You, too, could be America's Next Top Whatever.

[via Essentially Emily]

2, 4, 6, 8…Who do we appreciate!?
Makeover your workplace mentality with a little appreciation

According to the old saying, “If you want to make money, you have to spend money.” However, many employers are finding that if you want to make money, you might need to spread something more valuable than cash. You need to spread appreciation.

The new workplace concept of “profit through appreciation” creates an environment in which employers and employees share appreciation with one another. This positive feedback boosts morale, workplace productivity, employee loyalty, and employee happiness.

CEO of Chicago-based Empower PR Sam Chapman learned the benefits of this new theory firsthand. After implementing an “appreciation beanbag toss” every week in his office (in which he and his employees would toss a beanbag to each other and share meaningful appreciations), his clients tripled in number and his bottom line increased dramatically.

Sam states, “When my employees share their appreciation with one another, the happiness and productivity goes through the roof. It negates backbiting and jealousy, and my employees tell me appreciation day is the best day of the workweek! I wholeheartedly agree.”

Please contact me if you would like to speak to Sam Chapman about how ‘profit through appreciation’ has changed his business and his life, or to hear about the unique and moving “appreciation beanbag toss” which happens every week in his office.

Best,
Lina

"I said, 'Who do you think you are with the way you behave - God?' Then she took it to another level. She was furious, fuming. She said, 'How dare you call me that?' I told her I was sick of her outbursts. I said, 'You have a couple of dollars now and think you are somebody?' " Elyzabeth said.

The publicist then told Mills she was quitting. "She told me she never wanted to speak to me again, and I said the same," Elyzabeth relates. She says Mills hasn't paid her for the last three of the four years she worked for her, and now owes her more than $100,000.

"I didn't see a dime," Elyzabeth said. "She's so cheap . . . I think she tells false stories and then believes them herself.

"One day she is sweet, one day she's not, and there's no reason for any of it. I protected her when I knew I was dealing with someone who was unstable. But now I believe everything the British press has written about her." [P6]

Karen Hughes "came to Washington with President George W. Bush as his communications director," but more recently she's famous for being a disastrous failure at the State Department, where she was assigned to manage a huge brand in the midst of a terrible crisis: the United States of America!

Hughes was named the "Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs," which means that basically her job was to make Muslim nations love the US of A. She was sort of a spectacular failure, as she doesn't understand really anything about the Islamic world and is really much better at manhandling American journalists than, uh, diplomacy. She made a video with Cal Ripken, Jr. once though!

Now, years later, everyone hates America more every day, and Hillary Clinton's public image is an even sadder and more vicious caricature of female ambition than it was in 1992, so hey, hire Mark Penn and Karen Hughes to make America love your dolphin-raping corporation again.

[via YOU: On My Blog]

Across the [Tri-State] area, McDonald's employees are encouraged to bring their parents to work and show them the fun and the variety of experiences that go into a day at McDonald's. Not only do parents have the chance to see the work their children do, but they can be a part of the McDonald's team for a day and learn how each restaurant functions as a whole from food prep through the work of McDonald's supportive managers.

Jesus. Though we suppose this idea is actually less depressing than the idea of McDonald's employees participating in the traditional "take your child to work" scheme.

McDonald's New York Tri-State Area Restaurants Celebrate Take Your Parent to Work Day [PRNewswire via BlogOfHilarity]

FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

FEELING TAXED?
Uncle Sam Hits the Streets with Pretzel Crisps to Help New Yorkers through Crunch Time

WHAT: According to the IRS, one in five of the nation's taxpayers wait until the final week to file their taxes by the April 15 deadline!
Indeed, getting through tax time is "crunch time" for many Americans. On April 15th, dozens of Uncle Sams will hit the streets of NYC to hand out tens of thousands of crunchy Pretzel Crisps — providing consumers with a stress-relieving crunch to help them make it through the day.

WHO: More than two-dozen Uncle Sams, courtesy of The Snack Factory, makers of patented Pretzel Crisps - fat free, cholesterol free pretzel crackers.

