#Toronto Tuesday: How To Make The Best Of What’s Left Of Your Summer
Labour Day is around the corner, which means two things: the September issue of Vogue and… the end of summer. Before tears of mourning start to flow down your cheeks, we thought we’d compile a list of both indoor and outdoor activities for you, so you can make the most of what’s left of your summer in Toronto.
Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Paddle boarding is an amazing way to get out on the water while strengthening your core. Explore Toronto’s waterfront by visiting one of these paddle board rental locations: West | Downtown | East
Watch a Show
Check out Soulpepper Theatre for a memorable evening out on the town. On stage this month are The Crucible, Glenn, A Tender Thing and the classic Tartuffe (Moliere). Click to view their Calendar.
Have a Picnic
We are blessed with so many beautiful green spaces in Toronto! Pack up a bag with sandwiches, salads, cookies and chips (and maybe a stealth bottle of wine). Bring along a book, a ball and some speakers to ensure you’ll be the most popular picnicker around! Some great spots to check out include High Park, Trinity Bellwoods and Bluffers Park.
Indoor Rock Climbing
Don’t let a little rain stop you from being active. Indoor rock climbing is a great way to channel your inner spiderman and get a killer workout at the same time. Joe Rockhead’s on King West is the perfect place to go for a lesson!
CNE
“Lets go to the EX!”
For anyone who grew up in the city, the CNE was a highlight of the summer (even if it meant back to school). Gather some friends and let your inner kid run wild – eat a fried mars bar, spin around until you’re about to be sick, or win a (over-priced and hideous) stuffed animal for your sweetie. The CNE is filled with clichés, but that’s why we love it.
VIP Movie Night
If you haven’t checked out the VIP theatre at Cineplex Odeon, a rainy summer night is the perfect time to go. With big comfy chairs, beer and wine list and in-seat service you will never go back to watching a movie the pedestrian-style again!
Take a Road Trip
It doesn’t have to be far, but getting out of the city for a few days or even a few hours is a great way to make the most of summer. Head out to the Niagara Region for wine and yummy local produce, see a Shakespearean play in Stratford, drive through Mennonite country in St. Jacobs or hike the Bruce trail. With so much around our great city, it’s so easy to get away and rejuvenate without making a long and costly trip.
Taste Of The Danforth
Nothing screams summer quite like a Toronto street festival. Be sure to head out to the Taste of the Danforth from August 8th to 10th! Located in greek town, Taste Of The Danforth will be showcasing the best Hellenic food, culture and performances this city has to offer. With this year being the 2oth anniversary, it’s surely one you won’t want to miss.
The Second City
Forget that summer is coming to an end with a good laugh at The Second City. After the show, hit up a swanky bar for a delicious cocktail on a patio.
Pool Party
This summer is all about the swanky pool party; between Musik, Cabana Pool Bar and The Thompson Hotel there are plenty of opportunities to throw on a bathing suit and sunbathe like a Hollywood celeb. Grab a sun hat and some tanning oil and schmooze like a model – you’ll thank us mid-January when the thought of laying pool side seems like a mythological fantasy.
Have other ideas to add to this list? Share them in the comments below!
Mark Zuckerberg vs. The Average 30-Year-Old
In 2004, as a Harvard student, Mark Zuckerberg helped launch social networking site, Facebook, out of his dorm room.
It is obvious that the now 30 year-old creator hasn’t led an average life. Spending time running a multi-billion dollar company while acquiring a range of other businesses is not the usual pastime of a college drop-out. If you are wondering just how this billionaire stacks up against your average young professional, take a look at this infographic from Mashable and see what sets Zuckerberg apart from the rest.
Film Friday: The Trivago Guy
It’s no secret that creating a successful PR campaign hinges on audiences developing an emotional rapport with your product or idea, making them feel invested in your cause. Hotel research engine Trivago, has done just that with their new commercial featuring Tim Williams, better known as the Trivago Guy.
The unkempt middle-aged man, complete with 2-day stubble and ill fitting clothes, is not the traditional spokesperson for an international, multi-million dollar company. While public perception of the new frontman has been concerning, we have to think that this bold move will definitely pay off. Equipped with his own fake Twitter account (that has over 700 followers), the Trivago guy has drawn enough attention that The Globe and Mail, AskMen and countless other bloggers are commenting on his questionable appearance.
So, what makes this work? Do audiences find him relatable? Could it be that his “ruggedness” is oddly attractive? Whatever it is, we think the disheveled, belt-less Tim Williams, was a brilliant move.
Check him out for yourself and tell us what you think in the comments below!
Four Ways Media Outreach Is Like Online Dating
If you’re single in today’s world, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll try your luck with online dating at some point or another. With some of our staff having experience in the POF/Match.com/Tinder world, we found ourselves revelling in the fact that online dating is not so different than building a relationship with a media contact. Yes, it may sound crazy.. but hear us out!
Let’s count the four similarities together, shall we?
