Listen to the segment-http://wra.podbean.com/2011/12/21/dine-nw-december-21-2011/
Dine Northwest is Washington’s favorite online dining guide and weekly radio show hosted by Shawn Sullivan and Heather Donahoe.
Showing posts with label Randall PR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Randall PR. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Lori Randall shares her public relations experience and why it is so important for restaurants on Dine Northwest Radio
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Randall PR is also on Facebook
"Like" the Randall PR Facebook page to receive updates on the latest wine and restaurant events! www.facebook.com/randallpr
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Hassle-Free Holidays: Gift Ideas From Around the Northwest
SEATTLE, Wash.—(November 24, 2010)—Do you hear what I hear? No, not jingle bells: Car horns a-honking, pushy shoppers yelling and continuous ding of the dreaded check-out line out the door. Wouldn’t it be nice to avoid it all, and find the perfect gift for everyone hassle-free? The following Northwest businesses have unwrapped presents and events so you can relax during the most hectic time of the year:
Festive Presents for Both Naughty and Nice at PersonalWineBottles.com: Custom, Personalized Wine Bottles For $82
www.PersonalWineBottles.com | @mywinebottles | Facebook | Flickr
Santa’s making a list, but this year he won’t have to check it twice: he’s ordering his presents from PersonalWineBottles.com. Whether the gift is for Hanukkah, Christmas or any holiday, PersonalWineBottles.com offers individually customized, hand-painted, hand-etched wine bottles making personalized gift-giving easy.
Customers select a design category like, “Seasons Greetings,” “Happy Chanukah,” “Happy New Year,” and “Merry Christmas.” Bottles can be further customized with up to two lines of text for a personalized message. Customers can select from 11 wines for their custom design. Designs and personal messaging is $75, plus the cost of wine, ranging from $7 to $37.50. Gift bags can be purchased for an additional $2.50.
To purchase a customized bottle of wine visit www.PersonalWineBottles.com.
Deck the Halls with Bottles of Wine from Tsillan Cellars: Six Mix-and-Match Bottles for Just $99
www.tsillancellars.com | @Tsillan_Cellars | Facebook
Tis’ the season to be jolly with the holiday special Tsillan Cellars is offering. Whether giving as a gift or stocking up for a winter party, Tsillan Cellars is offering six mix-and-match bottles for just $99. Choose from the 2007 Piccolo Rosso, 2007 Estate Barrel Select Syrah and 2007 Estate Chardonnay, which received 90 points in the June 2009 issue of Wine Spectator, and won double gold at the 2009 San Francisco Wine Competition. Purchase online or in the tasting room.
Additionally, those looking for a romantic holiday getaway can travel to Tsillan Cellars throughout the winter season. Start by sampling wines in the gorgeous, Tuscan-inspired tasting room. Then sit down for an unforgettable dinner at Sorrento’s Ristorante, Tsillan Cellars’ wildly popular restaurant. For reservations and more information, call (509) 682-5409.
Stuff a Stocking, Not a Turkey, with a Cafe Flora Gift Set: $80 for Cookbook, T-Shirt and $50 Gift Card
www.cafeflora.com | @cafefloraveg | Facebook
Seattle’s beloved vegetarian restaurant is celebrating the most wonderful time of year with a present that even a Grinch will love: a holiday gift set complete with a Cafe Flora cookbook, $50 gift card and a Cafe Flora t-shirt for only $80; a $95 value.
The cookbook features over 250 vegetarian and vegan recipes even meat eaters will adore. Plus, Cafe Flora’s t-shirts come from Ashbury Images, who puts 100 percent of the proceeds towards Ashbury Images’ mission of employing and supporting at-risk youth. This gift set is available from now until the end of December, and can be purchased at the restaurant.
Jumpstart a Resolution: $100 for 5 Sessions at Energy Fitness and Wellness
www.energyfitandwell.com | @EnergyFitnWell | Facebook
Fruitcake is so 2009. This year, give the gift of fitness and nutrition with an Energy Fitness and Wellness gift card. For only $100, the holiday package includes five sessions with a personal fitness guru. This limited-time holiday offer is available by calling Energy Fitness and Wellness directly at (206) 283-0526.
Located on gorgeous Lake Union, Energy Fitness and Wellness focuses on holistic health, balanced nutrition and tailored workouts. Services include personal training, customized nutrition planning and group fitness classes. For more info, visit www.energyfitandwell.com.