WHEN: April 15, 2008, 7:30AM-1:30PM (For specific location times, visit http://www.pretzelcrisps.com/press.html)
NYC post offices:
• James Farley Post Office - 421 Eighth Avenue
• Church Street Post Office - 90 Church Street
• Grand Central Post Office - 450 Lexington Avenue
• Times Square Post Office - 340 West 42nd Street
• Murray Hill Post Office - 115 E 34th Street
• Madison Square Post Office - 149 E 23rd Street

BACKGROUND: From the creators and former owners of New York Style Bagel Chip Co. comes Pretzel Crisps, a unique pretzel cracker. Family owned and operated by entrepreneurial husband and wife team, Warren and Sara Wilson, the Snack Factory is based in Princeton, NJ. For more information, visit www.pretzelcrisps.com.

To far greater effect. [EW]

Yesterday, INHABIT Sweaters' PR firm blasted out an email with pictures of the wee disaster wearing one of the company's scarves as she traipsed around Sundance. What INHABIT wants is a famous person who embodies their own preferred values: Stylish and edgy, but comfortable and respectable. What they got is a celebrity who embodies anorexia and sudden, tragic death. See the difference there?

A brand better suited for an MKO endorsement: Virginia Slims.

(Also, INHABIT brags that Tom Cruise is one of their "devout following." Heh.)

During 2007, CBS Interactive acquired three companies, invested in 11 more, and grew its workforce by hundreds of employees, including the formation of a new senior management team. Along with the core success of CBSsports.com, new online sites from Last.fm to Dotspotter have infused invaluable DNA into the division, and are actively translating their experience in community-building to all of the Company's properties and content. In the coming year, we intend to build on our success by expanding on that strategy of building communities online. Part of achieving this goal is reorganizing the way we do business to align the division's workforce with our new vision, including increasing our operations in the Bay Area - the heart of so much of this activity. We're confident that CBS Interactive's focus on consumer involvement will help the Division experience another record year of growth in '08 and beyond.

Oh and: By the way, we think those other websites are undercounting the number of staffers laid off at CBS Interactive today. Two sources at CBS now claim to us that at least 15 are laid off, possibly even 20.

"Going all out," apparently consists of:

...lavish commitment ceremonies to same-sex couples (though same-sex marriage is illegal in Nevada), as well as special hotel and entertainment packages geared specifically toward gay and lesbian travelers. Some resorts have mandated sensitivity programs to teach employees how to make gay and lesbian travelers feel welcome.

...ad campaigns in gay media such as OutTraveler and Advocate magazines and cable channel Logo featuring images of same-sex couples holding hands at romantic dinners, and checking into hotel rooms together.

Don't get too excited though. As "Gay Vegas" author Steve Friess warns us, bigotry still trumps the almighty dollar: "I just don't know that it's a good idea to be holding hands at the Nascar Cafe or Margaritaville."

Copperfield and Sitrick's latest press release is in response to last weekend's Seattle Times exclusive that gave some of the seamier details of the grand jury investigation. Copperfield reportedly said he'd help a Seattle woman with her modeling career (oh, aspiring models of the world, please demonstrate better judgment) and "invited her to his isolated $50 million private retreat at Musha Cay, in a tiny string of white-sand islands 85 miles southeast of Nassau, Bahamas."

When she showed up, there weren't any other guests there! And Copperfield allegedly "raped and struck her" during her stay, then threatened her if she went to the authorities.

Not so. say Sitrick and Copperfield! They claim the entire story is false, and as supporting evidence they claim that, contrary to prior reports, the FBI did not seize $2 million from Copperfield's Magic Museum or whatever the hell his presumably wacky Vegas house is called. And FURTHERMORE: Copperfield's attorney "said that Mr. Copperfield is among those rare celebrities
with a blemishless past."

Yeah! He's not like those other rapey celebrity magicians. Like David Blaine or Teller.

David Copperfield's Attorney Says Allegations in Saturday Seattle Times Are False [Newswire]
Grand jury investigates Copperfield allegations [Seattle Times]

Michael Brown's heartwarming journey began when he was dismissed from his position as Commissioner of the International Arabian Horse Association and was promptly appointed to FEMA by his friend Joe Allbaugh, who had been named director because of his experience running Bush's campaign. Brown's impressive ability to lie on his resume—and Congress's not giving a shit about the non-terror-related bits of the Homeland Security Department—ensured his quick confirmation upon being named director himself in 2003.

