Window Pain

The New School Way

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:14:00 +0000

Every day we wake up and there is something new on the market that changes the way we obtain our content. From iPods, iPads, and Ereaders, the world of entertainment is changing. Although these changes may scare some people, I feel these outlets create new and exciting opportunities for companies to expand their business models. I think one of the most promising of the three I listed above is iPads and tablets that are on the market. This has taken the laptop computer and made them more portable and powerful, and with that, consumers are going to be using these on the go computers for more of their daily tasks.

Apple has already shipped out 240 million iPhones and iPads, and that number is expected to rise in the future to about 1 billion. That is why most companies are creating HTML5 sites that are compatible with these devices. Since we are making our content more compatible with these devices, everything attached to this content, will have to change along the way to keep up. As a result of this, the more PC compatible companies may see a fluctuation in the amount of consumers that use their services, and companies such as Amazon.com, Netflix, and ITunes will increase in popularity because they have been able to adapt to the changes in the market. Although these are powerhouses already in the industry, I feel they will continue to separate themselves from other companies as we move further into this new realm of technology.

I have mentioned before the importance of continuously expanding ones knowledge of their desired industry in order to remain a competitor. Going into the future, I feel that I will not only keep up with developing trends, but I will also develop the skills to make myself a more desirable employee. I have been asked more than once if I know HTML in an interview, and feel that is not the last time I will be asked that question. Employers are now looking for someone who has is keeping up with the future of the business, and if that requires that I learn about HTML, then that is what I will do.

Resource:

http://njnnetwork.com/2011/07/the-future-of-music-is-the-ipad-and-html5/

Thinking Outside The Box

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 23:45:00 +0000

Once you have worked on creating a business plan that outlines what exactly your business idea is and how it will turn a profit, it is now time to head out and get the funding to get things started. There are several options to find funding for your business. However, it is important to look beyond angel investors and bank loans to alternative financing options. There are a number of resources available to entrepreneurs that can drastically increase your chances of funding your business idea.

The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) is an organization that is focused on developing microenterprises in the United States. They do this through their national membership organization and their support of undeserved entrepreneurs in starting, stabilizing, and expanding their businesses. They believe that every entrepreneur has the ability to create wealth, assets and healthy communities. As an AEO member, you are exposed to over 400 non-profit organizations across the country that provide capital and services to micro and small businesses. In order to join this network you need to sign up on their website and pay a membership fee. Other information that can be found on this site is news articles that are related to AEO’s initiative, along with a search tool that links you with local AEO members (http://www.aeoworks.org).

The Community Development Venture Capital Alliance (CDVCA) is the network that specializes in community development venture capital investing. This type of funding provides capital to businesses that are in neglected markets, with the goal of creating jobs, wealth, and entrepreneurial capacity. The CDVCA has their own source of capital known as the Central Fund, which allows them to invest in untapped markets where they see potential. The CDVCA network membership is open to all organizations and individuals and requires that you participate in the work of CDVCA, assist with CDVCA’s data collection efforts, and that you pay $500 in annual dues. Several benefits that come along with the membership include special discounts and information about the industry. The CDVCA website is also a good place to look for news about venture capital (http://www.cdvca.org).

There are many advantages and disadvantages of using alternative financing to fund your business idea. Some of the advantages are that these websites are very specific about what type of funding they provide and what type of businesses they are looking to distribute that funding. Also, the investors who use these websites are all centrally located therefore you are not limiting yourself to one investor at a time. However, a disadvantage to these type organizations is that they usually require that you become a member and pay dues. Even though it is helpful that you know what type of businesses they are looking for, it may work to your disadvantage if your business doesn’t fall into that category.

They are a lot of resources out there for individuals who are searching for ways to fund their business ideas. It is important to keep an open mind and look into these alternative-financing organizations. With the way the economy is today, it may be difficult to find funding. However, if you find the right organization that focuses on the type of business you are looking to open, you are increasing your chances of finding someone who is willing to help you make your dream come true.

Resources:

http://www.cdvca.org

https://www.aeoworks.org/

Growing a Successful Business Plan

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 01:12:00 +0000

The advice given by professionals such as Bobby Flay and Oprah Winfrey that I wrote about in my last post has proven to be extremely helpful in the creation of my own business plan. Some of the ideas I had a few months ago I have learned aren’t exactly the best for the type of business I want to start. Although what they are advising me to do today may not make much sense, I believe down the road their advice could be what helps me win over investors.

With regards to my own business plan, I have chosen to reevaluate some of the components that it entails in order to increase my chances of success. Among these are my company’s name and its logo. Although the name of my restaurant is concise and reflects the concept behind my restaurant, I do not feel as though it is unique and catchy enough to stand out from my competitors. I also changed my slogan because I felt it didn’t reflect the type of image I wanted to create for my restaurant. It also did not tie in very well with my restaurant name and logo, which is something Bobby Flay and Steve Ells stressed as an essential part of any restaurant idea.

When I first started writing my business plan, I really didn’t have a firm idea as to what type of restaurant I wanted to create. One week I thought I wanted to focus on just serving fresh food from any supplier I could get it from, then the next week I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a fast food restaurant or a more formal dining place. However, I now understand how important it is to really know what my plan is for my restaurant. This will allow me effectively convey my idea to investors.

It is essential for anyone trying to start a business to attract investors. Without capital, it is impossible to start a company. That is why I feel the most important part of any business plan is the financials. You may have an idea that investors may not like, but if you can show that it is profitable, they will be more inclined to invest.

Through all of the research I have done, and after reading articles and watching videos composed by industry experts, I found that they all stress the importance of a good business plan. Whether you want to open a restaurant, or a PR firm that specializes on working with celebrities, it is important to listen and learn from others. This is one of the main things I have taken away from everything I have learned. So firm up your business plan, because much like a celebrities’ bodies, investors will be looking for a flaw in your idea any where they can find one.

Sources:
http://bpexpertviews.blogspot.com/

Cooking Up Something Good

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:51:00 +0000

I have spoken in some of my other posts about my idea of starting a healthy fast food restaurant. Upon learning more about the business of starting a business, I have found along the way that there are a few key components in order to turn an idea into a tangible product. Among these, there are two that are equally as important, and that is the business plan and capital. In order to get the capital to start a business you need to have a solid business plan to present to investors. Investors can be a relative, a bank, or an angel investor. Chipotle’s founder Steve Ells started with an $85,000 loan from his father, while others like Donald Trump and Oprah Winfrey built their empires from the ground up with a unique and clear business plan in mind. (Daszkowski, 2010) Nevertheless, no matter how you get there, somewhere along the way you have to have a plan.

Since I am looking to start a restaurant, I focused mainly on the advice provided by NBC’s America’s Next Great Restaurant investors Bobby Flay and Steve Ells. On of the main points they made was that the name, logo, and slogan must reflect the concept behind the restaurant. All three of these components must be unique, catchy, concise, and they all need to tie together to create one cohesive image. For example, the name of my restaurant includes the word fresh because I want it to reflect how fresh the food will be that we serve. In addition, I have a logo and slogan that tie together the healthiness and sense of community I would like my restaurant to have.

Steve and Bobby are seasoned veterans in the restaurant industry; therefore, they have a lot to teach anyone who is trying to break into this 60% failure rate industry. (Miller, 2007) With that said, it is important when pitching an idea to investors to listen and accept criticism. In the end, their advice could save you thousands of dollars or even your restaurant.

Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Bobby Flay, and Steve Ells (not to name drop or anything) all agree that when it is all said and done, a business idea needs to be focused and easily conveyed to investors. Nic Brisbourne, partner of DFJ Esprit, points out the importance of this when he said, “If you really don’t know what your plans are, you cannot effectively convey them to potential partners and investors.” So when creating a business plan make sure you have fully developed your idea, and that you have presented it in a way that investors are able to understand.

I have said it once, and I will say it again, learn from other's mistakes. The people I have mentioned above, and the advice they have given, will help you create a business plan that is enticing to investors. So, get that grand opening sign printed because you are on your way to opening up America's next great restaurant.

Sources:

http://franchises.about.com/b/2010/06/28/history-of-chipotle-mexican-grill.htm

http://bpexpertviews.blogspot.com/

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/apr2007/sb20070416_296932.htm

Nothing in This World is Absolut

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:34:00 +0000

You are all dolled up and ready for a night out on the town with your friends. Who knows you may even spot someone like Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton getting a little sloppy. You arrive at the bar and when asked by the bartender what you want to drink your mind goes blank. So how do you decide? How do you choose from all those bottles lined up behind the bar? You know how much you want to spend, because even though you want to live like a celeb you can’t afford to drink like one, and you know you want vodka. The options are endless but for some reason you start to lean towards drinking Absolut, but why?

There is something in the back of your mind making you favor Absolut over any of the other vodkas, and that reason is the company’s social media and marketing efforts. When all is lost, we resort to what we know. You have Absolut’s “Drinkspiration” app downloaded on your phone and you have seen the company’s YouTube channel series featuring celebrities like Ali Larter, Jay-Z, and Kanye West. On top of that, you have been linked to their website, you have liked them on Facebook, you have seen their tweets on Twitter, and you have heard their tagline “In an Absolut world” several times in the last month. All of this combined has left the Absolut name lingering in your mind so that when it comes time to make a decision their vodka is the one you choose.

Absolut appears to have some of the most advanced social media and marketing efforts I have seen out of all the major vodka brands. Because of their integration into smart phones, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, their brand is embedded in everyone's mind. So when is comes down to choosing what vodka to drink, their brand is the one that sticks out the most.

I think what Absolut has done with their social media and marketing efforts has really separated them from their competition. As I mentioned above, I have not seen such a wide variety of marketing initiatives from any other brand of vodka. Smirnoff runs a serious of commercials, but other than that, they have not been as prevalent on the Internet as Absolut. The strategy Absolut has in place is one that is effective and holds true to their brand. They have one of the most impressive websites with instructional videos, easily accessible links to their social networking sites, and countless other resources. So next time you are at the bar searching for the perfect drink, will your choice be Absolut?

See which of your favorite celebrities love Absolut by clicking here.

* Disclaimer: All statements regarding drinking are geared towards those who are of the legal age to do so and in no way encourages anyone who is not of age to obtain or consume alcoholic beverages.

References:

http://www.absolut.com/us

http://www.youtube.com/absolutworld

Press Conference

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 04:39:00 +0000

Click To Continue

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 03:14:00 +0000

All the cool kids are doing it and so you should you. Highly interactive rich media ads have been a sector of advertising that has shown great potential. Unfortunately, due to the harsh economic times companies haven’t been investing money into this sector of advertising. However, with the recovery of the economy just over the horizon many companies are digging right in and starting to invest in the very lucrative form of advertising. Among these companies are Apple, Google, and Yahoo! (not to name drop or anything). With some of the biggest names in the industry fighting for the number one spot, the use of interactive media ads is going to literally be popping up every where.

Leading the way in the race, as with most technologically advanced initiatives, is Apple with the introduction of iAds. Following their lead is Google with their acquisition of Admob, Adobe’s collaboration with Greystripe, and Yahoo! with their own unnamed media-rich advertising platform. Apple has already created ads for big names such as Nike and the movie Toy Story 3. While Yahoo! has partnered up with Paramount and DreamWorks Animation for Shrek Forever After. It has also been discussed that these companies will continue to tailor their interactive ads to pair up with the many attributes these mobile devices already possess. One of these features that advertisers plan to take advantage of is GPS tracking. With the ability to locate consumers, ads will then be customized to what is available in that area specifically.

Although this type of advertising may seem ideal to these companies, with individuals reporting profits around $1,500 from a single day on iAds, some consumers are just annoyed with it. While trying to scroll through to find a restaurant to eat at, who wants an ad that takes up half of your phone screen to interrupt your search? I don’t, but it probably will get me thinking about whatever happens to pop up on my screen. So, mission accomplished advertisers! Either way, whether we like them or not, interactive rich media ads are the future of advertising and I would rather be hanging with the “cool kids” than sitting in the corner handing out my print advertisements alone.

References:
http://www.businessinsider.com/iphone-developer-brags-1400-in-iad-revenue-in-one-day-at-150-ecpm-2010-7
http://techcrunch.com/2010/04/08/apple-announces-iad-mobile-advertising-platform/
http://ymobileblog.com/blog/2010/05/20/a-new-class-of-mobile-display-advertisement/
http://sproutinc.com/2010/06/why-highly-interactive-display-advertising-spend-is-about-to-jump/

Doing It On Your Own

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Thu, 26 May 2011 20:34:00 +0000

You have just written a book you believe you want to publish and distribute to consumers. However, when you search for an agent to help you get your work published you learn agents only work with established authors. Therefore, you are thinking to yourself, “How do I become a well-known author if no one will publish my work?” The answer is, publish it yourself. How do you do that? Well lucky for you I am here to help. There are several options you can choose from for self-publishing, and as Amanda Hocking has shown us, if done correctly you will have publishers knocking at your door.

As seen in a recent article posted on Mashable.com there are multiple sites to help you get your work to the people. Among theses are LuLu, CreateSpace, and CafePress. Each of these sites has pros and cons and it is important to evaluate which one works best for you and your target market. Amanda Hocking self-published her work on CreateSpace and made her books available on Kindle. By the end of her self-publishing efforts, she had published 17 books and sold over 600,000 copies all on her own. As a result, the publishing companies came crawling to her begging and pleading for her to sign a deal with them. It is important to remember to also set aside time each day to market and promote your book. You can do this through emails, blogs, newsletters, social media, and many other resources. Additional methods you can use to promote your work are by first by listing your book in R.R. Bowker’s Books In Print. From there if you want to sell your books in libraries secure a library of congress number, secure an UPC, ISBN, and EAN-13 for your book, list you book with major, and participate in trade shows. The combination of these may help you become a better known writer within the industry and by doing so you may be able to secure a contract with a publishing company.

All of the hard work you put into writing a book may go unnoticed if you do not position yourself correctly in the market. Just because you aren’t Nicolas Sparks or Stephen King doesn’t mean that you can’t get your work published. Through time and effort, your work has the potential to reach as many people as it would had if it were publish by McGraw Hill. So, don’t close up your laptop quite yet and give up your dream of one day publishing your masterpiece because where there is a will there is a way and with the publishing industry there are enough resources available that you can do this on your own.

References:

http://mashable.com/2009/03/01/publish-book/

www.WHATDOIDO.com/helpmeplease!

