Check out www.sarah-morgan.com.
Thanks to my fairy godmothers, I've finally got a domain, and I'm slowly migrating to it.
Here in the biz we call this a soft launch.
...
Well, okay, that's a lie. And a geeky, pretentious one, at that.
The truth is, it's taking me longer than I'd hoped to get a service and a domain, find a template, rig it to be passably close to what I want, and migrate 900 posts over six years. Even with the fairy godmothers. Maybe I need the mice, too.
Anyway, it's happening, and I'm psyched. Please check it out, update your feeds, tell your friends, hire the skywriters, and go comment all over it and tell me what you think.
27 July 2008
18 July 2008
The World Is Just Awesome
Possibly the best commercial ever. Just when I think I can't love the Discovery Channel any more. (Also, they've got a cool mini-site on it.)
Happy Friday, y'alls. I hope you're feeling like this. I know I am.
(Thanks, Colin!)
17 July 2008
Just Another Day at Work
Matt's solo Formations flight, completed today. He's flying the one marked 845 and 2265, the lead of the two aircraft.
...my brother is SO much cooler than your brother.
PR Via Status Updates: The HARO Effect?
The inimitable Peter created a Facebook group earlier this year (as you know) to distribute reporters' requests for interviews. Since then, it's grown into - as Kevin puts it - "a free media source matchmaking service with more than 14,000 members."
So yes, part of this is, Peter's asked for plugs. And if you are or know anyone who is or wants to be an expert in anything, or if you do or know anyone who does ever need to quote an expert in anything, you really should go sign up.
But what's specially interesting is how he's promoting it today. He asked subscribers (free brainstorming) for social-media ways to get attention (free publicity). And the winner -unfortunately I don't have her name, because she deserves credit for a genius idea Laura Ackerman - suggested asking subscribers to put a promotional tagline on their social-network status messages on one day. So, today, you're likely to see, on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., “Get sourced. Get quoted. Get famous: http://www.helpareporter.com – putting journalists and sources together, one quote at a time.”
Iit's a fantastic direct social-media PR idea. Simple concept, minimal effort, quantitative results. And so I'm super curious to hear whether it's actually successful. A jump in subscribers today will tell a lot about how strong the connection really is between the influence of networks and actual action.
So, yes, if you want to see who reporters want to talk to, go sign up for the HARO list, and massive props tothe anonymous idea girl Laura. Cool stuff: let's see if it works.
Updated to add Laura's name, and to note that with the day not yet over, it's tracking to quadruple the average daily number of new subscribers to the mailing list. Seriously, I love this stuff, don't you?
So yes, part of this is, Peter's asked for plugs. And if you are or know anyone who is or wants to be an expert in anything, or if you do or know anyone who does ever need to quote an expert in anything, you really should go sign up.
But what's specially interesting is how he's promoting it today. He asked subscribers (free brainstorming) for social-media ways to get attention (free publicity). And the winner -
Iit's a fantastic direct social-media PR idea. Simple concept, minimal effort, quantitative results. And so I'm super curious to hear whether it's actually successful. A jump in subscribers today will tell a lot about how strong the connection really is between the influence of networks and actual action.
So, yes, if you want to see who reporters want to talk to, go sign up for the HARO list, and massive props to
Updated to add Laura's name, and to note that with the day not yet over, it's tracking to quadruple the average daily number of new subscribers to the mailing list. Seriously, I love this stuff, don't you?
15 July 2008
20/20 Hindsight
If you've ever not liked the way you looked, I think this post - a wonderfully well-written piece on looking back at an old photo - will hit home. I know I've had this moment myself. You probably have too.
Moreover, it says something about how wrenchingly hard it is to be an adolescent. I had a lot of great times growing up, but God, I wouldn't do it again if you paid me.
Moreover, it says something about how wrenchingly hard it is to be an adolescent. I had a lot of great times growing up, but God, I wouldn't do it again if you paid me.
09 July 2008
Social Media Truth: So/Me Outs the Good
(via Olga and USAT Pop Candy)
So this girl posts a video of herself sniffling while she watches the Wall-E trailer. No big deal.
