MERIT Media Relations LLC
Providing SUPERIOR public relations for North American manufacturers since 1998.
Company announcements re capabilities, patents, new plants or equipment additions, appointments/promotions and new technologies: all targeted specifically to trade magazines and websites worldwide that reach YOUR customers.
The value of "third-party endorsement."
Instead of you tooting your own horn, have the editorial content of publications talk about your capabilities.
Which Is a Good Time to Work On:
News Releases
We have our own internal database of news organizations, specifically selected to reach your precise audience.
News Backgrounders
For information that may impact your customers, bring employees and suppliers together with concise, clear information to ensure everyone's on the same page.
B-2-B Communications
Put your specific industry and customers in sharp focus via a database honed over decades within MERIT Media Relations LLC.
Appointments & Promotions
Provide your staff with a real boost by announcing their success to your local news media and industry trade publications worldwide.
M & A News
Show positive news about how your company is growing. New equipment, personnel and capabilities - - they all depict positive movement forward.
Local, National & International Focus
Since MERIT's founding in 1998, we continually add and update an internal database of news outlets unique to each client.
On time... on target.
In Others' Words.
Peter H. Coors (Chairman, Molson Coors, Golden, Colorado)
"Don Shook is a total professional in the communications arena... experienced, clever, thorough and dependable... a pithy sense of humor (and) a unique ability to serve clients."
Lisa McTigue Pierce (Editor, Packaging Digest, Oak Brook, Illinois)
"Don Shook is tops in his profession... (he) easily balances being aggressive for his customers without being irritating to editors... and let me tell you, that isn't always easy to do!"
Arnie Orloski [deceased], (VP & Executive Editor, Packaging World, Chicago, Illinois)
"Don Shook brings a rock-solid, down-to-earth ability to communicate effectively and accurately. He is one of very few PR people I trust."
Yolanda Simonsis (Editorial Director [retired], Paper Film & Foil Converter, Chicago, Illinois)
"Don Shook delivers. He's never failed me over the course of 30+ years he's served my industry. Don is an editor's best friend and a client's dream."
Jeffrey H. Coors, Executive Chairman, Graphic Packaging International Inc., Golden, Colorado
"Don Shook's combined knowledge of packaging processes (and) attention-to-detail, and his expertise were valuable tools in keeping our name in front of the industry."
About Us.
Knowledge & Experience.
After a successful 14-year career in Corporate Communications management with Adolph Coors Company at their headquarters in Golden, Colorado, Don Shook founded MERIT Media Relations LLC in 1998. At that time, Don's immediate supervisor, President Jeffrey Coors - - and his subsidiary - - became Don's first client.
While with Coors from 1984 through 1998, the brewery expanded its products into all 50 United States, multiple foreign countries, saw the end of a 10-year strike and boycott, and grew substantially amidst the backdrop of the nationwide "Beer Wars."
For media relations programs Don developed and implemented at Coors, he received Bronze Quills, a Silver Quill and the Gold Quill Award of Excellence (team award) from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).
Academics & Communications Background.
A native of Chevy Chase, Maryland, Don was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and is a member of the national Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.
He then began an eight-year career in network-affiliated TV news and professional motion picture production in the major markets of Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; Minneapolis and Denver.
Then, A Switch into Law Enforcement.
In 1975, Don joined the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in Golden, Colorado (the state's most populous county). Following the Training Academy, his tours of duty included the County Jail, Civil Division, uniformed Patrol, and then served 3 years as JCSO's first-ever Public Information Officer, reporting directly to the longtime Sheriff, Harold Bray.
During his nine years with JCSO, Don received FBI training in conjunction with his appointment as a kidnap/hostage negotiator for the Sheriff's Office.
He also achieved Marksman, Sharpshooter and Expert levels in police weapons and was one of three high-ranking officers selected to serve as members of the Oral Board: the final step for applicants seeking careers with the Sheriff's Office.
Don's Interests.
Photography, international travel, motion pictures, puns, classical music, current events, and "collecting" American state capitals and world continents. He also drives a late model car that has now been in all 48 of the continental United States.
Family.
Don and his late wife of 37 years, Maggie, have a grown daughter living in the Boise, Idaho area. Like her father, Danielle has also set foot in all 50 of the United States.
Alas, his daughter is pathetically missing many of the 49 state capitals Don has visited.
Military Service.
Don is an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Air Force where he was selected for Officer Training School and pilot training.