Friday night my friends and I gathered at one of our houses to eat some Chex Mix, queso and candy to watch the opening ceremony for the Summer Olympics in Beijing.  While our attention wasn't 100% focused on the dancing, symbolism and pyrotechnics, we were all impressed at the lengths China went to in efforts to show the world they are now a leader in the 21st century.

I didn't understand a lot of the negative buzz surrounding this summer's games... you know all the talk about the pollution and then of course, the protests.  I guess I was looking at the situation with rose colored glasses on.  After living in Hong Kong for three years, I had formulated my own opinions and thoughts on China and they are just so different from most of my friends'.

That being said, China really entered into this Olympics fighting an uphill battle.  Everything about the Olympics coming out of China needs to be positive... it's as if they are in "damage-control PR mode" without really having a "disaster" to be trying recovering from.

China is working extremely hard to impress the world... to show their culture, people and technology.  They are a world leader, and really have been for a long time but no one has ever noticed.  Their political issues and decisions both nationally and internationally have overshadowed anything else which could be a positive reflection of the country and its people.

This is a really good example for businesses worldwide to take notice of.  A series of questionable decisions, a bad product release or corporate scandal can put a bad taste in your clients' mouths which can last a few hours or maybe a few decades.  As consumers, we all put a lot of faith into the brands we trust.  If tomorrow you wash your clothes with Tide and they are ruined - will you use Tide again?

Now, of course, a bad experience with laundry detergent isn't quite the same as the political dealings of the world's largest communist society but you get the idea!

Overall, I think China's doing a great PR job positioning itself as a world leader and innovative society.  Many people's eyes are being opened for the first time to Chinese culture and what an exciting way to do so!

If you haven't seen it, you heard about it... Sen. McCain's ad comparing Sen. Obama to international celebrities Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.  The morning shows and evening news broadcasts talked about it non-stop and even Paris's mommy spoke out - turns out the Hiltons contributed the maximum amount of money allowed to the McCain campaign... whoops.

However, this morning I saw the best comeback I've ever witnessed in a presidential election - you know when one candidate "zings" the other and then they try to come up with something witty to respond with?  Well, Obama didn't respond this time around (well, he did, but it wasn't this good)... Paris did.


You have to check out this video ASAP.  Get ready, because Paris is, "like totally ready to lead."

It's no secret I love politics.  I love the rhetoric.  It's also no big surprise that celeb-u-tants like Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie infuriate me to no end.  Seriously, what have they ever done (other than be born to or adopted by a wealthy family)?  But Paris's response is witty and really comes off more like a Daily Show or SNL false advertisement.  So kudos to Miss Hilton!

Oh, and Sen. McCain's camp has responded to the young heiress:
"It sounds like Paris Hilton supports John McCain’s ‘all of the above’ approach to America’s energy crisis - including both alternatives and drilling. In reality, Paris Hilton may have a more substantive energy policy than Barack Obama,” spokesman Tucker Bounds said. 

ZING.

Have you ever used NO-AD sunscreen on vacation?  It's really good stuff... great value for the money too because the bottles are ginormous.  What makes this sunscreen really different than Banana Boat, Panama Jack and Coppertone is they don't advertise - hence the name "no-ad."

This company has relied on word of mouth marketing for years.  I first started using it when I was in middle school because I saw a friend with a hot pink bottle of 15 SPF.

While it makes for an interesting case study, NO-AD is also very unique.  Many companies are creating "word of mouth" marketing campaigns which rely heavily on social media sites like Facebook or MySpace, emails (like those sent out by Indianapolis-based ExactTarget), blogs (like your's truly here) and SMS text messaging.  NO-AD really relied on good, solid, old-fashioned word of mouth.

On the American Marketing Association's Web site, Marketing Power, they currently have a survey posted which I found to be extremely interesting.  They ask, "What is your most effective word-of-mouth technique?"  The responses are what got my attention:

• Social Media Sites - 22%
• Email - 54%
• Blogs - 16%
• SMS - 8%

Honestly, I voted for blogs.  I have experienced a great deal of success in gaining coverage for my clients in blogs.  Many blogs have a daily traffic snapshots reaching over 2.2 million making their online viewership greater than the printed circulation of the same company or other reputable media outlets in the same space.

