Latest news with #Helms
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trust Over Trend: Anti-PR Unveils Why Awareness Campaigns Are Losing Credibility
JOTO PR Disruptors unveils the power of Anti-PR during high-visibility months like National Military Appreciation Month. By redefining authentic brand messaging with purpose-driven storytelling, companies like Zeel are setting the standard for connecting with audiences who crave trust and relevance. TAMPA BAY, Fla., May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Every May, brands flood the media with tributes to veterans for National Military Appreciation Month—but most fall flat. In a marketplace where consumers see between 6,000 to 10,000 ads a day, high-visibility dates often amplify the noise rather than break through it. (1) Traditional PR strategies and cookie-cutter campaigns get drowned out in oversaturated messaging, with every brand saying the same thing. "You shouldn't sell WHAT you do. You should sell WHY it matters," says Karla Jo Helms (KJ), Chief Evangelist of Anti-PR™ and strategist at JOTO PR Disruptors™. "Brands relying on conventional tactics are missing the point. It's no longer about being part of the conversation—it's about shaping the narrative with purpose." Breaking Free from PR Gimmicks A State of the Connected Customer report shows that 68% of consumers believe brands should demonstrate real action, not symbolic gestures, during awareness campaigns. (2) Despite this clear mandate from the public, many brands make the mistake of launching loud, generic messaging with low impact during awareness or purpose-driven events. However, this strategy often backfires, causing their messages to fade into the background and fail to connect with today's discerning consumers. Anti-PR flips the script. Rather than chasing attention through hype, it emphasizes authenticity, mission alignment, and real action—core elements that are increasingly in demand. "Consumers today are too savvy for slogans. They want purpose," Helms explains. "Trust is currency. If you're not showing up with something real, you're not showing up at all." Lead with Why, Not What One standout example of this approach in action is Zeel, a leading provider of in-home medical massage. Instead of relying on generic "thank you for your service" phrases, Zeel took meaningful action by offering a permanent 20% discount on all medical massage therapy services for veterans and active-duty members. This program wasn't just a marketing gimmick—it was a bold move rooted in their values. Key elements that set Zeel's campaign apart: Radical Transparency: Communicating their long-term goal of redefining access to care. Data-Driven Storytelling: Backing their initiative with measurable outcomes tied to veteran wellness. Real Action: Committing to lasting change, not one-off PR stunts. Timely Relevance: Aligning messaging with key healthcare issues that matter most to today's veterans, while actively engaging military and vet communities. Zeel's campaign isn't about riding a wave of seasonal relevance—it was about advancing a mission statement. The initiative became a proof point of how purpose-aligned messaging earns visibility, loyalty, and lasting impact. Authenticity Is the New Differentiator Anti-PR doesn't just help brands stand out—it strengthens trust and drives ROI by fostering deeper connections with audiences. Companies that embed their values into every campaign—not just during awareness months—build reputations that endure. "Brands that miss the mark during cultural moments like Military Appreciation Month are wasting powerful opportunities," says Helms. "But those that align action with truth are remembered—not just for what they said, but for what they did." About JOTO PR Disruptors™ Founded by PR veteran Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR Disruptors™ emerged from extensive market research with CEOs of fast-growth companies. The agency combines crisis management skills with advanced media algorithms to develop Anti-PR® campaigns. Based in Tampa Bay, Florida, JOTO PR is globally recognized for its innovative Anti-PR services. More information is available at About Karla Jo Helms Karla Jo Helms is the Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors™.She learned firsthand how unforgiving business can be when millions of dollars are on the line—and how the control of public opinion often determines whether one company is happily chosen or another is brutally rejected. Being an alumnus of crisis management, Karla Jo has worked with litigation attorneys, private investigators, and the media to help restore companies of goodwill back into the good graces of public opinion. Helms speaks globally on public relations, how the PR industry itself has lost its way, and how, in the right hands, corporations can harness the power of Anti-PR to drive markets and impact market perception. References: 1. Adfuel Inc. "The Daily Ad Exposure: How Many Ads Does the Average Person See Each Day?" Adfuel, 27 June 2024, 2. Eversoll Duggan, Cheyenna . "The Empathy Advantage: Using Customer Data to Personalize Marketing | Simon Data." 2024, Media Inquiries: Karla Jo Helms JOTO PR™ 727-777-4629 Media Contact Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR™, 727-777-4629, khelms@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE JOTO PR™ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
UW-Platteville shooting incident, 2 dead; officials release new info
