VMA Redux

So I live tweeted for the first time last night and it was so much fun. And obvs I wouldn't do it for anything less than super important - like the VMAs. I did get in trouble from a certain boyfriend (not naming names or anything) for over-tweeting. In the words of my three-year-old niece Payton, "Whatever. I don't care." She's precious.

So anyway - last night's show was a doozie. First of all, let me just say how proud I am of our girl Brit (and I know Syd will be feeling me as soon as she gets back from Cabo!)

Even though we need to get that girl a new hair stylist stat (it's called dry shampoo/volume/at least a little hairspray!), she still managed to pull it off. Although she seemed a bit nervous - wish we could have seen her face behind that static microphone! Moving on, she deserved some lovin' after what she's been through and it's obvious her fans are rabidly awaiting her comeback tour! I'll be the first to reserve a stretch limo for my girls and breakout the boob shirt as soon as Brit announces her tour dates - may even have to fly to Vegas for the occasion.

Anywho - the rest of the VMAs were blah.

I can't stand Miley Cyrus (is it me or is she just mean?? Did anyone else catch her trying to punch sweet little Taylor Swift in the face? Gross).

Lil' Wayne's performance was ridiculous - why even wear pants at that point?

Paramore was good and Katie Perry is adorable albeit a little annoying... but other than that I was not impressed. Oh except Xtina's performance - good bye Madonna, you have been replaced by a far more talented singer/dancer/performer than you. And she has boobs. Ouch.

So that's it for now. Sorry I've been so MIA - the rest of the work duties are taking over my life. I seriously cannot believe I am responsible for several other blogs, Twitters, Facebooks...plus my own! Sheesh. I barely have time to... ummm... shower. Yeah, that's right (sorry Mom!) I don't shower daily any more because I literally don't have time to eat/sleep/work/play and wash my hair.

Check out the work blog and ANSR: Acne Care's PR blog (a.k.a. what's been keeping me so busy the past several months). We better get in a glossy soon or I'm going to have a nervous breakdown! I'd take the Today Show too... whatev.

Obsessed with Tech? Prove it and win free gadgets from Ciao...

Hey everyone,

One of my new clients, Ciao.com, is hosting a contest for the world's biggest electronophiles (read: people who are scarily, even unhealthily, obsessed with tech. Like "stop using your fancy new iPhone while driving or you're gonna kill us all" obsessed...)

It's really easy to enter - all you have to do is join the Ciao community and either submit a video or written review of your fave tech gadget. Put "electronophile" in the title of your review and you're in the running for these sweet prizes:

- An Apple 8G iPod Touch, an approximate $299 retail value
- A Nintendo DS Light handheld gaming console, an approximate $299 retail value
- A Sony Cybershot DSC-W120 digital camera, an approximate $179 retail value

What is Ciao? It's an online shopping community that pays members for accurate, honest reviews about everything from cell phones to laptops to home appliances (even movies!)

Read all about the contest here. (thanks to PitchEngine for our fancy new social media release!)

Oh, and I just posted it on this cool site that lets you know about a ton of free contests and giveaways (if only I didn't have to work...)

It's here, it's here!!

One of my fave clients is FINALLY on the market!! It's ANSR: Acne Care, a truly groundbreaking anti-acne skincare product. Check out their website for real-life testimonials (these people will make you cry) and the coolest infomercial I've ever seen.

We also have our very own snazzy PR blog for media who are interested in learning more - but regular folks may like it too. ;-)

I've been using ANSR: for a few months and am LOVING my skin! (disclaimer: my company is being paid to promote this product, but I swear I'd promote it for free because it actually works...)

For those who have known me for a while (or even just a few months) know that I am OBSESSED with beauty products (Sephora has frequently been called my mothership and I have recurring dreams about having my very own store). And I've tried everything for my acne - Murad, Proactiv, oral and topical antibiotics, natural remedies (they don't work!) One thing that did work on my own was not drinking coffee...I think it aggravates acne b/c it causes inflammation in the body.

