By Mario Toneguzzi

A Calgary public relations company has launched a unique and innovative initiative to help businesses that have struggled during the current economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

WILD PR is offering businesses a complimentary Post-COVID-19 Revive & Thrive PR Package that outlines how businesses can secure valuable media opportunities for themselves in order to have their stories heard by the community and give their brands a much-needed boost.

Kristen Novak, Founder of the company, said it has put together a package that any small business, regardless of what industry they are in or their size, can use to develop their own public relations strategy and book their own media interviews.

“The reason we wanted to do that is because we know PR is expensive. As a reputation, it tends to be on the expensive side. But we know people’s funds are so limited. We know that businesses have been shut down and people are coming back from nothing. So we really wanted to give a resource to people so that funds weren’t the limiting factor for them to get that press coverage too,” said Novak.

“Press coverage gives credibility. It gives you exposure. It really does wonderful things for a business. The bottom line is how can we help small business right now do something to help them come back from this.”

The package is available as a free resource that can be downloaded from the company’s website at https://wildpr.ca.

Novak said the coronavirus has taken a toll on businesses of all sizes and the company wants to be cheerleaders of small business and a support system to help them “come back with a vengeance.”

She said WILD PR wants to equip businesses with the tools to revive their business, get eyeballs on their services or products, and speak to their consumers in a way that resonates to drive business right back up.

“This package is all about the fundamentals so we are going to keep things simple and to the point. Our belief is that you don’t need to know absolutely everything to be able to get media coverage, you just need the foundation,” she said.

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Boost your brand for FREE! 🎉 With everything going on in the world, we wanted to do our small part in lending a hand to our fellow small businesses by providing free resources to help support your brand post-COVID-19. We are excited to officially announce the launch of our Revive & Thrive PR Package, which will set you up for success with everything you need to know to land amazing media opportunities, have your story heard by the community and get your business back on top. . We want to be your cheerleaders and support system so your business can come out the other side of these strange times stronger than ever. Here’s to resiliency, to sticking together and to all the new and exciting things we know are within reach for you and your business! . The WILD Revive & Thrive PR Package is available for download at www.wildpr.ca (link in bio) and we are always here to answer any questions you have. . #yyc #yycpr #yeg #yegpr #freepr #publicrelations #covidsupport #lovelocalyyc #shoplocalyyc #supportlocalyyc #yycfree #wildpr #postcovid #yycbusiness #yycbossbabe #calgarybusiness #reviveandthrive #yycentrepreneurs #yycbusinessbabes #bossbabeyyc #yycgirlgang

A post shared by WILD Public Relations Inc. (@wild.pr) on May 11, 2020 at 12:47pm PDT

“We’re a small business ourselves and we have seen and experienced how basically COVID has been wreaking havoc not only on people’s livelihoods but on their dreams too. If you look at so many businesses that have just opened and had to immediately shut down, it’s incredibly sad from my perspective. We’re just looking at what we can do to give back and what we can do to help others at a time like this.”

Erica Morgan, Senior Account Manager of the company, said the initiative is reflective of that spirit in Calgary of everyone wanting to pull together and do everything they can.

“Even though we’ve been impacted, that was something that we had always been in discussion about. What can we do to give back with our resources and our knowledge and abilities. This was kind of the result of that,” said Morgan.

Novak said it is extremely important for businesses to communicate to their customers and clients, especially during a time like this. Customers and clients want to know who is re-opening and how they’re re-opening.

“I think there’s going to be a lot of businesses that are coming out of this wanting to get their story heard. But even if everyone’s doing it, you need to find your voice within the masses,” she said.

“If people stop communicating, people are going to think that business is out of business. So you have to keep going. You have to keep letting people know what’s going on.”

Morgan said people place a high value on transparency. When businesses can use that communication to be open and honest with people, they appreciate that even if businesses have to close or change their business model.

“There’s value in showing what’s really going on to your customers and your stakeholders,” she added.

Mario Toneguzzi, based in Calgary has 37 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist and editor. He worked for 35 years at the Calgary Herald covering sports, crime, politics, health, city and breaking news, and business. For 12 years as a business writer, his main beats were commercial and residential real estate, retail, small business and general economic news. He nows works on his own as a freelance writer and consultant in communications and media relations/training. Email: mdtoneguzzi@gmail.com

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