While surfing the Internet for something to watch during a sleepless night, I decided to check out Army Wives a TV show my sister recommended, but while scrolling the list of all full episodes available online How To Look Good Naked | myLifetime.com won my attention. I watched the first episode from the first season (see below) and was amazed at how engaged I had become. "How To Look Good Naked" made me think of the Dove 'Real Beauty' campaign and how this TV program has simply taken that idea several steps further.
"How To Look Good Naked" selects women of all shapes and sizes not just those some may be perceived as overweight. This is GREAT for me as a person who could be perceived as underweight by societal standards. It brings home the fact that women of any size can have issues with their image by seeing things others don't.
No matter your size, shape or skin color it is important for you to learn to love yourself from the inside out. It is not the easiest thing to do. However when you do, it will illuminate through each and everything you wear....even if the only thing "on" is your skin.
20 July 2009
How To Look Good Naked | myLifetime.com
15 July 2009
Inspiration Comes From The Weirdest of Places
Today I read a MediaPost article on how social media can negatively impact small & medium businesses. Unfortunately, I felt the article was mediocre at best. Luckily, I did gain value from comments specifically the one written by Karen Renner. In summary, Ms. Renner questioned people's reluctance to communicate positive feedback as quickly as negative.
Ms. Renner has a point. I am definitely guilty of letting people know of a not-so-good situation with a brand. And although I do make a point of letting companies know the good and bad service an particular employee may have given, I rarely do the same with my social network. Therefore I have decided to change my way of doing things starting today. When a brand or company does something favorable for me, I will be certain to share it with my network, on- and off-line, because negative feedback should have all the glory.
A Positive Feedback Award goes to Layton Insurance LLC of Richmond, VA. I spoke with Ms. Summer Layton who answered each and every question I had (and there were many) with such grace and warmth. She looked up the answers that she did know off the top of her head and provided extra, valuable information so I could make the best decision for me as the consumer even if it meant she wouldn't get the sale. Ms. Layton even offered to pass on my information to a competitor insurance provider because she knew the other provider also did its best to give the most competitive rates available.
I will continue my hunt for the best insurance rate and to educate myself on the different type of policies out there. I will say GREAT customer service is something for which I am willing to pay a reasonable premium. However with Layton Insurance, it is offered free of charge AND the insurance rates quoted (home, landlord and auto policies) were the best I got so far!
Layton Insurance LLC
Richmond, VA 23220-4827
02 July 2009
Cold Feet
Early this week I was on twitter and came across a tweet from "Sandwiched" asking for LinkedIn help and talking about the agony of updating a resume. Sandwiched included a link to a blog post as well.
I read the post and realized cold feet was getting in the way of a great opportunity and decided to leave a comment to hopefully warm things up. Here is the advice I offered based on my own job hunting experiences:
Before you call: Look up the contact person and company on LinkedIn.com. See what you can learn about the person’s background that you could potentially comment on during future conversations. By searching for the company, you may be able to identify other people you could contact / get to know and it may give you a feel for your future co-workers.
Call! You have the inside scoop and should take advantage of it before someone else does it for you.
When you call introduce yourself, mention who referred you (if appropriate) and ask for more details regarding the position. Once you get the details (even if you think you know them), offer tidbits about your professional experience and skill sets that tailor fit to the roles & responsibilities provided in the details.
Close the deal by saying you would love to come in to put a face to a name and have a more detailed conversation on how you can add value.
Be prepared to send your resume before your in-person interview. If you call in the morning, let the person know you will send it to them later in the day when you have access to your files. This will give you time to finish updating it if not yet complete.
Would you do anything differently? If so, what?26 June 2009
A Change in Guard: it's not always a bad thing
As you may or may not know, it was announced a couple of days ago that Publicis picked up the Corona Light account. I'm excited for the agency as Corona Light is it's opportunity to reenter the beer category. One AdvertisingAge article I read about the account move was similar to others; however, the comments to the article also caught my attention.
The first comment was promoting a 16 year-old campaign for another beer.
The second comment focused on the article and the good that could come from the change.
