McKendall Communications

05/22/2026

Tuesday was launch day for Cinema Puzzles, and we are so excited to officially see this brand out in the world.

At McKendall Communications, we love working with brands that bring a genuinely fresh idea to market, and Cinema Puzzles does exactly that. Created by award-winning screenwriter and entrepreneur Michael Elliot, Cinema Puzzles transforms iconic movie moments into collectible puzzles built from actual in-film scenes. The brand has officially licensed scenes from movies such as , , , The Breakfast Club, , and many more!

From a PR perspective, this launch checked so many boxes: nostalgia marketing, entertainment collectibles, founder storytelling, Hollywood trends, and the growing consumer demand for experiential products that create emotional connection.

Over the past several weeks, we’ve had the opportunity to introduce media to the brand through targeted outreach, virtual interviews, and product previews. Watching journalists, producers, and creators immediately “get it” has been one of the most rewarding parts of this campaign.

Big congratulations to Michael Elliot and the entire Cinema Puzzles team on this week's launch. We can’t wait to see movie fans start piecing together their favorite cinematic moments.

Lisa German McKendall Lydia German Smith

Relive the stories you love, and feel the emotions again, one piece at a time.

05/13/2026

McKendall Communications was proud to see our client, Vornado, featured once again on The Price Is Right this week. Getting a product in front of an estimated 5.5 million daily viewers is the kind of broad national exposure that helps build real brand recognition and consumer trust.

From broadcast television placements to strategic media outreach, earned media remains one of the most powerful ways to introduce brands to new audiences in an authentic and memorable way. There’s something especially exciting about seeing a beloved 80-year-old brand like Vornado integrated into a beloved, long-running television show that viewers genuinely engage with every day.

If you’d like to watch the full episode, it was Season 54, Episode 151, which aired on May 11.

Visibility like this doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from strong media relationships, thoughtful pitching, and finding the right opportunities to put brands in front of the right audiences.

If you’d like this kind of exposure for your brand, click here to schedule a time to chat- https://calendly.com/mckendall.../pr-20-minute-meeting...

Lisa German McKendall

04/22/2026

McKendall Communications client Gabriella Santaniello continues to land top-tier media placements through strategic outreach. Her latest feature in Glossy Magazine includes expert commentary that puts her insights front and center.

Thought leadership isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s a core driver of a strong PR program. When you consistently show up as a credible expert, your brand doesn’t just get noticed; it gets trusted. And trust drives sales.

If you’re ready to build visibility for your brand, let’s talk. Click here to connect-https://calendly.com/mckendall-communications/pr-20-minute-meeting?month=2022-10

Lisa German McKendall

https://www.glossy.co/fashion/glossy-pop-newsletter-targets-roller-rabbit-collab-did-6-million-in-first-hour-sales-won-over-gen-z/

The collection was primarily aimed at Gen Z, but Target knew it would see "multi-generational" love. Overall, the collection outperformed forecast expectations across every category, Target shared.

04/14/2026

Check out this standout segment from KTVB’s Inside Ag featuring McKendall Communications client, Jones & Co Vanillas. Founder and CEO, Ted Jones, breaks down what makes one of the world’s most fascinating and labor-intensive crops, while sharing how his -based company sources beans from small-plot farmers in more than 50 countries.

From the Cook Islands to Guatemala, Taiwan to Vanuatu, his commitment to global sourcing and farmer partnerships shines through, and it’s putting the Treasure Valley on the map in a whole new way.

This is what strategic PR looks like: meaningful storytelling that earns broadcast coverage and builds credibility.

If you’re ready to see your brand in segments like this, let’s connect: https://calendly.com/mckendall-communications/pr-20-minute-meeting?month=2026-04



https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/agriculture/inside-ag/nampa-business-small-vanilla-farmers-and-us-market-inside-ag/277-0296cbb7-2dfb-42e6-9183-3c786a0e7db9

For thousands of small farmers around the world, vanilla is a high-stakes crop. A local business is helping connect those small growers to buyers.

