Meet-up of SM folks in PR – Recap

Posted on January 27, 2011 by chris

Happy 2011! I’ve been tweeting but not keeping up with this blog as well as I should be.

Last month, I reached out to a few women who worked in PR and social media. I wanted to meet more people like me – people who were social media types and worked in PR firms. A few weeks ago, we met up in Culver City.

Social Media and PR peers - Jan 2011

Left to right: that’s me, Laura from Fleishman, Christina & Christina & Heidi from Murphy O’Brien, and my colleague Shone from Blaze. We’re missing Tiffany from Wunderman.

We talked about clients, tools, and the dynamics in managing clients’ programs within a PR framework. I had such a fun time meeting these women. I feel like I have my own peer group now; even if we’re working in competing firms, there is plenty of work for everyone. (At least I believe so.)

I’m hoping to find a few more peers in Orange County and meet up with Tiffany again. If you are a social media manager or PR/social media hybrid account executive who works at a PR firms in OC, please let me know! I’d love to meet you.

SF Half Marathon – check!

Posted on July 30, 2010 by chris

I’m back from a few days in San Francisco. I ran my third half marathon – the San Francisco Half Marathon last Sunday, and I finished the CA Dreamin’ Series and picked up my fancy jacket and medal. A race report will be posted on my personal blog: whatiruninto.com, so go there if you’re interested in reading my fun experience!

You didn’t think I’d leave the social media out of this post, did you? I foursquared the Golden Gate Bridge when I was running. At the Expo, I met Danica, the ChicRunner - she’s running blog royalty if you didn’t know. During the race, I accosted Running Green Girl, another running blogger from So Cal. And of course, after the race, I found Sheryl of Running in Pigtails (and my personal friend). w00t! I love that social media and blogging has integrated itself in real life sports like running.

Some accomplishments of note:

I hit my “A” Goal of running the race in less than 3 hours!
I shaved off 17 minutes from my first half marathon (Long Beach 2009)!

I’m really proud of myself. The first time I tried to run was 12 months ago. It originally took me three weeks to get up to ONE MILE. Quite an accomplishment to complete three half marathons, if I don’t say so myself.

Up next? I’m looking at training for the Las Vegas Rock N Roll Marathon this December. (Now who wants to join me?)

Some photos:

Chicrunner (Danica) and me

Carbo-loading at Caffe Sport - DELISH!

Bi-Rite Creamery - who can say no??

Duck confit at Q - next time, mac n cheese w/ tots!

On my way to the finish line

Sheryl (Running in Pigtails) and me - with our bling!

X-post: Paleyfest – It’s Always Sunny panel

Posted on April 11, 2009 by chris

Living in LA is great. There are a lot of people who like to bash my town. (Personally, I think those people are the ones who: 1. don’t know how to drive and 2. are transplants.) If you dislike LA so much, leave. It’s as simple as that.

One of the benefits of living in the city where a lot of shows are made is the Paleyfest. This is an annual showcase of shows that (I guess) catches the eyes of the Paley Center. I don’t know why The Hills (WTF!!!) would be on, unless they chose it to be their fake show event. Anyway, this year’s events include: It’s Always Sunny; True Blood; BSG/Caprica; Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog; Fringe; and Dollhouse among others. They have the casts and crew of these shows on a Q&A panel where the public is invited to hear about their shows, watch a screening, ask questions, et al.

I picked up tickets for the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia panel as a surprise anni gift for The Hubs. And I enjoyed it just as much. The cast was hysterical and you could see they enjoyed each other’s company. Kaitlin (Sweet Dee) and gang ripped on Matchbox 20 when someone asked them about Rob Thomas guesting on an ep. Danny Devito was insane; wasn’t sure if he was high or just nervous… There was a running joke about throwing the show into higher gear, higher flames, turning up the stove, and so on. The new season shoots in May and one of the eps will have to do with the economy (old poor vs. new poor) – haha!!

The moderator, though, was horrible. He was so bland and didn’t play off any of the cast’s stories or replies. I can’t remember his name but I do remember he works for TV Guide. Ugh. He did nothing to move the panel along. He was so boring.

I enjoyed this experience. It was at the Arclight Hollywood and there was plenty of seating. I felt the other fans were pretty nice; no pushing or shoving. Everyone helped everyone else with taking pictures and “keeping” a line to each star. That’s the way it should be!

Obama Town Hall in LA 3/19

Posted on March 24, 2009 by chris

This was one of the most unique experiences I’d ever been to. Karim won tickets to President Obama’s Town Hall in LA, and he asked me to be his “plus 1.” Fantastic! It was an amazing and surreal day. We waited a little over two hours outside Miguel Contreras Learning Complex’s gym. We made new acquaintances in the line: a mother-daughter duo, a woman worked in the Mayor’s office in education reform, and a college girl whose dad paid $$$ to get a ticket for her. I took as many photos and Twittered as much as I could. I even took notes. Yes yes, I’m a nerd. I’ve heard that before. Here are a few photos: