I Think I'll Go to Boston

Monday April 29, 2013

When most people try to articulate what things are like in America, a lot of focus is put on the things that divide us within our communities.
            Are you Liberal or Conservative?
                   Are you religious? 
                        Are you Gay or Straight? 
                              Are you from the North or the South? 
The list can go on and on. Because we are all so individualistic, we spend so much time and energy focusing on how to differentiate ourselves from others whose labels don't mirror our own. 
 
I think that something we all take for granted is our inherent ability to mobilize our communities together at a moment's notice, despite all of the differences that we focus on so much. There are so many times, even in my lifetime, that I have witnessed this. 
            The first World Trade Center bombing.
                   The Centennial Olympic Park bombing.
                          Columbine.
                                 September 11, 2001.
                                         VA Tech.
                                               Hurricane Katrina.
                                                    Sandy Creek.
                                                           Hurricane Sandy.
           And now, the Patriot's Day Bombing in Boston, MA.
And those are only the ones that come to mind right off the bat. It's incredible to think that through so much, we can all look past the labels and divisions that fixate on the majority of the time.

I recently spoke with a friend who is a fellow UGA student and Boston native about how his family was doing and what the aftermath was like. His response was very profound, and resonated a lot with what we have learned about community this semester in Social Media Marketing:
              
                       "I think if something this horrific had to happen, it's a good thing that it happened on
                        Patriot's Day. Boston transitions into it's happiest state after a long, dark winter on
                        Patriot's Day because they know that the summer is coming when the city lights up.
                        Obviously, this is a tragedy, and it should never have happened in the first place, but
                        the way that Boston can support itself through community makes me think that this
                        will leave them stronger in the end."

The essence of social media is the congregation of communities within communities. I think that what we can all take away from the activity and immediate response from some many different people and channels, those who were fundraising, raising awareness, or simply sending out good thoughts and prayers, is that the communities that social media is creating matter. They are a wave of communication and support for the future, and that is why it is not simply something for entertainment or increasing ROI in business. Social is a new way of fulfilling an inherent need in all of us - the need for community and togetherness - that connects all of us in America, despite the labels that try to divide.

Farewell Television, I Knew You Well

Monday April 15, 2013

I am continuously one of those people who are running late on jumping on the bandwagon, especially when it comes to technology. I got Facebook and Twitter later than almost all of my friends, started Instagram late, and most importantly, just opened up my first Netflix account in January. 

While I know this isn't a huge admission, now that I have it, it makes me wonder how I ever lived without it before. One particular interest of mine is the newly released season of House of Cards, a series created exclusively by and for Netflix. I started watching it because I recently accepted a job offer that is going to relocate me to Washington, D.C., and I have been infatuated with information about the city ever since. However, now that I have spent some time watching it, it has made me think more about the future of television. Is it really going to exist for that much longer?

Consumers are frustrated with television commercials, and DVR/TiVO took care of that. Since then, Hulu and Hulu Plus have taken us even further from the traditional television watching experience. In fact, I have several peers that are in college and decided to forgo a cable subscription at all and simply use Netflix and Hulu Plus for all of their filmed media needs. This is only further emphasized by the fact that Apple now makes televisions- everything is going online! If Netflix is now creating television shows, then is traditional television going to leave us completely?

This is somewhat of a haunting thought.. what will babysitters do when they can't stick the kids in front of a massive television to pass the time? How will first dates in middle and high schools change when you can't actually do anything except watch TV? Will a laptop screen work the same way? Apparently, only time will tell. But if I had to guess, I doubt I'll be saving my pennies for the giant flat screen in the near future. 

America's Pastime

Monday April 8, 2013  

Changing weather means spring is coming. Spring means lots of things, and among them is the beginning of baseball season! As an avid Braves fan, and in honor of opening day, I am dedicating this post to the optimistic view that I am taking on this season-- or at least, hoping that they make it through their first game against the Phillies.

