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Last Chance to Join the Fun!
Celebrate AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Days this September!
Thinking about signing up for AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Days, sponsored by Invisible Fence Brand, Hill's® Science Diet® Small & Toy Breed Dog Food, and ADT Security Services, and Motel 6?
Well, we only have A FEW SPOTS LEFT!
AKC will be accepting events here until August 15, 2010. We will be distributing packets full of educational materials and other giveaways and freebies to clubs that sign up on the web site.
The events are listed in this directory , which is searchable by state.
This year, you can also celebrate with us virtually! Throughout the month of September, we invite dog lovers across America to share their "Acts of Responsible Dog Ownership" with us online as part of the inaugural "Virtual AKC RDO Days". The "act" can be something as simple as taking your dog for his regular walk or as elaborate as getting him health tested or microchipped.
Then, let us know what you or your club did via Facebook, Twitter (@akcdoglovers) or e-mail at communications@akc.org. If you're feeling really creative, take a photo or video of your "Act of Responsible Dog Ownership" and share it with us on AKC's YouTube channel or Flickr pages.
We're looking to amass 5,000 "acts" throughout the month of September, so start thinking about what you can do to show that you're a responsible dog owner!
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AKC Syndicate
Attention Club Newsletter Editors: Don't forget the AKC Syndicate, which provides you with the latest dog info and AKC news for your club publication or newsletter. We'll also be sending out monthly e-Blasts, which you can subscribe to by contacting us at communications@akc.org.
The July e-Blast celebrated the summer season with a variety of topics like hot weather care tips, dogs in weddings and disaster preparedness. Every month will also includes regular features like Ask AKC with AKC Director of Communications Lisa Peterson, stories from AKC Family Dog and the regular Meet the Breeds® section spotlighting different AKC breeds.
This ready-to-print content is always available FREE to all club newsletter editors and media outlets here. You can request a user ID and password by contacting communications@akc.org or 212-696-8228. We also welcome any requests for content you'd like to see available. The AKC looks forward to fulfilling all of your editorial needs when it comes to purebred dogs. If you do use this content anywhere, please forward us a link or send us a clip so we can see how your readers are enjoying our content. |
New Media Template: Grand Championship
We are always adding great tools to the Media Template Page and now you can go there for additional tips and resources in addition to the current templates. Recent updates include:
Grand Championship Media Template: The AKC began the Grand Championship program in 2010 as a way to encourage champions to stay in the ring and for exhibitors to compete and excel with their dogs on a whole new level. We have created a new template so that fanciers who achieve the Grand Championship title with their dogs can share the news with the local media. This also helps AKC get the word out about the new title. If your dog has been recently crowned a Grand Champion, we encourage you to fill out the template, or read our pitching tips.
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First AKC Grand Champion, Weimaraner "Stoli"
Photo Credit: Sheryl Hoyle |
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The Power of the Survey in Promoting Your Club
Several recent articles (read here and here) have included statistics from recent American Kennel Club surveys. We've found surveys to be a great way to get the AKC's name out to the public and think it can also be a useful tool for local clubs.
 Choose an online survey site: We use www.surveymonkey.com, but there are many sites out there like www.zoomerang.com and www.createsurvey.com, among others.- Create questions: Write between 10 and 15 questions on the topic you'd like to know more about – what people like most about your club's services and their suggestions on how it can be improved, or something light-hearted and fun like our Canine Halloween Costume Survey.
- Analyze the results: Take a look at the answers you have received and draw conclusions. Using percentages is a quick way to get the point across. For example, in our Halloween poll, 49% of respondents looked forward to dressing up their dogs.
- Spread the Word: The more interesting the questions and results, the more interested the local press will be in publishing the results. Spread the word to the media in your area. You can release the results in conjunction with an upcoming show or AKC RDO Day event to drive interest and attendance to that event.
We've created a fun online survey in honor of AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Days. Take it and you could be part of our next media campaign! |
Thinking about Hosting an AKC Canine Experience?
Ensure Attendance and Publicity with our Media Templates!
 An AKC Canine Experience is a multi-club, multi-sport event that introduces and welcomes owners of newly AKC-registered puppies to and educates them about the sport of purebred dogs. The day-long event features educational presentations and provides an opportunity for potential owners to be mentored by experienced exhibitors and club members prior to an afternoon match, during which new exhibitors and future fanciers practice their newly learned skills. Only licensed and member clubs are eligible to host an AKC Canine Experience. Read more. |
AKC Licensed Product to Support AKC Humane Fund
AKC licensee Hybrid Apparel recently created a T-shirt design that was picked up by the popular Delias stores. The shirt will be available for sale in both the catalog and retail locations in the near future and is currently listed on www.delias.com.
20% of the net profits from the sales of this product will be donated by Hybrid to the AKC Humane Fund, which provides for the well-being of all dogs and educates people about responsible pet ownership. Support the AKC Humane Fund by letting your club members know about the offer and purchasing a T-shirt today!
Buy the Shirt Here!
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 State Capitol News
Beginning in 2008, the Government Relations department launched In Session, a quarterly newsletter for members of Congress and their staff. It provides information on pending federal legislation, as well as feature articles on AKC programs and events, an interview with a dog-loving member of the Capitol community and an in-depth article focusing on a particular policy area of importance to purebred dog owners.
Read more about the newsletter, and about other tools you need to address canine legislation. |
Eukanuba Breeder's Stakes
 We are pleased to share this information with you from our friends at Eukanuba regarding additional dates for the Eukanuba Breeder's Sweepstakes. Winning breeders from a series of regional competitions will be invited to participate in a final at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in December, with the ultimate winner to compete in the Eukanuba World Challenge. We look forward to seeing you out at the shows. |
Kudos!
Kudos to the following clubs and indviduals for promoting AKC events, activities and opportunities across the country. Recognizing and utilizing your members' particular expertise and capabilities to put your own "spin" on AKC's message points helps them go even further. Read about:
Clubs that generated great media coverage and AKC Community Achievement Award Honorees. |
Website Spotlight
Bull Terrier Club of America – www.btca.com
 The Bull Terrier Club of America's extensive website provides a great wealth of information to both Bull Terrier fanciers as well as enthusiasts with an interest in the breed. The large education section contains the brochure "Is a Bull Terrier right for you and your family?" and recommends books and articles. The section also gives prospective owners steps to follow and places to go in their quest to learn more about the breed, including a list of regional clubs and a show calendar, specifically noting that members attending those shows will be happy to speak with newcomers to the breed. The club provides a large breeder directory as well as a section for Rescue dogs as well. The site also educates visitors about an owner's rights and liberties when it comes to dog-relation legislation, with links to legislative alerts, legislative tracking and the Taking Command newsletter from the AKC website. For club members, contact information for Board members and committee chairpersons is easy to find, and a "Delegates Corner" on the front page keeps members updated on AKC news. The club also solicits feedback on the club and website via a Web Updates button at the bottom of the homepage, which leads to a form people can fill out with their suggestions. Finally, the club hosts a BTCA Donation Page, which raises funds for various breed causes, and also offers CafePress items for sale (shirts, dog bowls, water bottles and more) with the BTCA logo as a way to support the club. The comprehensiveness of the Bull Terrier Club of America's website serves as a great communication tool with the membership as well as the general public. |
Thanks to the all our clubs who routinely generate positive media coverage. If your club has an idea or success story to share, please send it to: Lisa Peterson, Director of Communications, American Kennel Club, 4th Floor, 260 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 or send us your brag in an e-mail to Communications@akc.org. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
The AKC Communications Team |
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