On a night punctuated by emcee Frank Catalano serenading the audience with the Harvey Mudd College “fight song,” representatives from leading education technology companies gathered for the SIIA CODiE Awards reception. The event, which was held during the Ed Tech Industry Summit in San Francisco, honored the innovative products and services shaping the education technology industry. Overall, 28 winners were recognized for their products and services deployed specifically for the education technology market. All of the nominated products and services were first reviewed by a group of tech-savvy educators from across the nation, whose evaluations determined 82 finalists. SIIA members then reviewed these finalists and voted to select 28 CODiE Award winners. Atomic Learning earned the most honors during the reception, making three onstage appearances to accept awards. The company’s Tech Skills Plus Training Package won CODiE Awards as Best Postsecondary Learning Solution, Best Postsecondary Solution and Best Education Solution. For a complete list of winners, visit the SIIA Education news release. On behalf of the entire CB&A team, congrats to the finalists and winners on your tremendous accomplishments and accolades!

Recently, we had the opportunity to hear some words of wisdom from Michael Friedman, executive vice-president of DWJ Television, a company that specializes in satellite media tours. Friedman is familiar with the media, having worked at ABC Radio Network as a writer and producer, before moving into the public relations side of the business and becoming an expert on satellite media tours, radio media tours and PSAs—just to name a few. Over some bagels and cream cheese, Friedman shared his knowledge of how to execute satellite media tours, when to use a video news release (VNR), and why a public service announcement (PSA) can be an effective way to communicate a client’s message. Satellite Media Tours Satellite media tours are a way for a company to share a story with a national audience. A company expert spends a day in the studio being interviewed by local television and radio stations across the country through a satellite feed. In the United States, there are a select group of stations that participate in satellite media tours, and some will charge to conduct the interview. As with any story, a good pitch is critical to securing interviews for the tour. For local outreach, [...]

Themed “Navigating ‘Next,’” this year’s SIIA Ed Tech Industry Summit (ETIS) will bring together the leading voices in education technology. Charlene and Carie from the CB&A team are traveling to San Francisco for the conference, so check back next week for a post highlighting their experiences. Charlene, along with Linda Winter of Winter Group, has the special distinction of leading a session titled, “What Keeps You Up at Night? A Night Owls Breakfast Boot Camp.” In this session, attendees will explore the marketing issues that keep them up at night as they “Navigate ‘Next.’” Participants and presenters will then actively work together to develop strategic responses and practice delivering messaging for their organizations. Participants are encouraged to bring sample materials and vexing problems to the boot camp so there can be a practical, powerful and collaborative session. Participants will also receive a summary of the issues and messaging responses following the session. To register for the session, click here. Are you headed to ETIS? Which sessions are looking forward to most? If you’re not making the trip, follow along on Twitter via #ETIS13.  

The fourth, and final, blog post detailing the first annual Autism Investment Conference is around the topic of supports and services. This area of focus for the autism community is of special interest to CB&A, as we’ve recently launched our Special Needs Division to help companies raise awareness for new products and services specifically for children and adults with special needs. Children on the autism spectrum depend on educational and therapeutic services to facilitate with learning and communication, and to gain skills important to their daily living. Adults count on vocational services, residential supports and even recreational programs. And, with the spectrum being so diverse, there is a need for products and resources of a wide variety. One of the presenters at the conference was Steve Perricone of Semperical. According to Perricone, 85% of adults with autism are unemployed or underemployed. And, 80% of them live at home. There is a definite need for a societal shift in thinking. Semperical is a high-performance software testing and QA machine. Its specialized program unleashes the incredible natural talents of engineers on the autism spectrum. Perricone shared various customer testimonials to demonstrate that its engineers deliver twice as fast with double the accuracy of [...]

The Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access recently hosted “Rewarding Museum Participation and Learning: New Approaches,” a symposium that explored the use of digital badges and certifications in educational programs across the institution and its affiliates. Speakers at the symposium shared best practices in the design and use of digital badging programs and valuable insights into the evolution of this growing trend. Speakers included Maxwell L. Anderson, the Eugene McDermott Director of the Dallas Museum of Art; Jonathan Finkelstein, founder of Learning Times and Credly, and director of the BadgeOS Project; Stevie Engelke, director of programs for the Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access; Amy Homma, manager of digital learning programs for ARTLAB+ at the Hirshhorn Museum; and Caroline Payson, director of education for the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. They offered overviews of the programs they are operating at their respective institutions, and the following wisdom: A digital badge offers key advantages over its embroidered counterpart of yesteryear—no limitations on the number a person can acquire, easy to access, shareable and mobile, and provides insightful data about the learner. New standards for digital badges are helping to verify learning, ensure consistency, promote portability, and build value across institutions and organizations. Badges can [...]

It’s official! Our new Special Needs Division has its first client. Brain Parade is a developer of learning solutions for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Its award-winning iPad app, See.Touch.Learn., has been gaining momentum in the special needs industry for almost two years now and the reviews are worth reading! Much like C. Blohm & Associates, the president of Brain Parade, Jim McClafferty, saw a growing need in an underserved market. Jim understands the importance of creating products that go beyond the classroom and resonate with children who have different learning styles. Children with special needs have been using See.Touch.Learn. to develop important skills, like vocabulary and self-expression, through its high-quality picture card learning system that replaces bulky, old-fashioned flash cards. The app even lets users record voice prompts to aid in the learning process. See.Touch.Learn. is literally the next generation of visual learning and provides educators, therapists, SLPs, behavior consultants and parents with the ability to create custom exercises and lessons that can be shared through the Brain Parade Community (available as a feature in the Pro version and as an upgrade in the FREE version of the downloadable app). To date, the app includes more than 4,400 [...]

Schools across the country have recognized the utility of tablets in K-12 education, with many aiming to reach a 1:1 tablet to student ratio. In the United States, K-12 enrollment is 55.2 million, which could mean just as many, if not more, devices. Yet trends have proved that technology is frequently updated and replaced, so what happens to the discarded devices? In honor of Earth Day, Funding Factory shows us the e-waste impact of 1:1 devices, and the benefits that could come from recycling those devices.

This month's Social Media Breakfast featured Chad Wittman, co-founder of EdgerRank Checker, who discussed how to "Leverage Facebook’s News Feed and Graph Search." Wittman dug deep into the mechanics behind Facebook algorithms, explaining how long posts live on the News Feed, how to move beyond the simple "like/share/comment" strategy for engagement, and exactly what Graph Search is and how it works. Below are a few of the highlights from Chad's presentation.

This week our team was thrilled to learn that we earned a Leadership Award from acclaimed online education publication EdTech Digest for the third time in three years. The annual awards program honors outstanding solutions, tools, trendsetters and leaders in the education and technology sectors. A distinguished panel of industry influencers and veterans conducted this year’s evaluation proceedings. After more than 20 years in the education industry, being named top PR firm isn’t only a win for us, but also for our clients. We consider ourselves fortunate to work alongside companies that tirelessly strive to improve the learning environment for children and adults. Our client family makes a difference in lives across the country, developing products and services that contribute to a quality education for each and every student. We feel honored to have the opportunity to support our clients in achieving this goal. Following our EdTech Digest Awards in 2011 and 2012, this recognition is a culmination of many hours of hard work in partnership with our clients, media and many other industry friends. The dedication and passion of everyone at CB&A contributes to our continued success. We aim to provide and deliver superior visibility services year after year. Several other deserving finalists [...]

We announced some exciting news today! C. Blohm & Associates has rolled out its Special Needs Division, confirming our commitment to education, to children and to giving everyone the chance to learn and grow. The new division complements the structure and strategy we’ve used to achieve effective results in the education industry for more than 20 years. We will bring the highest standards of public relations and social media services to the special needs market as well. Resources dedicated to those with special needs should be available in schools, at home, in therapy settings and in the workplace. Our goal is to provide expertise to help companies (large and small) navigate a diverse market with PR campaigns that provide clear, concise messaging and successful results. We are passionate about creating awareness for products and services that assist all individuals with special needs. We are equally passionate about spreading the idea of acceptance. Everyone learns differently, and everyone deserves the chance to learn. Children and adults with special needs have unique talents and abilities that should be celebrated. Many need accommodations in order to share their talents and communicate with others, a process that can be bolstered through the creation of [...]

EdTech Digest announced the finalists for its annual awards program, which recognizes outstanding solutions in education and technology. This year’s entries reached an all-time high, but now 200 finalists have been named in more than 40 categories. We’d like to take a moment to recognize some of the stellar finalists in the categories below – and to blush at the exciting news of placing as a finalist in the PR Firm/Publicist category for the third year in a row, after winning the past two years. Academic Gaming Solution PBS Kids Play! Classroom Edition from PBS Kids Play! Content Provider Solution Shmoop from Shmoop University Parent/Student Portal Solution Student Management Suite – Family Access from Skyward Professional Development Solution Integrate from Atomic Learning Student Academic Tracking Solution Student Management Suite – Family Access from Skyward EdTech Blogger Kirsten Winkler, EDUKWEST/KirstenWinkler.com PR Firm/Publicist C. Blohm & Associates More Trendsetter Awards Finalists: Ron Reed, SXSWedu – Best Conference Organizer The Association of Educational Publishers – Best Nonprofit Membership Association Click here to view a full list of the EdTech Digest Award finalists. Congrats again to all of the finalists, winners will be announced shortly on the EdTech Digest website.

The CEC 2013 Convention & Expo is officially underway in San Antonio. The event is the largest professional development event dedicated to special and gifted education. Educators from all over the world have already begun to discuss critical issues including Common Core State Standards, autism spectrum disorders, emotional behavior disorders and supports, instructional strategies for math, reading and science, policy, technology, and response to intervention. The convention began yesterday, April 3, and goes through Saturday, April 6. Along with hundreds of educational sessions, led by experts in the industry, and opportunities to network with others working with children with exceptionalities and their families, the convention also provides attendees with the opportunity to learn about new and pending legislation, and explore cutting-edge products and services. Here’s a link to a preview of the CEC 2013 Convention & Expo offerings. The event is highly attended by special educators and early interventionists, administrators and supervisors, students, researchers, teacher educators, psychologists, curriculum specialists and facilitators, and parents. It’s a great opportunity to find out what’s new in the field, and further professional growth. With an increase in children needing special or gifted educational opportunities, along with a growing autism community, it’s becoming more and [...]