And Brownie proved his worth with his quick response to Hurricane Katrina's August 29, 2005 landfall, immediately emailing complaints to his friends on his BlackBerry and ignoring the offers of help that were coming in from cities across the nation. He bravely told emergency service personnel from other cities not to come into the New Orleans to help, and then went on TV to blame all the black people who he claimed not to know were stranded in the Convention Center without food or water for not evacuating when they were all told to get in their magical invisible unicorn-drawn wagons and get out of town.

Eventually he resigned in disgrace and now Ronn Torossian wants you to book him on your television or radio program to talk about how all the California wildfires were started by hippies.

"Brown believes 'greenies' thwarted the 'controlled burns' that are needed to thin the California hills," he apparently told Neil Cavuto the other day. Oh, if only he could've stopped Al Gore's "greenies" from creating that hurricane, he might still be in a position to help California recover.

Michael Brown is a man who desperately needs a good flack, and we think Ronn Torossian just might have what it takes to make America fall in love with Brownie all over again. Ronn's blog already has some presumably hard-earned wisdom that we're sure the new Brownie would agree with:

SPEED MATTERS...
When someone calls you - Call them right back. When something is needed, DO IT NOW. Often times, my speed responding amazes people - and we push our staff to do things quickly. Timing matters... Don't waste time.... You'd be amazed how much more efficient and successful you will become.

Would it be too much to ask if Ronn could get Brownie on ANDERSON COOPER 360°?

5W Pitches 'Brownie' [O'Dwyer PR]

SEX CASE 'VICTIMS' LINING UP [Page Six]

Now, we didn't pick up on Debbie Nathan's story last week either, because her piece didn't name a dollar figure. So we thought: Paypal? Porn sites? Okay, so in the course of learning stuff for his story about child pornography on the internet, or in advance of working on the story, he sent $19.99 to a bunch of porn sites. Go figure. (Please. What American hasn't Paypaled money to a porn site, after all?)

Now the Times coughs up a dollar figure for this transaction: $1100. This comes from the same people who are "familiar" with the sealed documents. So, that could be true!

And that's more money. That's interesting!

But really there's another reason we can't stand writing about Kurt Eichenwald, and we're probably not alone. It's the people who email us. Like so:

On 8/3/07, Mike Murphy wrote:

Hey, if you folks are bored with dumping on Eichenwald, let me know. Nothing from you guys all week, even though there was a lot to snark about. Here is the latest from those in the know:
http://www.generationq.net/articles/Justin-Berry-Sex-Lies-and-Videotape.html

Which is too bad. The stuff that's verifiably true IS interesting! The stuff that's not is just scary.

And our correspondent Mike Murphy, who seems like a very nice guy, by the way, whatever his real name is, is very busy disseminating stuff about Eichenwald: he hits all the weblogs, from Texas Monthly's to Jossip.

Check what happens in the comments on this thread over on journalist Daniel Radosh's site. Daniel picked up Debbie's piece last week, and next thing you know, people are writing about Tim Richards and how Kurt Eichenwald put innocent people in jail and blah blah crazy conspiracy land.

And so we never ever ever want to write about any of this ever again. What's most annoying is that we're against the hysteria about internet porn, and against innocent people going to jail and all that. And we figure there's gotta be at least more than one good story in all this. But is it worth the disgusting hassle?

Sunshine made his name as former Mayor David Dinkins' chief of staff, a job he held from 1990-1993, and started his own firm when Dinkins lost to Giuliani in 1994. To this day, he continues to draw on his background in left-wing politics, representing local unions like the huge SEIU-1199, the healthcare union; and Transit Workers Union Local 100 (he helped them emerge in a relatively good light after the strike in December 2005, for example).

Some of his most prominent clients—like Michael Moore—are also notorious for wearing their political affiliations on their sleeves. (He also reps big old liberal softie Barbra Streisand, who was one of his first clients.) Other celebrity clients include Leonardo DiCaprio, John Mayer, and Ben Affleck. Today, the firm is called Sunshine/Sachs Associates, after Sunshine promoted his longtime underling Sean Sachs to partner.

