Live Blogging the NCAA Championship Game – 10:54 pm
UNC 61 Mich St. 43.
Yawn. Nothing to report. Why am I even watching? Wait. Something’s happening. I’m reaching into the box of Life cereal I have next to me and pulling out a handful. Ok, now I’m eating it. And some more now.
Read My Lips…or Not
While surfing YouTube I found a hilarious video that I wanted to share. It came from a new site I found Failblog.org – check it out. 
Creating Web Links and Headlines
Article from Jakob Nielsen’s Alertbox about how well users understand the first 11 characters of a website’s links and headlines. Good read for copywriters.
Full Article (12 characters – oh well, but you get the drift)
New Web Trend Map Out!
This is the almost final version. Download your copy here.
Who says strategic planning can't be fun?
HM&P (Jim, Stephanie, Lisa & Kristi) and BASF Plant Science at Dick's Last Resort in Chicago
Marketing Expert
Dilbert strikes again with a real gem.
Biathlon
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Here at HM&P we love birthdays. At 3:30 on the third Thursday of the month, we are all eating cake and ice cream just like when we were kids. It’s Cake Day. (While the purpose of Cake Day is to celebrate the month’s birthdays – it’s really about eating cake. We get way too excited about it. And when it’s your birthday month you can give input on the type of cake. YAY!)
In the PR department, we go out of our way to show our fellow team members just how much we love them. Jessica Redman celebrated her birthday on Sunday March 29. And, she found a cheerful surprise in her office when she arrived on Monday (see photos below). Our ‘birthday presents’ – or office trashing escapades – brighten offices. They make us laugh. They fit our style.
The history of office trashing goes back to the early days of the PR department. I believe it was Stephanie Styons’ birthday. Imagine her surprise when she found her office full of cray paper, balloons, and a pile of birthday confetti. That was 2006. Today we have a bag of random birthday decorations and we often add to it.
Since then, we have learned a lesson or two about appropriate birthday office trashing practices. For instance, 12 rolls of toilet paper hung from the ceiling will make an office very warm in July. Then it’s not so fun.
But the number 1 rule is to always help the birthday guy or gal clean up the mess – and save the festive decor for the next birthday.
Happy Birthday Jess!
In these economic times…
The rules of copywriting are changing. See the 7 words you can no longer use and their replacements. Interesting article from Steve Simpson: #mce_temp_url#
Simple message. Simple visuals.
Taken along Fearrington Post Road, Chatham County, NC by Ann Parrent.
Forbes Names Raleigh #1 Best Place for Business and Careers
Last week Forbes named Raleigh number one in their annual report of “Best Places for Business and Careers.” As I am hitting my milestone of living in Raleigh for 6 months, I’d like to note that it’s not only a great place to work, but also a fun place to live. Whether you’re new to the area, or just looking for adventures around Raleigh, I’ve discovered quite a few events and ongoing happenings to keep busy.
In the fall, the state fair is the place to hit up for some animal entertainment and quality fried food (personal fair food favorite is the cheesecake dipped in chocolate).
The most random event I’ve ever participated in has to be the Krispy Kreme Challenge (run two miles, attempt to eat a dozen doughnuts, run two more miles) in February. Wow- I’ve never seen more doughnuts and vomit in my life. It was somehow featured this year on ESPN.
What I’m really looking forward to is the World Beer Festival the first weekend in May – what could be better than 4 hours of sampling beer?! Let’s hope this event doesn’t involve any running or vomit…
Some year-round fun (permitting nice weather) for those who enjoy the outdoors can be found at Umstead State Park, the Raleigh Greenway trails, or at one of the many lakes around Raleigh.
Raleigh has a lot to offer – for professionals and for fun. Oh, and there’s even a skeeball league here…yes, I joined.
