Transcript: Acquisition Discussion Between Service Professionals and PR Team

I think now that the NBA time and all that like, and you probably could have guessed this already, because there, but we’re, you know, the largest pool consolidator, and we’re acquiring the next biggest one, which is called pool troopers.

This is, you know, it’s a big deal for the pool space, whether con is a big deal for everyone else still TBD, but that’s hopefully where you all can help make it seem like a big deal for other people who might not otherwise care about this. But, yeah, that’s, that’s sort of the exciting news that feels closing now, I think this has actually been updated, Josh since we talked to you. The official firm closing date now is January 19. A little bit of little bit of room now a little more time.

Yeah. And so you know, as I think we mentioned to you Josh before, like, kind of what we were thinking is, and, you know, Jim and I are not, at least I’m not. This is pretty new for me, though, you know, like figuring out how the PR would work, you know, I my prior, like, law firm experience. We, you know, would review the press releases here and there for acquisitions and make sure they were accurate, and review employees, employee announcement stuff to PR wrote to the companies. But outside of that, that’s pretty much the extent to my experience. But you know how I sort of see this is, you know, we’ve got this big acquisition. It’s the, you know, biggest like, you know I was gonna say wave, and I can’t say, Wait, when you’re talking about what’s the biggest flash?

Well, we gotta, I mean, I was thinking about it. There’s a bad idea, but you’re making the puns now. And Erica is a pun queen, like I am, and Laura puts up with our puns, but we can almost do an entire press release that’s all fun, if that fits your personality right as a company, like these little things we can do to just kind of make it more noticeable and have fun with it. But again, it depends on what kind of, you know, image you want to have.

So you know, this will be a big deal for the pool space, right? It’s a big, you know, it’s, it’s sort of where the industry is trending, which, you know, it’s, you know, sort of, sort of, it’s been on the radar as something’s happening for the last several years. But I think this is kind of the acquisition that will make people really realize it’s making the industry really realize, like, this is, this is what, where this is going. And you kind of have to get on board with it, if you’re not already, we’ve seen that with our vendors and everything like that, you know, like sort of slowly coming around the fact that they’re not just going to get to deal with a bunch of mom and pop shops that they can impose terms on anymore.

So So I think there’s that, there’s, you know, there’s, there’s this, and it’s the launching off point for us to then go into our own, you know, likely recapitalization sale to a new sponsor, you know, like Josh. So the whole team will be staying on and, you know, we’ll just kind of move along to the next to the next set of years, and we’ll get a new injection of capital. We’ll get to do more acquisitions, all of that. So, you know, I think basically, we’d like to position ourselves in the best place we can for that. And then, you know, potentially, think about how we might want to do PR going forward, after that, after the rehab kind of thing. So for right now, we’re sort of thinking, you know, short to medium term, in that sense of, like, six to nine months. How is, how can this relationship, you know, help us get to our goals? But then I think, you know, from thinking about it, from y’all’s perspective, like, you know, the longer term opportunity here would be, like, you know, just show us what this could do to us, that you know, could do for us in a way that makes it, you know, sort of worth the expenditure to continue our relationship.

So when Jim and I are talking about, kind of what we thought might be helpful from you all is just sort of, you know, nothing super crazy detail, but just sort of some sort of general idea of like how you would kind of think about approaching these, these kind of pieces, just Both initially our acquisition, and I think particularly framing up, you know, I think we mentioned, I mentioned with you last time Josh, our, see our CEO. CEO is, you know, it’s very, I would say, PR friendly, like you just got a story, you know, he makes us look good. Very personable. Yeah. Very personable. He’s who we send whenever we have any problems with, like, any seller who is not really, you know, we just get him on the phone with land and somehow suddenly, like, everything’s turned around, and everything’s great again. So, you know, so we got him, he’s got a good story, you know, very likable.

And then, you know, just sort of, I think that’s worth highlighting, for sure, because one part of this, I think the other part of it is, like, appealing to additional targets, right? Like, from my perspective, what I want to do is buy the most stuff, and that’s the most number of companies we can so, you know, getting us framed up in a way that looks good, so that these other companies want to sell to us is also would definitely be part of the shorter term, but then the longer term. Look at this too, right? Like that could be one of the big upsides of the longer term partnerships. We’re on the same page. So knowing that you have short term goals gives us a clear focus, obviously, but we’re going to be doing this in the long term the whole time. So our intention is work within the next 10 years, not the next six months. And that’s the way we approach everything. But we’ll all build it up knowing that we have a short term, six month, nine months, we got to hit these marks from the sale perspective and all that we’re on the same page.

So I mean, and they’re frankly, smarter than I am, so I’m probably gonna add a lot more context than I will to the specifics, but broader outline, here’s what I kind of see based on where you’re at. From our perspective, we want to start as soon as we can, because a lot of setup right to announce this one, even if it’s January, we want to be able to dig in, really understand it, talk to the key people making the announcement, as large as we can, getting that big splash. But how do we, I mean, it’s a kind of story that for different industry publications, there is an opening. I mean, you’re combining the two biggest and now you’re going to have, I’m making up a number now, 250, 300 different pool company kind of thing, like different companies that you’ve kind of built up, or whatever, it opens up a different potential storyline, because it’s you’re gonna be so dominant at that point where maybe we can maybe get lucky, and it’s not our primary goal, but maybe we do get some tier one media. We do get some bigger stories that are looking for stuff, and just because you’re different, and we might have an interesting story to tell them.

