First Blog Introduction: Selina

Hello! My name is Selina. I am a new intern at Keating Magee. I was born and raised in Metairie, which is right outside of New Orleans. When looking at colleges and trying to figure out what was right for me, I decided that being home was the right choice. I mean, where else is better than New Orleans? With that being said, I am currently a senior at the University of New Orleans. When I graduate in the fall, I will have my degree in Marketing. I've learned quite a bit from classes I have taken, but I am ready for some hands on experience and learn even more from everyday hands on work.

Keating Magee is exactly what I hoped to find when looking for an internship. I was nervous to start because I didn't know what to expect having an internship. The only experience I had with other intern-type positions were the usual filing and phone answering. The first day at Keating Magee, I learned that the interns here are actually involved in projects and events and get real hands on experience! No time was wasted, I jumped right into business working with the United Health Care Children's Foundation Golf Tournament. I love being involved and am looking forward to whats ahead.

I am so excited and can't wait to update and share all the new things I am learning on my journey working with Keating Magee!

Passing the Torch

Over the past two weeks the rest of the summer interns have said their goodbyes, leaving the office feeling kind of empty. I'll admit it's been kind of lonely - not to mention a reminder that my time here is drawing to a close as well. Luckily, two new interns arrived Monday to pick up the slack.

Michelle and Selina are both students at UNO and will be working several days during the week this Fall. I've had the opportunity to work with Selina the past two days since she will be taking over the ongoing process of collecting donations for the UHCCF golf tournament. I hope the ridiculous amount of request letters and PDF files weren't too intimidating! From what I hear Michelle is a wiz at photoshop - definitely a skill I could have used this summer.

Teaching the new interns about the office and all the different projects we have worked on makes me realize just how much I've learned this summer. It seems just like a few weeks ago I was freaking out because the phone was ringing and I had no idea how to use it and now I am teaching the new interns, who by the way, have the same freaked out expression when it comes to the phones as I did, how to manage. Michelle and Selina, I hope those written out instructions help! As usual, once I figure everything out, it's time to move onto the next project. What this new project will be I haven't a clue, but whatever it is I hope it brings me back to the wonderful city of New Orleans.

Princess for a Weekend!

The Windsor Court is famous for hosting teas, and the hotel has recently begun featuring one themed tea a month. This month was the much anticipated Princess Tea, and the Windsor Court enlisted the services of a real live princess to grace the presence of the lucky guests…just kidding it was only me; however, I certainly did feel like a princess that weekend. I was dressed as Sleeping Beauty, and all of the little girls truly believed I was the real deal. As soon as they walked through the doors of the Windsor Court, they ran over to me and wrapped their little arms around my legs. There were a few girls who were a tad frightened of me at first; however, their fears quickly subsided once they saw other little girls flock to me. The menu and atmosphere were composed of all things princess: the harpist eloquently played tunes from Disney princess classics, the sandwiches were shaped like crowns, and the party favors were crowns given to everyone personally by me, the guest princess at the tea. The weekend was a wonderful experience and I would love to participate in another themed tea. Tea at the Windsor Court is truly a magical experience. Even on days when the tea doesn’t have a theme, its hard not to feel like a princess!

So long, farewell!

I will preface this post with an apology. If for some reason there are typos, misspelled words or incorrect grammer, I am truly sorry. I still have not fully recovered from the AMAZING event last night at Irvin Mayfield's I Club. Not only was the club filled with talented musicians, media and good friends of Irvin's, but also a few famous actors stopped by! Not too shabby for the opening night. Needless to say, everyone in the office is moving at half speed today.


I can not believe that my two months have come and gone so quickly here at Keating Magee. The experience is one that opened my eyes to the fulfilling, but sometimes complicated, world of communications. Interning for a company can go one of many ways. And guess what? You (the intern) are in control!


If you don't know- ASK!
Do not feel embarrassed or shy about asking for help. You are an intern, therefore you do not know everything and they don't expect you to. It is better to ask than to do a project completely wrong.


Put yourself out there!
Volunteer for any and every job! Oh the kitchen needs cleaning? Sure! There is an event to work tonight? Sounds great! The more jobs you are given the more you are trusted. It pays off in the end. I always felt like a nuisance asking, but I realized that after awhile I did not have to ask. Tasks were being given to me because I earned that responsibility.


Have fun!
Your experience will be so much worthwhile if you are adding fun elements to the work environment. Obviously, some days it will be all business and no play, but there are ways to still make those days enjoyable. Ask to sit it on a client conference call, go to lunch with the other interns, participate in a brainstorming sessions. By doing those things, your days will be more fulfilling.


