Marketing Melodie in 2011: A Year in Review

Happy 2012 everyone! I can’t believe another year has gone by. The start of a new year is always a great time for me to reflect on the previous year and set goals for the upcoming year but also appreciate the present moment and everything that’s led me to where I am today.

At the end of 2010 I decided to write Marketing Melodie in 2010: A Year in Review. I have a habit of discrediting many of my accomplishments because I feel like I can always do more. Writing this really allows me to appreciate and be grateful for everything that I have done rather than focus on what I haven’t. Just like I did for 2010 here’s a year in review of 2011 highlighting noteworthy events, clients, blog posts, friends, accomplishments, adventures and amazing opportunities.

*JANUARY*

While marketing is my expertise and passion, I have another passion; YOGA! I’m very grateful for one of my clients this year, La Jolla Yoga Center. Creating marketing campaigns and strategies for a yoga studio I love definitely makes me happy.  I trained their team on using social media to grow their business and helped them get set up on Facebook and Twitter. They’re definitely doing a great job connecting with yogis on social media!

I’ve been practicing yoga for a few years and really wanted to strengthen my practice and take it to the next level. I contemplated getting my yoga teaching certification for a while. It’s a huge time commitment and I was really on the fence. Well I made the decision to go ahead with yoga teacher training and can now say, if you are ever on the fence, DO IT! I am so happy I completed my Yoga Teacher Training and wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. I began my training in January and completed my 200 RYT Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training at the inspirational La Jolla Yoga Center, located right on the beach! I met so many amazing new friends, learned so much about myself and really took my yoga practice to the next level.

*FEBRUARY*

I hosted the 2^nd event in my Digital Media Dinners series. The topic: Social Media Branding. This was a great milestone because it officially turned Digital Media Dinners into a series rather than a one off event.  I taught strategies on how to strengthen people’s brand across various social networks including review sites such as Yelp, group buying sites such as Groupon and location based sites such as Foursquare. I incorporated a variety of sites because marketing and social media is growing beyond just Facebook and Twitter.

*MARCH*

Since I learn and receive so much from my online and social media community, I really want to give back. I did this by hosting Twestival San Diego. This event is hosted all over the nation using social media for social good by connecting communities offline on a single day to highlight a great cause and have a fun event. It’s entirely promoted via social media. Twestival San Diego was hosted at the Keating Hotel and all proceeds benefited the San Diego After School All Stars.

Me and a few other lovely Yogis were featured on KUSI demonstrating Bootcamp for Yogis run by my fellow yoga teacher trainee, Body By Mags. Check out the video below where I get my 5 minutes of fame while I’m smiling through holding a yoga tough pose and demonstrating yoga boot camp moves (Warrior has got nothing on me!).

VIDEO: Yoga Boot Camp Video

*APRIL*

I successfully pulled my second April Fool’s Joke on Social Media! Everyone decided to wish me a Happy Birthday on April Fool’s this year!

The first annual Foursquare Day celebration took place in 2010 and I hosted Foursquare Day Hong Kong. This year I was in my home town, San Diego and had the opportunity to host Foursquare Day San Diego for my community at R Gang Eatery. Check in specials, complimentary wine, cocktails, delicious comfort food with an upscale twist, friends, badges and a good time was had! Foursquare Day on 4/16 (Yep that’s 4 squared which equals 16) is officially, my favorite geek Holiday!

Oh not to mention, I met my first Celebrity Chef, Rich Sweeney @ChefRicSweeney from Season 5 of Top Chef who is also the head of R Gang Eatery. You can read all about my addiction to food porn and cooking shows here.

*MAY*

I was interviewed by the San Diego Reader on using LinkedIn for Job Seekers. I shared my insight, advice and was gratefulto have my article published both in their paper and online! You can read the full article here.

Another Geek Holiday takes place in May! Star Wars day on May 4^th! May the Fourth be with you! I celebrated with some fun posts on Social Media!

 

*JUNE*

I really want to help others with yoga passion so I hosted my first yoga event: Yoga For the Busy Body at Hera Hub! I really want to provide an opportunity for other busy professionals and entrepreneurs to have a chance to experience the benefits of yoga while teaching them poses they can do on their own despite their busy lives. That’s exactly what I accomplished at this event.

*JULY*

I was cast in a Microsoft Commercial!  It was such an amazing experience to work a full day on set as talent! You can read all about how I was casted in the Microsoft Commercial and then watch my commercial when it finally aired below!

