How to save money on your pet food

5 Ways to Cut that Doggone Pet Food Bill Australia — Pet food isn’t cheap 

Australians are expected to spend over $2 billion on pet food this year, up from $1.83 billion in 2009, according to the Pet Industry Association of Australia. 

Pet food is the second largest sector of the $8 billion plus pet industry.

Australia is pet crazy with about 2 million more pets than people. There are 4.2 million dogs and about
3.3 million cats.

By 2017, demand for pet food is expected to reach sales of $95.7 billion across the globe, according to
Global Industry Analysts Inc. (GIA). 

During these tough economic times, pet owners more than ever seem to be turning to their pets to bring comfort and joy to their daily lives even depriving themselves of some items to spend on their pet.

So what are the ways to get your pet food bill down?  Here are five tips from leading Australian online pet food retailer, Jalal Mattar of Boomerang Pet Food www.boomerangpetfood.com.au to cut down your pet food budget:

1. Check out the delivery fee first before you place an order as some online pet food retailers charge very high fees. You shouldn’t be paying more than $6.95 for city delivery and regional and country delivery should start from $7.95, according to Jalal Mattar of Boomerang Pet Food. 
   
   
2. Follow big brands: Food makers and online stores often post coupons on social media sites and their websites. So follow your pet’s favorite brand on Twitter and like it on Facebook. Do the same with online stores. 
   
   
3. Get automated: Set up a subscription online to get your pet food delivered to your door automatically on a regular basis. 8kg bags of Advance Adult Active sell for $78.40 in some major pet food stores, but with Boomerang Pet Food it’s just $57.95. 
   
   Boomerang Pet Food also sells 15kg Pro Plan Senior for just $89.95 which is a saving of up to 30% compared to regular pricing of other pet food suppliers. You can also get your worming and flea treatments at reduced prices at the same time – and save even more. 
   
   
4. Share with a friend – Have a small dog or a cat? Then get the large bags of food delivered as they offer lower prices than the standard size and share with a friend. As well as saving money you don’t have to lug a large bag of food home and you can split the cost with a friend. 
   
   
5. Make your own: Whipping up a freshly cooked meal for your pet can offer up some savings, especially if the pet has an allergy or other medical condition. Before switching to a cooked diet, consult with a veterinarian or pet nutritionist to make sure your pet is getting all the nutrients it needs.
   

For more information, visit www.boomerangpetfood.com.au.

How to choose the pawfect PR company

Looking for a PR company?  With hundreds of firms to choose from where do you start?  

 

The first step is to establish what services you require. PR encompasses a broad range of services - media relations, promotions, events, social media, sponsorship and other.  Which of these do you think will achieve your business objectives? 

The next decision is the size of the firm, whilst a large firm will offer many benefits, a small or medium size also have their advantages. 

Importantly, do they have experience in your industry?

 

If your aim is to secure media coverage ask the company to show you examples of coverage they've secured for clients over the past three months. They should be happy for you to contact their clients too.

When looking at the media articles ask what markets they were targeting to ensure they are not targeting any publication. It may appear great to secure ten minutes on a morning tv program, for example, but if none of the clients target audiences watch it then it's a waste of time.

Also ask them about the process of your campaign - when will they start approaching media and how?

 

What is their method of securing media coverage? You do not want a company who simply send out press releases as this is not effective unless you have a major news story. Media receive hundreds of press releases daily which are mostly get deleted.

Ask them how they will be updating you and how often.  Find out how they will be measuring the campaign and how regularly. 

 

It is crucial that you know the objectives of a campaign before you commence. What do you really want to achieve from the secured media coverage? Don't just appoint a PR and get media coverage for the sake of it or, otherwise, you run the risk of not achieving the desired results.

Only by clearly defining your business objectives will you know what media to target - which also depends on what markets you want to target - and what to say in the article which is known as key messages. 

 

There are usually multiple objectives and it is pivotal that these are properly defined. 

If, for example, you need new staff then the employment sections will be a target and in the media interview you'll emphasise the strong employee benefits and programs that your company offers. 

Don't focus on what media contacts the PR company has as media change roles frequently. Media relationships are not as important as their ability to proactively develop a strong angle and successfully pitch it to relevant media.

 

Importantly find out who will be working on your account, the day to day work. Ask who will be contacting the media on your behalf? 

