CLIENT: Miller Marketing Advertising & PR
PROJECTS: Wrote press releases for various clients; examples shown below.
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[FOR CUPCAKE JONES]
Cupcake Jones
www.cupcakejones.net
307 NW 10th Ave., Portland, OR 97209
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn Miller at 503-245-3132
carolyn@millermkt.com
Cupcake Jones delivers sweet relief during tough times
While businesses across the country cut back on giving, a local bakery decides to do more, one cupcake at a time
PORTLAND, Ore. April 3, 2009 – When the economy is down, donation requests to local businesses skyrocket. The Pearl District’s Cupcake Jones, known for its ongoing philanthropy, has come up with an innovative way to respond to the 5-20 requests it receives every day. Owners Lisa Watson and Peter Shanky just unveiled their new Benefit Days program, which offers 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations the opportunity to enter a drawing for their own Benefit Day at Cupcake Jones. Four lucky organizations’ names will be drawn each month, earning the recipients 5% of the cupcakery’s proceeds on their selected Benefit Day.
“One of the reasons we went into business was to be able to do more giving than we could ever do in our personal lives,” Lisa Watson explains. “We’re so excited to have built a successful business while being able to give so much money – and so many cupcakes! – to so many deserving organizations.”
Who are the recipients of Cupcake Jones’s sought-after treats? Blanchet House, a local homeless shelter, receives weekly donations of their leftover creations and unused ingredients. Our House, which supports people living with HIV/AIDS, is another beneficiary.
“Lisa and Peter have been amazing supporters of Our House, as well as many other nonprofits in the Portland area. They have come to mean more to us than just a vendor that has helped us when we needed it; they have become part of our family,” says James Lindquist, Events Manager of Our House.
Cupcake Jones also gives cupcakes and gift certificates to numerous local schools and Boys & Girls Clubs. They bake cupcakes for Camp Starlight, the Red Dress Party, Our House/Ester’s Pantry, Basic Rights Oregon, OHSU, PSU Athletics, and St. Mary’s Academy, as well as dozens of other organizations. They also participate in the annual national event “Cupcakes for a Cause,” which benefits CancerCare for Kids. Through Portland Public Libraries, they have reached out to the broader community, running a series of free programs on cupcake baking and decorating.
“We appreciate the opportunity,” Lisa Watson insists. “It’s a privilege to be able to really help our nonprofit partners, who do such important work.”
Cupcake Jones is truly one sweet example of a local Portland business that prioritizes giving back to the community, in good times and in bad.
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Cupcake Jones was founded in 2007 by Lisa Watson and Peter Shanky, a local husband-and-wife team in Portland, Oregon. Many of their community involvements, photos and stories can be found at www.cupcakejones.net.
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[FOR SINJU]
Sinju Restaurant
www.SinjuRestaurant.com/Trilogy
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn Miller at 503-245-3132
carolyn@millermkt.com
Sinju Cheers “Kampai!” to Third Restaurant
Portland’s Sinju Restaurant throws a Trilogy celebration to mark the opening of its third Japanese restaurant, in Clackamas Town Center
PORTLAND, Ore. June 19, 2009 – Sinju, Portland’s popular Japanese restaurant, is hoping to be the bearer of better things to come to the Clackamas area after months of hard economic times.
Sinju has been serving Portlanders fine Japanese cuisine at its location in the Pearl District since 2001; its Bridgeport Village restaurant opened in 2005. The opening of its Clackamas Town Center restaurant marks its expansion to Portland’s east side, where it will offer authentic Japanese cuisine and traditional and fusion beverages in a contemporary atmosphere.
The restaurant brings something else to its new Clackamas Town Center home – jobs. Sinju estimates it will employ 35-40 people at the new location. In addition, the restaurant offers a connection to the arts community: Sinju honors its Pearl District roots by giving back through the Work for Art Program, something that is reflected at its suburban locations as well.
