Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Standford Remembers Steve Jobs

This weekend in Palo Alto, CA, the Stanford University campus was home to a private memorial service for Mr. Steve Jobs on October 16th, 2011. The Apple co-founder and visionary was remembered by politicians, celebrities and other Silicon Valley giants of the technological industry including the new Apple CEO, Tim Cook.

The new iPhone 4S was released earlier this month to record orders for the new product. Mr. Jobs made our lives portable on all levels. It's hard to remember even just 10-15 years ago what life was like without iPods, iTunes, iPhones iPads, etc. Or that 20 years ago when we were just getting used to how to use computers, that the iPhone would be the first true handheld computer.

Ultimately, Mr. Jobs designed for simplicity in all his inventions and improvements on existing technology just happened to revolutionize how we live in the process. Why? Life was not about having one of the apple products, it was about living. His brilliant blend of art and technological science has made living more simple.

Mr. Jobs was a college drop out, but he spoke at many commencement speaches and encouraged people to follow their own passion and dreams. I love this speech he gave at the Standford campus in 2005. Please enjoy this quick video from Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc


To learn more about Mr. Jobs and the influence of his inventions, check out this great Discovery Channel's tribute, iGenius: How Steve Jobs Changed the World.

http://dsc.discovery.com/show-news/mythbusters-to-honor-steve-jobs.html

Monday, October 10, 2011

The Worst PR Fail Ever!

One of the most fabulous bloggers out there is Jenny Lawson, aka The Bloggess!! She is a self-confessed OCD anxiety ridden 'mommy' blogger with a pension for foul language and ample willingness to overshare with her followers on line. I adore her and all her unfiltered crazy, brilliantness!

Last week, in response to an unsolicited proposition to endorse a product, The Bloggess responded with her canned response to these pitches with a picture of Will Wheaton coallating paper. Funny in itself, but it gets better. The VP of the PR firm replied to all, forgetting The Bloggess was included, and called her a 'f*cking bitch'. You can see the entire exchange on her blog at http://www.thebloggess.com/, see the entry called And Then the PR Guy Called Me a F*cking Bitch I Can't Even Make This Sh*t Up .

The worst part is the guy tried to argue his point rather than put his tail between his legs and apologize. Hello, PR Firm? You think they would be the epitamy of ettiquette! But instead riled up her 160,000 plus followers that innondated Twitter and the company with WTF emails and tweets. Maybe they need a lesson from United Airlines, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo, about customer service and how to do the right thing when no one is watching BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO!

Another reminder of the dangers of Reply All....and to say sorry when you should!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Congrats Mental Health Systems!

Tonite, I represented Mental Health Systems (MHS) at a table with our awesome PR and Marketing Frim, MJE Marketing Services, at the Public Relations Society of America's Bernays Awards. Our public service announcement for our Courage to Call Program won a Bronze Bernays Award!

Courage to Call is a 24/7 helpline and support program that is Veteran-run, providing peer-to-peer support and free services to active and former military members, their families and loved ones. All Courage to Call staff have been in the military or have been military family members. They have firsthand knowledge of the rigors of the military and military family life, constant deployments and transitioning out of the military.

Learn more about this program and MHS by checking out our website at http://mhsinc.org

To see our PSA, find our video our Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/user/mhssandiego#p/u/0/Rp14gBohPnE.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Reminder-The Workplace Bathroom Isn't Private!

Alright Grow-Ups,

Most of know your standard what to do's and what not to do's in the bathroom, especially at work. Or do we? Here are some interesting restroom behavior I've experienced and would not encourage:

*Talking on Cell Phones- I mean LOUDLY conversating. I find myself questioning when and how to time my flush to not be rude....but, hey, I think all concerns for rudeness are already out the door, right?

*Working Out- Yep, closing yourself into the large hadicapp equiped stall does not create your own private gym space! And why, oh why, would you ever lay on the floor of a public restroom?!?! Your abs can get their workout later.....like when you get the 'ick' and cough relentlessly from laying down on the BATHROOM FLOOR!!

*Conducting A Dental Exam- So, when you spend your 30 minute lunch break in the bathroom plugging in your water pick, flossing, brushing and whatever else you're doing,could you be a buddy and give me some space to wash my hands? Your dentist will be proud, but your coworkers are awkwardly trying to avoid eye contact with you.

*Returning the Newspaper to the Breakroom- Sad, but true, but I have seen coworkers of the male persuasion return their inspirational reading material to the staff kitchen, after they have been...inspired. And I can confirm that on at least one occasion, a remnant of sorts was left on said reading material. It's okay, we are all good with a no return policy on this one, please.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Got a Big Mouth? Hillbilly Hand Fishin'

Did you know Hillbilly Hand Fishin' is a real show? Following City Slicker type folks as they try their....ahem....'hand' at noodling for catfish. Yep, I'd love to get me in some mud and shove my hand in some giant fish mouth. You win when the fish, up to 60 pounds in size, bites your hand....Winner, winner, catfish dinner!

The bigger the mouth, the bigger the prize....hey, does it have to be fish with the big mouth? Otherwise known as noodling, it's all the rage!

I think I'll stick with some Hillbilly Bingo, it's a little less risky! Play a round by clicking here:

http://animal.discovery.com/tv/hillbilly-handfishin/bingo/