Pierce Mattie Public Relations New York & Los Angeles

Recently, I've been writing about 10 weight-loss myths-mistaken beliefs that can get in the way of achieving lasting weight loss. To recap, they are:

1. A few extra pounds don't matter.

2. You can't lose weight and keep it off.

3. Willpower is the key to successful weight loss.

4. You can lose weight with exercise alone.

5. Calories don't matter-avoid fat or carbs to lose weight successfully.

6. You can't lose weight if you have the wrong metabolism or genes.

7. You can boost metabolism by what, how and when you eat.

8. It doesn't matter how you take weight off.

9. There is only one right approach to weight loss.

10. Your weight is your problem and you need to solve it on your own.

To get beyond the myths, we must take the time to understand each one, to find the kernels of truth and discard the rest, and then take positive actions to lose the weight and keep it off. The key to maintaining weight loss is to understand that weight loss is not a mystery, and that taking small steps on a daily basis works.

Britney Spears owes Hearst a lot of money. No, there aren’t any lawsuits, erroneous bills (“I’d like a room full of pink candy for my shoot”), etc.

Channeling Demi Moore’s iconic pregnant cover, Britney graces the cover of the August issue of Harper’s Bazaar in the nude with her new black hair*. Thankfully, it’s the best thing she could ever do for her career. “With such a solid publication like Harper’s, this can literally save her career,” says an entertainment insider.

Harper’s released the cover for publicity but of *course* it leaked everywhere. It just adds to the hype for the issue – it’ll probably be one of their best selling covers. The August issue features various poses of Spears with strategically placed clothes and appendages. Sean Preston makes a cameo (no, K-Fed does NOT – Harper’s does have taste).

I’m guessing this was in response to Us Weekly’s poll following the Matt Lauer interview where 87% of pollers said they now have less respect for Spears following the interview.

*Spears received so much flack after dying her hair, she released a statement to the press that she consulted her doctor before dying to make sure it was safe for her unborn child noting “it’s vegetable dye and will wash right out.” Spears then chopped off her locks without informing the Fashion Director at Harper’s (who were PISSED and added extensions) and hoped the new look would tame the press. Maybe she’s starting to follow Paris’ etiquette to smile and work with the press. “They annoy me too. I can understand going to a press event or a premiere but when they’re waiting outside your home it’s hard,” said Hilton. “I think it’s better just to smile than when people give the middle finger or are rude to them, because that’s what they want you to do. They want to get a bad picture.” Well said Paris! WELL SAID!

… out of the mouth of babes

Images from http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v36/allhailme/blogposts/062806_britneyharpersbazaar_orig.jpg

A few years ago, The Devil Wears Prada hit book store shelves and gave voice to all assistants in the glamour industries. Today, the movie opens to the public, and already it has sparked more debates than I could have imagined. One of the foremost was the claim that the wardrobe for The Devil is hardly reflective of the divine duds donned by the divas who spend their designer clad days at the big books. I can neither concur nor conflict with the idea because I’m not among the list of those who attended advanced screenings. However, I can’t wait until I can compare the chicks in the flick to my fave folks at Elle, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and all the other fab mags. The second discussion- the one in which I can actively participate- revolves around whether the main character was the victim of a tyrant or a spoiled brat with a huge sense of entitlement.

It was a memorable game: repeat champs France led by captain Zidane go head-to- head with the Italian Stallions. After a foul in the box, Zidane effortlessly (or should I say a little cocky) scores a penalty putting France ahead in the 7th minute of the game leaving Italy on the defensive hunt.

In a beautiful play following a corner kick, defender Materazzi rose above the French defender to put a ball squarely into the back of the 'ole "onion bag" tying the game.

Just before the end of the game, Zidane, known for his composure and amazing leadership, headed the ball towards goal and was saved by Buffon. Too bad -- this would surely have been the end of the Italians. Missing this goal seemed to infuriate Zidane, setting the stage for what turned out to be the worst memory of any World Cup.

In extra time of the sloppy and aggressive, but highly competitive match, Materazzi fueled Zidane's already boiling over emotions by saying something we can't wait for his publicist to reveal. Many speculate that it was a racial slur about Zidane's Algerian immigrant heritage. Whatever he said put Zidane in bull-fighting mode as France’s captain charged Materazzi and viciously head-butted his chest sending Italy's instigator plummeting to the ground in pain!

I wonder if Zidane's publicist either went into crisis mode or immediately wondered if his head was ok because it seemingly went right through Materazzi's chest.

No seemed to notice on the ref side, but players, Italy's coach and the 4th official saw it all. Zidane, who was retiring after what he hoped to be a grand exit, was red carded and given the golden boot of shame. He might as well picked up the gold World Cup and personally handed it to captain Cannavaro.

In a penalty shoot out, Italy defeated France winning their first World Cup since 1982.

Poor Zidane-- or should I really lament for his publicist. This game should have solidified him as the greatest football (for those who are seemingly confused, I'm referring to soccer) player of our generation. Instead, sports reporters worldwide have deemed this act as the ugliest act of all.

What does a publicist do? My suggestion is that she find out what Materazzi said and make THAT the new headlines. I'm curious to know and well, who isn’t?!

Zidane you're still my favorite and I look forward to seeing you play for New York where that aggressive "don't mess with me" attitude fits in well! Maybe you can start by teaching everyone that its football you're playing.

...Out of the mouth of babes

“Restaurant Week” is here, and of course in a city as fabulous as NYC, the “week” lasts twice as long! Next week is your last opportunity to taste some of the fantastic offerings of the city’s top restaurants for a fraction of the price, making it a great chance to experience something new all while giving back to the community.

Participating restaurants are offering a three course lunch for $24.07, a reminder that this is the city that never sleeps, and is always delicious: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some places even offer three-course dinners for $35, which I sampled last night at Cité.

Besides the incredible food, you never know who will be sitting at the next table over when dining at the city’s finest restaurants. I was surprised to see a late night talk show host chowing down right in the next booth!

It'’s better to reserve early to take advantage of the amazing deals. For all reservations made through Open Table, a donation will be made to Citymeals-on Wheels and Share Our Strength. Experience the city, eat great food AND support the city'’s charities –- what could be better?

Last night, I went to go see my most favorite singer in concert at the Garden - Mariah Carey! Despite some so-so reviews I read today, I thought it was an amazing show. She sang almost all her #1 singles, everything from Vision of Love, which gave me goose bumps – to the longest running #1 single, One Sweet Day, and the most recent songs from her latest album, The Emancipation of Mimi.

Not only did she sing her greatest hits, but there were many surprise guests joining her on stage, including: DJ Clue in between song sets, Da Brat and Jay Z during “Heartbreaker,” while P. Diddy joined her as she sang “Honey.” Trey Lorenz did the “I’ll be There” duet with her, which sounded just like it did when they originally sang it on MTV’s Unplugged years ago.

Though there were some diva moments (Did we really need to be reminded that she has 17 number one singles?) and diva outfits (or lack of!)– Mariah’s voice still took center stage. I LOVED it!

*Since I didn't take my own pictures, images are from Mariah Daily.

As the end of summer is approaching and the intense heat is starting to fade, we all sit and wonder what we’ll be wearing once the fall season rolls around. Year after year, the end of summer always signals a change in fashion as women everywhere pack up their summer clothes and add some layers for cooler weather. Last fall, we saw an emergence of hip-slung belts, hobo bags, and rich hues of teal and purple. This fall, however, the fashion forecast is animal prints, skinny jeans, waist-cinching belts, and basic black, white, and red.

Like many women, shopping is my cardio. I feel a personal connection to every item I purchase and a pain in my heart anytime I happen to pass by a boutique or shoe store that has closed its doors forever. That said, imagine the agony I felt this morning as reports of Shop, Etc.’s closing rolled in. Apparently, an adoring readership and praise in focus groups isn’t enough. Advertisers are the lifeblood of most publications, and a circulation of 675,000 simply wasn’t impressive enough to the advertisers that would have kept them afloat.

For me, this closing is a double-pronged stab. First, as a shopper and confessed shoe-holic, the pages of Shop, Etc. provided me with eye candy even when I couldn’t leave my desk to go on a shoe binge. Secondly, as a beauty publicist who has to compete with advertisers for page space, the more mag pages out there, the better. Every time a publication shuts its doors, it lessens the opportunities for placements. I know what you’re thinking… how dare I lament the loss of placement space when there are people losing office space and very likely gaining more empty space in their bank accounts? My response: the space I occupy in my office is directly related to the amount page space I am able to acquire. Plus, the staff at Shop is so talented that I’m sure it won’t be long until I’m calling and bugging all the beauty girls at some other publication.

Independent writers, editors, thinkers and stylemakers, the voice of bloggers is loud and recognized by mainstream media. It's about time!

people.com, the online source for celebrity breaking news and gossip has added a blog to the StyleWatch section, complete with readers’ posts, a “Hot Finds” column and topics like “Can We Talk About Last Night’s Project Runway” to tear into. CNN launched a new blog like feature called "i report" where you can post your story, upload video and photos which then are boradcast live on CNN.

Bloggers the world over can give themselves a pat on the back, as they are in-part responsible for this leak into the mainstream. Those “in the mainstream” are finally getting the hint that the majority of the online community responds and interacts well with blogs, getting their news, fashion tips, recipes and other information from the open and honest posts of bloggers.

The people.com blog brings about an interesting complexity: unlike most blogs, this one is backed and funded by Time Inc. How honest and transparent can it be? How will readers relate? Will it be a trusted source for beauty news and fashion tips? Only Time will tell.

So go ahead, leave a comment to this post, share your favorite "obscure" blogs, or head over to one of the new mainstream blogs, we know you’re dying to let people.com know what you think of Cameron’s New Look.

Interesting interview with Cathy Horyn of the New York Times. Cathy shares Julie Fredrickson's viewpoint on the need to take bloggers seriosly. Also discussed, Cathy's take on personally blogging and the "imaginary" conflict that some luxury brands feel when it comes to blogging about luxury. I'm sure if Billy Daily was still working at KCD he would have let Julie from Coutorure Media in to see the Mark Jacobs show at the Spring collections fashion week. Other sources for coverage are: New York Magazine, Fashion Week Live website, with coverage by Lauren Ezersky

Remember the headlines around the world: View front page press (tuesday extra and p.m. editions covering the attack

Nine Ways to Commemorate 9/11 Media Orchard

If you're like us, when an anniversary as important as 9/11 approaches, you want to do something, but you're not sure what. So as often as not, you just spend the day like any other.

Here are nine suggestions for commemorating 9/11 that may help you reconnect with that terrible day, as well as some of the valuable lessons it taught us (if in some cases we've already forgotten them):

1. Fly an American flag. Outside your door, on your lawn, or on your car. It's the one symbol that binds us, and we're all in this together.

2. Take time to reflect on the loved ones you have lost during your lifetime. Think about how much they meant to you; it will help you relate better to the emotions of the 9/11 victims' families -- as well as the families of all those who have died in war and terror in 9/11's wake.

3. Treat people the way you did in the days immediately after the 9/11 attacks. Don't honk your horn in traffic. Smile and say "good morning" to strangers you pass on the street. Call your friends and relatives just to tell them you care about them.

4. Listen at least twice as much as you talk. If you have a disagreement or confrontation with someone -- over politics, religion, work or relationship issues, sports, you name it -- try this exercise. Count it off in your head if you need to. Listening is learning; talking isn't.

5. Don't watch the major cable news channels. They simplify issues and stoke divisiveness to attract ratings; they're about the heat of ego rather than the light of reason. If 9/11 taught us anything, it's that the world needs more light and less heat.

6. Don't listen to talk radio. Same reason.

7. Don't read political blogs. Ditto.

8. Read the 9/11 Commission Report. We can best pay tribute to those lost, to those fighting, and to our own children by accepting our duty to be an informed citizenry. As Lee Hamilton says well, "In a democracy, public misperceptions carry an enormous cost."

9. Finally, read the Bill of Rights. Consider it carefully, savoring every word.

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ISPA Knowledge Networks are a venue for spa professionals to openly discuss current circumstances and to create practical solutions for business. Expert speakers; Mary Bemis, Rona Berg & Pierce Mattie will address pertinent industry-related topics, while also providing time for in-depth group discussion. Regardless of your level of experience, the education offered at the ISPA Knowledge Networks will be invaluable. Each Knowledge Network includes a Marketplace on the first evening providing an opportunity to network and learn about the latest products.

The ultimate goal of the Knowledge Networks is to provide spa industry professionals with the opportunity to build relationships in a one-on-one environment with their peers. View Invite">We encourage you to join us for the final 2006 ISPA Knowledge Network & Marketplace.

We already use bacteria to inject under the skin to get rid of laff-lines. Why do we love these wrinkel creating viral videos so much? "Ugly" men get "hot chicks" when they have a good sense of humor. The message, subliminal or viral, does seem to go down easyer with humor as a chaser. Viral videos are everywhere. It’s hard to escape the swarm of links I get from friends, family and colleges. These free, interesting and sometimes amusing videos spread over the Internet in almost pandemic speed. I have to admit, I've been guilty of forwarding them on to others when the clip makes me giggle (like a school girl) or those I find clever enough. Not all videos are truly viral marketing. In fact, most clips are just creative expressions, which entertain. Obviosly where ever you have an audience and peer-to-peer networks your going to find marketers trying to relate and persuade and advertise.

Here are a few videos, can you spot which one is viral and which are just entertaining?

Treadmill Fitness Equiptment Viral Or Music Video?

Pierce Mattie PR New York has been selected as the agency of record for Angara, and its new online jewelry retail site, Angara.com, boasting a wealth of fine jewelry, diamonds and accessories ranging from simple to opulent and all reasonably priced. With the philosophy and mission of affordable luxury, Angara provides customers with an easy and convenient shopping experience for superior quality jewelry at sensible prices.

“We are very particular in the pieces we choose to sell on the site,” says Chief Executive Officer, Ankur Daga, “Whether the items are bridal, engagement or in our exclusive Strong Box Collection, each piece is selected with the utmost care.”

Questions asked by Media Orchard:

Q: How do you think the the emergence of blogs has affected PR Week in terms of readership and revenues?

Q: PR Week is New York-centric in its coverage. Is this a valid complaint? If so, what are you doing to address it, and if not, where do you think this misperception comes from?

Q: How has PR Week changed over the past couple of years -- both in its print and online editions -- and what if any of these changes can be attributed to blogs and Web 2.0?

Q: Some blog commentators have suggested that blogs will ultimately make the traditional trade media -- across virtually all industries -- obsolete. What do you think of this point of view?

Q: How does PR Week set itself apart from other trades such as O'Dwyer's, the Holmes Report, the Bulldog Reporter, and the rest? Have your points of differentiation evolved at all over time?