The opening day fever has definitely hit the UGA campus, everyone sporting their jerseys and t-shirts showing their support as well as taking in some of the new found sun rays. It is interesting to think about the connection that I feel with all of these strangers who simply have a similar interest to me-- one that is not uncommon at all, yet when I see them around I instantly have a kindred spirit with them.

This entire idea simply reinforces the connections that we create through social media. This blog post, for instance, would potentially show up when people Google the Braves, America or if they are looking for a pastime- it may not satisfy their need, but they are instantly connected to me. It is really amazing how the internet is now fostering these relationships and helping people create connections that never would have existed before.

In conclusion, any one who is rooting for the Braves tonight (and always) is a welcome connection for me- Go Braves!

Destination: ATLanta

Monday April 1, 2013

When it comes to morning television, when I actually have the time to watch it (and of course, am awake in time to see it), I have an extreme loyalty to LIVE! With Kelly and Michael. I have loved LIVE! Since it was with Regis and Kathy Lee, and to think back on the evolution of the show and how it has changed and improved, while still maintaining its basic integrity is something that is really special to me.

I think we can all agree that the best part of LIVE! is the host chat that happens at the beginning of each show. The open conversation about current events and the hosts personal lives is not only entertaining and informative, but can also reinforce their human qualities, further enhancing the already existing bond I have with them. Sometimes their stories can just make you feel better about the quirks in your own lives - even when they don't always seem perfectly believable.

During the host chat on Friday March 22, 2013, Kelly and Michael talked about the most popular cities to migrate to in the United States right now. I was very surprised to hear that Atlanta, GA is currently number one on that list. As a native Atlantan, this was actually really surprising to me at first- everyone I know has always migrated to bigger cities like New York and Chicago, so I never considered Atlanta to be a destination-type city. However, now that I know more about business and industry in general, it makes perfect sense.

More and more movies are being filmed in and around Atlanta, the metro area is huge and easily navigated, a lot of businesses are hiring younger people, and very importantly, it is incredibly affordable relative to other big cities around the country.

I found this interesting considering the fact that I, a native, am not applying for any jobs in the Atlanta area. Perhaps I should reconsider my plans to relocate and settle back into the place that I am fortunate enough to call my hometown. The moral of the story is that I love the fact that little things in life that I love can all come together over my morning coffee.

For your reference, here are the top five cities to migrate to:

1. Atlanta, GA
2. Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
3. Orlando, FL
4. Phoenix, AZ
5. Chicago, IL

Beer Cards and Buffalo Chicken Crepes

Monday March 25, 2013 

Athens, GA is infamous for many things. The historic music scene, the University, its small-town beauty and charm, and most importantly, the multitude of bars and incredible restaurants. Because of this, it is quite a common occurance for people to ask for recommendations of where to go when they visit the Classic City. Naturally, I always draw a blank, and fall back on my go-to answer for them: Pauley's Original Crepe Bar. 

After going through a facelift during my time in Athens, Pauley's has and still remains one of my favorite spots. Unlike a lot of establishments in Athens, Pauley's has a very diverse clientele, including greeks, non-greeks, athletes, tourists and townies alike. They are busy almost every night of the week, not to mention during lunch and those who are interested in some afternoon beers and people watching. I won't even bother to describe the atmosphere on a Saturday in the fall - you are lucky if you get in the door at all. They are known for their savory, as well as their sweet, crepes, their inspiring creating of the "Manmosa" (a marriage between a mimosa and a screwdriver), and for the, literally, hundreds of beers that they continuously offer. 

One of the favorite activities of the patrons is to come and work on their "Beer Cards," which keep track of all the beers you try until you reach 100. This could be considered one of their more traditional, yet creative, forms of engagement with their customers. I, for one, have only gotten up to 30, but love hearing the opinions and suggestions from the staff on which ones to try next. Once you reach the 97 mark, you drink the last 3 beers from one big goblet and get the honor of having your card and picture framed on the wall. It holds a spot on my bucket list, for sure. 