VIDEO: Marketing Melodie’s Microsoft Commercial

 I hosted my third Digital Media Dinners in my series. This time I educated attendees on How to Build Your Social Media Community. I had generous sponsors, expert speakers, delicious food and of course a captive audience who made the event a success. Check out the event recap in the video below.

VIDEO: Digital Media Dinners- How To Build your Social Media Community 

*AUGUST*

I attended BlogHer for the first time as it was hosted right here in America’s Finest City. I connected with inspirational bloggers from all across the nation. It was great talking to so many people about their passions and seeing  them creatively share it with others through their writing. I had a good time at the conference itself, attending workshops, checking out the booths, the networking events, parties and left with more swag than I knew what to do with!

Oh and I met another Celebrity Chef, Brian Markaley in the Season Final of Top Chef Season 3. He was hosting a BlogHer party!

 *SEPTEMBER* 

Marketing Melodie is growing quickly! I sent out a call for interns and bring Allison Schummer @AllisonSchummer on board to help me!

Allison recently graduated from SDSU and I give her my highest recommendation to anyone who’s hiring as she’s currently on the market for a new job!

San Diegans experience a MAJOR BLACKOUT! But we united and got through it while making new friends! We proved that even during a black out social media still shines!

*OCTOBER*

Fall is in the air (even though it’s always sunny in San Diego) which means time for a new fall wardrobe! I attended one of my favorite tweetups ever, an Epic event at the Nordstrom Rack Plaza Bonita Grand Opening. I’m a very lucky person, I always win things and that night I won a pair of Designer Hudson Jeans.

In 2009 I said to the universe that I want  to meet my favorite author, Keith Ferrazzi. I finally met him 2 years later in San Diego at the Entrepreneur Challenge Fall Kickoff Event at UCSD. He autographed both my books and I learned some awesome networking tips from meeting Keith Ferrazzi.

The Nerds United! I tweeted and connected with amazing new friends  from the Talk Nerdy To Me Lover community by hosting @JenFriel and the #nerdsunite crew in San Diego. We had a fun night at the Tilted Kilt San Diego and a nerdy sleepover!

You can read all about the things that make me a nerd here.

*NOVEMBER*

After completing a successful Digital Media Dinners series, I hosted my first Digital Media Now Seminar- Personal Branding on Social Media at Pangea Bakery Cafe. Attendees learned how to make their personal brand cohesive with their business brand.

I was honored with an opportunity to speak to NATAS- National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences at their Social Media Workshop. Teaching television professionals how to use Social Media in their industry.

Thanks to the luxury car company, Infiniti and Social Media I enjoyed an amazing afternoon at the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival. I also met my 3rd celebrity chef this year, Sam The Cooking Guy!

*DECEMBER* 

I hosted my first Digital Media Now Webinar on How To Integrat Social Media Into Your Marketing. It gave me a chance to share my knowledge with people who can’t always be available and in San Diego to attend an in person seminar. While there were challenges to work out with my first webinar, I received great feedback and plan to host additional Digital Media Now Webinars in 2012!

I celebrated my Birthday on my lucky day, December 13^th (It’s clearly not on April 1^st). In the photo below I’m dressed as a Monster, holding a class with an M and Minty Wonderland and Mozart cupcakes. Yep M THEME PARTY!

I began my new venture at National University. I was hired as a Course Developer and Adjunt Professor at National University. My first class starts in January where I’m teaching a marketing class on Interactive Strategies.

Wow a lot has happened in 2012! If you read this entire post or even part of it, THANK YOU!  As I reflect on 2011 I just can’t help but smile and be grateful for everyone and everything in my life right now. I am truly blessed and so excited to ring in 2012!

Lights, Camera, Action! You can now watch my Microsoft Commercial!

Earlier this year I shared my story of how I was cast in a Microsoft commercial. You can read about my entire experience and how the casting director found me here.  I’m so grateful for being a part of this and had a lot of fun filming! The commercial promotes the Microsoft Store and shows me buying a Windows Phone. Many of you have asked to see the commercial. I was FINALLY able to get a copy of the commercial to share with all of you.

:::DRUM ROLL:::  

Well there’s my 30 seconds of fame! Yes we filmed an entire day for this footage! It’s amazing how much work is put into a 30 second commercial! This experience has definitely given me a new found respect to people who act full time! And kudos to the Microsoft Store. I bought my laptop there and everything I said in the commercial is 100% true! “Everyone here is very approachable they really care about making sure people get the right products in their hands.”

