Five Things You May Not Know About Linhart Public Relations

​Linhart Public Relations is a national public relations, digital media, and corporate communications counseling firm based in Colorado. Here are a few things you may not know about Linhart PR:

1. They’ve got history. While they are currently celebrating their 17th year, their downtown Denver office is a bit older, like 132 years older, which was when the Baur’s Building was erected. At that time, the building was home to the Baur Confectionary Company.
2. They share a backyard with many of their clients. They partner with companies nationwide, but their Denver headquarters  makes them neighbors with clients, including: Celestial Seasonings, Chipotle, CP of Colorado, Crocs, FirstBank of Colorado, Jane Knows, Johns Manville, MWH, Rudi’s Organic Bakery, White Wave Foods, Zayo Group and the Mountain States Employers Council.
3. While some of them have moved across the country to live in colorful Colorado, a few of them grew up here and have never found a good enough reason to leave. Sharon Linhart, Chandra Brin, Ashley Frost, Krista Gregg, Carri Clemens, Tim Streeb, Dina Storz, and Jenn Tilliss are all proud Coloradans.
4. They have a BIG sweet tooth. Average yearly consumption of Hershey’s Kisses (you can find them hiding in their snack closet) is 60 pounds. After all, they do work in a former confectionary building.
5. They’re proud of their award-winning workplace and the work they do every day for our clients. Among the honors, Linhart PR was named the nation’s best PR firm of their size by PRWeek magazine, and they’re one of 50 organizations recognized as a Top Small Company Workplace by Inc. magazine. For the past two years, they’ve also won the top PR program award from the Colorado chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Client Service

An SAE has a demonstrated understanding and proficiency in a broad range of client service and counseling activities to meet and exceed expectations. As a senior account executive, you will provide responsive and creative thought leadership on client teams, and you will be capable of identifying important client issues and opportunities and structuring and executing strategic plans, along with forming recommendations without significant direction from the account supervisor or team lead. You’ll assume much of the responsibility for day-to-day relations with client middle managers and/or those clients’ immediate supervisors.

Specific client service skills include:

• Communication counsel, plan design, implementation and evaluation, with frequent client contact
• Specific client relationship management techniques, strategies and tactics in accordance with Linhart PR client service standards
• Strategic interaction with clients and team members/leaders, including proactive ideas, problem-solving and selling-in recommendations
• Working knowledge of client culture, values and annual business plan – activated through recommendations
• Ability to anticipate, prevent and help solve client issues

Professional Skills

In addition to client service skills, an SAE candidate brings the following professionals skills to the team:

• Mastery of media relations and digital media skills, as demonstrated by results and ability to guide others in these areas; collaboration with Linhart Digital, where appropriate
• Gaining and showing industry or practice-area experience and knowledge
• Advanced level writing and consulting skills (e.g., work is client-ready; communication and recommendations are on target with client expectations and needs)
• Learning and starting to demonstrate issues management and crisis response expertise

Business Development

At this level, an SAE is expected to have a deeper understanding of the firm’s approach to business development and criteria regarding prospects. Expectations also include helping to expand existing client relationships and, where appropriate, developing new client prospects through your personal/professional network.

Specific business development skills include:

• Supporting the development of and participating in new business presentations and proposals, where appropriate
• Growing relationships and identifying opportunities with existing clients
• Understanding how communications can help achieve the client/prospect’s business objectives
• Telling the Linhart PR story – being able to articulate who we are, what we do, how and why
• Relationship building and networking

Firm Leadership and People Management

An SAE hones leadership skills by mentoring junior team members and playing an active role in the day-to-day guidance of the client teams. In addition, you will work independently, assist in defining junior team members’ priorities and team roles, and take responsibility for ensuring that budgets are adhered to and deadlines are met.

