Happy Holidays from PC!

Our week-long winter holiday is just hours away and the team at Pascale Communications, LLC could not be more excited for 2010! Embracing new clients, meetings, and subspecialties in the new year, we look forward to the time to recharge and enjoy the company of our family and friends.

Working virtually, rather than in a traditional office, the PC team could list dozens of reasons to love working from home. We’re reminded of this during the holidays, when seasonal music blares from our speakers, decorations can overtake our home offices, and an entire tin of cookies can be eaten incognito – all due to the flexible structure that makes PC so efficient year-round.

So with business plans set, annual reports mailed, and client “out-of-office” messages filling our inboxes, we asked our team to use their last cookie-soaked calories to assemble a home office “wish list” – for the work-from-home setup of our dreams.

When asked of her own suggestion, Georgette, PC’s president and CEO responded saying, "In the past I’ve sought new gadgets and goodies, because for years I’ve had the best accessory of any home office, hands down: an amazing team. This group of talented and energetic employees has shown real dedication, and I’m so grateful to be taking on 2010 with their support!”

PC’s Home Office “Wish List” (in no particular order):

Personal Chef

Packing your lunch doesn’t get easier from home, explains Audra: “I’d love a personal chef who would prepare and serve lunch each day, then also maybe a bicycle pedal feature on my office chair, so I could get a workout while I’m at my desk.”

Childcare

With a growing number of children in our PC family, the challenge of balancing work and home life is an often discussed topic. One of our newest mothers shares her addition to the list, “Anything that makes working with a newborn easier is great, especially around feeding time!”

My Own “Joan”

When you work at home alone, there’s no one to field the phone calls or drop-in visitors. Some well-meaning family members and friends don’t always get that working at home means just that – working! “When I watch Mad Men, I always think of how much I’d love Joan around my home office,” explains Deb, “She thinks great on her feet and has a thousand ways to say ‘No.’ She could also help with coffee too.”

Ink

Working from home definitely has its perks, explains Allison, “but having to run out in the cold when your printer is making ‘green’ copies can be a challenge! I’d choose ink, forever.”

Birthday cake

While some responses mentioned a personal chef who could address any kind of hunger, some were more specific with their food-oriented requests: “For a while I thought I missed birthdays in the corporate setting – I’ve recently realized it was just the cake.”

iPhone

For the team at Pascale Communications, LLC, working virtually can mean answering emails on the subway in NYC, in your home office in Pittsburgh, or on a laptop in San Francisco. “The right tool is important to stay connected,” suggests Amy. “I have a smartphone, but I need something that’s going to be as reliable as it is a tool for productivity.”

Paper Cutter

“Its terribly nerdy,” explains Christopher, Pascale’s newest member, “but since I was in my teens I’ve wanted a big one, like your elementary school had.” Now performing PC’s media publication monitoring “I’d still be using it, I’m sure - but my parents never took the request seriously.

The team at Pascale Communications, LLC would like to wish a safe and happy holiday and a happy New Year - We'll see you in 2010!

The Cheer is Here

The PC Team convened in Pittsburgh last night for our annual holiday party. Amidst a flurry of food and conversation, our typically “virtual” team had the opportunity to meet face to face at Toast! in Shadyside.

Georgette, President and CEO of Pascale Communications, LLC, took the opportunity to speak about the goals set out for 2010, and to reflect on the many unique skills each individual contributes. “I moved to Pittsburgh five years ago during a bitter December,” she remembers, “and I could not have imagined that our small team would grow into such a talented and diverse group. I’m remarkably thankful!”

