03.14.08
Posted in Blogging, New Media at 3:56 pm by prnewbie
Last week we launched our first blog for a client, Artisan Cheese Center. It is a very big deal not only for our own firm, but for our client, who is less enthused and confident on social media.
The site itself is a vlog, or blog with videos. We will update with other recipes (not videos) in between the video postings to keep content fresh.
The inital launch is a success. Although we don’t have any comments, the site has recieved 561 unique web visitors who look through an average of 3.21 pages, which is fantastic!
I’m excited about this project but even more excited for what can be made possible if this goes well.
Please check out the site and provide feedback. I am the moderator so I can edit, add and remove! The first recipe with the first video (Artisan Cheese 101) is delicious – I made it despite my lack of cooking abilities.
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11.28.07
Posted in Campaigns, Green, Uncategorized at 10:27 pm by prnewbie
Individuals, businesses, organizations and cities are going green. Some for the right reasons, some for the short-lived “feel goodness” it stirs. But this green thing is not a trend, it is the start of something a lot bigger.
I typed in “going green” in Google News and got more than 55,000 stories (within the past 30 days!) with that exact phrase. At Technorati, more than 7,000 blog posts included “going green” in the past month. Typing it into Google retrieves more than one million results. There are a million search terms you could use to identify conversations taking place online about the green movement and these search results may not all be relevant, but clearly people are talking!
I started implementing steps to “green” my lifestyle lately, and hope to continue. Through my research, I have found great companies doing great eco-friendly things including:
Those are just a few of the big ones. I don’t know of any controversy surrounding their efforts, but regardless I am all for supporting companies that are seriously trying to lessen their impact.
Corporations taking a larger step include Google, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, and Wal-Mart. I can’t imagine how looming it must seem for the public relations pro’s behind those campaigns and initiatives. There is so much that goes into a business – from production, packaging, disposing, transporting, operating – it goes on and on. But for an international company… wow.
My employer is striving to be more green internally and for our clients. Reducing paper waste, recycling and drinking tap water out of Thermos’ are all small steps we’re taking that will hopefully lead to bigger ones.
More to come about great green campaigns, and the ones that are just for show. Just wanted to get the green ball rolling…
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11.09.07
Posted in Blogging, Chicago, Podcasts, Uncategorized tagged podcamp, podcast, wheatley & timmons at 4:42 pm by prnewbie
PodCamp is coming to Chicago!
This “unconference” focuses on blogging, podcasting, vlogs and more in the social media realm. It is FREE, which is great for students or entry-level professionals such as myself trying to absorb as much info as possible! It also allows and enourages attendees to also present, even for just five minutes.
The event began in Boston and has spread worldwide, so if you don’t live in Chicago look to see where one might be held near you.
PodCamp Chicago will be June 6-8, 2007 at a TBD location. Register here. They are in need of volunteers, sponsors and more so if you want to get involved – check it out!
I’m definitely going to go. Especially since (drumroll) we are about to launch our Wheatley & Timmons podcast, BrandTrailblazers! I think I’ve finally practiced enough with GarageBand and Skype to figure out how to get it up and running. Be on the look out for it!
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10.26.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 1:57 pm by prnewbie
Sorry for not writing in awhile, as in months. The life of a entry-level public relations professional is hectic! I have been extremely busy adjusting to a new town and getting more involved at work. It doesn’t help I have not yet ordered Internet service so my home computer is not available for updates. But alas – I am alive!
My life from the past several months can be summed up in:
- Pitching sweepstakes, partnerships and new products for all of the clients,
- Becoming more involved in client work such as calls, updates and press materials,
- Keeping the Web site and blog for Wheatley & Timmons updated,
- Trying to figure out how to do a podcast, and
- Learning more about online media and joining my coworkers in trying to understand it better.
I promise to update more later, but for any FSU-er’s out there who have contacted me about an internship – keep them coming! We need more garnet and gold representation in the Windy City.
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06.17.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 5:58 pm by prnewbie
Another part of my project for my new firm Wheatley & Timmons includes revamping the CEO’s blog, called Becoming a TrailBlazer. Although the posts are original and insightful, they tend to be long and do not incorporate the “currency of the blogosphere”: links. So I am on a mission to encourage more readers to get into his truly thought-provoking posts. Suggestions?
So far, we’ve decided to launch a podcast to align with the blog. This is going to really get it off the ground, I believe, because we have some fantastic opportunities for interviews. I am adding our blog to every feed and blog directory I can find. We are incorporating links and more variety posts, such as shorter ones or ones in a series.
I’ve been looking up books on the topic because I really don’t feel qualified to be taking on such a tremendous responsibility. Any suggestions? I’ve thoroughly read The Corporate Blogging Book, by Debbie Weil, which I have retrieved a lot of my insight from. I also read Blog Marketing by Jeremy Wright. I ordered Secrets of Successful Blogging by Ted Demopoulos.  I continue to look at and search for tips and tricks from a variety of blogs.Â
But there is always room for more! If you have suggestions, advice or encouragement – please let me know!
