Author: Clairemont Intern

Professional Growth From Home

Clairemont InternBlog, Professional Development, Public Relations, , , , , ,

I’ve always had an exceedingly long list of new skills I’ve wanted to learn, books I’ve been meaning to read and writing pieces that I’ve had every purpose of finishing. More often than not, many of these well-meaning goals have never left the ground, either because I could never find enough free time or because I had no idea where to start.

Over the past few months, I’ve discovered that continuing to learn and grow can happen anytime, especially when you might be finding yourself at home with a bit of cabin fever. If you’ve had an irresistible itch to try something new, you’re in luck! With the worldwide web at our fingertips and plenty of untapped resources, time on our hands can open up the doors for growth – even if it’s when you’re plopped on the couch in your favorite yoga pants. 

Here are a few ways to get started: 

Take an Online Course

Whether you’ve always dreamed of being a whiz at coding or you’re seeking to learn a new skill, there’s an online class for that. As an aspiring full-time writer, I’ve found myself popping over to the plethora of related courses available on LinkedIn Learning more than once. SkillPop is also a fantastic resource for a wide variety of interesting and inexpensive classes. Intriguing subjects like podcasting essentials and Crayola calligraphy? Sign me up!

Master an Online Tool

Amidst the Zoom meetings and “work from your laptop” atmosphere of 2020, mastering online tools can spruce up your resume no matter your field. Canva, Google Analytics and Instagram Analytics are a few kick-off points to start fine tuning essential workplace skills. Canva offers its own courses on how to utilize tools for social media, workplace presentations and websites. Looking for more? LinkedIn Learning is a hotspot for courses on everything from Microsoft Word to Photoshop. 

Read a Book

While this might be one of the oldest tricks in the book (See what I did there?), there’s a reason why reading is a tried-and-true method of self-improvement or education on just about any subject. Want to learn a new language? Dive into the world of analytics? Develop yourself in your chosen craft? There are probably several books about it. 

Even if you’re simply seeking a thrilling page-turner or light-hearted beach read, studies show that reading consistently not only gets your brain’s creative juices flowing but also reduces stress and increases awareness of others’ feelings. That’s the good news you might have needed to hear today; rereading the Harry Potter series would be good for your health. Whether you’re reading for pleasure or immersing yourself in a nonfiction manual, diving into a book is both a fun and productive time investment. 

With apps like Hoopla, books, podcasts and audiobooks are free and abundant. Leafing around for more options? Here are a few resources for endless online book access without even having to step foot into the library.

Hone Your Personal Brand

The ability to tangibly define your goals and the steps you’re taking to reach them is valuable no matter what your career or life stage. These goals, career choices and skills all form your personal brand. Intentionally built or not, we all have one. As Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, said, “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” 

Take the time to identify what messages you are emulating and what you hope to emulate to those around you. Consider these questions:

→ What are my strengths? How do I want to use them to make my impression?

→ Which characteristics make me one-of-a-kind?

→ Who is my target audience?

→ What is my career goal?

→ What brings me joy?

For more detailed tips and tricks on developing your personal brand, give this insightful article a look or check out Clairemont’s personal branding guide.

On the hunt for more professional info? Check out the Interview Tips section of our blog.

By Clairemont intern Anna Beth Adcock, a rising senior at NC State.

Read More

Making Our Own Summer Fun

Clairemont InternBlog, Inspirational, The Clairemont Team, , , , , ,

What has your favorite PR team been up to this summer, you ask? Here’s how we’ve been spending our warm days while working from home!

Tracy Lathan

The Lathans are moving! I’m not sure if moving during COVID is perfect timing or the worst idea ever, but nonetheless we are packing up! Much of our summer has been filled with house projects, sorting, packing and making a few more memories. While we are excited about this next chapter, we are also sad to say goodbye to the house where we raised our babies. Here’s to a new adventure! 

Dana Phelps

Photo scavenger hunts have helped me keep my sanity this summer! They get me out of my house, and instead of thinking about the alarming headlines while I’m walking, my brain is occupied with what I’m going to photograph. Sometimes I engage a group of friends via text and ask each person to name an item for the scavenger hunt. One day that meant that I took pictures of an ant, a bee and berries, and spent a lot of time trying to find a lily pad that was nowhere to be seen on my walk! However, my default is flowers. I love flowers. Thank goodness Raleigh offers months of different blooms so that when all else fails, I can always lace up my sneakers and head out to find flowers that I haven’t yet photographed. 