The Art of Physician Wrangling

Want healthcare press? Brush up on some tips from a Pro: PC’s Erin Caffrey writes for O’Dwyers PR, “The Art of Physician Wrangling” http://bit.ly/4mOHKd

Returning from AAO

We spend hours preparing for these huge medical conferences. Once on-site we attend meetings from 6am – late at night for days straight. What do we get out of all of the editor meetings, booth presentations, courses, symposia and dinners? Here’s what our team netted from this year’s American Academy of Ophthalmology:

Nearly fifty newly confirmed articles for our current clients, more than ten new business proposals for 2010, a successful five year anniversary party with more than 60 attendees, and insights into leading clinical trends in retina, glaucoma, cataract and refractive surgery.

We try to stay on the front edge of the curve in this and other subspecialties. Staying visible at these top industry meetings is key…we’re looking forward to the next one! Dermatology? Plastics? Urology? Stay tuned…

So you missed Georgette Pascale’s interview with Jim Roddey on WMNY? No Problem! You can catch all of her advice for small biz and entrepreneurs on the MoneyTalk1360 podcast!

Here's the link

Vision Expo West 2009 mirrored consumer trends echoed on the nightly news. Historically a fashion focused meeting with an emphasis on whatʼs new and hot in optical dispensing, the tenor of this yearʼs meeting was more subdued; the “buzz” from the symposia and exhibit floor you ask – practice management tips, including the transition to electronic health records (EHR).

Office efficiency is imperative especially with patients cutting back on what they deem "expendable” healthcare costs (including eye exams). We find benefits to online banking, scheduling, bill paying, gift buying, etc. Likewise, implementing EHR into any healthcare practice (large, small, corporate, private, etc) saves time and money in the long run. The data and testimonials support this. Vendors, including our own client, Compulink Business Systems, are providing educational programming to eye care professionals on site at upcoming medical meetings. These programs will help business owners and practitioners understand the benefits and considerations when transitioning to EHR. Keep an eye out for Compulinkʼs AAO booth program, and take note of more educational articles on this topic in both the optometric and ophthalmic industry journals. Itʼs sure to continue to be a hot topic next year.

Retina Congress 2009

The Pascale Communications team traveled to the Retina Congress 2009 in New York, where our time was spent meeting with ophthalmic editors, clients, and attending symposia specifically targeting the industry's most reputable retinal specialists.

While this year's meeting focused on education and the advancement of quality care, our energy was targeted towards the use of multimodality retinal imaging for diagnosing a variety of disease states, and the drug delivery systems and drug therapies that treat them.

It was a great opportunity to sit down with clients to begin discussing our collaboration in 2010, which will resume in San francisco later this month at the annual American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting. More AAO news coming soon!

Another great week for Pascale Communications! With two new projects for a veteran client, and a new assignment for a more recent client, the team is planning a busy autumn. We even used our virtual "skills" to beat travel trouble and won a project in Boston via Skype! Who else is looking forward to San Francisco at the end of the month!!

Advice on working from home, in time for the G20

Working from home during G20? As an all-virtual company based in Pittsburgh, the members of Pascale Communications, LLC are experts on working from a home office. Devon McSorely, Director of Business Development, offers her insights to fellow Pittsburghers planing to work at home during the G20 summit. Read more to see how working from home has fueled five successful years for our team!

Article Link: http://pascalecommunications.com/index2.php?p=our_thoughts&did=working_from_home

The Importance of Mentoring to Budding Female Entrepreneurs

Pascale Communications’ Georgette Pascale was a featured author for WomenandBiz.com’s back-to-school article issue. What makes a great mentor? Georgette says, “Honesty, accountability, encouragement, and guidance.” Read on below!

Article Link: The Importance of Mentoring to Budding Female Entrepreneurs

Getting Traction for a Radio Show

In a recent Business Week column, Pascale Communications’ Georgette Pascale utilizes her versatile background to offer advice to an up-and-coming radio host. Urging him to “stay realistic” when establishing a new listener base and promoting his show, Pascale also encourages the host reminding them, “Now more than ever, success is all about networking and who you know." Read more below!

