Life's Simple Pleasures...and an unlikely snowstorm

Life can be influenced by the simplest touch of a person's hand, a light caress, a smile of acknowledgment, or even the most innocent of winks as you walk by a stranger on the street. I was reminded of that this weekend through both my professional and personal encounters with clients and friends.

It was amazing to me to be witness at a cover shoot for Boulevard magazine with Ugly Betty's Ana Ortiz and Mark Indelicato and watch the people from the infamous world of Cassini, as in Oleg Cassini be so touched and moved and thrilled to be in their presence as both actors seemed to be in theirs. The chief designer for Cassini went so far as wanting to have numerous photos taken with the pair to show his friends, and was as excited to be working with them as any fan might be to pass them on the street. Meanwhile on the other side, it was Ana and Mark that were impressed and in awe and knew the greatness of the world in which they inhabited for a day. It was so much more complementary that other shoots I've been on in the past. Watching them all interact with each other, experiencing it as they experienced it on both sides was entertaining and enlightening. Plus just for a second If I can just mention the mansion that is the Cassini headquarters at 15 East 63rd was just out of the world incredible. Old world charm, high ceilings, murals on the ceilings, the stone work on the walls, marble floors, simple elegance that was being restored to its greatness from when it was first built. The cascading staircases, old crickety elevator leading floor by floor to wonderful treasures whether it be sconces, cherubs, stone carved ivy...it brought you to another world where a horse drawn carriage may have one day stopped in front of the residence to pick some one up for a stroll through the park. It also had the most beautiful collections of photos of Jackie O that were inspiring to gaze at. Although, I am fully aware that I work in this world, it still amazes me as an observer to watch the interactions between people and be aware of the human condition.

Again, I was witness to that on Sunday morning. For four years in a row, Tamara Tunie has generously donated her time in support of one of the oldest charities in New York. The Children's Aid Society. A local chapter of a national organization, the people who devote themselves to non profit are truly selfless in their pursuit to help others. Or at least that is what I was evidencing that day. From the sophisticated brunch at Calypso on Madison and 68th, the speech by the new President and CEO of the charity, for a moment you might forget we were in a recession and the ones who had money were more than willing to part with some of it to help the kids. Even I got into the moment and got an adorable pair of fingerless gloves and cashmere scarf in Fushia of all colors! Tamara said lovely things about helping these children get better education, health care and a chance at a better life. It was moving and although the streets may have seemed a little less crowded this year, it was the coldest day I ever experienced this season and ran out of the cold I did at the first chance I got.

Talking with a woman in her 80's who has been on the board of the Children's Aid Society of New York for 45 years gives new meaning to learning from your elders. She and her husband were quick as a whip-it and all too open to discuss how the charity and New York has changed through the years. This woman was the first ever President of a non profit. Or at least that is what she said. I should have taken a photo of the lovely couple.

Hopefully people shopped today on Madison Avenue and gave their little piece to children in need. And when I saw this 14 year old girl, go up to Tamara and ask to have a photo taken with her, I was reminded of how special my own life was in many ways, and that those that are not surrounded by what I do, on a daily basis, can be touched, by the simple acknowledgement by a person they deem to be a celebrity, and be okay knowing that for that moment in time, they had a piece of something different that they would take home with them and cherish, such as a photo with someone they admire.

Everyone has someone they look up to. I suppose its no different than the day I met Bill and Hilary Clinton or the fact that they acknowledged they new my last name (Thank you Ron) that made the passing moment so special. Or flying to Berlin to be part of history when the wall came down, or even simply standing next to Candace Bergen when you are eight years old as an extra in a movie where your moment of fame eventually ends up on the cutting room floor. It was reall fun though, I have to say. Not sure it was more fun missing school or standing there all day....
Or having a lovely evening with someone you just met, in a snowstorm, with whom you seem to have known in passing for a long time, only to feel comfortable talking with him like sitting in your favorite chair...

Everyone looks up to someone else, admires and appreciates others. Until you stand in his/her presence to truly see both sides of the equation, one can never truly know the layers and interests of a person no matter how well you claim to know them.

So whether the first snowfall, a charitable day, a moving touch or soft kiss is what reminds you of life's simple pleasures, one must only think back to the young girl who tugged at that celebrities coat tail to say "can I have a photo please?" To remind you that it doesn't take much to make people happy.

