As a PR professional, I like to think of myself as a bit of an expert when it comes to event planning.  In the past few years, I’ve attended countless weddings, showers, bachelorette parties and – my favorite - cake tastings.  As I’ve taken my turn as a bridesmaid, I realized I have an arsenal of tricks upof my sleeve that make the planning process a little easier. If you consider that the wedding is just one big editor event, you can figure out all of your bridesmaid duties faster than they’ll say “I do.”

Logistics: There’s a reason we write key contact sheets, run-of-shows, and outline roles and responsibilities before a media event – it works! When my friend and former coworker Sami got married a few months ago, she had a 5-page run of show sent to all of her vendors prior to the big day.  They thought she was crazy, but everything went off without a hitch.  Assigning a fellow bridesmaid’s 4-year-old daughter to help me carry away opened presents during a bridal shower kept her out of her mom’s hair and helped us speed up the clean-up.

Budget: Three gifts, two dresses, and multiple weekends of travel can get expensive.  When you’re a bridesmaid, you’ve got to pony up for little extras, too. Make sure you have an OOP budget in mind, and don’t keep everything til the last minute, or you’ll be stuck with a $300 bill for monogrammed sugar cookies (I’ve done that.)   One of my favorite sites to help with the financial blow of a friend’s upcoming nuptials is Rent The Runway. For about $65, you can rent a designer dress for the weekend, and they’ll deliver it to your apartment in a garment bag, with a pre-addressed envelope to mail it back when you’re done, like Netflix.

Social Media: You can’t always see the bridal crew in person, but it’s easy to stay connected through social media.  Create a Pinterest album to show off ideas and get friends’ opinions. When I didn’t know how to create a ribbon bouquet, a bouquet made from the remnants of bridal shower presents to be used for the rehearsal, a friend sentd me a how-to link from YouTube so I knew what to do. 

Although the responsibility of being a bridesmaid can be a daunting task, PR professionals already have the essentials to put any wedding planner to shame.

- Amy

The Social & Digital Media Team at Hunter PR was so inspired by the Sh!t Girls Say web series and the chord is struck with so many, that we decided to enter the conversation with our own take on the everyday vernacular of PR professionals. Hence, we bring you Stuff PR People Say.

Buoyed by the increase in viewership rates (183 million Americans watched online video content in November 2011 alone), online video has become an integral part of not only the way we market ourselves as an agency, but more importantly, the social media marketing we recommend to clients. Utilizing communication-driving social media channels, such as Facebook and Twitter, further streamlines the distribution of this type of visual communication and allows for additional interaction between a brand and the public.    

- Michael Lamp

I like to consider myself an adventurous person.  For instance, I lived in Europe for three months by myself, moved to NYC without a job and jumped off a volcanic cliff 20 feet above the Pacific while on vacation in Maui.  Yep, I have a number of adventures under my belt, but I have always felt there was something missing.

One thing I’ve always wanted to try is SKIING, but I’ve just never made it happen.  Luckily for me, my parents recently relocated to Salt Lake City, UT, home of some of the best skiing in America, and I was headed to visit them for the Christmas holiday.  I was not going to let an opportunity to ski pass me up, so I made sure a day on the slopes was on our itinerary.

I decided to try my luck at Brighton Ski Resort, a great place to ski at the very top of Big Cottonwood Canyon outside Salt Lake.  Brighton offered a beginners package that was perfect for me – two-hour lesson, all rentals and a lift ticket for $94.  I was sold!

I started my day early in the rental shop, parents with camera in tow.  After asking no less than three people for help getting my boots on, I headed out for my lesson.  I can’t say that skiing came naturally to me, far from it, but after a little practice under a watchful eye I was definitely ready for the bunny slope.  Sure I fell a few times, but who doesn’t fall on their first run? After figuring out how to pull myself up without the use of my ankles (those darn ski boots again…), I really got the hang of it.  In fact, by the end of the day I was zooming down that bunny slope!  I’m still far from a pro, but I look forward to another ski adventure soon.

- Julie

When I think of parties, especially ones during the holiday season, the word “bowling” rarely comes to mind. Mistletoe, hot cocoa, ugly sweaters … sure. But bowling? So when I learned that the 2011 Hunter Holiday Party (my first) was happening at a place called “Lucky Strike,” I held off on getting too excited.

Rookie mistake. Not only was the party a blast, but the venue couldn’t have been better. Unlike the hokey, nerdy bowling alley I had envisioned, Lucky Strike turned out to be a very classy lounge with a great vibe, incredible food, an awesome DJ and of course, some intense bowling.

We played pool, took our turns in the photo booth and enjoyed a night together out of the office. As the night wore on and drinks began to replace hors d'oeuvres, we even got a chance to let loose and bust a move on the dance floor, which made for some pretty entertaining dance battles. Let’s just say I taught a few people how to dougie.

