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

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

If the characteristics of all social media tools were combined into the characteristics of a human – constantly changing, hard to navigate, frustrating, always on the go – then I would NEVER want to date that person. It seems like everyday there is a new social media tool or a new interface that we need to relearn and become “masters” of.

When I started at Hunter Public Relations early this summer, I was very excited to learn that I would be a part of the LinkedIn Task Force, a social media tool that I feel has been relatively consistent since its start. Social Media Task Forces are very important at Hunter PR as they allow people with similar social media interests in the office to work together and share their knowledge. I recently participated in a webinar titled “Effectively Leveraging LinkedIn – How to Use LinkedIn as a Powerful PR Tool” with PR News. The webinar featured three speakers who discussed being digital leaders in your organization, how to engage communities on your personal and professional LinkedIn pages, and the best ways to be seen and stay connected.

I never knew how important personal profile optimization was on LinkedIn. For example, the headline on my personal LinkedIn profile says that I am a Junior Account Executive at Hunter PR. However, people are searching for specifics, and if I include words like “public relations,” “consumer,” or “food” in the headline then my profile would be more likely to show up in searches and therefore drive more people to click on “Hunter PR” from my page.

I think it’s very important to stay on top of social media trends because (like that person you’d never want to date) they really are changing every day!

-Lisa

This year marked my first visit to BlogHer, an annual conference that brings together thousands of bloggers from all walks of life.  Here, they can interact with brands & distant friends, learn about new & existing products, and get advice from fellow bloggers & PR professionals. 

This year’s event was held in sunny San Diego from August 4^th–6^th and attracted bloggers & brands from all over the world.  Since it began in 2005, BlogHer has grown to more than 3,500 attendees and attracts people who blog about everything from parenting to technology to finance.  You name it, you’ll find someone there who blogs about it!

If you are like me and have never attended BlogHer, here are some helpful tips for surviving next year’s event:

Wear comfortable shoes!  No matter if you’re attending or working, you’ll be on your feet throughout the day so be sure to dress for function.

Pack lightly…because there is tons of swag for attendees that you will want to bring back with you.  From food to personal care products to glassware, you’ll want to save room to bring back all of the goodies to try (and blog about!).

Bring plenty of business cards.  Think about how many you think you’ll hand out.  Now, double that.  No matter if you’re a brand representative or a blogger, BlogHer is all about networking so it’s important to have your contact information easily accessible to share at all times.  They run out quicker than you think!

Download the BlogHer App.  The smartphone application will help you navigate the many sessions, demos and parties that are offered.  Also included are a map of the expo floor, a list of sponsors and a live twitter feed of all tweets about BlogHer ’11.

Till next year!

-Melody

The rare NYC earthquake might have contributed to the excitement that filled the office on August 23rd, but the “newbies” were buzzing about Hunter Public Relations’ annual off-site retreat. For months, we had been daydreaming about this day and it had finally arrived.

The partners kicked off this year’s off-site retreat at Bear Creek Mountain Resort & Conference Center with an enlightening ‘State of the Union’ address. Call me a nerd, but I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the firm’s history, where we stand and our future goals because for me, the retreat was all about becoming part of the Hunter PR family…and about getting our Hunter PR Class of 2011 sweatshirts. After competing against each other in “Minute to Win It” games, the new hires received our coveted green sweatshirts. With the sweatshirt in my possession, my remaining mission was to get to know all my colleagues.

I had ample opportunities to complete my mission during the morning hike, workshops and nighttime activities. This year’s retreat focused on honing our presentation skills, something I was grateful to be working on. There were many takeaways but the work assessment session was the most popular. We learned about our personal work styles and how to better communicate with one another.

After a hard day’s work, we partied the night away. First, we played trivia in teams determined by our alma mater. Representing Middlebury College, I was part of the New Englanders team that took home the winning cup.  Then, we danced. Hard.

Spending time with my vivacious colleagues during this retreat made me realize that Hunter PR is not only investing in the professional development of its staff but also nurturing us as people. That’s why I’m proud to be part of Class of 2011 (aka Gang Green), the trivia winning New Englanders and most importantly, a Hunter PR employee.

- Sakura

I didn’t grow up with dreams of moving to the Big Apple… or any other fruit-filled city.  I loved growing up in a small, Southern town.  We had two stoplights and everything I needed, which included plenty of people who loved me and looked out for me. There was always someone to remind me when I left my purse on the counter or to help me break into my car when I locked the keys inside. No matter what happened, people were willing to help each other, and that's what made it home.

Once I realized the glamorous world of public relations was calling my name, I packed up for the big city to live out my dreams… and planned to return home in two years (three tops!). It’s been eight years since I left the comfort of my hometown, but it didn’t take me long to realize I was also at home in New York City.  

While the faces are different, I am still very much a part of a community that takes care of each other. There’s the Smiley Cashier at the deli who reaches the toilet paper from the top shelf for me (even when I promise to pay later!). Or Coffee Cart man, who greets me with “Good Morning, Sweetie” as he hands me the perfect cup, all without me saying a word. I’m on a first name basis with the man at the Laundromat, who always asks about my travels. And, of course, there are the countless neighbors I share a smile with during my walking commute – my mornings wouldn’t be the same without Headphones Man and Lady Walking Baby.

