Media KitTable of Contents

Letter

Opinion Editorial

Biographies and headshots

Fact Sheet

Local Press Release

National Press Release

30-second Broadcast Release

60-second Broadcast Release

Emily Petree370 Samford Ave. Auburn, AL 36830

December 8, 2008

Amy WeaverAuburn University News ReporterOpelika-Auburn NewsP.O. Box 2208 Opelika, AL 36803

Ms. Weaver,

In your time in the Auburn-Opelika area, you have likely become familiar with the traditions and passion that accompany Auburn football. On A-Day 2009, the day of the annual spring scrimmage game, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce hopes to institute a new tradition. Our goal is to make the Boda Getta BBQ contest, a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned event, synonymous with Auburnʼs A-Day game. With 8,000 members worldwide, KCBS holds more than 300 events in the United States each year. The contest will begin Friday, March 28, 2009, as teams set up and begin cooking. Two divisions will make up the contest: amateur, or tailgater, and professional. The amateur division will offer three categories of competition, and the professional division will offer four. A Grand Champion will be named for each division. Live entertainment will be provided and local food and drink vendors will be in attendance. Cooking will continue into Saturday, March 29, until judging begins around noon. KCBS rules will be enforced, and representatives will be present to supervise and judge, further ensuring the integrity of this contest. I understand that your readers care a great deal about Auburn football and about the local business community. This event connects those elements in a unique way. Because of these traits, and the proximity of your readers to the event, Iʼm extending the opportunity for this story exclusively to you. Please feel free to contact me for assistance in arranging interviews, and I would be happy to pass along more information as it develops. Whether or not you choose to write the story, a response by Dec. 18, 2008, would be greatly appreciated. I will call you next week to discuss any questions you may have and to do anything I can to make this story a success. Thank you for your time and consideration of this story.

Sincerely,

Emily Petree

Contact Information: Emily Petree, Communication Director Office: (334) 555-9370 Cell: (334) 555-2880 Emily@AuburnChamber.com

December 8, 2008

Shop Locally for the Holidays

In light of the current economy, with buzzwords like “bailout,” “bank failure” and

“mortgage crisis” pervading the media, I would like to issue a reminder on the

importance of supporting local businesses. The Auburn-Opelika community is home to a

vast number of unique retailers that are locally owned and operated.

By keeping sales tax revenue in the community, we are contributing directly to

the longevity of our city. This revenue supports our award-winning public school system,

as well as the infrastructure and maintenance of the city.

Although surveys have shown that people are planning to spend less on holiday

shopping this season than in previous years, each of us can lessen the impact of the

current economy on the Auburn area by shopping locally.

To encourage your patronage, many local retailers are providing incentives like

discounts and specials on merchandise. Rather than making the drive to a neighboring

city to shop for holiday presents for your loved ones, take a closer look at the retailers

down the street or around the corner.

Lolly Steiner has served as president of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce since

2001. She works to continually adapt the functions of the chamber to the changes in the

business community as well as the national economy. Steiner is dedicated to the

improvement of Auburn through a number of commitments beyond her role as chamber

president, such as efforts on several planning commissions with the City of Auburn.

AUBURN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STAFF BIOGRAPHIES

Lolly Steiner, President Lolly Steiner became president in 2001, but joined the chamber in 1997 as the director of membership development. As president, Steiner maintains close relationships with business leaders in the community and works to find ways to meet its changing needs. The Auburn Chamber of Commerce, like many nonprofit organizations, is governed by a board of directors. Steiner serves as the liaison between the board of directors, the chamber staff and the business community. Before joining the chamber, Steiner gained extensive experience in business from a career in sales and marketing. She has also served on numerous boards of directors for banks, churches and other nonprofit organizations. Steiner is also involved in many functions of Auburn City Council, including service on various planning commissions.

Jennifer Dodson, Director of Communications and Marketing A Pennsylvania native, Jennifer Dodson came to Auburn shortly after graduating from Grove City College. She earned a bachelorʼs degree in communications with a minor in business. Dodson served on a county chamber of commerce in Pennsylvania before joining the Auburn Chamber of Commerce in 2006. Dodsonʼs responsibilities at the chamber are vast and greatly varied. She constructs all publications distributed by the chamber and executes a number of events held by the chamber, such as the annual meeting and various business networking events. Dodson serves on the board of the East Alabama Public Relations Council, one of six chapters of the Alabama Public Relations Council, an organization that connects public relations professionals to further the field. She was recognized in 2007 as practitioner of the year.

Stephanie Calhoun, Director of Membership Development An organization which exists because of and to benefit the business community, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce could not function without its members. As director of membership development, Stephanie Calhoun continually explores new membership opportunities while maintaining relationships with existing members. Calhoun is often the direct contact between the Auburn Chamber of Commerce and its members. Calhoun earned her bachelorʼs degree in business administration at Auburn University. She takes part in a number of community outreach events and works constantly to improve each memberʼs experience and satisfaction.

