My last blog post was back in October as I am quite fussy with what type of news I will share on the PR Gals blog, I like to reserve this space for when we have a truly memorable moment or special occasion (like Stef joining the team).

There have been MANY of those shared with our clients in this time, however, due to having to wait until things go to print or are officially launched into the market place, we have had to keep them to ourselves.

One of those exceptionally SPECIAL moments will be revealed in May. But thankfully, right now, I can reveal another one. It came from The Wedding Collective official partner photo shoot held last weekend. This image says it all.

So who are they? They are masters of all things weddings in South East Queensland who demonstrate their take on the latest trends at their annual event each July (if you are a bride to be and would like to register your interest to attend e-mail theweddingcollective@theprgals.com). 

At this particular shoot, it was all about them having the glory and their moment to shine. And didn't they just! As they all stood beside one another, dressed in stunning designer gowns (and suit) from The Babushka Ballerina, it was a breath taking moment for me personally as I witnessed the vision I had for this brand had truly come to fruition.

This pic is by no means the final result. But I thought I would share the little teaser image that photographer Stewart Ross sent to me this morning.

So proud of this brand! I can not wait to see what we produce this July when the world's current fashion, architecture, culinary and cultural trends are featured at The Wedding Collective's wedding wonderland!

Katrina x

Hello!
Well after months in the making, I’m thrilled to be able to say I’m part of the PR Gals team! Since my initial conversation with director Katrina nearly 6 months ago, things have happened rather quickly – a new website in the making, a photoshoot, bios, paperwork - the year has definitely started with a bang! There are already so many exciting projects to keep me on my toes. If it’s not event launches or new season campaigns, there’s new clients to meet with and new places to see! It’s busy and that’s just how I like it. 

This year marks an exciting one for me, not only because I’ve joined The PR Gals or decided to throw (financial) caution to the wind and buy a pink ice cream machine - but because I will  finish my Masters degree in Communication and Professional Writing. No more hours slaving over books! Finally I’ll be able to put my new skills to good use and start that food blog I’ve been talking about. First post? Definitely my newfound addiction to peanut butter ice cream. 

I can’t wait to meet new people, take on new brands and grow my business alongside The PR Gals. This will be my first post of many so stay tuned. Here’s to 2012!

Stef xx

 

I am very blessed to say that I truly LOVE what I do and every day I have a sense of excitement for what lies ahead. Not only do I work with the MOST amazing clients and peers who are truly inspirational, but also enjoy wonderful experiences.

This week I had the pleasure of putting my old dance shoes on to be a member of the audience in client Anthony Ikin's new dance fitness movement "Ikin Shake It". We had to get a group together for the publicity shots and it was truly a workout! This above pic was taken of Ant and I at the end of the shoot when we were mucking up to the camera!

We commissioned the ever so talented Josh Kelly from Platform Photo to undertake the shoot.

His job was to capture the hot moves that make up Ikin Shake It.

Ikin Shake It is set to become the next international pop culture phenomenon when it comes to dance fitness. It is sexy, it gets your blood pumping and you feel like you are staring in your own music video. With moves like the "Britney Spears hair flick" and the "Miranda Kerr Walk" you can't help but let loose!

When I see Anthony talk about his new baby, his whole face lights up and he gets an emotional twinkle in his eye. He said he thought competing and winning international dance and aerobic fitness championships would be the piece de resistance of his career. But that isn't the case. Being able to now share his love for dance and fitness with women and men from all walks of life and see them get in touch with their bodies is his driving force.

I am fortunate to know Anthony's vision for Ikin Shake It, and I have no doubt it will be an international success. Not only does Anthony have the business tenacity and hardcore commitment that it takes to make something work, his energy and passion for this is so infectious one can not help but buy into it. 

All I can say is watch this space! This world is about to get "Shake'd"!

Katrina x

 

As I was busy researching the number one beauty bloggers for my organic skincare client, I came across this wonderfully written and researched article about the relationship between bloggers and brands. It is a MUST read.

It was truly insightful and author Macala Wright Lee, founder of FashionablyMarketing.Me, completely made me appreciate the mutual respect bloggers and brands need to have for one another in order to establish fruitful, win-win, relationships.

