Posted Jul 6, 2010 by Amanda Fennell - Promotion Coordinator |
The fourteen Triangle-area Moe’s Southwest Grill locations recently announced their partnership with the 2009 Triple-A National Champion Durham Bulls to launch a three-year promotional deal. 
As part of that deal, we are working with the Triangle marketing cooperative to attend events in the community with the help of the first-ever Wool E. Bull Moe-bile vehicle, which travels with the team’s well-loved mascot, Wool E. Bull, to an estimated 300 events and special appearances every year. Throughout the season, the Wool E. promotional team attends games, community and store events to play games and offer chances to win prizes including Durham Bulls tickets and an iPad.
As part of the promo team, we see first-hand the positive interaction consumers are having with the Moe’s brand. Whether at a store radio remote or out at a fundraising 5k, we see people making the connection that Moe’s is not just a place to eat but a part of our community. 
Durham Bulls’ fans are also enjoying the Moe’s presence at games throughout the season. Moe’s is all about fun, family, friends and great food, it’s a perfect pairing with America’s favorite pastime.
In addition, the partnership with the Bulls benefits fans by providing them with exclusive catering offers by visiting www.MoesTriangleCatering.com. There are specials for both kids and adults that can used for meetings, parties and backyard fiestas. So be sure to honk if you see the Moe-bile around town, stop by to toss a game of “Moe’s Bags” or pick up a popular hand fun in the sweltering North Carolina summer, and call your local Moe’s to spice up your next office meeting or party.
Posted Jun 30, 2010 by Jack Glasure - Executive Vice President & Principal |
As communications pros, we work hard to engage the English language as we were taught for so many years - particularly when speaking to members of the media and to agency clients. Over the past few years, I’ve been particularly tough on colleagues that use the word “like,” which has become pervasive across society (and even within my own family.) For some time, when someone close to me used “like” in slang and colloquial speech, I called them out for it to correct behavior. My ex-wife was the worst offender, and yes, it may have cost me a marriage because I interrupted her every time she tried to tell me about her day!
I’ve heard “like” used as an adverb meaning "nearly" or to indicate that the phrase in which it appears is to be taken metaphorically or as a hyperbole. For example, “I, like, died!”, or “They, like, hate you!”
It’s also been used as a quotative to introduce a quotation or impersonation. In this usage, like functions in conjunction with a verb, generally be (but also say, think, etc.), as in the following examples: “She was like, Oh my gosh no way!" He was like, "I'll be there in five minutes." “He was like, you need to leave the room right now!"
Like has also been used to paraphrase an implicitly unspoken idea or sentiment: “I was like, Who do they think they are?"
Arghh! To me it’s like hearing fingernails on a blackboard!
And now to my new pet peeve: In all honesty…; To be honest…; Honestly…; I’m going to be perfectly honest with you… These are incredibly over-used phrases for the inarticulate to make a point of statement, and it implies that the speaker usually lies, but will be honest this one time.
Honestly!
Posted Jun 28, 2010 by Katie Bishop - Account Executive |
In a recent People.com story, the entertainment magazine told its readers Indiana Jones (at least he is Indiana Jones to me and likely to you, too) wore Wrangler jeans when he wed long-time girlfriend, actress Calista Flockhart last week.
Ford not only wears Wrangler jeans in movies like the recent “Extraordinary Measures,” but he has also been wearing the brand for decades. For Wrangler, this fact being spread by a medium like People.com was ideal for letting consumers know A-list stars go to the leading denim brand for style for even the most important of occasions. It also gave them a great opportunity to promote it on Facebook:
This post immediately set off fan interaction. Men shared stories of wearing Wrangler while exchanging vows and women let everyone know Wrangler butts do indeed “drive them nuts.”
While we might not see Ford in Wrangler jeans in his upcoming film “Cowboys & Aliens” set to release next year, I’ll be looking for paparazzi shots of him showing off the brown leather patch on his honeymoon.
Posted Jun 23, 2010 by Khaner Walker - Account Supervisor |
When FWV client The Free Enterprise Nation (FEN) approached us with thoughts of writing a book last winter, we jumped at the chance and encouraged them to move forward with the process. Nearly six months later, “Unsustainable” is being printed and our team’s plans are bearing fruit.
Planning a national book tour has been one of the largest, yet rewarding projects I’ve ever worked on. There are a multitude of moving deadlines – however the bigger the task, the more fun we have. Here’s an inside glimpse at what is involved.
