Author: Jasmin Sessoms

Photo of the Week: Foodie Dinner

Jasmin SessomsBlog, Marketing, Restaurant PR + Hospitality PR, , , , , , , ,

Ever wonder how foodies take such fabulous photos of mouth-watering, scrumptious-looking plates? In this case, a little teamwork makes the dream work. Check out Trish Witek’s photo of food bloggers collaborating on how to get the best shot at Il Palio’s (client) VIP foodie dinner. As one food blogger shines an iPhone flashlight onto the dish, another friend zooms in on his camera for the perfect (well-lit!) shot.

As a strategy to engage key influencers in an ever-changing food industry and to highlight the grand reopening of the restaurant, Il Palio hosted 16 of the Triangle’s leading food bloggers for a special, four-course dinner event.

Love the work we do at Clairemont? Be sure to read our other foodie posts on the blog.

 

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Video of the Week: Pamper Your Pooch

Jasmin SessomsBlog, Marketing, Raleigh PR Agency, , , , ,

Our pets are more than just pets; they are our best friends and considered by some to be family members. Savvy businesses are catering more and more to pets.

The Lincoln Apartments (client) features a full pet spa decked out with all of the necessities to properly groom your pet. As a creative way to spotlight The Lincoln’s love of pets, Clairemont recently hosted “Pamper Your Pooch,” an event featuring simple grooming tips that anyone can do – especially in The Lincoln’s pet spa.

We partnered with Dirty Dogs Spa to provide the hands-on demonstration, and Cause for Paws of NC was kind enough to bring in Porkchop, a Cause for Paws success story, to serve as the model dog. Check out the marketing video we created to show off the brand new facility and share tips for pampering your pooch.

 

Want to see more of the work that we do at Clairemont? Be sure to check our case study blog posts!

 

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Did the Grinch steal Starbucks’ Christmas?

Jasmin SessomsBlog, Marketing, Restaurant PR + Hospitality PR, , , ,

Christmas comes with snow flinging. Christmas comes with children singing. Christmas comes with little elves. Is Christmas leaving Starbucks’ shelves?

As Thanksgiving nears, companies are ramping up for the Christmas season. There is a plethora of brands that change their marketing efforts to appeal to customers in different seasons, and there are certain brands that take it to the next level–like Starbucks and its iconic red holiday-themed cup.

The facts behind the holiday cups

Since 1997, Starbucks’ holiday-themed cup has created countdowns to the release date around the world. The Starbucks cup signifies the official start of the season and serves as a symbol for Christmas. But with the 2015 switch to plain red cups, critics are lashing out at Starbucks on social media, stating that the brand shift is a “war on Christianity.” But does the shift in marketing harm or enhance the company’s brand? Here are a few reasons I think the new holiday design is here to stay:

Big ideas work

Big ideas are more important than ever. Although it seems harsh to consumers, Starbucks didn’t badger us with TV commercials or any media relations efforts about the new cup. Most big ideas tug at the emotions of the consumer. I think Starbucks used this to its advantage. Although there is negative backlash on social media, the big idea of the cup change is grabbing all of the attention and keeping Starbucks relevant in conversation.

Keeping the details secret

Starbucks vice president Jeffrey Fields explained that the company “wanted to usher in the holidays with a purity of design that welcomes all of our stories.” According to USA Today, it is also rumored that the plain character of the cup offers customers the opportunity to create their own holiday designs on the cups.

Engaging the consumer

Consumers can be a source of great thinking and ideas. The new cup allows for creativity and a sense of community with its customers, an opportunity for them to write their own message and share it on social media. Free marketing and community relations? I say yes.

What do you think? Do the red cups help or hurt Starbucks’ holiday brand? Are you planning to play Picasso with the new cups? Follow Clairemont on Twitter, and send us your thoughts!

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What does a PR Agency do? XiLi Mobile Brochure

Jasmin SessomsBlog, Case Studies, Marketing, , , ,

In 2013, Clairemont had the privilege to work with TextThisHouse and XiLi Mobile, a web application that automatically connects potential homebuyers and listing agents via text messaging. Using MLS listings from across the nation and Google Maps to provide information about available homes, XiLi provides instant home listings to potential homebuyers, while capturing those buyers as new leads and forwarding them to the listing agents to conveniently connect the two parties.

Objective

Clairemont established its objective as follows: provide TextThisHouse with a tool that easily and succinctly communicates the what, how and why behind XiLi to realtors and brokers who might benefit from the service.

Method

Having recently released this new technology, TextThisHouse turned to Clairemont Communications to assist in spreading awareness of XiLi Mobile and its offerings to homebuyers and realtors. Clairemont developed a detailed, comprehensive PR plan that worked to target two distinct groups. Clairemont designed an informative brochure providing information about XiLi Mobile to realtors and brokers.

Results

XiLi shared the brochure with more than 150,000 real estate agents within a few months as a part of its promotions and sales. Likewise, the brochure was sent to thousands of new XiLi customers for use in their own sales pitches to gain listing contracts. In the first six months, more that 40 brokerages adopted the brochure as a tool to promote their agency’s tech savvy.

Quality

XiLi Mobile faced the challenge of conveying how its services would benefit realtors and brokers. Clairemont created a one-page brochure with visuals that clarified that XiLi is a web-based texting service rather than a mobile app. Clairemont’s copy provided realtors with the benefits of choosing XiLi as an ally in capturing more buyer leads.

Want to learn more about our creative tactics at Clairemont? Be sure to follow our case study blog posts to see how we could put our creativity to work for you!

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Photo Of The Week: Vita Vite

Jasmin SessomsBlog, Photo of the Week, Restaurant PR + Hospitality PR, , , ,

At Clairemont, it’s no secret that we love our clients. Meet Lindsay Rice, a new Clairemont client and owner of downtown Raleigh’s Vita Vite. Lindsay is a contemporary travel photographer, wine aficionado and art enthusiast. Her artistic process began as a child learning to value travel and cultural experiences with her family and exploring wines of the world with her mother in more recent years.

Opening soon in the Warehouse District, Vita Vite’s concept is a wine bar and art gallery featuring a variety of 20 carefully selected wines and artwork from 10 local and regional artists. The 5,600 square foot space also includes an event venue that can host intimate groups of up to 80 people. Lindsay’s vision for Vita Vite is a way to blend her two passions – fine art and wine – and create a comfortable space to help people visualize the artwork in their homes while enjoying a glass of wine.

You can like Vita Vite on Facebook to follow the construction progress and stay up to date on the grand opening and special events.

Want to learn more about the work we do for our clients at Clairemont? Check out our case study blog posts and be sure to like us on Facebook.

We would love to work with you!

 

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