For years Kansas City’s famed American Royal Barbecue has relied on local volunteer public relations practitioners for their help in promoting this major event. After all, the Royal is a local event that relies heavily on volunteer support for its huge success over the past 33 years.
Many of these local PR volunteers have done an admirable job with virtually no resources or budget (see photo of press room from last year sent to Bottom Line from a local reporter!). However, over time, local media outlets have expressed their frustration with trying to cover the event. Reporters have complained that it is often difficult to get interviews. It’s even more difficult to get results in a timely manner.
After all, the American Royal is considered the “World Series of BBQ” with 504 teams. It is the largest barbecue event in the country.
This year the American Royal realized that it has grown to the point where it desperately needs ongoing public relations services.
Even though there are a number of very qualified local firms (Bottom Line was not interested), the American Royal has shaken the PR community by selecting the Brand Solutions Group out of Washington, D.C. to handle its PR duties. After all, Washington D.C. is know for its fine BBQ!
On its Web site the Group says it “was founded by a driven and successful public relations expert (Jennifer Brand) with a passion for helping lawyers and entrepreneurs enhance their PR to excel in their businesses.”
One local PR professional was stunned to learn the American Royal would be look outside Kansas City for assistance.
“The American Royal calls on Kansas City companies for virtually all its support,” he says, “and when it comes to actually paying for PR services it hires a Washington firm?
“I must admit I am absolutely stunned. There are at least 10 PR shops here with local and national experience that could do a terrific job with this event.”
This might serve as a lesson to KC PR pros when considering whether they should donate their services to an organization. Sometimes when you give away your services it diminishes the value people place on them.
UPDATE: The American Royal felt it was necessary to issue a news release (5/8) on the hiring of Brand Solutions for its PR activities. The release did not say how much it was paying for its public relations services and did not mention the firm was based in Washington, D.C.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
American Royal Hires PR Firm for Barbecue Event
May 8, 2012 – Kansas City – The American Royal Association is pleased to announce it has hired Brand Solutions Group for public relations work on the 2012 World Series of Barbecue® contest.
“We are very excited to have Jennifer Brand involved in our PR efforts again. She is very highly regarded in the barbecue community. In fact she helped last year on a volunteer basis with our public relations needs before and during the event. Jennifer also has significant experience in BBQ specific public relations on a national level in her current role as the PR/media director of the National Capital BBQ Battle in Washington DC (one of the other top 5 annual BBQ events in the nation). We are excited to have her and Brand Solutions Group to help us take our event to the next level,” says Bob Petersen, American Royal President & CEO.
It was also important for the American Royal to have a person who had an understanding of the relationship & impact of the Royal’s agricultural & scholarship/educational support that extends beyond the largest event of the season, the World Series of Barbecue.
“Jennifer has a good working knowledge of the American Royal growing up in Missouri and attending law school in Kansas City. She is familiar with our equine and livestock events through her former position as an elected leader of Missouri 4-H Council. We have many people who identify us with the Barbecue, which is our biggest event, but it was further appealing for us to have someone who understands the big picture of the American Royal as a charity that supports youth and agriculture,” Petersen says.
The American Royal World Series of Barbecue will be returning for the 33rd year to the historic West Bottoms during October 4-7. This year promises to be another success with great food, musical entertainment, fireworks and plenty of family fun Saturday in the Kid’s Korral. Check www.americanroyal.com for the latest barbecue event news and announcements.
About the American Royal
The American Royal Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that has been a Kansas City tradition since 1899. Each year more than 270,000 people attend events at the American Royal Complex. In 2011, the Royal was able to give $1.4 million in scholarship and educational awards. In addition to its educational mission, the American Royal generates some $70 million of economic impact, $4.4 million in local tax revenues, and supports 450 jobs.
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American Royal, 1701 American Royal Ct., Kansas City, MO 64102
www.americanroyal.com
Press contact: Jeremy Povenmire, (816) 569-4047
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John….you hit the nail on the head with this one..Wonder why the American Royal picked a PR firm from Washington that prides itself on its lawyer clients/trade association contacts.
Do you think that the American Royal was sold a bill of goods about all the coverage Brand Solutions Group can access from the National Media?
Do you think that the American Royal felt that they needed a bigger PR bang after being downsized from the Sprint Center to the Hale Arena?
We shall see how well this works for the American Royal and Brand Solutions Group. Would love to see the billing and travel and entertainment expense for the Brand Solutions Group will run up during the American Royal….
