Baby, it’s Christmas…

13 more sleeps until the big man comes down the chimney and loads us all up with toys. Aren’t you excited? I know I am! I still believe, just like Brittany does…

So I figured the way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear, or letting Mariah do so for me. Here are my top 5 Christmas tunes to keep you holly and jolly all the way to Christmas! (some videos you can only watch on youtube, but click and enjoy!)

“This Christmas” – Christina Aguilera

Not only is Ms. Aguilera’s voice like an angel, but this is an upbeat tune that shares the joys of a special Christmas with a new honey.

“White Christmas” – Bing Crosby

It’s a classic. Not to mention, it’s from one of the best Christmas movies of all time. I watch it every year, and it reminds me of the simple pleasure of Christmas, dreaming and believing.

“Christmas Vacations – Main Titles” – Mavis Staples

First of all, if you are confused as to why this is making the list – run, don’t walk, run to your local video store and grab a copy of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. I could do a whole blog post of quotes from this movie. It’s epic. A must-see every Christmas, my brother and I have used these lines all year long, since we were kiddies. This is also my ringtone during December – jing-a-ling-a-ling-a-ling-ling.

“My Only Wish (This Year)” – Britney Spears

Don’t you dare judge me for my love of Brit. This song rocks, and it breaks down most Christmas songs to the true core – all we ever want it some hottie patottie below our tree. Santa can you hear me? I have effing rocked this year!

“The Perfect Gift” – Canadian Tenors

This song is my all time favourite Christmas song. I love it, everything about it. Especially the lyric, “when you’re dancing, don’t forget to dance alone – I will always be there. If you remember all this, you’ll give me the perfect gift.” mainly because it is sung by Fraser Walters (drools) but also because the Perfect Gift comes from the heart, not a store – although Tiffany’s isn’t too bad either, eh, eh!

Ok so here are 3 more – I couldn’t narrow it down to 5:

“Wintersong” – Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson

While not Christmasy per say, it talks about December, and how it can be a rough month when you’re alone. December is romantic in nature, and when you’re without the one you love, or questioning if love exists, it can be a painful holiday season.

“Fa La La” – Justin Bieber feat. Boys II Men

It’s J Biebs and Boys II Men – what’s not to love? Everything about this song makes me happy. On repeat to infinity and beyond!

And last but not least…

“All I Want For Christmas” – Mariah Carey

Plain and simple, this list would be a joke without this song. All I want for Christmas is you… hip shake to the beat.

Merry Christmas! xo

In the wading pool

Well, well, well… my internship has come and gone and with that – so has my post-graduate program. 22 and finished a degree as well as a certificate program, leaves me to ponder this very insightful question… what the hell am I going to do now???

Recently I was a good friends +1 at a swanky industry party during TIFF. The two of us, dolled up to the nines, meandered around, cocktail in hand to find the 30somethings wondering – who were these powerhouse 20somethings without crows feet? While I flinched at the thought of mentioning the word “intern” (dun, dun, dunnnn) when asked what I did for a living, I slowly realized that my baby face may give it away. I stood beside my 26 year-old guest list go-getting girlfriend who is a standout at her age and is a complete mover and shaker in the media industry. And right there, while flipping through the glossy pages of LUSH magazine, I realized that being an intern ain’t half bad. We all need to start somewhere, so here is where I started getting my feet wet in the wading pool.

I started this blog to serve two purposes – 1) to fulfill a course requirement, and 2) to pass by time during my internship as I was told there would be a ton of downtime. PRivate PRactice initially was set-up to discuss issues in Public Relations (hence the PR in the title) as well as complete course assignments (see post on getting no satisfaction). What I have slowly learned is that my blog has expanded into a forum of my own personal thoughts as well as a more focused run down of the jumbled ideas in my head. I assumed my teacher would read – she was forced to – and possibly fellow classmates who were procrastinating working on client projects. To my jaw dropping surprise, I have found that many of my friends and family have tuned in to see what I write and leave comments or chat with me about topics that I have been so blunt about. Who knew that my wit and charm would attract so many! Yet, the course is done, and so is the internship…

So where do we go from here? Well first and foremost I am taking a break, not so much from blogging, but just from the PR world in general. Having attended school for 20 years without a break from work or the constant cry of 20 page papers, I am traveling and spending a little time on me. As for this blog, I will most likely continue to write about my feelings on branding and the business of Public Relations, but I will also include more of my personal thoughts just as I have recently. The title of this blog stemmed from a television show in which a woman independently starts a new chapter of her life in the corporate world after a turmoil break-up. Following in those same footsteps, I too have re-discovered a lot about who I am through this chapter which I am about to close. There have been growing pains, and pains resulting from 8:30 am classes; but the pay off has been reminiscent of a certain Britney Spears song – and to that I say let the next chapter begin.

So thank you for reading, and keep reading, because if you don’t… I will be rather disheartened!

Rolling Stones “Satisfaction”… not Britney’s

Get Satisfaction: Well I did just that, got satisfied. An easy to use, easy to sign-up approach at customer service. The elimination of the “bitchy” customer service rep (I have been one) who has the ability to hang up, put you on hold, or utter the dreadful “I dunno” is eliminated at last! Only problem, it isn’t as effective if everyone isn’t on the same page – see case studies below! However what can work is using this site to up your brand awareness. Everyone loves a company that is getting online, and public relations is all about relating to the public – right?! Getting online to get satisfied means that your company looks better in the public eye. Sign-up, challenge company reps and explore
The Good Case – Rolling Stones worthy
I want Sandy: What about a Sam? Then I would be all in! Regardless, what a great example of using Get Satisfaction to the best of its ability. A question was asked and less than two hours later it was answered. ‘I want Sandy’ is an e-mail personal assistant, meaning the users are tech savvy and people on the go – they want answers yesterday to questions asked today. Keeping up to date with three employees makes Get Satisfaction a great way for Sandy and her team of merry reps to get down to the customer service business.

The Bad Case – Britney Spears worthy
Starbucks: Grande Mocha Frappuccino please, hold the online customer service. Of course my favourite treat has to be made by a company that chooses to have a terrible relationship with Get Satisfaction – although the drink is satisfying. ‘Starbucks’ has one employee, one post, and no replies. I am also assuming it only has one follower because the barista seems to be only a part-timer behind the coffee machine. This page is annoyingly unhelpful, good thing they have addicts consuming their products.

P.S. – Rolling Stone’s reference… in order to “Get Satisfied” you have to be at the top of your game, otherwise I just ain’t getting no satisfaction.

www.getsatisfaction.com