Starting Over!

Ever get the urge to just start over? Press the Ctrl+Alt+Del? It's not as bad as you might think...I just mean I want to totally redo this blog! A few reasons for this decision...

1. Black is not a good color on me...or this blog.
2. It's 2011, not 2009.
3. I just read The Pioneer Woman's latest blog post and I'm ridiculously inspired!!

So, stay tuned for a totally new blog and a new daily ritual to start using this space to vent...instead of waiting until 6:00 each evening to scream as loud as I can into my pillow. :)

Making a Move with Mobile

In March, my family and I are heading back to the great state of TX! We're excited to be closer to our family and friends after our two year stay in the NYC area. The experiences here will not be soon forgotten.

The bigger question is how will I find time to make the move? I need mobile device help!! Yes...we are packing, loading and driving our household half way across the country. :) So, I need to be prepared. Got the iphone 4 on order, extra set of ear plugs, car charger and will likely have the ipad waiting in the wings. Wish us lots of luck on our big move!! I'm going to need it given I'll have an 11 and 3 year old in the backseat. :)

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Upgrading from PC to MAC?

Well, it's time for a computer upgrade. Weighing my options on upgrading from a PC altogether to a Macbook. All the data online shows this to be the best option if you go through computers as much as I do (one a year).

Would love to hear some opinions on making this leap and if anyone has recently opted for a Mac over PC and how you like it. I know it also takes some getting used to. :)

Starting the New Year in True Smart Phone Style

Kicking off the first blog of 2011 blogging from my droid. Love this!! I've had this app downloaded and ready to use for months.

So many topics to cover this month...but I want to start with a few resolutions. Figure if I post them, I'm that much more responsible for sticking to them. :)

- Blog once a week...at least. With so much to say, you wouldn't think this would have to be a resolution.
- Kick off each morning with one positive quote. My mantra for the day.
- Use TweetDeck more often. It will make life a little easier.
- Get out of my office more often.
- Start reading these books that have piled up next to my bed.
- Get Organized!!! And stop printing. :)

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Spring Reads...A List of Amazing Books You Need to Get Your Hands On

When the sun starts shining and the weather warms up, I think about curling up in the rocking chair on my porch overlooking the beautiful NYC skyline and burying me head in a good book. For more reasons than I could possibly express in one blog post, I have a variety of books I've picked up for the season that range from personal wellness and self-improvement to internet trends and cookbooks. Sort of cleaning out the closet and preparing for Spring and at the same time filling my shelves with new reads that help me get to that point.


Being in the web marketing and media field, I'm drawn to web and new media humor. "Read Between the Lines: A Humorous Guide to Texting with Simplicity and Style" caught my eye. Very specific topic but the cover pulled me in. :)


Another one in this genre that spoke to me..."You Are Not a Gadget". I feel the personal effects of living in a web based society where every thought and conversation is taken online at some point.


From a motivational corner in my head, I chose the book "Drive" by Daniel Pink for a couple of reasons. One, I love where his writing comes from and although I have never read any of his books, I have read tons of articles he's written and his contribution from those impacted me in some way.


"Start With Why" by Simon Sinek is a definite read on my list. A very good friend shared this book with me and I'm dying to jump into it. Without starting it yet, I can say that it seems to be an excellent read for the true leaders in all of us that have either yet to arrive in this world or have been covered up by the not so true leaders.


Ok, I've already read this book (just finished last month) but I must share with you. "Add More Ing to Your Life: A Hip Guide to Happiness" MOVED me. Literally picked me up and got me going. Sometimes you are in this funk you can't describe. This guide is so smart in the way it takes you through this transformation through words but you can't just read them, you have to exercise them, bringing the book to life in a way.


And last but not least, "The 48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene has gotten me. It's been out almost 10 years but the book has proved to be so popular that it has spawned several sequels, one recently co-authored by the popular rapper 50 Cent, called "The 50th Law."


That's my list! It will take me all season, but after the winter that NYC has had, I see myself on my porch reading a lot more often. :) 

What Encourages Creativity...