Being a journalist by trade, I have always struggled with the fact that the great divide that was supposed to exist between advertising and editorial (whether published or digital) is practically non-existent in magazines and blogs. It makes me feel particularly jaded when reading a blog as the medium started as a public voice for everyday people, free from commercialism and focused on their opinions, thoughts and talent spotting rather than that of who has the biggest cheque book. Now, when reading posts, you wonder how much they were paid to write something and whether it is the blog writers authentic opinion or are they just writing it to please their "sponsors".

I understand that they need to make a living, and am all for rewarding true artists and talent, but it is my hope that rather than being driven by the almighty dollar, bloggers continue to remain authentic and give credit where they believe credit is truly due.

Katrina x

Now don't go getting jealous gals, but The PR Gals have had the pleasure of liaising with Australian Rugby Union stars (and true gentlemen) L-R Matt Giteau, James Horwill (new Wallabies skipper), Berrick Barnes and Drew Mitchell to promote their collaboration with our client international underwear brand Pull-In.

The boys stripped down to their undies for the first time publicly to support the launch of the brand "Down Under". While Pull-In is distributed across Europe and the USA, it has little recognition in the Australian market. The boys, who of course are very well travelled, stumbled across the label on their journeys and are such huge fans of the high-quality dacks they were happy to bare all for the hot publicity photoshoot.

The boys are going to be tied up with World Cup commitments for the next month, so we have had to put some key publicity opportunities on hold until after then. But we are confident they will return back to Australian shores triumphantly, which will be an even better story to tell!

Make sure you keep your eye out for Pull-In's signature waistband when you are watching the World Cup! 
We wish the boys every success. Go the Wallabies!
The PR Gals x

WARNING: This is my longest blog post yet. I usually like to keep to the point, but I had an important message...or rant (which ever way you choose to read it)...to write.

So why may I, PR Gals director Katrina Witham, deserve a bit of a slap on the wrist?
Well, as you may have noticed, it has been almost one month since I have posted a blog and my facebook and twitter accounts haven't been getting much love.

Why? Is it because I have had nothing worthy to say? Absolutely not! It is quite the opposite actually.
The PR Gals have executed and attended major events; had wonderful new clients join our books; met the most inspirational people; and shared phenomenal experiences - all which would make worthy blog, Facebook and twitter posts.

I have dedicated staff managing social media for clients very successfully, but have not injected resources into our own.

You see secretly, I actually CAN'T stand social media. I play the game. And I stay up-to-date with the latest developments. But in my perfect world, it would not exist. 

Quite frankly, it should be called UN-SOCIAL media. I am sure I am not alone and that this term has already been penned, but I am hoping onto the band wagon.

If I was to maintain the "recommended" or rather "expected" level of social media maintenance that I see in my industry, it would mean that every single spare moment of down time I have in my day I would need to be planning, proofing, revising and then posting my latest tweet, fb or blog. 

It would mean that during meetings with clients, catch ups with friends, walks with my dog, the minutes before my yoga class - my attention would be required elsewhere than in that present moment. Which is exactly not how it should be and completely does not align with my values. It would mean having my eyes and attention diverted to a screen, rather than a human being. It would also mean divulging where I am, what I am thinking, at different points in time which I really don't think people need to know, or that I want them to know.

I left the "corporate" world of being chained to a desk to start my own business so that I would have work-life balance.
NOTHING to me is more important than relationships with my family, friends, clients and people around me (be it the post office staff, check out chick, or barista). NOTHING is more important to me than my health and well-being. There is already so much else competing for my attention that taking even more time away from these things to devote to something that at the end of the day is not going to add any great value to others in my life is not a high priority.

I will (when I have spare time) share what I can, am excited about or believe is engaging and adding value for my clients or personal brand. But I will not sacrifice my personal values in order to keep up with popular culture.

I would like to propose that ALL businesses and individuals that share these same values and who may be feeling overwhelmed by the perceived expectation that they MUST maintain a certain level of social media presence in order to have influence and success in their marketplace, to focus more on QUALITY over QUANTITY. AUTHENTICITY rather than EXCESSIVE SELF PROMOTION. BALANCE.

It may only add up to a few spare hours a week, but you will also be able to give others the gift of your presence as you cease to be distracted by this modern-day necessary evil.

We do still have to play the Un-Social media game, but don't let it play you.

