After several years on the East Coast, I have made my way to Los Angeles. Follow me on my adventure through the public relations universe, life in the city of angels, and anything else that comes up.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Monday's in Social Media
The front page of this morning's LA Times introduced us to “Path” – a mobile app that allows us to communicate with 50 of our closest friends, and later this afternoon, Facebook announced via livestream that they are integrating an email address to its platform.
To learn more, check out the following articles:
Path
FB.com
I am looking forward to when Path becomes available for Blackberry users.
As for Facebook providing me with an email address, I doubt it is something I will use often, but I think we all knew this was inevitable.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
The Life List
I edited the list a little, as I have made some significant changes to my priorities since then, but here it is - my life list. I'm pretty jazzed to say I've actually accomplished quite a few of these ambitious dreams.
1. Earn a college degree in PR
2. Earn a minor in Spanish.
3. Find a job I genuinely love.
4. Celebrate New Year’s Eve in another country.
5. Learn how to cook.
6. Donate 10% of every paycheck to charity.
7. Become a published writer.
8. Donate to the University of Kentucky.
9. Attend a championship bowl game.
10. Fall in love -- helplessly and unconditionally.
11. Drink beer at Oktoberfest in Munich.
12. Get promoted within a year of my first job.
13. Attempt a camping trip. Without complaining.
14. Have enough money to provide a scholarship for women starting a career in PR.
15. Win money in Vegas.
16. Buy one real Chloe bag.
17. See “Love Actually” at a drive-in theater.
18. See the Statue of Liberty.
19. Tour the White House.
20. Meet a president.
21. Learn how to play a whole game of golf.
22. Learn how to play tennis.
23. Create my own website.
24. Start a blog.
25. Run in a 5K.
26. Be an amazing aunt to Andrew’s kids.
27. Teach a class.
28. Visit Napa Valley.
29. Meet Chelsea Handler.
30. Meet Chad Michael Murray. Or Bryan Greenberg.
31. Visit the equator.
32. Visit every state at least once.
33. Take a vacation with my mom.
34. Attend every important event in Andrews’s life. Prom, Graduation, First day of college, 21st birthday, college graduation, wedding, when his kids are born and all of his kids special events.
35. Own a house.
36. Be able to buy something for my parents they would never buy on their own.
37. Sky dive.
38. Have a kid.
39. Learn how to sail.
40. Take a yoga class. Without laughing.
41. Take a cruise.
42. Donate to Locks of Love
43. Drink wine in Italy.
44. Take a photography class.
45. Be able to afford a spa weekend.
46. Keep in touch with my grandparents.
47. Eat seafood in Maine.
48. Take Andrew to Gatlinburg.
49. Go to a baseball game at Fenway.
50. Visit Martha’s Vineyard for a weekend.
51. Have my mom at my bachelorette party.
52. Memorize one song to play on the piano.
53. Spend too much money on a great concert.
54. Drink every beer at Pazzos.
55. Visit Niagara Falls.
56. Go a year without a speeding ticket.
57. Own a David Yurman ring.
58. Visit the Galapagos Islands
59. Throw out the first pitch at a ball game.
60. Attend the Kentucky Derby.
61. Sing karaoke at a bar in NYC.
62. Visit “Tree Hill”
63. Leave a $100 tip for a college bartender.
64. Meet Kelly Cutrone.
65. Move to a new city for no reason.
66. Never miss the fireworks on the 4th of July.
67. Spend significant time in Australia.
68. Turn 21 in Vegas.
69. Wear Monique Lhuillier at my wedding.
70. Learn how to make dad’s German Chocolate cake and French Silk Pie.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
A Summer to Remember
This summer flew by (I swear that’s not an attempt to make up for being an absent blogger!), but it was absolutely a summer to remember.
Maroon PR is fortunate to work with some incredible clients, including several non-profit organizations who really flourish during the summer months. Beginning in July I was given the opportunity to spend time with these organizations at a few of their events.
The weekend of July 23, Ang and I drove up to Camp Erin, Baltimore. Camp Erin is a bereavement camp that Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer and his wife Karen started after losing a close friend of theirs, Erin Metcalfe to cancer. We spent the weekend with 50 children, all of whom had experienced the loss of a loved one. We watched them learn from each other how to grieve and express their loss through simple things like swimming in a nice pool, to the deeper events like posting a photo of the person they lost on a memory board. It was a remarkable experience that both Ang and I left better people from.
A few Sunday’s later we were part of The Right Side Foundation’s 5K Event at Patterson Park. The event in itself was fun to witness as it brought together athletes from all over the East Coast. The part, though that will stick with me is that from this event, The Right Side Foundation raised a significant amount of money to donate back to distressed children throughout Maryland. Being allowed to witness such a large community of athletes, both professional and non, come together for such an amazing cause is humbling to say the least.