I have to say for me its boredom. When I get bored, creative juices start flowing and they don't stop. At the end of a very boring day, I have a laundry list of to-dos. :)

We all get inspired in different ways but for most, music tops that list. There's not much a good song can't do. Here are some tips I've put together to encourage creative thinking...

1. Wake Up Early. You might be tired and lazy at first but the realization that you are getting a head start on your day soon kicks in and off you go.
2. Take a blank journal with you on your commute. Train, ferry, bus...those are all creative hot spots. Combine an iPod with that journal and magic is made.
3. Be part of an online community. Watching others and their interaction on various topics can stimulate ideas. Sharing those thoughts encourages creative energy that you didn't even know you had.
4. Movie Night. Movies are a major inspiration for people. Make an effort to watch a new type of movie or classic you know have inspired others that you just haven't gotten around to yet.
5. Make "Me" Time. It's hard to do some days but allowing your thoughts some freedom to be heard can stimulate thoughts you already have but haven't been able to really listen to.

And don't make me say it...eat breakfast, get plenty of rest, drink water and exercise...because those are givens...I mean, get creative here!!

...Creatively Yours...Kristen

A Social Gathering at ETC in Providence with Women Consumers in Mind

Just as 2009 ended, 2010 started...with the constant chatter of social media and utilizing it for your brand. At the ETC Conference in Providence, RI last week, there was a special emphasis on the importance of reaching women in the social space. 42 Million women in the US use blogs and are part of social media. We (women) are spending less time watching TV and more time online than ever before. Women also report that they are significantly more likely to make a purchase decision based on customer experience reported on blogs. I can say that I relate more so than ever. I won't purchase anything that I can't read a review or see a star rating for online. I might also stop shopping when I'm somewhere to find a review online for a product before I buy it off the shelf.  This is a huge factor I think gets missed by marketers too often. Women make the majority of purchase decisions and that goes for a HUGE array of products and travel plans. And it's more than just "skewing women." 2010 is going to be a landmark year for so many reasons...we are starting to see some relief from economic downturn, travel is not considered more of a luxury than a necessity anymore and for a lot of companies this year is do or die. Brands that have been on the brink, have a chance to pull out all the stops with women consumers especially. I'm giving some tips to marketers that come from the "buyer" part of my brain. :)

1. Relate, don't just skew. We need to relate to the message and what you have to say.
2. Offer up reviews for anything you are asking us to buy online. We want to know what others have to say about it. That to me sometimes means more than the cost of an item.
3. Don't forget forums and message boards. They may be old school when you look at the bigger picture, but women still use these areas for the "real story."
4. If you are marketing a destination, think blogs. Blogs are more likely to be used for travel research and planning than any other form of social network.
5. Reach out to women bloggers with a reason to write about you or your product. Relate to that particular blogger and offer up value to her and her readers. Bloggers have a following that they need to relate to in an effort to keep those readers. Know what she values in information for her readers.

It's 2010! The Year of the Unknown...

I am really confident when I say this...trust me. 2010 is the first year that I feel I don't have it all planned out and really don't want to! I'm enjoying the flow of life in the city and a fast paced career that keeps me on my toes and having no time to ask life questions.

I have great goals and aspirations for the year ahead but no rules or boundaries. My new motto...making no excuses for never having boundaries. :)

I'm kicking off the year with a very exciting event tomorrow night, the Food for Healing New Years Resolution Kickoff Event. Preparing to take away some great tips on living the best life I can in 2010. Very excited about that event. Then making my way on Wednesday night to the W Hotel to meet some fabulous women in the interactive industry and have a cocktail or two. :) Next week I am attending a Lecture and book signing by the fabulously happy and inspiring, Gabrielle Bernstein. Can't wait for that...I am halfway through the book. Plan to finish before the event. :)

And to top off an exciting month, my "partner in crime" is headed to the city at the end of the month to take on a workshop put on by Ladies Who Launch where we will learn best practices for planning, achieving and manifesting our 2010 vision!

An excellent webinar I think will be amazing: Life Changing Strategies presented by Michael Roizen, M.D. Sign up soon...it's Friday!!

Happy 2010 Everyone!! Let's make it the best year yet!!

Inspired by a Feeling of Inspiration...