Lolly Steiner, President

Jennifer Dodson, Director of Communications and Marketing

Stephanie Calhoun, Director of Membership Development

714 E. Glenn Ave.Auburn, Alabama(334) 887-7011auburnchamber.com

BODA GETTA BBQ & KANSAS CITY BARBEQUE SOCIETYFACT SHEET

• Boda Getta BBQ, Auburn’s first Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanctioned event, will take place Saturday, March 29, 2009, at Ag Heritage Park during Auburn University’s A-Day. The A-Day game is Auburn’s spring football scrimmage, which draws fans from around the country to see the Tigers play before the season starts.

• Festivities will begin Friday evening, March 28, 2009, with live entertainment as the teams set up their areas and begin cooking. Judging will start around noon on Saturday, as the A-Day game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

• Registration is available to everyone, although participants must be members of the KCBS. All KCBS rules will be strictly enforced, and KCBS representatives and judges will be present to supervise.

• Boda Getta BBQ will hold competitions for two separate divisions: amateur and professional. In accordance with KCBS, barbeque will be judged on taste, appearance and texture.

• The amateur, or tailgater, division consists of categories for chicken, pork and pork ribs. A team is allowed to compete in any number of the categories. A Grand Champion will be named for this division.

• The professional division will hold competitions in chicken, pork, pork ribs and beef brisket. In this division, a Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion will be awarded, as will the top ten teams. A team may participate in any number of categories, however, to be eligible for Grand or Reserve Grand Champion, a team must participate in all four categories.

• The KCBS is an organization of barbecue enthusiasts from around the world. Boasting over 8,000 members worldwide, the KCBS sanctions more than 300 events in the United States each year.

• Accomplishing a KCBS sanction for the Boda Getta BBQ contest was important because of the integrity it brings to the event. The involvement of KCBS promises a professional event, the awarding of prizes as announced and the presence of representatives and judges at the event.

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NEWS RELEASE

December 8, 2008 Contact Information:FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Emily Petree, Communications Director Office: (334) 555-9370 Cell: (334) 555-2880 Emily@AuburnChamber.com

AUBURN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES THE “BODA GETTA BBQ” CONTEST

Competition Will Be Held During Auburn Universityʼs A-Day

AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn Universityʼs Ag Heritage Park will host the first Boda Getta

BBQ competition on March 29, 2009. The contest will kick off Friday, March 28, with live

entertainment as the teams set up and begin cooking. On Saturday, March 29, judging

will begin around noon, as the A-Day game is scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. start. Food and

drink vendors will be at the park, and live entertainment is scheduled, as well.

A Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned event, the contest will feature two

divisions. The amateur division is geared toward enthusiastic tailgaters with categories

for chicken, pork ribs and pork. Teams can compete in any number of categories and a

Grand Champion will be named.

In addition to the amateur division, there will be a professional division with

categories for chicken, pork ribs, pork and beef brisket. Again, a team can compete in

any number of categories, but to be eligible for Grand or Reserve Grand Champion, a

team must be entered in all four categories. In the professional division, the top ten

teams will be awarded.

-more-

Auburn Chamber of Commerce President Lolly Steiner explains, “Working with

the Kansas City Barbeque Society for the Boda Getta BBQ contest raises this event to a

whole new level. The KCBS is known throughout the country, and their competitions

draw great cooks and crowds. This event will be great for Auburn business and itʼs sure

to be a fun way to enjoy a day of Auburn football with friends and family.”

Registration fees are $100 for the amateur division and $400 for the professional

division. Because this is a KCBS event, all competitors must be registered KCBS

members and KCBS rules will be enforced. Among these rules, teams may use only

wood, wood pellets or charcoal, and may not use gas or electricity in the contest.

For more information, please contact Emily Petree at (334) 555-9370 or by email

at Emily@AuburnChamber.com. Updates about the event will be posted at

BodaGettaBBQ.com.

The Auburn Chamber of Commerce exists because of and to benefit business.

Dedicated to connecting members of the business community in and around Auburn,

Ala., to one another, the chamber strives to maintain Auburnʼs reputation for excellence

and encourage economic growth. Built of almost 1,000 businesses of all sizes, and their

employees, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce prides itself on a close relationship with

its members and is always searching for new opportunities to improve its role in the

community.

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NEWS RELEASE

December 8, 2008 Contact Information:FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Emily Petree, Communications Director Office: (334) 555-9370 Cell: (334) 555-2880 Emily@AuburnChamber.com

AUBURN DRAWS UNIQUE VARIETY OF NATIONAL ATTENTIONAuburnʼs First KCBS Sanctioned Barbecue Contest to be Held Amidst of Football

Preview

AUBURN, Ala. -- The town of Auburn, Ala., will capture thousands of fansʼ attention from

across the nation on the day of Auburn Universityʼs traditional A-Day spring scrimmage.

This year, itʼs not only the attention of football fans, but barbecue fans, as well. The

Auburn Chamber of Commerce is hosting the first Boda Getta BBQ contest, a Kansas

City Barbeque Society sanctioned event, Saturday, March 29, 2009.

