Fall Fashion Must-Haves for the Office!

I am a firm believer in the saying “beauty is on the inside” but we shouldn’t settle for that by letting ourselves go and neglecting the beauty on the forefront. I think that when you look your best, you feel your best, and when you feel your best, you DO your best.  As someone who works in the Public Relations, Marketing and Event Planning industry, I’ve learned that your image is one of the most important aspects of the job. While not every woman needs to dress up on a daily basis, they should make some kind of an effort to let others know that they take pride in themselves and what they are doing. Long days in an office can drag, and quite frankly when those days are spent dressed like a frump, they are far less enjoyable.  A fun outfit and a pop of color will undoubtedly lift your mood and enhance your work day!

Whether you could grace the pages of Vogue or find yourself hiding behind those pages, everyone has the opportunity to enhance their image! Fall is like a fashion jump start-the perfect time for a wardrobe pick me up.

The office is a great place to put your best foot forward, and exercise some of this seasons fashion trends…

Here are my 5 must-haves this Fall:

  1. A statement bag: Red and cobalt blue are huge colors this season. I am in love with this red Dooney and Bourke satchel, it is so classic and simple! Leather is usually quite heavy for the Summer months, but Fall welcomes the sweet smell of leather with open arms. I plan on purchasing my very own- VERY soon.
  2. Nail polish: Fall nail polish always brings back my favorite shades- the deep colors! Time to retire the pinks, pales and brights- make way for the dark neutrals; army green, dark blues, browns, deep purples, maroons and nudes. If you’re ballsy give the half moon mani a try!
  3. Faux Fur: Last season the fur trend exploded-and it looks like it is back for more. The faux fur vest is the perfect accessory for the office. The best part about it- it serves as a substitute for a heavy coat.
  4. Ankle Boots: These are by far one of my favorite shoe styles. Ankle boots can be worn with slacks, skirts or dresses (not all shoes are born so versatile)! They are typically more comfortable than a heel and come in a variety of fabrics, colors and styles. You can’t go wrong with black suede!
  5. Skirts: My favorite thing to wear in the fall is a skirt with dark tights, a turtle neck and ankle boots. Tweed pencils have always been a Fall favorite, but don’t shy away from A-line pleats and prints. A single animal accent piece is still very much acceptable. There are so many skirts to choose from, find the style that best suits you!

What are your fall must-haves? Share in the comments below!

How to Write Effective Press Releases

How to Write Effective Press Releases

In any public relations campaign, it is imperative that you write effective press releases. A press release is a vehicle by which the media mentions your client. Media outlets are constantly bombarded with press releases trying to pitch different information. Thus, it is not only important for your press release to stand out but to be concise and effective in getting across all relevant information.

The first sentence of any press release needs to encompass the who, what, when, where, and why. In the sentences to follow you need to elaborate and expand on your opening sentence.

The second paragraph should include a quote. The quote should be from an executive in the organization the press release is being written for and directly relate to the theme of the release.

The paragraphs following the second should include relevant information about the organization. For example, how the theme of the press release, such as recent staffing change or new product, will affect the future of a company.

The last section of the press release is called the boilerplate. This is essentially where you describe the organization the press release is being written for. If people are intrigued by the main body of the press release the thought is that they will read the boilerplate and gain further interest in the organization.

As a whole, with press releases, the shorter the better. Media outlets do not have time to sift through a long release and pick out information that is relevant to them.  Through these press release writing guidelines, your releases will be concise, to the point, and easy to read. Call Image Marketing Consultants today for help with your next public relations campaign!

 

Public Relations is like Baseball.. In so many ways.

Written By: Tim Dupuis

Being the sports fanatic I am, I’m constantly drawing comparisons between life and sports. So naturally, when I joined the team at Image Marketing Consultants based in Connecticut, and began working in the public relations industry, I looked to find a connection. And here I am, with a full month under my belt and I have finally come to the conclusion that PR is a little like the game of baseball. It sounds like a stretch but let me explain the three things that are necessary to be successful in both baseball and public relations.

Preparation.

In baseball….. Anyone who has ever played the game knows that you are only as good as your preparation. A player that doesn’t do the proper training before the season will not succeed during the season.

In public relations…..In the same way, a public relations campaign is only as good as the people who prepare it. A well planned campaign will create some great buzz, but a poorly planned one will often times fall flat and be ineffective. A little extra time spent on the prep work will ensure the campaign is delivered in the most effective way.

Creativity

In baseball…..You can have all the skill in the world but without a little creativity once in a while you become easy to predict, and in baseball when the opponent can predict your next move, you’re in trouble. That creativity can sometimes be the difference between winning and losing.

In public relations…..Of all the factors that decide whether a PR campaign is successful, creativity is one feature that if ignored, will produce poor results. You can launch the campaign perfect in every other way but if the message is delivered in a boring way, people will ignore it. The same goes for the opposite. If it’s creative and delivers the message in a new and exciting way, people will most definitely take notice.

Patience.

In baseball…..Unlike many sports, baseball is not one that is played at a frantic pace. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to succeed playing that way. In the same respect baseball employs the longest season of the four major sports, spanning 162 games, over the course of upward of seven months. To be successful is to be patient, and understand a team cannot be judged on single games but rather on performance over an extended period.

In public relations…..What any business needs to understand is that a PR campaign takes time; it’s not a one hit job. PR works best when maintained over a period of time. A single press release or social media update are great tools and will deliver the message. But the proper combination of these tools, sustained over a period of time, will make that message stick.

Call me today to discuss how Image Marketing Consultants can help you plan the best PR campaign of your life today at 203-404-4868!

Image Marketing Consultants Blog- Baseball is Like PR

Earthquake felt in Connecticut!

Today at 1:51pm, we felt our whole office building shake from an apparent 5.9 magnitude earthquake that hit in Virginia, about 40 miles from the capital of Richmond. I’ve personally never felt an earthquake prior to this, and especially not here in Connecticut. A few of our clients have already called for help with their crisis communications because their buildings have been evacuated and they need to release a statement regarding their current situations.  We’re helping write and release media advisories all afternoon….An earthquake in Connecticut? I wouldn’t have quote believed it myself if I hadn’t just felt the shaking!

Lex Grand Opening was a Huge Success!

This past Saturday, Image Marketing Consultants and Image Event Planning were hired to manage the grand opening / open house event for Lex Products based out of Shelton, Connecticut. We’ve been helping their marketing team plan this event for the past five months and we’re happy to report that everything turned out better than we could have even hoped for. The weather was gorgeous, the speakers all showed up, and all in all, the guests had a wonderful time. Festivities included remarks from Senator Richard Blumenthal, Congressman Jim Himes, Commissioner Esty,  CEO Bob Luther, President Mike Scala and live entertainment by the Benny Reid Band and Black Taxi.

We coordinated family fun activities including bounce houses, face painters, dunk tank, and the hit of the day, an old fashioned ice cream truck. Over 550 people attended including clients, vendors, and employees which made it a well-rounded day for all involved. The best part of course, was the delicious New England Clambake lunch provided by David’s Soundview Catering of Stamford.

Thanks to our friends at Shoreline AV for helping make this event a success!