Who said It Can't be Done?? That was my motto for 2009...and now I want to start 2010 fresh. I'm working on a new Motto. :) New. Brand New. With an enthusiasm for inspiration and motivation to make it the best year yet.

Some new found inspiration stems from meeting amazing women over the past eight months in NYC. It has meant so much to me to connect in many ways and with women of all personality types. I feel inspired to be free, express myself however makes me a better person and truly dig deep to find what keeps me going everyday. A passion for the new and exciting has kept me going and not to mention, working with agencies and creative gurus who make no excuses for never having boundaries.

Here are some goals I have for 2010...

• Stay Out of the Box
• Don't be Intimidated...I am Just as Intimidating to Some I'm Sure
• No Regrets...No Decision is Worth Muddling Over
• Do What Feels Right
• Volunteer More of My Spare Time
• Inspire Others
• Conquer Everyday with a Freedom to Go Beyond

Happy Holidays and Here is to an Amazing 2010!!

Find the Great Deals...Get Social!

This Holiday Shopping season is heating up the social network scene...family and friends are passing along some great deals, coupons, free shipping codes and even exchanging this year's ideas on the best gifts. Carve out some time to get connected socially on Facebook and especially Twitter this month. Web marketing forecasters expect Twitter traffic to rise in December despite a recent decrease in traffic in October. Users are posting links and retweeting those deals like crazy.

Remember to use your network to drop those holiday wish list hints!!

Twitter & Facebook Exposure

Twitter and Facebook exposure on ads, billboards and biz cards is getting bigger. While out this weekend at the Garden State Plaza Mall, they have enormous billboards and whole wall imagery throughout the mall that displays only two things: "Follow Us on Twitter" and "Fan Us on Facebook" with the Keyword Hint. This is something that was made popular with AOL users and followed with to TV commercials and online advertising. It's smart if you have a long brand name or a new brand name that doesn't provide instant results when searching. Twitter is really bad at providing the appropriate results for their search sometimes...you really need to know the username to find a user on Twitter. That's what GSP Mall did, they provided the user name as their keyword for Twitter and their Fan Page title as the keyword on Facebook. Didn't even mention their web site URL. And why would they when the mall is catered to younger web users still in their teen years. Very smart on their part.

It's Fall!!

So excited to feel the Fall weather! I feel like I rushed Summer in NYC waiting for my first real Fall in the Northeast. I kinda miss the heat. :) JK. It really does SMELL like Fall outside. Maybe the wind that carried those falling leaves, carries with it a smell of foliage changing...maybe it's a breeze from Upstate NY where those Pumpkin Patches are overflowing. It's great...LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Fall here!

I'm going to be attending some Fall Fashion Shows this month and will be turning my posts a little more in that direction so look out for FUN, FABULOUS posts about Fall fashion trends. Here is a link I found that is cute, and a little funny. Models falling on the runway. :)

Given that October is now in full swing, Halloween is inching closer and the Christmas season is around the corner, I am so anxious to see what new and exciting ad campaigns are going to be released this year. Not to mention the start of 2010 and the Superbowl Commercials!! Those were so much FUN last year.

Happy Fall Everyone!!

A REAL Detox from Everything Food Related

I started the Martha's Vineyard Detox last weekend and it's paying off. I feel great, I have much more energy and I feel good about how clean my body and mind seem to be. But I can't help thinking how hard it is to do a REAL detox when you are still bombarded with advertising and sneaky ways advertisers use to make you cheat. It's shameful to say the least. The food and beverage industry have taken steps to reduce the amount of advertising that focus on the very unhealthy foods and shifted to advertising the foods that SEEM to be more healthy. But are they? 21 Pounds in 21 Days, the book I'm currently reading, says No. The advertising dollars have shifted to those more healthy looking foods and beverages, not because they care, but because those products are more expensive and in turn the advertising generates more ROI for them. The products you read that say "Fat Free", "Light", "Smart Choice", "Healthy Choice", etc. are still full of the artificial ingredients, sodium, etc. that we are supposed to stay away from. Detoxing is not about reducing the overall calorie intake but reducing the kinds of foods you put into your body. Our meals are 6 times the size they were a generation ago. What?? Wow. Maybe I'll move to a farm with no internet, cable or stores...yeah right!! That would be a true detox.