So what has this newly minted Hunter learned from his first out-of-office social event? That Hunter Public Relations is an agency that both works hard and plays hard. At some agencies, the fast-paced nature of the work keeps you from really connecting to those around you on a level deeper than business collaboration. Thankfully, that’s not the case here. I’m glad I get to work with so many people who are both professional and incredibly fun. Here’s to having fun this holiday season!

-Jason Woodward

Like many people, the holiday season is my favorite time of year.  I love everything about December…holiday decorations, festive music and the spirit of joy that fills the air. Beyond anything though, I enjoy the act of gift giving. There is something meaningful about the process that goes into giving. It gives one a moment to take a step back, think about those that are important to them and identify the perfect gift that will bring a smile to their faces. What’s better than that feeling?

Finding the perfect gift is no easy task. That’s why I’ve put together a few of my tips for having a successful shopping and gift giving season:

1.     Start Early: Every November I put on holiday music, pour a cup of hot chocolate and grab my red notebook. Then, I sit down and make a list of everyone for whom I’d like to buy.  I give myself a few weeks to think about those people until I come up with the perfect gift for them. Shopping in December is much easier when you have a solid list in place.

2.     Shop Early (in the morning): I dislike crowds…a lot. But, I love malls (a conundrum, I know).  So, when I’m ready to shop I look up the opening hours for my area malls. I make sure I’m the first one there (large coffee in hand) so that I can get what I need, stress-free.

3.     Devise a Plan: I don’t do anything without a well-laid plan in place. Holiday shopping is no different. Before I go shopping, I write down the stores I need to go to, identify the items I’ll get in those stores and also, each store’s location in the mall. This way, I never have to backtrack or do unnecessary loops around a mall.

4.     Have Fun: Remember, holiday gifting is about more than material things. It’s about sharing a special moment with special people.

If you haven’t started shopping yet, don’t worry. You still have time to pull it off, but next year, start in November (trust me)!

Happy Holidays!

-Jamie

Year after year, food news dominates the headlines and 2011 was no exception. From recalls to changing food guidelines and from new products to food trends, we saw food stories captivate audiences from coast to coast. In our ninth annual food survey, we asked Americans to tell us which food stories meant the most to them and, perhaps more importantly, how the news affected their eating habits.

Our survey revealed the following as the top three food-related stories of 2011:

#1: Twenty-Nine Deaths Caused by Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak

#2: First Lady Michelle Obama with USDA Unveils MyPlate, Replaces Food Pyramid

#3: Global Food Prices Hit Record High

These stories obviously made an impact on consumers’ behavior as well. According to our survey, sixty-one percent of respondents changed their food habits in 2011 because of news coverage.

For a list of the top ten stories of 2011, click here.

For the first time ever, the Hunter PR Food Group collaborated with industry experts to compile the list of the top ten stories of the year. The folks we worked with include: Phil Lempert, editor of Supermarket Guru; Regina Ragone, food director of Family Circle; Elizabeth Fassberg, owner of food and nutrition consultancy Eat Food; Brad Thompson, chef and restaurant consultant; and Megan Steintrager, freelance food writer and editor.

As we are planning and looking forward to 2012, we also wanted to take a peek at what people have in mind for the New Year. According to our survey, 67 percent of Americans will set food-related resolutions, with approximately half of these addressing eating more whole grains or drinking beverages with less sugar. Also of interest is that 14 percent of Americans 18 and over said that they will continue to incorporate less meat into their diets.

You can check out the complete list of survey results and the full release here.

Additionally, we took to the streets of NYC to hear what people thought of this year’s top food-related stories. Check it out.

Come join the conversation of the top food stories of 2011 at a special Twitter party hosted by The Hunter PR Food Group on Thursday, December 15th from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST. You can follow the discussion via #HunterPRFood. Follow @HunterPR for more information.

Best wishes for a healthy, safe and delicious holiday season!

-Amanda

It’s the thick of the holiday season in New York City.  And while much fanfare is bestowed upon the Rockefeller Center tree each year, to me, what truly makes the city an enchanting place at the holidays is the myriad of corner tree vendors that spring up across the city.

I can still remember the first time I returned to the city from Thanksgiving break, filled with that bittersweet feeling of leaving family and friends and the excitement and anticipation of holiday festivities to come.  As I made the trip uptown from Grand Central, I saw them.  Everywhere.  On nearly every street corner.  Each had its own flair.  Some had lights, some music, some had inflatables, but each brought an undeniable helping of good cheer.  They come each year, often entire families, from upstate, New England and Canada and set up shop for the month.

