A Look Back: Black Friday Fiasco

This year’s Black Friday tradition seemed to step on the toes of another popular tradition: Thanksgiving. Stores such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, Macy’s, Kohl’s, etc. opened on Thanksgiving evening starting as early as 5PM. It seems as though the majority of shoppers were not thrilled about Black Friday imposing on their holiday. See Below:

http://www.wisn.com/news/south-east-wisconsin/milwaukee/More-and-more-stores-say-they-will-open-on-Thanksgiving-night/-/10148890/22644502/-/bnhsxd/-/index.html

As you can see, consumers were going back and forth about the early door busters this year, but the numbers don’t lie. It turns out the stores that opened on Thanksgiving night sacrificed their sales on Friday. A survey conducted by The National Retail Federation estimated spending fell by 2.9% this year.

Besides the drop in profit, stores also have to worry more and more about mayhem in their stores. Every year there are stories about fights over the last inexpensive television set or iPad, but Black Thursday only increased the violence. Stores such as Wal-Mart acquired popular hashtags like #Walmartfights and #Brawlmart which had thousands of tags overnight. Police activity and security had to be increased this year more than ever.

So the question is, is all of this worth it for the retailers? Is it worth it for the consumers? We want to know your opinion, so comment below!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Nicole Leo.

Summer Internship Fashion

So, we have posted a blog directing our readers in the most fashionable way when it comes to dressing to impress for your summer internship interview. Although the first impression is most dreaded, some may wonder how to upkeep their professional and cool look all summer long. Philadelphia is no stranger to summer heat waves, and walking our bustling blocks in the less than breezy weather has given even the most prepared interns fashionable despair.

Typically, dress code during the warm summer months is slightly more casual, but as an intern there is a fine line between warm weather comfort and work appropriate. Here are a few general rules to consider when dressing office-friendly this summer while trying to not melt right into your swivel chair:

1.      The most important rule must be the ever popular, “If you are unsure of what you’re wearing is appropriate, DO NOT WEAR IT!” If you even have to ask, doesn’t that already give you an answer? Think about it…

2.      Shorts are not necessarily an automatic no-no. Take Anne Taylor Loft’s shorts designed perfectly for a professional work environment. The length is appropriate and the fit does not draw the wrong attention. Summer skirts follow the same rule, but I must suggest ModCloth’s pleated collection. Their length is office ideal, yet they are light-weight for summertime - let’s not be skinterns!

3.      To show the toes, or not, that is the question. Flip flops/sandals are always questionable dependent upon where one is interning. Feel out the rest of your colleagues before bearing the bare feet. In the meantime, you can pair some of these vibrant Aldo flats with your length-appropriate shorts/skirt for a happy medium.

4.      Mix and matching colors and prints makes a few articles of clothing go a long way. Take these looks for example in Redbook Magazine of how to make over 50 outfits from 21 pieces of clothing/ accessories.

5.      When in doubt, simply ask. Your direct boss or HR would be happy to give you a few guidelines to follow, and I guarantee asking gains respect too!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Nicole Leo.

Wrestling Takes the Ultimate “Smackdown”

Recent news of wrestling being dropped from the 2020 Olympic games has been ill received by many fans. In an attempt to make the games more mainstream and viewer-friendly, the International Olympic Committee decided wrestling no longer fit into the 26 core sports. With only 25 sports currently left, a replacement will be made and a few of the sports vying for this single spot are baseball and softball, karate, and squash. According to the IOC's records, wrestling had a lower than aimed for viewership- scoring a 5 on a scale of 10. They also had low-ranking Internet coverage and social media following. What the IOC may not have anticipated is their decision causing the opposite ratings for wrestling's presence in the news, most impressively, online.

Thanks to the IOC's decision, wrestling started to trend on Twitter averaging 20 new tweets every 30 seconds discussing the wrestling in the games. A Facebook "community called Keep Wrestling in the Olympics has attracted more than 60,000 fans” all within the first day it was shared. News organizations and publications such as USA Wrestling, and Olympic medalists are sparking conversation on social media. Most are protesting and encouraging fans to speak up in order to prove the popularity of wrestling, and that replacing this sport takes away from the creation of the modern Olympics in the first place. Past Olympic champion Khasan Baroev of Russia described the decision as "mind boggling" and the 2008 Olympic Wrestling team captain Daniel Cormier explained the Olympics as the only professional level wrestling ever had- so what's left for those currently training?

