Jill Mastrangelo's Blog

PR: The Good, Bad and Ugly

The Happiest Hours

by Jill Mastrangelo

A large part of being successful in the public relations industry, especially at MMI, is using your time wisely. Time management skills can be hard to conquer, especially in a career where things change minute to minute, and the next phone call is potentially a reporter on deadline or a client who needs your immediate help on a crisis PR situation.

read more >>

comment | 08/23/2010


MMI Watercooler

Meet MMI At The Altar

by Jill Mastrangelo

Anjelica and her now-husband Jon were marred at The Deerpark Restaurant at the Biltmore. Everything was impeccable – the ceremony, the flowers, the wedding party, the guests, Anjelica’s dress and more.

read more >>

comment | 08/09/2010


PR: The Good, Bad and Ugly

The Business of Branding on Reality TV

by Jill Mastrangelo

SKINNY GIRLBethenny Frankel: Whether you love her or hate her (I lean towards love), you’ve got to give her credit for making lemons into lemonade.

read more >>

6 comments | 06/11/2010


PR: The Good, Bad and Ugly

Get It While It’s HOT NOW

by Jill Mastrangelo

To drive traffic and promote the reopening of Raleigh's Kripsy Kreme, a lucky customer in line before 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday will be chosen to turn on the store’s popular “Hot Now” sign. Additionally, the Person Street store will reopen just in time for National Doughnut Day on June 4, when Krispy Kreme stores will offer one free doughnut (eater’s choice!) to each customer.

read more >>

2 comments | 05/30/2010


PR: The Good, Bad and Ugly

Bullock’s Baby, Jersey’s Crazy and PR’s Edgy

by Jill Mastrangelo

Sandra Bullock's return to the spotlight, New Jersey becoming the new Orange County, and PR ranked as the 8th most stressful profession in 2010 -- this week's news was full of PR-related activities. Here's my roundup of three that I've been following . . .

read more >>

comment | 04/30/2010


PR: The Good, Bad and Ugly

Two Thumbs (Double) Down For Crazy-Big Portions

by Jill Mastrangelo

Luckily, many restaurants are encouraging health and moderation by offering more nutritious options and smaller portions. By adjusting from a super-sized to a down-sized mentality, restaurants are demonstrating social responsibility and improving their image along the way. When it comes to wellness (and positive PR), small is the new large.

read more >>

2 comments | 04/16/2010


MMI Watercooler

Are You in the Loop?

by Jill Mastrangelo

Social NetworkStaying in the loop in your office can help you improve and build your personal brand. By having as much information as possible about the things going on around you – whether it’s a new client or project, an upcoming event, or internal changes – you will be seen as a knowledgeable asset and will become even more valuable than you already are, especially when working in team environments.

 

read more >>

2 comments | 04/02/2010


MMI Watercooler

Potluck of the Irish!

by Jill Mastrangelo

The MMI office has been more festive than usual over the past couple of weeks . . .

read more >>

2 comments | 03/19/2010


PR: The Good, Bad and Ugly

Valerie’s Visibility: A Comeback Success Story, Taken One Day at a Time

by Jill Mastrangelo

Valerie BertinelliThough Valerie Bertinelli has said and owned up to things that had the potential to alienate her long-term and new fans (such as candid details of her tumultuous marriage, and the struggles she went through with self image and drug use), she has maintained a transparency that is uncommon among people in the entertainment industry.

read more >>

4 comments | 03/05/2010


PR: The Good, Bad and Ugly

Eyeing the Tiger

by Jill Mastrangelo

TIGER WOODSOther than Saturday Night Live spoofs and Weekend Updates, I’ve tried to stay away from any news on the Tiger Woods’ downfall. I did, however, tune in this morning to watch his press conference – and I use “press conference” loosely...

