AKCommunicates! May 2012 |
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Welcome to the new AKCommunicates!, which now includes the AKC Syndicate.
In this issue:
Regards, |
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| AKC Communications |
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| News from AKC President, Dennis Sprung |
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We work hard at AKC to take fancier input into account and implement changes that make things easier for exhibitors and clubs.
I'd like to share some of AKC's most recent developments where your contributions have mattered greatly. As always, we welcome continued feedback.
Read more here. |
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| Club PR Tips & Tools |
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| More Resources Available to Help Your Club Gain Publicity |
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We are always adding great tools to the Media Template Page. NEW this month:
- 4-6 Month Puppy Competition and Open Show Media Kits – Clubs who are adding the 4-6 Month Puppy Competition to their show or hosting a stand-alone Open Show are encouraged to publicize these new events to their community to increase attendance and interest in both events. Media kits have been created to help your club in the task of notifying the media. Visit the Media Templates Page to download them.
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| AKC Programs & Exhibitor News |
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| Last Call! Nominate your Canine Hero by June 1st for the AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence |
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Heroes, like dogs, come in all shapes and sizes. Since 2000, dog lovers have nominated hundreds of special canines for the AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). This year's ACE nominations are open to all dogs, including purebreds and mixed-breeds.
If you know of a heroic canine that has performed a great service for its owner or community, choose a category – Companion, Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Therapy or Service – and submit him or her for an ACE by June 1st!
Learn more and download a nomination form here. |
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| New 'Companion Events Extravaganza' Recognizing Top Dogs in Agility, Obedience and AKC Rally® Debuts in 2013 |
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Beginning in 2013, the American Kennel Club® (AKC®) will celebrate the top dogs in AKC Companion Events with the "Companion Events Extravaganza," a multi-day event that will feature Championship events for Obedience and Agility and a new national competition for AKC Rally®.
On March 15-17, 2013 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the National Obedience Championship (formerly known as the National Obedience Invitational) will move from its usual calendar date in December to run in conjunction with the National Agility Championship.
Read more here. |
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| Social Media Corner |
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| Facebook Tips from Parent Clubs |
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A parent club officer recently posted a question about Facebook on the AKC Parent Club Conference Yahoo Group. She wanted to know what kind of content and moderation a club Facebook page would require. Several parent club members responded with helpful tips that you should consider before creating your own Facebook page:
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of America lets anyone that 'likes' the page to post and moderate for negative comments. The club posts about upcoming events, rescues in need and breed topics like health, BSL and training. The Facebook page allows them to reach a wider audience than just the club membership – about 850 breed enthusiasts 'like' the page, while the club has 300 members.
The Norwegian Lundehund Association only allows board members to start a thread on the Facebook page, but allows anyone to reply to it.
The American Belgian Tervuren Club employs four officers/chairpeople to administer its page. The club posts the same announcements on Facebook that go to the Yahoo group list, but also shares old photos of dogs and people every Thursday. As with the NLA, only administrators may start threads. National Specialty news and updates have been posted on the page in the past, but the National Specialty committee now has its own Facebook page for updates. Like the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of America, the club feels it reaches a more worldwide audience of breed enthusiasts through Facebook!
The Newfoundland Club of America has three pages - a main club page, a Juniors page and a page for its Charitable Trust - which post general club info, news about the rescue/health challenge and junior news and information, respectively. The NCA moderates the page and removes any advertisements or solicitations. Posts must comply with NCA's Community Standards |
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| AKC Syndicate |
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The AKC Syndicate provides free editorial content about all things dog for editors everywhere. If you serve as your club's newsletter editor or webmaster, the Syndicate may be a useful resource for you.
You can access it online here. The username is akcnews and the password is editor. Here are this month's additions to the Syndicate: |
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| Ask AKC with Lisa Peterson |
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Every month, longtime breeder, owner and handler Lisa Peterson fields your questions about all aspects of dog ownership. In this issue – putting a stop to counter surfing, and clearing up confusion about entering Obedience trials.
Read Lisa's advice here.
Listen to the latest episode of AKC's Pick of the Litter podcast! This month features AKC's Breeder of the Year, Black Russian Terriers and dogs in the military. |
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| Quick Tip: |
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| When Bugs Attack: AKC Family Dog Offers Tips on Keeping Your Dog Safe from Fleas, Ticks, and Mosquitoes |
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As the days get longer and warmer, people tend to spend more time outdoors with their four-legged friends. Unfortunately, little critters such as fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes spend their time outside too and your dog makes a very nice home for them. They're not just annoying to your dog - they are dangerous. Fleas can lead to severe itching and skin damage, ticks can cause Lyme Disease, and mosquitoes can transmit heartworm.
