Order Up! How Working in a Restaurant is Like Working at an Agency

Most people think that working in a restaurant is awful. There are rude customers, long hours on your feet, and of course, you have to deal with food. Although there are plenty of reasons why people hate working in a restaurant, being a server is very similar to working at an agency.

First, taking an order for a customer is a lot like taking on a work order. The customer will tell you exactly what they want, and it is your job as the server to make sure that they get what they ordered. At an agency, a client will tell whoever is in charge what they are looking for, and it is their job to make sure they are getting what they asked for.

The creative team is like the team of cooks in the restaurant. The server will give you a food order, and it is your job to prepare it that way. Working at agency is comparable because your boss will give you the work order, and it is your duty to give them what they asked for under budget constraints.

Teamwork experience is valuable in both the restaurant and agency settings. You need to know how to work together with your co-workers to get the best results. If you need help, just ask! It is not always best to do everything yourself.

Working at a restaurant gives you time-management skills because you are usually doing a million things at once. Likewise, in any agency job, it is likely that you will have to manage more than one project at a time. To be a successful in both a restaurant and at agency, you have got to be able to multitask and think on your feet.

Another part of being able to multitask is the ability to stay calm under pressure. Whether you are busy with multiple tables at once at a restaurant or swamped with several projects at an agency, take a minute to relax. Make a list of everything that needs to be done so you don’t forget anything, and take things one step at a time.

Finally, maintaining customer loyalty is the same in a restaurant as it is at an agency. If you give the customer or client exactly what they are looking for, then they are likely to keep coming back. As a server, giving a customer a great experience will result in better tips and the possibility that they will come back and request you again next time. If you give your client their money’s worth, it will provide your agency with credibility, positive word-of-mouth, and the possibility that the client will choose your agency again for its next project.

Written By: Rachel Ausperk from Rebecca Adele PR & Events

The Kardashian Effect: Building a Brand Out of Thin Air

Kim Kardashian and her raven-haired clan get a lot of heat for being untalented, famous for being famous, and addicted to the limelight. Business ventures, style, and scandals aside, the Kardashian Empire seemed to come out of nowhere and onto our TV screens, magazine covers, department stores, and... pretty much everything else. We sympathize with Bruce Jenner in an episode of one of their many reality shows when, looking at Kim on a magazine cover in his Dentist’s office, he says, “I can’t get away from these people.” Either can we, Bruce. Either can we.

What exactly makes the Kardashians have this unprecedented staying power? What caused them to be welded permanently into our brains, water-cooler conversations, and pop culture with no end in sight? A unique mix of craziness, Ryan Seacrest, and phenomenal PR.

Kim Kardashian can’t sing or act. We have her stint on Dancing With The Stars to remind us that she can’t dance either. What she lacks in traditional talent that typically wields her kind of celebrity and notoriety, she makes up for with “momager” Kris Jenner. In 2007, Kim was moderately known for being friends with heiress and socialite Paris Hilton. Then her 2003 home video with Ray-J went viral, and she was well on her way to becoming a household name for all the wrong reasons, never able to shake the stigma of her past mistakes.

Enter Kris Jenner. With the help of her mom, Kim was able to sue the company who distributed the video, resulting in a $5 million settlement in April 2007. In October of that same year, the Kardashian family premiered their reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Jenner took advantage of the momentum from the lawsuit and their new reality show to launch Kim and her sisters Kourtney and Khloé into the world as bona fide celebrities.

Never missing the chance to stamp the name Kardashian on a product, Jenner almost single-handedly created an empire of epic proportions, tirelessly promoting the Kardashian brand, and leaving no rock unturned. The Kardashians have their name on several television shows, boutiques, perfume, nail polish, and clothing lines. They maintain an engaging presence on nearly all forms of social media. They have completely revolutionized the reality show format and the pathway to fame, and demonstrate daily the sheer power of technology and social media.

Through dedicated PR and promotion, as well as unparalleled business savvy, Kris Jenner and her family created and monetized their public personas, building a brand with international influence and true staying power. They have proved time and time again that that the Kardashians are dedicated, real, and here to stay.

The Kardashians are living proof of the phrase “There is no such thing as bad publicity.” They may be the butt of many jokes, but with a collective net worth somewhere near $80 million, the Kardashians are having the last laugh. 

Written By: Kate Glending from Rebecca Adele PR & Events

Disney Princess Merida’s Makeover Receives Public Criticism

We all know that the media has heavy influence on our perception of beauty, but to what extent? Well, if you’ve seen the Disney movie “Brave,” then you’ll be surprised to hear about Princess Merida’s makeover.

The Merida we all know and love from the movie underwent several alterations on Disney’s website. First, they switched her outfit from a functional dress that was appropriate for her outdoor adventures to a much brighter and frillier low-cut dress. Apparently her bow and arrows were not feminine enough, so those were removed. 

Then comes the changes to the Princess’ previously young, girl-like figure. Her waist had been cinched and her bust area was clearly increased. As if that wasn’t enough, they gave her longer eyelashes, rosier cheeks, and her young, excited smile was replaced by a sultry smirk. For a movie targeted at the younger age crowd, no wonder the public lashed out!