Specific firm leadership and people management skills include:

• Mastery of time management and accounting processes
• Proactively flag and/or help manage budget conversations with clients
• Help develop and implement budgets and scopes of work, as well as measurement best practices
• Mentor junior professionals on solid foundational skills, client counseling skills and firm knowledge

About Linhart Public Relations

• Linhart Public Relations is an award-winning national public relations and digital communications firm based in Denver, Colo. We’re nationally recognized for our business performance and workplace practices, including being named the 2012 top U.S. PR firm of our size by PRWeek. We’re one of only 50 organizations nationwide to win the 2011 Top Small Company Workplace award from Inc. magazine, and we’re regularly listed on PR Best Places to Work list.
• We serve clients nationally and regionally in a variety of sectors, focusing on public relations, reputation management, digital communication, social media, and employee engagement. Clients include Crocs, Southwest Airlines, Comcast, UnitedHealthcare, WhiteWave Foods, Celestial Seasonings, Johns Manville, and Chipotle, to name just a few.
• Linhart PR is a partner in Worldcom PR Group, a global partnership of independent PR firms with 110 partner firms in 95 cities on six continents.
• We offer a highly competitive compensation and benefits package, including: quarterly cash bonus based on firm profitability, 401(k) match, annual profit-sharing, excellent health and dental program, two weeks of paid time off to start plus an additional one week of paid time off between Christmas and New Year’s; extensive investment in professional development; strong rewards and recognition programs; and a fun, collaborative work environment, located in a historic loft-style building in Downtown Denver’s Theater District.  To all of this, add Colorado’s unique outdoor lifestyle and attractions plus 300 days of sunshine per year.

We invite you to take the next step toward a rewarding, challenging career opportunity with our firm that has been recognized nationally as a great place to work.  For immediate consideration for this SAE position, please submit your resume and cover correspondence to ksais@linhartpr.com.

Client Service

For an account executive, client work and results are the primary focus, with day-to-day client interaction and project management. This also includes a consistent high quality of work and developing program recommendations that demonstrate an understanding of the client’s business and industry. Specific client service skills include:

• Working knowledge of clients’ business objectives and how communications can support these
• Writing and delivering well-thought out and error-free key client documents, reports, agendas and tactical project plans
• Uncovering/identifying trends, initiating ideas and contributing to program planning and budgets
• Leading or managing individual projects within programs, including meeting all deadlines
• Developing effective client presentation and consulting skills, including rationale and recommendations (versus simply providing updates)
• Developing effective working relationships with clients and colleagues
• Assuming additional client contact, in accordance with Linhart PR’s stated client service standards
• Contributing to monthly client progress reports

Professional Skills

• Effective oral/presentation skills (e.g., good articulation; provides context for verbal updates or ideas)
• Effective writing skills (e.g., clear, error-free writing, appropriate tone)

• Ability to manage and adhere to multiple deadlines and priorities, without prompting or reminders
• Delivery of client-ready work and documents
• More advanced understanding and application of media relations and digital media skills, including greater proficiency in targeting outlets, greater proactive outreach, developing messages and materials to prepare clients for interviews, greater familiarity with digital tools and channels for strategic business purposes, and integrating digital media strategies and tactics into plans

Business Development

An account executive has an understanding of the firm’s capabilities and service offerings that benefit clients. This includes:

• Basic understanding of client proposals
• Proposal support, which may include research, participating in brainstorms, and/or generating ideas
• Developing an awareness of potential client opportunities

Firm Leadership and People Management

An account executive demonstrates leadership through solid performance, effective team contributions, proactive support and positive colleague interactions. Specific skills include:

• Mentoring junior professionals and firm interns
• Adhere to accurate and consistent time entry habits, and other administrative procedures
• Understand budgets and scopes of work, as well as measurement best practices

