Each week at Embrace Disruption we introduce you to an influential person in the digital, blogger, arts, culture, film, or media world! Every Thursday, you can check back at EDPR to find out who we think is particularly amazing at ‘embracing disruption’ within their respective industries.

This week, we’d like to introduce you to entrepreneur Ross Simmonds!

What’s your official job title and where did you go to school?

I’m an entrepreneur, digital strategist, content marketer and public speaker depending on the day of the week. I went to Saint Mary’s University in Halifax where I studied marketing.

Elevator pitch. Describe yourself in a nutshell (or sea shell, or any shell for that matter)

I’m a work-hard play-hard entrepreneur who has a passion for marketing, communications, start-ups and trying new things.

I’m the founder of a start-up called dreamr, which creates and delivers fun and social experiences to people looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of work and just get out and let their hair down to do something fun.

At the same time, I work for myself as a marketing consultant helping a wide range of businesses with their ongoing marketing initiatives as it relates to digital, social media and content marketing. I’ve worked with businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies you have in your cupboards and fridge to start-ups that are being featured in TechCrunch and are called the next big thing.

Why did you pursue what you’re doing now? What was the inspiration?

As a kid I spent the majority of my summers at summer camps and when I got older I became a camp counselor. This triggered my love and passion for getting outdoors and trying new things as much as possible. At the same time, I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit dating back to when I was in high school when I started my first business selling caps out of my locker. From there, my entrepreneurial endeavors continued into University where I started a Fantasy Football blog and sold sports memorabilia on the side. I feel as if these experiences have shaped me as a person and represent my passion for both business and getting out of the office and doing new things.

What is the best part of your day-to-day?
 
As an entrepreneur, I get to meet some amazing people. I get to work with some awesome individuals and get to work on some amazing projects. Overall, I’d say that the people I work with and meet on a regular basis are the best part of my day-to-day. Actually, hmmm… Coffee is also one of the best parts of my day-to-day but I’ll give the people I have a chance to work with a slight edge.

What’s the most challenging?

Saying no is the biggest challenge. I’ve got a lot of things on the go and deep down, I really want to help as many people as possible. The challenge is, there are only so many hours in a day and if I spent all my time helping everyone else and not working on my own projects and for my existing clients; nothing would get done.

If you took a look in the cliché crystal ball, what do you see for yourself?

No idea. I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.

How do you embrace disruption in your work and personal life? 

I chase it. I strive to be uncomfortable and help my clients understand the importance of doing things that aren’t in their comfort zone. The reality of it is, when you do things that scare you, great things happen. When you do things that are expected, you get expected better yet, average results.

What is the most memorable moment in your career?

The most memorable moment thus far was when I made the leap from the 9-5 to full time entrepreneurship. I had a great job, great benefits and had some great opportunities ahead of me but I was getting comfortable. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the feeling I had on my last day.

Do you support any initiatives or charities? 

Yes! As I said earlier, I was a camp counselor and a camper as a child. I’m a big supporter of both the Boys & Girls Club and Tim Hortons Children Foundation – I love both of these organizations and what they represent.

Tell us what you see yourself doing at 65 years old.

I want to be that sixty five year old who has a bunch of awesome stories and a few scars or injuries to go along with them. I can see myself at 65 opening a school specialized in 90’s pop culture where kids can learn a few business lessons from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air and personal branding tips from the Rock.

Just for fun: if you had to pick one app in the whole APPVERSE, what would it be?

8Tracks. It’s like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.

Check out Ross Simmonds blog, http://rosssimmonds.com/

Chicago entrepreneurs — I am one of you. In October, 2010, I co-founded VineSprout, a Chicago public relations firm. Two extremely fulfilling years later, our firm has represented more than 25 startups, many of which were built in Chicago. Some are as far away as Atlanta, Miami and London. We have worked with you in all shapes, sizes and stages. We have watched this amazing startup ecosystem in our city continue to blossom and impress. This is my first post for NBC Chicago’s Inc. Well blog. My aim is to share my experiences and PR expertise with fellow startups and to help you make smarter PR decisions as you grow.