I could not have asked for a better intern experience than the one I had with Keating Magee. I am sad to go, but I know that I have been instilled with the knowledge and capability to make it in the PR world one day thanks to the people at Keating.
Geaux tigers and of course, who dat!

My Phire Feature

Last week I was assigned to write a feature about Nick Sagona, Keating Magee's Senior Interactive Strategist, and the new, user-friendly content management system (CMS) he created. I enjoy writing, so this assignment instantly brightened my day!

Research is always the first move in when writing, so I visited the Phire CMS website and started looking over the material. Having recently dived into the world of blogging and CMS, I was excited to see what innovative features Nick had devised.

My next step was to interview Nick. During Nick's attempts to explain Phire and how he created it to me, I initially had trouble deciphering all of the technical jargon flying right over my head. However, I quickly began to understand just how beneficial, adaptive and user-friendly Phire can be.

Final step: writing. My personal technique is to look over my notes, organize them in my head and then just start typing. Along the way, I highlight the parts of my notes that have been included into the article. But for the most part, I don't stop typing until all the information is on the computer screen.

While this technique ensures that everything I think gets on the word document, it also guarantees that my editing process is quite time consuming. But have no fear, after some serious editing HERE is my finished product.

Phire is a pretty hot CMS, so definitely check it out!

Lindsay: Signing Out

With the closing of a summer filled with interning at a communications and marketing firm, it is time I reflect upon all I learned and experienced.

If had I to choose what opened my eyes the most regarding my potential career field this summer, I would have to say the impact that marketing and communications have on the world around us. From who makes appearances on the morning news, to signs seen around town, all the way to events at your favorite local spots, someone in this field devised the idea, presented it to the client and then made it happen. I am amazed at just how influential the communications field is and how much time and effort is put into ensuring that these events, contests, and news appearances have the greatest possible impact.

The most fascinating sight to observe, during the building of a campaign, is the brainstorming process. To watch of one small idea, which just jumps out of someone’s mouth during a brainstorming session, snowball into a tangible groundbreaking, monumental campaign or event is incredible. Future interns, just remember there is no such thing as a stupid idea, at least while brainstorming.

This summer I was truly able to see the inner workings of an agency. The whole process of snagging a potential client to executing a successful campaign was laid before my eyes. In this field, organization skills, paying attention to details and planning ahead are paramount. I don’t think I fully understood that until my experiences this summer.

This truly has been an awesome summer and I am so grateful for all that I have learned and experienced!

Farewell to everyone at Keating Magee!

Lindsay

Irvin Mayfield's I Club

Keating Magee, or as I like to refer to it, Grand Central Station, has been busy busy busy! Between openings, events and new clients, I am not sure when these people sleep. One of the more recent and publicized events happening for Keating is the opening of Irvin Mayfield's I Club. The club venue itself is something to boast about, but by adding in funky tunes of a well-known musician, delicious cocktails and outstanding hospitality, the club truly becomes one of a kind.

Thursday I worked the door at the soft opening that hosted guests from the art and fashion world. What a unique group! I was able to meet different designers and artists that have made a name for themselves not only in this city, but around the country and world. I felt so inspired as I listened to Irvin tell stories about what some of these guests have done for the city of New Orleans. It is always refreshing to learn how people take their own success and utilize it for the well being of others. Tomorrow night marks the event I have been looking forward to all summer; the grand opening of the I Club. Technically, I will be working but I foresee it being a thrilling work environment.

Did you happen to catch Fox 8 News this morning? If not, you missed the legendary Irvin Mayfield playing a beautiful song on his trumpet- talk about a nice way to wake up! The morning started out smoothly, as we all arrived on time and, with the help of coffee, wide awake. About ten minutes before it was go time, we realized Irvin had makeup stains on the front of his shirt from a lady hugging him. Girls, we have to watch out for this beauty no-no! I felt like a fashion intern as I ran to my car to retrieve the always helpful Tide To-Go pen and attempted to scrub the stains out of the shirt. I find comfort in knowing that my tasks at Keating Magee are fulfilling and do not include me doing the mundane "intern" work. All in all, this morning will go down in the books as one of my favorite experiences of the summer.

Oh and one more thing...

WHO DAT!

Jack's Mannequin @ the HOB Nola

After a long Tuesday at the office, my afternoon took an upswing when Ronald mentioned the possibility of getting us concert tickets for the show at the House of Blues (HOB) New Orleans that evening.