So, you know, through January, early February, that would obviously be a big priority. But what we need to do is work with you very carefully. Some of the you know, the pool trooper. You know, companies may be upset about it. They don’t have a choice. You’re buying the whole thing. But there’s always transition problems, especially when there are more companies, and how do they integrate into your system? Or are there certain people from the executive team of quote troopers, that are moving over? Or do they know what’s going on? Or does it affect them? There’s, there’s always a potential backlash risk, right? It doesn’t really matter as much when it’s a small, little one off company, but it’s different when you you’re buying a bigger company. And so we want to prepare in advance and how we’re going to handle these different issues. What are the talking points we’re going to help you in terms of all that aspect, not just from the media side, but also, what do you say to all these different operations across the country? Are you literally as part of this, because I haven’t looked at poetry specifically. Are they multiple states that are different than where you operate now, and does that create different logistics questions that we have to be ready to answer or deal with, and all that kind of stuff?

So our job in the short term, three months like especially, more in the next two months before the announcement is we want to have the first draft of all the answers ready to go, and then we want to try and minimize the chance that the individual pool companies push back, or the individual owners at the different locations kind of start complaining or posting things online, or messing with their own customers, or trying to break off on their own again and go independent, or whatever the risks Are. We can prepare for that in the short term. And then part of all this is building up and protecting like, wow, we’re the We’re the 800 pound gorilla. And not only are we 800 pound gorilla, we’re wet, right? So, so we weigh even more once you dumped in the pool. And so how do we take advantage of that to really position you so that when you’re ready to actually announce quietly that you’re ready for some new cap, you’re well positioned there. You know who you are, they already view you as the big kid, and they see that success and you don’t get the biggest risk to your recapitalization is a tough merger with full troopers, where they push back, like that, could push back you’re deciding to go out for the money, right? You want to get as much value as you can.

So we’re on the same page in terms of those things. But we talked about before, we talked about all the different local markets. How do we create those template and then announcements, those simple things that we get them to be able to do those announcements on the local level, whether they’re putting out the press release on their own, is those small, little company owner, a franchise owner, kind of mentality, or whether we’re doing it on their behalf, or we’re featuring different local markets, or we’re submitting them for Chamber of Commerce awards, or there’s so many different things that once we’ve got the big, big, big issues kind of covered, that we can start building out templates that we can repeat market by market. I feel like I’m just talking I have a few thoughts.

You know, we might want to consider approaching this from a couple of different targeted areas, right, Home Services, middle markets are become much more popular in recent years. Right you’re seeing, I think Bain Capital just bought up a bunch of HVAC companies. A lot of these small, little mom and pop shops finally starting to grow up, because they finally have the support of larger companies to come in. Kind of show them the operation, show them the right way. So there’s a story there for the smaller operators that they can either get bought out, they can join in. I don’t know you said. You mentioned that the people who were part of the companies that you’re buying stay in there, so it’s a matter of professional development and growth and helping them kind of come a little more legitimate, right? Some of the mom and pop shops there are the name on the truck, so the customers are always like, well, who’s who’s taking care of a pool? I don’t know. Some guy used to be this guy, but now it’s this other guy. Nobody ever knows. So kind of adding that business legitimacy operations, that kind of like grown up business approach to a home service product that, at least out here in Arizona, Florida, places I’ve lived, everybody has, but nobody knows who’s doing it.

The other part is, obviously there’s that business angle that we can talk about with some of the larger, larger publications, the largest like CNBC, kind of things not promising that week, but it’s a good story. But if your CEO is a good personality and a good person, to me, that’s what every reporter wants to talk about. They want to hear the story. Who is he? How did he grow his business? What kind of person can we put in front of people? What kind of stories can you tell? You know, it’s all about the people. So whether you’re talking about the owner, whether you’re talking about the companies that you guys are buying and the people who belong there, the customers, the regular people, and you even mentioned the vendors. It’s actually helpful to the vendors if they’re working with a larger company like you, because they’re not messing around with are they going to pay their bills? Are they going to be there when I drop off my stock? How come they like left all my stuff out in the rain, whatever like? So to me, it’s all about it’s all about the stories that we can tell, and just finding that right story for the right audience. What are you there smarter than I am?

Yeah, and I’ll just echo, you know, we like to it looks like you’re already in a lot of local markets with all the acquisitions you’ve done so far. You know, as you acquire pool troopers, you know, we can see if there’s new markets, and we can start to build your name recognition in those markets. We have lots of different strategies to suggest. I know there’s a lot of thought leadership opportunities, especially around pool safety. I know that’s a huge issue here and in other parts of the country as well. I feel like I see that movies all the time. So just a couple of thoughts there. Well, that makes sense.

Does is the company working with any charitable organizations, whether it’s swim safety, whether it’s fencing, anything like that? Is there any particular charitable Great question we had been working up until about a year and a half ago with the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, that organization went through a lot of turmoil, and we elected not to continue with them this year. We weren’t spending much, but we weren’t an official sponsor for them. Yeah, we found some other here and there, like, yeah.

Well, you times, but I would maybe consider too. And again, I don’t know how the reaction when the bull Trooper people is going to be. They might be upset that they got bought some of the individuals, which is not unusual, like any change scares people. If both troopers was really involved in certain charities, and you’re open to doing that, if you don’t necessarily have anyone you have a relationship with, you might want to consider continuing with their existing charities, if they’re local people, and that way they feel like something of them that’s moving over to you. That’s a very subtle, quiet thing. It doesn’t change $1 amount you would have spent if you already like those organizations anyway, or if they have a good program that we can expand and so like their program becomes all of SPs locations, not just, you know that the other ones, that’s another very quiet, subtle way to make them not feel like they’re being taken over, that they’re being embraced. It’s little nuanced stuff like that that, you know, you’ll take advantage of every opportunity we can.

Yeah, I think, like, you know, one of the other sort of interesting angles that when I was talking about this earlier this week was it’s just, you know, a lot of people have tried to roll up school services, maintenance, and most people have floundered at a certain point. See everything, it’s a butter really I know I love it. Those are just the words they you know, like, basically people hit a certain size of trying to go on companies together, and they’re just end up realizing they’re running like 12 different companies differently, and they can’t, kind of get them to work together. And that’s true all roll ups, but it seems to be particularly problematic in pool space. Just from what we’ve seen, the success rate is quite low. Basically, we figured it out. And most other people have, you know, hit some level where they had to slow down m&a substantially, and then they never, kind of direct back up again. We’ve gotten to know some of the other consolidators, and basically everyone is at, like, everyone hit that point and didn’t get through so it’s kind of fun to be asked where we did make it through that.