Getting the Job Done

Wow, I was thrilled to run into Dave Zinzenko and Dan Abrams last night. They are both doing really well of course, and with everyone they meet, I can never get over the fact that they always remember me, are always gracious and seriously want to know how I am.

I am so saddened by the passing of the amazingly comedic Soupy Sales. These guys really have class.

I spent more time with my friend Carolanne tonight and she has so many insights on how to better organize my personal life and my business. It’s fun to listen to a young 20 something who is really excited and has a zest for her career. Her drive to succeed kinda reminds me of me. Back in the day, there wasn't anything I wouldn't do for a client. I still go above and beyond all the times but the early 90's was different. There were no computers, no cell phone and only a typewriter and white out, and car to get where you needed to be. So the "above and beyond" was truly a lot more. If you know me, you remember my breaking into a clients home after climbing over an iron fence, sliding down a dry, non-mowed lawn, climbing up a ladder that I found in the garage, and throwing rocks at the window as well as knocking very loudly till the client drowsily comes to the window, cracks it wide enough for me to get pulled in, only to say "hey, what are you doing here" as if he didn't notice the limo sitting outside his home for hours to take him to a cover shoot. Now with text, blackberry messenger, cell phone, email, it’s easier and quicker to find someone and the adventures in PR land are well, just different. At least now I don't get splinters in strange places. But when that cover came out, it didn't matter how crazy it seemed at the time, it was a PR adventure I remember forever.

I've got a lot of those stories, and they all helped me become the strong, well-rounded publicist that I am. Everything I have learned and all that I teach and encourage my team, is that you can always do more. To ask yourself, "What aren't you doing?" "What makes the client most comfortable?" and "How do you foster the relationship over time in continuing to not only establish the brand but grow it as well?" PR isn't easy, and truly not everyone can do it. But when I walked back that day into my office with blades of dry grass stuck to my pants and in my hair and clothing, I knew my mission was accomplished, he got his cover and he got the recognition he deserved. And after that, I knew that there was nothing that could faze me. I had learned that protecting the brand from himself and others from time to time can be as, if not more important than promoting it.

Good night!

La La Los Angeles, Fox Press Junket

I had the unique pleasure of being in Los Angeles with our client Lance Reddick (http://www.lancereddick.com/ and @lancereddick) to promote the second season of FRINGE FOX TV's hit television show which premieres September 17.

"It’s a wild roller coaster that finds his character Detective Broyles fully involved in the Fringe Division protecting it as well as finding out more about who his character is, what the back story is, how he fits in and what his relationship is to the US Government."

It’s going to be an "amazing season!" Said Lance in a recent interview. There is also something going on between Broyles and Sharp, which you find out in the first episode, but that is all I can tell you about that. "You will just have to tune in,” Lance says. He continues "I hope to have a scene or two with William Bell and come face to face with him between the two universes."

Then he went on to talk to reporters about how you saw him in the office a lot in the first season, but in the second season, "I'm much more in the field as the office takes a bit of a backdrop."

Speaking to all the Fox Affiliates across the country, Lance was interestingly always asked about his potential return to ABC's "Lost". Although no conversations have been had, it’s clear that Lance would love to come back and reprise his role as Matthew Abbadon. Many who were supposedly "dead" have found themselves resurrected. Will his character be too? Only time will tell.. Hear that JJ? Reddick loves working with you and would love to straddle both shows again as he did last year! He's also a Star Trek nut...doing a sequel?

Tune in every Thursday night! New Timeslot, New TV Competition and an amazing challenge for this incredible show on the network.

We saw Carl Weathers from the new series "Brothers." Carl was gushing about Lance's work and Lance was just in complete shock. It’s a testament to how truly modest this amazing actor is and how surprised he always is about who knows him. They talked about "The Wire," and "Fringe" and it was a great little meet up!

Stay tuned for updates from the Fox Affiliate party where all the stars from the Fox shows will descent to a party location to meet and greet. Big red carpet, lots of reporters, and the agents and managers and publicists who represent the actors.

...And sorry I bailed on Fashion Week and the VMA's. New York was shaking and continues to shake. Tim Yates my senior publicist has been full on handling all the actors for Fashion Week. Tim…tell us all about Fashion Week. What went out on the east coast on the catwalk???