Pierce Mattie PR is now working with the Arabian designer Areej Turki on the launch of her fashion debut in the US. Areej Creations is a new clothing and sportswear line that features the art of Areej Turki. Entitled Brushstrokes, the collection consists of elegant, comfortable lounge wear with bold motifs from Turki's personal oil paintings. Because of the artistic influence, the collection is available in three different color palettes: blue, green and purple.

Ideal for the customer that doesn't want to wear a logo, but wants to add character to their wardrobe. The soft cotton pieces are ideal for exercise including pilates and yoga, as well as mixing and matching with jeans and skirts for a fresh look that is sophisticated and eye catching.

Skinny Jeans blogger Stephanie gives us "the skinny" on RSS. The post is well written and might just be what you need to finally get your CEO to understand what RSS is. Stephanie has been blogging since December 2005, is a fellow Tom Peters fan, has podcast links, a skinny book store and more! Read her post ...then send her permalink to "that friend" who still doesn't get what RSS is, or how to use RSS.

"Esquire's Big Black Book: An Advertising Party With a Velvet Rope Around It" Esquire magazine, which has struggled for a few years to find a comfortable market niche to call home, is scheduled to launch a new elite coffee-table-book, magazine hybrid, called Esquire's Big Black Book--designed as a luxury style manual for men."

In an interesting twist, Nobody can just advertise. To advertise in the book, marketers had to receive an invitation from Hearst, and each advertiser could purchase only one of the 74 ad pages. Advertising Age reports that all 74 have been sold to advertisers which include Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Bombardier, IWC Watches, Hugo Boss and Louis Vuitton.

Our Current Top Luxury Publications
(1). Luxury Spa Finder
(2). Harper's Bazaar
(3). Robb Report
(4). Vanity Fair
(5). Visionaire
(6). Genlux

BL Ochman's WhatsNextBlog is a daily read for me. Unfortunatly she has been dealing with a detached retna (ouch) and not posting as frequently as usual. I've been seeing the same Bazooka viral post since the 25th of September.

In agreement with her post headline Doing a Viral Campaign Right Ain't Cheap, or Easy but confused about the details of her post I decided to comment. Here is her post. I'm curios if anyone on the Bazooka campaign cares to respond.

Something about these projects (I've seen a few over the years) that always grabs me. I know, many people think it's lame. Perhaps it's the voyeur in me. Here is your unique advertising opportunity Baxter Of California! How about a travel site? I want to see him on a beach, or visiting famous places around the world, it’s a little melancholy that all his recorded images are inside- he needs a tan, (product placement opportunity) how about some new threads? He obviously gets around as a photographer. I can see the big budget version of this. A big name beauty product. Ten year time laps and the female talent actually looks better at the end, because of the product of course! Would work best for a mid-sized privately owned cosmetic line like Jane Iredale. That way the owner could do the real time laps "herself". Definitely a back burner concept.

The blogging A-list has been the subject of much discussion in recent months as the media industry has come to terms with the fact that the blogging isn't going away anytime soon (ever). Big blogs like those in the Gawker empire have made the careers of relative unknowns.

Jesse Oxfeld went on to New York Magazine, Ana Marie Cox moved to Time (and published a book.) Even mid-grade blogs like Jossip have allowed personalities a chance at a better career.

And now the newest blogger to be validated by the wider media industry is Jessica Coen. Coen recently announced she was moving to Vanity Fair as the online deputy editor sending New York's blogland into a veritable frenzy over her successor as everyone asked the inevitable question of who will take on Gawker.

The Simulated Lifestyle Game Is Almoste Here! Desperate Housewives, hitting stores October 5th (Nationwide), players can take on the role of the newest housewife and cheat, spy, sneak, and flirt their way through Wisteria Lane's seemingly perfect neighborhood.

"Unlike other "Sims Style" games -this game is compleatly different"

The Sims meets every woman's "guilty pleasure" in what looks to be a promising title.

For more on screen action view our Desperate Housewives Playlist with clips about how it is different from other SIMulation games and get a sneak peak about the new games shocking ending!

The game will give players control over their in-game persona and early reports suggest the title will resemble the hugely popular Sims series of games.

As another desperate housewife, players will be able to expose or engage in the domestic scandals that are the show's signature.

"You can be as nice or as mean as you'd like to be," said Mary Schuyler, lead producer for the game.

Buena Vista Games, which will distribute the title, said it was negotiating with other members over their appearance in the game.

The company said it hoped the game would prove popular with fans of the TV show and convert some of them into regular players.

The game is being made by Liquid Entertainment which is better known for its real-time fantasy strategy titles.

If there is one thing that America loves as a culture it is scandal. Celebrity culture is such a pervasive force that it substitutes for small talk just as well as the weather nowadays. High minded individuals may take offense to these subjects, but in truth we are all attracted to the destructive flames of perversion and excess. Many disdain the hoi polloi for their distractions, but I would contend that we all benefit from whiffs of scandal now and again.

Cathartic acts can heal , and now we can all engage in these sorts of behaviors without any of the consequences. The popularity of shows like Desperate Housewives takes all of us inside these dens of inequity that bubble away hidden in suburban utopia, confirming and arousing suspicions that we all secretly harbor. Of course no one really wants crazy murderous neighbors or philandering husbands in their actual lives, but some of us wouldn't mind a little "fake" drama now and again. Actually, we would all be better off because of it.

Thus, even if you are a New Yorker reading, Economist quoting, graduate degreed snob you could still use a little Wisteria Lane in your life. Isn't that why we all love Bree so much? Deep down below the perfect surface we are all a complete mess. That is why even when I find myself experiencing some revulsion at the mere notion of Desperate Housewives I still see a little value in immersing myself once in awhile. That is why I predict that the Desperate Housewives game will be a huge success - all of the scandal and perversion with none of the consequences. So when can I log on?

Many savvy shoppers rely on magazines to help guide their purchases. We often assume that editors know best when it comes finding dazzling new products in beauty, fashion, and perfume. Thus it isn't surprising that one of the newest trends to show up on the frenzied Manhattan shopping scene is the curated magazine sponsored shopping event.

Yesterday New York Magazine hosted a Best Bets Shopping Event. Women lined up to shop discounts from vendors who had been labeled "best bets" by New York Magazine.

It was a hodge podge of potential shopping targets with high end hand bags next to Method soap.

Admittedly it felt like an event where advertisers were given a chance to hawk their wares to unsuspecting women who had actually paid for the privilege rather than a truly editorial driven event. The event surely generated its fair share of controversy as New York Magazine is not the only one to host a shopping event.

Next month shopping bible Lucky Magazine will host its own Lucky Shops event which is going to be quite a bit bigger and hopefully better. After all it is easier to trust a magazine with one proven vertical, fashion, than a magazine like New York Magazine that plays host to many sections.

When I first saw these Ads I thought they were exploratory portfolio comps. Some of the most edgy stuff never makes it out into the public sector.

Hindu clothing chain High-Style The Fashion World creates relevant "shock-and-awe" advertising campaign that will definitely appeal to the younger audience. If you think about trends, this is nothing new, we've been incorporating more and more gore in our entertainment for years. Cobranding big name brands in goreiffic video games is old news. From my experience the more edgy and subtle the integration into the game the better it is received. Clients never like o hear this of course, they want blatant obvious placement which is not accepted as well as modest "easter-egg" style placement. Has anyone seen Michael C. Hall in Showtime’s new drama DEXTER? I'm not advocating that this is appropriate advertising for everyone. I do think you can take things too far, remember the Sandra Burnhard Mac cosmetics spot?

The gore is not from physical violence, just fashion descriptions supported by graphic images. It gets my attention, seems appropriate for the target market and the ads are "executed" well. Although I no longer fit the 18-34 demographic, I actually love first person shooters! I have several girlfriends who love them and UFC fights as well-go figure. Most of us worked in advertising or marketing which taints the demographics a little. So I understand that it takes "more" edge or shock-and-awe to reach an over stimulated generation of shoppers. Trends to keep in mind: Shock-&-Shop, Multicultural-Must-Haves and Gore-iffic.

It's been a few weeks since Good magazine launched. For those who are not in the know, Good magazine encourages and inspires conscious global citizens to band together and "give a damn." I was following up on the LA and NY launch parties via posts on GOOD magazines own blog (the site is integrated into a blog) and ran head first into a truckload of published spam comments.

I'm not talking about Astroturfing, or shameless plugs that help the cause. The really offensive stuff! It's like nobody has been on watch at Good for the last 15 days, and that isn't so Good after all. On September 25th Good's blog spambot sold out to the bankers, sex industry and drug companies! They all should make a large contibution todoy.

The Goods on Good Magazine: Clean website design, nice magazine layout. Both are easy to navigate/read –stimulating mix of content that will reach several demographics. Good Magazine Departments:

Cover, an arresting visual and verbal statement that presents insight and/or commentary on a current focal point of our culture.

Graphic Statement, a visual interpretation of the issue theme

Look, A bold visual tour of creative ideas around the world

jane iredale-The Skin Care Makeup is pleased to launch GLOBAL BEAUTY, an extension of their global palette to accommodate woman of all ethnicity's. From rich olive to golden brown and deep mahogany, GLOBAL BEAUTY is for women; all women. This is the first time that mineral cosmetics will be available in such a wide palette with true tones. With the help of three influential celebrity makeup artists, GLOBAL BEAUTY is the culmination of years of testing. CEO and Founder, Jane Iredale noted "This is seriously lacking from the cosmetics industry. Every woman deserves a healthy skin." Like all of jane iredale's cosmetics, GLOBAL BEAUTY will be free of preservatives, dyes and harmful fillers such as talc. It is so beneficial to the skin that plastic surgeons and dermatologists worldwide recommend it!

In honor of the launch, Pierce Mattie Public Relations is hosting a cocktail party in her honor. In a true celebration of beauty, grace and style, jane iredale's GLOBAL BEAUTY event will highlight style influences from Cleopatra to Beyonce in the event of the year! We invite you to share in this iconic celebration. To RSVP, please contact Lauren Branche or Ivy Cartagena at 212/243.1431 by October 13th.

Last week I was out for cocktails with a few other business owners in the service industry. One was a skin care manufacturer, the second was a clothing line designer and the third was the owner of a large fitness chain of health clubs.

We got into an in depth discussion about managing client relationships

We were discussing how to repair a client relationship where things have gone wrong, for example clients whose expectations are unrealistic, clients who are abusive towards the staff and those clients who for whatever reason have become dissatisfied with their service.

The Wall Street Journal had run an article on entrepreneurs a few years back where I was quoted by saying “My New Year’s resolution as a business owner is to only work with people, places and things I really care about and that respect my team, work and over-all business ethics.”

1. Choose clients carefully

4. Live Up To Your Own Standards. Give What You Expect, Set The Example.

If you have done all your work working with your clients and have defined what you can achieve and there are still insurmountable problems, then it is time to re-evaluate whether that client is appropriate to have.

About a month ago we had a client call the office and demand that I get on a conference call. The brand was new to the market, had very little distribution (only one salon in New York) and the consumer awareness was simply not there (she refused to do salon events with us). The owner had worked with two other PR firms before us (our biggest competitors) for about two years who both did not secure the regional and national glossy press that the client was looking for. We were given about 3 months to change her entire media platform and correct the damage that the other PR firms had done during the course of two years. Naturally I slipped off my dress shoes, undid my tie, sat back in my chair practiced my breathing exercises and then took her call.

As you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We will see a lot on this in the media over the next few weeks to come. I have witnesses many brands jump on the big pink ribbon band wagon. Our staff at Pierce Mattie PR encourages all of our beauty and lifestyle accounts to get active and donate. We walked last year in the Revlon Walk and raised some cash for the cause. And sure some perceive the pink movement as a gimmick that has become almost like Christmas and used as just another way for beauty brands to make money.

It seems these days that celebs across all industries are teaming up for a good cause. Whether they’re simply donating massive amounts of excess income or using their celebrity status to draw attention to a cause, a large number of celebrities are reaching out to the public in hopes of making a difference. Recently, some have even gone so far as to adopt children in incredibly impoverished countries (Madonna in Malawi, Angelina in Cambodia and Ethiopia).

In recent news, two of the biggest household names have teamed up to raise money to fight AIDS in Africa. Bono, the U2 frontman and ultimate philanthropist (it seems like his name is somehow connected to every charity in this country), and Oprah, the talk show host we all know and love, have combined forces to promote the Product Red campaign. As part of the effort, proceeds from products sold at various retailers, including The Gap, Apple, Converse, Armani, and Motorola, will go to The Global Fund, an organization that fights AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The Gap will be debuting their Red Line of clothing this week, where half of the profits will go to The Global Fund. Apple has created a new red-colored iPod nano, and will donate $10 from the sale of each item to the cause. The effort has attracted the attention of many other celebrities (several of them posing in Gap ads) hoping to make a difference, including Kanye West and Penelope Cruz.

In explaining the idea of getting consumers involved, Bono posted on his blog: “‘Product Red’ is the consumer battalion gathering in the shopping malls. You buy the jeans, phones, iPods, shoes, sunglasses, and someone - somebody's mother, father, daughter or son - will live instead of dying in the poorest part of the world. It's a different kind of fashion statement.” Good job, Bono- the Product Red Campaign began last spring in the UK and has already raised more than $12 million for African AIDS programs.

Everyone wants to know what is going to be the "next" big thing. The idea that you will somehow be in the know before the guy sitting next to you is an incredibly tantalizing prospect. Fashion and beauty live for the thrill of the "next."

Of course, plenty of people claim to have their pulse on exactly what is happening in the here and now. Whole sites are dedicated to scoping out what is cool and happening. But in a world saturated by information it isn't surprising that it is nearly impossible for one individual person to keep up, no matter how good their taste.

One of the many intriguing realizations to come out of the Web 2.0 phenomenon is that we can harness the wisdom of many people such that we all derive benefit from our collective wisdom. Now us girls are certainly familiar with leveraging the wisdom of our girlfriends, mothers, and shopping buddies to make better style decisions so it should come as no surprise that we are equally willing to seek guidance from like minds no matter what their geographic origin.

Thus let me introduce you to ThisNext. Have a look at the ThisNext blog after you check out the site.

ThisNext is a shopcasting network where you can recommend, share and discover great products. ThisNext believes that better buying means better living. Great products can help us do, be and experience the things that make us happy. Our goal is to help people discover great and deeply gratifying products.

Spa Week is upon is in New York City and that means I will be a little more relaxed than average. And while treatments at hundreds of Saps in the city are reduced to a mere fifty dollars I still want to scour the best deal I can. If your not in the city, I recommend Spa Finder, it consistently offers the best to offer in global spa search. Dial in what you are looking for on the easy to navigate website and you'll find somthing that fits your price range, taste and expectations. The gift certicates come in a gorgious box! Check out Susie's blog on all things spa.

One trick to making Spa Week work for you is deciding what you wish to gain from Spa Week. Decide what your priorities are ahead of time to gain the most from the experience.

