XapNews PR creates ‘pitch engine’ for small business

October 31, 2012

A national public relations firms with a blue-chip client base, Olmstead Williams Communications, today announced the launch of www.XapNews.com, a user-friendly “pitch engine” designed for attention-hungry small businesses.

“Tomorrow’s business stars need a low-cost pitch engine to put news about their company on the editor’s desk and the reporter’s laptop,” said Trent Freeman, President of XapNews. “XapNews does it quickly and affordably.”

Unlike most PR and advertising, XapNews is not broadcasting. It “narrowcasts” a company’s announcement to just the right people in the media.

XapNews is simple to use and requires little time.

“You get personal attention from a full-service PR firm for less than services that simply post press releases through auto-feeds,” Freeman said. “XapNews focuses on getting the attention of reporters with third-party credibility that generates real buzz.”

For just $499 per announcement, XapNews provides:

The XapForm (see: http://xapnews.com/how-to-xap/xapform): A unique fill-in-the-blanks form captures the key points that sell your story — with or without a press release.
True reporter and editor targeting, by name, at media that are important to your business: magazines, newspapers, websites, blogs, radio and TV. Locally and nationally.
A copy of the media targets with full contact information so you know exactly where your announcement is going. The valuable information is yours to keep for additional outreach.
Free revisions and updates to the targets, so they’re always fresh and ready for your next announcement.
The savvy of a blue-chip, award-winning public relations firm without paying the price.

Promo Code

As a reward for being one of the first to use XapNews, enter LAUNCH2012 in the “Do you have a coupon?” field when you check out for a 15 percent discount. The promo code expires on Friday, November 16, so act now.

About XapNews.com

One simple form. No press release needed. Just $499 per announcement. XapNews gives all businesses and non-profits easy access to secure stories in the media through one simple form. Get real news articles that people see and trust, not auto-feeds. We pitch media selected just for your announcement – with or without a press release – and deliver eyeballs that drive business. For more information or to submit your news today, visit: www.XapNews.com.

About Olmstead Williams Communications

Olmstead Williams Communications is an award-winning public relations and social media agency serving clients nationally from offices in Los Angeles and Seattle. Our firm works with technology and professional services companies to meet their sales and marketing objectives, raise their brand profile, and capture mind and market share. For more information, visit: www.olmsteadwilliams.com.

OWC wins two PRism Awards for work with E&Y and cleantech pioneer FlexEnergy

November 14, 2011

Pictured, from left, the team at Olmstead Williams Communications: Derek Houck, Carla Collado, Kaitlen Murphy, Trent Freeman, Tracy Williams and Ashton Uytengsu. OWC won two PRisms this past week for its work with Big Four accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP ("Ongoing Product or Service Program") and FlexEnergy Inc. ("Green/Sustainable Programs").

Los Angeles-based Olmstead Williams Communications, a business-to-business public relations and social media firm which focuses on technology and professional services, won two PRism awards for its work with Big Four accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP (“Ongoing Product or Service Program”) and FlexEnergy Inc. (“Green/Sustainable Programs”) during the 47th Annual PRSA-Los Angeles PRism Awards Wednesday, November 9, at the Renaissance Grand Ballroom in Hollywood.

The Los Angeles chapter of PRSA annually recognizes outstanding programs created by public relations professionals who have completed assignments for LA-based clients. This year’s program included 59 winners in a wide range of categories and sub-categories.

Startup PR Report: Most startups begin PR efforts too late

October 25, 2011

Startup PR Bootcamp recently issued its “Startup PR Report,” a comprehensive guide on why startups should engage in public relations, when they should start a campaign and what to look for and avoid. After interviewing numerous public relations experts, the report concluded that most startups begin public relations efforts too late – right before the launch of a product.

The report also determined that there are countless levels of public relations involvement, from full-service firms to more tailored programs. One of those options, PRTechConnect, leverages the knowledge, resources and infrastructure of a full-service Los Angeles-based public relations agency to connect tech startups and other small businesses with critical audiences. That includes customers, investors, suppliers and future employees – all through news media outreach starting at just $1,000.

“The basic idea is that we do the heavy lifting with the media and let the client handle the writing of the news release themselves using tips we provide,” Trent Freeman, vice president of Olmstead Williams Communications, says in the report. “News releases are often where a lot of budget gets eaten up with numerous revisions back and forth, so we just cut out that part of the equation.”

'Enlighten Us, But Make It Quick'

February 17, 2011

That’s the theme of Ignite Seattle, the first of now more than 100 quarterly Ignite events nationwide which give speakers five minutes on stage and just 20 PowerPoint slides that rotate automatically after 15 seconds. Speakers range from the eclectic to entrepreneurial, and the results are amusing, informative and sometimes perplexing. Olmstead Williams Communications’ Vice President Trent Freeman attended his first event Thursday night and learned about “The Gentle Art of Karaoke” (Andrew Woods), “Searching for Adam Savage” or the dangers of GPS data in photos and how funny it can be if you’re a celebrity (Nate Beck), why “Your Moral Panic Over Triceratops is Wrong” (Jeremy Bingham), “How to Lose A Political Campaign” (Bradford Stephens) and much more … all in just five minutes each. Is it brilliant PR or some weird form of standup comedy? Trent isn’t so sure yet, but he feels rapidly enlightened.

