Bender Helper Impact

Bender/Helper Impact has opened my eyes to the world of public relations and all that it has to offer.  I am learning the importance (and acceptance) of crazy ideas, and the importance of teamwork.  

After completing my internship and graduating from Pepperdine University, I am now an Account Coordinator at B/HI and I truly believe after one month into the journey that this opportunity is such a blessing. Two of the most important overarching themes of every day life in the office are the importance of teamwork and that PR has the opportunity to be anywhere and EVERYWHERE.  

Growing up playing sports I was always a part of a team, so having a job that works in this same fashion is extremely appealing.  Whatever challenges come up, the team is always there to help make any adjustments and create an atmosphere that is open to suggestion and improvement.  As a newcomer, I have felt extremely welcomed. Having such a passion for learning and admiration for those who take the time to teach me, B/HI has provided an excellent educational and professional environment.  
 
Diving into this profession, it amazes me how omnipresent PR is, and this realization excites me. I look forward to my future with the company, my team, and the opportunity together to go even abovER and beyondER!

That being said, karaoke song choice and performance style definitely says a lot about one’s character traits.  I was inspired to compile the following list of common signature karaoke songs along with what each selection says about you as an employee. Enjoy! 

Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears
Ambitious!

Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2
Who says everybody’s working for the weekend? You certainly aren’t! Instead, you are the kind of employee who shuns weekends, obsessively checks your Blackberry and can’t wait until Monday rolls back around.

Take A Bow by Rihanna
This employee could be one of two types.  Either you really know how to “put on a show” and make it look like you’re working hard when that may not be the case - OR – your fellow coworkers, unimpressed by your achievements sarcastically tell you to “go on and take a bow.” Interpret accordingly.

Everything I Do (I Do it for You) by Bryan Adams
Workaholic.

I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
This is the sign of a truly dedicated employee….moving up the corporate ladder should be easy…you might even own the Agency someday. 

Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
While you may not be the most dedicated worker, you definitely know how to pick a good karaoke song. Buy a lottery ticket and rock on.

Spice Up Your Life by The Spice Girls
It might be time to consider a career change.

[Follow Alyson: @alyhaygs]

I’ve always found human interaction extremely interesting. The way we communicate, our physical gestures, choice of words and actions are powerful and limitless. We develop our communication skills the second we enter this world through positive reinforcement from our most intimate social institutions. We continue to develop and sculpt these skills as we infiltrate new social institutions, defining our experiences through our perception, then labeling them and constructing them to become norms.

I think this is what made me fall in love with Public Relations, the art of communicating to a mass audience. As “gate-keepers” to a variety of information I think it is important that we instill amongst our work the art of ‘kind’ communication. Now I call this an art because I know it is not always easy but it is oh-so important to your well-being and the well-being of those around you.

I was recently informed of a campaign, the Kind Campaign. This campaign is nation-wide and geared toward eliminating the “physical fighting, name-calling, threats, power struggles, competition, manipulation, secrets, rumors, and ostracizing of other girls,” otherwise known as girl-on-girl crime. Altogether there are several aspects that embody the campaign, including a documentary, school assembly/presentation, digital magazine and interactive website where young woman can pledge to be kind to one another and anonymously apologize for past actions (something worth checking out at: http://www.kindcampaign.com/founders.php). Although this campaign focuses on kindness among young girls, it really got me thinking about how I have embraced the theory, popular to contrary belief, that being kind CAN get you a long way, especially in the public relations field.

As many of you may or may not know our fellow colleague Courtney Dolliver and I attended the same college. If I had not been kind, Courtney and I probably would not have gained the memorable friendship we did while in college, memorable enough for Courtney to specifically think of me for the account coordinator position that opened up last May here at B/HI!

So there you have it, being kind is not only contagious but it is also beneficial in helping you progress in both your personal and professional life.
 In the words of Mark Twain, “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

With the theatrical release of The Social Network, Facebook and other sites have not only infiltrated my life and my career but are now seeping their way into pop culture in a huge way.

Beyond the brilliant story line by Aaron Sorkin and direction of David Fincher, this is one of the year’s most talked about films because of the relevance it has with our current society, primarily with Gen Y.  Based on founder Mark Zuckerberg’s story and the early days of Facebook, the film proves and illustrates how this social networking site has now catapulted into the frontal lobe of nearly every human in modern culture for this basic need to stay connected.