Is it to explore a new spa? Get relaxed? Improve your skin quality? Or try out a new treatment you wouldn't have dared at full price? Assessing your priorities can help you map out the perfect Spa Week experience.

If you are looking for relaxation try massages, salt scrubs, or aromatherapy. You can get a Mango brown sugar scrub and a Swedish massage at the Finesse Day Spa.

If you are looking to try something new explore new types of therapies like Qi-Gong Tui-Na Deep Tissue Massage or Hot Stone therapies. Graceful Spa is offering both during an extended Spa Week.

You can even try out pricey cellulite treatments on the cheap during Spa Week.

My personal pick? I want to get in both a relaxing massage and a facial. I plan to head to the Clarins for both.

I have received fully six invitations to the Maja Ferme "Nymph" Fashion Show.

Normally I am pleased to have a publicist follow up on a subject. As a blogger and online fashion editor it helps to be reminded of new and interesting subjects as we new media types are often inundated with information making it quite possible that things slip through the cracks. In fact, more often than not publicists ignore the new media altogether.

But I admit I reached a certain point where I felt I had too much information on the Slovenian designer. I received email invitations, personal invitations, and invitations in the mail. Everyday it felt like I was being subtly reminded that I simply must RSVP to the "Nymph" showing. I have actually gotten to the point where I feel slightly guilty that I haven't followed up. Disregarding the fact that it said opportunity to buy clothing after the show in small type at the bottom of the invite as opposed to cocktail reception afterwards which is a sure way to turn off any editor, is it wise to so constantly assert your client to the press? When does it become too much?

I am sure there are many schools of thought on the issue and few publicists would argue that gaining maximum visibility for a client is a bad thing, but is there an ideal level of communication? In this particular case, Maja Ferme may have gotten her wish. I feel I simply must attend the event if her publicist made such an extreme effort to gain my attention. I only hope that there are cocktails afterward.

Beauty Bloggers are welcome, space is limited! Bloggers outside of of the NYC area can register for advanced media kit to be sent day after the event.

In honor of the launch, Pierce Mattie Public Relations is hosting a cocktail party in her honor. In a true celebration of beauty, grace and style, Jane Iredale's GLOBAL BEAUTY event will highlight style influences from Cleopatra to Beyonce in the event of the year! We invite you to share in this iconic celebration. To RSVP, please contact Lauren Branche or Ivy Cartagena at 212/243.1431

Few decisions weigh more heavily on a young consumer than that of a watch purchase. We want something trendy, stylish, and edgy but equally we want something that is high quality. We don't need watches that will set us back as much as a down payment on a house, we just want something that fits our fashion or mod that day. Fom men it is a key accessory. And finally they have many affordable option to dress up that pair of jeans and t shirt. Please let me introduce you to STORM Watches.

All STORM timepieces are made with high grade stainless steel in matte, brushed or polished finishes. Models feature Japanese or Swiss movements, are anti-allergenic and use scratch resistant mineral glass.

They have quite the celebrity following as well with a storied brand history starting in the UK.

Pop!Tech’s mission is to inspire people everywhere to change the world by fostering visionary conversations about science, technology and the future of ideas. Held annually since 1997 in the seaside village of Camden, Maine, the Pop!Tech conference unites the world's most prominent thought leaders to network, share ideas, and discuss the effects of technology on society. The conference's roster of speakers and its unique format have earned international acclaim. For more information, visit http://www.poptech.org.

Do you ever find yourself watching infomercials from guthy renker or mesmerized at the celebrities launching there own line on QVC? I haven't made a purchase from any of the television shopping networks and yet I'll still watch 10-20, 30 minutes of the show observing the strong production and presentation skills in the program segment. Is it just me?

Have you noticed national advertising campaigns are starting to mimic the formats of the successful television shopping networks? The numbers don't lie, they're reaching a lot of people and putting quality consumer goods at a good value in the homes of millions via a convenient familiar medium. The television. Out of all of them, QVC is one of the best and If you're like me, a confessed infomercial voyeur, beauty addict or hair care / skin care blogger you may want to set your Tivo to record the WORLDWIDE LAUNCH OF OJON's NEW PRODUCT. Monday, October 23rd. To see the launch tune into QVC on October 23rd at 1am, 11am (2 hr show) and 10pm.

Ojon's worldwide launch of it's exclusive, brand new Ojon ‘Rare Harvest’ TAWAKA Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cream – the ultimate rejuvenating treatment for dry, aging skin and hair. Ojon will also be launching a new limited edition Holiday 5 - piece Ojon Hair Ritual Kits, they make the perfect gift for anyone on your list (or yourself)!

This week, I flew to New York to meet with editors at top national magazines such as Allure, Teen Vogue, Seventeen, and Town & Country. Not surprisingly, each editor’s look corresponded closely with the style of the magazine that she worked for. For example, the beauty editor at Teen Vogue looked like she was in fact in her teens and the beauty editor from Jane Magazine had an alternative look accomplished by an oversized dress paired with chunky boots and topped off with two long messy braids.

Although the personal style of each editor differed, they all had one thing in common: dark nails. During the past two months, dark nails have once again become the "it" nail polish. The front runner and my personal favorite is OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark, a dark purple shade that almost passes for black. There are two rules to follow with dark nails to look stylish instead of Goth. First, keep nails short. Second, fill in chips immediately. If you like the dark polish look, jump on the band wagon quick because a trend that has caught on so quickly is sure to fall out of style just as fast.

If you are like me, you hold onto that favorite shirt, skirt or pants that are geared more towards hotter temperatures than they are for the approaching 40 degree weather. Sometimes Fall can be tricky, warm in the 70's one day and somehow plunging down to the 40's the next as you stand there watching snow flurries out your window. Here in the Northeast, it is always a guessing game.

I have a very bad habit of just keeping those warmer weather clothes in my closet "just in case," and often still leave my sandals lying around holding out a glimmer of hope that I will be able to wear them one last time before the weather takes it's final plunge into the lower digits and remains there for the next few months. Can you relate?

Jane Iredale recently launched Global Beauty; mineral makeup colors that are geared towards ethnic skin tones. The above video, exclusively from Jane Iredale, gives step by step instructions on how to apply her products, and the benefits, for an African American woman.

Today I had the chance to get some input regarding the obstacles that African American women face when it comes to makeup and representation in the marketplace. You can read my post with Patrice from the blog Afrobella and Lianne from The Makeup Girl exclusively on Makeup Minute.

Spa-nyc.com is celebrating their 4th year online this November. Instead of receiving gifts, they are giving a gift to you. Spa-nyc.com and many New York City spa's are offering Spa Services at 50% off all November long.

As I am sure you know, a relaxing massage or just pampering yourself in general is great for your overall well being. So why not take advantage of some wonderful Spa Treatments while they are 50% off?

Spa-nyc.com has a calendar on their promotional page listing all of the Spa's participating and which treatments they are offering each day at 50% off. Why not get pamper yourself a little? You'll surely need to be rejuvenated in time for the Holidays (and maybe even after).

For our readers who cant get to New York to take part in this offer, punch up Spa Finder or if your a Mac user download the Spa Finder Widget to find great deals at spas near you!

"Antonio was seen as more of an alpha male. The brand was more keen to have a personality which meant more to US audiences."

WARNING! This is NOT a fashion trend update. With Halloween costumes costing a fortune these days, I’ll be donning a girlscout uniform for the fifth year in a row, equipped with real badges of honor, knee socks, and a box of thin mints. Other executives are going as celebrities, superheros and our creative department even made a template so that we could to go as Megaphone Man (Pierce Mattie), lol, talk about spooky!

Will the rest of the country be recycling their costumes? Maybe not. This year’s hottest television shows are making it easy for people to imitate their favorite characters. Some of the top Halloween costumes this year are sure to be…

- Ugly Betty
- Michael and Dwight from The Office
- Entourages fab 4 plus Ari
- Joy and Earl from My Name is Earl
- Borat
- Desperate Housewives.

Halloween hot spots in NYC are The Plumm on Friday and the 4th Annual Halloween Masquerade Ball Hosted by The Gastineau Girls @ Capitale on Saturday

A fantastic site by Ford Models. I've been wanting to give praise to Ford Models for a long time. This weekend I have the chance, and wanted to point out some of the rich features that sets them apart from the rest. The site is "sticky" complete with "sisomo" options that inform, engage and help the aspiring model, or someone looking for a Ford Model. If you haven't looked at it's VLOG Ford 360 also all on Google Video, take some time to do so.

We have been doing more than our fair share of casting calls for Models lately. Most big modeling agencies are out of our clients price range, as we generally host events, or publicity stunts, not expensive national print or television work that is backed by big money.

So if you currently are a model, looking for some freelance work send us your head shot or comment here with a link to your book! We constantly have need for all type of looks. If your a casting agent, or know of a good one please comment here or tell us

Today's "exposure" was brought to you by Brown Harris Stevens Brown Harris Stevens is a New York institution older than the City itself. In 1873 when Charles S. Brown opened his real estate appraisal business in Lower Manhattan, New York City was still just one borough surrounded by four other places called Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and Brooklyn, It was not until 1898 that New York annexed the other boroughs, giving shape to the City we know today.

“It was luxuries like air conditioning that brought down the Roman Empire. With air conditioning their windows were shut, they couldn't hear the barbarians coming.” -Garrison Keillor

It's always hard when a client leaves your agency, especially ones that have been with you for a very long time. For those of you who have felt the hit this year as budgets get crunched in the fourth quarter, keep in mind that nothing - and I mean nothing is as bad as having a client of 20 years say "good-bye" - especially if that client is Wal-Mart and your name is Omnicom. I do wonder though with all of the changes going on at the low cost leader - if PR is something that they are tossing around? Not just any kind of PR, I am talking market placement editorial PR. Could they also be on the search for a new PR firm? Rumors that Metro 7 - their new fashion line was being cutand its distribution dropped have sent Wal-Mart watchers into a state of 'what's next?'

Did they really think the 'get skinny pant' would sell to their customers? I doubt the Barney's customer can barely fit into them. Seriously though, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is severing ties with another longtime ad agency as it struggles to communicate its new image of being both a trend purveyor and a low-price operator.

Ralph Falon Builders: At first glance, Fallonbuilders.com looks like a typical offering of Who We Are and What We Do. But instead of a copy-intensive approach it, like many architectural sites, relies on photography to tell the story of this builder’s work. The focus of the site is a 172-image gallery of notable projects. It’s an easy to update, XML-driven and -tagged compilation of photos with a related hierarchical format that connects project attributes. Because the result is the creation of unique, on-the-fly galleries (similar to Flikr and del.icio.us) it offers an interesting and engaging way for visitors to browse. And, because the content is easily updatable, it consistently offers an accurate representation of the company and its craft.

With its gallery-like presence, it’s neither superfluous nor trendy. It’s a great example of how to use simple and contemporary technology to create a unique experience for a small, niche business.

Dan Coe, creative director
Dave Snowball, interface designer
Mark Potnick, Flash developer
Coexist, site design and development

We all hear about the richest and most powerful people in the country, but one of them always seems to stand out. Not only is Oprah Winfrey one of the most powerful people in the entertainment industry, but she’s also one of the most generous. Always finding a way to share her wealth with others, she has just given away over $300,000 to her audience in what she calls her “favorite giveaway ever.”

Every year around Christmas, Oprah does a “favorite things” show in which she gives her lucky audience members hundreds of dollars worth of items that she’s fond of at the moment- goodies from last year’s show included Burberry coats and purses, iPods, UGG boots, Ralph Lauren sweaters, watches, and blackberries, as well as her favorite croissants, popcorn and cookie dough. In other shows, Oprah has given away cars, homes, vacations, eliminated debt, and paid medical bills for those who are less fortunate.

However, this most recent giveaway is unlike anything she’s done before. On Monday’s show, Oprah gave more than 300 audience members $1,000 debit cards sponsored by Bank of America for them to donate to a charitable cause of their choice. The surprised recipients have the choice of either giving the entire sum to one person (relatives not included) or splitting the money amongst several charitable causes.

On the show, Oprah said “You're going to open your hearts, you're going to be really creative, and you're going to spend it all at once on one stranger or spend a dollar on every person. Imagine the love and kindness you can spread with $1,000”. What a great message to spread, Oprah- using your wealth and influence to help others in need is one of the kindest things you can do.

Opulent, sophisticated, romantic, glitzy, glamorous – Art Deco style epitomizes a sense of youthful and lavish aspirations. The style was bold and beautiful with a sense of sophistcated geometric order; it pushed the limits in it's day as ultra modern and today the hot style being very popular with celebrities and jewelry collectors.

It has always been, in terms of design, architecture, fashion, etc., among my favorite periods. That said, I am ecstatic this season’s jewelry and accessory trends seem to be taking cue from the art deco, Jazz Age with daring geometric lines and angular shapes, brilliant opaque stones, and plenty of crystal and black lustery detail.

Even the November cover of W Jewelry features a model with a bold 1920s-esque bob. While platinum blond, she could certainly be the striking, edgier 2006 version of Louise Brooks. The November issue of Elle Accessories featured more razzle dazzle deco details than I’ve seen in quite some time. It made me dizzy. I loved it.

The Pet Care industry has been growing rapidly in recent years. The way we treat our pets is mirrored through celebrities such as Paris Hilton, among others, who clothe and pamper their precious pets. No more sleeping on the floor, it’s a posh doggie bed for Fido.

Pets are beginning to be treated more like people then ever before, bringing true meaning to “Man’s best friend.” It seems as we change over to a more healthy lifestyle with better diet and eating habits, so has the way we feed our pets changed. Simple dog food like Pedigree is no longer the only way, but instead it is being replaced with healthier nutritious brands like Beneful or Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance. My two Parson Russell’s (formerly called Jack Russell’s), it’s the Raw Food Diet.

It doesn't stop at dog food. Whiskers, a holistic pet care retail store makes deliveries of formaldehyde free rawhide chews, toys, bedding and vitamins. That's just the beginning. As you want to look your best each day, you also want to take pride in your pet’s appearance. Trips to Petco for your pet’s grooming is no longer just considered a luxury, but now a lifestyle.

I have been in the beauty industry for about 12 years and doing beauty pr for about 7 years. And in all of my years of experience with press releases especially those that that go out on the wire I have never ever seen one as damaging as the one that Russ Fons PR in Las Vegas ran today about their client; National Toxic Encephalopathy Foundation (NTEF) and their opinion on Clarins Cosmetics. You can view the horrific release here.

In this release the NTEF states in great detail on the extensive damage and misleading labels of the Clarins brand, so they claim.

What’s odd though is that John Sheppard the director of the foundation states that you are putting your health at risk if you use these products. I don’t know about you but I see a huge lawsuit taking place from Clarins. I am sure executives at Clairns are beyond miffed about this release. What’s even odder is that all of the ingredients used by Clarins are found in most other top selling brands. One would assume that NTEF is crucifying Clarins based on a personal agenda and not on logic.

