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Tag: creative PR agency

Finding Your Head-Tilting Idea

Finding Your Head-Tilting Idea

November 14, 2018January 31, 2023 Cherith AndesBlog, Marketing, Public Relationscreative marketing, creative PR agency, creativity, PR Agency, Raleigh marketing agency, Raleigh PR Agency
You have it. You found your something, your showstopper, your Shark-tank-worthy product that you know will revamp your industry! You wouldn’t invest your time, talent and resources in an initiative if you didn’t believe in its revolutionary power.
Why, then, aren’t media inquiries flooding your inbox? Why aren’t eager customers beating down your doors and clearing your shelves? Why is your social media engagement fizzling to nothing?

Sound Familiar?

Alas, thus is the plight of many brands that come to us — a world-changing idea that hasn’t yielded the results they expected. Now notably, many elements of the business require honest evaluation in this situation, from the product production to the business model itself.
But at Clairemont, we’re in the business of transforming a company’s marketing and PR from “blah to Voila,” as we say. And one of our secret ingredients is what one of our friends – Sean Lilly Wilson of Fullsteam Brewery — once called “the head-tilting idea.”

The Head-Tilting Idea

A head-tilting idea is the element that makes you simply stop … and take a second glance — the “wait, what now?” factor. (That’s the technical term in our PR textbooks.) This twist of creativity swivels the spotlight to your company, placing your brand on centerstage. Whether based on humor, a bold CSR move or an unlikely partnership, the contrast where the expected meets the unexpected produces a magical magnetism, one that we’ve seen catch the attention of busy reporters and create a vibrant buzz amidst consumers.

Ideas in Action

Here are just a few we cooked up in the Clairemont creative kitchen:

Hoedown Showdown:
A master-planned community threw a barn-raising themed event to celebrate its first anniversary. To transform this internal milestone into a media-worthy moment, Clairemont concocted the ultimate “dancing with the stars” competition. Media were invited to compete in the square-dance competition dubbed “the hoedown showdown” for a chance to win $1,000 to donate to charity of their choice. This unexpected boot-scootin’ bonanza captured the attention of busy media, landing coverage across the Triangle.

LEKKER’s 24 Hour Tour:
 
Fans flocked to see North Carolina’s  newest star — one that made its debut for just 24 hours in Greensboro. The celebrity made appearances at everything from restaurants and boutiques to morning TV shows and even on stage at a live band performance. The guest celebrity? A Dutch fashion bicycle making its debut in the United States. Clairemont positioned the LEKKER bike as a celebrity that spent its first American day doing photo opps, “signing autographs” and meeting its new fans. Clairemont transformed a typical product launch into an anticipated debut, garnering fans, securing bold coverage and topping the season’s holiday shopping list.

Wrangler Dave Launches the Railinc CowParade:
 When Railinc, IT provider to the rail industry, asked Clairemont to give them some creative ideas to promote its sponsorship of CowParade North Carolina, we said we’ll do you one better and give you something no other sponsors have! We’ll give you a cowboy! Clairemont’s Wrangler Dave became the official cowboy of the Railinc cow. In full cowboy getup Wrangler Dave starred in videos and on the Clairemont-created landing page talking about how supporting mooovelous causes like the CowParade made Railinc an udderly amazing place to work. We collaborated with the 16-year-old artist selected by Railinc to paint their cow to include QR codes in the cow’s design, linked the landing page. Railinc employees were invited by Wrangler Dave to participate in a cow-naming contest, a photo contest and to join Wrangler Dave at CowParade events. During Raleigh’s First Fridays while Railinc’s cow as on parade, Wrangler Dave hosted “Chow Cow,” a promotional game that highlighted career opportunities and helped boost Railinc’s employment!

Are you looking for that new angle, a fresh pizzazz to bring your brand to life? Drop us a line to find your head-tilting idea!
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Quality Over Quantity: Why I Stuck with Clairemont

Quality Over Quantity: Why I Stuck with Clairemont

February 13, 2018January 31, 2023 Clairemont InternBlog, Raleigh PR Agency, The Clairemont TeamClairemont Communications, creative PR agency, interns, PR Internships, Public Relations, Raleigh PR Agency

It wasn’t long before I knew I really liked working at Clairemont. Within the first week, I dove head-first into follow-up calls, blog posts and coverage reports – the building blocks of PR that I’d practiced in classes and previous internships.

James Huff, chef at Babalu Tapas & Tacos, teaches WRAL’s Kathy Hanrahan how to make its delicious guacamole in the week before the restaurant’s opening.

What captured me most about Clairemont, however, was the opportunities it provided me to interact directly with clients. On my second day, I met a Clairemont team member at Babalu Tapas & Tacos, a Chapel Hill restaurant for which Clairemont planned a grand opening. I witnessed media interviews, listened to Clairemont strategize with the Babalu marketing team and talked with the owner about his journey to Chapel Hill.