Waterfront Seafood Grill Makes Spirits Bright at Annual Winemaker Dinner with Mark Ryan Winery, Sleight of Hand and Sparkman Cellars on December 21
www.waterfrontpier70.com | @waterfront70 | Facebook
Wine and dine that special someone during a Pier 70 holiday tradition: Waterfront Seafood Grill’s 7th Annual Winemaker Dinner on December 21 with Mark McNeilly of Mark Ryan Winery, Trey Busch of Sleight of Hand Cellars and Chris Sparkman of Sparkman Cellars.
The dinner will be held in the Eastbay room at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $125 per person plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling (206) 624-4060.
Executive Chef Peter Levine has created a five course dinner with wines specially paired:
Seared Weathervane scallop – 2009 Mark Ryan Viognier & 2009 Sparkman Lumière Chardonnay
Smoked duck breast salad – 2009 Sleight of Hand Magician’s Assistant Rosé & 2007 Sparkman Ruby Leigh
Roasted Yellow fin tuna – 2008 Mark Ryan Crazy Mary Mourvedre & 2008 Sleight of Hand Levitation Syrah
Fire-roasted leg of lamb – 2008 Mark Ryan Dead Horse, 2008 Sleight of Hand Spellbinder & 2007 Sparkman Kingpin Cabernet Sauvignon
Banana coconut cream pie – paired wines to be decided
All I Want For Christmas is Gift Cards, Caramels and More From Heavy Restaurant Locations: Barrio, Purple Café & Wine Bar, and LOT No. 3
www.thepurplecafe.com | www.barriorestaurant.com | www.lotno3.com
This year, Purple Café & Wine Bar, Barrio Restaurant and LOT No. 3 are the places to mark off everything on Santa’s list. House made caramels, sold at every location, come in a special holiday package three for $5 or a dozen for $18, and make sweet stocking stuffers. Gift cards suit everyone’s liking, and are redeemable at any Heavy Restaurant location. Gift cards can be bought online or at the restaurant. For a little more Christmas cheer, Purple is selling most bottles and cases from their wine list at 40 percent off the retail price.
All three restaurants also offer catering and private dining for the holidays. Be a secret Santa and select from a variety of box lunches for coworkers or skip the holiday meal planning and order a la carte platters from the restaurants. To plan a family or business gathering, contact groupdining@heavyrestaurantgroup.com or call (206) 838-3853.
Barrio Bellevue
10650 NE 4th St., Bellevue (425) 502-5021
December 24 – Seating until 2 p.m.
December 25 – Closed, all day
Barrio Capitol Hill
1420 12th Ave., Seattle (206) 588-8105
December 24 – Seating until 2 p.m.
December 25 – Closed, all day
Cafe Flora
2901 E. Madison St., Seattle (206) 325-9100
December 24 – Closed, all day
December 25 – Closed, all day
El Gaucho Tacoma
2119 Pacific Ave., Tacoma (253) 272-1510
December 24 – Dinner, seating 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.
December 25 – Closed, all day
El Gaucho Portland
319 SW Broadway, Portland (503) 227-8794
December 24 – Dinner, seating 4:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.
December 25 – Closed, all day
El Gaucho Seattle
2505 First Ave., Seattle (206) 728-1337
December 24 – Dinner, seating 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
December 25– Closed, all day
El Gaucho Bellevue
10903 NE 6th St., Bellevue (425) 455-2742
December 24 – Happy hour at 4 p.m., dinner seating 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
December 25 – Closed, all day
LOT No. 3
460 106th Ave. NE, Bellevue (425) 440-0025
December 24 – Seating until 2 p.m.
December 25 – Closed, all day
Purple Café & Wine Bar Bellevue
430 106th Ave. NE, Bellevue (425) 502-6292
December 24 – Seating until 2 p.m.
December 25 – Closed, all day
Purple Café & Wine Bar Kirkland
323 Park Place Center, Kirkland (425) 828-3772
December 24 – Seating until 2 p.m.
December 25 – Closed, all day
Purple Café & Wine Bar Seattle
1225 4th Ave., Seattle (206) 829-2280
December 24 – Seating until 2 p.m.
December 25 – Closed, all day
Purple Café & Wine Bar Woodinville
14459 Woodinville-Redmond Rd. NE, Woodinville (425) 483-7129
December 24 – Seating until 2 p.m.
December 25 – Closed, all day
Waterfront Seafood Grill
2801 Alaskan Way, Pier 70, Seattle (206) 956-9171
December 24 – Open 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
December 25 – Closed, all day
# # #
Happy Holidays!
