Little Pink Book PR

Eco-Fashion: Green is the New Black

Kelly A — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:00:10 +0000

By: Kelly Ahern, guest blogger

As the “go green” trend continues to rise in popularity, many consumers have made it their mission to incorporate small sustainable changes into their everyday routines.

It’s only natural that the fashion industry would carve out its own niche among eco-conscious fashionistas.

A simple keyword search for eco-friendly fashion will present you with a plethora of sources– from blogs by self-acclaimed eco-chic stylists to helpful sites like, Eco-Fashion World, geared toward the effective promotion of some of the trendiest sustainable designers and product lines.

Bodkin, featured above, is a eco-line promoted by Eco Fashion World and creates it chic pieces by using post-consumer recycled polyester, recycled wool, salavaged textiles and much more.

REUSE Jeans, also found on Eco Fashion World, boasts its ability to re-create vital wardrobe staples while using 80% recycled denim.

Eco Fashion World is particularly pertinent for an eco-newcomer, giving visitors a user-friendly overview of global designers as well as access to a description of each “eco-standard”, allowing the fashion-conscious to narrow one’s search by choosing products that are Fair Trade certified, organic, recycled, vegan and ethically produced.

Both designers and retailers have taken a hint from the eco-wise.

American fashion designer, Sarah Van Aken, has taken the sustainable fashion industry by storm. As the creator of the SV VA fashion line, which was featured in the inaugural Philadelphia Fashion Week 2009, Sarah has taken her socially-conscious retail choices to the Internet, launching savafashion.com.

The line and site promotes fair trade, environmentally friendly practices, in addition to local job development. SV VA’s flagship has also partnered with local Philadelphia volunteer organizations such as Career Wardrobe to provide volunteer opportunities to the company’s staff and customers.

Eco-extraordinaire Linda Loudermilk is passionate about the cause and has created her line, Luxury Eco, by using fabrics made from bamboo jersey, soybeans, recycled soda bottles and wood pulp.

When speaking about her vision for fashion’s eco-future Loudermilk told press that, “we aim to give eco-glamour legs, a fabulous look and a slammin’ attitude that stops traffic and shouts the message: eco can be edgy, loud, fun, playful, feminine (or not) and hyper-cool”.

Even some of the biggest names in fashion are following in Loudermilk’s footsteps and are giving sustainable practices a try; Stella McCartney is known for refusing to use animal products in her pieces…and who can forget Heatherette designer Richie Rich whose corn-fiber skirt was a favorite during New York’s 2005 Fashion Week.

With now five years experience behind New York, this month’s upcoming Fashion Week is sure to make an impact.

Environmentally friendly fashion will continue to command attention in a special two-day show at the Metropolitan Pavilion during New York Fashion Week.

This will be the third season of The Green Shows Eco Fashion Week and it will run from September 12-14 alongside NYFW.

According to a piece from UK-based The Independent, “The Green Shows will present designers that are committed to environmental and social responsibility and this event will be the only event exclusively focusing on environmental and fair trade responsibilities throughout New York Fashion Week”.

The Independent also listed the ten designers confirmed to be showing their collections during this super-sustainable event: Samantha Pleet (New York), Susan Cianciolo (NY), Bright Young Things by Eliza Starbuck (NY), Ashton Michael Black Label (Los Angeles), Lavuk by Natasha Gindin (LA), Jo Ann Berman (NY), Auralis (NY/Puerto Rico), Luis Valenzuela (Miami), Dress Reform (NY), and Milliners Gulld (NY).

The, Metropolitan Pavilion itself also features 55,000 sq ft of eco-friendly flooring, LED lighting and enforces a strict recycling program—perfect for a tribute to sustainable lifestyle.

Kelly Ahern is a recent Roger Williams Univeristy graduate living in New England. She graduated with a degree in Communications-Public Relations and a Core Concentration in Italian. She is an aspiring PR professional who loves social media, fashion and traveling. You can find her on Twitter @Kelly_Ahern.

Gunpowder & Lead: Miranda Lambert’s Record CMA Nod & Why She’s a 10

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:31:00 +0000

“What a little girls made of,” she sings, [is] “Gunpowder and lead.”

And according to her, “the truth comes out a little at a time,” in ‘White Liar.’

Therefore, how happy am I?

Really happy.

History was set by Miranda Lambert when the nominations rolled out on September 1, 2010 for the Country Music Association Awards. In the two-day process, my favourite southern musicality bad a$$ chick who rocks the pink guitar scored herself nine nominations.

Joining Dierks Bentley, to read the finalists in the last five categories on Wednesday of that week on ABC’s ‘Good Morning America,’ Miss Lambert, soon-to-be-Mrs. Shelton, discovered she has the most nominations of them all.

“I never would have even thought I was eligible for nine categories,” she had told GMA’s host Robin Roberts. “So it’s unbelievable.”

She’s in the running for Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year along with Music Video of the Year (for ‘White Liar’) to name a few.

GIRL POWER

I talk about Miranda a lot on Little Pink Book.

