BLOGGING ABOUT BLOGS

When a client of Zapwater’s ended up on a popular blog, the client was amazed at the impact it had. The client’s surprise and joy reminded me of an article I had read in Business 2.0 a few years ago entitled How to Capture the Buzz. I clipped the article because it showed the power of this “new” media we call blogs.

Here is an excerpt:

Mentions in popular blogs can make a brand famous overnight. Here are some of the most influential tastemakers and products they've helped popularize.

GIZMODO
A guide to new gadgets and cool toys for tech lovers.
Web Traffic: 1.5 million unique visitors/month
Results: Three days after an endorsement from Gizmodo, hits at DiscHub's website jumped from 20 to 10,000. DiscHub founder Jonathan Bruck says the mention made his company a success.

MOCO LOCO
One-stop browsing for enthusiasts of modern design and architecture.
Web Traffic: 170,000 unique visitors/month
Results: After Moco Loco wrote about Lionel Dimitri's $4,900 aquarium, the tank landed on the cover of Robb Report Luxury Home magazine.

DAILYCANDY
Recommends must-have clothes and cosmetics.
Web Traffic: 1 million subscribers
Results: Ladies' Home Journal, O magazine, and Vibe called for interviews after Cheen Chandra's elegant Indian jewelry appeared on the blog.

TREEHUGGER
Highlights the latest in green products, from toilets to rock-climbing gear.
Web Traffic: 30,000 unique visitors/month
Results: When Treehugger wrote about Voltaic's solar-powered backpack, traffic to the company's website spiked from nothing to 5,000 visits in 24 hours. CNN, Discovery Channel, and Playboy all ran stories about the bag.

LUXIST
Previews stuff that celebs and wannabes are dying to get their hands on.
Web Traffic: 400,000 unique visitors/month
Results: Traffic to the website of Ikon Vodka, a Canadian spirits company, jumped 400 percent to 300,000 hits a month after coverage by Luxist.

David Zapata
Zapwater Communications

KUDOS TO USO OF ILLINOIS' PRESIDENT & COO

The USO of Illinois Family warmly congratulates Lisa Moeller, USO of Illinois President & COO as she has been nominated as the 2007 General John Logan Chicago Patriot Award Recipient. General Logan credited with creating Memorial Day is the name sake of this prestigious award given by Mayor Richard M. Daley as part of the Memorial Day Celebrations in the City of Chicago… past recipients have include:

1999 Irv Kupcinet for his sponsorship and leadership of the Purple Hearts Cruises
2000 Illinois Secretary of State & 101st Airborne Veteran Jesse White
2004 Colonel James B. Hickey
2005 COL (IL) James N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Ret.)

The presentation of the General John Logan Chicago Patriot Award is part of the Chicago Memorial Day Parade Wreath Laying and Opening Ceremony – Saturday 26th Daily Plaza; 11:00am.

The USO of Illinois is Zapwater Communications' Pro-Bono Client and we're proud to tell the world about the amazing work the USO does in support of the brave men and women who serve our country.

THE QUALITY BEHIND QUALITY FLOAT WORKS, INC.

Did you ever wonder how a gas pump turns off just at the right moment?

It’s called a metal float and the northwest suburbs of Chicago are home to the nation’s premier metal float ball manufacturer in the country. Quality Float Works, Inc. serves customers throughout the United States, Canada, Asia and Europe who rely specifically on floats to operate their equipment. Though many giants in the United States manufacturing industry have struggled to maintain export profits with increasing competition from international competitors, Quality Float Works, Inc. has grown by using innovation to break into new markets, meeting customer demands and placing a premium on quality prooducts.

So how did they do it?

Under the leadership of its Vice President and General Manager, Jason Speer, the company looked abroad for new customers to expand their business. And, they found them. In his lifetime, Jason has traveled to more than 80 countries and witnessed how developing countries were lacking basic infrastructure needs, especially when it came to drinking water. When he returned to home, the company started manufacturing float valve assemblies and now many of their float assemblies are used to purify drinking water throughout the world. Due to that innovation, the company has grown by 50 percent with international sales accounting for 16 percent of total revenue. And, this past year the company has achieved record sales.

As the company has grown, Jason has also become a leading voice in shaping public policy since government policies can impact small businesses and the manufacturing industry dramatically. Jason serves in leadership positions with several state and federal business associations and has been a sought after voice on how current issues affect businesses. He broke the mold as the first representative of a small company on the National Association of Manufacturers Public Affairs Committee and serves in leadership capacities with the National Federation of Independent Business, Illinois Manufacturing Association, Schaumburg Business Association and the Streamwood Chamber of Commerce. He has also been tapped to comment on how public policy affects small businesses and manufacturers. In April, Fortune Small Business featured Jason’s comments on how recent federal tax policies and new attitudes might impact small businesses. Just this month, Recently, The New York Times asked Jason to provide his expertise on international trade and exports due to a weakened dollar.

It takes an open mind and an active imagination to provide customers with not only what they need, but what they never knew they could have. With quality leadership like Jason Speer propelling its growth, the future is bright for Quality Float Works, Inc.

Ryan McLaughlin
VP/Group Director, Public Affairs

WINE WINE WINE

As the patio opens…the wino is unleashed!

It’s that time of the year, when you can find any excuse to sit out on a patio and enjoy a nice cold beverage. I personally take full advantage of this time of the year and what’s better than accompanying it with a fresh, crisp, cool glass of white wine.

Now I am a wine lover but not quite as educated on wine as I would like to be- lucky for me we just signed a new client that should help my wine awareness (to say the least). Swirl Wine Bar (111 W. Hubbard)!

Swirl has some fun upcoming events and I have made it my personal goal to attend these to gain knowledge on my personal likes, dislikes and to be able to speak the wine lingo like I’m a true sommelier.

In recent days Swirl’s co-owner Rich Vallejo has educated me on different whites and I have found my new personal favorite- TORRONTES, CRIOS, VALLE DE CAFAYATE, ARGENTINA 2006. This light white is perfectly priced (usually around $40 in a restaurant), extremely refreshing, smooth, sweet and most importantly, made by Argentina’s only female wine grower, Susanna Balboa.

Rich has taught me that each wine has a story and it’s the story that you remember and that helps you connect to the wine itself. I challenge you to find your summer fav!

And if guidance is what you’re in need of feel free to stop by Swirl Wine Bar (111 W. Hubbard), May 29th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm for a wine tasting- “Light Whites For Hot Summer Nights”. The night entails 12 refreshing sparkling and crisp whites offered by Vignobles and Vintage, passed hors d’oeuvres prepared by Swirl executive chef, Luis Sanchez and expert commentary by the wine guru’s! Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the door please reserve by calling 312.898.9800.

Ali Hazlinger
Senior Publicist