And by “freshness”, of course we mean Google’s new Freshness algorithm that favors frequently updated content in the search results delivered to you. Amit Singhal, from Google, says that “search results, like warm cookies right out of the oven or cool refreshing fruit on a hot summer’s day, are best when they’re fresh.” While that may be true, it could also affect your website’s search engine rankings, especially if others in your market or category are updating their platforms on a more regular basis.

This new algorithm update stems from the completion of their Caffeine (aptly named!) web indexing system last year, which crawls and indexes the web for fresh content much quicker and on a much larger scale. The new Freshness algorithm further builds on Caffeine and impacts roughly 35 percent of searches. Different searches have different freshness needs and Google’s new algorithm accounts for that, differentiating between what queries require recent content and those it is less relevant for. For example, if you are searching for information on when the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting will take place, you are more likely than not interested in the 2011 tree lighting and not 2008 or 2004. However, if you are searching for a cookie recipe, timeliness is less critical. As a result of this, the search results that will be most affected include those in the following categories:

1. Recent events or hot topics (latest news about NBA lockout, Occupy Wall Street protest, etc.)
2. Regularly occurring events (elections, X Factor results, etc.)
3. Frequent updates (best SLR camera, safest SUV)

This freshness shift shouldn’t be seen as a detriment, but rather an opportunity to increase our search rankings by making sure content is relevant, updated and takes into account both social media and search. Now, more than ever, analytics, keyword research and trending topics should have an impact on the content we push out on the web, in social channels and press releases. Let’s shift our thinking to “real-time” so we can really embrace the “freshness” and provide our target audiences with the updated, relevant content they are looking for.

Perhaps the best part, though, is this is Richter7’s 8th year receiving the honor. And while we only focus on the advertising category, my 21 years at this agency has shown me that we have outstanding divisions throughout the company in Public Relations, Social Media, Marketing, Research, Design, Media Planning and the explosive Online Marketing/Web & Mobile Development division. All add to make one great company.

But the real bonus is having stellar clients who authorize us to do outstanding campaigns. Without their trust and a collaborative vision, we wouldn’t have the award-winning work to move their business forward. Thank you to all.

According to a recent tweet, AP Stylebook will now include such terms as end user, geolocation, geotagging, link shortener, stream and unfollow.

Luckily, with today’s technology, it’s easy (and even fun) to keep up via apps, Twitter feeds and the like. No more lugging that 1-pound, 1.6 ounce paperback around with no search functionality but your weary, opposable thumbs (don’t tell the printers that we suggested it).

If you didn’t join the conversation with @APStylebook on Twitter today, familiarize your inner journalist with the bible of the newspaper industry by searching hashtag #APStyleChat for tips and refreshers to improve your writing.

As a first-time contributor to this blog, I thought it would be best to start out with a little introduction about myself. My name is Kylee Snelgrove and I am a Public Relations Intern at Richter7.  I graduate TOMORROW with a bachelor’s degree in strategic communication from the University of Utah. (Go Utes!) Outside of this fabulous world of PR, I love to spend my time dancing, shopping and spending anytime I can out in the sun.

I could make a list a mile long of all the things I have already learned from my internship, but for the sake of blog writing I will shorten my list to my top three.

1. I can always improve my writing.
2. Give 100 percent to every project.
3. Busy is better!

In the PR world, you write a lot! Whether it is for a press release or blog post, I find myself writing every day.  After I write something, I take it to get edited. When it comes back with red marks all over the page, I realize that extra set of eyes makes a huge difference. Improving my writing is one of the goals I set for myself when I started this internship, and it will be one of my goals until I finish because it is a constant learning process.

The next thing I have learned is that I have to give 100 percent into every single project. PR is client- driven and therefore, you have to do your best to impress each client by going above and beyond for them.

I became a PR intern in December 2010 and have already gotten a feel for the fast-paced agency life, and I love it. As I leave each day, I always think there are projects I could keep working on. I have had the opportunity to work on so many different things, such as media training, press conferences and school presentations. Every day is different and every day is busy!

Over the next few months, I know I will keep gaining a greater knowledge of what it will take for me to become a successful PR professional. I’m learning from the best and know they will help me become my best.

Finalists were then presented with a mock scenario where they were asked to take on the role of the PR consultant for Charlie Sheen (timely, eh?!) The goal: to improve his public image and turn him into an inspiring role model in one year (with or without tiger’s blood). We gave them a hypothetical budget and off they went. Two and a half weeks later, each contestant came in, polished and eager to share, and presented their campaign to save Charlie Sheen in front of a group of judges.

All the presentations were great, and choosing a winner was a tough decision to make. Each finalist brought their A-game and impressed the judges. Our very sincere compliments go out to each person involved.

In the end, the Richter7 2011 PR Student of the Year award was presented to Natalie Curtis, a Utah State University senior. Natalie was selected for her professionalism, creativity, strategic thinking, academic record and aptitude for success in public relations as demonstrated through a written case study and oral presentation.

Congratulations to Natalie on #winning!

"Ha: Breath of Life" showcases the art of the Samoan Fireknife dance

This past May, Richter7′s PR team conducted an intense, four-day media tour with the PCC in San Francisco and Salt Lake City. Because the goal was to promote the PCC’s newest night show, “Ha: Breath of Life,” which debuted in August 2009, one of the challenges Richter7 faced was making the nine-month-old show newsworthy for reporters.

