May 15th marked a bright moment in the 88-year history of Pierpont’s pro-bono client San José Clinic as the organization hosted its 4th Annual “Art with Heart” Gala. Over 600 people attended the event, held at Intercontinental Hotel Houston and chaired by Devinder and Gina Bhatia. Emcee Bob Boudreaux noted that San José Clinic “shines as an exemplary charity provider of medical care for Houston’s uninsured” and the party-goers agreed.
The mood was all-heart as Clinic supporters and Board members packed the velvet rope VIP reception and sipped delicious martinis. Before dinner, guests had a chance to drink cocktails and snack on hors d’oeuvres while placing silent auction bids on over 100 pieces of artwork donated by local professional artists. Later in the evening, guests filled the tables in the ballroom while Brazilian musical group Moodafuraka provided live entertainment.
Hot items up for grabs at the event’s live auction included an original painting by featured artist John Ross Palmer, a gourmet dinner in the Bhatia’s private wine cellar and a custom-designed pearl and gold necklace with a 250 carat Madera Citrine and 3 carats of Pave diamonds..
San José Clinic proudly honored Carolyn Farb and The Charity Guild of Catholic Women as its 2010 Portrait of Compassion honorees. Carolyn Farb graciously accepted the honor, noting that her passion for the Clinic was inspired by her mother who had been an avid volunteer in the past. Cheryl Malden, representing The Charity Guild of Catholic Women, accepted the Tiffany crystal award on the organization's behalf.
Pierpont was not only a recognized sponsor at the gala but also handled the media relations efforts for the Clinic in order to promote awareness of the event within the Houston community. Early estimates of this year’s gala earnings are more than double last year’s numbers, and all proceeds from the evening will provide direct support for the San José Clinic’s mission of providing quality healthcare to the uninsured. The success of the event is a true testament that Houston’s reputation as a giving and compassionate city holds true, and Pierpont is delighted to be involved with such a wonderful organization
(left) Cheryl Malden of The Charity Guild of Catholic Women, (organization honored as a 2010 Portrait of Compassion Honoree), accepted the Tiffany Crystal Award on the organization’s behalf. (right) Stacie Cokinos, Executive Director of San Jose Clinic.
Posted:
5/27/2010 9:51:17 AM by
Emily Bernard | with
0 comments
The end of May means Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial beginning of summer and, of course – graduation. With thousands of job seekers flooding the market in a matter of weeks, I wanted to offer a little bit of advice to the newest PR and communications professionals out there.
It wasn’t long ago I was in your shoes. Just three years ago, I graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in public relations. With three internships under my belt, I was ready to conquer the world – just like Samantha Jones from “Sex and the City.” Then, reality hit.
One of the first and most important lessons a new graduate must learn is humility. Your 4.0 GPA, that award-winning project you worked on and those few press releases you wrote in school don’t add up to much in the real world, so approach your first job as the best learning experience you’ve ever had. Ask lots of questions, show your willingness to learn and give every assignment – even media lists and “boring” research projects” – your all. Only once you’ve proven yourself on the menial tasks will you be asked to do something higher-level. Remember: all (or most) of your coworkers have been in the game longer than you have – show some respect.
Here are some of my favorite tips on how to succeed as a young professional. Some were given to me by mentors, while others were learned the hard way:
· Communicate. You’re in communications – you should be good at this. Whether it’s asking questions, requesting feedback or communicating project status updates proactively, make sure you have a constant and ongoing dialogue with managers, supervisors and team members.
· Work Hard. REALLY Hard. The PR world is constantly busy and always changing – it’s no cakewalk. If you expect to come in every day at 9 a.m., take an hour lunch and then leave at 5 p.m. on the dot, PR and communications are probably not the career paths for you. The team is only as strong as its weakest link, and with the hyper-competitive client retention and acquisition environment inherent during a recession, we all have to be on our A-game all day, every day.
· Get Involved. There are countless professional development and community organizations that can strengthen your network, sharpen your skills and advance your career. When employers see that you’re working to better not just their organization, but also yourself, it’s a good thing. An added bonus? Most new business leads come from personal and professional contacts – and there is NOTHING more valuable than an employee who brings in new business. In the business world, those who sell, excel.
One final thing to keep in mind: yes, the job market is tough – but the truly standout graduates WILL find jobs. Highlight your strengths, acknowledge your weaknesses (and have a plan to overcome them) and be sure you can answer the age-old question: “So why should we hire YOU over all the others?” Check out Terry Hemeyer’s article on how to get a new job as young professional for more insight.
Good luck, and congratulations on graduation!
Posted:
5/25/2010 3:17:48 PM by
Brittney Cochran | with
0 comments
Mother’s Day weekend is upon us—you didn’t forget, did you?
While you scramble to order flowers and pick out a greeting card capable of inducing sentimental tears, we at Pierpont have moms on the brain for a much different reason.
As people continue to migrate online in order to connect with others, mothers are no exception. So-called “mommy blogs” have evolved into a completely different breed of social media; while a sense of community among readers is pretty standard for most blogs, blogs of the mommy nature take it a step further. Mothers are turning to the blogosphere to share intimate stories and offer mom-to-mom advice, engaging in candid conversations and forming bonds with women just like themselves.
These outlets also provide a rich channel for companies looking to tap into the mommy market, and in turn poses an interesting question: With a band of such loyal followers, where does a mommy blogger draw the line between providing helpful information and fostering a shallow promotional plug?
As with all social media vehicles, the key factors are authenticity and transparency. Mommy blogs are built on trust and intimacy, serving as much more than hubs of information for readers. Mommy blogs also serve as sources of support for their tight-knit communities, and it’s going to take more than a well written pitch or press release to break into their circle.
Women are the best word of mouth promoters in the world, and the same holds true in the mommy blog realm. However, the objective of many mommy bloggers is to chronicle their day-to-day parenting experiences—not to peddle any product that comes their way. To keep with the conversationalist nature of the blog, it is important to remember that there is a real person behind a computer creating this outlet, not a faceless media conglomerate, and they should be engaged as such.
Crafting a friendly, respectful approach that steers clear of generic, mass-produced press releases and instead connects with the mommy blogger on a personal level is critical in building a relationship with her. The best way to secure her interest is to actually find out what her interests are—and then how your product or service fits her lifestyle.
Garnering placement in a mommy blog instantly boosts the credibility of any given product or service; with the mommy blog seal of approval, it’s bound to catch on with readers. The key to reaching and engaging this trusted network lies in the advice your mother has been telling you all along: play nice, make friends and always remember the world doesn’t revolve around you.
Posted:
5/7/2010 5:43:49 PM by
Lisa Pirtle | with
0 comments