Category: Public Relations

A Garden Wall in Provence

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“A Garden Wall in Provence” by Carrie Knowles is a comfortable, light-hearted read of 100 pages. Staged in a nook of Avignon, France, the novel unwinds the tale of Monique and her mother, Madame Reynaud. Monique was crippled by a violent wind known as the “mistral” at the young age of 10 years, and limited by her physical challenges, she has lived with her family since childhood. Monique and her mother treasure an exceptionally close relationship, a bond further strengthened after her father’s passing several years ago. This book chronicles the intertwined lives of Monique and Madame Reynaud over the course of the week leading up to Monique’s 30th birthday.

These women encounter obstacles people pray they’ll never have to face, such as physical weakness and the loss of a loved one. All the while Monique has begged her mother to allow her to explore employment, a request Madame Reynaud refuses year after year. Protective of her injured daughter, Madame Reynaud yearns to shelter Monique from any additional pain beyond what she already endures. Madame Reynaud not only serves as the caregiver for her daughter but also generously tends to her neighbors and friends on a daily basis.

In the week leading up to Monique’s birthday, “A Garden Wall in Provence” explores friendship, empowerment, self-awareness, love and most importantly, the depth of family bonds. Monique isn’t the only one in the family who finds joy on her birthday!

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a relaxing, calming read. In addition to a warming and captivating storyline, you’ll be treated with a few mouthwatering French bread recipes at the end!

We’re excited to be working with client Carrie Knowles, a widely published author, multi-media artist, international traveler and the 2014 Piedmont Laureate. Stay tuned for our future adventures with Carrie!

Written by Clairemont intern, Kennedy Norton, a fashion blogger and senior at North Carolina State University.

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Top 3 (free) graphic design tools of 2018

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With an increasing need for visual content, companies and organizations are becoming reliant on graphic designers and videographers to promote their campaigns. Luckily, there are dozens of free programs out there that can do the heavy lifting for you!

I scoured the interwebs to find the hottest design softwares that are available at no cost. I tested 10 different websites and programs to determine which three provide the best interface, toolset and quality. To accomplish this I spent about 20 to 30 minutes on each one to see what I could create. (Caveat: By no means am I a professional graphic designer; so please show some grace with my designs.)

easel.ly

Just as its name implies, easel.ly is a simple tool that focuses on graphics, shapes and colors. Its “drag-and-drop” feature makes adding images, shapes and graphics a breeze. The design tool’s best purpose is creating infographics. The website has hundreds of templates and samples to start, making the process quick and easy. You don’t even have to download anything, and everything is labeled very clearly. As with any free software, there is a premium version that gives you access to its entire library of templates and illustrations. If you are in need of a stat sheet or a quick poster, I would highly recommend it! easel.ly can be run right from your browser! (Not to be confused with ease.ly.)

GIMP

GNU Image Manipulation Program is an open-source graphics editor used primarily for photo editing, free-form drawing and reformatting images. GIMP looks pretty overwhelming at first with a lot of grey sidebar buttons and dozens of tiny tabs. However, every tool in the program is available with just a right click of the mouse! The software has so many different features that you could spend a whole day applying new filters, transformations, pathways, color scapes and more to your photos.

A variety of color applications and functions are offered in GIMP, which was my favorite part. While it may take a while to learn everything, the professional features available in GIMP make it a go-to for picture editing. You must download the software before using it.

Gravit Designer

I will finish the list with the most impressive software I encountered: Gravit Designer. Available directly in your browser, this all-in-one tool gives the user a wide range of creative space with an intuitive interface. The program is capable of graphics manipulation, creation and illustration. The screen is your digital playground in Gravit, and it was easy to find the tricks I wanted to employ. It has great functionality and allows you to develop shapes in a simple way. I would highly recommend using this for poster design, presentations and illustrating. It is available to download for any platform as well.

 

While these are my top three suggestions, the best program is the one YOU like the most! Below all are the programs I tried. Find the one that is most suited for you! Share your favorite programs with us on Twitter!

Cover Photo Credit: © [Redpixel] / Adobe Stock

Written by intern Nathan J. McDaniel, a senior at Western Carolina University.

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Finding the PR in the local press

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I had the opportunity to attend the monthly luncheon hosted by PRSA North Carolina Chapter last month at McCormick & Schmick’s. It was the first time I attended a PRSA event, and I enjoyed the chance to network with fellow professionals in a learning-driven atmosphere.

The focus of the luncheon was on the recently launched “Influencer Series“, led cooperatively by the News & Observer, Charlotte Observer and Herald-Sun in Durham. They chose 60 North Carolina thought leaders in a variety of industries and asked them one question: “What is the single biggest challenge our leaders must confront to secure a better future for North Carolina?” Phil Lucey, the Executive Director of the N.C. Press Association and Sara Glines, the Publisher of the N&O, appeared as guest speakers to explain the series and to speak on the trends in both print and digital publication.

Designed to generate a lasting conversation between North Carolina residents and thought leaders throughout the state, the program seeks to bridge the void that many modern Americans feel with the media. In an age of fake news and reporting to be first and not to be correct, this is something that could help deliver a more accurate and relatable product.

With advocates, educators and business professionals from all walks of life, the panel of influencers will be surveyed on issues for the next five months. They will be questioned about their views on the problems with policy in North Carolina leading up to the local election. The top three issues that these influencers cited in response to the initial question were K-12 public education, the economy and polarization in society.

Influencers are becoming imperative in any social campaign for any organization. Singing your own praise is necessary at times, but earning the true belief and conviction of other people cannot be done simply through self-advertising. You need people to support your ideas and prove to others that what you have to offer is special.