As a PR professional starting my career in the mid 2000’s, the significance of digital media, new media and social networking became immediately apparent.  With sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, there is now a level of interactivity and real-time connection that the longstanding traditional media models had to adapt to. Just like you can upload a photo from your cell phone and share a moment with your Rolodex of Facebook friends, the media can break stories instantly.

It’s hard to grasp how rapidly Facebook in particular took hold.  From its start in a Harvard dorm in 2004, to the now $800 million-making social network of more than 500 million users, it’s easy to see how Hollywood tapped into the story behind the ground breaking company. 

The film is powerful because it dissects the tension of the leading characters, but it also lends itself to so many cultural themes that surround us.  The evolution of human interaction and the revolution that is and was Facebook is truly a model of how one idea can change the world (and the media).

While it remains to be seen how long the site will last and what new phenomenon could oust it as the leading network, Facebook truly is one of the most powerful websites in the world and The Social Network depicts a cultural shift led by Zuckerberg.

At B/HI we have embraced the changes and evolution of media and continue to stay on the cutting edge with the latest tools and sites that launch each day.  Clients tap into our expertise to help with their social media campaigns and through that work, we’ve been able to connect a large number of fans directly with their favorite names in entertainment, including soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo .  Anyone in the business will tell you that understanding and staying ahead of the ever-changing social media landscape is essential to sustaining a lasting business and presence as we look ahead to what the next Zuckerberg will create.  

[Follow Victoria: @vikkiweho]

Being the new kid in the office, a holiday experience was yet to be had for me at B/HI.  As I planned a fun-filled Halloween day with my team, I became nervous.  Would staffers actually bring dishes and get dressed up? As I left the office that Thursday night, I hoped that I wouldn’t be the only one engaging in activities the next day…

October 29th. B/HI Potluck. The day was here. As I sat at my desk, wondering how everything would pan out, the front door opened. In walked Pauly D. from the Jersey Shore in all his bronzed perfection, complete with blowout and sunglasses.  A smile spread across my face and my nerves finally settled. Halloween would be in full effect on the fifth floor!

Following Pauly’s entrance, more employees began showing up in costume. Among the bunch was Dora the Explorer, Mickey Mouse, Khloe Kardashian, and I myself, impersonated Snooki. Everyone looked fantastic and I began to wonder who would win best costume. It would definitely be a close call.

Halloween spirits were high as the group gathered in the conference room to celebrate and share each other’s tasty treats.  All potluck selections were delicious, but one dish seemed to stand out. Would Sofia Todisco’s “Frightening Fajitas” pass the taste test and win best dish of the day? Only time would tell.

A few hours later, everyone cast their vote for Best Costume Male/Female and Best Dish and reconvened in the conference room for the surprise activity—B/HI’s own version of NBC’s game show, “Minute To Win It”! Staffers competed in one-minute challenges to beat each other out for prizes. With a lot of laughter and some friendly competition, Elizabeth Atler was the winner with Ashley Gillen right behind her. Both received Starbucks gift cards for being the top two players.

Towards the end of the day, ballots were counted and the results were announced for the winners of Best Costume and Best Dish. Congratulations to Alyson Hagert for winning Best Female Costume with her impersonation of Dora the Explorer, Eric Kanner for snagging Best Male Costume for fully embodying Pauly D., and Sofia Todisco for her “frightening” fajitas.

I am excited to say that my first Halloween at B/HI was a very fun one and I am so happy to be a part of such a wonderful company. I’m definitely looking forward to our next holiday gathering!

I’m currently flying to New York to participate in the cast and filmmakers’ reunion of Robert Zemeckis’ Academy Award-winning cinematic franchise, Back to the Future.  Not in a DeLorean obviously, but as I sit on my Virgin America flight to JFK, I realize that like Michael J. Fox and his character, Marty McFly—1985 was actually a defining year that set in motion my past, present and future. I begin to reminisce about key things that happened to me during that year: I transferred to a different college; I met my husband (boyfriend back then, of course); I started my third and final internship in entertainment public relations.