This should be an insult to every PR practioner (and ad agencies for that matter)in the Greater Kansas City area. I’m not in the business, but am equally stunned at hearing about this decision and very disappointed in the American Royal. Let’s see how – or if – their new, inside the loop, PR firm wiggles out of this.
Wow, short-sighted management has sunk to a new low.
Don’t know if this is a case of ignorance or another example of some Kansas Citians’ low self esteem. Maybe a combination of both. Back in the 70s Kansas City leaders hired a New York PR firm to get KC some national pub. As an afterthought they thought maybe they ought to promote KC to KC people as well. Brewer advertising did that portion for free. They came up with a few classic lines like “One of the few livable cities,” “more boulevards than Paris, more fountains than Rome” and put together a great local campaign. In fact, the New York PR firm agreed and started using those classic lines for their national efforts. With leadership like this maybe we should have low self esteem.
Hey, while we’re thinking about it why don’t we build a new airport and expand the convention center. And when we institute those dumb decisions maybe we can use out-of-town contractors to do the job. After all, our world class architectural firms and general contractors wouldn’t be up for big jobs like those would they?
I did some additional fact checking after my post and found out that the D.C. PR person actually does have KC connections and was a significant volunteer at last year’s event. The truth is, however, that public relations is as much perception as reality and this is exactly the type of thing decision makers need to be sensitive to. The decision is complicated by the fact that there are literally scores of extremely high quality PR firms and independent contractors in KC as capable as those out of town, many of whom have also done free work in Kansas City.
I am one of the countless volunteers that bleed barbecue sauce all year for the American Royal Barbecue. The world of competition barbecue has unique issues and challenges that require a very different mindset from other American Royal events. Yes, Kansas City is famous for BBQ. But the American Royal Barbecue is an international event and it is a logical step to take PR to a more national level. It is not just about promoting KC barbecue to KC. I was not part of this decision but I trust there are valid reasons for it. I would suggest that the local PR firms might learn a thing or two by getting involved in the many volunteer committees that plan and stage the American Royal Barbecue. It is very nice to “donate” a few hours of pro bono work to the event but you need to be in the trenches with the rest of us before you have a right to complain. Your previous efforts are much appreciated and not diminished by this decision.
A number of local PR agencies have worked with the American Royal for years on a volunteer basis or for minimal payment. Now that money is in the budget the group is looking outside for PR help.
To say that the American Royal now has to look elsewhere for PR assistance because KC agencies can’t handle it is a sad commentary on some of the fine agencies here.
There are several PR shops in Kansas City that regularly do PR on a national and international basis for major clients.
Once again, the old joke that an “expert is anyone from out-of-town” holds true in KC.
You have totally misunderstood my comment. I am not implying, in the least that local PR shops aren’t good enough. In fact, I would much rather give business to home town companies. But providing PR on a volunteer/free/minimally priced basis is not the same as dealing with the teams one-on-one and understanding what makes or breaks a BBQ contest. It is a lot more complex than setting up a bunch of smokers and tents and cooking some meat. Most people have no idea what goes on behind the scenes to orchestrate an event of this caliber.
Perhaps it was nothing more than their understanding of competitive BBQ culture that got Brand Solutions the job. I can’t believe that the decision was driven by “out of town must be better” and saying it is without knowing the facts is irresponsible.
What’s all the fuss about? The American Royal has the right to hire who it wants and move forward with it.
My only question: if this event is known as the “World Series” of BBQ and brings in 504 teams, why is it using volunteers for its marketing efforts?! Nothing against volunteers, but the World Series designation denotes longevity and prestige and impactful dollars to the city. I’m in the dark about this cook off and who participates. Maybe that’s a marketing issue?
MONEY TALKS
goes to the old adage money talks & BS walksun43
ENTITLEMENT?
Wow. Cant belive all the negative comments written here. Stand up for KC and your city, dont bash it. The American Royal is fun for all. They have every right to do what they want and pay who they will. It seems clear to me why they went outside the box to hire a “non local” PR Firm this year. Obiviously the ones in the area were not doing a good enough job. This entitlement that you feel is childish. Just because you live in a city doesnt mean you have the right to the choices businesses make. I bet there is not one player, or coach for that matter, on the KC Chiefs who is actually from the area. Clubs hire talent from all over the US to best represent their teams and city. They want the best and sometimes you have to look beyond KC to get it. I look foward to attending this event again next year. GO KC