03/09/2026

We’re excited to welcome Jones & Co Vanillas as the newest client of McKendall Communications.

Headquartered locally in Nampa, Idaho, Jones & Co. Vanillas is a global supplier of single-origin vanilla beans, extracts, and purées, sourced from small-plot farmers in more than 50 countries. Through their trademarked Vanillas of the World® collection, the company connects chefs, brewers, chocolatiers, and bakers with some of the most distinctive vanilla available anywhere.

Vanilla may be one of the most beloved ingredients in the world, but few people know the extraordinary journey behind it. Every bean represents nearly two years of careful cultivation, hand-pollination, curing, and drying, often carried out by small farming families whose livelihoods depend on the crop. It has been fascinating to learn about this well-known but entirely unique fruit.

If your company has a story worth telling, we’d love to help you tell it. McKendall Communications specializes in media relations and strategic storytelling for brands looking to connect with the audiences that matter most. Reach out if you’d like to explore how public relations can help grow your business- https://calendly.com/mckendall-communications/pr-20-minute-meeting?month=2026-03



https://vanillasoftheworld.com/

Jones & Co Vanillas sells rare high quality vanilla beans and manufacturers unique pure vanilla extracts, all sourced from over 50 countries.

02/17/2026

Last week, McKendall Communications attended the Field to Fork Festival hosted by FARE Idaho at JUMP Boise, a fantastic local
event that brings together the people who grow our and the people who turn it into the dishes we all love. Whether you're a grower looking to connect with chefs, a distributor seeking new partners, or a restaurateur sourcing the best of what’s local, this was the event!

JUMP was filled with Idaho’s food in real life: ranchers, farmers, millers, honey producers, winemakers, and artisan bakers all sharing tables, samples, and stories. I sat in on two cooking demonstrations and then spent the rest of the day doing what PR people do best, listening. Because when you listen long enough, you start to hear what businesses actually need.

Our newest client, Jones & Co Vanillas, had a booth at the event, and honestly, they fit perfectly into the conversation. They source beans from more than 50 countries and supply bulk vanilla to restaurants, breweries, and bakeries. What many chefs don’t always realize is that vanilla isn’t just for desserts; it shows up in sauces, rubs, cocktails, coffee drinks, and even beer.

Events like Field to Fork matter. Local food businesses don’t just need customers, they need partners. A brewer meets a honey producer. A baker meets a miller. A chef discovers a better ingredient that elevates an entire menu.

That’s exactly why McKendall Communications loves being involved in the local business . Good PR isn’t just sending emails and press releases. Sometimes it’s simply showing up, shaking hands, and helping the right people find each other.

If you’re a local restaurant, brewery, or bakery and you’ve never worked with real, origin-sourced vanilla before, this is one ingredient worth talking about.

Click here to set up a time to chat about Jones & Co Vanillas or a PR program for your brand- https://calendly.com/mckendall.../pr-20-minute-meeting...



Lisa German McKendall

01/19/2026

Today, we honor Martin Luther King Jr. and the lasting impact of his leadership, courage, and commitment to justice.

At McKendall Communications, we believe words matter, especially during moments when fear, division, and uncertainty dominate the national conversation. Dr. King reminded us that progress requires empathy, courage, and a commitment to seeing the humanity in one another, even when the issues are complex and the stakes are high.

As communicators, it’s a reminder that our work isn’t just about headlines or coverage, it’s about responsibility. Responsibility to listen. To represent stories accurately. And to use our words to help move conversations forward in a meaningful way for our clients and for us.

Today, we reflect. Tomorrow, we keep doing the work.