The interactions may be different, but they’re still friendly and neighborly. And although I’m now a New Yorker, I’m also still a small town girl.

- Meagan

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…no, I’m not talking about the holidays.  I’m talking about Tales of the Cocktail (TOTC), the world’s premier cocktail conference held in New Orleans.  Each July, more than 2,500 bartenders, spirits brand ambassadors, spirits companies and yes, public relations professionals endure the NOLA heat all for the love of cocktails.

This was my fourth year attending TOTC and let me say it was one of the best. Not only did I spend six days with eight other fabulous Hunter PR team members, I also had the pleasure of attending and executing events with some of the best bartenders in the country who have become some of my best friends. That’s one important thing I’ve learned – always befriend your bartender.  They are some of the smartest, passionate and most kind people you’ll ever meet.

But I digress, back to TOTC.  While there, we attended some truly memorable events including a 1940s party at the World War II Museum, the Diageo Happy Hour with 40 bartenders making cocktails and the closing Bartenders Breakfast where everyone danced the night away.

I also had the opportunity to experience all the amazing food New Orleans has to offer. No judgment, but I ate at Mother’s three times, Cochon Butcher twice and August and Herbsaint once. 

Although it’s hard to believe, we actually do learn a lot at a “cocktail conference.”  By attending seminars and trying new products you really have your finger on the pulse of cocktail culture.

Even though TOTC just ended, I’m already counting down the days to 2012!

- Vanessa

No electricity, no water, no plumbing and minimal cell phone reception. For some people, this sounds like a horrific nightmare. For me, this was my summer vacation. Luckily, there were thirteen of country music’s biggest names to distract me from the lack of every day luxuries.

Two weeks ago, I left the Big Apple and traveled to the “booming” metropolis of Fort Loramie, Ohio to attend Country Concert 2011. Country Concert is an annual three-day country music festival. This year’s lineup included: Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Montgomery Gentry, Josh Thompson, Justin Moore, the list goes on and on. For country music fans, I’m sure you can imagine that my heart almost flew out of my chest when I caught wind of this year’s lineup. This marked my first Country Concert experience. I had heard nothing but great reviews about this annual extravaganza. My expectations were high; my expectations were met.

Aside from the phenomenal music, Country Concert 2011 had the social atmosphere that a public relations personality craves: thousands of people with giant smiles on their faces, enjoying great music with their friends and families. I shared a campsite next to the concert arena with seven of my closest friends. I can confidently say that Country Concert 2011 was one of the greatest experiences of my college career. Camping was interesting, the music was amazing and spending time with my best friends made the entire trip worthwhile.

Country Concert 2012 anyone?

-Joe

When I graduated from college two months ago and started my career as a young public relations professional at Hunter Public Relations, I had no idea how much fun my new job was really going to be. Between impromptu after work outings to planning high profile events all across the country, my first two months in the “real world” have been more than exciting.

Last night’s PRSA-NY Bowling Social was an event that will definitely go down in Hunter PR history. More than 30 Hunter PR staff members, all dressed in matching branded t-shirts, rolled into Bowlmor Lanes on 44^th Street and lived up to our team name Thunder from Down Hunter.  Taking up over half of the alley for the PRSA event, we arrived with fire in our eyes and ready to win the coveted Bowling Pin Trophy.

From what I heard, Hunter PR has a history of taking down the competition in sporting events, but when the bowling alley erupted with enthusiastic and positive Hunter PR staff bellowing chants and cheers to our squad of determined “athletes,” I couldn’t help but feel proud and grateful that I had the opportunity to join such a dynamic agency.

Though we did not take home the trophy last night, our team did have the highest score with a monstrous 179 from our fearless Co-Captain Trisha.  Fellow Hunter PR bowlers Sakura and Michael also won digital cameras, and the night came to a close with a fitting Hunter PR rendition of Katy Perry’s “Firework.” PRSA-NY put on a great event that brought the Hunter PR staff together not only as co-workers, but also as a team!

- Lisa

Upon recently moving into New York City, the only thing I could focus on was, “OMG! I’m moving into New York City!” Never did I take the time to focus on the logistics or cost, let alone the actual move itself.  After experiencing the up’s and down’s, the laughter and the tears, I have compiled a Do’s and Don’ts list for moving within the Big Apple:

DO: Rent a UHaul in advance. The hardworking people at your near-by UHaul can either be your best friend, or your worst enemy depending on timing.

DO: Recruit friends and loved ones for your special move- because why wouldn’t they want to share this totally awesome day of sweat and heavy lifting with you?

DO: Have patience. It will make your move ten times easier. Try not to stress about things you cannot control, i.e., worrying about the old lady moving at a snail’s pace in front of you while you try to walk your kitchen table down the sidewalk. She is moving as fast as she can.

DO NOT: Wait until the day-of to pack. This can/will result in a disgruntled father/parent as throwing your clothes into garbage bags takes a lot longer than one would think.  You can only yell, “Just one more bag!” so many times before they catch on.

An extension of the above: DO NOT throw random things into random boxes. You will be much happier actually knowing where everything is while unpacking. Mixing your computer charger in with your shoe bin will only give you a headache. (I am still looking for said computer charger.)

DO NOT: Leave during rush-hour traffic. While the island of Manhattan is only 23 square miles small, it will take you over an hour to travel half that during rush hour.

- Cara