Nearly all major media outlets have book reviewers or producers devoted to reviewing new books. Identifying these individuals early on is key to coordinating a successful book tour. Frequently, book reviewers and producers require about 3-4 weeks to actually review a book, which means we were pitching that person several weeks in advance of them receiving the preview copy.
While long-lead media opportunities require a healthy amount of time in advance of the book’s release date, a media tour can normally be planned and executed within a much shorter turn-around. When booking a media tour, we focus on securing opportunities with 24-hour news stations, print reporters, national radio shows and highly trafficked news websites and blogs.
While the majority of national news outlets reside in NYC, there are other clusters of media around the nation that you should pay attention to. For FEN, a non-partisan political organization, Washington D.C. outlets were at the top of our list. When planning travel, include visits to hubs like these. The added publicity is a bonus, but more importantly you’ll be talking to an audience that is going to be more receptive to your message.
Whether it’s FWV client Nick Schuyler on Oprah talking about his book or FEN in-studio with FOX & Friends discussing “Unsustainable,” a publicity tour for a book’s new release is one of the best ways to get people talking about and more importantly, buying your new work.
Posted Jun 2, 2010 by Chris Shigas - Vice President |
If I get argumentative at home, my wife tells me: “you can be happy or you can be right… pick one.” As I guide clients through crisis communication events, her reminder rings in my ear.
In many cases, clients who are attacked (by the press, blogger, customer, etc.) have a natural instinct to become defensive and desire to strike back. Yet, a core crisis communication principle is you can’t win an argument. If you lose an argument, you lose. If you win an argument, you still lose because you have created hurtful feelings with your audience.
The subject is the focus of chapter six in Dale Carnegie’s "How to Win Friends and Influence People." It’s probably my fourth time reading through the classic. First published in 1937, it is the grandfather of all people skills books. In fact, I think it should be required reading for any public relations professional.
The book uses an example of a salesman selling a Chevy truck. If the customer says that Ford makes a great truck, don’t argue with him. You can say, “You are right. Ford does make a great truck.” It reduces the customer’s resistance. Now, you are free to tell him all of the things that make Chevy a great truck.
If customers feel like they are not being heard, they will speak louder. In fact, the crisis can spiral out of context. You have to change the positioning. Be sure that the customer knows that you heard their complaint. Validate the customer’s concerns and respond from common ground with your audience. Take the high road and position your response with communication that everyone will agree with. Avoiding arguments will go a long way in keeping your brand out of hot water.
Posted Jun 2, 2010 by Julie Langford - Vice President & Dallas General Manager |
French/West/Vaughan (FWV), one of the nation’s 20 largest independently-owned public relations, public affairs and brand communications agencies, today announced the opening of a Dallas, Texas office and the hiring of a high-profile Dallas marketing executive as office general manager. The new office is the agency’s fourth, building on its locations in New York City, Tampa, FL and its headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Management of the new downtown Dallas office will be handled by Julie Langford. She brings 21 years of marketing and advertising agency expertise to FWV. Langford most recently served as president of a Dallas marketing agency in addition to being on the senior management team of a real estate development firm, and chair of the Sales and Marketing Council of the Greater Dallas Homebuilder’s Association.
“I’m thrilled to be part of French/West/Vaughan. It is a talented and creative group of strategic thinkers who are constantly inventing new ways for clients to reach their marketing goals. With the opening of the Dallas office, FWV is now able to serve more clients throughout Texas and the southwest,” said Langford.
French/West/Vaughan’s roster of blue-chip national clients include Wrangler, the Coca-Cola Company, Fort Worth-based Justin Boot Company, Divi Resorts, retail chain Blinds-To-Go, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Dey Pharmaceuticals, LNR Property Corporation and more than 50 other consumer, business-to-business, professional service, retail, real estate and healthcare clients in the United States and abroad. FWV is a past recipient of The Holmes Report’s “National Consumer Agency of the Year” Award and consistently ranks as one of America’s best branding agencies.
“We see tremendous opportunity in the Dallas area with its heavy concentration of Fortune 500 companies and the contacts we already have in the market,” said FWV Chairman and CEO Rick French. “While many agencies have been forced to reduce staffing and services the past few years, we are fortunate to have long-standing client relationships and an outstanding team of professionals that have continued to fuel our expansion.”
The Dallas office of FWV, which French said will likely be augmented via an acquisition, is located downtown at 2601 Gaston Avenue.