Anyway, take a look at these pics (no I'm not a narcissist, I'm just really happy I have clear skin!)

If you're reading this and have acne, or know anyone who has acne, tell them about ANSR: It will change lives and I'm not kidding. We'll have some real people blogging about their experiences with ANSR: soon, but just to give you a feel for how powerful this stuff is, here's what one infomercial star had to say (warning, be prepared to be moved!):

I had a relapse of severe acne last summer that wouldn't respond to anything. I got in on this on the trial level and it's unbelievably amazing. It's phototherapy and treats acne on like three levels. It didn't dry my skin out and it's not harsh. The beauty about the light is you can't do it "too much," it fits in the palm of your hand, and it's not horribly expensive. The truly cool part is it's ability to heal scars and hyperpigmentation (those discoloring marks left after the pimple has gone away). I've never really bought into a product but the results are pretty amazing. For a first time in a long time the first thing I saw in the morning was my eyes, not my challenged skin. It's so amazing I'm willing to send the people I know my own picture - before and afters (it's on the living proof page) - to show you the difference. While I will probably always struggle with acne, I now have something that works in managing it. It's not a "cure" but a system that manages acne. I saw my acne shift from cystic all over to just little acne. My breakouts are greatly reduced. The topicals are geared toward total face help. In other words, I'm 36 and can use this and only this rather than searching for special moisturizers and extras to keep my skin - aging skin I might add - looking good and healthy. It worked for me, it may work for you or someone you know. I know skin can be a tough issue to bring up with someone. I've had acne all my life and I know it's painful. This stuff really can make a difference for someone. While there are no such things as overnight cures, this is worth a try....it really is.

You'll meet this star later via the ANSR: PR Blog and I'm sure you'll see her in media coverage in the coming months. She rocks!

So that's about it on the ANSR: front. You'll hear more. ;-) Other exciting things are happening at R/West... lots of new clients to announce, but those will appear on our blog.

For my three friends who actually read this blog, here are some JA updates. I still love living in the Pearl, it's hot in P-town (107 today!) and I'm looking forward to a very relaxing weekend IN MY OWN BED (this doesn't happen often). After a summer of traveling to NYC, Jersey, Los Angeles, San Diego, Newport Beach, Fargo, San Francisco a billion times, Sonoma County and soon-to-be Port Ludlow, Wash. - Steve and I will be relishing our time in our little 1 bedroom "Loft-O-Paradise" in the Pearl. Curb Your Enthusiasm marathon to ensue...

Ciao for now!
Jules

WTF is a lolcat

Apparently it's this whole online phenomenon fueled by some peeps with way too much time on their hands. Kinda catchy though. They even have their own language called "Kitty Pidgin" (like pidgin English, get it?)

A lolcat is best explained through imagery. Here is one to your left.

Wow.

In other animal planet news. Two of my best friends have adorable puppies and it's making me incredibly jealous and ga ga for baby dogs. It's disgusting really. I let one practically gnaw my fingers off last night as my friends are trying to train him to stop biting. Oops. The best part? They both have old man names: George and Henry. How cute is that?! They just need pot bellies and receding hairlines and their transformation will be complete.

So my friend last night watched me as I was tearing myself away from George to go home. She looks at Steve and goes - "You'll have a puppy in a month."

Dear Steve,

I want a puppy. I will love it forever (and you, of course.)

xoxo,
Jules

Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth Day to my peeps!

In honor of my fave environmentalist, this is a shout out to Ed Begley, Jr. - who I had the pleasure of chauffeuring when he was in town for the Better Living Show last month.

Keep up the good work Ed! I'm going to make it a point today to tell everyone I know not to recycle bottle caps. They end up in baby sea animals' mouths... :-(

Also, sorry for the lack of posts lately...I'm up to my eyeballs in media and blogger lists. Really makes the days fly by.

