Latest News from Ryan Greives

Top 10 Things That Make You a Good PR Client

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:00:00 EST

Often when we have a call with a new client who is getting started with BLASTmedia, we get the question, “what makes a good client?” or “what makes for the best client/agency relationship?” By simply asking this question, they have already knocked out one of the best things clients can do when they are coming on-board with any public relations agency. With this post, I’ve pulled in some input from my BLAST colleagues to address some of the top things companies can do to make them a “good PR client,” so here it goes.

Thanksgiving 2009: Counting Our Blessings

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:47:53 EST

Before we all leave the office to baste our turkeys, watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or search ads for Black Friday deals, we wanted to take a couple minutes to recreate a moment from our pre-Thanksgiving pitch-in. It might be a little cheesy, but we’re all very thankful for so much in our lives [...]

November BLASTmedia Profile: Brooke McKinney

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:34:00 EST

Welcome to the latest edition of BLASTmedia Profiles! This month, we’ll be profiling Brooke McKinney, one of our newest Media Relations Specialists. In her time with BLAST, Brooke has really been focusing on targeted coverage for one of our favorite clients MealpayPlus, and has more recently been working on TextFlow, along with a new client [...]

Scale Computing’s Ribbon Cutting Event

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:42:24 EST

We are known for our skills in generating national media attention for our clients, but we recently had the chance to show our local press abilities for our Indy-based client, Scale Computing. On Friday, Scale celebrated the grand opening of its new Indianapolis corporate office with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Held at the Purdue Research [...]

The Power of the Media Sample

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:36:16 EST

Review samples are a crucial to generating media coverage. More and more editors, bloggers, producers and even podcasters will request to try out a product before they highlight it to their audience – providing first-hand experience with the product. It is so commonplace that the Federal Trade Commission recently set new guidelines for bloggers and [...]

OCTOBER BLASTMEDIA PROFILE: ASHLEY HALBERSTADT

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:58:32 EST

Ashley Halberstadt is the profile piece for October. Ashley has been with BLASTmedia for over two years now and just recently purchased her first home and was promoted to consumer team manager. Take a few minutes to get to know Ashley.... BLASTmedia nickname: Halbercrack Hometown: Richmond, IN College(s) attended: Butler University (Go Dawgs!) Favorite ...

OCTOBER BLASTMEDIA PROFILE: ASHLEY HALBERSTADT

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:20:39 EST

Ashley Halberstadt is the profile piece for October. Ashley has been with BLASTmedia for over two years now and just recently purchased her first home and was promoted to consumer team manager. Take a few minutes to get to know Ashley…. BLASTmedia nickname: Halbercrack Hometown: Richmond, IN College(s) attended: Butler University (Go Dawgs!) Favorite sport: I like watching basketball [...]

We Have Liftoff – Client Announcement Day

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:00:10 EDT

At BLAST, we view our work with clients as long-term relationships designed to increase their visibility in national media outlets and on social networks. Whether our clients are making major announcements or not, we’re always working with our editorial contacts to keep them in the news every week. That being ...

We Have Liftoff – Client Announcement Day

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:38:18 EDT

The Ex-Factor, BLASTmedia Style

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:54:00 EDT

We love celebrating holidays at BLAST – whether it’s as obscure as College Colors Day or the kick-off of football season. Halloween is no exception at BLAST, and we started this year’s celebration a little early by digging up some really scary stuff – photos of ourselves from our teen ...

The Ex-Factor, BLASTmedia Style

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:06:11 EDT

BLASTmedia’s havin’ a ball

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:54:14 EDT

BLASTmedia is a fun company to work for – we have food eating challenges, show-and-tell days, trips to the Indiana State Fair and, who could forget, our annual Ugly Christmas Sweater party. One of the latest perks at the BLAST office is the addition of Swiss Exercise Balls as substitutes ...

BLASTmedia’s havin’ a ball

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:54:19 EDT

Here Comes the Bride!

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:57:28 EDT

We just recently celebrated our second BLASTmedia wedding on September 26 with the union of our own Carey Hart and her now-hubby Dan Driscoll. Fun was had by all, of course, and we’re all adjusting to using Carey’s new name! Like Ryan’s wedding earlier this year, Carey did not disappoint in ...

