Tag: North Carolina

A New Chapter

Clairemont InternBlog, Marketing, The Clairemont Team, , , , , , , ,

Last summer, after months of confinement, isolation, and Zoom frustrations, I hit that dark day. Disconnected and despondent, I was uncertain of the world’s future and my own. 

But then, a social media post took me to an unlikely place: the banks of the Seine, where I watched models float by on a barge while dressed in Balmain’s latest fashion line. I couldn’t stop smiling. Watching clips of the event on repeat, I realized the exhibition was a bold celebration in the face of last year’s adversity. “Balmain Sur Seine” was more than a publicity stunt powered by a social media campaign: it was joy and hope.

The moment captures so much of what I envision for my career as an advertising creative. A career I hope to launch with the MSc in Fashion, Design and Luxury Management program at the Grenoble École de Management in Paris, France. Hosting the fashion show on the water was innovative and beautiful, but the exhibition was also the first to be streamed on the social media platform TikTok. It was a groundbreaking venture in new media and connectivity –– connectivity that moves beyond physical borders and the limitations of a pandemic to reach global audiences. 

As new media continues to integrate perspectives from around the world, a multicultural learning environment is crucial. To create innovative campaigns like “Balmain Sur Seine,” I must leave the United States’ social bubble and cross new borders myself. This program will provide me with that multicultural integration along with the solid foundation of industry skills and professional experience that I need. 

I’ve always been intrigued by how words can be leveraged to connect with people. This fascination led me to study media and journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While studying abroad in 2019, I interned for the Paris-based journalism agency Worldcrunch. I translated articles from Le Monde and Les Echos into English, developed social media content and even wrote stories of my own. This experience helped me realize that rather than being a reporter on trends, I want to use storytelling to cultivate brand culture. This epiphany was a revelation of how I envision a meaningful career: one that influences taste and creates tangible impact.

With that fresh perspective, I redirected my career goals to advertising and public relations by exploring courses in marketing and joining Clairemont Communications in Raleigh, NC as a marketing and public relations intern. Over the past ten months, I’ve had the opportunity to work with clients big and small, develop social media strategy, compile coverage reports, attend press events, assemble media lists, pitch news outlets, edit videos, write blog posts and so much more. 

In addition, I’ve gained valuable soft skills in time management, problem-solving, collaboration, effective communication and leadership. I’ve experienced both the joys and challenges of working in PR, which gives me an incredible head start in the marketing world as I embark on my next adventure. I’m forever grateful.

While I have built a solid foundation in media through my studies and professional experiences, I know enough now to realize what I have yet to learn and what I could accomplish by continuing my education. The MSc in Fashion, Design, and Luxury Management program at Grenoble École de Management would supply me with the industry knowledge and marketing fundamentals that I require to continue my career. My dream career is to be an in-house copywriter for a luxury fashion brand. This degree would supply me with the industry knowledge, marketing essentials and cultural immersion that are critical for success in the luxury industry.

Earlier this month, I graduated with distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Media and Journalism. Earning my degree not only marks the end of my time at UNC-Chapel Hill, but it also signals the end of my time as an intern at Clairemont Communications. While I’m excited to start this next chapter, I am sad to leave the Clairemont Team. Through their leadership and guidance, I have grown as both a professional and a person.

From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU. 

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

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Meet Binh, Clairemont Intern

Clairemont InternBlog, Public Relations, Raleigh PR Agency, The Clairemont Team, , , , , , ,

Who’s Binh?

When you search the name “Binh,” you’ll find, when translated from Vietnamese, that it means peaceful. Growing up, I always strived to emulate the meaning of my name. I’ve learned to live simply, so that others around me can simply live — creating a peaceful environment to work and play.

Once upon a time…

I was born in the Land of Enchantment of Albuquerque, New Mexico. I grew up with one entertaining older brother and one snazzy older sister, leaving me to be the baby of the bunch. Because my family is from Vietnam, I know three languages – English, Vietnamese and French.

In a farm far, far away…

Growing up, I participated in any and every activity that I could. I found my passion in acting, singing, gymnastics, dancing, piano and so much more! At age 10, I moved to the Beautiful State of Alabama, where my dad introduced me to the lifestyle of his dreams on a farm. Going into high school, I made many friendships that are still close to my heart.

By senior year of high school, after the process of applying to colleges, I made my final decision to attend Auburn University where I am studying Public Relations.

When they say college is the best four years of your life, they weren’t lying. Auburn has taught me so much, including the importance of hard work, determination and a kind and caring heart. College has challenged me to live outside of my comfort zone and to embrace the unknown.