 

Make sure that the people contacting the media are very experienced - four years minimum. You do not want a junior pitching your company to the media.

Should you appoint a large, small or medium consultancy? It depends on your requirements, how many other clients they have, if their team are predominantly seniors, whether they focus on one area ie; media relations or do everything and more. This is where it's important to find out who is your main point of contact and their level of experience.

And be realistic, don't expect articles at the very beginning - it takes time to secure media coverage and then further time for it to appear. Also, considerable work ie; strategy, development of key messages, issue identification, development of media material and much more, is required at the commencement of the campaign before any media is contacted.

How do they monitor media coverage during the campaign and will they send you original copies of the coverage or scans?

How will they be invoicing you and when do they require payment of their account? Will they be charging you per hour or by a monthly retainer and will cost of phone calls, couriers etc be added on or included in the fee? 

 

If it is a monthly retainer then what happens once they surpass the quoted number of hours, will you be charged in addition?

Ascertain how much notice you are required to provide them if you want to cancel the campaign. Some consultancies require one month, others two - so it's important to know this.

 

For more  information on the process of media relations and securing media coverage go to: http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/47061.aspx

 

Journalists encouraged to enter Australian Pet Blogger Awards

A new important category has been added to the Australian Pet Blogger Awards - Best Pet Article written by a Journalist Award.

This is an important category as journalist articles have so much influence on educating the general public about pets.

Australia has some wonderful journalists and we encourage them to enter their article which have been published in the 12 months prior the entry closing date of 15 November 2013.

The articles do not have to be completely about a pet, they can be pet related.

We now have 20 categories and here they are:
- Best Dog Blog

- Best Cat Blog 
- Best Other Pet 
- Best Designed Blog   
- Best Rescue/Cause
- Blog Best Actual
- Pet Blog (written by a pet)
- Best Pet Company Blog
- Best Veterinarian Blog 
- Best Behaviourist/Training Blog
- Best Pet Travel Blog
- Best international Blog
- Best Pet or pet related advertisement print
- Best Pet or pet related advertisement radio/television
- Best Pet or pet related advertisement digital
- Best Pet App
- Best Twitter
- Best Facebook Page
- Best Pet Website 
- Best Journalist Pet Article 
 

Plus Dogs Life Magazine Readers Choice Award.

Fantastic Feedback on the first Australian Pet Blogger Awards

It's so exciting to be constantly receiving such positive feedback on the Pet Blogger Awards.  We thought that we were on a winner and that it would be a major high profile event, but it's really great to get this feedback.

Entries are open until 15 November but we've received over 130 entries already and all across various categories - blog entries, pet websites, pet apps, pet ads - radio, television and print.  

We've had entries from dog trainers, pet accessory companies, vets including a fish vet, pet welfare organisations, advertising agencies, pet companies small and large, a pig, a Yorkshire Terrier, creatives, production companies, and more!  

And we've had entries from all over Australia as well as overseas. 

Here's some of the feedback:
 

"I feel so proud and honored to be part of the very first Australian Pet Blogger Awards! It's so exciting because it's the very first opportunity for Aussie pet bloggers to get together and celebrate our love and passion for animals as nothing like it currently exists on this scale."    Katie Preston Toepfer Writer/Author Wedding Dogs

 

“Recognition for bloggers, social media writers and campaigners! Wonderful and well overdue!” Anny Slater The Good Dog! International Film Festival

"The Australian Pet Blogger Awards 2013 are an invaluable addition to the Australian pet industry. The awards are recognising the contribution of start ups, SME's, non for profit and corporate organisations. 

In Australia for every 100 people we have an average of 16 dogs and this is a number that is growing. The awards are the first industry event to recognise the contribution of a sector that is experiencing exponential growth. 

Innovative businesses such as Dogtired are connecting with a large cross section of Australian's that have an unbreakable bond with their pets and are supporting animal welfare at the same time. Dogtired is thrilled to be able to connect with the industry through these inaugural awards."  Megan Travers, Dogtired

 

20 Categories in the Australian Pet Blogger Awards

At Four Paws PR, Australia's only Pet PR agency, we don't do small, only big.  Hence there are 20 categories in the Australian Pet Blogger Awards.

And it's open to bloggers, web designers, advertising agencies and creatives, veterinarians, pet companies and app developers.  

