I'm watching 'Til Death on Netflix trying to place the voice of one of the actors. I just KNOW he's done voice-over work. So naturally, I go to my favorite website, imdb.com and look this gentleman up. Turns out he was not only the voice of Norbert on The Angry Beavers, but he was also...wait for it...the voice of Salem from Sabrina the Teenage Witch. 

Now I can't watch this (incredibly hilarious) show without seeing in my mind that the this pasty, ginger actor, Nick Bakay, is a black animatronic cat...

One Can Only Hope...

This Is My Brain...And This is My Brain On Unemployment

What Comes to Mind While Filling out Employment Applications:

• One Word to Describe Myself? 
• Answer Given to Employers:The best word to describe myself is "Genuine." I believe in honesty above all things and taking a valued interest in the people and experiences brought into my life.
• How I Wish I Could Answer This Question: Absolutely-freaking-awesome-and-better-than-everyone-else-and-it-doesnt-matter-that-I-probably-have-little-to-no-experience-to-be-eligible-for-this-job-just-hire-me-anyway-and-i-promise-I-will-somehow-still-impress-everyone-so-can-i-have-the-job-now-please-and-thanks.
• Hyphens count, right?
• Three accomplishments that make us ask ourselves why you're not already working here?
• One Example Answer Given to Employer: During my internship with Live Nation Entertainment in 2010, I was put to the challenge of selling two VIP tickets to existing ticket holders at two-for-one face value price and I succeeded. Should you be interested in an in-person interview, I would love to tell you the whole story.
• The Three Answers I Wish I Could Give:
• I can bullshit my way through a lot of things like giving you three lack-luster accomplishments
• I am so fluent in sarcasm, I truly don't even know when I'm using it half the time. You get that as a bonus upon my employment.
• Most people find me hilarious. They even laugh at the things I say when I'm not even trying to be funny.
• If I just uploaded my resume, why are you making me fill out all the same information in these text boxes? Which one do you actually read? Which one did I just waste my time on? It was the text boxes, wasn't it?
• Will you be more or less inclined to call me for an interview if I fill out the "voluntary" self-identification form as a "gender neutral, Hispanic, disabled, veteran" or should I just stick to White Female?
• Did you really just ask me to fill in my pager number? When was the last time you updated your employment site? And a work number? Really? The unemployed find that offensive!
• Have people actually been making careers in social media marketing long enough to have 5-8 years of experience? I wonder how many Craigslist hookers apply and try and use that as an example of internet marketing.
• JUST BECAUSE THE JOB TITLE COMES UP IN CAPS LOCK WITH BOLD WORDS AND LOTS OF EXCLAMATION POINTS ACTUALLY MAKES ME WANT TO OPEN YOUR LINK LESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
•  Especially when the title says 'TRAINING PROVIDED! $100K A YEAR!" I am not a chump.
• I will however open your ad. Not because I'm interested in applying, but to make you pay for my click(s).
• Why am I reading a job posting with typos? Why does the person who posted this have a job and I don't?
• Is there a way for these employers to tell that I DIDN'T click and read their "terms and conditions" before hitting SUBMIT APPLICATION. Am I the only one who's paranoid about this?
• My Hobbies you ask? 
• My Poindexter Answer Given to Employers: 
• I enjoy spending my free-time with friends and family enjoying new experiences. I have also become a big fan of Zumba.
• The Hobbies I'm Only Slightly Ashamed to Have (But Hey - At least I'm Not On Drugs):
• I watch a lot of reality TV. The more attitude and/or children you have, the more inclined I am to watch you.
• I love hanging out on the weekends with my dear friend, Jose Cuervo.
• I quote movies as they apply to everyday life. I can have whole conversations with people by using sayings from Mean Girls, 10 Things I Hate About You, and Miss Congeniality just to name a few. 
• The first thing I type in on Google News is "Kardashian."
• I look at IMDB.com to guess 1) if a really old actor is already dead and/or 2) how many times an actor/actress has been married.
• I look up old child stars on Twitter to see if they think they're cool enough that they needed to get "verified." Regardless of if they are or not, I click through all of their pictures.
• I have a cruel but overly entertaining game where I find the most repulsive man I've ever seen and yell out "Check Out My Boyfriend!" to my friends and family (note: this game is best if played in a WalMart and all parties are winners and losers simultaneously).
• Who am I really kidding with this job search? What are the best keywords to search for a "sugar daddy" without it looking suspicious or slutty on my internet history?

On that note, if anyone with hiring power at their company is reading this, please know I'm not a total failure at life, that I am looking for an Entry-Level position in marketing and I am sure to dazzle you if and when we speak.