About Linhart Public Relations

• Linhart Public Relations is an award-winning national public relations and digital communications firm based in Denver. We’re nationally recognized for our business performance and workplace practices, including being named the 2012 top U.S. PR firm of our size by PRWeek. We’re one of only 50 organizations nationwide to win the 2011 Top Small Company Workplace award from Inc. magazine, and we’re regularly listed on PR Best Places to Work list.
• We serve clients nationally and regionally in a variety of sectors, focusing on public relations, reputation management, digital communication, social media, and employee engagement. Clients include Crocs, Southwest Airlines, Comcast, UnitedHealthcare, WhiteWave Foods, Celestial Seasonings, Johns Manville, and Chipotle, to name just a few.
• Linhart PR is a partner in Worldcom PR Group, a global partnership of independent PR firms with 110 partner firms in 95 cities on six continents.
• We offer a highly competitive compensation and benefits package, including: quarterly cash bonus based on firm profitability, 401(k) match, annual profit-sharing, excellent health and dental program, two weeks of paid time off to start plus an additional one week of paid time off between Christmas and New Year’s; extensive investment in professional development; strong rewards and recognition programs; and a fun, collaborative work environment, located in a historic loft-style building in Downtown Denver’s Theater District.  To all of this, add Colorado’s unique outdoor lifestyle and attractions plus 300 days of sunshine per year.

To be considered for this account executive position, please submit your resume and cover correspondence to ksais@linhartpr.com.

• Two of our programs tied for the Grand Gold Pick award – the top honor among all entries.  In fact, it was the second consecutive year that we’ve won this “best of the best” award.  This year, our winning programs included promoting Chipotle’s Cultivate Festival – a free food and music event held for the first time in Denver last fall.  The community festival surpassed all media relations and attendance goals. Plus, we also received the Grand Gold Pick for our firm’s own employee engagement and culture-building program (which also won the top award in 2012).
• Sharon Linhart, our founder and managing partner, was honored with the chapter’s Swede Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award for her distinguished service to the PR profession, community and PRSA. Sharon has built our firm into a nationally-respected workplace while also generously giving back to her profession and the community, including serving on numerous nonprofit boards.
• We received nine other awards that recognized our team’s work and results with clients, including the Boulder International Film Festival, Celestial Seasonings, Chipotle, Crocs, Rudi’s Organic Bakery, UnitedHealthcare, Wish of a Lifetime and Verlasso. You can read more about it in our announcement.

Check out all the details here. We congratulate all the winners at last night’s Gold Pick Awards dinner!

DENVER, Colo., May 10, 2013 – Linhart Public Relations, a national public relations, digital media and corporate communications counseling firm based in Colorado, won 12 awards from the Colorado Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The awards included Sharon H. Linhart, the firm’s founder and managing partner, being honored with the chapter’s Swede Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award.

In addition, for the second consecutive year, Linhart PR won the Grand Gold Pick – the top award out of all entries – with two of its programs tying for the “best of the best” honor. The PRSA Colorado Gold Pick Awards, which recognize outstanding public relations programs and practitioners from the past year, were presented last night during an event at the EXDO Event Center.

Linhart received the Swede Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award for her distinguished service to the PR profession, community and PRSA. Linhart, who founded Linhart PR in 1996, has built the firm into a nationally-respected workplace by measuring and innovating around two key drivers of business success: client satisfaction and employee engagement. She also believes in giving back to her profession and the community, including serving on numerous nonprofit boards. She is past PRSA Colorado president and today serves on the national boards of the Council of PR Firms and Worldcom Public Relations Group.

“I’m humbled and privileged to receive this honor for doing what I love – furthering our profession, helping clients build their reputations, supporting our community, and inspiring young men and women in their careers,” Linhart said. “We’re also pleased that our team is being recognized for the best-in-class work and results they achieve everyday on behalf of clients.”

The two Grand Gold Pick award winners, both of which received perfect scores from judges, included a program to promote Chipotle’s Cultivate Festival – a free food and music event held for the first time in Denver last fall. The team helped Chipotle surpass media relations and attendance goals, with more than 13,000 people enjoying the community event. In addition, Linhart PR was recognized in the internal communications category for its own culture-building program that rewards, recognizes and motivates its team members. The Linhart PR employee engagement program also won last year’s Grand Gold Pick award.

