I must confess that one of the most exciting parts of my job, hands down, is the process of brand discovery. It’s a great way to get creative juices flowing and really explore the fundamental essence of the client we’re working for.
In fact, I didn’t know how much I actually enjoyed branding until I became a part of the EMG team. Wanting to learn more, I picked up this book: The Origin of Brands by Al and Laura Ries and have been made a true believer.
This book compares the process of positioning, marketing, and brand discovery to the origin of the species by Charles Darwin. Laden with examples, it’s a quick read and relatable to any marketing professional or business owner.
Through this book, Al and Laura Ries have established themselves as a veritable marketing dynasty, providing insight applicable to the fortune 500 executive and layman alike. I can’t wait to read their next book: The fall of advertising and the Rise of PR.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
It's not just the moisturizer
…I’m a young professional!
And I can more than likely speak for all of us when I say how conscious we (young pros) are of this.
So, I implore the readers of this blog, anyone I may do business with in the future, and the rest of the western world: hear me out!
On behalf of my fellow twenty-something professionals just getting a foothold in their industries, I ask for an ounce of credibility, and a little understanding that we were hired to do our jobs because we are qualified and good representatives of the company you’re doing business with.
Perhaps it’s just a rite of passage- to be pitted against other recent college graduates, grappling in order to climb another rung in an endless ladder. But, in a world where experience means everything, the big picture is critical.
Each day brings me towards greater understanding and makes me that much more of a reckonable force to this industry.
And I can more than likely speak for all of us when I say how conscious we (young pros) are of this.
So, I implore the readers of this blog, anyone I may do business with in the future, and the rest of the western world: hear me out!
On behalf of my fellow twenty-something professionals just getting a foothold in their industries, I ask for an ounce of credibility, and a little understanding that we were hired to do our jobs because we are qualified and good representatives of the company you’re doing business with.
Perhaps it’s just a rite of passage- to be pitted against other recent college graduates, grappling in order to climb another rung in an endless ladder. But, in a world where experience means everything, the big picture is critical.
Each day brings me towards greater understanding and makes me that much more of a reckonable force to this industry.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Happy Earth Day!
...Too bad this post has nothing to do with that.
Last night I was walking Oscar and encountered a neighbor walking a beautiful pure-bred Maltese that I'd never seen before. As it turns out, she was so moved by Oprah's expose on puppy mills a couple of weeks ago, that she went out to our local shelter and adopted a dog. Yes, you can find pure bred-dogs at shelters, too. Help stop the cruelty.
The Peppermint Pig Thrift & Gift on Beechmont Ave. will be having a 2 year anniversary event this Saturday. All proceeds from the store go to the Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary, a no-kill shelter for cats & dogs. Adopt adopt adopt!!!
Oh, and by the way, Oscar's birthday is this month. Happy 2 years, buddy!
Last night I was walking Oscar and encountered a neighbor walking a beautiful pure-bred Maltese that I'd never seen before. As it turns out, she was so moved by Oprah's expose on puppy mills a couple of weeks ago, that she went out to our local shelter and adopted a dog. Yes, you can find pure bred-dogs at shelters, too. Help stop the cruelty.
The Peppermint Pig Thrift & Gift on Beechmont Ave. will be having a 2 year anniversary event this Saturday. All proceeds from the store go to the Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary, a no-kill shelter for cats & dogs. Adopt adopt adopt!!!
Oh, and by the way, Oscar's birthday is this month. Happy 2 years, buddy!Friday, April 18, 2008
In the news...
Nothing quite like being famous for having a crappy car (and looking like a ghost in the picture.)
Read the full article about declining car sales at: http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080418/BIZ01/804180348
...Allison Brinkman doesn't see a new car in her future any time soon.
But the 23-year-old public relations manager at Eisen Management Group in Newport admits she is getting a little weary of pumping cash for repairs into her 15-year-old Honda Civic, a car she drove in high school.
"It's simply not in my budget at the moment to take on a car payment or invest in a newer vehicle," says the Lebanon resident. "Until the economy gets better, I, along with just about any other entry-level peon still driving an archaic car, will hold off on adding another expense to my already substantial list."
Rising fuel and food costs, shrinking home values and fear of recession are leading consumers like Brinkman to put off large purchases like a new car....
Read the full article about declining car sales at: http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080418/BIZ01/804180348
...Allison Brinkman doesn't see a new car in her future any time soon.
But the 23-year-old public relations manager at Eisen Management Group in Newport admits she is getting a little weary of pumping cash for repairs into her 15-year-old Honda Civic, a car she drove in high school.
