Ciao, Valeria

The Positive Pledge

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 11:13:30 -0500

I pledge to be a positive person and positive influence on my family, friends, co-workers and community.
I promise to be positively contagious and share more smiles, laughter, encouragement and joy with those around me.
I vow to stay positive in the face of negativity.
When I am surrounded by pessimism I will choose optimism.
When I feel fear I will choose faith.
When I want to hate I will choose love.
When I want to be bitter I will choose to get better.
When I experience a challenge I will look for opportunity to learn and grow.
When faced with adversity I will find strength.
When I experience a set-back I will be resilient.
When I meet failure I will fail forward towards future success.
With vision, hope, and faith, I will never give up and will always move forward towards my destiny.
I believe my best days are ahead of me, not behind me.
I believe I’m here for a reason and my purpose is greater than my challenges.
I believe that being positive not only makes me better, it makes everyone around me better.
So today and every day I will be positive and strive to make a positive impact on the world.

♥

You Don't Know Jack About Public Relations

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 08:34:54 -0600

You Don't Know Jack About Public Relations:

It seems whenever I explain to someone I’ve just met socially that I’m a public relations executive, I’m typically asked one of two questions:

“So, what did you think of the Super Bowl commercials?”

…or…

“So, how many politicians do you have in your pocket?”

When I respond by saying I have no more knowledge of advertising than the average Joe or that I detest politics and politicians, the interrogator always responds with a blank stare and asks, “Well, then, what’s public relations?”

-via Inc magazine, 2012

One of the best PR-related articles I’ve read in a long time. Well said, Steve Cody!

Have you, too, been misunderstood? What are some of the most far-fetched assumptions about public relations you have encountered?

There’s nothing more classically “Oscar” than...

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 15:27:56 -0600

There’s nothing more classically “Oscar” than the beautiful Audrey Hepburn, seen in this video, accepting her Oscar for “Roman Holiday”.

My fascination with the Oscars that were is reborn every February during the Oscars red carpet, and yet, my expectations always seem to fall just a little bit short of Audrey (unsurprisingly). That being said, I’ll take the seemingly unreal glamour at least once a year. Cheers to the night’s big winners — in film and on the red carpet!

Be sure to check out LIFE’s compilation of best Oscar photos. The archive gets better and better each year.

Who do you most look forward to seeing tonight?

The Voice: Geoff McBride

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:18:00 -0600

When it comes to the voice, he’s got it, and when it comes to NBC’s “The Voice,” he’s well on his way to showcasing it to the entire world, as part of Team Christina (Aguilera, for all of you hiding under a rock). But long before his powerful blind audition got him a coveted two I Want You’s from the show’s judges (X-Tina and Cee-lo, respectively), Geoff McBride was the voice.

Last year, at First Note Music Hall in beautiful Santa Rosa Beach, Geoff’s voice covered me in goosebumps during his rendition of “Georgia on My Mind.” [Fittingly, Christina’s post-audition feedback to Geoff was, “The very first note you hit blew me away…”] Since, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know Geoff better through his lovely wife Lisa, whose pride and joy for Geoff’s dream-come-true is both touching and inspiring. No doubt Geoff has a powerful can-cover-it-all voice (from country to jazz to the blues, he can belt it out), but it’s the soul that makes him the whole package. At 51, Geoff isn’t some young guy idly chasing fame or fortune; music is part of his family and his family, his life. To Geoff, singing isn’t just about hitting all the notes or releasing great singles; it’s truly about love: for his wife, for his kids, for his art and for his late father, to whom he dedicated his audition on The Voice. Somewhere in Heaven, the senior McBride is smiling and dancing.

Tune in to The Voice tomorrow night on NBC to see what’s next for Geoff. I’m personally so excited to have the opportunity to root him on through a national competition and hope we all have the opportunity to cast our votes for him soon. In the meantime, you can “like” Geoff on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter. And don’t forget to download his first The Voice single, “Higher Ground,” on iTunes.

Will you be watching Geoff on The Voice this season? What other songs would you like to hear him sing?

Yes, yes and yes. I’m so happy to see Taylor Swift step...

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:16:33 -0600

Yes, yes and yes. I’m so happy to see Taylor Swift step outside of her country comfort and use her soft vocal prowess in this kind of song. It’s definitely more musically grown-up and organic — and I like it. Combine it with The Civil Wars Grammy-winning folksy twist, and the song is haunting.

