carrie*connects

Food PR | Appleton Estate's Drink Generator

 
I thought this online drink generator from Appleton Estate was pretty nifty when I saw it this morning.  I was cruising the site after Forbes emailed me with a recipe for a Royal Apertif which is a blend of Appleton's Rum, syrup, lemon juice, and champagne.  It looked good but I was hoping for a larger picture - and then I found the impressive drink generator - sort of a fun mood ring for partiers. 

 

Basically you click on the site, and then pull levers in answer to questions like: 1) How are you feeling right now?  2) What are your plans for the evening? 3) what smells and tastes attract you? 4) How would someone describe you? 5) How do you deal with a rainy day?  and so on ... my answer the first time was the Planter's Punch shown above, which does indeed look like something I would enjoy. 

The Appleton Estate Drink Generator is an interesting, unilaterally accessible version of the personalized cocktail creation service from Liquid Relations that I wrote about a couple weeks back.  It gets consumers involved with the brand in a way that informs them about choices and asks questions in a conversational manner.

This is a great concept for cocktails, but it could also successfully be applied to a range of consumer goods, such as customized fragrances, salad dressings, candles, room fragrances, floral arrangements, china patterns, art work, cake flavors, ect. ect...!  Great concept!

Technology Trendcaster | Become a Sociopath ~ It's the Latest Thing!

I recieved an invitation this morning to join the new social network StyleCaster (which sounds suspiciously like a column that I write called Trendcaster on Bloomacious.com) - naturally I immediately zoomed over to take a look and post my mug on my own page.  

While the site doesn't seem all that different from our own network Bloomacious Cafe it apparently is embedded with lots of watching and listening devices that when explained in the video below makes me yearn for a nice long nap. 

Terms like "associated neuro network"  and "associative dynamics" are a far cry from my favorite phrase "me likey!"  but they mean similar things.

If there's any doubt after listening to this explanation that networks are the new blogs (which are the new magazines) then take a sneak peek at Fashionair which is girding up to launch soon.

Broken down gently, networks allow companies to watch the patterns and flows of their members - whom they friend, what they comment on.  We've done the same thing for the past 6 months through our networks and it's not quite as scientific or reliable as the Sociocast guys would like you to believe. 

Networks do provide a venue in which individuals can enjoy a club-like camaraderie- they also can serve as a TV station, a community blog, a messaging system and a newsletter - and are the next step beyond Facebook and Twitter.

Beauty PR | Pretty Package: Q-Tips' Fancy New Dispensers

I'm a sucker for lovely graphic design, so I couldn't help but fall a little bit in love with these new vanity top dispensers from Q-Tips when the company sent them over last week.  Beauty publicists just adore a well designed package - it eases the way for print editorials as well as being a great drop in for film and TV placements. 

Bold and evocative, the Q-Tip boxes measure about 3 inches on each side and have a nifty drawer that slides open to reveal a good amount of the product.  The colors are shown here: turquoise and gray, orange and yellow, red and grey, and purple and grey. 

Beauty PR | Paris Releases Siren ~ But Can She Still Connect With Consumers?

Another day, another meandering post about Paris Hilton.  OK I'm not obsessed with the celebutant, she just keeps cropping up with things that make you look ~ sort of like that boy in Jr. high math class who keeps throwing spit bombs at you because he can't stand to not be the center of attention. 

Our subject today is the release of another fragrance from Paris, this one called Siren (which as we can see is meant to conjure images of mermaids and ships crashing onto rocks).  Licensee Parlux Fragrances is hoping to grab about $200 million in global sales from the product which will be in stores next month.   About 2000 doors will carry Siren - Macy's, Belk, Bon-Ton, Boscov’s and Stage Stores among them.

What is rather interesting about this particular fragrance is the statement that Neil Katz, CEO of Parlux released the other day. 

He said, "[Paris is] head and shoulders above so many other celebrities because of her connection with consumers, but also her connection with the paparazzi,” said Katz. “They appreciate that she takes the time to answer their questions, and pose for them. Paris understands the role they play in her business.”

While many of us in the beauty and fashion PR trade don't like to admit it, we more or less count on paparazzi to get shots of celebs wearing or using our client's products in public (just take a look through back posts on this blog of the amazing array of celebrities pushing our client Orbit Baby's stroller - all pap shots for the most part).  But to my memory this is one of the first times that a cosmetics brand has publicly mentioned paparazzi shots as a marketing plan.  Yes, we know the conversation goes on beyond the camera, but the public acknowledgment is the part that makes my ears perk up. 

