Knights & Space Shuttles & Dogs, Oh My! (2012 in Review)

What a year it's been!

Looking back on 2012, I'm astounded by how much I've done, seen and learned in Public Relations and Social Media this year. From special events, to Facebook giveaways, to networking events and more, I couldn't have asked for a better professional year.

In honor of my "Rookie" PR year (and the start of a new year!), I've decided to countdown my top 3 absolute favorite working experiences of 2012:

3. The Grand Opening of the New Show at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

June 26, 2012. I will ALWAYS remember this day, because it was the date of my first special event! Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament-Orlando held a VIP party for prominent members of the Orlando business community and other important Orlando residents, such as members of the local media, this summer at the Orlando castle. Considering that I had just been hired  in May, I knew that this show was a test to see how well I could handle the media and putting together a VIP list. To my great delight, the event could not have gone more smoothly. Not only was I able to prove to my boss that I'm capable of helping with organizing a huge event, I also got to see the new show first-hand and celebrate with the Medieval Times team after the show. So much fun!


2. Celebrate Dogs! (The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship)

 To date, Celebrate Dogs! is my crowning achievement. The agency was faced with the difficult task of acquainting Central Florida residents with the re-branded title of the daytime portion of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, now called "Celebrate Dogs!"  I was tasked with creating and maintaining social media sites for the event, as well as securing media coverage and using guerrilla marketing tactics to spread awareness around town.

Social Media had a huge impact on the event, and I worked extremely hard to ensure that the client was satisfied with my efforts. Beyond this, I organized blogger giveaways for free tickets to the event. In total, my blogger/social media efforts reached over 1,000 people.

My efforts also generated 5 segments on local-area television stations, as well as online, print and radio coverage. Not bad!

Another highlight was working with a local entertainment company to design a mascot for Celebrate Dogs! "Euka", the Eukanuba Mascot turned out to be absolutely adorable, and the client loved the final product.

"Bailey" the AKC Beagle and "Euka" the Eukanuba mascot pose at Celebrate Dogs!

 Celebrate Dogs! was an INCREDIBLE experience. Having Proctor & Gamble (Eukanuba) for a client is anyone's dream, but it's especially great for a recent college grad!

1. The Atlantis Roll-Over at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Hands down, the most memorable event of 2012 was the Atlantis roll-over at KSCVC! The event celebrated the last time a space orbiter will ever move. Talk about an inspiring experience!

I've already written about this in a different post, but this is still the greatest thing I've done this year. At the event, a colleague and myself were selected to help escort members of the media back and forth from different areas along Atlantis' journey. After the shuttling ended (pun intended), I was able to stand in an exclusive media-only section of KSC to watch Atlantis roll down the road and into her new home. As if the sight of the orbiter making her final journey wasn't incredible enough, we were also lucky enough to watch as she was escorted into her new home by astronauts from various Apollo and shuttle missions, including Buzz Aldrin.

Participating in the event also means I was a part of American history-- and that's something that doesn't happen every day!

The events I've experienced in 2012 would have been amazing to anyone in the PR field. For me, they were especially outstanding because they were the first events in what I hope will be a very long career in Public Relations. When I think that just this summer I was a college graduate who could only hope to find a job in my field, I am completely humbled and eternally grateful that I was hired to do what I love doing.

Here's to the PR adventures to come in 2013!

Social Media & Your Reputation

Please excuse me while I rant for a while.

You see, I recently stumbled upon an article highlighting Tweets that were sent during a Twitter feud between British boy band One Direction's Zayn Malik and his fellow Brit, The Wanted's Max George.  The battle of the bands words got pretty heated, and other members of each respective band intervened while the fight raged on.

One Direction's Zayn Malik attacks The Wanted's Max George on Twitter

I have just one question to ask these boys: Do you not have a publicist!? Is no one explaining to you how damaging a conflict broadcasted to millions of followers on Twitter can be to your reputation?

Not only did the Twitter feud make headlines, it also made both band members look, well, rather lame.

This feud really got me heated because I understand how frustrating  it must be for the publicists of celebrities who use Twitter in damaging ways. When you spend your career managing the image of celebrities/companies, etc., it can be pretty upsetting when your client blatantly disregards all efforts you've made on his or her behalf.

Beyond my publicist-sympathizing reasons, this fight also upsets me because it proves that people truly don't realize just how much their presence on social media can affect how they are perceived by others. This goes beyond celebrities or major corporations; this is true for every single person with a Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest account.

Your social media profile is your avatar. It is your online persona, and it's what people perceive to be a direct reflection of you, your beliefs and your actions. What sort of message was sent to young fans of One Direction when Malik referred to George as "Chlamydia boy"? Not a very respectable one, if you ask me.

Maintaining a squeaky-clean profile on social media sites is vital to your personal image (unless, of course, you're Marilyn Manson and you're success rests solely on your ability to shock & dismay the general pulic.) It should not be taken lightly. So, before you post that questionable picture or decide to bad-mouth someone online, ask yourself: "What do I want the people who look at my profile to think of me?"

When it comes to social media profiles and reputation, I've got one thing to say: Clean it up, people!

A Lesson in Disappointment-- And Optimism

Today I learned my first hard lesson in PR.

A particular client that I have worked extremely hard for over the last six months has decided that he is unsure whether or not he wants to continue his contract with us at the beginning of next year.

Obviously, this has been a huge blow to me. I've put in countless hours writing press releases, searching for new media to pitch to, organizing blogger review visits and taking a virtually non-existent Facebook following and earning 1,000 + new "likes" for this client. I usually try to let things roll off my back, but this one really stings.