Hold onto this lullaby
Even when the music’s gone…

Not to mention, it’s the first single off of The Hunger Games soundtrack! What a great way to kick off what’s sure to be an award-winning movie franchise. Let the games begin…

This melted my non-Valentine’s Day-celebrating heart....

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:57:53 -0600

This melted my non-Valentine’s Day-celebrating heart. Fellow info-junkies everywhere, rejoice! With this infographic, a new engagement proposal trend is born.

*Photo courtesy of Mashable

Facebook is Using You

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:03:27 -0600

Facebook is Using You:

As someone straddling both sides of the fence (as a Facebook user of 7+ years and as a communications professional), I have a difficult time taking a “side” on this issue. It’s one not going away anytime soon and one which will be looked into in depth time and time again. In this age of an overload of online content, Google, Facebook, Twitter and countless players and aggregators in between, who uses who? And should they?

Article: Lori Andrews, The New York Times, Feb. 4, 2012

VIDEO: Some joyful, some tragic and others inspiring,...

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:34:48 -0600

VIDEO: Some joyful, some tragic and others inspiring, heartbreaking or uplifting, these were some of the pivotal moments that marked 2011, as aggregated by Google Zeitgeist.

Despite pivotal moments in politics, the economy and global relations at large, the list of the 10 fastest-rising global queries on Google provides insight into our generation’s focus on technology, social media, entertainment and “celebrity.” Are your searches reflected on this list?

From a personal perspective, as I look back on 2011, it has been a year marked with invaluable learning experiences and opportunities, change, emotional growth, friendship, love and progress. It was also a year of loss, remembrance and gratitude.

We made it.

What did 2011 mean to you?

Who would’ve thought little Saint Nick would have plenty...

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:34:10 -0600

Who would’ve thought little Saint Nick would have plenty of sound public relations advice stashed in that big ol’ red bag of his? Turns out, public relations practitioners have quite a few lessons to learn from Santa Claus - six, in fact! - according to this entertaining and poignant piece by Joe Vasquez, posted on Ragan’s PR Daily.

While I have always been a fan of Santa, his penchant for closely following the “ROPE” model of public relations and for even including the stewardship “S” to it (for good measure) makes me giddy. Fellow enthusiastic PR pros (read: nerds), rejoice; ’tis the season of good PR! With these Santa-proof lessons, you’ll be feeling jolly well into the New Year:

1. Make a list, and check it twice.

2. Plan, prepare and deliver.

3. Share everything.

4. Ho! Ho! Ho!

5. Big rep(utation)

6. Show you care.

*Photo: © Doug Savage 2010, courtesy of Ragan’s PR Daily

Chloë Cahill: Christmas in the City

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 09:18:44 -0600

Just in time for Christmas, my dear childhood friend, Chloë Cahill, has released a delightful five-track album of some of her favorite holiday tunes — all recorded in the style of the one and only Chloë. From “Silent Night,” to “Mary Did You Know,” her voice is flawlessly merry and bright. Without a doubt, “Christmas Song” will have you feeling jolly well into the New Year.

You can download your own digital copy of Christmas in the City, for free, here. Be sure to follow Chloë on Twitter and like her on Facebook for the latest Chloë music news and updates. Learn more about Chloë’s Christmas in the City project here.

Happy listenin’!

If you’ve already downloaded the album, let me know what you think. Which is your favorite song?

An American Thanksgiving

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 07:11:04 -0600

Sure, Thanksgiving has always been American holiday, so what makes this one worthy of a blog post with such a categorical name? I’ve thought about Thanksgiving a lot this year, mostly, I assume, because I’ve been extremely vocal about my gratitude over the past 12 months. There have been so many changes in my life, and every single one has directed me in the right direction. I’d have to be blind to not recognize a larger, more powerful force at play. I’d have to be equally blind to not give thanks.

Today, I will celebrate Thanksgiving with my boyfriend’s family, without him. He will be celebrating it with other Junior Officers from the USS Gravely about 800 miles away. Back home, I will be spending time with his dad, who is getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan for six months with the Air Force, as well as with his mom, who also served in the Air Force, and with his grandfather, a Vietnam veteran.

How’s that for a picture of America?