As Keating Magee summer interns, one of our main projects is to devise a seasonal marketing strategy for the HOB New Orleans. About two weeks ago, we took a stroll down Decatur Street to meet with the HOB promotions director to discuss the aim of the summer promotion. After an hour of chatting about food, music, social media and how the majority of us had made little acquaintance with the HOB, So and so mentioned allowing us to experience all that this venue has to offer.

Post-initial excitement, the offer slipped my mind. So, when Ronald said that we might get to see Jack’s Mannequin, one of my all-time-favorite bands, I had to hide my near hyperventilation. I sat at my desk, anxiously awaited a verdict and tried to not to get my hopes too high.

Then, there they were, the four little words that chimed like a choir of bells to my ears, “I got the tickets.” Caroline and I immediately grabbed our belongings and headed straight to the HOB. Little did we know just what we gotten ourselves into.

I had heard about the Foundation Room before. However, upon receiving the membership card from Ronald, I just thought it lead to a quickened entry into the gates that held the music of my juvenescence. But as we walked up the stairs into the wonderland that is the Foundation Room, we were more than pleasantly surprised. Plush couches lined the walls. Elaborate décor resembling old Tibet plastered the room, and the scent of incense roamed the air. After an introduction to what seemed like the entire staff, we were brought to our own balcony seats.

The show started off with River James, whose guitarist played his instrument like a violin. The next band, Lady Danville, was really entertaining with its upbeat rhythm, folksy touch and charisma. It was also exciting to see that the drummer kept beat with only his hands. The last opening act, Steele Train, was quite the crowd pleaser and seized my attention with its powerful lyrics. Then Jack’s Mannequin appeared on stage. The band’s passion, enthusiasm and talent could inspire anyone. I admittedly sang along to every song and enjoyed every second of the performance.

Each band had something completely unique to bring to the table. However, what caught really my attention was something that only my bird’s-eye view allowed.

As I gazed upon the crowd from my balcony seat, I realized how incredible it is to experience live music. Yes, hearing the same tune trumpeted out of iPod headphones will induce whichever emotion the song inspires. However, only at a concert can you truly see music unite a group of people and spark passion from within the musicians and the audience.

Hundreds of synchronized, sweaty strangers stand back to front, side-to-side, heal to toe and plunge into one another’s personal spaces. However, none of this matters as they form, what seem to be, personal connections with the musicians. The room potentially could have been filled with an assortment of people with only two things in common, the notes streaming off of their vocal chords and their passion for the music. The notes are simply formed by nerves traveling to the fingertips, triggering percussion to the piano keys and igniting vibrations. This process creates a sound that seems to be the only thing that really matters or even exists at that moment.

Music can tie everyone together, and that is why I believe that the New Orleanians’ love of music is what makes this city such a beautiful place.

I had an awesome time last night and would like to thank the HOB New Orleans and Keating Magee for the experience. I now look even more forward to continuing working on the HOB project this summer!

The Brain Storm

Two weeks ago, the Keating Magee interns were presented with a challenge to devise a plan for one of KM’s clients. We were separated into two groups and assigned to different initiatives. Caroline and I were grouped together and entrusted with the task of creating a plan for collaboration between two companies that would result in a 5k walk and fair.

Last Wednesday, Caroline and I headed out to the company’s office to speak with its director of outreach. She gave us a virtual tour of the interactive aspects of the company’s website to be incorporated into the event. Meeting with the director gave us firsthand experience in working with clients!

After extensive brainstorming and research, Caroline and I created a six-month plan for the initiative. It was fun to bounce ideas off of each other and try to think outside of the box. We presented the plan to Ann, Tricia and Ronald Tuesday!

Stay tuned for more details!

The Storm...

Around 12:00 yesterday afternoon, I stepped out of the Jax Building with one thing on my mind: lunch. I decided to head to my usual spot, Subway, where I planned to bring my sandwich with me and eat it at my desk. It seemed like a nice day so I began walking the two blocks to Subway. As I was about to push the door opened to the sandwich shop, I felt something hit my forehead. I looked up to notice a massive raincloud moving quickly in my direction. I hesitated for a moment, pondering whether or not I should run back to the office to grab my raincoat/ umbrella. On an impulse, I pushed the restaurant door open. I reasoned that I would only take a minute, and it would be silly for me to run all the way back to my office. I quickly made my way through the line, crossing my fingers that the rain would hold up until I was safely at my desk. As I was paying, I heard a loud crash outside. I looked out the window and saw to my amazement that it was torrentially raining. There was no way out- if I left now, I would be drenched by the time I returned to the office. New Orleans is infamous for quick spots of heavy rain, so I decided to wait it out a few minutes. Well, a few minutes turned into a half hour and the storm had not subsided. I knew what I had to do, even though the outcome would leave me soaked. I politely asked one of the Subway workers if he could spare a plastic bag to cover my head, and I took a deep breath as I opened the door. I surrendered to the rain. I ran as fast as I could back to the office, only stopping once to retrieve my shoe that had slipped off during a hurdle over a puddle. I made it to the office in one piece, but I was a very soaked one piece. All in all, I definitely learned a very valuable lesson: do not underestimate the power of New Orleans summer rain. It can happen at any moment, especially when you least expect it. Make sure to always have an umbrella/ raincoat with you at all times.

