On Friday, September 27th, I attended my very first Cre8con! This annual event is a conference that celebrates and explores creative work across all industries. Each year, a selection of keynote speakers gives a presentation on what inspires them in their work, the challenges they’ve faced, and their adventures in the creative field.
There were a lot of amazing speakers at the conference this year. Here my three favorites!
A 2-time Emmy award winner, member of the Screen Actors Guild and successful Production Designer and Graphic Designer, Schuyler captured the audience within seconds of hitting the stage. He walked into the spotlight visibly shaking, reading off notecards that he began to drop. His voice faltering, he looked out into the crowd and whispered: “I’m…I’m sorry. I can’t do this,” and ran off stage. The crowd, hoping to encourage Schuyler to come back, began cheering: “You can do it!” And suddenly, Schuyler came back onto the stage a different person. Laughing, he exclaimed: “And that was improv!” The crowd burst into applause and laughter.
Schuyler has an impressive resume. He’s worked on Portlandia, Shrill, American Vandal and Trinkets as a Production Designer. As a Graphic Designer, he’s worked on Mad Men, Veep, Parks and Recreation, and Glee. For Parks and Rec fans, you can thank Schuyler for the iconic “Ron Swanson Pyramid of Greatness.” Yeah. He MADE that. It blew my mind, too.
Ruth is an fierce, Academy Award-winning Costume Designer. This year, she won an Academy Award for her work on Black Panther. To make that win even cooler, she’s the first African-American woman to win in that category. She has had two additional Academy Award nominations for Spike Lee’s Malcolm X and Steven Spielberg’s Amistad, plus an Emmy nomination in 2016 for the reboot of Roots.
Ruth shared behind-the-scenes photos of work on the set of Black Panther, explaining the intricate process that comes along with costume design, and the satisfaction of watching it all come together on the big screen. Ruth’s main piece of advice about working in the creative industry was this: lead with your passions. Don’t let anyone treat you less than you deserve, and fight for what you love.
Ken is a 2-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer who is well-known for his work on the popular Broadway show, Kinky Boots. He is one of the co-founders of TEDxBroadway, has been featured in Vanity Fair, and has even gotten a mention in Jay Leno’s monologue on The Tonight Show.
Ken was so inspiring. In his talk, he emphasized the importance of focusing on the things you do know how to do instead of what you don’t when it comes to creative projects and jobs. You will naturally be able to eliminate the things you don’t like/don’t want to become an expert in if you do this.
He encouraged the crowd to plan to do one thing every day to move a project along, whether you’re working on something personal or for your career. At the end of his talk, he left plenty of time for questions. A common question was simply how to get started, especially when you find yourself in a creative rut. Ken’s answer was to start doing something, anything, even if it’s not perfect or exactly what you hope to do. Often times, this can transform into something amazing.
Networking is the foundation of PR. From connecting with potential clients, to maintaining strong relationships with current ones, networking is essential. Building connections with fellow PR professionals is just as important.
Whether you are a seasoned PR rep or a recent college graduate, here are a four basic networking tips you should know!
1. Attend Events
Attending industry events is a great way to get your name out there and talk to people on the same career path. When attending these events, talk to as many people as you can*. Ask questions, swap business cards, and have a spiel about yourself and your career goals ready.
*You never know who might have a connection with a company you want to work for. Find out who works for who, and ask the people you meet to set up an email introduction with those companies.
2. Connect With Professionals On LinkedIn
Along with following businesses and firms you’re interested in on LinkedIn, connect with their employees. After attending a networking event or doing an interview (informational or official), connecting with the person you met is really important. It shows your commitment to keeping in contact with the rep and your overall interest in the position. Keep your LinkedIn profile up to date, your resume down to one page*, and provide samples of your work.
*Simplify your resume so that it isn’t longer than one page. Long, overly-detailed resumes are off-putting to employers and may make it seem like you are including irrelevant info to fill up the page.
3. Build a Personal Brand On Social Media
Give fellow PR peeps and potential employers an idea of who you are. By building your personal brand on social media (website, Instagram, Twitter etc.), users get an idea of what’s important to you, your goals, and showcase what makes you unique.