I believe people are more likely to believe the word of a blogger than some group on Facebook or some email they've received.  Emails have a leg-up on blogs though... many campaigns are opt-in and all [should be] opt-out compliant.  To find a blog takes more effort than just checking your inbox - I'll give you that!

I am sad to see that SMS isn't appearing to catch on as quickly as I had anticipated.  I've yet to participate in any opt-in SMS campaign and I really don't think it's for me.  I equate it to receiving a phone call from a telemarketer right when I sit down for dinner.  There's never a good time to receive a random text message from a stranger... not for me, at least!

So what about you?  How will/would you vote?

So this morning while I was getting ready to come into work (seriously, can you believe it's the last day of July?), I decided to wear my charm bracelet in a last minute grab for jewelry as I headed downstairs.

When I sat down at my desk today with coffee in hand, the jingling of the few charms I do have rattled against the laminate desktop and instantly I remembered the sound of this bracelet in high school and college.  Each time it seemed a little heavier -- and a little bit more "jingly."

It all started when I was 12 years old.  For Christmas my Grandmother gave me her mother's charm bracelet with one single charm on it... my Dad's silhouette with his name engraved on it.  She had one for every grandchild, I was told. 

After that Christmas, I began to receive new charms each year.  For my 13th birthday I got an ice skate since I had started skating lessons and surprisingly, was doing well at the sport.  For my 14th birthday a viola for the instrument I started playing at age 11 - and still play from time to time.  At 15, my mom gave me one of her charms for typing 60 words a minute - in honor of my own typing skills. 16 - a basketball hoop and ball to commemorate when I made the varsity basketball team that fall.  17 - a graduation cap and the number "2000," and at 18, the state of Indiana since I chose to attend Hanover College.

I didn't receive another charm after June 2000, until last year.  On the night before my wedding, my mother-in-law gave me a charm with my "new" initials on it, our wedding date and a special message just from her.

In a way, this charm bracelet is the story of my life and a continuation of my great-grandmother's. The jingling is a constant reminder of where I've been and what I've done.  I think for Christmas this year I'll ask for a new charm... maybe a telephone or a computer to mark my employment at Dittoe Public Relations?

OK, remember the movie "Being John Malkovich" where a puppeteer discovers a door in his office that allows him to enter the mind and life of John Malkovich for 15 minutes? Of course, the puppeteer then tries to turn the portal into a small business like any normal person who is out to make money. Well, that's kind of how I feel today -- only I'm not in the mind of John Malkovich... I'm in the mind of my co-worker Meg Charlebois.

Last week I lifted weights with Meg... we each showed each other specific exercises which we enjoy or get a lot out of (read: are really hard but worth it in the long run even if you look like an idiot while doing it).

Yesterday we made an emergency run to Walgreen's for some much needed Diet Coke (which they were out of) and while there, we decided to buy little note pads to track our workouts - and in my case, a food journal as well.

Last night while noting my brisk walk in my "journal" it suddenly occurred to me that at some point last week I walked through a portal and entered the mind of Meg Charlebois.  What else could have caused me to suddenly begin lifting weights, running and tracking my caloric intake in a purple, pink and brown spiral notebook?

The weird thing is, I like "being Meg Charlebois."  I've found I feel better of a morning, sleep better at night and I'm able to run farther in the hot sun than I was previously able to -- when I was being Lauren Littlefield.  Heck, today I'm even lifting and doing abs at lunch (which is then followed with either a smoothie or salad, I haven't decided). *If you know me, you are probably wondering what I'm smoking, right?*

Of course, I'm not really trying to be like my healthy co-worker... but she does inspire me to be healthier, which is an amazing result of our friendship and relationship as Dittoe employees.  Consequently, I think I've inspired her to blog more often!  I'll try to keep you posted on my progress at "being Meg Charlebois."  They say imitation is the highest form of flattery, right?  Meg won't mind...

We've all done it. You see a homeless person on the sidewalk or at an intersection and you give them what little change or maybe cash you have in your wallet. Maybe you've even given someone your doggy bag from your nice dinner out. Ultimately you feel sorry for the person and try to offer assistance without really getting involved, right?