The third and fourth comments both couldn't understand why the change was needed.
It were these last two comments that encourage me to write a comment of my own. Here is what it said:
There is more than one way demonstrate the perks of a light beer and definitely more than one scene to place Corona Light in. The change in agency is the brand taking an optimistic stance on how far Corona Light can go. Thinking the brand's continued growth is directly correlated to keeping along the same path of the prior agency's work is, in my opinion, a leap in logic. Corona Light has a higher possibility to grow, if it breaks away and stands out on its own. It is more difficult to do so under the shadow of the historically more prominent (by revenue and recognition) brand - Corona Extra.
Do you agree or disagree? Let's start a conversation.
25 June 2009
Seize the Day
I was never a big Michael Jackson fan. I remember being in elementary school and while my one sister had posters of MJ in her bedroom, I loved me some Prince. Even so, I am deeply saddened by Michael’s death. Michael is an icon of my youth similar to how the Jackson 5 was for my parents, who are between 6 and 10 years older than Michael. It brings to the forefront how life can vanish away unexpectedly at any age. It makes me acknowledge my own age and all that is still left to accomplish.
I pray for the Jackson family especially Michael’s children. I hope he planned for the unexpected so there will not be any bitter family feuds during a time they should be rejoicing his memory. In this time, all I can do is think “Seize the Day”. Yes, seize it while you still can.
15 June 2009
ADCOLOR Awards 2009
I want my company to sponsor my attendance at the ADCOLOR Awards. Is it too early to start planning...especially when you don't have a job? Guess that means I had better get on it!
28 May 2009
American Mania: When More Is Not Enough
If you have about 25 minutes to spare, I recommend you watch/listen to the video below. The speaker shed some interesting facts on human behavior in a way that is easy to understand. One thing for certain is now I know WHY visualization is encouraged before doing something and I now know WHY I feel like I'm getting a cold many mornings when I wake up. Watch the video. You will probably learn something too.
Found at: www.The FrontierProject.com
Original Source: Unknown
22 May 2009
Does Love = Courage?
A friend on FB wrote the following status update, "I was told that LOVE is a form of courage. Do you believe that or what?"
I was compelled enough to reply and decided to share my thoughts with you. I hope in return you will share your thoughts with me.Yes or at least hearing this for the 1st time it seems to make sense.
To love you must have the courage to get hurt and the courage to try again.
To love you must have enough courage to tough it out during the valleys to reach the mountain tops.
It also takes courage to love someone enough to let them go.
Yeah, that seals it. I do believe it is a form of courage.
12 May 2009
Will social networks become the next portal? - iMedia Connection
11 May 2009
What is your Eco Footprint?
I will have to see how I can do better because I didn't think I was doing this poorly.
At least there are some ways I can actively do better especially in the transportation realm.
Why not do yours and let me know how you plan to make a change.
http://www.ecofoot.org/
01 May 2009
23 April 2009
Portfolio: Creatively Inclined, yet Business by Nature
It is with great pleasure that I offer to the world, the Internet debut of a 2009 Spring portfolio. If you know of anyone who may wish to utilize my knowledge, skills or tenacity in the form of employment (contract or full-time, leave a comment here or send me an email.
If you have any questions about the work, please leave it in the comment area. Also feel free to share words of encourage and critique. It is through these comments, that one learns and grows to become even better.
10 April 2009
08 April 2009
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
I was on the NAVYforMoms website and found this post. It really hit home for me given some things going on in my life right now. I hope it does the same for you.
07 April 2009
A mover & shaker at the VCU Brandcenter
Kelly O’Keefe, a branding innovator who has served as a professor and director of the school’s executive education program since 2006, has been added to the leadership team as the school’s managing director. O’Keefe is one of the VCU Brandcenter’s most longstanding supporters, having joined the Board of Directors of the VCU Adcenter when it was launched in 1996 and helping to develop the school’s curriculum. (The school changed its name to VCU Brandcenter in 2008.)
The above is snippets from the April 1st press release written by Tom Gresham,VCU Communications and Public Relations. For the full press release, click here.