I love that. That’s a great business story. Yeah, that’s, that’s a great story angle, because you can talk about, you know, the back end, the operations, the ordering the supplies, the making sure that everyone’s wearing, you know, has the right brand and clothing on, or just all those little things, which allows us the opportunity to serve as experts, not just again, in the pool industry, but in kind of all of those kind of middle market, those smaller groups that are trying to figure out how that they can grow. So being able to present the CEO as an expert in this area, offering his advice, offering his opinions, his his his personal stories, right? Here’s what I did in the beginning that didn’t work so well. So here’s what I did and why I’m successful. We don’t have to give it all away, but just being able to demonstrate this is where other people have failed and how we succeeded. It gives us a lot of leverage, and really will position him as a as, like a business expert.

Yeah, I think that’s definitely the right, yeah, the right person to elevate in this. And, I mean, you know, we, if you ask all of us, that’s sort of, he’s sort of the answer of why we think we made it when other people didn’t. I mean, we have a lot of really talented people, but, like, at the end of the day, you know, there’s, you basically, you know, for a while we didn’t, we didn’t talk about it, because we were worried about giving away some kind of secret sauce kind of situation, right? And then I think as we got further and further along, and as we saw more, you know, we Frank, like, you know, more consolidators approached us as potentially acquired. To potentially acquire them, we realized, like, everyone was trying to do the same thing. So, like, the secret sauce was not in any way, like some sort of secret formula we developed or anything. It’s just that we have the right people doing executing, and the right, you know, executing the plan that everyone else was also trying to execute. Yeah, everyone else was trying to execute. It’s not like rocket science better, and our CEOs are large, probably a huge portion of why it worked because he had the field, the field angle that I think we we had people, had great people who could do the back office, the back office, roll out all the right programs, think of the right things to get the value out of everything. But until then, I think our CFO was without him, we couldn’t have done this.

Yes, of course, but that’s applying for awards for him, personally, too. For CFO of the year, awards had nothing to do with, you know, pool directly, just within his industry. Those are the kind of things that give you more credibility that, you know, the private equity firms love, that are investing in people. So we want to look for the first half of 2026 we want to look for a different award for each of your executive level people you know and that we you know. And Caitlin, I’m not kissing up by saying this, but there’s a lot of lawyer awards out there, right in terms of the MMA side, and we can nominate you for based on all that you’ve done and the big numbers and this big one, you’re quite a fantastic candidate to be a finalist for a bunch of these awards. Or maybe you fit for some 40 under 41 as well. There’s so many different opportunities like you, you know, so, and I’m not trying to kiss up by saying it, it’s more just this opportunity that it makes you more, you know, purchasable, right? It makes people want to feel confident. And so from our side, it’s not hard to come up with those storylines. And yeah, we don’t know where we’re going to get success, but we know what to try and do.

And then when it comes to the creative, fun stuff, there’s so many ideas that, like, that’s not the hard part. Like, if anything, it’s gonna be hard to not share all those ideas. Like, I had three more as I was sitting here. You know, those are just fun. Like, I almost want to find out. I want to do a survey of your different people and ask, like, what are, what’s the weirdest thing you found stuck in the full gutter, right? And like that could be so much fun to highlight the crazy stuff that you found, right? Or you do. I assume you must have like a convention or a conference of all your owners that they’re able to come in and do, like an off site, you know, general managers meeting every, every February. So how many people come to that? 18 GMs, plus we have some of the former owners who don’t they came last year. At least some of the former owners came to do this week. We’re trying to pitch them, trying to get them to refer more businesses.

Some of those events create opportunities, right to create news around them. But was it being in February, you know, and you’re just building your agenda for that meeting. Now, I’m not overstepping. I apologize, but we almost want to be invited to attend. We want to lead a session on media. We want to tell them, here’s what happens. If a crisis happens, you get attacked, here’s who you should call, and here’s the process, you know, how do you do that? You know, we can share potentially, some ideas of some of this community stuff, kind of stuff, or talk about, hey, if you’re already a member of your local chamber of commerce, then, you know, let’s nominate you for this award. Let’s just know that you’re United candidate. Those are the kind of things that those conferences, and I’m glad that it’s, you know, coming up, but that’s an opportunity, and the timing is great, because if they get energized and they do a couple extra stories before we hit summer point, right? Because as soon as they’re there, they’re either going to be jumping on them do something right away. So then March, April, May, you got a couple of stories going. Perfect time for June when you’re trying to get someone to buy.

Yeah, so can I ask you? I mean, I think we’re, I think at least, but I think we’re pretty interested in moving forward. I think the last, like, sort of hurdle we gotta overcome is just the rest of the leadership game kind of thought, kind of a thing, is it possible that you guys could do some, like, there’s some slide or something we could show where it’s, like, here’s a couple of the kind of bullet points of things they could you could do, just so that means, like, kind of pop it up there when we’re talking about it, even encapsulating some of the things that you’ve already just the things you’ve already talked about. Is there a way we could kind of have, like, a whole list of, here’s some potential ideas that we’ve got that between this time and this that we can, yeah, the problem is, how many flags and all that kind of stuff, because it’s, I don’t know, one that’s, yeah, that’s gonna be, I mean, it would just be the topic without it’d be so dense, heavy with all these different things. I know I send you Jim already a bunch of the like, the one sheet documents, all kind of stuff. We can just highlight some of the core areas where we can help. But it’s not going to be super intensive. We’ll try to come up with something really quick. No, it’s really like, I just want something that we can talk to when we do our, like, weekly meeting. Yeah, oh yeah, we actually have a meeting next, next Monday at noon. Alright, so whether it be tonight or this weekend, so I’ll put something together this weekend, at minimum, you’ll have it, you know, least for probably early it doesn’t have something. It’s gonna be super simple. We’re not graphics, right? So it’s gonna be really boring, okay, all right, it might be a couple slides I might like talk about who we are a little bit one slide and another slide will be just for, you know, services and that kind of thing. It might be very generic, but at least it gives you a talking point jumping that’s fine.