The Awards are the annual pet industry, pet owners, and media major industry event.  And they also serve to acknowledge the important work of Australia's pet welfare organisations.

20 Pet welfare groups will receive products and services from pet companies and one will be named Australian Pet Welfare Organisation of the Year, the first Awards of its type.  They will receive funds raised from the Awards; a full page colour advertisement in Dogs Life Magazine and a profile in Dogs Life.

Dogs Life Magazine is the Awards partner and we are so excited to be working with them and value their support and enthusiasm for the Awards.

The 20 categories are:

Categories

·       Best Dog Blog

·       Best Cat Blog

·       Best Other Pet

·       Best Designed Blog

·       Dogs Life Magazine Readers Choice Awards

·       Funniest Blog or Blogger

·       Best Rescue/Cause Blog

·       Best Actual Pet Blog

·       Best Pet Company Blog

·       Best Veterinarian Blog

·       Best Behaviourist/Training Blog

·       Best Pet Travel Blog

·       Best international Blog

·       Best Pet or pet related advertisement print

·       Best Pet or pet related advertisement radio/television

·       Best Pet or pet related advertisement digital

·       Best Pet App

·       Best Twitter Design

·       Best Facebook Page

·       Best Pet Website

Entries close 15 November and entry can be downloaded at http://fourpawspr.com/2013-pet-blogger-awards.html

 

Great Ads Featuring Pets

The US Superbowls ads in 2012 were dominated by dogs.

A panel of USA Today consumers selected the Doritos’ Man’s Best Friend ad as its overall favorite. Made by a contest entrant for only $20, a dog dad catches his Great Dane burying a collar.

The other great pet ads were the Skechers French Bulldog racing Greyhounds ad and the Volkswagen ad with a fat dog chasing a VW Beetle.

But it's not all dogs check out this great ad for Volkswagen featuring a very chatty parrot.

Exciting to see what entries the Australian ad agencies enter in the Pet Blogger Awards!

New Advertising Categories added to Australian Pet Blogger Awards

The Australian Pet Blogger Awards are even bigger with advertising agencies now invited to enter the Awards.

Ad agencies can now enter three categories:

• Best Pet or Pet Related print advertisment
• Best Pet or Pet Related radio or television advertisement
• Best Pet or Pet Related Digital advertisement

This is an excellent opportunity for creatives and advertising agencies to be acknowledged and rewarded by the Australian pet industry which has an annual revenue of over $8 billion per annum.

Attitudes towards pet ownership has changed dramatically with nine out of ten pet owners considering their pets family and treating them as such. 
Nine of our ten pet owners consider their pets a member of the family and in the US 16 percent of car purchasers buy a car with the dog in mind.

With over 63% of Australian homes owning at least one pet, brands can’t ignore this major market. If advertising agencies don’t accommodate pet owners in their advertising and product development then they will miss valuable opportunities.

The automotive industry is ahead of most others and it should be considering that 16 percent of Americans buy cars with their dog in mind and the data is very similar in Australia.

Marketers have to get out of the mindset of how they may view pets. Owners have a completely different attitude and marketers have to get into the pet owners mind to be able to reach them effectively.

So Australian ad agencies - you have until 15 November to get your entries in.     Entries can be downloaded at http://fourpawspr.com/2013-pet-blogger-awards.html

Entries are open for the 2013 Australian Pet Blogger Awards

Have you entered the 2013 Australian Pet Blogger Awards yet?  If not just go to http://fourpawspr.com/2013-pet-blogger-awards.html and download the entry form.  

Entries close on 15 November 2013.  

Categories are:

- Best Dog Blog 
- Best Cat Blog 
- Best Other Pet 
- Dogs Life Magazine Readers Choice Award
- Best Designed Blog 
- Funniest Blog
- Best International Blog
- Best Rescue/Cause/Pet Welfare Blog 
- Best Actual Pet Blog 
- Best Pet Company Blog
- Best Veterinarian Blog
- Best Behaviourist/Training Blog
- Best Pet Travel Blog

- Best International Blog 

We will also be awarding: 
- Best Pet Website - Best Pet App 
- Best Twitter Design 
- Best Pet Facebook Page 

Don't miss out on the chance to be acknowledged and rewarded and the opportunity to attend the 

presentation luncheon on Friday 29th November in Sydney hosted by dog lover Kerri-Anne Kennerley.

