December 2011
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Are You One of the 800 Million Facebook Users Who...
Problem: Your friends are annoying, the boss knows details about your boozy Vegas weekend, you know what your ex did last night and your claim to fame stems from daily use of George Carlin’s seven dirty words. Aha! Is Facebook the root of your problems? Seems like social media could be to blame for your ills.
According to a recent infographic by Mashable, Facebook has more than 800...
November 2011
3 posts
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101 Hot Guys Invade Abercrombie & Fitch Fifth...
Today at the flagship Abercrombie & Fitch store on Fifth Avenue in New York City, it’s all hunks and no turkeys. Shoppers can have photos taken with “101 hot guys” all day at the flagship location. The shirtless wonders are donning low-rise dark skinny jeans, flip flops and that’s just about all. Swoon! Ahem, I mean, fantastic PR promotion to edge out the competition...
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Finding a Pearl In My Oyster
It’s true: To my great surprise, I found a pearl in an oyster. Read about the experience in an article I wrote on the cooking and wine site Cook My Way. Click here to read the full story. Preview:
Nothing could be more mouthwatering than freshly shucked oysters, delicately arranged on a platter of shaved ice. But my plate at The Mermaid Inn, a popular seafood restaurant and raw bar in New...
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Dirty Socks and Blunt Signage at Occupy Wall...
Occupy Wall Street is still going strong at Zuccotti Park in New York City. Yes, the drum circle (shown above) is ear-piercing and drones on for 24 hours…sometimes including trumpets and other instruments that are making their downtown neighbors quite cranky at 3 am. Drumming, singing and rhythmic dancing are all part of the program, which I photographed on October 28.
The park has...
October 2011
2 posts
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Welcome to the Upper West Side, A Review of Loi...
Loi Restaurant opened in October on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, bringing with it a major dose of celebrity chef stardom and authentic Greek cuisine. Chef, owner and cookbook author Maria Loi’s eponymous restaurant is tucked away from the main fray, but locals who visited Compass (formerly in the same space) will still love the roomy lounge and spacious main dining room. Read: no...
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Hail to the Chief (Blogger): Barack Obama is Now...
Guess who is now blogging on Tumblr? I’ll give you a hint: POTUS. (President of the United States, for those not wise to the acronym.) Welcome, President Obama. Incorporating yet another form of social media into the Presidential campaign? Smart public relations. And, the President is inviting the public to contribute to the blog, though he warns Tumblrs to “be polite.” Could be...
September 2011
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Michelle Obama Shopping at Target: Creating...
When the First Lady of the United States shops at your store, it can be a stellar public relations move. When Michelle Obama shops seemingly unnoticed at the country’s favorite discount retailer, it’s an off-the-charts PR extravaganza.
In this celebrity-driven world, headlines are made when high profile names are caught in the act of behaving like regular people. Why else would...
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Dear Mr. Fall, You Really Need Some PR
Dear Mr. Fall: It’s time for you to benefit from some positive public relations. You are having a crisis right now and you need a PR plan ASAP. Best regards, Me
Cheers to fall! Or, not? Despite the balmy temps on this first day of autumn, everyone seems to be lamenting the end of summer and the beginning of “leaving-for-work-in-the-dark-and-getting-home-in-the-dark.” New...
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September is for Straphangers on the Boardwalk...
Attention fans of vintage subways and the HBO series Boardwalk Empire: Watch out for the 1920’s era subway car that will run in Manhattan each weekend in September. The car is authentic and fantastic, with rattan seats, an old-school whistle, working ceiling fans and MTA conductors in each car making announcements at every stop. (This car is from the days before air conditioning and PA...
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Andrea Bocelli in Rainy Central Park with Friends...
Andrea Bocelli sang Amazing Grace…and amazing it was. Tens of thousands of New Yorkers flocked to see Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in Central Park last night, despite the rain and chilly temperatures. Bocelli sang Italian classics and his best-known songs, including O Sole Mio, Funiculi Funicula, Time to Say Goodbye and The Prayer. The concert featured the incredible New York...