Even if there are no open positions at a company you are hoping to work for, it doesn’t hurt to ask for an informational interview. By doing this, you can get a feel for the company (if the interview is at their firm), meet a rep, and get your name on their radar. Make sure to leave a physical copy of your resume with them, and follow up afterwards with a thank you email or handwritten note!
Instagram, as discussed in our previous blog post, is a major marketing tool. From small brands that are just beginning to build their fanbase, to super brands using the app to promote new products, this platform is used heavily to showcase businesses and what makes them stand out.
Here are five local Portland brands that are worth your follow!
“Portland’s only eco-friendly laundromat, bar and cafe places state-of-the-art, energy-efficient Electrolux washers and dryers + sustainable laundry products, in a retro-mod cafe/bar environment. Complete with coffee, beer, wine, and local eats.” –Spin Laundry Lounge
With over 4,000 followers, Spin’s content ranges from cute shots of their well-lit space (always an eye-catcher), the coffee shop attached to their business, the arcade area in the back, and snaps of cute dogs that come to visit. Plus, the account regularly gives away Spin gear through various contests. Spin’s socials convey their goal to remain a welcoming, fun lounge space to chill…not just a place to do laundry.
This iconic Portland landmark markets themselves not only to PDX regulars, but to customers all over the country. A few of their most popular posts are personal stories from Powell’s employees (that you actually want to read!), display art at the various locations, staff picks, and hilarious/cute book reviews by young readers. While documenting the store’s events and new items, Powell’s also uses Instagram to convey their cozy, home-like atmosphere. Their main message? Powell’s is a space where readers of all ages are welcome to come in, explore, and get lost in a good book.
You know those Instagram pages that post such great pictures of their product, it makes you want to buy it all on the spot? Yeah, that’s TLE. With their use of color, contrast, and sweet snaps of their unique products, it’s no wonder this PDX brand has over 16,000 followers. TLE’s merch doesn’t fall under one genre — from funky jewelry, records from the TLE music label, pet toys and art prints, TLE covers all the bases. Their Instagram account gives fans an inside, first look at new products, news about their record label, and upcoming events. (Including in-store performances from artists and a variety of panel discussions!)
As Pat mentioned in our previous blog post, “Portland Gear leveraged Instagram to perfectly position its company and its personal commitment to our community, sports teams, and great design.”
Portland Gear, as founder Marcus Harvey says, was created as a way to harness Portland’s unique energy into something tangible. His gear has expanded beyond just hats and shirts now – the company even has its own trademarked beer! The iconic Portland “P” can be found everywhere, recognizable even to people who don’t live in Oregon. Plus, the vibrant teal color (similar to the PDX airport carpet) included in almost all of the Portland Gear products will forever be associated with the brand.
Salt & Straw, Portland’s most popular gourmet ice cream shop has been around since 2011, and it’s only getting bigger. Their Instagram features snaps of Salt & Straw fanatics getting their fix, funny fan tweets, contests for followers to win a free pint, and more. Their latest campaign has brought student’s imaginative ice cream flavor ideas to life –like Ellie, from Addams Elementary, who came up with a “PB & C” flavor: “In the PB and C is peanut butter ice-cream, ripe sliced bannans, hot fuge and chocklet chips. The choclet chip are in the icecream. My isperashun is my dad loveing peanut butter and bannas together. Also, its poshonul you can put appels instead of bannas.”
What are your favorite brands to follow?
https://www.ampmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/pdx-1.jpeg11262000Sophie Cettinahttp://www.ampmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/AMPMPR-Logo-Black-2018-250px.pngSophie Cettina2019-09-13 14:33:032019-09-13 14:42:045 Portland Brands Worth Following
“Instagram has over 800 million monthly active users and the platform is a great marketing tool if utilized effectively.” –Forbes
Looking to expand your personal brand or business by using Instagram? Here are a few helpful tips.
Your Bio
Let’s start with the basics — your bio. It’s typically the first thing users see when they visit your Insta page. You want it to be short and sweet. While remaining eye-catching, simple and creative, you also want your bio to give a snapshot of you who you are. Brainstorm a few words associated with your company/brand, and that will help you come up with a phrase users will remember.
