Thoughts on traditional PR

I'm looking for PR agencies who are not afraid to try new techniques. I understand that traditionally, press releases sent to specific reporters followed by a phone call or check- up e-mail can do the job. But what about sending more impersonal notes or more elaborate press releases. What about NOT sending a press release (gasp!)? Does everything have to have a title, background information, contact information and ###? I don't think so. If I were a reporter, I would not mind hearing about something in a new way. So it is my new mission to create a catalog of all the ideas that pop up on creative PR.

A job where you exist to let people know what is new and exciting, should always be exciting and challenging. There is tedious work to be done in every profession. But in this one, even the list making and research can be thrilling. I am a planner, naturally so research and preparation are fun for me because I'm always anticipating the outcome of what I prepare. How can I use this? How can I make this interesting? How can I relate this to my project? Will people like this? How can I get recognized for this? What are other people doing that I can leverage off of?
These are just a few questions that persist in my mind, constantly. I can't help it. I want to know how to gather information, reformat it, twist it around, put some bows and ribbons on it, show everyone what I found and why I'm so intrigued with it. It doesn't sound like work to me. It sounds like fun!

Tradition is restricting while necessary, which leaves me confused. You might say I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. Your client wants a press release but they hire you thinking you can really get them noticed and you'll do whatever it takes to make it happen. So many agencies claim to want to branch away from tradition, be more creative, be innovative but who really is consistently shocking? And are shocking new approaches to publicity really working? There must be a balance between a structured release paired with a couple of lunch dates and crazy parties and stunts. What is that balance? Who has mastered it? That's who I'm looking for.

My Mentee

I'm mentoring a great little guy. His name is D and he is so much fun. He's 8 and is new to his school. He loves chocolate milk, snakes and football. I can't wait to get to know him better. I have never had such an easy time talking to someone.

Curious Adventures

I have become a cartoonist in the last two days. It started when I needed to design some super hero characters for my sister's web site. She wants a comic book theme. It couldn't have been anything simple. So now I'm attempting to draw comic book characters. The ones I have tend to look more like Betty and Veronica mixed with Betty Boop. I like them, though. I have the sketches ready to go and now I'm getting them into a digital format and making them beautiful with color and shading. I was sketching my super hero characters (all female and quite cute) at work last night and I think people liked them so far. We will buy the domain space www.curiousadventures.com once the designs are ready. So keep an eye out and tell me what you think of the characters so far. [will post ASAP]

Confidence and Strength

I read an article in ForbesLife Executive Women about Cathie Black called "Why you can't save your way to success." In it are not-so-detailed instructions on how to be a successful business person (woman?). One line I really liked was this:

The way you carry yourself sends a message, and you want to portray confidence and strength.

If all people, including myself, lived by this slogan I think the world would be a better place - at least on the outside. I also learned by looking through this publication that successful women tend to be in pretty healthy shape. Cathie doesn't outline her diet, ;). It is inspiring to read about and see pictures of the highest paid women in the country. What a dream to one day be among such ranks? I'll keep dreaming, and from now on I'll portray confidence and strength while watching my calorie intake.