The Princess Merida that should be a character to which young girls could relate and look up to was transformed into an over-sexualized woman. I completely understand why Disney got so much backlash over the makeover because it just proves how the media tries to promote unhealthy and often times unrealistic versions of what women should strive to look like. It’s no wonder why so many women struggle with body image issues!

Although Disney quietly replaced the image with the Pixar original after all of the negative criticism it received, I think this incident is just a part of an even bigger problem of body image in the media that needs to be addressed. Disney should take this backlash into consideration from now on when deciding how to create the characters in their movies and other companies in the media should take note. 

Written by Rachel Ausperk from Rebecca Adele PR & Events

The New Crisis Response Team

Social media saves lives.

Now there’s something you probably haven’t heard before. But, it’s true.

The faster emergency aid can be delivered during a disaster, the lower the death toll. Fortunately, speed is among social media’s best qualities. Victims can send a tweet and within seconds, the entire Twittersphere knows that that victim is caught under rubble on Main Street. 

Social media also raises money, reunites families, and helps to locate pets and items lost during natural disasters. After the tornado in Moore, Oklahoma, residents created a Facebook page to find their lost documents and photos. Currently, over 12,000 people have joined. Photos like the one below litter the page, along with posts about volunteering and donation sites.

Many used social media to check on friends and family. Even more sent their condolences, like Oklahoma-raised celebrities Toby Keith, Reba McEntire, and Carrie Underwood.

Another example of social media in crisis situations is the Haiti Earthquake. Forty-eight hours after the Red Cross launched it’s $10 donation campaign, it had raised $32 million dollars. Most of this success was due to Twitter. The tweet announcing the initiative was retweeted 2.3 million times.

Despite the inevitable dark side of social media, the benefits are growing by the day. The face of crisis communication has been forever changed.  Natural disasters are devastating, but now, the whole world has become the response team. 

By: Maura Stewart from Rebecca Adele PR & Events

From Graduate Student to PR Professional: The Internship That Took Me From Where I Was To Where I Am

Written by Sydney Arnett 

It seems like just yesterday that I was planning my perfect outfit the night before my first day as an intern at Rebecca Adele PR & Events…all bright-eyed and eager to learn the ins-and-outs of the PR industry. Now, as my internship is coming to an end, I am sad to be leaving Rebecca Adele, but thankful to be moving forward with insight, knowledge, memories, life-long friendships, and a strong foundation from which I can continue to build my career.

As I look back, it’s remarkable to think how much I've grown, both personally and professionally, during my time at Rebecca Adele. To be honest, I didn’t always know what I wanted to be when I grew up. For a while it was a veterinarian, then an actress, then a plastic surgeon, maybe even an interior designer, or perhaps the general manager of a hotel. Even as a graduate student, six months ago if you would have asked me what I wanted to do with my life, I probably wouldn’t have been able to give you a confident answer. But thanks to this internship, and the help of my boss, Becki, that is no longer the case.

During my internship at Rebecca Adele I was given the guidance, experiences, and tools to develop as a public relations professional. From writing press releases, to creating social media plans, to participating in client meetings, I did it all. And I worked side by side with my boss, who mentored me, and showed me first hand what it’s like to run a PR agency—something most interns are not likely to experience.

Today, I can say with absolute certainty that public relations is the career field for me. I may not know where I’ll end up, or in what city, but I do know that I am passionate about public relations, and excited to continue on with my career and help clients share their stories and grow their brands.

So, yes, I’ve certainly learned a lot over the past few months. And, as I reflect on my time as an intern, there are certain things I have learned that I will take with me forever.

1.   Relationships are everything—oh, and so is your attitude. Building and maintaining relationships in PR (or life) is crucial. And the quickest way to make or break a relationship? Your attitude—so keep it positive!    

2.   It’s about quality, not quantity. It’s better to have a few of the best people than a lot that are just okay. We have a small group of employees here at Rebecca Adele, but boy do we produce the results of a large-scale agency.

3.   You can never know everything about the PR industry, but you should certainly try. So read, research, and stay on top of the constantly evolving world of PR and its technologies.

4.   The best things happen when you step (or get shoved) out of your comfort zone.

5.   Social media is important, like, SUPER important. It’s easy to think that you know everything there is to know about social media, or think that anyone can do it and be good at it. But actually quite the contrary is true. So if you want to be invaluable to a company, know your social media.

6.   You’ve got to be “on” 24/7…so you better love your job. The PR world never stops, so it will make your life a whole lot more enjoyable if you are passionate about your work.

7.   When in doubt, ask. It’s good to be curious about the world around you, and asking questions is one of the best ways to learn. Be a sponge and soak up as much knowledge, insight, and information as you possibly can.

8.   Capitalize on your strengths. There are so many facets of PR, and it’s impossible to be great at every one of them. That’s okay though. Find one, two, or even three things that you are really good at, and do them better than anyone else. And in your down time (well, lets face it, you’re in PR so you probably don’t have any) work on improving your other skills.

