Success Stories and Accolades

  Our Clients Said:

"You've brightened our day."    "You've done a great job."   "...absolutely superb."   "...beyond our expectations."  "Thank you so much."

We thank them for their trust, confidence and loyalty.

"On behalf of our entire firm and all of its members, I want to extend our most sincere note of thanks and appreciation for the outstanding piece of work that you performed.  Our firm has never received this type of coverage.  It was truly appreciated by every member of our organization.

From my personal standpoint, the praise and applause continues on your excellent work. The coverage was absolutely superb.  Thank you again for being involved and taking the the lead on this entire project.  I have received numerous congratulatory letters, notes, calls, and even shouts, because of your fine work."

 Nick Nichols
Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Matthews & Friend

"We have broadened our reputation and made contact with additional clients. The media placements were right on target and included a four-part series on prime time television news in Houston, as well as stories, often with photographs, on the front pages of major dailies here and elsewhere.

RHI has been able to quickly grasp our situation, advise us on a strategy, and put our plan into action.

When we looked for public relations assistance, we wanted a small, high-quality firm responsive to this law firm's needs and that was extremely knowledgeable concerning the Houston and national media. In BDL Public Relations, we got what we wanted. They have delivered a service to us that was beyond our expectations."

George M. Fleming
George Fleming and Associates

"You have done a great job! I could not believe you would spend so much time with the manuscript of my new book. It only demonstrates your sincerity and love for the subject. Please accept my heart-felt thanks."

A. Mohit, author

"You've brightened our day! We just received the Fall publication of CenterViews. Reading the wonderful story of Joe is exactly what the staff and choir members needed to lift our spirits. Today, marks the choir's grand entrance into the holiday season. Thanks for lifting our hearts and for simply recognizing Joe's passion for Harbor Lights Music Ministry."

Tina Sanchez
Salvation Army Harbor Light Center and Red Shield Lodge

"Thank you so much for the wonderful article in the newsletter.  The photo was simply beautiful."

 Ann Spears
First United Methodist Church – Houston

Solving Our Clients' Challenges Case by Case

Investor Relations When the News is Not Good
Challenge:    A publicly traded energy company changed senior management and dropped a drilling fund syndication program that was not progressing in the best interest of the company or the program investors because of an unexpected industry-wide economic downturn.
Action:    With the help of Renaissance House, the company developed an integrated campaign of media relations, slide presentations, and direct mail to fully inform shareholders, fund investors and financial community of the changes; why the changes were needed; and their effect on the corporation, shareholders, and drilling fund investors.  Reactions by shareholders and the financial community were monitored. Telephone surveyors tracked the effectiveness of the campaign and were prepared to answer questions.
Results:    Damage from the corporate decision to drop the drilling fund was minimized. Shareholders stayed loyal to the company and investment brokers remained interested in supporting future drilling fund offerings.

Governmental Affairs Meets Grass Roots
Challenge:   A national professional association saw its industry losing business due to the expansion of an inefficient, tax-funded public agency.
Action: Renaissance House International helped them develop and implement a state-by-state campaign of grass-roots and legislative support, using media publicity, advertising,  white papers, events,  public speaking and direct contact to inform lawmakers, editors, and other opinion leaders of the high taxes citizens were paying for bureaucratic inefficiencies compared to the savings and superior service provided by the private industry.
Results: The public agency lost state funding, ceased operations in one state and significantly curtailed its business in a second.  A third state introduced legislation to reinstate the private sector industry.  In a fourth state, a campaign gathered support for a referendum to abolish the publicly-funded agency in the next elections.

Gaining Position in the Regional Market
Challenge:    An international human resource management company was receiving no media in the region, while an out-of-area competitor got regular news play in the local press. The lack of media coverage of  the company’s Houston, Austin, San Antonio and New Orleans offices was limiting its ability to provide its services.
Action:    With the help of BDL Public Relations, news releases were tailored specifically for the region and used in combination with strong personal contacts to journalists to increase media awareness of the company and build a solid rapport between the press and corporate management.
Results:    Frequent and consistent news coverage of the company in business columns, news articles, and feature stories heightened the company’s prestige in the regional markets, substantially increasing its market share. The company was selected  two years in a row by Business Week as one of its high-growth companies to watch.