Finalists will be announced on Friday 22nd November and invited to attend the Awards.

For queries please email petbloggerawards@fourpawspr.com

Good luck! 

Why PR works for the Pet Industry

Despite the world financial crisis the Australian pet industry has grown and it's one of the few industries to do so.
 
The household pet products and services sector plays a major role in the Australian economy, ranking 117 out of 498 industry sectors.  

It generated revenue of $8 billion in 2011/12, well ahead of wine manufacturing and not far behind copper ore mining (CommSec).

And it is set to continue growing as is the Australian level of pet ownership which has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world with 63 per cent of households being home to 25 million pets.

Dogs were the most common pets with 39 per cent of households owning a canine following by 29 per cent owning a cat.

Almost half would like to either get a pet or get another pet with 14.9 per cent planning to add an animal to their family in 2013.

Pet owners are constantly looking for different ways to improve their pet’s quality of life with food, treats, toys, services; the list goes on and on.  And new and different companies are continually springing up to meet those needs.   

Veterinary fees is a $2.5 billion annual market which is forecast to increase to $2.94 billion by 2017.

The pet related services category  has more than doubled in the past decade. From mobile grooming services to high-end salons, luxury pet hotels and specialised day care centers, the array of pet services seems endless.

If you’re in the pet industry, you’re well positioned to market enhance and grow your business.  PR and media relations are ready-made marketing approaches for the pet industry.  

Public relations is all about effective story telling, and the media (and the public) love pet stories.  Whether the story is about a new line of pet furniture, a new exclusive pampering service, or a new veterinary procedure, there are stories that will interest the media and the public.  

In turn those stories can help grow your business, build your brand and establish you as an expert in the world of pets and pet care.

The media loves human interest stories and there are no better human interest stories than those that include pets.  YouTube is a prime example of our pet obsession; the site is filled with clips of pets being cute, funny, silly and different.   

People love their pets and if the media reach those consumers and let them know about your new product and service, it is going to pay off in a big way.  

Unlike advertising or other forms of marketing media relations not only builds your reputation in the field it also builds your business.

Once you decide to launch a PR campaign for your business, study the media outlets that reach your target market.  

Now develop a number of different stories to pitch to a variety of different media outlets.  

Each media source has needs and interests that are specific to it.  The primary secret to a successful campaign is to focus on what the various media outlets need, and pitch each outlet accordingly.  

For example, pet trade publications will be interested in a business angle, whereas your local media will respond to a pitch with a local slant and a national TV show is going to be more willing to run with a story that has a strong visual component.  
 


So if you’re in the pet industry, utilize your strengths.  Your pet business, service, or product is the ideal candidate for a successful media relations campaign.  

Then combine your traditional media campaign with a social media campaign and watch your business soar.

News! Kerri-Anne Kennerley to host first Australian Pet Blogger Awards

We are very excited to announce that Kerri-Anne Kennerley is hosting the 2013 Australian Pet Blogger Awards.  

The luncheon to announce the Awards will be on Friday 29th November at Centennial Parklands Dining Wine Room.

Kerri-Anne is one of Australia’s most iconic media personalities and has been a favourite with Australian television audiences for more than 20 years.

She is a pet lover in front of and behind the camera. Having worked closely with Mornings resident vet Dr. Ark during her many years hosted the show, donating time to Guide Dogs Australia throughout the years,

Kerri-Anne has always had a furry family member bouncing around the home she shares with husband and fellow dog lover, John.

First ever 2013 Australian Pet Blogger Awards

2013 Australian Pet Blogger Awards

Winners announced at event in Sydney on Friday 29^th November

The inaugural 2013 Australian Pet Blogger Awards is calling all bloggers who blog about pets to enter for the chance to be recognised and rewarded by the pet industry and media. 

Entries are open to various types of bloggers ie; mums, lifestyle, travel, food, etc on the condition that their blog contains posts about pets. 

There are also Awards for Best Pet Website, Best Twitter and Facebook and Best Pet App.

Final entries close on Friday 15^th November. 

A luncheon to announce the winners will be held on Friday 29^th November at Centennial Parklands Dining Wine Room, Sydney at 12.15pm. 

Dogs Life Magazine, the leading national pet magazine, is a major Partner of the Pet Blogger Awards and will be covering the Awards extensively online and in the magazine.

