Blog

Join us in conversation on the topics we believe matter...to our industry, our city and our society.

Happy International Women’s Day from A.wordsmith!

By Addy Torian | Mar 8, 2018

In honor of International Women’s Day, we each took some time to reflect on the women who inspire us. Although there are countless women to celebrate, we narrowed it down to a handful of extraordinary, tenacious and fearless women who have each changed the game in their own way.   Ann: Dolly Parton A trailblazer, […]

Read More

3 Ways to Boost Your Blog in 2018

By Natalie O'Grady | Feb 20, 2018

As Facebook and other platforms crack down on clickbait and fake news, creating valuable original content will be more important than ever. For companies of any size, a blog is one of the easiest ways to create and share that original content. The first part of the year is also a perfect opportunity to give […]

Read More

Happy Valentine’s Day!

By Savanna Frimoth | Feb 16, 2018

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re sharing our ideal dates in and around Portland. Whether you’re treating yourself or spending time with your special person, there’s something on this list for everyone! Ann: Nostrana My husband and I had our very first date on February 13 – the thought of it being actually on Valentine’s […]

Read More

January “Like a Boss” Coffee Chat Rewind: The Power of Giving Back

By Ann Smith | Feb 16, 2018

At our most recent “Like a Boss” Coffee Chat we had a great morning talking, learning and sharing about what it means to do good and give back. On our panel were Amy Weeden, co-founder and managing partner at Propeller; Doug Whyte, executive director at the Hollywood Theatre; Suzanne Nance, chief executive officer and on-air […]

Read More

From Pusher to Publisher: Three Online Brand Newsrooms Doing it Well

By Kelda Rericha | Dec 21, 2017

A press release doesn’t get a brand very far anymore. Newsrooms are taxed. Reporters are swamped. And quite simply, we’re all more drawn to an image or video than a long-form corporate release. Seventy-eight percent of CMOs now say that custom content is the future of marketing. In turn, many have started to build in-house […]

Read More

Media Relations: Interview Tips

By Lisa Lavora-De Beule | Nov 30, 2017

You’ve got your media interview date set. Great! Now what? The following are a few pointers to keep in mind before and during the interview. Before the interview: Take the time to prepare – As the saying goes, “Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” Before the interview takes place, do the necessary prep work. Familiarize […]

Read More

Trade Media: Making a Bigger Impact

By Hailey Rae Swalley | Oct 30, 2017

While trade media outreach sometimes takes a backseat to national media, it may be time to reconsider its role in your PR efforts. Why? It can be an invaluable part of your PR program, reaching niche audiences that can have a bigger impact on your business goals and establishing you as a leader in your […]

Read More

Leaders, according to me

By Ann Smith | Oct 19, 2017

What is a leader?  It’s a question I think about often. I think about the people who surround me that I consider to be leaders. I think about the state of the country and the world and the people who we call leaders because of their titles, but maybe little else. I think of everyday […]

Read More

Sustainable Brand Design

By Kris Travis | Sep 29, 2017

Environmental concerns are increasingly top of mind for companies across the globe. And rightly so–global warming, growing populations, and shrinking resources mean environmental responsibility must become a priority for huge brands, especially those that are consumer-based. As long as people buy things, there will be resources used and waste produced. But there are many ways […]

Read More

Listen to these Podcasts for New Marketing and PR Ideas

By Hailey Rae Swalley | Sep 26, 2017

More than 67 million Americans now listen to a podcast monthly, up 14 percent over last year. For those that commute or lead busy lives (who doesn’t these days?), podcasts are an excellent tool to learn about a new topic, become immersed in a story or simply keep track of the day’s news. Here’s a […]

Read More