"People in the industry think he's a mastermind," says a journalist who covers Hollywood celebrities. "Mainly because his clients tend to be pretty well protected. He handles them really well."

When we spoke to Sunshine by phone, he was vague about his tactics. "We pride ourselves on our anonymity," he told us. "There are too many people who do this kind of work to get exposure for themselves—that's the antithesis of the way we work. There have been many situations over many years involving high-profile, crisis-oriented situations with celebrities, that no one even knew we were working on."

Last May, when New York Magazine put together its list of the city's most influential people, the magazine noted that he's been called "the Madonna of PR"—and that "Sunshine's credited with making stars change their behavior so the tabs won't find them."

Indeed, that strategy largely entails helping them avoid what he calls the "stalkerazzi"—and trying to keep their names out of tabloids and those oh-so-reckless celebrity blogs. In a CNN special last year about the paparazzi called "Chasing Angelina," Sunshine said, "We've never had so much media that it seems to be desirous of printing or covering every possible aspect of so-called celebrities' lives. I think the world's gone a little crazy."

Sunshine has something like no respect for tabloids. He said, "These people just lie. Standards are so low everywhere. Among many journalists, it's anything goes. The paparazzi-tabloid game makes me so crazy. It's a joke. There's no modicum of fact-checking or sourcing. Or they just blatantly make it up!"

Mainstream outlets also might tread carefully around a Sunshine client. In that same "Chasing Angelina" show, People executive editor Peter Castro said, "If you piss off Ken Sunshine, not only are you not going to get Ben Affleck, you are not going to get Leo DiCaprio. You're not going to get Justin Timberlake and so on and so on." That's the way that publicists have operated for decades, but the number who can still pull that sort of thing off is dwindling.

Then again, it's not like Sunshine takes on clients who are notoriously difficult—you don't see him repping Lindsay Lohan, or Britney Spears, or Paris Hilton, after all. On the other hand, he does rep someone like John Mayer, who went off and had that weird thing with Jessica Simpson for, like, a year! He couldn't have been very happy about that. Of course, neither were we.

[Image via]

According to several ex-employees, Kerr's problems began in January, when his office manager quit. Perhaps this had something to do with her very specific responsibilities, which, per his "Office Manager's Responsibilities" handbook, included serving "a bag of mini-carrots at the staff meeting and one other snack. The carrots will need to be washed quickly in the sink before serving to the staff. The cost of snacks should not exceed $10." One ex-employee scoffed, "Drew slovenly chews them with carrot specks flying left right and center, as the staff cringes in horror. Like a bear feasting on a lamb, really." Another told us, "No one would ever eat from any of the bowls he touched, because he was a spitter. Also, we had a client call once after a hot wings lunch and he did the whole call with buffalo sauce all over his face."

He also ended staff meetings with "class dismissed," probably because "he's used to hiring kids right out of college and paying them McDonald's salaries," said one.

In April, another group of employees left. The company had lost a major account, and Kerr blamed it on the group manager ("It wasn't her fault," another former employee told us. "The company got someone to start handling it internally."), who promptly quit. She was followed quickly by every other member of her group by late April. Not one was replaced, nor was another employee who left earlier this month. Last week, hemorrhaging employees, clients and cash, Kerr told his five remaining employees that he was closing Four Corners.

Its closure was not mourned by the former employees we spoke to, each of whom regaled us with various stories about Kerr's "Jekyll-and-Hyde" personality ("The Drew I met before I started working there was totally different from who he really is," one told us) and his disrespectful attitude towards not only staff, but also clients and journalists whom he was, theoretically, supposed to be pitching his clients.

We took a look at an internal dossier, Kerr's "Handy Dandy Guide To Doing PR," which outlined just exactly how he felt about the reporters with whom he was dealing. It's from December 2005 (maybe that was part of the problem?), and it has some choice words about the various media reporters around town.

