It wasn't an easy call to make, especially at 6 in the morning. I had to call Jennifer Pounders and tell her "you know that PRSARVA professional development session that I'm supposed to be leading in a hour? Well, THAT's not going to happen…" She handled the curve ball with her usual grace and proceeded to call all the folks who had registered. Thanks, Jen. Long story short, I found out after a doctors visit that I had walking pneumonia and it was probably a…
Read MoreOK, here we go. Time for your daily dose of blasphemy on this Thursday. Hold on to your hats but this is something that's been bothering me for a while especially as a personally stand one foot in each bucket. Are we spending too much time focusing on social media when good old-fashioned public and media relations still works just fine? Before you say Jon, we can and should do both, I will quickly agree with you but add that maybe we should prioritize the…
Read MoreJon's 1.5 is dead. It was time. It's not like I was running out of things to say but the original reason for the blog and the number of voices needed to tell that continuing story has evolved. A lot has happened in the world of PR, social and digital in the three years of Jon's 1.5 and a lot has happened at Hodges during that time. The initial journal that the blog was started to chronicle is over. Think of the difference as the…
Read More I’m not exaggerating when I say the most horrible thing that happens around the office is when there’s no coffee left in the coffee pot. Actually, scratch that, I’m definitely exaggerating. But still, none of the coffee drinkers like it very much. One morning recently the topic came up, and Emily had a suggestion: if you take the last cup, brew another pot—a policy I thought could truly get behind. It was also suggested that perhaps a sign should be created enunciating this policy,…
Read MoreEditor's Note: The following is a guest post from Tony Scida, also known by his friends at The Hodges Partnership as the "Ombudsman of Life." Nuff said. We have a new crop of interns starting at THP this week, and I’m reminded of advice we often give new interns: go get yourself some business cards. It may seem old-fashioned (especially to college students who’ve lived their entire life on computers), but business cards are still an essential part of networking—at least for now. Whether they…
Read MoreI've been looking for a reason to fire up the blog and for a way to wrap up the self-proclaimed "Year of Me." Yes, I did catch a lot of crap for announcing that the year in which I'd be celebrating my 50th birthday would have a selfish theme. Yes, I did have a great year personally thanks to my wife, my kids, my business partner and fellow Hodgers. Yes, the year was challenging in other ways that I won't bore you with but I…
Read MoreOkay…so it's been a while. Shoot me. Rather than start things with a great PR or social media proclamation, let's ease back into the swing of things with some random thoughts on things that have popped into my brain over the course of the last few weeks. There will never be a plan for Shockoe Bottom. Google+ is interesting but I'm still waiting to see the business applications for it. You can only stave off your wife and kids wanting a new dog for so…
Read MoreIt's been awhile since the last post but things have been busy at work and with spring break (Hogwarts was very fun). I welcome you all back with news of two fun events on the horizon. The first is an honor to be a part of, as we're sponsoring the event. She may not know this but there are few people who have influenced me and in turn the direction of our business, than Amber Naslund (@ambernaslund). Almost three years ago when I dove into the…
Read MoreWARNING: This is one of a recurring series of posts on the topic of change. If this topic bothers you and/or makes you unconfortable, please stay right where you are. Literally. Lots of change in my life recently. Turned fifty, check. Moved into new office space, check. Started a new company that's doing well, check. We've been spending a great deal with friends and clients talking about change as well. Our bud, John Sarvay is doing some great things at his business, Floricane, and we…
Read MoreEditor's note: Here's a guest post from THP's Cameron McPherson who is leaving tomorrow to cheer on his alma mater VCU in it's quest to bring home the NCAA basketball championship to Richmond. I’ve been tempted to email Oprah’s producers all week and say, “nana-nana boo boo” because I just one-upped O’s latest Australia audience trip. How’s that? I’m going to the Final Four! That’s right! The Final Four. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t mind an Australia visit, but I think we’re all…
Read MoreWe will forever blame George Mason. It's their fault. You see GMU is Steve Cummings alma mater and GMU basketball is the only organized sport he follows. It was clear to us that as his employers of a business named after a sports icon we were left with one choice. Send him to Indianapolis. So we did and it was an experience that he will never forget. Imagine our dilemma this year with three UR grads and four VCU alums. Not that we were rooting…
Read MoreAside from 2011 being the "Year of the Tablet," it is also the Year of "Me." When I told my wife and my business partner this face late last year, they both said the same thing, "why should 2011 be different than any other year?" 2011 is my 50th year on this earth and as I get older, like most folks, I'm coming to the realization that there are less years ahead than the number I've already left behind. So while the Year of "Me"…
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