Here Comes the Bride!

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:51:25 EDT

How Social Media Is Changing the PR Organizational Structure

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:45:00 EDT

I recently used Peter Shankman’s Help a Reporter Out™ (HARO) as a journalist, rather than a PR practitioner, looking to gain insight on a particular topic from the thousands of PR people who receive the daily queries. It was quite an exciting ...

Sharing in our clients’ success

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:56:16 EDT

Mendy and I recently had the opportunity to head out to Park City, Utah to visit our client Skullcandy - a leading manufacturer of headphones and audio accessories. Skullcandy has been a long-standing client of ours and we began working with them when they were just starting out as a ...

Sharing in our clients’ success

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:10:31 EDT

Mendy and I recently had the opportunity to head out to Park City, Utah to visit our client Skullcandy – a leading manufacturer of headphones and audio accessories. Skullcandy has been a long-standing client of ours and we began working with them when they were just starting out as a little operation with only a [...]

The Secret Sauce

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:55:05 EDT

BLASTmedia Strikes and Spares

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:55:03 EDT

BLASTmedia is back in action and looking to have a winning season...not just with major media hits. After a softball season of three strikes and you're out, BLASTmedia is looking to get as many strikes as possible every Tuesday - bowling that is! The team at BLAST has joined ...

BLASTmedia Gets Around (The Country, That Is!)

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:55:01 EDT

Mmm… (Tech)Crunchy.

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:54:56 EDT

Whew! It's been a busy week as I've been preparing with new client, 360desktop, for next week's third annual TechCrunch50 event in San Francisco. If you're not familiar, TechCrunch50 is a major global competition conference for start-ups where they have the opportunity to pitch themselves to nearly 2,000 ...

Hangin’ with the Ha Brothers

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:54:54 EDT

Back in the Saddle

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:54:50 EDT

Yesterday marked my first day in the BLAST office after a long stint of bedrest and maternity leave. While I miss spending time with the twins, it is awesome to be back in the saddle (and having adult conversations!). Now that I'm back, I'm hearing about all of the amazing ...

Who is REALLY on Twitter?

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:54:48 EDT

Social media has become an integral part of our PR campaigns at BLASTmedia, especially Twitter. Clients often ask us, "Who is using Twitter and why should it matter to us?" eMarketer recently published an article that answers both of those questions, and many more. Want to know the demographics ...

The World According to Twitter

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:54:46 EDT

Tapping into the vast and knowledgeable Twittervise, David Pogue, tech editor for the New York Times, recently released his book, composed entirely of Tweets. The World According to Twitter, by Dave Pogue, is made up of 2,524 tweet responses to Pogue's variety of questions sent into the Twitter world. ...

Communication is King

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:54:00 EDT

Working in the PR space, underneath the giant communications umbrella, we definitely know the value of good, open communication on all fronts. Communicating with the media and with the public via traditional and social media are the main things we are known for as PR professionals, but what about ...

How Social Media is Changing the PR Organizational Structure

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:37:31 EDT

Ryan McVay / Getty Images I recently used Peter Shankman’s Help a Reporter Out™ (HARO) as a journalist, rather than a PR practitioner, looking to gain insight on a particular topic from the thousands of PR people who receive the daily queries. It was quite an exciting experience, I must say. Submitting a query for what [...]

The Secret Sauce

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:44:26 EDT

Peter Shankman is the founder of a service called Help a Reporter Out (HARO), which a daily e-newsletter that is delivered three times a day to help journalist on a deadline find sources. Yesterday, I discovered a query on HARO from a source asking other PR professionals to share successful pitch examples for a new [...]