Posted May 13, 2010 by Lauren Childs - Account Executive |
“Welcome to the real world.” These were the closing words of my older brother’s toast at my graduation party nearly three years ago. It feels like yesterday, but I was in the midst of packing up all my belongings in my last “college house,” worrying if I was going to get a job and keeping my fingers crossed my parents would pay my car insurance for another six months. I remember the panicked feeling whenever someone asked, “So, what are you doing after graduation?” Luckily, I was interning at FWV and the agency had an opening for an account coordinator and I was able to land my first “real world” job.
I’ve been fortunate to stay in touch with many students and faculty in the communications program at my alma mater, NC State (go Wolfpack!), and about this time each year I have many conversations with graduating seniors about their job search, what issues they’re having and how to keep pressing forward. I thought I’d write down some of the tips we’ve discussed over the years and post it to the blog in hopes that at least one communications student sees it, takes the information to heart and maybe even finds something they hadn’t thought of previously.
- Participate in local industry organizations. Wherever you’re located, search around and see what area organizations exist and if you can join. Two local examples are the Raleigh Public Relations Society (RPRS) or North Carolina Chapter of PRSA. I’m a member of RPRS and we have monthly lunch meetings and students are welcome to come and participate and network with the professionals who are there. Students also have a reduced membership fee, so it’s best to join while you’re still in school and embarking on the job search.
- Research before you apply. No one likes an obviously-replicated cover letter. We can tell when you just plug in the agency name. Be sure and spend time searching the company’s website, facebook, twitter, blog, etc. and make it obvious that you have in your cover letter.
- Don’t be afraid to tell people you’re looking for a job. Your parents’ friends, your friends’ parents, the crazy professor from freshman year who inspired you to choose this major, people you meet at your college job… everyone. I made my first connection with an FWV staffer when I was working at a stationery store and helped make a her wedding favors. She saw my editing marks, told me about the internship program, I applied, and the rest is history. You never know who has what connections, so explore as many avenues as you can. (As a disclaimer, I’m not talking about obsessively posting a status to facebook about your job hunt, but having personal, professional conversations with people you know.)
- Most importantly, this industry is all about relationships. Build them. Talk to people at industry organization meetings; ask to shadow someone with your dream job for a week – be creative! You might impress someone and when a position opens up, you could be on the list of candidates.
We’ve all been there. What are your top tips for landing the first job?
Posted May 10, 2010 by Kristin Kelly - Account Supervisor |
Gold Peak® Tea made its mark at the 2010 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami Feb. 25-28 – the brand’s third appearance at the premier culinary event.
A combination of world-class food, drinks and culinary personalities, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival brings together chefs, foodies and quality brands from across the globe. Gold Peak took part in two of the Festival’s top events – the AMSTEL® Light Burger Bash hosted by Rachael Ray and the Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village.
Gold Peak partnered with Chef Virginia Willis to showcase the brand and pair Gold Peak flavors with dishes from her acclaimed cookbook, Bon Appétit, Y’all. Dozens of local and national media outlets were also on-hand for the Festival and experienced the great brewed taste of Gold Peak. Virginia Willis discussed food and Gold Peak tea pairings with media outlets including Martha Stewart Living Radio and local Miami program Join Us at the Table.
During the AMSTEL Light Burger Bash on February 25, Willis and the Gold Peak team served her Fingerling Potato Salad along with Gold Peak to over 3,000 attendees. The event featured a collection of chefs going head-to-head in a culinary competition honoring one of America’s culinary favorites – the burger. Several Food Network personalities and high-profile chefs including Rachael Ray, Iron Chefs Masaharu Morimoto and Michael Symon, Rocco DiSpirito, Guy Fieri, Mr. Food, Top Chef competitor Carla Hall and more attended the Bash and were introduced to Gold Peak.
The brand also had a strong presence at the Whole Foods Grand Tasting Village. Virginia Willis performed five cooking demos throughout the event, preparing dishes including a Grilled Steak Salad with Green Beans and Blue Cheese paired with Lemon Gold Peak as well as a Black-Eyed Pea Salad, a crowd favorite paired with Sweetened Gold Peak.
Throughout the four-day Festival, the Gold Peak brand ambassadors built strong connections with consumers and distributed thousands of samples, recipe cards and coupons along with Chef Virginia Willis’ dishes. The event was a success for Gold Peak as the brand received notable brand recognition and awareness among key influencers, consumers and retailers.
Coca-Cola North America is the copyright owner of this article. All rights reserved.