Radar's Jeff Bercovici, then at Women's Wear Daily, was described as "Another reporter one needs to be careful with since he can sometimes screw facts up. Despite his newly-acquired fashion duds, he's still kind of a dork." Stephanie Smith, then at Mediaweek, now at Women's Wear Daily, was "not a good reporter and can make little mistakes, as well as ill-informed opinions. Make sure you go over every fact with her." The New York Post's Keith Kelly "likes the behind-the-scenes stories, juicy announcements and dirt. Loves stories about people leaving and being hired — if they are high up the totem pole and juicy. Wants it exclusively. He can be a loose gun and reckless, so be careful. Make sure he gets his spelling, titles and facts right." BusinessWeek's Jon Fine? "Writes weekly column on the media, not just mags. Likes ideas, but he does not seem to be breaking news, just giving opinions. Talks 100 mph. Brother works at ESPN magazine. Keep in mind this is a weekly, so get to him far enough in advance for bigger stories. Very into heavy metal, especially Black Sabbath and AC/DC. Guitarist."

Well then!

Kerr also had some advice for his publicists: "Reporters who cover this field do not like being pitched what they consider minor announcements as major stories. You must be careful not to get on a reporter's bad side by doing this." See, that's good advice. Too bad it couldn't save Drew's company.

Earlier: Is Drew Kerr Shutting Down His Agency?

New statistics from The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reveal that vaginal rejuvenation is one of the fastest-growing plastic surgery procedures in the U.S. — increasing 30% between 2005 and 2006 alone. One of the most popular of these procedures is labiaplasty, a procedure to reduce and/or balance the size of the labia minora, or inner vaginal lips. With summer on its way, more women will be making plans to have this procedure done in order to be able to feel comfortable wearing swimsuits and tight jeans.

Earlier: 'WaPo' Goes Deep On Reconditioned Cooters Story

Jennifer Baum is the mercurial leader of PR company Bullfrog and Baum, which reps some of the most-popular restaurants in the city: everything from the vaguely speakeasy-ish La Esquina to the Montauk-on-Bedford Ditch Plains. But despite a stellar track record, a recent flurry of closings and disasters force us to ask whether Baum has lost her touch. Is the Bullfrog is ready to croak?

In 2006, Bullfrog claimed 4 of the 5 top new and noteworthy restaurants in New York magazine's Best of list: Jovia, Bar Americain, Cookshop and Maremma enjoyed the happy accolades. In 2007, in the latest semi-hot off the presses issue of New York's Best Of, Ms. Baum's restaurants don't see the light of day. She gets zero representation in the best new restaurants and little else. Ok, the triply stellar L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon gets best bread, David Burke and Donatella gets best PB+J, and two of her places—Aquavit and Cookshop—are tapped for one of ten best brunch spots. But.

And what of her star ponies of last year's list? Let's go to the tale of the tape. A quick search of Eater archives reveals a tail of closure and disaster. Jovia's Josh DeChellis abandoned the Jovia ship. Maremma, Cesare Casella's insanely overpriced Tuscan steakhouse, seems doomed to eternal emptiness. She's been Deathwatched and un-Deathwatched more times than Terry Schiavo. Dona, Dona Arpaia's individual stab at a legacy, was 86'd, due to rent problems, and Lucy's Latin Kitchen may soon find itself without a chef.

Bullfrog's newest stable of clients also seems to be faltering. JG Vongerichten's 66 is criminally under-performing; Cronkite, Michael Ayoub's pizza joint in the LES, is more reminiscent of a creepy high school basement than a bustling pizza place and one hardly needs to tell the sad tale of BLT Burger, which Peter Meehan called a "cynically contrived approximation of a [honest burger joint.]"

So what becomes of admittedly one of the most charming PR firms in the city? Bullfrog and Baum needs to roll with the punches. A look at Bullfrog and Baum's client roster reveals a heavy reliance on steak and burgers: Michael Jordan's 23, BLT Burger, Prime, and Steak, Bobby Flay Steak, Burger Bar, Maremma etc. A look at any recent press, including many best of's, reveals that pig is the new steak and steak is the new meh. Jennifer, stop asking where the beef is and start bringing home the bacon. —Josh

Today, Anna Nicole Smith's grief stricken and tumultuous personal life came to an end. Anna came to our Company as a customer, but she departs it as a friend. While life for Anna Nicole was not easy these past few months, she held dear her husband, Howard K. Stern, her daughter, Dannielynn Hope, her most cherished friends, beloved dogs, and finally, her work with TRIMSPA. Anna knew both the joy of giving life, and the heartache of losing a child. We pray that she is granted the peace that eluded her more recent days on earth, and that she find comfort in the presence of her son, Daniel.

