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Pat’s Picks: Top 3 Fave Brands

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Today’s blog post highlights AM:PM PR Co-Founder Pat McCormick and his three favorite brands!

Apple

“Hi, my name is Pat and I’m an Applephile. I need to make that admission to explain why I have Apple’s marketing at the top of my list of faves. Apple infuses its brand in every element of its products and marketing – from ads to packaging, to the look, feel and function of its products. My latest Apple acquisition is my Apple Card. Like other Apple products, it’s clean, simple, minimal. It lives in the Apple universe with my Apple MacBook Pro, Apple iPad Pro, iPhone XS Max, Apple Watch, Apple HomePod, Apple TV and Apple Music. (Full disclosure: I’m an Apple stockholder.)

Disney

My second fave is Disney. Family and friends are familiar with my tradition of taking my grandchildren to Disneyland between their 9th and 10th birthdays. So far, I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy 9 great Disney stays with 9 amazing grandchildren. It’ll be awhile before I can take Haxton, who just turned 3 last week.
The Disney marketing that’s caught my eye recently is its upcoming launch of Disney+, the new streaming service. Disney’s D23 Expo, the annual gathering of the Official Disney Fan Club, was this past weekend and a number of new program announcements were released. The company made great use of its social media, digital tools and traditional media relations. Disney+ will to tap into the existing and future Disney media libraries as well as Pixar, the Marvel Universe, the Star Wars franchise and National Geographic. Cost will be $7.50/month, about half of a Netflix subscription. I’m also a Disney stockholder.
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Portland Gear

Third fave is Portland Gear. The company and its founder, Marcus Harvey, have a great origin story. He leveraged Instagram to perfectly position his company and his personal commitment to our community, its sports teams, and great design. Portland Gear is my nominee for the best example of developing a brand from a great idea which resulted in significant success using Instagram.”

AM:PM and 7/Apps Summer 2019 Picks

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As writers, communicators, readers, editors, and creatives, we find inspiration in a lot of different areas. Good books and awesome music included. Are you curious about what our team is listening to and reading this summer? Here are our picks.

Pat – AM:PM PR Co-founder:

“I’m currently re-reading I’m Right and You’re an Idiot, by James Hoggan. He’s a friend and great PR pro who’s written several books. But this one is my favorite. It’s now in its second edition, but the first edition came out in early 2016. The book’s subtitle, The toxic state of public discourse and how to clean it up, shows how well-timed the topic was. In a series of interviews with communications leaders and theoreticians, the book outlines the challenge and urgent need to drain the poison from our civic debate.

When I actually listen to music and not just use it for background noise, it’s usually showtunes. Hamilton is a favorite. So are Les Misérables and Wicked. But my intentional listening is more frequently to podcasts. Favorites: The Daily, On the Media, Post Reports, Sci Fri, Radiolab, This American Life.”

Allison – AM:PM PR Co-founder:

“Becoming by Michelle Obama, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and Beastie Boys Book are a few of my favorite books.

My daughter controls the stereo whenever she’s in the car, so it’s a lot of Billie Eilish, Cardi B and, Childish Gambino and John Denver is what we listen to. I like a mix of things, depending on what I’m doing. But pretty much anything by Headphone Activist. I also love the song ‘Sunflower’ by Post Malone…I just wish it was longer. And, finally, I’ve been re-listening to this at least once a day every day lately: ‘Help One Another,’  a mixtape.”

Sophie – Intern at AM:PM PR:

“I’m reading two books right now. The first is called The Last of the Stanfields by Marc Levy. It’s a drama/mystery. The other book is I Hate Myself and Want to Die by Tom Reynolds, which is about ‘the 52 most depressing songs you’ve ever heard.’

I’m really into the new album by Clairo, Immunity. That’s been on repeat for the past few days. In addition, I discovered an artist called Jealous of the Birds a few weeks ago, and I’ve been listening to her stuff non-stop. Yesterday, I listened to most of The Cure’s discography all day. I’m all over the place with my music.”

Connor – Intern at 7/Apps:

“I’ve been listening to a lot of Father John Misty & Doctor Dog lately. It reminds me of when I first started working at 7/Apps, because I actually discovered Father John Misty on the car ride over!”

 

What are your Summer 2019 picks? Tweet us!