Today is World Autism Awareness Day, signifying the beginning of Autism Awareness Month throughout April. Many people and organizations are joining in the effort to raise awareness of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), including campaigns such as Autism Acceptance Month, Million Dollar Puzzle Piece Challenge and Light It Up Blue. Increased awareness has already contributed to a larger number of autism diagnoses in recent years. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1 in 88 children has autism. Now a recent survey shows this number could be as high as 1 in 50. As this number grows, the need for supporting services and products to facilitate day-to-day tasks grows as well. For this reason, autism awareness continues to be important, but acceptance is equally important. CB&A has gained many education insights throughout our more than 20 years in the industry. Yet, one of the greatest lessons is that every student learns differently. There will never be one best way to learn. Similarly, there are many different ways of processing and thinking – key word here being different, not less. April is “Autism Awareness Month” – an opportunity to educate others about the differences, strengths and talents of [...]

Assistive Technologies (AT)—the third post in a series of four covering the Autism Speaks Investment Conference in February. The term includes assistive, adaptive and rehabilitative devices for those with disabilities and includes the process used in selecting, locating and using them. AT promotes independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they weren’t able to perform previously, or had trouble doing, by providing enhancements to, or alters methods of interacting with, the technology needed to accomplish tasks. AT can be “low-tech”, like a pencil grip or walker, or “high-tech” like an iPad or computer. Web-based assistive technologies can actually help families recognize early signs and symptoms of autism. The federal government recognized the importance of AT for students when it revised the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1997 and again in 2004. IDEA states that school districts must consider assistive technologies for any child in special education. Which means that for any child with special needs (and receiving special education services), the educational system must ask if there is a device that will “increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities” of that child. If yes, the school district is required to provide certain services, including: A qualified evaluator must [...]

Planning live events can be tricky. Promotion, coordination, invitation and a handful of other –tions need to be executed for the event to be deemed a success. PR News recently held a webinar addressing the issues that can arise when planning a live event. Below are five helpful tips to pulling off a successful event: 1. Plan, plan and plan some more – Planning an event goes beyond booking a room and sending out an invitation. Generating interest is a key component to making a live event a success. Promotion across social media can help start a conversation that draws the attention of a wider audience. 2. Come with a story to tell – A good event has a purpose. Let people know why they should attend and what to expect. Everyone’s time is valuable, so convince potential participants that it’s worth their while to attend. 3. Different is good – Try new things to promote engagement among participants. Tradition is fine, but adding an unusual element to the event, like a game or a contest, will get people talking. 4. Extend the conversation – The event isn’t over just because the clock goes past the time on the invitation. [...]

CB&A team members attended the CoSN Conference, March 11-13, in San Diego. The theme for this year’s conference was “Audacious Leadership,” and brought together disruptive and innovative leaders to define a new vision for 21st century learning.

My second blog, in a series of four, covering the categories discussed during the Autism Speaks Investment Conference, will focus on Diagnostics and Enabling Technologies. Not only is this topic relevant due to new developments and research, but just yesterday the CDC released a new study showing the incidence rates of autism have shifted from 1 in 88 to 1 in 50. The message here, so eloquently stated by our dear friend, Kevin Custer, is this: The rate of autism is growing. The issue is becoming more important. The need for products and services continues to grow. This new study brings even more emphasis to the growing need for finding ways to work together to accommodate the needs of individuals on the autism spectrum…no matter who they are, how they learn or how they communicate. The idea of inclusion in the classroom is catching on in more schools, which is positive news. It’s not acceptable to make assumptions about, or mention a diagnosis of, autism unless it’s relevant and properly sourced. In fact, the Associated Press Stylebook now provides guidance for reporters on how to write about conditions like autism. This is a huge step for communicators – the AP [...]

LinkedIn has over 187 million users, a number that continues to grow. As the platform evolves, so do strategies for using it to its full potential. A recent webinar hosted by Cision highlighted how to maximize LinkedIn for personal and company use. Personal Profiles Here are some do’s and don’ts to consider when configuring your personal LinkedIn profile. When sending an invitation, include a personal message to remind the recipient where you’ve met before. Fill out your profile completely, avoiding the use of popular profile buzzwords that lack real meaning. Use a professional headshot. Position yourself as an expert in your field by posting relevant articles, but remember: less is more. Be careful not to over share or post too frequently. Take advantage of existing tools to grow your network. For example, LinkedIn has created an app called CardMunch that takes a picture of someone’s business card and automatically connects with them on LinkedIn. Company Page On a company page, explain what your company does, as well as the products and services it offers. Try posting once a day in the morning. LinkedIn is similar to Facebook in that posts linger in the newsfeed longer than on a rapid turnover [...]

How has social media changed journalism? This was the question of the hour at a SXSW Interactive session titled “Sources in the Social Media Age,” featuring panelists Greg Galant, CEO of Muck Rack, Edmund Lee, media reporter for Bloomberg News, and Mike Isaac, senior editor for All Things Digital. As social media changes previous conceptions of reporters, their sources and the audience, it’s safe to say that journalism is being re-defined by the minute. Below is a snapshot of the insight shared by these three panelists as they discussed the state of journalism in the age of social media. View the story “SXSW Interactive: Sources in the Social Media Age” on Storify

Wednesday marks the first official day of spring, and we’re definitely feeling a bit of spring fever at CB&A. Instead of green grass and daffodils popping up, we’re still dealing with March coming in like a lion and multiple inches of the white stuff. Luckily, we’re an optimistic bunch and took some time to celebrate spring, St. Patrick’s Day and thoughts of warmer weather with some bright, green Shamrock Shakes. In true CB&A tradition, we ventured down the road to McDonald’s for the sweet treat and some delicious french fries too! How are you celebrating the coming of spring? Visit our CB&A Facebook page and give us a shout! We’re also putting together a spring inspired Pinterest board to keep thinking positive and our hopes high that March will go out like a lamb.

The Autism Speaks Investment Conference held in NYC on February 21 was an opportunity for investors and product developers to discuss opportunities for addressing the needs of the growing autism community. As a participant, I was overwhelmed by the amazing products in development, the innovative ideas and the people behind them. The one-day conference covered four main categories, including Therapeutic Devices and Medicines, Diagnostics and Enabling Technologies, Assistive Technologies, and Support and Services. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be writing four consecutive blog posts, covering each of these categories. Today I’ll start with Therapeutic Devices. The session was an eye-opener. Given the broad spectrum of autism, this shouldn’t have been a surprise, but I was intrigued by the innovation and diversity of the emerging technologies for therapeutic developments. Three speakers from Seaside Therapeutics, Therapeutic Systems and Akili Interactive Labs brought innovative ideas and views to the session. The presentation by Akili Interactive Labs’ co-founding director of research Eddie Martucci, PH.D., focused on his vision of “Better Science – Better Games”. He provided an inside peek at one of the most sophisticated therapeutic mobile video games I’ve ever seen. Actually, it rivals all video games I’ve seen. The game, called [...]

CB&A is an agency that values its team, and we hope you enjoy learning a bit more about the people behind the PR.  Carie is an Account Executive at CB&A. Dogs or cats? Dogs. Dogs. Dogs. Morning or night person? Neither and both. It really just depends on the day. Coffee in the morning is a must, however. Best PR advice you can fit inside of a tweet? Develop trusting, sincere relationships – you’ll be a valuable resource to the media, your coworkers will be allies and your clients will like you. Favorite subject in elementary school? English/Writing If days suddenly lasted 25 hours, what would you do with the extra hour? Play my guitar (because I’m not very good yet, and I need lots of practice). No. 1 most-played song in your iTunes? It’s a tie right now between “Stubborn Love” by The Lumineers and “I And Love And You” by the Avett Brothers. If you weren’t in PR, what would you be doing? Singing in Nashville (with an awesome band, of course). What was the first thing you learned to cook? Macaroni & Cheese Favorite condiment? Guacamole (is that considered a condiment?) Favorite sport and team? I’m a [...]

Leaders from education companies around the world will gather May 5-7 for the 2013 Ed Tech Industry Summit hosted by SIIA to discuss Navigating “Next,” this year’s conference theme focusing on what’s coming next in the teaching and learning process in a post-PC world. One of the most exciting new developments, that could have a wide-ranging impact on the future of education and will be a topic of conversation and sessions at the conference, is digital badging. Kevin Carey, director of the education policy program at the New America Foundation, recently wrote in the New York Times that digital badges will soon come of age. The movement is supported by leading technology and education organizations, including Mozilla and the MacArthur Foundation. The U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan sees badges as a way to “broaden the avenues for learners of all ages to acquire and demonstrate – as well as document and display – their skills.” A digital badge is a new type of credential gaining value among education providers and learners. Many experts believe the new credential will have greater currency with employers in the near future as well, because badges offer a more detailed picture of an individual’s [...]

This year marked the second appearance for CB&A at SXSWedu. Although this time Mother Nature didn’t cooperate, sending Winter Storm Saturn our way the day we flew to Austin. Despite the snow, we arrived in time to learn from sessions, connect with new and old friends alike, plus sneak in some legendary barbeque. Below is a summary of SXSWedu coverage that we’ve been following after the conference. Chronicle of Higher Education: At SXSWedu Event, Tensions Divide Entrepreneurs and Educators edSurge: MOOCs and Assessments and Makers, Oh My! Education Week: Education Startups Vie for Attention at SXSWedu GeekWire: Bill Gates at SXSWedu: The Future of Education is Data GigaOm: A Wish List for Education Technology Hack Education: The Weirdness of SXSWedu Hechinger Report: The Five Most Important Ed-Trends at SXSWedu Inc.: Bill Gates: Education System Needs More Entrepreneurs InformationWeek: SXSWedu: A MOOC Love Fest SmartBlog on Education: SXSWedu Snapshot: What’s Changing in Education? To view photos from our time in Austin, see the SXSW 2013 album on Facebook. Stay tuned for more technology coverage next week from our first experience at SXSW Interactive.