"It's simply not in my budget at the moment to take on a car payment or invest in a newer vehicle," says the Lebanon resident. "Until the economy gets better, I, along with just about any other entry-level peon still driving an archaic car, will hold off on adding another expense to my already substantial list."
Rising fuel and food costs, shrinking home values and fear of recession are leading consumers like Brinkman to put off large purchases like a new car....
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
PRSA Pro-Am Day
Yesterday was the annual pro-am day presented by PRSA. We had a handful of talented university students shadowing us at EMG in the morning before meeting up for a nice lunch and student presentation about their efforts marketing the Stand anti-tobacco campaign at their respective universities.
It was a great time. The PRSSA students really had their finger on the pulse of what's going on within their communities and were committed to the Stand campaign and being a positive influence to their peers.
Kudos! Look out world. The class of '08 is about to unleash some fierce professionals!
It was a great time. The PRSSA students really had their finger on the pulse of what's going on within their communities and were committed to the Stand campaign and being a positive influence to their peers.
Kudos! Look out world. The class of '08 is about to unleash some fierce professionals!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Price is Right
I have a beef with Drew Carey as host of the new Price is Right.
True, Bob Barker is irreplaceable, but we all retire, and Drew Carey does a nice job as host of the cheesiest (and therefore best) game show on television.
So what’s the problem?
Old Bob used to close each and every show with “spay or neuter your pet!” -- Forever burned into my brain accompanied by that iconic gimmicky theme song.
It’s a great cause to stand for- prevent pet overpopulation, encourage adoption, spay & neuter; they’re all things everyone should be aware of. But it’s his cause. Just because Drew Carey inherits Bob Barker’s throne, doesn’t entitle him to the same catch phrase- it looks contrived and discredits Bob’s previous efforts.
As a new host, you bring a new ‘flavor’ to the show, and consequently should differentiate yourself. We all want to prevent overpopulation, but this is now your platform, Drew.
Tell people to take the stairs or something.
True, Bob Barker is irreplaceable, but we all retire, and Drew Carey does a nice job as host of the cheesiest (and therefore best) game show on television.
So what’s the problem?
Old Bob used to close each and every show with “spay or neuter your pet!” -- Forever burned into my brain accompanied by that iconic gimmicky theme song.
It’s a great cause to stand for- prevent pet overpopulation, encourage adoption, spay & neuter; they’re all things everyone should be aware of. But it’s his cause. Just because Drew Carey inherits Bob Barker’s throne, doesn’t entitle him to the same catch phrase- it looks contrived and discredits Bob’s previous efforts.
As a new host, you bring a new ‘flavor’ to the show, and consequently should differentiate yourself. We all want to prevent overpopulation, but this is now your platform, Drew.
Tell people to take the stairs or something.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Train Whistles, Diet Tea, and C.P.I.P
So it may have been a little blue at times, but I had a great time being a guest host for Kiss107 this morning. Met some quality people and share some embarassing stories. Unfortunately I dipped out to go to work right in the midst of the pictures, but here are a couple of me hiding behind the mic...
What a blast! I hope I can come back and visit again soon!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Another radio stint!
Tomorrow I'll be getting up bright and early to be a guest host on Cincinnati's Kiss 107 morning show. I'll be there between 7-8am but there's no telling how long I'll actually be "on" the air.
It should be a good time...I'm excited! A great end to the week!
It should be a good time...I'm excited! A great end to the week!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
PR is not pay to play!
Yesterday afternoon I had the pleasure of speaking with a member of the media who, let’s just say, lacked some degree of journalistic integrity.
Now, I’m fairly forgiving of unreturned phone calls, short fuses and blunt refusals, but informing me that I must be an advertiser to be included in EDITORIAL content is a complete violation of the standards of journalism that respectable publications work so hard to maintain.
To be specific, my job, as a public relations professional, is to call my friends at the media and share gems that may/may not be newsworthy (to be determined by the publication.)
This fellow, who happens to be the editor-in-chief of a community paper, responded to me as follows:
Me: “Hi, [introduction], and I was wondering if you’d be interested in learning about [company/info] that’s located within your readership that’s doing [company features/new program.]”
Editor: “Oh, you mean advertising?”
Me: “No…I’m seeing if you were interested in doing a feature on [company/more specific info.]”
Editor: “You mean free advertising?”
Me: “No…I’m in Public Relations…and at the very least, I’d be happy to send you additional information about this company to keep in mind as expert resources for your future articles about [topics.]”
Editor: “No. We have advertisers for that.”
