Samantha travels

Someone TP'ed the Subway

It has been quite difficult to ignore the substantial advertising effort made by Cottonelle, they have transformed the insides of individual trains to appear as if you are surrounded by the fluffy softness of toilet paper. Not only are you inundated with the message on single cars, but also throughout the tunnels where pillars appear to be large stacks of toilet paper.  At one point there was also a large projection of the puppy somehow promoting the product. With a campaign rife with trite and distasteful puns, I expect it will turn people off to the brand. 

The above image was taken by Flickr user i mei. You can also view other photos of this campagin on Flickr, in this web gallery, and in this blog.

SoHo

As a group we headed toward Chinatown via the subway, after which we walked to Soho. This was a new part of the city to me, but once again I felt the magic was lacking since many of the stores in this area I have experienced elsewhere. Kid Robot was perhaps the most interesting shop, however due to a recent sale the selection was limited. The historic flair of the area, as well as the lighting that day, is what truly captured my attention.

While walking around I was asked for a third time on this trip directions to some destination in the city. This was actually the first time that I could offer no assistance. One would think that the visitor’s bureau would provide and, perhaps more important, publicize the availability of a free information service. And if such a service does not exist the city could simply supply visitors with information on using Google’s 411 service, such publicity would lessen the amount of confused and unhappy tourists, thus increasing the likelihood of their return.

After some time for exploration, the group met at Mercer Kitchen for dinner. It was a nice place, much larger than expected. I enjoyed the atmosphere of having open kitchen, allowing patrons to get a sense of the care taken in preparing their meal.

A Face, A Touch, A Connection

A brief, but much needed, rest before heading out as a group to Chinatown. It is hard to believe that we had three speakers today. Business travel can be quite exhausting.

Our second speaker was another Alumnus, Rob Dyson, who owns five major businesses. Obviously he has been quite successful with these organizations, as demonstrated by his financial contributions to his Alma Mater. His continued success in his diversified business interests is credited to continued innovation, even in industries where most would anticipate little change to occur. The most important improvements to products and services occur if they cut costs and/or help the consumers. To maintain a high level of innovative skill Dyson recommends developing an appreciation of something other than your focus, in his case that was an understanding of art.  Innovation also requires individuals to be aware, open and flexible. Without these key aspects throughout a business, innovation becomes a dream rather than a reality. 

Once again, developing relationships is vital to establish connections with consumers and business partners. Physical interactions with others are far more important and memorable than even the most well crafted e-mail. These connections put a person behind the company, a face, a touch, a tangible connection.  

For our last official presentation on the trip, Eric Enehorn discussed his take on the strategy of marketing. Enehorn described three key precepts to follow within the business.

1. “Find something you can do well.”
   There are many sides of marketing, so find a the part you both enjoy and can do well.  You must at least like it and become a craftsmen, being the best possible in that sector.  If you love something, but are only passable at the work you cannot be as successful as if you were highly skilled.
2. “Don’t let fate take over.”
   To be successful you have to live the lifestyle of the person in the position of which you aspire. You will have to work weekends.  There is no success in this business without pain.
3. “Selling is two thirds of life.”
   Your ideas must be sold to others and people will hire you to market and sell their own ideas. Passion and conviction are required to become a skilled seller. It is also very important to practice the selling process, keeping in mind that it is necessary to tailor the sale to each audience member. 

New Media = New Economy

First presentation of the day was from Tim Maroney, another Marietta College Alum, a media consultant and owner of Lifestyles Online Inc. With his focus on interactive media, I found a great deal more relevance in his topic than previous speakers. I was intrigued by the fact that his Lifestyles Online magazines are actually live tests of different ways to deliver advertisements on the Internet. Pioneering with extensive testing certainly improves your credibility, especially as a consultant. With the advent of the web, new media has developed forming the basis of a new economy driven by multitasking and efficiency that often leads to downsizing. This business is also marked by disruptive technologies which change the way everything works, one major example within the past year is Apple’s iPhone. 

When searching for media jobs it is essential to check out trade magazines such as Ad Age for positions. Another way to seek opportunities is to become a temp in a creative service organization. One interesting tidbit of information for individuals interested in a specific sector of advertising, is to look for areas where that sector is blossoming and begin your search there. 

With the fast-paced advances in web development it is difficult to assess where the market is going, but as always connections and relationships will point you in the right direction.  Maroney also stressed the concept of trust when in a consulting position, and obtaining a Master of Business increases one’s financial credibility, thus a client’s trust in your abilities. 

From Screen to Stage

Young Frankenstein was nice, not a substantial successor to The Producers, but nice.  From what I remember of the film, it was a fairly straight forward copy with the addition of song, but then The Producers also could have been that, I’ve just never seen the original. I was most impressed by the technical efforts, primarily the lighting and set changes. Sutton Foster and the fellow in the role of Igor both demonstrated serious acting and singing chops.

On Monday, John Barlow talked about how the fate of a show is in the hands of its audience once it opens. Unfortunately for Young Frankenstein, this show will generate a mediocre response and thus not achieve the level of interest enjoyed by its Mel Brooks predecessor.  

Roladex of Life

Dinner at Sardi’s was quite tasty, with some shrimp in garlic sauce while surrounded by so many famous caricatures. It became a game trying to figure out the exaggerated likenesses.