The annual Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) conference kicks off in San Diego today. Team members Charlene (@CharleneBlohm) and Katie (@KSteil2) have made their way to California to take part in the action. This year’s theme, Audacious Leadership, aims to highlight leaders in education who are leading the way for 21st century learning. The next few days will be filled with conversation surrounding the goals, challenges and changes involved in the creation of compelling learning environments. Whether you’re in sunny San Diego or not, these will be conversations you don’t want to miss. Join in via Twitter (#CoSN13), and be sure to follow @CoSN for the latest updates!

Rapidly advancing technology has generated plenty of potential for improvements in 21st century learning environments. But with any new development, bringing products into the education market can be challenging. Confident that working together can help overcome barriers, The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) continues to advocate for new approaches to K-12 education, with its “Friends of Advocacy Campaign.” Through the advocacy campaign, CoSN aims to strengthen support for enabling 21st century learning through technology. The association announced the campaign in February, and is accepting contributions through Sunday, March 31, 2013. With numerous advocacy efforts over the last 20 years, CoSN continues its instrumental tradition to raise awareness about the importance of education technology in America’s schools. CoSN has led numerous efforts to shed light on this important cause, including: Working to create and sustain the E-Rate program (the major dedicated funding source for school technology); Providing innovative, vendor neutral leadership initiatives and resources for school systems technology leaders; Establishing global connections to learn about best information and communication technologies practices worldwide; Building a strong advocacy network to maintain an effective voice in policy formation and implementation at the federal level; Creating opportunities for members to connect and share; and Establishing [...]

The Weather Channel may be reaching the end of the alphabet, but it doesn’t seem to have slowed down the number of winter storms that keep making their way to Wisconsin. So it will be a nice change of pace to escape back to Austin next week, this time for SXSWedu and SXSW Interactive. SXSWedu is one of the many conferences held under the South by Southwest (SXSW) banner that gather a variety of stakeholders in a particular industry who share an interest in 21st century innovation and best practices. For SXSWedu, education professionals such as teachers, administrators and professors, join business, industry and policy leaders to explore their common interest in modernizing teaching and learning. This year’s keynote speaker is Microsoft founder, Bill Gates. As co-chairs of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, he and his wife Melinda shape and approve grant-making strategies, advocate for the foundation’s issues, and help set the overall direction of the organization. Other distinguished session speakers include Jaime Casap, senior education evangelist at Google, Sara DeWitt, vice-president of PBS KIDS Interactive, and Jim Shelton, U.S. Department of Education assistant deputy secretary for innovation and improvement. In addition to SXSWedu, CB&A will be attending SXSW Interactive, [...]

It’s safe to say that you’re living under a rock if you haven’t heard the term “sequestration” in recent months. Especially if you live in the world of education, as we do here at C. Blohm & Associates. We’ve been keeping a close eye on this critical issue, and how these spending cuts will impact students, teachers and schools across the country. If congress fails to reach an agreement before March 1, automatic, across-the-board spending cuts – known as the sequester – will go into effect. According to the U.S. Department of Education, “these cuts have real consequences for real people – especially teachers, young children in low-income families, and students with special needs.” And although most of the school cuts wouldn’t take place until the 2013-14 academic year, school districts are already feeling the repercussions as they budget for September. Business Insider reports that the cuts will roll back Education Department funding to below what it was in 2004. But since 2004, the number of students enrolled in public pre-K-12 and all post-secondary education programs has gone up by 5.8 million, and the cost of providing public K-12 schooling increased 36 percent, according to a recent report from the National Education [...]

It’s an idea that is becoming more and more common these days—the Innovation Incubator. Advances within education technology industry are running rampant…and that’s a good thing! There are multiple organizations making it a priority to acknowledge the products and services that go above and beyond in the world of learning technologies. And we applaud them for these efforts. So what exactly is an Innovation Incubator? For that answer we go back to the start of this phenomenon. The year was 2006 The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) Education Division began raising awareness for the many new products and services they were watching be introduced into the marketplace. They saw a growing number of entrepreneurs developing and distributing some of the most innovative learning technologies they had seen. As always, SIIA wanted to play a meaningful role in the effort to improve education through software, digital content and related technologies. For that reason, they created the industry’s first-ever Innovation Incubator Program at the 2006 Ed Tech Business Forum in New York. “The development of a program that would highlight the best, most innovative ideas for entrepreneurs looking for feedback, funding and distribution seemed like a natural fit for the Education [...]

There’s still time for educators and administrators at K-12 and postsecondary institutions to complete the sixth annual Vision K-20 Survey. Sponsored by the Education Division of SIIA, the Survey gives educators, administrators, and faculty members the opportunity to evaluate their current technology and compare it to prior results in a short online survey. According to the new Vision K-20 Survey site: “The Survey consists of 20 statements related to the Vision K-20 goals. Individual Survey results provide the survey responder with a yearly snapshot of their use of educational technology. Yearly progress can be tracked by completing the survey every year.” Karen Billings, vice president of the SIIA Education Division, discussed the opening of the Survey and launch of the revamped website at TCEA in February. SIIA member organizations worked together to develop the Vision K-20 initiative as a guide for educational institutions to implement technology district-wide and campus-wide. Visit the Vision K-20 Survey site to participate.

At this month’s Social Media Breakfast, we had the opportunity to hear from Corey Dane (@YelpMadison), senior community manager at Yelp.com. Social Media Breakfast Madison hosts events each month that focus on networking, education and of course caffeine. Corey shared how companies, such as Starbucks and Southwest Airlines, are using social media to engage powerful influencers to help build a brand, often without the help of traditional marketing. Below are a few of our favorite takeways from Corey’s entertaining and edifying presentation. View the story “Yelping with Social Media Breakfast” on Storify

It’s almost March, which means we’re rolling out the luggage and hoping our family and pets remember what we look like come April and May. The spring conference season is upon us, and the CB&A team will be traveling plenty (read: making the airlines and hotel chains happy). Can we look forward to seeing you at any of these shows? SXSWedu; March 4-7, 2013; Austin, Texas SXSW Interactive; March 8-12, 2013; Austin, Texas CoSN; March 11-13, 2013; San Diego, California ASCD; March 16-18, 2013; Chicago, Illinois IRA; April 19-22, 2013; San Antonio, Texas If you’re headed to IRA, we recommend adding these two sessions to your calendar: The Varied Practice Model, counter intuitive to traditional approaches, incorporates “desirable difficulties” to improve automaticity for struggling readers Saturday, April 20, 2013 Time: 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM Location: Grand Hyatt, Lone Star Ballroom F Trying something new: Marietta City Schools tested a new and innovative approach to reading intervention to reach students with special needs Monday, April 22, 2013 Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: Grand Hyatt, Texas Ballroom D What did we miss? Where else are you traveling in the next few months? Let us know in the comments!  

We’re getting excited about heading to the Big Apple this week for Autism Speaks’ first-ever Autism Investment Conference.  With increasing numbers of children with autism attending schools across the country, we are seeing significant changes in the education landscape. In particular, advancements in the Ed Tech industry and the increasing availability of mobile devices have enabled teachers to revamp their approach to special education. Of course the autism community faces mounting needs in areas beyond education as well. We will be learning about companies seeking to address community needs in four different categories – therapeutic devices and medicines, diagnostics and enabling technologies, assistive technologies, and support and services. Stay tuned for updates as we gain insight on how the needs of this community are changing and being addressed in the marketplace. If you plan on attending the conference, be sure to keep an eye out for CB&A team member Carie Breunig (@carieb2). If you’re not attending, but would like to keep tabs on her activities, watch for photos on the C. Blohm & Associates Facebook page and Twitter profile.

Relive the magic of TCEA 2013 by checking out our highlights from the conference.

Valentine’s Day sure snuck up quickly, didn’t it? It’s hard to believe that 2013 is flying by and today we’re celebrating the holiday of love! They say times flies when you’re having fun, and the CB&A team took some time to do just that on Tuesday afternoon. We channeled our inner elementary school selves by creating Valentine’s boxes that are now filled with goodies.  Our boxes ranged from explosions of pink, red and glitter to more ‘manly’ versions, but it was clear everyone had a great time. How are you celebrating this year? Remember to take time today to think about the people you care for, and to celebrate them! We’re certainly thankful for you, our readers. Happy Valentine’s Day to all!  

C. Blohm & Associates hosted Media Central at the Hilton Austin on Thursday, Feb. 7 during the TCEA 2013 Convention and Exposition. CB&A Media Central gives media members, CB&A clients and industry experts a chance to come together and discuss the latest ed tech news.

We’ve been learning and sharing a lot about autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) lately. The topic also has been popular with the mainstream media, which raises the question – why is autism such a hot topic? Almost a year ago, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention released an analysis of 2008 data, which estimated that 1 in 88 children have an ASD. The statistic has generated a great deal of concern, and many experts are trying to determine why the prevalence of ASDs has increased so dramatically in the past decade. Diagnoses of this developmental disorder rose 78 percent over the last eight years. It is estimated that by 2014 the U.S. school system will be serving over one million children with autism, compared to fewer than 100,000 in 2002. This graphic illustrates why we’re so passionate about the topic here at CB&A. There is a crucial need for raising autism awareness both in the education industry and beyond.

TCEA week is underway in Austin, Texas. The exhibit hall will be bustling. Sessions will be packed. Twitter and #TCEA13 will light up. But there will come a time each day this week when the show floor empties, presentations conclude and some attendees pocket their mobile devices in favor of Cactus Margaritas. It’s TCEA after hours. After a full day of learning, sharing and networking, Austin provides visitors with plenty of options for recharging the batteries. Job number one is sampling some local fare, and let us recommend Stubb’s Bar-B-Q. In addition to preparing some of the best grub around, Stubb’s is a noted live music venue: In the 1970?s, Stubb’s restaurant became the heart of an explosive music scene. Stubbs was ground zero for musicians like Joe Ely and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Other famous musicians who would “play for their supper” included Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Robert Cray, George Thorogood, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Linda Ronstadt and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. After dinner, take a cruise down 6th Street and Austin’s historical entertainment district. There you’ll find local staples such as Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar and Esther’s Follies. If you’re more of a planner than a [...]