Media Contact: Ashley McLean
Randall PR / (206) 624-5757
Monday, June 7, 2010
Lori Randall Talks to The Good Life's Guy Bower About #WARose
Lori Randall was on The Good Life with Guy Bower this past Saturday talking about our upcoming Tastelive.com event with Paul Gregutt. Listen to them discuss the #WARose event June 10, why TasteLive is so innovative and how you can participate!
Lori comes on the show around the 42:30 mark:
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
How to Register for the #WARose Tasting with Paul Gregutt
Wondering how to participate in the Randall PR TasteLive event with Paul Gregutt June 10? Check out our video on how to register through TasteLive.com!
Hooray for Rosé!
#WARose Tasting with Paul Gregutt
Thursday, June 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. PST
Rosé Wines tasted will be:
Hooray for Rosé!
#WARose Tasting with Paul Gregutt
Thursday, June 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. PST
Rosé Wines tasted will be:
- Syncline Wine Cellars 2009 Rosé, Columbia Valley ($16)
- Waters Winery 2009 Rosé, Walla Walla Valley ($18)
- Chinook Wines 2009 Cabernet Franc Rosé, Yakima Valley ($14.99)
- Sleight of Hand Cellars 2009 Rosé of Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley ($17.99)
- Charles & Charles 2009 Rosé of Syrah, Columbia Valley ($12.99)
- Lullaby Winery 2008 Rosé of Grenache, Columbia Valley ($16)
- Barnard Griffin 2009 Rosé of Sangiovese, Columbia Valley ($12)
- Dusted Valley 2009 Rosé, Columbia Valley ($18)
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Randall Public Relations and Paul Gregutt Team Up for Virtual Wine Tasting June 10
Randall Public Relations and Paul Gregutt Team Up for Virtual Wine Tasting June 10
Fans Can Taste Washington Dry Rosé Along With Pacific Northwest’s Most Distinguished Wine Personality on TasteLive!
SEATTLE, Wash.—(June 1, 2010)— Ever wonder what it’s like to be a professional wine reviewer?
Randall PR invites wine enthusiasts everywhere to join Paul Gregutt in a tasting of some of Washington’s finest dry rosé wines. What makes this wine tasting extra special is that the event is happening live, online and the entire world is invited.
Participants can share observations, join the conversation, post photos and ask Paul Gregutt and our guest winemakers questions via TasteLive!, the world’s premier online wine-tasting community.
Randall PR uses TasteLive! and other social media tools to unite wine professionals, restaurateurs and suppliers directly with bloggers and consumers. “Last year we recognized the changing media landscape and started looking for new tools like search engine optimization and expanded offerings such as video and streaming. We’ll continue to offer wine, food and travel-centric events like this in the weeks and months to come,” says Lori Randall.
Ryan Pennington of Washington Wine Commission agrees. “Social media-based tastings, such as #WARose, #WAMerlot and #WAWine, efficiently broadcast the message that Washington State is one of the most exciting wine regions in the country, if not the world.”
Hooray for Rosé! A Virtual Tasting with Paul Gregutt
Hosted by: Randall Public Relations
Where: Online at TasteLive.com
When: Thursday, June 10, 5:30 to 7 p.m., PDT
Hashtag: #WARose
Joining in on the fun is an easy, three-step process.
- First, consumers are invited to purchase one or more of the following wines, many of which are available at Metropolitan Market, PCC Natural Markets or by contacting the winery directly:
Syncline Wine Cellars, 2009 Rosé, Columbia Valley ($16)
Waters Winery, 2009 Rosé, Walla Walla Valley ($18)
Chinook Wines, 2009 Cabernet Franc Rosé, Yakima Valley ($14.99)
Sleight of Hand Cellars, 2009 Rosé of Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley ($17.99)
Charles & Charles, 2009 Rosé of Syrah, Columbia Valley ($12.99)
Barnard Griffin, 2009 Rosé of Sangiovese, Columbia Valley ($12)
Lullaby Winery, 2008 Rosé of Grenache, Columbia Valley ($16)
Dusted Valley, 2009 Rosé, Columbia Valley ($18)
- Second, become a TasteLive! member (free) and pre-register for the event.
- Third, on June 10 at 5:30 p.m. PDT, log on to the TasteLive! Randall PR page, and prepare to taste. TasteLive! can also be accessed via Twitter, and followed at #WARose.
“I’m excited to share this tasting with other wine lovers using this new medium, because it seems like a terrific way to connect with experienced wine drinkers and to encourage those new to wine tasting. Live streaming is something I have wanted to explore and I am delighted to be taking the plunge with my good friends at Randall PR,” says Paul Gregutt.
