October 2009
TWITBLOGS: What, No Editing?
Submitted by Valerie Donati on Thu, 10/01/2009 - 09:27
Of course Twitter was going to come up with a smart way to innovate AND satisfy customer demand, Twitblogs! Now, you don't have to limit yourself to 140 characters and you can add images, etc. Well, it's certainly a good thing for those of us who like using this social platform to extend our client's causes BUT I kind of liked the short, "must think concisely" older version. Nostalgia. It's getting so 5 minutes ago, isn't it?
Anyway, ok I haven't tweeted for a while, and I have my reasons (going to get back on the train today!) but my laziness aside I like the tightness of the medium BECAUSE it makes you THINK. How can I express something in a meaningful way with just a few words? Yes, we are children (or parents) of the sound bite era so we should be used to this type of short format. But I think most of us found it surprisingly fun, if not a challenge.
Our agency will certainly use this new opp for clients. I will try to get my act together and tweet more regularly. Gosh, there's always something to do, isn't there? LOL!
Source: nirmaltv.com
OLYMPICS IN THE HOUSE
Submitted by Valerie Donati on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 09:24
So, it looks like Chicago is vying for Olympic style status. Apparently, there are two cities in contention for the 2016 games - Chicago and Rio. Hmmm... Which city would I be most like to visit for the games? Sorry Chicago, Rio wins out, but that isn't because you aren't amazing in your own right, it's just...
I guess having a president go to bat for your city isn't a bad thing (I understand he's out there making the case for his hometown to host.) I guess he wants to bring ALL that business to the U.S. (and that is definitely not a bad thing). Not sure I like to see our prez spending his VALUABLE time on this venture, not sure he is, but...
Anyway, being president of the free world means you have to play a lot of pr games (and that's why this subject is in this blog). Public relations may be a good 50 percent (if not more) of any president's job.
So, go for it Obama. Fight for your country's right to PARTY!
Source: odeo.com
CREATIVITY: Where The Heck Does It Come From?
Submitted by Valerie Donati on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 11:02
Someone asked me to do a blog on creativity. They are in a similar industry, so I'm sure they were hoping I would shed a little light on the process, or at least offer up my take on how to tap into creative juices - within context, of course. Well, as you do when you riff, I went off track a bit, landing somewhere on Pollock and how the seeming chaos of his splatter art was actually pure and pleasing order (there is a computer program that can back this claim).
Creativity. I believe EVERYONE is creative, it's just expressed in different ways for different people. Creativity is something everyone needs because the process helps you solve problems and everyone has a problem to solve. Moms need to know what is giving their little ones gas. Kids need to know how to bend the rules and stay up late. PR agencies need to know how to get their clients coverage in the media. Media companies need to know how to position their titles to advertisers. And yes, visual artists need to find something new to paint (or sculpt or whatever.) So, since creativity is something we all can do, why not own it more. Declare yourself people! YOU are the creatives!
Source: ideachampions.com
DO LADIES MIND BEING CALLED "A BROAD?" Not When It's In "The Broadroom!"
Submitted by Valerie Donati on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 09:31
There's a new Webisode series on the net and I LOVE IT! The brainchild of that sassy lady Candace Bushnell of "Sex and the City" fame, "The Broadroom" is a look at a gaggle of gals in business who "go off" on their lives - professional and otherwise. These women are funny, savvy and all too real. Their escapades include closing deals with men by sneaking the scent of vanilla into the proceedings—apparently male cat nip—to waxing poetic about their personal lives: "My sister has 2 kids and doesn't work, I can't imagine asking my husband for money everyday!"
There is a great cast (Jennie Garth, Jennifer Esposito, Talia Balsam, Mary McCann and newcomer Lauren Devereux). These women have style and substance and an all too real approach to what it's like for big city women to make it in biz. I love the female camaraderie, the witty (and honest) dialogue and the great clothes—this is how women in these upper echelons dress. Everything is spot on and I can attest to this because I've seen it in action.