This matched with the comment that Paris "connects" with consumers makes me take pause.  There are a growing number of celebrities who really do connect with consumers - they actually correspond with them on Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter with endearing regularity like Isaac Mizrahi, Steven Cojocaro, Rachel Zoe, Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Tina Fey and many more.  By correspond I don't mean they hit and run by posting a link about a product coming out or a show they're headlining and then head out for a shopping trip - they spend time writing back and forth with their fans who follow them - discussing a range of topics and commenting back. 

Yes, it's a new age in PR - one of access and two way conversations - not so much staged photo ops any longer (although photos play strongly in the mix as well, but usually they're candids taken by the stars themselves).

As they say, consumers vote with their feet - I'm excited to see how this marketing strategy pans out - at least here in the US.

The print campaign for Siren was shot by Mark Liddell in Los Angeles - advertising is scheduled to start in major titles next month.

WWD describes Siren as having "top notes of juicy mandarin, apricot nectar, and frangipani, with a heart of honeysuckle, coconut orchid and water lily. The drydown consists of vanilla beans, sandalwood and creamy musk. The sculpted glass bottle is designed to represent the tail of a mermaid with pleats that twist around to mimic a splash."

Siren was created by Honorine Blanc with Firmenich and will be available in two sizes of eau de parfum, 1.7 oz. and 3.4 oz., priced $45 and $55, respectively. There will also be a 6.7-oz. body lotion for $28.

source: WWD

Irresistable Squib ~ Paris Hilton Breaks Up With Doug Reinhardt Via Publicist

I seem to find myself writing about Paris Hilton a lot lately.  Over on Bloomacious.com we conducted a hotness poll last week about the celebutant's image to see if she's still in - the result to date:  about 83% of our readers don't think Paris still has it - but they were envious of her fantastic closet (Paris provided a video tour for MySpace recently that is mighty impressive).

Whether she's still red hot or not, she always seems to keep cropping up in the news, leaving us to believe that her publicist, Dawn Miller, has her work cut out for her on a fairly consistent basis.

Last week, I, and many in the PR world, were mighty amused by this squib which ran in SFGate's The Dish, and gives an overview of correspondence between Paris' representatives and People Magazine. 

Paris started dating Doug Reinhardt (from The Hills) last year and has made quite a show of their relationship - even holding a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival in which photographers were obliged to snap the two in various stages of lip-lock (or pre-lock as above, taken just a few short weeks ago).

Of the relationship The Gate writes:

"...Hilton made it clear the romance is over on Wednesday, announcing through her representative that she is no longer in a relationship with Reinhardt.

The spokesperson told People.com, "In response to the inquiry on whether Paris Hilton has split up with Doug Reinhardt, yes, this is true they are no longer together. They remain friends and ask that you please respect their privacy."

However, despite the public confirmation of a split, it looks as though Hilton forgot to tell the most important person -- her boyfriend.

When quizzed about the break-up by E! Online, Reinhardt replied, "No, that's not true. Everything is OK between us.""

Yikes ... but this brings to mind another public dumping a few years back when Matt Damon announced he'd stopped seeing Minnie Driver on Oprah - without telling poor Minnie. 

Oh well, that news is so last week, the Paris PR train has chugged into yet another station as she offers another (revealing) house tour via our pals over at Access Hollywood that has many buzzing:

Beauty PR | Fab Giveaway iS Clinical on Bloomacious

We've been working with some fab beauty brands and other beauty PR firms to do a series of amazing giveaways on our beauty and fashion trend site, Bloomacious.com - the program drives traffic, and also gets readers involved in the various brands.  Up right now are a number of gorgeous goodies for skincare and bath & body that are really remarkable.  This one is from iS Clinical and includes the company's Youth Complex and Active Serum - what they call their "dynamic duo".  Jump over there and get in on the goodies. 

Style Trend | Chain Accessories

One of my favorite style bloggers, Susie Bubble from StyleBubble wrote about these really amazing chain link accessories from British designer Fannie Schiavoni on her site today.  Call them necklaces, but the designer also styles them as clothing and accessories in her lookbooks. 

Ironically Susie does a much better job of photographing (top photo here) and explaining the product than the designer does (somebody get that Fannie a publicist stat! - Or at least a web designer). 