What's cool is what Pixar did when they found out - because it's the essence of social medial. Simple, basic, genius.
Amazing employee relations to surprise their people with the girl they'd all seen who genuinely loved their work so much. And great press, both product for Wall-E and corporate for Pixar (Her blog, Metafilter, local news, and now Pop Candy).
And it cost them maybe a grand to bring her to their party? Just a small nice thing, paying off for them because it deserves to.
I keep saying this: social media outs the good.
It's so simple. If you're good stuff, social media shows that off. And if you've been trying to pass with a fake front, that will come out too.
Exhilarating - or terrifying - depending on who you are. Karma is like that.
So this girl posts a video of herself sniffling while she watches the Wall-E trailer. No big deal.
What's cool is what Pixar did when they found out - because it's the essence of social medial. Simple, basic, genius.
Amazing employee relations to surprise their people with the girl they'd all seen who genuinely loved their work so much. And great press, both product for Wall-E and corporate for Pixar (Her blog, Metafilter, local news, and now Pop Candy).
And it cost them maybe a grand to bring her to their party? Just a small nice thing, paying off for them because it deserves to.
I keep saying this: social media outs the good.
It's so simple. If you're good stuff, social media shows that off. And if you've been trying to pass with a fake front, that will come out too.
Exhilarating - or terrifying - depending on who you are. Karma is like that.
Why I Love My Brother
He just sent me this story with the note, "because the author put in the last line." He knows me so well.
Woman Shoots Herself While Trying to Kill Mice
POTTER VALLEY, Calif. — A Mendocino County woman who was trying to kill mice in her trailer with a gun ended up shooting herself and another person.
The 43-year-old woman pulled out her .44-caliber Magnum revolver after she saw the mice scurrying across the floor of her trailer on Highway 20 in Potter Valley, sheriff's officials said.
But she accidentally dropped the gun, which went off as it struck the floor. The bullet went through the woman's kneecap, bounced off the keys sitting on the belt loop of a 42-year-old man in the trailer and grazed the man's groin before ending up in his coin pocket.
Authorities did not release the shooting victims' names.
The mice escaped the shooting unharmed.
Woman Shoots Herself While Trying to Kill Mice
POTTER VALLEY, Calif. — A Mendocino County woman who was trying to kill mice in her trailer with a gun ended up shooting herself and another person.
The 43-year-old woman pulled out her .44-caliber Magnum revolver after she saw the mice scurrying across the floor of her trailer on Highway 20 in Potter Valley, sheriff's officials said.
But she accidentally dropped the gun, which went off as it struck the floor. The bullet went through the woman's kneecap, bounced off the keys sitting on the belt loop of a 42-year-old man in the trailer and grazed the man's groin before ending up in his coin pocket.
Authorities did not release the shooting victims' names.
The mice escaped the shooting unharmed.
08 July 2008
The Girl Effect
Ian is one of the people I adore knowing: cool as hell as a friend AND fantastically intelligent as a professional. Less filling, tastes great, you know?
Anyway, he just showed this to me, and I not only love the cause, and the execution, but also his pithy commentary on it: "The execution is especially good for PR people. It means our words still have meaning - it's not just about flashy animation."
And seriously. I was looking at orange text, and I got the chills. That's not Flash doing that. (And it's not a plain-Jane press release, either.) It's a narrative done right.
(Deliberately skipping controversy on the Nike Foundation, FYI.)
Anyway, he just showed this to me, and I not only love the cause, and the execution, but also his pithy commentary on it: "The execution is especially good for PR people. It means our words still have meaning - it's not just about flashy animation."
And seriously. I was looking at orange text, and I got the chills. That's not Flash doing that. (And it's not a plain-Jane press release, either.) It's a narrative done right.
(Deliberately skipping controversy on the Nike Foundation, FYI.)