The one very interesting part about Pauley's is that they do not have a website. There is absolutely no proprietary digital material owned by Pauley's, or, for that matter, by their sister restaurant The Branded Butcher. The only digital access that is available is a Facebook page, which is vastly underdeveloped. They have a mere 1,265 "likes,"no cover photo, only a single photo with the brand name, and essentially no other content posted. The only posts on their page consist mainly of customers tagging themselves and others in Pauley's through FourSquare and linking that with its Facebook account.

It is very curious that Pauley's continues to be most everyone's favorite restaurant (or at least in their top 3), even though they do literally nothing to involve themselves with their customers outside of the on-site experience. With that said, I think there is a lot to consider when you are branding any business, especially the location, the purpose of the business and the clientele with whom you are trying to connect. Is a strong social (or even digital in general) strategy always the best move for a business in today's world? 

Though it may not be a popular opinion, I'm going to have to say no. Pauley's is taking into account the very characteristics that were already mentioned that are associated with Athens. There is a leisure-ness, a laid-back-ness, about Athens that emanates a need to separate yourself from the fast-paced surrounding world. I think that is a huge component of where its charm comes from. It's a feeling that is difficult to describe- you have to experience it. Walking down Clayton Street on a sunny, lazy afternoon, heading to Pauley's for an afternoon beer with friends to catch up and then separate again. I think this is something to remember when you get caught up in all of the different social media platforms -- sometimes, it is just as rewarding to maintain those traditional values. Make a beer card, make friends with the bartender, and hunker down in a place where you can take a break from the world.

Wine a Little... You'll Feel Better

In honor of National Wine Drinking Day (which happened on Monday February 18), I am going to share with you a little bit of wisdom from one of the few subjects I know a good bit about: WINE, and Lots of it!

 View of the Valley Below Cortona

 Main Piazza in the Town of Cortona

 

Last May I had the opportunity to study abroad in Cortona, Italy, a small medieval town in Tuscany, to learn the in's and out's of viticulture and enology. It's amazing to think back on my experiences there and realize that I drank some of the nicest wines in the world, and that will most likely not happen again for a long time - Certainly not while I'm footing the bill. I still can't quite believe my parents agreed to pay for this trip, but I am definitely proud of my persuasive abilities. It seems that my argument that the ROI of the trip would be seen in my business performance in the future. I can't play golf, so at least I can use nice wines to help broker my deals! I can't tell if the fact that they actually sent me is evidence of appreciating my good humor or a lack of confidence in my business savvy... 

 

The Vineyard at La Braccesca, An Antinori EstateVineyard

 

The Vineyard at Il Falcionore, A Cortona Regional Vineyard

Either way, I plan on using my newly acquired skill set the best of my advantage. It is interesting to think about these skill sets that we learn in college- those that teach us to have a good work ethic and to be independent thinkers and problem solvers. Innovations with technology, like the things we learn about social media and the internet and how that all evolves into marketing concepts-- but how do these come into play in interviews and the "real world"? Who knows. What I can tell you is that college and the skill sets we learn train us not for any specific job, but to be trainable for whatever job we end up with. My fine wine skill set and knowledge base will not teach me to be good at my future job, but it is what getting back to basics is all about. I can pull these tools out of my arsenal at any time and find people that can relate and relay information back to me. They can build relationships with me based on my knowledge about wine.

 Left: the aging room at La Braccesca (all vintage 2010 aging for 18 months in the barrel)

 Right: The sparkling wine room at Il Falcionere, over 20,000 bottles aging to sweet perfection

Isn't that what social media platforms are all about? Maybe the nuances really don't change much.. the more I learn about them, the more I realize that it all comes back to the basics.