In essence, I quickly learned that Clairemont was a good fit for me.

Throughout the fall semester, I gained on-site experience with various clients and strengthened my writing, pitching and researching skills. I felt challenged and excited by the work; I felt proud of what I produced and eager to learn from the Clairemont team. Clairemont’s welcoming and intimate environment allowed me to feel not only part of the team but also at home.

So, naturally, I didn’t want my time with Clairemont to end when the fall semester did. I decided to extend my internship through the spring semester, a decision that marks the purpose of this post. Aside from simply enjoying the workplace, there are valuable reasons to lengthen an internship, especially one with a PR agency.

Why Stay?

Students pose with Andy Valkanoff, owner of Triangle Dairy Queen, who launched their award-winning Blizzard contraption at the DQ Upside-Down or Free Competition.

Improve the quality of your work: Products you create are stronger and completed more quickly when you know what your clients need and what your supervisors expect. You learn these things with time, so the longer you stay with an internship, the faster you’ll be able to churn out work that satisfies those needs.

Deepen the nature of your work: Fully understanding your clients and their PR needs can take months. With that sound familiarity under your belt, you can deepen your involvement with them by taking on bigger projects and greater responsibilities. You may even play a larger hand at strategizing campaigns for clients, which furthers your experience as a PR pro.

Strengthen connections: It’s no secret that relationships also develop with time. Lengthening your internship experience allows you to cultivate client relationships that are built on communication, understanding and trust. You’ll also strengthen connections with your coworkers and supervisors, who serve as mentors on the job and key resources for career guidance.

The Clairemont team showcases its hard work recognized at the 2017 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Excellence in Communication.

Moreover, deciding to stay with an internship signals that you’re in tune with yourself. As you move through different work experiences, you discover which elements create your dream workplace. Especially in the PR world, no two agencies operate identically; each has its own culture, clients, specialties, employees … you get the picture. Embrace the variety, and recognize when an internship aces your checklist.

I’m thankful for Clairemont’s significant role in my blossoming PR career. It’s great to be back.

Written by Clairemont intern Elizabeth Comtois, a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill.

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Social Media = Blogger’s Heaven

Social Media = Blogger’s Heaven

April 11, 2016January 31, 2023 Jasmin SessomsBlog, Fashion, Social Media + Influencer Engagementaward winning PR, Clairemont Communications, creative PR agency, creative writing, Facebook, fashion, Marketing, networking, Raleigh PR, Social Media

Fashion and lifestyle bloggers are a big deal in our industry. Since hitting the scene about a decade ago, they have become the voice of social media and influence their followers’ opinions. At Clairemont, we love tapping into the trendiest blogger circles in town and inviting them to check out our clients through fun and engaging events.

One of the bloggers that our Clairemont team admires is Essense Heel, of EssenseHeel.com. I interviewed her to find out how she keeps her likes and engagement on Instagram high and her Snapchat stories viewed.

Essense is a fashion and style influencer from Raleigh, N.C. She received her training as a wardrobe stylist from celebrity stylist Shun Melson by successfully completing Fashun 101 in 2014. In addition to styling, Essense is a closet coach, blogger, socialite and brand ambassador. Essense is on “the list” and receives the most exclusive invites to all the fashion social events in N.C., which lead her to be co-founder of The Where to be Society.

What is your brand’s overall purpose?

The overall purpose of my brand is to share my style expertise with personal styling tips and look book ideas for the different seasons. The fashion world is of course a greatly opinionated and diverse industry where self-expression is rife and there are tons of fashion rule books to swear by. However you get to tell the story of who you ARE through your own sense of fashion and style. No one can tell your story like you. I encourage my clients to be bold, be beautiful and be themselves.

Which social channels do you use?

My main social channels are Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. I recently started using Snapchat to give my followers an inside look at my daily routine as a stylist and VIP events that I attend around North Carolina.

What is your brand’s voice? 

The essence of Essense. My fashion posts are to inspire women to dress how they want to be addressed. I want women to believe that fashions fade, but style is eternal.

What is the tone of your social media updates?

I like to remain personal and humble. I want my followers to know that I believe in what I do, and to always keep in mind that looking good is not about the size on the tag, but more about dressing yourself in a way that makes you feel confident and shows off your best features.

Want to learn more about our blogger friends? Read about our PDQ blogger campaign here!

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Photo of the Week: Team Time!

Photo of the Week: Team Time!

