Author Archives: loiswhitmanhess

Go Away, You Are Boring Me To Death

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My business life is filled with networking parties, new product introductions, press conferences, business meetings and meetups.  After so many years, I see the same tech people over and over.  It doesn’t matter what the event is, everyone just wants to talk about themselves. They want you to know the assignments they are working on, how well their last story was received, who asked them to speak at what engagement, who is dying to hire them, how well their children are doing, and do I have any work for them. Yawn !!!

Same people, same stories, same Yada, Yada, Yada. The other night I went to Showstoppers at the Manhattan Suites on Fifth Avenue and 14th Street.  It was an exhibition for innovative product introductions. There was a lot to see plus the views were amazing and the food and liquor were staged like a wedding. The entire setting was a class act.

I could barely make it to the exhibits. The same usual suspects were inching closer to say hello. I had to listen to – “We just sold our condo!” “Let me show you pictures of the grandkids!” “Did you see my new car?” “What flight did you get for CES?” and “Let me show you my scar from my last surgery.”

Then Rob Calem came to the rescue.  Rob and I have been industry friends for years. He is a good looking, very smart, mellow guy who has never been married. (Attention Julie Lesser! I want to fix you up with him. Perfect age, but wrong coast. I will do it anyway). Rob immediately told me about a product that he thought I would be interested in that was a few steps away from where we were standing.

Ironically, the product could cure my boring crowd syndrome.  What a coincidence!  It is called Necomini, Brainwave Cat Ears that move according to your mood. The Cat Ears use three emotional states to create cat-like reactive movements that show how interested or relaxed you are. When something catches your attention, the ears shoot straight up. When the wearer is relaxed, the ears droop down. When you are highly-focused, the ears wiggle back and forth. Powered by NeuroSky ThinkGear Technology, it sells for $99.95.

I must get a pair to wear to the next industry event. Can you imagine speaking to someone and the ears go down? Will they get the hint? Never!

I am told the Necomini Brainwave Cat Ears are a big hit at parties, sporting events, and bars.

Click on the arrow in the middle of the video below to see how the Brainwave Car Ears work.

Out From Under The Covers

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While the whole world is focused on the introduction of the iPhone 5 today, I have a different offer that will you give far more satisfaction than a smartphone, tablet or portable audio player. It is called a personal massager. I am looking for Digidame readers to tell me why you deserve one for free. I need you to select one and then post your explanation in the comment section.

All you have to do is click on the cloud above this copy and type away. The reason why this is so important, is because personal massagers are slowly but surely becoming very popular. I am a part of a team of marketers who are revitalizing the category. Those of you who want to join this journey over the next few months are welcomed to chime in.

What was once considered to be a taboo gadget hidden some place in your closet under a pile of clothes, is now becoming a much more accepted portable accessory, and for good reason. Baby boomers are discovering that if they massage certain areas of their body ever few hours, they relieve tension and stiffness.

How many times have you been bent over and waddled when you have been sitting for too long?  Or how about those first steps in the morning. It takes five to 10 minutes to get your legs and back fully-functioning.  Admit it, we are not as limber as we once were.

Many baby boomers are really into health and wellness.  Use me as the excuse to own one of these cute little devices. This line is called Body Innovations.  Be an innovator yourself and live life to the fullest.  By the way, the next time you go to lunch with friends and they all whip out their phone, tablet,  MP3 player and personal massagers, think of where you read about this first.

Personal Mini Massager  #1

The Personal Mini Massager #1 is available in assorted colors, features a quiet and powerful massage motor with three interchangeable attachments (Dual Node, Multi-node and smooth head).  Its compact size makes it the perfect travel companion.  Includes one AA battery and travel pouch.

Personal Mini Massager #2

The Personal Mini Massager #2 features multiple variable massage speeds from low to high.  The rubberized massage head focuses gentle massage on body curves and contours and is waterproof, perfect for use in the shower or bath.  It includes two AAA batteries and is available in three  assorted colors. .