Though my parents never made casseroles or pies or stuffing for the occasion, they did adopt (and adapt) the tradition to reflect our culture, all while giving thanks for the opportunity to be a part of an American holiday. That gratitude is something they instilled in me from the very beginning: be thankful for where you came from, for where you will go from here, and for all those people in between.

Today, I’m proud to be a part of that American holiday in the company of those who represent the courage, strength, conviction and dedication of the U.S. and of the freedom for which it stands…

I am thankful for family, for friends who are like family, for health, for opportunities, for successes and mistakes, for tradition and culture, for love, for affection, for strength, for faith, and for freedom. It is that freedom that allows me, each day, to live as a realistic dreamer (if there is such a thing), pursuing my goals and living out The American Dream my parents so wanted for my brother and me. If where I stand today can make them proud, if it can inspire others in similar situations, if it can continue to humble me and motivate me as it does each day, what more could I possibly ask for?

For this realization and for this day, I am grateful.

Wherever and with whomever may you be celebrating Thanksgiving today, take the time to truly give thanks — particularly for all those things we so often and so easily take for granted. May your tables and your hearts be bountiful, today and always.

What are you most thankful for?

ValeriaNombre Femenino de origen Latín.Del latín sano,...

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:40:10 -0600

Valeria
Nombre Femenino de origen Latín.
Del latín sano, fuerte.

Naturaleza emotiva y coincidente. Se expresa por medio de lo ideal, lo genial y lo causal. Ama la experiencia, el saber y la evidencia. Le gusta sentirse retribuido.

Naturaleza Expresiva:
Es adaptable. Se expresa airosamente en cualquier nivel. Gentil, vivaz y amigable. Ama lo que está más allá de la superficie de los seres y de las cosas.

(art/copy, courtesy of Emociones)

When I interviewed him in August for an editorial assignment...

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 12:12:00 -0600

First Note Stage

Myers Brothers Band

Geoff McBride

Kaci Bolls

Personalized Table Message

First Note in Coastal Lifestyle Mag

First Note in Coastal Lifestyle Mag

When I interviewed him in August for an editorial assignment with Coastal Lifestyle Magazine, Tommy Jackson had me, quite fittingly, at first note. As the sole proprietor of what has become a warmly welcomed new neighbor along Scenic Highway 30A, Tommy is passionate, to say the least. That’s because First Note Music Hall is truly inspiring, offering guests with a unique musical experience.

“The way in which we consume music has changed. We listen to music on our iPods. We’re constantly shuffling songs. I thought, ‘wouldn’t it be cool if our stage rotated like that, all in the same night?’ I don’t know of any other place in the country offering that.”

Yesterday evening, I had the opportunity to attend my first show at First Note. Beyond feeling as though I personally know Tommy, thanks to having had the opportunity to get to know the story behind First Note, I felt an instant connection to the intimate and contemporary venue located within Redfish Village. My friends and I sat to the right of the stage on a high-top that included a personalized, hand-written welcome message. As I looked around, I realized all of the venue’s tables had been personalized, immediately hitting a note with me. A personal touch to the music experience? Yes, please!

After socializing for a little bit, ordering a glass of Malbec from a rather extensive drink menu, and deciding on some yummy made-to-share appetizers, the lights dimmed and we were welcomed by Kaci Bolls, a singer-songwriter from Nashville who served as our MC and as one of the featured artists of the evening. Talk about a triple threat. As she presented the Myers Brothers Band, from Texas, I did not know what to expect, but as Jake and Jared opened up their set, they, too, had me at first note. Think Robin Thicke meets Gavin DeGraw. Listen to their“Never Quite This Way” album and let me know what you think.

Enter Geoff McBride, a soulful Santa Rosa Beach resident influenced by the likes of James Taylor and Aretha Franklin. Think only Ray Charles could cover Ray Charles? Think again. Geoff’s rendition of “Georgia on My Mind” covered me in goose bumps. From country to jazz to the blues, he has one powerful can-cover-it-all voice.

Kaci Bolls then took the stage again, this time as the Nashville-based artist that has worked with The Henningsens and CMA-winners extraordinaire The Band Perry, among others. No big deal. One of her original songs (titled “This Kind of Perfect”) is anticipated to make the cut on the Perry siblings’ sophomore album. After listening to Kaci sing it, I not only hope it makes the cut but that it lands on the radio as a single. With her beautiful vocals, depth of range and unique blend of Jewel-meets- Allison-Krauss-meets-spunky-red-headed-girl-from-Kentucky, Kaci made me a fan last night, particularly after the enchanting “Underdogs;” not to mention, she can rap! I challenge you to keep “Walmart Girl” out of your head for the next couple of hours. Then go out and buy her new album, “Underdogs and Paper Tigers,” now available.

