Black Tie Lounge

I'm playing around with some names for a show I'm helping to facilitate for April 30. Since I've entered grad school I've put my entertainment ambitions on the shelf. Well not exactly but I haven't done as much. I'm referring to working with local artists. In undergrad I did a bio for a Christian rock artist, done some background vocals for a few local hip hop acts, now I'm semi/sorta managing a local R&B Soul act. After a 2 year hiatus from concentrating on school, working in The Bahamas, to concentrating on school--it's funny how doors have opened. So April 30 kicks off the R&B/Soul Crooner, Oscah's first headlining show. I'm thinking of a name. Right now I'm stuck on Love Soul Autobiography. No strategy behind it. The name pretty much describes what the show is about. The show will also feature a performance by Chicago hip hop performer Roe. I'm excited about it. Right now I'm working out some radio appearances at WUVT and ...

Not much going on over here except March Madness. This is the first blog since forever that I will actually put some time in. I've been consumed by studying for my comprehensive exams. I'm still not where I want to be in my studying but I can say that it is getting better. I had a committee member add a concept to my question that I never ever in my life been exposed to. The real reason I wanted to blog is because now that I found the answer and am in better shape to competenly explain an idea I had no clue about two days ago, I'm seeing how I've overcome some challenges in this program. Whether it was from my lack of motivation to actually apply myself or if it was my lack of interest, I can say this: I got it done. It's always after the fact that I see what I'm capable of. I come out of academic challenges more confident because I do know this stuff. I thought I was going to spend more time talking about that but my mind has switched gears. It is official: I...

I'm going through one of those periods where I have to cut myself off from a lot so that I can prepare for the biggest exam I've ever taken. What do you do when you are in a profession where you have to be creative and you can't come up with any ideas? Any suggestions. I think in the past week I've been satisfied with myself because I have said NO and been unapologetic for it. What do you do when everyone and everything wants to be your priority. I'm all for helping but dang, people pick the worst times to call in me at times. I really wonder how this is going to work once I start working. I am well aware of the demand and pressure that communication professionals face on the day to day. It excites me because I like to work on different things at once. I don't think I can function just doing one task without having other things to revert to. With that said, a lot of things and people have pulled on me lately and I just had to say NO. Not the polite no but the I...

So in the midst of defending framing as an ethical way to practice public relations, I'm still attempting to answer the same question. I'm in the middle of studying for comprehensive exams which will be the roughest test I've taken so far. Can you believe I'm using my spring break to do this. Right now I'm in the "do what I gotta do" mode so it will get done. Last Thursday I went to the Mosaic Career Fair hosted by the American Advertising Federation and USA Today. If I haven't shared this let me give an update. Last December I did a job shadow at Arnold Worldwide. As you should know, I worked with The Bahamas last summer, which is one of Arnold's clients. I was not interested in advertising and honestly I can't think of my motivations for asking to do a job shadow. I believe it was along the lines of career exploration and I know that they do some integrated PR in their campaigns. Oh, well. I did the job shadow, met some really cool people, an...

For some reason I think that the snuggie is the most ridiculous product out there. Is it just me or do these snuggies make people look like a monk or a character straight out of Star Wars. I'm not the only one that thinks this way . I think this product is so hilarious. I bet this item is going to be in business for decades. Is it just me or is a snuggie nothing but a backwards robe . GREAT, now we'll have thousands of deceived purchasers thinking they are really getting a blanket with sleeves when in fact it really is a robe turned backwards. Oh that my words would get out to the public. Naw, it's really not that serious. I do think that it is hilarious that youtubers have made so many parodies of the commercial . The ideas expressed in the videos linked to this page are the opinion of the video maker and not the author of this blog. I just thought it was funny.

So today I was faced with some choices that I never thought I'd ever have to make. It's not a bad things just very unexpected. I'm going to refrain from saying too much because I don't have all the information before me. Let's just say that something I ended up being involved in may turn out to be a greater opportunity for me. I considered getting my PhD, which I have made clear is not going to happen for a minute. I considered staying around for a little longer. I considered a whole new career direction opposite to the route I originally planned. I considered what I'd have to do to negotiate more than I ever had. I considered things that I was so adimant about leaving. Believe me I want to leave Blacksburg just as much as the next person. I've spent the past 7 years here seeing the community grow to what it is now. I'm ready to bounce but hey it may not necessarily be that way so soon. I've got to really reflect on some things and see where this cou...

I think I caught it: the twitter bug. At first I thought it was pointless. As I began to look for people to follow, I remembered my ambitions to help promote my colleagues fashion line. I started to search for famous brands and stores. If I can't come up with ideas I can at least use best practices to see what they are doing online. I have to do more of a comprehensive search for fashion products. I did not find many hip hop fashion lines on Twitter so there may be an opportunity for promotion there. We shall see. I just did a content analysis or what the average person would refer to as surfing the Web to learn more about Burson-Marsteller. I met one of their practitioners last summer and she put me in touch with the head of HR at their Chicago office. I applied to the internship so we will see what happens. One thing I was thinking about: I don't know how long I want to go without benefits. I'd love to work with Ruder Finn because they seem to have a first class training ...