Engine Communications

leggodemolition

Remember the Lego house that Fillmore blogged about a few weeks ago? Well, it looks like the old saying is true: All good things must come to an end.

Apparently the Lego house was not the well thought out PR stunt that James May, host of BBC’s ‘Toy Stories’ and facilitator of the project, imagined it would be. After being built, no one showed any interest in buying the home. (Surprise! My seven year old son said we should have bought it, but let’s face it, he’s seven.) And because it was too expensive to move the creation, even Legoland didn’t want it. In a final attempt to unload the house, a Facebook appeal was made, but no one bit there either.

This got me thinking.

What can we learn from the Lego house?

PR and publicity are two very different things. PR is supposed to create value, and yes, get attention. But it’s inherently based on exciting ventures that add value to people, communities, and businesses. The Lego house was about attention. It could have been about PR, but no one thought much about it. The Lego pieces are going to charity. That’s ok, I guess, but it’s not great. I like ‘great.’
Good planning is key to success. Don’t get me wrong. I love the Lego house. I think if it had been done right, the project could have had a longer history. But no one bought a permit. No one thought past the project deadlines. No one planned how to transport the house after the fact. There was a lot of quick thinking, but there was no long term planning. PR needs long term planning to keep it sustainable.
When the plan fails, evaluate. Evaluation is important after implementing any business plans or pilot projects. Ongoing evaluation during the execution stages is even better. With just a bit of foreshadowing, the Lego house might be raising money for charity. It might be a tourist attraction. It might be anything. But it’s a pile of rubble. Rubble doesn’t do us much good, unless we can honestly look at why the mess was made, we clean it up right, and we learn so we don’t have to take a sledgehammer to our work next time.

leggodemolition1

Goodbye Lego house! You were fun while you lasted.

More Than Food

September 25, 2009 Fridays with Kerry

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“Food is more than food. It is love, comfort, politics and a fundamental adhesive.” -Kathy Ullyott, Editor-in-chief, Homemakers Magazine

This quote says it all, and really makes me ponder how we as a society see mealtime. Do we truly understand and appreciate the importance of food and the many roles that it takes on in our daily lives? Yes, we all know that we need food to survive and that we have to feed our bodies, but what about feeding our minds, hearts and our souls?

It’s the “fundamental adhesive” part that is so vitally important and is most likely ignored. Are you really taking the time to sit down, RELAX and enjoy your meal? Are you connecting with your loved ones and friends, really listening to what they have to say? Or are you more concerned about what’s next–the dishes, the laundry, the game on TV, or just another hour or two of work on the computer or at the office?

I think that we get so wrapped up in the long list of “to do’s” that we forget what food and the whole meal experience is meant to accomplish.

Refuel, Rejuvenate & Reconnect

Well, that’s exactly what I have planned for this weekend: an informal get together that focus’s on family and friends and of course, awesome FOOD, and our unconditional love for it.

Fall’s harvest makes planning a gathering delightfully easy! We’re hoping for nice weather so that we can enjoy one of our last meals outside (that’s what blankets are for), and the kids will even take part by cooking bread on a stick over a roaring fall fire! I’m getting all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it.

Whatever your weekend has in store, make sure that your experiences are memorable ones and take the time to savor and truly enjoy your meals. Fall in love with mealtime all over again!

Menu ~ A Fall Gathering!

Salad of Fall Greens with Pecans, Apples & Brie

Pan Fried Pickerel – caught and prepared by my Dad–it’s his famous recipe!

Baked Beans

Beer Braised Beef – recipe from this month’s Canadian Living.

Roasted Rosemary Potato Wedges

Caramelized Onion Cheddar Cheese ~ http://www.empirecheese.ca.

Fire Roasted Corn on the Cob

Bread on a stick

Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate (it also happens to be Paul’s Birthday–that’s my significant other–and he likes nothing better for dessert than the indulgence of anything chocolate!)

Beer Braised Beef – makes 4 servings (double the recipe for a large crowd)

2lb bottom blade boneless pot roast, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2” cubes
1/2 tsp each salt & pepper
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup beef broth
2 slices bacon, chopped
3 onions, sliced
1 tbsp each packed brown sugar & cider vinegar
1 1/4 cups dark or amber beer
2 bay leaves
Pinch dried thyme
1 slice light rye bread
1tbsp grainy or Dijon mustard
2 tbsp minced fresh parsley Sprinkle beef with salt & pepper.