My friend Matt did this for an "amputee" and Vietnam War veteran who was seemingly down on his luck in Louisville. Hours later, Matt was astounded to see the man stand up out of his wheelchair and run off with some very real legs and with all of the cash he was given. Matt was upset and everyone who witnessed it commented they would never give money to a homeless person again. 

While finishing up her masters, one of my best friends worked for a company committed to helping homeless people here in Indianapolis. Sadly, one day her purse was stolen out of her office. Though it was later found, the man seen taking it was one of the people her company had offered its services to in the past.

It's hard to help people when you know the odds of them taking your help and actually using it to better themselves (buy food, clothes, etc...) are slim to none. A friend of my Dad's offered to take a homeless man in my hometown of Greenville, SC to McDonald's and buy him lunch - anything he wanted. The man stared at him in disbelief and said, "Just give me money, man."

Unfortunately, many people who are forced to live on the streets face addictions ranging from alcohol to gambling. Their addiction is a disease, and any money they receive goes to feed it. Other large portions of homeless people in the U.S. are victims of foreclosures, bankruptcy and sadly - many are mentally ill.

OK - so why my rant on homeless people? Here in Indianapolis, we have a problem. You don't see it every where... but downtown, especially at night, there are a lot of folks who have nowhere to sleep, no shelter and no dinner. The worst part of this mess is the city is forcing them to get out from underneath the bridges that provide them with the only shelter available and is not providing them with any alternatives.

Every city has a dark side - a side tourists/visitors never see. By placing nice hotels close to attractions like museums, malls, monuments, sport & concert arenas and convention centers most visitors never have to see the "bad" part of town. But what about those of us who live in these bigger cities? We drive through rough areas sometimes. In fact, we probably drive out of our way to avoid them. I say it's time we stop driving around the problems plaguing society and make a change.

Write to your mayor today if you agree with me, and ask them what their plans are to provide the homeless with shelter and increase safety for citizens throughout the city - regardless of race, religion and income.

For those of you in Indianapolis, write to Mayor Greg Ballard here.

OK, so is it bad that I'm already counting down until the Colts play the Bears on Sunday, September 7th at 8:15pm at the new Lucas Oil Stadium?

My excitement for this season is greater than it was last year when they were the reigning world champs.  I know... I didn't think it was possible, either!  Of course, you can imagine my excitement when I learned from MediaPost.com about Reebok's new commercial by Mcgarrybowen which features both the Manning brothers and other league stars like Chad Johnson, Vince Young and Brian Urlacher (all personal favorites of mine).

Of course, the commercial features several teams including the Colts.  By the way, where the heck are the Colts walking?  They look like they're in the swamps of Florida, not the fields of Indiana!? 

Check the ad out for yourself by clicking on the picture above and let me know what you think.  It gets me excited about football... not Reebok, but maybe that's because I'm a Nike girl all the way.  What about you?  Will you join the migration?

This past weekend I headed home to South Carolina for the wedding of my best friend of over 20 years. 

She was the first friend I made in Greenville.  Last year she stood with me as I said "I do," and this year I was there for her.  It was an emotional experience for me -- and a lot of fun as I was able to hang out with her all weekend long and meet some of her new friends.

After the rehearsal dinner the entire bridal party headed out to celebrate with a few drinks, fresh oysters and live music downtown.  While getting to know everyone I quickly discovered what a small town I'm from... and what a small world we live in.

One of the other bridesmaids is dating a guy who will be in Indianapolis this week working at the new Lucas Oil Stadium.  I gave him some tips on where to go for dinner (St. Elmo of course!) and told him where he could find a good drink or two.

Another bridesmaid is getting married to a guy who lived with one of my best friends from high school while attending Clemson University.  We called him together and laughed while telling stories about him and some other folks we both had in common.

It was wild to know that I had so much in common with people I had never met before!

Overall, the weekend was great.  My friend looked amazing and the reception was a blast.  We did a little dancing, even though the humidity had us all sweating from the moment we stepped outside!  It made me miss home and everything "southern" I've been missing out on since I left for college. 

Who knows... maybe I'll run into someone from home up in Indy now.  If I learned anything from this past weekend, it's that it really is a small world after all.

