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New York Times: Beauty Bloggers are a hit!

The New York Times ran a really interesting article a couple days ago about the influence of bloggers. There's a few of them pictured above with Lancome spokesmodel Daria Werbowy.

The article honed in on the beauty industry and the many perks the top beauty bloggers enjoy.

This story, which came out shortly after a similar WWD Beauty Biz list was published, underscores the shift of influence in the media.

After 14 years of doing publicity for a good variety of lifestyle categories, beauty being one of them, the PR industry has transformed dramatically (as it always does). 

In the olden days (of the roaring '90's) we had a handful of magazines to work with and a few network TV shows.  We designed clever press kits and shipped them via fedex to not more than 100 (300 if also focusing regionally) recipients.  Websites were considered irrelevant to most of our clients back then, since many of them were (and still are) small and trendleading startups who can only dole out samples of their products very sparingly.

Today we work with thousands of writers through every sector of our business.  Websites, blogs, YouTubers, Facebookers, socialnetworkers, anything celebrity focused, reality shows, film and tv, cable shows, the sectors go on and on. 

And the way we work with them has changed as well - videos and online press kits are a must!  Getting useable info to writers within minutes is mandatory.  And the evolution will go on and on as technology gives us more opportunities. And maybe that's what I love about PR the most!

Orbit in New York Magazine

Look for our client Orbit Baby in this week's New York Magazine.  

In "This is How we Roll" writer Faye Penn checks out several baby strollers.  And while a number are reviewed, it's only the super stylish Orbit Infant System that merited a full page of photos as Penn takes it on a tour of New York on the subway, in cabs, on the bus, and in stores.

The article is in the Feb 4th edition of New York Magazine and is on newstands now.   

Down the River....

By far, one of the most idyllic places anywhere is the little port town of Essex. http://www.essexct.gov/

Voted the best small town in America - the area is dotted with lovingly maintained antique homes, churches, museums, cemeteries and oh yes, most importantly shops.

City dwellers on long weekends flock to Essex - partaking in the famous Hunt Breakfast at the Griswold Inn - followed by a stroll down Main Street.

And while they come on theory for the area's natural beauty, in most cases visitors seek retail therapy in the shops that line Main Street.

One of the most noteable of these is River, http://www.river-ct.com/ a lovely store that could almost be described as bucolic. Owners Joe Marini and John Simoudis have merchandised their shop with a blend of muted earth tones, sensual shape, and organic materials.

Visitors to River can find handcrafted gems for their home and garden artfully presented. Items include natural flax and linen towels, iron urns and stone cherubs, artesian lamps, hand wound grapevine wreaths, and handmade twig chairs.

Co-proprietor John Simoudis is a graphic designer with clients that include Cartier and Bulgari. He is also a gifted photographer - just peruse the gallery on his website to get a feel for his style http://www.printroom.com/ViewGallery.asp?userid=simoudis&gallery_id=531634 . His photographs are for sale at the shop as well as online.

Joe Marini's gorgeous floral arrangements are one of River's most significant attractions. Twining orbs and shapes from grapevine, tree boughs and twig, his unique vision can be seen throughout the store.

My favorite find - an aluminum candelabra finished in a muted aqua patina and 6 french taper candles.