Paula Berg, director of emerging technologies for Southwest Airlines, was the keynote speeaker at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater/Comet Branding Social Media Summit Wednesday. More than 20 social media strategists and public relations professionals, including Berg, shared insights on how their companies are using Twitter, blogs, Facebook and other social media tactics to reach their strategic public relations and marketing goals. Click on the video below to view footage from the event and a webcast interview with BizTimes reporter Alysha Schertz and Berg.

Chris Wright, general manager of food operations at Saz’s Western Lakes Country Club in Delafield, was recently awarded one of two $25,000 grand prizes in Ocean Spray’s third annual Ultimate Cranberry Recipe Contest for his Cranberry Wontons with Cranberry Jalapeno Jelly dipping sauce. Wright was the grand prize winner in the food service category.

"All of the finalists incorporated cranberries into recipes in very clever ways - it was difficult to choose just one winning recipe for each category," said celebrity Chef Tyler Florence, and judge of the event. "Ultimately, all of the judges felt that Patrice Hurd and Chris Wright's recipe's best showcased the year-round versatility of the cranberry.”

Hurd won the grand prize in the consumer category for her Cranberry Bacon Brunch Scones with Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese. Grand prize winners were awarded their checks during a private cocktail function at 620 Loft & Garden in New York's Rockefeller Center. The reception was held in conjunction with the kick-off of Ocean Spray's "Big Apple Bog," where more than 2,000 pounds of glimmering cranberries are on display in a free-standing urban cranberry bog in Rockefeller Center

The contest was open to anyone, home cooks were encouraged to enter the consumer category while food professionals were encouraged to submit for the foodservice division. The contest attracted more than 2,000 recipes displaying the fruit's true versatility including drinks, desserts and entrees.

"Ocean Spray growers have harvested the finest cranberries for our products for 80 years, so you'd think that we'd have seen all that you can do with the cranberry by now," said Larry Martin, vice president of marketing at Ocean Spray. "While cranberries are often recognized as the unofficial, official fruit of the holidays it's clear that the variety and dimension they add to everyday dishes makes them a year-round favorite."

Recipes were judged on creativity, use of product, taste, overall appearance and ease of preparation. The panel of judges, including acclaimed Chef Tyler Florence, Chef Chris Gatto of UNO Chicago Grill and Woman's Day Food Director Jackie Plant, evaluated eight cranberry recipes during a cook-off at De Gustibus Cooking School in New York City.Wright’s recipe will soon be a feature at Saz’s.

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra League’s RunUp to the Runway, is celebrating its success by expanding into Milwaukee Style Weekend on Friday, Oct. 16 at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Fashion designer Ra’mon Lawrence from Lifetime’s “Project Runway,” will show his Spring 2010 collection, straight from New York Fashion Week who calls it “Marie Antoinette meets Andy Warhol” featuring the couture designs of local designers Shannon Lee Molter, Miranda Levy and J. Rath; a showing of fall’s best looks from local boutiques; and a student design competition from Mount Mary College’s top budding designers.

The MSO League has also partnered with InterContinental Milwaukee for a second night of fashion on Saturday, Oct. 17 at the hotel for ‘Project InterCon,” a 24- hour fashion design competition in which 20 contestants will use items only available at the hotel to create unique looks. Interested contestants for Project InterCon can register for the event on Friday evening at RunUp to the Runway.

“At the InterContinental Milwaukee we feel we have created an atmosphere where self expression is embraced and encouraged. This goes hand in hand with Milwaukee’s blossoming fashion industry,” Tim Smith, general manager for InterContinental Milwaukee said. “The Symphony is such a large part of our Performing Arts culture here in Milwaukee; it only makes sense to support them wherever we can.”

The event will provide guests with an evening of exclusive fashion worn by professional runway models, live music, Style Bars, gourmet food stations and a silent auction featuring one-of-a-kind items, including a gown designed by Ra’mon Lawrence.

The first 20 budding designers to sign up at the Project InterCon booth will be given hotel materials and less than 24 hours to create a winning design. Winners will be chosen by popular vote at the Intercontinental Milwaukee the following night, Saturday, Oct. 17. Tickets range from $10 to $50 and can be purchased at www.mam.org/afterdark

The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), awarded VISIT Milwaukee the Aaron D. Cushman / SATW Gold Award for the category best publicity campaign for a convention and visitors bureau for “Bronze the Fonz: A Celebration of Cool in Milwaukee.”

The statue of the “Happy Days” character Fonzie portrayed by actor Henry Winkler, was dedicated in downtown Milwaukee on Aug. 19, 2008. In addition to the positive international awareness from the event, the sale of commemorative autographed cast posters and a contribution from Culver’s raised more than $17,000 for a literacy program run by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee.

VISIT Milwaukee took home the gold, with silver and bronze going to public relation campaigns in Charleston and Fort Lauderdale. This is the second straight year VISIT Milwaukee has won the gold, winning in 2008 for its Film Wisconsin program. SATW represents more than 1,300 professional journalists, photographers, and media relations professionals in North America.

Former Olympian Suzy Favor Hamilton will be the keynote speaker at Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation's 2009 Celebrate the Light Gala on Nov. 14 at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee.

The event will help raise funds to provide help and healing for those suffering from mental illness and depression.

Hamilton is a three-time Olympic track athlete from Madison. During the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia Hamilton pretended to pass out after several runners passed her during the last 200 meters of the 1,500 meter race. She was expected to bring home the gold medal, but instead brought home awareness of how much depression had consumed her life. At the event she will share her story of finding happiness of the track and help raise awareness of the disease.