Susie writes: "...stupidly I thought the chains that make up Fannie's beautiful accessories, collars, gloves and general acoutrements were pre-made and that she just architected where the chains went.  Not so.  She painstainkingly links each ring to the other, giving her more control of how the links are formed and how the shape falls so that fools like me can gasp and squeal over a chain link cage dress/tunic type piece that will be slipping over a plethora of outfits.  So eager was I when I first saw it that as soon as Fannie brought it over for a fitting, I slipped it on for the ASOS Ltd 100 party tonight..."

See more of these amazing chains in Fannie's LookBooks.

Related: 

Beauty PR trend posts

Fashion PR trend posts

Beauty PR | Lipgloss Trend ~ Complex Flavors

I can't remember the last time I put on a lip gloss that wasn't flavored.  Marketing trends for lip color and gloss see flavors infused with the essence of french patisseries, exotic cocktails, and delectable candies, glosses today offer a buffet of flavors - all calorie free.   Here's a few of the more popular selections:

Below:  Sephora Brand Sweet Candy Gloss comes in 8 tasty flavors from Peach Blossom to Vanilla Cupcake that will satisfy virtually any candy lover's cravings; Sugar Cosmetics Freshen Up Breath Freshening Gloss is infused with mint so that when you roll it on and inhale, you'll immediately get that clean mouth feel;  Lancome's Juicy Tube Sweet Delights are flavored in 5 lip licking flavors including Creme de Cassis, Mocha Souffle, and Meringue; Sephora Brand Round-A-Pout - Beach Ball comes complete with 4 flavor duos, each flavored with coconut candy.

Beauty PR | Beekman 1802

Sometime last fall Beekman 1802 newsletters started showing up in my inbox.  I must admit I get a lot of correspondence - usually around 600 emails a day if you can imagine, much of it unsolicited.  In order to stay sane most of the press releases and ad type correspondence gets dumptrucked into the delete box unless it speaks to me within about 2 seconds.  Ok that's an exaggeration -I do respond to just about everything that comes from a human.

But the Beekman newsletter was very craftily put together - an it really jumped out at me.  For one it had pictures of goats on it - which if you've been following my little facebook photo updates you've seen shots of the two sweet little goaty girls - Izzy and Gigi - that I adopted last year.  (hint, hint...friend me! ...right now we're on the dog days of summer photo updates).

For another the writer, Dr. Brent, seemed to know me.  I know, I know - when they say "Dear xxxx" in the opening header it's probably a mail merge application that did it, but I suppose I liked the looks of the note so much that I actually wanted him to know me.  So I was under the Beekman 1802 spell right then and there.  Their website is full of gorgeous blooming photos, great advise, good contests, and cute pictures of goats ... oh and the mansion that Brent and Josh live in.

Then there are the goat milk soaps and lifestyle products that Brent and Josh make under the Beekman 1802 name.  They originally started making these as gifts for their friends and then demand became pretty great amongst the upstate New York crowd and a cottage industry was literally born.  Beautiful, gorgeous smelling products, hand scented with combinations of flowers and herbs from the Beekman 1802 estate and available on a limited basis.  They have a great sampler set, which is a soap for each month, called a Year in the Country that has each of their 12 scents (pictured in the top photo).

Beekman 1802 also has beautiful linens, stationary, baby and garden products - all carefully conceived and created on the historical upstate New York estate. 

Needless to say I've been meaning to write about the swell setup for a while, so I was really enthused when Brent sent over some great photos of the Beekman 1802 apartment in the city for publication on our site Bloomacious Digs. 

Yes, Brent and Josh have a cute little pad in New York in addition to their giant estate.  The 900 square foot spot is quite a contrast to their rambling estate with its paneled walls and mid century modern furniture.  Needless to say Josh and Brent live a very lovely life over there at Beekman 1802 ~ one we can all enjoy a little part of through their products and beautiful lifestyle magazine style website and blogs. 

source:  beekman 1802

Take The Edge Off With The Scent of Orange

 
I must admit, I've been a little edgy lately.  I can't seem to get ahead on my work load no matter how many hours I put in - may have to do with the fact that I run a PR firm, and a social network and manage the editorial and marketing aspects of now 19 networked blogs.  (We'll be hiring soon, I assure you - 0ur little universe is exploding over here). 

