#MusicMonday: Elle Varner- Cold Case.

Can I just say that I love Elle Varner? Her first album was on repeat for monthsss! From her sound, to her lovable personality, she’s just amazeballs.

Last week Miss Varner released “Cold Case” a song from her upcoming sophomore album. This song is everything! The beat alone makes you want to hit a mean bankhead bounce.

I can’t wait for her next album. Give me a release date, girl and I’m there!

Check out “Cold Case” below. Trust me, you won’t regret it.





(photo credit: HipHopSince1987)

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Feature Friday: Elise Sabak.

                                    

• Brea: Tell me about yourself

Elise: I’m a soon to be graduate from Wayne State University in Detroit with a degree in English. I’m a fashion and beauty obsessee but I definitely was not always that way. I grew up a science geek (and somewhere in my heart I still am one) and one day picked up an issue of Teen Vogue and it changed my life. The fashion industry inspires me every day, and it spans beyond clothing. I love the designers, the seasonal strategy and the concepts of merchandizing.

Oh! And I’m a caffeine addict. My preferred modes are slurpees and iced lattes, extra shot.

• B: Congrats on your upcoming graduation! What advice would you give to students just beginning their undergrad journey in PR?

E: Thank you! I am so excited (also a bit scared!). Most people would say networking, which is so true—it’s never too early to start. But, I think that students just starting in any field, but particularly in PR, need to sit down for a couple hours and think about their decision and ask themselves a few reflective questions.

1) Is PR something that you want to challenge yourself with every day?

2) Why PR? Because it’s glamorous (because take it from me, it is not glamorous every day)?

3) Are you going into this field for the right reasons?

Making a pros and cons list and taking time to reflect on your decisions will help you grow, and hopefully motivate you to take the next steps in school, such as joining PRSSA.

• B: What area of PR are you interested in and why?

E: I’m most interested in fashion/beauty PR. There’s something so intriguing about an industry that is as quickly paced and competitive as fashion. It definitely helps that I have a complete obsession with the goings-on of the fashion and beauty industries. It’s a faction of PR that is both beautiful and calculated, tactical and glamorous at times. Most importantly, it’s the area that exhilarates me and pushes me to wake up each morning ready to work.

• B: What is your dream job?

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How Millennials Are Impacting the Public Relations Industry.

It seems as if Millennials have been on the tip of industry leaders’ tongues for quite some time. While many CEOs and employers are hesitant to applaud their work or silently prefer highly seasoned professionals, Millennials have an immense impact on the way corporations operate and the way businesses reach their potential and existing customers.

This diverse group, also commonly known as Generation Y, or Echo Boomers, is highly influenced by technology and is the largest group since the Baby Boomers, equating to a vast public reach. The public relations world cannot deny the unique way Millennials have been able to stay true to the traditional aspects of the industry while practicing and injecting new changes of the digital world and social media era. These young pros have equipped themselves with an understanding of fresh trends and how to gain attention in a competitive market. Exactly what can they offer this industry, you ask?

Below you will find three ways of how Millennials are changing the Public Relations  industry for the better.

1. Finding more efficient uses in dealing with clients - Millennials are extremely collaborative with others, as evidenced by the integration of workplace networks instead of individual silos sectioned from one another. While they are working together, they are finding alternate uses for technology, building a broader platform for clients, and gaining considerable attention. Because of the constant industry shifts, they realize the importance of improvising as they fuse multiple ideas.


2. Changing the concept of engagement - Because of social media and the 24/7 coverage of important news and information, clients now expect real-time updates and rapid responses as well as constant media monitoring as it pertains to their specific brand. Millennials support the notion that clients should be spoken with by constantly providing feedback and encouraging others to chime in with their own thoughts and opinions. This makes for a good habit for businesses to consider.


3. Added Resilience - By this point, Millennials have heard the word ‘no’ probably a million times. While the misconception is that Millennials are spoiled, lazy, naive, and unwilling to work as hard as their counterparts to climb the corporate ladder, this simply isn’t true. That determination is what persuades editors to feature a client with a quick, thoughtfully-crafted pitch, increases press release impressions, and increases brand revenue.

As you can see, Millennials bring many positive aspects to the world of PR and it would be heinous to ignore their contributions as a whole. While this new group is being ushered in, it is important to make the necessary adjustments to fully acknowledge and understand the shift in environment. Millennials are certainly here to stay.



About the contributor: A graduate from North Carolina A&T State University, Briea Curington has emerged as a talented public relations professional ready to take the world on by storm. She has been given the opportunity to nurture her interest in PR/Marketing, and ultimately hopes to continue learning and growing in the industry. In addition to her work as a publicist, she is a fashion writer with her own blog as well as guest contributor for other sites, such as Glamazonsblog.com and TheJasmineBrand.com.

Connect with Briea on Twitter at @BriCurington


(photo credit: BostInno)

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5 Must Have Apps for the PR Professional.

When I first realized Public Relations was the career for me, like most Millennials I thought, “Is there an app for that?” Turns out there are a lot of them.

Our career is comprised of so many different components that it would make sense to effectively use a smart phone for PR— you’d need an arsenal of apps though, not just one. The problem is which ones? That’s why I’m here. I researched and downloaded over 40 suggested applications and these are the 5 must have apps for the PR professional:





What are your favorite apps? Leave a comment below!

About the contributor: Lisa-Marie DeWinkeleer, also known as thePRrockstar, recently tripped and fell in love with PR. She has been accepted into the Public Relations program at California State University,Northridge and is excited to take the PR world by storm. When she’s not communicating with the public you can find her at the local comic book shop or at a rock show.

Connect with Lisa on Twitter at @thePRrockstar

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#MusicMonday: The Oscars Musical Moments.

In case you happened to be living under a rock last night, everyone and their mom was tuned into the 86th Annual Academy Awards show, better known as The Oscars.

While there were a number of memorable moments last night, including some from the ever so funny host Ellen DeGeneres, the performances are what I’m here to discuss! Can you believe that in the 4 hour long show, there were only 6 performances?!? I know it’s not The Grammy’s but my goodness.

Check out my top three favs below:

So I couldn’t decide between these 2 performances so they’re tied at 3

3. Bette Midler- Wind Beneath My Wings

Let’s just not even talk about how this song is amazing, and extremely emotional, but the fact they got the legendary Bette Midler to perform it just makes it even more amazing! Go ahead and grab a tissue then click play. (Starts at 3:50)



3. Idina Menzel- Let It Go

Now I’m not sure if this made the list because I felt bad at how John Travolta butchered her name in her introduction or if it’s because I love this song more than I’m wiling to admit. Either way, after her announcement of divorcing Taye Diggs last year, Menzel definitely has a hit on her hands. I can’t even remember what life was like before I heard this song— it’s EVERYWHERE! Catch Menzel’s performance below and let me know what you think!

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#MillennialMadness in March.

While the rest of America is celebrating March Madness, All She Wrote will be celebrating Millennial Madness!

    

That’s right, each Tuesday and Thursday of this month will feature posts from some pretty fantabulous Millennials. They’ll be touching on a wide range of topics from career tips to other everyday struggles of a twenty something. 

I am super excited to have such amazing people willing to contribute to All She Wrote! I promise you won’t want to miss these posts! They will be available every Tuesday and Thursday at 11 a.m.

Sooo,

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