Ciao for now. Go save the earth!

Aaaah!

So much to do that I literally don't have time to blog... that is bad for someone trying to convince her clients of the importance of social media. I'm such a hypocrite... k, I'm over it. Something I'm not over however is that Ambre won Rock of Love II. Barf.

On the profesh front...here's an update for my two followers and the Kendalls (you know who you are!)

Well, we've launched Mercato (the new Italian joint in the Pearl.) We had a really successful media lunch last week, followed by a grand opening "Italian Celebrazione." Doesn't that sound so much prettier than grand opening?

Things are also buzzing on the new client front. I am ECSTATIC about working with OAT (Oregon Aesthetic Technologies) to help launch their anti-acne fighting genius ANSR. Stay tuned for more info...it's top secret for now. ;-)

We also have a new addition to our R/West PR family. Brittney Lively started last week. She comes from Columbia (she worked on Sorel and Montrail PR.) She's an absolute rockstar and is already showing Cision the bizness (that's our media database, bitches.) I'll post a photo as soon as I figure out how to get it off of the R/West cam...


Finally, Maryhill has announced its summer concert series. If you like BB King, Crosby, Stills & Nash or Michael McDonald...head over to Maryhill in Goldendale, Wash. this summer. Pop quiz: which of these three artists has yours truly sang back-up for? A 22 oz of Stumptown Tart to the winner...

Oh, that reminds me...Bridgeport is launching it's newest "Big Brew" - Stumptown Tart - at the Pearl District brewery on Thurs., April 24. The R/Westies will be there in full force and may even hit up a karaoke bar or two after the event...

For any other cool PR and media kids in town - hope to see you tonight at the Media Bistro All Media Party at Vino Paradiso...

Rico

So I have to admit, I'm new the whole advertising game (PR born and bred, baby!) When I saw these ads the crew created for a dealership in Ohio, I laughed my ass off...but I'm no critic.

Luckily, these guys are... and someone at Ad Age actually felt the same way as little old me about the Rico ads. Check out last week's article.

For the full Rico experience, visit Rico Sells Cars dot com...

I am so proud of my fellow R/Westies!

Jame is a star!

Hey y'all... just had to share this video of one of my bff's Jamie Parcel on LiveVideo.com. I'm so proud of her - she's all grows up in Hollywood, interviewing David Schwimmer & everything! So I guess I have to see Run, Fat Boy, Run now...

Run Fat Boy Run

Live Better.

So we're doing PR for the Better Living Show and I have to admit, when I first heard about it in early January, I was a little skeptical... would people really go to a show to learn how to live green?

Well, Kendall and I just got back from a lunch run to our other colleagues hosting members of the press at the show, and let me just say the place was packed! And this was at 1:00 ( the show officially opened to the public at noon today.) We actually had to hunt for a parking spot... don't worry, we found one.

But the most awesome highlight of the day was getting to shuttle Ed Begley, Jr. from his appearance on AMNW (Channel 2) to his son's house. We're now officially want to be the co-presidents of his fan club. I may not go out and buy my own wind turbine, but I definitely thought twice before chucking my yogurt container into the trash...

For those of you who are in P-town this weekend - check out the Better Living Show at the Portland Expo Center (take I-5 N to exit 306B - it's clearly marked.) The show is free, parking is $7. Ed is speaking tonight at 7 p.m.

And for Rose City fashionistas - Portland Fashion Week is hosting an eco fashion panel and installation fashion show tomorrow (Saturday) from 5 - 8 p.m. at the SustainableLife Stage (in the back right corner of the show floor.) Even cooler, you can actually bid on Fall 2008 looks in the PFW Fashion Pavillion during a silent auction; and if you win, the designer will custom the piece to your own measurements. How sweet is that?! Most importantly, proceeds go to Children's Cancer Association.

Till next time... now go get your green on!

What I'm loving this moment...