Earlier today, I was expressing my angst and obvious disappointment to my boss when she reminded me of one very minute, yet very important, detail: This is just a downfall to the business we're in.

As my boss explained to me, a lot of people don't quite understand what PR professionals actually do. There is a common misconception among marketing professionals that Public Relations can be accomplished by anyone who has access to a media data base and is a decent writer. In reality, PR is so much more than being able to send a few emails. It requires constant creativity, coming up with new angles that will get media interested and conducting an array of day-to-day tasks that keep clients happy.

Although this setback has had a slight affect on me (only because I put so much care and effort into what I do), I have decided to face my disappointment head-on. We may retain this client, we may not. At least I know I've done everything in my power to keep the client happy.  

You know what they say: "That's show business."

Bringing Atlantis Home

Last Friday, I had an unbelievable experience. I had the absolute pleasure to assist with PR efforts during the Atlantis Roll Over at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Not only was my experience enjoyable, but it was an amazing event to add to my resume. I mean, it's not every day that you get to be apart of American history.

 For those of you who don't know, the space shuttle Atlantis made her final moving journey on Friday, November 2, 2012 when she was rolled over from the VAB at Kennedy Space Center to her new home at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The 10 mile journey took all day, and the public was granted rare, up-close access to the orbiter when she stopped at Exploration Park at KSCVC during her trip.

Most of my day was spent on a bus shuttling media to and from KSC, Exploration Park and KSCVC. At one point I had the not-so-glamorous task of running through KSCVC with a tray full of food for the bus drivers to eat. However, after my bus rounds, I was able to assist with media efforts in the exclusive media viewing zone, which gave members of the media a fantastic view of Atlantis as she rolled down 405 and into her new home.

Beyond this, I was about 5 feet away from Atlantis at one point and got to see Buzz Aldrin and other astronauts walk in front of her as they escorted her to her new home. It was a pretty powerful site.

Astronaut Jon McBride posed for a pic with me in front of Atlantis

 At dusk, as Atlantis stayed parked outside the new 100 million dollar building that will house her from now on, fireworks exploded in the sky directly above the orbiter. I couldn't help but be in awe of the image. It was absolutely the perfect ending to a wonderful day.

Working an event that size with so much national and international media coverage is an experience I will never forget. It was definitely a magical day and I was once again reminded how lucky I am to have the job that I have.

Welcome home, Atlantis! The journey continues.

Social Media and the Presidential #Debates

Now that the Presidential debates are over, it's time to discuss how social media fared while the debates raged on.

First and foremost, I'd like to say that both camps were quick to Tweet and post material about the debates on their respective social media sites, even while the candidates were still in the midst of debating. It makes my heart sing to see how social media continues to develop into a major political tool.

This being said, let's recap on why social media was the clear winner of the 2012 Presidential debates.

· The Numbers Don't Lie: A combined 12.24 million comments and Tweets were made on Facebook and Twitter during the second debate alone. That is a lot social media activity for an hour and a half event. What's notable here is that people flocked to social media sites to share opinions, comments, and rally around each other. That kind of unity is powerful and noteworthy.

· Topping the Social Media Charts: According to this article from the Washington Post, the second Presidential debate was the top political debate of all time on social media. In fact, the second debate was ranked as the third most talked about event in general on social media, while the first debate came in fifth place. That means two of the top five spots for most popular events on social media go to the 2012 Presidential debates.

· Romney's "Binders Full of Women" Remark : As far as social media buzz goes, this remark from the debates takes the cake. When explaining how he staffed his cabinet as governor during the second debate, Governor Romney stated that he looked through "binders full of women" to hire female employees. As a result of this remark, Binders Full of Women began trending on Twitter and became an instant "meme". The phrase even spawned a Facebook page, which gained 300,000 "likes" in less than 24 hours. Need I say more?

· Romney's "Big Bird" Jab: During the first debate, Governor Romney generated even more social media buzz when he stated that he would cut funding from PBS, specifically commenting that Big Bird "has to go". Romney's comments inspired countless "memes" and prompted liberal blogger Cale Crout to create a fake Big Bird Twitter that dishes out anti-Romney Tweets. Once again, all debate responses turned to social media.

· Obama’s “Horses and Bayonets” Comment: During the third debate, Romney stated that the U.S. Navy now has fewer ships than it did in 1916. Obama’s response? “Well Governor, we also have fewer horses and bayonets, because the nature of our military has changed.” Bayonets quickly began trending on Twitter after Obama’s zinger, and an array of Bayonet “memes” has hit the internet. Once again, social media users flocked together during these debates to express their opinions on their favorite social sites.

No matter which candidate you're voting for this November, there is no denying that regardless of how the votes swing, social media has had an outstanding election season.

Getting a Grasp on Social Media

I really appreciate how this photo simplifies the vast world of social media.

The other day, my mother asked me about an edited photo she saw of me on Facebook. I told her I took it with Instagram and the conversation quickly turned into an inquisition about social media. What is Instagram? What's the point? Is it the same as Twitter? How does it end up on Facebook? Etc, etc...

This post is not meant to be condescending in any way. My mom was right to ask so many questions, because it truly is a daunting task attempting to understand all things social media. Following my conversation with her, it dawned on me just how complicated social media can appear to someone who doesn't use it on a daily basis. It can even be complicated to me at times, and I do it for a living!

