Minnesota Spice

Emily Buchanan
Senior Principal and Chair, Social Engagement and Brand Marketing
5/10/2013
 

After 10 years living and working in New York City, last year I relocated back to the Twin Cities and discovered that something wonderful had happened while I was gone: Minnesota got itself some swagger!

Almost as much as our “Minnesota nice” culture, the state’s residents are known for being “Minnesota modest.” Arrogance doesn’t fit with our Norwegian roots; flashiness is impossible when there’s a foot of snow beneath your stilettos.

The Baby Derby: Pick a Horse

Emily Buchanan
Senior Principal and Chair, Social Engagement and Brand Marketing
5/6/2013
 

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg is taking a lot of heat from the recent comments she made on 60 Minutes about the role of husbands vs. wives in a two-career household.

For one, she thinks that women should be doing more at work and making their husbands do more of the childcare and housework at home. And with that, women should also take more responsibility for their career success.

Voices From The Road: Checking In With Trends & Taste Buds at Expo West

Lindsey Rose
Deputy Chair, Food & Beverage Practice
3/20/2013
 

It’s inspiring when work and pleasure go hand-in-hand. This is the balance I struck during my two-day excursion to the comfortable climate of Anaheim, where I nibbled and sipped my way through the Natural Products Expo West trade show. The organic and natural delicacies offered the right amount of education for a food-lover-on-the-go to soak up. Here’s my share of STOMACH from the show:

SALTED caramel gelato ice cream sandwiches from Ciao Bella are among the best new frozen inventions your sweet tooth will meet this year. The perfect combination of sweet and salty in a cool, creamy treat.

TRYING new foods with an open mind is key at this event. However, there are pitfalls to that open mind – such as the faux chicken salad that looked so pretty sandwiched between two pieces of bread, but had me running for the nearest garbage after one bite. Props to food stylists and booth helpers who make disgusting foods look so good you’ll be tempted to try them.

Babies, Blogs and Other Musings on Social Media During Maternity Leave

Emily Buchanan
Senior Principal and Chair, Social Engagement and Brand Marketing
3/13/2013
 

I'm just back from 12 weeks of maternity leave and there's no doubt this bouncing baby boy has totally changed my world.

So have all the other mothers that I've met via social media.

While I've often recommended to clients that they should get their brands in front of mom bloggers, online parenting communities and mom-heavy social networks, I really hadn't totally understood the influence that these moms wield until becoming a mother myself.