Since that first sighting, I eagerly await the return of the tree vendors each year.  It is, for me, the true start of the season.  Here are some of my other favorite NYC scenes:

• The Holiday Fair at Grand Central Terminal – home to nearly 100 artisans and merchants, it’s a great place to find unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry, toys, and more.  Its location makes it ideal for lunchtime or after-work browsing.
• The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden – imagine replicas of some of New York’s iconic landmarks, constructed completely from tree bark, twigs, nuts and leaves – great for kids or to bring out the kid in you.  Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers – the wait time can be long and the conservatory gets warm.
• Wollman Rink – home to a few past Hunter PR holiday parties, a skate at this open-air rink is the stuff holiday memories are made of. 

- Amanda

Not only did 11-11-11 mark an auspicious day on our calendar, it also celebrated a time-honored fall wardrobe staple, corduroy! You may ask, why 11-11, but if you take closer note you will notice the vertical numbers are nearly identical to the beloved corduroy pattern. For me, a true corduroy fan, there’s nothing like crisp fall weather and reaching into my drawer to pull out my softest corduroy pants. For those that have similar feeling and love for all things corduroy, you may consider joining the over 5,000 fans of the Corduroy Appreciation Club.

The Corduroy Appreciation Club, with chapters in cities across the world, brings together people who not only love corduroy but have an interest in meeting others who share a similar love for the fabric. They gather twice a year, eat linear themed foods such as ruffled potato chips, and cite oaths to wear corduroy as much as possible. Beware, if you attend the bi-annual meetings wearing less than three items of corduroy you will sadly be dismissed. If corduroy is your thing, take careful notice of those on the street since they might pass an invite to join this elite club. I’m hoping that one day I will be bestowed this special honor.

So while some may have spent the day celebrating 11-11-11 with “press-worthy” stunts I hope that you enjoyed your day with a nice plush corduroy pant or blazer. Until next year fine corduroy fans…

-Dominic

Autumn is my favorite season for three reasons: the amazing weather and foliage that hits the Northeast region, the start of professional football season, and, most importantly, the onslaught of great pumpkin beer. Every year, around this time, stores and bars begin celebrating the colder weather with grand displays featuring brews embracing the season’s favorite flavor. And since my personal attempt to create my very own pumpkin beer was thwarted by a siphoning incident, I’d like to take the blog post to share my favorite options for you to indulge in the awesomeness that is Autumn beer:

1. Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat, the category’s newest addition, is one of the best pumpkin beers of the season. The unfiltered wheat ale features crisp flavor of nutmeg, cinnamon and clove that could only be delivered from a Shock Top cask. It has easily become my personal “must-have” beer of the season.

2. Smutty Nose Pumpkin Ale is more relaxed in flavor but not in quality. The smooth taste and thick texture makes this ale the perfect compliment to your annual Thanksgiving dinner. Start planning your sides around it.

3. Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale is a spicy and sweet autumn beer inspired by one of the top Belgian Whites beers. It is the great addition to the traditional citrus flavor of the Blue Moon family but brewed with the bounty of fall spices making it a necessary addition to your weekly Sunday tailgate.

- Dan

It’s no secret that the folks at Hunter PR work hard and play hard.  Truthfully, we don’t even need an excuse to celebrate – we are always up for showing our creativity and we hunger for a bit of friendly-competition and bite-size Snickers.  The halls at Hunter PR were no different on Halloween. 

The entertainment committee (Donetta Allen, representing a “Flash Mob,” Alex Conway, representing Fred’s Team as a marathon runner, Daniel Mazier, dressed as a hunky skeleton and Danny Palestine, showed his appreciation for expectant mother-to-be and colleague Jamie Castaldo) kicked up the competition this year challenging the staff with a pumpkin decorating contest.  The award for Best Pumpkin went to super-star intern Nick Schweers for his rendition of the Jersey Shore’s Snooki.  A little taste of Jersey earned him $100.  Score!

As for the costumes, Christine Bilms, who came to work as a zombie bride, unanimously took home the award for Scariest costume. 

The Best in Pop Culture category went to Chad Pearson, Cassie Galasetti, Samantha Chapman and Sandy Bustamante for their interpretation of the popular TLC reality show Toddlers & Tiaras. 

The Most Creative bunch went to Lisa Jablon, Rose Finnerty and Nihara Gonsalves who not only dressed the part of the characters in the animated film “Up” but shamed the rest of us by even going as far as decorating their cubicles, they got extra credit for their set design skills. 

The category that got the most entries was, of course, the Best in Hunter PR Culture.  Vanessa Polk, Dan Devece, and Wayne Westerlind dressed up as their beloved colleague Stacey Druker, who accessorizes daily with her jewelry, iPod and an ice-cold Diet Coke.

The Best Group award went to the Digital & Design Department with their Plants vs. Zombies theme, inspired by this year’s #1 game on iTunes. 

We are all looking forward to the surprises that Donetta, Alex, Daniel and Danny have planned for our annual holiday party.  They really set the bar high this time!

- Gigi