News Release: And the Ganders Have It

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2011
Contact: Matt Resch  517.862.2075

And the Ganders Have It
Poll:  Michigan residents overwhelmingly consider selves “Michiganders” over “Michiganians”

LANSING, MI – It’s a question that has been debated for years and even became a side issue in last fall’s campaign for Governor:  Do residents of Michigan consider themselves to be “Michiganders” or “Michiganians?”

Well, a new survey released today and commissioned by Resch Strategies, a Lansing-based public relations and communications consulting firm, provides an answer.  The survey contacted 600 Michigan voters between Jan. 24-27 and asked:

Do you consider yourself a (ROTATE:  Michigander or a Michiganian)?
 
The result: 58 percent said Michigander with only 12 percent answering Michiganian.  7 percent said both, 11 percent said neither and 12 percent didn’t know.

“So much for a debate.  From the U.P. to the D, the Ganders seem to have it,” said Matt Resch, President of Resch Strategies.

While the Michigan Historical Center uses Michiganian on its website, it acknowledges there is no “official” right answer to this question.  Recent Governors Jennifer Granholm and John Engler bucked the public sentiment illustrated in this survey and used Michiganian.  Governor Rick Snyder, as shown in the results on Election Day, is more in step with current voters and considers himself a Michigander.

“Governor Snyder apparently knew what his predecessor and opponent didn’t,” said Nick
De Leeuw, Resch Strategies’ Director of Communications.  “The “reinvention of Michigan” apparently encompasses the way we describe ourselves, too.”

In addition, poll results show that Michigander is preferred consistently over all regions of the state.  The Flint/Saginaw/Bay City region showed the greatest margins for the Michiganders, registering 69 percent to 4 percent.  The Lansing/Mid-Michigan region had the highest percentage of Michiganians, 19, with 46 percent identifying themselves as Michiganders.

The poll was conducted by Marketing Resource Group and has a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.

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News Release: A State Divided

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 7, 2011
Contact: Matt Resch  517.862.2075

A State Divided
Poll:  Michigan evenly split in allegiance to MSU and U of M

LANSING, MI – A poll released today shows that when it comes to rooting for green and white or the maize and blue, Michigan’s college sports fan base is a solid shade of gray.  The new survey was commissioned by Resch Strategies, a Lansing-based public relations and communications consulting firm, and contacted 600 Michigan voters between Jan. 24-27.

Voters were asked:

Thinking about college rivalries for a moment … generally speaking, do you consider yourself a fan of (ROTATE: the University of Michigan Wolverines or the Michigan State University Spartans)?
 
The result: 34 percent identified themselves as fans of the Michigan Wolverines, 33 percent said they were Spartan fans, 21 percent said neither and 9 percent answered they were fans of both schools.

“When it comes to major college sports, Michigan is a state divided,” said Matt Resch, President of Resch Strategies.  “But that’s what makes rivalries great.”

81 percent of those surveyed said they have never been enrolled at either school.  Among these non-alums, Michigan fans outnumbered Michigan State fans 35 to 32 percent.

“Little Brother has been eating his Wheaties,” said Nick De Leeuw, Resch Strategies’ Director of Communications.  “The Maize and Blue may have more wins on the football field than any other college program in the nation, but the battle for fans’ allegiance is suddenly too close to call.”

The poll was conducted by Marketing Resource Group and has a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.

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A tradition unlike any other... almost.

So, it appears that last year's Resch Strategies' Christmas card has given birth to a tradition.

I'm excited to unveil the 2010 Resch Strategies holiday cartoon.  Once again, thanks to Roy Delgado for his great art and thanks to Michigan Governor-elect Rick Snyder for supplying the political issue of the year.*

Thanks also to our clients, friends and families for making 2010 a great year.

Wishing you a blessed holiday season and a Happy New Year.

* "Rick Snyder, who launched from political obscurity with his "one tough nerd" campaign, was elected Michigan's 48th governor Tuesday on the crest of a Republican tidal wave that swept all statewide offices and might give the GOP a lock on political power in Michigan for the next decade."

Detroit Free Press, Nov. 3, 2010

Are you ready for The Sports Page?!

A couple months ago, we introduced HeSheTheySaid.com.  The response was great!

Today, with college football starting, the Lions two weeks away and the baseball playoffs approaching, we are introducing a new feature of HSTS dedicated to the sports fans among us.  Watch this.

HINT:  Click the full screen view in the bottom right hand corner for the best look.

As we explained when rolling out HeSheTheySaid.com, it doesn't matter if you love Twitter or hate it, there is information on it that you want to know.  And, when it comes to your sports teams, it's information you NEED to know.

Check out The Sports Page.  Join our page on Facebook and share the site with you friends.  And of course, for you political junkies, HeSheTheySaid.com remains the one site to bring all the latest on Michigan politics, news and commentary to you in real time.

De Leeuw Joins Resch Strategies

I'm very excited to announce the news that Nick De Leeuw is now part of Resch Strategies as Director of Communications.  The release below says a little, but not nearly enough about Nick's creativity, work ethic and experience.  They're attributes I've seen first hand and know our clients will see very soon as well.

Welcome!

For Immediate Release
Aug. 25, 2010

De Leeuw Joins Resch Strategies

LANSING, MI – Resch Strategies today announced that Nick De Leeuw is joining the public relations and communications firm as Director of Communications.  De Leeuw is a veteran of numerous statewide campaigns, has worked with the media on behalf of Michigan’s Attorney General and members of the state legislature and is at the top of the list of Michigan professionals in the development and implementation of new media tools and strategy.

“Nick brings significant experience and expertise in communications, new and social media and effective message delivery to Resch Strategies,” said Matt Resch, president of Resch Strategies.  “His talents will be an immediate benefit to our current and future clients, and I am thrilled to have him on board.”

A Grand Rapids native and graduate of Grand Valley State University, De Leeuw began his career in 2003 at the Michigan Republican Party where he was responsible for planning and executing events ranging from Presidential visits to state nominating conventions.  De Leeuw transitioned to communications in 2005 when he joined the staff of the state Speaker of the House and directed public and media relations efforts for a half-dozen legislators from across west Michigan.

After a two-year stint as Director of Advance with a campaign for Michigan governor, De Leeuw began consulting statewide on the effective use of new media.  Through extensive writing, use of social media, community development and the creation of online video and multi-media content, De Leeuw broke ground in establishing one of the very first online homes for commentators on Michigan news and politics.

Resch Strategies is a Lansing-based communications, public relations and issue management firm. Our mission: deliver results for our clients by combining an unmatched portfolio of experience with individual attention and a solid belief in message development, strategic planning and sound execution.