Keep your content consistent. Although it’s fun to experiment with filters, users will keep visiting your page if it follows a general theme. Choose one filter for the majority of your photos, and pay attention to how much white/blank space is present in each of your photos. A balance between the two is important. If you switch off between these two styles of photos or simply stick to just one, it will result in a overall more visually-appealing page.
It’s important to be regular with your posting schedule. Post every day and include a group of relevant hashtags under each photo. This will allow new users to discover your page, plus, unchanging hashtags will pool your content into Insta categories related to your field.
Follow similar users. Not only will this increase your followers, (similar businesses will typically follow back) but you can also gather ideas for future content. Comment on other’s posts, reply to Insta stories and message people who reply to yours. You’ll grow an engaged fanbase in no time.
Connecting Your Website or Blog
If you are using Instagram to ultimately promote a larger businesses, website or blog, make sure to link your Insta appropriately.
When promoting new blog content on your Instagram page, here’s a few tricks:
Use call to action words. Examples: “New blog post is up! Click the link in my bio to check it out,” “You aren’t going to want to miss this week’s blog post! Visit the link in my bio to read.”
Use a platform like TapBio to immediately direct users to your latest blog post. “Rather than constantly changing your Instagram profile URL (to go with your latest post), you can easily add slides equipped with links to your Tap Bio corresponding to your latest Instagram posts. Tap Bio could be a powerful tool for social media stars, digital entrepreneurs or anyone trying to market themselves via Instagram.” – TechCrunch
Use Instagram stories to continue promoting your latest blog post through out the week. Use Insta stories to advertise new content instead of repetitive photos on your feed.
Highlights
A fairly new feature, Instagram highlights are an awesome way to display your archive of Insta stories. To organize them, divide the highlights into categories. Add a creative, consistent cover for each that compliments your theme colors for an extra touch. (See below for AM:PM’s highlights.)
Need more ideas/content inspo? Check out AM:PM’s Instagram page here!
https://www.ampmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/insta-banner-1.jpeg11282010Sophie Cettinahttp://www.ampmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/AMPMPR-Logo-Black-2018-250px.pngSophie Cettina2019-09-03 13:21:162019-09-03 13:21:16How To Grow Your Brand Through Instagram
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.
~
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.”
https://www.ampmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pp-1.jpg9901735Sophie Cettinahttp://www.ampmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/AMPMPR-Logo-Black-2018-250px.pngSophie Cettina2019-08-27 12:32:122019-08-27 12:32:12Pat's Picks: Top 3 Fave Brands
At our office on Clinton Street (and near Divison Street), we are lucky enough to be surrounded by a wide range of yummy lunch spots in the neighborhood. Here are our faves!
Broder Cafe
The ultimate brunch spot. This hip little cafe is packed almost every single day, and for a good reason. Not only is the space cute, but the food is INCREDIBLE. This Scandinavian eatery specializes in Danish Pancakes (to die for) and delicious egg scrambles. The staff is so friendly, the drinks are good…you’ll never want to leave.
Pat’s Pick: The Lost Eggs and the Lefse potato crepes
“If aliens, Elvis and Marie Antoinette opened a diner, it might look like Dots. The walls are lined with black-and-white damask wallpaper, oil paintings of Elizabethan royalty, screenshots of Spock, and Warhol prints…Stepping into the red light of Dots is like going down Alice’s rabbit hole. It’s a ’50s-style diner with a killer bacon bleu cheeseburger…Come as you are.” -Willamette Week
A favorite of ours for many years, Dots is the best spot for some comfort food and greasy goodness. Its quirky, retro atmosphere attracts a fun crowd, and the food leaves you beyond full and happy.
Pat says: “It’s a stop for a quick lunch. I used to go there for daily specials, but I like their grilled cheese sandwich. For Happy Hour, the sandwich comes with a bowl of tomato soup and a salad – a perfect comfort meal.”
Pastini
Thank goodness there’s Pastini near our office — where else would we get our pasta fix? This lovely, classic-style Italian restaurant is one of our go-to team lunch spots. Whatever you order here, you’ll love it.