“We’re so excited to be opening our third restaurant in Clackamas Town Center, especially during tough economic times like this,” says Peter Choi, Manager at the Sinju Bridgeport location. “It was a bit of a high-wire act making this new restaurant happen. But we all pulled together – the owners, managers and our partners – and we did it. We’re ready to celebrate!”
And celebrate they will: Sinju’s upcoming Trilogy is a three-part event, with one event held at each location – a total of three events in three counties – during three days in July. The public is invited* to come enjoy complimentary sushi prepared by Sinju’s chefs. TY KU also will be there, offering a sampling of its sake and premium liqueurs, which are a blend of traditional Asian spirits and beneficial superfruits and teas. The festivities continue with entertainment provided by Pendulum Dance Theatre, which features choreographed aerial and trapeze acts, as well as contortionists and fan dancers. To keep guests guessing, surprise appearances by local “celebrities” will be happening at random during the events.
Sinju Restaurant Trilogy of Events
Bridgeport Sinju Trilogy Event – Saturday, July 11th, 3-5 p.m., at Bridgeport Village near the movie theater
Pearl District Sinju Trilogy Event – Thursday, July 16th, 5-7 p.m., at 1022 N.W. Johnson Street in Portland
Clackamas Town Center Sinju Trilogy Event – Saturday, July 18th, 3-5 p.m., at Clackamas Town Center near Sears and California Pizza Kitchen
*Those wishing to attend a Trilogy event should RSVP at www.SinjuRestaurant.com/Trilogy or by calling 503-314-9222. The $10 entry fee ($15 at the door) goes to the Work for Art Program run by the Regional Arts and Culture Council, which helps raise funds for 75 area arts organizations.
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[FOR SHOSHANA BEAN]
For Immediate Release
Contact: Carri Bugbee at Big Deal PR
503-297-4043 or carri@bigdealpr.com
Shoshana debuts new Superhero Pop / R&B album
The feisty Beaverton-to-Broadway star throws off her Wicked witch costume and bares her soulful side with Grrl Power shows back home in Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. March 3, 2009 – For Shoshana Bean, it’s always been about the music. The dynamic stage actress and singer from Beaverton is best known for her stunning portrayal of Elphaba in the musical Wicked, both on Broadway and in its National Tour. But she’s equally at home belting out songs in the world of R&B. In March she flies in from L.A. – where she now works with writer/producer Drew K (of Madonna, Celine and Brandy fame) – to introduce her hometown fans to her debut solo album Superhero, which was just released in December.
NBC used the title song, “Superhero,” to promote its Monday-night TV lineup (Heroes, Chuck, My Own Worst Enemy) last fall, before the album was even released. Fans of the Broadway star soon caught on to Shoshana’s new venture: Superhero reached #5 on the iTunes R&B charts in its first week of sales, making it the only independent release in the Top 100.
Superhero is full of empowering anthems and heart-wrenching ballads, with moving lyrics and melodies that make you want to sing along. Shoshana Bean’s organic sound pours through her original songs on the album. Because of her incredible vocal range, Shoshana is often compared to Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey. Her music, while embracing a contemporary R&B vibe, also stands as a tribute to old Motown and soul.
Shoshana’s been busy in her new Pop/R&B role: She’s opened for Kanye West; sung back up for numerous celebrities; and paired up with Brian McKnight to sing “Ain’t No Way” at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards honoring Aretha Franklin. Other television performances include The Today Show, Good Morning America, MTV's Made, Martha, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Soul Train Christmas Starfest. She also sang the National Anthem for the New York Giants, New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets.
On March 12th, Shoshana will step out at the Nines in Portland with designer Jesse Champlin of Rush Accessories at the Power of the Purse event, which benefits Girls, Inc. Fans can also find Shoshana while she’s in town at an in-store performance and CD signing at Music Millennium on March 13th at 7 p.m. Announcements about this and other opportunities to hear her perform are posted on Shoshana’s Facebook page and at www.MySpace.com/ShoshanaBean.
Superhero is currently available at Music Millennium as well as on iTunes, cdbaby.com and amazon.com.
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