In honor of my mom (and anyone else who struggles to understand social media), I decided to simplify a few of the most popular social media sites, much like the photo above does:

• Facebook: A social networking site. Allows people to create an online profile, equipped with photos, work and education information, interests and more. Once a profile is created, users can upload photos, "check in" to places that they visit, add friends, create status updates, "like" the pages of their favorite celebrities and much, much more.
• Twitter: A social networking site. Instead of "adding" friends, Twitter users "follow" people of interest. Much like the status update feature on Facebook, Twitter allows users to post their thoughts in real-time, with a 140 character limit on all "Tweets". Pictures may also be added to Twitter via TwitPic. Twitter is infamous for its popularity among celebrities and young people.
•  Foursquare: An application that can be downloaded on smartphones that allows users to "check in" to places they visit. Many companies offer special discounts to customers who "check in" on Foursquare. Users can follow friends to see their recent destinations and earn points for each "check in". Users who  frequent a certain place more often than others becomes the "Mayor" of that establishment.
• Pinterest: An interactive social site where users "Pin" aesthetically pleasing photos to various "boards". These images and boards are shared with people who follow you, who in turn have the option to Re-Pin your images to their respective boards. In short, Pinterest is a tool to spread an image around the online world in a fast, easy way.
• Youtube: A video hosting site that allows users to upload and view videos. Many people use Youtube to showcase their talents, find music videos and view how-to videos. Brands typically use Youtube as a visual promotional tool by uploading videos that display how a product works, how a product is received, etc. Anyone can create a Youtube account to either upload videos or "favorite" videos they like.
• Instagram: Originally available as an application only for users with iPhones, Instagram is now available for download on Android smartphones as well. The app. allows users to take pictures with their phone's (or iPad's) camera, then alter the photo in visually appealing ways. Instagram provides users with different filters and frames that give photos a distinct look. Users can then share the edited photos on other social media sites when they connect the sites to their Instagram account.
• LinkedIn: A social networking site for business professionals. Much like a resume, users upload information about their work skills, job titles, current positions, etc. Users can make connections with other professionals and businesses. Companies use LinkedIn as a platform for their business in an attempt to gain exposure, find new employees and discuss products and services.

I won't go into ALL social media sites for length's sake, but the seven I have explained in this post are widely regarded as the most used social media sites. I hope it helps! 

My First [Successful] Attempt At Event Planning

This past weekend, I partnered with a sponsor of my client to put on an Oktoberfest event. This was the first time I helped organize an event pretty much on my own, so I'm very excited that my client was happy and that guests had a great time!

Partnering with a sponsor always makes event planning much, much easier-  especially when the sponsor is a popular brand and is so willing to cooperate. The sponsor helped to alleviate stress and allowed me to spend a lot more time with guests that I invited and a lot less time running around making last minute adjustments.

Guests enjoyed discounted beer, themed prizes, a show and more. I got in some quality bonding time with a couple bloggers and enjoyed a night of entertainment. All in all, the event was a success. 

Although we were up against a lot of competition for an Oktoberfest event, ticket sales were high for the night and everyone seemed to have a great time playing games, winning prizes and drinking beer out of an official cup from my client.

Oktoberfest will now always remind me of the first time I helped plan an event sans tons of instruction from my superiors. It was a fun, traditional way to bring in the Fall and I'm so glad I got to be a part of it.

5 Things I've Learned in My 5 Months On The Job

It's October, which means I have officially been at my PR job for 5 months! I know this may not seem like a very long time, but it has flown by for me.

Just 6 months ago, I was a recent college grad who was terrified of never finding a job in my field. In honor of the fact that I did find a job (and love it), I would like to share with you 5 things I've learned over the last  5 months.

1. Always, Always, Always Be Respectful: This applies to every single professional you encounter. Over the last 5 months, I have met a few people I may not necessarily ever want to interact with outside of a professional setting. Despite my distaste for these people, I am always careful to treat them with just as much respect as I do with my boss or my other colleagues. In PR, you never know when you're going to need a contact, so be nice to everyone. 
2. PR Opportunities Are Everywhere: One of the things I love about this field is that marketing efforts are everywhere.  This means that opportunities to gain exposure for clients are also everywhere. I don't think I'll ever passively read a newspaper or magazine again. I am constantly scanning the pages of publications to find any upcoming opportunities to act on. If you're a young PR professional like myself, remember to keep your eyes peeled for PR opportunities at all times.
3. Be Willing to Go the Extra Mile: When it comes to work, there are certain tasks you know you must get done in a given work day. What most people don't focus on are the tasks that you don't have to do, but will better you or your company in the long run if you do them anyway. These tasks can be as simple as attending networking functions after work or staying  for a half an hour longer at the end of the day to wrap up a discussion with your boss. Making more of an effort than is required on the job will always pay off.
4. Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions: I'll admit, when I first started my job I was determined to look like I knew exactly what I was doing. But guess what? No one knows exactly what they're doing all the time. Over time I've learned that it's O.K. to ask for a little more clarification on an assignment. It's better to ask for further direction than to complete a task incorrectly.
5. Learn From Everything You Do: Whether you've made a mistake or you've used a tactic that was a huge success, learn from everything you do. If the way you wrote that monthly report was totally wrong, make sure you don't write it the same way next time. If you landed your client a huge media placement in a certain publication, make sure you use the same strategy for approaching other media outlets. No matter what the experience may be, learn from it and apply what you've learned to future tasks.

The 5 months I've spent working in PR have been both rewarding and challenging. I've had some amazing opportunities, and it's comforting to know that I've picked the right career path for me. Here's to the next 5 months and beyond!

Fake Followers: Are They Helpful or Harmful?

When I began doing the social media for one of my clients, I was impressed by how many "likes" they had on Facebook. In fact, I thought they wouldn't need my help at all when it came to maintaining a Facebook page.So, you can imagine my shock and dismay when I discovered that these "likes" had been purchased and weren't actual Facebook fans at all.

