Thought I'd share my dog, Oscar and his costume: Dogula!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
10/29
Battle of the Bulge Monument, Bastogne, Belgium
The day I visited, I was told that conditions (gray, uber foggy and freezing) were the exact same as those during the infamous battle. It was truly moving.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
What are You Doing for Yourself?
A critical, yet an increasingly (I would even go so far as to use the word disturbingly here) overlooked part of business ventures is the sales force.
Chances are if you own a business, you already eat, sleep and breathe your product or service- but your conversations with the cashier at Jo-Mart aren’t necessarily getting the exposure you need.
So you hire a PR firm. But…great exposure doesn’t necessarily equate to great sales.
Behind every successful PR push is an equally successful sales team.
We help with the assist, you make the slam-dunk.
Trust me, when it’s done right, it’ll sound something like, “You know, I’ve been hearing about this everywhere…yeah, we’re in.”
Chances are if you own a business, you already eat, sleep and breathe your product or service- but your conversations with the cashier at Jo-Mart aren’t necessarily getting the exposure you need.
So you hire a PR firm. But…great exposure doesn’t necessarily equate to great sales.
Behind every successful PR push is an equally successful sales team.
We help with the assist, you make the slam-dunk.
Trust me, when it’s done right, it’ll sound something like, “You know, I’ve been hearing about this everywhere…yeah, we’re in.”
Monday, October 22, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
POTD 10/19
To set the mood for the blog entry below...Liquid bar in Luxembourg- My favorite bar on the planet, home to the best jazz night I've ever been to :) Happy Friday!
Pitching
It’s your first date with someone at a charming, intimate little restaurant (Bombay City, maybe?) and things are going pretty well. You may even see yourself going on another date with this person. After dessert your date leans towards you, looks you deep in the eyes and delicately whispers, “I’ve been waiting for you all my life.”
...For most people (unless, of course, you happen to snag a date with Brad Pitt,) this would be a little awkward.
You can’t just skip from first date to forever, and chances are there is some persistent tenacity in order to just get that first date.
Getting your story (however good it may be) in the New York Times, is a similar situation. Yes, the folks at EMG are downright awesome PR people, but even when we call up our media friends, they don’t turn around and say “by god, I’ve been waiting all day for this story!”
It takes some time, some finesse, and some tenacity…basically, a lot of courting. It’ll pay off, but reporters aren’t sitting around waiting for stories to come to them, just as we aren’t waiting for the media to come to us.
...For most people (unless, of course, you happen to snag a date with Brad Pitt,) this would be a little awkward.
You can’t just skip from first date to forever, and chances are there is some persistent tenacity in order to just get that first date.
Getting your story (however good it may be) in the New York Times, is a similar situation. Yes, the folks at EMG are downright awesome PR people, but even when we call up our media friends, they don’t turn around and say “by god, I’ve been waiting all day for this story!”
It takes some time, some finesse, and some tenacity…basically, a lot of courting. It’ll pay off, but reporters aren’t sitting around waiting for stories to come to them, just as we aren’t waiting for the media to come to us.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Accountability
A critical, yet often overlooked aspect of business interaction. Sure, you know you’re accountable for yourself, but it’s not until you’re under the gun that you’re really pressured to show just how accountable you really are.
It’s unfortunate for those looking for vendors or contractors that there isn’t some kind of ‘accountability meter’ that comes along with each person or company- word of mouth is only so good, and never consistent.
Accountability is not always easy, it’s not always fun and hardly ever recognized, but in the end it’s worth showing people that you can grit your teeth and get the job done, no matter what.
And that, dear friends, is what potential clients should look for in an agency.
It’s unfortunate for those looking for vendors or contractors that there isn’t some kind of ‘accountability meter’ that comes along with each person or company- word of mouth is only so good, and never consistent.
Accountability is not always easy, it’s not always fun and hardly ever recognized, but in the end it’s worth showing people that you can grit your teeth and get the job done, no matter what.
And that, dear friends, is what potential clients should look for in an agency.
Friday, October 12, 2007
POTD 10/12
Dresden, GermanyThis city was firebombed in WWII -all of the buildings and statues that still stand are charred.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
POTD 10/10
gnothi seauton (know thyself- see entry below) was inscribed in the pronaos (forecourt) of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. While I can’t say I’ve had the pleasure of visiting that particular place, here’s a picture I took of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece.Know Thyself
Everyday I learn a little more about the right and wrong ways to go about running a business.