Let me ask this too, because I know that we’re all anxious about the timing. Even though pushing back to June 19 is an advantage, it’s definitely for all kind of anxious January. I mean, I say June January, yeah, right, January, yeah. It starts with J Yeah. So I meant January. So here’s my question, do you is it helpful, or is it too presumptuous, if I send over a contract so that you just have, I can review it at the same time, in that way, once a week. Yeah, obviously Google’s. Do you know, I mean that sheet Jim, that I gave you, that already talked about, that, you know, the scopes and all kinds of everything, in like 50 hours. You know, I do have. You, okay? And then as we see it, I’ll just write it as 40 and then as we go, if we see that, you know, we’re just going to want more and you’re comfortable, then we’ll talk about that for future time. Okay, but yeah, so I’ll send you that based on 40 hours. I’m going to list it just so, you know, as a December 1 start, because we always started, technically, the start of the month in terms of, you know, because we can’t prorate between months. If we need to start in January. Need to start January. I don’t care, but I am anxious for us to be able to dig in for that January announcement. A little nervous about it right, just to make sure we do it right. So that’s why I’m going to date it. It’s early enough in December, but so please excuse me for that. If that’s okay, I think that’s reasonable, and now we have the benefit of a few extra weeks to really get this right. I think so too. I think it’s a big this is a big announcement, and we want to make sure. I think the question and answer is actually seem like it’s not as important, but I think that that’s the biggest threat that this has other owners who are asking questions, or the GMs, or the different locals, they’re the ones are going to be the most stressed by this. So we want to be able to hit it the right way. You know, you hit it on the head when, when you talked about how we set this up internally too, because that’s that’s important.

Alright, I will give you all those things this weekend. I’m not worried about the timing. From your perspective, the meeting goes well, just it sounds really silly, even if you’re not ready to sign it yet, but you know that we’re going to move forward because you’ve won over the executive team, and they have their own board, or whatever, even just a thumbs up so that I can get because I don’t want to. Obviously they know everything, because I don’t hide things from them. But the rest of our team does not have any clue that we’ve been talking and so we already have talked about who we want to have from our team, to be part of the team, working with you and all that, but they don’t know this yet. So if you’re reading on Monday, you know you’re going to move forward, even if it’s a little bit of, you know, a little bit of whatever I want to alert my team so they can start at least looking you up online, even if our first until the end of next week or the week after the last thing I’ll throw out there too. And I mentioned this before, but just in case, easy to forget. The Office does close the week between Christmas and New Year’s should probably close to they will know beforehand, right? The team, they’ll probably be thinking about it. You know, depending on who it is, I’ll think about it. I’m not I tell them that to work during their breaks, right? I mean, I do not expect to want them to do that. I just wanted you to be aware that, except for me, everybody’s off. That’s fair enough.

Any other questions for us? No, I don’t think so hopeful and excited to work with you guys. Listen. Everybody. Have a great weekend. Talk to you later. Nice.

10to1PR Shines at PRSA Phoenix’s 2025 Copper Anvil Awards

10to1PR Shines at PRSA Phoenix’s 2025 Copper Anvil Awards

Nearly 200 of Arizona’s top public relations professionals gathered at the Peoria Sports Complex recently for the annual Copper Anvil Awards hosted by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Phoenix chapter. 10to1PR emerged as a standout winner, taking home multiple prestigious awards that recognized the agency’s strategic approach and creative execution across diverse campaigns. The evening also featured a special highlight as Madeleine Williamson received the Up and Comer Award, celebrating her exceptional contributions to the industry.

Award-Winning Campaigns

The agency’s award-winning work spanned multiple industries and tactics, demonstrating 10to1PR’s versatility and effectiveness. The “Bridging States, Elevating Standards” public affairs campaign for IDDHL Compact positioned it as the superior solution for dental professional mobility while maintaining high standards and state authority. This strategic initiative increased legislative awareness and support across multiple target states.

Family Promise of Greater Phoenix’s Legacy Village project, an innovative container housing community for families experiencing homelessness, received recognition for 10to1PR’s community relations strategy. The campaign highlighted how this first-of-its-kind project provides dignified housing while creating a replicable model for faith communities throughout Arizona.

The Phoenix Veterans Day Parade special event campaign honored seven Grand Marshals, including MLB’s Luis Gonzalez, through coordinated media appearances that generated extensive coverage despite competing with election news. The strategic approach attracted thousands of attendees and created meaningful connections between veterans and the community through personalized storytelling.

Strategic Media Relations

10to1PR also demonstrated exceptional agility with DSV IMS, a global inventory management leader, at Manifest 2025 in Las Vegas. The team secured multiple interviews for DSV IMS executives on the conference floor within just two weeks of beginning the client relationship, resulting in valuable trade show media coverage and industry positioning opportunities.

The agency’s work with Rosendin’s new solar building robot revolutionized the construction industry through a focused launch campaign. Despite being limited to drafting only two press releases, 10to1PR secured 140 stories with such impact that Google’s AI overview cited Rosendin when searching for solar robots as late as July 2025.

Chanen Construction’s 70-year legacy in the Valley was celebrated through a campaign that reinforced the company’s contributions to Arizona’s construction industry. Through strategic reputation and brand management, 10to1PR successfully engaged local media, community leaders, and industry influencers, enhancing the company’s visibility.