My past…
I was studying Journalism at California State University, Northridge back in September of 1985 and within 24 hours of moving out to the San Fernando Valley, I met Chris, the one person who supports my passion for film (and also quotes movie lines to metaphorically put the exclamation point on everyday moments) and love of public relations…that particular month my personal and professional worlds began to swirl together and make sense.

My present…
Twenty-five years later, my husband and I still laugh about the 80s--the clothes, the hair, the music, the parties, and the movies.

The great thing about entertainment is how the industry always changes…and how its past, present and future continues to reflect everything it touches.  My love for film or “content” hasn’t wavered nor has my love of public relations.  Throughout my years at Bender/Helper Impact, I have had so MANY hard-to-believe-it’s-happening-to-me moments.
 
I’ve met and worked with some of Hollywood’s greatest visionaries and talent…Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Robert Zemeckis, James Cameron, Jon Landau, Robert DeNiro, Tom Hanks, Julie Andrews, Will Smith, Lauren Bacall, Mel Brooks, Oprah Winfrey…the list is long.

Project highlights include “Back to the Future” (yes—I worked on the 20th anniversary, too), “Raging Bull”, “Say Anything”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “It’s A Wonderful Life”, “Walk the Line”, “Gone with the Wind”, “Saving Private Ryan”, “Jurassic Park”, “Sound of Music”, “ET”, “The Simpsons Movie”, “Avatar”, “Shrek”, “Thelma and Louise”…this list is ALSO long. 

Launching media companies may not be as “sexy” as some of the people and projects I’ve worked on behalf of, but being part of the team that introduced media companies such as Netflix, Mattel Media, The Hub, Saban Brands, Fancast, wb.com is BEYOND thrilling.

My future…
My 13-year-old daughter, Julia, who is becoming an entertainment enthusiast, LOVES movies.  We recently saw “Easy A” and it highlighted some of John Hughes’ best films,  “The Breakfast Club,” “16 Candles,” “Say Anything,” “Pretty In Pink”.  These movies defined that neon-colored, big hair, fashion-train-wreck-of-a-decade-- along with “Back to the Future”--obviously.  She immediately began combing through our Blu-ray/DVD library and plans to watch these classics.  I know that so many “old” lines will become “new” (at least to her) again—at least in our household.

[Follow Shawna: @shawnalynch]

Aloha! I was lucky enough to take a vacation with my family to Maui earlier this month.

Waking up to a view of Kaanapali Beach every day was just what I needed after the cold weather Santa Monica delivered this summer. A lot of my time was spent relaxing on the beach, enjoying some quality family time and going on a couple adventures. However, even though I was on vacation, I could not stop thinking about how PR was all around me.

It started at the airport when I was buying magazines for the long flight. I, of course, bought all of the weeklies. I quickly opened each publication’s cover to see if any of my team’s DVD titles were featured.  Obviously, there was coverage and I wanted to show off our efforts to anyone who understood. Cricket noises were bountiful.

PR being on my brain did not stop there. I was invited to check out a band that was opening up for Donavan Frankenreiter at one of the local hotspots. Our snorkeling tour guide, who did not expect me to know about it, told me that the show was only for locals; however, since the band’s bassist invited us, we went anyway. He was very grateful and told us how the band just got signed under an indie label for Sony. That’s when it occurred to me that he understood PR. He was trying to promote his band to the tourists so that they would be recognized on the mainland. He was not thinking like a “local”.

In PR, we always look to expand our message to new—yet appropriate—audiences. The bassist understood that basic PR principle.  Seems like my vacation turned into a mini refresher PR course.

[Follow Lauren: @lala86]

On September 23, 2010, the B/HI Interactive team hosted the first annual B/HI Family Fun Day to generate some great coverage for our clients with local press, and secure future coverage leading into the holiday season. For the event, we invited our clients to present all their family-friendly products, resulting in a varied display of virtual worlds, die-cast car and toy train sets, new gaming peripherals and music video games. We rented out a conference room in the nearby Olympic Collection and invited press from all over the greater Los Angeles area.
A total of 23 journalists were in attendance, including consumer press, die-cast car/toy enthusiasts and many local mommy bloggers with their children. The event ran from 10am to 4pm, including both breakfast and lunch. The following clients/products were highlighted:

