BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU® SERVING DENVER/BOULDERdenver.bbb.org | 3801 E. Florida Avenue, Suite 350, Denver, CO 80210 | 303.758.2100

Med

ia K

it

3

Media Partners: Looking for story information but not sure where to start? Your Better Business Bureau® can help. As an unbiased organization, BBB offers information on marketplace scams and objective advice. Free BBB Business Reviews (reports) and Customer Reviews, along with charity Wise Giving Reports, are offered to the public.

Press Kit includes:• BBB background - Why BBB Today?• Statistics - 2016 year in review• Media contacts, spokesperson bios, and topics we can speak about• What we do - at work in our community

Any member of the working media may be added to our electronic distribution lists for stories, alerts, and tips. Please email your full name, title, and station/publication as well as special interest topics you have to info@denver.bbb.org.

Better Business Bureau® today...building a more trusted marketplace for all.

Why BBB® Today?

We provide dispute

resolution to solve

complaints between

businesses and consumers.

We help to make a difference every day, in every

community.

We work with thousands of companies

and millions of consumers.

We offer programs,

investigations, education and

resources.

PDF

We have credibility

and commitment.

Steve Crecelius and VISIT DENVER

This publication designed by Vickie Denham, Graphic Design Senior Coordinator, BBB Denver/Boulder.

mailto:info%40denver.bbb.org?subject=

4 5

Our History

BBB® was established in the early 1900’s by a group of corporate advertising executives to correct advertising abuses. These executives—from industry giants like Coca-Cola, Ford, Whirlpool, and a long list of other corporations—joined forces to support the creation of the Better Business Bureau®.

1912In May 1912,

the Associated

Advertising Clubs

of America took

on the task of

fighting for truth

in advertising

and selling. Later

in the year, the

first Vigilance

Committee was

formed, devoted to

looking into alleged

misrepresentations,

eliminating abuses,

and creating

advertising codes

and standards to

help advertisers

regulate

themselves. Due

to the success of

local Vigilance

Committees, a

National Vigilance

Committee was

formed to focus

on regional

and national

advertising.

1916Arthur F. Sheldon, founder of a well-known school for salesmanship, suggests the

name “Better Business Bureau.”

1921The National Vigilance Committee’s name was changed to the National Better Business

Bureau® (NBBB). The NBBB was supported by member companies and engaged in

work that transcended local BBB® markets, including trade practice and standard-

setting work with national industries and developing reports on national companies.

1933In 1933, another organization was formed to join the crusade against fraudulent

advertising - the Association of Better Business Bureaus. Headquartered in New York

City, the Association was a full-time organization with an executive staff. Its members

consisted of the individual local BBBs and included representation from the NBBB.

It served the interests of its members by promoting collective activities, including

professional growth, implementation of standards, and staff education and training.

Throughout the next several years, BBBs across the country answered the call to

make the marketplace a safer place for consumers…fighting against investor schemes,

wartime scams and untruthful advertising.

1970In 1970, the Council of Better Business

Bureaus was formed by a merger of the

National Better Business Bureau and the

Association of Better Business Bureaus

International, Inc. The Council built upon the

BBB system of consumer education, dispute

resolution and business self-regulation that

has served the nation since 1912.

1973Henry Ford II solicits business

support for the Council of Better

Business Bureaus “...to restore the

confidence of the public in the

marketplace.”

Why We MatterPeople are exposed to thousands of advertising and marketing messages every day. In the midst of all this, people continue to rely on BBB® in record numbers. BBB® is dedicated to fostering honest and responsive relationships between businesses and consumers—instilling consumer confidence and advancing a trustworthy marketplace for all. Families, individuals and businesses look to BBB® for impartial information on which to base key decisions and to resolve business disputes.

BBB® offers services to both businesses and consumers by creating a community of trustworthy businesses through accreditation, setting standards for marketplace trust, encouraging and supporting best practices, celebrating marketplace role models, and denouncing substandard marketplace behavior.

We ensure that high standards for trust are set and maintained. We exist so consumers and businesses alike have an unbiased source to guide them on matters of trust. We provide educational information and expert advice that is free of charge and easily accessible.

BBB® does not compare businesses to each other, but rather evaluates businesses against our standards—and our standards clearly speak to the character and competence of an organization.

So, why do we matter today?

We matter because we are your key adviser, a reliable evaluator and an unbiased

source on the topic of trust in the marketplace.

5

6 7

Carlos Sanchez, Dispute Resolution Specialist, came to BBB in 2015 after serving FirstBank of Colorado for two years. Born in Mexico, and with a BA in International Business from Colorado Heights University, Carlos brings a commitment to excellence and outstanding business communication to his role.

Carlos is the Chairperson of BBB serving Denver/Boulder’s Hispanic Outreach Committee, focused on expanding community awareness of our services and protecting consumers. He enjoys being a resource for customers, businesses, and media alike, and frequently provides

information on scam protection and current business practices end events, specific to the Hispanic community in Denver.

2016 Year in Review

More than 300 attendees at the BBB® Torch Awards for Ethics

Educated 839 students in 44 classes at 19 local high schools through our LIFT Business Ethics Certification program

Business EthicsCertification

More than 12,000 charity profiles viewed

87% retention rate for businesses that support BBB’s mission

121 advertising review challenges completed

Resolved 87% of consumer complaints

Completed 59 investigations

More than 4.9 million unique web page views

2,939,947 business reviews read 6,284 customer reviews submitted

7,190 Accredited BusinessesGarnered 180 news media appearances and interviews

20 local speaking presentations 84 Accredited Charity Seal HoldersCHARITY

Contact

Kim States started her career with the BBB 10 years ago in Tucson as director of public relations. In 2008 Kim was named CEO of the Tucson BBB, during which time she worked closely with board and staff to achieve impressive membership growth and community awareness.