Rising Star Recognition

A particular highlight of the evening was Madeleine Williamson’s recognition with the Up and Comer Award. Since joining 10to1PR in January 2023, Williamson has established herself as a dedicated PR professional, earning a series of promotions from Coordinator to PR Executive. She now serves as the client lead for three accounts and a campaign lead on another, while supporting two additional clients. Her pursuit of APR certification, mentorship of colleagues, and leadership on campaigns like the annual kids construction camp demonstrate her commitment to excellence.

Building on Success

These Copper Anvil wins reinforce 10to1PR’s reputation as a leading strategic communications agency in Arizona. The diverse range of successful campaigns showcases the agency’s ability to develop tailored approaches that deliver measurable results across industries. As 10to1PR continues to grow its team and client roster, these awards position the agency for continued success and industry leadership in the coming year.

Building Stronger Communities Through Volunteer Work

Building Stronger Communities Through Volunteer Work

Written by Gabriel Estes, Sr. PR Coordinator at 10to1PR

We love giving back to our community, and our recent initiatives proved just how powerful collective action can be. Our entire office building rallied around causes close to our hearts, demonstrating that corporate social responsibility isn’t just good business but the right thing to do.

In September, we launched two community initiatives that brought our team together while making a real difference in the Valley. We partnered with the Arizona Animal Welfare League for a month-long donation drive and sent team members to volunteer with our client Family Promise, painting rooms at their housing shelter.

10to1PR team with collections from the donation drive for the Arizona Animal Welfare League.

The response from our team and building neighbors exceeded our expectations. We designed a flyer that spelled out exactly what items were needed for the animal welfare drive and showed people where to drop off donations around the building. The variety of donations we received showed just how much our community cares about animal welfare. Our collection included tennis balls and fun dog toys, cat and dog food, training pee pads for puppies, sturdy leashes and collars, cat toys and pill pockets.

Meanwhile, several of our team members rolled up their sleeves to help Family Promise with hands-on volunteer work. They spent time painting rooms at the housing shelter, helping create a welcoming environment for families who need temporary housing support. This direct service allowed our team to see firsthand how their efforts make a difference.

Ted Taylor, Executive Director of Family Promise (left) with 10to1PR team members Morgan, Emily, Gabriel, and Lauren.

Corporate social responsibility matters now more than ever. Research shows that 82% of consumers consider corporate social responsibility when deciding what services and products to buy and from where. Similarly, 86% of millennial workers greatly value their companies’ corporate social responsibility programs and would quit their jobs if those programs started to slip.

We’ve seen this play out in our own workplace. Projects like these bring our team closer together. When we work side by side for something bigger than ourselves, we create the kind of workplace where people want to give back to their community. Every donation we collect and every room we paint will make a real difference for animals waiting for their forever homes and families working toward stable housing.

At 10 to 1 Public Relations, we believe that generating goodwill by integrating community issues and social causes into our business operations strengthens our brand’s reputation while making a positive impact. These initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to building stronger communities through meaningful partnerships and direct action.

See how we help our clients get recognized for their corporate social responsibility and community giving programs.

Strategic PR Elevates Semiconductor Leaders at SEMICON West 2025

Strategic PR Elevates Semiconductor Leaders at SEMICON West 2025

Written by Emily Cardone, Sr. PR Coordinator at 10to1PR

SEMICON West, North America’s premier microelectronics exhibition, made history this October as it moved to Phoenix for the first time in its existence. The Phoenix Convention Center was filled with innovation and excitement as industry leaders gathered to shape the future of semiconductor technology. Among the standout participants were 10to1PR clients ASM and IMS, a DSV division, both making significant impressions.

ASM’s Interactive Exhibition Captivates Families and Children

ASM, a semiconductor equipment company with a nearly 50-year history in Arizona, partnered with the Arizona Science Center to create “From Sand to Stars: A Semiconductor Adventure,” an immersive exhibition that brought the complex world of semiconductor manufacturing to life. Located just across the street from the convention center, the exhibition served as a perfect complement to ASM’s presence on the show floor.

The exhibition made technical concepts into engaging, accessible experiences for industry professionals and the general public alike. Visitors explored interactive displays that demonstrated the journey of semiconductors from raw materials to finished products that power our digital world. The exhibition highlighted ASM’s innovation and commitment to education in the semiconductor field.

The strategic timing of the exhibition, running from September 26 through December 24, 2025, aligned perfectly with SEMICON West’s move to Phoenix. This created a powerful opportunity for ASM to showcase its technology and community commitment to both industry insiders and the broader public during this landmark industry event.

We’ve secured impressive media coverage for the exhibition, with segments appearing on AZFamily, FOX10, and ABC15 reaching thousands of viewers across the Phoenix Valley. A handful of industry reporters also covered the exhibition, spreading awareness throughout the semiconductor sector and highlighting ASM’s commitment to education and community engagement.

ASM’s Industry Party at Arizona Science Center

Our team attended ASM’s exclusive SEMICON West industry party hosted at the Arizona Science Center. The event provided an opportunity to connect with ASM staff from around the world  while enjoying food, drinks, and the immersive exhibition. The Phoenix Mayor delivered remarks alongside ASM’s CEO, highlighting the significance of the semiconductor industry to the region’s economic growth and ASM’s role in fostering innovation and education.

IMS/DSV Secures Key Media Interviews

For the Inventory Management Solutions (IMS) division of global logistics leader DSV, we implemented a focused media relations strategy that positioned the company as an essential partner in semiconductor supply chain management. The team secured multiple interviews with industry publications and mainstream media outlets, highlighting IMS’s innovative approaches to inventory management and logistics solutions specifically tailored for semiconductor manufacturers.