A Culinary Treat

This morning I was invited to attend a photography session at the Windsor Court for Culinary Concierge. The magazine is featuring a dish from The Grill Room in their upcoming issue. The theme of the issue is red, white and blue so naturally, the dish was a Foie Gras dressed with blueberries.


It was so interesting to watch the food stylist pick apart the way the setup was put together. It made me realize how much thought goes into just one picture. I also got a few lessons from the photographer on how to eliminate glares and make a colorful picture really stand out. It's safe to say I don't have a future in photography, but the lesson may come in handy one day!


After the shoot, the chef, Drew asked if I would like to taste the dish. Of course, I did not hesitate. All I can is YUM! I definitely recommend it if you ever visit The Grill Room. Visiting Windsor Court was such a pleasant way to start off my day!

Volunteer For a Good Cause!

Yesterday, Susan, Behn and I ventured out to the Second Harvest Food Bank in Harahan for a tour of the Community Kitchen and warehouse. Of course I managed to take the longest route possible, as Jefferson Highway has red lights on practically every corner. Once I finally made it to Harahan, I somehow managed to get lost despite having spent the last 24 years of my life in this fine city. After countless phone calls to Behn and Susan for directions, my panic was relieved as the “Second Harvest Food Bank” sign came into sight. I cheerfully made my way into the building and located the rest of my group. Our very helpful tour guide, Linzy, informed us that she once worked at Keating Magee! She gave us a tour of the Exhibition Kitchen, which will be used to host taste tests, as well as demonstrations of nutrition programs. We were told that the kitchen was still under construction; however, it already looked great! The warehouse containing all of the food was very impressive. We were blown away by the huge refrigerators and freezers used to store bananas, potatoes and other nutritious food that is provided to those in need.

Volunteers are extremely valuable to the Food Bank, as 9000 volunteers per year equate to 13 full time paid staff members! Since volunteers are crucial to Second Harvest, everyone reading this should go out and volunteer today! The Second Harvest Food Bank is a wonderful necessity in New Orleans, and I look forward to working with them in the months to come!

The Hospitality and Tourism Industry in New Orleans

Attending a seminar on The Future Planning of The Hospitality Industry yesterday was quite an experience. Lindsay Caroline and I woke up bright and early to attend the seminar which was at the InterContinental Hotel in downtown New Orleans. Luckily after we arrived we quickly realized that there were sugar coated pastries with ample coffee to help wake us up.

A panel of national experts were the speakers at yesterday's conference. Each speaker presented power points with multiple graphs and different data. The main theme seemed to be about the importance of keeping the ADR (Average Daily Rate) for rooms at a higher and more steady rate.

One of the speakers Chris Klauda, Vice President, Quality Services, D.K. Schifflet & Associates, Ltd. presented some very interesting data on how guests of hotels are using social media after a trip. Despite popular belief only 20% of guests reported posting or tweeting about their trip; however, a whopping 70% used some form of social media to share photos they had taken with their family and friends. The Lesson? Hotels better be camera friendly!

Anyway, the conference was interesting and we got a free breakfast!
-Behn

Field Trips Galore

Field trips seem to be a reoccurring event for the interns at Keating Magee this summer. As much as I like being in the office, it is also such a privilege to be asked to visit a client or attend a seminar as a representative for the company. The past week I have felt like I'm back in third grade, when I would wake up with butterflies in my stomach due to the excitement that I felt about the upcoming field trip.

Speaking of butterflies...

There are some things that I personally believe you can never get too old to enjoy. Attending the Butterfly Tea at Le Salon is one of them. The Windsor Court Hotel and Audubon Nature Institute teamed up for the second year in a row to a host a tea catering to children and adults alike. Special guests included live butterflies in special terrariums at every table. Seeing the children's faces light up as they realized they had actual butterflies at the table was something that I'll remember most from the day. As I watched them press their little faces against the temporary homes and listened to them try to talk to the colorful insects, I knew that this was an event that they would treasure.

