Category: Trends

Trends Tuesday- Triangle DQ

Jasmin SessomsBlog, The Clairemont Team, Trends, , ,

Everyone has their own way to decompress after a long week. Although I love to pamper myself with a tranquil massage or veg out on the couch for never-ending Lifetime movies, I discovered this past weekend that a quick stop to Triangle Dairy Queen satisfied my sweet tooth and had me smiling the rest of the day. Since Triangle DQ is one of our esteemed clients, I know the Blizzard menu like the back of my hand.

So what’s so prodigious about Triangle DQ you ask? For me, I love knowing there is always a new Blizzard waiting for me as soon as I step into the door. Leave the classic Neapolitan flavors behind as you bask in the glory of the Salted Caramel Truffle Blizzard of the Month. If salted caramel truffles, buttery toffee pieces, choco chunks and rich cocoa fudge – just to name a few options – aren’t enticing you into a Triangle DQ store, the new DQ Bakes items are sure to do the trick.

I was ecstatic to hear about the new menu options DQ would be introducing and the opportunity to try them out for myself. DQ Bakes is a new line that features artisan sandwiches, snack melts and deserts a la mode. If you are already in love with the traditional menu items, the new additions to the menu take your taste buds to a whole different level.

Did I mention that the Clairemont team got a VIP tasting of the new menu additions? The girls and I spent an entire lunch hour serving as official taste testers for the brand. Not only was the food delicious, but owner and operator Andy Valkanoff was one of the first in the state to offer the new menu.

But for me, the DQ treats are what are sure to keep me coming back for more. Create a special birthday with a custom DQ ice cream cake, make mom smile with a Blizzard after dinner. So this weekend, skip the massage and ditch the gym. I am sure that DQ will aid in a blissful weekend and if not, your next Blizzard is on me.

Read More

InSpire to Go Digital in 2015

Sarah HattmanAwards, Blog, Professional Development, Trends, , , , ,

We live in a digital world. The movies we watch, the music we listen to and the pictures and videos we take are all in digital form. For some of us, even the books we read are digital. As of 2015, I am happy to say that the the NCPRSA InSpire Awards are also digital.

Looking back, especially after writing the above paragraph, it’s hard to believe the decision was a tough one for me as the awards chair. I kept asking myself, “Will people accept or reject the format change? Is this really the year to make the switch?” But perhaps the biggest question I had was, “What about the thud factor?”

That’s right the thud factor. Having been involved in PRSA awards for several years – writing, submitting and judging entries – I know that there’s something impressive about flipping though an award binder that is stacked full of evidence of the entrant’s hard work and dedication. These binders make a loud thud when dropped on a table.

However, knowing that many other awards submissions are strictly online and the fact that the transition to digital was inevitable, I simply could not justify putting off the switch another year. Aside from just making the decision to make the switch to a digital format, I promised myself that I was going to stick to it. There would be no regrets, no matter what happened. And just think about all the paper we would save!

We are now a third of the way through the process and I’m excited to say that it has been smooth and easy – so far. Sure, I fielded many, many questions about the format and offered my advice on best practices when solicited. On the day of the final deadline, I thought my phone might never stop ringing as the calls came in back-to-back as the clock inched closer to the cutoff time for submissions. But, much to my surprise, no one challenged the format or the submission process.

Then it came time to sort through all 86 entries, organize them by category and enter them into a spreadsheet for the judging chapter. I found this step to be the most challenging, and ironically it had nothing to do with the digital format. In terms of format, it made the process of sending the entries to the PRSA Sierra Nevada Chapter for judging much easier. I did not have the challenge of boxing up all the entries or  lugging them the post office for shipping. There is also the fact that it was more cost effective to share a link with the judges as opposed to ship them.

It might be too soon to say with 100 percent certainty, but I think the digital switch has been a success. I invite you to attend this year’s banquet on May 12 and ask me after the awards are handed out to the winners!

 

Read More

Trends Tuesday: Behind-the-Scenes with Papa Spud’s

Tracy LathanBlog, Clairemont Client News, Trends, , , , ,

The Triangle Business Journal snapped this shot at the Papa Spud’s media breakfast and ran it as the Photo of the Day.

 

Last week in our Trends Tuesday post, we touched on the growing trend of online subscription delivery services. Let’s be honest…who doesn’t love when something is delivered to your door or when a package arrives. It’s like Christmas morning in the middle of the week!

We are all busy people, and the convenience factor of doorstep delivery is huge. One of our client’s, Papa Spud’s, is a North Carolina CSA (Community Supported Agricultural) service that delivers local, seasonal groceries straight to your door—from fresh produce, dairy and meat to granola, chocolate and jams. For those of us that like to buy local products but don’t have time to make it to the farmers’ market, local fish house or bakery each week, Papa Spud’s is a great option.

Tuesday mornings are a fury of activity at the Papa Spud’s warehouse, and we invited some local media members to see it for themselves. Produce and food items are being delivered, boxes are being packed and sorted and delivery vehicles are being loaded. On the morning of our event we had an unexpected snowstorm, so there was even more activity as the team tried to determine if the deliveries could still be made.

