Year: 2016

Photo of the Week: News Segment

Jasmin SessomsBlog, Photo of the Week, Real Estate PR, , , , , ,

Marketing Director of Newland Communities, Shannon McSwiney appeared on TWC News this week to discuss the one-year anniversary of Wendell Falls, a master-planned community in eastern Wake County.

This Saturday, Clairemont client Wendell Falls will celebrate the milestone with a down-home “Barn Raising” festival from 1-5 p.m. at 320 Vintage Point Lane in Wendell. The event will feature activities for all ages, including music by bluegrass band Old Habits and a Hoedown Showdown. The Hoedown Showdown is a celebrity square dance competition, and the winner will receive $1,000 to donate to a charity of their choice.

The family friendly event is free and open to the public. Bring your cowboy hat and join us for some square dancing fun!

 

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On the Record: Lost in Translation

Sarah HattmanBlog, On the Record, Public Relations, , , , ,

Can you believe texting has been around for more than 20 years? From pressing numbers on the dialpad to form a word (that was guessed by your phone) to the qwerty keyboard and now the smartphone, texting has come a long way over the decades, and it’s no wonder that it is now more popular than ever.

In fact, according to Pew Internet, texting is the most widely and frequently used app on a smartphone with 97 percent of Americans using it at least once a day. And check out these figures: 8.3 trillion text messages were sent last year alone. That’s 23 billion texts a day or nearly 16 million messages a minute!

Text messaging is now being viewed as a powerful way for businesses to connect with their customers, but it’s not without its drawbacks. Let’s go On the Record to explore how to make sure your text message isn’t lost in translation.

How do you ensure your text messages are clear and concise? Share your thoughts with us on Twitter.
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Photo of the Week: Volunteer!

Cherith AndesBlog, Photo of the Week, The Clairemont Team, , , 1 Comment on Photo of the Week: Volunteer!

Growing up, my designated chore (or “privilege,” as my parents sweetly dubbed it) was to scrub the kitchen floor. On my hands and knees. Every Saturday.

So naturally, one might expect apocalyptic emotional flashbacks when I joined a team of young professional volunteers to (you guessed it) mop a behemoth cafeteria at the Wake County Salvation Army.

Surprisingly, sudsy fun ensued with me and 16 of my Raleigh colleagues. As the co-chair of Community Involvement Task Force, I helped to organize the spring service day for the Young Professionals Network (YPN), a branch of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. More than 100 business professionals joined forces across Wake County to clean playrooms, organize thrift stores, package meals and even coach young golfers as a way to give back to our Raleigh community.

At Clairemont, we invest in our community, both professionally and personally. While we work with clients nationwide, we love and value all that the Triangle has to offer, and we’re excited to play a role in its continued growth. Check out our next community project, the WRAL Freedom Balloon Festival unfurling on Memorial Day 2016!

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Ramp Up Your Restaurant

Cherith AndesBlog, Marketing, Restaurant PR + Hospitality PR, , , ,

It’s like a secret club. Foodies scour menus for this en vogue ingredient every spring. Popular restaurants — from fine dining to hipster joints — use ramps to garnish soups, zest salads, stuff pastas and even muddle into cocktails. Il Palio, a Clairemont client, underscores its menu with these foraged, onion-like greens that seem to be the leprechaun of spring ingredients. Catch them while you can!

So what gives ramps the edge?

It’s the secret ingredient factor. Ramps provide a sense of culinary elitism, a phenomenon that extends back to basic supply and demand economics. Ramps are rare not only because they’re seasonal but also because they’re foraged; suppliers must discover them, not cultivate them.

Jed Portman, an editor of Garden and Gun, shows off his own recently foraged ramps on Instagram.
Jed Portman, an editor of Garden and Gun, shows off his own ramps on Instagram.

Ramps pack a punch, too. Bon Appetit warns home cooks to prepare their palates. The intense, garlicky aroma can linger around the house for days. Memorable and distinct, ramps also offer a plethora of versatile applications. Venture beyond slicing and dicing for salads. Try deep frying it, Epicurious suggests.

These factors create a sense of urgency that launches ramps to the top of every foodie’s bucket list. Regardless if ramps are actually on your menu, chefs, restauranteurs and culinary marketers can glean a tidbit from this ingredient’s unexpected stardom.

What is your restaurant’s “secret ingredient?” Perhaps you feature a rare item, or perhaps your chef offers an intriguing twist on standard fare. And while culinary specialties are certainly a defining highlight, your hallmark may not be a specific ingredient or even a style of cooking. Explore your atmosphere, your service and your staff’s personality. Anyone remember Ed Debevic’s? Its infamy lives through its service — or lack thereof — rather than its cuisine. And that works well for its marketing persona!

Now that you’ve defined your hallmark, find out tips to name your restaurant or new menu item!

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Fashion Q&A with Fabellis

Jasmin SessomsBlog, Fashion, Marketing, , , , , , ,

Last week I had the chance to steal a bit of a great blogger’s time – Ashley of FabEllis. I was super excited to grab a coffee with her at Lucette Grace and pick her brain about all things fashion and her experience as a blogger. Her personal passion is encouraging women. Ashley explained that she is dedicated to showing women how to embrace their God-given beauty!

What sparked your blogging journey?

I attended Meredith College and majored in communication with a minor in professional writing. My dream was to work for a magazine, and jobs were scarce in 2008. A friend of mine suggested I begin a blog. After doing some research I started my own blog in 2010. The blog has expanded over the years, even during a wedding and a move. My original vision was a beauty blog, but I decided to add fashion and lifestyle.

How did you come up with the blog name FabEllis?

God gave me the name. The name is a play on the word fabulous. My maiden name is Ellis, so that’s how FabEllis was created.

What inspires your style?

I have to admit, I love vintage style and old shows. Pinterest is my go-to site to find out how to wear different pieces, and I even research ways to style my clothes. The older I get the more comfortable I am with my style.

What is one piece of clothing that every woman should have in her closet?

I think it is a toss up between a white button up and a midi skirt. Midi skirts are work appropriate and church appropriate. I even wear them with chucks on the weekend.

How do you save money when shopping?

It is an art! My husband makes fun of me because I have joined every rewards program possible. My advice sign up for emails and text alerts. I use retailmenot.com and ebates.com. Always make sure to shop the clearance racks!

What is the best way to find amazing pieces in the thrift store?

Try to have something in mind when shopping in thrift stores. Sometimes thrift stores can be overwhelming and all items can run together. Make sure to enter the store with a strategy, try things on and never skip the blazer section. I have found my best coats and blazers in the thrift store.

What was your ultimate thrift store find?

Definitely my J. Crew blazer for $20.00. The jacket was worth more than $200.00!

In your opinion, what is one trend that we shouldn’t pass up this summer?

Add a little drama to your wardrobe with a few off the shoulder dresses and tops.

If you could sum up your style in three words, what would they be?

I would describe my style as classic, sophisticated and lady-like.

Do you have any words of advice for women taking a leap of faith and monetizing their blog?

Live your dreams. Our society has made us scared to take risks these days. You deserve to be happy and you can make money from your talents!

Want to read more of our fashion favorites? Check out our fashion posts here.

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