April 1, 2016January 31, 2023 Jasmin SessomsBlog, Photo of the Week, The Clairemont Teamaward winning PR, Clairemont Communications, creative PR agency, Raleigh PR, Raleigh Public Relations Agency, the clairemont team

Cosmopolitans and Bloody Marys should be an everyday treat at work. Okay, maybe not every single day, but possibly once a quarter for the Clairemont team! On Monday, we piled into Dana’s Acura and gallivanted off to North Hills for an undisclosed afternoon of fun. First, we stopped by Coquette to nab a quick cocktail and then headed next door to the big silver screen. The laughs (and cringes!) we shared over Hello, My Name Is Doris at the movies were priceless.

Need a suggestion for your next team outing? Check out these ideas. Want to get the inside scoop on how awesome it is to work at Clairemont? Follow us on Facebook!

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#MajorKey: DJ Khaled Inspires My PR

#MajorKey: DJ Khaled Inspires My PR

March 28, 2016January 31, 2023 Jasmin SessomsBlog, Public Relations, Social Media + Influencer Engagementcreative PR agency, Dj Khaled, food pr, Marketing, PR, snapchat, Snapchat Story

I recently discovered DJ Khaled’s Snapchat. If you’ve never heard of DJ Khaled, he is on almost every single rap song. Ever. He even yells his name at the beginning of most of his anthems, like “All I Do Is Win”.

On his Snapchat story, the multi-millionare takes us step-by-step through his entire day. He is always on “the pathway of more success” and uses funny, motivational slogans that serve to empower his followers. He recently started using “keys” that – interestingly enough – inspire my own career as a PR practitioner.

Key One: Chef Dee

Every morning, Khaled walks around his mansion and blurts out, “ChefChef Dee Dee, what you got cookin’ for me today?” His personal chef answers by listing all the healthy meal options that she has prepared for breakfast. DJ Khaled explains that “they don’t want us to eat healthy, so we must eat healthy.” He never tells us who “they” is, but I assume he is referring to negative-minded people.

Although I am not making major million-dollar deals like Khaled his simple key to success still rings true for me. He reminds us that eating a healthy, balanced meal helps to start the workday off on the right note. Starting with a full stomach increases my productivity and helps my creative juices flow for our clients.

Key Two: DJ Khaled Gets Lost At Sea

Who else dreams of having the luxury to jet ski all day? I do. While I was swooning over the lavish lifestyle that the music guru lives, something hilarious happened. Khaled got lost in the ocean on his jet ski.

As funny as it sounds, this is also a “major key” to my career in PR and at Clairemont. We have all faced a time where we were so overwhelmed we felt lost. Khaled teaches that “the key is to never give up, to win more.”

How can we use this lesson in agency life? Don’t be afraid to ask your team members or colleagues for help or support. I have found that it’s always beneficial to ask for help when needed so that you don’t get lost at sea with your projects.

If you need a giggle, watch the entire “Lost at Sea” Snapchat.

Key Three: Business is Always Boomin’

Ben, a 16 year-old that we know absolutely nothing more about than his name, appears regularly on the mogul’s Snapchat story debuting the hottest new sneaker trends. When Ben is asked, “How’s business?” The simple yet dramatic reply is always, “BOOMIN’.” Ben

How can we keep business boomin’? First, I make sure that I know and clearly understand our clients’ goals and needs. What are they trying to accomplish as a business? What does success look like to them? I keep business boomin’ by staying connected with client contacts and working to develop a reliable, open relationship with them, working in tandem to meet these goals.

Key Four: Elliptical talk

If you have ever seen a photo of Khaled, you know he isn’t a particularly skinny man. Recently, he has taken health and wellness to another level on his elliptical.

Elliptical talk is a “major key to success” for the star. We see him in his home gym on an actual machine exercising and reciting lyrics to some of the week’s hottest songs. How does this translate to our industry?

Khaled reminds us that we have to cultivate our best selves in order to help others. If we aren’t in shape (mentally and physically), we can’t secure top media placements and create top-notch client campaigns. The Clairemont team expands our knowledge by watching webinars and attending luncheons. On Well Wednesday, our team trades its business dresses for yoga pants in the office, this allows us to go for a run or attend a boxing class when our schedules allow. Get on your “elliptical to success” and create a positive-minded person so that your clients can’t imagine a day without you.

Elliptical talk

What are the “major keys” that keep business boomin’ in your office? Comment to us on Facebook!

 

 

 

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Have you heard about Meta’s newest social media Have you heard about Meta’s newest social media platform? It’s called Threads, and it’s being referred to as “the new Twitter.” Read everything you need to know about Threads in our latest blog post - link in bio!
SNEAK PEEK! @dellthepig landed at @wendellfallsnc SNEAK PEEK! @dellthepig landed at @wendellfallsnc (client) today, and rumor has it that @blah2voila has already been hamming it up with Dell! We know you want a selfie with Dell to post on Pigstagram, too!
We are proud to represent Raleigh as a member of P We are proud to represent Raleigh as a member of Public Relations Consultants Group, allowing us to offer clients expertise and support across the country! Clairemont founder, Dana Phelps aka @blah2voila, recently attended the PRCG conference in Oklahoma City.
2022 has been a fantastic year for Clairemont Comm 2022 has been a fantastic year for Clairemont Communications! Visit our blog for the full 2022 year in review!
As communications professionals, we wear a variety As communications professionals, we wear a variety of hats to meet our clients’ needs.
 