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Thu, 26 May 2011 20:27:00 +0000

Hi, my name is Allison Schell and I am addicted to the Internet. Google, LinkedIn, Twitter, People.com, and of course the leader of the them all, Facebook, have become a part of my life much like brushing my teeth. I get up every day and the first thing I do is check my Gmail, then my Facebook, and lastly I head on over and check out if any celebrities have been caught misbehaving last night on People.com. Technology has become such a large part of our lives that it would be difficult to avoid it even if we wanted to. So, it is no surprise companies are starting to use the resources technology has to offer to help reach more consumers. With that said, it is important that any company, especially if you are attempting to have your own business, is utilizing these resources to maximize their exposure to consumers. As I have mentioned in my last post, it is important to learn from others who have been successful or who have failed in your industry. Whether is be the layout of your story, the warnings on your labels, or the website for you company, try to avoid making the same mistakes others have in the past.

One of the most important things for you to do when starting a business is to make sure you have a website. It is important that your website reflects the brand's personality since this is where all of your other efforts will direct your consumers, besides your brick and mortar location if you have one. So once again, to the Internet I went. There I found through Mashable.com, examples of six other companies whose websites have played a major role in the successful of their companies.

Once reviewing these websites there are several key items they found that are important for small business owners to focus on when creating or redesigning their websites. These elements include:

▪ Provide a succinct product description and purchasing instructions.

▪ Choose a Web design that enhances content, rather than distracts from it.

▪ If you are asking users to interact with content, opt for a simple call-to-action prompt.

▪ Ensure the site is easy to navigate.

▪ Drive conversation by choosing engaging topics and asking interesting questions via a corporate blog.

▪ Put your service at the forefront. Don't make users dig for it.

Designing a website can be tricky. That is why I suggest that if you are looking to develop website that you hire a professional. Code writing for web pages isn’t something one can pick up over night, and sometimes we need the guidance of a professional to help us create a website that fits our needs. Don't worry that you are going to break your already empty piggy bank, because just like in Hollywood, if you know the right people you can find someone to do this work for a fraction of the cost. But be careful when choosing a web designer, because just like agents, you need to find a one that is a good fit for you. So shop around, beause in the end the return you will see for a great website will outweigh any hassle you had to endure to develop it.

References:

http://mashable.com/2011/05/21/small-business-websites

Restaurant, Regulations, and Laws….OH MY!

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:44:00 +0000

Just when you thought you had all the laws and regulations organized in a nice little neat folder in your head they go a head and change them. Unfortunately, this is something that happens all too often no matter what industry you are in. As I have mentioned in some of my other posts, I am in the process of putting together a plan to open a healthy fast food restaurant. So with all of the fun legal terms and theories I have been learning recently, I thought it would be wise to look into what type of laws and regulations there are for the restaurant industry. While doing so, I found a series of podcasts that have discussions with industry experts, and members of the California Restaurant Association, that discuss certain laws and regulations that are in place that effect the restaurant industry.

One of the biggest issues they pointed out in the podcasts is the regulation that is in place regarding meal and rest breaks for employees. This is an avoidable mistake that can cost restaurants a lot time and money in litigation. So what exactly are the regulations? Mark Spring, an attorney at Carlton, DiSante & Freudenberger LLP, discusses on the In The Know podcast series the different regulations that are currently in place in the state of California regarding this subject. In his interview he outlines that the regulations for meal and rest breaks are that for every four-hour shift an employee works they are to be provided one, ten-minute rest break that is paid. The second regulation with regards to meal breaks requires is that for every five hour shift an employee works they are to be provided one thirty minute unpaid meal break. Although these are the standard regulations that are in place, there are exceptions. One of those exceptions is union organized collective bargaining agreements. These agreements are made with unions regarding what meal and rest break regulations will be for union members at that particular company. Murphy v. Kenneth Cole was a case regarding meal and rest breaks where the outcome changed the regulations for this issue. One concern that was addressed in this case was whether or not the wage earned in the hour the employee should have been provided a meal break was considered a wage or a penalty. The ruling on this case, that changed the statute of limitation regulation from one to four years, was that it would be considered a wage. The change to the statute of limitation meant that an employee could now sue for any violation of the meal and rest break regulations from the past four years instead of just one.

Mr. Spring also discusses changes that have been made to the California Labor and Employment Laws that directly affect the restaurant industry. These changes are the addition of the military spouse leave law, AB 1268, the hands free law, and the mandatory sexual harassment training regulation. The military spouse leave law requires that a company with 25 or more employees provide employees who are spouses of military personnel 2 weeks unpaid leave. AB 1268 is a law that requires that a company provide certain documents to their customers if their computer data is breached, this is particularly important if the data breached contains medical and insurance information. The hands free law requires that any individual operating a vehicle use a hands free system. Also, this law states that and anyone who is under the age of 18 are not permitted to use any type of mobile device while operating a vehicle. Lastly, one of the additions to the California Labor and Employment Law is the requirement of all employees attend mandatory 2-hour sexual harassment training.

There are a lot of regulations and laws for each industry that you need to educate yourself on. Whether you are the business owner or the employee, it is important that you consistently check with your state organizations to ensure that you are keeping up with regulation changes. By doing so you could save yourself a lot of time and money that you can invest in more important things like your company. Always remember a happy employee is a productive employee. So keep them smiling!

Sources:

http://networldcra.wordpress.com/

Images:

http://cyndysalzmann.wordpress.com/2008/07/

http://www.shapard.com/employees.html

http://www.derekerdman.com/lup/pntgs/5/take_a_break_why_not.htm

http://networldcra.wordpress.com/

Ooopss! We're Sorry.

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:35:00 +0000

With any company whether is be a celebrity PR firm or like the business I am trying to start, a healthy fast food restaurant, you are going to have legal liabilities that you need to take into consideration. The good news is that they are usually companies in the past that have made mistakes that you can learn from, and hopefully prevent from happen to your own business. While I was looking into what preventative measures I was going to have to take for my fast food restaurant, I came across a number of cases that after reading, I have learned a lot of valuable lessons from and that have given me a better understanding on what has shaped the fast food industry into what it is today.

One of the more recent of these cases was Ashley Pelman v. McDonald’s Corp. This lawsuit against McDonalds mainly focuses on the food that McDonalds serves and how they are portraying the foods nutritional value to consumers. In his particular case, Ashley Pelman, along with three other plaintiffs, was alleging that the making and selling of McDonalds products were deceptive and that that this deception had caused minors who consumed McDonalds’ products to injure their health by becoming obese. In then end the lawsuit cost McDonalds over $12 million.

A second case while poking around on the internet was one that could easily happen at my restaurant, and that has happened to many in the past, the Chude v. Jack In The Box Inc. case. In this particular court case the plaintiff was burned from spilling her coffee that she had gotten from a Jack In The Box drive through all over herself. A similar case took place back in 1993 when a woman named Stella Liebeck was rewarded $2.86 million because her McDonalds coffee burned her. This particular case changed the way coffee is served in the fast food industry and why when you order a hot beverage at a fast food restaurant you will find a, “Caution hot”, warning on every hot beverage cup.

Lastly one case that I found to be relevant to my industry was the Antoninetti v. Chipotle Mex. Grill, Inc. This was a situation where Chipotle restaurants were said to be violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. The restaurant was accused of violating the ADA due to the fact that a wheelchair bound man wasn’t able to order because the height of the counter was too high. In the end this case did not cost Chipotle an exorbitant amount of money. However, it did shape the way Chipotle builds their restaurant counters and how future restaurants like them will build theirs in the future.