03 July 2008
Mistaken Identity 29-43
(As always, see all the Mistaken Identities here.) This latest batch includes:
* * *
From: Scott (Ontario, Canada)
Hi Sarah,
try this latitude 48 degrees, 7' (minutes), 51.2 " (seconds?) NORTH
longitude 89 degrees 37' 22.9" WEST
altitude 1450 feet
this should put you right where we used to stand looking out over the cliff if you rotate so that instead of looking down on it you are looking across at the other hills
pretty neat. the landscape looking west and south should look familliar.
you can kinda fly around like that too. without crashing
cabin side is too poor a definition but the topo map is good.
have fun exploring
love Dad.
real map to follow.
* * *
From: Careers@ontario.ca (Ontario, Canada)
Position: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Job ID: 8325
We are pleased to acknowledge receipt of your application/resume.
* * *
From: Orkut
Hi Sarah,
Imogen Hunter has scribbled in your scrapbook.
* * *
From: SweetTomatoes.com
1. Join Us for a Cherry Good Time!
2. Happy Anniversary from Club Veg!
3. Treat Dad to Our Breakfast!
* * *
From: Decibel/Deepbar Milwaukee (Milwaukee, WI)
1. Outdoor Block Party Featuring Mechanical Bull Riding!
2. Join us tomorrow for the release of Nuvo. Be the first in Milwaukee to try the all new ultra-premium blend of French sparkling wine, French vodka, and exotic fruit nectar.
3. Chicago Rock Band Plain White T's official summerfest afterparty!
* * *
From: Pier 1
We appreciate your feedback. Your information has been received by Pier 1 Import’s Customer Relations Department. If further action on our part is needed, a Customer Care Professional, or a member of our stores' management team will be in contact with you. If you have provided a general suggestion or comment, your email will be forwarded to the appropriate department.
* * *
From: North London Breast Screening Edgware (Edgware, North Middlesex, UK)
Dear Sarah,
Please note we have now got some available slots for North Middlesex. Please contact the office on 0208 951 4045 to arrange an appointment.
* * *
From: eat@muddysbakeshop.com (Memphis, TN)
Muddy's Bake Shop June Newsletter
* * *
From: Anthony (Jersey City, NJ)
Heads up, I'm moving, and the lady says my furniture is not! All the air conditioners are already gone, but the rest must go. If you ordered a book and never picked it up, it's for sale, along with the rest of the art I have compiled in the last 10 years. (that I haven't sold or given away already) Some of the art available, has a photo on myspace. Search Everythings a book. Also many of my baseball cards are up for hock, cards from the 50's to present -$0.01 to $100. If you collect coins or stamps your in Luck! because I don't have any idea what they are worth! but they date as far back as the late 1800's. Also available, kitchen table set , crap, shenanigans, things you don't need, my liver, fake id's, my sister's cat! a bunch of Tupperware with no lids, silk ties and some old pizza I found in the fridge.
PeAce,
Anthony
* * *
From: Palms Nightlife (Las Vegas, NV)
Table Reservations
Dave Aude & DJ Chachi | Red, White and You | Kenneth Thomas | DJ RIZ | Scooter and LaVelle | Pete Tong | Hair Wars
* * *
From: Robin (Merced, CA)
Hello!
In processing your vbs volunteer application I did noticed you did not fill in your driver’s license number. Do you have one and drive? If so please contact me with that information as we do a background check with everyone who works with our children. Thank you for your vbs volunteer application.
Robin
Ministry Assistant to Next Generation
Yosemite Church
- The cliffs where Other Me's father and she used to go
- Other Me's breast screening appointment (very important)
- Anthony's moving sale (and the fact that his missus is apparently a purger)
- Other Me's application to teach vacation Bible school
* * *
From: Scott (Ontario, Canada)
Hi Sarah,
try this latitude 48 degrees, 7' (minutes), 51.2 " (seconds?) NORTH
longitude 89 degrees 37' 22.9" WEST
altitude 1450 feet
this should put you right where we used to stand looking out over the cliff if you rotate so that instead of looking down on it you are looking across at the other hills
pretty neat. the landscape looking west and south should look familliar.
you can kinda fly around like that too. without crashing
cabin side is too poor a definition but the topo map is good.
have fun exploring
love Dad.
real map to follow.
