Company News

Sept. 21, 2011

Lezotte Miller wins statewide PR award

Lezotte Miller Public Relations Inc. earned the top public relations campaign award at the Michigan Society of Association Executives' (MSAE) 10th Annual Diamond Awards event Wednesday, Sept. 21, in Novi.  The awards program recognizes excellence and innovation in associations.

LM Inc. developed and coordinated the Associated Builders & Contractors of Michigan's "Campaign to End Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) in Michigan," which was geared to pass legislation banning union-only PLAs on publicly-funded construction projects.  The bill was passed and became law in July as the "Fair and Open Competition in Governmental Construction Act."

"The key to the campaign's success was well-crafted strategy and a focused message," explains Barbara Lezotte, APR.  "The opposition was well-funded and had managed to convince public officials for years that PLAs were nothing more than project work rules.  Educating the media on the added cost to taxpayers was crucial to the campaign's success."

LM Inc. is a public relations consulting firm serving associations, corporations, nonprofit organizations and government agencies since 1995.

May 19, 2011

Okemos PR firm hires two college graduates

Two recent college graduates have joined the staff of Lezotte Miller Public Relations Inc. as project assistant interns for the summer term.

Ashley Brown of Michigan State University and Michael Zubor of Ferris State University completed their bachelor’s degrees May 2011. 

Brown studied Journalism at MSU and Zubor studied Public Relations at FSU.  The interns will write, interview, research, and attend client meetings.

LM Inc.'s internship program has provided learning opportunities for nearly 100 interns during its 16-year history.  The company accepts students at the junior or senior level who are pursuing journalism or public relations degrees.  For more information about LM Inc. internships, click here. 

May 12, 2011

Kalamazoo Spartan to intern at Okemos PR firm

Danielle Beer, a senior at Michigan State University has joined the staff of Lezotte Miller Public Relations Inc. as a project assistant intern for the summer term.

A journalism major, Beer was drawn to a public relations internship because she loves to write, but appreciates the variety PR has to offer.  She is specializing in public relations at MSU and has gotten involved in its chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).             

Prior to the internship, Beer held two internships in Madrid, Spain, as part of an MSU study abroad program.  The students spent three months interning and living with host families in Madrid last summer.  Beer’s internships were with a magazine called Welcome to Madrid, and a firm in the health club industry called SportsManagers.

“Because we were living and working in Spain for three months, we were fully engulfed in Spanish culture.  It was an incredible experience,” said Beer.

A Portage Northern High School graduate, Beer is expected to graduate from MSU in May 2012 and hopes to find a job in PR in Baltimore, MD.

LM Inc. is a public relations consulting firm based in Okemos serving associations, corporations, nonprofit organizations and government agencies since 1995.

May 11, 2011

Lezotte conducts crisis communication workshop for MBA

Barbara Lezotte was a presenter at the Michigan Bankers Association’s Education Summit and Trade Show in Traverse City April 21.

Titled “Crisis Communication: Plan, Prepare, Respond,” the presentation focused on avoiding unwanted and unexpected media attention, understanding news coverage, improving spokesperson effectiveness and long-term reputation management. 

“Even the best-run organizations are subject to accidents and employee errors or negligence,” says Lezotte. “Preparing for a media crisis should start long before an incident occurs and requires working through potential scenarios to determine who will respond and how.”

The three-day conference took place at the Grand Traverse Resort. For more information, visit www.mibankers.com.

Sept. 23, 2010

Magazine managed by Lezotte Miller earns award

Michigan Merit Magazine, a publication managed by Lezotte Miller as part of a comprehensive public relations program, received gold honorable mention in Michigan Society of Association Executives’ 9th Annual Diamond Awards, which recognizes achievement in the association industry.  Michigan Merit is a quarterly publication of Lansing-based Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan that keeps members informed and educates the construction industry on public policy and business issues.

Sept. 1, 2010

Two Spartan students intern at Okemos PR firm

Heather Nester, a communication senior at Michigan State University from Oxford, Mich. and Anne O'Dell a journalism and spanish senior at MSU from Lake Orion, Mich., have joined Lezotte Miller Inc. as a fall interns. 

As a project assistants for Lezotte Miller, Nester and O'Dell will be conducting research, writing articles for publications, assisting with media relations and creating promotional materials. 

At MSU, Nester has studied marketing, communication and public relations.  Nester is an active member of Public Relations Student Society of America.

 “The internship should give me the guidance and skills I need to further my public relations career when I graduate in May,” she says.

Before joining the Lezotte Miller team, O’Dell interned in the communication office at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment’s marketing, technology and education department. She worked with graphic designers, marketing professionals and web development teams to help revamp the image of the DNRE. She was responsible for the redesign of 98 state park brochures and 11 marketing cards across the state. 

O’Dell also was a reporting intern at The State News, MSU’s independent newspaper, prior to landing a full-time staff position as a designer where she produces graphic illustrations, interactive flash graphics and page layouts.  O’Dell will graduate in December 2010.

June 3, 2010

Grand Rapids Spartan interns at Lezotte Miller Inc.

Christine Yanosik, a senior at Michigan State University, has joined Lezotte Miller Inc., a public relations firm in Okemos, as a summer intern.              

Growing up in Grand Rapids, Yanosik strived to be apart of something professional and successful.  From her acceptance into MSU to her senior year as a journalism student, Yanosik has put in the hard work.       