In Dutch oven, heat 1 tbsp of the oil over med – high heat, brown beef, in batches. Remove to bowl. Add 1/4 cup of the broth to pan, scraping up brown bits, add to bowl. Add remaining oil to pan; cook onions over medium heat, stirring often, until golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in sugar and vinegar until sugar is melted. Add remaining stock, beer, bay leaves, thyme and 1 cup of water, scraping up brown bits. Return beef mixture to pan and bring to a boil. Cut off bread crust, spread bread with mustard; float, mustard side down, on stew. Reduce heat to low, cover and summer for 1 1/4 hours. Break up bread, stirring into sauce. Simmer, covered until thickened and beef is tender, about 15 minutes. Discard bay leaves, stir in parsley.

Serve with bread & cheese – Yum! Serve with dark or amber beer.

My wine pick for this menu is Red Guitar, a remarkable wine from the Navarra region of Northern Spain.

Red Guitar, 2005, Tempranillo Garnacha

When Writer’s Block is OK

September 24, 2009 Social Media

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I have to be honest, today I don’t feel much like writing. What?! I know, this could be a bad sign. I should clarify.

I love writing. It’s my favourite thing to do. I love writing for clients, I love blogging, I love just scribbling ideas on a pad of paper. Words are my passion. But today I’m learning something very important–sometimes it’s good to have writer’s block.

Why?

Because then you have time to listen.

Listening is important. As professionals (and as business people generally) we have to be able to sit back and really hear what our clients are asking of us. We have to understand their needs, their vision and their goals. Most of us in communications are here because we like to talk. We talk on the phone, we email, we tweet and facebook. We love sharing information! That’s a good thing. It’s amazing!

But…

On the flip side, sometimes we have to remind ourselves that it’s not just about us. Sitting back and listening to what others have to say is just as rewarding as producing meaningful content of our own. It’s ok to be still and soak things in. Producing for production’s sake isn’t always in our client’s best interest.

So today I’m taking this opportunity to give the stage to some people who are saying some cool things. I’m listening. Maybe you should be too.

Five Things I’m Listening to Today:

Umair Haque – The Awesomeness Manifesto We put ‘awesomesauce’ on everything we do at Engine, so this resonated. Seriously though, it’s a challenge to the idea of ‘innovation.’ Haque always makes me think–really, really, really hard. (Credit to the Coversation Agent blog for this find.)
Google Sidewiki – Checking out this new app from Google, and listening to what @Aerocles and others are saying about it on The Legend of Aerocles blog.
How not to suck at blogging – @manvsdebt has some great tips and videos in this post. I love that it’s experiential, and not just a regurgitated list of do’s and dont’s. The clip from Gary Vanynerchuk is so motivating, but it’s riddled with swears, so if you’re easily offended…ummm…
The Belleville Intelligencer – It’s important to know what’s happening in your community. We all know this. This is my community. Welcome! Follow them @TheIntell on Twitter.
I’ve been really loosely playing with the term ‘listening’ as much of what I’m doing is technically ‘reading’ but I think you’re all smart enough to understand what I mean. Here though, is one for your listening (dictionary definition) pleasure: The Cinematic Orchestra featuring Patrick Watson, To Build a Home.

The Deep (Fried) South

September 23, 2009 Uncategorized

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Part Two of our Creative Director, Sarah’s adventures in Oklahoma. Thanks for the post, Sarah! (With photo commentary by Bryna.)

The Oklahoma State Fair is the one yearly event that anyone who is in Oklahoma should attend, if only to see the wide variety of food that can be fried and served on a wooden stick!

After fighting with traffic to find a parking spot, my family attended the fair, and had quite the eye opening experience. You can definitely tell where some Oklahomans get their “shapely” figure from.

Some examples of the most interesting deep fried foods, served on a stick are:

Jalapeño
Pickles
Butter with Sugar
Twinkies
Oreos
Cheese
Snickers
Hot dogs
Steak
Mash Potatoes and bacon
Pizza

I'm assuming this is Chris, and I'm assuming this is the dinner portion of the meal.

Then for dessert, chocolate dipped bananas, cheese cake, ice cream and there are so much more! But wait ! Don’t forget to finish your meal with curly friends and a turkey drumstick!!

Chris eating dessert. My concern is for his arteries 😉

Certainly an experience worth going to if you are in Oklahoma!

(Thank you to Chris for letting me use his photos for demonstration purposes)

Sarah's gorgeous son, enjoying some mystery meat. Are we sure this is legal?