And at some point, I’m sure a lot of readers have wondered why:-

She’s humble.
She’s a girl who doesn’t take crap from anyone.
She’s a true fighter.
She loves shoes.
She says it like it is.
She writes her own music and it’s amazing.
She adopts & cares for animals.
She makes firearms look like a Tiffany’s wedding band.
She not perfect and tweets her sweaty shirts.
She loves pink too with her pink guitar.
Miranda Lambert. Is. Girl. Power.

In the country music world, that has typically been dominated by white men, she’s one of the few to stand out above the rest, without falling into the cookie-cutter ways that that industry has typically expected women to box themselves into. (Think the beginnings of Shania Twain and her belly baring ways that stunned Nashville in the early 1990s away from their cookie-cutter girls.)

I love that she doesn’t try to bring bubblegum pop-sounds with Giddy’on’Up! caboodles into the scene and she is proud of who she is.

Not that anything is wrong with that — but, Lambert stands out.

She doesn’t ‘play’ the victim as do others in her peer group, nor does she expect the carpet to be rolled out for her either.

Lambert is just real and I’m exceptionally happy for her and her nine nominations.

Most of all, I hope she sweeps it.

The only artist ever to receive more nominations than Lambert in one year is Alan Jackson, who was on the CMA ballet a total of 10 times in 2002.

But with her, ‘White Liar,’ and ‘The House that Build Me,’ she’s definitely leading the pack.

The only real difference between her nods and the ones Jackson received in 2002 is the fact that Lambert did not write ‘The House that Built Me,’ and therefore, is ineligible for Song of the Year.

But what a year it would be if she swept.

2010 has already been an amazing year for our girl as she is engaged to fellow singer, Blake Shelton, and she picked up two awards from the Academy of Country Music Awards earlier this year.

“I’m gonna start puttin’ 10 on everything,” she said to GMA. “It’s my lucky number, I guess.”

Brad Paisley and double-nominee Carrie Underwood will co-host the 44th annual CMA Awards Nov. 10 on ABC.

Get excited!

–

Sasha Muradali runs the Little Pink Book. She holds a B.S. in Public Relations from the University of Florida with a minor in Dance (’07) and an M.A. in International Administration from the University of Miami (’08). She loves Twitter and all things social media, so you should find her @SashaHalima or get a copy of the Little Pink Book delivered to your Kindle .

TRENDS 2011: New Little Black Dress is the Mobile Phone You Can Wear

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:00:28 +0000

This might be one of the strangest, George Jetson meets Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century contraptions in recent development.

It’s a little black dress — that makes phone calls.

Yes.

Think: Katy Perry, the glo-worm, at the Met Costume Ball in May 2010.

Cute Circuit, the company responsible for that couture concoction laden with more than 3,000 LED-lights, is going to create a new piece of custom couture available in 2011 with cellular phone capability.

Described as an elegant jersey dress, the “M-Dress,” as it is named, will also function as a mobile phone.

It will be able to accept a standard SIM card, allowing its wearer to receive and make calls — all without having to carry a mobile phone in their purse.

CC says this is a new wave of “simplicity” in “elegance.”

According the research, conducted by CC, mobile phone calls were often missed by women because mobile phones are quite awkward to carry, especially, when wearing an outfit with exceptionally small or no pockets.

The M-Dress was designed to allow women to stay connected to the world, while staying stylish.

In order to use, the wearer will place their SIM card in a small slot underneath the label behind the neck.

Using the same phone number as the wearer’s mobile device, when the dress rings, “the simple gesture of bringing your hand to the ear will allow the sensor to open the call and when done talking the gesture of releasing the hand downwards will close the call.”

No prices have been listed yet or indications of where to ‘dial’ from either…

Stale?

Stellar?

–

MAD WOMEN: PR Is Not Publicity

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:00:57 +0000

By: Gini Dietrich, guest blogger

Like Sasha Muradali, I am a huge Mad Men fan.

I love the storyline, the characters, the old days of advertising, the three martini lunches, and the clothes…oh the clothes!

While, I love the series, the first episode of this season really rubbed me the wrong way.

{Spoiler alert: If you’re not yet watching season four, stop reading now!}

If you are, however, caught up and saw the first show of this season, you’ll remember Pete fretting to Peggy about losing the Sugarberry Ham account.

Peggy suggests they hire actresses to fight over a ham in the grocery store, in order to create a sense of urgency to buy one.

Pete, liking the idea of generating news coverage from the “event,” dismally proclaims that publicity stunts aren’t billable.

However, he reluctantly agrees to go ahead with the stunt only to be pleasantly surprised when Sugarberry Ham sales are up…though not even the client knows the reason.

… And so was born public relations – in which clients begin to pay for publicity stunts.

Publicity is not PR.

PR is not publicity.

I remember when “Wag the Dog” came out.

I was only a year or so into my career and not even I could explain what I did.

But that movie helped so many people “understand” what we do. My mom called and said,

“OH! So that’s what you do.”

Umm, no.