Cover Letter, Resume, and references available upon request.

CALLING ALL BUSINESS WOMEN!!

Ladies,

Our team is doing a BlogSpot giveaway!! We want to give you admission for one to the Ladies Who Launch four week Intense Incubator event. The event is intended for entrepreneurial women looking to launch or expand their business who want to speak to and hear from like-minded business savvy females.

THE CHALLENGE

1) These events are intended for business-minded females. Please abide (gentlemen, your challenge is to find your best lady counterpart).

2) Write a haiku poem (3 lines--5 syllables on the first line, 7 on the second line, 5 on the third line) about your business and/or business ideas. The more creative the better. You have until Monday November 14th at 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time, no loop holes SORRY!) to come up with your best haiku. The winner will be notified via E-Mail and will be announced on our blog Tuesday November 15th by noon. We look forward to your entries!!

Haiku Example:
We are Red Poppy
Stand out above the others
Bring it on ladies


Good Luck!! 

The Dragonfly Effect: Working Together to Make the World a Better Place

Thanks to the invention of social media, you don't have to be a large corporation with a huge advertising budget to spread messages to the masses anymore. Those looking to make a difference in their communities near and far can use the Internet to make their voices heard. With platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Photo  and Blog sites, we have the keys to bringing serious change to the world.

Jennifer Aaker, Andy Smith and Carlye Adler have written The Dragonfly Effect: Quick, Effective, and Powerful Ways to Use Social Media to Drive Social Change. In it, they describe how social media works much like a dragonfly. The insect travels with speed and direction only when all four of its wings work in harmony. The same goes for driving a message. Focus and G.E.T. your ideas heard:

FOCUS: Identify a single concrete and measurable goal.

What is it you need to do? How fast do you need it done? Social Media thrives on the world's Six Degrees of Separation. If your message is compelling enough, the people you send your idea to, will send it those whom they know as well. Your proposal could spread like wild fire!

GRAB ATTENTION: Make someone look. Cut through the abundance of social media with something personal and visual.

It's one thing to SAY social change is needed, but LOOKING into the face of those who need the change the most, impacts your audience on a greater level. Visual images evoke a relatable quality in people and pull at their heart strings. When the issue is closer to home, people are more likely to react. Anyone can blog, tweet or E-mail. Make what you have to say worth a more in-depth look.

ENGAGE: Empower the audience to want to do something themselves. 
Bring your focus to life. Let the audience see and/or hear a first-hand account of someone who needs their help the most. Have your main focus tell their story either via blog or perhaps even YouTube. Make them seem Three-Dimensional.

TAKE ACTION: Enable and empower others to take action. Help others further the cause and change beyond themselves.

The "call-to-action" is the most important part of your process. If you are asking for donations, make that information easy to find and understand. If applicable, include any online links (i.e. a PayPal button). Seek others to spread the message on and make it clear--tell them to do so. Make your audience member a team player too.

Taking these steps can drive your advertising and public relations efforts to a larger scale. Your results will sky rocket and change the lives of others forever.

For those looking to learn more,  The Dragonfly Effect is an excellent resource tool for your next social change campaign. 

Plant Roots and Mark(et) Your Territory

Advertising, in a simple definition, can be seen as staking your territory. With so many companies selling similar products, it is hard to find that niche that sets you apart from the competition. You can be one of a hundred and the biggest question you as an advertiser has to ask is--what makes me so special?

If you're not already addicted to the scintillation that is Mad Men, the show tells the story of New York advertising execs. The show takes place in the 1960's inside a full service and esteemed agency selling products and making them as big as they can. Don Draper (Jon Hamm), the cut-throat, no nonsense ad man himself, shines light to his clients on how they can be the best among their competition.

Those looking to be on top, should listen to Don's words of wisdom as he pitches to a cosmetic company. His message resonates through many areas of marketing.

"Every woman wants choices. In the end, she doesn't want to be just one of a hundred in a box. She's unique, and she makes the choices, and she's chosen him. She wants to tell the world 'he's mine'. He belongs to me, not you. She marks her man with her lips."

The same can be said for your own promotional needs. Your business, organization, products, events, and campaigns should be set apart and claimed with conviction. It is more than marketing, it is marking your place in your respective market to the best you can be. Tell yourself THE TOP OF THE PYRAMID BELONGS TO ME, NOT THEM! 


The next best question is, how?



A full service agency gives you the ins and outs of everything you need. Marketing planning, advertising campaigns, public relations efforts, event logistics, social media blasts, promotional creation and amazing execution. Mix together, (bake at 350 for twenty minutes until golden brown) and any company can find themselves on top. It all starts with the right agency to help you get the job done.