However was John Sheppard not aware that Clarins recently acquired Kibio an organic skin care manufacture who has gone into negotiations on creating new products together? I posted about this on my other blog a few weeks back. You can view that post here.

Life Clever (tips fro design & life) by Chanpory Rith: 5 Writing Tips That Don't Suck (via) Copyblogger

A PR Guru's Musings: Q&A on innovations in public relations

John Jantsch of Duct Tape Marketing "Longs for a good publicity stunt"

BusinessWeek.com: Wal-Mart: A "Reputation Crises" The giant retailer has been trying hard to improve its image and reignite sales

Idea Grove: Introducing Spin Thicket: Media Orchard "Easier way to keep up with the news"

Eric Eggertson:
Mutually Inclusive PR and Strumpette: Backlash Against Crayon's Second Life Launch

For a long while celebrities have been pretty vocal about their political beliefs. They are not strangers to being used by both political parties to taunt their positions or to help in raising money for their party through their celebrity clout.

Some say that celebrities and politics don’t mix. After reading a recent article by Jeff Davidson on TMZ.com, 90% of me agrees. Many celebrities put their faces in commercials or join a campaign to tell people to vote. Yet, one celebrity in the 2004 Vote or Die campaign turned out to be all lip service. Or there are those who threaten leaving the country if a political figure is re-elected; remember Alec Baldwin? That is what bothers me the most. Celebrities who talk and talk and won’t shut up (and then make money off of their chattering) or those who take a punch during a concert, but quite honestly don’t do a darn thing to help foster change. Am I alone in this annoyance?

In a previous post, I mentioned being all for the healthy kids initiatives being launched into schools. However, I also think that sometimes good intentions can turn into scaring parents.

Take this new ad from Birdseye, for example, that I found on Adrants. The ad documents a child growing in waist size each year instead of height. Their point is taken and in the fine print they let you know what they have been doing to make their microwavable dinners more “healthy.”

Instead of more positive ads, like showing healthy kids exercising or eating healthy as a model for children to mimic, it seems to becoming more the trend to scare parents into getting their kids “healthy.”

Still warming up to Second Life? I am asked about it almost daily and wanted to get some basic info posted for those friends who read our blog consistently. Backstory is here. Follow the links.

New World Notes

From April 2003 to February 2006, I was a contract writer for Linden Lab, creators of Second Life, primarily hired by the company to cover SL as an embedded journalist in an emerging society-- its controversies, its personalities, its innovations and ambitions, along with larger themes of identity, social norms and organization, and cultural expression important to online worlds in general.

That contractual relationship has ended, but the story continues here. -Wagner James Au

Second Thoughts Do's and Dont's for Big Business.

"Every human being is interested in two kinds of worlds: the Primary, everyday world which he knows through his senses, and a Secondary world or worlds which he not only can create in his imagination, but which he cannot stop himself creating." W.H. Auden

Second Life Herald The Second Life Herald was founded on October 23, 2003, by philosophy professor Peter Ludlow. Its mission, as described the next day, was to observe, record and study "the legal, social, and economic implications" of life in the virtual world. Originally established as the Alphaville Herald and reporting for the most part on life on the Alphaville server of The Sims Online, the Herald soon branched out into coverage of other massively multiplayer online games and virtual worlds -- helped along by the murder of Herald publisher Urizenus (Ludlow's avatar) after Electronic Arts got wind of the stories the newspaper was printing about the scams and cyber-prostitution that were taking place within its game, and the company's indifference to reports of real-world violence.

Polling Places open 6:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M.
If you are not sure of that location you can find you poll site location by:

* Search with the Online Poll Site Address Locator
* Call the Voter Phone Bank at 1.866.VOTE.NYC
* E-mail your complete home address to us at vote@boe.nyc.ny.us and we'll e-mail your polling place location back to you. (Please put in the subject line the borough in which you reside.)

“The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.”

I'm currently reading The Ten Faces Of Innovation (Tom Kelly) and thought Trekinetic’s K-2 All Terrain Wheelchair must have come from the cross-pollinator (a face of innovation identified in Kelly's book). It's part dirt bike and wheelchair, Makes me want to take it for a spin. It offers a design and beauty inspired departure from conventional manual wheelchairs.

• Front wheel driven with a singular rear trailing castor for stability
• The seat is of carbon fiber,
• A dynamic braking system for slowing down and steering
• Weather equipment is in the form of an attachable automatic umbrella

Professional trendwatchers are saying this falls under the Beauvalanche trend or could have easily been filed under Innovation Overload as well. Regardless, it does prove that everything can be beautified and reinvented! FYI, Trendwatching.com just released the Transumers briefing which is free to everyone.

Two years ago, by chance, I came across Elke von Freudenberg on a group that we both happened to be apart of. Without knowing too much about her, beyond her love for cosmetics, we began a friendship. One that I cherish deeply.

So when Elke told me she was asked to be the Makeup Artist for Harper's Bazaar China, I knew that when the November edition came out, I wanted to be the first to proudly boast about it to the world.

Today I had the chance to briefly interview Elke:

• Communication Arts: This year’s interactive design winners were selected by our distinguished jury from a group of entries including Web sites, Kiosks, CD-ROM projects and PDA's.

• Strategic Public Relations: PR Industry: Improve Your Writing -Kevin Dugan

• Salon.com: Fake News, Fake Reporter: Why was a partisan hack, using an alias and with no journalism background, given repeated access to daily White House press briefings? -By Eric Boehlert

• Online Media Daily: Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Puts Edelman Public Relations on probation for creating fake Blogs (flogs) for client Walmart

• Customer Listening Blog: WOMMA Ethical Blogger Contact Guidelines: 10 Principles

Do you seem to be losing customers lately? Is your customer base and sales simply not increasing? Consumers are telling you all of the time what they want, but are you paying attention? Do you genuinely listen to what they want? Or do you feel comfortable with the way things are?

Here are five things that consumers want from a business both online and offline:

Yesterday Microsoft labs announce the first public release of Photosynth Technology Preview. Photosynth takes a large collection of photos of a place or object, analyzes them for similarities, and displays them in a reconstructed 3-Dimensional space. With Photosynth you can:

* walk or fly through a scene to see photos from any angle;
* seamlessly zoom in or out of a photograph even if it's gigapixels in size;
* see where pictures were taken in relation to one another;
* find similar photos to the one you’re currently viewing;
* explore a custom tour or see where you’ve been; or
* send a collection to a friend.

Funny when I was in Las Vegas this week for the ISPA show the taxi driver that picked me up was complaining on how the town was blowing things up. Little did I realize that it was the famous Stardust. The home of my favorite cheesy movie; Showgirls! As most hotels turn into resorts and expand their spas like Caesars Palace did this month with their new spa tower, the old players cannot keep up.

The Stardust, the neon-wrapped casino with a mobbed-up past whose 1,065 rooms once set the standard for size on the Las Vegas Strip, witnessed its last roll of the dice Wednesday.

Wistful longtime employees and loyal gamblers gathered for a last farewell to the iconic 48-year-old institution, which is to be razed early next year to make way for Boyd Gaming Corp.'s planned $4 billion Echelon Place resort.

The Stardust opened July 2, 1958, as the world's largest hotel and catered to middle America with $6-a-night rooms and low-minimum stakes gambling.

But as bigger, classier casinos sprung up around it in the late 1980s and '90s and patrons began shelling out more for rooms, food and drinks, its luster began to fade.

"I'm really going to miss this place," said Jimmy Kunihiro, a 60-year-old Honolulu resident, as he took a last pass at the craps table. "It's a home away from home."

Today's photo sums up how I have been feeling as of late. So much to do, so little time to do it all and stay balanced. Mondays are always very busy days. It helps to look at "challenges" as opportunities and to address each opportunity professionally, creatively rather react negatively to the amount of "opportunities" before me. Now, where did I put my rose colored glasses?

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." -Emerson

“Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” -Albert Einstine

Wal-Mart has gotten itself embroiled in yet another Nazi-connected scandal, selling T-shirts depicting a skull that had been used, according to this Bent Corner post, by the Nazi 3rd SS Division Totenkopf during World War II. (You may remember other incidents such as the book-burning (sub req'd) incident last year.)

What's interesting about this story is the pace that it gathered, and the speed of Wal-Mart's (via Edelman) response. It's clear that Consumerist, the Gawker-family consumer affairs blog that helped the Bent Corner story gain visibility, is a site that Edelman is checking every minute, and while there have been previous spats between the two (summarized in part here) one does see the necessity of keeping your friends close, but your enemies closer. Get the whole scoop on PRWeek or the Consumerist

• Beyond VC, By Ed Sim: Consumers want instant gratification, Google ran a user test where users wanted more search results. Surprisingly, traffic and revenue dropped by 20% and what Marissa discovered was that load times for less searches was .4 seconds and load times with more searches was .9 seconds. Despite the fact that users really wanted more results, in the end, according to Marissa and Greg, speed matters.

• Cool Hunting, a well known Trend site has had it's 4th site redesign: Here are a few new features we hope you’ll find useful:

* Added lots of date-based navigation, including an all thumbnail month view
* Improved the display of related stories
* Added a keyword navigator on the left side of the screen where you can view common, recent and random keywords
* Added individual author pages
* Brought back weekly Cool Hunting emails in addition to daily emails

• Media 2.0: Media+Marketing Business Trend Links. He has a nice collection of posts and a freaky "fleshtalker" Sitepal that I'm sure Scott over at Media Orchard would approve of. It blinks it's eyes! Creepy... but the links are a must read!

• Brand Autopsy, by John Moor. Bad Profits Dissected

MenEssentials President, James Whittall has some helpful advice for hairy men who want to be smooth all over and shave like a man: This may surprise you, but at least one-sixth of the search engine referrals we receive each month are for men — ordinary guys, like you and me — who want information on how to shave their privates.

Squirm all you like. There's an immense subculture of eroticists who claim a bald bag makes for better sex. Indeed, when I went online to research this subject, I counted no less than a dozen serious human sexuality web sites with entire sections devoted to the art of sensual shaving.

Unfortunately, few of these resources offers tips on how to safely and hygienically perform this most delicate of procedures. Never one to shrink (pun intended) from the outrageous, I hereby offer my thoughts on the subject.

A Disclaimer
Personally, I think genital shaving is ill advised. A botched job can lead to intense irritation or, worse, permanent falsetto. Don't say I didn't warn you.

And a Warning
If you have sensitive skin that ordinarily reacts to shave creams or gels, then do not ever shave your pubic area or testicles. This region is much more sensitive than your face. Your allergic reaction could be spectacular.

• Edelman Public Relations Disclosure Follies (Raving Lunacy) Edelman to Fund a Second Life Business screams the headline over at Micro Persuasion.

• $6 Billion For MySpace? (The Blog Herald) Rupert Murdock, CEO of News Corp., told Australian investors that MySpace would sell for $6 billion.

• Users Respond To The Dove Evolution Viral I find the user created responses to Dove fascinating, it is as if through retouching themselves, and manipulating their own digital representation, users can reaffirm their feeling in their true body, and experience an apparent sense of liberation through mutating themselves, looking at it and being able to recognise how ridiculous and distorted standards have become.(Marketing Babylon)

• Pepsi goes organic with new product lines at Whole Foods Market (SpinThicket)

• B.L. Ochman Yawns At Big PR Firms Getting Into "Social Media" (B.L. Ochman)

Like most girls err.... women (nothing but grownup sentiment here) I value my bathroom time. I am lucky if I make it out of the shower in thirty minutes between scrubbing, shaving, buffing, exfoliating, and other tub activities and that doesn't even include the time I am willing to commit to an actual bath.

Thus when I say that bathroom time is sacred you can see that I spend a lot of time "in prayer" on a given day. Thus when fellow blogger Sophia turned me on to her Holy Mud I had a real chuckle at just how appropro the name is for those of us that consider the bathroom a sacred space

Fresh from the Holy Land, this concentration of carefully sifted Dead Sea Mud is rich in highly absorbent minerals that draw impurities out of your skin's tissue like a magnet. Despite all of the incredible scientific advancements and the millions of dollars the cosmetic industry spends on research and development, few products have been able to cleanse the skin, remove excess oils and help people achieve a divine complexion the way an all-natural Dead Sea Mud Mask is able to do. There are roughly 6-8 professional quality facial mask treatments per jar.

Let me tell you this mud really does sucks all the nasty out and the feeling it leaves behind is nothing short of "divine." And yes I realize I am extending this metaphor a little far but come on this mud is like a little piece of heaven.

THIS JUST IN FROM THE MEDIA OASIS: Which Pore-Yanker Ad Campaign Came First?

Check out this "unholy" plagiarism of a "pore-yank-er" brand campaign. Who came up with the idea first? Oasis annalist dont know. If you do, please comment here or send us your comment via email at info @ Piercemattie com.

If your a true foodie then you're well aware of the brand name Viking, one of the original all stainless steel (I still prefer stainless steal finish to the new trendy bronze finish ) professional line of stoves, ovens and refrigerators. Viking has been around long before Chefs were rock-stars, the food network and it was trendy to have professional food industry preparation stoves in your home kitchen.

While they may have lead the trend in the early 90's, Viking might need to make a few new changes to the classic design if they're going to continue to be a leader. Viking is not the only choice anymore. I have cooked on many different Viking stoves and encountered this same flaw, you cant read the knobs, you have to get a leg workout squatting down to look at the flame and adjust the knob. It's true, it's not like the knob has detailed data on it, your looking at the flame and most Pros only need to calibrate by sight of the flame. However, the weighted line printed on the knobs IS NOT VISABLE. Why put any data on at all if you have an obstructed view? While I have many good things to say about Viking stoves, I share in Hayman's frustration.

Other "elite" prosumer kitchen stove brands are well designed and Viking would be smart to listen to loyal customers. If they don't, shame on them. In today's competitive market even mega status brands like Viking can't afford to ignore good design. I would choose and recommend another brand (I know many interior designers who would agree with me) if Viking chooses to ignore prosumers. Please check out Aza Rashkins Get Humanized blog where he discusses stove knob placement design.

I've been a Rocketboom viewer since the beginning (and persecuted for my advocacy of the lighthearted daily news by friends and colleages): I think I tuned in on her 3rd podcast on iTunes. Not a iTunes subscriber? Check your Tivo; Rocketboom is now available to most Tivo subscribers. Like many loyal followers of "citizen journalism," it was sad to see her leave Rocketboom. The good news is now everyone can see her on the boob-tube; watch for Amanda on ABC, maybe even prime time! Again, congratulations. Yesterday's headline read:

Amanda Congdon, the former host of the Rocketboom video blog, has been hired by US TV network ABC.

Congdon is also in the process of developing a show with US cable channel Home Box Office (HBO).

The Back-story: Congdon left Rocketboom in June this year claiming that she was fired, but Baron alleges that she quit to pursue an acting career in Los Angeles.