Fake "likes" on Facebook and fake "follows" on Twitter are a hot topic in the social media world. For a couple hundred dollars, organizations can inflate their followers and skip the hassle of convincing the Average Joe to actually want to follow them on social media sites. The ultimate question is: do brands benefit from buying followers?

Here's my stance on this:

First and foremost, I believe it is immoral to fool social media users into thinking you have a larger following than you actually do. It is deceiving, and if you are ever discovered (Facebook especially has become more savvy with detecting purchased "likes") it could very well ruin your reputation on social media forever.

Beyond the obvious moral dilemma I have with purchasing a social media following, I think it's important to remember what social media is intended to do for a brand. Social media is a gateway to your audience/customers/fans. It should be used as a way to communicate with people who are interested in your brand and who actually care what you have to say. If your followers are not genuine customers of your brand, what's the point of posting quality content?

When it comes to purchasing a social media following, I will offer any brands the same advice I offered my client: If you haven't purchased fans yet, don't. If you've already purchased them, delete the fake ones and eat the cost. It's more important to create a passionate, loyal following of real-life brand ambassadors than it is to increase a number. Take the time to target your audience and reach out to them-- it will pay off in the end!

A Sincere "Thank You" to Mashable

Considering that I spend half of my work day on social media sites (not for pleasure, but because it's my job), staying up-to-speed on the latest trends in social media is a huge priority of mine. Between managing several Facebook and Twitter accounts and completing other PR tasks throughout my day, it's sometimes a challenge for me to be in-the-know about all things social media. Thankfully, I have my trusty friend Mashable to help me out.

For those of you who don't know, Mashable is a site that supplies the world with the latest social media news and web tips. It is always being updated, it is always hashing out amazing stories on social media. It is brilliant. Consequently, it's also a lifesaver.

I try to check Mashable at least once a day, just to make sure I'm not completely in the dark about a new development on Twitter or a new app on Facebook. Through my daily check-ins, I have learned more about social media trends and news than I could ever have hoped. For this, I am truly greatful.

So, I'd like to extend a HUGE thank you to Mashable because without it, I just wouldn't be able to do my job as well.

If you're someone who is at all interested in the vast, ever-expanding world of social media, I highly recommend that you check out this site: http://mashable.com/.

On Living & Learning

When it comes to doing my job correctly, I am the ultimate perfectionist. Whether it's my efforts in Social Media, organizing a client appearance or putting together an event, if everything isn't ridiculously perfect, I berate myself to no end. This insane amount of self-induced pressure definitely isn't healthy, and lately I've been working hard to remind myself that it's O.K. to [sometimes] make mistakes.

PR is something that comes rather naturally to me, and I'm grateful that I've chosen the correct career path; however, I'm really trying to keep in mind that even the most seasoned professionals drop the ball every once in a while.

It's not that I've made detrimental mistakes, but the little errors I have made throughout my very new career have caused me a lot of worry. Here's what I've learned to accept: People mess up. We all make mistakes, we all face challenges that are difficult to overcome. As long as we learn from these mistakes and find a way to turn bad circumstances into life lessons, then something great can come out of something terrible. 

I have experienced countless instances where my boss has asked me to do something and I simply get busy and forget to do it. I've had clients get upset with me for things that were both totally within my control and for things that I had no influence over whatsoever. Each mini crisis, although thoroughly frightening at first, has made me a little wiser and a little more experienced.

So, to my fellow young professionals, I say this: I know I'm on my soapbox a lot on here, but I'm not perfect. And that's O.K. You don't have to be perfect, either. Just take each day in stride and remember that at this very early point in our careers, we are all just living and learning.

5 Reasons Why Mitt Romney Should Hire a Publicist

Election Season is upon us and, as previously mentioned, it's no secret which candidate I support. My obvious bias aside, there are a few things Mitt Romney needs to learn when it comes to PR.

In response to some recent unfavorable maneuvers made by Romney on the campaign trail, I've compiled a list of the top 5 reasons why a publicist is desperately needed in the Republican camp:

1. Writing off half the American population as "lazy victims" does nothing for your public image: Romney's mouth might as well be his shoe for as often as his foot is in it. When a secret video of Romney speaking at a fundraiser was leaked, it captured the Presidential hopeful sharing what he really thought of 47% of Americans. In the video, Romney refers to the 47% of Americans who are voting for Obama as "lazy victims" who feel they are "entitled to healthcare, food and housing." Call me a left-winged liberal, but aren't healthcare, food and housing some pretty basic necessities? For a Presidential candidate to slam half of the population on the eve of an election isn't just tasteless, it's bad PR.
2. Ignoring a crisis doesn't make it go away: Following the immediate backlash from the now infamous 47% video, Romney's camp and other top Republicans said nothing about the incident. Instead, they released a video on the national debt in an effort to divert attention from the leaked footage. Rule number one in crisis PR: Admit you were wrong and tell people how you'll fix your mistake. Did no one on Romney's team feel it was important to address the derogatory comments the Govenor made about nearly half the people who will decide his Presidential fate?  Ignoring the crisis has only resolitified Romney's view of half Americans as lost causes.
3. Imitation is NOT the sincerist form of flattery: Only days after the 47% video surfaced, Romney made headlines yet again for his offensive, out-of-touch approach to voters. The candidate sat down with Univision, a popular Spanish-speaking station, in an effort to address Hispanic voters looking a bit darker than usual. It appears that Romney invested in a spray tan before his Hispanic T.V. debut in what seems to be a very misguided effort to relate to his darker-skinned viewers. Considering this audience knows full well that Romney is Caucasion, with absolutely no Hispanic heritage, it is both insulting and incredibly ill-concieved to appear on a Hispanic television show with a darker skin tone than your natural one, in a transparent attempt to prove to Hispanic voters that you are the right choice for President. Being out of touch with your audience is the kiss of death in public relations and Romney may have kissed his chance at the Presidency goodbye with this manuever.
4. International Affairs Are Delicate Matters (and You're Running for President of the United States, so STOP OFFENDING OTHER COUNTRIES) : During the 2012 Summer Olympics, Romney notoriuosly made comments referring to London's lack of prepartation for the games.  Not only did his ill-advised comments spark a response from Prime Minister Cameron, but they also made Londoners a bit peturbed. Why, on an international visit as a U.S. Presidential candidate, would you make any allusion to another country's incompotence? International relations are crucial to many businesses in the U.S., and especially to the President. Had Romney hired a trained professional to issue statements for him and to redirect such absurd comments, he might have successfully vistied our nation's closest ally without earning the tabloid nickname "Mitt the Twitt".
5. Obama Just Has a Better Team: Whether you're a Democrat or a Republican, you cannot deny that Obama has a far better team behind him than Romney. From speech writers, to social media startegists, to First Lady-- it's just better. This is perhaps the best argument for Romney to hire a publicist. A good publicist can make even the slimiest of politicians appear heart-warming and compotent. It's all about the spin.