Shows like Sex & the City, PoweR Girls, and SPINdustry (as Sasha blogged about here) do nothing more than sensationalize what we do for a living…and in a fairly harmful and untruthful way.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve never created a fake fight over a ham, a fake war to distract from indiscretions, created hype over a celebrity who was coming to an opening only to “back out” at the last minute, or allowed a client to spin the truth, just to make headlines.

I’m so much against this idea of our profession, in fact, that I have an entire blog dedicated to how much Spin Sucks.

The idea that no PR is bad PR is ridiculous, as evidenced by the most recent news with BP, Tiger Woods, LeBron James…need I go on?

There is such a thing as bad PR.

There is such a thing as spin.

There is a difference between nightclub openings, the paparazzi, and pairing celebrities with brands. This is publicity.

And it’s not what most of us in the public relations profession do for a living.

The problem is so much of what we do is invisible to the ‘outside’ (and even those within close proximity.)

People can confuse public relations with its end product.

While, I am positive a lot is wrong with the way Mad Men portrays the advertising agencies, let’s get real here.

Public relations and publicity are not synonymous. However, many PR campaigns include means for publicity.

Publicity spreads information to gain public awareness, typically via an advertising campaign (or stunt), for a product, person, service, cause or organization.

It is the child of effective public relations planning. Not the other way around.

‘Spin,’ on the other hand, that’s propaganda:-

“The engineering of consent is the very essence of the democratic process, the freedom to persuade and suggest.”

– (Edward L. Bernays, “The Engineering of Consent”, 1947)

Public relations is about two-way communication and engagement. It is a social science that manages communication between an organization and its publics, not to mention that it provides an organization, or individual, exposure to their target audiences.

Encompassing social media, it bridges the gap between advertising, marketing and journalism.

Public relations was created by Edward Bernays, not by a bunch of girls in mini-skirts and too-tight shirts, not by celebrity-seeing junkies, not by a girl who is famous for a sex tape, and certainly not by an advertising agency in the 1960s.

Gini Dietrich is the founder and chief executive officer of Arment Dietrich, Inc., a firm that uses non-traditional marketing in a digital world.

The author of the award-winning Spin Sucks (@SpinSucks), Gini has delivered numerous keynotes, panel discussions, coaching sessions, and workshops across North America on the subject of using online technology in communication and marketing.

Southern MUSICALITY: Light beer. Less calories…

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:09:36 +0000

Miranda Lambert via GoogleImages

“Sweet Home Alabama,” a 2002 film, starring Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, and Patrick Dempsey, is one of my personal favorite films of all-time.

It’s this deliciously entertaining romantic comedy about a sophisticated fashion designer named Melanie Carmichael, a rising star in the New York couture scene, who finds herself engaged to the city’s hottest and most eligible bachelor, Andrew Hennings.

In its twist, is that Melanie Carmichael, is actually Melanie Smooter, a tough-talking, rough-neck’s daughter from Alabama who escaped the backwoods and her many skeletons to fill her closet with fashion and make something of herself. One of those skeletons includes her backwoods husband — Jake, who she married right out of high school. He also refuses to divorce her.

Miranda Lambert -- Gunpowder & Lead

Jake: [not recognizing Melanie in her sunglasses] Can I help you?
Melanie Carmichael: Well, for starters, you can get your stubborn ass down here and give me a divorce.
Jake: You’re shittin’ me, right?
Melanie Carmichael: I never fully understood that expression, but no, I am not “shitting” you.

Determined to make all of her dreams come true, she visits Alabama and chaos ensues as she tries to sever all ties with her past. In one absolutely delightful scene, after Melanie finds out that she and Jake still share a joint-banking account, she takes all the money and redecorates his entire house.

Carrie Underwood via LIFE Magazine

Coming home to find his home turned upside down, he opens the fridge to grab a beer,

Jake: What the hell is this? Chick food?
Melanie Carmichael: Light beer. Less calories.

Carrie Underwood -- Undo It

… and that’s the inspiration for this #MusicMonday.

Taylor Swift via Taylor Swift from "Tim McGraw"

Chick food?

Hardly.

Chick beer is most like it, and the awesomeness that is girl fueled southern country rock.

Enjoy

Dixie Chicks -- Not Ready to Make Nice

LeAnn Rimes -- Nothin’ Better To Do

Kellie Pickler -- Best Days Of Your Life

Joey + Rory -- Cheater, Cheater

Gretchen Wilson -- Redneck Woman

Lady Antebellum -- American Honey

Gloriana -- Wild At Heart

Taylor Swift -- Should’ve Said No

Reba McEntire -- Consider Me Gone

Sugarland -- Want To

Miranda Lambert - Kerosene

Carrie Underwood -- Cowboy Casanova

Embrace the bad a$$ within

–

TRENDS REPORT: Fall Fashion 2010

Kelly A — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:00:37 +0000

By: Kelly Ahern, guest blogger

With these current breezy temperatures and the near-torrential rain it certainly must be time for a change.

Even the once lush green leaves are suddenly looking a bit golden- ahh the onset of autumn.