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Quietude by the Bay: Rock Sculpture in Montauk
After three days of rain in Montauk, Long Island, the clouds blew away and the sun peeked through briefly. This rock sculpture was waiting for its picture to be taken. Quietude by the bay.
August 2011
2 posts
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From Shelter Island to Dune Road, Long Island...
It’s Saturday afternoon and Hurricane Irene is heading north toward New York City and Long Island. Check out these pre-Irene photos taken at local Hamptons beaches and restaurants.
On Friday morning, hundreds of sea birds circled the beach on Dune Road. It was like a scene from Hitchcock’s “The Birds”. These birds, which typically stay near the shore, perched on wooden...
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Charmed by a Nantucket Summer Vacation
Above: Brant Point Lighthouse
Breezy bike rides, sunny beach days, lobster rolls in true New England style. Finding some of the best beaches, restaurants and activities on Nantucket? It’s a tough job, but someone had to do it. A weeklong family vacation was my first visit to Nantucket and the island absolutely lived up to “the hype”, exceeding my expectations. From the moment...
July 2011
2 posts
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He's Still Got It at Age 69: (Vegetarian) Paul...
His bat was a guitar and it was a home run at Yankee Stadium for Paul McCartney. On Saturday night, Sir Paul proved he can rock for nearly three hours and just roll with it. Without taking a break. The man is 69 years old and his voice is still strong and clear, hitting the high notes, jamming for hours and belting out all-time favorites. It was amazing to witness his energy and endurance...
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Girl Power in Soccer, The Science Fair & The...
Photo: Thomas Eisenhuth/isiphotos.com
Who runs the world? Girls. Look around and American girls are reaching big goals everywhere. From the FIFA World’s Cup finals to the Google Science Fair, women are making major news these days.
American Girls Kick Balls into the Glass Ceiling
While American soccer may not have as many fans as football, that could change when the U.S. Women’s...
June 2011
5 posts
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Tweeting The Pope's Religious Experience: Smart...
Unless you are living under a rock, you have heard that the Pope is now tweeting. Fabulous public relations move, Vatican! Smart use of a celebrity (ok, spokesperson) to promote social media initiatives. The Pope is using the Twitter handle @PopeBenedictXIV as part of a multi-faceted plan to engage younger audiences and connect via social platforms. (Isn’t everyone?) Yet among the...
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Summer Solstice Yoga in Times Square: Om Shanti
Today is the longest day of the year and thousands of New York City yogis are celebrating with all-day yoga sessions in Times Square. Click on the image below to check out my photo on the YogaDork website. Namaste and happy summer!
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Hello, Hamptons: Time For The Beach
Many thanks to the Westhampton-Hampton Bays Patch for featuring my photo of the Shinnecock Inlet on Dune Road in Hampton Bays. (With a little help from Instagram.) Happy weekend!
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Stephen Colbert Takes Self-Portraits, And Four...
Photo credit: Stephen Colbert.
On Sunday night while most people were turning off their televisions after watching Neal Patrick Harris host the 65th Annual Tony Awards, I was lucky enough to attend the posh VIP after-party at The Plaza Hotel. The star-studded black tie gala toasted Broadway and was an affair to remember. Especially because I learned a few things.
Stephen Colbert May Steal Your...
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Welcome to the Blogosphere. Now, Make Money.
Think you can become a high-profile blogger…and make money too? CBS Sunday Morning may provide some inspiration. Welcome to the Blogosphere follows the stories of several well-known bloggers and chronicles their virtual ascents to success.
It’s an increasingly familiar fact: Blogs continue to scoop major news organizations on big stories. As we know, the Anthony Weiner...
May 2011
7 posts
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Manhattanhenge: NYC Basks in its Own Glow
New York City basks in its own glow, especially during Manhattanhenge. This view from 42nd Street shows the city all warm, glowy and lovely. But Manhattanhenge only happens twice per year.