The staff members from Audubon Nature Institute were beyond friendly when it came to answering the children's questions and explaining the displays of butterflies they had featured around Le Salon. The Windsor Court Hotel was more than accommodating to the guests and spoke to the children in a such an exciting tone that I am sure the kids felt they were the most important people in the hotel. It's not everyday that you see a luxury hotel open up its doors to large amounts of babies, toddlers and young kids. Just another example of New Orleans hospitality.

And speaking of hospitality...

This morning Behn, Lindsay and I attended The Hospitality and Tourism Industry: Future Planning with a Panel of National Experts. It was so interesting to hear how New Orleans ranks in comparison to national tourism rates. Needless to say, NOLA is the place to be!

Until next time,

Caroline

Louisiana Cancer Research Center Walk-Through

If you have driven to or from the Quarter recently you may have noticed a building just off I-10 that doesn't quite fit the typical New Orleans architecture. This sleek and modern building is the home of the new Louisiana Cancer Research Center.

This week I had the opportunity to tour the Louisiana Cancer Research Center. My first visit was on Monday where Ann, several board members, and I were taken on a full tour of the facility. Not only did we get to see the general public areas and offices, but the labs as well. I've personally never spent more than a few hours in a lab, but found the logic and design process that went into building them fascinating.

Today, Ronald, Ann, and I met with an event planner to discuss the general set up for the grand opening celebration set for mid October. Unfortunately, I will not be here for the event, but I think everyone will be impressed with what a great addition this facility will be to the community.

Next week should be another busy week with the kick off of our House of Blues and Second Harvest projects!

Field Trip to the CVB

Yesterday Caroline and I had the opportunity to go on a field trip to the New Orleans Convention Center and Visitors Bureau! We ventured uptown to attend an exclusive “Tourism University” seminar. There we discussed summer travel trends, American Automobile Association (AAA) members and their impact on New Orleans tourism. We even got a sneak peek of the cover for the next “Southern Traveler” magazine. I’d spill all the juicy information regarding New Orleans and its awards in the next publication, but I think I’ll just have to let the suspense build. Besides, July is right around the corner.

The guest speakers were Don Redman, Public Affairs Specialist and Associate Editor of the “Southern Traveler,” and Jon Carlew, Marketing and Research Manager for the Automobile Club of Southern California. They shared some fun facts including that ¼ of all travelers to New Orleans are AAA members and that despite the everlasting recession there was a 12% to 13% increase nationally in Memorial Day travel from last year.

It was interesting to see the effects one demographic can have on an industry and how important it is to target such demographics while planning a promotional campaign.

It was also refreshing to witness the camaraderie and networking that interlocks the New Orleans area hotels, restaurants and entertainment industries. Almost all of the attendees of the seminar knew each other and expressed how they actively help one another by promoting the others’ companies and planning group business trips. While I’m sure some of these businesses are competitors, they come together for the greater good of this city, and I find that extremely inspiring.

And don't forget me - Susan! Since my freshman year of college, I've lived in many interesting places: Boulder, Dallas and Madrid - all amazing cities! But there's no place like New Orleans. This summer I decided it was time to say goodbye to the Big D and hello to the Big Easy.

If I have learned anything from this process it's that you can network anywhere. In fact, that is how I ended up here at Keating Magee. One day I struck up a conversation with a customer who I noticed was wearing a uniform from a local all-girls school. Being a graduate from the rival school I couldn't help, but say hello. As our conversation took its course I found out she was a native to New Orleans and knew of several firms with summer intern programs, including Keating Magee. I spent the last few weeks of my Spring semester discussing internship opportunities with D.A. Magee until I finally got the good news one afternoon while sitting in Spanish class!

I am now wrapping up my third week and can't believe how many deadlines are approaching! Since my first day here I have been working on the UnitedHealthcare Childrens Foundation golf tournament. The golf tournament will be followed by a live auction and raffle to raise additional funds for the Foundation. The Foundation will use proceeds to help families or individuals pay for therapies, treatments, or services not covered by commercial health insurance. The donation list for the first tournament, which is held in Birmingham, AL will be completed by next week! Last week I also had the opportunity to work on the set of Community Health Heroes, a pubic access show also presented by UnitedHealthcare.

Sometimes I feel like its more play and less work with all the festivals in this city. Last weekend Oyster Fest (Yum!) was held on the Jax Brewery parking lot & this weekend is Vieux-To-Do. Stay tuned for pictures!

Introducing: Caroline

Caroline Nawas here, coming to you from the 5th floor of Jax Brewery. To my right, I have the beautiful and always entertaining French Quarter and to my left, the mighty and powerful Mississippi River. I know what you’re thinking. It is 1:00 p.m. on a Tuesday. I should be at work, slaving, I mean interning away. Lucky for me, I work at Keating Magee, where the view is beautiful and the interns are treated as equal co-workers.