Other challenges included spreading the word about their performances, obtaining proper fireknife permits and keeping the performers unified for each event. Richter7 accomplished this by persistently contacting all relevant media; marketing different aspects of the show, such as the fireknife dancer; and using a full PR staff to email, call and stay in constant connection with key members of the trip.

Performing at Pier39 in San Francisco

Results were fabulous. The PCC performed in front of nine TV cameras in San Francisco and Salt Lake City, and conducted 13 TV interviews. They also received publicity from three media appointments, one media phone interview, and from having their performances posted on over two dozen online event calendars and Polynesian community calendars. They performed 11 times and reached an overall audience of 4 million (some TV and websites not included). Publicity value for the four-day, two city media tour exceeded $1.2 million.

KUTV's 2News This Morning personality Casey Scott learns how to fireknife

“We’re thrilled to continue working with the top resort destination in the nation,” said Peggy Lander, partner and executive vice president of advertising at Richter7. “We will continue putting all resources and efforts into strategic marketing that builds strong brand awareness and attracts visitors worldwide to Park City from a multitude of platforms.”

Richter7 was selected after a thorough review alongside other prominent agencies in Utah. Park City, known for its ease of accessibility from most US markets, is expecting a record winter season due to its early snow, major resort improvements and new brand-name lodging properties.

“With snow already in the mountains and all the amenities of Park City, skiers flock here to enjoy three world-class mountain resorts and a great town,” said Lander.

Established in 1971, Richter7 has been named Utah’s “Best of State” advertising agency seven times in the past decade and is nationally recognized for effective advertising, public relations, online interactive and design for clients from Minneapolis to Hawaii.

FB CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Facebook, which has tripled its number of mobile users from 65 million at the same time last year, will also make its “Facebook Deals” physical location-based feature available on Google Android-based smartphones.

With that, Facebook will help merchants offer deals to customers who “check in” nearby, marking their physical location.

Having already lined up 22 partners, including Macy’s, American Eagle Outfitters, Las Vegas’ Palms Casino and the Gap — which will give away 10,000 pairs of jeans – is it bye-bye Foursquare? Foursquare check in!

http://bit.ly/b4cjpE

Twitter Steps Into Your Stream

Twitter said it will drops ads into users’ streams/timelines. Virgin, Starbucks and Red Bull have bought into this, but, hey, isn’t stream-stepping going to annoy? Hmmm.

http://bit.ly/dxGom8

Google Gaining on Booming Smartphone Market

Was it any surprise? Google’s Android software platform, which has gone crazy wild in just two years, rose to the #2 spot globally on the booming smartphone market. Because Android phones’ popularity keeps growing, Google is in a good position as handsets look set to surpass computers for browsing the Web.

What’s more, cheaper smartphones, boosted by the surge in Androids, are becoming increasingly the growth engine of the overall smartphone market. Thanks, Googs bro.

http://reut.rs/9kJzwi

Seems like privacy issues are the new black. Adding to Facebook’s privacy fiasco is Google’s run-in with “accidental collection” of users’ personal information, including entire emails, URLs and passwords. Google admitted that cars sent to take photos for its Street View mapping service also carried Internet eavesdropping gear.  Investigations are ongoing.

http://usat.ly/amDtF2

MySpace Rebranding

With the launch of the new MySpace this week, online socialites have a new destination for social entertainment—not to be confused with social networking. Throughout the month of November, MySpace will roll out a completely revamped interface to its users, transforming everything from the homepage to profiles to the new Topic Pages.

http://on.mash.to/d5xiX7

11 Scary Confessions About Life as a PR Pro

In honor of Halloween, we couldn’t resist sharing the SCARY TRUTH about life as a PR/marketing professional (as told by Tom Nixon of Ragan).

1. I see more of my smart phone than I do of my children.

2. I actually consider how the lady at the drive-thru window “messaged” the fact that they were out of fries.

3. I spend almost as much time viewing the source code of a website as I do consuming the actual content.

4. I see the likes of Tiger Woods sex scandals through the prism of crisis communications, and not for the sheer entertainment of it all.

5. I get confused when I don’t see a “Share This” widget when leafing through the morning newspaper.

For the remaining six confessions, go here: http://bit.ly/at5Pm2, and don’t forget to share this.

Happy Halloween!

“It’s a rare honor to be featured in one of CA’s world-famous competitions,” said Gary Sume, Richter7 creative director. “The campaign’s visual power is derived from the unusual angles of the photographic images. In addition, pithy headlines encouraged business owners to avoid settling for cheap, breakable furniture despite the recessionary times.”

The featured campaign consists of four separate posters, each portraying a rustic carpenter shop, accompanied by headlines such as, “Sure, Corporate America is falling apart. Have you seen what their furniture is made of?” and “Giving desk lamps an inferiority complex since 1979.”

Since its inception in 1959, CA has grown to become the largest international trade journal of visual communication. Its annual competitions are juried by internationally respected creative professionals. Last year’s competitions included 6,878 entries in advertising, graphic design, photography, illustration and interactive, with only 155 earning honors.

“People seem to be responding to our ‘you get what you pay for’ messaging, as sales are up and the company is staying busy,” said Charlie Hastings, president of Wood Revival.

Established in 1971, Richter7 has been named Utah’s “Best of State” advertising agency seven times in the past decade and is nationally recognized for effective advertising, public relations, online interactive and design for clients from Minneapolis to Hawaii.

CREDITS:

Ryan Anderson, art director/creative director

Gary Sume, writer/creative director

Dave Newbold, executive creative director

Chad Hurst, photographer

Cynthia Griffin, production manager