Pat’s Pick: Linguini Gorgonzola or Baked Ziti with Eggplant
Spielman Bagels and Coffee Roasters
Although still a fairly new spot (opened in 2011 on Division Street), Speilman quickly earned its place on our list of faves. According to their website,”the uniquely “Portland Style” bagel was made from a sourdough starter, mixed with milk and honey, and kettle-boiled to perfection. The soft, doughy center was the perfect contrast to the crunchy exterior, quickly becoming a local favorite.”
Their bagel sandwiches and bottomless house drinks are amazing.
Pat’s #1 Fave: “My FAVORITE neighborhood lunch spot is actually by our old office, ZELL’S CAFE, on SE 13th and Morrison. I bike there frequently for lunch. I like many of their breakfast items (I like to eat breakfast for lunch.) Favorites include their omelettes, their specials (especially ones featuring poblano sauce or roasted cauliflower) and their turkey melt sandwich with cheese and mushrooms.” -Pat McCormick
In the 1920s, Edward Bernays and Ivy Lee coined the word “public relations” in America. Back then, PR was considered to be propaganda, as it was used to promote both sides of the First World War and other controversial efforts. During the second half of the 20th century, however, the concept of PR expanded as various principles were established and it developed into a legitimate profession. According to Wikipedia, “In the early 2000s, press release services began offering social media press releases. The Cluetrain Manifesto, which predicted the impact of social media in 1999, was controversial in its time. But by 2006, the effect of social media and new internet technologies became broadly accepted.”
PR’s Many Titles
PR has had many different titles since the turn of the century. To name a few: damage control, image/reputation management, publicity, and the most hated, “spin.” This a dated word that gives the profession a negative connotation, its roots stemming in PR’s past in propaganda. But this no longer aligns with PR’s role in society.
What Is “Spin?”
Spin (noun): a particular way of representing an event or situation to the public so that it will be understood in a way that you want it to be understood. –Cambridge Dictionary
AKA…a way to save face and alter a story in order to avoid a negative audience reaction.
Why PR Isn’t “Spin”
“Spin is too simple a term for the work PR practitioners do. Sure, they seek to influence, but also counsel, market, promote, and advocate for their brands and clients. Simply put, PR is much more than spin.”
In our current political climate, unfortunately, “the only time the average person sees a public relations professional is when they are advising a politician or celebrity or apologizing for a corporate screw-up.” (e-releases) But PR is so much more than that. It is brand development and building an image that showcases personality, values and talent. It is connecting with your audience and giving back to the organizations that improve our lives. It is remaining accountable, transparent and honest when something doesn’t go to plan. It is engaging users and producing excellent content. It is building lasting relationships.
Sp*n is a gross word. Let’s get rid of it for good.
https://www.ampmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/spin-4.jpg5461301Sophie Cettinahttp://www.ampmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/AMPMPR-Logo-Black-2018-250px.pngSophie Cettina2019-08-12 14:27:492019-08-12 18:13:47Public Relations Is Not "Spin"
As a new member of the team at AM:PM, I’ve been reading up on the agency’s past clients and projects. I recently came across this fun 2013 campaign, and I was so impressed by it! So, without further ado, I hereby conduct AM:PM’s 2013 1D World Campaign into the agency’s official Hall of Fame. 🙂
In 2013, one of the most popular boy bands in the world, One Direction, embarked on a massive tour around the U.S. and Europe. Although hitting many major cities along the way, naturally the guys couldn’t stop everywhere. To satisfy disappointed “Directioners,” the 1D pop-up shop, known as “1D World,” was born. With this temporary store, super fans would have the opportunity to snag an array of merch and immerse themselves in the 1D experience, even without the band there to perform.
Because Portland was one of the skipped cities, it was chosen as a test market for the pop-up shop that would open in June of 2013. The 1D World store hired AM:PM PR to generate local buzz among fans leading up to the opening, plus maintain interest during the two weeks the store ran.