Rechargeable Personal Massager #3

The Rechargeable Personal Massager #3 features a quiet and powerful massage motor with two speed intensities.  The small size allows it to easily slip into a purse and includes a storage pouch.

Personal Mini Massager #4

The compact, battery operated (includes one AA battery) Personal Mini Massager #4 is perfect for on the go use.  Its quiet and powerful massage  motor and interchangeable attachments will help you relax on stressful trips. It is available in three colors and includes a convenient travel pouch.

If you are too shy to post, you can send me an email: lois@digidame.com. Your secret is good with me.

The Next Best Thing To Being There

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Eliot and I were invited to a Bar Mitzvah in Miami Beach last Saturday.  We really wanted to attend but we had to be in New York for a work-related event. We made that commitment months ago so there was little we could do to change it. The Bar Mitzvah was for Dawson, the grandson of Judge Philip Bloom, a former Circuit Court Judge for the State of Florida (18 years on the Bench and now a consultant to Squire Sanders) and Elaine Bloom, a former State Rep for 18 ½ years and a Speaker Pro-Tempore of the Florida House of Representatives. We became friends with them almost 10 years ago when we joined the Miami Chamber of Commerce. We see them frequently, especially when Joe’s Stone Crab is open for business. When we join the Bloom’s there for dinner, we are escorted past a 100 hungry people waiting to get in and wonder who we are.

While I would love to talk more about Elaine and Philip, the royal couple of Miami Beach, this post is really about the unique experience Eliot and I had when we  watched Dawson’s entire Bar Mitzvah via a webcam.  G-d bless technology. I first witnessed a webcam in progress years ago when my nephew Sam showed me how he monitored a law class. I was amazed then and I’m still amazed today even though I have watched hundreds of webcam events.

The entire set up is very easy thanks to digital camera technology.  Sometimes the cameras are stationary and only shoot one scene, and other times a cameraman directs the camera or cameras to different settings, so you really feel you are a part of the audience. Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach uses webcams for all their services, so we are talking a much better production. The webcam service is really a “mitzvah”  (Yiddish for human kindness) because no one is left out. Everyone can join in no matter where they are located.

I have to say they know what they are doing. Dawson’s Bar Mitzvah was like watching a major stage production. Eliot and I had the best seat in the house (okay, being there would have been better) as we sat in our NY apartment witnessing Dawson’s big day. He did a marvelous job and we will forever feel a part of this joyous occasion. The cameras did close ups of his parents, his younger brother, the Bema,, the Torah, the congregation, the Rabbi, the Cantor, and of course Dawson. We even got to see a lot of Dawson’s friends.  The entire family looked so happy I kept tearing.

Because of our travels, like so many others, we sometimes miss major events.  Our first choice is to be right next to family and friends at milestone events, but when we can’t, this is a wonderful alternative.

Elaine, Philip, David, Damian, Dawson and Donovan

11 Years Later

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I almost didn’t write a blog post to appear on 9/11. I thought I should remain silent. Every year on this day I feel so sad for all my fellow New Yorkers who lost loved ones in the World Trade Center. I also feel terrible for the first responders who are sick and suffering. As a diehard New Yorker, I still can’t comprehend what happened to my city.

I remember the hours, days, weeks, months that followed the attacks. Everyone in New York was polite and gracious. People hugged in the streets and blessed you as they passed by. We thanked every policeman and fireman we laid eyes on. People helped each other cross the street, get taxis, carry groceries and cut in lines. I used to get choked up when I saw how nice everyone was to each other. I often thought why couldn’t this kind of peaceful co-existence last forever?

I would say it lasted almost a year. Then things started to go back to the normal state of rudeness and selfishness. When the economy got worse, New Yorkers started to act out. Former peaceful neighborhoods have become battlegrounds. People are losing patience with each other and many more verbal arguments are breaking out.