IMS representatives appeared on local FOX10, providing expert commentary about the growing Arizona tech landscape. The media coverage extended beyond television, with our team arranging interviews with several publications like Silicon Semiconductor, Global SMT & Packaging, and more. These opportunities included a 15-minute video segment with a leading industry publication and discussions with both specialized semiconductor media and mainstream national outlets. The team also facilitated a meeting regarding authorship opportunities for the Semiconductor Manufacturing Handbook and the Data Center Handbook, positioning IMS as a key player in the semiconductor supply chain ecosystem.

Learn more about 10to1PR’s strategic approach to leveraging media at industry trade shows.

10to1PR Launches IVY Press Room, its Answer to GEO (SEO for AI)

10to1PR Launches IVY Press Room, its Answer to GEO (SEO for AI)

  • IVY Press Room transforms company content into AI-optimized formats for increased visibility
  • Platform implements GEO strategy to position clients as preferred answers in AI searches
  • Service included at no additional cost for 10to1PR retainer clients

10to1 Public Relations (10to1PR), a public relations firm offering strategic communications services, has launched IVY Press Room, to transform client announcements, milestones, and thought leadership positioning into content designed to be discovered, cited, and shared by both journalists and generative AI systems.  

IVY Press Room is a core part of 10to1PR’s proprietary IVY platform, implementing the company’s GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) strategy. This digital PR strategy is designed to give its clients a boost and become the answer in AI searches.  

How IVY Press Room Works

“IVY Press Room looks like a traditional company press room where a company lists various press releases and facts for the media and the public to review, but it does much more than that,” said Josh Weiss, President and Founder of 10 to 1 Public Relations. “In addition to being AI-optimized behind the scenes, IVY Press Room turns company announcements into simplified question-and-answer formats designed for easy searching and citation by AI answer engines.” 

The optimized questions and answers are designed for AI web scraping algorithms to find easily. They are also fed into other platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and X, to expand a company’s reach and improve brand visibility in AI across various platforms and conversational search queries.

Understanding GEO Technology and Metrics 

GEO, also known as Answer Engine Optimization, functions as SEO for AI systems. Unlike traditional SEO that aims to rank on search engine results pages, GEO focuses on becoming the direct answer to AI queries through natural language processing (NLP). 

When users ask questions through AI search, they receive immediate answers without clicking links or conducting further research.

Everyone wants their company to be the answer, but AI platforms aren’t revealing how their systems choose sources, leaving businesses to make educated guesses. However, recent studies do offer insights. A 2025 Muck Rack report found that AI systems cite earned media  (legitimate news stories written by reporters) in over 89% of their responses. 

Company fact sheets and FAQs also serve as valuable AI content discovery sources. It’s this combination of earned news stories, AI-friendly formatting, and discoverable FAQs that influenced how 10to1PR designed IVY Press Room and updated its staff processes to maximize results for clients.

Client Benefits

“IVY Press Room gives our clients an advantage by providing more ways to get noticed,” Weiss explained. “In addition to our ongoing efforts to get our clients earned media coverage and position them as thought leaders, IVY Press Room repurposes taking the company details and announcements we’re already sharing with reporters into an AI-optimized question and answer format that’s easier for AI to find and use as part of their GEO answer engines.”

IVY Press Room is being offered to 10to1PR clients at no additional cost as part of their ongoing retainer-based engagement. 10to1PR first began its AI journey in 2023, making it an early adopter compared to many PR industry competitors. This led the company to launch its proprietary IVY platform in 2024.  

For more information on IVY Press Rooms visit: https://ivypressroom.com or https://10to1pr.com/ivypressroom

Face-to-Face with Journalists: 5 Key Lessons from the Valley Publicity Summit

Face-to-Face with Journalists: 5 Key Lessons from the Valley Publicity Summit

Written by Ella Johnson, PR Intern, Fall 2025

I recently attended the 21st annual Valley Publicity Summit, presented by the Society of Professional Journalists and hosted by 10 to 1 Public Relations. It was a great experience to meet PR Professionals and connect with journalists. As a PR Intern, I was able to gain insight into what reporters look for in stories and what grabs their attention.

Attending this event created meaningful connections and established teamwork between PR professionals and reporters. These are the tips and tricks I learned to increase media relations and interpersonal communication skills:

Ella Johnson, 10to1PR Intern

1. Relevance is everything

Each reporter covers a unique beat, and they always keep their audience in mind. Focus on story relevance when pitching reporters. Ensure it’s impactful and aligns with their beat. Reporters prioritize stories with significant impact. Match the right story to the right reporter.

For example, an investigative journalist will want to focus on unsolved crimes in the area. They are in need of expert opinions, such as attorneys and police officers. This type of journalist will be disinterested in a consumer-based pitch or community-oriented stories.

Dig deep into each reporter’s style of writing and the topics they write about. When pitching the right story to the right reporter, it deems you competent and strengthens your relationship with that reporter.

2. A 150-word pitch is a reporter’s dream scenario

Get right to the point when pitching via email. Reporters receive hundreds of emails every day from PR professionals. This is where you can stand out, the word count. Give them enough information to get excited about the story, but do not show them all your cards. 150 words are enough to share the background, why it matters, and a call to action.

Do not overcomplicate the pitch; instead, create a simple, direct idea with a visual, picture, art, or video to help capture the story. Every book needs a creative cover!

3. Learn the transition from small talk to your pitch

Establishing a connection between a reporter’s work and a story you want to pitch can be challenging. There needs to be a natural flow within the face-to-face conversation; asking them questions about their work and the stories they are interested in is a great start. After that, transition into your pitch. Keep it a conversation by asking: “Is this something you would be interested in?” Make the conversation light-hearted by using welcoming body language. Simple gestures such as a smile, a firm handshake, and a relaxed posture create a comfortable environment for the PR pro and the journalist.