The Situation: To assist a state education department in creating standards to promote student understanding of Internet safety, our client was selected as a partner to develop an online curriculum covering several safety issues. Our client needed to publicize the new, standards-based curriculum through a public relations campaign that targeted state educators and reporters.

The Results: C. Blohm & Associates scheduled a successful press conference, generated nearly 50 news items and filled to capacity the program’s pilot phase, and created remarkable excitement for the new program.

An imbalance of attention seems to exist in the autism community. Often the media and others place a predominant focus on children who have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The tendency is understandable, considering 1 in 88 children are thought to be diagnosed with an ASD, and early diagnosis and intervention are critical to reach the best outcomes. As these children with ASDs grow up, an increasing number of young adults with autism are entering society. In fact, it’s estimated that during the next ten years, more than 500,000 young people with ASDs will turn 18. The imbalance of attention, however, often means that this group and its needs are being ignored. According to a study by the University of Missouri, between the years 2003 and 2008, the number of people with autism seeking vocational rehabilitation (VR) services to facilitate attending college, developing careers, or increasing independence rose nearly 300 percent. And today the combined unemployment and underemployment rate of individuals with autism is nearly 90 percent. Thankfully, some have stepped up to help. The New York Times recently featured an article about a Denmark-based company called Specialisterne. The company recognizes the strengths that often accompany high-functioning autism and lead [...]

News coming from the education industry is filled with current trends, new technology, professional development tools and updates from the many associations we follow closely. Federal and state policies, revised standards, conferences and resources for educators and students fill my inbox on a daily basis. And, I love it. Learning something new every single day is exciting. However, there’s another, critical, topic popping up a lot more than it  used to — autism. The numbers are pretty astonishing — 1 in 88 children is diagnosed with autism. This has led to an entirely new category of tools being developed to help children and adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) learn and grow in a way that fits their personal needs, at home and in the classroom. Here’s what I like about this development: The change in focus from an “oh no, this is horrible” attitude to “let’s do something to help these people learn, grow and thrive” is promising, positive and proactive. Emphasizing the true potential of individuals with autism instead of the many challenges they face could lead to a healthier outlook about the disorder, and additional opportunities for them in the future. Smart, tech-focused companies are using [...]

If you want some news to nourish your day, check out the January/February Dairy Dispatch! The ed tech industry is swirling with headlines, and we have stories from our clients to prove it: Learning.com Releases EasyTech for PARCC and Smarter Balanced National Forensic League Declares Winners of “I Approve This Message” Presidential Debate Contest Performance Learning Systems Opens Enrollments for Spring 2013 Courses Funds For Learning Announces Schedule of Free E-Rate Filing Window Webinars January 24 is National Peanut Butter Day, so we dug deep in the pantry to harvest some nourishing nuggets about everyone’s favorite ground-up legume spread.  Along the way, we learned it’s commonly believed that 60 percent of consumers prefer creamy peanut butter to chunky.  Skeptical?  We were too, so let’s put this controversial statistic to the test – are you with #TeamCreamy or #TeamyChunky?  Let us know on Twitter: @CBlohmAssoc. We’ll compile our creamy vs. chunky findings in a special follow-up to this  post. To lift the lid off other jarring peanut butter facts, and read all the news that sticks, view the Dairy Dispatch here.

There are 6.8 billion people on the planet. 5.1 billion of them own a cell phone, but only 4.3 billion own a toothbrush.  – Mobile Marketing Association What does that factoid highlight about the human race? Well, clearly we don’t focus enough on dental hygiene, but it also highlights just how reliant our society has become on technology. With the decline of the traditional print media, companies are seeking new ways to promote their product/brand, particularly online via search engines like Google and YouTube (which is owned by Google). How best to reach audiences via search engine marketing was the focus of a recent presentation by Carl Damerow, a senior sales representative for Google. Damerow spoke at a recent American Marketing Association Madison Chapter event. He shared some sharp insights about advertising via YouTube and Google’s AdWords service. AdWords Damerow’s presentation, “Getting Down to Business: Sell stuff. Get users/clients. Track. Repeat,” explains how companies are using AdWords to bid for ad placement on search keywords and strands. The more money a company bids per user click, the better placement the ad receives on the search page, beginning with the Top 2 slots above search results, and then positions three through [...]

Like the Summer Olympics, World Cup, Leap Day and Election Day, the Inauguration comes around only once every four years. The 57th Inauguration will be held on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, and presents a unique opportunity for educators to teach students about a historic American tradition as it happens. While there will be plenty of media covering the event as a historic moment, the history classroom doesn’t need to be the only place where the Inauguration is taught. The Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies has a number of free online resources that offer not only information from Smithsonian experts, but also strategies for teaching the Inauguration across the curriculum. For example, students studying literature might be interested in reading past inaugural speeches, from the longest by William Henry Harrison in 1841 (over 8,000 words), to the shortest by George Washington at his second Inauguration in 1793 (130 words). Art teachers can study presidential portraits with their students, and discuss what each says about the president and the country at the time the portrait was created. The Smithsonian also provides a rich library of inauguration photos, from early daguerreotypes of President Lincoln to 360-degree views of President Obama’s first [...]

Many cases of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are not diagnosed until age three or later. Yet, signs of autism often exist much earlier. And since early intervention is imperative for treatment, it is important that parents be aware of possible red flags in their child’s development. Autism Speaks has developed a helpful list of developmental milestones by age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also explains the many signs and symptoms of autism. I’ve highlighted some of the featured warning signs below. Social Skills No name recognition – By 7 months a child should be able to respond to his or her own name. Avoiding eye contact – Most children start watching faces and making eye contact as early as 2-3 months. Lack of facial expressions – Between 3 and 4 months, children may begin to smile and respond to others’ facial expressions. Lack of interest – Babies begin reacting to sounds and objects within the first few months of life, and by 7 months, reach for objects and explore surroundings. Communication Skills Delayed speech – Language development is a process, with babbling beginning around 6 months, single words appearing near the one-year mark, and phrases developing between ages [...]

As the popularity of social media exploded in the past decade, a variety of tools surfaced allowing educators to communicate with students and colleagues in new and creative ways. But with all new technology comes a learning curve. To gauge how educators have adjusted to, and are using, social media these days, MMS Education, edWeb.net and MCH Strategic Data collaborated to survey nearly 700 educators in 2012. A follow-up to a 2009 study, the 2012 questionnaire surveyed teachers, principals and librarians/media specialists.  We’ve summarized some key findings of the survey, released during a recent edWeb.net webinar. While young educators are still most active on social networks, older teachers, librarians and principals have picked up on the technology. Here is a comparison for 2009 vs. 2012, broken down by age group, of the percentage of educators who say they participate in at least one social network: Year Age 18-34 Age 35-54 Age 55+ 2009 78% 65% 47% 2012 97% 85% 75% Facebook remains the most popular social network, as 85% of respondents say they use the service, the same as in 2009. But the survey shows Facebook is no longer the only pony in the race. This snapshot of current usage [...]

We’re counting down the days until the warm weather, live music and of course reuniting with friends and colleagues during TCEA in Austin next month. Check out whom we’ll be representing during the show and in Media Central on our TCEA webpage. Please let us know if you are interested in a meeting with any of the representatives, we’d be happy to set something up! An interesting session to note during the conference: Thursday, Feb. 7 at 8:00–9:30 A Vision of Technology Use in K-20 Education (133673) Karen Billings, Software & Information Industry Association This session will discuss the results and implications of a five-year, online assessment of K-12 and postsecondary institutions. Progress is neither swift nor easy in leveraging technology and e-learning to meet our educational goals. However, the survey shows consistent results as to where technology was best employed. Panel | 1.5 CPE If you’ve never been to Austin, we’ve been working on some informative Pinterest boards with coffee shops, live music venues and exciting local attractions. Remember to look out for Charlene (@CharleneBlohm), Emily (@EmilyEmbury), Kristen (@kplemon) and Katie (@KSteil2). Also, follow the conference action on Twitter using #TCEA13.

As a follow-up to our post on trending K-12 topics in 2013, here are some key higher education and autism topics to watch in the months ahead. Let us know in the comments section what you think of these 2013 trends! Higher Education Massive Open Online Courses Online courses for college students have been around for a long time, but the availability of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) – free, online courses for anyone looking to expand their learning opportunities – blossomed nationwide in 2012. We, like many others in the industry, expect this trend to continue growing in 2013. According to The New Media Consortium (NMC), which produces annual Horizon Reports previewing next year’s trends in K-12 and Higher Education, “the pace of development in the MOOC space is so high that it is likely that a number of alternative models will emerge in the coming year.” According to an article in The Baltimore Sun, the University of Maryland, College Park is the latest example of an institution adapting, as campus officials watch MOOCs improve learning outcomes while lowering overall costs. Tablet Computing According to market research firm IDC, more than 172.4 million tablets will be purchased this year, [...]

To follow-up our most popular Visibility Matters blog post of 2012, here are the key topics we expect to trend for K-12 in 2013.  A subsequent post will focus on important developments in higher education and autism. Let us know in the comments section what you think of these 2013 trends! K-12 Apps Budgets As the proliferation of mobile learning continues, school districts are finding new and creative ways to inject digital devices into the learning environment. While attending the 2012 ISTE conference in San Diego, we learned of school districts creating their own “App Budgets,” or setting aside money specifically for purchasing mobile learning programs. While many apps cost 99 cents, some tailored to the education industry can cost more. On the other hand, Apple, for instance, has made it possible for developers to give educational institutions a 50 percent cut on price. The buying process, as followed by a school district in Alaska, is a bit cumbersome, but as more school leaders learn the procedures, we expect more districts to create apps budgets. Common Core State Standards The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were highlighted in our 2012 trends post, but the issue remains such a critical topic [...]