Katrina x

P.S In the time it took to write this blog I received a phone call from an entertainment editor asking me if I had seen the latest tweet from the talent I had given her an exclusive with. I responded no. Looked it up and thankfully they hadn't given too much away but I informed the editor I would promptly call the talent to make sure they know it is an exclusive until this Sunday! I joked to her that I had been too busy writing a blog about my disdain for social media to which she replied: I know, I absolutely hate its existence as well! And despite both of us having an internal desire to start a revolution against it, we agreed that for now we had no other choice but to continue to play the game!

L-R PR Junior Gal Sjan and director Katrina Witham at The Wedding Collective photo booth
 
On Tuesday July 19, 2011 at 7pm, The PR Gals presented The Wedding Collective.
Who are The Wedding Collective? An alliance of the industry's leading service providers. The creme de la creme of all the partners it takes to put on a phenomenal wedding celebration.

The whole concept for the event is that it was to AN EXPERIENCE of the latest trends and innovations in weddings. It was to push boundaries, show possibilities, transport brides to a wedding wonderland where they could look, feel, touch, smell, and enjoy every element of an exceptional wedding day. From styling, food, fashion, beverages, entertainment, gifts, registry and much more.

How did the concept come to fruition? It started with PR Gals' premium wedding industry clients wanting to put on their own individual events. When I realised this and that they were all wanting to attract the same target demographic, I suggested that they should collaborate as it would achieve a much greater return on investment. What started as three PR Gal clients joining forces for a classy event, grew to more than a dozen partners and sponsors and became The Wedding Collective. The goal was to make it an annual signature event on the Wedding Industry calendar and build a brand that is recognised for quality and excellence.

So was the concept and event a success? Absolutely. As the event director, I have never been more humbled by the feedback following the event. Rush Entertainment director and industry veteran Leah Rush, even told the Courier Mail fashion editor in an interview to go in a story about the event, that it was the best industry event she had ever been involved in. Furthermore, the bookings from brides-to-be are starting to flow in. At no stage did The Wedding Collective do the hard sell. The group had faith that by just doing what they do best, this would be enough. And it has been.

A huge, heartfelt thank you must go to all partners and sponsors of The Wedding Collective.
I have been honoured to work with such an amazing group of people. 
To find out about the major partners, please go to the blog
http://theweddingcollective.tumblr.com/

Be sure to watch this space because I have a feeling The Wedding Collective is here to stay...
Katrina x

It is almost upon us, the Matt StewArt Exhibition.
The talented contemporary artist will be presenting 30 of his best pieces yet.
Described as high fashion meets the nitty gritty.
It's underground. Location yet to be annouced.
But to register interest to attend, you can go to mattstewart.tv

In the meantime, us Gals will be flat-out preparing for one of the coolest launch parties this year.
The PR Gals x

It is set to be the event of the year on the Bridal Industry calendar in South East Queensland, and next Tuesday evening, The PR Gals, has the pleasure of presenting The Wedding Collective.

An alliance of the industry's leading suppliers, it is set to be an evening of inspiration, innovation and enjoyment!
The major partners include:
Amini Concepts
Epic Empire
Bouquet Boutique
Urban Weddings
Kiss & Tell
Light Space
White + White Weddings
Wedding Films by Net Productions
Stewart Ross Photography
Wedding Bling

Major sponsors are:
Wine & Dine M
The Hibiscus Co.
Calleija Jewellers
Rush Entertainment

Other partners include:
The Powder Room
AVideas
Libertine Parfumerie

Fashion partners are:
Jayson Brundson
Honey Birdette
Hilde Heim
Carla Zampatti
Kristi Bonnici 
Nat Sui Shoes

The MC will be the ever so beautiful media personality and marriage celebrant Emily Jade O'Keeffe.

Brides-to-be or industry interested in attending can e-mail their expression of interest to theweddingcollective@theprgals.com

Follow The Wedding Collective on Facebook for up-to-the-minute updates and competitions.

Looking forward to a truly remarkable evening.
The PR Gals x

The PR Gals met with Cake Star creative director and owner Jade Lipton yesterday to discuss some future projects.

They not only specialise in cake masterpieces, they also have the most phenomenal cupcakes.

The PR Gals road tested them and can say they are THE most delicious cupcakes we have ever had.

 PR Gals director Katrina's favourite was Sticky Date Pudding. She heated it up and had it with her afternoon cup of tea. It was as good as having the desert at an upmarket restaurant!

Cake Star's new showroom and shop is just off Sandgate Rd in Albion. Highly recommend you visit soon!

The PR Gals x