Anna Beth Adcock

This may not sound like too much fun, but I’ve spent almost every day this summer running! While the heat during a North Carolina summer is no joke, running has been a great way for me to clear my mind, listen to my favorite songs (Taylor Swift just came out with a new album), and catch up on the latest podcasts. Sometimes, I can even convince a friend or two to join me on a socially distanced jog! In addition to running, I have enjoyed one of my favorite foods (avocado toast) with one of my favorite people, my sister, several times over the course of the summer.

Cherith Andes

This summer, my sister and her family jaunted down to North Carolina to visit my parents. We scrapped our traditional vacation travel plans and instead concocted our own theme park in the suburbs of Raleigh. In addition to a gigantic inflatable water slide (12 hours of wet, splooshy adventures), we rented an at-home cotton candy machine for all-you-can-eat North Carolina State Fair goodness. 

Kelli Fletcher

This summer has been all about family for me. My sister, who is expecting her first baby, left NYC with her family to come to Emerald Isle and stay for three months. We visited them multiple times, and I got to watch her belly grow – something I thought was going to be impossible when the pandemic hit in March. She’s back in NYC now, and I don’t know when I’ll see them again/meet the baby. But the memories we made during this summer, which we all thought was surely canceled, will carry me through until that day.

Hungry for more? Eat up a few inspirational ideas from the Clairemont team.

By Clairemont intern, Anna Beth Adcock, a rising senior at NC State.

Read More

Thanksgiving in July

Clairemont InternBlog, Inspirational, The Clairemont Team, , , ,

While we might be months away from the turkey, mashed potatoes and pecan pie of Thanksgiving, there’s no time like the present to acknowledge a few ways we’re grateful! Without further ado, welcome to the Clairemont team’s rendition of “Thanksgiving in July.”

Tracy Lathan

During all the craziness of the past few months, I have been so very thankful for the opportunity to spend extended time at our family home at Harkers Island. Everyone is happier there, and it feels like life is normal, even if only for a few days. This porch is the perfect place for morning coffee, afternoon reading, sunsets, family dinners and especially “God winks,” like this one:

Dana Phelps

During the pandemic, I have been so grateful for my front porch. It is a respite from being inside my home that gives me a safely distanced connection to my neighbors. I love seeing families walking together, kids riding bikes by my house and most of all, neighborhood doggies out for their evening strolls!

Anna Beth Adcock

Over the past few months, I have been especially grateful for my family and for any opportunity I can catch to spend time outdoors. When I’m lucky, family and outdoor adventures combine, like the backpacking trip I recently took with my brother along with a few sporadic trips with my sister to visit our aunt (and her dog) in Wilmington. Family, time at the beach and a precious pup makes for three really big reasons to be thankful!

Cherith Andes

When COVID quarantine hit, I needed a “something” — a hobby to channel my attention. And for the first time, I tried my hand at being a green thumb. These potted plants grew from tiny little sprigs into these lovely blooms, and they have brought me so much joy and a reminder to enjoy life, growth and vibrancy.

Kelli Fletcher

As we wrap up month FIVE of this COVID craziness, it has gotten a bit harder for me to find those sparks of joy in each day. However, I remain so grateful for my family. We are lucky to see both sets of grandparents who live not too far from us in Raleigh. At their houses, the kids can explore new backyards, visit community lakes to feed the fish and get a whole new set of snacks! Through these actions, I’ve become MOST grateful for my kids’ simple – almost naive – outlook on the world. Seeing such a strong joy and wonder in their eyes makes it impossible to not feel the same and during this time, it’s a nice mental break. 

Curious about more of our quarantine chronicles and other team-related escapades? Check out the Clairemont Team section of the blog!

By Clairemont intern Anna Beth Adcock, a rising senior at NC State.

Read More

Working Outside My Comfort Zone

Clairemont InternBlog, Professional Development, The Clairemont Team, , , ,

I thrive outside of my comfort zone. Whether it’s backpacking through the mountains with my brother, moving to Florida to work at Disney for a few months or hopping on an international flight, I am always seeking one-of-a-kind challenges and experiences. Although my semester interning at Disney came to an abrupt halt this past March, I have remained determined to try new things – even if I’m going no further than my backyard. I’ve been able to learn a valuable thing or two while trying to pick up new hobbies during this time such as if you’re craving dumplings, attempting to make them from scratch may result in floury, sticky dough all over your kitchen … and yourself! 

During my first three years at NC State, I took advantage of a variety of experiences and interests, both within my marketing and journalism studies and in other areas. By going outside of what was comfortable, I discovered rock climbing, met and interviewed scientists about their groundbreaking research, and even started leading a Bible study! While it’s in my nature to try (and sometimes fail) at new things, I have always struggled to pin down exactly what I wanted to pursue in a job or career. As I considered what I wanted the summer before my senior year to look like, I felt overwhelmed with the thought that I needed to magically know what my “dream job” was going to be. 