Posted Apr 23, 2010 by Barrie Hancock - Vice President |
A hot term over the last decade in this industry and others is “work/life balance.” It’s important, for sure, but how to successfully implement it is another matter. And don’t get me wrong, I’m often guilty of the “practice what you preach” conundrum, so I decided to reflect on this and offer some thoughts and tips (for myself and you). Sorry guys, but for the purpose of this exercise, and because I’m the proud mom of an almost 5-year-old, I opted to look at it from the working mom’s perspective.
A recent People.com headline proclaimed “Jennifer Lopez Achieves ‘Total Happiness’ As a Working Mom.” Hey, that’s great. Glad to hear it, but truth be told, celeb caregivers like JLo, Reese, Julia, SJP and the Material Girl likely have a lot more resources than most. So what helps get the rest of us busy marketing moms through the day (and night?):
Twenty-four (24). Lately, Kiefer seems to have it as rough off-screen as on, but he has reminded us there are 24 hours in a day. Figure out when you’re most productive and try to tailor your schedule accordingly. We all know our industry isn’t a nine-to-five gig, so polish off some of your to-dos first thing (if you’re an early riser), or after your kids are asleep (if you’re a night owl).
Nobody’s Perfect. I’ve talked to a lot of moms and it’s been pretty clear to me that whether you choose to stay at home, work part-time or full-time, there is no perfect solution. So rest assured that you have likely settled on what feels right for your situation or family and try to let the rest go.
Strength in Numbers. According to the latest Census Bureau Report, 63 percent of college educated women with infant children are in the labor force. Talk to your friends and colleagues. See what works for them, as it just might work for you. If nothing else, it gives you a forum to chat/laugh/vent with others in similar situations.
Love the One You’re With. One of the biggest challenges is trying not to stress about work when you’re with your kids and vice versa. Try to focus on your children when you’re with them (back to that practice/preach line item) but also don’t feel guilty for enjoying your work. Our industry is fast and fun and being a working mom allows our kids added socialization opportunities (daycare/pre-school).
It also helps to be at a company where “work/life balance” isn’t just a trendy term!
Posted Apr 21, 2010 by Kristin Kelly - Account Supervisor |
There has been a recent debate in some states about the rise (and possible fall) and legality of unpaid internships. I understand both sides of the discussion. Whether one agrees or disagrees with unpaid internships, I don’t think there is any question they are a fundamental and a necessary starting point for almost any career.
My first public relations job was a direct result of my college internship, and for the nearly two years I worked as an intern and was fortunate to have a great mentor and learn the day-to-day staple skills that cannot be taught in a class or in a textbook. By the time I graduated, I was ready to take on more responsibility and had a similar PR knowledge base of my colleagues who were already one or two years out of college.
I applaud colleges and universities who make internships a requirement for graduation as well as those who take the initiative to gain early experience in a certain field. With the slowing job market, internships are becoming more competitive, and employers tend to dismiss resumes which do not list at least one or two.
FWV has an impressive internship program and is currently interviewing candidates for the summer semester. In my five years with FWV, I have seen dozens of interns come through our doors, and many have gone on to enjoy successful PR careers across the country as well as with FWV.
Here are a few tips and thoughts to help ensure a successful internship:
- Treat it like your first job – Whether it’s with a PR agency, law firm or non-profit, your internship is one of the most important stepping stones in creating a long-term profession for yourself. Remember, your supervisor is constantly evaluating you and assessing your work, just like any other employee.
- Take initiative – This will get you noticed more than anything. If you find that you have finished the task(s) you’ve been given, ask for additional assignments or offer to help other interns or employees with other projects. It’s never a good thing to be caught at your desk checking status updates on Facebook, the 2010 college football schedule or the sale section on jcrew.com.
- Dress for success – No need to go on a shopping spree at Ann Taylor or Joseph A. Banks, but look the part of a professional. Businesses have clients and meetings in the office daily, and interns are a reflection of the company just as much as the full-time employees.
- We’ve Done It All – Copies? Stuffing envelopes? Absolutely. Our internship days are long gone, but you can always find us at the copier, setting up an assembly line for a media mailing or ordering lunch for a client meeting. Although you may not be sitting in on high-profile meeting or traveling for a client event as an intern, your internship is often a realistic picture of what you can expect in a job. Getting a more concrete idea can help you decide if you’re interested in further pursuing a career in the business or industry.
- Communicate – Make sure to keep the communication lines open with your internship supervisor. If you are interested in writing more press releases, just ask. If your goal is to expand your portfolio to include more media placements, then tell him or her. Your supervisors are your mentors and they want your internship experience to be valuable and meaningful.