After reviewing all three of these law lawsuits I have learned a lot and have seen how I will be able to apply these lessons to my own business plan. The first of these involves the type of advertising I will use to promote the food and services offered through my restaurant. To avoid accusations such as the ones seen in the Pelman case, I will make sure that my advertisements are in no way promising something that my restaurant cannot back one hundred percent. Although I want to say you will be a healthier individual by eating at my restaurant, I can’t run the risk of someone who eats there encountering health problems. This could come back on my restaurant and me for serving food that I said would make them healthier and that in the end did no such thing. Another issue is with regards to kids’ meals. McDonalds was accused of having Happy Meal toys, play areas, and birthday parties at their restaurants to lure children to eat there. I originally came up with a plan to have a children’s reward program that would give children a toy once they came to my restaurant five times. This would all be done to encourage children to eat the healthier food at my restaurant. However, after reviewing the McDonald’s case, I will be more cautious when implementing such an initiative that encourages minors to eat at my restaurant. Also, with regards to the food I serve and the containers they are served in, I will take precautions to ensure that they have the proper warnings clearly stated and visible to consumers. This will ultimately help prevent cases such as the Liebeck vs. McDonald’s Inc. Finally, when designing my restaurant’s internal and external features, I will be sure to not overlook the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. This will help ensure that my restaurant is fully equipped to service anyone with a disability.

In the end you can’t protect you and your company against every liability possible. However, it does help to look back at cases that have taken place in your particular industry and to learn from other’s mistakes. As you can see from the examples above, people are waiting to benefit from your misfortunes and in the end you can never know too much about your industry. So study up, because one-thing celebrities have taught us over the years is that you never know what will happen next (i.e. Charlie Sheen).

Sources:

http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&biw=1384&bih=693&tbs=isch:1&aq=f&aqi=g-s1g-sx8g-msx1&oq=&q=crazy%20charlie%20sheen

http://caselaw.findlaw.com/summary/opinion/us-2nd-circuit/2005/01/25/127985.html

http://caselaw.findlaw.com/summary/opinion/us-9th-circuit/2010/07/26/250834.html

http://caselaw.findlaw.com/summary/opinion/ca-court-of-appeal/2010/05/27/170014.html

http://banzhaf.net/docs/nyckids.html

http://nlpc.org/stories/2010/08/24/chipotle-grill-restaurants-victim-lawsuit-shakedown-artist

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1186037/caution-i-m-hot-are-we-protecting-consumers-or-making-them-dependent-on-the-law-

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.newsrealblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/lessons-learned-bulb.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/04/04/american-universitys-left-wing-campus-theater-inadvertently-teaches-right-lessons/&usg=__6vdHhanbdLo4aNwRg6OBgm9cCoY=&h=493&w=612&sz=70&hl=en&start=0&sig2=BelfkYXskl86P1f5g_qpSg&zoom=1&tbnid=DMQgQDD0c85uvM:&tbnh=161&tbnw=133&ei=O56UTYXdF5L0tgfG4qj2Cw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlesson%2Blearned%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Den%26biw%3D1384%26bih%3D693%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=429&oei=AJ6UTZa7LNS4tge61cnoCw&page=1&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:13,s:0&tx=71&ty=89

Too Much of a Good Thing

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 04:31:00 +0000

Television shows, movies, and music videos - what do all of these things have in common? They all have been bombarded with product placement. Although this is a very effective way to advertise to consumers, I believe this art form has been taken a little too far. I understand the appeal of placing a product in popular television shows, such as the Kin on ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars or Chevy cars on the hit CBS television show Hawaii Five-O. However, companies seem to be too concerned about placing the products in the shows and movies but not how they are going to do so fluidly. I have recently seen on television shows where they zoomed in on a shot of a product that seemed to be forced and unconventional. After watching such a shot, I have found that I am left with no remembrance of what the product actually was that was being advertised, but instead how awkward and unnatural looking it all seemed. With that being said, has product placement gone too far? Or, is the art of product placement not yet perfected?

When I think of a music video where product placement seems to interrupt the natural flow of the video, Lady Gaga’s “Telephone” is one that seems to stand out. With approximately 11 products placed throughout, ranging from Miracle Whip to Plenty of Fish dating site, Lady Gaga took product placement in the music industry to a whole new level. Products in the past have been placed in music videos to help finance big budget videos; however, more recently it seems the artists are compromising the craft of music videos to fit as many products in as possible to finance their elaborate videos. Recently via twitter, Katy Perry expressed her feelings regarding product placement in music videos:

"Most, if not ALL popsters welcome deals w/products 2 offset costs of big budget vids in these recessional music industry times. I'VE used them in MY vids before & am happy 2b able 2 make a better vid because of.”

I thought this was an interesting opinion from an artist’s standpoint. Katy agrees with the placement of these products and does not view product placement in videos as something corrupting the industry. Another point Katy made in an earlier post with regards to product placement is that it all comes down to how tastefully the product placement is done. Personally, if done properly, I think product placement in television shows, movies, and music videos is an effective way to advertise. Though, I do believe it is always important to remember that sometimes less is better. So make sure your product placement is well thought out and artfully done.

Sources:

http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=121&p=8144&more=1&c=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVBsypHzF3U

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/heard/12600/has-product-placement-in-music-videos-gone-too-far/

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/30/screen-grabs-pretty-little-liars-is-tvs-newest-home-to-egregio/

http://www.fitceleb.com/node/8978

Crisis Averted

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:14:00 +0000

Your seemingly perfect client just made a major faux pas. What do you do now? Although there are many ways to address the situation, I have found three basic steps that I feel are a great way to make sure the situation is taken care of properly. So put on your wind breaker pants and *NSYNC t-shirt and think back to those days in elementary school when you were taught to stop, drop, and roll if you were ever on fire. These same steps can be applied to a PR crisis to help you put the “fire” out and salvage whatever career your client may have left.

Stop. Take a minute to get yourself and your facts together. You don’t want to go into an interview or a press conference unprepared. Make sure you have all of the information and when asked a question make sure you follow any yes, no, or maybe answers with an explanation. One of the biggest things to keep in mind is to never answer a question you do not know the answer to, adding one wrong comment to the disaster will only fuel the fire. To ensure that everyone gets the correct story, make sure that all the information given is consistent and correct. To help achieve this it would be wise to elect a spokesperson, in most cases this will be you, and make sure that no one else gives any information regarding the crisis other than you. Lastly, to make sure you can handle any questions that may be asked, brainstorm any questions you may be given at the press conference and the answers you will give in response.

Drop. Drop the first statement to public of the information regarding the crisis before the media gets their hands on it. The media is out there to do one thing and that is to sell magazines and to get viewers to tune in to their TV shows. In order to achieve these goals, they will manipulate any information they get any way they want with no regard to how it may impact your clients career. Giving the first statement can also reassure the public that your client is taking responsibility for their actions and admitting to what they have done wrong. It is important that when you or your client is making an apology or statement to not just say I’m sorry. Jason Mudd, a PR expert at AXIA, has developed a model that will help you or your client address the situation properly.

Confess. State what you did. Own up to it. Be clear and candid. Give enough details.

Apologize. Say, “I apologize” — not just I’m sorry — for whatever it is you did.

Rectify. How will you make the current situation better? What are the short-term/reactive measures?

Prevention/Reformation. What are the long-term/preemptive steps that will assure this doesn’t happen again — ever?

Seek forgiveness. This is important. Don’t forget to ask for forgiveness from your employees, shareholders, customers, community and other stakeholders and those impacted.