* * *
From: Careers@ontario.ca (Ontario, Canada)
Position: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Job ID: 8325
We are pleased to acknowledge receipt of your application/resume.
* * *
From: Orkut
Hi Sarah,
Imogen Hunter has scribbled in your scrapbook.
* * *
From: SweetTomatoes.com
1. Join Us for a Cherry Good Time!
2. Happy Anniversary from Club Veg!
3. Treat Dad to Our Breakfast!
* * *
From: Decibel/Deepbar Milwaukee (Milwaukee, WI)
1. Outdoor Block Party Featuring Mechanical Bull Riding!
2. Join us tomorrow for the release of Nuvo. Be the first in Milwaukee to try the all new ultra-premium blend of French sparkling wine, French vodka, and exotic fruit nectar.
3. Chicago Rock Band Plain White T's official summerfest afterparty!
* * *
From: Pier 1
We appreciate your feedback. Your information has been received by Pier 1 Import’s Customer Relations Department. If further action on our part is needed, a Customer Care Professional, or a member of our stores' management team will be in contact with you. If you have provided a general suggestion or comment, your email will be forwarded to the appropriate department.
* * *
From: North London Breast Screening Edgware (Edgware, North Middlesex, UK)
Dear Sarah,
Please note we have now got some available slots for North Middlesex. Please contact the office on 0208 951 4045 to arrange an appointment.
* * *
From: eat@muddysbakeshop.com (Memphis, TN)
Muddy's Bake Shop June Newsletter
* * *
From: Anthony (Jersey City, NJ)
Heads up, I'm moving, and the lady says my furniture is not! All the air conditioners are already gone, but the rest must go. If you ordered a book and never picked it up, it's for sale, along with the rest of the art I have compiled in the last 10 years. (that I haven't sold or given away already) Some of the art available, has a photo on myspace. Search Everythings a book. Also many of my baseball cards are up for hock, cards from the 50's to present -$0.01 to $100. If you collect coins or stamps your in Luck! because I don't have any idea what they are worth! but they date as far back as the late 1800's. Also available, kitchen table set , crap, shenanigans, things you don't need, my liver, fake id's, my sister's cat! a bunch of Tupperware with no lids, silk ties and some old pizza I found in the fridge.
PeAce,
Anthony
* * *
From: Palms Nightlife (Las Vegas, NV)
Table Reservations
Dave Aude & DJ Chachi | Red, White and You | Kenneth Thomas | DJ RIZ | Scooter and LaVelle | Pete Tong | Hair Wars
* * *
From: Robin (Merced, CA)
Hello!
In processing your vbs volunteer application I did noticed you did not fill in your driver’s license number. Do you have one and drive? If so please contact me with that information as we do a background check with everyone who works with our children. Thank you for your vbs volunteer application.
Robin
Ministry Assistant to Next Generation
Yosemite Church
Two SoMe Links To End a Short Week
First, a truly fantastic, working-blue explanation of social media (by Bona Fide Marketing Genius, via PR Squared). Take three minutes to go through it, then pass it to anyone who doesn't get SoMe yet.
Second is the Life Changing Box.
(Via Managing the Gray and Adrants) It's a marketing scheme, but I'm into it. The site is going viral because people are curious - but moreover, it's got a related, prize-giving Facebook app that encourages repeated daily interactions, and that's what's got me interested. Viral is four years ago. (Think Subservient Chicken.) But, done right, this could be a great case of how to pair viral with social networking. I'm intrigued to see how it goes.
(Um, plus, I totally want a new TV.)
Happy Fourth, y'alls.
Second is the Life Changing Box.
(Via Managing the Gray and Adrants) It's a marketing scheme, but I'm into it. The site is going viral because people are curious - but moreover, it's got a related, prize-giving Facebook app that encourages repeated daily interactions, and that's what's got me interested. Viral is four years ago. (Think Subservient Chicken.) But, done right, this could be a great case of how to pair viral with social networking. I'm intrigued to see how it goes.
(Um, plus, I totally want a new TV.)
Happy Fourth, y'alls.
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