• Konami: Adrenaline Misfits, DanceDanceRevolution, DanceMasters, Gormiti: The Lords of Nature!, Karaoke Revolution Glee
• Mind Candy: Moshi Monsters family-friendly online game
• Sony Online Entertainment: Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures virtual world
• THQ: uDraw GameTablet Wii accessory playable with Pictionary, uDraw Studio, Dood’s Big Adventure video games
• TOMY: TOMICA die-cast car and train set

Attending media were impressed with the overall presentation and thankful that we offered such a variety of products for them to enjoy with their kids. Everyone was very happy with the overall turn-out which was enhanced by the various clients in attendance and helped draw in a greater variety of press at a lower cost. Many attendees, especially mommy bloggers, enjoyed the casual setting of the event and how it allowed them to get thorough demos without feeling rushed. Below are just a couple of great quotes from press and clients who were in attendance:

After months of preparation, the Season One DVD debut and Season Two premiere party for the acclaimed drama The Good Wife finally took place Monday night at New York’s glamorous Gotham Hall. Bender/Helper teams from both New York and Los Angeles offices were on hand for the elegant event in which nearly 200 guests mingled with series’ stars including Golden Globe-winner Julianna Margulies, Emmy-winner Archie Panjabi, Josh Charles, Mary Beth Peil, Christine Baranski, Matt Czuchry, Alan Cumming, Graham Phillips, and Makenzie Vega along with Inside Edition  host Deborah Norville.



The red carpet was packed with flashing lightbulbs, cameras and microphones all ready to spend a few precious red-carpet minutes with the cast of one of CBS’ most celebrated shows. The best part of the party was the genuine Chicago-style pizza and beer that were also served – playing on the theme of how the Chicago-set show is actually filmed in New York City. But the real star of the show were Julianna Margulies' stunning, sky-high Christian Louboutin heels.

1. The first concert I ever went to was New Kids on the Block.  Second one was Debbie Gibson.
2. I've never done karaoke before, but if I ever do, I would sing Synthesizer or Y'all Scared by Outkast.
3. I love chocolate but don’t like chocolate cake. 

4. I own an elliptical machine and believe I invented the word ellipticize. 
5. I’m terrified of clowns (from watching Poltergeist and It).
6. I used to be a pool shark.
7. I’m fascinated by psychology (clinical, counseling, etc.). 
8. I never had braces, but I really wanted them (the multi-colored ones looked so cool!). 
9. I collect shot glasses from every city I visit. 
10. I watch way too much TV (How I Met Your Mother, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Californication, Top Chef, Weeds, Modern Family, Nurse Jackie, The Whitest Kids U’Know, Mad Men, 10 Items or Less, Chelsea Lately, etc.). 
11. My mom started calling me "EB" when I was four years old, and it stuck.
12. I always go to a few music festivals (CMJ, New Orleans Jazz Fest, Coachella, Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza, Siren Music Festival, etc.) and food events (Taste of Tribeca, Big Apple BBQ, Taste Williamsburg Greenpoint, Choice Eats, Restaurant Week, etc.) each year.
13. I used to have a perm when I was in middle school (and no, I'm not showing you pics).
14. I’m really good at air hockey.  
15. The first CD I ever purchased was Black Sunday by Cypress Hill. 
16. I love organizing. 
17. I dressed as Shira for Halloween when I was five years old. 
18. I used to play piano and guitar, and the first song I learned on guitar was Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd. 
19. I hate cooking shows because I can’t eat what is being prepared (although I like competitive cooking shows).   
20. I went to sleepaway camp for six summers in Cleveland, GA. 
21. I have been going to T.G.I. Fridays for my birthday since I was two years old.
22. I used to play video games a lot (Street Fighter, Super Mario Brothers 1, 2 and 3, The Legend of Zelda, Dr. Mario, Paperboy, Mega Man, CastleVania, Marble Madness, Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out, Duck Hunt, etc.) and go to the arcade often (Frogger, Mortal Kombat, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Simpsons: The Arcade Game, Tekken, etc.).
23. I typically won’t go to the same NY restaurant more than once.  
24. I competed in a regional spelling bee when I was in elementary school and was eliminated for spelling hundredth wrong (I mean is the second “d” really necessary??). 
25. I want to start my own website where I recommend NY restaurants to people based on their specific needs.

Ms. Atler can be found at Facebook.com/EBAtler, Twitter.com/EBlovesfood and Twitter.com/EBlovesmusic.