A.wordsmith | Portland PR & Communications

Grant Leaves Grammys Early–A Media Sin?

By Ann Smith | Jan 30, 2014

Christian music star Natalie Grant caused a media stir Sunday night when she left the Grammys early. Grant never cited the particular reason she left on, but media outlets were keen to guess. Many suspected it had to do with several risqué performances including Jay-Z and Beyonce’s sexy “Drunk in Love” duet, and Katy Perry’s “satanic” […]

Social Media Done Right, Super Bowl Edition

By Ann Smith | Jan 30, 2014

With the Super Bowl just days away, I think it’s safe to say football is on the minds of many people – especially those in Seattle and Denver. For me, this year is a tough pick. As a Washingtonian, I consider the Seahawks my home team. But I have a deep, deep love for Peyton […]

Why Everyone is Talking About Richard Sherman

By Ann Smith | Jan 20, 2014

You may care little about football or you may have watched last night’s game with bated breath. Either way, there’s a pretty good chance that by now you’ve seen or heard reference to Richard Sherman’s post-game interview. See it here. It’s intense. The media reaction has been split between condemnation for his unsportsman-like conduct and dismissal […]

Wrestling With Your Writing

By Ann Smith | Jan 18, 2014

Interviewer: How much rewriting do you do? Hemingway: It depends. I rewrote the ending of Farewell to Arms, the last page of it, 39 times before I was satisfied. Interviewer: Was there some technical problem there? What was it that had stumped you? Hemingway: Getting the words right. – Ernest Hemingway, The Paris Review Interview, […]

Learning from the Elite: Acceptance Speeches at the Golden Globes

By Ann Smith | Jan 14, 2014

Last night’s Golden Globes was not just about fashion, A-list celebrities (hello Matt Damon!) or box office hits. This year’s show was a communications lesson in acceptance speeches at the Golden Globes. It was also a reality check for the masses – to know that even those in the spotlight are not perfect public speakers. […]

Happy Word Nerd Day!

By Ann Smith | Jan 9, 2014

Today is National Word Nerd Day (although some feel strongly that it was yesterday…who are we to judge?). We are celebrating with our friends (and clients) at the American Copy Editors Society (ACES). Check out the great guest articles by ACES Board member Karen Martwick in PRNewser and ragan.com. Now go unleash your inner word […]

The Growth of Social Media in 2013

By Ann Smith | Dec 18, 2013

Social media continues to make leaps and bounds in how we communicate with one another. This is crucial to the world of public relations, as it is one of the leading avenues used to reach target audiences. 2013 was the year Twitter made it onto the stock exchange, Vine launches and Snapchat continued to break […]

Ouvroir de Littérature Potentielle

By Ann Smith | Dec 16, 2013

More than writer’s block, what plagues me the most in writing is when I can feel my language getting stale. When my sentences aren’t popping like they should, my syntax is weak, and something just feels off. In creative fields like public relations, when the original and effective arrangement of words is vital to conveying […]

A Christmas (and PR) Miracle

By Ann Smith | Dec 12, 2013

WestJet made Christmas dreams come true Oh Wow. Incredible idea. Brilliant PR move. WestJet shared a full serving of Christmas joy and happiness to customers, and the results will make any heart grow three sizes. Take the 5 minutes to watch this Christmas (and PR) miracle – it will inspire you to believe that miracles […]

Six Tips for Social Media in 2014

By Ann Smith | Dec 10, 2013

In the interest of year-end list-making, let’s talk social for a second. It’s not going anywhere. Whether or not you’re avidly updating and tweeting in your off-time, social media is an established tool in the marketing and communications field. So how is your company using it? Consider these options and best practices as you embrace […]

The End of Dave's Killer Bread as We Know It?

By Ann Smith | Nov 19, 2013

If you live in the Northwest and you aren’t on the gluten-free bandwagon, you’ve probably tried (and loved) Dave’s Killer Bread. GMO-free, organic, vegan and made with whole grains, it boasts everything that health-conscious Oregonians could ask for. Beyond tasty bread, the company’s message centers on the feel-good story of an ex-con that cleaned up […]

Suck a Lemon, Lululemon

By Ann Smith | Nov 8, 2013

Lululemon has gone sour. OH MY GOODNESS. This is so bad, it’s downright laughable. Chip Wilson of Lululemon Athletica fame – those are shout outs to you. You should probably keep your hateful, judgmental mouth shut. And in the meantime, have fun with the PR firestorm you managed to create. I think it’s about time for one […]