The time when one must prepare to ditch her sky-high strappy sandals and distressed cutoffs for more practical, cold-weather trends.

Fear not fashionistas, for this season we have some of the industry’s most stylish to aid in your transition.

By now you have probably come across some of the most anticipated fall trends, seen catwalk images, maybe even snagged a few pieces from pre-sales; but have you ever wondered how pieces from a designer collection are actually dubbed a “trend”?

Critical couture decisions fall into the hands of men like Ken Downing.

Being the fashion director for luxury retailer Neiman Marcus isn’t simply fun and games, it’s serious, and it’s about creating a lifestyle.

“I really create the attitude and the message and the mood of the season that the company will be following,” Downing said in a recent article from The Canadian Press.

Downing is constantly surveying collections from around the globe, he pays particular attention to recurring themes and finds the designers who are producing enough of the select trendy pieces he chooses to fill Neiman Marcus’ racks.

These “trends” are then incorporated into all levels of the company’s marketing messages and integration even goes as far as physically placing the styles on individual mannequins, enticing fashion admirers to take a closer look.

Downing continued to explain the process to The Canadian Press, “For instance if we believe in green, we need to have green everywhere”.

You bet there will be green everywhere—Downing urges avid couture consumers to keep an eye out for the hue, especially as it takes form in military-influenced olive.

What other trends can be expected for this vastly approaching season?

“The pantsuit is probably the most important item,” Downing stated.

He promises a femme-fatal twist, as the traditional pantsuit is expected to go glam when paired with lace.

Curious about how to make the style switch as effortlessly as possible?

Look no further than the legendary Jason Wu.

This Manhattan-based fashion designer has already got quite the celebrity following—Ivanka Trump, January Jones, Amber Valletta and of course who can forget RuPaul—not to mention he has been advising the current First Family, specifically First Lady Michelle Obama.

With his ultra-chic sense of style Wu gave our fab friends at InStyle vital tips on how to effectively incorporate fall trends into everyday looks.

Words to live by for every fashion-connoisseur: “Never take a take a trend literally. Pick a piece—not the whole look—and it will work for you”.

Eager for even more flirty fall fashions?

Check out these great images from The Huffington Post as they cast their votes for what will be hot this season.

Camel is sure to make a comeback this fall says Wu and the style-stalkers at The Huffington Post. Make the look work for you by following Kate Bosworth’s lead…it’s all about minimalism.

You heard it from Downing himself, it’s all about lace this season. The added texture transfroms the simple into the spectacular; Blake Lively sure knew how to turn up the heat in this Dolce & Gabbana lace bustier ensemble.

Your classic LBD should be replaced by a firey red frock this fall says The Huffington Post, looks like Natalie Portman agrees.

Embrace the change of foliage and let it inspire you to try new looks this season.

{ADbitious} How to take an African Safari Ride with Louis Vuitton

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:00:04 +0000

Lions, Tigers and Louis Vuitton, Oh yeaaa baby!

Recently, luxury brand Louis Vuitton released their images for the 2010 travel collection.

Starring Dree Hemingway (yes, Ernest’s great-granddaughter), there’s an ample amount of tents, lion cubs, sunsets, campfires and feelings of a wild heart reinstating exactly what the brand stands for: luxury.

The thing is, when we think of Africa, we think of the poor and under privileged — which we know is awfully stereotypical of us. That and the entire set seems very colonial — almost too colonial, in fact.

So while, it’s gorgeous to view, the entire set seems incredibly unrealistic with a throwback to 1940s Hollywood.

However, that being said, it’s nice to see a brand embracing Africa.

It’s nice to see a brand embracing the land for it’s lush and unknown-wide open spaces, animals and bringing glamour back into the Dark Continent.

We can certainly applaud that because it defies what is typically ‘fabulous’ these days (i.e. Paris, London, Milan, Tokyo, New York, etc.)

Plus, the set eludes that old Hollywood style of ‘The African Queen’ with a touch of the contemporary.

This is probably our favourite image from the entire set:-

The set was shot by Carter Smith, under the direction of William Snieg. The models were styled by Antje Winter and the catalog was produced by Brachfeld.

Absolutely love this one too:-

It’s all so ‘The English Patient’ meets ‘A Far Off Place’ — we love

y tu?

*All Images via Louis Vuitton*

–

Oldies Are Kurt Cobain & Mobile Phones To Tell Time, Is This Really GEN-Y 2.0?

admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:20:48 +0000

Image via WeHeartIt.com

Each year, since 1998, the administrators at Beloit College in Wisconsin put together a cheat sheet for their professors on the incoming freshman class and fall 2010 is no different as the class of 2014 (born in 1992) gets ready to attend university.

This cheat sheet is called the Mindset List and its purpose is to tell professors (and any other faculty who would care to read) about the “cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college this fall.”

Initiated in 1998 by Tom McBride and Ron Nief, the Mindset List offers a unique and more importantly, a culturally aware look into young America. Or does it?

With the release of the list analyzing the class of 2014, what’s different?

Or for that matter, what would surprise the non-millennial?