Baron apparently gave Congdon a 49 per cent share of Rocketboom. The two are currently in a dispute as to whether the agreement still stands.

In true Congdon spirit, here is an interpretation of perky quirky "news babe" memorable highlights. You may get a kick out of it if you watched Rocketboom since the beginning.

"I am going to be video blogging for Disney ABC, specifically ABC News," Congdon said in a video message on her Amanda Across America blog.

"I'll be the first person to fulfill that role for the network. Because ABC is continually pushing ahead and innovating, I'm super excited to be a part of their team.

"I'll also be appearing on ABC's News Now from time to time and occasionally I'll pop up on Good Morning America, Nightline and 20/20 to serve as an Internet correspondent."

Back in July when I came for a visit to New York, the one thing I asked my friend was, “Where are all the restrooms?” No matter which store you passed by, there were signs in the window stating that the restrooms were strictly for store patrons only.

It appears Charmin also took notice of the issue and will be capitalizing with a new marketing strategy. Starting Nov. 20th, through January 1st, Charmin has installed 20 deluxe, super-clean restrooms in Times Square.

This is a great way to solve an issue for consumers in New York, and resolving a consumer issue brings about brand loyalty. This is a winner: being able to have your brand "come to the rescue" in your potential customers' time of need, providing a super-clean, well-lit and even fun place to "doo your bussinasty" in the center of the universe is a fantastic way to make a great impression. As a matter of fact, I'll start buying Charmin now. What are you doing to increase your customers' loyalty to your brand? Publicity manifests itself in many ways. [via our trend partners at Trendwatchers.com]

What is Beauty? Many great visionaries, writers, poets, philosophers, and artists have tried to express in words or in images the meaning of beauty. These thoughts are rich in the wisdom they express and they resonate with each of us differently.

Man makes holy what he believes, as he makes beautiful what he loves. -Ernest Renan

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched ... but are felt in the heart. -Helen Keller

A thing of beauty is a joy forever. -John Keats

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart. -Khalil Gibran

Beauty is not real. Beauty only exists in perception. -Unknown

Working in the beauty industry, our attention can be so focused on making the external beautiful - skin creams, lotions, lipsticks, mascara, hair extensions, serums, masks, gels, and the list can go on and on. These are products that help us feel beautiful, improve our looks, accentuate the positive, and give us confidence.

Women frequently struggle with how to integrate their external and internal beauty, and with all of the mass market imaging and airbrushed celebrity role models, it hasn’t been easy. But the times they are a changin’ and one of the foremost trends today is beauty integration. What does this mean? It means that women are more comfortable than ever with themselves and their looks. It means that when they purchase beauty products, they want them to look, taste, sound, and smell good - and the products must feel great on both the outside and the inside. External beauty has become experiential, it has become customized, it has become inclusive, and it has become multi-dimensional.

Being that as a nation we are about to celebrate Thanksgiving, a truly national holiday, meant for everyone, also integrative and inclusive, I suggest that we be thankful for how the meaning of beauty is growing to include what makes us feel good on the inside. Internal and authentic beauty will always remain rooted in our hearts, in our spirits, and in our ability to share ourselves with others unselfishly. Happy Holidays!

• Personal Care Appliances - Global Strategic Business Report : This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Personal Care Appliances in Thousands of Units.

• Spinduggery, The Flack: Peter Himler posts about Jeff Jarvis' snarky comment insinuating PR professionals have dishonesty in their DNA. Jeff Jarvis, being the 'spin'-ster he is, should love the quote "you can’t polish a turd."

• KFC Logo Relaunch - From Space, Near Area 51: I know all of you are saying "I thought of that months ago." Ever since Google launched satellite imagery on its maps, I've wanted to pitch this idea to a client. While not the first, KFC is doing it on a grand scale; a nice publicity stunt. For those of you who know my New York address, you can see me on the roof of my apartment building with my dogs, frozen in time from space.

• Loyalty VS. Advocacy CRM Lowdown: Most companies think that their job is done when they manage to convert a regular customer into a loyal customer. They tend to forget the guy because now ‘he can take care of himself.' Wrong! Once you’ve converted a customer, your job becomes even more difficult.

• Link Karma From The Copyblogger: 21 Surefire tips for a successful blog launch, 10 things to consider when choosing a site meter, and the five W's of great content.

• Hotels offer lots of freebies during winter (just not in New York City), The Mercury News: Winter travelers can take advantage of a number of hotel deals. Properties are offering free nights, free gift cards, special rates and other perks.

• How To Stop Comment Spam Without Lifting a Finger, Tubetorial: If you're a wordpress user, you have to visit tubetorial. Quick, easy-to-understand flash video - enjoy.

• The European Newspaper Design & Concept Awards Europe‘s most innovative newspaper 2006: Look and learn. This year, Europe’s best designed newspapers come from Belgium, Norway, Finland, Portugal and Spain. 287 newspapers from 26 countries participated in the eighth European Newspaper Award.

Like many women, I am a huge fan of shoes. For reasons almost inexplicable to your average man, shoes have a kind of emotional resonance that speaks to us deeply. One shoe that has just this power is the Bernardo "Miami" sandal.

Beloved by the jet set and regular women alike, this revolutionary shoe took the world by storm in the forties and fifties and has remained a style icon through several generations. But, in the seventies and eighties, the brand was nearly destroyed. Thankfully, the license was purchased by Dennis and Lynne Comeau and the line has been restored to its former glory.

We'll return to posting about luxury, lifestyle and wellness on Friday. Enjoy the cartoon and whether it's a extra long walk around the park with your dogs, raking leaves, a jog, turkey-ball in the backyard or shopping – physical activity over the holiday need not be strenuous to be good for you. Remember that short bursts of activity, three times a day, can pave the way to better health.

I can think of many difficult inconvenient grocery shopping scenarios. If you live in the New York metro area and are a parent, it can easily become an three hour event. Most moms are amazingly efficient at these basic, but difficult tasks. However some days, and you know we all have them, something goes wrong in our system and when that happens it's choas. Trudging down from your apartment, taking the kids on the subway or in a cab... will it be snowing out?...yuck! You do know there is an easier way don’t you? It's celebrity endorsed and used by Spike Lee, Chef Bobby Flay, Chef Tom Collocchio, Paullna Porizokova and Cynthia Nixon to name a few.

Meet FreshDirect, I have got to say, they have saved the sanity of many families in NYC for the last few years. FreshDirect lets you shop online all from the convenience of your computer…so who cares if your rugrats are running around screaming? This is something you can do without worrying about entertaining your kids while you shop so that they behave and not cause chaos in the aisles. It can save you from episodes of knocking over soda cans or grabbing boatloads of candy yelling, “Mommy can we buy this?” (Not that this has ever happened to me of course.)

Ideas on how to take advantage of Fresh Direct:

(1). Order a weeks worth of fresh ready to eat meals for convenience. Just heat and eat- nothing fresher or with higher quality ingredients.

(2). Fast organic food. Sick and tired of the long lines at WHOLE FOODS? Have almost all of the same local organic products & brands delivered to you at the specific time when you get home from work.

(3). Zoned Out? Want a change from the food trucked around from a Zone Diet delivery service? Order from FreshDirect low calorie ready to eat meals.

(4). Party Pooper? Have Fresh direct deliver wine, soda, water, party platters and finger foods to the event location the day of the event, save time & $$ for the main course.

(5). Mans best friend. Order treats and dog food for your pets when your in a pinch

Paris is the undisputed center of the fashion world, and "Fashion Show: Paris Collections 2006" demonstrates why fashion remains a fine art.

Featuring runway garments from the spring and fall-winter collections of ten influential couturiers and designers, the exhibition explores the ideas and inspirations motivating Paris fashion today, and why, in an age of globalization and instantaneous communication, this venerable city remains the fashion capital.

Azzedine Alaia, coat and skirt. Fall-Winter 2006-07 collection. Photo by Willy Vanderperre, courtesy of Azzedine Alaia. Fashion Show: Paris Collections 2006 at the Museum of Fine Arts

The city has been a magnet for stylish men and women since the seventeenth century, but the French fashion industry has evolved considerably over the centuries-and never more than in the last few years.

Recent assessments of the current state of Paris fashion have varied widely, with some pundits announcing its death, and others claiming that it is closer to fine art than ever before.

The designers highlighted in this exhibition-Azzedine Alaia, Hussein Chalayan, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Maison Martin Margiela, Olivier Theyskens for Rochas, Valentino, Viktor & Rolf, and Yohji Yamamoto-bring a unique and clear vision to their work, while still maintaining the high level of craftsmanship for which Paris is justly famous.

On exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston till Spring.

Victoria’s Secret will be once again be doing their anticipated annual fashion show tonight at 10pm on CBS. Their fashion shown, not only known for their uber gorgeous models, is also known for bringing extravagance in the ultimate bra to the stage. Last year it was the extremely expensive (giga-zillion?) bra made entirely out of precious stones.

What started out as an outrage in 2001 to many astonished viewers when it made it onto prime time television, has now become a much looked forward to event each year. The exception to this was when it pulled its show from the airwaves in 2004 from the domino effect of Janet Jackson giving her full disclosure during her Super Bowl halftime show. It returned last year looking more tasteful than ever.

This year’s fashion show will feature the very hot and sexy, Justin Timberlake. Justin’s image, as well as the fact that he is now a fashion designer himself, definitely fits in with the Victoria’s Secret branding.

I look forward to seeing how Victoria’s Secret will top themselves from last year with the dollar amount and extravagance of it’s most talked about bra.

Will you be watching?

We're reviewing a few of the new game councils out on the market. We love our computer-platform lifestyle games, (Desperate Housewives, the game) but knew we were missing out on HD (1080i), surround sound, game-matching, leader-board enhanced experiences that the new counsels offer. So we've decided to fully immerse ourselves in the gaming lifestyle and it's become very serious (fun) research. I happen to have received one of the Xbox360 platforms so your probably going to hear more about it in the future then the Sony PlayStation 3 as I blog more then the other participating game platform "researchers." Look for some posts on our discoveries in the near future.

Above you can see my gamertag. Please comment here if you have an Xbox360 gamertag. I wanted to offer an invitation to add me as a friend or email me your gamertag if you don't want your tag to be posted publicly. Steve Rubel, I know you have one...how about a little friendly competition?

Joanna Roche is the Senior Managing VP of Pierce Mattie Public Relations. She has a proven track record of success and corporate experience. She is high energy and passionate about her work, which makes her direct, up front, realistic approach with Pierce Mattie PR clients what makes her a true asset.

Joanna is a married mother of a 2-year-old son, who loves to run, cook and travel. The best way to describe her is balanced. She loves to dive into her work, yet still maintain the proper balance of her hobbies and family life. Joanna is goal oriented and believes that nothing is impossible.

Tell readers about a typical day as VP of Pierce Mattie.

There is nothing typical about being a VP at Pierce Mattie PR! Every day is different and it is one of the things I love about my job. Most days include working on new business, coming up with creative ideas to promote our brands, meeting with clients, nurturing the staff and helping them develop pitches and reach editors, and keeping abreast of trends and happenings in the PR world.

Eco-Fashion is an idea that has always been around, but really begun to take steam in February of 2005 at New York’s Fashion Week when Earth Pledge teamed up with 28 designers to create a special runway event called FutureFashion. This past Spring Oscar de la Renta, Halston and Elisa Jimenez showed off their echo-fashion designs at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) 2006 Conference. The response was overwhelming and the designs were again shown over the summer at the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, where Stephen Burrows and Heatherette also added dresses to the collection of designs to be shown. With such great designers coming to understand that fashion can be earth friendly and design friendly, it is sure to increase in popularity among the world of fashion designers.

Eco-Fashion is clothing that takes into account the environment, the health of consumers and the working conditions of people in the fashion industry. You may not have know the exact term for this industry, but we have all heard and been up in arms over, the stories of big name celebrities having their clothing made in sweat shops only to sell them for top dollar. Taking into account the working conditions of the people who actually put the products together to get you what you purchase at the store is a part of Eco-Fashion.

In our continued effort to support bloggers and citizen journalists we are opening up our vote for Publicist of the Year to you. In the past we have only asked the media and producers to participate. If you've worked with any of our publicists, please vote today.

Glam Media, a widely popular beauty, fashion and lifestyle network, has acquired $18.5M in Venture Capital led by Duff Ackerman & Goodrich Ventures, with participation from Accel Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, WaldenVC, and Information Capital. As part of the financing, CNET chairman and E. W. Scripps board member Jarl Mohn is joining the board of Glam Media. Glam Media’s website boasts a robust 8 million visitors per month.

Glam will be using some of these funds to purchase other companies that are either Web 2.0 technology companies or those with a very secure vertical platform with a highly engaged and targeted audience. As you might remember from my interview with Jeremy Wright of b5media, he really felt that vertical companies were the way to go.

Glam intends to spread its wings and expand internationally and add to its sales and editorial team. Glam has also announced that it has signed on with Hearst Magazines to distribute content from Marie Claire on their websites, as well as linking to and promoting other Hearst Magazines for subscription.

Glam Media became an idea in late 2002 and was launched at Fashion Week in September of 2005; the Glam Network soon came to life in December of 2005. Considering the fact that it has only been a little over a year that Glam Media has been on the web, I would have to say that their ambitious goals and the hardworking behind-the-scenes individuals are what make Glam Media the mega-success they are today. As a beauty Blogger about to have her blog join the Glam Network, I am more than excited to see such growth and focus in this company.

You’ve all heard the scandal about Miss USA and Miss Teen USA by now. This one drank, this one kissed the other, this one possibly did drugs…now MADD has dropped Miss Teen USA as their spokesperson. Some spectators are wondering if this is all a publicity stunt for the falling ratings of these “Miss” pageants.

At one time I had an interest in pageants. Back when I lived in Rhode Island, I attended a dance school where the owner was a former Mrs. Rhode Island America. During my time there, two of my fellow dance mates (Susan Lima and Lynne Michael) went on to become Miss Rhode Island USA. I even got to dance during the Miss Rhode Island pageant, which was thrilling as a young girl seeing local celebrities. However, my view became a little tainted when I chose to enter into a pageant in my town, hoping that somehow I would win. When I lost to the Mayor’s daughter, I walked away from that experience with a bad taste in my mouth. Not because I lost, but because of all of the politics involved in pageantry.

When I occasionally watch pageants today, I really wonder what they are good for. Women parade around in beautiful gowns, skimpy bathing suits, show off some talent and answer some “tough” questions from judges. They all have a “platform” that they hope to bring awareness to. For all of this, the winner is given the title and a boatload of prizes. However, what exactly does this do for society? A beauty pageant winner isn’t going to bring about world change with her dazzling white teeth or gorgeous skin. Once the pageant is over and done with, you never really hear about the winner’s “platform” again.

Maybe I am in the minority thinking that pageants are really a thing of the past and so very shallow, or because of the failing ratings, maybe I am not. What is your view on beauty pageants such as Miss America, Miss USA and Miss Universe?

