I'm giving myself an F for blogging...

...but to make up for it, I'm going to share this awesome post that Heather came across today. One of our fave bloggers and PR heroes Brian Solis posted this interesting commentary on brands who really "get" social media. Some of my personal faves on the list include Disney & Nike. But where's Zappos? I think they're doing a fabulous job using social media to connect with people - not just shoppers or consumers -- but people. And isn't that what this is all about?

As we try to get our clients more and more involved in the social media universe, Brian's advice that it's not "reasonable, feasible, or strategic" for companies to participate in EVERY social media site/network/etc. is spot on and we wholeheartedly agree. Sometimes it makes sense for companies to Twitter and sometimes it doesn't (note to self, remember this next time you're in a pitch!)

We do want to give a shout out to our clients who are getting involved in social media and doing a great job. We know it's not easy - in fact, it's far too easy to get distracted, as we've learned. So here are some of our partners who really trying to use social media to listen and engage people online.

First Tech Credit Union (check out www.uturnchallenge.com in March)
Northwest Evaluation Association (our newest Twittering client)
Bridgeport Brewery (shocker - people like beer!)
The Game Factory - creator of family-friendly video games like Zenses and Build-A-Bear for the Wii

But the main point is - companies should be doing at least one thing a day that scares them. It could be as simple as allowing comments on your blog to sending out a Facebook invite for your grand opening party.

And I'll be honest, it's a little chilly when you first dip your toe into the HUGE ocean that is the "world wide web", but once you get in and find your niche, it warms up just fine.

Til next time,
JulieAnna

Meet the Sword Licker

So we have a newly crowned King of Cubicles. Mr. Joel Moss Levinson.

Check out his hilarious video resume aptly titled "I Will Protect You From Dragons." Actually, that title is not really apt. But we love it!

The King of Cubicles contest kicked off this past summer and challenged slackers everywhere to put their worst foot forward to win the title of King. All of this hooplah is in celebration of the new Game Factory Nintendo Wii and DS game, Rubik's World. A super awesome game about everyone's favorite cube.

As the new King, Joel has won his very own Nintendo Wii console & games from The Game Factory (including Rubik's World, natch), new fancy business cards that read "Joel Moss Levinson - King of Cubicles" and...drum roll please... his very own Smart Car. The preferred vehicle for a ladies' man like Joel.

We had the pleasure of actually meeting Joel when he decided to drop by R/West after getting the good news. It was meant to be!

So check out Joel's blog & obviously the R/West PR Girls Central to keep up with Mr. KOC and his latest happenings... We're looking forward to seeing what he can do with his new title and fancy car!












Joel (on the right) with R/Westies Johnny B and Cassandra.

What's hot in 2009?

Zenses! Jane Buckingham from the Intelligence Group, New York Times and Cosmopolitan magazine says 2009 is all about "peaceful" gaming. That's right. Put away your Halo 3 ladies 'cuz it's all about the zen this year...

Check out Jane's "trend" segment on Good Morning America, which aired on New Year's Day.

Congrats to our wonderful client, video game publisher, The Game Factory for the excellent coverage. Way to start the New Year off with a bang (your PR team is going to have to work EXTRA hard to raise that bar). ;-)

If you haven't, check out Zenses on Amazon.com. Or you could enter to win your very own copy through the Family Review Network of mommy blogs.

Until next time, keep on gaming... and tell us what you think about the game!

In need of a financial U-Turn?

Then check out the U-Turn Challenge, presented by First Tech Credit Union.

Starting now through December 19, First Tech will be searching for households throughout the Pacific Northwest (Lane County, Portland Metro area, Salem and the Seattle Metro area) who are ready to turnaround their financial lives.















How does the U-Turn Challenge Work?

Selected households will compete against other households from Lane County, the Portland Metro area and the Seattle Metro area for a $10,000 grand prize. The prize goes to the household that achieves the most financial success in four pre-determined categories: debt reduction, savings increase, overall net worth increase, and overall level of participation. The First Tech-selected households will participate in the Challenge throughout 2009, documenting their financial successes and challenges via their own blogs at www.uturnchallenge.com.

The best part?

ALL participating households will be assigned a team of First Tech financial experts who will help them get on the road to a better financial life and potentially win the competition. The team will focus on every aspect of the households’ financial situation including budgeting, managing credit, home buying, paying for college, planning for retirement, insuring for the future, and much more.