I worked a little late today and once again had a feeling of despair when I was leaving my office building. I realized it was 11 years later. It’s a terrible feeling when you can’t change a thing. You have no choice but to go with the flow and make the best of it. Then I got a huge surprise. Just when I thought New Yorkers lost their camaraderie forever, I opened the door to my office building and discovered hundreds of people marching on my block, showing support for the striking teachers in Chicago.

I felt very lucky to shoot a video of the march just to show you what I am talking about. I encourage you to watch. All you have to do is click on the arrow in the middle of the picture. When you watch the demonstration, think of New York as the one place on earth where its inhabitants change their attitudes pretty quickly. We can’t turn our back on those who need us the most. It doesn’t matter how near or how far. We are ready to serve.

So from this New Yorker, to all those hurting as I am on this anniversary day, I say, let’s hope for a better tomorrow.

Email Wars

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I no longer talk to a person that I don’t talk to. If that sentence doesn’t make sense, let me explain. This can only happen on the Internet.

I was sitting at my desk a few weeks ago when I received an email from a 66-year old friend I grew up with. I’ve known him since he was 10 and I was 9. I saw him a few times a week till we were 20 and 21. He was one of 80 who attended my Sweet 16 on the same day JFK was murdered in Dallas. I have only seen him three times in the last decade, and before that not for 30-plus years.

The email he sent instantly pissed me off on two counts. First, it was a forwarded email and I had to scroll down three pages of headers and addresses to find his message. Memo to seniors: When you forward emails, please delete all former email addresses before sending to new recipients. It is considered rude and lazy by Internet standards to expose people’s addresses to strangers who can then use them for future spam.

Secondly, when I finally got to the message, I was absolutely astonished that he had forwarded some rhetoric against the Presidential candidate of my choice. He hasn’t spoken to me in years, has no idea who I prefer, and as a result insulted everything that I stand for.

Now, I am not saying that I don’t campaign for my choice on Facebook and to people that I have had long discussions with many times. But, this guy didn’t have any idea where I stood politically. It was extremely presumptuous. I told him so in a response and then the war of words broke out over email. We had never had an argument before, but this one was meant to forever cut our ties.

So I did something I never did before. I let him get the last word. His final email was so ridiculous that I decided not to answer it. He probably thinks he insulted me. For some reason, that gives me great satisfaction.

I don’t recommend email wars if you are the sensitive type. Be careful what you say before you press “send.”

46 Years Working And Still Counting

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Lois at 18

I was 18 years old my first day on the job as a copy girl at Women’s Wear Daily. That meant I was a messenger. The date was September 9, 1966.That was one of the most exciting days of my life.

A few weeks earlier, I experienced one of the worst days when I was fired from a job I had at an insurance agency in Hempstead, Long Island. I was only there for a week when the manager fired me. I was clueless what the place was really all about, so maybe that was the reason for my dismissal. Or perhaps it was because I yakked too much to the girl next to me.

It didn’t matter. I was so upset I went straight to bed and cried my eyes out. My older brother, already in the work force and living on his own, came to see me. He stood at the side of my bed and said a few words that changed my life. “Go find a job that you can do better than anyone else.”

I wasn’t quite sure I knew what he meant, so I asked for clarification. He told me to find a job that I felt qualified to do and be the best at.

Strange how someone’s words can change your life. The possibility of finding a job with my name on it gave me so much hope that I bounced out of bed to search the “Help Wanted” ads in the New York Times, print edition. Ha,ha!

It didn’t take long for me to find my dream job as a messenger. I applied for the job, got an interview, and a man named Frank Tricarico hired me. I was a kid from Queens, lived in a predominately Jewish neighborhood, and my universe was probably a 15-square mile radius. I vividly remember walking into WWD’s city room for the first time on Fifth Avenue and 12th St, Greenwich Village. The room was filled with bohemians, ingenues, fashion-plates, suits, men that looked like women, women that looked like men, and kids that looked like me.