What is the Deal?

I feel like it's been an eternity since I've blogged on my own blog!!! What is up with that?? :) But I'm here with lots to say, as usual. :) On a more personal note, I've been reading this novel by Jennifer Weiner called "Goodnight Nobody"...about a woman and her family who have relocated to this perfect little town in Connecticut where the perfectness is ooozzzing with ridiculousness. Could never live like that. Anyway, a perfect housewife is found murdered and the town is turned upside down. The woman in the story, who used to live in NYC and was a reporter before getting married and settling down, starts digging around and finds herself being threatened by an unknown person. I'm not quite through so I can't ruin it for you by giving away the ending. :) But every woman who wishes she had time for playdates and ice cream after school and chit chat at the park (but not really wishes...) should read this book.

So, in almost two weeks I'll be down in the Atlanta region helping organizations learn more about social media and how to use it. It's going to be workshop/group activity based and should be a very productive two days with the group. Really excited about this. With all the hype everyone is writing about and posting info about, sometimes it really makes the difference to have a one on one training sessions with someone and show them the basics first. It's still very intimidating stuff for the seasoned execs.

I'm working on ways to tie the traditional ways of public relations to the interactive social media world for them...I think that showing people who are used to the good ol' days way of communicating could grasp the concepts and the reasoning better. That will be my weekend thought...along with finishing my book.

Have an awesome weekend. ;)

Why are so Many New Yorkers Disconnected from the Social Scene?

You would think that after seeing everyone in New York with some communication device in their hands at all times, one would be a social butterfly. But I'm finding it's not always the case.

My theory is...everyone in New York is always so busy, talking with one person or another, out there on the scene that there is just no time to keep up with an online social life. I cannot count the amount of people I have met and had a conversation with who don't know what Twitter is, don't have a Facebook account and don't keep up with their friends online like they should. It's like mass communication that there is just no time for I guess.

Anywho...I want to make it a mission to show as many people I meet that...YES...you can have a Facebook and you can have a Twitter...and you can update it right from that handy device you are on all day!! Come On! There are many people here who freak out when they lose their phones. Why?? They have about 500 contacts in there and no other way of communicating with them other than a phone number!! It's crazy.

If you are reading this...you are social...be social online. It's not an extra task to add to your day. It's fun! It's exciting to reconnect with old friends and it's a great way to meet new people!!

If you don't have it on your phone, get it!

Download Twitter for Your Blackberry Here: http://digg.com/d17Awf

Download Facebook for Your Blackberry Here: http://na.blackberry.com/eng/devices/features/social/facebook.jsp

Enjoy!!

Day Two was a Blast at CM Summit!

It was just as good as Day one...everything we could have hoped for. I think my eyes were dry by the end of the day, I really didn't want to blink for fear I would miss something! It was jam packed with speakers getting about 15-20 minutes to make their case and then it was "Showtime!" for the next act! Very fast paced but it kept everyone energized I think. There were some excellent show and tells...I'm going to get a list of the videos showed during some of the presentations and post them here. They are too good for words. 

Check out Twitter for all the Highlights from this year's event. http://www.twitter.com/kristencruz. 

And to top off the day, I finally found a dress for the the Webutante Ball this Friday evening...somewhat of the closing formal to end the "Internet Week" event. It's supposed to be alot of fun and it's definitely what we need after such a hectic week. I think they are even choosing a Webutante "King & Queen" of the ball. Very cute. I wasn't going to go long but I found this Asian inspired black/white number and I had to get it. It was calling my name from the display window...now let's just hope that everyone who attends the ball is attending from out of town and didn't happen upon the same dress! :) That's never fun. 

I really hope everyone found my Highlight Tweets from the conference informative and gave you some good ideas on social media. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to post them here or reach out to me on Twitter.

Thanks Federated Media for a great event this year!