The Brief UW-Platteville officials released new information about a fatal shooting at the school on Monday, May 19. Two people, an assistant resident director and a resident, died as a result of the shooting. Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the shooting. PLATTEVILLE, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville released more information on Tuesday, May 20 tied to the fatal shooting at Wilgus Hall, a student residence hall. What we know On Monday afternoon, May 19, UW-Platteville Police Department responded to a call at Wilgus Hall, a student residence hall, for a disturbance. When police arrived at the hall, officers from UW-Platteville Police Department found two individuals injured, suffering from gunshot wounds. A news release says one of the individuals was identified as Kelsie Martin, 22. Martin was transported to Southwest Health, and then Med-flighted to UW Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Martin was the Wilgus Hall Assistant Resident Director and a psychology major from Beloit. Based upon preliminary autopsy findings, Martin was determined to have died by gunshot wound. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android The second individual was identified as Hallie Helms, 22, who died at the scene. Based on preliminary autopsy findings, Helms was determined to have died by self-inflicted gunshot wound. Helms was a Wilgus Hall resident and an elementary education major from Baraboo. No other people are suspected to have been involved in the incident. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the two individuals. Officials are asking for anyone with information on this incident to contact the UW-Platteville Police Department at 608-342-1584. What we know Counseling resources are available to the UW-Platteville community. University Counseling will be offering walk-in urgent sessions with a counselor, Wednesday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. In addition, a toll-free emotional support line is available at 844.602.6680 or 720.272.0004, staffed by mental health professionals. The line will be available overnight through Wednesday. Another resource is the free, confidential UW Mental Health 24/7 line at 888.531.2142. Mantra Health is also available to students. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Final exams for the remainder of the week were canceled. Any students with questions are asked to contact the Dean's office for their individual college. A frequently asked questions website is available to anyone seeking additional resources. The Source The information in this post was provided by the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
2 University Students Found Dead From Gunshot Wounds Days After Graduation
Two University of Wisconsin-Platteville students were found dead from gunshot wounds in a campus residence hall on Monday, just days after the school's commencement ceremony, university officials say. The university police department revealed Tuesday that the students were Kelsie Martin of Beloit, Wisconsin, who died from a gunshot wound after being transported to a hospital, and Hallie Helms of Baraboo, Wisconsin, who died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, preliminary autopsies showed. Both women were 22. 'No other subjects are suspected to have been involved in the incident,' a university statement said Tuesday. 'Further investigation continues around the circumstances surrounding the death of the two individuals.' UW-Platteville Police Chief Joe Hallman said his department received a 911 call around 4 p.m. local time Monday about an incident at Wilgus Hall, a residential building on campus. Upon arrival, they determined it was an 'isolated incident' that posed no 'active, ongoing threat,' he said at a press conference. Martin was the assistant resident director at Wilgus Hall, where Helms was a resident. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that Martin had just graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology, and Helms had just graduated magna cum laude with an elementary education degree. A Facebook post from the university last year praised Martin as a 'growing leader and role model for young women on campus' who owned more than 400 books. In an archived personal website uncovered by the Journal-Sentinel, Helms discussed her teaching aspirations. 'I want to be the teacher who had helped, counseled, and inspired change,' she wrote. 'I want to change students for the better.' The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say suicide is one of the leading types of gun deaths in the U.S., accounting for more than 20,000 deaths a year. There were more than 600 murder-suicides in the U.S. last year. Rapper Convicted For Shooting Megan Thee Stallion Stabbed In Prison Teen Accused Of Killing 4 In Georgia School Shooting Likely To Plead Guilty Eric Church Says Las Vegas Shooting 'Broke' Him
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
UW-Platteville students died in shootings, one self-inflicted, officials say
The two University of Wisconsin-Platteville students who died at Wilgus Hall did so in shootings, officials said more than 24 hours after the May 19 incident led to a temporary lockdown on campus. Kelsie Martin, a Beloit native and the dorm's assistant resident director, died from a gunshot wound after being transported and flown to UW Hospital, according to a May 20 statement from the university. Hallie Helms, a Baraboo native who lived at the dorm, died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said. The university said no other people are suspected to have been involved in the incident. The two women, both 22 years old and graduated two days ago, were identified by the university late May 19 after notification of family. The incident led to a shelter-in-place order on campus that was lifted quickly. But for hours after, officials said very little about what happened. 