I knew instantly that I had found the one job I could do better than most. I picked up editorial copy from one reporter’s desk after a bell that beckoned me rang out and delivered it to the proof reader. If you think about it, I am still doing the same thing today. I am distributing copy from one person to another. Nowadays, I just click a spot on the screen that says “send.”

It has been quite a journey. Thank you SZS.

An Emergency Text Message From AT&T-

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I don’t know why this story amazes me as much as it does. I live in the world of technology, yet I keep getting goose bumps when I hear of new twists and turns that only the digital world provides. This is a story of a 26-year old male who works in our office in New York with a girlfriend who lives in Dallas. A few days ago, he received a text message from AT&T that his girlfriend was in an auto accident and unconscious in a hospital. She was in the passenger seat next to her friend when someone under the influence smacked directly into her side of the car.

That was all the details that were given. He immediately called her mother, no answer. Then he called an aunt, who finally got in touch with the girlfriend’s mother, and together they rushed to the hospital where she was still unconscious. She woke an hour or two later with parts of her head swollen. She was given all kinds of head trauma tests and all the results thankfully came back normal. A few days later she was back to work.

The young male told me this story via a telephone conversation while I was in Miami earlier this week. I have never heard of a carrier calling or texting someone with such private information. Of course, when he related this story to me, I told him he was crazy. How would a carrier get involved, and wasn’t it illegal to give out private information like this? What if the girlfriend was in a place where she was not supposed to be? What if she was with someone she wasn’t supposed to be with?

I asked the young male to check out how and why he had been notified by AT&T. He contacted his girlfriend and asked if his number was stored somewhere that listed, “In case of emergency.” She said “no.” After much investigation, the only conclusion they could come to was that they were on the same cell service plan. One of the paramedics or police who reported the accident must have given AT&T the girlfriend’s phone number and the carrier did a trace.

I always thought information like that was kept private but someone else recently told me that if a person is in an accident and can’t mentally function, then the first responders have the right to contact the carrier, or someone who is listed as an emergency contact. They are also allowed to dial the last number called to see if they can reach a family member or a friend.

So the moral of the story is “Don’t get caught where you are not supposed to be,” or have an emergency number clearly listed that is a safety net.

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How I Work The Internet

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HWH PR Secured Three Storefront Windows At Dylan’s Candy Bar On 60th And Third Avenue For Our Client Bed Head Curlipops Hair Appliances During Fashion Week.
Photo By Russell Rowland

Many of my friends and family ask me how I can do my job as a PR person when I am not in the office. I keep telling them that most of my work is done online. However, unless your business life is involved in publishing, as mine is, you might not understand how the digital world is the centerpiece of everything I do. This is also true for many other professions as well.

A recent assignment was publicizing the fact that our client, Bed Head Curlipops hair styling tools, is being featured in three of the storefront windows of Dylan’s Candy Bar on East 60th St. and Third Avenue in New York City to celebrate Fashion Week. The details of the campaign are spelled out in the press release below. Our PR agency was responsible for connecting the two parties, helping to work out the promotion details, and then all of the intricacies in securing editorial ink.

I am going to simplify the tasks even though much more was involved. Other than a few conference calls, we accomplished everything online.

1-Creating the strategy and writing the pitch to Dylan’s promotional department via email.
2-Answering the questions from Dylan’s marketing department by email. Everyone likes to keep telephone conversations to a minimal. You may think that is a sad reality, but it does cut down on a lot of wasted time.
3-Creating online documents that spell out final plans.
4-Tons of emails going over the design of the storefront windows.
5-Creating the press release and getting client approval.
6-Creating targeted press lists.
7-Hiring a photographer who can capture the window displays despite glare and tight sidewalk space.
8-Selecting the photos of choice with client (back and forth emails).
9-Distributing release and photo to the press (1,063 writers).
10-Post the promo on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Linkedin and the Bed Head Curlipops website.
11-The next few days are totally focused on answering press questions, convincing them to cover the story and finally fact-checking.
12-Same thing for initiating dialog on social media platforms. If you want to be successful, you have to engage in conversation every time someone makes a comment. Give and take, give and take.