The Situation: Our client, an established online content provider, sought to increase subscriber renewals by boosting product awareness and building customer loyalty. The client strived to strengthen customer relationships by deepening users’ understanding of its products.

The Results: C. Blohm & Associates developed and executed a local public relations campaign for the client, which focused on collecting and sharing customer success stories in their local communities to educate the public and highlight the positive efforts of schools and districts. This effective strategy generated extensive press coverage in community newspapers and led to improved customer renewal rates.

The Situation: A non-profit organization that offers online vocabulary and spelling practice requested a public relations campaign to promote an international competition designed to help students become confident readers and writers.

The Results: Through effective message development, news announcements and media relations, C. Blohm & Associates drew worldwide interest and remarkable participation to the inaugural competition, while raising visibility of the non-profit organization in the education and consumer markets.

As winter storm Draco bears down us on here in Wisconsin, we’d like to wish all of you out there a safe, warm and happy holiday season!    

We wrap up the rest of our favorites and tie a nice bow on our final holiday post.  7. Favorite holiday tradition Charlene Blohm: Stockings, which my husband’s family introduced me to many years ago. It’s entertaining to shop for lots of little surprises to stuff into a stocking, and to find similar surprises in your own stocking. Andria Casey: Every year my mom buys each of us an ornament that has to do with something in our lives that year. I’ve received Lion King and Little Mermaid ornaments commemorating childhood movie favorites, a guitar the year I began lessons, theatre masks the year I got the lead in the high school play, and a Badger ornament for my first Rose Bowl. Emily Embury: Simply put, my family gathering together to celebrate the holidays. Saul Hafenbredl: Christmas Eve dinner at my parents’ house with the entire extended family. Martha Jacobs: Each year after dinner and holiday deserts are consumed, we gather around the table and toast our relatives who have passed. It’s often emotional but also brings many memories of good times, and a lot of laughs. Paul Mamelka: Since moving back to Wisconsin from Texas, it’s been spending Christmas with [...]

As 2013 draws near, the CB&A team has taken the time to stop and smell the roses — the Badgers are going to the Rose Bowl after all! — and reflect on the major milestones, issues and events of the past year. We’ve compiled a list of our top five most-read posts of 2012 for your reading pleasure, as you nosh on holiday goodies and break in your new gifts. Top 7 Ed Tech Trends to Watch in 2012: At the beginning of the year, we highlighted the technology movements in the industry that would soon shape teaching and learning in significant ways. Number one on our list was mobile learning, and findings from the 2012 K-12 Horizon Report provide a good indication we were on target. Watch for an upcoming post by our team of prognosticators on trends to track in 2013. Multimedia News Releases: Grabbing Your Reader’s Attention: Although this post is a couple years old, our readers gravitated to it during 2012, indicating the multimedia news release continues to be a topic of interest to education marketers and other industry professionals. This post provides helpful tips and insights on creating a compelling online news destination that you can [...]

It’s time to jingle those bells, walk around in a winter wonderland and find out about the true spirit of the season through some pop-culture treasures in part three of our holiday posts.   5. What holiday song is at the top of your playlist? Charlene Blohm: “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” by Bing Crosby. Andria Casey: I love “Grown-Up Christmas List” by Amy Grant. Otherwise, you’ll find me listening to ‘N Sync or Michael Buble Christmas stations on Pandora. Emily Embury: Alvin and the Chipmunks – “Christmas Song.” I was a huge fan of Alvin, Simon and Theodore growing up (and I still am)! Saul Hafenbredl: “O Holy Night.” Martha Jacobs: I have a hard time picking just one song, so my favorite holiday album is “A Winter Romance” by Dean Martin. It’s a staple at our house and always brings me straight to Christmastime at the Jacobs. Here’s one of the best: Paul Mamelka: “2000 Miles” by Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders. This live version from the BBC program “Top of the Pops” in 1983 may not put you in a holiday mood exactly, but if you’ve ever been away from a loved one at Christmas, it [...]

In part two of our holiday blogging, we tell the reindeer to go full-steam ahead, as we break out a post filled with holiday hopes and sweet seasonal treats. 3. The number one thing on your holiday wish list this year? Charlene Blohm: A new Dutch oven (for baking bread). Andria Casey: While a trip to Pasadena is number one on my dream list, what I’d really love is a Badger Rose Bowl win for my last Christmas in college! Emily Embury: I’ve been begging my husband for a gift certificate to a local yoga studio. And if he doesn’t come through I may just have to treat myself. Saul Hafenbredl: No wish list this year. Instead of exchanging gifts, my family decided we’re all taking a trip together in March – somewhere warm. Martha Jacobs: My holiday wish actually came true today! My cousin Craig is on his way home to Wisconsin for the first time in months. He’s in the Marine Corps and has been serving in Afghanistan…He’s our family hero and it’s amazing to have him home for the holidays! Paul Mamelka: A few days of sub-32 degree temperatures so local lakes and ponds will magically freeze [...]

The CB&A team has had the pleasure of working with Karen Billings of the Software & Information Industry Association for many years - first, as a fellow volunteer on various committees, and for the past 10 years as she's led the Education Division. She's inspired me from our first committee meeting through our most recent conference call a few days ago. And as you call tell from the social media highlights we captured below, she's inspired many, many more. Please join me in congratulating Karen on her induction into the Educational Publishing Hall of Fame, a wonderful recognition of her service to the education industry.

This is the final post in a six-part series. C. Blohm & Associates and the Winter Group hosted their annual second round of focus groups with educators and administrators during ISTE 2012. During the discussions we learned about various ways educators communicate with each other, make purchasing decisions, and gather news. The lesson that stuck with us most, though, was what educators wanted from an education vendor. According to our research, here’s what educators want most from education vendors: 1.  Know the specifics of the school, and its needs and challenges. Though this seems like a common sense sales strategy, in the age of ever-changing budgets and shifted priorities, often it can be one of the most difficult strategies to implement. Educators and administrators want solutions specific to their needs and their price point from the very first outreach. This can be difficult to do with a first call, but a quick scan of a district website can give you a good measure of enrollment and current product implementation. A small, rural school that has just bought its first iPad will have much different needs than a large, urban school with a 1:1 program. The “news” section of a school [...]

Like almost every other sentient being, CB&A folks love the holidays. So we’ve decided to reveal some of our favorite seasonal activities and memories of celebrations past. Tune in to this frequency on the blogging airwaves over the next two weeks to learn (among other things) the truth about Santa, and what elves do on their days off! Well, maybe not anything that sensational, but we’ll try to entertain you with a little peek behind the scenes nonetheless… 1. What is the best gift you have ever received? Charlene Blohm: A multi-day rental of the first five Planet of the Apes movies, along with plenty of microwave popcorn. It was sheer couch-potato bliss to watch the movies back-to-back on a chilly holiday weekend while chasing away the homesick blues. Andria Casey: One year my siblings and I received a surprise family trip to go skiing in Colorado. My parents managed to keep it a secret until Christmas Day, even though we had to be packed to leave the next day! Emily Embury: My dog Barley, a soft-coated wheaten terrier, was an early Christmas present four years ago. He’s been a loved member of our family ever since! Saul Hafenbredl: I once [...]

There is a strong autism community that helps those affected find much needed support, but the as a whole it suffers from several divides. Autism, being a diverse spectrum, creates different needs for every affected individual.  John Elder Robinson, an author who writes about his personal experience with Asperger’s, explains that those who are highly impaired and their families often languish for a cure. In contrast, the high-functioning group, without an urgent need for a cure, simply requests tolerance and understanding. Furthermore, there are endless opinions regarding best treatment methods, funding allocation, research ventures, etc. Unfortunately, with so many conflicting views, misunderstandings and offended feelings are often inevitable. Enter Autism Society. This summer the prominent national organization took a big first step towards unifying the autism community by calling for an end to “infighting.” The society released this announcement: Addressing a need for all autism advocates to call for change with one clear voice, the Autism Society plans to organize a summit of national autism organizations this fall, Dr. Jim Ball, chairman of the Autism Society, announced at last week’s conference. “It’s time all autism organizations increase their collaboration and define the areas in which we all will work together [...]

Every year, when the weather turns stark and the days grow shorter, numerous media publish their “Best Of” and awards lists. These special sections provide great opportunities for our clients to be recognized for the terrific work they have accomplished in the past 12 months. And this year is no different. We congratulate Capstone Digital and Skyward, Inc. for earning a slot on District Administration’s Top Products of 2012 list. District Administration is a well-respected monthly American K-12 education trade publication for school district leaders. Capstone Digital was recognized for myON reader, the company’s flagship product that provides access to the largest integrated library of digital books with multimedia supports. More than 2,000 enhanced digital books include reading supports, and are recommended to students based on individual interests and reading level using The Lexile Framework for Reading. Skyward, a leading provider of K-12 school administrative software, earned the recognition for its Student Management Suite, which allows teachers, administrators and parents to follow students’ progress in real-time and use past data for ongoing analysis. Using the Suite, teachers can enter and grade assignments from anywhere and manage attendance, scheduling, demographics and discipline from one central location. As part of the District [...]

The Association of Educational Publishers (AEP) recently inducted three luminaries into the Educational Publishing Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Karen Billings, Dick Casabonne, and Margery Mayer! “This year’s honorees have dedicated their lives to studying how children learn, developing tools to help them achieve their goals, and encouraging others throughout the industry to constantly improve educational resources,” said Charlene Gaynor, CEO of AEP. Having worked for several years with our longtime friend Karen Billings, the CB&A team has been witness countless times to Karen’s laser-like focus, steady leadership, and unsurpassed passion and enthusiasm for education. Congratulations, Karen!