The Secret Sauce

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:41:57 EDT

Bland, watered down and downright gross is what ends up on Richard Laermer's Bad Pitch Blog. We like to spice it up a bit at BLASTmedia--throwing in a dash of creativity and consistency mixed with plenty of time and research. We work together as a team to beef up the communication, which is only the beginning of a sometimes lengthy process. Let me break down some of the ingredients:

Creativity: New angles and new markets every week.
• How can the product, service, or even the company be shown in a different light?
• Identify the constraints of your company or product so you can be prepared to counter
• Let your colleagues take a look at the pitch and throw in a dash of their own creativity

Consistency: Be yourself and show you have an understanding of the client and product being pitched
• Offer experts and facts
• Relate the pitch appropriately
• Ensure you are pitching every week and establishing new leads

Time: Do you want to end up on the Bad Pitch Blog?
• Take the time to know and understand what and who you are pitching
• Talk to your client to ensure you are sending the right message
• Find the best niche and fit for your client before you make the pitch

We like to eat at BLASTmedia. Once the sauce (pitch) is just right, we focus on the meal (coverage). Check out what we have been eating lately:
Ryan Grieves- The New York Times (Scale Computing)
Hillary Money- TV Guide Magazine (iPopperz)
Chantal Brenton- Chicago Tribune (Eco Smart Fire)
Patrick Tarpey -- CBS's The Early Show (Sleeptracker and Good Nite Lite)
Lindsey Groepper - BusinessWeek.com (Cyberhomes)

Hungry? Contact us to get something cooking.

Who is REALLY on Twitter?

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EDT

The World According to Twitter

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:45:00 EDT

Every night at 11 pm, I posted a new question to my followers on Twitter...Then, for the next two hours, I'd sit there on the couch, reading the replies and cackling like a deranged person...In the end, I posed 95 questions. They generated over 25,00 responses...As you'll soon see, this book's coauthors are some of the wittiest, sharpest, most interesting people on the Internet...And thanks to the unique, real-time, communications channel called Twitter, they've successfully completed a massive collaborative experiment." Pogue, David. The World According to Twitter, Black Dog & Leventhal publishers, 2009, pg. 12-13.

BLASTmedia Strikes and Spares

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:32:05 EDT

The team at BLAST has joined a local business league that meets every Tuesday night at PinHeads for three games of competitive bowling (the $1 nachos are just a perk). After competing in the first three weeks of tournament, we are proud to report that the BLAST is in 7th place! With another 4 weeks to go, we're aiming for the first place trophy.

According to a post by Rose Curtis at AllBusiness.com, socializing with co-workers outside of work is important. She suggests charity events (like the BLASTmedia Special Olympics silent auction), Sports teams (like the BLASTmedia softball and bowling teams) and company carpooling (an excuse to park in the carpool spots!). We at BLAST agree that having a good time outside of the office helps with our team work in the office.

What social activities does your company do outside of the office walls?

BLASTmedia Strikes and Spares

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:42:13 EDT

BLASTmedia is back in action and looking to have a winning season…not just with major media hits. After a softball season of three strikes and you’re out, BLASTmedia is looking to get as many strikes as possible every Tuesday – bowling that is! The team at BLAST has joined a local business league that meets [...]

BLASTmedia Gets Around (The Country, That Is!)

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:46:01 EDT

I speak to potential clients every day, and many are curious about our location - Indianapolis. While we also have offices in San Francisco and Salt Lake City, clients always scratch their heads at our Midwest headquarters. We're indeed the only agency in the city that works with the national media and clients from a variety of industries--enterprise tech, consumer audio, gaming, health and fitness, parenting/children's products, consumer software and applications, mobile tech, etc. - but, location simply doesn't matter. In fact, many of our clients love our Midwestern roots - we're straight to the point and always focused on creating top-tier media coverage for our clients, rather than churning out fancy reports that look nice to clients but don't do anything to impact ROI. Our results are based on the way we build our relationships, and we can manage those relationships from anywhere.

That being said, just because we're geographically landlocked doesn't mean we don't get around. Chances are, on any given week, you'll find at least a couple of us hitting the road or friendly skies. This week, we crisscrossed the US:

Ashley accompanied a new client, 360desktop, to TechCrunch50 in San Francisco. Learn more about them on VentureBeat or AppScout!

After weeks of planning, Heidi traveled to New York and Boston with Jesubi to debut their newest CRM software to media outlets and analyst firms like Inc., BusinessWeek, Network World and the 451 Group.

Mendy and Lindsey met Brandie in Salt Lake before strategizing corporate PR tactics with Skullcandy's Rick Alden in Park City. Did we mention that Rick's in the running for Entrepreneur of the Year from Entrepreneur Magazine?