The First Day of the CMSummit...What a Day

Ok, the first day of the summit was a great start to a week full of social media madness and this other chaos called Internet Week. :) There is literally something happening every minute this week...there won't be much time for actual internet usage on my part. lol

With starbucks in hand and a paper and pen ready to go and blackberry set to twitterberry...I was ready. The conference was packed full of everyone in all media mediums...journalists, publishers, publications, social platform marketers, search marketers, media buyers, advertisers and agencies. Did I miss anyone??... Every topic was covered from social experience case studies to media buying through social sites and everything in between. After the conference concludes tomorrow afternoon, I will be summarizing all the great take aways, stats and trends. It's alot but anyone who has any affiliation with social media will benefit. Check out my Twitter Page for all the tid-bits from today's conference. http://www.twitter.com/kristencruz. Be back tomorrow with more great information from the conference. It's been a long day and my brain is mush. :) Good Night!

CMSummit Next Week in NYC

Federated Media's CMSummit this year in NYC focuses on what we all want to know at the end of a hectic and busy day...what is working in our industry. The title of this year's conference is "What Works? The Case Studies". And there are many of them. The CMSummit provides key insights from some of the world's largest brand advertisers and the web's most successful social media properties. I am attending the CMSummit this year as part of New York's Internet Week (June 1 -5). http://internetweekny.com/ Internet Week New York is a week-long festival of events saluting New York's thriving Internet industry and the many talented companies, organizations, and innovators creating the future of online media. It is presented by IADAS & The Mayor's Office of Film, Theater, and Broadcasting. There will be a wealth of talented speakers from a huge range of companies with recent successes in media and advertising including Facebook, MTV, Google, Procter & Gamble & American Express. I will be blogging during the two day seminar on June 1-2 as well as Tweeting my way through the sessions. The most important points from each session will be coming through real time on Twitter and I will follow up after the conference on June 3rd with a fun-filled recap on my blog. 

So stay tuned!! This conference is expected to knock our socks off! :)

Panama City Beach CVB Launches New, Real. Fun. Web site.

Panama City Beach is making a new splash online just in time for Summer travel. The new web site promoting Panama City Beach as “Real. Fun. Beach.” among many other exciting attributes officially launched today with high praises and excited locals waiting for the official unveiling. The new web site developed by Jennifer Barbee, Inc. allows visitors to the site to begin their PCB experience with a FUN personality quiz to identify the rest of their jouney through the new site. The personality types are chosen for the user after a series of fun questions are asked and include After Dark Shark, Leader of the Sandy Bottom Bunch, Eco-Seeker, Wave Warrior and Soul Surfer. This personality each user is given coins them and their customized experience each time the user visits the site. Many other fun games can be found within the new site keeping new as well as returning visitors coming back for more FUN. The Jennifer Barbee, Inc. creative and marketing team had an amazing and “FUN” :) time developing ideas and promotions for the new site. Having an array of marketers and developers all fitting a variety of the personality types developed for the site really allowed for some very creative and interesting ideas to drive the new look and feel of the web site. Check it out! http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com. 

Send us your feedback! We would love to hear all your comments and enjoy the new site!

Laying Roots in NYC

After a two week moving extravaganza, I now have a new place to call home. NYC! Living in Edgewater, NJ is a hop over the Hudson to Manhattan but gives me a sense of quiet and calm. I can see the city from many of the hundred windows I have in my home! (And I'm serious. One bedroom alone has 14!) We are so excited to officially be residents complete with a Parking Sticker and everything. As you can imagine, we are going to love living here but we are also loving working here. Today is my first day back in the "work saddle" (no Texas roots pun intended here), and I have this sense of having the opportunity to do anything that I can come up with just because of the location. There are so many networking benefits, social events, networking meetups and just a sense of everyone in this industry wanting to bounce ideas & creative thoughts off of others. It's a huge community of social, search, creative & media sources here. In the coming weeks I will be scouting locations in the NYC area to house our new Jennifer Barbee, Inc. New York offices. We are very excited to get this plan off the ground. It's been a long time coming and it's getting very close. I'll keep the blog updated on the progress of the office opening as well as networking events I am attending, social events that I attend and how those worked out for business opportunities for fellow New Yorkers looking for some beneficial events to attend. I won't forget to mention the open bar or drink specials as well. :) Don't worry.