Not only is the IOC being targeted at fault, but the International Wrestling Federation, referred to as FILA. They were responsible for convincing the IOC to keep wrestling in the Olympic games, and they have yet to prove how they attempted to do so. USA and international wrestling programs are demanding an explanation of how FILA supported wrestling and why they still lost the fight to the IOC. Despite the rare chance of this decision being reversed, participants and fans are holding on to any hope left, and Baroev promised, "This is far from over."

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Nicole Leo.

What’s Bigger than the Super Bowl?

It’s that time of year again- the eagerly anticipated and most watched program on television is just around the corner. There will be jerseys, face painting, greasy food, and of course beer flying off the shelves over the next several days. Getting the hints? Yes, I am in fact talking about Super Bowl XLVII. I have clearly stated the obvious about the upcoming game, but there is much more that goes into the big day than one may realize. 

Like every year, corporations and businesses drop an extraordinary amount of money to advertise during the game. These commercials are no joke, racking in nearly $4 million each for a measly 30 seconds. Because the advertisements have become nearly bigger than the game itself, the Super Bowl is a major platform for PR and marketing pros to catch their target audience.

Lisa Zlotnick, Lippe Taylor‘s VP of media said, “[This] is an opportunity for PR. The media wants to tell this story. The key is to think of creative ways to incorporate your clients into one of the biggest nights of the year and get your brands out there.” PR pros disect the Super Bowl from every angle to determine ways to reach the target audience. They will take the teams playing into account, the psychographics of their fans, they will consider gender, and all age groups watching. The Super Bowl is designed to incorporate something that fits all niches for viewers; competition, humor, music, technological advancements, and graphic design elements. All of these areas of interest are addressed and it's what makes for the vast audience that tunes in. 

The commercials are there to spark creativity, individuality, and of course conversation about the brand. The third-party credibility part follows, and that is when PR steps in. So, who’s going to be watching? I know I’m not missing Beyonce’s performance… 

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Nicole Leo.

Be Your Own Biggest Fan

Here’s to those with their own blogs, websites, business plans, self-made clothing/jewelry, produced music, etc.; congrats on being talented, but…NO ONE KNOWS YOU! Well, that is if you are not self-promoting of course. I cannot begin to express how crucial it is to be your own biggest fan in order to get your name, and what you can do, out there. 

Speaking from personal experience, I found truth in this the hard way. I write weekly fashion articles for CollegeFashionista.com and I received next to zero reads in the beginning of my internship. This was because I did nothing to help myself, and instead I relied heavily on my editors to do whatever they wished with my published works. Not a smart strategy. Once I started posting my articles and pictures on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram; my reads skyrocketed. I then created business cards with CollegeFashionista, I spoke highly of my articles and the website at networking events, and I made sure to be known by everyone as a style guru for Temple University - up again went my number of reads. Fact of the matter is; no one knows your work as well as you do. Therefore, no one can promote you as well as you can. Here are a few tips for promoting yourself:

1. Social Media- It’s been said before, but it bears repeating; social media is necessary these days in order to promote yourself. Don’t be shy, or lazy, and at least join the big three: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Joining social media sites with help you connect with other up- and- comers and potential employers
2. Be Unique- Although drawing inspiration from others is helpful, don’t do what’s been done. Here’s a relatable example: when shopping I try to find something I know no one else would be wearing because who’s going to recognize me if I look like everyone else? Well, same thing goes for your produced works. Hello people, it’s called originality, ring any bells?
3. Be Mindful of your Reputation- Like they always say, “guilty by association.” Like it or not, who you associate with and what you promote reflect you – choose wisely! If you do not agree with a company’s core values or you wouldn’t show your grandmother what you wrote, steer clear!

If you don’t get anything else out of this blog, get this: confidence in what you can do is completely mandatory. Be authentically you, be proud, yet humble, and give them something to remember you by at the end of the day. 

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Nicole Leo.