August 22nd, 2010
Although Shannon and Jen will most certainly disagree, we believe there’s nothing like starting your day with Chip and Dave. In case you missed it, the Reagan Republican and the diehard Democrat moved their daily debates to The Arizona Republic Viewpoints section this morning. The two had a “polite chat” about Arizona’s gubernatorial race, immigration and President Obama’s impact on Congressional races.
You can check out the column by clicking here — and don’t forget to shoot us an e-mail or leave a comment below.
July 18th, 2010
Calling the race “more of a personality conflict between John McCain and J.D. Hayworth,” Chip offers his analysis on the U.S. Senate race in Arizona to reporter Alexander Burns of Politico.com.
It was the top story on Sunday morning – click here to check it out!
June 11th, 2010
The bow tie is back! Check out our very own Chip Scutari on Sunday Square Off, which starts at 8 a.m. on Channel 12. This week’s panel includes state Rep. Kyrsten Sinema and Doug Cole, an adviser to Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer.
Also, it’s been a while since we’ve posted Senor Scutari’s commentaries in the Scottsdale Republic. Check out his precious prose below:
QUESTION: Does law restricting election signs to private property serve the public interest?
CHIP: I woke up in a feverish sweat the other night, tossing and turning about something with global consequences. Can you imagine if Scottsdale allowed campaign signs in a public right-of-way? The horror! Call the Visual Pollution Police. OK, now back to Planet Earth. Campaign signs, like them or not, are part of Americana. Let them be placed in public places — not just on someone’s private property. Pretty simple. I’d rather have Scottsdale talking about creating jobs or transit options than crusading against campaign signs. Let’s focus people.
QUESTION: Should Scottsdale try to save the art on a short section of Loop 101 noise walls?
CHIP: I initially scoffed at Scottsdale spending $2.million on fancy lizards crawling on a noise wall. Preposterous! I was wrong. The spectacularly designed piece lining Loop 101 is Scottsdale. We’re a community that embraces the positive power of public art. Let’s delay this project to preserve Scottsdale’s iconic image. We’ll kick-start a series of public conversations, host a bevy of fundraisers, engage business leaders and policy makers. If the City Council truly values Scottsdale’s soul, they should be cheerleaders-in-chief on this endeavor.
June 8th, 2010
Yeah, that’s not happening. Check out this HILARIOUS clip of California PR braintrust Marc Slavin turning a minor local story into a national YouTube extravaganza.
We’re definitely adding this clip to our media training regimen…right under the “Dont’s” section : )
May 19th, 2010
The Arizona Capitol Times probably had the best headline of them all:
“SO MUCH FOR A CLOSE RACE.”
Hey, give us a break! We genuinely thought the Proposition 100 results would be a little tighter. In the end, we’re just grateful that Arizona voters showed they care about our schools, public safety and health care.
It was quite a campaign — our first statewide initiative since we started Scutari and Cieslak Public Relations — and we just wanted to thank everyone for your support during a hectic couple of months.
Here’s a pic from last night of the “Yes on 100” campaign communications team. Recognize anyone?? Also, in case you missed the celebration, you can check out the Arizona Guardian’s video coverage here.
April 20th, 2010
The Scottsdale Republic asked Chip for his thoughts on Arizona’s immigration bill. Check out his “Saturday Sound Off” and give us your feedback…do you think Governor Brewer will sign the bill?
Two words: Tax-dollar-wasting lawsuits. This “get-tough” legislation lets any citizen sue the city if he or she believes federal immigration laws aren’t being enforced. With cash-strapped cities digging out of a hole, this bill is more about election-year pandering than protecting our state’s southern border. As a Republican, it’s painful to watch the GOP alienate Hispanics, the fasting-growing political demographic. I’ve got an idea: Focus on creating jobs and recapturing the entrepreneurial spirit.
April 19th, 2010
Click here to check out a video from Saturday’s Yes on 100 rally. Recognize anyone?
Our own Dave Cieslak was the emcee along with Miss Arizona 2009 (we know, it’s hard to tell them apart). Dave and Chip are helping the Yes on 100 campaign with public relations and communications strategy…emceeing rallies is just a cool perk that comes with the job : )
April 12th, 2010
In case you didn’t wake up at 8 a.m. on Sunday (we don’t blame you), here’s a link to KPNX-TV Channel 12’s video of Sunday Square Off — starring our very own Chip Scutari.
Yes, that’s a bow tie he’s wearing. Please give us your feedback — and fashion advice for Chip – below.
April 9th, 2010
It’s great to see two friends uniting to help change the future of Arizona. TASER Chairman Tom Smith today endorsed Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker and accepted an invitation to become Parker’s finance chair. Check out the release below, and don’t forget to register to vote!
TASER International Co-Founder To Serve As Finance Chair For Vernon Parker Congressional Campaign
Smith praises Parker for leadership, focus on job creation
PHOENIX, ARIZ. APRIL 9, 2010. Just one week after announcing a first-quarter fundraising total of $230,000, Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker today received the endorsement of TASER International Chairman and Co-Founder Tom Smith. The renowned Arizona businessman, who considered a run in the Third Congressional District earlier this year, will serve as Parker’s finance chair and a senior advisor.
“Mayor Parker is dynamic, he’s a leader and he has the potential to be one of the most compelling new Republican voices in our state and across the country,” Smith said. “I’m proud to stand beside a candidate and neighbor who truly believes that job creation and economic growth are the keys to Arizona’s future.”
TASER currently employs more than 300 Arizonans at its North Scottsdale facility and has created thousands of additional jobs throughout Arizona since the company’s inception in 1993.
“TASER’s ability to create jobs and stimulate our economy is one of the most impressive success stories in Arizona. Our campaign is on a roll and Tom’s support just put an exclamation mark on our momentum,” Parker said.
Parker, 50, is the current mayor of Paradise Valley, Arizona. He previously served the administrations of George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush as an Assistant Secretary for the $90 billion United States Department of Agriculture, small businessman, and as a pastor for two years at a small non-denominational church in Paradise Valley.
He is supported by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, former Congressman Matt Salmon and Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio among many others.
Raised by his grandmother in a severely underprivileged neighborhood, Parker was able to escape the drugs and violence through love, education and the commitment of family. He was recently recognized by NBC News/thegrio.com as one of America’s top 100 African American leaders.
March 30th, 2010
Yes, that’s one of our founders, Chip Scutari, in the Reds cap and bowtie. And yes, those are Cracker Jacks and peanuts you see on the table there.
Chip recently emceed this panel discussion for the Valley Citizens League about new Spring Training facilities in Mesa for the Chicago Cubs. The panel, which included public affairs guru John MacDonald, Rep. John McComish, Rep. Chad Campbell and Phoenix District 5 Councilman Claude Mattox, debated at the Irish Cultural Center on March 26.
The four panel members agreed that the Valley needs fresh ideas to fund the Cubs’ stadium. We’re only hoping they also have some new ideas to spice up Chip’s wardrobe.
Read the full story here. Also… follow Scutari and Cieslak PR on Twitter and Facebook.
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(Photo by Stephanie Snyder, Arizona Capitol Times)