'I just am a combination of stress, anxiety,' said 23-year-old Lucas Carlson. The senior studying mechanical engineering is from a generation that practices active shooter drills in school settings. He said he knew to "run, hide, fight" and he wondered what should be his next move: Run or hide? He ran. As those on campus scrambled for safety and comfort, parents miles away were hearing many different stories. It was unconfirmed for more than a day that the incident involved a gun, for hours the university didn't confirm a death had happened until around midnight, and it wasn't immediately clear how many people were injured. Martin, who graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology, and Helms, who graduated magna cum laude with an elementary education degree, left some online record on social media. Martin was the lead supervisor at the dorm, according to her LinkedIn page. The university spotlighted her in a Facebook post last year, saying she owned more than 400 books and wanted to have a library in her home one day. She was a 'growing leader and role model for young women on campus,' the post said. It praised her 'phenomenal work' in her position at the dorm. Helms envisioned herself as a difference making educator, according to her online activity. 'I want to be the teacher who had helped, counseled, and inspired change,' she wrote online. 'I want to change students for the better.' With the semester scheduled to end May 23, the university canceled final exams for the remainder of the week and said grades will be handled on an individual basis. Students with questions are being asked to contact the dean's office for their specific college. University police are asking anyone with information about the May 19 incident to call them at 608-342-1584. The university is offering counseling services for walk-in sessions on May 21 through May 23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, a toll-free emotional support line is available at 844-602-6680 or 720-272-0004, staffed by mental health professionals. The line will be available overnight through May 21. The UW Mental Health 24/7 line is available at 888-531-2142. Kelly Meyerhofer, David Clarey and Sophie Carson contributed reporting to this story. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW-Platteville students died in shooting, one self-inflicted
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
What we know about Kelsie Martin and Hallie Helms, the UW-Platteville students who died
Details about the lives of two University of Wisconsin-Platteville students are surfacing after their sudden deaths in a campus dormitory. Kelsie Martin, 22, of Beloit, and Hallie L. Helms, 22, of Baraboo, both lived in Wilgur Hall, the site of an emergency incident May 19 that left both students dead, the university said. The women graduated just two days earlier, according to a commencement program. Martin graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology, and Helms graduated magna cum laude with an elementary education degree. More: A day after student deaths, UW-Platteville campus reflects on 'surreal' end of year As of midday May 20, much remained unclear, including how the women died. Campus police and administrators have refused to say whether shots were fired, but the incident prompted a shelter-in-place order, and many on campus said a shooting apparently had occurred. Martin had been the assistant resident director at Wilgus Hall since 2023, according to her LinkedIn profile. That meant she was the lead supervisor of the dorm, overseeing eight to 12 resident assistants, she wrote on LinkedIn. She attended weekly meetings, held office hours and 'responded to various emergencies around the hall,' including mental health concerns, hate and bias reports, violations of campus policy and more, according to her profile. Martin majored in psychology with an emphasis on human services, according to a Facebook post from the Residence Life department spotlighting her in 2024. She owned more than 400 books and wanted to have a library in her home one day, the post said. She was a 'growing leader and role model for young women on campus,' the post said. It praised her 'phenomenal work' in her position at the dorm. In the post, Martin is quoted as saying she applied for the job because 'I wanted to help people the same way my RA helped me through my first year on campus." Before she took the role of supervisor, Martin was a resident assistant her sophomore year in Melcher Hall, according to another Residence Life post. She wanted to break out of her shell and try new things, the post said, and she developed some of her strongest friendships through the job. Prior to college, Martin was the assistant manager at Coral Cove Family Fun Center, an indoor children's play facility in South Beloit, Illinois, according to her LinkedIn. Helms was preparing for a career in education. She created a personal website about herself and her teaching philosophy, as well as accounts on Facebook and X. There, her cover photo was a cartoon chalkboard with, "Ms. Helms's Class" in a chalk-like font, and she once voiced support for a federal bill that would raise teachers' minimum wage. She was inspired by teachers who were enthusiastic and helped her reach her highest potential, she wrote, according to an archived copy of her website. 'I want to be the teacher who had helped, counseled, and inspired change,' she wrote. 'I want to change students for the better.' Helms graduated from Baraboo High School in 2021 and attended UW-Baraboo before transferring to Platteville in 2023, according to her site. In high school she joined an art club, a computer club and the Gender Sexuality Alliance club. In college, she was part of a knitting club and an aspiring teachers club. She also said she collected nail polish bottles — preferring sparkly polish, and dabbling in nail art— and enjoyed fishing, swimming and hiking at Devil's Lake each summer. Kelly Meyerhofer of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What we know about UW-Platteville students who died in dorm incident