And yours truly just came back from Sin City, where I learned about the latest and greatest in juvenile products at the ABC Kids Expo.

Pfew, what a week! And it's only the halfway point! Can't wait to see the results of everyone's hard work.

Hangin' with the Ha Brothers

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:44:43 EDT

One of the best parts about doing PR is building relationships with editors. Since many of our BLASTmedia clients fall under the technology category, we work with a variety of tech editors on both the consumer and enterprise side of things. We have a long-standing relationship with the guys over at CrunchGear and are fortunate to get to hang out with them throughout the year at various tradeshows and events. So when we heard our faves, Peter Ha, was coming to Indianapolis with his brother for the MotoGP event, we quickly set up plans for a night out in Indy with the Ha brothers. (Side note: Peter will now be working for Time.com - exciting!)

Ashley, Hillary and I met Peter and John downtown and started off our adventurous evening downtown, at Chatham Tap, a popular pub on Mass Ave. After dinner, we ventured to several other Indy hotspots, like The Rathskeller biergarten and the Subterra Lounge.

We know our editor friends always have a lot of invites to parties, drinks and dinners while at various events, so we always love it when they choose to hang out with us! We think it's a combination of the great work we do (and how we make their jobs easier)...plus our good looks and killer dance moves, of course. Maybe if you're lucky, you'll score an invite to our next BLAST meetup!

Ashley, Peter and Chantal

John and Hillary - not exactly sure what's going on in this one.

Peter, Ashley and John

Mmm... (Tech)Crunchy.

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:27:22 EDT

Ryan was lucky enough to attend the event last year with client 3Tera and this year it's my turn!

360desktop is a consumer media platform that brings the Web and the desktop together as a 360° Web-enabled desktop. The free Windows download literally transforms a user's desktop into a 360° workspace, giving them an almost unlimited amount of desktop space. The program has some incredible new features and we can't think of a better opportunity than TechCrunch50 to start spreading the news!

While there, I'm also hoping to meet up with the crew at BLASToutdoors, our sister office in San Francisco. There are some new faces there I need to meet, and I can't wait!

If you're a start-up and are looking for some great media exposure like this, be sure to get a hold of us!

Communication is King

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:53:00 EDT

Internal communications is often overlooked, but if a company can't figure it out themselves and how to work together within, how are you supposed to move forward? It's your base. If you build a house (or company) on sand (faulty products, lack of business plan, poor leadership or poor communication), your house will crumble. If you build it on rock (quality products, quality business plan, visionary leadership, and a tight executive team), your house (or company) will stand, and will be able to be built upon, for years.

Back in the Saddle

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:15:50 EDT

Both our Indy and San Fran office have swelled with new clients and new people, a clear sign of the invaluable service we provide to our clients. The new clients are as diverse as our team members -- sports tech, storage, Web apps, audio accessories -- and our killer account teams have scored some amazing national media coverage for them. Seriously, I was floored by the recent top-tier press. Our clients have been featured this summer on The Today Show, Good Morning America, a full review by David Pogue of the New York Times, Washington Post, InStyle, WIRED, SELF and Good Housekeeping (to name a few). In addition, we have clients in the running for Forbes magazine's "America's Most Promising Companies" and Entrepreneur magazine's "Entrepreneur of the Year Award" (vote for Skullcandy's Rick Alden!)

If you can't tell, I think our firm is the shiznit and love that we continue to kill it for our clients. I'm looking forward to re-engaging with my clients and scoring some national media coverage of my own. Way to go, BLAST!

August BLASTmedia Profile: Ryan Greives

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:40:32 EDT

It's that time again - a BLASTmedia profile! Each month, we will be profiling a BLASTmedia team member so that you can get to know each of us a little better. This month is Mr. Ryan Greives - a rock star Media Relations Specialist who has been with us since January of 2007.

Ryan is profiled this month because he is a newlywed! Ryan and Stephanie Greives were married on August 1, 2009 - you can see the ecstatic groom pictured above. Time to learn a little more about Ryan...