I knew I wanted to be kept on my toes. 

I knew I loved to write and travel.

I knew I wanted to get creative and be challenged.

I knew I wanted to work with people.

Once I identified these core aspects, narrowing down my job search was simple. I am so excited to jump into my next big adventure this summer: an internship here at Clairemont Communications – a place that I’m certain will address each of these important pillars while gaining experience in public relations, working on a variety of projects and leveraging my love for writing, creativity and people in a new way.

My sister and I supporting my brother and the Wolfpack at his college graduation.

Fun Facts:

  • My favorite place to spend time is outside in my eno hammock. You can catch me in my eno reading a book or taking a relaxing afternoon nap!
  • I am always eating cookie butter. I will put it on anything … or just eat it directly from the jar!
  • I am a middle child! I have an older brother and a little sister. We also count our cat, Floyd, as an additional sibling. 

My advice? In addition to working outside of your comfort zone, explore your sense of creativity and additional concepts by checking out the Creative Challenge section of this blog.

By Clairemont Intern Anna Beth Adcock, a rising senior at NC State.

Read More

What does a PR agency do? A Royal Media Event

Clairemont InternCase Studies, Furniture PR, , , ,

During fall 2018 High Point Furniture Market, furniture manufacturer Theodore Alexander in collaboration with Charles, 9th Earl Spencer – the brother of Princess Diana – unveiled the newest masterpieces in the Althorp Living History furniture collection.

This collection encapsulates reproductions from the Althorp Estate, the Spencer family’s ancestral home of 19 generations of British nobility. After the unveiling, Theodore Alexander hosted a dinner and silent auction supporting Whole Child International (WCI),a nonprofit founded by Countess Karen Spencer, Lord Spencer’s wife, to increase quality childcare around the world. Clairemont Communications was selected to help plan and execute a successful furniture unveiling and fundraiser gala during Market.

STRATEGY

Clairemont established an event strategy targeting two main audiences: local and industry media, and market guests who would attend the ticketed fundraising dinner. Clairemont’s objective was to secure exposure for the Althorp Living History line as well as to raise support for WCI, with the goals of securing at least 10 news stories featuring the furniture collection and securing gala attendance to assist with raising at least $50,000 on-site at the event to support WCI.

Clairemont crafted a campaign with pillars including media relations, social media, email marketing and experiential marketing. Since email and social media offered targeting options, we utilized Instagram and Facebook to provide sneak previews of the collection to curated guest lists, High Point Market attendees and specific demographics likely to attend. Guests and media received a VIP on-site experience as well, one brimming with a high-end dinner, gifts, champagne toasts and photo opportunities – adding to the allure to attend and support the fundraiser.

EXECUTION

Hefty primary and secondary research guided our process, including market demographics, market challenges and successes, and product sales as well as the protocol for addressing Lord Spencer. Clairemont devised a timeline and managed on-site logistics.

Clairemont’s creativity added a “royal touch” to the evening, securing record coverage and top attendance by implementing these creative elements.

  • A Royal Affair: Clairemont and Theodore Alexander created a “royal wing” of the showroom and offered reporters one-on-one interviews with Lord Spencer. Our tailored pitches invited media on a personal tour of the Althorp showroom as Lord Spencer shared tales of his and Diana’s memories of each piece.
  • The Gallant Gala: The tour with Lord Spencer culminated in an evening dinner in the Theodore Alexander dining room, and Clairemont ensured that the Whole Child International story filled every nook and cranny. During the event, Lady Spencer issued a personal invitation for guests to donate, sharing her vision to reach orphanages across the globe with the funds.
  • Social Media Sneak Peaks: Ahead of the event, Clairemont worked with Theodore Alexander’s social media team to create teasing tidbits about both the Althorp Furniture collection and the Whole Child International dinner. Stunning videos, for example, unveiled a small detail or design of the coming Althorp pieces. Stories of children benefiting from Whole Child International piqued the interest of followers on social media, and of course, targeted social ads invited Market-goers to purchase a ticket to the dinner.
  • More at Market: Clairemont maximized reporters’ time at the Theodore Alexander showroom by curating the top picks from its other leading collections. Clear information and assets were neatly packaged for on-site reporters to collect after their appointment with Lord Spencer.

RESULTS

As its “crowning achievement,” Clairemont successfully implemented the unveiling and gala, exceeding all objectives. We secured 19 news stories and helped raise a total of $75,685 to support Whole Child International by the end of the evening’s event.

To read more about successful unveilings and events for other clients, visit the case study section of our blog.

Read More