Coping, I've put together a little rescue kit that's been helping me take the edge off.  It's comprised of a bottle of Bach's Rescue Remedy, a Vickery & Clarke Stress Relieving Pulse Point Balm, and a Blood Orange Candle from Paddywax that really seems to remind me to relax and focus a bit.  I know candles aren't the best things in offices, but neither are angry outbursts when a web page loads too slowly, so I'm careful to blow the bugger out when I leave the room and keep papers away from it.  I love Paddywax's lineup of candles, but here are some other favorites you should try if you need a little inter-office comfort:

Above (1) Stella Mare Italian Orange Candle is hand poured and made with food grade soy wax and a lead free clean burning wick, $15.  (2) LAFCO Cilantro Orange Kitchen Candle is made of a soy blend and fitted with a clean cotton wick.   The gorgeous fragrance incorporates cilantro, mandarin and watercress, $50.  (3) Trapp No. 4 Orange and Vanilla is one of the most delightful candles ever.  Each candle is infused with Trapp's custom perfumes for a remarkable fragrance, about $21. (4) Pharmacopia's Citrus Blend Soy Candles have been a bestseller and celebrity favorite for years.  100% natural, handcrafted with organic soy-wax and neroli, grapefruit, tangerine and lavender essential oils, about $21.

TV Shopping and Infomercials Very Influential According to Report.

 

Almost one in four women who have shopped through TV shopping networks and one in three who shopped via infomercials said they spent more money on beauty products during the past year. This is according to a new report, Emerging Channels Series: Beauty Care Products, Special Focus: TV Shopping Networks & Infomercials from The NPD Group.

The women who shop via television for beauty (4%), report spending almost as much as the fine department store shoppers, more than traditional department store shoppers, and those who buy from dermatologists.

Fifty-two percent of respondents who said they spend more money on beauty products through TV shopping networks said, “It is easier to shop there.”  Reasons that followed were, “There are more products available that I like (43%),” and “I purchased more beauty products in general compared to last year (35%).”

Additionally, infomercials and TV home shopping channels are influencing purchases through other channels. Thirty-eight percent of TV / infomercials shoppers said they browsed on TV to compare product pricing or get product information and then made the purchase either online or in a store.

TV home shopping network shoppers are most likely to say they shop just one hour or less per week, and are most likely to tune in between 8p.m. and 10p.m. in the evening (31%) or between 6p.m. and 8p.m. (18%). Infomercial shoppers appear to be active at even later hours, with 40 percent saying they usually shop between 10p.m. and 2a.m. Additionally, almost 80 percent of the shoppers on the leading shopping channels (QVC and HSN) will shop/purchase if they watch.

The upshot?  Not only are home shopping networks great for selling products but they can be a very effective part of your beauty publicity and marketing program.

above: The women behind Global Goddess demonstrate their products on HSN

Charla Lawhon Leaves InStyle After 15 Years.

In a move that speaks volumes about the future of publishing Charla Lawhon is closing out her 15 year run at the wildly popular InStyle Magazine and is jumping to a web based venture in April.  The site she's headed to will focus on fashion, beauty, and celebrity -  sound familiar?

Of her move, Lawhon told WWD:  “In Style has been such a great experience on every level, having gotten interested and seduced by the digital space, [I believe] things either keep moving or keep changing or you end up at a stopping point. I have that itch to get involved with shaping something new.”

Lawhon helped launch InStyle back in 1993 and has helped the magazine grow to its present circulation of 1.76 million.  With newstand sales of 740,000, the title ranks is second most popular newsstand seller among women's monthlies, just trailing Cosmopolitan. 

Details about the new venture are on the QT, WWD writes:  "Lawhon said she’d been thinking about stepping down for nearly a year, but after the holidays started to make her plan. Though she disclosed few details about her new venture, she is said to have been meeting with several major studios. Lawhon said she will not have an editor’s role at her new firm."

source:  WWD

Salma Hayek to Launch Anti-Aging Cosmetics Line

She's 42, a new mom, a new wife, and hard at work on her career....does it show?  No, not really, so it's great news that Salma Hayek will be sharing/selling some of the beauty secrets that are keeping her so luminous by launching a line of anti-aging cosmetics soon.

While the collection is sure to have some LVMH tracings on it, Hayek has some strong family traditions to draw on as she develops the formulas for the line.  Her grandmother, Maria Luisa, was a cosmetologist and highly revered for making homemade potions that kept her skin lineless and beautiful well into her 90's. The line will be named in Maria Luisa's honor.

Hayek told InStyle magazine, "When she died at 96, of course her skin had sagged, but she didn't have any wrinkles. She made her own creams using secret ingredients you can only find in Latin America."

source: SFGate - Daily Dish