BLASTmedia nickname: I'm one of the few at BLAST who doesn't really have one. "Cornfield Creeper" was around for a while, but it was terrible and didn't have the staying power. Seriously, how "normal" can a 6'4" strapping man look standing in a cornfield with seven 5'6" women posing for a photo?

Hometown: Otterbein, IN aka "O-Town"

College(s) attended: University of Texas at Austin, University of Nevada, Purdue University

Favorite childhood memory: Growing up we had a half-court basketball court in a barn next to our house that we used to played basketball, indoor baseball, Royal Rumble wrestling, etc. One day we were in barn playing basketball when my middle brother Brad found a 2-3' lead pipe in one of the side rooms and asked me to "pitch" him the basketball for him to hit with the pipe. Terrible idea. He swung as hard as he could but the bat still ricocheted off of the ball and smacked him right across the head. It was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. What made it even better was the concussion that ensued and him trying to climb into the fridge because he had no idea where he was at. Classic.

Favorite sport: Most people think it has to automatically be baseball, but it's a toss-up between baseball and football.

Favorite movie: I usually say this question is too hard and that I rank them in movie categories instead. However, for the sake of not having a lame answer like that, I would say "Gladiator."

Favorite Indianapolis restaurant: Scotty's Brewhouse on 96th. I know it's a chain restaurant, but it's where I met and later proposed to my beautiful "wifey-for-lifey." A phenomenal buffalo chicken wrap, the best macaroni and cheese in the world, and Top 5 quality ranch dressing, all mixed with the chance to meet your future wife, how would it not be a favorite?

Random fact: In the six year period after high school I lived in eight different cities. It definitely makes for some interesting stories.

One word to describe you: Passionate

Favorite quote: "Don't tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon." ~ Unknown

What's on your iPod: I like it all - rock, country, hip-hop, R&B. My favorite playlist is my "Breakfast Club Mix," inspired by the music played at Purdue's Breakfast club (Bon Jovi, Guns N' Roses, Eddie Money, The Outfield). Some say my music library selection and playlists are one of the best east of the Mississippi.

Favorite Pandora Station: Although I can't stand Kayne West as a person, he makes some jams and his station rocks.

Favorite Twitterer you follow: It's really random, but it's Justin (@shitmydadsays), a 28-year-old, who lives with his 73-year-old dad and Twitters the random things his dad says. Some of the funniest things I've ever read.

How would you describe your job at BLASTmedia: A blast (no pun intended)! It's cool working with a bunch of butt kickers who rock at their jobs but love to have fun as well. Having cool clients who have phenomenal industry-leading products definitely makes it even better.

What's the biggest thrill you've had while working at BLAST: Helping a client achieve their goals - whether it is sales, Web traffic, consumer awareness, etc. It's an addicting feeling when your client is happy and truly appreciates the work we do.

What do you like to do outside of BLAST: I love to hang out with my wife and friends, play sports and live life to the fullest. Livin' the Dream!

Check out Ryan on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook. Do you have any specific questions for Ryan? If so, ask away in the comments section. Stayed tuned for next month's edition of BLASTmedia Profiles!

We've Gone Country... BLAST's Indiana State Fair Adventure

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:31:55 EDT

Just because we're tech savvy doesn't mean that we don't appreciate the simpler things in life... like gawking at the World's Largest Boar - all 1,200 pounds of him! Last week we made our annual pilgrimage to the Indiana State Fair. As always, we had a great time chowing down on some delicious deep-fried treats, checking out the animals and people-watching. Highlights from this year's trip:

-Introducing Lindsey's twins- James and Riley- to the wonderful world of agriculture in the hog barn
-Meeting Big Mike- a 2,500 pound Belgian horse- and Carey kissing him on the nose
-Kelly teaching Margie and Mendy about raising sheep
-Brooke's tasty rendezvous with kettle corn
-Getting fashion advice from the Hoosier Lottery representatives - they were dressed in gold lame' pants to celebrate MC Hammer's concert that evening
-Ashley, Ryan and Carey sampling "Pigs in the Mud" - chocolate covered bacon. It tasted like what we imagine dog treats to taste like!
-Kelly breaking his calorie consumption record with his personal smorgasbord: Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich, Gyro, Potato Twisters, Pineapple Whip and Kettle Corn

What's your top fair food pick?

