Category: The Clairemont Team

Video: Clairemont’s 10 Years in 110 Seconds

Cherith AndesBlog, Public Relations, The Clairemont Team, , ,

The year 2020 has witnessed an unexpected array of developments in our community, our country and our world. Amidst the events of this year, Clairemont Communications marked its own milestone:

We celebrated our 10th anniversary!

10 years …
120 months …
3,653 days (yes, we counted the three leap years in there) …
220+ awards for successful client campaigns …
… and countless memories.

How do we capture an exciting decade in a few short minutes? Here’s a blast through the past 10 years in 110 seconds.

(Alright. That was actually 117 seconds.)

Thank you to our clients and our partners who have made this decade such a wonderful journey!

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Finding the Power in PR

Clairemont InternBlog, Public Relations, The Clairemont Team, , , ,

My mom loves her job. 

Throughout my 21 years of life, this truth has influenced my perception of work and ultimately, my own search for a career. Although the message was never explicitly stated, through my mother’s example I embraced the philosophy that one’s profession should be more. It should be a passion. 

My mom (left) enjoying her work as a Sommelier.

It wasn’t until I started college that I came to understand that not everyone is so lucky in life. It was a privilege to choose what I wanted to do for a living, and I felt an obligation to give back. I found myself entering UNC-Chapel Hill’s Hussman School of Media and Journalism where I chose to major in traditional journalism and new media. 

Rushing Franklin St. after a Tar Heel win against Duke!

You might be thinking, “Why journalism?” And I know that given our political climate, where “fake news” and sensationalized stories run rampant, this is hard to believe; however, journalism remains a noble profession in my eyes, shedding light on socio-economic issues around the world and protecting our civil liberties through governmental checks.

There was only one issue: I didn’t love it. C’est la vie! 

A Global Perspective

My junior year, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Paris, France and intern for a journalism agency. This experience was different and challenging, but I realized that I wasn’t building the kind of relationships or seeing the tangible impact that I was craving in a career. I did, however, find myself taking pleasure in being a part of something greater. With a new perspective, I was able to consider a new possibility: Marketing and Public Relations. Ah la vache! (This means “OMG” in French and accurately describes my excitement for finding PR.)

Some friends and me on the Champs-Élysées in Paris

Seeing the Magic

I had a gut feeling this time. It just felt right and wasn’t the la vie en rose that I experienced with journalism. PR would allow me to apply my journalism background in a new way AND find satisfaction in my work through delivering a public service. Great public relations can help brands uphold decades of progress and move the needle of civil liberties. The strategies, tools and words we choose to tell stories are directly connected to our ability to change the world. When broadening a client’s grasp, PR has the power to imagine better. I believe that’s worthwhile. 

Coming to Clairemont 

I first heard of Clairemont Communications through the Hussman School’s weekly career services email. They stood out among the various company listings because they offered a real opportunity to be a part of the team. After my interview, I knew Clairemont was where I wanted to be. I could tell it was a special place to work, and I am thrilled to join such an innovative and passionate group of individuals. I can’t wait to learn more about the PR industry, as well as use storytelling and media in new and creative ways. 

Want to land your dream job or internship, too? Check out these stellar interview tips! Bonne chance!

By Clairemont intern Maia Guterbock, a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill.

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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.

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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.

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Time Management in the Time of COVID-19

Tracy LathanBlog, Public Relations, The Clairemont Team, , , ,

For someone who used to frequent no fewer than four grocery stores per week, I have really been missing running errands and wandering around Whole Foods reading labels and drinking a latte.

But one of the many things the COVID-19 shutdown has taught me is that maybe I had it all wrong.

Before the coronavirus outbreak, I considered myself to be quite skilled in time management. After all, I manage my PR career, the running of our household and schedules for two very busy kids, as well as various volunteer positions at school, church, etc. Several friends raved about ordering groceries online, but I quickly dismissed the idea because, quite frankly, I am very particular about my produce.

Fast forward six months, and let me tell you, this self-proclaimed germaphobe has mastered the art of managing almost all my interactions via online orders.

Queen of Curbside

It hit me last week when I was running a few “errands” with the kids in tow. Our first stop was Benjamin Moore to pick up the paint samples I ordered and paid for over the phone earlier that morning. The nice gentleman walked them right out to the car.

Next up was Seaboard Wine for our biweekly call-ahead order. Then we headed to curbside pickup at The Container Store. We are moving this week, and not even a global pandemic was going to get between me and the mecca of organization. Then we swung through Harris Teeter and Target to grab our online orders. We pulled in and popped the hatch, and just like that, we are stocked for the week. (Who am I kidding? At the rate these people are eating, it will be gone in three days tops.)

Our last stop, or so I thought, was NoFo to grab dinner from the prepared foods section. I called in the order while we were in the car, and a staff member walked it right out to us. Even though we had never left the air-conditioned Suburban during our outing, the kids proclaimed they were hot and needed some ice cream. Kilwins to the rescue! I called in the order, and within minutes we pulled up to the door and were greeted with two ice cream cones at the curb.

The New Normal?

Wondering where I am headed with all this? In less than one hour, I accomplished what would have taken closer to four or five hours if I would have had to park, shop, wait in line to check out and drag two kids through seven stores.

It got me thinking about time management and how we can be more efficient. Has the way we shop been forever changed, even after COVID-19 is behind us?

Don’t get me wrong, when all this is over, you will definitely find me back at Whole Foods or wandering aimlessly around HomeGoods from time to time, but I will certainly be more intentional about how I schedule my errands. And I anticipate retailers will see that this level of customer service will need to be integrated into their ongoing business models. There is not a great deal we can control these days, but how we spend our time is certainly one of them.

I am curious to know if I am alone in this new world of online ordering. Has anyone else been embracing the convenience of call-ahead ordering during the pandemic? Head over to our Facebook Page and tell us what you think!

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