I was wondering if you had any plans for a story in response to the Anna Nicole Smith news today. If so, I work with the Waismann Method - an opiate detoxification center - and I wanted to make available to you two of our addiction specialists, Clare Waismann, Executive Director of the Waismann Method, and Dr. Clifford Bernstein, Medical Director of the Waismann Method. They can provide you with any expert information you may need on drug addiction, specifically methadone, and how a potential overdose might be the cause of death. It's been rumored that Anna Nicole has struggled with this drug for some time. Not to mention that her son died from a lethal dose of methadone and antidepressants not too long ago.

Please let me know if you or one of your colleagues is interested and I will schedule a phone interview with Clare or Dr. Bernstein. I can be reached at xxx and xxx.

Best,

David Galbraith
Formula PR
1215 Cushman Avenue, Suite 200
San Diego, California 92110

If you've seen anything that you think tops these, by all means pass it along.

TrimSpa site [via gigglesugar]

Shortlist missing 5W PR

I am simply amazed that a firm founded in January 2003 with one person and that in 2006 exceeded $9 million in revenues with 75 employees between two different offices and a number of blue-chip Fortune 100 companies didn't make PRWeek's shortlist for Agency of the Year.
We have the only CEO of a top 50 PR firm under the age of 45. We're doing things no other agency has ever done. But we don't make the shortlist?

This is the third year in a row we will be the fastest-growing firm in the US, and we have never made a new-business call. That doesn't speak for itself? Are the judges our competitors? The agency CEOs who we beat on the 85% of new business we pitch? Or are they our competitors who call us for ideas on how to win clients in consumer pop culture or to understand new technology? We aren't part of the agency "old boys' network." We'd rather spend time with clients than competitors. The agency does not have a team dedicated to submitting awards. We'd prefer to overservice clients... which is where all our referrals come from. Is that why? Could it be PRWeek simply doesn't like our style? It doesn't like PR firms that don't play by the book? I was named to Ad Age's 2006 "40 Under 40" list as one of "a group of young dynamos who are making their mark now and are destined to dominate the marketing scene for years." The fact that 5W isn't an Agency of the Year finalist is unbelievable. In the real business world, results and numbers are what count, not playing by the rules of an industry with no leadership. PRWeek may resent our style, but the bottom line is that it works for clients and 5W. Jealousy may abound, but we are building a brand and succeeding, and will continue to exceed our clients' expectations. Ronn Torossian President and CEO 5W Public Relations New York

Update: Peter Shankman responds: "I don't know who would win in a fight - me or Ronn. But I'll race him around the Central Park loop anytime he wants." Up for it, Ronn [sic]?

—-—Original Message—-—
From: peter@geekfactory.com
To: Sent: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 10:24 AM
Subject: Not a pitch. My yearly attempt at Good PR Karma.

Dear XXX,

Consider this an attempt at good karma for a brutally cold Monday morning in New York City. And happily for you, THIS IS NOT A PITCH. So don't delete it right away. It's actually designed to help you.

In a nutshell, I'm inviting you to source my brain. Add me to your email list when you're desperately seeking a quote at 11 minutes to deadline. Call me when something major breaks and you need a comment from an expert. Put me in your rolodex, and feel free to dial. Here's why:

I know a LOT of people. Like, more than you would ever think possible.

I run a PR shop in New York City, as well as a few other companies, and about four years ago, it occurred to me that knowing as many people as I do has GOT to be helpful to the media, right? So I send out this email once a year.

Between the amount of time I travel for business (in excess of 275k miles a year,) the number of boards/advisory boards on which I sit, the amount of clients I have, and the fact that I'm just a talkative but nice, total ADHD 34-year-old entrepreneur, I have a Blackberry bursting at the seams. Add to this my hobbies, (marathon runner, triathlete, amateur boxer, and licensed skydiver) and I float between the most random of worlds, meeting the most random of people.

