“We thoroughly enjoy being in Ybor City and being involved in one of our community’s most treasured neighborhoods,” said Richards. “I look forward to working with Chamber members in the year ahead to help them grow their businesses and advocate for issues important to the Ybor City business community.”

In addition to naming Richards as chair, the Ybor Chamber installed the following volunteer leadership slate:

• Chair-Elect Dr. Larissa Baia, HCC Ybor Campus
• Secretary Blake Guthrie with the ReliaQuest Bowl
• And Treasurer Dr. Jamaris Glenn of 7th and Grove

Ybor City was founded in 1886 when Vicente Martinez-Ybor moved his cigar factory from Key West to Tampa. The Ybor City Chamber of Commerce came along in 1930 and has been supporting the business community ever since.

“At the Ybor City Chamber, we often say we keep ‘P.A.C.E.’ for our members because we Promote, Advocate, Connect, and Educate through our various events and programs,” said Lee Bell, President and CEO of the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce. “I’m excited about what Darren, our board, our staff, and our members will accomplish together in the year ahead.”

The Ybor City Chamber also operates the Visitor Information Center on 8th Avenue in Ybor City, open seven days a week. The Center helps people plan their visit to Ybor City so they can enjoy all the community has to offer, including museums, entertainment, restaurants, hotels, shopping, and other attractions.

About Tucker/Hall

Tucker/Hall is a communications consulting firm with offices in Tampa, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee offering public relations services in the areas of strategic communications, public affairs, and crisis communications. Founded in 1990, Tucker/Hall has built a statewide, national, and international practice from its Tampa base. The firm works with Fortune 500 corporations, Florida-based fast-growing companies, nonprofits, and government agencies.

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Online reviews. We love them as consumers when they help us decide what to buy and which businesses to trust. But what happens when your business gets a negative Google or Yelp review? Or even worse—if you find that your livelihood has been “review-bombed”, and you’re watching your star-rating drop as you see a steady stream of negative reviews, some from people you think may have never been your customers?

Removing negative reviews is controversial. On the one hand, business owners feel that negative reviews are unfair or unwarranted and may want them removed to protect their reputation. On the other hand, consumers and potential employees rely on reviews to make informed decisions, and eliminating reviews may be seen as dishonest or manipulative.

If you believe that your business needs help removing or managing negative reviews, whether it be from former employees leaving Glassdoor and Indeed reviews or angry consumers on Google and Yelp, here are four steps to take immediately to protect your reputation:

1. Document the situation: Keep a record of each negative review and any evidence you have that disputes their claims. Records may include screenshots of the reviews, timestamps, and other relevant information.
2. Report the reviews: If the negative reviews violate the platform’s policies, report them to the platform’s customer support team for possible removal. Provide specific information about the violation and any evidence that the reviews are part of an attack.
3. Seek professional advice: Public relations teams can help advise businesses on how to approach getting reviews removed, or even if they should be. For example, if the attacks contain illegal activities, such as harassment or defamation, legal intervention may be necessary to get the reviewer to remove the reviews.
4. Address the underlying issue: This may involve improving your products or services, addressing customer complaints, or addressing negative publicity.

Much of our work at Tucker/Hall includes guiding businesses as they carefully respond to negative reviews professionally and respectfully to show they are responsive and prepared to improve on the issues presented. However, there are instances when reviewers attack a business by leaving inaccurate or exaggerated comments to harm the company. Responding to these reviews, especially if they contain false allegations, may be more harmful than helpful.

We can work with you to help you protect your reputation and remove negative reviews on Google, Yelp, Glassdoor, and any other platform. Tucker/Hall can also develop a strategy with you to help build more positive reviews and momentum for your business online. If you need help removing negative reviews, or gaining more positive reviews, reach out directly to our digital lead, Theresa Collington, and she’ll work with you to devise a plan—email tcollington@evoqueag.online.

Google has launched a centralized page called A guide to Google Search ranking systems,  making learning about the backend of search and algorithms easier.

This new page joins others Google added this year related to their search algorithm systems.