Roll. Roll with whatever happens from here on out. Although you may seek forgiveness you may not always get it. It is important though to make sure that you have a plan as to how you are going to handle any future problems. It is always better to have a strategy and solution drafted up rather than to be surprised and unprepared.

Stop, drop, and roll can be effective if you are on fire, but it may not be as straight forward and effective when it comes to PR disasters. However, if you use the tips I have given above you may be left with first degree burns rather than third, and a career that can be salvaged rather than one that has burned to ashes.

Sources:

http://gigaom.com/collaboration/how-to-productively-handle-a-pr-crisis/

http://www.ehow.com/how_4582621_handle-public-relations-crisis.html
Images:

http://www.miamiduiattorneyblog.com/2009/09/
http://www.fire-extinguisher101.com/tips.html

Let's Make A Deal

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 12:52:00 +0000

Sweaty palms, shaky voice, butterflies in your stomach. No you aren’t about to give a speech, but rather you are about to go in to negotiate a deal that could make or break your career. It seems that whether it be negotiating a pay raise with our boss, to negotiating a contract with a company for our client to do work for them, at one point in time we will have to negotiate. With this in mind, I asked an industry professional about certain aspects of negotiation and how they interpret and address each one in their own negotiations. Here are the questions and responses from a man who has worked with companies such as Vitamin Water, Dr. Scholl’s, and Marzetti:

How does using objective criteria help when negotiation?

Objective criteria are important to use because that type of information is uninfluenced, is not a personal observation, and does not involve any type of personal biases or preconceived notions. I have found that objective criteria can provide a good foundation for negotiations and helps set standards for fair and reasonable terms. Also, I have found that is helps me judge what the other person is using as measurement for success which helps guide me to a discussion that focuses on addressing those portions of the deal. The only time I find it beneficial to use subjective criteria is when you are trying to understand the perception of the other negotiator during the deal. Then you take that emotion and try to use subjective criteria to help strengthen the deal.

How do you feel separating people from the problem helps when you’re negotiating?

I feel as though this portion ties back into your first question about using objective criteria. If I come into a negotiation with a list of numbers and proven facts I am able to focus more on the problem than the people who caused the problem. This also helps me negotiate a deal that is best for the problem in front of us rather than meeting someone’s personal goals. However, it is some times important to connect people to the problem because it could provide you with pertinent information that could help your negotiation. For most negotiations it is important to separate the people from the problem, but then there are rare situations when you have to bring people in to protect your position and to secure the best deal.

Do you feel it is easier to negotiate when you have other options than the deal you are negotiating?

Yes I feel this is very important because it allows you to be less flexible with the terms of the deal, and it provides you with a stronger negotiating position. Also, by having a good alternative option you can ask for terms you normally wouldn’t ask for because it will never hurt to ask. This could also help you find out what the other person can actually offer rater than what they are willing to offer. It is important either way to have in a mind a point in the negotiation where you would take the deal or walk away.

How does someone’s leverage and power effect a negotiation?

During negotiating the more power and leverage you have the more control you have over the negotiation. This type of power can also provide you with the capability to make offers and deals that other people cannot. With this type of power you negotiate with more certainty and also it can force you to try to make a better deal because you know what you say is final.

Do you think it is important to show appreciation for the other side when you are negotiating?

I think it is important to show appreciation but you need to make sure it does not expose a weakness that will give the other side leverage and power. I do believe that it is important to connect with someone on a personal level because it makes him or her more relaxed and willing to negotiate. By making them feel more relaxed, it increases your chances of coming to an agreement and forms a stronger relationship for future business.

Have you ever used an affiliation you had with the other person to help you make a deal?

I have done this before, and even if it is the simplest of connections, I have found that finding something you have in common with the other person can really change the negotiation. You always want to try to find this connection before you head into any negotiation. The more you can affiliate yourself with the other side the better. Through affiliations we can make the other person feel as though we are equal.

How do you feel autonomy plays a role in negotiating?

I feel that autonomy shows that you are a decision maker. Someone who can do the deal on their own and this provides you with more power than someone who is trying to make a deal that could ultimately be reject by their boss. I have found that this helps people take the negotiation more seriously because they are single handedly responsible for the outcome of the negotiation. Also, through my own experience that by knowing I have this decision making power, I am more comfortable because I able to answer questions with certainty and it makes you invest in the negotiation.

How to you feel the role someone has factors into a negotiation?

I view role as what a person’s responsibility is with regards to the negotiation. For example, the marketing department is looking to get the best promotional package in the deal while the finance department is more focused on the budget. Understand what portion of the negotiation you are responsible for can help you focus on what terms and conditions you will settle for while still pleasing all of the other departments involved. This part of a negotiation can be extremely difficult if one department is getting what they want while another is not.

How do you deal with negative emotions you may have towards another person involved in the negotiation?

I typically try to empathize with the other person and address any issues because the negotiation even begins. I have found that this helps remove any negative emotions and helps set a good tone for the rest of the negotiation. This is imperative to set all negative emotions aside to help you maintain control of the negotiation.

Do you tend to search for a deal that will be mutually beneficial for everyone involved or do you tend to try to make a deal that will only benefit your side?

I always try to negotiate a deal that will please not only myself but the other side as well. I have found this to be the best approach because you don’t want the other side to come out of the negotiation feeling that they were conned into a bad deal. It is important for them to establish a positive relationship because you don’t know when the tables may be turned and you need that persons help in the future. I have found too that when you have their best interest at hear when it comes time for you to ask for a favor, or if you make a mistake they are more willing to work with you rather than get seek revenge.

How do you approach and address dirty tricks and/or tactics when that may arise during negotiations?

I have never had this happen to me, and personally I would find it disrespectful if someone tried to undermine me, I would address the situation immediately. From there I would express my concerns and how I would not continue the negotiation until I was comfortable in my environment and with the terms of the negotiation.

I have found through this interview that negotiations in the real world aren’t as harsh and deceiving as I thought. However, I do understand that there may be cases where you will go into a negotiation where the other side may not have your best interest at heart. In these situations, I think it is important for you to gather your information, go in there with confidence, and to not let them back you into a corner. In the end of the negotiation you need to put on your Howie Mandel pants and ask the other person, “Deal, or no deal?”

Start a Revolution

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 17:33:00 +0000

Listen to Ted.com Speech

I think one of the most important things, whether it be becoming a PR agent or starting a healthy fast food restaurant like I want to do, you have to have passion. If you go into a career, a project, or anything you may do in life without passion I believe you will live an unfulfilled life. Celebrities raise millions of dollars for charities because they are passionate about them. New inventions such as the iPhone and iPod exist today because someone was passionate about technology. As I was looking at videos on Ted.com I came across one that showed someone with a lot of passion about changing the eating habits of Americans. That person was Jamie Oliver, and he took that passion and created his very own food revolution.

Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution is about saving American lives by changing the way they eat. His mission to do so took him to the most overweight city in the U.S., Huntington, West Virginia. Once there, Jamie ‘s goal was to educate the community about how terrible the school’s food system was and how it is easy to change the way they were eating. He saw something wrong in the way people were living and he developed a passion and a goal to make it better. In his lecture on Ted.com, Jamie points out that every eighteen minutes four people will die from the food that they eat, that children today will have a shorter lifespan than their parents because of the food that they eat, and that the biggest cause of American deaths are diet related diseases. Every time we turn on our televisions there is another show, The Biggest Loser on NBC and Heavy on A&E, trying to educate Americans about this epidemic. Jamie Oliver has shown what one man’s passion can accomplish and I think that this is a step in the right direction to help change America’s eating habits.