I grew up in Bossier City, LA and knew at a young age I was destined to be a LSU Tiger and a world-famous journalist. After completing my freshman year at LSU, I realized that taking the world by storm as a journalist was not for me. I loved writing, but I was also interested in all aspects of the communications field. I knew I could not limit myself to just one area. After doing thorough research, I learned that public relations embodied all of the things I was passionate about. It took just one PR class for me to fall in love. I felt that everything inside of me just clicked. And to my parents’ relief, I will be graduating next May from the Manship School of Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations.

I knew that finding an internship for this summer was crucial for my college career. I had some experience beforehand in the communications field, but never with an agency. In March, I visited Keating Magee to meet with D.A. Magee and other employees to discuss the internship opportunity. The feeling I got reminded me of my first PR class; it all just clicked.

Although this is only my second day, I already know that this summer I will be challenged, taught and included on experiences that will enable me to grow in my knowledge and become more experienced in the public relations and marketing field.

It will be a summer to remember and I can’t wait to share my stories with you!

Introducing: Lindsay

Hello world! This is Lindsay and I am one of the newest editions to the Keating Magee Internship Program. I am proud to say that I was born and experienced my adolescence in New Orleans, LA. After attending high school in Slidell, LA, I set my sights on Baton Rouge and becoming a Louisiana State University Tiger. Currently, I am about to enter my final undergraduate year at LSU as a students of the Manship School of Mass Communication with a concentration in public relations.

I started off my career pursuits on the news media side of communications. However after some exposure to the continuously heart wrenching circumstances journalists face, I decided a different side of the communications field might be my cup of tea.

After getting my feet wet during a few PR classes, I fell in love. Never before had I been so intrigued by the material presented in the classroom. So, in February I began my hunt for a summer internship and eventually found myself on the fifth floor of Jax Brewery at Keating Magee, one of the top public relations, advertising and marketing firms in New Orleans.

One of my passions is travel and the tourism industry, so you can imagine my excitement at the news that I was assigned to work with Ann Wills and the rest of the team on the Grand Opening of the Renaissance Hotel in Baton Rouge. Exposure to media lists, project boards and event planning has already proved to be a tremendous learning experience.

I enjoyed part of my first day at Keating Magee on the outside patio of Jax Brewery while feasting my eyes upon the glorious Mississippi River, listening to sweet sax tunes played by a local artist and enjoying the cool breeze coming off the river. I couldn’t be happier to be spending my summer in New Orleans at Keating Magee!

Introducing: Behn

Did you know Irvin Mayfield is partnering up with the JW Marriot Hotel to launch a new club? Neither did I. But my first day at Keating Magee involved a trip to The Royal Sonesta where we attended a press conference on the roof of the hotel. Irvin Mayfield explained that his club would feature local jazz musicians as well as up and coming artists. The conference concluded with a tour of the club where drinks and hors d'oerves (yes thats how you spell it) were served! 10a.m. is a little too early to have drinks for me, even in New Orleans, but I thought that was a cool first day.

Hi my name is Behn Lanaux. I recently graduated from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in business. After graduation I was looking for an opportunity to break into the field of marketing. A meeting with Rob Anderson and Ann Wills at Keating Magee's office in New Orleans' own French Quarter led into a discussion of a summer internship.

With a great view of the Mississippi River and such an exciting atmosphere, I can't think of a better way to spend my mornings this summer. Keating Magee has afforded me the opportunity to intern at their downtown office. Sitting in on meetings is a huge privelage and a learning experience. Interning here allows me the opportunity to understand how one of the top marketing firms in New Orleans conducts day to day business.

There is no better education than hands on experience!

Chatting over Chinese

Last Tuesday, Ronald and I traveled to one of my all-time favorite eateries, Five Happiness, for an Advertising Club of New Orleans luncheon. The purpose of the event was to honor Loyola University students for their advertising and marketing successes. A buffet was set up with an array of the best Chinese dishes Five Happiness has to offer. Walking down the buffet line, I spotted my three favorite dishes: General’s Chicken, Pecan Shrimp, and Combination Fried Rice. I helped myself to every dish available then made my way back to my seat, trying to keep my mountain of food from collapsing. As I indulged in my lunch, I began to reflect on my Ad Club experience. This has been my second Ad Club luncheon, and I have loved every minute of both experiences. The luncheons are held at the best venues in town, and the members of the club are always charming. I have been very impressed with the speakers, especially the guest speaker of this particular luncheon, WWL-TV’s Sally Ann Roberts. “Opportunity happens suddenly,” she explained to the Loyola students. “The only thing that can hold you back in life is you,” continued Roberts in reference to living out your dreams. Roberts spoke of the brilliant future of New Orleans and the vast opportunities this great city will bring. I looked around the room and noticed the smiles that filled the faces of the audience. At that moment, I realized how lucky I was to be sitting among the Ad Club in the great city of New Orleans.