Every two years I get really excited in mid-July because I am able to get a new, discounted mobile phone with my service provider (Verizon Wireless).

This year is no different. I have had my eye on the LG Voyager since it came out and I can't wait to trade in my beaten-up Samsung!

The discount is a nice bonus to signing a new two-year agreement with Verizon. It allows me to stay "up-to-date" with new mobile technologies and it feeds the hunger of wanting something new and shiny in my purse.

Unlike my husband, I am not interested in a Blackberry, Treo or iPhone. He's in sales and has to be connected 24/7, so for him it makes sense. I do all of my work either on my desktop or laptop and I never feel "disconnected."

My friends, family, co-workers and clients all know my mobile & office numbers as well as my email address and I feel that is more than sufficient for the work I do. Granted, it would be nice not to have to bring my laptop on day trips to NYC or back home to SC but it's something I don't mind doing. In fact, I like doing it... which is why I want the LG Voyager and not the Blackberry Pearl.

In a world where we are becoming more and more connected through the Internet, mobile devices, social networking, etc... it's nice to "disconnect" for a brief moment and have one electronic device meant to do just one thing: be a telephone.

An expert is defined as a person who has special skill or knowledge in some particular field; specialist; authority. Every day I pitch some journalist or blogger on speaking with a client, an expert in mobile technology, networking, social media, 3PL, etc… who can provide a perspective relevant to a story or unique enough to qualify as a story in and of itself.

I suppose I’m expert violist, field hockey player and dog trainer since I do possess special skill and knowledge in each field – but I don’t go around claiming to know everything about any of these skills. I consider myself to be an amateur at everything I am skilled at since I don’t quite have the tenure required to be taken seriously as an expert. 

The people I promote each day are referred to as experts because they know their business better than anyone else, bar none. In many cases, the experts I work with are founders of multiple organizations and all of them have taught me so much about their business and industry.

I’ve come to learn so much about the experts I work with and represent. So much that it’s difficult to present media contacts with all of the reasons why they need to speak with someone in the first place. I wish I could just label my clients as experts with stickers on their Web sites or foreheads, whichever they prefer, letting the world know that they are skilled at what they do, the best in fact.

Unfortunately, we all can’t walk around with signs letting the world know who we are – unless you’re into wearing a nametag for the rest of your life. That’s why PR is so important. As hard as it is to get the attention of the media, when I do it is a major adrenaline rush.

After reaching out to someone numerous times over a period of time and receiving no response, no inkling of interest – to get that one phone call or email asking for more information and to speak with the expert is the reason why I come into work every day. That call or email is how I earn my nametag: a Public Relations Account Executive.

This November we’re electing the next president of the United States. Whether you’re a democrat or a republican, this election is important. Now more than ever, the U.S. is in desperate need of some good international public relations.

Now I’m not volunteering my services to Senators Obama or McCain (however if they are interested in working with Dittoe PR all they need to do is call) but it is very clear we not only need a change in the Oval Office but also in the news. 

Back in October of 2003, PBS’s Online NewsHour posted a very interesting article which I recently ran across by accident. In it, the writer makes a point which is still relevant today:

“The United States must dramatically transform its public diplomacy system to overcome growing anti-American sentiments abroad, according to a report released Wednesday by an advisory group appointed by the Bush administration.”

Public diplomacy is really very similar to public relations but on a much higher level. After all, we are talking about the international public perception of the United States of America. It’s just a little bit bigger than most PR accounts.

Regardless of who you are pulling for in this year’s election, we must vote for the man we believe to be the best representation of the United States and all the good we can accomplish in the world. We don’t want the European Union glad to see him leave office and we certainly don’t want our president to be thought of as ignorant or stupid.

Unfortunately, President Bush’s administration has a cloud of disapproval hanging over it and at this point in time it remains to be seen if any positive things can ever be attributed to his terms in office. It seems every beneficial act he has been involved with is overshadowed by multiple examples of poor judgment or accusations of weak leadership.

Approval ratings are important in the U.S. and abroad. Not only do they indicate how well a government official is liked but that is directly related to the success of foreign diplomacy efforts and support in Congress.

Additionally, the study performed by the advisory group appointed by the Bush administration back in 2003 found “in this time of peril, public diplomacy is absurdly and dangerously underfunded.”