Chocolate Covered Bacon... not a BLAST favorite!

Watch out Salt Lake City

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:42:03 EDT

That's right you heard it here first, BLAST is opening an office in Salt Lake City this month! We're excited about the opportunity to be a part of the Salt Lake City community and to be a little closer to our clients, ifrogz, Kahuna Creations and Skullcandy.

More details coming soon!

Just Call Us Aristotelians

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:46:17 EDT

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend Blog Indiana 2009, the second annual state conference on social media. Several female bloggers like @feedmedrinkme and @mooshinindy were in attendance and, like many others in the blogosphere and twitterverse, were continuing to discuss the hot topic from last month's BlogHer event - blogging ethics. As a PR professional, I have a different perspective from most of them and found it enlightening to hear their side on subjects like the infamous blogger blackmail attempt on Crocs and whether or not free products/tickets/meals should be accepted when writing reviews.

I'll be the first to admit, I didn't pipe up and tell the other attendees that BLAST works with bloggers every day and works with them in the same way we work with the "mainstream" media - if there's a mutual interest, we provide samples of client products to bloggers and other writers. Some choose to review the products, others choose not to; some choose to return samples, others choose to keep them for personal use or to donate to charities. I didn't want to go to great lengths to explain what Jeremy Pepper did in less than 140 characters - PR people are ethical and it should not come as a surprise. But don't take my word for it - there's a new study from Penn State to prove it.

The Ryan Greives Wedding Experience

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:32:46 EDT

The BLAST crew gathered last weekend for a very memorable experience - the first BLASTmedia wedding! That's right, our own Ryan Greives took the plunge and married Stephanie Moore on August 1 in a beautiful outdoor ceremony - congratulations to them both!

If there's anything that BLASTmedia knows well - outside of great PR, of course - it's how to have fun, so our expectations were set high for the reception. Luckily, thanks to some killer dance moves from the groom himself, we were not disappointed.

At work, Ryan is dedicated and focused on securing coverage for his clients like 3Tera and TextFlow, so you may not be aware of the rock star that Ryan becomes when he hits a dance floor. It's a show not to be missed, so we wanted to share the experience:

Ryan busts a move for the garter toss - which was caught by his older (even taller) brother, Matthew.

Here are some other photos of the night for you to enjoy as we prepare for our second BLAST wedding - Carey Hart's is in September!

Heidi and Mendy before the ceremony

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Greives!

The first dance

The BLAST crew

Double the fun!

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:06:38 EDT

We are very excited to officially announce the two latest editions to the BLASTmedia family - James Wade and Riley Elizabeth Groepper! Proud parents of the son and daughter duo are Corey and Lindsey Groepper. Making an early appearance at 36 weeks, the Groepper twins were born on July 13, 2009. Riley weighed 6 lbs even and was 19.5 inches long, while James weighed 4 lbs 7 oz and was 18.5 inches long. Lindsey brought the twins into the BLASTmedia office on Monday and we all took turns passing around the 'lil cuties. Check out the pics below of the twins' first visit...

Brooke holding James and Chantal holding Riley

Margie holding Riley

Heidi Lee handing off little James to our intern Erica

Chantal holding Riley with proud Mama Lindsey in the background talking to Mendy and Heidi

It was definitely a fun afternoon with the twins at BLAST. We're hoping for more office appearances by the 'lil cuties again in the near future!

Introducing... Mrs. President

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:00:53 EDT

At BLAST, we aren't very formal when it comes to official titles or inter-office hierarchy. We all work together, as an overall team in smaller groups, to achieve the media results we drive for our clients. That being said, we thought it would be important to introduce you to a crucial member of our team - Mendy Werne. Mendy co-founded BLASTmedia and has been an integral member of our team, driving the growth of our offices in Indianapolis and San Francisco. On July 1, Mendy was promoted to President of BLASTmedia and we're all excited to have her as a leader!

We'll have more details on Mendy in an upcoming BLASTmedia Profile, but for now, here is a look at her getting started with her presidential duties:

Congratulations, Mendy!

(Photo Disclaimer: We're PR pros, not photo editing experts!)