Read more here. |
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| Breed of the Month |
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| AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Belgian Tervuren |
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Intelligent, courageous and alert, the Belgian Tervuren is marked by its devotion to work and family. Elegant in appearance, the Belgian Tervuren's color is a rich fawn to russet mahogany with black overlay. The Terv owes its name to the Belgian village of Tervuren, the home of M.F. Corbeel, an early devotee of the breed. Excelling in obedience and agility competitions, this breed also makes an excellent therapy or guide dog for the disabled, as well as being outstanding at their original job of herding.
Read more here. |
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| AKC News |
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| Public Education |
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| AKC Art Contest |
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Spread the word to kids in your community - we're looking for AKC Art Contest entries!
For this year's art contest, kids are asked to draw, paint or color a picture showing how they are a responsible dog owner. First, second and third placements and prizes are given in three age groups: K-2nd, 3rd-5th and 6th-8th.
Entries will also be eligible for the AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Days art contest in September.
A printable flyer is available here. |
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| Kudos To... |
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Kudos to the following clubs for promoting AKC events, activities and opportunities across the country. Recognizing and utilizing your members' particular expertise and capabilities to put your own "spin" on AKC's message points helps them go even further.
Kudos to...
Toledo Kennel Club for using a great angle to promote their upcoming dog show. TKC is celebrating its 100th anniversary dog show this June and achieved an article placement in local paper The Mirror prior to the event based on this club milestone. Is news about your club not getting picked up by local media because it's the same old stuff? Highlight anything new and different to local editors, including club anniversaries; inaugural events like the 4-6 Month Puppy Class, Owner-Handler Series or Open Show; high entry totals; rare never-before-seen breeds in your city and more! Contact communications@akc.org if you'd like assistance in determining what's new and different about your club!
Northern Neck Kennel Club for promoting the AKC Canine Good Citizen® program in the Rappahannock Record. The club held a recent CGC test and shared the names of the teams who passed the test with the local paper. The club also got in a mention of the fall and spring classes it offers and its website. If you'd like to promote your club's CGC or S.T.A.R. Puppy classes, we have media templates available here under Public Education pitching.
Has your club gone above and beyond in the community? Let us know at communications@akc.org and you could receive a Kudos! |
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| Website Spotlight |
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| Silky Terrier Club of Central Florida |
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Says Club President Sandy Mesmer: "The Silky Terrier Club of Central Florida is a small regional club, but our website is clear-cut with ample interesting information about the club, the breed and our events."
We agree! Most impressively, the page is incredibly consumer-friendly and dedicated to those looking for a new Silky family member. Breeder Referral contact information with a phone number and email address is prominently featured on the front page. There is also a list of what to look for in a responsible breeder and how to be a responsible pet owner, as well as upcoming events that Silky enthusiasts can attend, like AKC Meet the Breeds® at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando and upcoming specialties.
The site is created with WordPress, which is an easy way for clubs on a budget to make a page. Try it yourself!
Do you think your club's website could serve as an example for other clubs? If you think it deserves recognition, let us know and we could spotlight it here. Send us your website address at communications@akc.org. |
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| Social Media Spotlight |
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| Clackamas Kennel Club |
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The CKC has received more than 500 'likes' on its Facebook page.
With the club's show coming up in June, the page is being used to share news and updates about the event and its surrounding activities, like a match, microchip clinic and affiliated specialties. There is also a great video about improvements made to the club's show grounds.
Consider creating your own Facebook page to share news with your members and dog lovers in the community about your upcoming shows and events. Make sure to include the Facebook page address next to your website address on any written or promotional material your club creates! |
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We're featuring clubs that have outstanding social media pages. Does your club have a fabulous Facebook page? Do you tweet regularly? Can prospective club members check out your YouTube page? Send us a link at communications@akc.org and you could see your social media page here.
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Thanks to all of the clubs that routinely generate positive media coverage. If your club has an idea or success story to share, please send it to: Stephanie Smith, Club Communications Manager, American Kennel Club, 4th Floor, 260 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 or send us your brag in an email to communications@akc.org. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
The AKC Communications Team
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