This isn't about my clients, by the way. In fact, they're the smallest category. Mostly it's people I've become friends/colleagues with in some capacity, who do the most random things. Loss prevention investigators. Adult-entertainment stars who also buy/fix/flip real estate in South America. The guy who manufactures the laces that go in 75% of the world's sneakers. The guy who just beat the rap for trying to BASE jump the Empire State Building. Knitters who only knit with Soy, Bamboo, or Hemp yarn. The Director of Arts Education for the NYC Department of Education - A child psychologist who only works with high risk, suicidal kids A guy with over 5,000 skydives under his belt. A former Navy SEAL who now teaches mortals like me how to stay in shape. The guy who designs solar clothing, that lights up with messages on the back All friends, people I've met on airplanes, or through the randomness that is my life.

I also have some great clients - OpSec Security (the largest anti-counterfeiting company in the world), AirTroductions (a company I started that lets you choose your seat-mate before you get on the airplane - a date in the sky), MomJunction (where moms meet, talk, and get advice on that ball of energy running amok in their home), Helium Report (Consumer Reports for the uber-rich - reviewing private jets and destination clubs instead of chairs and laptops), and a bunch of others. In addition, I throw a good number of events and parties during the year, and am constantly looking for members of the media who would enjoy attending. If that's you, let me know, as well.

Basically, I don't sleep much. (I've been tested for it. My "getting into and getting out of" REM cycles are about 45 to 90 seconds apiece , as opposed to 30 minutes apiece for the normal world.)

Anyhow - source me. That's my offer for this morning. My contact information is below. Add me to whatever rolodex you're currently using, and if I can help in any way, feel free to call.

All the best,

Peter Shankman
CEO
The Geek Factory, Inc.

PS: Don't worry - this isn't a list from which you need to be removed. I won't start sending out weekly updates or anything, I promise. And to answer the second most frequently asked question, I got your name from Media Map, the PR/Journalist tool.

Earlier: If You Watch Only One "Publicist Gets Tased" Clip This Year...

Jenny's Interests/What she looks for:

* She will only cover a story if it is relevant to the NY, NJ, CT area
* Jenny would like it if publicists married pitches w/trends in society
* She asks to please sound intelligent when pitching
* Jenny wants publicist to be familiar with her style and interests and know what she's written about
* She likes to get tips of what's going on and to be "in the know" about topics other than books

Other information:

* It's best to email and follow-up with a phone call
* She would do a piece around an author's website if it was very creative and interactive

Publishers' Publicity Association November newsletter [Publishers' Publicity Association]
Earlier: Gawker's Coverage of Jennifer 8. Lee

Subject: Rescue Me! The Death of James Kim Teaches Us Real Life Crisis Management Tips
Rescue Me! The Death of James Kim Teaches Us Real Life Crisis Management Tips
James Kim's body was found in the Oregon wilderness, after he, his wife and 2 small children waited for 9 days in a cold car, for rescuers to come. He wandered away from the car to look for help and perished in his efforts. It is our responsibility to turn this tragic experience into an opportunity for all of us to learn what we need to do to be ready, so that it doesn't happen to our families.
Chicago, IL (PRWeb) December 7, 2006 — James Kim was found dead after leaving his family and his car to find help in the Oregon wilderness.

This horrifying experience could happen to any of us, especially during the cold unpredictable winter weather season. We could easily get caught in a winter storm, hit by a freak of nature, or have situations occur that compromise our safety.

None of us think our lives will be thrown into a crisis situation. But it happens, and those who survive are the ones who are as prepared as they can be, adopt basic survival skills to think clearly and act calmly and efficiently in a crisis situation.

Life change and survival expert, Cheryl Perlitz, invites you to adopt these simple crisis management tips that may just save your life.