What is Manhattanhenge? The phenomenon occurs when the setting Sun aligns precisely with the Manhattan street grid, creating a radiant glow of light across the city, simultaneously illuminating both sides of...
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Why Volunteer? Because Not Every Kid Gets a Tree...
People often ask me why I volunteer. I might have finally figured it out. It’s because not every kid gets a tree house. Especially not the amazing kids who made this one during a New York Cares volunteer project.
Recently I participated in a recreation project at the NYC Center For Architecture in SoHo, where children learned about architecturally rich buildings around New York. After the...
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Diet Equals Health: A Review of "Forks Over...
True or False: The cholesterol-reducing drug Lipitor is THE MOST prescribed drug in the world. Disturbing and true. The new documentary “Forks Over Knives” explores links between diet, disease and health, making the bold claim that most degenerative diseases can be controlled or reversed by adopting a plant-based diet and rejecting processed foods. WHAT? That sounds...
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“Dear cancer: Despite your best efforts, you can’t take Mother’s Day...”
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Can You Write a Six Word Memoir About Mom? Try It.
“She never met who I became.” - Pat LaForge. Can six small words sum up a lifetime? Everyone has a story…what is your mom’s story? In honor of Mother’s Day, The New York Times has partnered with Smith magazine in a contest that honors moms and motherhood. Can you write a six word “momoir”? (Of note, the concept is based on one of my absolute favorite...
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One Photo Says It All: NYC Firemen Read Osama Bin...
Together they stand…NYC firefighters watch news headlines about the death of Osama Bin Laden. Photo: Michael Appleton, The New York Times.
April 2011
8 posts
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BackCountry.com Fixes 'Mother Nature' Gaffe with...
Crisis communications and public relations 101: When a mistake happens, take responsibility, apologize with authenticity and make sure your apology reaches the right people. On Wednesday, a marketing e-newsletter was distributed by the retailer BackCountry.com, bearing the headline “Mother Nature hates you. Deal with it.” While the topic was likely scheduled to coincide with April...
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What “The Rich” Read: These Magazines will Top...
Are you promoting a $3,000 watch or an exotic vacation at a 5-star hotel? For uber-luxury marketers, advertisers and public relations executives, reaching upscale consumers with $250,000 household income (HHI) is a key goal. Whether gaining media exposure to this elite group of consumers through paid advertising or third-party editorial endorsements in magazines, marketers identify these...
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LuluLemon Ad Spoof: 400 Years of Yoga, And We...
How can you not laugh at this Lululemon spoof? Each message corresponds with yoga-isms on their actual shopping bags, poking fun at their brand values. (Mean yet funny?) Looks like someone needs a bit of PR, regardless of high stock price. Hope they took this in stride! View original bag and spoof here.
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Why PR Pros Need Tumblr in Their Social Media...
If you are a public relations practitioner, you should know about Tumblr. Why? Today Tumblr received a major editorial endorsement Ragan’s PR Daily, an influential public relations trade. In the article Why PR Pros Need Tumblr in Their Social Media Toolkits, high-profile PR executive Pete Codella outlines many of the reasons why Tumblr is a no-brainer for public relations. Read a...
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Mezuzahs in Manhattan: What Lies Beneath Layers of...
What’s hiding under the layers of paint coating New York City? I recently found out, after restoring some of the mezuzahs hiding in plain sight in my Manhattan apartment.
In the article ‘Message from a Stranger’ in The Times, New Yorkers tell of many treasures left behind by previous apartment occupants, such as old ornate mezuzahs, antiques, World’s Fair Tickets,...
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History, Patriotism, PR, War and Women: The...
How far would you go to protect your family? Is it OK to play by different rules in times of war? How does the story of Mary Surratt parallel politics in the post-9/11 universe? Did “crisis PR” play a role in the trial of a woman accused of conspiring to assassinate President Lincoln?