“I thought I wanted to work as a print journalist, but when I learned the ins-and- outs of public relations, included client interactions, creative brainstorming and writing, I know I couldn’t pass up PR,” Yanosik said. 

Yanosik has joined the public relations specialization at MSU.  As an LM intern, Yanosik is researching and contacting clients, writing media releases and brainstorming public relations strategies.  She hopes to further her knowledge in public relations to succeed in the profession after graduating in May 2011.

Lezotte Miller is a public relations consulting firm serving associations, corporations, nonprofit organizations and government agencies since 1995.

April 15, 2009

Former Flint Journal editor joins Lezotte Miller Inc.

Mike Turner, former copy desk chief at The Flint Journal, has joined Okemos-based Lezotte Miller Public Relations Inc. as a public relations counselor/media specialist.

Turner has more than 20 years of print journalism experience.  He was a reporter and editor at The Flint Journal for 15 years as well as a business writer for The Bay City Times and Grand Rapids Business Journal.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University and has received numerous writing awards.  He serves on the Downtown Development Authority, Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals in the Shiawassee County community of Vernon.

May 1, 2008

Lezotte Miller Inc. recognized with public service award

Lezotte Miller Public Relations Inc. earned the 2008 Award of Achievement for Public Service from the Public Relations Society of America Central Michigan Chapter for its role in helping the Food Bank Council of Michigan raise awareness of hunger in Michigan. 

The Food Bank Council is a statewide organization committed to the alleviation of hunger.  It gathers food and funds to help stock Michigan’s member food banks, which serve people in all 83 counties.  It provides a central, single voice to the issue of hunger, statewide leadership and education about the need for food and food security

The PACE awards are presented annually by PRSA to recognize professional excellence.  Research, planning, execution and evaluation of the tactic or program are examined and judged.

March 1, 2008

Gull Lake schools selects Lezotte Miller for communications effort

Gull Lake Community Schools selected Lezotte Miller Inc. to spearhead its public relations and marketing effort.  The school district in northeastern Kalamazoo County is working to improve enrollment and retain students by reaching out to the community.

Lezotte Miller's staff is helping the school district with research, media relations and marketing.

July 11,2007

Michigan businesses unprepared for crisis

Almost a third (32 percent) of Michigan businesses are vulnerable to a crisis in which they are forced to confront negative press and communication challenges, according to a survey commissioned by Lezotte Miller Inc. and conducted by EPIC-MRA.  Only 15 percent have a plan in place to deal with negative publicity, and just 4 percent have updated the plan recently to deal with today’s media challenges.  The study of 600 Michigan businesses had a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.           

Nearly a third who agreed they were vulnerable had, in fact, already experienced negative publicity due to issues such as fraud, employee errors or harm to customers because of faulty products, etc. 

“The majority of business crises are preventable if businesses take the time to look critically at their operations,” says Barbara Lezotte, president of Lezotte Miller Public Relations Inc.  “Companies that assess vulnerabilities often are able to fix potential problems before they attract negative media coverage.”

Lezotte likens crisis planning for businesses to estate planning for families.
“They know they should do it, but most manage to put it off until it’s too late,” she says.  “Some of the most vulnerable businesses are drifting on a false sense of security that media crises are something that only happen to someone else.  We’ve worked with several well managed, successful companies who suddenly find themselves in the media spotlight due to an unintentional employee error or an event outside the company’s control.”

Lezotte stresses it’s much less costly to prevent crises than to try to salvage a company’s reputation once the damage has been done.

“Negative publicity can be the death knell for some companies, especially when strong competition exists.  When it’s too late for prevention, however, dealing with the issue head on is critical.  A company in crisis must respond effectively to media inquiries or risk being branded as guilty.  Incredibly, there are still business executives and their legal advisors who decide that media avoidance is the safest strategy.  Such a passive approach allows the media to define the company’s reputation, often erroneously.”

June 11, 2007

Lezotte Miller Inc. recognized for crisis communication expertise

Lezotte Miller Public Relations Inc. earned the top award from the Public Relations Society of America Central Michigan Chapter for its handling of negative publicity about one of Highfields’ programs. 

Highfields Inc., is a not-for-profit organization that serves children and families with in-home counseling, school programs and residential treatment.  Lezotte Miller helped communicate Highfields’ longstanding history of serving the mid-Michigan community and worked to restore public confidence in the organization.

The PACE awards are presented annually by PRSA to recognize professional excellence.  Research, planning, execution and evaluation of the tactic or program are examined and judged.

June 1, 2007

Lezotte named to board for Small Business Association of Michigan

Barbara Lezotte, APR, was elected by the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) to become a member of the group's Board of Directors. As a board member, Lezotte works with SBAM staff to improve the small business environment across the state.

SBAM is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community. Its mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy.

May 7, 2007

Former assistant editor joins Lezotte Miller Public Relations.

Jason Cody, formerly of the Lansing State Journal, has joined Lezotte Miller Public Relations Inc. as a PR counselor/media specialist.  Cody brings seven years of journalism experience to the position.

He was an assistant editor on the LSJ’s news and information desk, where he led many special projects, including the 2006 election coverage and the Ricky Holland case.  Cody previously worked on the copy desk, helping oversee nine copy editors in designing the daily paper and editing stories.

Cody is also a former assistant news editor at the Times Herald in Port Huron.
He graduated with honors from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, with a bachelor's degree in journalism and a double minor in sociology and history.