Kurt Cobain is on the ‘oldies’ music list.
Few know how to write cursive.
E-Mail is too slow.
“Caramel macchiato” and “venti half-caf vanilla latte” are considered commonplace lingo.
One quarter of the students have at least one immigrant parent, and therefore are not afraid of immigration in the United States.
Fergie is a pop singer, not a British duchess.
“They never twisted the coiled handset wire aimlessly around their wrists while chatting on the phone.”
Czechoslovakia has never existed.
Presidential parties have always included a rock band for entertainment.
Beethoven is a great name for a dog.
“Having hundreds of cable channels but nothing to watch has always been routine.

So with these nuances now front-and-center, I, for one was curious.

As a digital native, I was the class of 2007 — what has changed? Or better yet, has not changed?

“Ctrl + Alt + Del” is as basic as “ABC.”
Bert and Ernie are old enough to be parents.
Screening test for AIDS always existed.
Backpacks were always able to fit computers.
“Fried eggs” and “your brain” have always had some sort of association.
PIN numbers always existed — for everything and anything.
“Banana Republic has always been a store, not a puppet government in Latin America.”
Yuppies are almost as old as the Hippies.
“Rock and Roll has always been a force for social good.”
Peeps are not candy, rather they’re friends.
“They know who the “heroes in a half shell” are.”
“They can still sing the rap chorus to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the theme song from Duck Tales.”

Aside from the lengthy lists on digital habits and tidbits on popular culture, one of the most important things to remember for anyone reading this list (or any other is that,) life moves very quickly (probably even more so in a digital age.)

Generational perception and differences provide historical context.

So really, is the list really about being ‘cool’ with students, rather than trying to truly understand them?

After all, not everything in this list are concrete and completely relevant to each and every person in a generation. That is commonsense.

Not only that, but some of the ‘facts’ listed seem to be a tad superficial and condescending. This, makes the mind wonder about how much of it are true ‘facts’ as opposed to insincerity to perpetrate superiority.

Plus, I’m missing the references to Harry Potter and (dare I even mention it) Twilight in there.

For the class of 2007, when we graduated from university, for those of us that were avid readers or fans of fantasy (just a few million of us,) Harry Potter had taken up a entire decade of our lives (1997-2007.)

That’s an entire 10 years: from when were were pre-teens to when we were pre-adults.

And Twilight, well a lot of folks attribute its success to Harry Potter with timing being everything and the new series being able to fill a sinking-void left behind to a decade’s worth of fantastical-thrill seekers. That’s roughly a couple million people. That’s roughly a couple hundred-thousand millennials.

Just saying…

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{Allergy Fix!} Ooh. Emm. Gee. Saved by the Puffs…with VICKS!

admin — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 19:36:42 +0000

(This is a public relations, advertising, social media and trends blogzine — but I had to share this with you guys because it literally saved me….)

I have the plague and it sucks.

If you’ve been following me on Twitter or are friends with me on Facebook, you’ve seen me complaining and writing random tweets to Mother Nature about the ‘plague.’

The “plague” in Sashaland is actually my allergies.

I’m one of those lucky folks who is allergic to the bloody weather, smoke, flowers, pollen, dust, fur, perfume — you name it (except Anklet, not allergic to the kitty who adopted me ironically.)

Ankee, the kitty who adopted me

I can’t go to Yankee Candle, I bypass the perfume section in the department stores and I have serious loathing for those women who spray you when you walk in. I just have to smell it and my sinuses declare war on my body.

Since moving to New York City in February, I’ve been waiting patiently for my allergies to spark. It sounds absurd, I know. But when you’re me, it’s better to prepare for the worst.

I came to New York City prepared with boxes of tissue, tea and Rx allergy medication. I made sure to purchase Organic Allergy Luxe pillows and I also keep a carton of orange juice stocked in my fridge. I refuse to buy another juice because I need all the Vitamin C I can get (especially, since I’m under the impression that New York City is absolutely filthy.)

No lie.

So behold, there I am in Duane Reade (the New York version of Wallgreens or CVS) browsing through the issue aisle, as I’ve used up two boxes in three days, and I see Puffs tissue.

I needed something really soft, so I thought that Puffs should be better than Kleenex, which is sometimes tougher in texture.

It was then that something caught my eye — Puffs came out with something new! No, it wasn’t an ordinary Puffs Plus with aloe and all the other goodness.

No, no — it was Puffs Plus with Vicks!

Yes, yes, the vapor rub people!

*I dieee*

Take that allergies! I bought two family size boxes

So yes, if you are sick, have been sick, or just want to stock up on it — take my word for it:-

A nose in need, deserves Puffs Plus indeed…with Vicks!

–

Sasha Muradali runs the Little Pink Book and suffers from the allergy-plague. *cough*cough*sniffle*sniffle*

Fashion Goes Viral with Integrated-Marketing Campaigns

Kelly A — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:13:49 +0000

By: Kelly Ahern, guest blogger

As summer nears its end the same thing is on every fashionista’s mind—a new wardrobe.