I’m still in shock that someone in such a high-ranking position of a publication would be so blatantly unethical.
But hey…I’ll just take my ideas elsewhere, and recommend everyone else does the same. They obviously don’t need the news.
Now, I’m fairly forgiving of unreturned phone calls, short fuses and blunt refusals, but informing me that I must be an advertiser to be included in EDITORIAL content is a complete violation of the standards of journalism that respectable publications work so hard to maintain.
To be specific, my job, as a public relations professional, is to call my friends at the media and share gems that may/may not be newsworthy (to be determined by the publication.)
This fellow, who happens to be the editor-in-chief of a community paper, responded to me as follows:
Me: “Hi, [introduction], and I was wondering if you’d be interested in learning about [company/info] that’s located within your readership that’s doing [company features/new program.]”
Editor: “Oh, you mean advertising?”
Me: “No…I’m seeing if you were interested in doing a feature on [company/more specific info.]”
Editor: “You mean free advertising?”
Me: “No…I’m in Public Relations…and at the very least, I’d be happy to send you additional information about this company to keep in mind as expert resources for your future articles about [topics.]”
Editor: “No. We have advertisers for that.”
I’m still in shock that someone in such a high-ranking position of a publication would be so blatantly unethical.
But hey…I’ll just take my ideas elsewhere, and recommend everyone else does the same. They obviously don’t need the news.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Another Season, Another Photo Contest
I'm bound and determined to win one of these days. I entered the cincinnati.com flower photo contest with the photo below and the one of the white spring flowers posted on 4/4. Admittedly, the gnome picture isn't that great, but it's always worth a shot. 
Monday, April 7, 2008
Philanthropy
We’ve decided our EMG Operation: Outreach 2008 winners. After over 200 submissions and just as many meaningful organizations, we’ve selected just a few to aid with over $50,000 worth of pro bono public relations and marketing assistance.
Consider it a leak, but I can't contain my excitement. My pro bono client is The Peppermint Pig Thrift & Gift, a one of a kind secondhand store manned entirely by volunteers. All proceeds from the store go to benefit Safe Haven, a no-kill shelter for homeless pets.
As an avid supporter of pet adoption (and puppies!) I was naturally excited to help them out.
On that note… here’s a funny picture I took of Oscar looking out the window a few weeks ago. It’s a little dark, but the tree outside matches up exactly with his poof.
Consider it a leak, but I can't contain my excitement. My pro bono client is The Peppermint Pig Thrift & Gift, a one of a kind secondhand store manned entirely by volunteers. All proceeds from the store go to benefit Safe Haven, a no-kill shelter for homeless pets.
As an avid supporter of pet adoption (and puppies!) I was naturally excited to help them out.
On that note… here’s a funny picture I took of Oscar looking out the window a few weeks ago. It’s a little dark, but the tree outside matches up exactly with his poof.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Social Media
I attended a great presentation today from the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce about social media. Although it may sound a little silly for a PR professional to be attending a session entitled “PR 201,” you have to remind yourself that no matter what field you’re in or what title you hold, you’re never going to know everything.
Social media, the topic of the day, is a particular favorite of mine. The grassroots approach can sometimes be more successful than any million-dollar advertising gamble. Forget ‘SEO optimization’ and all the other garbage people will try to sell you to make a quick buck out of something as simple as an updated blog, linked-in profile or youtube channel.
And, like it or not, you’re always going to be the face of your company (especially if you’re trying to do public relations/marketing,) so might as well make the most of it. You don’t have to be a robot. In fact, here are my three off-the-cuff rules to good, viral social media:
be personable, be positive, be proactive.
For more info on Social Media and 2008 trends, check out the article I was in for Ragan.com in my 2/26 post.
Social media, the topic of the day, is a particular favorite of mine. The grassroots approach can sometimes be more successful than any million-dollar advertising gamble. Forget ‘SEO optimization’ and all the other garbage people will try to sell you to make a quick buck out of something as simple as an updated blog, linked-in profile or youtube channel.
And, like it or not, you’re always going to be the face of your company (especially if you’re trying to do public relations/marketing,) so might as well make the most of it. You don’t have to be a robot. In fact, here are my three off-the-cuff rules to good, viral social media:
be personable, be positive, be proactive.
For more info on Social Media and 2008 trends, check out the article I was in for Ragan.com in my 2/26 post.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
The Beginning of Something Wonderful
Monday was opening day for the Reds! We braved the elements to enjoy the great American pasttime (and survived.) My first opening day was a success! (save every picture of me looking like a drowned rat, but we won't go there...)
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