About Paul Gregutt:
Based in Seattle, Gregutt’s longstanding reputation as a highly respected wine expert continues to grow. Recognized as the preeminent authority on wines of Washington and Oregon, he maintains a lively wine blog at http://www.paulgregutt.com, which is currently a Wine Blog Awards Finalist for “Best Writing on a Wine Blog.” He is a contributor and columnist for numerous respected publications and author of the critically acclaimed Washington Wines & Wineries—The Essential Guide (2008), soon to be released in a revised edition. Paul can be found at paulgregutt on Facebook and @paulgwine on Twitter.
About Randall PR:
When Lori Randall founded Randall Public Relations in 2001, she was committed to supporting and promoting Washington’s rapidly expanding wine industry. Their proven track record of success has earned recognition as the PR firm for the Washington Restaurant Associations Consulting Network and the title of “…the wineries PR firm” by The Puget Sound Business Journal. The scope of work also includes food, sprit and travel clients such as Washington Restaurant Group, Waters Winery, Tsillan Cellars, Mackay Restaurants, Northwest Cellars and Down Under Answers.
Website: www.randallpr.com, Twitter: @randallpr, Facebook: Randall PR Blog: sizzleandswirl
About TasteLive!
TasteLive! is an online platform that leverages the social media tools of Twitter, Facebook, Posterous and other services to create a community that brings together consumers, bloggers, press, suppliers, brewers and winemakers around the world simultaneously to share in their favorite beverages. Never before have consumers had the ability to directly interact with the producers making the wine and beer no matter where they are in the world.
# # #
Media Contact: Andrea Courtney
Randall PR / (206) 624-5757
Monday, April 19, 2010
How to Respond to User Reviews
“People are already talking. Your only option is to join the conversation” - Andy Sernovitz (Gaspedal CEO and SmartBrief on Social Media Editor At Large)
We are often asked by business owners whether or not they should respond to user reviews on sites such as Yelp, Urban Spoon, etc. Randall PR researched this topic and came up with a few guidelines below.
Sites that identify a business owner response: Yelp, Trip advisor, Twitter
Clients may also post responses on other sites such as Urban Spoon, but they should identify themselves as the business.
NEGATIVE REVIEWS
Not all bad reviews elicit responses; everybody gets a negative comment at some point and some users tend to be more negative than others. It may be ineffective to respond to comments when there is not constructive criticism in the user complaint.
When to NOT respond:
1. If a user is complaining about something that is out of the client’s control
2. If the user comment is unreasonable or inappropriate
When to respond:
1. The client needs to make amends (something was genuinely wrong)
2. The review has its facts wrong (the client can politely correct the facts)
3. The review develops legs: other users are agreeing and engaging in the post (a client does not want this to happen, so they should get in conversation and try to smooth things over)
How:
1. Listen, find the root of the problem and address it specifically
2. Thank the user for bringing the concern to your attention
3. Be honest and sincere
4. Remain calm and DON’T make excuses or get defensive – A “no response” is better than an angry response
5. Speak like a real person and not too formal or robot-like
6. Offer a solution if possible - Give a sign that you understood them and tell how you are fixing/changing the area of concern
7. Invite them to come in again and try the food or taste the wine and guarantee an improved experience (see examples below on whether or not to host them and whether they should be invited privately or publicly)
Business studies:
1. Yelp reviews often bring attention to things businesses don’t realize they are doing wrong and give productive criticism. In this case, clients can sincerely apologize and thank the user for taking the time to bring this to their attention. The client can tell them how they looked into their complaint and what they did to fix it.
2. One business owner responded privately to legitimate complaints, often giving out her personal contact info and times she would be working, asking the user to come back and see her. Some users gave this business a second chance, while others commented on Yelp that the owner was “sending messages to all people not giving stellar reviews…shady business.” It seems more effective to respond to negative comments publicly. This shows other users that the client cares and exhibits how they deal with concerns.
3. When posting a response to a negative comment, clients may give out personal contact information, adding that the client would like to personally make sure that they have a better experience. If the user takes the time to contact the client, the client can decide the best way to proceed (hosted or not) so that they have a better experience.
4. We advise to not invite a negative comment reviewer in for a hosted meal or tasting publicly. This is because other reviewers may see this and comment negatively without having a negative experience thinking they too can get free meals or wine. If the client decides to host the reviewer, they should let the reviewer know privately through e-mail or Twitter direct message.