A Disk in Distress

I am proud to announce that I have learned how to create and edit videos! Ronald gave me an excellent tutorial on the art of "iMovie." The task was to edit the video Brooke captured from the French Quarter Festival press conference. She took wonderful videos of the festivities during the event, and she enlisted my services to create a single, brief video to showcase her experience. All in all, the project turned out to be a success, minus a brief technical error that occurred before we even began. The video clips from the event were stored on a disk, which we put into the disk drive. To our surprise, nothing happened, and when we attempted to eject the disk there was a low growl, similar to the noise an animal makes when it feels threatened. The disk was stuck in the computer! There is very little that can be done to remove such a disk without ultimately breaking the computer. Because of this, we sought help from others in the office, which resulted in three adults staring at the computer without a clue of how to rescue the disk. Ronald had a brilliant resolution: Google, "how to remove a stubborn disk from the disk drive of an Apple". The moment I began to type the question into the Google bar, the disk popped out of the drive! Ronald was right- Google does solve everything! I am not exactly sure whether Google actually aided in saving the disk, or whether it was more of a right-place, right-time situation; however, the disk was rescued and our video editing project was finally completed! Please see Brooke's blog titled, "French Quarter Festival Press Conference," to view the finished project.

GEAUX HORNETS!

I had the privilege of going to last night’s game with Margaret and we had a great time! The Hornets were playing the Portland Trailblazers and it was a “sit at the edge of your seat” kind of game. I will admit that my knowledge on basketball is pretty sad, but I know a good game when I see one!
The Hornets were behind until the third quarter and then came out of no where and kept making basket after basket.

Congrats Hornets!

Although I don’t get the game 100%, I have been to many sporting events and what I have learned is that everyone has their own tradition.Take me for instance, every time I go to an event like this I have to have nachos. It is a must and I have no idea why!

When I was looking at the audience I could tell that each person had their own tradition. I saw a group of people painted in blue and yellow, saw people with thunderstix, and of course saw the unforgettable die hard fan group, the Bee-Zanies.

So, I have to ask you, what's your tradition?

French Quarter Festival Press Conference

Today, I went with Ann Wills and Ronald Evangelista to the French Quarter Press Conference which was held at The Court of Two Sisters. I couldn’t have asked for a better day; the weather was perfect, the people were friendly, and the food was fabulous!

As the three of us approached the welcoming table, we were greeted by smiling faces who asked us to fill out a name tag. After putting on my lovely “my name is Brooke” sticker, I shadowed Ann and Ronald while they said hello to everyone.

Since I am inviting everyone to join me on my journey, I have attached a video of the press conference, so you can see what I experienced.

I learned many important things about the festival that I must share with you! Before the festival begins, mark your calendar for Wednesday, April 6 because House of Blues is hosting TGIF (Thank Goodness It’s Festival day) party from 7-10pm, featuring Rockin’ Dopsie! Now, if that wasn’t exciting enough, I have even better news. This year the festival is adding an extra day! Yes, I said it…the festival is adding an extra day that they’re calling, ‘Locals’ Lagniappe’ day! The festival will run from Thursday, April 7 through Sunday, April 10! Most importantly, it is FREE to enter!

If you are worrying about transportation…don’t. This year the shuttle is being brought back since it was such a huge hit last year, but with double the amount of buses! There are many ways to get to the festival including streetcar, bicycle, and car. If you are driving you can park in the lot at the Convention Center Lot F for $10 and take the free shuttle to the festival.

If you are like me and are interested in the different types of food that are going to be offered, trust me you will not be disappointed. Some of the fabulous food options are Antoine’s, Boucherie, Dunbar’s, The Court of Two Sisters, Crepes a la Cart, Little Tokyo, Oceana Grill, Jacques-Imo’s, Red Fish Grill, Rotolo’s Pizzeria and Desire Oyster Bar.

The official drink of the festival is the Absolut Cosmopolitan. Can you think of a better marriage…cranberry and vodka? I haven’t seen a couple this happy since spaghetti met the meatball. If you don’t like Cosmos, don’t worry there are plenty of other options that include Abita Beer, Absolut Vodka, Jameson’s, Community Coffee, Malibu Rum, Pat O’Brien’s Bar, and Tropical Isle.