read more >>

comment | 02/19/2010


PR: The Good, Bad and Ugly

3 Tips To Establishing Your Personal Brand

by Jill Mastrangelo

I wonIf you’re looking for a way to stand out in the professional crowd, spend some time thinking about your personal brand. Just like any company, individuals should establish their brand ....

read more >>

3 comments | 02/05/2010


PR: The Good, Bad and Ugly

The Time Of Year To Bid For A Cause

by Jill Mastrangelo

For a nonprofit organization, an annual fundraiser provides an opportunity to raise money for their cause, while hosting a branded event that the community looks forward to attending. For Me Fine Foundation (an MMI client), their annual signature fundraiser, the Purse Gala, features a live auction of unique, one-of-a-kind and designer purses, including items donated by celebrities and designers nationwide, and it will be held on Sunday, Feb. 7. 

read more >>

comment | 01/25/2010


New Media

H&M Uses Social Media, Postpones Print For Clothing Crisis Response

by Jill Mastrangelo

H&MThis week, seeing H&M in the news brought on feelings of confusion and disappointment. A January 5 New York Times article details the findings of multiple trash bags full of new clothing, seemingly damaged by box cutters and razors, discarded outside of an H&M store in New York City.

read more >>

4 comments | 01/08/2010


PR: The Good, Bad and Ugly

A True Christmas Spirit

by Jill Mastrangelo

Customer ServiceBefore a holiday party, my colleague, Kate and I stopped by the Harris Teeter on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh, and came in contact with a gentleman working there. I didn’t get his name, but he was the friendliest Harris Teeter employee I’ve ever met – which says a lot, since most of my Harris Teeter customer service experiences are pleasant. When we left the store, Kate appropriately summed it up, describing the gentleman as “the true spirit of Christmas.”

read more >>

comment | 12/24/2009


MMI Watercooler

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year…

by Jill Mastrangelo

Along with being nice, knowing how to have fun is an important part of working at MMI. Throughout the year, there are many opportunities for this fun having, but my favorite comes in the form of our family dinner-style holiday party.

read more >>

comment | 12/15/2009


PR: The Good, Bad and Ugly

Non-Sex Sells - The Twilight Saga: New Moon Attracts All Ages, Breaks Records Opening Weekend

by Jill Mastrangelo

Twilight It is entirely possible that I’ve been living under a rock since 2005. This might explain why, after four book releases, and the first installment of a monstrous movie saga (which I don’t even recall seeing previews for), I was still in the dark in regard to everything Twilight.

read more >>

comment | 11/27/2009


PR: The Good, Bad and Ugly

Filling A GAP In Creating Brand Buzz For the Holidays

by Jill Mastrangelo

With the gift-giving season a little more than a month away, and Black Friday  – the busiest day in the retail world – less than two weeks away, many stores are facing an uphill battle.

But one store that seems to always dance circles around the competition when it comes to generating a buzz is GAP Inc. 

read more >>

comment | 11/13/2009


PR: The Good, Bad and Ugly

The PR World Via Reality TV

by Jill Mastrangelo

It’s been more than three years since MTV debuted ‘PoweR Girls’, an inside look at the PR world of New York City via a short-lived reality show. ‘PR Girls’ focused on the infamous Lizzie Grubman (perhaps best known for her driving) and her firm, Lizzie Grubman Public Relations. If you are anything like me, you were glued to the TV as Grubman’s four assistants organized an autograph signing for Ja Rule, worked a club opening and displayed their PR skills while on the phone with Page Six and Britney Spears’ people – all while Grubman trash-talked Lindsay Lohan.

read more >>

comment | 12/11/2008


New Media

Your Blog: How to increase readership

by Jill Mastrangelo

Tips on how to leverage your online presence to find readers for your blog.

read more >>

comment | 11/07/2008


PR: The Good, Bad and Ugly

Drexler’s Marketing Move: Luxury for Less

by Jill Mastrangelo

J. Crew will provide an option of practical merchandise with a smaller impact on the customer’s wallet.

read more >>

1 comment | 09/12/2008