What a week it was. In the past five days, we have:

Been asked to take on a new project – promoting retail events in six new markets. We are now getting to know McAllen/Brownsville (Texas), Cincinnati, Oklahoma City, Buffalo, Columbia (South Carolina), and Jacksonville (Florida).

Distributed press releases about lawyers, films, fundraising events, cooking demonstrations, and public policy.

Wrote newsletters about educational programs in middle schools, festivals in Philadelphia and Hartford, and artists who make jewelry from beach glass.

Helped clients develop media, advertising and messaging strategies for new hires, new museum exhibitions, and new lines of business.

Welcomed a new intern – a recent University of Pennsylvania honors graduate.

Said goodbye to a coworker who is eager (and now ready) to focus her PR talents on shaping national public policy.

Sorted, categorized and filed 60 inches of print clips (as in, a pile of clips 60 inches tall).

Looking forward to next week!

Despite being the off-season for many of our clients who produce public events, we have been thinking a lot about our “show business.” Last year, we promoted 45 consumer events in 32 markets around the country. This week, as the National Association of Consumer Shows meets for its annual convention (we have led presentations about traditional and social media at the last two gatherings) and we meet to plan for the upcoming season, we got to thinking…

As we plan and ponder, budget and brainstorm, make lists and airline reservations, we have been talking about why we like this type of work and why we think we’re pretty good at it.

We like to win. We are PR people. There is no better feeling than seeing your client’s event in the paper or on TV, overhearing visitors tell an exhibitor that they are there because of a story they saw on TV, or getting a Monday-morning report that attendance was up the past weekend. It’s a game… a challenge… and we like it.

We like adventure. We’re PR people. We love carrying around the cell phone numbers for Noon news producers in Milwaukee or knowing which door offers a TV truck the best access to a show-floor in Houston – at 6 am. We like developing relationships with Mommybloggers in Des Moines or writing a blog post for Ft. Lauderdale in the voice of a bunny rabbit. (True story.)

We like knowing stuff. We each have many (often unusual) interests, so we are fascinated by our clients’ industries. We want to learn about and understand them as much as possible, because we think they are cool.

We like to try new things. As “public relations” and “media” change, our show clients welcome our help in adapting. When we suggest shifting a media focus from print to online because that’s where their visitors are, they see results. When we suggest that a client create a blog, or become more active on Twitter, or spend part of the ad budget online, they do it, and they like the results.

We like our clients. And we think they like us. We have been fortunate to work with some great show producers who value our work and seek our ideas. We like that – and them.

We’re busy, and we need some more help!

Himmelrich PR has a new position open for an Account Executive – someone to work with local and national media to create visibility for our clients, develop creative promotions, and manage client relationships.

Who are we looking for? Maybe you!

We need someone who:
- has at least two years of public relations experience
- has proven success identifying, pursuing, and placing prominent media coverage
- is fluent with social media applications, tools, and techniques
- is a strong writer for all types of media
- has experience developing and coordinating promotional activity
- knows a lot of people and has a strong network of contacts
- is a self-starter and can work independently while being part of a collaborate team.

If you have the experience we want, we may have the job YOU want. We are accepting resumes at jobs@himmelrich.com. (No phone calls, please.)

“I have a job I’ve always wanted,” says Himmelrich PR account executive Tara Miller. And yesterday, she said it in a great story on the front page of the Baltimore Sun business section.

Read the story here.

Last week, we worked in 26 markets around the country. As of today: 32. We have been retained to plan summer promotions in six new (at least, to us) metro areas, including Seattle, Louisville, Hunstville, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle. Once again, we are taking someone’s show on the road.

More than 160 Baltimore-area foundation executives and philanthropists (and one public relations executive) gathered on Tuesday for the annual meeting of the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers (ABAG). ABAG maximizes the impact of philanthropic giving on community life through a growing network of diverse, informed and effective grantmakers (and one public relations executive). While the remarks by keynote speaker Mark Sedway, Project Director of the Philanthropy Awareness Initiative, were directed at the funders in the audience, they had particular meaning for the one public relations executive in the audience; the message was consistent with what Himmelrich PR tells its clients and does on their behalf.

Sedway urged foundations and corporate giving officers to “Go Outside,” advocating that they stop thinking that their “work speaks for itself” and begin sharing their stories and successes as a way to encourage philanthropic activity. From the public relations executive’s notes scribbled during the presentation:

Know your product so well that the product sells itself.
Find solutions. Sell solutions.
Ask your audience what they think.
Don’t think that other people can connect the dots. They can’t.
Tell stories about the impact of what you do, not about what you do.
The goal is not to get more people to listen to your story. The goal is to get more people to TELL your story.
Be persistent and consistent.

“I have to admit that my first day at Himmelrich PR was pretty amazing. It started with peanut butter donuts, then there was an all-staff lunch, and we topped off the afternoon with way too much chocolate.

But the real meat of the day happened in between the meals. There were press releases, social media brainstorms, client introductions, and lots and lots of things to read. Phones were ringing and emails were flying. It may sound overwhelming, but everyone here thrives off the energy.

I can’t wait to do it all again tomorrow.”

- Tara Miller

Tara Miller has just joined Himmelrich PR as Account Executive. She has lived and worked in Baltimore, MD; New York City, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Washington, DC; Charleston, SC; and Richmond, VA. Living and working in these varied cities has allowed Tara to make important press connections around the country that will benefit Himmelrich PR clients. Tara’s past work experiences include positions with museums, art galleries, magazines, and non-profits. Most recently, she was the Marketing and Communications Associate for the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

Welcome, Tara!

The intrepid account executives of Himmelrich PR have really racked up the frequent flyer miles the past three months. We’ve boot-scooted in Dallas and Houston; been to the breweries of Milwaukee; indulged in some sweet tea in Atlanta; and sun-bathed in Tampa… quick diversions while drumming up press for The Woodworking & D.I.Y Shows.

We just wrapped up promotion of the Shows’ spring season - 13 shows in 13 weeks that took HPR staff all over the country to work with media. Enough station call letters, contact numbers, and masthead monikers to make heads spin - but not for us voracious voyagers.

And what makes it all the more gratifying – attendance increases at 11 of the 13 shows. (Blasted winter blizzards!)

We’re planning ahead, and we’re planning on being pretty busy this summer. So, we’re planning to have summer interns help out at the world headquarters of Himmelrich PR.

Here’s the plan:

Unpaid internships at Himmelrich are a great way to get some practical experience and build a great resume. Our interns do what we do - research, write, strategize, and produce good work for our clients. The hours are flexible (like us) and the environment is fun (also like us).

If you like us and want to be here this summer, let us know. Send a resume to Rachel Fauber at rachel@himmelrich.com.

We’re hiring!

Himmelrich PR has a position open for an Account Executive – someone to work with local and national media to create visibility for our clients, develop creative promotions, and manage client relationships.

Who are we looking for? Someone who:
- has at least two years of public relations experience
- has proven success identifying, pursuing and placing prominent media coverage
- is fluent with social media applications, tools and techniques
- is a strong writer for all types of media
- has experience developing and coordinating promotional activity
- knows a lot of people and has a strong network of contacts
- is a self-starter and can work independently while being part of a collaborate team.

Sound fun? (It is.) Interested? (Hope so.) Show us your stuff. We are accepting resumes at jobs@himmelrich.com. No phone calls, ok?