Category: Blog

Trending: Wearable Technology

Margot HorganBlog, Clairemont Client News, , , , , , , ,

From Google Glass to the Samsung Smartwatch to everything in between, the wearable technology trend is definitely on the rise. And, with $8 billion in projected revenue for 2013 and an estimated $20 billion by 2017, the industry – and the mind-altering gadgets it’s creating – is something to watch. Below, we’ve rounded a few of our favorite wearable tech gadgets, including a revolutionary personal safety device created by Clairemont Communications client, 10 for Humanity.

Tiger Eye Security Sensor (TESS)

Developed by Clairemont client, 10 for Humanity, TESS is a hands free personal safety device designed to be worn as a piece of jewelry. With the ability to protect people of all ages from criminals and bullies, the device will sense high stress in the voice when activated by certain words such as “help,” “stop,” or “no” and instantly dispatch the police, based on GPS location. At the same time, TESS will video record the incident to aid in the identification and prosecution of criminals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_741rnkWis

TESS is currently being developed in collaboration with top technology and safety industry leaders including: RTI International – one of the world’s leading think tanks; NC State University; and a host of other emerging technology experts and law enforcement agencies. TESS is the first product available by the North Carolina-based 10 for Humanity, which is committed to developing 10 innovative technology-based products and mobile applications that will reduce acts of violence globally by 10 percent in the next decade.

To learn more about this device, please see the TESS Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, which is raising funds through Dec. 31 to help bring TESS to market in the spring of 2014.

Nymi

A sleek band worn around your wrist, Nymi uses your cardiac rhythm to authenticate your identity and wirelessly control things like your computer, cell phone, car, security systems and more. With a turn or flick of the wrist, you can interact with your devices seamlessly and securely. According to its creators, Nymi can replace any number of identification prompted activities, including the PIN on your credit card.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUO7Qnmc8vE

As individual as a fingerprint, your heartbeat is completely unique and can offer the highest level of security. Nymi works off a three-factor security system, meaning to take control of your identity, you must have your Nymi, your heartbeat and a smartphone or device with the Nymi app. Additionally, Nymi will feature customizable notifications for text, email and social media meaning you will never be out of touch.

Run-n-Read

With this simple, clip-on gadget, you can now run on a treadmill and comfortably read a book at the same time. Run-n-read’s technology tracks your head movements and automatically shifts the text on your tablet to move perfectly in sync with your head and eyes.

Further simplifying reading while running, you can turn the page of your book by just tapping the Run-n-Read. Additionally, the gadget operates as a simple fitness tracker, monitoring the number of steps taken and calories burned and displaying the information on your mobile device.

What do you think about these gadgets? Which wearable technology products would you add to the list?

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Artspace 12th Annual Collectors Gala

Margot HorganBlog, In Our Community, , , , ,

Working in downtown Raleigh has some pretty amazing perks (too many to count, in fact), but my personal favorite is the eclectic collection of creative shops, restaurants, businesses and artists in our 110-block city center. They are part of a thriving community that has helped Raleigh become the fastest growing major city in the great state of North Carolina.

One of these local spots is Artspace. Just a stone throw away from The Clairemont House, Artspace is a vibrant studio environment of established and emerging artists in addition to a center for education and nationally acclaimed exhibitions. In sum, it’s Raleigh’s hub for visual arts, creation and interaction.

Earlier this month, Artspace held a Media Preview Event for its 12th Annual Collectors Gala, which will benefit the nonprofit’s artists and exhibitions, educational programming and community outreach. Those in attendance at the preview event got a first glimpse of the artwork, which will be featured in the gala’s live auction and were even invited to create an art piece of their own.

Saturday, November 23 from 6 to 11 p.m. is your chance to see this beautiful artwork yourself. Come out for an evening of art, friends, music and food at Artspace’s 12th Annual Collectors Gala.

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Photo courtesy of Artpsace

Keeping with tradition, the Collectors Gala will spotlight the art with a chance to bid on local artwork in live and silent auctions, as well as to purchase artwork displayed throughout the building.

While mingling with fellow guests and browsing the galleries, the event’s epicurean attendees can enjoy savory delicacies prepared local chefs. The evening will feature passed hors d’oeuvres and chef stations serving small plates and desserts created by the incredibly delicious Ladyfingers Catering.

Last year, the Collectors Gala gathered a crowd of more than 450 business leaders and art enthusiasts, raising $114,000 for Artspace artists, projects education and community outreach. With the amount of incredible art, culture and education Artspace provides to the Raleigh community, it is not difficult to see why so many show their support at the organization’s annual gala.

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Photo courtesy of Artpsace

To purchase tickets for tomorrow evening’s event or for more information, visit the Artspace website.

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Next World Media Symposium

Margot HorganBlog, Entry-Level PR Job, In Our Community, , , ,

Undoubtedly you’ve heard the oft-repeated claim that technology is changing how we do things. And while some lament and others celebrate this fact, it’s becoming an inescapable truth within the communication industry.

