Alan Weinkrantz PR Web Log

When 3 Israeli Soliders Came To San Antonio

During the recent celebrations and commemorations of Israel's 60th Anniversary, I helped sponsor three soldiers to come to San Antonio and tell their story of life in Israel from the mind's eye of a young soldier.

This event had a very special meaning for me because a dear friend of mine, Charlie Levine, who also practices PR in Jerusalem has his son, Zvi, come as part of the contingent of young Ambassadors.

Zvi was one of the youngest gunners on a Super Dvora patrol boat where he was a Typhoon weapons system gunner.

Life in Israel for an 18 year old is different from their counterparts in the U.S.  While Americans are focused on getting into a college or university, Israelis are focused on getting into "the right unit" in the Israel Defense Forces.

I am not saying that one approach is better than the other, but it does seem to me that mandatory military service, no matter from what walk of life you may be from, helps you grow up a bit.

After three years of service, traditional holds that Israelis take off one year to travel and see the world.  Then they return home and apply for their University studies.

Read local media coverage here.

StartUp Weekend San Antonio Live on USTREAMtv

StartUp Weekend San Antonio is live on USTREAM.tv

I am a sponsor of the event, but had to travel this weekend and just could not make it.

Sorry....but I am there with you guys in spirit.

Being A Long Time "Expert Source" Yields Coverage in "The Wall Street Journal"

Two years ago, (in PR-speak that's eons) I started to pitch client, Alsbridge, to various reporters at The Wall Street Journal. 

I was shopping various story ideas, when finally one angle - the possible coverage of EDS struck a chord with one of the reporters. 

Over last year's 4th of July weekend, I was in Moscow on a family holiday when an opportunity came our way which resulted in coverage for Alsbridge President, Ben Trowbridge. 

In the wake of the recent announcement of HP buying EDS, Ben was again quoted by the same reporter in reference to EDS' Chief Operating Officer Ronald A. Rittenmeyer.

All this to say is that building relationships with journalists and being a good source for industry insights and expertise can lead to on-going coverage for your company.

Start Up Weekend Takes Place In San Antonio...This Weekend

Startup Weekend recruits a highly motivated group of developers, business managers, startup enthusiasts, marketing gurus, graphic artists and more to a 54 hour event that builds communities, companies and projects. 

And this weekend, Startup Weekend comes to San Antonio.

Jennifer Navarrete has done a fantastic job of setting up and getting the community together.

I am pleased to be a sponsor of this event.

N-trig and its Supply Chain Go “Green”

Client, N-trig, the provider of DuoSense™ technology combining pen and zero-pressure touch for mobile and fixed computers into a single device, announced today that it is meeting environmental Green requirements in compliance with international standards. 

All articles, including materials, parts, assembly, and packaging that N-trig and its affiliates directly or indirectly supply have been designed and manufactured to meet the latest environmental standards for controlling substances which impact the environment. 
N-trig has now moved from being RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliant to being a “Green” company.

Download the press release here:

Download ntrig_green_release_final2.doc

. 

"I had a suitcase, a Telecaster, a little Magnatone amp, and $15 in my pocket." Alan Meets Guitarist Gerry McGee; Gerry says "buy this one....it plays real nice."

Over the weekend while in LA for my cousin's birthday party, I paid a visit Norman's Rare Guitars in Tarzana.

I've been shopping for a Fender Telecaster for some time and decided to check out what might be in stock at Norman's.

Five minutes after walking into the store, my eyes got stuck on a Sea Green '62 Fender Telecaster.

As I was talking to Norman about the details of the guitar, he pointed to someone in the store. 

It turned out to be none other than Gerry McGee, best known as a member of The Ventures. (see related interview with Gerry here)

Norman told me that Gerry was considered one of, if not the best Telecaster players in the world.  We gave Gerry the guitar, and he played a few riffs for me.

He liked it.

He told me to buy it.

I called my guitar teacher, Steve Owens, from the Mo-dels and he said- "go for it."

And so I bought it and it was good.

An Evening With Herman's Hermits and Gary Lewis and the Playboys

Saturday night, I was at a cousin's very unique and special birthday part in LA, featuring none other than Herman's Hermits  and Gary Lewis and the Playboys.

Much to my pleasant surprise the bands were actually very good and best of all, having had a chance to personal visit with Peter Noone - pictured left and Gary Lewis, it brought great memories of my own band and playing the drums  starting at the age of 14.

I still play drums, and now taking guitar lessons from Steve Owens, of The Mo-dels.

In my quest to keep up with the variety of guitar sounds I am trying to learn, look for my post tomorrow about my new Fender Telecaster and having the chance to meet a guitar legend at the store I bought the guitar. 

The post goes live tomorrow at 7 AM EST

CopperGate Communications Achieves Five Million HomePNA Chipset Milestone; Announces Purchase of Conexant's HomePlug AV PowerLine Technology

Client, CopperGate Communications has made two significant announcements.

1.  The shipment of 5 million HomePNA chipsets worldwide – making the company the leader in IPTV services over coax and phone wires.  Press release here.

2.  The purchase of the HomePlug AV business from Conexant Systems, Inc. [NASDAQ - CNXT]. Press release here.

CopperGate is now the first semiconductor company with home networking technologies supporting all three wire types – coax, phone and power lines.

Related media coverage here.

The HomePNA Blog has a very helpful post here which talks about G.hn's "Secret Sauce."

Industry Analysts, Charles Wolf with ABI Research blogs about both announcements here.

Momentum for CopperGate continues.  Stay tuned for more!

N-trig Launches New Brand; We're Getting Ready for SID2008

Client, N-trig, has launched its new brand as we are getting ready to ramp up for the upcoming SID2008 Show in LA. If you are a journalist or industry analyst planning to attend and want to meet with N-trig email me:  alan at weinkrantz dot com and I will come back to you with a proposed time.

My New Coloumn in the San Antonio Express News

Starting today, I will have a monthly column in the Business Section of the San Antonio Express-News. 

I will be writing about various technology issues, innovation, disruption, PR, social media and because of my 3Screens blog, some coverage of AT&T. 

Today's column, addresses the shaping of AT&T's new legacy, which you may read here.

If you have ideas for future topics, let me know with an email or phone call to: alan at weinkrantz dot com or +210-820-3070 ext. 103.

This is a great opportunity to be part of a national news daily; one that I believe reflects well on the growing and vibrant economy of San Antonio and the really smart people who make it home.

Thanks for taking a look!