The Team That Sweats Together, Stays Together

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:14:14 EDT

BLASTmedia is a team. Actually, we're several teams - there are the PR teams we work within every day for our clients, but there's also the softball team and even a workout team. The debate about office socializing has been ongoing for ages, but at BLASTmedia we stick to the motto, "The team that sweats together, stays together."

Sometimes we're sweating it out in the conference room trying to put out client fires, or brainstorming the best ways to get those clients the greatest coverage they've ever seen. These situations are great because they really show how "two heads are better than one," and help us deliver the absolute best we can every time.

As you can see, working at BLASTmedia isn't a solo show, we bounce ideas and ask questions constantly throughout the day, but we also socialize occasionally outside of the office. While some business professionals have said that socializing with colleagues isn't wise, we tend to disagree and think that - to a certain degree - socializing is the new team-building.

I came across an article earlier from AllBusiness.com titled, "Why Socializing After Work is Important." It made some great points, and even listed some ideas for appropriate co-worker activities, like charity walks. The author explains the idea well, saying, "By getting to know co-workers outside of work, you will develop rich relationships that can actually help improve your career."

Agreed. There's a sense of comradery that has developed from our BLASTmedia outings, and I think we all feel comfortable around one another to a point where we're able to ask professional questions, give criticism and provide useful feedback without fear. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and getting to know one another on a personal level has been great for making the most of our strengths professionally.

What are some of the other ways we "sweat" together? To start, the BLASTmedia softball team fights to keep its title as league champions in a local softball league each Thursday. We're 0-1 so far, but we're just getting warmed up!

You can always find a group of us exercising after work in the building's gym as well. In fact, Carey and I have also started attending Indy Bootcamps three times a week. Our trainer, Tod Esquivel (pictured above), practically kills us each time, but we're feeling more in shape each week and always get a giggle out of the strange, yet effective, workouts he throws at us.

As we leg press one another and roll around on our stability balls, hilarity often ensues. It's too good not to share, so we've put together a slideshow of us demonstrating our new skills. Not only has Indy Bootcamps helped us to be healthy , it's also given us a great chance to get to know one another outside of the office.

Do you think that socializing outside of work has improved your office environment? We'd love to hear some of the ways you and your colleagues get to know one another!

July BLASTmedia Profile: Margie Schaffner

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:52:29 EDT

Welcome back to the second edition of BLASTmedia Profiles! This month, we'll be profiling Margie Schaffner, one of our veteran Media Relations Specialists. Joining BLAST nearly four years ago, Margie has had some huge media hits, such as the Wall Street Journal and Family Circle. Time to get to know Margie a little better...

BLASTmedia nickname: Snarge, Nargie, Shotgun (this stems from a long story, not because I like to play with guns)

Hometown: Born and raised in Indianapolis

College(s) attended: Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN - Go Belles!

Favorite childhood memory: If childhood encompasses high school, then one of my favorite memories would be when I choreographed a cheerleading dance to N'SYNC's "Bye, Bye, Bye." We did the dance at half time of a basketball game, and it was AWESOME. I have the video if you wanna see - just ask...

Favorite sport: I grew up in a sports-fanatic household, so I really like all sports (except hockey - sorry, Lucas). However, I LOVE watching baseball. My favorite team is the Yankees, and I am dying to go check out the new stadium!

Favorite movie: As my BLAST colleagues know, I am not a big movie buff. People quote movies around me, and I usually have no idea what they're talking about. With that being said, these are the movies that I do love - The Sound of Music, Dirty Dancing, Steel Magnolias, Ocean's Eleven and Bad Boys II

Favorite Indianapolis restaurant: Hands down, Sahms' Place at 65th and Keystone. They have the BEST Southwestern Chicken Salad.

Random fact: I am addicted to fountain pop. I will not drink it out of a can or bottle.

One word to describe you: Perky!

Favorite quote: Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you. - Princess Diana

What's on your iPod: Right now - all Michael Jackson, all the time. I literally can't stop listening to him. RIP...

Favorite Pandora Station: Sugarland. I have been on a serious country kick recently.

Favorite Twitterer you follow: I don't think I can pick just one. All of the people that I follow amuse me - I'm amazed at how creative people can be in 140 characters!

