet Fine Catering Grand Opening: The Photos

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Photo credits go to Ryan Penn of Pro Pixel Photography.

Gourmet Fine Catering Opens New Location

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Gourmet Fine Catering held the grand opening of its new location at 3600 East 40^th Avenue on Wednesday, November 12. Hundreds of guests enjoyed the delectable delights created by the chefs; each chef was to create a small plate paired with a drink. Our firm was honored to do the public relations for this occasion.

“It is also important for us to embrace our new neighborhood,” said co-owner, Darby Donohue. “Attendees enjoyed a performance by the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble as they arrived. We also welcomed local graffiti artists from the neighborhood and students from Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design to paint murals live on a wall of our new building.”

Gourmet Fine Catering operated out of its 10,000-square-foot space at 2601 Blake Street in Denver until June 2008, when it moved to E. 40^th Avenue. The company’s new building features the following:

• 23,000 square feet on 1.5 acres
• 12,000 square foot state-of-the-art exhibition kitchen with 5,000 square feet of refrigeration
• 1,500 square foot tasting room and entertaining space with built-in bar, entertainment systems, and rotation art programming.
• Green company program: energy efficient building, water conservation, recycling program, environmentally friendly cleaning supplies, green disposable ware program

“Our new facility will help take our company to the next level,” commented co-owner Syd Sexton. “More than doubling our space, Gourmet’s new facility will increase our production capabilities—while still ensuring great food quality for our customers.”

Gourmet Fine Catering was formed when Syd Sexton of Alex Brooks Fine Catering and Darby Donohue and Kent Kidwell of Gourmet Alternative merged their companies in 2002. Setting the standard for catered events of distinction in Colorado, Gourmet employs top chefs in the area and a team of event managers to help organize events of any caliber—from corporate meetings to charity galas to weddings. For more information, visit www.gourmetfinecatering.com.

The Truth Behind Night Owls and Morning People

I used to work with one of my roommates and getting up in the morning and heading to our job proved to be one of...

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A Recession: Not the Time to Slash Marketing and PR Budgets

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During times of economic hardship, often the first thing companies slash are marketing and public relations budgets. These actually should be the last thing cut, because now more than ever, promoting positive messages about your company are crucial.

Let the media, customers, and investors know what you're doing to combat the current economic situation. Communicate the good news, whether it is a simple success story, a big sell, or positive quarterly sales. Write about the good stuff in press releases, e-newsletters, and company blogs.

Instead of eliminating marketing, look at how you may be able to cut costs. Consider blogs and e-newsletters, as they are simple and cost effective methods that can boost sales and awareness.

Contact your advertising reps and see if there are any other ways they can promote your business. Now is the time to get your money's worth on advertising, so make them work a little harder for you. Can your product be put in gift bags at the next magazine issue launch? Can your company sponsor a lounge at a magazine promotional party?

Another sector that struggles during economic downtimes is the nonprofit industry. Be a champion for charitable organizations by allocating some of your advertising dollars to nonprofits. Sponsor a gala, donate silent auction items, or have your restaurant donate food for an event. Consumers do notice what companies are compassionate members of their communities. I myself give business to companies who support charities in which I'm involved.

Historically, companies who have advertised more during a recession have fared better their competitors who did not or advertised less. Take advantage of the less crowded advertising air space out there. Consumers don't stop buying during recessions, they just shop smarter.

Guttau Logo

Ariane Criger created the Guttau logo in 2005. Residing in Des Moines, Iowa, Ariane supplied us with nine logos to choose from, and this was the winning version.
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Artichoke Garlic Salsa

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I'm a foodie. What can I say? Since I do public relations for restaurants, I find myself eating out quite a bit. When I'm not, I'm cooking at home. Last night, I made a simple omelet, accompanied by Artichoke Garlic Salsa from Garden Fresh Salsa Company (http://www.gardenfresh.ca/). I had never heard of artichokes in salsa, but wow. That combination was a definite winner. And, if you visit the company's site, you'll see that it is award-winning.

I must return to the grocery store, as I nearly finished off the salsa container in one sitting. Oink.

Purple Crayons Interactive Launches Guttau PR Site

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Purple Crayons Interactive, a new media agency, announced today the launch of the Guttau Public Relations website.

“The Guttau Public Relations website is a Flash/Flex based website that delivers an impactful user experience to a public relations audience,” remarked Purple Crayons President Candi Boyer. “The firm has already had outstanding response from prospective clients and employees.”

In early 2008, Denver-based Guttau Public Relations set out to find an agency that could create a website that was simple, yet fun for visitors and clients. Purple Crayons, with a client roster that includes IBM and HBO, delivered just that—complete with a Flash animated “Guttau” soda can. To view the site, visit www.guttaupr.com.

Purple Crayons is a new media agency founded in 1997 with locations in Colorado and New York. The company provides an integrated set of strategy, creative, and technology services that takes an Internet business from concept to launch. Purple Crayons’ core interactive and visual design skills have allowed them to develop fresh, innovative, and custom online solutions for clients, which include JVC Electronics, IBM, ABC Television, HBO, Sally Hansen and more nationally recognized brands. For more information, visit www.purplecrayons.com.

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