Oklahoma – home of fried butter on a stick, tornados and bull riding in bars!

September 22, 2009 Uncategorized

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Sarah and her hubby Erik (and his massive belt buckle)

Guest contribution by our Creative Director, Sarah Rozema-Seaton.

We moved to Oklahoma, and well, it has been quite an experience to date. I think that Oklahoma has some of the craziest drivers I have ever come across. Apparently to navigate a vehicle here you have to have a Starbucks in one hand, cell phone in the other and be wrestling with a teacup poodle. There are drive through banks, coffee, food, pharmacies… everything seems to have a drive through! And no matter what the food, it can be fried and served on a stick!

The experience has been quite eye opening, the biggest being in regards to the bars here. Look one minute and there is line dancing to rap music and then all of a sudden the dance floor clears and out comes the bull riding,–IN THE BAR! If you want to try bull riding, it’s a mere $75. Beer and bullriding, why does that seem like a combination for trouble?

We have had some funny experiences, but it has been a pretty smooth transition, considering the cultural change from Canada to the deep south. There are a lot of really good things here, like the fast online shopping, great food and the cheap price of gas!

I thought as I am away from home, I will give you keep you all updated with life in the States, as well as a few fun facts about Oklahoma!

The world’s first parking meter was installed in Oklahoma City on July 16, 1935.

In Bristow, Oklahoma it is against the law to serve water to a customer in a restaurant unless one peanut in a shell is also served. The consequences for this “serious” offence can result in a fine of up to five dollars.

If you play catch in the streets of Bartlesville, you’re breaking the law.

Per square mile, Oklahoma has the most tornadoes of all U.S. states.

Whaling is illegal in the state of Oklahoma. (The state is inland)

In Tulsa you may not open a soda bottle without the supervision of a licensed engineer.

Oklahoma was the setting for the movie “Twister”.

It is against the law to spit on a sidewalk.

Garth Brooks was born in Tulsa and grew up in Yukon, Oklahoma .

Tissues in the back of cars are illegal.

It is against the law to take a bite out of another person’s hamburger. 

It is illegal to read a comic book while driving a motor vehicle.

The official State Meal of Oklahoma is chicken fried steak, fried okra, squash, cornbread, barbecue pork, biscuits, sausage and gravy, grits, corn, strawberries, black eyed peas and pecan pie.

If you put the hind legs of a farm animal into your boots, you are breaking the law.

It is illegal to wear your boots to bed.

Yikes! The 'national sport' in action. (This was actually taken in the bar. Crazy!)

Free the Children: We Day!

September 21, 2009 Public Relations

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We here at Engine are really excited about a new opportunity we’ve had recently to help out a fantastic organization and cause. We’re going to be assisting our friends at Free the Children to spread the word, and raise awareness about the best day of the year: We Day! Take a look at the info below. If you know anyone who might want to volunteer their time, or any teens who might want to participate, please contact me, and I’ll put you in touch with the people who can help.

I’ll be traveling to Toronto to volunteer with the Media Team for We Day on October 5th, and I am so excited! Thanks to everyone at Engine Communications (especially Shaun Levy) for allowing me the time to help out with this amazing cause.

If you are a blogger and want to donate some space on your site, I have access to some gorgeous banners you could upload to promote the event to your readers. If all you can do is share this note on your Facebook profile, or retweet it on Twitter, I’d greatly appreciate it.

If you are on Twitter, please follow @realmetowe , @CraigKielburger , @robininkenya and @sarahamil.

Information From Free the Children:

We Day, Toronto, 2008 (courtesy Free the Children)

About We Day

A Free The Children initiative, We Day is like a rock concert for social change, celebrating the power of young people to change the lives of others. It brings together some of Canada’s top social issues speakers and entertainers to the stage, in front of a roaring audience of 16,000 student leaders who want to change the world. Hundreds of thousands more tune in online to watch it live.

Our first two We Days in 2007 and 2008 have already created a movement of youth taking action. We Day 2009 promises to be bigger, better and packed with even more inspiration than ever before, enabling thousands of young people to take action on social issues in their communities and abroad.

– Over 15,000 students from more than 1,000 school groups and 40 different school boards have attended the We Day event;
– Young people in the audience brought the messages back to their school, directly impacting more than 832,000 students.