While I'm sure Mitt Romney has a few [and far between] strong points, there is no denying that the Presidential candidate could use a good publicist and a serious lesson in public relations.

Twitter Gets an Extreme Makeover!

Twitter is jumping on the visual bandwagon-- finally!

The mega-popular site announced today that it has a new look and has updated iPad and mobile apps to be more visually stimulating. A Twitter spokesperson confirmed that the new look is all a part of the company's "mobile-first" approach, which focuses on enhancing mobile access to the site.

Twitter users will now be able to upload a "banner image" to the top of their Twitter pages, much like the banner images on top of Facebook pages. This new feature adds even more visual to a site that has, until now, been an endless stream of 140-character updates with very little room for photo sharing.

This isn't to say that Twitter users have never been able to Tweet and share photos-- Twitpics can already be embedded as links in Tweets. What this new site will allow is a constant stream of images that are accessible on mobile devices. It will also relocate a user's profile image to the center of the top of the page, in the spirit of becoming more visually-oriented.

Personally, I think the visually-inspired remake of Twitter is a progressive step for a social media site that's known for being a favorite amongst the 25-and-under crowd (people who are constantly on the cutting-edge of new technology). With a new iPhone being released this week and a new iPad reportedly on the way, making Twitter more mobile-friendly is an excellent way for the company to stay in the good graces of its loyal users.

You can learn how to update your Twitter layout here.  

The Sweetest Treat on Social Media: Oreo's "Daily Twist" Campaign

Does anyone else get a huge kick out of this?

Just when I thought I couldn't love those delicious little cream-filled cookies any more, Oreo has made me fall in love with their brand all over again by creating one of the greatest social media campaigns of the year.

The "Daily Twist" features images of Oreo cookies that have been altered to represent newsworthy events. The campaign really made a splash (and caught my attention)  in June after Oreo unveiled a cookie stuffed with rainbow frosting in honor of Gay Pride Week. The politically-charged cookie made headlines around the world, sparking controversy and even causing some out-of-touch folks to boycott Nabisco products.

Since the development of the Pride cookie, I have witnessed the "Daily Twist" campaign grow in a way that has awed and inspired me to no end. What the creator of this campaign has done is prove that no matter what product you sell, a great social media campaign can turn into a world-wide success. In fact, Oreo now has 27 million followers on Facebook alone.

What was once widely regarded as a constant, unchanging childhood treat is now considered to be a brand at the forefront of political and societal commentary-- all because of one successful social media campaign.

In honor of this brilliant achievement by Oreo, let's recap on some of the best "Daily Twist" cookies so far:

• The Pride Oreo created on June 25 to celebrate Gay Pride Week.
• The Panda-Shaped Oreo created on July 5 in honor of the birth of panda Shin Shin.
• The Elvis Oreo created on August 14 to celebrate Elvis Week.
• The Mars Rover Oreo created on August 5 to mark the Curiosity rover landing on Mars.
• The Neil Armstrong Oreo created on August 27 in honor of Neil Armstrong, following his death.

These are only a few favorites. Images were also created in honor of the Olympics, Labor Day, Shark Week and more. All of the fabulous cookies can be found on Oreo's Facebook.

Whether you like to eat the 100-year old cookie or not, one thing is certain-- Oreo's "Daily Twist" campaign is a slam dunk (pun intended.)

T.V. Viewers, I Have Arrived! (Okay, my CLIENT has arrived)

I recently had my first experience in T.V.! Okay, so I wasn't on T.V., but my client was and I booked the spot so this is still very exciting for me. What's most important about this is that I was able to learn more about my wonderful field-- namely, the fact that before embarking on my T.V. experience, I had no idea how much work actually went into arranging a couple of 3 minute segments. After shedding countless amounts of blood, sweat and tears (not really, but you get the point) my client received some awesome coverage and I felt pretty great about the work I'd accomplished.

The first step in my arduous road to Television was tracking down a producer for this particular morning show. Typically this can be a nightmare, but luckily I happened to pitch my client to the right producer at the right time. After dangling the possibility of a local celebrity coming to the show for a segment or two, the long, long process of negotiating times, working around schedules and getting the right story line began. About a month later, a date and time to shoot the segments were set, and my client and I were on our way to what would be a first time experience for both of us.