Autism has no cure. Sure, an individual’s condition can be improved, and if he or she is high-functioning, the disorder could be managed so well that observers barely detect it. Yet, on the long list of modern treatments, no magical remedy appears. This is due, in large part, to the ongoing mystery of autism’s cause. It’s hard to cure something when you have no idea what you’re treating. As a result, those affected often are left treating behaviors and symptoms rather than treating the disorder as a whole. So do we have any idea what causes autism? Though they search tirelessly for answers, researchers can only speculate about whether the cause is genetic, biological or environmental. Most probably, the answer lies in multiple causes or a mixture of factors that lead to onset. Nearly everyone in the autism community holds varying opinions about the cause, and nearly every correlation discovered applies only to a small subset of individuals with autism. Please keep this in mind while reading the following list of possible causes. Genetics – families with one autistic child are 5 percent more likely to have a second autistic child.1 Brain development – abnormalities in timing of the growth [...]

CB&A is an agency that values its team, and we hope you enjoy learning a bit more about the people behind the PR.  Chris is an Account Coordinator at CB&A. Dogs or cats? I’ve never owned any pets, but I was bit by a cat once. So I’ll say dogs. Morning or night person? Morning, I like to get up and get going. Best PR advice you can fit inside of a tweet? Find that thing that makes you different. Standing out is much more effective than blending in. If days suddenly lasted 25 hours, what would you do with the extra hour? I would spend more time working on my creative writing. Favorite subject in elementary school? Language Arts. No. 1 most-played song on your iPod? For some reason this function hasn’t worked on my iPod for about three years, so I’ll take a guess and say Common People by William Shatner. If you weren’t in PR, what would you be doing? Well, before I was in PR I was assembling levels at a factory, so my guess is I would still be doing that. What was the first thing you learned to cook? Scrambled eggs, still one of [...]

This is the fifth post in a six-part series. Before the advent of personal networking, teachers’ main source for professional opinions about educational products were the other teachers hanging out in the lounge during lunch or planning periods. The only regular contact administrators had with administrators from other schools might have been the occasional district-wide meeting or conference. The truth is that we are all connected these days, which has added a new level of texture to our lives. This also has greatly impacted the process of purchasing. For the second year in a row, CB&A and Winter Group conducted in-depth focus groups with educators attending the annual ISTE conference. In our dialogue with panelists, we explored purchasing preferences, media and information habits, perceptions of new trends and challenges on the horizon, and engagement in social and other marketing media. Where are educators getting their information? Industry publications, both print and online versions, are still informational anchors, but blogs and social media are gaining in influence and importance. Bloggers are on educators’ radar screens on a regular basis. A good article or resource gets shared. Personal learning networks and communities are increasingly valuable sources of information. What’s changed? If a [...]

On Thursday, Nov. 15, I had the privilege of attending the annual United Way Celebration along with more than 900 business professionals from Dane County, Wisconsin.  I have to say that it was extremely moving to see everyone from CEO level to student volunteers come together for such an incredible cause. While we sat together eating lunch, we were entertained by 35 adorable kindergarteners from Falk Elementary. We heard a story, “Once there was a Community, and it loved a little boy”, and a song, “The Turkey Tango.” These performances demonstrated the importance of literacy work in early childhood, and reminded us to celebrate our inner six-year-olds.  My tango skills are pretty scarce, but it was quite a bit of fun practicing the dance moves! Kids doing the Turkey Tango This year’s Dane County Campaign Chair Nick Meriggioli, President of Oscar Mayer/Kraft Foods, announced that the United Way of Dane County had an extremely successful campaign this year, collecting $17.6 million to help change the lives of many in our community.  As you know from a previous Visibility Matters post, CB&A held its second United Way campaign this year and had some gratifying results, receiving seven awards. Here are a [...]

The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) is accepting nominations for the 2013 CoSN Awards program. CoSN Awards recognize individuals, teams, and volunteers who demonstrate outstanding vision in the use of information technologies and the Internet in K-12 education. Nominations are due by November 30, and winners will be honored at the CoSN 2013 conference, March 10-13, 2013, in San Diego, CA. Two of the top CoSN awards include the Withrow Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Award and TEAM Award. Withrow CTO Award The Withrow CTO Award recognizes a K-12 education technology leader who exemplifies a true technology champion, and best represents the model set forward by Dr. Frank Withrow, a leader in education technology. Eligible applicants do not have to be CoSN members, and can include leaders from public school districts, as well as charter, private, parochial or independent schools and school systems. TEAM Award The TEAM Award recognizes a group whose leadership has transformed learning in its school system. Eligible applicants include school districts, a consortium of school districts and education agencies, or state education networks. Additional Awards Award for Excellence in Public Service CoSN’s highest award recognizes an elected or appointed national, state or local official for promoting the [...]

As a kid, I was fascinated by Rubik’s Cube, a toy that was simple in function, but complex in practice. Turning the sides of the Cube isn’t difficult, but aligning all the colors is tricky. I could figure out one or two sides, but never did get the Cube back to its original state. My newest Rubik’s Cube is Pinterest. I understand how to use it, but not how to realize its full potential. (For those new to Pinterest, check out our previous post on the social media platform.) As a 23-year-old male, I am not a part of Pinterest’s main demographic. Most of my social media time is spent on Facebook and Twitter. While I understand the advantages of those platforms for promoting yourself or a business, I have had a hard time seeing how Pinterest can be used in a similar way. However, as the third largest, and fastest growing, social media network, Pinterest is poised to have just as much of an effect on the business world as Facebook and Twitter, if not more. Alex Littlewood of Pinfluencer, a company dedicated to Pinterest web analytics, recently hosted a webinar highlighting the importance of Pinterest and the advantages of [...]

This is the fourth post in a six-part series. Among the mobile learning sessions, global education initiatives, and flipped classroom models on display at ISTE 2012, two words surfaced again and again: Common Core. Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are multi-faceted and complex, but there are a few basics every vendor should understand. CCSS were developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and other education experts to provide a clear and consistent framework that would better prepare students to enter college and the workforce. The standards define the knowledge and skills students should acquire during their K-12 education; the overarching goal is to graduate high school students who will succeed in first-year college courses and workforce training programs. Currently, the standards emphasize language arts and mathematic proficiency. The language arts standards focus on reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language, as well as fluency in media and technology. Mathematics standards highlight both practical application of mathematics, as well as a deeper understanding of mathematics principles. Currently, CCSS have been adopted in 45 states and 3 territories, in part because of the federal Race to the Top program. Introduced in 2009, Race to the Top is a $4.35 billion program from the [...]

Every fall I gear up for another season of Green Bay Packers football. There are a lot of reasons to love the Packers. They’re a small town team, they have some amazing (if currently injured) players, and they play in one of the most legendary stadiums in all of sports. But the reason I love the Packers is that they are always working to reach that next level. They are never satisfied with what they have already done, and they never expect something to happen again just because it has happened before. While some teams begin the season with the hope of winning their division, making the playoffs or simply having a winning record, the Packers’ list consists of one item only: the Super Bowl. From preseason to playoffs, through wins and losses, this is the goal on the minds of the players and the fans. They expect nothing less than excellence. This idea of excellence extends beyond the gridiron. It’s a goal to aim for in our lives and in our work. We should always be aiming for that Super Bowl, whatever it may be, and accept nothing less. Every field of work has its own version of the [...]

This is the third post in a six-part series. A by-product of the now-famous “apps budget” discussion that occurred during one of our ISTE 2012 focus groups was this question: How does this kind of expenditure affect the traditional purchasing cycle for schools? App Budgets’ Might Just Be the Tip of the Iceberg  Those in the business of education know that the traditional hot time for purchasing in the standard buying cycle tends to be late spring or early summer, when budgets have been established based on (theoretical) enrollment numbers. And that probably also is true for large-ticket items such as learning management systems and software suites. The Five Key Phases of the District Buying Cycle But with the advent of the iPad lab (also a late spring expenditure, by the way) comes the need for apps to fill those labs. Since apps cost significantly less cost than traditional software packages, funding can come from sources other than the general capital fund. This presents the possibility of a year-round purchasing cycle for these items. As Linda Winter of the Winter Group (who co-hosted the ISTE focus groups with us) said during our EdNET 2012 Birds of Feature Roundtable session: “Back to [...]

While researching autism over these past few months, I occasionally found myself drowning in alphabet soup. A very strong community has formed to support those affected by autism, one that uses a jumble of words, acronyms and abbreviations unfamiliar to outsiders. To help you sort out the soup, here are some of the most common terms and abbreviations you need to know when it comes to autism.

This is the second post in a six-part series. I was taking notes at one of our focus groups at ISTE in San Diego this past June when I heard one of the participants, a tech specialist, use a phrase that sounded out of place but immediately made perfect sense. She referenced buying instructional materials from her “apps budget.” Not a software budget or some sort of discretionary capital fund, but an apps budget to support the multiple iPads her district had just acquired. The other focus group participants and observers in the room all turned to look directly at her. It was like the first time someone said the word “Internet” in an educational context in the early 90’s. She was flooded with questions from her fellow focus group participants, and everyone wanted to know the nuts and bolts. Signal of times to come? Her answer was fairly simple – apps had become part of the curriculum. Many apps have to be purchased or installed per device, rather than being covered as part of a site license, which changed the way her district was budgeting. To the group, this was a harbinger, not only of change in educational fiscal [...]

Here in Wisconsin, the leaves have changed, and there is a definite chill in the air as we enjoy a few tricks and treats this past week in our office.  The celebration started a week early with our annual spook-tastic potluck and pumpkin-carving contest, a tradition going back almost a decade at CB&A. We enjoyed everything from tortured-tacos and gooey-guacamole to hot spiced apple cider and everything in between!    After we had our feast, the real competition began with ten pumpkins and ended with several funny faces, a few sports logos and a whole lot of laughs. (From left to right: Martha, Lynette, Charlene, Andria, Saul, Emily, Hailey, Adam, Paul & Katie)   Some of us continued the Halloween celebration today by dressing up in costumes! (From left to right: Adam, Chris, Andria, Paul, Charlene & Martha) Check out our Facebook page to vote for your favorite pumpkin, and share your own fun Halloween pictures! Have a safe and fun holiday!  

