Happy Friday!  

So I went to a PRSA Social Media seminar at Boston University today.  It was so cool.  One thing I like about working in communications and especially PR is that people are so easy to talk to.  I met like three people in the elevator who were my bff's for the class.  I'm kind of a whacko who talks to everyone so good thing I picked PR as a profession.  I was asked at the end of the class by a gentleman who does the PRSA Boston chapter newsletter if I would submit a piece.  He said I could pick any topic I want.  While I ponder that..

They gave us these adorable professional badges that said our name, and the company we worked for.  Of course I wanted to take a photo but they made me give it back at the end.  I don't want someone else being me!!  The professor of the class Steve Quigley was freaking amazing.  He started off but showing us his 6 year old cell phone and telling us how un technological savvy he was.  The class was for "beginners" and I was quite sure I'd be all the wiser than everyone in the class but it was fascinating how all these companies are using social media as a part of everyday media relations.  He talked a lot about FaceBook - which I have only recently become a fan of.   I was such a myspace girl but now I'm over it.  I hate that anyone and their mom can try to add you.  Whenever I have a friend request on FaceBook I get excited because it's ALWAYS someone I know.

The other night I got a friend request from my mormon pen pal that I haven't connected with in probably 9 years.  After pen and paper got lame we did the email thing and the phone thing - when he went to his mission he would send me something unique from each country.  Even something as simple as a menu from a McDonalds in Russia would impress me.  We lost touch after that and I was OVER THE MOON to see that he friended me on FaceBook.  Of course he's married now with two gorgeous kids - it's just so random how social networking works.

I just like all the interaction on FaceBook - and you never have to worry about someones annoying page slowing your computer down (ROBYN!!) because they all look the same.

We also talked a lot about Twitter and all these different ways you can use them to promote your client/brand.  It was all very informative and I plan on going to another one soon.

On my way home from BU I got a call from the renters office at the apartment I'm moving in to and they informed me that both of us had been approved to move in.  I am so damn excited.  I also took on the daunting task of telling my mom.  She seemed sad and didn't really have any looming questions.  Just about how much it was.  Said nice.  And moved on.  I've been out of the house before so she shouldn't be too sad about it.  And Abington is WAY closer than New York.  I am going to put together a blog of all the stuff I am already thinking of for my room and the like.

Last and final issue:  My phone.  I think I have grown out of my enV.  I mean I like it.  But it's become imperative that I have access to email when I am out of the office and the enV does not let me do so.  I also would like a more grown up phone.  Everyone is all profesh at the meeting today with their BlackBerry's and their iPhones and here I am whipping the glamourous enV out.  So I am going to purchase the BlackBerry Curve.  I toyed with an iPhone but I couldn't go to AT&T - I just won't.  Not sure why.  The Blackberry Storm (the one my man Krasinski pimps out) is the new BB but I don't like it that much.  I get more discounts by ordering online so I'll probably do that beginning next week.

One last thing.  Totally my friday obsession.

http://www.postcardsfromyomomma.com/

Makes me miss my mom and I only saw her a few hours ago.

Have a good weekend all!

xok

Monday, this article hit the net and to no surprise made it on to all of our desks.  Then it came in memo form from the big man in the corner.  

Ketchum employee's Tweet causes client controversy

Now I twitter, blog and have facebook.  I try to keep client names secret but so did that guy!!!  The Tweet came from James Andrews VP, director of interactive at Ketchum (a competitor PR agency of the one I work for) who goes by keyinfluencer on Twitter who said "I'm in one of those towns where I scratch my head and say "I would die if I had to live here".  Referring to Memphis as he was there for client meetings - FedEx.  

Someday over drinks ask me for some good client stories and I'll tell you - cause lord knows I won't talk about them on here anymore.  I have a handful of friends on Twitter - but on FaceBook I have half the company as my friends.  I sometimes have to sensor what I say ex. new job opportunities that were offered to me and take tags off pictures that may be viewed as distasteful ( I know you're thinking Kristen, distasteful? No) .  I speak my mind and stand up for myself but I just know if I didn't take that shit off then I would most definitely be called out by senior level folk.

Part of me wants to say how dumb this guy was (who I just added to my twitter BTW!) by doing that and being a prick - but I've done it too.  I feel a little bad for him but he seems to be loving all the new followers he has gotten on Twitter so I'm sure he's doing just fine.  He even got the attention of the head of FedEx who wrote a letter to him and made really valid points.  I think it's towards the end of the article.  

What do you guys think about this whole debacle?  And it applies to industrys outside of PR, Marketing etc etc - I've talked crap about even the shitty retailers I've worked for.

Also, NO the guy did NOT get fired!

On a totally random and unrelated note:  I have been listen to Sky 80's on iTunes radio for like 5 months.  I went on a hunt for a new station today and found Big 5 radio - 90's alternative.  AMAZING.  It will change your life.  

On a slightly related note to the previous note - NO DOUBT IS TOURING THIS SUMMER!!!!!!!!  More deets later.