Now, I have a heart that yearns for traveling. I once took a spontaneous trip to Chicago for a week with no prior plans or itinerary.

In college, I found some new passions in social media, blogging, fashion and traveling. I became a lover of big cities, all things pink, pineapples and kale. I also discovered that I am an ENFP to a T.

My work ethic throughout college has grown. I have become a mature and diligent young woman, who is determined to do her best in everything she sets out to do. However, coming to the end of college, I am expected to know exactly what I am supposed to do with my life. Somewhere along the process of figuring that out, I ended up at Clairemont Communications in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Now, why Raleigh, North Carolina? How in the world did I go from New Mexico to Alabama to North Carolina? And how was I able to land an internship with Clairemont Communications miles away from my home state? Well, the answer is simple and can be summed up with these four words: determination, persistence, connection and relationship.

It may seem like a bold move for me to come to Raleigh, a city I’ve never visited, just for a couple months; however, 18-year-old Binh was not afraid to make that first bold move.

I had the courage to introduce myself to Dana Phelps Hughens, CEO of Clairemont Communications, when I was home in Huntsville, Alabama, at a local Starbucks. Little did I know that she was the CEO, but I was adamant on keeping in contact with her throughout my college career in hopes for a future opportunity with her agency.

I was determined and persistent when it came to reaching out to her because I wanted to maintain that connection and relationship. If there is anything I learned about PR, it is to make as many connections with people as possible and then build those connections into long-lasting relationships.

With that in mind, I did my best to keep Dana updated with my schooling and experiences. Close to the end of my junior year of college, I reached back out to her regarding an internship opportunity. The rest is history.

Now, here I am in the capital of North Carolina, the City of Oaks. I’ve learned that it is good to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. Coming to Raleigh without knowing anything or what will happen will definitely be an adventure that I’ll hold close to my heart. As I continue my journey here at Clairemont Communications, I will strive to make the world a better and more peaceful place.

Written by Binh Nguyen, rising senior at Auburn University.

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What We’ve Learned About Healthy School Lunches from Martha Payne and the Chef Challenge

Josephine ButlerBlog, In Our Community, Public Relations, Raleigh PR Agency, Sustainability, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Chef Greg Hamm of the Natural Chef Culinary Program at Central Carolina Community College shares his creations with the public at Briar Chapel’s Earth Day celebration.

We recently read an article from the News & Observer about 9-year-old Martha Payne, who posted images of “uninspiring school meals” on her blog, Never Seconds. The blog has gotten more than 2 million hits and gained attention of school officials and cafeteria staff. The story has drawn national and international media coverage, and we can’t help think of our client Briar Chapel and partner nonprofit, The Abundance Foundation, and their own stroke of genius: the Chatham County Chef Challenge.

In case you missed it, the Chef Challenge is an annual event that invites local celebrity chefs from well-known area restaurants (this year, we enjoyed working with the Fearrington House Restaurant, Crossroads at Carolina Inn and Central Carolina Community College) to create healthy and delicious school lunches. Each of the chef’s dishes competed head to head with traditional school lunch favorites – think chicken nuggets, pizza and nachos. And believe it or not, the chef’s dishes won! An overwhelming 85 percent of students agreed that the chef’s culinary creations were much tastier than the same-old, less healthy options.

To give you an idea of a dish the kids love, take Chef Colin Bedford of the Fearrington for example. He cooked up a tasty chocolate cake that was actually good for you. Healthy chocolate cake!? While this may sound a little oxymoronic, trust us when we say that Chef Colin snuck in hearty ingredients like spinach and carrots – the kids had no idea!

The goal behind each of the chef’s recipes was that cafeteria staff could easily duplicate it. The chefs held several training days through the school year to teaching team members how to use equipment found in their own kitchens, as well as locally grown ingredients, to recreate each of the dishes. Not only did the kids love the new menu items, but staff members also enjoyed learning something new!

And that’s why we love the story about this 9-year-old making a stand for better school lunches. She’s shedding light on a hot topic that our client Briar Chapel has also embraced. Together, parents and students can become more educated on making healthy school lunch choices, while keeping costs down!

In the meantime, we’re busy gearing up for the Chef Challenge in 2013 and can’t wait to see what the chefs will come up with this year!

P.S. Did you catch Tami Schwerin, executive director of the Abundance Foundation, and Kristy Yule, marketing director of Briar Chapel, on ABC 11? They give a big shout-out to the Chef Challenge!

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