When the U.S. Media Covers Complex Litigation
Challenge:    A local plaintiffs’ law firm was involved in major litigation regarding a Ponzi Scheme perpetrated by the securities division of a nationally prominent insurance company against investors, including many elderly who had invested their IRAs.  Media relations support was needed to handle the nationwide media interest and to ensure that the law firm’s position was amply and accurately portrayed in the news.
Action:    RHI produced materials and worked closely with national and local reporters covering the story; monitored media attitude and interest; and promoted accurate news coverage by identifying and contacting media representatives with backgrounds and interests that indicated a sensitivity to the case coverage.
Results:    The media produced consistently positive coverage during the two years of litigation, including stories in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, and all major Houston print, radio, and television outlets that quoted our client and presented the law firm’s position on behalf of the plaintiffs.

Marketing Expands Critical Acclaim and Growth
Challenge:    A small Houston dance company was winning critical notice, but wanted to build a broader reputation within the city.
Action:    BDL Public Relations developed and implemented a program that included publicity and media coverage.
Results:    The dance company was able to increase the number of performances in the city, and the attention generated from the public relations program produced an invitation to tour in Europe.

Research Improves Employee Recruiting
Challenge:    A European based chemical multinational corporation was losing top U.S. science and technology graduates to its competitors in its campus recruiting efforts.
Action:    RHI surveyed faculty, students, and university placement officers nationwide. The research revealed several problems:  The corporation’s name was not well known; recruitment materials did not appeal to today’s students and were in short supply; and company personnel communicated with campuses only during spring and fall recruiting weeks.
Results:    Based on our research, the company redesigned its program, updated its materials, and contacted campuses more frequently. The quality and number of top graduates accepting employment with the corporation increased.  Respect and recognition for the company improved among students, faculty, and university placement officials.

Research Telephone Poll Creates Community Support
Challenge:    A school district in the chemical industry belt near the Houston Ship Channel was faced with decaying buildings during a slow economy. The school buildings were in such decay they posed a danger to the students. The school board, however, feared a strong backlash from its low- to moderate-income residents if it attempted a capital funding campaign to pay for the needed improvements.
Action:    Community relations research by RHI showed that the community was equally concerned about the run-down facilities. The research also conveyed the message to residents that the school board was receptive to their attitudes and listening to their desires on the matter.
Results:    They voted yes! At election time, the community voted for the capital funding program by a two-to-one margin. Input gleaned from community residents was used to address problems and improve educational programs throughout the district. Communication lines between district officials and residents were opened, and now the two sides cooperate in a team effort to further improve the quality of education.

Public Affairs for Overcoming Negative Publicity
Challenge:  A men’s rehabilitation center for released parolees faced community controversy and damaging media publicity as a result of a citywide campaign to persuade the city council to curtail the operation of such facilities. This was occurring despite the rehabilitation center’s long-standing, award-winning record of community responsibility and success.
Action: BDL professionals identified the key editor behind the negative coverage and persuaded him to visit the site.  RHI created visual and written materials outlining the positive aspects of the rehabilitation center that were distributed during one-on-one visits with city council members.  Site visits were arranged, and one successful grass-roots event brought a neighborhood garden club of elderly ladies to tour the facility and grounds.
Results: The media’s opposition to the facility was reversed.  Positive coverage included two lengthy feature stories on the facility during the time city council was deliberating the issue. Members of the garden club spoke to council members in support of the facility.  Although council adopted an ordinance impeding the operations of such facilities, this rehabilitation center was grandfathered out of the restrictions and allowed to operate unimpeded.  The center later received nearly $700,000 in loans and grants to improve existing facilities and renovate a nearby abandoned apartment complex, turning it from a dilapidated drug haven into a much needed new men's dormitory complex.

 Banking on the Border for International Investment
Challenge:    A group of bankers and investors from the Pacific Rim and from Houston's Asian-American community were looking for a manufacturing and real estate development opportunities.
Action:    Renaissance House International arranged a tour of maquiladora assembly plants along the Texas-Mexico border. We arranged for the group to have plant tours of border manufacturing and assembly assemblies as well as briefings with plant managers meetings with local government officials, and we arranged a tour of neighboring communities. Our professional staff made all travel, food and lodging arrangements, set up a golf outing for entertainment and accompanied the group to provide introductions, guidance and support.
Results:    The group returned to their Asian and U.S. homes with the information they needed to move forward with their manufacturing investment and added plans for a community development project on the Texas side of the border as well.

What's next? Now that you've read about our services and results, you might like to know a bit about who we are. Click About Us. If you are ready to contact us, our telephone is 713-961-7400 and our e-mail is rhi@renaissancehouse.com.Home  

 Copyright 2007 Renaissance House International