The nine other awards recognized the firm’s work and results with clients, including the Boulder International Film Festival, Celestial Seasonings, Chipotle, Crocs, Rudi’s Organic Bakery, UnitedHealthcare, Wish of a Lifetime and Verlasso. Linhart PR’s awards and categories are:

• Gold Pick: Bringing Chipotle’s Cultivate Festival to Denver (Events and Observances, Seven Days or Fewer – Business Products); also tied for Grand Gold Pick
• Gold Pick: Building Collaboration and Culture from the Inside-Out – Linhart PR (Internal Communications – Business); also tied for Grand Gold Pick
• Gold Pick: Bringing The Boulder International Film Festival Center Stage (Pro Bono Projects/Programs – Special Events)
• Gold Pick: A Consumer-Centric Approach to Celebrating Brand Milestones – Celestial Seasonings (Marketing – Consumer Products)
• Gold Pick: Let’s Doodle Lunch Integrated Campaign Drives Engagement and Sales – Rudi’s Organic Bakery (Marketing Consumer Products – Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages)
• Gold Pick: UnitedHealth HEROES Grants Raise Awareness for Childhood Obesity (Media Relations – Consumer Services, Health Care Services)
• Gold Pick: Verlasso Harmoniously Raised Salmon e-Newsletter: Currents (Newsletters)
• Gold Pick: Bringing Wish of a Lifetime’s Mission to Life (Pro Bono Projects/Programs – Electronic)
• Silver Pick: Those are Crocs? Changing Consumer Brand Perceptions with Blogger Ambassador Program (Blogger Campaign)

About Linhart Public Relations
Linhart Public Relations, a national public relations, digital media and corporate communications counseling firm based in Colorado, helps clients build and defend strong, engaging brands and reputations. Our key practice areas include consumer marketing, corporate communications, digital media, financial services, healthcare communications and employee engagement.

Linhart PR is recognized as an award-winning firm for its client work and business results. The firm is PRWeek’s 2012 Boutique Agency of the Year and a 2013 finalist for the same award, a national winner of the 2011 Top Small Company Workplaces award sponsored by Inc. magazine and Winning Workplaces, and a 2011 Small Business of the Year winner from the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. Linhart PR also won the national 2011 Small Firm of the Year award from industry publication PR News. Linhart PR is regularly listed on Best Places To Work in Public Relations lists.

Founded in 1996, Linhart PR is headquartered in a restored 19th century candy factory in the downtown Denver Theatre District. For more information, visit Linhart PR online at www.linhartpr.com or read the firm’s blog at www.linhartpr.com/dialogue.

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I was born in the south suburbs of Chicago where I developed my love for entertainment through acting classes and the Mickey Mouse Club.  When I moved to South Bend, Indiana, at age 10, my passion for entrainment turned from singing and dancing to sports, as my family became avid Notre Dame fans.  Combining my loves, I spent four years at the University of Iowa double majoring in Journalism and Mass Communications and Health and Sports Studies. After graduation I worked in consulting where I helped build brand identities for television news stations in Iowa.  Wanting to explore a big city, I left the Midwest for the Big Apple to work at MTV Networks.  I created successful promotions and partnerships, utilizing social networking and the power of viral marketing.  After two and a half wonderful years at MTV, I moved to digital agency Dotbox to help grow the new social commerce business.  Joining in its infancy, I was able to contribute to the vision and path of Dotbox. I have helped my clients connect with their consumers in new and engaging ways through digital marketing.  Building ecommerce sites, email campaigns, social media pages, promotional sites, and overall digital strategies has given me the opportunity to explore all areas of marketing and sales on the world wide web.

What brought you to Denver?

After five years in New York, I was looking for a change of pace. I still wanted a big city to call home but one with more opportunities to explore outdoors and one with more sunshine, stars, and fresh air. I am fortunate to have friends and family out here, which made the move easier.

Your workday just started. What’s the FIRST thing you do?

Turn on my desk lamp (I love good lighting), open my email and Facebook.