BE PREPARED
Have basic survival equipment in your car at all times:
*Water. You can only survive for 3 days without water so bring a lot
*Extra food to ration out over an extended period of time
*Blankets
*Signaling devices like flash lights, cell phones well charged, gps locators, colorful pieces of fabric, a whistle
*Paper and pencil
*matches and candles
*knife
*Have a full tank of gas
*rope
*current maps / compass that you have learned how to use
*First aid kit
*Jumper cables
*Large garbage bags to use to protect you from the cold and rain/snow
Duct tape

LET OTHERS KNOW YOUR PLANS
Make sure people know where you are going and when, so if you don't arrive in your destination someone can call for help.

STAY WHERE YOU ARE
Do not give in to the temptation to find help. Be patient and wait for help to find you.

BREATHE, STEP BACK AND CALM DOWN
Breathe and calm down so you can look at your situation clearly. Don't rush ahead too fast. Make a plan, and wait until you are physically and emotionally ready to act. Then revisit the plan again and again and move slowly one step at a time. However, you are better off staying where you are until you have no choice.

ASSESS THE SITUATION
Think like a rescuer. Know that they will be looking for you, and wait. Be honest about your own physical, emotional, and intellectual limitations. Listen to your intuition.

BE RESPECTFUL OF NATURE
Know that nature is unpredictable. Never go out of a protected environment into nature unless it is a last resort action.

TAKE YOUR BEST EDUCATED GUESS AND MAKE A PLAN
Weight the consequences of the different possibilities. Go where helicopters will see you to set signaling devices. Only do this if you know the area, but never wander too far from your vehicle.

MOVE SLOWLY AND DELIBERATELY.
Take one step at a time and move cautiously and carefully. Leave a trail for yourself. Try to be clear headed and analytic. If you are in a cold weather situation, be sure to only move out of the protection of your car if you have the proper cold weather equipment. Hypothermia can cause you to become disoriented, and you may lose your way.

Cheryl Perlitz is the author of 3 inspiring books, a dynamic speaker and frequent radio and television talk show guest. Her fun and motivational stories and survival tips help listeners and readers to transform their challenges into opportunities for positive change.

Cheryl can be reached at 847-609-8032 or at http://www.soarwithme.com

To learn more about Cheryl, get media testimonials, show ideas www.soarwithme.com/media_center.html

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Press Contact: CHERYL PERLITZ
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Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 847-609-8032
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More Information: http://www.prweb.com//releases/2006/12/prweb488489.htm

Working hard was my thing over here in Lala land, but now I've got a fab house in the hills and I know how to enjoy life. Family and friends have priority on my list and, on a clear Sunday I have been known to sneak over and take a hike in Runyon Canyon or zip over to the beach in Malibu to visit a good (or not so good) friend, long as it's at the beach! Warm weather, international travel and great parties are a must! I'm a go out girl, but yet a stay home chic [SIC], I've got two very distinct sides, but get it straight, I'm an Aries, not a Gemini!

"Lulu" [MySpace]
Welcome to the Dollhouse [NYM]

Coincidence? Eh, probably not, writes our tipster:

I just read your post concerning today's New York Times article about Westchester parents who ship their kids south to fancy Manhattan private schools. Wondering how the Times managed to unearth such "ridic" moms and dads? This press release, sent to me late last week by a PR firm contracted by Claremont Prep, might offer some answers.

Dear [redacted],

Each day, thousands of parents leave their children in the suburbs to work in New York City. Precious morning and evening hours are spent on commuter trains while children grow up under the watch of caregivers.When parents do finally return home their kids are readying for bed.

Stephanie Percy is a working mother from New Windsor, NY who has elected to go against the grain. An executive assistant at Citigroup in Lower Manhattan, Ms. Percy enrolled her daughter in first grade at Claremont Preparatory School on Broad Street. Each day, mother and daughter embark on a 90-minute commute to the city.

"On the ride into town we look at the papers and talk a lot," said Ms. Percy. "We have incredible conversations about the river, skyscrapers, history and simple day-to-day things. It's fun and the exposure to the city prompts a lot of discussion." Once in town, Ms. Percy drops her daughter off at school at 8:30 and proceeds to her office just a few blocks away.

Why New York's New Private Schools Are Struggling [NYM]

Earlier: Overly Privileged Kids Can't Hang in Public School