Performers

**Still more to be announced!!

– Hedley – multi-platinum recording artists
– Elie Wiesel – Nobel Laureate, Humanitarian
– Jessi Cruickshank – MTV host
– Ben Mulroney and Tanya Kim – eTalk
– Jeff Skoll – Founder of eBay & Chairman of Participant Media
– Dr. Jeffrey Sachs – Professor, Director of The Earth Institute, Economist and Author
– Robert Kennedy Jr. – Author & Environmentalist
– Michael “Pinball” Clemons – community activist and CEO, Toronto Argonauts
– Louise Kent – activist and musician
– Robin Wiszowaty – activist and author
– Craig Kielburger – Founder, Free The Children
– Marc Kielburger – Co-Founder, Free The Children

* We Day is a Free The Children initiative. The event is made possible at no cost to students and schools through the sponsorship and support of numerous companies and organizations. National Bank Financial is the title sponsor of the event.

Marc & Craig Kielburger, Founders of Free the Children (courtesy Free the Children)

About Free the Children

Free The Children is the world’s largest network of children helping children through education, with more than one million youth involved in innovative education and development programs in 45 countries. Founded in 1995 by international child rights activist Craig Kielburger, Free The Children has a proven track record of success. Through the energy and passion of youth, Free The Children has built more than 500 schools around the world and it provides education for 50,000 children everyday. The organization has received the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child (also known as the Children’s Nobel Prize), the Human Rights Award from the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, and has formed successful partnerships with leading school boards and Oprah’s Angel Network. For more information please visit www.freethechildren.com and become a fan on Facebook.

For the love of all that is good in life – Tomatoes!

September 18, 2009 Fridays with Kerry

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A world without tomatoes is like a string quartet without violins. ~ Laurie Colwin, Home Cooking

At this time of year tomatoes have to be my most favorite vegetable, or is that fruit? Technically, tomatoes are a fruit. The tomato is the fruit of the tomato plant, but can be used as a vegetable in cooking. Ask yourself this question when trying to figure out the “fruit or vegetable” query: Does it have seeds? If the answer is yes, then it is a fruit. No seeds? Simple, it’s a vegetable.

Tomatoes are a great source of vitamins and minerals, according to Canada’s Food Guide. Tomatoes are commonly red but can also come in a variety of other colours, such as yellow, pink, purple or green. Tomatoes are often eaten fresh or used as an ingredient in recipes. Popular types of tomatoes include beefsteak, plum or roma, and cherry tomatoes.

When choosing your tomatoes, be sure to pick those with the most brilliant shades of red. These indicate the highest amounts of beta-carotene and lycopene. Raw tomatoes are great for you, but cooking them fully releases their lycopene (healing compound and potential agent in cancer prevention), which is located in the cell wall of the tomato. If you cook them in olive oil that’s even better, the oil enhances the absorption of the antioxidant. Now who said that cooking with oil is a bad thing? Not me that’s for sure!

You should also look for any signs of bruising or cuts on the skin and flesh of the tomato, and remember, they continue to ripen once they are picked, so you should always purchase tomatoes that are firm but not hard.

Store whole tomatoes unwashed and uncovered at room temperature, they make a beautiful centerpiece on your table or counter when placed in a wooden or antique bowl ~ just make sure that they are stored out of direct sunlight. When the tomatoes are ripe, they should be stored in the refrigerator and should be used within a few days (that’s never a problem at my house, I even enjoy them as a snack with nothing but a little bit of vinegar, salt & pepper).

OMG, I’m drooling just thinking about them, I guess it’s time for lunch!

It’s also time to share one of my newest and most recently tested recipes. We went to visit my cousin and her family in Mississauga last weekend, and I used them as my guinea pigs. I have to say, they loved this dish and it will now have a prominent place on our summer & fall menus.

3 Cheese Baked Tomatoes

3 or 4 large Beefsteak tomatoes (bright red & ripe)
1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup of shredded fresh parmesan cheese
1/2 cup of softened cream cheese
1-2 tbsp mayo
1/4 tsp oregano
1 large clove of garlic minced
1 green onion chopped fine
Fresh ground pepper, to taste
Salt, to lightly sprinkle on the tomatoes

Thickly slice the tomatoes and place on a lightly oiled baking sheet or stone (I prefer using cooking stones, they cook evenly and keep food warm when serving). Sprinkle lightly with salt. Mix remaining ingredients together in a bowl (even better if you can make this ahead of time and let sit for at least 1/2 hr). Cover each slice of tomato evenly with some of the mixture, place in preheated oven (350 degrees) and bake for about 15 min. or until warmed through. Then broil till tomatoes are bubbly and a nice caramel brown ~ remove from oven and serve immediately, not that they will last long enough to get cold!

