Blog

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

A Side of Literature With Your Burrito?

By Kris Travis | May 19, 2014

Food for thought: had lunch at Chipotle, lately? Apparently you’ve got some reading material to digest along with your chips and salsa. The fast food chain has introduced the Chipotle Cultivating Thought series, a project that, as Chipotle states, aims to present “the words and whimsy of thought-leaders, authors and comedians through unique, you’ll-only-find-them-here essays, each […]

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#StealthyFreedom for Iranian Women

By Ann Smith | May 14, 2014

Facebook is full of clutter, most of it noisy opinions and chatty gossip but then something comes along that matters. Women in Iran are taking to social media to peacefully defy the hijab law in Iran, posting photos of themselves hijab-less for a brief moment out in public. At the beach, in the countryside, in […]

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Does Beginner's Luck Exist in Public Relations?

By Ann Smith | May 8, 2014

I came across an article about beginner’s luck, and whether or not it exists in public relations. I think many businesses have had a streak of beginner’s luck with favorable results – but while results may be high right out of the gate, it may actually work against you too. Here is a prime example […]

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The NFL Draft: A Powerful Marketing Machine

By Ann Smith | May 8, 2014

Lessons in PR and marketing from the NFL draft We can all learn something about PR and marketing from the NFL draft. Johnny Manziel’s team includes a PR firm, and as Rick Burton, a professor of sport management at Syracuse University, told the Dallas Morning News, “He’s built a brand for himself as Johnny Football. He […]

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A note to POM

By Ann Smith | May 8, 2014

To the PR team at POM, Your letter is absolute perfection.  I bow down to you. Bravo, Ann  

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First Impressions

By Kris Travis | May 1, 2014

Look into creative business card designs What does your business card look like? Is it memorable? Interactive? I’m sad to say that even as a designer, my business card is pretty boring compared to these creative examples. DeMilked pulled together “30 of the Most Creative Business Card Designs” (full post here) and they’re a mix of […]

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Twitter says World Cup 2014 Logo Looks Like a ‘Facepalm’

By Mary Gorretta | Apr 30, 2014

Like many around the world, I am looking forward to the World Cup, which is set to take place throughout Brazil in less than two months. However, there have been rumors that Brazil will not be ready in time for such a big event including reports that the stadium in San Paolo, which is slated […]

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Inc. magazine recognizes Voodoo Doughnut as one of "Most Audacious Companies"

By Ann Smith | Apr 28, 2014

Great piece in Inc. on Voodoo Doughnut about how the company has earned its spot in history through outrageous doughnuts, word-of-mouth marketing, quirky weddings, and a record label. Love to see Portland businesses making national news!

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AP is at it Again! Time to Spell Out State Names

By Ann Smith | Apr 26, 2014

For the second time in a month’s span, AP has changed the rules in writing. Effective May 1, the AP will spell out state names in the body of stories. Currently, most state names are abbreviated in stories. The change is being made to be consistent in style for domestic and international stories, as international stories traditionally […]

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Extreme crowdsourcing: These parents let the internet name their daughter

By Kelda Rericha | Apr 23, 2014

In the same spirit of Lay’s Do Us A Flavor contest in which consumers submit and vote for the newest potato chip flavor — Did you know four million people cared enough to submit chip flavors last year?! — expectant dad Stephen McLaughlin created the website NameMyDaughter.com and asked strangers over the internet to name […]

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