Following the booking, I set up a media training day for my client. Basically, we (Bitner/Hennessy) remind the client to smile, act natural, and stick to the major talking points. My boss came with me for this, as I didn't have the experience to tell someone what they should and shouldn't be doing on camera, but I caught on fairly quickly.

Finally, the big day arrived. I don't think I've ever been so awake at 6 a.m. (big thanks to Starbucks for the help with this.) Everyone at the studio, from the intern who saw us to the Green Room to the security guard who greeted us to the anchor who interviewed my client, was so friendly and made the entire experience that much more enjoyable.

The set where my client was interviewed was very calm and intimate. The only equipment in the room was one couch, a couple lights and two cameras. The interview went smoothly, and the anchor was warm and very professional.

For the second segment, we walked over to the main studio where the entire morning show crew, from weatherman to anchors, were seated. I got to watch a solid hour of the news, making sure to take in how everyone conducted their respective jobs. I kept feeling like I was behind-the-scenes on some tour, and had to repeatedly remind myself that I was very much apart of this world now. 

As the cameras turned off, I couldn't help but allow myself a mini moment of self satisfaction. And even though I was quickly brought back to reality by the pain of standing in 5 inch heels for close to 2 hours behind the camera and not in front of it, I was still reminded why I love doing what I do. The excitement of helping a business achieve a certain level of  recognition through your own efforts is truly rewarding.

Once again, this wonderful industry didn't disappoint, and I was left with a new accomplishment to add to my resume and to my memories.

TWEET Your Heart Out, Mitt Romney (and Clint Eastwood)

I typically try to avoid discussing politics with most people (mainly because I am a diehard liberal and am easily angered by conservative opinions) but this election season has given me reason to talk about politics on a whole new level.

The presidential candidates are taking the battle for the White House all the way to the social media scene this election--and I LOVE it.

Considering a good portion of my job depends on the success of social media as a marketing tool, it makes me slightly giddy when I see two men who are competing for the most powerful position in the world relying so heavily on social media in their campaign efforts.

There have been countless articles written about whether or not certain politicians --ahem, MITT ROMNEY-- have fake Twitter followers  or which presidential candidate has the better social media strategy. Most recently, the Twitterverse exploded in response to a certain celebrity's rather inventive (or delusional) fake conversation with Obama at the Republican National Convention.

According to this article from Mashable, after Clint Eastwood berated a metaphoric Obama by directing questions to an empty chair, Obama's camp responded by Tweeting a picture of the president sitting in a chair marked "The President". The Tweet simply read: "This seat's taken." The Twitterverse has even spawned clever Twitter handles such as @clintsemptychair and @invisibleobama in response to the not-so-clever and bizarre tirade by Mr. Eastwood.

I'll admit, I'm a [a lot] biased when it comes to politics, but even if I didn't LOVE my president as much as I do, I would still be thrilled with the fantastic role social media is playing in this election. Twitter and Facebook are making this election interactive by allowing voters a chance to really connect with each other and with the candidates. 

Taking into consideration Obama's 19 million Twitter followers verses Romney's 987,000 followers, all I have to say is: TWEET your heart out, Romney!

Three's A Crowd: Working With Clients of Clients

Every so often in this wonderful industry I work in, there arises a unique circumstance that only other PR people could ever really understand. It happens when a client, whom you work with exclusively, decides to introduce a new factor into your buisness relationship. For comedy's sake, we'll call this factor the Third Wheel Dilemma.

The Third Wheel Dilemma occurs when a third party (someone who is not your client or yourself) suddenly becomes very involved in the day-to-day business relationship you've developed with your client. This person may be an asset to the relationship or, like in my case, he or she may just place a slight damper on that relationship.

Before I even begin to discuss this, let me first address the fact that I would never bad-mouth a client, especially not on a public forum such as the Internet. This discussion serves as a way to share what I've learned from my experience with the Third Wheel Dilemma with the readers of this blog . I'm doing this in an effort to make this blog a genuine, honest experience.

Now that that's cleared up, let's get back to the situation at hand.

When dealing with the Third Wheel Dilemma, it's important to keep a few things in mind:

1. Be professional: Even if the third party is overbearing, steps on a few toes or is flat out rude, treat him or her with the respect any fellow professional deserves. Remember, this person is important to your client, so he or she should also be important to you.
2. Maintain contact with the third party: The last thing you want is to be out-of-the-loop with what's happening between your client and the third party. It's always a good idea to keep the line of communication open with the third party so you never risk being uninformed.
3. Keep an open mind: Even if the third party is slightly difficult to work with, never [ever] let your distaste for the third party cloud your professional judgment. The third party may not be an ideal business partner, but there is a reason your client introduced him or her into the equation, so it may be worth listening to some of the ideas he or she has.
4. Accept the presence of the third party: As much as you may dislike it, the third party is now an asset (good or bad) to your relationship with your client. The sooner you accept this and move forward, the better.

The Third Wheel Dilemma isn't the most ideal situation to have on your hands. Sure, there will be times when you wish the third party wasn't involved in your business relationship, but understanding the importance of keeping the third party happy in order to keep your client happy is key here.

 Maintain a professional approach to the situation and three may just be company, too. 

Things I've learned from Lady Gaga

Say what you want about her music or controversial fashion statements, but there is one thing Lady Gaga is the undisputed best at-- Social Media.