The Band
One Direction were an English-Irish pop boy band based in London, composed of Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik. Simon Cowell formed and signed the group in 2010 after the guys competed on the British singing show, The X Factor. 1D has won around 200 awards over the years, completed four world tours, and ranked as the second highest-earning celebrities in the world. When the band announced their hiatus in 2015, they broke millions of teenage girl hearts.
AM:PM used a combination of media relations, social networking engagement and strategic advertising to execute this campaign.
Location: Pioneer Place Mall, downtown Portland.
Date: June 8th, 2013.
Target audience: Young females, (“Directioners”) ages 9-17.
Objectives:
Attract fans to wait in line on opening day.
Generate fan buzz on social networks before the store’s opening and through the duration.
Increase followers on Facebook and Twitter for 1D World.
Earn media coverage for the store opening.
Encourage fans/customers to share their experiences online.
Goal: Show fans that this pop-up store offered a special experience provided by the band itself.
Media Coverage
AM:PM invited media to attend the grand opening of 1D World to witness the remarkable reaction of fans. The Oregonian covered the announcement of the pop-up shop and interviewed fans outside of the store on opening day. AM:PM also partnered with Portland’s Top 40 radio stations to provide tickets to the 1D concert in Seattle and gift certificates to the pop-up shop. Fangirls across Twitter freaked.
Social Media
AM:PM interacted with Portland’s 1D fans on Twitter, offering early entry store passes to five dedicated Directioners with the most followers. They also mentioned the prizes fans could win while in the store, like signed merch.
In order to maintain excitement through out the two weeks the store was open, AM:PM created in-store posters inviting customers to share pictures online of their shopping experiences at 1D World. AM:PM also created a FB/YouTube contest encouraging fans to create music videos using the band’s tunes. This increased online buzz significantly as video entries flooded YouTube.
Research
Facebook and Twitter were the most popular social media platforms at the time of this campaign.
1D regional fans on Twitter were hungry for any 1D-related news, gossip and tidbits, and were eager for 1D to visit Portland. (There were a ton of videos on YouTube of young girls begging for the boys to visit.)
The main radio stations in Portland for 1D fans were Radio Disney, Z100, and The Buzz.
The Challenges
AM:PM was contacted about this campaign in May of 2013 with a plan to open the pop-up shop the following month. This gave just 15 days of planning.
The opening day of 1D World was the same morning as Portland’s annual Rose Festival Parade. Media would be preoccupied, and the street in front of the mall would be closed off. Crowds would be difficult to draw.
Much of the merchandise sold at 1D World would be available at other stores and online for half the price.
The Outcome
The morning of June 3rd 2013 was insane. More than 100 screaming fans lined up for the store’s grand opening beginning at 7 a.m. The Rose Festival wasn’t going to stop them. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all blew up, resulting in an increase of Facebook interactions by 5-fold for the client. 1D world flooded with teens and tweens through out the day, all ecstatic to pose with life-size cutouts of the boys and buy a variety of 1D themed jewelry, hats, calendars and t-shirts. The campaign was a success.
“Being older than the demographic, I completely underestimated the draw of a 1D pop-up store. When our first tweet announcing the store spread like wildfire, I started to remember what I was like as a super fan of Duran Duran. Engaging with these fans ended up being one of the most rewarding efforts we’ve undertaken. Their excitement was contagious, and when I saw the line of kids and their parents who arrived hours before the opening, I couldn’t help, but to adore them even more.”
-Allison McCormick, AM:PM Co-Founder
The Spotlight Award
AM:PM PR received an award for this campaign at the 2013 PRSA Spotlight Awards! PRSA recognizes skillfully executed PR campaigns locally and internationally each year. AM:PM’s viral social networking/ media outreach campaign, executed just fifteen days before the store’s opening, earned them this award.
https://www.ampmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/happy-kids.jpg12001600Sophie Cettinahttp://www.ampmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/AMPMPR-Logo-Black-2018-250px.pngSophie Cettina2019-08-08 10:14:112019-08-08 10:20:03The AM:PM PR Hall of Fame: 1D World
Sophie Cettina here, AM:PM’s newest intern. I’ll be managing the agency’s blog and social media over the next few months. I’m thrilled to be here! 🙂
Bio
I graduated from the University of Oregon last month, where I earned a B.A. in Journalism/PR. When I wasn’t studying, I spent my time as a DJ at KWVA, UO’s college radio station. On the air, I played my favorite music and then discussed it as my alter ego, “DJ Vu.” (It’s a spin on the word “déjà vu”…haha, so punny!) My show, The Half Moon Tavern, was live every Thursday afternoon. My favorite part of being a DJ was receiving phone calls from listeners–sometimes, people would call to let me know how much they enjoyed the music I’d picked, or they’d call just to chat about artists and records. It’s pretty fun to share your music with the world in that way.