The last “big event” of the summer just ended on Sunday. The Cal Ripken World Series took place in Aberdeen and became home to sixteen 12-U teams from all over the world. Through the week, these young players celebrated their talents, and mourned their losses together. It was a great time for them to bond and grow as both athletes and people. The World Series also allowed for a “Badges for Baseball” event to take place, which brought young kids from the Boys & Girls Club to Ripken Stadium for a morning of clinics, playing and hanging out with Cal Ripken, Jr.
I face the end of the summer as bittersweet. While I look forward to red wine, college football and a great selection of new shoes, it’s tough to say goodbye to a season that taught me so much.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Time Flies When You're Having Fun
You already know my reaction to finding out about the job, so needless to say I was excited. Little did I know, however, what an impact working for Maroon would have on me. In only one year, I have developed incredible relationships with my colleagues, been promoted to a role that I adore, met some amazing athletes and learned more about public relations and social media than I did in all my years of college.
Without a doubt, the people that I work with have become some of my closest friends. While in the office, they inspire me to be successful, make me laugh, and support and empower me on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis. Outside of the office, they are good to the jam and who I spend most of my time with.
After nine months as an Associate Account Executive, I was surprised and humbled when John promoted me to Manager of Social Media. In this role I have learned so many things about not only social media, but myself as a professional. I only hope to continue to grow from here.
As for the athletes, I have been so lucky to work for some incredibly giving and kind players. I am still starstruck when they call the office! I never thought I would see the day that our team meetings end with Cal Ripken coming to tour our new offices.
This year has truly flown by and every day has given me another reason to count my blessings. I could not have asked for a better place to come to work every day. Thank you to all who have been a part of my success. Cheers to many more years.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Fake Friends Are Real
One of the most recent opportunities (I’m actually currently experiencing) has been traveling (alone) to New York City for the 140 Characters Conference to learn from social media experts how to be even better at my job.
While being here I have heard from Ivanka Trump, Ann Curry, Miss America and several other amazing influences. While they have presented many inspiring ideas, one of the most consistent themes of Day 1, is how twitter has created real relationships for people who may not have ever met.
This speaks volumes to me, because it is more than true in my social media world. Through my personal accounts and those that I manage for clients, I have “met” some incredible people who have helped me in my career, and introduce me to some fab locals in the 410.
Recently, while tweeting something fabulous, I noticed that a fellow tweeter in Baltimore was talking about how he set a goal to make at least one new relationship per week solely through social media. After he tweeted about ABBA, @RyanE1984 wrote: “I've been trying to make 1 new friend, contact, work associate a week for 5 weeks now. Amazed how this has expanded my work/personal life”.
I was really impressed by this, and it made me think about just how many friends and followers I have that I have unfortunately not spent a significant amount of time with, but that I learn from every day. (Cough, cough, let's change this tweeters!)
I’m hoping to hang in Baltimore for quite some time, so I’m not worried about moving (again). I am, though, inspired to re-tweet this idea, and expand my personal and professional network.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Healthy Competition
As you know, I am both an avid college basketball fan and a Kentucky alum. What you may not know is that several of the faves and the B are West Virginia alum... And that more importantly, Bub is a WVU student.
Unfortunately, the jam is in Florida right now looking at potential law schools so we aren't going to be able to watch the game together. However, that has not prevented us from some healthy bantering. Currently, Bub and Dock are golfing. Knowing that, I have called Bubs phone every hour since 7am and left the same voice mail- C-A-T-S, CATS CATS CATS. This afternoon, I am attending a work event so I won't have my phone with me. It's safe to say, when I return to my phone there will be an equal amount (if not more) voice mail messages, most likely with him yelling LETS GOOOOO MOUNTAINEERS.
I spoke to Dizz this morning, and the last thing she said was "Go Kentucky... And West Virginia! I brought a shirt for both teams, and I will switch each quarter."
Game starts at 7:05 tonight. The faves are going to grab a table at 5:00 (at the local West Virginia bar, of course). I will be the only Kentucky fan in the whole place, but I am OK with that, because I am confident Kentucky will be this years National Champion.
C-A-T-S CATS CATS CATS!!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Take Deep Breaths
Since my last posting (sorry it's been so long) my life has changed in a big way, twice. Both of which happened in only one breath. The first change came in my professional world, the second in my personal.
Professionally, I was given a fabulous promotion. After nine months at Maroon, my boss and the prez called me in to “discuss social media”. In one breath we were talking about our clients and their platforms, the next breath I was being given a promotion. I am now the Manager of Social Media, which has given me incredible opportunities to grow and learn as a PR professional, and I couldn’t be happier.
Personally, I was faced with losing my first loved one. In 25 years, I had never been to a funeral that I remembered, or experienced death. A few weeks ago Dock and Dizz called to let me know that my Grandma was concerned about her health and had gone into the hospital where she’d been diagnosed with cancer. After surgery and complications, she had passed away. The jam flew down and supported each other while saying goodbye to someone we all loved very much.
Both experiences were completely unexpected, and both changed my life in a big way. The first taught me that honest work is noticed and rewarded, while the second taught me to appreciate the immensity of love whole heartedly.
Together, these changes reminded me to take deep breaths.