Clients Archives - Konnect Agency

Tips to Smoothly Transfer from In-House to Agency Public Relations

February 14, 2019 by Carmen Hernandez

Truth be told, you can’t really know what to expect when transitioning from in-house public relations to agency life until you actually make the change. Honestly, it can be a little jarring, especially when you’re joining a faced-paced, successful public relations agency like Konnect. But fear not!

I first began my PR career with an in-house team at a consumer products company. While it was a stimulating learning experience, that environment only barely scratched the surface of what was to come next. It turns out that moving to a public relations agency quickly became my best career decision thus far, so if you’re thinking about taking the leap, here’s a little advice and some in-agency scoop from someone who’s been there:

Be in the Know
If you’re contemplating making the switch to an agency, first stop and ask yourself, “Am I up to date with what’s happening in the media today?” At an agency, you’ll be working with many clients in a variety of industries vs. in-house where you typically work with a client in a singular space. With that, it’s imperative to stay current on industry trends and key influencers, as well as a basic understanding of all types of media outlets. Follow national publications on social media, set news alerts on your phone, skim the headlines of a reputable newspaper, collaborate with your peers — take some time to figure out the best way to know a little bit of everything. So, when you’re working in food and beverage PR and you see on Facebook that Food Network Magazine is looking for brands to feature for National Pizza Day, you’ll already be ahead of the game. Being “in the know” is a huge part of who we are as publicists and will always simplify your transition to any agency.

Get Your Systems in Place
If I could shout this from the tallest rooftop in New York City to get my point across, I would. Once you’ve ~crossed over~, the secret to adapting to agency life is getting and staying organized and learning time management quickly. This could include setting calendar reminders and breaking down your daily to-do lists. It’s crucial to adopt these habits early, and do whatever you feel will keep you in check and accountable. Once you move into an agency where you’re juggling multiple clients and managing both internal and external tasks, you’re organizational skills will be a lifesaver.

Collaborate and Ask Questions
Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate! It may seem like a cliche to push collaboration and communication in an industry like PR or marketing, but it should be stressed daily. Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to when you take a seat at that shiny new desk. It’ll show your new team that you’re eager to learn correct agency practices from the get-go. If you feel you’re unsure or timid about a project, I implore you to ask questions. Whether it’s which editor to add to a media list or how to pitch national publications, ask away. Collaboration, in many communications-focused environments, is the key to success.

Want to learn more about agency life from our Konnect experts? Send us a message!

-Kristina A.

Key Learnings from Konnect Agency

August 9, 2017 by Carmen Hernandez

Fear. We all have it. Snakes, clowns, heights – whatever it may be, fear is a constant feeling that exists inside of every person. I fear that I am going to wake up day after day and dread going to work. Rather than a fear, I’d say it is my own personal nightmare.

With that said, I know that this nightmare of mine will never come true working at Konnect Agency. I wake up every day excited, passionate and ready to work. Below are some lessons that Konnect has taught me.

Stay Challenged:

Publicists are well aware of the different types of clients you can have. Whether it’s franchise PR, food and beverage PR or lifestyle PR, your day to day is never the same. You can have days that run smoothly and days where you have ten too many things to handle in an eight-hour work day. Konnect has taught me to see the beauty in this diversity. Not everything is going to go as planned but these stressful moments are what keep me challenged, which is what keeps me going. If everything was easy, I wouldn’t be learning anything.

Never Settle:

There are countless Public Relations agencies, but very few like the one I work for. Konnect has taught me that you should never settle for a job because there are jobs out there that exceed your expectations. From my managers and clients to company culture and positive work environment, Konnect truly cares about every employee.

Don’t Give Up

As a publicist, we encounter difficult tasks in achieving our main goal. At any PR agency, the main goal is making your clients happy. Whether it be getting press for a client or executing the perfect event, Konnect has taught me that when you persevere, things will work out. Take the Dave & Buster’s San Jose brand awareness project for example. Initially, our team’s goal was to secure four meetings with organizations throughout the San Jose area. With only a few days before our team headed to San Jose, our meeting goals sky rocketed. My managers reassured me that all will be okay and to keep plugging away with that I was doing. Their words of encouragement, support and trust in me made me feel confident in the work I was doing. Lo and behold, we ended up securing 11 meetings for the client.