Maybelline is a sponsor so the cursor that leads you through the site is a lipstick tube. Cute. Not sure who Maybelline's demo is, because these are not youngish girls, but I guess they know who they're looking to reach.
What I love most about the series (have I said this before?) is how real it is. Sure the clothes are fun and the banter is upbeat, but the underlying sentiment, at least for me, is bittersweet. Let's make fun of ourselves, but when it all comes down to it we're just "making it happen one day at a time." No matter how glamorous the perception is on the street anyone in that world knows when you enter that world you leave your glamour at the door.
Source: weblogs.wpix.com
PUBLIC SPECTACLE: Public Domain Or None Of Our Business?
Submitted by Valerie Donati on Wed, 10/07/2009 - 09:19
No one likes to be embarrassed in public, that's just the facts. Not only does a public spectacle bring you down, if you have a family it can bring them down along with you. Some of the biggest public spectacles have happened around political figures. Of course, they are public people, after all. Clinton, Spitzer. Not good for them. Not good for the family, and not so good for us on the sidelines watching. Just an overall bummer.
I wasn't up on the Letterman thing when it broke. I had my head in a cloud of another sort that will remain nameless, but when I found out, honestly, I was like, who cares? Sorry. He isn't running the country, he's not a spiritual leader, he's not a teacher. The guy is a performer, a comedian. Yes, he does appear on our TV screens most nights, but again, so what? If he wants to wreck his own marriage and image, that's his business. Of course, it's also the business of the network who could see advertisers bolt.
I don't hold celebrities as examples and/or holders of a specific moral code. Their foibles and failings are their own. They are "artists" and interpreters and just people. Would I like to be married to someone like Dave? No. Would I like him to be a friend I can rely on? No. Doesn't seem to be the trustworthy type. Am I going to spend anymore time considering his silliness? No. He's got his wife and the network to answer to. Oh, and himself. That little voice inside that might want to rethink some life strategies. In the end, that's the toughest critic of all.
Source: mediabistro.com
OBAMA: Arbiter of Peace
Submitted by Valerie Donati on Fri, 10/09/2009 - 09:50
Gosh, now Obama is getting a Nobel Peace Prize. His role keeps getting more interesting by the minute. First, pedaling the Olympics, now this. Well, admittedly, he knew nothing about this pending honor. I'm not saying he doesn't deserve it, but I can tell you this, based on what I do for a living, too much too early is not good for anyone, especially the President of the United States. I'll just bet he knows that...
I remember when Bush was doing his thing, all I could think was WAKE UP and smell the coffee! Your image SUCKS! I wondered, “Wasn't there SOMEONE in Washington that could tell him the truth?” For instance, instead of flying OVER New Orleans just after Katrina, STOP in for a visit. Honestly, most of the big mistakes this man made were manmade. All he had to do was handle some things differently and his overall image wouldn't have been half as bad as it was. The guy put more money toward Africa than any other president and yet you would never ever know it. BAD PR. Who the heck was helping him?
And now this. Mr. President, I know you had nothing to do with it, but really be careful here. The bigger they are the harder they fall. Keep it real.
Source: carolyneweldon.com
MEN GET READY...
Submitted by Valerie Donati on Mon, 10/12/2009 - 10:49
So, there's a new Zappos-inspired start-up that's all about men's pants - it's called Bonobos. Hey, is this about men's pants, or about getting into men's pants? Now, don't get me wrong, I'm a good girl, but aren't Bonobos the apes that solve conflict through sex?
Anyway, BONOBOS! Men, pants and sex. I guess they go together. Men solving conflict through sex? Yeah, I suppose that works. Apes in pants? Getting into trouble here.
All this is to say CHECK IT OUT www.bonobos.com, because we love men, we love pants and we love cute apes that solve conflict any which way they like. LOL!
FASHION RIFF: I Am Not Laura Thomas, So Don't Expect Too Much...
