The Holmes Report:
Singer Associates is named "Public Affairs Agency of the Year”
PRWeek:
CA Secretary of State Taps Singer amid Donation Flap
The Holmes Report:
New PR Agency Report Card 2004
PRWeek:
Singer Associates Aids Transportation Hub Launch
PRWeek:
Grassroots Campaign to Boost CA Ballot Measure
The Holmes Report::
Singer Associates
The Holmes Report:
Pabst Taps Ketchum, Singer to Revitalize Brands
PRWeek:
Singer and Ketchum Unite to Pull in Pabst
The Holmes Report:
Dome Tops List of Best Agencies to Work For – Part 3: Singer Associates
The Holmes Report:
Up from the Depths: CPR for San Francisco Aquarium
PRWeek:
CAMPAIGNS: Community Relations – PR Buildup Helps Tourtelot Cleanup
PRWeek:
Singer Burns Midnight Oil in Negotiations
PRWeek:
Singers Adds Four New PA Clients, Anticipates $2M in 2001 Income
 |
Singer Associates is named
“Public Affairs Agency of the Year” March 6, 2006 |
"While firms that specialize in consumer public relations or corporate reputation management lose sleep over how to measure the success of their efforts, Singer Associates founder and chief executive Sam Singer has no such worries. He has a simple definition of success: he knows he’s achieved it when his clients emerge victorious in litigation, labor and land use disputes; when they win political campaigns, defeat unwanted regulation or manage issues so they don’t turn into crises.
The firm ended 2005 with $4.1 million in business, up from $3.4 million in 2004. The agency was tapped by Lennar Corporation to handle its entire western United States region (California, Arizona, Nevada) as well as to help expand its urban development division. Chevron turned to the agency for assistance in land use and political issues as well as a number of environmental matters. And for the third straight time, the Bay Area Rapid Transit District turned to Singer Associates to help with its labor negotiations with the Service Employees International and the Transit Workers Union. Other new clients included the California Pacific Medical Center, for crisis communications during a strike by SEIU health workers, and two major ballot initiatives. Other interesting assignments included the San Francisco 49ers announcement of Mike Nolan as the team’s new head coach, preparing two national clients for Chapter 11 filings and assisting the U.S. Tuna Foundation in its reputation and litigation battle after a lawsuit by the California attorney general calling for warning labels of tuna cans."
–
 |
CA Secretary of State Taps Singer Amid Donation Flap
By Andrew Gordon August 30, 2004 |
"Kevin Shelley (D), California's embattled secretary of state, has hired Singer Associates to help with communications strategy and media relations concerning a campaign contributions scandal.
'We are working to get to the bottom of what appears to be some tainted contributions,' said Sam Singer, president of Singer Associates. 'Our shop is helping to deal with the politics of the matter and news-media inquiries. What we have been successful at is separating the secretary of state from the alleged misdeeds of some contributors. [Shelley] did not do anything wrong.'" –
|
New PR Agency Report Card, 2004 |
"Sam Singer defines public relations success simply, in a single word: "Winning." Says Singer, "We get paid to win major battles for our clients." That's one reason Singer--a veteran of Kamer~Singer Associates and GCI Group before striking out on his own three years ago--staffs his agency with seasoned veterans rather than inexperienced youngsters. Singer employees include former journalists, press secretaries, marketing and advertising managers, and government relations specialists who have years of experience and the kind of been-there-done-that that gives them credibility as counselors and first-hand knowledge of the news media, elected leaders, regulatory agencies and community organizations that clients seek to influence.
Add in a process that includes a heavy dose of research, analysis by seasoned professionals, strategy development, coalition building, strong implementation, and ongoing strategy adjustment based on yet more research and feedback and you have a classic formula for public affairs success.
In its third year of business, Singer Associates has revenues of around $3 million and a client list that includes some of the biggest names in the Bay Area. Key additions in 2003 included ChevronTexaco, Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, the defense team representing Frank Quattrone, McKesson, the California Academy of Sciences, and the law firms of Keker & Van Nest LLP and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP ."