It's not every day that a celebrity makes such a profound impact on her fans that nearly 29 million of them follow her on Twitter and 53 million of them "Like" her Facebook page. With stats like these, I can't help but give the pop star major kudos. Here are a few things I've learned about brand building (and yes, Lady Gaga is a brand) on Social Media by observing Lady Gaga:

• Being genuine goes a long way: Sure, Gaga plugs for her career occasionally on Social Media, but she also appeals to her followers by being genuine in her Tweets. In fact, she recently Tweeted a picture of her father's birthday cake, calling it "My Daddy's Bday Cake!" Even as a Super Star with fame, fortune and millions of fans, Gaga has shown fans that she is just like them-- a woman with a family that she loves. With Tweets like this, Gaga has established herself as a person and not a persona, and that is just good PR.
  

• Make a connection with your audience: Gaga affectionately refers to her fans as "Little Monsters" and to herself as "Mother Monster". Beyond this, she is constantly Tweeting inspirational messages to her fans, encouraging them to follow their dreams and to be who they are. The simple act of addressing your fans with a warm nickname and letting them know you care can do wonders for audience connection. If Gaga can find a way to connect with millions of people, any brand can make the same connection with its fans.

• Make it personal: The important thing here is to have a voice that is uniquely your own.Gaga makes it clear that her PR person is not updating her Twitter. Her Tweets are not formatted or consistent in subject matter. She does not bombard fans with tour dates or reports on an album's success. She makes it personal by Tweeting little updates about her everyday life. This makes her appealing and approachable-- two aspects any brand needs to be successful in Social Media.

• Show gratitude to your fans: Many of Gaga's Tweets are made simply to acknowledge her fan base. Gaga's Tweets to fans typically refer to how wonderful they are, how much she loves them and how much they inspire her. What's great about Gaga is that she reads the Tweets fans send her and takes the time to respond to them. I cannot stress enough how awesome this is, and how vital it is to her Social Media success. Making sure the people keeping your brand alive are appreciated isn't just a good Social Media move--it's a smart business move as well.

What Lady Gaga demonstrates via her Social Media skills is a keen understanding of her target audience. Gaga knows what things her fans want to see her Tweet about and she uses her Tweets as a way to connect with each and every one of her 29 million followers.

If you want to expand your brand's Social Media presence and truly connect with your fans, look no further than Mother Monster herself for the perfect example of how to do it. 

 

Tweeting for the Gold: The Role of Twitter in the 2012 Summer Olympics

Olympians have been widely regarded as larger-than-life athletes since, well, the first modern Olympic Games. Superb athleticism, international recognition and a squeaky-clean image have all attributed to the Legend of the Olympian. There has been this idea for years that all Olympians do, day and night, is train and prepare their bodies for endless competitions. What we've learned during the Summer 2012 Olympic Games is that this perception of Olympians could not be more inaccurate.

Sure, the Olympians participating in the Summer 2012 Olympic Games still maintain the allusion of super-human strength and possess unequivocal athletic ability, but for the first time in history we are viewing these athletes in a different light. Why? The internet phenomenon that is Twitter.

Take Michael Phelps, for example.You would think that the most decorated Olympian of all time wouldn't have a moment to spare for Social Media networks or interactions with fans. Wrong. Phelps has Tweeted his way through this Olympics, making sure to publicize every triumph and failure he's endured. Phelps even got a Tweet from Barack Obama congratulating him on his historical win that earned him the title "The Greatest Olympian of all Time" by the media. The best part? Phelps Tweeted him back and we got to see it all. I'm sure this isn't the first time that a U.S. President has extended a warm congratulations to an outstanding U.S. Olympian, but it is the first time the general public has been in on the exchange.

Twitter has given us (the public) a vehicle into the intimate thoughts and feelings of nearly every U.S. Olympian this games. We are there to offer our heartfelt support when they swim a tenth of a second too slowly or when they fall off the balance beam during a routine. We're also there to praise them when they win and even to let them (i.e. RYAN LOCHTE) know how attractive they are. Where once there was the opportunity to send in fan mail to a favorite Olympian who might have gotten to read it after a manager sorted through the content, there is now a streaming, uncensored direct line to the athletes. A great thing about Twitter is that once a Tweet is out in the Twitterverse, it's there to stay. With Twitter, you don't experience the delay of sending traditional mail or even have to worry about an email only getting as far as a "Junk" folder. Tweets are direct and actually reach the receiver in a matter of seconds, not days-- not even minutes.

We've even gotten a glimpse into the Olympic drama via athletes like U.S. Goal Keeper Hope Solo, who now infamously Tweeted her unhappiness about a journalist's critique of her playing. In the time before Twitter, who knows if we would have ever even heard about Solo's distaste for the report. More than likely, a comment such as the one she Tweeted would have been stopped by her representative, or perhaps broadcasted on a few TV stations. Thanks to Twitter, Solo's unhappiness was broadcasted to her Twitter followers the second she experienced it-- no filters or PR person to slow it down.

Twitter has revolutionized the Olympic Games. Olympians are no longer the out-of-reach super stars they have been in the past. The general public is now starting to view them as average people who are completely reachable and even responsive on Twitter. The Legend of the Olympian has been severely watered down this Olympic Games. While history will remember Olympians for their medal count and athletic greatness, we'll remember them as down-to-earth people who we feel like we know personally, all thanks to Twitter.

Being a [Successful] 20-Something Professional

As my blog info states, I am a recent college graduate who is working at her first job in the Public Relations field. As such, I find myself constantly trying to make a lasting impression on my clients and, quite honestly, trying to get them to take me seriously. Since entering the workforce, I've learned a few things about appropriate and inappropriate behavior, mannerisms, and dress for a 20-something young professional. Here are a few pointers for all my fellow working newcomers:

• You don't know everything, and no one believes you do: I know you've just graduated with all this information about your field, and it's only natural that you are eager to share what you've learned. This being said, you don't know everything. Chances are your new boss has been in the field gaining experience, respect and building up a clientele since before you could recite your ABC's. Do not presume to instruct your boss on anything unless asked to do so, despite what you've learned. I can assure you that no one in your field is going to believe that you have something more to offer than the professional who has been working for 30 years. Make the effort to earn respect by learning from  your superiors and do your best to emulate their actions.