A few weeks ago, I introduced NBC’s show Parenthood, with its cast of quirky characters and tactful depiction of Asperger’s Syndrome. Watching this series, I appreciate the chance to gain a better understanding of how Asperger’s affects an individual and family. Granted, it’s a scripted television drama, which cannot speak to every case, but the show does address many difficult situations and decisions that families affected by an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encounter.  “Those Kids with Autism” At the end of the first season, the entire Braverman clan teams up to participate in Autism Speaks’ Walk Now for Autism. Max is especially enthusiastic about the upcoming charity walk. As the family discusses their plans to participate, he suddenly exclaims, “Let’s help those kids with autism!” The statement surprises the entire family. Apparently they just assumed Max knew he had Asperger’s. His exclamation took me by surprise as well. Max’s diagnosis was common knowledge, a frequent plot dynamic. Yet, I never thought twice about whether he was aware of his diagnosis. It’s an issue every parent of a child with autism must face – when and how do I tell my child? Telling Your Child Several thoughtful blog posts appeared in [...]

C. Blohm & Associates and the Winter Group hosted their annual second round of focus group with educators and administrators during ISTE 2012. During the discussions we learned about various ways educators communicate with each other, make purchasing decisions, and gather news. Charlene Blohm and Linda Winter analyzed these findings during their roundtable session at EdNET 2012, “Education Buyers in the Spotlight: What’s Working. What’s New. What’s In. What’s Out.”  This is the first post in a six-part series exploring the highlights of our findings. At ISTE 2012, we heard time and again during sessions and our own focus groups that mobile learning has become the norm in many classrooms. This sentiment was echoed again during our EdNET 2012 Roundtable discussion. As more and more districts make the push to mobile, vendors are left with the question of how best to adapt to this new environment. Here’s a few tips to tackle mobile: 1.  Optimize your website for mobile. Our focus group were actively looking for apps for their new devices. According to research firm IDC, by 2015 most people will use smartphones and tablets to access the Internet. It is essential that your website is optimized for these mobile [...]

As year-end approaches there’s a looming threat of across-the-board cuts to federal programs, including education, according to Jennifer House and Paula Love of RedRock Reports. House and Love led a webinar recently explaining the potential impact on education funding and how to improve product positioning and sales in spite of the possible cutbacks. Here are a few of the highlights. Sequestration In 2011, a Congressional committee was established to determine a plan for reducing the federal deficit by $1.2 trillion. As a motivator for Congress to reach an agreement, it was decided that sequestration would be triggered if the issue wasn’t resolved by Thanksgiving. Sequestration, a fiscal policy adopted by Congress, implements automatic budget cuts of previously approved spending. Unfortunately, Congress still has not come to an agreement, and if it fails to do so, sequestration will begin in January 2013. Under this scenario budget cuts will be imposed over a span of nine years until the goal of $1.2 trillion in reductions is met. If this happens, education funding would suffer more than an 8 percent decrease. Amounting to $4.1 billion, these cuts could include $1.2 billion from Title I and nearly $1 billion from IDEA. [Figures found at [...]

C. Blohm & Associates, Inc. (CB&A), the premier public relations firm for the education industry, was proud to receive four honors at the PRSA-Madison Alchemy Awards ceremony Oct. 18. Honored by three Awards of Excellence for a trio of campaigns completed in the past year, the CB&A team was thrilled by a Best in Show award for our Media Central campaign hosted at the International Society for Technology in Education 2012 Conference. CB&A shared the evening’s top campaign award with St. Mary’s Hospital, which was honored for its work celebrating the organization’s centennial. The three CB&A campaigns that were recognized with awards, followed by a few details explaining each, are listed below: ISTE 2012 Media Central Originally scheduled 56 meetings – 8 per client – with top-tier editors, but greatly exceeded that goal, hosting a total of 139 meetings. Facilitated meetings with 11 prospective clients, nine more than planned. Hosted virtual meetings over Skype for clients with media who couldn’t attend. Created a dedicated ISTE page on the CB&A website featuring info on Media Central, virtual media kits, news announcements and San Diego travel tips. StudyBlue Infographic As part of a larger effort to raise the company’s visibility and enhance [...]

One of the many great aspects of working at C. Blohm & Associates I’ve quickly come to realize is the numerous professional development opportunities afforded the staff. As PR professionals working in an agency setting, we must always be willing to adapt to new technology, and to learn new ways of reaching out to the media to build the brands of the clients we serve. A co-worker, Katie, and I recently  participated in a PRSA-sponsored webinar hosted by Michael Smart. The hour-long session  detailed eight story “boosters,” as Smart calls them; ways to bolster your media pitches. Smart is the National News Director at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, but also provides media relations training and coaching to the PR industry. As a common courtesy, I can’t reveal all of the boosters, but these three caught my attention. Frame your pitch around PEOPLE Too often, companies push their executives or spokespersons to share a story that excludes the people most directly connected to it. Smart says PR pros must find the ‘regular’ people attached to stories,  those who deliver  a story’s emotional connection and grab even the most jaded editor’s attention. Exploit pop culture You may roll your eyes [...]

Who would have thought that popular rapper 50 Cent would teach us a lesson this summer? Unfortunately, this learning opportunity arose from a series of highly insensitive tweets he sent out to his 6.8 million followers. The tweets came after an over-zealous fan wrote, “Release the album or get shot again,” in anticipation of the rapper’s new album. 50 Cent proceeded to callously fling the word “autistic” back in an attempt to insult the individual. Instead, he managed to insult millions around the world. But the episode did produce at least one positive – the autism community banded together with a unified message. The most public response came from actress Holly Robinson Peete, whose son has autism. “Do you even know what autism is? And what exactly does “autistic” look like? Do you know how wildly prevalent autism is?” she wrote. Thousands of retweets and responses poured out of the autism community, with #whatautimlookslike starting to trend. It’s unfortunate that increased autism awareness seems to be matched by increasingly careless use of the word “autistic.” Many people feel that it’s beginning to replace the “R-word,” or “retard,” as a commonplace insult. They could very well be correct – 50 Cent [...]

Things have gotten a little unstable around the CB&A office lately. No, we haven’t experienced any seismic activity or issues with the building’s foundation. We’ve recently started playing the teetering and wobbly game of Giant Jenga! Now for those of you who are accustomed to playing the original Jenga, this newer, larger version makes the old Jenga look like child’s play. The Giant Jenga tower is about 10 times the size of the tower you build with the original Jenga pieces. The basic rules are still the same, though. Players take turns removing blocks from a tower, balancing them on top and creating a taller and increasingly unstable structure as the game progresses. Unlike original Jenga, Giant Jenga is not sold in stores. If you want to play, you must buy lumber, cut it down into blocks and sand each and every block (yeah it’s a lot of sanding). But, the hard work that goes into making the game pieces is definitely worth it. We have had lots of laughs over the wobbly, wavering game…and maybe just a couple sore toes! Materials: -Lumber: 2″ x 3″ -If in 10′ lengths, you’ll need four boards. If in 8′ lengths, you’ll need [...]

EdNET traditionally wraps with an insight-packed interpretation of developments over the past year to identify the most important trends, market forces, and issues that will impact you and your business in the year to come. The final session of EdNet 2012 was “View From the Catbird Seat: Envisioning Tomorrow,” featuring Nelson Heller, Anne Wujcik and Frank Catalano. EdNET explores the shifting tides of the education market, helping attendees discover what it takes to chart, navigate, and deliver products and services in a rapidly changing education environment. This year’s conference focused on the state of U.S. education, Common Core, technology developments, the evolution of gaming in education, and the resurgence of investor interest in the K-12 market. For more information on EdNET, visit http://www.schooldata.com/ednetconference.asp. View the story “EdNET 2012—View From the Catbird Seat: Envisioning Tomorrow” on Storify  

On Sept. 25, the CB&A team gathered for an informative and moving presentation from United Way of Dane County to spark its annual fundraising campaign. The presenters, Susan Sheldon, of Meriter Health Services, Inc.,  and Elizabeth Kober, the Parent-Child Home Program Coordinator at the Center For Families, focused on United Way’s Born Learning Initiative. The Born Learning Delegation, a group of community leaders and early childhood experts, is working to increase the readiness of Dane County children for kindergarten.  Initiative leaders  are putting books in the hands of 2- and 3-year olds, and – with their parents’ help – pushing reading as a fun activity, and  promoting the idea that children should be learning the alphabet at as early an age as possible. According to Sheldon, 40 percent of kindergarteners in Dane County failed a readiness test last year. There  are many factors that might explain why children are not fully prepared to hit the kindergarten classroom running, but a family’s income level is often the primary one. According to our presenters, Dane County families in a low-income bracket, on average, have only one age-appropriate book for their child by the time he or she enters kindergarten, and the child [...]

Charlene and Emily attended EdNET 2012 in Baltimore, Md., last week. During the conference they attended numerous sessions, networking events, and indulged in some delicious bakery treats. EdNET explores the shifting tides of the education market, helping attendees discover what it takes to chart, navigate, and deliver products and services in a rapidly changing education environment. This year’s conference focused on the state of U.S. education, Common Core, technology developments, the evolution of gaming in education, and the resurgence of investor interest in the K-12 market. One of the best sessions at EdNET focused on the sea change in ed products business models, from a focus on product sales to one based on related services. The speakers were Lou Pugliese, Moodlerooms (Moderator), Tyson Greer, Ambient Insight, and Duncan Young, Scholastic. For more information on EdNET, visit http://www.schooldata.com/ednetconference.asp. View the story “EdNET 2012—Farewell Products, Hello Services: Are the Market and Business Models There Yet?” on Storify

Give a boost to your day by taking a look at the September/October edition of the CB&A Dairy Dispatch! Our bimonthly newsletter is super-charged with the latest edtech news involving our client family, and takes a caffeine-free look at some java history in honor of Sept. 29’s National Coffee Day. According to the National Coffee Association, Coffee originated in the Ethiopian highlands. Legend has it that Kaldi, a goat herder, noticed his goats frolicking in high spirits after eating berries from a particular tree. Upon revealing his findings to a local monastery, a monk made a drink with the berries and obtained a strange alertness during extended periods of prayer and meditation. He shared this new-found concoction with the rest of the monastery, and word of these energy berries slowly began to spread. For other interesting coffee nuggets, and to learn the latest exciting news involving our clients, view the Dairy Dispatch here.