How would you describe your job at BLASTmedia: Fabulous! I love that each day brings something new and exciting, and I love learning about the ever-changing world of Media Relations.

What's the biggest thrill you've had while working at BLAST: Getting to know all of the amazing people that work at BLAST. We work hard, but we play hard too, and it makes for a great office environment!

What do you like to do outside of BLAST: I'm a total sucker for reality TV shows and I like to read, but I'd have to say that my favorite thing is to socialize. I'm always up for a social event!

Check out Margie on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook. Do you have any specific questions for Margie? If so, ask away in the comments section. Stayed tuned for next month's edition of BLASTmedia Profiles, when we take the time to highlight Ryan Greives!

The "More is Less" Trap

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:16:33 EDT

At BLASTmedia, we talk a lot about results. We teach all of our new team members the importance of achieving media coverage and how to achieve it quickly and effectively. Our secret really is no secret at all - we simply don't let perfect get in the way of good.

Most business leaders will agree that simply putting more money, time and effort towards a goal alone will not yield better results. Instead, it can often take away from getting the job done in the first place. The same holds true when it comes to PR. Many editors or bloggers with whom you speak are experts in a certain space and will always know more than you about your client's industry or focus. For that reason, doing endless research and perfecting your "pitch" before making outreach won't get you any further ahead - rather, it could cause you to miss the editor's deadline before ever picking up the phone. Instead, do just enough research so you are knowledgeable and prepared. At the very least, you make the call and get a dialogue going, opening the door for a coverage opportunity.

While effort is certainly appreciated, effort does not equal results. We get excited when major media outlets request a sample or more info on a client, but we make it clear to our team members that the end goal is media coverage. Let's face it, anyone off the street could generate interest if they are offering up free product for review! We set weekly campaign goals, not affording enough time to let perfect get in the way of good - or risk falling short of the outlined goals.

If your current PR firm or internal team is passing off activity and effort as results, I suggest setting specific goals to test their aptitude in attaining actual results. If they fall short, get in touch with us! We promise to speak with you right away, not in two days after we have crafted the perfect response.

People Behind Our Media Coverage: Hillary Money

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:22:52 EDT

Here at BLASTmedia, we have some interesting characters - all different backgrounds, different personality types and interesting stories. We recently had the idea to let you in on who the people are behind the media coverage, the Twitter profiles and the BLASTmedia blog. Starting today, we will highlight someone here at BLASTmedia each month to give you a closer look at who they are, where they've come from, and what they're up to here at BLAST.

This month, we're taking the time to profile one of our media relations specialists, Hillary Money. Joining the BLAST team over a year ago, Hillary has had some big media hits, such as Seventeen Magazine (the upcoming August issue) and USA Today. Here's Hillary!

BLASTmedia nickname: Schmillary ("So I have this friend...we'll call her 'Schmillary'") or Money

Hometown: Greenwood, IN

College(s) attended: Purdue University - BOILER UP

Favorite childhood memory: My parents surprised my brother and me with a trip to Disney World...the morning we were leaving. Best family vacation.

Favorite sport: To watch: College football; To Play: Competitive Swimming

Favorite movie: Sex and the City: The Movie

Favorite Indianapolis restaurant: Bonefish Grill (Bang Bang Shrimp)

Random fact: My favorite college football player is my brother, YALE defensive back #17

One word to describe you: Outgoing

Favorite quote: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt

What's on your iPod: Lots of pop, rap and country

Favorite Pandora Station: Boyz II Men

Favorite Twitterer you follow: No favorite - BLASTmedia members, clients, friends in the media - people I know are my favorite to follow

How would you describe your job at BLASTmedia: Continuous outreach to all types of media to generate interest in all of my awesome clients - calling, emailing, finding fits and turning that interest into coverage!

What's the biggest thrill you've had while working at BLAST: Major media hits!! Making connections with editors at top tier media including Good Housekeeping, USA Today, New York Times, PC World, etc. - Love seeing the BIG hits.

What do you like to do outside of BLAST: Workout and socialize

Check out Hillary on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook. We'll see you next month for BLASTmedia Profiles, when we take the time to highlight Margie Schaffner.