We’re writers, social media managers, photographers, marketers, editors, content creators- the list goes on and on.
 
Check out our recent blog post to learn what @olivia.noles , account coordinator here at Clairemont, does on a weekly and monthly basis.
#communicationsagency #communicationsmajor #pragencylife #pragency #raleighpr
This Friday, Clairemont’s Dana Phelps, @blah2voi This Friday, Clairemont’s Dana Phelps, @blah2voila , will be speaking at the 2022 @nc_prsa Strategic Communication & MarCom Conference! Phelps is a repeat presenter at this annual conference, and this year she is leading a session called Growing from Communication Technician to Strategic Counselor during which she will share three of her coined concepts: knowcasting, morecasting and collabolighthing. Visit our blog for the link to register for the conference!
@clairemontcommunications and @yellowdogcreative g @clairemontcommunications and @yellowdogcreative go together like the bacon and eggs! And speaking of bacon and eggs, have you been to @therainbowluncheonette yet? YUM!
Later this year, Clairemont client @wendellfallsnc Later this year, Clairemont client @wendellfallsnc, a master-planned community just 15 miles from downtown Raleigh, will welcome @parksideraleigh, a Raleigh-favorite restaurant known for its fresh, made-from-scratch dishes, to the community!
 
Visit our blog to see the @trianglebizjrnl coverage and read the full feature in the TBJ to learn more about Parkside.
“What exactly does a PR Agency do?” Because we “What exactly does a PR Agency do?” Because we get this question often, we have a series on our blog where we dive into our recent projects to give you a look at what a PR Agency really does.
 
For example, a statewide resource for small businesses recently hired Clairemont to devise an executive visibility campaign to help position the organization and its director as the leading small business resource in North Carolina.
 
Head to our blog to read what exactly an executive visibility campaign entails and to learn more about our services!
So you say it’s National Coffee Day? We say let So you say it’s National Coffee Day? We say let us tell you about our new favorite @drink321coffee ! If you are in Raleigh, go see Paul, the other Paul, Emma  or whichever smiling faces are working today. We LOVE this place and the coffee! ❤️❤️❤️
Our client @wendellfallsnc, one of the largest mas Our client @wendellfallsnc, one of the largest master-planned communities in the Triangle, closed on its first age-eligible rental community plan, Arden at Wendell Falls, that will offer 140 open-concept units and exclusive onsite amenities!
 
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Staying in Raleigh this Labor Day weekend? Stop by Staying in Raleigh this Labor Day weekend? Stop by client @vitaviteraleigh for good snacks and great wine!🍷 Both locations are open normal hours Friday-Sunday and closed on Monday.
You never know who might be hanging out at The Cla You never know who might be hanging out at The Clairemont House. Thanks to @yellowdogcreative for helping save this buddy. Notice that we speak lizard. Or skink. Or gecko or whatever he is. Or maybe it’s the extra caffeine before our client presentation.
Yep, our town is pretty cool. #raleigh Yep, our town is pretty cool. #raleigh
Who wants to have a Friday afternoon porch meeting Who wants to have a Friday afternoon porch meeting?
Congrats to our new neighbor on Bloodworth Street Congrats to our new neighbor on Bloodworth Street South @raleighwineshop ! @blah2voila was there today representing Clairemont at the grand opening festivities and enjoying the @grandchamphospitality sandwich pop up. Yum! 🍷🥪
It’s National Volunteer Month, and volunteers ar It’s National Volunteer Month, and volunteers are needed more than ever! Many organizations with scarce resources rely on volunteers and would not exist without them. Visit our recent blog post to read about the organizations Clairemont has supported and how you can make a difference in your community!
Authenticity is trending, and research shows that Authenticity is trending, and research shows that consumers are 2.4 times more likely to view user-generated content as authentic. Read our recent blog post to learn about UGC, how it can benefit your brand and how to use it in your marketing strategy.
From social values to behavior patterns, COVID-19 From social values to behavior patterns, COVID-19 has left an impact on every sector of life, including marketing. Read our blog on marketing in a post-COVID world to learn how things have changed and how that should impact your business strategy.
We are so excited to share that Clairemont earned We are so excited to share that Clairemont earned eight awards, five gold🥇and three silver🥈, at this year's Sir Walter Raleigh Awards hosted by the Raleigh Public Relations Society!🎉 We are beyond grateful to work with so many amazing partners, clients and industry friends!
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