Here’s a recap of the helpful resource pages Google has updated this year and what they do:

• List of Google Search ranking updates: Lists the latest ranking updates made to Google Search that are relevant to website owners.
• Google Search’s core updates and your website: Explains how updates to our core ranking systems work and how to assess and perhaps improve content.
• Google Search’s helpful content update and your website: Explains how our helpful content system works and how to assess and perhaps improve content.
• Google Search’s product reviews update and your website: Explains how our product reviews system works and how to assess and perhaps improve content.
• Google Search spam updates and your site: Explains how updates to our spam detection systems work and how to assess and perhaps improve content.

Also, check out the new Google Search Essentials:  if you’re looking to learn about the back end of a search, this is the perfect place to start on the path to success with Google Search.

If you’re interested in developing or updating a strategic plan to focus on how Google Search ranking, Google reviews, and leveraging website content can help your reputation and increase your business or company’s goals, contact Tucker/Hall VP Theresa Collington directly at tcollington@evoqueag.online.

1. #hashtags may no longer be clickable. (9to5)
2. A new feature may allow you to turn off mentions for your username. (Blog)
3. New Audio Chats within Twitter Communities may enable users to engage even more. (Tweet)
4. Video Creators on Twitter may make 10 percent more than on YouTube. (Forbes)
5. “Link Spotlight” is live and offers a link button with 7 Different CTAs. (Check)

Does your company need a strategy team that keeps you current? Contact Theresa Collington tcollington@evoqueag.online.

During an aircraft incident, airports, airlines, manufacturers, and affiliated agencies should have a crisis plan in play that includes the following three goals for social media communications:  

1. Distribute timely, reliable information 
2. Help control anxiety 
3. Suppress the spreading of rumors 

Let’s look at a real-life scenario. In 2018, Southwest Airlines flight 1380, a Boeing 737-700 en route from New York’s La Guardia Airport to Dallas Love Field, experienced an engine failure 20 minutes into the flight. Debris damaged the fuselage. It smashed a window, causing rapid depressurization of the cabin, and killing a passenger. 

During this unfortunate incident, a passenger streamed images of the unfolding crisis and potential disaster in “real-time” using the airline’s onboard Wi-Fi service. Passenger Marty Martinez went live on Facebook, said goodbye to his family and friends, and was the first to stream and post graphic images and video of an aviation incident live across social media to a broad audience.

Within minutes of the incident, the Southwest communications team began receiving calls from the media. Immediate next steps included posting confirmation of the incident on Southwest’s online channels and publishing updated statements and videos internally and externally throughout the day.

Southwest’s plan included temporarily changing its digital platform branding to a ‘dark’ version pre-produced in the event of a crisis–a plain blue with a monochrome logo. Southwest canceled advertising and other promotional activities and halted publishing the next in-flight magazine so the CEO could rewrite a sensitive column. The communications team also removed all photos, logos, and other assets from its digital properties and any platforms that could appear inappropriate or tone-deaf. 

Supported by the appropriate steady stream of messaging published across Southwest’s social media, media and press interest focused on two key storylines–the investigation of potential metal fatigue in the engine fan blades and the exemplary performance of the crew, captained by a female former US Navy fighter pilot. 

While the news coverage was mainly negative, conversations on social media were more balanced. In particular, the airline’s social media response was praised as timely and transparent.

With proper planning before an incident, social media communication during and after an incident can distribute timely information, help control anxiety and work to suppress reputation-damaging rumors. While IATA offers Social Media Crisis Guidelines, Tucker Hall can work with you and your company to develop a tailored crisis plan that includes a conscientious digital strategy and leveraging social media to help meet these planning goals and protect your reputation. 

Tucker/Hall VP Theresa Collington has over 20 years of deep digital and social media strategy experience. She is a guest lecturer for Media Relations in Aircraft Accident Investigations at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Theresa can help you develop or review your aviation incident crisis plan, perform tabletop exercises, and update your incident strategy to include the latest best practices on digital and social media platforms. You can reach Theresa directly at tcollington@evoqueag.online.