There are many milestones in a young man’s life. I can remember my first kiss, the first time I tried to drive a stick shift and the day I left my small hometown of Pearl, Mississippi for the bright lights of Broadway.

As I celebrate my third year anniversary at Pierce Mattie PR, I’ve hit two more milestones. I’m now one of the seniors at the firm, and as a result, Mr. Mattie has given me my first Louis Vuitton bag to commemorate the occasion. Just think, a few days ago I couldn’t even spell Louis Vuitton, and now I own one of their Epi leather briefcases.

As I think back on my time with the firm, I have many great memories. Aside from the day-to-day work, which I love, I’m most fond of the people. Nikki Walker, last year’s Publicist of the Year always brightens my day with her big smile and cheerful attitude. And no day is complete without the musical stylings of Miss Lauren Branche. But the person I have the most admiration for is Pierce Mattie himself.

Pierce will never admit this, but I often get the feeling that he cares more for his employees than himself. Even when he’s critiquing our work, I know that he’s doing all he can to help give the team all the tools we need in order to be successful. Whether it’s a gym membership to help stay in shape, a bonus to show his appreciation for the work we’ve done all year, or simply a “great job,” Pierce always goes above and beyond when it comes to taking care of us, and that is one of the major reasons why I’ve flourished so much in my career over the past three years, and why the firm has grown to a bi-coastal company with firms in New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta.

So for me, the Louis Vuitton bag is not just a milestone in my path to becoming a more fashionable publicist, it’s a stepping stone to the next level of my career journey at Pierce Mattie PR. And no matter where the road takes me, I’ll always look great while pounding the pavement and securing the placements.

It was a good year for many Americans and the luxury industry. For the “have’s” this Holiday season, gift giving of extravagance is at an all time high. If you are not wealthy, like myself, you may wonder what exactly someone who spares no expense at the Holidays gives to someone they love.

Splurging wealthy New York City gift givers will be placing some of these items under the tree:

$5,000 in jewelry from Coco Raynes.
$7,000 mink coats$1 Million in private jet time.
$10,000-$20,000 for makeovers
$20,000 necklaces
$50,000 diamond ring, made of 2 Canary Diamonds.

It’s really amazing when you think about it. While I might love to have a $50,000 Canary Diamond ring, I can’t imagine the guilt I would feel walking by New York’s homeless on a cold winter’s night or watching the news and hearing about Hurricane Katrina victims who are still homeless. I’m sure that those who live in the luxury lifestyle don’t bat an eyelash at the prices they pay for extravagant gifts, but from an outsider looking in, it’s really quite baffling.

For the rest of us with "normal" shopping budgets, take a peak at E! televisions "Shopping With The Stars" see what celebrities star are getting this holiday season.

If you had $50,000 to spend on a gift, what would you give?

I hope you all had a beautiful and fashionable Holiday; here’s to an even better New Year.

Fashion:

+ BGlam wonders if Marc Jacobs pairing socks with sandals is just an attention grabber or a true trend come Spring.

+ fashion inc. shows us one of the newest Spring outfit arrivals at Old Navy. (The outfit looks super comfortable and I love the handbag too!)

+ Girlawhirl gives some details about Nan Kemper’s “American Chic” exhibit at The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY.

Beauty:

+ The Beauty Hatchery gives us some ideas for dressing up our lashes for your New Year’s Eve party.

+ Bit by the Beauty Bug discusses the hassles of returning cosmetics. Be sure to read the New York Times Article she mentions in a follow up post.

+ The Beauty Addict is being complimented on her undereye and it’s due to Relastin Eye Silk.

PR professionals are laid off, change careers, rotate agencies and some individuals even start up their own shop around this time of year. The years end is a natural time for corporations to evaluate their talent pool and make appropriate changes. We've had a fantastic year of tremendous growth which has required constant tweaking of our staff to better serve our clients and provide our team with the best tools and resources available.

Of course, good people are in high demand. It’s always been my manner that if an employee doesn't love working with us, then I always feel like it's my responsibility to find out why and fix it! This was a year of change and growth for our firm; we've said goodbye to a senior staffer, switched up players on our different teams, beefed up our training and mentoring program, restructured reporting relationships in all three offices, promoted two directors to vice presidents and we added two new senior vice presidents to help lead the charge in 2007. It's been exciting to see the positive results in the last few months!

I hear stories all the time of an employee jumping ship and starting their own agency and stealing a few clients as they pick up the last paycheck. While it may be a common practice in our industry, this type of behavior does not display the level of professional ethics that are so vital in business. In fact, we're proud to help employees transition out of PR when they realize it's not for them any longer.

Here are some guidelines that every PR professional should understand:

1. PR firms own relationships both on behalf of the clients they represent and for the staff that they train and mentor.

2. PR firms should be compensated if those relationships are jeopardized or challenged.

3. Employees are accountable to their PR firm first and foremost rather than clients or the media.

4. It is always better to take the high road; business relationships are recycled everyday and you never know whose path you will cross again, so never burn bridges.

My golden rules for maintaining integrity as a PR professional are:

So you made a New Year’s resolution to get in shape and be healthier, but you are overly addicted to grabbing that muffin when you buy your Starbucks coffee. Well no need to worry about your Starbucks addiction any longer, eating their treats such as muffins and doughnuts now became healthier on January 3rd, minus the trans fats.

While those in New York City are aware of the ban on artificial trans fats and their transition out of the food industry, Starbucks has decided to begin removing trans fats from their food menu across the country. It will begin in a few select cities, including New York City, Los Angeles and Philadelphia and then eventually have all 5,600 coffeehouses throughout the U.S. at zero trans fats. Trans fats are believed to be harmful and thought to be the reason cholesterol levels continue to elevate.

So will this draw an even larger appeal to Starbucks in the coffee wars? It seems logical, more so in these first few months of the year when New Year’s fitness goals are in full swing and possibly again when we jump into getting ready for bathing suit season. Certainly it is more alluring to buy a “healthier” muffin with that delicious Starbucks coffee than it is to drink a McDonald’s Green Mountain coffee and an egg mcmuffin.

The area in which I live is known to have character. Each house is different, or has historic presence, and stands out among other places nearby. There really is no “big business” in our area overcrowding every street corner and making their over domineering corporate-America presence known. This is a place that embraces entrepreneurs.

So when driving down a road I haven’t traveled in a while, I noticed something out of the ordinary; cookie cutter houses. A new development was being built and each house looked exactly the same. Their yards were the same, with the same tree in the same spot, and the grass all the same length. Nothing about these houses or this development had anything exceptional to them. They lacked character.

I decided to share what the topic was at "show and tell" time in our weekly management meetings in the New York Office. This weeks discussion was a review of Liz Wilson's Telling It Straight article. I will post the article here, then invite Pierce Mattie members to comment along with any comments you may have.

What quality do employees most want from business leaders?

A clear vision of the way ahead, perhaps? A charismatic leadership style? Political or business acumen?

Of course, we demand all those qualities in leaders. But a recent piece of research points to a different quality as being the top priority for many employees.

A survey of over 1,000 employees found that what they most want from their leaders is authenticity, honesty and clear communication. In other words, straight talk.

Many professional communicators already sense this and are counselling business leaders to adopt more open communication measures. But this message isn't always getting through. "Too much value is placed on charismatic leadership: Boards select leaders for their dazzle and the biggest plaudits are saved for those whose profile is often bigger than that of their organization," notes CHA, the consultancy that commissioned the research.

The straight talking survey identified four communication styles among business leaders:

Controlling
Understated
Charismatic
Considerate

Controlling Communicators don't really communicate at all. They are perceived as arrogant, cold and insincere. In the workplace environment, they are seen as strong on business acumen but failing to provide staff with enough information. Rupert Murdoch, boss of News Corporation, is cited as an example.

Yes, I know it's not a scoop, but I wanted to post about Clive Owen, a 41-year-old British actor, has been hired to be the latest celebrity to market products for the L'Oreal owned beauty company, Lancome. Previous celebrities that touted the brand are Uma Therman and Mena Suvari, among others. Lancome's hope is that his charming and rugged look will attract more men to feel comfortable purchasing skincare products.

"The way he has built his career so far, privileging the quality of the director rather than the high-profile nature of a role, makes us feel very confident in the fact that if he chose to accept this collaboration with Lancome, then it truly means our partnership was meant to be,"

Owen is reported to be getting $2.5 million pounds (you do the math to convert that to US$) for the advertising campaign. Owen will be appearing in ads for Lancome's new men's grooming line, called Lancome Men, which includes fragrance and anti-aging products. The ad campaign and products will launch this Spring in the US. However, you can see the products now on Lancome's international website.

If you want to read more about what's going on in the Beauty Industry, be sure to check out our Beauty PR blog.

Kiss My Face was a green beauty company before green became an in thing. Every product they sell is organic without anything artificial at all. Yet going organic certainly doesn’t mean that quality is compromised at any point or that organic means a heavy price point. Most Kiss My Face users will tell you, their products are top notch and won’t break the bank in the process.

It’s not very often that you can go to a company’s website and read the background on how things were started, and if you can find one, you certainly will not find one so personable and down to earth. When you read the story behind how Kiss My Face began and their mission and purpose of their products you can’t help but feel their humor, lightheartedness, and of course their love for our great Earth. Their story is definitely a Squash to Riches story and one I think everyone should read.

Kiss My Face sells a variety of products for your bath, body and more. The products range from hair care to soap to facial moisturizers. Since we all know that organic is not only earth friendly, but also skin friendly, more people who may have a sensitivity to ingredients in other products may find comfort here.

If you use Kiss My Face, what is your favorite product from their line?

Last night American Idol kicked off it's new season and of course the judges are doing promos. Again, this year Paula stands out. Paula darling we love to watch you but not for the right reasons...you need a better handler, long interview junkets are demanding, tiring and you shouldn't be on camera after dinner and a few drinks- we blame your publicist!

"Any publicity is the best...tis..ist publicity- let me tell you"

Someone even added some "theme music" to this video clip. God bless you Paula...

I’m not going to pretend to be a New York City princess, heck I don’t even live in NYC, but I do still have a sense of style and a taste for the finer things in life. However, one such luxurious palette pleaser that many New Yorker’s seem to love is Foie Gras. I’ll be honest and tell you that I have never eaten Foie Gras; in fact, I am not really a fan of liver at all. Granted, Steve and Pierce enjoy it, so it intrigued me to find out more (or why for that matter).

Foie Gras, as I am sure you are aware, is banned in Chicago (although many restaurants have ignored the ban or found ways around it) and it is being looked into being banned in NYC as well. The controversy surrounds how the ducks and geese are fed 12-18 days leading up to processing. I’ve looked at both sides and no one can seem to come to some conclusive finding about whether or not the animals suffer during this process. So I am not even going to entertain that controversy any further until someone can conclusively show evidence one way or another.

It’s my goal to try to make it to the city one more time before my son is born and Pierce insists I will love his caviar, champagne (I cant drink, making a baby-it's fashionable!) and chocolate tour (yes please!) as he is a connoisseur of such fine foods. This “tour” includes trying Foie Gras, most likely at his favorite bistro close by to Pierce Mattie PR. He’s told me that Daniel at DB Bistro located in Jeff Kleins City Club Hotel is famous for his Foie Gras and it’s where he does all of his editor and new business lunches.

I hear that Foie Gras is very different in taste and texture than typical liver. Foie Gras is said to have a very rich buttery taste and can be served a variety of ways, such as mousse, pate' or parfait. Many times it is not the main meal, but an accompaniment to a part of your meal. More people appear to be eating Foie Gras and the most popular version is pate'.

Many places offer Foie Gras throughout NYC, although Pierce assures me that DB Bistro really is the best. Fresh Direct also offers Foie Gras. If you are on the West Coast, I hear that La Cachette is a wonderful dining experience offering Foie Gras, as well.

Have you tried Foie Gras? Tell me what you think of it.

Decleor Paris is a luxurious face, body and suncare line for both men and women. Decleor was founded by a team of aromatherapy experts who use their knowledge of active plant extracts to create a comprehensive line of products that are both preventative and on going natural skin care. Decleor is also partnered by Shiseido, known for their wonderful beauty products, and are also the 4th largest beauty group in the industry.

Essential oils have wonderful healing properties with aromatic fragrances that, depending on which oil is used or combined with another, promotes such things as well being, calm, relaxation and so on, therefore promoting balance of both body and mind.

While Decleor’s packaging makes you feel like you just bought a diamond necklace at Tiffany’s, don’t be fooled that the luxury ends there. It’s what is inside the package that is luxurious, making your skin look and feel like you just spent hours at the spa. In fact, Decleor also offers Salon and Spa treatments at select locations. Within the US, it is at Hotel Sofitel in Los Angeles where you can receive their Aroma Mosaic treatments that focuses on care of your face, body and the effects of the sun. Each focused treatment is broken down to be tailor made based on the needs of each individual.

You can find Decleor products in various cities throughout the country or locate one close to you with your zip code through their website: www.decleor-us.com

Parabens. (Que the horror music sound effect) Just say the word to anyone on the street and you will get a variety of responses. Many believe what they have heard and warn you against using any products that contain them and many just want to wait until science proves that parabens are really harmful to you, as that is not proven yet. It just seems that these days the words parabens and cancer go hand in hand without any conclusive evidence that they actually do. I like to make sure I'm not subscribing to a lobbyist who has ulterior motives for financial gain, and no I'm not a conspiracy freak, (ok maybe just a tad) I was recently told (by my therapist) that that quality is at the heart of all good journalists... a desire to dig for the real truth... or conspiracy!

I’m certainly not a scientist, but I am pretty educated and try to always read both sides to a story. Just like when everyone screamed that mineral oil was bad for you, it eventually was proven that it was not. However, you still find many companies today touting how awful mineral oil is for your skin while offering you their version of something safer. I have yet to find a website stating that mineral oil is harmful while not trying to also sell you something in the process. I had been skeptical myself, but after some researching of my own and contacting my friends at The Beauty Brains blog (who happen to be both cosmetic chemists with 30 years experience), they insisted it was all hype and that mineral oil was indeed the best moisturizing product for your skin. So I have learned to look deeper into an issue than to be frightened by scare tactics.

Unfortunately, scare tactics are the route that Dr. Epstein of the Cancer Prevention Coalition is taking when going after Origins, an Estee Lauder company. They try pointing out that Origins cannot be taking, "A totally integrative approach to skin care ... to help your skin be as healthy as possible, (and) optimize its defenses against age accelerators" claiming that Origins uses parabens (among other ingredients) in their products. They site that parabens are known to cause “endocrine disruptive.” However, there has not yet been one study that has conclusively, 100% proven this.