Participating households must be willing to:

· Publicly discuss their financial situation

· Work closely with their First Tech financial team

· Provide monthly feedback on financial progress and results

· Have Internet access and be willing to blog regularly about their U-Turn Challenge experiences

· Be eligible for First Tech Credit Union membership. Membership qualifications can be found online at First Tech’s website

How to enter the First Tech U-Turn Challenge

Interested households can visit the U-Turn Challenge website at www.uturnchallenge.com. There, they can read the Challenge rules and regulations, fill out an online application and download the required release forms. Completed questionnaires and release forms must be addressed and mailed by

December 19, 2008 to:

U-Turn Challenge

PO Box 2100

Beaverton, OR

The public can follow the participating households’ journey in the U-Turn Challenge from February 2009 through December 2009 at www.uturnchallenge.com.

For more information about the First Tech U-Turn Challenge, visit www.uturnchallenge.com. All media inquiries should be directed to JulieAnna Little with R/West Public Relations at 503.223.5443 x114 or julieannal@r-west.com.

Check out this video for more info (and yes, that's R/West's own JulieAnna who, for the record, prefers being behind the scenes rather than in front of the camera and was forced to do this by her own team!)

Get your own celebrity-designed Build-A-Bear and signed Wii game!

Hello out there in cyber land! Hope everyone is having a great week getting ready for the big T-Day '09...

We finally have an "official" URL for our Build-A-Bear Wii auction benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California!

Go to www.ebay.com/buildabearwiiauction to see bears designed by celebs like the Jonas Brothers (OMJ!), Tori Spelling, James Gandolfini (aka Tony Soprano), Bonnie Hunt, Raven-Symone, Melissa Joan Hart and our fave Disney stars: Meaghan Martin, Jason Dolley, Debby Ryan and more!

So if you're looking for holiday gift ideas - go check out our fabulous celeb bears and do some good this holiday season. 100% of the proceeds from the auction will go to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California - a very worthy organization that provides comfort and care to kids receiving medical treatment in So Cal (and their families).

Also a HUGE shout out to our client The Game Factory for their generosity and holiday spirit in donating their time, money and efforts to help make this auction possible (and successful!)

So get to shopping and let us know what you think of the bears (don't miss James Gandolfini's holiday turkey, which he designed with help from his son Michael) and the new Build-A-Bear Wii game. Gobble gobble.




















You can also bid on these adorable bears designed (and autographed) by Nick, Joe and Kevin Jonas today! Auction closes December 3.
















Happy Turkey Day!

Build-A-Bear Wii Launch and Auction!

Hey everyone! So sorry it's been forever since we've been able to blog. Crazy busy around here!

One of the reasons we've been so busy is that we launched The Game Factory's new Build-A-Bear Wii game (called Build-A-Bear Workshop A Friend Fur All Seasons). How cute is that?

To celebrate the launch of this super fun party game, we had a blow out celebrity bash at the Build-A-Bear Workshop store at Hollywood Highland Center on Tuesday, November 11.

Here are just a few of the celebs who made it out to help us celebrate: Tori Spelling & Dean McDermott, Melissa Joan Hart, Disney's Camp Rock's Meaghan Jette Martin, Debby Ryan from the Suite Life of Zack and Cody on Deck, Jason Dolley from Disney's Minute Men and the upcoming Hatching Pete, singer Austin Anderson, Californication's Pamela Adlon... we could go on. But we won't.

Here are some pics of the event.

More to come about our eBay auction benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California in a few...

Enjoy!

Something Awesome Happened At BridgePort Brewery...

So basically, one of our fabulous clients...BridgePort Brewery...tried something awesome a little over a year ago...most people refer to it as their 22-ounce Big Brew line...

But something about their latest and greatest...it not only has a sick name - Raven Mad - but it also has a sick label...it requires you to wear really awesome glasses and is all like hey check out these letters with those red and blue frames because I'm pretty sure they are in 3-D and oh yeah so is that bird down there...

...I'm sure most of you have seen if but if for some weird reason like you have been studying abroad and not in the country or you had a strange illness that caused you not to be able to enjoy the fabulousness that is beer and it made you so sad that you had to cut all communication off with the bridgeport beer world (...and yes that means no blog reading, no twitter following, not even kbeer listening to on the website...) and you have yet to see the label...well here it is just for you!!!

YEAH, I know right!! Awesome!!

Here are some pics from bottling day...




and also, other's think that the brew is awesome...so if I'm not convincing enough to get you to run out and grab yourself a bottle to enjoy...read these...they might help.
Oregonian - John Foyston
Beer Northwest
Portlandbeer.org
Seattlepi.com
Brewpublic
AntSaint

And if you're not following us on Twitter...you probably should...cause then you can always know what's new and happening! @bridgeportbrew