FreeThink Blog
FreeThink is a spirited, open forum with contributions by the people of Maxwell PR that share our observations, insights and recent work to inspire and spark conversation.
Cheers! PDX Bubbles Week Pops with Success
| by Sara Stewart | 0 Comments
Like every party, the first annual Portland Bubbles Week with Argyle Winery had to come to an end at some point, but not without first generating a buzz about bubbly among the city’s foodies that’s sure to last for months to come.
Rock the Vote! Vote for Maxwell at SXSW Eco
| by Marta Drevniak | 0 Comments
A relative of the popular SXSW Interactive festival, SXSW Eco has become the place for inspiration, information and connections for professionals working to solve complex problems facing society, the economy and the natural world. Here’s your chance to help decide what gets discussed.
Don’t Be Mr. Wonderful, Be Yourself
| by Nicole Dionisopoulos | 0 Comments
Public speaking can strike fear in even the most talented communicators. While many offer a valuable perspective, sometimes the pressure of the audience prevents them from articulating that insight into a clear message. Other times, speakers are bitten by the “Mr. Wonderful” bug and try to be too perfect.
A social snapshot from the Communicators Conference
| by Jessica Lyness | 0 Comments
The average American checks their phone every 6 minutes. Yep, that’s me at a conference. Don’t get me wrong. I also network and exchange business cards with my fellow professionals, but when I’m not shaking hands and meeting new people, I’m scanning the conference hashtag stream for the latest observations.
Bringing Humanity Back
| by Niki Inouye | 0 Comments
Last week I had the opportunity to hear several brilliant people speak at the PRSA Communicators Conference at the Governor Hotel in Portland. With the likes of Shel Holtz, Lee Odden and even Maxwell’s own Jen Maxwell-Muir speaking, there was a lot to take in. However, one presenter’s message in particular seemed to really stick with me, former Sports Broadcaster Ann Schatz.
Is Social Media Advertising or PR?
| by Jennifer Maxwell-Muir | 0 Comments
The Answer is Yes. I wish the creative services industry would call a truce already. Instead the debate still rages: who should own social media? PR or advertising? If ever there was a case for the “Yes, and” approach, this is it.
Cherries: boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew!
| by Haley Nessler | 0 Comments
Okay, maybe I wouldn’t go that far, but festival-goers at the Northwest Cherry Festival in The Dalles couldn’t get enough of the sweet, bite-sized fruit on April 27. At Maxwell, we work with a variety of clients, but Oregon Cherry Growers (OCG) is definitely one of the sweetest!
Bubbles in the City: Argyle Winery Celebrates Sparkling Wine, Casually
| by Sara Stewart | 0 Comments
It's "crush" time here at Maxwell. Months of vigorous planning and promotion all culminates next week with the first annual Portland Bubbles Week, a city-wide celebration of sparkling wine with Argyle Winery.
“Sustainability” is out; “resilience” is in
| by Haley Nessler | 0 Comments
Earlier this month, a few of us at Maxwell were fortunate enough to attend the Food + Agriculture Media Project at Ecotrust here in Portland. The event included presentations from journalists and writers, as well as opportunities for group discussions and small workshops.
IACP is Like a Five Course Meal – A Lot to Take in At Once, but Memorable
| by Erika Simms | 0 Comments
The International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Annual Conference is the Holy Grail for those of us in the food and beverage industry. Where else can one be surrounded by authors of the hottest cookbooks on the market, editors of the top food & beverage magazines, chefs from around the world, photographers and stylists, and fellow food marketers – all sharing experiences and learning together?
We’re Hiring! Summer Internship Plans Announced
| by Vicky Hastings | 0 Comments
Do you have a nose for news, a passion for helping organizations tell their stories and college degree in communications, journalism or PR? If so, consider applying for our summer internship position. Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask are musts.
5 Tips to Make Your Blogger Event Successful
| by Sam Burton | 0 Comments
Last week, Oregon’s tourism professionals – from Tourism Commissioners to B&B owners, tour operators to crabbers – gathered together at the Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism to share insights and ideas towards the ongoing goal of making the Oregon experience unforgettable.
Convening in the Capitol
| by Jessica Lyness | 0 Comments
My colleagues and I visted Salem last week for the Oregon Governor's Conference on Tourism. This highly collaborative annual gathering of the tourism and hospitality industry members focuses on ways to help hotels, destinations and attractions attract more visitors and grow their businesses.
A New Mindset for Evaluating PR
| by Vicky Hastings | 0 Comments
As Albert Einstein put it so succinctly, “Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.” When it comes to measuring PR results, we couldn’t agree more. It’s critical to include qualitative elements to measure communications effectiveness. Just as a tailored approach enables us to generate outstanding media coverage, each situation requires a customized evaluation system to ensure you’re tracking what really matters.
New Faces: Matthew Domingo
| by Matthew Domingo | 1 Comment
Well hello there. Matthew Domingo is my name, and I am the newest of the new members of the Maxwell PR team. To say my road to Maxwell has been an interesting one would be an understatement.