My own passion for this topic has led me to create the idea of my own health food fast food restaurant. While researching why more people do not eat healthier food, one factor that seemed to stand out the most was cost. The biggest obstacles I have encountered while trying to create a healthier restaurant is finding a way to keep the price of the food down while still having as much fresh and organic food as possible. However, I also found in my research that it isn’t necessarily the cost of the food that makes it more expensive, but also the cost of running the buildings that add to the high costs. So I figured that although it may cost me more in the beginning to create a more green restaurant, once these new systems are implemented and the locations are running as efficiently as possible, it will then become easier to have lower food prices since we won’t have such high bills in utilities and machinery that we need to cover. Ways that I have found to help make my restaurant more sustainable to reduce costs are through my energy, water, waste, disposables, chemicals and pollution reduction, and food systems. Other companies in the industry that have taken these initiatives are Chipotle, McDonalds, Subway, and Taco Bell. With my desire to not only serve healthier food, but also to create a more environmentally friendly restaurant, I will be able to reduce my cost and solve the problem of high priced healthy fast food.

Passion, imagination, and innovation have led us into 2011 with some of the most advanced technology and inventions that have improved our lives and environment. I have taken my passion and put it towards creating a healthy fast food restaurant, you may take your passion for PR to open a new agency like Johnathan Cheban did. Whatever you do though commit to it with everything you have. You may be pleasantly surprised how far a little hard work and a lot of passion can take you.

Friend Request Accepted

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:53:00 +0000

Many of us log into our social networking sites multiple times a day. Checking our Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and LinkedIn accounts has become part of our daily routines. There are over 500 million active users on Facebook, 175 million on Twitter, 100 million on MySpace, and 65 million users on LinkedIn. Due to the large number of users and the increase in popularity of these sites, it comes as no surprise that companies have added these resources to their repertoire of tools to help promote their clients. Sites such as Twitter and Facebook have given celebrities a unique way to establish a closer relationship with their fans and to promote their causes. Recently a group of celebrities joined together to raise money for Keep a Child Alive by refusing to update any of their Twitter of Facebook accounts until they had raised $1million. Stunts like this to raise money for charity or to create publicity for a celebrity’s new project or product will become increasingly popular in the coming year when these sites become bigger themselves.

So why are these sites so great for publicity? One of the biggest advantages of social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn is the ability to reach a certain niche group of consumers. These sites provide information such as age, geographic location, education level, interests, and many other useful amounts of information that can be used to help target a certain consumers.

Interaction with consumers through social networking sites has created a more personal connection between celebrities and their fans. Following celebrities on twitter has allowed fans to connect with their favorite musicians, TV stars, movie stars, and companies while at the same time allowing these individuals and companies the opportunity to promote and reach millions of their fans within seconds. Also, companies have been able to communicate with a larger number of people in a more formal way then they could have through press releases and other informal ways of communication. The interaction has become more personal, and therefore it makes people feel that they are more involved.

There are a number of other benefits to using social networking sites that could help you as celebrity PR agent. With the information and access to consumers that these sites allow we can reach more people in our niche market, for less money, and in a shorter amount of time. So follow me on Twitter, friend request me on Facebook, and link up with me on LinkedIn because I may be that one consumer who is looking to buy what you’re selling.

Sources:

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1653667/alicia-keys-digital-death-campaign-reaches-million-goal.jhtml

 http://www.nytimes.com/allbusiness/AB11702023_primary.html 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/may/08/socialnetworking.twitter http://

www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics http://s0.2mdn.net/1833838/TGjeter.html?rfp=http://

www.tgdaily.com/software-brief/52284-twitter-on-pace-to-reach200-million-users-by-2011 

http://www.numberof.net/number-of-linkedin-users

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myspace

Bon Appétit!

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 20:26:00 +0000

I know in my last blog post that I didn’t mention one of my favorite PR companies, and now after reading my blog probably yours too, Command PR. So as I was brainstorming ideas as to what my next blog was about, I began to think of the different promotional events Command PR has put together. While searching the Internet for the answer to my question, I noticed that a big player in celebrity appearances and events is restaurants. Coincidentally I have been in the process of putting together a business plan for a healthy fast food restaurant of my own. I then got my creative juices flowing to think of what ties two of my favorite worlds, celebrities and restaurants, together and I realized they both have taken initiatives to save the planet. Celebrities do it through their generous donations and active involvement in impoverished nations. Restaurants do so through making their food as organic as possible and the buildings in which these delectable dishes are served in environmentally friendly. While doing my research I became more and more interested in how I could do my part in helping the planet through my restaurant and who could help me accomplish this goal. As I was stumbling around on the Internet I found that other restaurants in my industry had chosen to go through the U.S. Green Building Council to help certify their green movement initiatives.

So what exactly in the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)? According to the USGBC website, they are a 501 c3 non-profit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. This nonprofit’s committee is consist of builders, environmentalists, corporations, nonprofit organizations, elected officials, teachers, students, and environmentally concerned citizens all who have the common goal of protecting the environment and building green.

To help support their initiative, the USGBC has developed their internationally recognized green building certification system LEED. I think that this type of certification is changing the restaurant industry because it has given recognition where other green organizations may not have. When researching other green restaurant certification programs I noticed that they did not only require that the buildings be green, but the food to be completely organic. Most restaurants, including my own, are not capable of achieving both aspects of those requirements while still maintaining their price point. I feel that the USGBC provides restaurants with the support that they need to make the smallest changes to their businesses to help the environment. This organization has shown to be a great way for restaurants to become certified for the green initiatives they have taken because even the smallest changes can make a big difference.

The USGBC has taken their green goal further by providing not just the opportunity to become LEED certificated, but by providing an educational platform on their website for various environmental issues, news on current organizations and the programs they are involved in, events that the USGBC are involved with and that business can be a part of, and a list of resources you can use to help educate others on the USGBC. Understanding how to join the green movement and the USGBC organization can help position any restaurant above their competition.

Being a part of an organization or program in any industry can be extremely rewarding. Not only does it show your company’s support for a cause, it establishes a sense of comradery with other businesses in the industry that also belong to such programs. These types of connection can become helpful in the future when you are looking to expand or break into other industries. So if you want Command PR turning to you for their next event, or if you want Lady Gaga and other famous celebs to be photographed leaving your fabulous business, get involved in these types of programs that make your company different, and don’t forget green is the new black!

Sources:

http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=124

Passion For Life

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 21:19:00 +0000

I woke up this morning thinking to myself what am I passionate about? In one of my earlier post I mentioned how I wanted to work with celebrities and musicians because of the passion and love they have for their crafts. As I sat at my desk further pondering what exactly I had that same type of fervor for as these clients I hope to one day represent, I was struggling more than I would like to admit to come up with an answer. But then I had a revelation that led me to believe I wasn’t as lost as I thought. Maybe there isn’t one specific thing that I am passionate about at this point in my life, maybe it is a combination of smaller things that make me passionate about life in general. So when I took to TED.com to find a speech about something I am interested in, passionate about, or and industry I hope to one day work in. I was pleasantly surprised to find a speech an individual gave at Harvard University’s Commencement ceremony in 2008. This individual, who is quite the celebrity herself, was JK Rowling and her speech was about life. She focuses on two things that she feels are important lessons of life that she has learned over the past twenty-one years. The two lessons are to understand the benefits of failure and the importance of imagination. After watching this speech from Ms. Rowling, I think that as much as these two facts can be applied to life they can also be applied to PR.