After sampling some tasty treats and coffee,  Papa Spud’s founder and owner, Rob Meyer, shared how the company was started. The media attendees were able to watch the team in action to really see and understand how the produce makes it from the farm to the box on your doorstep, in less than 48 hours. They were able to see firsthand that the demand in the Triangle for locally sourced food products is growing, and that the convenience factor is really attractive for busy families.

Have you tried a delivery subscription service? What products do you wish would show up on your doorstep each week?

 

 

Read More

Trends Tuesday: Doorstep Delivery

Cherith AndesBlog, Marketing, Trends, , , , , 1 Comment on Trends Tuesday: Doorstep Delivery

The trend kicked off circa 1910 with the Wells Fargo Wagon, a legendary red coach that hand-delivered goodies to America’s townsfolk. Nearly a century later, the doorstep delivery concept has emerged as one of the nation’s leading economic trends. America has shifted from the traditional brick-and-mortar shopping experience in favor of online subscription delivery services, a new business model that curates and tailors a box of items to fit your preferences. Best of all, your personalized package appears weekly on your porch, as if by magic. Voila.

Subscription Boxes: All the Rage
With manageable shipping charges and forgiving return policies, subscription boxes have permeated nearly every sector of retail. The stalwart Birch Box, for example, boasts nearly 800,000 active global subscribers who enjoy its grooming and lifestyle products. Pet owners pamper their pooches with customized collars and flavored toys from Bark Box, while Lego fans stock their arsenal with Brick Loot‘s specialty items. (Bonus tip: Check out this review from a special Clairemont friend, Pugnacious10.)

What’s the Draw?
What happened to the traditional haul to the mall? Our harried schedules combined with our waning attention spans drive consumers to seek instant gratification. But this burgeoning trend reveals even more about the American psyche. Forbes.com suggests that consumers may thrive off of the adrenaline of a weekly surprise or crave the ego boost of hand-picked packages.

Customize Your Com
Communication trends, too, must respond to the public’s yen for customized experiences. Apple’s app, News360, allows users to hand-craft a newsfeed, and Facebook personalizes its infamous ads based on the user’s recent internet searches. (No doubt my newsfeed will be jammed with Loot Crate‘s promos after this blog.) Our audiences won’t settle for the traditional “spray and pray” public relations methods. From media pitches to tweets, effective communication stands on the three-legged stool of specificity, individuality and tailored timing.

For a Little Retail Therapy…
Then again, some of us just plain like to shop. And if that’s the case, check out these top 20 box picks. Our favorite, however, is our own client’s freshness in a box . Papa Spud’s is a North Carolina CSA (Community Supported Agricultural) service that delivers local, seasonal groceries straight to your door—from fresh produce, dairy and meat to granola, chocolate and jams.

Timely AND tasty!

Read More

Countdown to the Summer Travel Season

Sarah HattmanBlog, Trends, , , ,

It’s been a long winter. Maybe it’s the single digit temperatures or the multiple bouts of winter weather, but for some reason winter feels especially long this year. Needless to say, I am thrilled that we are a mere 10 days away from the official start of spring. For me, and thousands of other people, warmer weather means one thing – the summer travel season will soon be here!

Before joining the Clairemont team, I worked for James Korenchen Public Relations (JKPR), a full-service PR agency based in Albuquerque, N.M., that handles media relations for TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel website. During my time at JKPR, I worked with TripAdvisor on a variety of trend stories ranging from holiday travel plans to the quirkiest New Year’s Eve celebrations, but my favorite announcement was always Best Beaches.

TripAdvisor recently announced the winners of its 2015 Travelers’ Choice Awards for Best Beaches as determined based on the quantity and quality of traveler reviews and ratings for beaches on TripAdvisor gathered over a 12-month period. Topping the list of 25 U.S. destinations is Siesta Beach, Florida (which is a frequently recognized by travelers as a top destination) followed by eight other Florida beaches, seven in Hawaii, five in California, and one in Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts and South Carolina.

I commend TripAdvisor’s timing of its Best Beaches announcement each year. It comes when many of us are ready to say good riddance to winter. This year residents in the Central and Eastern regions of the U.S. have endured a ferocious season with record snowfalls and the return of the dreaded polar vortex. The Best Beaches announcement is a glimmer of light at the end of a cold and dreary tunnel, and for those who cannot wait a few more weeks, it gives them an opportunity to turn their warm-weather dreams into a reality.

If you are looking for a warm-weather destination prior to late spring and early summer and are feeling adventurous, you might want to consider one of the destinations named Best Beaches in the World – including Siesta Beach at number 14.

While I would love to take a trip abroad and visit one of the fabulous beaches on this list, fortunately, in just a few short weeks a warm-weather destination will only be a quick drive from Raleigh. Growing up in North Carolina, I spent many summers at Holden Beach, and I also lived in Wilmington for seven years. I might be biased, but I think the North Carolina coast has some of the best beaches in the world – even if they didn’t make TripAdvisor’s list. Along with the hundreds of miles of pristine beaches, you will find a mix of fresh delicious seafood, friendly people, charming towns and even a bit of history along the North Carolina coast. And if you ask me, it doesn’t get much better than that.

 

Read More