9.   People will surprise you. People are more willing to help than you would think…you just have to ask. I’ve witnessed this several times during my internship at Rebecca Adele, and over and over I’ve been delighted to see how genuinely happy people are to help out a young professional. I admit, it can be intimidating sometimes to ask for help or advice, but it’s worth it. (And remember to ALWAYS thank the people who do offer you their help!).

10. Work hard play hard. PR is a highly demanding, high energy, fast-paced industry. It takes hard work to be successful and a lot of hours and dedication. But the harder you work, the closer you get and the more fun you have with the team of people around you!

Thanks Becki, for not only being a great boss, helpful co-worker, my personal networking guru, but also a wonderful friend. I couldn’t have asked for a better foundation and start to my career than with Rebecca Adele PR & Events.

How I Learned that I Don't Know Everything

Spring is a time for growth and new beginnings, and an especially exciting time for Rebecca Adele PR & Events. My boss, Becki, recently celebrated her one-year anniversary of being in business, which has caused me to reflect on these past 5 months as an intern. To say that I learned a lot would be an understatement. Becki has been a true mentor to me in both personal and professional settings, and treated all of us interns as an integral part of the Rebecca Adele team.

Over the semester I had the opportunity to participate in many aspects of public relations and event planning. From learning how to write strong press releases, to using PR software to build media lists for clients, I have learned quite a bit about what it takes to have a career in public relations. My favorite subject that I got to focus on with Becki was the topic of social media.

As most young people do, I came into the internship thinking that there was little Becki could teach me about social media. I had a Twitter and Facebook account, so I must know everything right? WRONG. The art of social media marketing and management actually takes time and strategy. I started my internship tweeting about my friends and finished it with the skills to run a social media campaign for a multitude of clients.

At its core, social media is really just traditional concepts of word-of-mouth marketing powered by technology. Not every social network is right for every company. It is important to identify what your social media goals are. You can then tailor your content to accomplish these goals. Possible goals to consider are: offer customer support, increase sales, increase your audience, and gain repeat customers through brand recognition.

Content must be original and interesting, keeping in line with buyer persona. Buyer persona is just an understanding of who your audience is, and whom you want to reach. What kind of content would appeal to your buyers? Encourage customer interaction with your brand and always respond to customer feedback.

I have really enjoyed the responsibility of creating social media plans for Rebecca Adele PR & Events clients. Collaborating with them and Becki has ignited a passion I never knew I had for social media. As I start my senior year of college this fall, I will cherish this opportunity and greatly miss Becki, the other interns, and our clients. 

Kiss Me, I'm Irish! Okay, not really, but for one day I am!

Most people know St. Patrick’s Day as the weekend of green clothes and dark brews, but it is actually a religious celebration of the death of St. Valentine that has been celebrated for over 1,000 years. Even though this Christian holiday falls during Lent, restrictions on diet were lifted in celebration. People would dance, drink, and eat the day away.

St. Patrick’s Day weekend is home to countless parades and pub-crawls all over the world. For most the drinking starts early in the morning and the green beer and Guinness are free flowing throughout the day. We all know the dangers of drinking and driving, but what about those who don’t have a cool bar within walking distance? Do they have to miss out on all of the fun? The answer is NO! Invite over your friends and throw yourself an Irish celebration with a few of these easy ideas. 

Food

Other than traditional party favorites like wings, pizza, and burgers, the key ingredient to fun and festive food for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration is green food coloring. The next time you are at the grocery store, stop by the baking aisle and pick up some food coloring. Food coloring can be added to just about any recipe to at a little whimsy to your meals. 

To prepare for a long day of celebrating, it is important to have a good breakfast. Try adding food coloring to pancake batter for some green half dollar stacks! This is a big hit for both kids and adults.

You can continue the theme all day, adding in a little bit of your green food coloring to snacks like cookies, Rice Krispy treats, cupcakes, and chocolate covered pretzels.  

For a healthier option, consider slicing up some kiwi and celery for the food table.  You can also set out a bowl of green grapes for people to munch on.

Decorations

Decorations are a really simple way to set a theme for your party. In the case of St. Patrick’s Day, a great resource for decorations is your local dollar store. It is often overlooked for more expensive places like Party City, but for a one day per year event, your local dollar store is a great place to go!

Green party streamers, metallic shamrocks, St. Patrick’s Day bunting, and flags are all easy to hang around your living room. The dollar store is also a great place to find St. Patrick’s Day party favors to hand out to your guests!

Activities

One of the best parties I ever went to had a photo booth with silly costumes you could dress up in and get your picture taken. Professional photo booths cost hundreds of dollars to rent for a party, but you can create your own at your house for a fraction of the cost!

First, decorate one of your walls with green streamers, tinsel, or confetti. Next you can place fun glasses and hats you found at the dollar store on a table outside of the shot for people to dress up. You can set up your camera on a tripod, or designate someone as the photographer for a few hours. You can then upload the photos on a slideshow and email them to all of your party attendees a few days later!

One other fun idea for a party would be to set up a mixed drinks station with green themed mixers. Whether it’s mint liqueur, lime juice, or Sour Apple Schnapps, creating your own drinks can be really fun! It’s also a good alternative for your guests who aren’t fond of beer.