Lydia German Smith Lisa German McKendall

01/02/2026

Hello, 2026.
As the calendar flips, we’re taking a moment to reflect and look ahead.
This past year reminded us why thoughtful, strategic public relations still matters. Even with the advent of and the ever-changing landscape, earned media builds credibility. Real storytelling builds trust. And strong relationships (with journalists, clients, and communities) are what move the needle.
At McKendall Communications, we’re heading into the new year energized by the brands we support, the stories we get to tell, and the results that come from doing PR the right way, strategically, authentically, and with purpose.

Here’s to another year of meaningful coverage, smart strategy, and helping brands show up where it counts.

Cheers to 2026. 🥂
Let’s make it a headline-worthy one.


Lydia German Smith Lisa German McKendall

Traditional Media Relations In A Social World Welcome to the media revolution with McKendall Communications! We’re at the forefront of the ever-changing, fast-paced world of media relations and ready to take you along for the ride. While social media has emerged as a powerful storytelling tool, tr...

12/15/2025

We love a strong finish, and this one aired on an NBC affiliate!

McKendall Communications just wrapped a 10-month video storytelling project with the Boise Farmers Market, capped off by editorial coverage on our local NBCUniversal affiliate, KTVB @, as part of its Inside Ag segment.
The story spotlighted Reel Farmers, the culminating event for the U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded video series More Than a Market. Held at a local theater, the event screened all eight videos. It gave the community a well-deserved moment to celebrate the farmers and ranchers who keep Boise’s local food economy thriving.

The More Than a Market video series (as seen on the BFM YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com//videos) explores how the Boise Farmers Market strengthens the region through education, engagement, and community-driven programs, demonstrating that farmers markets aren’t just about produce; they’re about people, impact, and local resilience.

Earned media. Real stories. Community impact.

If you’re looking for editorial coverage that actually moves the needle for your brand, let’s talk. Click here- https://calendly.com/mckendall-communications/pr-20-minute-meeting?month=2025-12


Lydia German Smith Lisa German McKendall

KTVB story:
https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/agriculture/inside-ag/boise-farmers-market-series-highlights-small-farms-community-bonds/277-7c6ffcfb-19ee-44e9-94c8-31611b202d68

Inside Ag: Boise Farmers

Funded by a USDA grant, these videos highlight the vital connections between farmers, the community, and sustainability efforts.

12/02/2025

There are still a few hours left to make your GivingTuesday count, and if you’re looking for a meaningful place to give, McKendall Communications invites you to join us in supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho

Our team has had the privilege of getting involved with the incredible work RMHC Idaho does for families across our state. When a child needs medical care far from home, RMHC Idaho steps in to keep families close, offering comfort, stability, and compassion during their toughest moments. But this mission is only possible with support from people like you.

Today, millions around the globe are celebrating generosity and community, and we’re proud to stand with RMHC Idaho as part of that movement. If you believe in keeping families together when they need it most, here are a few ways you can make an impact before the day ends.

Ways to Give This Giving Tuesday:
• Donate
Make a direct gift to support families staying at the Ronald McDonald House and Family Room- https://rmhcidaho.donorsupport.co/page/nextchapter

• Holiday Wish Lists & Giving Tree
Help create joyful holiday moments for families staying with RMHC Idaho- https://www.rmhcidaho.org/holiday-wish-lists-and-giving-tree/

• Toy & Donation Drive
Support local families at the Ronald McDonald Family Room at EIRMC through the annual holiday drive- https://postregister.secondstreetapp.com/TOY-DRIVE-2025/

• Provide a Meal
Cook or sponsor a comforting meal for families:
Boise House- https://idahormhc.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=93483
Idaho Falls Family Room- https://idahormhc.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=93670

Thank you for helping us keep families close, today and every day. Your generosity truly makes a difference.

https://rmhcidaho.donorsupport.co/page/nextchapter
Lydia German Smith Lisa German McKendall

When families arrive at the Ronald McDonald House or Family Room, they step into a chapter they may not have ever expected. A chapter far away from their home with difficult days ahead. It’s during these deeply vulnerable moments that your support becomes part of their story. Your gift helps write...