1. Investigating Their Profile
When seeking out the perfect mate online, most tend to be pretty analytical of the copy and photos that appear in their prospective mate’s profile. In PR, we’re constantly seeking out media contacts (dare we say potential “media mates”?) who would find value in learning about our clients. PR pros perform extensive research to obtain background information on their “media mate”, understanding what types of beats they cover, past work, what they talk about on social media and any other relevant interests that might be publicly available. This information is vital in moving on to the next step — which brings us to…
2. Sending The First Message
The first message is crucial in online dating — you don’t want to be one of those boring “hey” people, and “your cute” doesn’t really impress anyone (mainly because the misuse of “you’re” is a turn off, but also because ugh). Effort has to be put in to your first communication with a prospective “mate” — for example, incorporating their interests as talking points in your first message. The same goes for reaching out to your “media mate”. The first message (read: pitch) should take into consideration all the profile investigation you’ve done, making sure that the person you’re writing to will not only appreciate you sharing client information, but also will know that you’ve done your research and genuinely have an interest in their work.
3. Going On The First Date
Between the outfit, planning what you’re going to say and general nervousness, a first date can be a lot to handle. Not only that, but if this initial meeting doesn’t go well, your future with your potential “mate” could be lost forever (sorry, it’s true). On the PR side of things, after your pitch (first message) has secured interest from media, there’s a good chance you’ll be going on that first date — whether it be a phone conversation, in-studio or perhaps for a desk side appointment. This time is crucial in building a strong relationship. Making sure you have talking points, relevant visuals for your contact’s use, and (yes) a put together appearance are important factors when heading on your first media date.
4. The Follow Up
After a date goes well, it’s natural to want to send that follow up text, or (gasp!) call your potential mate. Perhaps you want to schedule your next date, or just want to say what a lovely time you had. The same procedure applies after you secure a placement for one of your clients in media. Sending a note of thanks and letting your contact know what you thought of the piece is an important part of continuing your relationship. Please and thank you can go a long way, but we’re sure your Mom and Dad taught you that years ago.
Can you think of any other ways online dating parallels working in PR? Share them in the comments below!
Top 10 #PRTips Of The Week: July 30th, 2014
Here are our Top 10 PR Pro Tips for this week, selected from Twitter. Remember to submit your own PR pro tip using the hashtag #PRTip or #PRTips. Your tweet could be featured here next week!
Enhance your brand image, applies to personal brand, too! http://t.co/8uwxGCdXMR #prtips
— Dustin Jones (@hookmagic) July 28, 2014
“If you can’t write your message in a sentence, you can’t say it in an hour.” – Dianna Booher #PRTips
— Compass PR (@CompassPR_Mex) July 28, 2014
Find story ideas in the course of your daily routine. Keep a notebook handy. You’ll be surprised at what you find. #PRTips
— Cyndy Hoenig (@CyndyHoenig) July 27, 2014
Apparently, retweeting everything @kellycutrone says does not make you a #prgirl… http://t.co/8elBLnCKRx // #PR101 #PRtips
— Relevé PR (@relevebyallyn) July 28, 2014
Customize your #social strategy by platform to get better results #socialtips http://t.co/4sviWdYSj7
— Springboard PR (@PRtips) July 28, 2014
Simplicity is key for interview success! Make short, simple and specific statements — think in 10-sec sound bites. #prtips
— smitten creative (@smittencreative) July 28, 2014
Ensure you have strong images ready for any press enquiries. #PRtip
— Get In The Press (@Getinthepress) July 25, 2014
#PRtip: Always engage with your key markets through all channels, personal & social. #PR #PublicRelations
— Forte PR (@FortePR_LV) July 28, 2014
#PRTip: PR is constantly changing. Thus, it’s important to be on top of changes w/in the field so you can best serve your client or company.
— See.Spark.Go (@seesparkgo) July 27, 2014
PRTip: Remember these two parts when creating brand tags & statements — organizational values and the way you fulfill them.
— Public Good PR (@PublicGoodPR) July 24, 2014
How’d You End Up Here? : The PR Quiz (Inspired by Cosmo)
One of the most exciting parts of working in PR is the opportunity to constantly meet new people. When striking up conversation, there’s often one topic that seems to perk everyone’s interest: “how’d you end up where you are today?” Everyone has a different approach for obtaining their “dream job”, so we thought it would be worthwhile to reach out to a few friends of EDPR in hopes that they would share their stories. Inspired by the quizzes found in Cosmo Magazine, we created a questionnaire to gain some insight.
This week’s story comes from a recent fundraising management school graduate working in PR.
What You Never Knew About Documents [INFOGRAPHIC]
Going paperless is a business and lifestyle trend that peaked a few years back, however not everyone is on board with this environmental movement. Though it’s reported that in the U.S. alone, over 100 billion business emails are sent daily, we still rely heavily on paper documents. With 70% of business’s failing within 3 weeks if they suffered a catastrophic loss in paper-based records and the amount of paper files doubling over 3.5 years, we wonder how long it will take for companies to go completely electronic.