Not done yet! In order to prove your worth as a publicist, you have to search the Internet for editorial coverage. Most publications don’t necessarily tell you that they are going to actually write a story. Unless beauty journalists or bloggers have questions, they just write and issue. It is up to us to find the coverage.

The bad news is that I am in a 24-hour business. Writers are reaching out to us seven days a week, 365 days a year. If we are not easily accessible, they move on to another story and all of our efforts were in vain.

The good news is that most of my work is done in my muu muu. No more business suits, no more long drawn out meetings, and no more racing around town to meet and greet everyone face-to-face. Now when I meet with members of the press, it is much more casual and comfortable.

Be a buddy. If you see a Bed Head Curlipops and Dylan’s Candy Bar promo story, be sure to let me know.

Thanks partner.

Contact: Lois Whitman PRESS RELEASE
HWH Public Relations FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(917) 822-2591 September 2012
loisw@hwhpr.com

Dylan’s Candy Bar Partners With Bed Head® Curlipops™
Hair Appliances To Celebrate Fashion And Sweeten Up Your Style

Hi-res images available upon request

New York, NY— Dylan’s Candy Bar, along with Bed Head® Curlipops™, is providing a sweet, exciting twist to Fashion Week in New York City as the top designers begin to unveil their 2013 collections. Dylan’s Candy Bar, located at 60th Street and Third Avenue, is demonstrating how candy influences fashion by using the Bed Head Curlipops curling irons in attention-grabbing window displays that show the latest trends in hair styles. Dylan’s is one of the major New York destinations for tourism, entertainment and candy fanatics.

Bed Head Curlipops, known as the hair styling line that can satisfy your cravings without the calories, are sold in eye-catching, swirl lollipop-shaped package designs that pop because of its vibrant colors. The Curlipops feature unique barrel shapes that create fun textures, loose curls and waves. Each iron features Tourmaline Ceramic Technology, a clamp-free wrap and go design, high heat, and a heat protective styling glove for easy styling.

The line consists of:

1” Tourmaline Ceramic Reverse Conical Styling Iron (BH311) – $29.99 MSRP
Create tight curls at the roots and looser curls towards the bottom as seen on the latest fashion scene. This 1” reverse conical styling iron comes in a blue raspberry color and is sure to leave your hair full of delectable texture.

1” Tourmaline Ceramic Hourglass Styling Iron (BH312) – $29.99 MSRP
Can’t decide if you want tight or loose curls? Have them both. This 1” candy apple red hourglass styling iron creates loose curls at the ends and tight curls in the middle. The result is volume that just won’t quit.

1” Tourmaline Ceramic Styling Iron (BH313) – $29.99 MSRP
Creating loose curls and waves is now easier than ever. This 1” styling iron comes in a tangerine color and is sure to leave your hair with sweet shine and amazing body.

1” Tourmaline Ceramic Tapered Styling Iron (BH318) – $29.99 MSRP
Your hair has never looked so sweet! This 1” Cotton Candy pink tapered styling iron creates a curl that starts off loose and then is more defined towards the ends.

Dylan’s Candy Bar is already known as fashion trendsetters as more and more people wear their candy. As recently seen on Project Runway, Dylan’s was the theme of candy-style fashions. Dylan Lauren, one of the guest judges, helped to inspire designers to show how people love candy so much, they wear it. Dylan’s dream of combining a love of candy and a passion for art became a reality in 2001, when the first Dylan’s Candy Bar, located in New York City, opened for business. Since then, Dylan has expanded her stores to include locations in Houston, East Hampton and Los Angeles. Miami is coming soon.

In 2008, the New York City flagship store was renovated to include a third floor, growing from 10,000 to 15,000 square feet – and making it the world’s largest candy store. The third floor now houses a café, offering classic soda fountain favorites, over 100 ice cream and frozen yogurt flavors, 18 types of Belgian hot chocolate and a bakery full of sweet treats. Parties and events are also held on the third floor – check out the website for party packages or contact us at 1-866-939-5267 to create a custom-made celebration.