With the change of seasons comes the need to de-clutter one’s closet and make way for the freshest fall fashions. But what is it exactly that grabs our attention in this dire time of need?

One word: advertising.

It seems like the Fall 2010 season is already heating up as it brings with it a bevy of creative integrated marketing campaigns, technologically advanced advertisements and naturally some of the stylish trends to date.

A common thread seen among the marketing of this season’s newest designs is the incorporation of multi-media.

Designers and their ad-teams are moving beyond simple print materials and editorial spreads, they’re dreaming up bigger and better tactics. Whether it’s the further incorporation of billboards and outdoor advertising or even the addition of viral campaign videos, industry professionals know that now is the time to challenge those boundaries and really get creative.

A|X Armani Exchange took it another step further by fostering consumer engagement with the creation of 3-dimensional print advertisements, video and applications on their website which allow visitors to re-create their own 3-D designs.

Following this emergence of multi-faceted marketing is Alexander Wang. The designer had not one, but two ad campaigns come out earlier this week.

The first is a follow-up to his premiere T campaign. This season the print ads will feature rock-n-roll beauty Zoë Kravitz alongside male model Max Motta.

Like last season, the line’s National Promotions & Advertising department will be placing the images around New York, targeting locations in SoHo as well as the East and West Villages.

Wang will also release his first-ever women’s campaign video in collaboration with famed photographer Craig McDean, stylist Karl Templer and creative director Fabien Baron. The video highlights the desinger’s inspiration for the new collection and features Abbey Lee Kershaw.

The footage will reportedly premiere not only on Wang’s official website but also on a select number of fashion sites, including WWD, French Vogue, Love and Style.com.

And what does every glamazon need to accompany the perfect fall ensemble? The right accessories of course—

The unforgettable Kate Moss has got you covered there. Her second handbag line for Longchamp will be available for purchase beginning between the months of September and October.

Can’t wait the extra few weeks? Anxious consumers can rejoice because supermodel Moss is on top of the latest marketing trend. She too has released behind-the-scenes footage of her Fall 2010 Campaign.

What is unique about these viral videos is not that they are taking YouTube by storm or constantly being re-tweeted, it’s the simple fact that they allow the consumer to enter the realm of the brand.

Exclusive footage and sneak previews of campaign production provide individuals with the accessibility to explore the new designs before pieces are actually released. What once was a privilege for top magazine editors is now available to any fashion enthusiast.

Thanks to this happy marriage between creativity and technology, you know longer have to be seated in the front row at Fashion Week to catch a glimpse of what your favorite designers have to offer this season.

Sophia & Full of Grace: Beyoncé Channels Loren & Kelly for House of Deréon FW 10/11

Kelly A — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:56:38 +0000

By: Kelly Ahern, guest blogger

She is the epitome of class and sophistication; known for exceeding expectations and exuding professionalism.

And she sure has done it again--

By transforming herself and image for both her Deréon and House of Deréon Fall 2010 advertising campaigns, Beyoncé Knowles has proven that she can do it all.

First posing as an edgy, tattoo-adorned blonde, for her sportswear line, Deréon, Beyoncé soon after channeled her natural glamour for the House of Deréon campaign by donning a long strapless yellow dress accompanied by makeup and hair circa the 1940’s.

“These two campaigns feature Beyoncé, but that is where the similarity ends,” Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, commented in a recent press statement. “They are so different in mood and creative direction reflecting the distinction between the two brands.”

Images for both of the campaigns were shot by celebrity photographer, Tony Duran.

Minimalism was not on this girl’s mind, as Beyoncé went all out conveying the truest form of her “Sasha Fierce” alter-ego.

Posing as a futuristic biker-babe for Deréon, Beyoncé’s head-turning look sparked curiosity among fans because not only did she rock a seductively short black dress and buckle-studded booties, but in some shots she even went as far as going topless.

“The inspiration for this look was Marilyn Monroe meets Angelina Jolie. I named her Jolie Monroe,” the songstress-turned-designer told People in an interview for their August 23rd issue.

Throughout the shoot for Deréon, Beyoncé was styled by her mother Tina (also the line’s Creative Director), who famously was the mind behind the constantly admired ensembles worn by Destiny’s Child.

The Deréon collection features studded leggings, lace biker shorts, fierce shoulders and high-waisted hot pants.

As for her House of Deréon campaign, Beyoncé played dress up with the help of red hot lips and pin-up curls. The pop star modeled an elegant printed strapless gown while she posed against a sultry wallpapered backdrop.

While conveying the classic beauty of old-time Hollywood, Beyoncé referred to this particular “girl” as “Sofia. [Loren] Grace [Kelly] Deréon.”

House of Deréon began in the fall of 2004 when both Beyoncé and her mother Tina announced their plans to design together. Beyoncé later expanded the brand by launching the junior line Deréon, with the help of sister Solange Knowles, in 2006. The urban fashion apparel is known for its affordability and is available at Macy’s.

Beyoncé fans can also catch a glimpse of her modeling the newest pieces by viewing behind-the-scenes- footage for both ad campaigns.