Funding alone will not make diplomacy efforts more successful (however it is needed very badly), thus I’m back to examining the candidates. Both are very different but have the same objective: to be President – to be the Spokesperson and CEO of the United States.

OK, so for my two cents: Regardless of whom we elect come November, as a nation we need to pay very close attention to our approval rating overseas. After all, our president represents us. We should be very concerned when countries don’t want to participate in diplomatic talks and even more concerned when our so-called allies leave our side whether in battle or on paper.

No matter who gets elected this year, I hope they know a thing or two about public relations – for their sake and ours.

It's not every day someone tells you what a fantastic job you're doing for them. Fortunately for me and the rest of the team at Dittoe PR, we hear it more than most people.

Part of me was jaded by corporate America. At 25 years old, I came to expect I would never receive a hardy handshake, pat on the back or even a complimentary email after performing above expectation. Continuously striving for perfection and approval in the eyes of my supervisors grew old and I soon became disenchanted with my role in the company. Not a good sign, right?

I regularly write about how lucky I am to work at Dittoe, how this is my dream job, how Dittoe is truly the best Indianapolis PR firm... What you may not realize is, I mean it.

Today I received the best compliment I have received to-date from a client. After sharing some good news with them I received a one-word email that will have me smiling for the rest of the week: "PHENOMENAL."

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." - Leo Buscaglia

Working at Dittoe has changed my life. No, I'm not going to get all sentimental on you but I am serious.  I thought I'd be doomed to a lifetime of working 9-5 at some job I hated. You know the feeling, waking up every morning wanting to call in sick, dragging yourself into the office and then spending your time counting down the seconds until quitting time.

Now I look forward to coming into work each day. I get excited thinking about the emails sitting in my inbox, messages in my voicemail and the ideas I came up with the night before to help bring more coverage to my clients.

Each day is another opportunity to ask, “What can I do now?" and provide the best service to my clients - the kind of service they've come to expect from Dittoe.

What's even more important is I want to work hard for my clients because they get excited when I'm successful and that excitement is what keeps me going. My hard work resulting in a "phenomenal" reaction is plenty reason for me to continue working my tail off here.

Please do me a favor today... when someone around you at work or even at home does something really well or impressive, tell them. It will make their day and encourage them to do it again.

Yesterday, comedian and actor George Carlin passed away at the age of 71 from heart failure.  My first memory of Carlin was as the engineer and voice of trains on “Thomas the Tank Engine,” which was always on PBS when I was little.  As I got older, I learned more about the man and his comedic routines which pushed boundaries and eventually got Carlin arrested and thrown in jail.

Carlin’s “Seven Words” routine is groundbreaking.  By some people, it’s regarded as profane and lewd – but many people it’s simply thought of as comedy.  He told us in plain English how he saw the world around him and it was hilarious.

“… In America, anybody can be president.  That’s the problem.”

His “tell it like it is” stand-up act broke the mold of impersonations and slap-stick routines.  No one has even come close to the level Carlin excelled at.

I think we can all take a tip from Carlin, who recently reflected on how he ended up doing the kind of comedy which made him famous: “I was doing superficial comedy entertaining people who didn't really care: Businessmen, people in nightclubs, conservative people. And I had been doing that for the better part of 10 years when it finally dawned on me that I was in the wrong place doing the wrong things for the wrong people.”

So, are you in the wrong place doing the wrong things for the wrong people?

For me, I’m taking away a few things from the comedian:

• Laugh at yourself – never take yourself too seriously
• Don’t let sticky situations get you down
• Do what you love

This past week reaffirmed why I love my job so much. My amazing co-workers surprised me with flowers, a Starbucks gift card, a hilarious birthday card and a lunch out on my birthday. At first, I was down in the dumps about turning 26 but by Saturday I was still celebrating – after a crazy joint-birthday party with fellow 26 year-old Christy Oberley. This was seriously my favorite birthday since 21.

It occurred to me Friday night amidst the dance-offs, singing, jumping on furniture and odd drink concoctions that the people I work with are truly the hardest working, hardest partiers I have ever known. Each member of the Dittoe team, from Chris & Liza to our interns, is outgoing, funny, genuine and more importantly - the best at what they do.