One of the most frustrating aspects of autism is the inability to explicitly define the disorder. With every case unique, there always seems to be an exception to the rule. There are, however, five general diagnoses as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Autistic Disorder – this is the type most people think of when they hear the word “autism.” It typically appears before the age of three and is marked by problems with social interaction, communication and imaginative play. Asperger’s Syndrome – another commonly known type of autism. Individuals with Asperger’s typically don’t have problems with language, but do struggle with social situations and tend to focus on a limited scope of interests. Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified – also known as “atypical autism.” This category encompasses individuals with autistic behaviors who don’t neatly fit into another category. Rett Syndrome – individuals develop normally, and then begin losing communication and social skills at 6 to 18 months. The disorder is more common in girls. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder – individuals develop normally until they are two or more years old, and then begin to lose communication and social skills. Within each diagnosis, an [...]

CB&A recently sponsored Madison’s Social Media Breakfast, an early morning event where local business, marketing and PR professionals gather to network and discuss an aspect of social media. September’s session was “Mobile’s Brave New World for Search and Social Marketers,” presented by Brian Klais of Pure Oxygen. The entire CB&A team was in attendance for the event, and we’ve compiled a highlight reel of Klais’ most salient points to share with you: 2012 – The Year of Mobile There are 100 million smartphones in the U.S., and the market is growing at 50 percent. There are 40 million tablets in the U.S., and the market is growing at 100 percent. Mobile Users Are Your Customers 59 percent of people use mobile devices to visit a business Web page. 61 percent call a business after using mobile devices to find the page. 88 percent take action (purchase, visit location, etc.) within the same day. 79 percent of people use mobile devices to help with shopping. But Mobile Users Are Impatient 62 percent of mobile users will abandon a brand’s site if it’s not optimized for mobile devices. So, it’s increasingly important to provide consumers with a helpful mobile experience. Here’s how, according [...]

In researching for an ongoing project, we spent the last couple of months researching autism. The fastest growing developmental disability in the U.S., autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects the development of social and communication skills. Typically, autism begins affecting a child before the age of three, and while the condition can improve with various treatments and therapies, autism cannot be cured.

“We didn’t lose the game; we just ran out of time.” – Vince Lombardi Fortunately, the Packers don’t run out of time often. Riding high after a victory over the Chicago Bears (also known as “da Bears” in these parts), our Green Bay Packers travel to Seattle for a Monday-night showdown with the Seahawks next week. Per usual, the CB&A team donned our green and gold to support the Pack.                                   Here are our picks for favorite Packers (current or historical), who’s yours?: Martha: Aaron Rodgers  (Check out his photobombing skills.) Kristen: Donald Driver Emily: Donald Driver Charlene: Paul Hornung Paul: Bart Starr Lauren: Aaron Rodgers Andria: James Starks or Donald Driver Katie: Clay Matthews Saul: Jordy Nelson

This month, CB&A sponsored Madison’s Social Media Breakfast, an early morning event where PR pros gather to eat delicious pastries and dive into an aspect of social media. This month’s session was “Mobile’s Brave New World for Search and Social Marketers,” presented by Brian Klais of Pure Oxygen.

Greetings coffee and social media lovers, alike! This is just a quick reminder about this month’s Social Media Breakfast Madison: Mobile’s Brave New World for Search and Social Marketers, on Wednesday, Sept. 19 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at CUNA Mutual Auditorium. CB&A is proud to be sponsoring this month’s event, and we’re excited to announce our Twitter contest! The rules are easy: follow us on Twitter @CblohmAssoc, and look for a tweet from us asking a question about the SMB on Wednesday morning. Remember to use the hashtag #smbmad when responding, and we’ll randomly select one very special person to receive a gift! We’re looking forward to seeing all of you – and connecting through Twitter if you weren’t able to get one of the sold out tickets! Check back to Visibility Matters for a Storify wrap-up of the event later this week!

It’s officially the time of year when thousands of high school students set out to answer an important question: Which college is best for me? Considering rising tuition costs and an increasingly competitive job market, finding the right college is more important than ever for students (and their parents). Research shows that if they find the schools that are perfectly matched to their unique backgrounds and needs, students are more likely to make their college investments worthwhile by earning a degree. But sifting through college options is a daunting task. For many students and parents, college rankings serve as a logical starting point. People love lists, in part, because they’re simple. Rankings combine various factors into some (seemingly) magical algorithm that produces something we can all understand in one glance: a list of the “best” colleges and universities. And there are plenty of college rankings out there. An article published this week by the Associated Press made clear the growing diversity in college rankings systems and methodology: U.S. News & World Report may still be the 800-pound gorilla of college rankings. But with a formula that rarely changes, the latest edition — out Wednesday — looks pretty much the same as [...]

Networking, caffeine, and social media frenzy – this is not your average breakfast club. C. Blohm & Associates is proud to be co-sponsoring this month’s Social Media Breakfast Madison: Mobile’s Brave New World for Search and Social Marketers, on Wednesday, Sept. 19 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at CUNA Mutual Auditorium. Held on the third Wednesday of the month, September’s breakfast will feature speaker Brian Klais, CEO and Founder of Pure Oxygen, a Madison-based mobile marketing and optimization firm. Brian will share strategies for optimizing and effectively delivering messages in the rapidly growing mobile market, and provide his expertise on cutting-edge techniques for the following topics: Connecting with mobile search and social users Increasing SEO on social profiles Low-cost apps for discovery and engagement Using app links to increase mobile engagement Successful QR code integration Social Media Breakfast Background This Madison initiative, started in 2009, is part of the national Social Media Breakfast organization founded in August 2007. Established in Boston as an event for social media aficionados of any industry or proficiency to gather for food, networking and learning, the series has spread to over 40 cities throughout North America. Madison’s tech-savvy community has eagerly embraced these monthly events, [...]

The NBC television series Parenthood premiered March 2, 2010, and will return for a fourth season tonight at 9 p.m. CST. Often compared to Modern Family, the show incorporates a similar familial quirkiness, while portraying the unbreakable bonds of family with unusual honesty. Furthermore, the show includes a widely praised depiction of the reality of Asperger’s Syndrome. Background Here are the essential plot synopses for the first and second seasons – no mega-spoilers, I promise. The show follows the lives of the Braverman family (see family tree below). Each immediate family deals with its own complications, but the unwavering support among the families consistently inspires. Zeek & Camille Braverman – As the foundation of the family, this couple has buried their marital problems for years in order to protect their children and grandchildren. Now, as the cracks in their relationship become unavoidable, they strive to rebuild their marriage. Adam & Kristina Braverman – The oldest of four, Adam, acts as the main confidant and mentor for his other siblings. Though happily married, he and Kristina face the typical challenges of raising their teenage daughter, Haddie, while also going through the complicated process of Asperger’s diagnosis and treatment for their 9-year-old son, [...]

At CB&A, we enjoy taking time to enjoy life’s celebrations. And with football season upon us, few celebrations are as important (or fun) as football game days at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. CB&A is proud to have several Badger grads on the team, along with a number of Honorary Badgers. To support our hometown team in its first game of the season, the CB&A crew donned red and white last Friday. Our Green Bay Packers get their season started this Sunday, so check back next week for the green-and-gold edition of spirit day. On Wisconsin!

Back-to-school marks a time of adjusting to new teachers in a new classroom setting, meeting new friends, and sharpening those brand new pencils into a perfect point. For children on the autism spectrum, who tend to struggle with change, this transition is much more complex. The following is a summary of challenges they face and ways to ease the transition into the school year.

Each week we’ll feature a Q&A with one member of our dynamic team. CB&A is an agency that values its employees, and we hope you enjoy learning a bit more about the people behind the PR.  Kristen is an Account Executive at CB&A. Dogs or cats? I don’t have either, but had both on the farm growing up. Morning or night person? Night-time.  As Ray Charles observes: It’s the right-time. Best PR advice you can fit inside of a tweet?  PR success is based on building good relationships, keep those principles in mind with every action, in every mode of comm. If days suddenly lasted 25 hours, what you do with the extra hour? Laughing and playing with my kids.   Favorite subject in elementary school?  Didn’t have just one favorite subject, I loved elementary school. No. 1 most-played song on your iPod? I like a wide range of music genres, but right now I’m listening to a lot of Muse, Adele, and Ray LaMontagne. I play various versions of Guitar Hero and Rock Band with my husband and kids so listening to a lot of my favorite rock songs on those games as well. If you weren’t in PR, [...]

The Situation: With the 10-year anniversary of our client, the nation’s largest E-rate compliance firm, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the E-rate program, CB&A organized an event for media and industry leaders to celebrate the milestone at the world’s premier educational technology conference.
The Results: Through excellent event planning and creation of a 10-page white paper, CB&A successfully highlighted the company’s history and achievements among key customers, service providers and media outlets in attendance.

The Situation: Our client, a mobile study service, turned to public relations to increase its search engine optimization (SEO). CB&A utilized digital content supported by a media relations campaign to boost search results for the company.
The Results: The successful public relations campaign garnered extensive media coverage, which enhanced the client’s industry visibility, positioned the company as the leading mobile study service, and most importantly, increased the client’s SEO.

Each week we’ll feature a Q&A with one member of our dynamic team. CB&A is an agency that values its employees, and we hope you enjoy learning a bit more about the people behind the PR.  Katie is an Account Coordinator at CB&A. Dogs or cats? Definitely dogs. I love dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds! I’m currently in the market for a dog and up for any suggestions! Morning or night person? I have to admit that I am a night owl, and I love sleeping in. I’ve never been a morning person. Even as a child, I was enrolled in afternoon Kindergarten because I wanted to sleep in every day. Best PR advice you can fit inside of a tweet? Sometimes it’s the quality of the coverage that counts, not the quantity. If days suddenly lasted 25 hours, what you do with the extra hour? Cook an actual meal every night for dinner. By the time I get home from work and get my workout in, dinner kind of falls to the wayside. Book you’re currently reading or have read recently? Most recently I read To America, by Stephen Ambrose. I love learning about U.S. history, and [...]