Festivities will begin on Friday, March 28, as the teams prepare their stations and

start cooking. Throughout the evening, there will be live entertainment, as well as food

and drinks from local vendors. Saturday will be full of competition and excitement. Live

entertainment will be on hand again, and judging is set to begin around noon. Face

painting and inflatable games will be provided for children in attendance, and the

Auburn University cheerleaders and Aubie, the universityʼs mascot, will be making

appearances throughout the morning.

Named for a popular Auburn University cheer, the Boda Getta BBQ compeition

will be one of KCBSʼ nearly 300 yearly events. The contest will feature two divisions,

one for amateurs, or tailgaters, and another for professionals. The amateur division will

-more-

offer competitions in chicken, pork and pork ribs. In addition to these, the professional

division will also compete in beef brisket. Teams may compete in any number of

categories.

“Weʼre very excited for the Boda Getta BBQ contest in Auburn. The tradition of

the school itself, the warmth of the town and the stateʼs passion for great barbecue

make it a great place for our organization to hold an event. I think our relationship with

the Auburn Chamber of Commerce for this event will certainly continue for many years,”

KCBS Manager of Special Projects, Kelly Cain, said.

The efforts of these teams will not go unrewarded. A Grand Champion will be

named in the amateur division, and in the professional division, a Grand and Reserve

Grand Champion will be named. For a professional team to win Grand or Reserve

Grand Champion, they must compete in all four categories.

For more information, please contact Emily Petree at (334) 555-9370 or by email

at Emily@AuburnChamber.com. Updates about the event will be posted at

BodaGettaBBQ.com.

The Auburn Chamber of Commerce exists because of and to benefit business.

Dedicated to connecting members of the business community in and around Auburn,

Ala., to one another, the chamber strives to maintain Auburnʼs reputation for excellence

and encourage economic growth. Built of almost 1,000 businesses of all sizes, and their

employees, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce prides itself on a close relationship with

its members and is always searching for new opportunities to improve its role in the

community.

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page 2 of 2

CLIENT: Auburn Chamber of Commerce TIME: :30 seconds

TITLE: BODA GETTA BBQ DATE: December 8, 2008

LOLLY STEINER: HI, IʼM LOLLY STEINER, PRESIDENT OF THE AUBURN

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND IʼM HERE TO INVITE

YOU TO BE PART OF A NEW AUBURN TRADITION. WE

ARE SPONSORING THE FIRST BODA GETTA BBQ

CONTEST ON A-DAY 2009. OPEN TO TAILGATERS AND

PROFESSIONALS, EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO

COMPETE.

THE FESTIVITIES KICKOFF FRIDAY, MARCH,

TWENTY-EIGHTH, AT AG HERITAGE PARK, AND

JUDGING BEGINS AT NOON ON SATURDAY. THE

WEEKEND ALSO INCLUDES LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND

ACTIVITIES FOR THE KIDS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO REGISTER, VISIT

BODAGETTABBQ.COM OR THE AUBURN CHAMBER OF

COMMERCE WEBSITE AT AUBURNCHAMBER.COM.

CLIENT: Auburn Chamber of Commerce TIME: :60 seconds

TITLE: BODA GETTA BBQ DATE: December 8, 2008

LOLLY STEINER: HI, IʼM LOLLY STEINER, PRESIDENT OF THE AUBURN

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND IʼM HERE TO INVITE

YOU TO BE PART OF A NEW AUBURN TRADITION. WE

ARE SPONSORING THE FIRST BODA GETTA BBQ

CONTEST ON A-DAY 2009. OPEN TO TAILGATERS AND

PROFESSIONALS, EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO

COMPETE.

A KANSAS CITY BARBEQUE SOCIETY EVENT, THE

COMPETITION WILL TAKE PLACE AT AG HERITAGE

PARK ON AUBURN UNIVERSITYʼS CAMPUS, ONLY TWO

BLOCKS FROM JORDAN-HARE STADIUM. KANSAS CITY

BARBEQUE SOCIETY RULES WILL BE ENFORCED.

TEAMS WILL COMPETE IN CATEGORIES FOR CHICKEN,

PORK, PORK RIBS AND BEEF BRISKET.

WHETHER YOUR FRIENDS REFER TO YOU AS “KING OF

THE GRILL,” OR YOUʼRE INTERESTED IN A WEEKEND

OF FUN WITH YOUR FAMILY, GATHER A TEAM AND BE

PART OF OUR COMPETITION.

THE FESTIVITIES KICKOFF FRIDAY, MARCH,

TWENTY-EIGHTH, AS THE TEAMS SET UP AND BEGIN

COOKING, AND JUDGING BEGINS AT NOON ON

SATURDAY. THE WEEKEND ALSO INCLUDES LIVE

ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE KIDS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO REGISTER, VISIT

BODAGETTABBQ.COM OR THE AUBURN CHAMBER OF

COMMERCE WEBSITE AT AUBURNCHAMBER.COM.