SHIFT Start PR

The SHIFT Start Public Relations Program for small and start-up companies is a customized and very focused service for firms that require the immediate value of public relations services but don’t yet have the resources to commit to a formal, ongoing public relations program for maximum lead generation.

SHIFT Start offers small and start-up companies access to the strategy and expertise of a full-service public relations agency in the form of a goal-focused, short-term PR campaign. SHIFT Start is fully customized to make the most of your immediate business situation and rapidly achieve marketing, communications and public relations results involving one or more of the following:

Launching or repositioning a business
Launching or repositioning a product or service
Entering a new market or supporting a new sales channel
Seeking or preparing for a new round of funding
Achieving a major business milestone such as M&A, IPO or other landmark accomplishments
Supporting an appearance at a trade show or other industry event
Kick-starting an in-house public relations program

A SHIFT Start project launch begins with a preliminary briefing between your company and SHIFT representatives. The result is the development of a one-page SHIFT Start proposal, presented to you within one week for your approval. Upon approval, your project starts immediately. SHIFT Start projects are customized to support a specific business or marketing goal. Projects are of a limited timeframe (usually 90 to 120 days), and managed with the highest caliber of team service and expertise.

SHIFT Start services are provided in entirety – from start through completion. Typically, projects may include a combination of the following activities:

Development of a strategic program plan and timeline, including conducting a press audit and crafting PR messages
Writing and editing press kit materials such as company and product fact sheets and management biographies
Writing, editing, distributing and placing new releases, abstracts and articles
Researching and creating a contact list of relevant press and trade analyst targets
Media relations: securing introductions and interviews with press editors, reporters and trade analysts, including providing briefing materials for and preparing company spokespeople for each interview
Researching and pursuing editorial calendar, product review, industry awards and buyer’s guide opportunities using the latest technology
Training company executives for news media interviews, product reviews and analyst briefings
Researching and securing speaking engagements, including writing and submitting abstracts and preparing briefing materials for speakers

Reporting and measurement are also included in all SHIFT Start communications projects. Throughout the project, we provide regular contact, weekly work-in-progress updates and monthly program activity reports. At project wrap-up, we provide you with a bound press coverage message analysis report covering the project period. The SHIFT Coverage Analysis tracks and reports press coverage quality and messaging trends. Among other criteria, the analysis reports on how successful the program was at communicating an accurate, factual and appropriate message to each audience in light of your SHIFT Start goals.