Happy Holidays from the Team at OWC!

December 21, 2010

The OWC Team (L-R): Trent Freeman; Derek Houck; Tracy Williams; Carla Collado; and Ashton Whitney

We like to try something a little adventurous each holiday season. Last year it was bowling, this year it’s “The OWC Ice Capades.”

Your company and ours worked hard this year, and the reward is that the economy is up, business has a new future and we think 2011 is going to be absolutely great. Thanks for your support.

Here’s to a Happy New Year and to life on the edge!

Vcorp and PRTechConnect announce strategic alliance

March 29, 2010

Vcorp and PRTechConnect announce strategic alliance to help tech startups and other small companies grow, stimulate economy

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Vcorp Services LLC, a leader in specialized state corporate filing services for small companies, and PRTechConnect, a flat-fee PR service for startups, today announced a strategic alliance to spotlight critical services available for small businesses at affordable prices.

“Vcorp is passionate about entrepreneurship, and PRTechConnect offers a natural fit for the strategic service our customers need to help reach their marketing and sales objectives,” said Isaac Muller, CEO of Vcorp Services. “We know the value of public relations, but most young companies simply cannot afford agency fees. This is a service that leverages the knowledge, resources and infrastructure of a full-service business-to-business public relations agency.”

Vcorp and PRTechConnect customers will benefit from shared market intelligence and also enjoy exclusive discounts when they use services from both firms.

“Vcorp is a recognized brand that also has been delivering solid value for entrepreneurs for almost a decade, and its customers are an ideal fit for our service,” said Trent Freeman, president of PRTechConnect.

PRTechConnect’s flat-fee service starts at $999 per month and includes comprehensive master media list development and ongoing maintenance; targeted trade press, local, regional and national media pitching; customized news release templates with tips to help the company’s announcements stand out among competitors; basic wire service distribution for no additional cost that extends the reach of each news release online into Internet search engines and RSS feeds; and email delivery of pending story queries from reporters and editors seeking sources for other industry-related articles.

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Los Angeles Business Journal – Startup PR Program

March 15, 2010

By Joel Russell
Los Angeles Business Journal

Olmstead Williams Communications in West Los Angeles is launching a PR division to help technology startups get attention on a budget.

Starting at $999 a month, Olmstead Williams will provide services including a media contact list, story pitching to tech trade press and specific national media outlets, customized news release templates, and e-mail notification of story queries from reporters and editors seeking expert sources.

Called PRTechConnect, the new service has its first client in Cloudworks, a Thousand Oaks company that provides Web-based software to small businesses. Olmstead Williams is pitching the service to companies in the biotech, life sciences, clean tech, e-commerce, software and telecommunications sectors.

Click here to read the full article.

PR Boutique Launches PRTechConnect to Help Tech Startups With Industry’s First $999 A Month Service

March 8, 2010

New division geared for technology, biotech and cleantech companies

LOS ANGELES – Olmstead Williams Communications, Inc., a full-service business-to-business public relations agency specializing in technology, biotech and cleantech, today launched PRTechConnect (www.PRTechConnect.com), a new division that embraces limited marketing and public relations budgets and connects small companies with their key audiences – customers, investors, suppliers and employees – through news media outreach for less than $1,000 a month.

“PRTechConnect helps tech startups and other small businesses compete so they continue to grow, become leaders in their industries and get heard,” said Trent Freeman, president of PRTechConnect. “It’s our own economic stimulus program for the biotech, cleantech and other technology industries. We help these companies increase market share and revenues while creating more jobs, which is good for everyone as the economy expands.”

PRTechConnect leverages the knowledge, resources and infrastructure of a full-service public relations agency. Monthly services start at $999 and include: comprehensive master media list development and ongoing maintenance; targeted trade press, local, regional and national media pitching that will help retain current business and drive new leads; customized news release templates with tips to help the company’s announcements stand out among competitors; and email delivery of pending story queries from reporters and editors seeking expert sources for industry-related articles.

Among the division’s first clients is Cloudworks, which provides web-based computing services for small and mid-sized businesses.

“PRTechConnect allows us to build on the momentum we’ve already established in the industry at a fraction of the cost of other PR options,” said Mike Eaton, CEO of Cloudworks.

Small businesses and tech startups that have a story to tell are often unable to afford professional public relations counsel. They quickly discover that establishing themselves as a brand name in their market is time consuming, creatively demanding and heavily reliant on familiarity and relationships with scores of diverse media – from blogs to local TV news to newspapers and magazines. PRTechConnect solves that problem and gives businesses access to the tools they need to compete in today’s fast-paced media marketplace.

“Our agency, Olmstead Williams Communications, is passionate about helping nurture the many small biotech, life sciences, cleantech, e-commerce, software and telecommunications companies that are growing and so important to a long-term economic recovery,” Freeman said.

To learn more about PRTechConnect, visit: http://www.PRTechConnect.com

About PRTechConnect

PRTechConnect is a division of Los Angeles-based Olmstead Williams Communications, a full-service business-to-business public relations and crisis communications agency focused on technology, biotech and cleantech companies, financial services providers and law firms. Visit http://www.PRTechConnect.com or call 310.479.7055 for more information.