This weekend I attended a pre-release screening of “The Conspirator,” which opens on...
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All the Blogs (and PR) Fit to Print: Jay-Z and The...
Start spreading the news: Jay-Z has a Tumblr blog! Whoops. Not true. That was just a fact-checking error on the social media site Social Times. Read the original story here (corrected as of 9:15 am).
In more accurate news, The New York Times just started a Tumblr blog for T: The New York Times Style Magazine. Why host a blog away from the actual Times site? Well, Tumblr receives 67 million...
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March 2011
15 posts
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Attention PR People: Didja-Get?! Now, There's an...
Finally! An app that sends emails to a list of up to 999 media asking: “Didja get my (email) (news release) (invitation) (media advisory) (or other query)?”
This public relations post from thePRcoach really made me laugh out loud:
10 New, Must-Have PR Smartphone Apps (click for full story)
The tongue-in-cheek list is a very clever collection of faux Smartphone apps and a...
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Bought Happiness vs. Earned Happiness (Advertising...
Read this reblog from moneyisnotimportant:
“Don’t let anyone tell you that happiness can’t be bought. It can. The trouble is, happiness that is bought, rather than earned, tends to be very expensive and has an extremely short shelf life.”
Hmmm…kind of like the relationship between public relations and advertising?
Buying ads to influence public opinion vs. influencing...
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Do This Now: Must-Follow Public Relations & Social...
In public relations, social media is critical to staying relevant and succeeding, for your clients and your business. Twitter, Facebook, blogging, Foursquare, Klout Scores…the puzzle pieces change daily. Today’s PRWeb.com has an incredible list of 31 Must-Follow People on Twitter, from high-profile PR executives to social media innovators to enthusiastic bloggers.
Why follow...
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Veggie Burgers Have Arrived: Sign of "The Times"
Hundreds of restaurants and millions of diners can’t be wrong: the veggie burger has arrived. Naysayers, beware! The cover of The New York Times Dining section (advertising value: one bazillion dollars) proves that veggie burgers are no longer just for vegetarian diners:
Across the country, chefs and restaurateurs have been taking on the erstwhile health-food punch line with a kind of...
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Supermoon over New York City. Riverside Park, Upper West Side. (The full moon tonight is called a “Super Perigee Moon” - the last full moon this close to Earth occurred in March of 1993, the next will be in 2029.)
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U.S. now involved in Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan. Frightening. Good luck to our soldiers. Cue John Lennon.
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WatchIf you played violin in high school orchestra, this is a must-see. Creative remake of Eminem and Rihanna’s “Love The Way You Lie” - reblogged from deathbysilverspoon. (Of note, my HS orchestra played “Eleanor Rigby” under the direction of Mr. Gelfer but Eminem wasn’t on the playlist…)
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“Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and...”
– Jack Kerouac, whose birthday was Saturday. Happy belated birthday, Jack. (via nypl)
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Get Paid $21.95 Per Hour to Wait in Line for the...
News about iPad2 mania from cnnmoneytech. She must really love Gaga. And her family. Can some travel company please give this woman a free plane ticket?!
20-year old Amanda Foote, who spent 41 hours being first in the iPad 2 line outside Apple’s 5th avenue store. Foote sold her spot in line Friday morning for $900.
“I’m going to buy a bus ticket to see my family in Florida. And maybe see...
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Bowing to Disjointed Journalism? PR Executive and...
Sorry, Newsweek, but you got it wrong. Actually, you don’t get it at all. In the article “Bow Down to the Yoga Teacher,” Casey Schwartz provides an incomplete, myopic view of the practice of yoga and the role of its instructors. In fact, the article is poorly written; a disjointed commentary that boasts only a one-sided perspective. Many just want to ask the author: What was your point?...
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Stay tuned for my thoughts about (and dissection of) the recent Newsweek article about yoga, “Bow Down to the Yoga Teacher.” Misleading and unbalanced journalism gets me fired up. I’m joining the online debate…
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