Naturally, each video showcases original Beyoncé music.

Ever wonder where the name for these stylishly chic lines evolved? It’s quite the family affair; the name Deréon itself was taken from Beyoncé’s maternal grandmother, Agnez Deréon.

No surprise here-- it seems the lovely Knowles ladies were born with style in their veins!

Just Like You… Only Prettier #MusicMonday

admin — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:01:06 +0000

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love the Gunpowder & Lead Girl … like a lot.

So much so, I often quote her Praying Mantis ways parallel to swallowing men whole and spitting them out.

It gives great glee

“I got a mouth like a sailor and yours’ is more like a Hallmark card.”

… and “Only Prettier” is no different because Miranda Lambert rocks!

The track is this awesome up-tempo song, back by both electric and steel guitars with ample percussion. It’s about two girls, the narrator, is a rowdy country girl, and a stereotypical-model-thin city girl.

Throughout the song Lambert describes their differences, but by the time chorus hits, it’s said that the two actually have more in common than they don’t.

But what makes Lambert wickedly awesome, is her sense of humor as her character gets the laugh word by saying,

“[Country girls are] just like you, only prettier.”

The video is a play on the film Grease and we loveeee.

True to power girl form, it also stars fellow country artists Kellie Pickler, Laura Bell Bundy, and Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum.

{iStyle} A|X Goes 3-Dimensional with “2020/Speed Style”

Kelly A — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:20:54 +0000

By: Kelly Ahern, guest blogger

This fall admirers of both fashion and technology can join together to bask in the beauty of 3D.

The month of August marks the release of Armani Exchange’s marketing campaign for its Fall 2010 line, which coincidentally will treat the industry, and consumers, to a compilation of integrated three-dimensional advertisements.

The campaign, “2020/Speed Style”, will include a series of color images that will be showcased in major national media—print, outdoor ads, and naturally, online.

The “in-book” media campaign will consist of two-page spreads featured in magazines including GQ, Details, Out, Men’s Health, ELLE, InStyle, Glamour, Nylon, V Magazine, Interview, and People StyleWatch.

In a recent press release from PR Newswire it has been reported that consumers will reap an extra bonus as well; the ads will include pop out the 3D glasses!

“The A|X Fall 2010 3D advertising campaign will run in GQ, V Magazine, and Interview with exclusive A|X 3D glasses for viewing the creative.

These ads will direct readers to a specially designed 3D page on the A|X “Life” section of the brand’s website, where users will be able to view an exclusive 2D and 3D music video based around the A|X Fall 2010 advertising campaign on A|X:TV.

This breakthrough A|X3D campaign will also be featured in store windows, on video screens in the top 10 markets in both North America and in international markets.”

Customers can also create their own versions of a 3D image using the tools available on the A|X website.

This tech-savvy campaign was created to specifically target what the brand calls its “A|X Generation.”

Armani suggests that the campaign itself is meant to envelope consumers within a “futuristic city at the edge of darkness” and hopes to spark the “thrill of the future unknown.”

Under the direction of Tom Jarrold, CMO for A|X, photographer, Matthew Scrivens, shot on location in Brooklyn, New York.

The set, constructed on a soundstage, was styled to portray the “underworld” of “2020/Speed Style.”

Panel of diffused light were used compete with the darkness and evoke mystery.

Armani’s press release describes that, “these distinctive details provide the futuristic backdrop to cutting-edge street chic styling and accentuate the provocative energy and intense mood of intoxicating danger. The campaign also features a Ducati 1198S Motorbike as a prominent character, adding an erotic and surreal visual aesthetic to the cinematic-style images”.

Armani Exchange is among the top fashion industry leaders to actually incorporate 3D images for a main seasonal campaign.

Their cutting edge Fall 2010 campaign will bring together three innovative marketing trends: exclusive content, online entertainment and social networking; truly taking fashion marketing to the next level.

As for the future of Armani Exchange’s creative media strategy— the brand plans to maintain a strong presence in national publications but also hopes to delve deeper into the realm of digital marketing, online and outdoor media outlets.

TV’s Portrayal of PR Women is Detrimental to the Profession’s Future

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:00:37 +0000

When entertainment skews reality and falsifies the rational perceptions of the real world, Houston, we have a problem.

That is what television’s portrayal of women in public relations is to today’s up-and-coming young women.

I would know I’m one of them.

From PoweR Girls to SPINdustry, The Hills to Kell on Earth there is a irrational storm brewing that the public relations world has been ignoring for far too long: the entertainment industry tossing the profession a bone, by including it in their novelties but at the cost of reinforcing gender stereotypes, ridiculous expectations and creating a desire within the young women of Generation-Y that cannot be met.

In watching these shows without any prior knowledge of what it means to be a true public relations practitioner, it can easily be said that all public relations people are glorified event planners, sharks (or man eaters – take your pick,) probably blond, young, certainly white and mostly work in industries like fashion and entertainment. Period.

However, in reality, that’s not the case.