Dylan’s Candy Bar products are also carried in select Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Sephora, Alice + Olivia, Urban Outfitters and Juicy Couture stores.

Exercise Or Anxiety–Have I Got A Button For You

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I am a hypochondriac. I used to be worse. When I was happy my heart raced. When I was upset my heart raced. I used to walk around feeling my pulse expecting my heartbeat to stop. I did this until something else came along to distract me. I had forgotten all about that part of my neuroses until I saw a runner on Lincoln Road in Miami the other day stop to take his pulse. He did it the old fashioned way by just applying his fingers on one hand to the pulse on his other. He saw me watching him so I struck up a conversation.

I remarked, “I thought you would wear a gadget for that?” He said he can’t stand wearing anything on his arms when he runs, but he does strap his iPhone to his waist. He looked like he was a mean, lean, running machine. I asked why it was so important for him to take his pulse. He said his doctor felt his “recovery rate” from the highest numbers he achieves per minute while running was too slow. In other words, it took longer than usual for his heart to return to his normal count. He told me that a lot of people have that problem but it is unusual for active folks who like to run, swim or play ball.

I was so proud of myself. I told him about Instant Heart Rate, an app that can quickly tell you how fast your heart is beating every minute. I demoed it on my iPhone. The runner was amazed, as are most people I show this app to. By simply placing the tip of your finger on the iPhone camera , your heart rate will be displayed, much like in Emergency Rooms. The same technique is used by medical pulse oximeters. The real time chart will show you every heartbeat. It looks like an EKG chart.

It is so difficult to fathom. The phone you use to make calls is now a heart monitor. What will they think of next? Don’t answer that!

The runner profusely thanked me and went jogging off. I got so excited that lazy old me showed someone of his caliber a cool tool, my heart started racing. My neurosis kicked in so I used the Heart Rate monitor to see if I had really worked myself up. The results? Only, 75 on the Heart Rate monitor. No need to worry!

Who Owns Your Online Music and Book Collection When You Die?

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Bruce Willis

While you were having your BBQ’s this weekend, music bloggers around the world were all busy talking about who owns the rights to our online music and book collections once we die. This may seem like a gruesome topic for such a pleasant holiday weekend, but it all started when one International writer reported that Bruce Willis, yes the actor, was going to challenge Apple about the rights to his iTunes account after his death.

Trade reporters wrote that the Die Hard actor has a huge online music collection. This issue recently came to light when he was updating his wills and trusts. He regards his music as one of his most valuable assets. It is not necessarily what the music costs, but the sentimental value of his personal picks. Rumor has that the collection is worth tens of thousands but it might be higher than that.

Being that social media is a place where everyone chimes in, Willis’s current wife, Emma Hemming, tweeted that her husband was not going after Apple. Don’t quote me but I think someone said she and Bruce have no idea how this rumor got started. No one can verify if that was the real Emma Hemming, but that is not what everyone is now concerned about. Americans want to know who actually owns the downloaded music collections from iTunes?

It is not easy getting an answer. All reporter and blogger inquiries into Apple have so far gone unanswered. Twitter can’t even tell if Emma Hemming is Emma Hemming. They have no real way of knowing. Most people I spoke to about this situation over the weekend and from what I have read, said the only way we are really going to get an answer is to have the actor, who plays big screen action roles, lead the way. Apple will more likely pay attention to Willis, than us.

A British newspaper reporter, one of the first to bring up the entire subject, said Willis was concerned that the rights to his music collection would be “passed back to Apple, entitling his children to nothing.” It was also mentioned that the actor wanted it definitely documented that his children hold the legal rights to his music.

Long time music writers noted that when you download a music track from the iTunes store, you are really renting the content under license. Your next question should be, “Does that apply to music and books from Amazon?” The legal community is sure to have a field day with post-mortem music and book rights as more intellectual property is purchased through online stores.