• Figure out what you can contribute to your company early on: This goes back to earning respect. If you see a niche that you could fill in your company, let your boss know. There's a good chance that you can earn a spot within your organization doing something that can better the business overall (i.e. my job with Social Media). When you find a niche, you allow yourself to earn respect and trust from your fellow employees in an area that you're good at without stepping on any toes. You have to ask to get an answer, though, so make sure you (respectfully and humbly) bring up what you want to do!

• This is your work place-- don't dress like you're going out with friends: This one seems to be obvious, but it still surprises me when I encounter other young professionals who didn't get the memo. I happen to work in an environment where dress is slightly casual, but this isn't the case for many young professionals. Pay close attention to the dress style of your fellow employees to figure out the dress code at your organization. Make sure you dress as professionally as possible until you fully grasp what type of outfits you should be wearing. Remember, it's always better to over-dress than to under-dress!

• Absorb, absorb, absorb: Be a sponge! You are entering an environment where you have an opportunity to learn, so make sure you're taking notes. From proper business etiquette to interaction with clients, you are constantly surrounded by people who have a lot to offer you in terms of learning the ropes of the corporate world. It's up to you to pay attention and learn as much as you possibly can, especially during your first year on the job.

Whether you're a new PR profesional like myself or you've just entered into another field, these pointers are applicable to any young professional. College has prepared you for what to expect-- now it's time to put your career on the right path with the right workplace moves. Good luck!

The ever-growing popularity of Pinterest

I have to admit it: I think I'm slightly addicted to Pinterest. For those of you who have been living under a rock for the past year and haven't heard about the site that's taking the Social world by storm, Pinterest is an interactive Social site where users "Pin" aesthetically pleasing photos to various "boards". These images and boards are shared with your board followers, who in turn Re-Pin your images to their respective boards. In short, Pinterest is a tool to spread an image around the online world in a fast, easy way.

From a marketing and PR perspective, Pinterest is a goldmine. Like other forms of Social Media, Pinterest is an excellent way to convey the feel/personality behind your brand. By sharing images that are relevant to your company or that emphasize beliefs or standards your company upholds, you are telling your followers (and the world) about your company’s brand and what it’s all about.  Beyond this, Pinterest is an excellent medium to spread word about your company.

  

As previously mentioned, when a Pinterest user “Pins” an image, everyone following that user will also be exposed to the image. Once the initial audience (your direct followers) has seen the image, their followers are then exposed to it by any Re-Pins by the first audience, and so on and so forth. The reach your company can generate with one single “Pinned” image is virtually limitless. The key here is to create  images that are engaging, creative and unique so that users feel compelled  to “Pin” them to their respective boards. 

In a world where less is more, especially when it comes to written word, Pinterest takes visual Marketing and Advertising to new levels. It has expanded the field of Surrogate Advertising (indirect advertising) and is giving Marketing professionals a new perspective on the old saying, "A picture says a thousand words."

A Very Social Introduction

My name is Lauren Bowes, and I am a recent college grad. Welcome to my blog! I hope to entice, entertain and inform you with my Social Media experiences-- but first, let's get the basics down.

Social Media as a career was never something I actively pursued. I sort of fell into it, and since then I've encountered my fair share of obstacles and triumphs. My Social Media career started following a very brief period of unemployment immediately after graduating. I received my B.A. in Advertising/Public Relations from the University of Central Florida  and was ready to enter the PR field the day I graduated. I've always been a go-getter, and with one internship under my belt I knew I was ready to break into the biz.

 While searching for the perfect PR job, I stumbled upon a  local PR firm's website. I met with my would-be boss for an interview, where we discussed my previous experience with Social Media that I acquired during my internship. Luckily, I came prepared with a few samples of Social content for restaurants, a design studio and a natural deodorant company. A couple emails and a one week trial period later, I was an Account Executive/Social Media Specialist at Bitner/Hennessy PR.

As I began the  nerve-racking process of learning the ropes at my new job, I began noticing a trend with my new clients: while most had a Facebook or Twitter account, Bitner/Hennessy wasn't in control of them. Red flags went up immediately. For the past two semesters at school and during my internship, I had the marketing benefits of Social Media repeatedly drilled into my head to the point where I knew Social Media was now a huge part of the PR world. So shouldn't my new company be taking advantage of it?

My boss, Kimbra, has been doing PR since before I was born. She's amazing at what she does, and I soon found out that her business partner, Nancy, is equally as brilliant in PR. What I soon learned, however, is that neither of these talented ladies had really dabbled in the rapidly expanding world of Social Media. It quickly became clear to me that Social Media was a form of PR Bitner/Hennessy could be tapping into, and I knew I could contribute to the process with my Social experience.

With Kimbra's blessing, I devised a package plan for Social Media services.Together we approached clients about helping them with their Facebook and Twitter accounts and started to build up a clientele for Bitner/Hennessy's Social Media services.

With this blog, it is my goal to bring the importance of Social Media to light, to inform readers on the best Social Media practices and emerging trends, and to share my experiences with Social Media. For privacy purposes, I will not specifically name my clients or share links to their respective Social sites, but I will be as detailed as possible in writing about my experiences.

Thanks for reading, and welcome to The Social Life!