Sunday, December 16, 2012

A Documentary about the Student Loan Debt Crisis

I had the unbelievable opportunity to work alongside Professor Bill Gentile, American University, this semester to create a documentary about the student loan debt crisis. Gentile has made documentaries for Discovery, National Geographic, ABC Nightline, C-SPAN, PBS and several other major news outlets. 

Check it out!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Short & Sweet


The average attention span has decreased with the rise of technology - we hear this over and over again in the PR world. It's hard to focus solely on one screen. People don't just watch TV, they watch TV with a computer on their lap and a phone in hand. It's rare that people use one screen independently of the others. 



What does this mean for PR professionals? Keep your press releases and blogs short and sweet. People only look at your content for a couple of seconds, so say what you need to say without the fluff. 


Sunday, November 13, 2011

How to Get Promoted in PR

My Dad uses a lot of catchphrases, but one of his favorites is "the difference between being good and great is this much" (as he holds his thumb and pointer fingers up to the light with a tiny sliver of space between). Here are a few techniques to help you look great in your bosses eyes.
  • Show up early-Even if you think no one notices when you arrive at work, someone is always watching. Arriving at your desk 30 minutes before your designated start time demonstrates your dedication commitment.
  • Stay late-Prove that your job is your priority. 
  • Make suggestions-Managers want workers that care about their organization and want to see it grow. 
  • Ask questions-Not only will you learn more about your company, you will also facilitate conversation which will lead to more meaningful relationships with your co-workers.
  • Join clubs/organizations-Do your research to find clubs and organizations related to your company or field of work. Managers promote people who love what they do.
  • Follow your company on Facebook and Twitter-Retweet their tweets, reply to their comments and write on their wall. You will help expand their following and their brand awareness.
  • Dress up on casual Fridays-Professionalism is key and must be maintained. No one wants to see you in worn jeans and an old t-shirt. 

Monday, October 31, 2011

Fun in the City

My recent posts have been about PR and politics, so I figured I’d spice it up a little bit with this one and write about what I’ve been doing for fun in DC.


Since I moved here in August, I’ve been on the hunt for good Mexican food. Not real Mexican food, I’m not that classy, but fake American-Mexican food that you find in places like Moe’s Southwest Grill. Moe’s has a special place in my heart because it’s cheap, their queso is to die for and they have an unmatched salsa bar. The problem is that I can’t find one in DC, and I have yet to find a comparable restaurant. I got a little crazy last week, though, and ordered a burrito and chips and salsa from a place called Alero in Northwest DC. Guess what? It was surprisingly good! It was a little pricy—$27 altogether—but that’s to be expected in this city.

Aside from the Mexican food search, I’ve been on the prowl for a good spray tan. I hate Mystic tanning. I’m way too claustrophobic to be in that little booth while holding my breath and closing my eyes. It totally freaks me out. So I opted for the more pleasant, and consequently more expensive, airbrush option.  Although a Mystic tan costs around $20, and an airbrush costs around $45, it’s worth it to be in an open room and sprayed by a human, trust me.

Two of best friends from the University of South Carolina are coming to visit me this weekend, and I’m excited to bring them with me as I continue to explore this amazing city! Stay tuned for more posts :)