Submitted by Valerie Donati on Tue, 10/13/2009 - 11:03
So, apparently, Lindsay Lohan's fashion collection was panned, pretty hard core. Not sure why she went down this path. Just because you're a muse and can afford Rachel Zoe doesn't necessarily mean you can pull off what is ultimately a darned hard thing to do—design fashion apparel. People do go to school for this stuff after all. Other celebs have met similar fates, Jennifer Lopez comes to mind. And for all their fashion legacy I'm not so sure Tina and Beyonce Knowles should be designing (what works on the stage may not translate, even in a diffused way).
I'll tell you who I think is an amazing designer, Rachel Roy. We had the pleasure of working with her a few years back and she is just TALENTED. She was an intern at Rocawear and started moving up the ranks. She married Damon Dash, started designing for herself and has accomplished the near impossible: success! People love her clothes, the stores love her clothes - I LOVE her clothes! Plus, she's a classy lady. Now, she's not famous like the other girls mentioned above, but she was married to the infamous, and that has to count for something. She could have gone the cheesy, obvious route, but she didn't. She did it her way, with her vision and her way of managing her image and it WORKED, She has garnered respect in the industry, and given her humble beginnings (in fashion) that is no easy thing to do.
My recco Lindsay, call Rachel for advice. She's a winner.
Source: stylenews.com
ELIZABETH TAYLOR: Hollywood Legend, Beauty Icon
Submitted by Valerie Donati on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 11:04
One thing Elizabeth Taylor is known for are those lavender hued eyes. At least that's what everyone says. I can't tell if they're purple or deep blue. Whatever they are, they are beautiful. Today, we talk about old Hollywood glamour and how it is currently influencing the red carpet. We also take note of the beauty looks, whether it's the up do or the matte red lips. But mostly, the clothes get talked about and then the jewelry.
Someone recently said (in the news) that ET was Hollywood's first "It Girl." Well, she wasn't. Clara Bow was. But ET was definitely a force of nature. Men swooned in her presence and made crazy decisions, like umm, I think I'll leave my wife for her. This was the 50s when that type of behavior was not the norm (and shouldn't be now, in my humble opinion).
I think that if ET wasn't the first "It Girl” she was definitely a style icon. And though we think of her mostly in terms of her jewels (that Richard Burton, he thought diamonds would do the trick!), I think when it comes to style it's her beauty that remains in our minds. Her luscious use of lipstick, her pronounced mole, those striking (heavily lined) eyes. And we're not simply referring to her role in “Cleopatra.”
Liz, you have always been stunning, your sweet voice, your adherence to your own inner truth and your ability to move us on and off the screen, will always be an inspiration. I am NOT a fan of making movie stars more than they are. They aren't going to change the world, but they do have a voice and when they use it they can be powerful. ET spoke up for things she believed in long before others were willing to go there (whether you agree with her or not). And she always looked good doing it. Go Liz!
Source: israelidiamond.com
TWITTER LOSING CELEBS: Really?
Submitted by Valerie Donati on Thu, 10/15/2009 - 09:58
Everyone talks about the next Twitter. Not sure what that is going to look like, but of course things do change. For now, though, Twitter is the go-to medium for sending out mini missives about you, your life and what you think. I have to be honest, I'd tweet more if I wasn't in so many meetings. Well, maybe that's not exactly true, and it's not as if I don't have things to say, but tweeting isn't always top of mind.
One of the fun things about Twitter is following celebs, you feel like you're getting the inside scoop, silly ideas, misspelled words and all. Celebs, they're human! But, apparently, some celebs are calling it quits. Let's consider why...
Tweeting, too difficult in between make-up artist sessions and fittings (plus lunch with high roller agents).
Tweeting, gosh what the heck to say?
Tweeting, yikes, now they know what I'm REALLY thinking, will this be bad for my image?
Tweeting, I'm not really doing it myself anyway, so who cares?
Tweeting? Hey, I forgot, why am I doing this again?
And that brings up the point. Why do we tweet? Because we CAN! Rock on Twitter. Give us that place to talk it out. Celebs, do what you do, be famous. Twitter will live, with or without you. Ah, the world is right again.
Source: alloy.com