30 journalists at the 10to1PR office for the SPJ Valley Publicity Summit

4. Go to as many face-to-face events as possible

In the world of media relations, there are a few opportunities to meet the reporter in person. It is very important to attend events that give you a direct line to them. Within these pitching conversations, there are non-verbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, eye contact, and vocalics that can be received and interpreted. People’s faces are very telling, which helps us understand positive and negative responses in the middle of a conversation.

For example, a reporter slouching in a chair and their eyes wandering indicates boredom. A PR pro can recognize the change in behavior and respond accordingly. A few quick steps can help increase the connection between PR professionals and journalists; start with a compliment, discuss shared experience, show appreciation, introduce a contact, and ask about them.

5. Metric! Metrics! Metrics!

Metrics and statistics are crucial for business writers because they provide concrete evidence that supports claims and arguments, enhancing the credibility of the article. Metrics can be a good way to balance out the human interest and emotional side of your story. Business-to-business reporters utilize metrics to help their readers understand trends and make informed decisions. By highlighting key figures, writers can effectively capture attention and emphasize important points. Statistics stand out in a page full of words!

Click here to learn more about 10to1PR’s media relations expertise.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About 10to1PR

10 Things You Didn’t Know About 10to1PR

We’ve built our reputation on delivering results for clients across multiple industries through strategic media relations and crisis communications. While you may know us for the coverage we generate and the stories we tell, here are ten facts about our Scottsdale-based agency that showcase the personality and principles behind our professional success.

1. We have a pet fish named Drip.

Our office mascot swims around, reminding us daily about the power of consistent communication. His name reflects the PR concept of a drip campaign, a steady stream of messages that builds awareness and reinforces brand messaging over time.

2. We have a monthly marble run.

These aren’t just for fun; they visually demonstrate how earned media builds momentum over time. Plus, they create engaging monthly social media videos.

3. We’re proudly a traditional PR agency.

We focus on proven media relations strategies that deliver real results. Our approach centers on building genuine relationships with journalists and securing organic media coverage.

4. We predominantly work with B2B clients.

Our expertise spans industries from healthcare, construction, professional services, and technology. We understand the unique challenges of reaching business decision makers through targeted media outreach.

5. 10to1PR Day is an official day.

The city of Scottsdale created this special recognition to celebrate our work and community involvement. This unique honor reflects our commitment to excellence and the positive impact we’ve made in the community.

6. The 10-to-1 rule inspired our company name.

Our philosophy is simple: it takes ten good things said about a business to overcome one negative comment. We help clients build their “goodwill bank” through consistent positive media coverage.

7. We serve clients nationally and internationally.

Our reach extends far beyond Arizona borders to companies across the United States and around the world. We work with businesses of all sizes, from startups to established corporations, helping them tell their stories to audiences wherever they need to be heard.

8. We’ve been growing for 13 years.

Since launching in 2012, we’ve expanded from two employees to 12 team members. Our client roster has grown to include companies across multiple industries and geographic markets.

9. Our AI assistant is named IVY.

We named it after Ivy Lee, the father of modern public relations, who pioneered ethical communication practices in the early 1900s. IVY represents our commitment to integrating technology while honoring the foundational principles that define our industry.

10. We specialize in crisis communications.

When companies face reputation challenges, we step in with strategic messaging and rapid response capabilities. Our experience includes handling everything from local issues to national controversies.

Our team brings both expertise and personality to every campaign, ensuring that your story gets told effectively across the right media channels. Contact us to learn how we can help share your company’s story.

Driving Global Coverage: Our PR Strategy for ITS World Congress

Driving Global Coverage: Our PR Strategy for ITS World Congress

Written by Morgan Ray, PR Coordinator at 10to1PR

10to1PR partnered with RX Global to manage media relations for ITS World Congress, one of the world’s largest gatherings of intelligent transportation system professionals. The five-day event brought together nearly 600 speakers from around the globe, 6,000+ attendees, and 300 exhibitors to share insights on cutting-edge transportation technologies under the theme “Deploying Today, Empowering Tomorrow.”

Coordinating media for a global conference with attendees from over 50 countries presented both an opportunity and a challenge. Our team leveraged our expertise in trade show PR to create a comprehensive strategy that would generate maximum visibility before, during, and after the event.

Pre-event strategy and prep

Our pre-event strategy focused on building awareness and excitement among key media targets across industry, local, national, and international outlets. We developed a targeted media list that included transportation technology reporters, business journalists, and local Atlanta media interested in the technological innovations, safety advancements, and mobility solutions showcased at the event.

The team executed a multi-phase outreach campaign that resulted in securing over 70 media registrants globally. This success came from personalized pitching that highlighted the most newsworthy aspects of the conference, including tech tours, demonstrations of cutting-edge transportation solutions, and access to industry leaders.

To increase awareness of the event, we researched potential podcast partners and recommended The Transportation Channel to RX Global. This recommendation created the first official podcast partnership of ITS World Congress, establishing a new channel to reach transportation professionals worldwide.

We created press materials including fact sheets and speaker bios for key executives from RX Global and ITS America. Our close coordination with both organizations ensured consistent messaging that aligned with the conference theme and highlighted the most innovative aspects of the event.

On-Site Media Management

The 10to1PR team managed all aspects of media operations during the five-day conference. We organized an exclusive Pen and Pad event with Laura Chace, President & CEO of ITS America, giving journalists direct access to ask questions about the future of intelligent transportation systems and the significance of the technologies on display.

We worked with every type of media outlet to maximize coverage of the event. Our team created a digital briefing directory where media could access exhibitor contact information along with their most recent press releases and media materials. We arranged live television segments for the tech demonstrations with local Atlanta stations and coordinated B-roll opportunities for broadcast media who couldn’t stay for the entire event. The team also coordinated with Atlanta radio stations to arrange phone interviews with industry experts.