Members of the Dittoe gang are high tech PR specialists, consumer PR experts and… party animals. It's quite a change from the corporate world I spent several years in! Change happens every minute of every day in this office. Clients have new ideas, new products, new services and Dittoe rolls with the changes making sure we can maximize our clients’ news to the very best of our ability.

When Oprah Winfrey’s producer calls Meg Charlebois we all celebrate with a quick dance in the middle of the office. When Good Morning America calls Liza we all scream in excitement [and maybe play a New Kids on the Block song as a tribute]. We truly work together and have fun together. We’re not in competition with each other to see who can get the best coverage – we work together to ensure we ALL get the best coverage for our clients.

You simply cannot work with a better group of people or with more amazing professionals. So, here’s to being 26 and working at Dittoe Public Relations – may we have many more celebrations!

This week is my favorite week of the year.  My husband and I celebrated our first anniversary Monday and my birthday is tomorrow.  Did I plan this coincidental "week-o-fun" when I picked my wedding date?  Not really, but it's kind of cool it worked out this way.

One year of marriage... it doesn't feel like it's been a whole year, so that's a good thing right?  It definitely seems like 2007 flew by and the first half of 2008 is doing the same.  I can't believe it's already mid-June!  At this rate it will be Thanksgiving before you know it.

Not that one year of being married isn't a big milestone, but this week I become closer to 30 than 20.  I originally thought this would be no big deal, but now as my birthday looms just 24 hours away, I'm realizing what this truly means... I'm getting old.

Laugh if you want.  For those of you under 25, you'll feel my pain soon enough - and for those of you over 30, think back to how you felt when you felt the big 3-0 staring you down.  It doesn't seem like too long ago I was in high school... now my 10 year reunion is looming just around the corner.

Looking back to my "pre-21" days, I can honestly say that I don't know why I was ever such a rush to grow up.  Being an adult stinks... we pay taxes, insurance, mortgages and other bills for our cellphones, water, electricity, etc... Sure, you're on your own but most kids don't realize what that REALLY means.

This week, while I celebrate with my friends and family I'm subconsciously FREAKING OUT so take it easy on me.  I'm getting the feeling that next year won't be any easier.  So THIS is why ladies never reveal their age?! 

There's one aspect of living in the midwest that I've never gotten used to: tornadoes. With several tornado touchdowns in the past week, I have to admit, maybe I am willing to relocate one day.

Being one of only three non-native Hoosiers in the office (others being Meg Charlebois and Meghan Howard) I can honestly say that I only experience a natural disaster once in my life before moving to north for college. When I was about five years old a tornado ripped through my town outside of Nashville, TN on a Saturday morning. Luckily, the twister never got close to our neighborhood but some people unfortunately lost their lives.

Not once while I lived in South Carolina did I experience a hurricane -- in fact, the closest I came to one was on vacation in San Destin, FL.  We ended up leaving our beachside condo a little early and missed Hurricane Danny by several hours.

There's just something undeniably frightening about a tornado, though.  Even the weather teams at the local stations here in Indy sometimes can't hide their fear when they announce a tornado warning.  However, somehow they remain calm so their viewers can calmly seek shelter in basements and under stairwells.  Lives depend on their every word... I can't imagine how they get through that kind of announcement.

Anyways, now that I'm officially a resident in "tornado alley" I guess it's time to get used to it.  Click here to read find some of the most destructive tornadoes in Indiana history, and in other states as well.

1. After you wreck and are out of the race, smile for the cameras before heading to the garage and then bad mouth your teammate in front of the press. 
   

   
2. Don't draft behind Tony Kanaan -- sorry, Sarah Fisher.
3. Promote yourself with your first name only, like Tiger, and become a more profitable brand.
   
   
4. Purdue's "world's largest drum" doesn't even sound like a drum.
5. When the leading lady is out of the race, you have a chance.  Way to get back in it and be the only woman to finish, Milka!
   
   
6. Beer is cheaper at the largest, single-day sporting event in the world than at most restaurants.
7. Every one loves Jim Nabors.
   