–
|
Singer Associates Aids Transportation Hub Launch
By Andrew Gordon June 4, 2004 |
"The Transbay Joint Powers Authority has hired Singer Associates to help promote its forthcoming $2.4 billion transportation hub in the heart of San Francisco's business district. . . . 'This is going to be the Grand Central Station of the Bay Area,' said agency president Sam Singer. 'We're focused on a public information campaign about the benefits of this project to the Bay Area. We're also going to build an image campaign.' 'This is the most ambitious transportation project in the Bay Area since the opening of Bay Area Rapid Transit [BART] in 1972,' added Singer. Thus, the campaign will focus on the big picture of what the project is, as well as explaining the economic and transit benefits." –
|
Grassroots Campaign to Boost CA Ballot Measure
By Andrew Gordon August 25, 2003 |
"Singer Associates was recently hired to support the 'Yes on D' campaign, which strives to push through an initiative that makes the city's Small Business Commission more influential by separating the entity from the Mayor's Office of Economic Development. The firm said it is keenly aware that part of its challenge will be to deal with public and media attention being diverted to sexier stories, such as the recall and the race for the mayor's office. –
|
Singer Associates
July 24, 2003 |
"After an ill-fated two-year dalliance with GCI Group, Sam Singer is back doing what he loves best, running his own business, and the early indications are that he is well on his way to repeating the entrepreneurial success he enjoyed with former partner Larry Kamer. When Singer Associates opened its doors in 2001, it brought four clients with it from GCI and Kamer Singer: The San Francisco 49ers, Ford, BNP Paribas, and Marriott. In 2001, its first year of operation, it added another handful, including Chevron, Mirant Energy, Norcal Waste Systems, Phelps Vineyards and Consolidated Freightways. Last year, it rounded out its roster with additions such as Lennar Communities; Mills Corporation; AIMCO; the Bay Area Rapid Transit District; Taco Bell; the law firms of Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffea and Keker Van Nest; the San Francisco YMCA; Colonies Crossroads (a commercial development in L.A.); Daughters of Charity Health Care System (a seven hospital chain); Boudin Bakeries; The Olympic Club; the Parking Association of San Francisco; MV Transportation; and, jointly with Ketchum, the State of California's "Buy California" account, promoting agriculture in the state. Revenues were up 30 percent to around $3 million. Singer, a political campaign veteran, is probably best known for his work in the public affairs, labor relations, and crisis management arenas, and his firm has strong practices in those three areas, with litigation communications a particular growth area. But Singer Associates has already developed a niche in the real estate market, and also has some straightforward consumer clients. Projects ranged from working with the 49ers after running back Garrison Hearst made anti-gay remarks to managing a $1 billion dollar bond issue election to seismically upgrade the Bay Area Rapid Transit District to handling the evacuation of residents near a property being investigated for abandoned military munitions. Singer & Associates is "amazingly strong in working with the media and general public," raves one client. "Sam Singer has proven an invaluable business partner on whom we rely for insight and expertise in making decisions both within and outside his specific area of expertise," says another. "His instincts in the area of public relations are unerring." The account team is "always thinking about how we can improve our communications," and "we seek their counsel on a range of issues." –
|
Pabst Taps Ketchem, Singer to Revitalize Brands
April 8, 2003 |
"SAN FRANCISCO: Pabst Brewing Company, the fourth largest brewer in the United States, has retained the services of Singer Associates and Ketchum as it prepared for an aggressive campaign to raise the profile of its brands, including Old Style, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Rainier. After pitching the business together, Ketchum and Singer Associates will provide an integrated effort that includes branding, corporate communications, media relations, strategy and messaging development. This is the first time in several years that Pabst has selected any agency of record. The first assignment will involve a promotion in Chicago for the Old Style brand and its 53-year sponsorship of the Chicago Cubs, working in partnership with Chicago based Marketing Werks. But the two firms will also handle a variety of national and regional brand assignments, and corporate public relations. "Pabst has been quietly rebuilding its brands, and now the company is ready to take its efforts to a new level," says Sam Singer, president of the firm that bears his name. "What they want to do is revitalize their brands and build on a resurgence of interest" particularly among young people "as well as the regional affinity many people have for specific brands. We want to build upon the heritage Pabst has in regional markets and create programs that tie the beers into their local and regional communities where they are brewed." The company, which began in 1844, markets more than 40 national and regional brews. "The team of Singer Associates and Ketchum brought the combination of expertise in branding and corporate communications along with great creative and strong strategic thinking," said Alan Willner, vice president of marketing at Pabst. "From day one, the team has demonstrated an enormous amount of passion and commitment to helping grow our brands." Singer, whose firm is best known for its work in the corporate and public affairs arena, will focus on corporate public relations for Pabst, while Ketchum brings expertise in brand PR "including work over several years for Miller Brewing" as well as national reach. According to Ketchum San Francisco general manager Doug Kinzley, We've been fortunate to partner with Singer Associates on a number of projects in the past, and admire its expertise in public affairs and corporate communications. Working together on Pabst allows us to bring together the best of both agencies' capabilities to produce excellent results for Pabst's portfolio of brands. "Adam Alberti, account supervisor at Singer Associates and Drew McGowan, vice president/account supervisor in Ketchum's brand marketing practice, San Francisco, will lead the Pabst account." –
|
Singer and Ketchum Unite to Pull in Pabst
By Andrew Gordon April 7, 2003 |
"Beer brewer Pabst Brewing Company has tapped Singer Associates and Ketchum to promote its more than 40 brands of beer.
'These are real American beers,' asserted Sam Singer, president of Singer Associates, in San Francisco. 'People feel very attached to regional brews.'
'With Pabst looking for PR work across the nation, I called up Ketchum,' said Singer, who has worked with the agency in the past. 'Ketchum is particularly good–if not one of the best–at building brands.' By working hand-in-hand, Ketchum will be able to provide branding on a national and regional level, while Singer will focus more on financial and corporate communications.
Pabst is a significant win, added Singer, because his agency tends to work with clients in the Bay Area and throughout California. The Pabst account will allow his agency to do more national PR work.
