Franchise Show

Lorne, Jeff, and Christine discuss the role of public relations in building a business, where publicity is king from the largest franchise concepts to the emerging startup. Fish Consulting specializes in public relations for franchising companies in a variety of industries. The agency’s current franchise clients include Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin Robbins, Mr. Clean Car Wash, PostNet, Instant Tax Service, Edible Arrangements, to name a few. Additional clients include The Pugliese Company, CoActive Marketing Group and HealthScreenDirect. Fish Consulting is a Supplier Forum Member of the International Franchise Association (IFA), and Lorne frequently speaks about franchising at various conferences for the IFA and Nova Southeastern University’s International Institute for Franchise Education. In addition, he serves on the Franchise Advisory Board of WomenVenture, a non-profit organization based in Minneapolis that helps women enter the franchising industry. Lorne Fisher serves as the CEO/Managing Partner of Fish Consulting. For more than 15 years, Lorne has worked in communications on both the agency and corporate side. This experience has been invaluable in providing Lorne with an understanding of the unique needs and challenges each side faces every day. This understanding allows him to provide insightful counsel to clients and employees to help them succeed. Before opening Fish, Lorne served as the Director of PR & Events for The Absolut Spirits Company, where he was responsible for all national communications for Absolut Vodka, Level Vodka, Danzka Vodka and Plymouth Gin. Prior to Absolut, he worked for Ketchum, a global public relations agency, where he served clients such as Kodak, Maxwell House, Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, Levi’s, Nike and eToys while working in the agency’s Atlanta, San Francisco and New York offices. Lorne has also served as a Director of Corporate Relations for Visa U.S.A., where he was responsible for leading teams handling communications activities ranging from product launches and media relations to crisis management and employee communications. Lorne’s work has earned him and his clients numerous awards from various national and local public relations organizations, including five Silver Anvils, the industry’s most prestigious honor from the Public Relations Society of America. He earned his Bachelor of Sciences degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida. Lorne lives in Hollywood, Florida with his wife and two daughters. Find out how Lorne got into the world of franchising through a single contact that became his first client and conduit into one of franchising's top PR firms. Guest: 01 The world of PR with Lorne Fisher! Lorne, Jeff, and Christine discuss the role of public relations in building a business, where publicity is king from the largest franchise concepts to the emerging startup. Fish Consulting specializes in public relations for franchising companies in a variety of industries. The agency’s current franchise clients include Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin Robbins, Mr. Clean Car Wash, PostNet, Instant Tax Service, Edible Arrangements, to name a few. Additional clients include The Pugliese Company, CoActive Marketing Group and HealthScreenDirect. Fish Consulting is a Supplier Forum Member of the International Franchise Association (IFA), and Lorne frequently speaks about franchising at various conferences for the IFA and Nova Southeastern University’s International Institute for Franchise Education. In addition, he serves on the Franchise Advisory Board of WomenVenture, a non-profit organization based in Minneapolis that helps women enter the franchising industry. Lorne Fisher serves as the CEO/Managing Partner of Fish Consulting. For more than 15 years, Lorne has worked in communications on both the agency and corporate side. This experience has been invaluable in providing Lorne with an understanding of the unique needs and challenges each side faces every day. This understanding allows him to provide insightful counsel to clients and employees to help them succeed. Before opening Fish, Lorne served as the Director of PR & Events for The Absolut Spirits Company, where he was responsible for all national communications for Absolut Vodka, Level Vodka, Danzka Vodka and Plymouth Gin. Prior to Absolut, he worked for Ketchum, a global public relations agency, where he served clients such as Kodak, Maxwell House, Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, Levi’s, Nike and eToys while working in the agency’s Atlanta, San Francisco and New York offices. Lorne has also served as a Director of Corporate Relations for Visa U.S.A., where he was responsible for leading teams handling communications activities ranging from product launches and media relations to crisis management and employee communications. Lorne’s work has earned him and his clients numerous awards from various national and local public relations organizations, including five Silver Anvils, the industry’s most prestigious honor from the Public Relations Society of America. He earned his Bachelor of Sciences degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida. Lorne lives in Hollywood, Florida with his wife and two daughters. Find out how Lorne got into the world of franchising through a single contact that became his first client and conduit into one of franchising's top PR firms. Guest: Lorne Fisher URL: URL: www.fish-consulting.com
http://www.fish-consulting.com