Karen A. Newman is Editor in Chief of Global Cosmetic Industry magazine. Global Cosmetic Industry magazine is the business and marketing magazine read by cosmetic, fragrance and personal care product manufacturers and brand owners who look to the publication for the strategies behind the industry success stories. Karen also writes GCI's blog called Beauty Union.

Where do you see cosmetic packaging trends in color cosmetics going in 2007?
One interesting trend we see is in making it easier to apply makeup. Applicators are being refined to meet a very specific purpose for everything from foundation to eyeliner. The new lipstick packaging from Cargo is a hint of what’s to come in recyclable packaging.

What popular scents are being used in fragrances for 2007?
Among recent releases, a broad range of floral and citrus scents are represented, as are musk, sandalwood and patchouli.

Which brands do you seem to get the most press releases about?
We get a lot of press releases from professional beauty brands – and mostly hair care. We hear regularly from Pureology and Thermafuse as well as Graham Webb International, ISO and Joico, but we hear from a wonderfully broad selection of marketers in every category – and we never get tired of hearing about the new things companies are doing. There’s a lot of passion in the beauty industry.

What do you think was the best product launch of 2006?
There were a few that I especially liked. The Yves Saint Laurent Perfect Touch Radiant Brush Foundation offers a built in brush, which speaks to the packaging trend question. Freeze 24/7’s Ice Shield Facial Cleanser with SPF 15 is interesting because it is the first product to commercialize a new delivery system that helps ingredients such as sunscreens bond with the skin so they can be left behind after cleansing. John Frieda’s Luminous Color Glaze puts a salon treatment into at-home use at a mass price.

Any changes taking place for GCI in 2007, editorial content, advisory board, etc.?
We introduced a new editorial advisory board at the end of 2006. This is exciting for us as it is a great group of industry professionals who are going to help us create content that is smart and spot on for our readers. The group includes: Roger Caracappa, The Estee Lauder Companies; Beth Ann Catalano, twist.new.brand.venture; Peter Gallagher, Unilever; Liz Grubow, LPK; Tina Hedges, twist.new.brand.venture; Camille McDonald, Bath & Body Works; Debbie Murtha, Macy’s Merchandising Group; Art Rich, A. Rich Development; Marc Rosen, Marc Rosen Associates; and Laura Setzfand, The Hain Celectial Group Personal Care Division. We’re really excited to be working with this stellar group!

Do you see the faux botox craze stopping?
I don’t see it stopping as long as consumers can find products that give them the temporary smoothing they are looking for.

Some of us are blessed with one talent in life, and others were given many. Jason Jobson is one of those multi-talented professionals with many talents you'll want to know. For starters, this native New Yorker has been a print, television and fitness model for many years. He ran the NY marathon in 2002 and a marathon in Paris in 2005. You may have already heard Jason's voice as a voice-over talent for commercials, podcasts and pilots all while working for one of the most recognized fashion brands in the world: Chanel.

“Ground Control” is the name of a pilot he has developed as a gardening/home improvement show that he is currently pitching to the networks. You may have seen his face on Sex & The City, Law & Order, Guiding Light or in 13 Going on 30. Jason’s newest role is full time Manager of Training and Special Events at Chanel and so I decided to tap into this multi-talented individual to learn more about him and what's new for Chanel this year.

With so many projects and talents, where does your passion to push your creativity come from?
I think that some people just see things with different eyes. I'm inspired by the simplest things and then also the most beautiful. I just saw the "Glitter and Doom" exhibit at the Met and the colors were incredible. My mind was racing with design inspriation. On the other hand I was in Mexico over Christmas and I saw this stack of empty glass soda bottles that were beautiful. I had to stop and take a picture and I got a few strange looks. Sometime the hardest thing is keeping myself focused on current projects. I think in New York it's easy to spread yourself too thin if you are not careful. We are obsessed with taking on one more project. It's hard when you want to move forward in different directions sometimes. Some things must be put on hold while you go in another direction.

What has working at Chanel taught you that you didn’t already know about the fashion industry?
Chanel is an unbelievable company overall. The thing that has impressed me the most is just how big the scope of all the projects are. I've worked with major houses from Italy and France over the years but when Chanel uses the word "global," they truly mean it.

What are some of the new things going on at Chanel?
That is the other thing I have learned - there are always 10 new things happening at Chanel! You almost have to pick a category and dive in - for instance in the fragrance division, the house is launching an ultra luxe group of scents called "les exclusifs de Chanel". There are 10 scents that each have a special meaning to the legacy of Coco Chanel.

Accessories are also on fire at the moment. There are a group of exotic tote bags launching next month that are going to set Chanel apart from any of the luxury exotic bags on the market.

Do you have any predictions for color and style for Fall 2007?
I think that most designers are really going for more vibrant, deep colors for Fall. Spring was clean and bright, but Fall will be deeper gem tones. Deep reds, and purples. I think American women have started to embrace the idea of wearing color. Not just when they go out at night, but introducing pieces of color to mix into thier wardrobe in an irreverent way.

Are there any styles from years past that you think will be making a comeback?
Looks from the 60's were a strong theme for Spring 07. I think sometimes designs are timeless. If a building is designed in a modern style, it should look modern a hundred years from now - I think the same is true for fashion design. The A-Line dresses from the 60's still look just as new and fresh today.

Is there anything new or coming up on the Chanel website that people can look forward to?
The website is always being tweaked and reborn. So much so, that I have to log on all the time so I don't miss something! One of the coolest things recently was the podcast made available of the pre-fall 07 collection that was shown in the Opera house in Monte-Carlo. Something about this little jewel box of a theater being featured in a podcast is such an incredible twist on what you expect. Now that is inspiring!

Where you can find Jason: MySpace, he also has a out of date website that he's been trying to update for years, found at JasonJobson.com.

Tarte Cosmetics, known for their fabulous Cheek Stains and double-ended lipgloss and BORBA, known for their all natural products and drinkable skin care, have come together for what is likely to become a trend among cosmetics companies this year. tarte Cosmetics has teamed up with BORBA to create their newest lip gloss set to launch in February called Inside Out. Inside Out is a vitamin-infused lipgloss that tarte calls a “double-duty” beauty product. It’s one that not only works on the outside of the body, but on the inside as well. The gloss works to soothe and hydrate your lips, while the nutraceutical blend delivers powerful skin care ingredients.

Scott Vincent Borba exclusively created the blend of vitamins for tarte’s Inside Out lipgloss. It is a combination of all natural ingredients from BORBA’s Clarifying, Age Defying and Replenishing lines. They include Acai & green tea extract which help strengthen capillary walls, reduce epidermal irritation and enhance skin’s clarity and radiance; Grape seed extract & Vitamin C which help accelerate production of natural elastin, protecting skin against free-radical damage & restore skin’s clarity, Vitamins A, E & K which act as antioxidants to give you that healthy glow, and Lychee extract promotes long-term skin hydration and chamomile extract soothes skin and helps to counteract redness. Inside Out comes in 3 colors; shimmery pale pink, hot pink and nude. Each gloss is 5.7oz. and is scented with pomegranate, the same scent as BORBA’s Clarifying Cotton Fibers.

Every brand has a life-cycle, just like fashion trends in general, one day you’re hot, one day you’re not. Does it mean that you fall off the face of the (fashion) world when your star doesn’t shine as brightly as before? Absolutely not, especially when your brand is GAP and was the top staple of fashion for 30 years. It simply means you regroup, you refocus and you look at how you can reconnect with your customers again—past, present and future.

While Gap Inc. may have had declining sales figures for a while now, I’m really not ready to count the brand out. They recently began switching around management both at Gap and Old Navy and soon after, CEO Paul Pressler resigned. Is this a bad thing? Should we look at this as a knockdown for Gap? Actually, I think this is where the brand begins its new life. While the switch in management comes from within the organization itself and its chains, it still means you have people behind the brand that are passionate about it and hopefully a new CEO with a fashion background and ambitious nature to put Gap back on top.

I’m predicting that we will see a comeback for Gap this year. With a fresh perspective they’ll be able to make the brand better, reflect on their core principles that took them to the top in the first place, focus on brand development and eventually find a good publicist to get the message out loud and clear: Gap is back.

Last year we really began to see big name brands participate with creditable, professional blogs. These blogs generate valuable supportive word of mouth advertising for brands. Still in its infancy, many did it wrong, such as the Wal-Mart and Sony PS3 flogs. While many did it right through advertising their products on blogs and social networks through BlogAds and Text Link Ads, as well as, viral marketing with You Tube and Revver and speaking directly to blog owners to review their products.

Moving forward and seeing the success that dual exposure in print publications as well as digital media can bring, Ogilvy & Mather has forged a partnership with Technorati to aggregate blog content relevant to Ogilvy clients, then will work with Ogilvy's senior creative directors to integrate existing word-of-mouth into campaigns, according to MediaPost. I have to agree with this statement in their article: “The benefit of social media is that it allows brands to build a more authentic, participatory relationship with its audience than was possible in the mass media era," said Peter Hirshberg, chairman and chief marketing officer at Technorati. Where print media can still be successful, I think the future success of brands lies within the relationship it can form with its consumers through online media such as blogs and social networks. It is, after all, the connection your consumer feels with your brand, that gives you brand loyalty, continued referrals and strong sales.

Make sure to subscribe to PROBE for our February issue and read tips direct from Pierce Mattie himself on how to get your beauty brand the exposure it deserves.

Well frankly, I hope she has more than one thing to say on her show today, when she confronts her critics wearing the same swimsuit that has been plastered all over the tabloids with the title, “America’s next top waddle.” It takes courage to stand in front of millions of viewers with just your swimsuit and the body people have been making a mockery of.

I decided to pick up People Magazine last night to read her interview to hear how she felt about the constant pummeling of insults being thrown her way about her weight. Before even reading the article, I in a sense, knew how she must be feeling. In my own youth many people often told me I was fat, even when I was only 5 lbs over what I should’ve been for my height. In fact, one day my dance teacher announced to the class that we couldn’t wear a certain costume for our dance recital because I was too fat. When I looked at my size 8 body in the mirror I felt ashamed and sad that I wasn’t good enough. I can only imagine how magnified that is for a Supermodel who made her living off her body and then has the world zone in on her weight gain. See more posts like this on our Buzzed Industry Dirt Blog

Again this fashion week we're continuing our support of citizen journalists and bloggers by loaning out some of our high-end video equipment from the Pierce Mattie Media Oasis to Julie Fredrickson of Coutorture. Be sure to check our fashion division blog for video posts of Julies daily fashion week 07 coverage. We also want to invite other blog networks or bloggers with needs to approach us for support in the future. Have a good fashion week!

Textiles, the raw canvas of a designers inspiration, -New York City shop window

With more women in politics bringing on their game and showing that they can be an intellectual powerhouse, it also makes sense that these changes are now trickling over into fashion. Both female Republican and Democrats are beginning to have an impact in what designers are producing for their shows this Fashion Week.

The big trend? Accenting silhouettes, tailoring to fit, high-waisted pants and the comeback of the pantsuit. All of these styles combined exhibit a strong sense of femininity, yet speaking volumes about the professional, intellectual, assertive traits of a woman. Even dresses and skirts have no need to be oversized or girly in the excitement that surrounds female political inspirations and aspirations these days. Hemlines, cinched waists and pinched skirts don’t let us lose sight of a more conservative feminine look, yet exude the more overall subdued sentiment our Country feels in a time of war.

Among all of the fashion trends, the strongest is the pantsuit. It is the easiest to wear and accessorize without looking like you are wearing your father’s clothes. Pantsuits are now tailored to fit and can be worn with or without a blouse, making for a versatile wardrobe. Many can be made to be conservative for business during the day and accessorized in a way to be less so during an evening out.

While many female politicians have a great love of our Country, they also have a great love for fashion. Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, as well as, First Lady Laura Bush, are said to be attending Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. It would certainly make for interesting conversation if they happen attend the same fashion shows and are fans of the same designer. Aspiring Democratic Presidential contender, Hillary Clinton, and the Republican First Lady may just have something in common beyond the White House after all.

NYC Fashion Week is in full swing, which designer styles and makeup looks do you love so far? Here are some links from the last week around the beauty and fashion blogosphere, with a few checking in on Fashion Week.

Fashion:

+ Fashion Tribes shows off some spectacular photos with a summary of the Red Dress Collection at NYC Fashion Week.

+ Omiru: Style for All interviews Meghan Parsons, the designer behind the jack&marjorie brand.

+ Style Bites gives a review of Max Azria’s Fall 2007 Collection from NYC Fashion Week.

Beauty:

+ Beauty Hobby reviews High Performance Organics Spa Hair Conditioner and Raw Sugar Scrub.

+ Mystical Beauty’s Musings reviews Lumiere Mineral Cosmetics.

+ I am Pretty NYC gives some beauty tips on how to go gray gracefully.

Greg Cartwright has been a Massage Therapist for the past 8 years and Body Sugaring Expert for the last 4. He is accomplished in numerous massage techniques, including Shiatsu, sports and Swedish massage. Additionally, he is certified in Thai massage by the Traditional Medicinal Hospital of Thailand. Greg has been trained by top-tier cosmetology companies, such as La Prairie, Alexandria and SkinCeuticals - to use and administer their products. He achieved his Licensed Esthetician certification through The Aveda Institute.

Greg has always been a person who loves working with his hands, is service oriented and understands building relationships with his clients. Prior to starting Downtime Massage and Skincare, he was a chef at the Ritz in London, Moomba in NYC and private chef to a CEO of one of America’s best-known fashion companies.

What prompted your decision to change your career from being a chef to becoming a massage therapist and esthetician?
The food industry is brutal and there is a certain lifestyle that goes along with being in it. After 10 years and an injury in the kitchen, I was ready for a lifestyle change. At that time I was introduced to Yoga and went to a chiropractor. It was at the Chiropractor’s office that I saw massage for the first time. I love doing things for others; using my hands and making people feel better. I saw that I could achieve this through massage and that is when I decided to begin training to become a massage therapist and eventually a licensed esthetician.

Joanna Roche, NYC Let’s file this under “keeping up with the Jones’” - and for the record I feel compelled to participate. It’s like getting a chain letter and not sending it when you can really use the good karma.

1. Even though my work life is centered on the beauty and spa world, I have a rugged side. I go camping and hiking, I am proficient with a hammer, I have a pistol permit, and I can ride a horse. I plan on sharing all these experiences with my son Luke when he gets a bit older.

2. I love Karaoke! Even though I am not a good singer, it has always been my ultimate fantasy to be a rock star.

3. I made it to the final round of tryouts for College Jeopardy and missed the last question to which the answer was Guy Fawkes. And I still love trivia and pop culture!

4. One of my proudest moments was when my team won first prize in the Lee Fireman’s Muster – I was captain of the Lenox Dale ladies team and we competed in the wet hose event and beat many of the men’s teams and made the front page of our local paper.

5. I am an avid reader – I read all 64 Nancy Drew books by the time I was in second grade and have been reading obsessively ever since. It is my ultimate goal in life to write a book, and I have several ideas I am working on right now.