As I sat in the small dining room and enjoyed my salad (that was pre-dressed with what seemed like gallons of vinaigrette), I thought about how public relations was connected with news outlets and influencer projects such as this one. Mr. Lucey had mentioned in his presentation that public relations and publication were intertwined but reminded everyone that social media was just a platform, not a media outlet.

While PR professionals are not naturally tasked with being the main source of all local news, we have the ability to use social networks and connections to spread messages. Whether it is an agency or a corporate team, people must write, publish and create media as if it were an outlet. The facts must be checked, the sources must be reliable, and the product must be honest. PR is about being “injected and connected” within the world community. We are responsible for using the tools at our disposal with an honest and mutually beneficial intention.

People are influenced by communication every day, giving PR folks chances at every corner to embody these characteristics. You never know when someone is going to learn something from your work, in some cases before it’s even on the news or in the paper.

While we don’t report the news, we help shape it!

Cover Photo Credit: © [mitrija] / Adobe Stock

Written by intern Nathan J. McDaniel, a senior at Western Carolina University.

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RPRS Luncheon: Think Outside the Box

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I had the opportunity to attend a luncheon hosted by the Raleigh Public Relations Society at the end of June. Mary Alice Holley, communications and marketing director, Conservation Trust for North Carolina (CTNC), spoke on strategies she used to build relationships and awareness. I had a hard time thinking that strategies for land and water conservation also apply to outside fields, but there’s actually substantial overlap.

The biggest takeaway? (I mean, besides that 18 Seaboard, the venue for the June meeting, has show-stopping crème brûlée.) If you think outside the box and use creative PR, it could make all the difference.

Think of a New Audience

Photo credit to RPRS

One of the first things anyone in PR will do when developing a strategy is to determine the target audience. Holley recommends thinking of a new or unconventional audience. For the CTNC this meant not only targeting politicians and land owners but also “people who go to community gardens and walk trails.”

Anticipate Obstacles

Holley explained that, upon receiving her director position, many of the existing staff believed that developing communications strategies on the grassroots level was a waste of time. They wanted to go straight to the politicians, but Holley knew that bringing awareness would help the CTNC gain momentum. It’s a good thing she kept moving forward with her ideas! Since Holley became director, the CTNC has secured a record number of email subscribers, followers and donations. 

Activate the Plan

Holley stresses the importance exploring different messages and channels beyond the tried-and-true to reach your audience. For the CTNC Holley has implemented a strategy that involves letters to the editor, op-eds, field trips and traditional media. The CTNC uses action alerts that pique audience interest, increase awareness of the organization and gather emails.

Make Your Efforts Last

Photo credit to RPRS

It’s vital to maintain the interest of your current supporters and not only focus on the attention of fresh eyes or ears. Online content like a website or blog, fact sheets, media relations and events have all been used by the CTNC to keep interest and further inform its audiences. Holley also highly recommends taking the time to thank those that have supported you. The CTNC has officially thanked politicians that have voted for land and water conservation legislation.  Not only does this make supporters and advocates feel valued but it also helps to nurture a champion for your cause or organization.

What are some varied communication strategies you’ve seen or used? Here at Clairemont, we’re always conjuring up creative ideas for our clients. Drop us a line if you need some pizazz!

Written by Yasmine Evans, a senior at NC State University.

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Domino’s: Paving the Way?

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What does it take to really connect with your audience?

The pizza giant, Domino’s, announced a new initiative to smooth out the streets by filling potholes across the country. They dubbed it “Paving for Pizza,” and it has garnered massive attention. But is it merely a PR tactic?

Not necessarily. An organization can truly care about its customers.

Corporate social responsibility, or “CSR,” means that a company strives for ethical business practices, works with the local community and builds relationships with its employees and customers. There are teams of people that work long hours trying to build a relationship between an organization and their audience. That’s where PR takes the wheel.

CSR isn’t a new strategy. Think of McDonald’s Ronald McDonald House, TOMS and Warby Parker. They all contribute to the community through their business strategies. So what made this PR move by Domino’s so enticing to the country?

Here are a few things they did and you can do to craft your next successful CSR campaign.

1. Connect the business to a meaningful cause. 

Infrastructure has been a hot topic in politics for a long time. Deteriorating roads frustrate everyone, including the local pizza delivery boy. Domino’s strategically leveraged a common cause that relates to a wide audience, forging a connection, spotlighting its brand and sparking interest. 

2. Stay true to your brand.

Domino’s has offered cheeky “carryout insurance” since late last year, and if you peruse the company’s social media, you’ll see playful, emoji-heavy accounts. Even though it is a large corporation doing a public service, Domino’s is staying true to its playful and fun voice.

3. Make it interactive.

People don’t just want to know what’s happening; they want to be a part of the action. Domino’s has opened up an opportunity for customers to nominate their own city for a pothole makeover. They also developed an interactive Pothole Impact Meter so you can see first-hand just how ravaged the pizzas are by potholes. By engaging its audience, Domino’s is creating an opportunity to draw people in and and get them talking.

Photo by Domino’s Pizza

4. Be honest.

Don’t promise something you can’t or won’t do. It will backfire. Just days after announcing its campaign, Domino’s had already fixed potholes in Texas, Delaware, Georgia and California. Honesty is always the best policy and will ensure that your audience maintains trust in you and your brand.

What do you think of Domino’s creative CSR campaign? Was it half-baked or perfectly cooked?

Drop us a line if you’re looking for some creative juices for your organization!

Written by intern Yasmine Evans, a senior at NC State University.

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