Given, it’s not even possible to get into any field knowing everything- and thankfully, there are specialty people (like the uber talented folks at EMG, for example) to help with the things you may not know about.
In the end, it really boils down to how armed you are for the brutal practice of brand warfare. How well do you know your industry? Your brand pillars? Your competitors?
I was once told, “You don’t necessarily have to come up with a revolutionary new idea- you just have to make sure that with whatever you do, it’s better than your competition.”
Better. And two steps ahead.
Given, it’s not even possible to get into any field knowing everything- and thankfully, there are specialty people (like the uber talented folks at EMG, for example) to help with the things you may not know about.
In the end, it really boils down to how armed you are for the brutal practice of brand warfare. How well do you know your industry? Your brand pillars? Your competitors?
I was once told, “You don’t necessarily have to come up with a revolutionary new idea- you just have to make sure that with whatever you do, it’s better than your competition.”
Better. And two steps ahead.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
POTD 10/9
Munich, GermanyThey had a 'decorate the lions' contest, much the same as Cincinnati's similar competition between local businesses decorating flying pigs! This one I thought was particularly funny.
New Biz
Very exciting news...
We are about to welcome two exciting new businesses to the EMG family. Details to come soon-- can't wait to roll out the red carpet for our new friends!
We are about to welcome two exciting new businesses to the EMG family. Details to come soon-- can't wait to roll out the red carpet for our new friends!
Monday, October 8, 2007
Friday, October 5, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Networking 101
Everything I needed to know for the workforce I didn't learn in college. In fact, all that bologna went out the window my first day on the job. The one thing I wish I'd known more about: networking.
Suddenly, adamant discussions about your favorite bar aren't appropriate, and you're left wondering, "what's left to talk about?" Lots.
Networking 101: Conversation.
Prove yourself to be a credible, distinctive Public Relations professional so that you can be sure a new acquaintance isn't going to walk away with a mental note to avoid you at future functions.
It's a whole 'nother' ballgame.
Suddenly, adamant discussions about your favorite bar aren't appropriate, and you're left wondering, "what's left to talk about?" Lots.
Networking 101: Conversation.
Prove yourself to be a credible, distinctive Public Relations professional so that you can be sure a new acquaintance isn't going to walk away with a mental note to avoid you at future functions.
It's a whole 'nother' ballgame.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Photo of the Day!
I decided for my own sanity and the greater good of everyone, that I'll include a fun little feature to my blog: photo of the day. It'll be a great opportunity for me to share my travels and experiences, and hopefully bring a smile to your face as well. ENJOY!
Cinque Terre, Italy at sunset. (Yes, I set this shot up AND am in it!) Let me tell you- those rocks were a pain to climb!
Building Your Own Brand
Staying true to yourself & Building your own brand.
I’m going to equate ‘identity branding’ to a life experience we can all relate to: the job search.
Something we’ve all been through before: That job- an okay job, one that you are perfectly qualified for but just…isn’t you. You might not even make the discovery until the interview in which things just don’t jive.
It’s certainly a discouraging feeling and leaves anyone in this situation at a crossroad- take the job (for money, title, location, etc.) and compromise your un-corporate eccentricities, or chalk it up to ‘artistic differences’ and leave?
The core, the essence of successful marketing, is consciously maintaining that brand focus. Likewise, the key to happy relationships (from personal to professional) is to maintain that very pillar- that je ne sais crois which only you possess.
Build YOUR brand- The only brand that’s going to be with you forever. And be memorable about it.
Fortunately for me and all my quirks, EMG is the best creative environment I could ever ask for!
I’m going to equate ‘identity branding’ to a life experience we can all relate to: the job search.
Something we’ve all been through before: That job- an okay job, one that you are perfectly qualified for but just…isn’t you. You might not even make the discovery until the interview in which things just don’t jive.
It’s certainly a discouraging feeling and leaves anyone in this situation at a crossroad- take the job (for money, title, location, etc.) and compromise your un-corporate eccentricities, or chalk it up to ‘artistic differences’ and leave?
The core, the essence of successful marketing, is consciously maintaining that brand focus. Likewise, the key to happy relationships (from personal to professional) is to maintain that very pillar- that je ne sais crois which only you possess.
Build YOUR brand- The only brand that’s going to be with you forever. And be memorable about it.
Fortunately for me and all my quirks, EMG is the best creative environment I could ever ask for!
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