The night’s bonus features included two dynamic duos. Sam & Ruby (Sam Brooker and Ruby Amanfu) from Nashville provided a beautiful blend of R&B, folk and pop. Their unique sound hasn’t gone by unrecognized. Joined by fellow independent artists from Nashville (“The Collective”), the duo made it to the Top 10 on this season of NBC’s The Sing Off with Nick Lachey. Tune in to NBC on November 28 and December 5 to see them perform. As if that weren’t enough, one of the duo’s original songs appeared on “The Secret Life of Bees” soundtrack. Their album, “The Here and Now,” is available on iTunes. Pop-Electro/Rock duo, The Vinyl Pinups (Brennan Aerts & Khara Lord), closed out the night on a high-energy note, complete with electric guitars, leather, and cherry lipstick. I still have “Hey, Hey You” in my head and “Don’t Call It Love” seemed to do well with the crowd, which rose to their feet, dancing and applauding as the evening came to an end.

The overall result? An intimate connection among the artists, the music, and the audience – not to mention, the opportunity to discover new artists and sounds in an unpretentious setting that highlights solely what’s important: the music and the company in which it’s enjoyed.

Without a doubt, the First Note experience has offered a fresh approach to live performances in a community that has long been a hotbed for musical artistry. And the general public, made up of locals and visitors alike, has taken a notable liking to the concept, having helped the venue sell out all of its 140 seats since kicking off a summer series in July. If First Note’s first few months have been any indication, it has hit all the right notes in the South Walton music scene.

For more information on First Note Music Call, visit www.FirstNoteMusicHall.com or call 850-622-0221. Advanced ticket ($15) purchase is strongly recommended. Pick up the October/November issue of Coastal Lifestyle Magazine to read my interview with Tommy Jackson and learn more about the story behind First Note.

Why the heck do [you] hate Tim Tebow?

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:34:11 -0600

“Tebow is just a guy with the good sense to say thanks. Instead of taking his cue, we mock his faith.

And that says more about us, none of it good.”

The action now known as “Tebowing” has become a viral sensation and the object of ridicule — but why? FOX Sports Columnist, Jen Engel, provides a well-written argument against the mockery aimed at Gator superstar (and Broncos newbie), Tim Tebow.

Read the full article here.

*I’m a proud graduate of the University of Florida (BS ‘07) and had the immense honor of cheering on Tebow and co. at The Swamp during some of our winningest seasons. Go Gators!

Earth: Seven Billion and Counting...

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 17:55:08 -0500

According to the United Nations (via ABC News), Earth’s 7-billionth person will be welcomed to our planet tomorrow, Monday 10/31, merely 24 hours before the mark of my 27th year on earth. Calculations indicate Number 7,000,000,000 will likely be born in India, which isn’t surprising, considering the country welcomes a newborn nearly every second and is expected to surpass China’s population in 14 years.

Needless to say, the earth’s population is growing at an exponential pace. To put it in perspective:

… in a mere decade, scientists said we’ll be preparing to welcome the 8 billionth person into the world.

Crazy, eh?

Thanks to this super neat-o calculator, courtesy of BBC News, I’ve learned that

When I was born, I was the 4,806,763,941st person alive on Earth and the 79,600,146,309th person to have lived since history began.

As we await the birth of Earth’s 7-billionth baby, give it a try: what number were you?

53 Signs You Work in Public Relations

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:09:06 -0500

I smiled. I laughed. I cried. And then, I laughed some more. That’s because every public relations practitioner - particularly those whom have been on both the agency and client sides - should be able to relate to these 53 well-crafted “signs,” as aggregated by Ragan’s PR Daily. Some of my faves?

#3. Inside jokes with your colleagues will get you through the day—especially the insanely stressful ones.

11. You proudly put “PR pro” in your Twitter bio, knowing it’s the one place you don’t have to explain your job.

17. After your coffee, you spend 20 minutes deleting Google Alerts of clients, competitors, and everything in between.

It’s no mystery that we work in a rather misunderstood industry. Why with the implications that public relations professionals are publicity-focused, dishonest, manipulative, flashy, and/or corporate puppets, it’s a surprise so many of us stay this passionately committed to our profession. I’m immensely proud of it and convinced the C-Suite would not know what to do without the capital C that is Communications.