04 April 2009
My Tweeples (Twitter Friends)
Just a snippet of my 250+ Tweeples.
Courtesy of http://twitter.mailana.com
27 March 2009
Part Three: A week of networking and match-making
During my spring break, I drove up to NYC from Richmond to meet with three agencies, attend two social gatherings, visit with family and network with a variety of folks within the advertising & marketing industries.
Here are my thoughts on the networking portion of the trip:
Network #5: If I believe LinkedIn is great, my sorority network is just as good especially when technology helps make the connections even easier. I've been considering client side big brand companies as employment options. However, it is always good to talk to people who have been with the company and are in the know of the "real deal". In this case, I leveraged my "crimson & cream" sorority connection and used LinkedIn to get my request for information out to the person. She was able to tell me what subsidiaries I should focus on as well as some possible obstacles I may experience during the application process.
Network #6: It is definitely a small world. I had been trying to get in touch with a Creative at an interactive agency for a while. The entire time I kept on thinking the name sounded extremely familiar. We finally talk (I got some GREAT tips and advice about the entering the digital marketing space) and he tells me how our paths had crossed in the passed. He had come to my graduate school as a Friday speaker.
Network #7: Don't know if you would count this one or not, but I do. I went to a photography exhibit of a person who befriended me on FB. We chat every now and then, but not too much. He invited me to the exhibit even though I no longer reside in NYC. However, when I realized I would be in NYC when the show was on I figured it would be a great opportunity to increase my cultural awareness. Plus it never hurts to show support to people when time permits. You never know when or how they may be able to do the same for you.
Network #8: Had a lunch date with a contact in Radio. Met this person via Facebook and instantly became interested in his background. I look forward to more interactions especially since Radio hasn't been a medium heavily talked about in my advertising program.
23 March 2009
Part Two: A week of networking and match-making
During my spring break, I drove up to NYC from Richmond to meet with three agencies, attend two social gatherings, visit with family and network with a variety of folks within the advertising & marketing industries.
Here are my thoughts on the networking portion of the trip:
Network #1: Met with an alumna from my graduate program. We initially met via social media and communicated that route. It was a wonder opportunity to finally meet in person. I wish this alumna only the best as I am positive she is on the verge of wonderful things. UPDATE: Alumna got a job offer at a growing interactive agency. Yippee!!
Network #2: Perhaps this one doesn't count, but I spoke with a classmate about an agency internship from last summer. We spoke about the company's ethics, environment and clients.
Network #3: Another alum meeting. We stay in touch via social media as well, but it is always a good thing to touch base face-to-face every now and then.
Network #4: If I haven't said it recently I do like LinkedIn.com. I wanted to apply for an account manager role out in L.A., but didn't know anything about the company other than what I found on the website. So I used my LinkedIn network and found a current account manager at the firm and reached out to him. He responded immediately and set up time for us to talk via the phone.
22 March 2009
Part One: A week of networking and match-making
During my spring break, I drove up to NYC from Richmond to meet with three agencies, attend two social gatherings, visit with family and network with a variety of folks within the advertising & marketing industries.
Here are my thoughts on the business portion of the trip:
Agency #1: This was one of my first interviews for full-time employment in advertising. I was nervous and don't feel I've represented myself as well as I could have especially given my time allotted was shortened to 17 minutes. Not because the interviewer was less intrigued by me, but because the flight was delayed and the interviewer arrived 40 minutes late. The good thing about this interview is it helped me sharpen my skills just in time for the rest later in the week.
Agency #2: Fabulous! The little of experienced of the work environment was great and reminded me much of what I liked about the last company I worked at - the people. Since I wasn't applying for a particular job, just an opportunity for face time and get my name in the pipeline.
Agency #3: Jury is still out on this one. I'm definitely intrigued and I believe the feeling is mutual. My primary concern is associated with the economy and how it may be effecting some of the agency's major clients. As anyone knows, if a client tanks so do the people associated with the account. Other than that I am interested in and look forward to pursuing opportunities within the social media group or on account management team.
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