My wine pick, we shared a bottle of Wayne Gretzky’s Merlot with dinner, give it a try. We were pleasantly surprised by this wine. One of the world’s greatest hockey players could produce such a wine that would boast exceptional quality and delightful taste. Who knew?!

Cheers,

Kerry

U2: The Ultimate Brand

September 17, 2009 Marketing

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u21jpg Last night, along with 58,000 or so other people, I had the ultimate live music experience when U2 played the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario.

I call U2 the ‘ultimate brand’ because over the past 33 years they have built an empire that has united more people from across the globe then I would hazard to guess any other ‘brand’ has. (And sold millions of records, and made billions in product sales, and, and, and…You get the drift.)

What’s the secret to their success? Among many things: a consistent delivery of their product, the ability to evolve and change with the time and culture, their focus on corporate responsibility and social justice, and being genuine–not perfect.

Any business or individual can learn something from these guys.

I won’t spoil tonight’s show for anyone by talking set list or other special stuff, but you’re in for the time of your life!

Ok…one hint…

Seeing 58,000 people lifting their hands and singing ‘Where the Streets Have No Name’ sent me into states of shock and awe. Glorious!

Pre-show

The roof was open at the Rogers Centre.

Bono's looking right at me! 😉

The Edge--Can you get better than this guy?!

My siblings, and dates for the evening--(L-R) Me, Mike & Ariel

Dream Big

September 16, 2009 Public Relations

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van-gogh-vincent-starry-night-7900566 This morning I had the privilege to speak to the students in the Loyalist College Public Relations program, of which I am a graduate.

In remembering my time there, and the snippets of wisdom I might have to impart to those just beginning their journey, I realized that everything I learned in school I learned from Loyalist PR.

Kerry Ramsay, the coordinator and facilitator of the program, is one of the most amazing, dynamic teachers I know. She inspired our class to get involved in our community, to give back to others, and that PR is inherently about servant leadership.

Above all she encouraged us to dream BIG!

She pushed us out of our comfort zones into places of creativity and experience that I had never had in four previous years of post-secondary. She gave us the skills and practical know-how to excel in our fields. She also imparted in our class (and many others from what I’ve heard), a fearlessness to take on big projects, communicate effectively, and do things we never thought possible.

Being back in her classroom this morning brought so many memories back. Getting to stand up with one of my fellow grads, the ever-eloquent and hilarious Jeff Lauritsen, was such a treat. It’s amazing when you see pieces of your life come full circle.

For anyone reading this who might be looking for inspiration, I encourage you to dream big. Do something you’d never do. Look for creativity in the most unlikely places. And check out the Loyalist PR blog. You’re sure to find something to bring out the best in you. I know I did.

Healthy Living

September 15, 2009 Design

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Well, as Kerry mentioned a week or so ago, it officially feels like Fall now with it being September and the start of school. It is also the time when we consider making positive changes to our daily routine, whether this is getting more organized at home, or making a more conscious effort to live a more healthy, active lifestyle.

I received the Loyalist College Continuing Education magazine in the mail, and this is what got me thinking. Then I heard several radio advertisements from various physical fitness centres in the area for Fall class registration. Programs ranging from from yoga and pilates to aerobics are offered and they all start the beginning of September.

I decided to be brave and make a positive change myself! I started a spinning/strength training class at Mindful Movements which runs every Tuesday at 5:30 for the next 15 weeks! My first class was this past Tuesday and let me tell you – while I have been a little sore the past couple of days – I feel great already! It will be challenging most definitely, but I will endeavour to be conscientious and not miss a single class. Wish me luck!

If you are looking for ways to live a more healthy active lifestyle, the Hastings & Prince Edward Counties Health Unit website is an excellent source on many topics ranging from a healthy diet and physical activity to simple steps that you can take each day for positive change.

Last fall, we were asked by the health unit to help them with a campaign encouraging healthy living. Take a look at the posters I designed, below. Thanks to the Hastings & Prince Edward Counties Health Unit for allowing us to share them!

I wish you all healthy living!

All Good Things…(You Know the Rest)

More Than Food

The Deep (Fried) South

Oklahoma – home of fried butter on a stick, tornados and bull riding in bars!

For the love of all that is good in life – Tomatoes!

U2: The Ultimate Brand

Dream Big

Healthy Living

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