It’s a shame so many “spin doctors,” “celebutantes,” and general abusers of PR lingo have given us a questionable reputation. This post and this hilarious list (thank you, Ragan!) is dedicated to my fellow public relationists who still believe in the fundamentals of our profession, who reference the ROPE model, who view PR as a critical business function, who understand the PR/journalist relationship (and respect it!), who can identify the differences between goals and objectives, and strategies and tactics, and who take what we do seriously, ethically and passionately. This one’s for you! You with me?

What signs do you most identify with?

“They that love beyond the world cannot be separated by...

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 12:15:56 -0500

“They that love beyond the world
cannot be separated by it.
Death cannot kill what never dies.”
— William Penn

I saw this photo for the first time today as a post on Facebook. I find it to be a beautiful testament to love, sacrifice and courage, and something of which we all need to be reminded. Live, laugh, and most importantly, love with all you have.

The night before the burial of her husband 2nd Lt. James Cathey of the United States Marine Corps, killed in Iraq, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of “Cat”, and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept.

“I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it” she said.
“I think that’s what he would have wanted”.

"Waking Up Full of Awesome"

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 18:12:06 -0500

“There was a time when you were five years old,
and you woke up full of awesome.
You knew you were awesome.

You loved yourself.
You thought you were beautiful,
even with missing teeth and messy hair and mismatched socks inside your grubby sneakers.

You loved your body, and the things it could do.
You thought you were strong.
You knew you were smart.

Do you still have it?
The awesome.

Did someone take it from you? Did you let them?
Did you hand it over, because someone told you weren’t beautiful enough, thin enough, smart enough, good enough?
Did you consider they might be full of shit?
Why the hell would you listen to them?

Wouldn’t that be nuts, to tell my little girl below that in another five or ten years she might hate herself because she doesn’t look like a starving and Photoshopped fashion model?
Or even more bizarre, that she should be sexy over smart, beautiful over bold?
Are you freaking kidding me?

Look at her. She is full of awesome.
You were, once. Maybe you still are. Maybe you are in the process of getting it back.

All I know is that if you aren’t waking up feeling like this about yourself, you are really missing out.”

*Thoughts courtesy of Melissa, PigTailPals.com :) A big thanks to my dear friend, Stacey, for sharing it with me.

*Photo: my own, Valeria at age 4 (?), Buenos Aires, Argentina

“Henceforth I whimper no more,postpone no more, need...

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 12:38:23 -0500

“Henceforth I whimper no more,
postpone no more, need nothing,
Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms,
Strong and content I travel the open road.”
- Walt Whitman

*Photo: my own, crossing the finish line - The 3-Day Walk, ATL, October 2008

In 2008, I had the immense pleasure of completing the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure in Atlanta, in the company of Edelman colleagues from around the country. I walked 60 miles and raised $2,627.25 for the fight against breast cancer, one I’ve strongly supported since 2001, upon my aunt’s diagnosis. She passed away in late 2002, primarily due to late detection.

The importance of screenings and research had never hit me harder. Today, just a week after losing my great-aunt to cancer (which began with a tumor in her breasts), I continue to stress that importance. A cure is out there. It is up to us to help find it. As we begin the second week of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let us rally around the cause. Let us honor those who have lost their battle and celebrate the lives of those who have survived it.

Learn more about how you can help here. There is even a month-long calendar of “Pink Action” in which you can participate. How will you be commemorating the month in pink?

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t...

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:50:27 -0500

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.” -Steve Jobs

…and something wonderful, he did. His vision revolutionized technology, and undoubtedly, communication. He created a brand, but most importantly, he defined a generation. Sure, I own an iPhone and a iPod, work on an iPad, love Pixar movies, and use iTunes on a regular basis, but I recognize that Steve Jobs’s impact on the industry (and quite honestly, on our way of life) is far more intangible than that.

His was a life marked by hard work, diligence, commitment, and sheer genius, which is sure to live on for generations to come. His loss to cancer is another reminder that we must truly live before we die, as Steve Jobs so beautifully put it at his Stanford University commencement speech in 2005 (video), a year after first being diagnosed.