Without further ado, here are my "basics" for drinking and enjoying wine: 

1. Red will take some time to love, but the time investment is well worth it 
2. The more expensive or "finer" the wine is not at all relevant to taste or preference.     This also applies to wine & food pairings-- go with what you like. Drinking wine should be a personal experience. Don't let others dictate what it means to you. 
3. Sangiovese is a red, Italian grape that will never steer you wrong, I promise. 
4. White wine is a necessary evil that will open the doors to red wine. The adage "once you go black, you never go back" also applies to grapes
5. Have fun with it. Don't be a snob because nobody likes them, but this becomes a hobby that is actually really fun! Smelling the aromatic notes and looking at the legs of the wine is great, but be subtle. Nobody likes a showoff 

The Bachelor Revolution

Monday February 18, 2013

So... I watch the Bachelor. Yes, I am a 21 year-old woman, and I fall into the same trap every week. I turn it on out of habit, get annoyed with all of the fake, scripted drama, yell at the TV, roll my eyes, etc.; and yet I can't tear my eyes off of the television when the rejected ladies are pouring out their hearts to the very empathetic cameramen after they are rejected on national television. There are many aspects of it that are very much like a cult, with Chris Harrison as the charismatic leader, assuaging all of our fears about never finding love. It's as simple as humiliating yourself on primetime for the world to see!
 

One thing that is impossible not to notice is the different attention that The Bachelor is getting on all sorts of social media platforms. A trend lately with a lot of brands has been to "Live Tweet" with question and answer sessions for magazines or other brands with health, beauty and wellness tips. Now, the world has caught on and users have deemed themselves "worthy" of live tweeting events for their followers' pleasure. I find it interesting that a lot of people used to be embarrassed of the fact that they watch the show at all, and were mainly silent about it. Now, it is a connecting point worthy of creating content. I know that on my twitter feed I had at least four tweeters telling me their prized opinions of all of the turmoil folding out before my eyes.

It's funny how live tweeting used to be held only for major events like award shows, major sporting events and political happenings. The changing face of social media has almost reversed-- brands started using social acting like people in an existing conversation; now, people are acting like brands and sharing their opinions to make people listen to what they have to say. It makes me wonder if social media will always be this cyclical...

In the meantime, we can all enjoy the witty remarks made by "Tierra's Eyebrow's" Twitter account!

 

Living With Lonely

Monday February 11, 2013

 Remember back in the day when dinner was for family time? It was that one time of the day when my parents, my sister and I would gather around the table and talk about our day. Obviously, I wasn't raised in a Norman Rockwell painting, but it did create some nice memories. As we grew up and evolved, so did technology, and pretty soon, Apple had a presence at our dinner table in the form of three (and now a complete set of 4) iPhones. At first we got in trouble for texting our friends at the table, but then Dad started doing it, so Mom was fighting the battle on her own.

As I have matured I know understand how truly irritating it is that these technological advancements have created a constant need to be connected-- to the point where I am checking my phone's Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram apps at least once an hour (or even more when boredom is a factor). But now when I eat with my parents, I can appreciate that time when I don't necessarily feel that I should be texting or socially communicating in some capacity.

Enter Ramen Noodles. MisoSoupDesign's creation of the "Ramen Bowl for iPhone Owners" has completely brought us over the line that separated us from complete technological oblivion. This has taken my sacred family dinner memories and essentially made them obsolete. Are we really that lonely/sad as a civilization now that the prospect of eating even one meal alone, unconnected, is completely impossible? It is definitely a worrisome idea... At least it comes in several color options: red, black or white. The sleek, modern design is also quite aesthetically pleasing.

Don't get me wrong - I would be irate if somebody tried to take my iPhone. I have no problem with the technological advancements in general, however the revolutionary effect they are having on the values I grew up with is bordering on offensive.