While you are walking around eating the fantastic food and drinking the delicious drinks don’t forget to stop by and see some of the great bands that are playing. In total there will be over 250 bands! All different types of music for everyone to enjoy!

Before you leave the festival, don’t forget to shop! The festival is selling t-shirts, posters, hoodies, tank tops, and hats, and last, but not least a beautiful pin/pendant created by jewelry artist Monique Leon. I’ve actually had the pleasure of seeing the pendant and I must say…gorgeous! I think it’s important for everyone to know that all of the proceeds from merchandise sales go towards keeping the festival free and open to the public. So I’m here to tell you to shop till you drop!

I hope everyone goes to the French Quarter Festival and has a great time! Stay tuned for more postings on my journey!

French Quarter Festival, Here I Come!

Hello everyone! My name is Brooke Cockrell and I am the new intern here at Keating Magee! I am currently in my last semester of my senior year at Tulane and majoring in Media Arts with a minor in Public Relations. Ever since I started working here, everyone has been so friendly and extremely helpful, truly making me feel like I am a part of the KM family.

Although I have lived in New Orleans for almost two and a half years, I have not experienced the French Quarter Festival and all that it has to offer. I know you must be thinking how is it possible that I could miss out on such a wonderful event but I must be honest…I have what you call a “lawyer’s tan” and have been studying indoors for the past few years.

Since I am in my senior year and the festival pretty much takes place on KM’s doorstep, I feel like it’s the perfect time to let my hair down, get some sun and have a great time! I will be sharing with everyone my experiences including food, bands and drinks (yes, I am of legal age!) Stay tuned!

Not Just a Game

A Hornets game is much more than a professional basketball game. Upon acquiring a ticket, a fan is able to experience delicious food, drinks, costumes, contests, performances, the Honeybees, Hugo, Chris Paul, and of course, basketball. Brooke and I were offered tickets to Wednesday night’s game against the Trailblazers, to which we graciously accepted. We brought along Keating Magee’s trusty camera and video recorder, and set ourselves up for a great night of entertainment.

A few noteworthy observations:

ThunderStix- Those long skinny balloons that make noise when smashed together provide the perfect distraction to a player from the opposing team when attempting to make a free throw shot. Every time a Trailblazer had an opportunity to make a free throw, the fans began to wave their ThunderStix in a fierce motion. I found this sight to be very amusing, and yet very effective.

Hornet’s Brides: As I approached one of the many concession stands, I noticed two women in bridle gowns standing in line. The floor-length dresses were white with purple, teal, and gold trim, and the veils that covered their faces were designed in the same manner. I inquired about their attire, to which the “brides-to-be” responded that their goal was to capture the hearts of the entire Hornet’s team. Hornet’s fans are clearly the best!

Oyster Eating Contest- During the half time show, two men were brought on the court to compete in an oyster eating contest. Only in New Orleans is it acceptable to pummel raw oysters in your mouth, two at a time! The crowd grew wild as the lucky winner thrust up his arms in joy as he swallowed what was left in his mouth.

Although the entire game was neck and neck, the Hornet’s defeated the Trail Blazers’ 95-91. I left the game with great pictures and fond memories. I can’t wait for the next Hornets game!

Introducing: Margaret

Bonjour! My name is Margaret Lohmann, and I consider myself to be a true New Orleanian. I was born and raised in this beautiful historic city, and find it almost impossible to leave. After graduating from the Isidore Newman School in Uptown, New Orleans, I began my undergraduate journey a few blocks away at Tulane University. As a typical college student, I found myself torn between joining the family business and pursuing a career in something I loved. My family is comprised of doctors, nurses, engineers, and science teachers. As a Cell and Molecular Biology Major, I felt a void in my life that prompted me to reconsider my future. I quickly changed to Communication, a major that had always solicited my interest. The courses offered to a Communication major immediately wet my appetite and kept me hungry for more knowledge.

Once I declared Communication as my major, I became a marketing intern at the Alliance for Affordable Energy. The company sells energy efficient appliances, while promoting a “greener” way of life. The internship allowed me to gain a better understanding of the marketing, advertising, and public relations field and cemented my interest in this field.

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Tulane University, I was given the opportunity to intern at Keating Magee, one of the top advertising, marketing, and public relations firms in New Orleans. I have been here for a month, and have already learned more than I would ever learn from a classroom. I have been included in conference calls and meetings, as well as attended business luncheons and fashion shows. Each morning I awake with a smile because I am able to spend the day at Keating Magee!