POSITIVE REVIEWS
Do’s
1. Listen and learn from positive comments to generate new ideas and programs.
2. Clients should take the opportunity to connect with the users who take the time to comment positively about them, perhaps by notifying them personally about upcoming events and programs.
3. Often a short “Hi _____! Thanks for the great comment. By the way next week we are offering (such and such a deal). See you soon at______” can be effective. Suggestions about menu items or wines to taste for the next visit can also be an effective way to reach out to a user.
Ex: “I’m glad you loved the soup! Another one of my favorite dishes is here is the ____”
“If you loved our Cabernet, I recommend you taste the Merlot as well! It received 92 points in Wine Spectators and pairs great with Chocolate”
Don’ts
1. Yelp’s Luther Lowe discourages a company from attaching tangible “rewards” in response to good reviews. If someone writes an unsolicited 5-star review, it can rub some people the wrong way to get a “thank you” note from a business owner saying, “Thank you for your review of our restaurant/winery. We would like to offer you a complimentary dinner/wine tasting for two.”
We are often asked by business owners whether or not they should respond to user reviews on sites such as Yelp, Urban Spoon, etc. Randall PR researched this topic and came up with a few guidelines below.
Sites that identify a business owner response: Yelp, Trip advisor, Twitter
Clients may also post responses on other sites such as Urban Spoon, but they should identify themselves as the business.
NEGATIVE REVIEWS
Not all bad reviews elicit responses; everybody gets a negative comment at some point and some users tend to be more negative than others. It may be ineffective to respond to comments when there is not constructive criticism in the user complaint.
When to NOT respond:
1. If a user is complaining about something that is out of the client’s control
2. If the user comment is unreasonable or inappropriate
When to respond:
1. The client needs to make amends (something was genuinely wrong)
2. The review has its facts wrong (the client can politely correct the facts)
3. The review develops legs: other users are agreeing and engaging in the post (a client does not want this to happen, so they should get in conversation and try to smooth things over)
How:
1. Listen, find the root of the problem and address it specifically
2. Thank the user for bringing the concern to your attention
3. Be honest and sincere
4. Remain calm and DON’T make excuses or get defensive – A “no response” is better than an angry response
5. Speak like a real person and not too formal or robot-like
6. Offer a solution if possible - Give a sign that you understood them and tell how you are fixing/changing the area of concern
7. Invite them to come in again and try the food or taste the wine and guarantee an improved experience (see examples below on whether or not to host them and whether they should be invited privately or publicly)
Business studies:
1. Yelp reviews often bring attention to things businesses don’t realize they are doing wrong and give productive criticism. In this case, clients can sincerely apologize and thank the user for taking the time to bring this to their attention. The client can tell them how they looked into their complaint and what they did to fix it.
2. One business owner responded privately to legitimate complaints, often giving out her personal contact info and times she would be working, asking the user to come back and see her. Some users gave this business a second chance, while others commented on Yelp that the owner was “sending messages to all people not giving stellar reviews…shady business.” It seems more effective to respond to negative comments publicly. This shows other users that the client cares and exhibits how they deal with concerns.
3. When posting a response to a negative comment, clients may give out personal contact information, adding that the client would like to personally make sure that they have a better experience. If the user takes the time to contact the client, the client can decide the best way to proceed (hosted or not) so that they have a better experience.
4. We advise to not invite a negative comment reviewer in for a hosted meal or tasting publicly. This is because other reviewers may see this and comment negatively without having a negative experience thinking they too can get free meals or wine. If the client decides to host the reviewer, they should let the reviewer know privately through e-mail or Twitter direct message.
POSITIVE REVIEWS
Do’s
1. Listen and learn from positive comments to generate new ideas and programs.
2. Clients should take the opportunity to connect with the users who take the time to comment positively about them, perhaps by notifying them personally about upcoming events and programs.
3. Often a short “Hi _____! Thanks for the great comment. By the way next week we are offering (such and such a deal). See you soon at______” can be effective. Suggestions about menu items or wines to taste for the next visit can also be an effective way to reach out to a user.
Ex: “I’m glad you loved the soup! Another one of my favorite dishes is here is the ____”
“If you loved our Cabernet, I recommend you taste the Merlot as well! It received 92 points in Wine Spectators and pairs great with Chocolate”
Don’ts
1. Yelp’s Luther Lowe discourages a company from attaching tangible “rewards” in response to good reviews. If someone writes an unsolicited 5-star review, it can rub some people the wrong way to get a “thank you” note from a business owner saying, “Thank you for your review of our restaurant/winery. We would like to offer you a complimentary dinner/wine tasting for two.”
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