In fact, that is only a very small percentage of the industry, yet, it accounts for a large percent of its representation. That and fictional characters like Samantha Jones from Sex & the City and Shauna Roberts from Entourage reinforce the problem tenfold.

Happy Pills via WeHeartIt

In a recent article by Dionne C. Clemons on the Public Relations Society of America’s Diversity column she pointed out that many of her students walk into her Introduction to Public Relations university course under the presumption that they want to be the next Lizzie Grubman.

I’m sorry, what?!

These girls, who are more or less my age, want to grow up to be silicone lip-injecting-crack-w*ores living on daddy’s money?

Okay, that was harsh. I take it back…mostly.

The day someone comes to me and says they want to be the next Jonathan Cheban, is the day I officially write a letter to the Universal Accreditation Board (who issues the APR) as well as the Public Relations Society of America and title it, WTF Are You Doing? Protect the Brand, Damn It!

Okay, that too, was harsh.

But I don’t take it back because these minority groups of the industry leading the way, pummeling through all that is vast, wide and far-reaching will inevitably downgrade the importance of my degree and YOURS.

It’ll be a frigid day in hell freezing over, before I stop advocating for our industry to take responsibility for itself and its image.

After all, that is what other people pay us to do.

So one must forgive me because I have a hard time understanding why what comes so naturally and easily for our industry to do for others, we cannot do for ourselves. And for those of us that do — we are in segmented bubbles, far and few in between.

via WeHeartIt

Not taking hold of the superficial will undermine the transparency, accountability and responsibility we try to impart into our campaigns for our clients.

But most of all, it will undermine us, the professionals themselves.

Us – who toil away to enable our clients to try to walk on water, we who believe in relationships and growth, we, the people, who…

Well, YOU get it, do you not?

As Gini Dietrich puts it out there, spin sucks. And the stereotypical portrayal of public relations women on television and in movies is spinning all of us into these images that hardly encompass what we do.

It’s truly sad when your family thinks you are a party planner, or that you really are Emily Charlton from The Devil Wears Prada because they cannot grasp what it is you really do (no matter how many times you explain it) thanks to television.

At some point you just start calling it advertising because almost everyone knows what that is.

Nothing is wrong with being an entertainment publicist, nothing is wrong with working in investor relations and nothing is wrong with being another side to the same prism of public relations, a field we have a passion for.

But, in order to grow as an industry, we have to MANAGE our relationships with those who are not in public relations.

Awareness must be raised outside the classroom before the students set foot inside the door.

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Success in VIRAL for the Social Web: Girl Quits Job via Dry Erase Board

admin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:50:27 +0000

Meet Jenny. (UPDATE: August 13, 2010 – Interview w/ ‘Jenny’ on LemonDrop)

Jenny is our new hero.

Well, actually, Jenny is our would-be-hero had we thought Jenny was real.

But, alas, it was a hoax.

Click to Enlarge via LemonDrop that Jenny is Fake to read

But it doesn’t matter, because the folks at The Chive, who hired Jenny (whose real name is Elyse Porterfield) — well, they still made our day reading this bit about a women who quit her job via dry erase board and outed her icky, icky, icky boss at the same time.

We, the women folk, who have put up (or currently are putting up) with skeezy men — yes, we can relate, we can appreciate, we can sympathize.

Heck, anyone who has ever been in Jenny’s situation (or something similar) could relate, man or woman.

And that, my friends, is the key to making something go viral in the social space: making it appeal to the masses with a very delectable hook.

With over 200,000 shares on Facebook, over 6,000 thumbs up on Digg, over 31,000 tweets on Twitter and and down-pouring of comments in 24-hours (August 9-10, 2010), “Girl quits her job on dry erase board, emails entire office” is our new favourite item gone ’round and ’round about.

Now that is pure awesome word-of-mouth goodness; Ricky Van Veen would be proud.

Apparently, the girl, Jennifer, wasn’t too happy with her sexist, domineering boss named Spencer. When she found out, after two years of working for him, that all he thought of her as was a “Hot Piece of Ass,” she quit.

She did what any young-blooded, digital native American would do — she took pictures and e-mailed them to her office.

Some key takeaways are:-

This viral hoax was compelling … because it appealed to human nature and people were able to sympathize with Jennifer.
It was funny … who doesn’t like to laugh?
It was classy … no foul language, nothing obscene, nothing provocative. It proves that campaigns don’t need to have a sexual connotation, innuendo or be overtly obnoxious to to drive traffic.
There was a hook within the first 30-seconds of reading … by the time the viewer got to the “I’m looking @ you Spencer” image, the bait had been bitten.

Without any loud bells, whistles or obnoxious comments, see below:-

Words cannot begin to describe the laughter we had reading these.

Initially, we thought, Jennifer, whoever she is, was ballsy — definitely making her “A-Okay” in our books.

And although we don’t recommend ‘outing’ people, we do like to see people stand up for themselves and we enjoy a good laugh.

So fake or not, Jenny we heart you!

Without further ado, check it out:-

AUDITION photo:-

Thoughts?

** All images belong to The Chive & their Jenny.**

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