“I’m honored to serve as President of the Club in the year ahead,” said Richards. “I look forward to working with our members on great Propeller Club events, like Shrimperoo, StoneCrabFest, and Steak & Corn. I’m also excited to advocate for and support the local maritime industry so companies here can grow and thrive in a globally competitive environment.”

Richards takes over for Chris Chambers, who served as President during the last term from 2021-2022.

Here’s a complete list of the new executive committee:

• President Darren Richards
• First vice president Colt McCay
• Second vice president Kelly Hendry
• Third vice president Barbara Blank
• Secretary Tammy Castillo
• Treasurer Dev Swaly

The International Propeller Club of the United States, founded in 1927, is a grassroots, non-profit organization with members throughout the US and the world. It is the largest network of individuals dedicated to the enhancement and well-being of all interests of the maritime community on a national and international basis.

Tampa’s Propeller Club is the largest club in the United States, with more than 500 active members. Since its inception, the Tampa Club has educated legislators and the public about the maritime industry. Through its education committee, the Club has worked closely with the public school system to support the growth of the next generation of maritime employees and leaders.

“The good works of this Club have had tremendous positive impacts across many decades,” said Richards. “The entire Propeller Club board is dedicated to building on that legacy during the year ahead and beyond.”

Join Tucker/Hall Vice President Theresa Collington and Chief Operating Officer Darren Richards for an interactive workshop over lunch at the Columbia Restaurant that will take you through the latest best practices in Online Reputation Management. Theresa and Darren will walk you through ORM case studies for individuals, businesses, and some unique but powerful ways to clean up online reputations.

Online Reputation Management – Best Practices and Case Studies

Presented by PRSA Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the premier public relations organization in the Tampa Bay area.

Wednesday, April 27, 2022
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Networking – 11:30 AM to 12 PM
Presentation with lunch + Q&A – 12PM to 1PM

Columbia Restaurant – Ybor
2117 E 7th Ave.
Tampa, FL 33605

Sign up: Click here to register

Speakers: 

Theresa Collington is Vice President at Tucker/Hall, one of Florida’s leading public relations/public affairs firms. She joined the Tampa firm in 2021 after over 20 years in TV and digital media in Los Angeles, New York City, and Tampa Bay. Theresa works with clients on the firm’s three main practice areas – Strategy, Crisis, and Issues. She helps organizations with government and political/regulatory issues, and crisis management – everything from accidents to lawsuits. She earned a master’s degree from USF and has taught advanced digital media at the University of Florida and the Poynter Institute for Media Studies.

Darren Richards is Chief Operating Officer at Tucker/Hall, joining the firm in 2009 after a 23-year career as a news executive at some of the strongest TV stations in the country. During his time at Tucker/Hall in Tampa, Richards has worked on a variety of different clients – from those with marketing and branding needs to those in crisis communications situations. He has been accredited in crisis communications by the Institute for Crisis Management in Louisville. He has also been certified by the Yale School of Management in digital strategy.

Here’s what’s for lunch:

1905 Salad– The Columbia’s legendary salad of crisp iceberg lettuce with julienne of baked ham, natural Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, grated Romano cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and famous garlic dressing.

Pollo Manchego – A delicious combination of Manchego cheese and bread crumbs crusted on a chicken breast and grilled. Topped with sundried tomatoes, basil, and citrus sauce. Served with yellow rice.

Lunch is included with your ticket purchase.

If you need a vegetarian meal or have any special dietary needs, please leave a note in the special instructions and comment box when registering.

Tickets:
$35.00 Member
$40.00 Non-Member
$30.00 PRSSA Student

Sign up: Click here to register

PRSA ANTITRUST COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
PRSA’s policy is to comply with federal and state antitrust laws. Participants in PRSA meetings and programs are not to discuss industry-wide or individual company prices (current or projected) or matters relating to pricing such as costs, profits, wages, market allocation, or other competitively sensitive information. Compliance with the antitrust laws is a requirement for PRSA membership and responsibility for compliance rests with each member. Participants have an obligation to terminate any discussion, seek legal counsel’s advice, or, if necessary, terminate any meeting if the discussion might be construed to raise antitrust risks.