There are many misconceptions about the public relations industry. I will address some of these myths now and in future posts. What does a PR person not do? They do not write articles for newspapers, nor buy advertising. What does a PR professional do? They work with the media to get products and brands featured editorially in the news. The PR job description then is to build brands, reputation and credibility for clients.

Does my startup need a PR firm?

Want people to know your company name or product? Do you need to attract more users or customers to demonstrate traction to the investment community? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you probably want a PR firm on your side. Many startups realize they must get the word out about their product or business to grow. A PR firm can help startups grow by securing media coverage that will garner attention of users, investors and customers. Solid and consistent media coverage in newspapers, blogs, radio and TV lends credibility to your brand.

Can I do it myself?

Aside from coming up with that innovative idea, a successful entrepreneur must delegate and delegate well. Can you lead your startup’s public relations efforts by yourself? Perhaps. But how effective will you be, and should you be spending your limited time on PR rather than focusing on fundraising or product development? Only you can answer that. Surely some startups can successfully manage PR internally. It doesn’t take a Daniel Edelman to pick up the phone and call Crain’s Chicago Business or The Wall Street Journal. But are you comfortable tooting your own horn? Do you know how to approach relevant contacts with unique, compelling newsworthy angles and trends? Do you have time to research each journalist and customize your pitches? Can you explain your company in a concise and simple way without jargon?

How do I find the right PR firm?

Ask around. Get opinions from entrepreneurs and mentors you trust and respect. Connect with them on Built in Chicago and on your other social networks. Do you see a local startup in the news repeatedly? Ask them who is working the press on their behalf. Find a small firm that will be hands on with your startup. Find a company that believes in you and what you’re selling.

How much does PR cost?

Many in the industry, VineSprout included, work on a retainer fee system. A realistic budget for an early stage startup should fall somewhere between $2,000-$3,000 per month. Determine and set your goals during consultations with your PR firm to ensure you are getting the return that is important to you. Not every PR firm or client determines success or ROI in the same way. If circulation or impressions mean little to you, ask for a metric that better fits your definition of success.

When should I start working with a PR firm?

Do you have paying customers? Is your product accessible and in a decent enough beta form? If you are a bootstrapped startup with no revenue in site, consider holding off on launching a PR campaign until you have secured several customers.

Once you have a date set for the launch of your startup, be sure to allow some cushion for development issues. Sit down and get to know the partners. Engage at least 30 days in advance of your announcement. This gives your new team ample time to familiarize with your messaging, brand and products.

Have confidence. A strong, reliable PR team will be able to communicate about your brand extremely well. You are hiring them because they should do this better than you.

Ben Pavlovic is the co-founder of VineSprout, Inc., the Chicago public relations firm that specializes in growing startups by getting them in the news. VineSprout has worked with graduates of Excelerate Labs, Healthbox and Incubate Miami. Follow @VineSprout on Twitter.

Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/inc-well/How-to-Tell-Whether-Your-Startup-Needs-a-PR-Firm-174667411.html#ixzz2B5ugWy00

Enter the TWITTER PARTY (Twarty for short). A revolutionary new way to engage with consumers and brand advocates alike, while effectively spreading a message across millions of viewers. I currently handle the marketing efforts for a Toronto start-up called Shopcatch. Shopcatch works with retailers to provide promotional strategies that will enhance consumer experience while driving transactions. Recently I had the pleasure of taking on H&M Canada as a client: they were looking to create some exposure for their amazing CONSCIOUS collection. I thought this would be a great opportunity to provide them with a customized twitter party, and really dive into their massive consumer base. Although this was not my first time hosting a ‘twarty’ – I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised with my results.

I’ll let the INFOGRAPHIC do the talking:

As you can see, the potential for exposure is PHENOMENAL. But it doesn’t stop at retail. There’s plenty of brands, events, restaurants, openings, galleries and more that could benefit from the kind of attention a TWARTY can grab them.

If you’re interested in what a TWARTY can do for your business, or would like more info, feel free to reach out! I always love discussing initiatives, and helping brands/companies achieve maximum potential within the socialsphere.

How about you, have you ever participated in a twitter party? Tell me about it in the comments below – and be sure to include your twitter handle so I can follow you!