Article Link: http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/aug2009/sb20090819_678801.htm

Fall Semester Internship Opportunity

Starting Date: Fall Semester, 2009

Schedule- This is a part-time (Interns can set their hours around their class schedule) non-paid internship. Past interns have submitted their time here for school credit. We work closely with university employees/contacts to verify the workload being completed.

Workplace Environment- We are an all-virtual PR firm, so candidates can conveniently work remotely in their home office environment.

Duties: This is a challenging position with a healthcare industry public relations firm. Pascale Communications interns do not stuff envelopes and mail kits. Our interns get hands-on account experience in the nuts and bolts of running a healthcare PR account. Duties include but are not limited to: media list development and confirmation, pitch development, assisting on active pitches and following through with segment or article development, byline/article development, online meeting and study search and reporting.

To learn more about Pascale Communications, please visit our website at: www.pascalecommunications.com

All interested candidates should submit their credentials/resumes to: info@pascalecommunications.com

Georgette Pascale Comments on AHIP's New National Ad Campaign

Pascale Communications’ Georgette Pascale was cited recently in the debate over healthcare reform. In an article published in Managed Healthcare Executive about a new ad launched by America’s Health Insurance Plans, Pascale responded positively to the campaign and reform saying, “Simply put, this is definitely a great strategic decision from a marketing/ ad/ PR messaging perspective.” Read on below!

Article Link: AHIP's new national TV ad campaign supports bipartisan reform.

Ad on Youtube: "Illness" - AHIP Reform Ad

Deb Holliday recently helped to plan a “Media Day” for one of our clients; her take on why this event is so important is below!

This year marked the fifth anniversary of Abbott Medical Optics, Inc.’s Media Day. While each one has been extremely successful and worthwhile for all those involved, this one will go down in the books as a standout for both Abbott and for the publication representatives in attendance.

What is Media Day? Media Day provides the opportunity for the company to present an overview of key clinical data, the latest product information and insight on key industry issues to the media given by a panel of leading clinicians and executives...all in one place. It also gives the media, the AMO marketing teams, and PC the chance to build relationships in more intimate setting than is possible at the large ophthalmology and optometric congresses.

Following each year’s event, Pascale has sent out a survey to each member of the media who attended, soliciting their feedback and suggestions. Every year we hear that our Media Day is the best in the industry. Always wanting to build on that success, we strive to incorporate the publication’s wish list in planning the next Media Day. The resounding request after the 2008 event was that we hold this year’s somewhere on the east coast. In previous years, it has been held in the California headquarters of AMO and in Aspen, CO.

With the economy being what it is in 2009, we recommended to our team at AMO that this would be a great year to have the event in the majority of the Publications’ backyards. Almost all of the trade publications are based in Philadelphia, Cleveland, New York, and New Jersey. AMO wholeheartedly agreed; this year it was held in Philadelphia and we had an amazing turnout; over 40 media representatives were in attendance.

AMO relied on us to do the early-stage event planning, such as choosing the hotel and restaurants. We researched the possibilities, including asking our media friends in Philly to suggest some venues. PC always plays a key role in all planning and management of the event, and, of course, garners great press from the event every year.

Georgette and I were both onsite and could not be more pleased to report that AMO Media Day went very well and the feedback has been phenomenal! The publications teams truly appreciated AMO’s willingness to “take the show on the road.” Most importantly, we have been able to confirm a slew of articles in progress, based on the product information and new data presented.

PharmaVOICE honors Georgette Pascale, president and CEO of Pascale Communications, LLC

Every year, PharmaVOICE honors the top 100 most inspiring people in the life sciences industry. This year, Georgette Pascale, president and CEO of Pascale Communications, LLC was selected as one of the PharmaVOICE 100 award winners – from more than 1000 total nominations. The Pascale Communications team couldn’t be more proud of our boss…and mentor. The attached article highlights Georgette’s career, community service, philanthropy and participation in several industry-related organizations. We wanted to share this honor and encourage you all to nominate your colleagues for 2010. Happy reading!

PharmaVOICE July/August 2009