4 Fun Facts About Me
I have a pet cockatiel named Quincy and two backyard chickens. (#PutaBirdOnIt!)
My favorite movie is School of Rock starring Jack Black. (Stick it to the man, dude.)
I write poetry and short stories.
I have a tattoo of a chicken (that I drew myself) on my left ankle.
My Personal Blog
I’m a huge music nerd, and I love to write. My music blog, A Perfect Playlist, launched five years ago, and it’s grown so much since then! I post interviews with artists from around the world, concert and album reviews, tips and tricks on how to meet your favorite artists, and other music-related content. (Follow A Perfect Playlist on Instagram to stay up to date!)
Why PR?
I’m a storyteller with a passion for public relations, content development and music. I’m often asked, “you’re so excited about both music and PR. How do those two connect for you?” The answer is easy: I believe in the idea that songs are stories. As an avid storyteller, I know the power of words and connecting with an audience, just as songs do.
Pat McCormick (PM)– Big brands and companies can afford amazing, creative campaigns. I’m always impressed by the small brands that remain true to themselves and prevail against the big guys. My favorite local example from 2017 was Old Town Brewing’s defense of its trademarked logo – featuring the iconic leaping White Stag that people associate with Portland, against the onslaught of mega-brewing giant AB InBev trying to get rights to use that image through the City of Portland. The best gesture in the battle came from Rogue Ales – a much bigger Oregon craft brewing company. Rogue banned the Portland mayor, city lawyers and other “bureaucrats” from its pubs until the city abandoned its effort to license the image beer and alcohol giants. (P.S. Dan Keeney, a former colleague, is Old Town Brewing’s spokesman. He’s an exceptional PR strategist and a great friend of craft brewing.)
Allison McCormick (AM) – It’s a tie for me…
The Indivisible campaign has been awe inspiring to follow. The grassroots movement was started when former congressional staffers commiserated after the election of Donald Trump and decided to draft a guide they could share with all the progressives across the country that wanted to do something. Borrowing from the pages of the Tea Party playbook, The Google Doc guide laid out a roadmap for taking on Trump and the members of congress doing his bidding. It emphasizes starting locally and using focused advocacy tactics. Since the guide was first shared it has been downloaded more than two million times, at least 5,800 local groups have formed across the country and the energy sparked by the campaign is changing elections. Congrats, Doug Jones!
The #MeToo movement has been equally powerful in its swiftness and impact. Effecting every level of Hollywood and government, every industry, and interactions in every day life – young and old women alike are finding the courage through each other to stand up and stand together against harassment and misogyny. It makes me feel like I did when I first heard this song and saw this clip from Full Frontal with Samantha Bee:
Karly Tarsia (KT) – I’m not sure if this classifies as a campaign but the #MeToo movement along with Time’s Silence Breakers. Watching that spark on social media was both incredibly heart wrenching but also incredibly powerful. This year there has been so much noise on social media and in general it’s hard to say if any campaign has stood out but if #MeToo qualifies as that I think it’s the one that was the loudest and had one of the biggest impacts in society.
What was your favorite accomplishment (personal or professional) from this year?
PM – Marking 51 years of marriage. The accomplishment is really Donna’s. She’s delivered our seven children, endured all these years with me and still laughs at my jokes, even ones she’s tired of hearing.
AM – Hiring Karly Tarsia.
KT – Personally, getting my own place postgrad and moving in with one of my best friends. Professionally, getting hired as an Account Coordinator at AM:PM PR last spring.
What trend do you think was overhyped in 2017?
