Media Contact
Cathy Hale
Accolades Public Relations
512.658.2709 (cell)
Cathy@AccoladesPR.com

New Era Portfolio selects Accolades Public Relations
-Fine art publisher taps PR firm to develop social media strategy to reach consumers online-

Austin, Texas, November 20, 2009 — Accolades PR, a results-oriented communications firm committed to progressive strategies in public relations and marketing, announced today that it has recently launched the social media presence for New Era Portfolio, an award winning fine art publisher and manufacturer that markets limited edition artwork nationally.

New Era Portfolio’s expertise in managing artists and forecasting style trends allow the company to deliver current, vital artwork to corporate and hospitality design arenas and a prestigious collection of retail clients.  New Era Portfolio’s technological platform, not only delivers fine custom artwork quickly, but also creates web-based solutions for blue chip retailers.

Joe Garcia, CEO and president, has led his company into Inc. 500 company status and is now guiding it through recessionary times. The skilled entrepreneur is innovating on multiple fronts in order to more directly meet the needs and interests of consumers.  With the convergence of media online and the advent of cost effective Web 2.0 technologies, Garcia envisioned an immediate opportunity to expand his business by selling directly to consumers online.

“Accolades Public Relations is one of the first communications firms in Austin to embrace social media strategies along with traditional PR,” comments Joe Garcia. “When I read of their expertise, I knew they would understand how to integrate our Facebook, blog, Twitter and LinkedIn sites for an effective social media presence.”

New Era Portfolio selected Accolades PR to assist the company in developing and executing a social media strategy that would help them to leverage their business accomplishments and news into online PR as well as social media content that would be of interest to their business relationships.  The communications firm was also tasked with mapping the communications appropriate for the firm’s four websites and associated social networking sites.

“An integrated communications strategy can be confusing to clients initially since there are so many unfamiliar moving parts – blogs, social networking sites, RSS feeds, widgets, etc. along with optimized PR and traditional media services,” comments Cynthia Baker, president and founder of Accolades Public Relations. “Understanding the client’s pre-existing business relationships and communities (and knowing where those groups are living online) is a crucial part of developing a solid social media strategy.”

Accolades PR has assisted New Era Portfolio to date in developing an active and ongoing presence online and by significantly growing their social networks. The public relations firm introduced New Era Portfolio to tools and systems that empower them to tap into online communities at will and to maintain conversations and networking through social media. At the same time, Accolades PR has handled the public relations efforts for the company.

“Clients count on us to have the answers, and we are pleased to be a PR 2.0 firm with the full set of the skills needed to gain client exposure on the Web,” states Baker. “The combination of PR skills and social media knowledge is key to getting reliable results.”

New Era Portfolio is an award-winning fine art publisher, offering, limited–edition artwork customizable to commercial or residential settings.  Commissioning top artists from around the nation, New Era’s extensive cache of artwork provides interior designers with Pantone color-coded fine art that can be customized and framed for specific needs. New Era is the innovative pioneer in the art world, providing full-service, integrated processes for publishing, printing, manufacturing and framing fine art. Besides commercial interior designers, the company also works extensively with the hospitality, retail, healthcare, television and cinema industries.

About Accolades Public Relations
Austin-based Accolades PR is a results-oriented communications firm committed to progressive strategies for public relations and marketing communications. The agency focuses on building and protecting its clients’ most valuable asset – their brand. With expertise in media relations, corporate communications, product launches and special events, the firm’s capabilities encompass a variety of practice areas.  As a team, Accolades PR delivers more than 50 years of experience in building media relationships and developing effective marketing campaigns. Accolades PR’s mission is to set the standard in what carefully executed public relations and communications strategies can do for sales, lead generation and the bottom line of ROI.

More information on the firm and its unique service offerings is available at www.AccoladesPR.com

Media Contact:
Beth Ranson
Accolades Public Relations
cell (305-587-0266)
beth@accoladespr.com

TexaScapes Selects Accolades PR
- Austin-based Landscape firm taps PR firm for Website design and PR campaign  -

Austin, Texas, February 19, 2009 — Accolades PR, a results-oriented communications firm committed to progressive strategies in public relations and marketing, announced today that it has been named to represent TexaScapes, one of the most successful and well-respected landscape companies in Texas.

TexaScapes, an Austin-based landscape design/build and maintenance firm, is known for personalized customer service, high professional standards, and a green approach to grounds maintenance.  TexaScapes specializes in high-end residential projects, commercial and school campuses, parks, municipal utility districts, neighborhood entrances, and owner-occupied commercial properties.

Accolades Public Relations will focus on the creation of a search engine optimized Website for the landscape company that will showcase their award-winning designs as well as special recognition for their work.  The PR firm will also work with TexaScapes on their local marketing and targeted communication efforts.

“TexaScapes delivers unrivaled landscape designs and grounds maintenance to both their residential and commercial clients,” states Accolades PR president and founder Cynthia Baker.  “We are pleased to provide TexaScapes with a functional Website and media campaign that will showcase their capabilities to the public.”

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Accolades Fact Sheet

About Accolades Public Relations

Austin-based Accolades PR is a results-oriented communications firm committed to progressive strategies for public relations and marketing communications. The agency focuses on building and protecting its clients’ most valuable asset – their brand. With expertise in media relations, corporate communications, product launches and special events, the firm’s capabilities encompass a variety of practice areas.  As a team, Accolades PR delivers more than 45 years of experience in building media relationships and developing effective marketing campaigns. Accolades PR’s mission is to set the standard in what carefully executed public relations and communications strategies can do for sales, lead generation and the bottom line of ROI.

More information on the firm and its unique service offerings is available at www.AccoladesPR.com
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Social Media is currently playing a vital role in these slow economic times.  It is the most cost effective manner in which to market your company – get talked about – but only if it is done right.   Having everyone look into your life, be invited behind the scenes of your company, read your take on the world in your blog are only good things if it presents you in a positive light.  Social media gives your potential clients the opportunity to learn everything there is about you before they even meet you – if you aren’t careful you could give the wrong impression.

This is where PR actually provides an edge. PR takes the time to develop strategy for a social media plan, as well as the content that drives it.  When working with traditional media, a public relations plan analyzes what a company’s awareness and branding goals are, which avenues are the best to take to achieve the goals, how to measure the achievement of the goals, and then where to go next.  The social media plan really shouldn’t be any different.

After all the planning is done, the action steps and the content creation come next.  When a person is speaking on behalf of a company via chats on a social network site or blogs about certain market relevant topics – they need to speak carefully.  It seems that missteps, poorly chosen words, and bad reviews travel faster via social networks than one could ever imagine.