Based on the infographic from ContentVerse the environmental and economical benefits of going paperless are clear, so why are some companies so hesitant to make the switch?
Film Friday: The Union Pearson Express
**UPDATE: UP Express has since removed their video from YouTube**
If you live in Toronto it won’t be surprising to hear that city was ranked second for having the worst traffic in the country. Traffic congestion has become a hot topic in Toronto politics, often creating feelings of mixed emotions for city residents. Provincial government agency Metrolinx, is responsible for the transformation of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area transportation services.
On Tuesday, Metrolinx released a promotional video for the Union Pearson Express train that’s expected to be completed in time for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games. The train is part of The Big Move- Metrolinx’s strategy for improving the Toronto transit system. The UP Express will take commuters from Union Station to Pearson Airport in a speedy 25 minutes and is expected to eliminate 1.2 million car trips in the first year alone.
As transit is one of the most talked about issues in the city, we want to hear what you think of the new UP Express train in the comments below!
A Guide To Dressing In Public Relations
Days spent working in PR are never the same. Whether meeting with clients, attending media engagements, or even hammering out reports at the office, you have to be prepared for anything. You always want to look your best while working, but it’s not all about wearing top designers or following all the latest trends; it is about displaying a certain level of professionalism. Since personal presentation is a crucial part of succeeding in public relations, we’ve come up with some basic PR Fashion guidelines.
1. Keep it classy.
• Toronto summers can get pretty steamy, but that’s no excuse to show too much leg or too much cleavage.
• Even if your office is casual, make sure your toes aren’t exposed and your heels aren’t sky high. Client expectations can differ from those of your office.
• You always want to make a lasting impression, but don’t be known as the ‘perfume-bather’.
2. Attention to detail.
• A manicure is a great way to appear ‘polished’ (pun intended!); but if you don’t have time, bare is better than chipped.
• Avoid that ‘just rolled out of bed’ look (even if it’s the case) show your locks some love: even a sleek bun will do!
• A tailor should your new best friend, there’s nothing worse than loose threads, rips or stains.
3. Always be prepared.
• You never know what your day may entail, always be prepared for a last minute meeting by keeping sharp blazer at your desk.
• Make sure you’re always prepared with both flats and heels at your disposal.
4. Neutrals are your friend.
• Save the heavy eye shadow, fake eyelashes and sparkly blush for your night on the town with your friends. When it comes to makeup, natural is always best.
• Also, neutral doesn’t have to mean black and white. Colors can be fun, but keep it toned down. You’re not starring in a Broadway show!
5. Let your personality shine!
• Accessories are a great way to amplify any outfit. A statement necklace is a great way to take it to the next level.
• Demonstrate your attention to detail and pride in yourself through how you show up to work – it will leave a positive impression with coworkers and clients.
Top 10 #PRTips Of The Week: July 23th, 2014
Here are our Top 10 PR Pro Tips for this week, selected from Twitter. Remember to submit your own PR pro tip using the hashtag #PRTip or #PRTips. Your tweet could be featured here next week!
Remember #SEO when writing a press release. Put key words at the beginning #PRTIP
— Christina Daves (@PRforAnyone) July 22, 2014
When sending press releases or pitches to media, don’t use attachments. Put message in the body of the email #PRTips
— Marie Ennis-O’Connor (@JBBC) July 20, 2014
“If it’s going to come out eventually, better have it come out immediately.” Good morning, hope you had a great weekend #sbc #prtips #PR101
— SB Communications (@SBComms_ZA) July 21, 2014
Customers have choices and if you’re not consistently vying for their attention, you’ll fall off their radar screens. #PRTips
— Pure PR (@PurePROKC) July 21, 2014
RT @PRtips: Use Twitter’s new “pin” feature to keep your most important tweets at the top of your profile #socialtips http://t.co/WYMzTwMA3h
— MyntPublicRelations (@MyntPR) July 21, 2014
Handle your job the way you would want someone else to handle it if you were the business owner. http://t.co/L9Qs3RoDpn #PRtips
— PR Tidbits (@Sesema_PR) July 22, 2014
Did you know you could be liable if your laptop is stolen with access to clients’ email lists? Make a policy & encrypt those CSVs! #PRTip
— See.Spark.Go (@seesparkgo) July 16, 2014
#PRtip Don’t send unsolicited product as your first form of contact with a media outlet #whatnottodo
— Ruby Media Group (@RubyMediaGroup) July 16, 2014
PR Tip: Charge what you’re worth. And don’t apologize for it. #PRTip #PR
— Stephanie Davis (@TheRealSteff) July 15, 2014
“People do not buy goods and services. They buy relations, stories and magic.” -S. Godin #PRTips #Business #Quotes http://t.co/7AQ3tfAhc6
— Pretty Living PR (@PrettyLivingPR) July 17, 2014