'We've partnered with Singer before,' said Kinzley. 'They're a great agency to work with. We're pretty excited about this win. It's a great win for the branding practice that will draw on the strengths of numerous offices. '" –
|
Dome Tops List of Best Agencies to Work For – Part 3 Singer Associates
February 11, 2003 |
"Another newcomer to our Best Agencies to Work For list, San Francisco-based Singer Associates provides an atmosphere where individuals can excel, combining strong leadership from founder and president Sam Singer with a group dynamic that allows personnel at all levels to contribute according to their ability. There's a profit sharing plan, generous benefits, and a commitment to community involvement too.
The firm scores a perfect five when employees are asked whether client satisfaction is a top priority; whether the firm has eliminated unnecessary bureaucracy; whether people treat each other with respect; and whether they feel like counselors to their clients rather than just order takers. The culture is "Dynamic, brilliant, ethical, hard working," say respondents ." –
|
Up from the Depths: CPR for San Francisco Aquarium
July 9, 2002 |
"...many years as a blight on San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, Underwater World set out to develop a new identity and to renew public interest by completely renovating the interior space and developing new interactive and revolving exhibits. The owners called in Singer Associates late in 2000 to help re-brand, re-name, and rebuild the reputation of the attraction. Singer Associates was retained to help change minds about the Wharf's much-maligned aquarium.
The objective was to get key influencers "and ultimately the tourists they influenced" to take a second look [at the aquarium]. With a re-launch scheduled for mid-summer, Singer Associates set out to change minds. The PR strategy was simple: Start local and work out from there. Singer Associates planned three key events for mid-summer 2001 designed to change hearts and minds. First, an Appreciation Day was held for Fisherman's Wharf workers' whether parking valets or business owners. The aquarium was put on display for all its neighbors to see, and follow-up interviews indicated that they liked what they saw. Second, concierges, cab drivers, hotel workers, Grey Line Tour bus drivers, travel agents, and restaurant workers were provided with information and free tickets as part of a promotional campaign to encourage them to visit and then talk about what they saw. Again, follow-up interviews indicated a very positive reaction. Third, a grand opening gala event was held for VIPs, politicians, teachers, local news media and "friends of the aquarium."
The aquarium owners are convinced that their operation will emerge stronger than ever from the events of the last two months due largely to the repositioning and brand development work of Singer Associates." –
|
CAMPAIGNS: Community Relations – PR Buildup Helps Tourtelot Cleanup
By Julia Hood May 27, 2002 |
"The cleanup of former military sites across the country is considered a national priority, but the actual execution of the overhaul is left up to the individual communities. Tourtelot, in Benicia, CA, is on site where abandoned ordnance (military parlance fur munitions) was discovered in 1996 as the property was being developed. Soon thereafter, it became clear that residents would have to withdraw from the area for part of the cleanup process. Getting the community to understand and agree to the plans, however, was the challenge of the PR team.
The primary strategy was to involve the community in as much as the process as possible, including the design of the project. In order to do that, a massive education effort was needed to help the residents understand the issues involved in environmental cleanup.
Don Knapp, a reporter from Bay Area TV station KRON-TV, called the withdrawal 'a model of cooperation' in his report, which was the lead news story at 5pm on the first evening. But media coverage was not considered the most significant result. The withdrawal was successful, and no residents complained.
It actually exceeded our expectations in that it wasn't just people tolerating it, but people feeling good about it–feeling like they had participated in the cleanup of a liability in their community, says Scott Goldie, SVP and division manager for Pacific Bay Homes, a sister company to Granite Management. He should know: He's a company representative who actually lives in the area, and withdrew from his own home, as his neighbors did." –
|
Singer Staff Burns Midnight Oil in Negotiations
By Julia Hood September 10, 2001 |
"Singer Associates worked round the clock Labor Day weekend to prepare for a major transit strike that never happened.
The management of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system retained the agency in July 2001, when it was clear that contract negotiations weren't going well.
'Our objective in the labor negotiations was twofold,' said president Sam Singer. 'One was to create a fiscally responsible message that showed we were protecting the riders and trying to hold fare costs down.' The second was to demonstrate BART's commitment to its labor force, but also the limitations of the public agency's purse.
As it happened, the contract was agreed upon at 1am on September 4, with a 22% pay raise over four years.
Singer said maintaining stamina during the week was tough. 'The biggest challenge is the physical and mental strength it takes for anyone to operate in war-room conditions for any period of time and stay sharp,' he said." –
|
Singer Adds Four New PA Clients, Anticipates $2M in 2001 income.
By Aimee Grove April 16, 2001 |
"Singer Associates, the San Francisco boutique founded by former GCI Group/SF managing director Sam Singer, has signed four new public affairs clients and landed its first advertising and corporate identity campaign.
New public affairs and corporate communications assignments include French bank BNP Paribas, Phelps Vineyards of Napa, CA, the San Francisco Ballet and the Koret Foundation, one of the largest Jewish-sponsored charitable trusts in the US, with assets of $300 million." –
© 2005 Singer Associates, Inc.