The team actively promoted tech tours and demonstrations to attending media, highlighting the real-world applications of the technologies being discussed in the conference sessions. We coordinated with The Transportation Channel, the official podcast provider for the event, to arrange interviews with thought leaders and innovators, extending the reach of the conference content to audiences across multiple digital platforms. 

Tech Tours

The tech tours offered a unique opportunity to showcase real-world applications of intelligent transportation systems. We developed targeted pitches highlighting the most visually compelling and newsworthy aspects of each tour location to attract media coverage.

Media showed particular interest in the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Transportation Management Center and the Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners, with its living laboratory for emerging technologies. Our team managed the logistics of transporting journalists to these locations where they could see the technologies in action. These tech tours transformed abstract conference discussions into tangible demonstrations, giving media concrete examples to feature in their coverage.

Post-Event Coverage and Results

The impact of our media strategy continued well beyond the conference dates. Our team monitored and tracked over 100 earned media stories following the event, spanning local Atlanta outlets, national business publications, transportation industry media, and international coverage.

We distributed a post-event press release highlighting key announcements, notable speakers, and technological innovations from the conference. This timely recap provided journalists with the information needed to develop stories even if they couldn’t attend the whole event.

The media coverage captured the conference theme, “Deploying Today, Empowering Tomorrow,” and showcased the technologies presented by exhibitors and speakers. Stories focused on advancements in connected vehicle technology, artificial intelligence applications in transportation, and infrastructure innovations that are reshaping the future of mobility.

Pitch Perfect: Lessons from ABC15 Media Panel

Pitch Perfect: Lessons from ABC15 Media Panel

By Dayja Hernandez-Brown, 10to1PR PR Intern, Fall 2025

Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the PRSA Phoenix x ABC15 media panel with my team at 10to1PR. One of the best parts was getting a behind-the-scenes tour of the newsroom. I was so excited to see where the stories come to life and to meet the people who make it all happen. Hearing directly from reporters and producers gave me a fresh perspective on how stories are chosen, crafted, and shared with the public.

As a PR intern, the event felt like a crash course in what makes a pitch stand out. Here are six key takeaways that have reshaped the way I think about storytelling and media relations:

  1. Lead with the “Why” 

A strong pitch starts with why the story matters, not just what happened. Reporters receive hundreds of emails every day while juggling tight deadlines. If you don’t make the purpose clear right away, your pitch risks getting buried. A compelling “why” shows you understand the audience and the newsroom’s goals. Once you’ve nailed that, layer in the 5 Ws (who, what, where, when, and why) to give the full picture.

  1. Think Local First 

If it impacts the neighborhood, it matters. ABC15 prioritizes hyperlocal stories from everyday people stepping up to community challenges and local trends. In Arizona, for example, weather is a common theme because it affects everyone’s daily life. To strengthen your pitch, tie it to what’s happening in the community or what’s trending that day. Stories that highlight real people and real impact at the local level are far more powerful than chasing broad national headlines.

  1. Positive Stories to Balance the Chaos

News at ABC15 Arizona often focuses on death and destruction. That’s why stories about local heroes, small wins, and inspiring efforts stand out more. Reporters look for feel-good content that brings emotional balance. If a story makes people feel something real, it’s more likely to get picked up.

  1. Offer a Follow-Up Angle

Don’t just pitch a one-and-done story. Reporters love stories that have room to grow. Whether it’s a seasonal twist, a follow-up event, or a community-driven solution, offering a clear “what’s next” makes your pitch more dynamic. For example, if the story starts with a snowboarding accident, the next chapter could explore helmet safety or local policy changes. A built-in follow-up keeps the coverage going and keeps your story top of mind.

  1. Visuals Are Everything

In today’s fast-paced media world, visuals can make or break a pitch. High-quality video, clear b-roll and audio bring stories to life. It’s also important to format content for the right platform such as horizontal videos for broadcast and vertical for digital. In today’s attention economy, a strong visual hook at the start can determine whether a story gets airtime or gets skipped.

  1. Back It Up with Stats

Numbers add credibility. Whether it’s local data, national trends, or original survey results, statistics show why your story matters right now. Reporters need facts to support their coverage, and a strong stat can make your pitch more relevant, urgent, and trustworthy.

This panel reminded me that pitching isn’t just about sharing content, it’s about partnering with journalists to tell stories that matter to the community. I walked away feeling encouraged and more confident about what reporters are looking for and how I can rise to meet those expectations.

As I continue my PR internship, I’m excited to apply these lessons by tying client stories to the local communities they serve, ensuring every pitch adds value to the conversation. Attending this panel gave me practical tools I can bring back to my client work while also pushing me closer to my internship goals of building confidence in pitching and growing my skills in campaign planning. At the end of the day, my goal is to pitch stories that matter to the community, not serve up another cooking segment reporters are tired of seeing.

10to1PR Summer Rewind: Where We Spent Summer 2025

10to1PR Summer Rewind: Where We Spent Summer 2025

Summer 2025 took the 10to1PR team across the map in the United States and in Europe! Our team members explored new places and created unforgettable memories. Here is a look at where our PR professionals traveled during their time away from the office.


Rachael joined friends for a rafting trip on a river in Boise, Idaho. 


Erica traveled with her tennis team to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the USTA Southwest Sectionals, facing opponents from Flagstaff to El Paso and finishing in third. 


Danielle spent time with family on the Connecticut coast.


Morgan celebrated the Fourth of July in Boston.


Laura explored historic neighborhoods and landmarks across Prague. 


Madeleine held baby sheep in Ireland.


Josh visited Miami and made time for the beach. 


Emily headed to Montana for family hikes and time outdoors.


Gabriel traveled to a small town in Illinois for a family reunion.


These trips gave the team time to relax and recharge ahead of a busy fall and winter for our clients. The team returned with fresh perspectives and renewed energy to tackle upcoming campaigns.

With all our travels, we were still quite busy at the office this summer! See our Summer Spotlight post for client highlights and media coverage from the season.