Find out more about Joanna in her industry profile

With New York City’s ban on trans-fats come July 1st of this year, McDonald’s has been at work trying to come up with an oil replacement for their French fries without losing their distinct taste. Back in September of 2002 they pledged to go trans-fat-free, only to voice concern a few months later that their fries would lose the flavor that has become part of the McDonald’s brand for so long.

Five years later, they believe they have found the right formula and say that 1,200 out of their 13,700 US locations are currently using the new oil. McDonald’s, just like Starbucks, wants to go nationwide with this change rather than just relegating it to New York City locations. Not only is that good for them money-wise and marketing-wise, but also puts them a step ahead for any trans-fat bans in other cities in the future.

While McDonald’s trails behind other fast food chains like Taco Bell and Wendy’s, it is certainly not dead last in making the change. Burger King has yet to comment on whether or not they have come up with a trans-fat solution for their fries, as well. Taco Bell has also taken the initiative of going a step further by creating 15 of their current products “Fresco Style.” Fresco Style is basically items that have cheese and sauce replaced with fiesta salsa for a low fat alternative. One example is their Baja Beef Gordita, which normally are 350 calories and 19 grams of fat. When you order it Fresco Style, it is only 250 calories and 9 grams of fat.

It’ll be interesting to see how New York City’s ban on trans-fats changes the way the entire country eats fast food. With fast food being a major way of life in American Society, reducing trans-fats and fat overall, can only benefit all of us in the end.

They say that imitation is the best form of flattery. If this is the case, then Dove should surely be flattered as CoverGirl takes at stab at their rendition of using real women in their next advertising campaign to promote their new Queen Collection for women of color.

The Queen Collection inspired by CoverGirl’s spokesmodel of five years, Queen Latifah, was launched on January 29th at BB King Blues Club and Grill in NYC, the same day as the casting call for their ad campaign. The Queen Collection is CoverGirl’s newest line to be geared towards women of color, from Latina to African American. CoverGirl is joining the ranks of cosmetics companies promoting their products to this demographic such as Jane Iredale, whose Global Beauty line is also geared towards ethnic women.

CoverGirl will mimic Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty ads by using real women that may vary in ages from 18-48. The difference will be that these women will have an inspiring story about how they have achieved both inner and outer beauty, whether it was through a recent accomplishment, community service, overcoming an obstacle or standing up for something they were passionate about. The winner(s) will be announced in 2 weeks and will appear in the ad campaign slated for release in June.

Do you think CoverGirl’s use of real women of color will continue to bring a breath of fresh air to marketing campaigns or will it be seen as a Dove copycat?

Mini USA recently began a pilot program in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and San Francisco that gives current Mini Cooper owners a personalized message as they pass by a digital billboard. Owners in the pilot program fill out a questionnaire giving Mini USA non-personal information that will then be programmed into their fob. Based on the information they submitted, when they approach the billboard the RFID will activate a personalized greeting that is displayed on the billboard.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) appears to be a topic of debate between those who don’t mind convenience and those who view it as just another way for Big Brother to track us. Mini Cooper’s pilot program of RFID tags in their cars for further personalization are hailed by some as just another fun feature of being a Mini owner, which is the whole branding and marketing aspect of Mini USA, a subsidiary of BMW. Current and potential Mini owners worry that it could eventually be used for other methods to track and collect data on its owners unsuspectingly, such as what Sony BMG did when they installed anti-piracy software into some of their CD’s that also caused PC instability allowing for viruses and spyware to corrupt the user’s computer.

However, as technology moves forward, what Mini is doing in regards to RFID’s is becoming relatively common, such as cell phones, GPS, EZ Pass, Nike+iPod and so on. I think the pilot program, aptly named Motorby, will be a hit and we will soon see it become a feature of all Mini Cooper’s expanding into a city near you. What will be interesting is to see if this Mini perk will cause unwanted distraction on our highways thus causing accidents and/or if Mini Cooper’s sales are driven upward when Motorby becomes the next “it” of the car industry.

What do you think?

As I’ve been gathering stories to write for both of our Beauty and Fashion blogs, I’ve been noticing something become more and more prominent in the news headlines: more companies are going green or collaborating with a green initiative. In 2006, we began to see this trend emerge, but it looked uncertain whether it would take off with the American public or not. Now as I try to write more diversified posts, it seems I can’t get away from writing about who is the next brand marketing green, therefore proving that this topic is not going away anytime soon.

Dave Morgan, at Media Post’s Online Spin, echoed my thoughts exactly today in an article he wrote, “Is Green The New Red, White And Blue?” He too wonders if green is just the “flavor of the month” or a defining element for US brands for years to come. Some of the recent brands I have been Blogging about have been Lancome and their collaboration with Carbonfund.org to reduce carbon foot printing, Diesel’s ad campaign that shows fashion in a post-Global Warming world and whose website encourages becoming involved in StopGlobalWarming.org and watching Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth,” as well as, H&M expanding upon their use of Organic Cotton in more of their clothing lines. I predict these will not be the only companies, or industries for that matter, that incorporate green into part of their branding.

Lord & Taylor, America’s oldest department store operating since 1826, will be getting a facelift that is multi-faceted in nature according to WWD. NDRC Equity Partners, who bought Lord & Taylor from Federated Department Stores last year, has many plans in the works to bring the store back to life.

David Lipman will be breathing new life into Lord & Taylor’s advertising campaigns. He has been responsible for the success of many other brands, including Burberry and Zegna. Randall Ridless and Mancini Duffy, the architectural and design firm, will be collaborating on revamping the interior of the stores, with the Manhattan location being downsized from its weighty 11 floors to just 5 or 6. Store designers will also be developing a new Fall/Holiday branding campaign and there will be focus on the remerchandising of the products they sell and their private label. There are many fabulous events going on at their different locations to draw in the crowds (can someone say Isaac Mizrahi on 2/24?) pursuant to show that Lord & Taylor can offer exciting events for their customers and anticipate that while in-store, potential customers perception of the Lord & Taylor image over the last few years will change. Lord & Taylor considers it a rebranding and hopes it will put the once hugely popular department store back on the map.

When our culture is being overwrought by Wal-Mart’s, Target’s and the like, I think it is very refreshing to get back to basics and have those brands that were the lifeblood for so many years re-emerge stronger, bring a fresh sense of history along with it. As with Gap’s repositioning, I suspect Lord & Taylor will make their rebranding a success.

In the age of Tivo, marketers have had to think long and hard about unique ways to deliver their brand’s message to consumers. Although Tivo did come up with a way to annoy its users by adding fast forward banner ads when they try to skip commercials, they can still be skipped nonetheless and the marketer's message lost. However, PumpMedia, an outdoor media company, has found a way to reach a captive audience: at the gas pump.

This idea of marketing at the gas pump has been creeping in slowly, as it is something I have seen here at my local Sheetz. While I pump my gas, a no-sound commercial plays showing me all of the sandwich and coffee selections in their mini-mart, there is even a screen where a customer can order one of those sandwiches right at the pump and have it ready and waiting for them when they go inside to the counter.

In a time when most gas stations have taken the “hold pump” mechanism off its pump handles, forcing you to remain at your vehicle while pumping gas, there is nothing much to do besides watching how much the pump will drain you for this time. PumpMedia found this a prime opportunity to reach consumers at a time when they are bored doing the mundane. PumpMedia says it will offer entertaining and informative content while refueling and also offer a new advertising medium for the auto industry. While it is unclear just which types of brands will take advantage of this new way to market to consumers, I’m sure it can be safely assumed it will involve auto makers.

What do you think of this new way to market to consumers?

Looking for the next big thing for Spring? Then make sure to check out Maryam & Kims "confessions post" on the fashion PR division blog "The Fashion Rag" (now being edited by Jason Jobson) for links to the top 10 best trends for Spring and the designers who make that trend stand out.

As was the case with high-end retailer, Lord & Taylor, JC Penney is giving itself a makeover. The difference between the two is that Lord & Taylor is rebranding from head to toe, which includes physical face lifts to their stores, as well as their merchandise and marketing campaigns, and JC Penney is simply shifting their focus to the middle-income consumer through a new set of marketing campaigns.

JC Penney’s new slogan is “Every Day Matters” and while its rebranding shifts their focus to a new demographic of consumer, they will remain a promotional department store with weekly circulars and direct mailings, something that has proven successful for the store into the present.

When consumer confidence seems lacking, brands are trying to recapture that essence of the excitement of shopping within their stores by listening to what their customers want and desire. JC Penney no longer wants to be looked at as the dated and drab department store, but wants to establish an emotional repore with its consumers and become a relevant part of their lives.

What most people don't realize about big glossy magazines is that advertisers in the magazine also get favored additional product placement in the form of mentions in product line ups and other "advertorial" mentions. Nothing wrong with that, it's just how it's always been. A good publicist can help non-advertising brands get more exposure in the same magazine, however those that can afford integrated advertising and publicity often get the best exposure in print and television, of course all this comes at a cost.

Some beauty brands or fashion brands may not have the funding or budget for a large media buy. This post is to address those brands. While selling ad space is not a new idea, finding the appropriate space that is the most effective is critical. If you can't afford the premium ad space in beauty magazines and the top fashion books perhaps you should investigate non-traditional advertising in addition to your PR plan.

Today you can buy ad space on everything from urinal pucks, coffee cups, pizza boxes, shopping bags and now a new and innovative way to reach more people, especially business professionals. Do it through dry cleaning, most specifically, the hangers that go home with each suit and dress and tend to stay in your target customer’s closet for future use.

With 3.5 billion wire hangers ending up in landfills each year, The Hanger Network has designed coat hangers made completely out of paper. The paper is thick and laminated and perfectly acceptable to toss into your recycle bin. It’s strong enough to hold your clothes without falling apart while remaining flexible at the same time. The Hanger Network is hoping that dry cleaners will begin using their EcoHanger because it is free. That saves dry cleaning businesses approximately 8 cents a hanger, meanwhile helping to lessen the burden on the environment.

The Hanger Network is able to give their hangers for free to dry cleaners because it is the advertisers who pay the Hanger Network to place a color advertisement for their product/service on each hanger. These advertisements target both men and women such as ads from Van Heusen and L’Oreal. It’s amazing to me that no one has thought of this idea before. While I would have never dreamed of a sturdy paper hanger, my dry cleaned clothes always come back with white paper wrapping the wire hanger, most times simply stating the name of the place I was just serviced at. Since hangers are reused time and again, this is the perfect opportunity to have your product seen virtually every time a person opens their closet doors. It is unobtrusive, yet subliminal, and done in a way that is functional and serves a purpose.

Presently the EcoHangers are being distributed by Cleaners Supply, the largest distributor of dry cleaning products in the U.S. Currently you can find these hangers at dry cleaners throughout New York City, but with 8 million dollars in venture capital obtained, the Hanger Network will soon be expanding into other cities across the country.

The infamous Hotel Chelsea, considered a “Rest Stop for Rare Individuals,” has seen the likes of many celebrities in its rich past and into its presence. Some of them being Bob Dylan, Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin and the infamous “Sid and Nancy.” It continues to be a celebrity hang out, so the birth of the Hamptons-esque Star Lounge run by Charles Ferri in the basement of the hotel makes perfect sense.

Where a suit and tie is the suggested attire, you can find the city’s upper echelon stopping in for a few drinks in the room that holds the Retro Bar, chatting among friends and new acquaintances in the Chelsea Cafe or dancing to the DJ-spun music in the Energy Lounge. While this may be a deviation from what people know the bohemian hotel to be all about, as noted by Gridzipper, the room dubbed the “Chelsea Cafe” will remain true to its roots with decor that reflect its past.

I’ll be at the Hotel Chelsea the first weekend in March when I get to receive some top-rated pampering courtesy of Pierce Mattie with the most anticipated highlight of being pampered by Alyn Topper, one of the talented hair stylists on Bravo’s hit show Blow Out. It’ll be interesting to finally get a feel for this much talked about hotel and see for myself if the vibe matches the legend.

With so many social networking sites beginning to dominate the internet, it’s about time there was one that had one main focus to bring people with the same interest together to connect and network. IQONS is to fashion what MySpace is to music. Created by Rafael Jimenez and Suran Goonatilake with co-mentor Diane Pernet, they bring experience to the table that will see this new social networking site blossom.

IQONS is the global social network where designers, fashion labels, magazine editors, models, stylists, fashion PR professionals, fashion enthusiasts and the like can connect and network with each other. IQONS only launched last month, but it is already building a presence online with 820 designers with an online profile. Through their profile you can get a more in depth look into who they are and browse through their “showcase.” A showcase is where you can upload your work for the rest of the network to see.

IQONS has a few ways that members can connect and promote their work through the site. Influential and highly respected fashion industry professionals, referred to as Iqons, review and comment on work showcased by members on the site; IQONS features one Iqon each month; they also give members 15 minutes of fame by spotlighting a member profile every hour on the hour. IQONS also creates projects with influential fashion industry professionals for members to take part in. The first one is with online fashion retailer Yoox.com for a design competition.

I think this a great way to network with others in the industry and I’ve already started to create a profile, or “Portrait” as they call it, there myself. If you are already on IQONS, tell us what you think of the site.

There really are so many weight loss “pills” on the market today. You can find them, unregulated by the FDA, on shelves at places such as your local CVS and GNC. Then there are weight loss “drugs,” which are regulated by the FDA and can only be prescribed by your doctor. Now there is a weight loss drug made by Glaxo-Smith Kline called Alli (said Al-eye) that is FDA approved, but will be sold as an OTC drug.

How the Alli program works:

* You take a capsule with every meal.
* You register online to gain access to an individualized action plan.
* You check in weekly through the Alli site.
* Through the action plan you learn lessons about meal planning, managing hunger, dealing with setbacks, and making the food and lifestyle changes to help you succeed.
* Access to menu’s and how to shop for low-fat meals.
* Connect with other Alli users.

Alli is not only the first FDA approved weight loss drug OTC, it is the only FDA OTC that is both a weight loss drug and a weight loss treatment plan with support. Alli is Orlistat 60mg. Xenical is a good comparison, as it is also Orlistat, except it is sold in 120mg capsules and can only be prescribed by a doctor. Orlistat works by blocking fat absorption into the body. Alli blocks 25% fat absorption when you take the pill with each meal. Blocking fat results in “treatment effects,” otherwise known as frequent trips to the restroom. Alli’s capsule and program appears to be the perfect form of Classical Conditioning. If you eat meals high in fat when taking Alli, it results in frequent treatment affects, in order to avoid this you need to lower your fat intake to 15 grams or less per meal. Of course, no one wants to experience treatment effects, so they will lower their fat intake, which in combination with Alli provides a successful weight loss. This type of conditioning can be an excellent way to rethink the way you eat and create a new behavioral eating pattern. As you take Alli and recondition the way you eat, it becomes second nature by the time you have met your weight