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06.14.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 2:27 pm by prnewbie
Wheatley & Timmons is going to host a podcast and I’m going to help make it happen! How exciting. The CEO, Bob, and I are going to look at equipment today. I need to review what all is involved: a microphone, a mic stand, a computer, headphones, sound editing software. Do you NEED a preamp, pop filer, mixing board and compressor to start with? We definitely want it to be good quality, but not confusing. We have to start somewhere and then work up.
Our agreement to move forward with a podcast came at a perfect time – Create Business Growth is having a contest to win free podcasting equipment! Look at all the cool stuff you would get:
I don’t want competition, but if you want to enter the contest hurry because it ends June 18!
Also, if anyone has any suggestions about starting a podcast, including show format, guests, equipment, etc., please let me know!
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06.13.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 9:28 pm by prnewbie
Largest challenge of the new job: I’m now in charge of securing media coverage for Wheatley & Timmons. The firm wants to become a national leader and source to go to on brand strategy. I (obviously!) firmly believe they should and will be – but what a daunting task to promote your own public relations firm and gain placements for it!
Any suggestions anyone has about strategies and tactics that they have used or have heard about, or what not to do, would be greatly appreciated. The goal – one placement per month! Blogs are included, but I don’t think mine counts. 
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06.03.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 6:38 pm by prnewbie
I signed a lease for my new studio apartment yesterday, a small little room with a kitchen of sorts and an aged bathroom. The hardwood floors creak, the one window looks out on the “courtyard” and the fridge can’t open all of the way because it will hit the wall, but it is mine! It is actually in a very cute part of town, called Lakeview, right near Wrigley Park. If you step outside the apartment building, you can see the lake. This is great for the breeze it brings to keep my non air-conditioned apartment cool, but I heard it will bring added winds and snow in the winter. Joy!
The area around my new home is quite charming, with older homes and only a few blocks from the supermarket, shops and restaurants. The best part – the selling factor – was the proximity to the bus stop. A bus stops just a few feet from my front door and takes me express to the front of my work – no joke. How convenient! I will chop down that traveling time from almost 2 hours one-way to 15 min max. I like that.
It will certainly be an adjustment from my old apartment complex – but this one at least has an elevator and a fitness gym, something none of the other studios I looked at had. It will be an experience!
In more interesting news, I just finished a short book on single malt Scotch whisky, trying to learn more for our client Old Pulteney. Single malt Scotch whisky, which only comes from Scotland, must be aged in oak barrels for at least three years. After they are done maturing in oak casks (which is usually more than 10years) it doesn’t age – unlike wine. I thought that was interesting. As for tasting, you are supposed to look for similar elements as wine, such as appearance, smell and taste and texture. I don’t know if I am ready to go into tasting mood of single malt Scotch whisky, but this book definitely intrigued me.
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06.01.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:50 pm by prnewbie
Whew – this first week flew by. What an exciting and fun time! I really enjoyed learning about W&T, my co-workers and particularly the clients more in-depth the past few days. We have a lot of exciting happenings going on and it is really cool to be involved in national strategies.Â
Perhaps this is premature to say, but I think I have found my niche! Or, if not, I know that I enjoy this much more than the political/public affairs PR I was doing previously. I find the challenge of setting a brand apart from another provides exciting challenges. I really can’t wait to be apart of success for clients as they differentiate themselves through our tactics.
In particular, I love working on Cocktails by Jenn. If you are a young woman – you will love these beverages, just as I do. Check out their website and let me know what your thoughts are. They are packaged so cute, they are irresistible. There is already a lot of talk about them on blogs, which of course I am eagerly monitoring!
More updates soon…
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05.29.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 6:56 pm by prnewbie
Wow – what a whirlwind. I woke up this morning at 5am with butterflies in my stomach and can’t believe it is more than 12 hours later! Driving to Chicago (from Schaumburg) only took 45 minutes, which pales in comparison to the 2 hours or more people warned me about.  It left me plenty of time to stop by Starbucks – conveniently located two blocks from my office. On the 22nd floor of a building in Chicago’s impressive skyline lies Wheatley & Timmons, my wonderful new workplace!Â
I was greeted by the entire team with such hospitality and enthusiasm – surprising after a holiday weekend! Although the office was a little hectic trying to get work done after a 3-day break, everyone managed to be very friendly and ensure I had all my questions answered. I have a Mac to work on – intimidating and quite frustrating for a PC user. I have always wanted a Mac and hope to overcome my frustrations within the next couple of weeks as I adjust to the different system.Â
I had lunch right on Michigan Ave. a block from our firm at Bistro 110 with several of my new bosses, all women. I had a delicious Portobella Mushroom sandwich while enjoying the city scenery. I felt like I was on a movie set! Living in a city is still surreal for me. There are only 3 men in the firm (hopefully I’m not forgetting anyone!), counting Mr. Wheatley and Mr. Timmons.Â
Just a busy day meeting everyone, learning in’s & out’s, etc. I will keep you posted!
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