One of the first things JK Rowling speaks about is learning the benefits of failure, for she has had a fair amount of failure in her own life. I think what she was trying to convey to the audience is that you need to experience some type of failure in your life, and that we all will. But that these failures are the stepping-stones to the success we will some day enjoy. An interesting point she made about failure is that if we do not take risks, and fail, than we might as well have no lived at all. We may need to hit rock bottom before we find that drive to actually achieve what we want. I think a lot of times we don’t work hard because success came too easy for us. With failure we realize we need to work hard to accomplish our goals. That without failure we may not appreciate the success we achieve.

Due to the fact that becoming a celebrity PR agent is such a tough position to achieve we can all expect to fail at some point. What we need to remember though is that these failures may be exactly what we need to motivate us to try harder, to work harder, and to believe in ourselves. The clients that PR agents represent are unpredictable and I am sure will fail at some point in their careers whether in be in their personal lives or the projects they are involved with. As PR agents we need to take these failures and turn them into opportunities, opportunities to use the media attention for good, opportunities to show that our clients have taken this experience as a chance to turn their lives around. .

As the creator of the Harry Potter series it wasn’t a surprise that JK Rowling discussed the importance of imagination and keeping an open mind. The way she addressed what imagination was exactly was very interesting. The way I understood her interpretation was as her saying that we need to imagine the worst along with the best. That we need to understand that just because it is out of sight doesn’t mean it should be out of mind. That to create a better world we need to imagine the better world that we want to be a part of. I think she was trying to say that even though we may have success we need to remember there are always less fortunate people out there who need our help.

Imagination is crucial when it comes to public relations. You need a good imagination to help create new promotions, new ads, and new public appearance opportunities. With a good imagination you will be able to see what new and exciting trends that may make your client more successful. Looking at it from the perspective of JK Rowling, we also need to imagine what could go wrong. We need to understand the negative aspects of the entertainment industry and how we are going to avoid them or conquer them should they arise. Also, you need to use your imagination to help address larger issues like we have seen Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, and other famous celebrities do by using their fame for the great good.

Although JK Rowling is talking about life in general during her speech at Harvard, I think what she says can be applied to any passion one has for something. Celebrities have shown that hard work and overcoming failure pays off. Actors have been known to get their “big break” after a number of failures, and musicians have been signed to major labels after being told by others they weren’t good enough. So when looking for that great celebrity PR job, don’t forget to look at your failures as opportunities, to understand that these failures might lead you to something greater, and that without failure you may not know true success.

JK Rowling's Speech

"As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters."

— Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Sources:

http://www.ted.com/talks/jk_rowling_the_fringe_benefits_of_failure.html

http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/show/60959

Planning the AMAs

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 07:28:00 +0000

“And the 2010 American Music Award goes to,” is a phrase we will be hearing this coming Sunday when the 2010 American Music Awards airs on ABC. Although most of us sit down minutes before to watch these exciting award shows, it takes a little more work for these extravagant one night entertainment events to be planned and effectively executed. Did I mention that it all runs live? Well that doesn’t leave much room for error. When planning an event such as an award show there are a lot of things to take into consideration. A few aspects of planning that I think are extremely important, especially when it comes to an event such as the American Music Awards, are project control and customer satisfaction.

Expecting the unexpected. This something that Orly Adelson, executive producer of the show and Larry Klein, AMA producer should keep in mind while planning the night’s festivities. We have seen from past experiences, most recently the Kanye West/Taylor Swift incident that they need to prepare for the unexpected. When you have that many egos in one room they are bound to clash, and someone may go a little crazy. That is why even though Mr. Klien wants the event to be full of the unexpected; the people in charge of the event need to know exactly what is going on. The execution of it all needs to run smoothly. Have you ever watched an award show where things have gone wrong or there was some type of error that caused the show not run so smoothly? I have and I can personally say it makes the show look terrible and unorganized. I think too that when the critiques of the show come out the next day, which they will, small faux pas will overshadow any positive aspects of the event.

I think the number one priority for anyone putting on such a large event is customer satisfaction and Larry Klien has made this his number one focus. In an interview he had with the NY Daily News, Mr. Klien mentioned how if the viewer can predict what is next he feels the show loses something. So to ensure he doesn’t lose that something, Mr. Klien is going to please his viewers by leaving them questioning what is coming next. He says that he will accomplish this by breaking the mold of other awards shows and mixing up the arrangement of the show. Instead of informing the viewers what is coming up next he will provide them with nothing. He will leave them in suspense questioning if what is coming up the performances or award that they have been waiting for all night.

Personally I like Mr. Kliens approach to this year American Music Awards, and believe that it will leave its viewers very satisfied. If the show doesn’t leave the viewers satisfied their individual contribution to the results of the show may. Through T-Mobile text messaging and ama.abc.com music fans will be able to vote for who they feel should win the Breakthrough Artist Award. This type of fan based voting is something I feel leaves the viewer feeling involved in the process of the show, it gives them a voice.

If Mr. Adelson and Mr. Klien keep control over the American Music Awards and effectively executing all the “unexpected” aspects of the event that will be appealing to its viewers, than they will be in good shape. Once things start to fall apart than I fear the record will begin to skip and the music will stop. So with careful planning and project management I think this year American Music Awards will be worth tuning in for.

Perfect Time for some LOUD PR

Rihanna is set to open for the 2010 American Music Awards. Coincidentally the event falls the Sunday following the release of her new album Loud. I think this could be good PR for her album because viewers who may not typically listen to her music, or purchase her albums, will be watching because the AMAs cover multiple genres of music. Not saying she will have any trouble selling her record on her own!

Sources:

- http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2010/11/11/2010-11-11_surprising_collaborations_and_star_power_will_fuel_2010_american_music_awards_ex.html

- http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/51942/231193

- http://www.freshnews.com/news/396003/-2010-american-music-awards-nominees-announced

All Thanks to My Team

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 06:38:00 +0000

When an actor or musician accepts an award their acceptance speech usually begins with, “I would like to thank,” followed by a long list of people who had a part in helping them reach that particular point in their lives. These people are their “team” and without them the chances that that person would be standing their accepting that award are slim to none. No one can do it one their own and this holds true in the world of Public Relations too. You don’t see Jonathan Cheban (there’s that name again) running Command PR all by himself. He has surrounded himself with people who come from very different backgrounds and who have something to offer to the company. Why are teams so important? Why can’t I do it all on my own? These are some questions that you may be asking, but I think once I explain to you the importance of teamwork, and how it has worked in the past, you will understand that if you are going to do it right you can’t do it alone.

I believe you can think of a team in two ways. You have the team within your company, and then you have the team you have create outside your company. The team within the company is the group of people you have hired because of their knowledge of PR that compliments other employee’s strengths and weaknesses. These strengths and weaknesses can be either in the team member’s knowledge or lack there of in a particular subject or in their personality. I think in public relations the team you form outside your company consists of mostly your social networks. These networks can be made of people you have connected with professionally, such as photographers and vendors, to people you know personally who can connect you to others who can ultimately help promote your client. Ascot Media Group in Texas showed that by creating a cohesive team within their company and outside their company they were able to maximize their clients’ exposure. The CEO, Trish Stevens, stated that she attributes her company’s success to the team she had created. When reading further on about how she picked the team I was shocked to find that the attributes were more in the member’s personality traits rather than their status within the company and/or knowledge in the field. Among those listed were individuals who were driven, ambitious, vibrant, results-oriented, and tireless. Ascot also formed a team outside the company by working with networking groups to help create buzz for the company’s client through the Internet. This helped generate a large amount of exposure for their client that landed him a spot on the NY Times best sellers list. The combination of these two teams helped make Ascot a very successful company, and their client very successful as well.

