Lansing's M3 Group adds staff, creates new Special PRops PR program

With new employees, a new team and a new perspective on public relations, M3 Group hopes to bring a different kind of buzz to Lansing.

Special PRops is the marketing company’s new unit of public relations-minded professionals who have taken a decidedly bolder communications method than the traditional firm.

"Instead of putting out fires, we want to start fires," says Special PRops member Anna Daugherty. "We wanted to create fun and activity instead of having people wait for something bad to happen."

For client businesses, the team of four women—with the official titles of "The Bugler," "Discussion Diva," "Ideation Specialist," and "Creatologist"—seek out strategic PR moves for their clients.

One example would the block parties and mascot, "Swish the Fish" and accompanying social media campaign for the City of Lansing's CSO project.

And considering "CSO" stands for "Combined Sewer Overflow," a tall, furry mascot could certainly be deemed proactive.

Though two of the current team members were already working for M3 Group, the idea for a targeted PR arm of the firm came about after Daugherty was hired. Soon after, Emily Caswell was brought on board as the Special PRops' official "Ringleader."

Though business leaders typically know when they've landed in trouble and need some PR help to save face, it might be more difficult for them to determine when they need this new breed of public relations, according to Daugherty.

"If you’re lacking that spark, or you can’t seem to get yourself into the conversation in Lansing, that’s when you need us," she says.

M3 Group has been operating in the Lansing area since 2002. While the firm works regularly with large clients such as the City of Lansing and Sparrow Hospital, they also service small businesses, including start-ups.

Source: Anna Daugherty, M3 Group

Writer: Natalie Burg, Interim News Editor