So I just realized I've been eating at Mercato an average of 3 nights a week... and I'm getting fat. Oh well, at least I'm well fed.

For those of you who haven't yet, check it out. It's great pizza (Neopolitan style) - although I'd stay away from the Quatro or Veggie (not their best.) Their penne pasta is also amazing - simple yet spicy and delicious.

And of course, they have the best gelato in town. I'm obsessed with the Marscapone flavor. See Emilio - he'll show you what's up.

(Full disclosure: I am doing PR for Mercato, but I'd work for them for free that's how much I love this place!)

Ciao for now...

Back on the wagon

I realize that no one is reading my blog, which makes this activity seem somewhat ridiculous. I do feel, however, that there is a pretty good chance I will become famous very soon and then millions of people will be searching for any insight to my complex psyche... so I might as well throw 'em a bone.

Whatever. Basically, this blogging stuff is hard. I barely have time to workout and eat regularly, let alone contribute to a meaningful blog with any sort of consistency... but I've got to start somewhere.

So what's on my mind these days? Social media and what that means for PR people...

So here's my take. My job is to communicate on behalf of my clients with their intended audience/s. So if said audience is using social media, then said clients should be there...right?

Well, it's not as simple as that. You know what it feels like when you're shopping and an annoying sales person gets in your face to try and "help" you? Well, that's how I feel about today's marketers bombarding Facebook, MySpace and anything else they can get their grubby little fingers on.

The beauty of PR has always been its word-of-mouth factor. I think we can help clients navigate the online space to replicate that authenticity of face-to-face communication or editorial coverage - but with a little bit of savvy and finesse people! What's with all the crappy social ads and profile pages (did you see the hair loss ad on Facebook recently?) People just don't get it, and the brands that try too hard end up looking stupid and losing face with their intended audience.

So I guess I'm starting to feel like my purpose in life is to help brands maintain their online dignity... it's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it.

My current obsession

I know I definitely could take a vacay from dropping f-bombs left and right. This new awesome blog/e-newsletter/spiritual site of awesomeness agrees.

I'm a little nervous... it's my first time

So this is what the whole blogging thing is about -- taking a deep breath and unleashing your perspective on the world, eh? Sign me up.

I guess I should start with why I'm doing this. And there's a bit of a story behind it...

After three years in the public relations industry, I have finally found my niche. Just after the New Year, I started as a senior account executive at R/West, a full-service creative marketing agency in Portland, OR . After testing the waters at two other firms (one local, one worldwide), I was told to "stay still" for a while, warned that future employers wouldn't want to hire me after just a year at two agencies. I was prepared to do what I had to, even though there was this pit in my stomach telling me I was most definitely not cut out for the corporate world.

Well luckily for me, my good friend, whom I worked with at my first agency job, had recently become the director of PR at R/West... and I just couldn't stay away. For the first time in my life, I've followed my gut, my heart and my brain, and as my first month comes to an end, I finally feel I've found my place in this crazy, mixed-up world of press releases, pitches, media lists and clipping services.

Oh right, so why the blog? Well, our stellar R/West PR team recently invited a few clever freelancers to our digs to brainstorm some strategies for a potential client. The energy in the room was so awesome, that we asked ourselves why we don't do this more often? We're so trained to protect our "intellectual property" at all costs, not to share or collaborate ideas with other pros for fear of "client poaching." Well f that! I know for a fact that there are some great, smart PR people in this community and I for one am tired of playing in my own little corner.

So my super cool teammates at R/West (Heather, Kendall and our newest edition, Kathleen) and I are going to see if we can stir it up a bit, literally. Stay tuned for details on our first shindig. We're thinking some good eats, yummy wine, beer (of course, one of our fave clients is Bridgeport) and lots of other cool PDX PR chicks to discuss the latest and greatest in the land of PR. Now we've just got to work on getting the boss to sign off on our party fund...

Ciao for now,
PDX PR Chick