The only silver lining of this situation is that even though businesses are doing their best to adapt to the changing technological landscape, human capital and their interactions, whether on an intra-company basis or with the customers and community through social means, are absolutely not becoming obsolete. This is comforting for me as I attempt to join the work force in the very near future. It is also good to know that as evolved and advanced technology may become, humans can never be replaced by phones, computers or social media platforms. Loneliness is a different issue, unfortunately (one could argue that Facebook is one of the worst inventions to ever happen in the history of dating), but success still comes back to those innate, seasoned human interactions that we all learn by sitting around our dinner tables with our families, sans iPhones. If you're lonely enough to buy this bowl, I would suggest investing in a dog instead.

Proactivity: Nuance or Antique?

Monday February 4, 2013

"Proactivity" is something that is engrained into today's college student's mind along every stepping stone in the journey. Professors, advisers, coaches and mentors all emphasize how if we aren't proactive then we will inevitably not get any of the results we want from our efforts, therefore losing any hope of reaching our goals and aspirations. You have to be proactive and do the work and practice to get the results you want on the playing field or as a personal fitness goal, or you'll never get to where you want to be. You have to be proactive to get good grades and have good relationships with your teachers to get good recommendations. If you don't do this, you'll never get an internship. If you don't get an internship, you'll never get a job.

I don't know how much time any of you readers have spent with college students, but being told what to do is not generally well received. This only further emphasizes the stereotype attached to GenY-- our blatant disinterest in listening to authority.

One piece of advice I am attempting to follow is to read everything, starting with Stephen Covey's The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Imagine my surprise when habit #1 is to "Be Proactive." Covey breaks it down into basic ideas that we are "response-able" for the majority of the events in our lives, all of which fall into our concentric circles of concern and influence. When you are a proactive individual, you can push the boundaries of the circle of influence wider inside of what concerns you. This had me thinking about the ways that companies use their circles in order to engage with their target markets. In terms of traditional marketing, there was a lot more negative focus in the circles of concern and the circles of influence were a great deal smaller than they could have been. Traditional marketing is so impersonal that the amount of influence available was almost negligible. When thinking in terms of social media marketing, it is mind-boggling to think of the influence that they can have on peoples' lives. This is a proactive move for a lot of companies, but it is still a reactive strategy for late entrants into the social phenomenon. For those that were proactive, I'm sure their ROI is increasing in spades. Maybe all those authority figures do know what they're talking about...

The Time When I Got "Socialized"

Monday January 21, 2013

As a product of Generation Y, Social Media does not feel like a phenomenon that I have to "learn" so much as something that I (along with the help of some others) have evolved into something that is fueling business and communication. It seems almost humorous to think of those who don't understand the significance of social media, or those who simply refuse to get on the bandwagon. Mark Fidelman wrote a piece on Social Media Today entitled "Time to Get SOCIALIZED" as a guidebook for transforming businesses from the standpoint of social media use. In other words, "Social Media for Dummies." Exploring some of his insights seems to give way to the generational advantage that I have over some of my elders heading into the workforce.

During a time when MadMen is what comes to mind when we think of the "workplace," it's hard to reconcile the fact that the workplace is something more theoretical than physical these days. One of the steps in converting businesses to becoming Digital is understanding that the workplace is anywhere at any given time. This, coupled with centralized, universal information being available to all employees, who are also their own PR advocates, are ideas that have transformed the face of business completely. Everything that I have gathered from watching my father leave in the morning with his briefcase seems like a sham. My life is going to consist of more "visualizing" ideas and sharing them to help shape the right culture for the right customer base than heading off to my office for some paperwork and conversation around the water cooler.

No offense to Mr. Fidelman, but though his article is catchy in its football-themed imagery and articulation, but any company that has not already mastered or at least attempted to master the majority of what he wrote is most likely already gone or soon will be. What I really need to know is how to use what I already know to my advantage going forward. I have three months left in school and then I'm just another worker bee (fingers crossed). What I hope to explore further along my journey with this blog is what I need to know and remember by the time I am no longer living in my UGA bubble, sponsored by Mom and Dad. Hopefully my portfolio of tips and tricks will be the result of my efforts come May 10, 2013.