If I were asked today how I would put together my very own celebrity PR team I can honestly say I don’t know. I don’t believe that there is a set list of guidelines for everyone to follow that will help them create an effective team. Every company, every project, and every person requires a different team. Sometimes you just have to know. Jonathan Cheban added to his team a girl name Erika Ledesma. Erika had no knowledge or experience in public relations, or the business world in general. Now if you were to look at any list of requirements for a position like Erika’s you would find something that says 5+ years experience in PR or a related field. If Jonathan had ignored his instincts and formed his team by the book he may have past over someone who has proven to be an asset his company. So how would I form my team? All I can say for now is that it will be by using both my brain and my instinct.

Sources:

http://www.eonline.com/on/shows/spin_crowd/cast_bios.html

http://www.prlog.org/10179075-innovative-pr-firm-takes-positive-teamwork-to-the-max-for-their-clients.html

Bad Photo Opp. for Command PR

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:26:00 +0000

By the time you are done reading this blog you won’t want to hear the name Jonathan Cheban or Command PR again in your life. Well, unless they are offering you a job of course! So when I was looking around on the internet for information about Jonathan and how he became the star PR agent he is today, I found myself on Command PR’s website. With the way the economy is today a lot of people are using the Internet as their main source of information. However, if I were looking for representation, or a PR job I would say Command PR’s website would be one that I would easily pass over with little or no consideration. With that in mind, I have decided to look further into what makes Command PR’s website seem so mundane and why such a commendable organization would have such a site.

Over all I really like the design of the website. The intro catches my attention and the Madonna song “Hollywood” is very appropriate for the type of business they are involved in. I think also the flashing of words that describes the process that their company goes through to develop their clients really helps the intended audience understand what Command PR is all about. Also, their chosen font and background effects make the website look very stream line and cutting edge. Good work Command PR, but unfortunately the positives seem to stop there.

As I continued on from the introduction I was automatically taken into the actually Command PR website. Although the same clean look of the website carries over, it feels as though whoever designed the site burned all their creative juices on the intro and only had the energy left to do the bare minimum on the rest of the site. The overall layout of the website is very easy to navigate through but once I click into one of the tabs to go into services, leadership, etc., I am less than blown away with not only the design but the content too. I think they have a solid foundation of information but there is a lot of areas that they could further emphasis on. For example under the services section, they do have a list of what they offer but I think it would make the website more benefit it’s viewers more if they were able to click for a more in-depth description. Also, the amount of content on each page, I feel, makes the website appear as if it is not complete. I would expect this amount of information on a company that may be new to the business. Not one that has been around for over 10 years. I do enjoy the glitz and glam of the header but I think that the prestigious image they created there is lost when you scroll further down the page and see nothing but white space. Lastly, I think a place where they really made a big mistake was when they didn’t include a section with their client list or a portfolio of some of some of their pervious work. People need visuals to help them understand what you are capable of creating. Command PR does a ton of events with big name celebrities, why wouldn’t they want to name drop to help get more business?

This is a website for a PR company, but from what I have seen all this site is promoting is Command PR’s lack on knowledge on how to promote their brand on the internet. I understand slightly why they didn’t put a lot of time into their website, it isn’t like celebrities are hoping on Google and search PR agents. But I do think it is important for Command PR to understand that up and coming talent may be searching for them that way, and these are the people who are the future of the industry. Command PR has been in the business long enough and has created a reputation in the industry that they don’t need to advertise, but a half respectable website is something that they should have invested some time and money into. I noticed too that they use this website as a client log in portal. Their clients are worth MILLIONS of dollars, so I feel that they should have a website that looks like it is worth that much too.

Where to start? Where to begin?

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 20:27:00 +0000

So you have been through it all. You attended four years of college and got a bachelors of science degree. You decided that wasn't enough so you found yourself in grad school. Now that you have walked across the stage twice, diploma in hand, you find yourself fresh out of grad school with big dreams of becoming a celebrity PR agent. But wait, did you forget to schedule your intro to celebrity PR class somewhere along the way? Chances are you aren't the only person standing there clueless and thinking, "Where do I start?" I think the best place to start is to see how other success celebrity PR agents have gotten to where they are today. I have chosen one very prevalent celebrity PR agents to look at, Jonathan Cheban, who now has through his success become a celebrity himself. I think to help put into prospective that one does not become the best over night, and to help you create realistic goals, it is important to look at others who have been successful in your industry and what it took for them to get to the top.

Jonathan Cheban graduated from Hofstra University. He began his career working with publicist Lizzie Grubman, owner of a well established PR firm that works with some of the biggest celebrities in the industry. While working for Lizzie Grubman Public Relations, Jonathan saw an untouched market where corporate brands would be connect to entertainment through partnerships. With this idea in mind, Jonathan launched his own company Command PR in 1999, a company that today has offices both in New York and Los Angeles. Command PR's client list consists of celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Sean "Diddy" Combs, and Jennifer Lopez. Although it seems that Jonathan became very successful very fast, in actuality it has taken him over 15 years to establish his name and company within the entertainment industry. Now with his own show The Spin Crowd of E!, Jonathan continues to work hard to make sure he remains an asset to his clients and their success.

If you are like me you are thinking, "Great! How am I going to start a company in an industry where the larger agencies would crush any new start ups." So I took to the internet and found an industry professional who has a few tips on how to become a celebrity PR agent from the inside:

1. Try to intern for a PR agency. This will help you familiarize yourself with the PR industry and to gain some real life experience.

2. Use your internship to move up the ranks in the company. With hard work you can go from intern, to account coordinator, then to account executive.

3. NETWORK. NETWORK. NETWORK. The people you meet in your lower level positions are more than likely your ticket into eventually working with celebrities.

I think one of the most important things to remember when trying to break into the celebrity PR world is to have self-discipline. If you don't understand the industry and what it takes to achieve your ultimate career aspiration you may become discouraged early and give up. So hang in there! Rome wasn't built in a day, and great PR agents certainly aren't either!

Welcome to the Madness!

noreply@blogger.com (allischell) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 19:02:00 +0000

Hey there all you celebrity and PR junkies! Welcome to Window Pain. Why the name you ask? Well first off who doesn't love the Eminem song "Love the Way You Lie?" Anyways, I chose the name because I like to think that celebrity PR agents are like the parents standing in the house looking out the window at their children, a.k.a their clients, playing outside. They stand there grasping the windowpane, hoping and praying that they don't do something stupid to get hurt, or with celebrities, something to hurt their careers. So I have come up with this blog, a nice little place you can call home, where you can find all you need to know about being a celebrity PR agent, and the painful truth that these celebrities aren't exactly the easiest clients to work with. If you are interested in celebrity slip ups and gossip or the super-humans known as their agents and the work that they do, you are in the right place! So grab yourself some popcorn (load on the butter we don't need to be dodging accusations of an eating disorder), and grab yourself a spot in the front row, because this show is about to get two very big thumbs up!