-Jenna

The Evolution of Bloggers and Their Presence in the PR World

July 28, 2017 by Carmen Hernandez

Remember when blogging was just a hobby and a place to share your thoughts within the massive world of the internet? Time has changed and blogging is now a career for some. Throughout my time at Konnect, I have had to heavily focus on the world of bloggers and have learned that it is an essential part of a brand’s public relations strategy. Why? Because bloggers are making a name for themselves and influencing the way that the average consumer is talking about brands and products. The average consumer enjoys feeling like they can relate to a product and it is easier for them to find a connection when they see another individual use or consume that item as opposed to solely advertising via television, billboards and magazines.

In PR, we strive to place our clients in a positive light for people to talk about. If a blogger speaks highly on a product or brand, their followers are more trusting of that item and brand, then they decide to purchase it for themselves. Millennials are the first generation to be digitally active and we are the force that is driving the future of brands with more and more conversations about the latest products being talked about on social media or through blogging. Days of solely pitching print and broadcast are drastically changing and we must tap into the digital world by marketing and partnering with bloggers.

Steps for entering the blog world from a PR perspective:

Know your client and brand.
Research the bloggers who are making noise in that space whether it is on health and fitness or fashion.
It is essential to know exactly what that blogger may be interested in based on past posts.
Start your conversation with something you may have in common with that blogger. Believe me, it makes them feel like they are one of your friends and more willing to post in exchange for products.
After that first post, continue chatting with that person and check in every once in a while, so that you are always remembered when you need another post or have a new product to share.
When you come across a pay-for-play blogger, continue building a relationship with them because, in this industry, you never know where it can lead.

Robin

The Best of the Best Holiday Gift Guides

July 24, 2017 by Carmen Hernandez

Don’t be fooled by the sunny skies – Holiday Gift Guide season has arrived. As a PR agency, we have already begun media outreach for the perfect HGG for our clients’ best products. While some guides are more general, some can be themed or tailored to a specific recipient. In the midst of these niche gift guides are some wacky, uber-specific guides that may not be your first choice as a consumer but will definitely make you smile!

Here are some of my favorite Holiday Gift Guides from season’s past:

Elle’s Thoughtful Gifts You Can Secretly Buy at the Last Minute

With sneaky, local sources like the airport or the grocery store, Elle knows best that “just because you waited doesn’t mean you don’t care.”

Real Simple’s Gifts for Employees

From portable coffee mugs to “Spa in a Bag,” these are fun and useful gifts for your favorite coworker to spice up their office space.

Goop’s Ridiculous, But Awesome Gift Guide

These gifts are exactly as described. Check out the glamping-on-steroids yurt or wine-on-the-go travel bag if you don’t believe me.

Good Housekeeping’s DIY Holiday Gift Guide

Whether you’re budget-conscious, crafty and creative, or looking for something personal, you can’t go wrong with DIY.

The Man Repeller’s Willy Wonka Gift Guide

The whimsical blog chose an equally whimsical theme for its first ever holiday gift guide last year. The Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory concept consists of six rooms with compatible gifts, like Dolce & Gabbana round sunglasses in the infamous Fizzy Lifting Drinks Bubble room.

New York Time’s Books for the Holidays

No one does books better than the NY Times, and this guide doesn’t disappoint.

Glamour’s Holiday Gift Guide for Fashion Lovers

It’s not just clothes – these accessories, gadgets, and home décor are perfect for your stylish friend.

O, The Oprah Magazine’s Gifts that Give Back

You can give the gift of giving with products that donate proceeds to charity. Whether it’s for an animal-lover or tree-hugger, pick the gift based on its partner organization.

Cosmopolitan’s Gift Guide Based on Zodiac Signs

My personal favorite from this collection: slippers for a Taurus, because “whilst they enjoy luxurious things and appreciate a lazy day, they also value practicality.”