PM – The most overused term in 2017 PR plans is “influencer” marketing. It’s a trending term, but the concept behind it isn’t really new. In marketing as well as in public policy advocacy, the importance of individuals and authorities who help shape people’s view on a product or an issue has been well understood. Digital tools have improved our ability to understand and reach those whose views influence others. At our old firm, we were charter members of the Word of Mouth Marketing Association. For those interested in learning more about influencer marketing, here’s a link to the WOMMA guide – http://womma.org/free-womm-resources/
KT – I feel like everything is beyond hyped now and is so in your face that it becomes overhyped very quickly. Doing makeup tutorials with unconventional products, foods that you can tell are just solely so you can post it on Instagram, unicorn-related everything. Everything feels so over the top you kind of wonder how it can catch on and then it spreads like wildfire and is everywhere.
What is your favorite memory from 2017?
PM – I have lots of great memories, but my trip to Orlando in October is likely most memorable. I got to spend five days at Disney World with Luca, my eighth grandchild to share a Disney adventure with me. Our trip coincided with the NWSL championship game and we got to watch the Portland Thorns, our amazing women’s professional soccer team, win the title in a tough-fought game. My next grandchild Disney adventure will be in May, going with Keeton to Disneyland. Another great memory coming soon.
AM – It’s a tough call between Michael Flynn’s guilty plea and the defeat of Roy Moore in Alabama.
KT – It’s hard to remember a specific moment that stood out for me in a year, but its all the small moments you don’t realize you loved until later. Being with my friends and laughing until we cry. Being with my family and watching my relationships evolve with them now that I’m an adult. Watching some of my best friends get married. Really realizing how lucky I am to live the life I do. I’m really trying to focus on that and be more grateful going into 2018.
Favorite 2017 guilty pleasure?
PM – Binge-watching The Crown.
AM – Flaunting my new lipstick and sharing more of them as gifts.
KT – Hands down memes. I know I should stop tagging my friends in them but I really can’t (sorry Lauren and Megan). Also podcasts, I can never get enough.
What was your favorite app you used in 2017?
PM – For the last couple of years, Sleep Cycle has been a favorite app. It tracks my sleep and offers a gentle wake-up when I’m easiest to wake in my sleep cycle. This year I added a companion app called Life Cycle. It tracks all my activities throughout the day. I’ve come to appreciate Apple’s efforts to track fitness and health using my watch and phone. It’s made me much more conscious of my good habits, and more sensitive about the bad ones.
KT – It’s a toss up between Apple’s Podcast app and Snapchat. But if I have to choose I’ll say Apple Podcast.
We did a similar post last year for predictions in 2017, what was the most surprising thing you felt that happened this year?
PM – It’s tempting to talk about politics because I’ve never experienced such poisonous rhetoric and distortions of conventional mores in public life. For those troubled by the lack of civility in political discourse, I recommend reading my friend James Hoggan’s book, “I’m Right and You’re an Idiot,” published presciently at the beginning of the 2016 election year. In my real life, the most enjoyable surprise of 2017 was getting to watch our adventurous Grandson Haxton start walking, then running – and smiling a smile that melts your heart.
AM – It might be Roy Moore’s loss, but this year has made it hard to remember anything farther than a few days in the past.
KT – Allison and I have talked about this so much and really its everything. When we started answering these questions we both struggled because so much has happened in a year, it’s hard to digest what happened even a month ago. I had to go back and look through different huge events and be like, “Oh yeah that did happen”. Things that would historically define a year feel like they are happening weekly and it’s hard to keep up and remember everything, whether that be in pop culture or politics. Personally, and as a civilian, I feel that so much has happened I could have never predicted this is where we would be ending 2017. It is both hopeful and terifitiyng to see where we will be this time next year.
What are you looking forward to most in 2018?
PM – Besides my May trip to Disneyland with Keeton, I’m looking forward taking Donna back to Maui for some R&R. Allison gave her a gift certificate for a restaurant we like on Maui, so using it will require us to go there.
KT – Turning a quarter of a century old! Plus a few trips I’ve planned.
Ken at The Tony Awards
Photo by The Daily Mail