Having grown up on a cattle ranch in Northern Colorado, Kim was eager to get back to her roots, so when she heard the Denver/Boulder BBB was looking for a CEO, she threw her hat in the ring and was hired in March of 2015.

She now has the privilege of working with 50 amazing staff members and 30 dedicated board members as CEO of both the BBB and its associated

c(3) nonprofit foundation, which focuses on tomorrow’s marketplace by educating middle and high school students about ethics.

Kim is currently serving a three-year term on the Board of Directors for the Council of Better Business Bureaus. She is in her fifth year serving on the National Bureau Operating Committee where she serves as chair of the Budget & Finance Subcommittee.

Media Contact: Krista Ferndelli Director of Marketing & Communications

BBB® Denver/Boulderkferndelli@denver.bbb.org

Office: 303.996.3988, Cell: 720.496.8146

Krista Ferndelli joined the BBB in September of 2016 as the Director of Marketing and Communications, bringing more than 10 years of experience developing outreach, marketing, media, education and training programs. Krista specializes in creating awareness campaigns and targeted messaging to create measurable program and organizational growth.

Previously, she served as the Director of Education for PSA Security Network, the world’s largest electronic security cooperative, where she was responsible for the management and strategic direction of internal and external education and training programs. Krista was the North American Director of Marketing & Sales Support for a world leader in global currency, responsible for the branding and sales initiatives for over 200 locations, and was also the Chief Marketing Officer for a Denver-based cooperative financial institution, responsible for the launch, growth and development of all education, outreach, marketing, press, social media, and collaborative strategic initiatives.

Originally from Minnesota, Krista obtained her B.A. in Communication and Spanish from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

8 9

BBB® Facts

An ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers trust each other.

Vision

To be the leader in advancing marketplace trust.

We do this by:

• Setting standards for marketplace trust

• Encouraging and supporting best practices by engaging consumers and businesses

• Celebrating marketplace role models

• Calling out and addressing substandard marketplace behavior

• Creating a community of trustworthy businesses and charities

Mission

At Work in the CommunityIn order to operate as a BBB®, an organization must meet nine BBB® Performance and Accountability Standards, including 67 specific requirements relating to organizational elements such as finance, governance, technology, accreditation, and other programs central to our mission. BBBs undergo annual audits and compliance reviews to ensure they are meeting standards.

The strength of BBB® is the local, independent non-profits that are licensed to serve as BBBs across North America.

Local• BBB® reports on accredited and

non-accredited businesses alike• BBB® provides networking opportunities

for businesses• BBB® celebrates marketplace role models• BBB® helps people be more informed

consumers

• BBB® provides information about marketplace fraud through scam alerts and warnings to the public

• BBB® works closely with local, state, provincial, and federal law enforcement agencies, providing them with valuable information on potential frauds

BBB® provides a wide range of services, all of which are designed to assist the consuming public and in doing so help maintain confidence in the marketplace. BBB’s consumer services are offered free to everyone and are available locally, nationally, online and in-person.

Resources We Offer For Businesses & Consumers

AccreditationAd ReviewBBB® Business ReviewsBBB® Scam TrackerCharity EvaluationsConsumer News and TipsCustomer ReviewsBBB® Dispute ResolutionBBB® Torch Awards

83% of U.S. consumers familiar with BBB® ratings

are more likely to purchase if a business has a high

BBB® letter grade.Source: 2014/2015 Nielsen

9

10 11

2017 Editorial CalendarJanuary 2017Top Ten Scams of 2016Budgeting for the New YearTips for Joining a Health Club

February 2017Romance Scams/Valentine’s DayMilitary Saves WeekChoosing a Tax Preparer/Protecting Your Refund

March 2017National Consumer Protection WeekDigital Spring CleaningSpring Break Travel Tips

April 2017Home Improvement TipsFinancial Literacy MonthBBB Scholarship Winners

May 2017National Moving MonthSmall Business WeekScams Against the MilitaryStorm Chasers/Hail Solutions

June 2017Vacation TipsTop Summer ScamsItinerant Home Improvement Scams

July 2017Student Loan ScamsTax Free Weekend

August 2017Scams Against College StudentsCharities that Raise Red FlagsBack to School Shopping and Saving Tips

September 2017National Preparedness MonthFall Home Repair TipsWedding Planning

October 2017National Cyber Security Awareness MonthNational Breast Cancer Awareness MonthSecure Your ID DayTips for Buying & Selling a Car

November 2017Black FridaySmall Business SaturdayCyber MondayGiving TuesdayHoliday Shopping & Shipping

December 2017Charitable Giving TipsHoliday Travel GuideHoliday Returns and Exchanges

Topics BBB® Can Speak AboutBBB can provide a spokesperson to speak about:

• Consumer experience on industry related topics and scams/fraud, including inquiry and complaint numbers and trends

• Story exclusive opportunities for media partners

• Investigative research and expertise on developing stories

• Substandard businesses in the community

• Consumers who can speak on camera about their experience

• Report on new local and national scams and trends perpetuating our communities and how consumers can protect their families

• Hundreds of consumer and business tips on subjects relating to a wide variety of topics

• BBB’s Consumer Help Center—a one stop shop for consumer research, tips, scam information, news and events, and quotes, estimates, information and proposals from BBB Accredited Businesses bbb.org/denver/get-consumer-help/consumer-help-center

mailto:http://www.bbb.org/denver/get-consumer-help/consumer-help-center?subject=

Need a professional you can trust? I know a guy! ask.bbb.org