2016 Gift Guides might be a tough act to follow, but we can’t wait to see what’s in store for the 2017 Holiday season!

-Isabel

Giving Back is the New Black: Konnect Clients who Care

July 19, 2017 by Carmen Hernandez

We’re all looking for ways to make life a little more meaningful. As an emerging professional, I’m entering the workforce looking for a company that strives to positively impact society. As a PR Agency, we love working with clients that practice Corporate Social Responsibility! Giving back is trending, and we strive to stay on trend – so not only do we share common values with charitable companies, but they’re also easier to pitch!

Mission-based companies succeed by incorporating their values into their brand and leading with a positive foot forward. We’re proud to support brands that recognize both the business and societal benefits of giving back.

Here are just a few:

Nuttzo x Project Left Behind

As a mother to two adopted boys, Nuttzo’s Founder Danielle Dietz-LiVolsi was inspired to partner with Project Left Behind, where every jar of Nuttzo sold helps orphaned children around the world.

School of Rock x St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital

This year, the School of Rock All Stars tour has joined forces with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to give back to Children and Families facing life threatening diseases. The students are aiming to raise $15,000 to ensure that no family ever pays for food, lodging, travel or treatment while receiving care at St. Jude.

Rebel Kitchen x 1% For The Planet

Rebel Kitchen is part of 1% For The Planet, a global network of businesses, nonprofits and individuals working together for a healthy planet. They pledge to donate at least 1% of sales to nonprofit partners vetted for participation in the network.

ThinOPTICS x Prevent Blindness

ThinOPTICS donates portions of proceeds to Prevent Blindness as part of a recent partnership. They assist in promoting their 20/20 @ 40 initiative, a public awareness program that encourages people in their 40’s to get a baseline eye exam to help track any potentially problematic changes in the eyes as they age.

KEEN x The Conservation Alliance

As a brand built for enjoying the outdoors, KEEN feel a responsibility to protect and preserve the environment. They have partnered with numerous eco-friendly nonprofits over the years including American WhiteWater, Leave No Trace, and longtime partner The Conservation Alliance.

Good Pop x Whole Planet Foundation

Good Pop prides themselves on being a small company with a big passion for doing good (hence “good” pop) and giving back. They partner with a variety of nonprofits including Whole Planet Foundation, World Food Program USA, Keep Austin Beautiful, and Central Texas Food Bank.

A little CSR never hurt anyone; Yes, it’s good for attracting employees, clients, and consumers – but it’s also just good. And doesn’t doing good just feel good? Say good again. Good.

Keep on giving back and making us proud Konnect clients 🙂

-Isabel

Summer Fancy Food Show 2017 Recap

June 28, 2017 by Carmen Hernandez

A few members of our Konnect family attended The Summer Fancy Food Show in New York this past weekend, making sure to check out the trendiest new snacks and keep an eye on some of our food and beverage clients. The Specialty Food Association ran the event from June 25-27, with over 2600 exhibitors and over 180,000 different specialty food products on the floor. Whether it’s flavored water, bite-size treats, or make-your-own snack kits, the $127 billion – and growing – specialty foods industry did not disappoint.

Check out some of the products featured at the 2017 event:

Winner of the 2017 Sofi Award for Best Vegan Snack, Kite Hill’s Chive Cream Cheese Style Spread is made with all natural ingredients, including white peppers and chive to make this award-winning flavor. While it’s ideal for spreading on a bagel, Kite Hill also recommends to mix into mashed potatoes or serve alongside fruit and crackers as an appetizer.

Ozery Bakery offered samples of some of their customers’ favorite products, including Morning Rounds and Snacking Rounds, the toastable fruit and grain buns available in sweet flavors like cranberry orange and apple cinnamon. Hopping on the non-dairy wagon, Ozery previewed their Vegan Brioche Buns and Bites line, slated to launch in 2018. They brought their best breakfast game to Summer Fancy!

Nutzzo, the seven seed and nut butter brand, launched the first-ever paleo chocolate nut butter at this year’s Summer Fancy. This new flavor joins their two other classic flavors in both crunchy and smooth, a perfect upgrade to your chocolate hazelnut butter, almond butter, or peanut butter!

With nut butters, dairy alternatives, and “clean label” snacks at the front-line of specialty foods this year, Konnect Agency is proud to have such on trend – and delicious – clients!

-Isabel