   
8. Julianne Hough is really, really pretty in person and she can sing!
9. Slash is still awesome.
10. Last but not least, who cares who wins... if you can make the biggest scene you'll get all the press.  Right, Danica?
    
    

This weekend is one of my favorite times of the year...  For those of you not familiar with racing or Indianapolis, the 92nd running of the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing" happens this Sunday, May 25th. 

Every Memorial Day weekend for as long as I can remember, my family and I sat glued to the television watching the Indianapolis 500 -- even from the other side of the world when we lived overseas! 

The first year I lived in Indy I was disappointed to learn that the race isn't shown on TV locally until after it's over.  So I spent the day at the pool listening to the race on the radio with about 50 other people in my apartment complex.  I have been fortunate enough to visit the track during the month of May for the past two years to watch practice and tour the garages - even getting a picture of Mario Andretti.  However, this year I'm going to the race! 

I remember listening to my parents tell stories about the drivers they cheered for, the wrecks they witnessed and what it was like hearing Jim Nabors sing "Back Home Again" live -- from the stands when they made regular trips to Speedway, IN every Memorial Day weekend before I was born.  "There's nothing else like it," they'd say.  

There's just something about the tradition and history of the speedway and the race which makes it truly special and unique.  No where else does the winner drink milk from a glass bottle or kiss the bricks at the finish line as part of their celebration. 

I can't wait to watch the race from my seat in turn one with my husband and family.  Maybe if I'm lucky, I can hand out some business cards to a few drivers who might need a little PR from the racing capital of the world!

With so much devastation in the world this week - the earthquake in China, cyclone in Myanmar and tornadoes throughout the plains and southeast United States, you would think the "most popular" articles online today would be about rescue efforts and the relief the U.S. government is providing to these people in need, right?

Wrong.

What is today's most popular headline on Google News?  "Personalities: Idol's Archuletta, Vanessa Williams, Carrie Underwood" from the Poughkeepsie Journal.

Myanmar relief ranks second and U.S. presidential election is pulling up the rear at fourth most popular article.  Number three?  "Parents warned that pot increases depression risk in teens."  Hmm... groundbreaking.

What does this tell me?  More people would rather read about David Archuletta's overzealous stage dad than the thousands of people who are lost and may be dead in Chengdu.  Honestly, is it really any surprise most Americans can't show you where Afghanistan is on the world map?  We prefer to educate ourselves more on pop culture and celebrity gossip than on what really matters in this world. 

Choosing not to read or learn more about what's going on in other parts of the world doesn't make the "bad things" go away.  Choosing not to learn about each of the presidential hopefuls doesn't make for an educated vote come November. 

It's very disheartening as a public relations professional to see what makes the front page, online or in print, and actually gets read the most.  Especially when we work with so many innovative and diverse companies and individuals who are more newsworthy in our eyes than the dad of an American Idol contestant.  If anything, this "most popular" article only causes me to work harder to show journalists why my story idea will interest their readers.

In my experience, marketing, advertising and public relations agencies tend to have lots of turnover.  It's not because people are unhappy or not talented, but because over time clients are lost and there's a constant shifting of positions. 

I had a friend who worked on one account at a big firm in SC -- when the account left her agency, she was let go.  Two months later the firm landed an even bigger account and she had to essentially interview to get her old job back.  Her story always frightened me and I think it had a little bit to do with me starting my career in a corporate environment instead of with an agency.

Now that I'm in agency, I'm experiencing a very different world than she did.  Part of the reason is that we're a PR firm, not the all-encompassing advertising, marketing and PR agency.  However, I think the real reason is because of our clients, team and leadership.

The last time I checked, Dittoe PR ranks as the 5th largest public relations firm in central Indiana.  I think that's fabulous - we're not the biggest but we're definitely competitive in our space.  We have great clients who stick with us for years and we're constantly growing because word is getting around about our clients' successes.

After working here for just over six months, we're already expanding into the office space next door.  This summer we're adding five more desks and all but three will be occupied.  I'm guessing that by Christmas we'll have every desk filled. 

My friend in SC can hardly believe that we're expanding with the intention of not downsizing at a later time.  Deep down inside, I think she might be a little jealous.  It's an exciting time to be working at Dittoe.  We're moving on up -- well, moving next door.