UNC-CH School of Journalism and Mass Communication professors John Sweeney, Gary Kayye and JoAnn Sciarrino are amongst those celebrating. On Friday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the three are hosting the Next World Media Symposium in UNC’s Carroll Hall room 33.

The event – inspired by TED Talks – will showcase prominent industry and academic leaders with provocative views of media and branding. Keynote speaker Daryl Evans, vice president of advertising and marcom at AT&T (did you know that at $1.59 billion, AT&T has one of the largest media-spending budgets of any brand?) and others will highlight new trends, new tools and new ways to compete in changing industries of advertising, public relations, marketing and branding.

Within hours of registration opening on Oct. 4, all spots to attend the free event were filled. However, you can still stay in the loop by following the hashtag #NextWorldUNC in addition to joining the waitlist. Plus, make sure to stay tuned for a blog posts by Clairemont interns, Sam Halle and Kate Fedder, who will be attending the event and keeping us all posted on the latest and greatest tech trends!

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CLAIREMONT INTERNS: INTRODUCING SAM HALLE

Margot HorganBlog, The Clairemont Team, , , , , , 1 Comment on CLAIREMONT INTERNS: INTRODUCING SAM HALLE

Clairemont intern Margot Pien sat down with fellow intern Sam Halle to learn a little bit more about her. Help Margot and Clairemont welcome Sam!

This week, I sat down with Sam Halle, who is one of the two interns I am working alongside at Clairemont Communications this fall. After chatting about school, our past experiences and discovering a mutual love for otters (seriously – she adopted an otter for a year at a local park when she was a kid), I’m here to tell you what I learned about Sam.

A senior at UNC-Chapel Hill (Go Tar Heels!), Sam is a Journalism & Mass Communication major, with a concentration in public relations. She is also pursuing a second major in public policy and a minor in psychology. It’s hard to keep track of all the organizations and activities she has been involved in during the past few years, but they include:

  • Interning at Ogilvy & Mather in Chicago as a strategic brand planner this past summer (where she got to explore all of Chicago’s free concert offerings)
  • Interning in Vietnam last summer with a client of a venture capital firm
  • Serving as chapter director of Camp Kesem NC, which is a free camp run by UNC-CH and Duke University for kids with parents affected by cancer
  • Serving as PR chair of UNC-CH’s Order of the Bell Tower
  • Guest writing for the website “HelloGrief.org,” which she helped develop while in high school

Phew, that was quite the list. Is there anything that girl doesn’t do? Want to know more about Sam? Here are few more facts:

  • She’s from Richmond, Virginia (not too far from my Maryland home)
  • Sam loves the Dave Matthews Band and even met Dave himself after he came to UNC-CH to perform on a special taping of The Late Show With Jimmy Fallon (side note: the episode featured President Barack Obama – watch Jimmy and Barack Slow Jam the News)
  • She’s a vegetarian who, oddly enough, lives with 3 other vegetarians (and 2 meat-eaters)
  • She loves coffee, chocolate, concerts and rollercoasters
  • When Sam was a kid, she once got her long hair stuck in a vacuum while doing some chores. She had to cut her long locks off after that
  • She loved living in Vietnam during her internship last summer – she fondly recalls buying fruit on the street and visiting amazing beaches
  • Her family just got an adorable Golden Retriever puppy named Zuko (as in Grease’s Danny). I saw a photo and I can vouch that the puppy’s extremely cute

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CLAIREMONT INTERNS: INTRODUCING MARGOT PIEN

Margot HorganBlog, The Clairemont Team, , , , , , ,

Every semester, we always manage to find some AMAZING interns, and we love to tell you all about each of them. This semester, we have three up and coming PR pros – Kate Fedder (who continues interning at Clairemont after a successful summer internship), Sam Halle and Margot Pien (YES! There are two Clairemont “Margots” now!). Sam Halle (we’ll introduce Sam to you in our next blog post) recently sat down with her fellow fall intern, Margot Pien to learn a bit about her. Here’s what she learned:

Margot is a recent graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill (class of 2013) with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, with a concentration in advertising, and a minor in English.

While at Carolina, she worked with Chapel Hill’s WXYC 89.3 FM radio station. An already avid concertgoer, Margot’s time at WXYC helped her to realize she could work with music. She has since interned at Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, Music Maker Relief Foundation and Merge Records, and she would love to ultimately work in the music industry or arts management. Currently, Margot shares her time between interning at Clairemont and interning at Redeye Distribution, a distributor for independent music of the southeast.

Want to know more about Margot? Here are few additional fun facts:

  • Hailing from Bethesda, MD, Margot now lives in Durham
  • While at UNC, she served as the managing editor for Blue & White Magazine and was an active member of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed community service fraternity
  • She loves to travel, and her favorite destination thus far is Greece
  • She has a knack for photography and frequents museums and art exhibits
  • She (like myself) is vegetarian and otter-lover
  • Considering her spirit animal is a sea otter, it’s fitting that she has quite the affinity for fountains. Her favorite fountain? Rome’s Fontana di Trevi
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