At the Museum of Natural History Sallie Slate, Senior Publicist in the Department of Communications & Marketing, provided us with a fantastic glimpse into PR from the perspective of a non-profit. A major challenge in New York is the high concentration of not for profit organizations since it becomes difficult to convince media outlets why the Museum of Natural History’s dinosaur is better than some other museum’s dinosaur.  As a PR professional, you must act as a sales person of the truth, and the truth is obviously seen from the perspective of your organization. As a non-profit it is vital to promote everything, all activities that occur within and that are branches of the organization. Going on this, a PR professional must be able to see the story in everything. It is often necessary to work with individuals within the firm to develop their personal media abilities by creating message points for members to highlight and focus on when they tell the story to media outlets. Once again our presenter pushed the importance of relationships, so much so that in my notes I chose to decorate it with flourishes. Slate described her “Roladex of life” where she can call upon people she has worked with in the past to help bring a story to the top or help to mitigate negative press.

How to Get a Job and Get Promoted as told by Jim Tracy

In another boardroom with a beautiful view, this one overlooks the harbor and part of Times Square but no photos today as I did not want to check my camera at Young Frankenstein. Our first meeting is with Jim Tracy a Marietta College Alumnus with CitiGroup.  He provided a weath of informaiton which primarily discussed career management through developing goals in manageable platforms. By deciding where you want to be in 10 years and making achievable goals along that path you can be there.  It is important to be open with supervisors and ask questions as to how they suggest to move through the company. Developing a reputation for doing also improves your chances of promotion as all visions have to be executed. And even though you may be the one completing several projects, one must cultivate the art of self-promotion, by reminding supervisors of successes and asking for more projects to demonstrate capabilities. Despite asking for more tasks, one must have a credible work ethic by being efficent rather than being a workaholic. 

As for getting your foot in the door, Tracy suggested differentiating oneself and seeking out a connection with an individual within the desired firm. Another important tip divulged by Tracy, on the resume make your objective as specific as possible by tailoring it to the job description provided by the company. This demonstrates passion and interest in the firm instead of using a generic objective that could apply to any job opening in your field. One should always bring confidence and research to an interview session, it is vital to consider an interview as an exam.  Overall, success in your job is derived from you making others successful in their jobs, important to keep in mind no matter your position within an organization. 

The Internet Saga Concludes

After a tip from my NYC friend, I got up early and scampered up to the 5th Avenue Apple store to see about Internet access. Compared to the night before, weekday mornings turn the store into a ghost town. No wonder the website suggests early mornings as prime shopping times, I would have had my pick of assistants if I were there to buy. As instructed, I moved swiftly to a row of MacBook Pros and much to my pleasure I successfully connected to my email.

I know that I can not be the only traveler lost in the desert of disconnection, so I find it surprising that more establishments don’t offer public Internet access.  I am certain that if a cafe nearby had a computer terminal that I would have visited them daily, and of course purchased a caffeinated beverage and probably a breakfast pastry.  

The day before I had decided to return to MoMA and view the exhibits at the Museum of Art and Design. As it turns out the museum does not open until 10, so I could not visit due to time constraints. I did however peruse the MoMA design store where I was able to pick up some gifts for my parents and boyfriend. 

IX - Internet Exchange

Unfortunately, my computer also has a dislike for Starbucks’ wireless thus making the $4 Vanilla Bean Frappuccino a bit of a waste. Although, I did meet an authentic New Yorker with whom I had some interesting conversation.  I regret the fact that I chose to take only my computer with me since I wish I would have gotten a photograph of my new acquaintance. I told him this and my fear of approaching people to ask them for their portrait.  He just said that if I never ask, I’ll never get the shot, so I might as well be brave and ask. Hopefully with practice it will become easier.

It is quite frustrating to look out the window and see unused office computers across the street on but not in use.  There should be an Internet exchange program where companies that use the web from 9 to 5 switch their service over to nearby residential users that would only use it on nights and weekends.

Just as irksome, is the environmental impact of leaving the computers running at night.  Businesses should invest in a switch with a pass-code that shut off all of the computers and other power vampires in one motion. If this was employed in just one city, I am sure the affect would be drastic. 

A 2 Hour Walking Tour

I have been everywhere, well everywhere that is a tourist trap. Times Square, 5th Avenue, the Empire State Building. I scampered between them all in less than two hours; no wonder I’m exhausted. Dinner consisted of a soft pretzel the size of my face while taking in the sights and sounds around me. The advertising glut of Times Square was less impressive than I recalled. Now media consumers need something more than bright lights to impress a message upon them. Interactivity or using the surrounding area to tie in with the message really grabs attention. In fact, I can remember an ad from 4 years ago better than any of those I saw today. It was for the television show OZ and transformed a building into the top of a prison with mannequin guards and other real-life details. I only recall the Wamu billboards as impressive, but only because I have no idea what they are about, and they made very unique choices in white-space giving New Yorkers and tourists precious visual calm.

One element that has drastically changed since my visits when I was younger is the prevalence of the shops throughout the world. Thus making the experience of shopping in New York, a shadow of what it used to be. Surprisingly, Toys R Us and M&Ms provided me with the most unique browsing experience. Both maintaining playful elements as well as features not found in other stores such as a Ferris wheel, or the ability to choose those candy-coated chocolates in any color of the rainbow.

A quick jaunt over to 5th Avenue to the Apple store with high hopes of finding free Internet access. Although the products and service remain the same throughout the world, this store is architecturally interesting. With the storefront a clear cube, and the actual shopping area underground, Apple too has harnessed the importance of a distinguishing feature to keep consumers enthused about the NYC experience. I was disappointed to find that Gmail was blocked on the only computer I could reach, so the quest continued as I trekked down to see the Empire State Building.