Tickets are $200 each and includes valet parking, cocktail reception , dinner, auction, program, and presentation of the "Spirit of Giving" award. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation at 262-646-1646 or online at www.rogershospital.org/gala. All proceeds from the event support the patients and programs of Rogers Memorial Hospital.

The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau, along with State Central Credit Union and ProShred Security, will host “ShredFest”, a free community shredding event on Saturday, Oct. 17, at State Central Credit Union in West Allis.

The event is part of the Bureau’s “Secure Your ID Day,” a coast- to-coast, national shredding day.

In April, the Bureau hosted a similar event and shredded more than 21,000 pounds of material for free.

“(Identity Theft) is largely a crime of access,” said Randall Hoth, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau.  “Our goal here is to make the information less accessible and empower people to be their own first line of defense against identity theft.” 

Last year alone, 8.1 million Americans became victims of ID theft, resulting in the loss of $45 billion, according to a 2008 report from Javelin Strategy and Research.

For more information or further inquiries, please contact the Wisconsin BBB at www.wisconsin.bbb.org/shredfest or 414-847-6000.

Milwaukee Ballet will begin its 40th anniversary season with the show Cinderella at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water Street, from Oct. 22 through Oct. 25.

The classical ballet features Sergei Prokofiev’s score performed live by the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra. Dancers from Milwaukee Ballet School will join the Company to add to the charm of the production.

In honor of the Milwaukee Ballet’s 40th anniversary celebration, Kopp’s Frozen Custard will serve Prince Charming custard on Thursday, Oct. 22. The custard is red raspberry custard with marshmallow ribbons and confetti sugar. Individuals can also save their Kopp’s receipt and redeem it for a free poster the night of the show.

Tickets to the performance start at $23, to order or for additional information visit www.milwaukeeballet.org.

Name: Jeffrey A Koser

Title: Founder and CEO

Company: Selling to Zebras, LLC

Company address: 3403 Lake Drive, Hartland, WI, 53029

Company web site: www.sellingtozebras.com

Industry: Business Consulting

Education: BA – Marketing, MS – Sociology, Minor - Economics

Family:  Married to Patricia Foulks, Son Chad Koser involved in the business, his wife, Jill and grandson Tucker, Jeni Koser works for 4imprints in Oshkosh,

Hobbies and Interests: Running, biking, boating and skiing

Favorite book and/or movie: Groundhog Day

Favorite musician/band: “Now, Maroon Five, in my youth, The Beatles”

Favorite place to visit/vacation: Italy (Rome, Florence)

Favorite local restaurant: Union House

Words to live by: Comfort, Peace, Commitment, Love

What is your core philosophy for doing business? “Drive value in everything you do.”

Who is your role model and why? “Kevin Calderwood, former President of Baan USA, Inc. Kevin was a role model at work, play and with his family. He lives and does everything with class, grace, and you can trust every word that comes out of his mouth. I’d trust to have my children work for him, I’d trust him with my money, and I trust him with my grandchild. How can you get better than that!”

What was the funniest thing that has ever happened to you? “Business wise the funniest thing that ever happened was getting two days mixed up on my schedule and showing up for the wrong meeting, in the wrong city, on the wrong day! It’s funny now…”

Health Care

Jennifer Di Rocco, D.O., has been appointed assistant professor of pediatrics in hospital medicine at The Medical College of Wisconsin and to the medical staff of Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, both in Wauwatosa.

Hospitality & Entertainment

Marcus Corporation, Milwaukee, announced the promotion of Jeff Tomachek to senior vice president of finance, planning and development for Marcus Theaters. Tomachek joined Marcus Theatres in 1998 as controller. 

Jeff Cook has been named general manager at Dream Dance Steak, Potawatomi Bingo Casino’s four-star, four-diamond steakhouse. Cook joined Potawatomi Bingo Casino’s Food & Beverage department more than five years ago and has overseen a number of other restaurant operations within the Casino during that time.

Professional Athletics

The Milwaukee Wave has added Jeff Kopp and Jon Kurozawa as account executives. Kopp formerly worked for Potawatomi Bingo Casino, and Kurozawa worked for Milwaukee Radio Group before joining the Wave.

“For the second consecutive season, more than three million fans attended games at Miller Park, which represents the ninth-highest attendance in Major League Baseball. This is a truly remarkable accomplishment, which once again confirms to me that you are the best fans in all of professional sports. This isn't solely my opinion. I have heard from baseball executives, members of the media, and fans from around the country, all of whom agree that your passion and knowledge have no equal. We do not take your support for granted, and I want you to know that it gives us the motivation and resources to compete at a high level.”

~ Mark Attanasi, Brewers chairman and principal owner

Check out the full Milwaukee BizBlog: Brewers will continue to raise the bar

The Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce’s Professional Women’s Development Network held their Women’s “Power Ball” Golf Outing on Friday, September 25, 2009. The golf outing was held at Western Lakes Golf Club just off of Highway 94 and County Road SS. The event included a delicious lunch provided by Western Lakes’ caterer, a group golf clinic led by Western Lake’s Director of Instruction and Head Professional, Greg Johnson, and 9 holes of golf with a cart and various flag events. This event was designed by women for women, helped develop and broaden women’s knowledge of golf etiquette in business as well as general golf tips, and granted women time to network with other leading business women.

Check out this week's BizTimes Around Town