Blog

Mar25

Keep it real—bag the stiff in the suit
by Justin Ohlemiller in Public and Governmental Affairs, Public Relations, 0 comments

It’s one of the most common scenes in the world of public affairs. A new policy or idea is being touted, so the public official or government agency turns to their not-so-secret weapon . . . some PR stiff in a suit.

How do I know this? Because I was that PR stiff.

In my previous career as a spokesperson for a mayor and a member of Congress, I was trotted out on literally hundreds of occasions to sell policy positions or pump up accomplishments of the office.

Every agency, public office or company has to have the ability to effectively explain decisions and policies to a broader... read on
Mar22

The Art of Juggling
by Tommy Hudock in 4 comments

The year was 1988; the up and coming actor was Tom Cruise. His occupation, bartender. The setting, “Cocktails & Dreams” New York’s hottest club scene.

Wait, don’t stop reading! I admit, I may have chosen the wrong overly jubilant couch-jumping actor to write about this week, but I do have a point. Tom Cruise was a master at juggling multiple items and requests, keeping orders and needs moving, all while being highly nimble and agile to catch the impending spilled drink or broken glass.

Call it what you will but flair bartenders and jugglers are very much like well-oiled and efficient... read on
Mar16

A SXSW Virgin
by Maggie Hames in 3 comments

I often find myself convincing my (non-industry) friends that there’s a lot more to my job than tweeting all day. Besides, what could be hard about that? It’s only 140 characters. Communication strategy, the latest in content writing, and the future of PR often cause many an eye to glaze over.

So imagine my delight when I arrived at South by Southwest (SXSW), a place full of experienced professionals who are just as passionate about the industry as I am. For those of you that don’t know (like my friends), SXSW Interactive is an annual five-day conference filled with presentations and... read on
Mar10

Breaking News!
by TrendyMinds Staff in 6 comments

You can do a lot of things in 15 years. In my case, I covered what happened to other people. Tragedy, elation, corruption, victory, comedy, errors. I have just about seen it all. I interviewed presidents one day and John Smith the next. Sometimes, (actually more often than not) John was more fascinating than powerful leaders. I saw people at their best and at their lowest possible point. I talked to grieving mothers and people battling horrendous diseases with grace. It was within their depth that I learned what true compassion looks like.

I discovered that you can never take... read on
Mar02

We’re ‘Gaga’ for creativity
by TrendyMinds Staff in Miscellaneous, Social Media, 1 comment

The recent hit single by Lady Gaga “Born This Way” has raised many concerns among music fans because it is strikingly similar to Madonna’s 1985 single “Express Yourself.” Whether or not she stole the beat from her is debatable, but there is no doubt that the two songs have similarities. Even the themes of the two songs are similar if you think about it. Lady Gaga is basically saying that you should love yourself, and not to live in regrets. While Madonna’s song is about expressing your feelings and respecting yourself. Both songs are essentially built around the same idea, self-esteem. I... read on
Feb24

Mr. President, government can be a solution—It just takes a few TrendyMinds
by Justin Ohlemiller in Public and Governmental Affairs, 0 comments

Former President Ronald Reagan once said, “Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem."

The quote itself, which has become a rallying cry for the Tea Party movement, is certainly one example of how Reagan shaped his legacy as “The Great Communicator.” The memorable phrase resonates to this day because it embodies a common, centuries-old theme—skepticism and dislike for all-things-government.

Despite the fact Reagan’s quote is brilliant from a tactical and political communications standpoint, it overlooks the importance of government and oversimplifies what... read on
Feb15

A Magical Website Experience
by TrendyMinds Staff in Design, Interactive Services, Technology, 3 comments

We all remember our first visit to Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Stepping foot onto Main Street USA brings an awe-filled smile to even the most over-stimulated, jet-lagged child. Seeing the enormous castle made fairy tale living believable and enticing. In a perfect world (such as that of the Disney fantasy), all websites would create similar reactions from visitors. Unfortunately, most sites cause visitors to turn and run away like adorable Dalmatian puppies from Cruella de Vil.

When your audience views your website, it is important to create a similar unforgettable experience. While it... read on
Feb02

How TrendyMinds Survived The Icepocalypse
by Maggie Hames in Business, Technology, 1 comment
During the Icepocalypse of 2011, TrendyMinds did not just simply call it quits and close up shop for the day. Oh no, we’re a bit more dedicated than that. But in order to stay safe and warm, we decided to work remotely from the comfort of our homes. While that may mean a pajama day and low productivity for some, our “trendy” technology allowed us to operate much like we would on any given Tuesday/Wednesday.

To be honest, most of us did in fact sit in our pajamas all day. But we still managed to be productive. Here’s how we managed it:
1. Preparation – Upon hearing of our impending... read on