Name three things on your desk right now or three things you can’t live without.

• Flowers—I love fresh flowers.
• iPhone—I am addicted to all things Mac.
• iPhone photos—I like having my family and friends a few swipes away.

What are some of your favorite things?

Laughter, chocolate, hugs, sunny days, high heels, and dancing in the grocery store.

Tell us some unique or interesting facts about yourself.

• I have red hair but I have very little Irish blood, it comes from the Italian in me.
• I’ve met many celebrities.  My favorites include Snoop Dogg, Tim Gunn, and Joe Jonas.
• I played the Grand Prize Game on the Bozo show.
• I was in Italy when the Italians won the World Cup in 2006.

Read Kaitlyn Viater’s Bio

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Client Service

For an account associate, client work and results are the primary focus, with an ability to grasp what needs to be done, take ownership of projects, be an active listener, apply learnings across projects, ask direct questions that define the desired outcome, and meet stated deadlines. Specific client service skills include:

• Consistent high quality of work, including attention to detail, accuracy and application of feedback
• Effective prioritization, including time management based on client scope of work and your role
• Timeliness of work product
• Responsiveness to client needs, including Linhart PR’s stated client service standards
• Basic conflict resolution skills (e.g., identifying potential conflicts, issues and/or solutions)
• Understanding the client business goals, mission and culture
• Participation in client meetings, as appropriate
• Tracking and monitoring of client industry trends, conversations and coverage to alert client teams

Professional Skills

• Effective oral/presentation skills (e.g., good articulation; provides context for verbal updates or ideas)
• Effective writing skills (e.g., clear, error-free writing, appropriate tone)
• Adherence to deadlines (both external and internal)
• Understanding and effective application of basic media relations skills, including research, targeted media list development, pitch development, pitching, interview coordination and results reporting
• Understanding and effective application of basic digital media skills, including active knowledge of key digital media sites, blogger list development and outreach, social channel content development, an understanding of community management, listening to online conversations and tracking results

Business Development

An account associate builds an understanding of the firm’s capabilities and service offerings that benefit clients. This includes:

• Learn how services and recommendations are presented to clients
• Assist an internal or new business pitch team, as appropriate

Firm Leadership and People Management

An account associate demonstrates leadership through solid performance, effective team contributions and positive colleague interactions. Specific skills include:

• Collaborate with and help mentor firm interns
• Develop accurate and consistent time entry habits
• Learn the firm’s operating procedures and culture
• Attend and come prepared to staff and client service meetings

About Linhart Public Relations

• Linhart Public Relations is an award-winning national public relations and digital communications firm based in Denver. We’re nationally recognized for our business performance and workplace practices, including being named the 2012 top U.S. PR firm of our size by PRWeek. We’re one of only 50 organizations nationwide to win the 2011 Top Small Company Workplace award from Inc. magazine, and we’re regularly listed on PR Best Places to Work list.
• We serve clients nationally and regionally in a variety of sectors, focusing on public relations, reputation management, digital communication, social media, and employee engagement. Clients include Crocs, Southwest Airlines, Comcast, UnitedHealthcare, WhiteWave Foods, Celestial Seasonings, Johns Manville, and Chipotle, to name just a few.
• Linhart PR is a partner in Worldcom PR Group, a global partnership of independent PR firms with 110 partner firms in 95 cities on six continents.
• We offer a highly competitive compensation and benefits package, including: quarterly cash bonus based on firm profitability, 401(k) match, annual profit-sharing, excellent health and dental program, two weeks of paid time off to start plus an additional one week of paid time off between Christmas and New Year’s; extensive investment in professional development; strong rewards and recognition programs; and a fun, collaborative work environment, located in a historic loft-style building in Downtown Denver’s Theater District.  To all of this, add Colorado’s unique outdoor lifestyle and attractions plus 300 days of sunshine per year

To be considered for this position, please submit your resume and cover correspondence to ksais@linhartpr.com and ameyer@linhartpr.com.