Jeff and Christine dial it down with Chad to find out the difference between marketing, advertising, and public relations, the parallels between guerilla marketing and the new 'social media', and how an English Lit major from CU put his Spanish sub-major into play in South Florida. Chad Cohen brings nearly a decade of public relations experience and a deep understanding of media relations to Fish Consulting. He has counseled small, mid-size and large companies in a variety of industries that include franchising, travel/tourism, professional services, consumer products and real estate. At Fish, Chad leads several franchise accounts including Baskin-Robbins, PostNet, Instant Tax Service and WineStyles, among others. He also supports several other clients including Edible Arrangements and The Pugliese Company. Chad sharpened his communications skills during his tenure as an account executive at rbb Public Relations, a Coral Gables-based public relations agency, where he served clients such as The Florida Marlins, Occidental Hotels & Resorts, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Puerto Costa Maya and Codina Group. In this role, he was responsible for managing communications activities ranging from product launches and media relations to Hispanic marketing and crisis communications. Additionally, Chad worked as a journalist for Recommend Magazine, a travel publication serving the travel agent business community. Furthermore, he has worked as a freelance journalist for several South Florida newspapers and a national Mexico tourism industry newsletter. Chad earned a Bachelor's of Arts degree in English literature and a minor in Spanish from Colorado State University. He currently resides in Miami, Florida with his wife Bibiana and son Mathias.
http://www.fish-consulting.com

03 Hear Matt Stermer discuss Oil & Vinegar live from O & V's Bellevue store, where Matt is watching the Mother's Day traffic and counting register rings. Oil & Vinegar was founded in the Netherlands in 1999. The World Headquarters in located in the city of Oosterhout, in the Netherlands. All of our marketing and product development resources are located under the same roof at our World Headquarters. By 2002, the company had expanded the concept internationally to the United Kingdom, Germany and Belgium and later entered the US, South African, and Australian markets. In the US market today, there are Oil & Vinegar stores in Skokie IL, Bellevue WA, Woodlands TX, Charlottesville VA, and Missoula MT. Further USA expansion will occur through franchising in various states beginning in 2009.. Matt Stermer is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Oil & Vinegar. As President and CEO, Matt’s main responsibilities include the commercial development of the franchise program and partner relationships. Matt is also responsible for the financial management of the company. Matt’s contribution to the Company stems from his past two years involvement with the Oil & Vinegar brand in the capacity of Regional Developer and shop owner. In addition, Matt brings extensive experience in Sales and Operations Management with NIKE, Inc. in both the USA and European Headquarters. In his most recent role with NIKE he lived in the Netherlandsand held the position of Northern European Sales Director. Matt graduated from Oregon State Universitywith a BS in Business/Accounting. He obtained his CPA credentials while working as an Auditor in the Portland, Oregon office of Deloitte & Touche. Matt's obviously progressed from counting beans at D & T to quarterbacking domestic growth of this great European concept. Guest: Matt Stermer URL: www.oilandvinegarusa.com
http://www.oilandvinegarusa.com

Want unique? Want edgy? Want a home-grown concept that dominates a crowded category? Then you want Toppers Pizza! Toppers Pizza is a 25-unit up-scale pizza delivery franchise brand, headquartered in Whitewater, WI. Toppers takes a unique approach to the crowded pizza segment by appealing to 18-24 year olds in an irreverent way that totally separates them from the competition. Toppers’ menu includes 17 gourmet pizzas; the franchise’s signature product line Topperstix, Oven-Toasted Grinders, Buffalo Wings, Quesadillas, and cold drinks. The brand has strongly established itself in Wisconsin, and is now in the midst of Midwest and then national growth. By focusing on college markets, Toppers is able to build a fanatical relationship with its customer base. Scott Iversen is the brainchild of Toppers Pizza’s creative marketing initiatives. He has led his team to create some incredible brand slogans and has built strong ties with franchisees as they begin to market their locations. His marketing and advertising advancements have maintained the brand’s incredible, second to none, connection with their customers. He heads franchise development for the Whitewater, WI-based franchise. Welcome, Scott--we're anxious to have our first Mac & Cheese pizza as soon as you can bring Toppers to the West Coast. Guest: Scott Iversen
http://www.toppers.com