The Awards recognise the best of the pet blogging community and is an opportunity

for the pet industry to get together annually and, importantly, to support pet welfare organisations. 

Most importantly, the Awards will significantly increase the profile of the Australian pet industry and also heighten the awareness of pet companies amongst pet owners.

Further it will increase public awareness of the pet industry’s support of pet welfare in Australia. 

Special focus will be placed on pet welfare and each year one organisation is chosen to speak about their cause and efforts.  Funds raised from the Awards will be donated to that organisation. 

There are seventeen categories and all entries will be judged by a panel of experienced bloggers, pet experts and members of the media including renowned journalist Valerie Khoo, Kylie Baracz, Editor of Dogs Life Magazine and Rebecca Derrington founder of Source Bottle.

Finalists from each category will be invited to attend the event joining pet industry members, pet welfare organisations and media. 

Each Award category will be supported by a pet company which will donate $5000 of services or products to the winners chosen pet welfare organisation. 

The overall winner, the 2013 Australian Pet Blogger of the Year, will choose a pet welfare organisation which will receive a full page colour advertisement in Dogs Life Magazine valued at $6,000.  The winner and the pet organisation will be profiled in Dogs Life.

Of course pets will be attending the Awards with category finalists for the actual Pet

Bloggers ie; dogs, cats or other pets that blog, attending to receive their Award.  They will enjoy their luncheon in a very special marquis on the grass next to the Wine Room sponsored by the pet company for pets with personality
IdPet www.idpet.com.au.  Pets will lounge in beautiful IdPet beds; play with lovely IdPet toys; drink their beverages and lunch in IdPet bowls; and have special IdPet name tags and collars to wear on the day and take home.    

Categories 

• Best Dog Blog 
• Best Cat Blog 
• Best Other Pet 
• Best Designed Blog 
• Funniest Blog or Blogger 
• Dogs Life Magazine Readers Choice Award
• Best Youth Blog (for bloggers under 18 years) 
• Best Rescue/Cause Blog 
• Best Actual Pet Blog 
• Best Pet Company Blog
• Best Veterinarian Blog
• Best Behaviourist/Training Blog
• Best Pet Travel Blog

We will also be awarding:

• Best Pet App 
• Best Twitter Design 
• Best Facebook Page 
• Best Pet Website

The 2013 Australian Pet Blogger of the Year will be awarded from all the category winners.

Sponsorship and Prize Partnership opportunities are available offering high reach and meaningful communications with an extensive database of pet and lifestyle bloggers in Australia and internationally. 

Rules 
To determine the finalists and winners, independent judges will use the criteria developed by Four Paws PR where all categories will be judged on creativity, originality and overall impression, and then either design, content, or humour as it pertains to each category. Finalists will be announced on or about 22 November 2013. Winners will be announced at the Awards Luncheon on Friday 29^th November. 

For Further Information:

Louise Lees, Four Paws PR

M 0418 543 498

E Louise@fourpawspr.com       W www.fourpawspr.com/

Three Ways to Ensure You Get Bad Media Coverage

Just as there are steps to take to improve your public relations power, there are ones you can follow that will ensure your reputation and media coverage will be horrible. 

1.     Don't thoroughly know their section and publication/program

Nothing quite annoys the media, and understandably so, than receiving releases and pitches completely irrelevant to them.  

It's a slight to their work and reveals the author/senders ignorance.   How hard can it be to read the relevant journalists past articles? 

2.     Call them right on deadline, or even worse, don't know they have one

Figure you'll call BRW on Monday late afternoon and pitch an idea?  That will not endear you to them.  

 Find out a publications deadline before contacting.  And when you do call them, first ask if they can talk or would they prefer you to call them back at a more suitable time.

3.     Stonewall and give no information whatsoever.

This is not the same thing as a “No comment” answer. This is when you purposely avoid answering the media in any way, thinking that if you say nothing, they will write nothing in response. 

Sorry, it does not work that way, and it only encourages reporters to find other sources who will talk, particularly ones who may oppose you. 

The result can be a piece that makes you scramble for damage control afterward – if in fact you do not lose your job and/or friends as a consequence.  

I had a client actually refuse to tell a top notch financial journalist who was on their board! The journalist's response to this arrogant and foolish response, was that he could easily just look it up on ASIC when he returned to the office. This was a big mistake by the client.