Oh I also need to give a shout to the lovely Ms. Meagan Brown who did our makeup for the shoot. She is so sweet, smart and an amazing Makeup Artist! If you’re looking for a Makeup Artist, I give her my highest recommendation! If anyone out there is interested in casting me for any other commercials, I’m available for hire!

aaaannnnnd CUT!

Better than Black Friday Specials! Technology Tools that Fuel My Life

I enjoyed a really relaxing Thanksgiving this year. I dined out at a nice restaurant in San Diego. It’s the first time I’ve ever eaten out on Thanksgiving and it was definitely a nice change of pace than cooking at home.  I also enjoyed a gorgeous sunset and amazing view!

Upon returning home from dinner, I couldn’t help but notice “Black Friday” pop up on every social media update . Since Thanksgiving is the start of Holiday shopping we all know it goes hand in hand with Black Friday! Although I have shopped on Black Friday, it’s not a regular routine for me. For many, Black Friday is all about getting the best deals! It’s a great opportunity to save on all the things you love. But I’ve got an even better idea on getting the best deals and saving: Free technology tools! I’m so thankful for so many technology tools that don’t cost me a penny! From entertaining me, helping me grow my business and keeping me connected with friends, I’m so grateful for these resources. Here are 5 of my favorites and how they seriously fuel my life!

1. Hulu- Many of you are probably Black Friday shopping for a new TV! I watch all of my TV through Hulu and definitely don’t mind watching commercials when I’m saving on my cable bill! Hulu is an online video service that offers a selection of hit shows, clips, movies and much more. I watch TV sporadically, whenever I want to relax so I don’t watch any particular show on a regular basis. My favorite shows to watch on Hulu are Iron Chef America, Cupcake Wars, Diners Drive Ins and Dives (Yes I’m addicted to food porn!) Luckily my favorite shows don’t require me to watch a previous episode to get it since they’re not series so I can watch any episode at my leisure.

 

As you can see with my favorite technology tools, I save money on my cable bill, my music playlist, my phone and my phone bill! I’m also more efficient and more organized. Better than Black Friday Specials? Well I’d definitely say so!

Lights, Camera, Action! My Microsoft Commercial Aired!

I recently wrote about Apple for the very first time in my Ode to Steve Jobs. Now I’m writing about Microsoft for the very first time. This blog is getting nerdier by the minute! Some of you who follow me on Facebook know that this past July, I had an amazing opportunity present itself to me that got me on the big screens! I was casted as the main talent for a Mircosoft commercial! I already had my 3 minutes of Fame when I modeled for Nordstrom and MyFashionPlate.com, and another television highlight when I demonstrated Yoga Boot Camp live! (For those of you who don’t know yoga is also a passion of mine) but this time I was hired for an entire day as “talent” to star in my very own commercial for Microsoft.

I often get asked by many people how I come across so many unique, exciting and once in a life time opportunities such as getting invited as a guest of honor to speak at tech conferences in Hong Kong and Beirut, Lebanon where I was also able to tour both places for over a week,  tweeting my way to front row seats to watch my favorite baseball team, the San Diego Padres and even creating and teaching my very own marketing class to students at Platt College! My honest answer: I attract these opportunities into my life by being HONEST and AUTHENTIC on SOCIAL MEDIA! This is what I encourage, educate and strive to inspire companies to do every single day to grow their business. I’m living proof that it works! Yes I’m walking my own walk! Here’s the story….

The casting director found my Yelp review for the Microsoft Store. They recognized that my Yelp reviews were honest and authentic. They did some research and also discovered that I’m a tech savvy, social media socialite, which happened to be the exact personality type  they were seeking for this commercial. I went in for an interview, where they also asked me to bring a friend who could be my sidekick in the commercial. I posted an update on my Facebook to see if any of my girlfriends use Microsoft products and ended up bringing the lovely Megan Looney, model, journalist, traveler and a good friend from high school with me to the interview. Soon after the interview, we received calls that we were officially hired for the commercial!

The shoot date was set on 4th of July weekend. In addition to paying us as talent, the night before they treated us to a full spa day at Se San Diego. Massage, manicure, pedicure, the works! to really get us relaxed and dolled up for our big day. I absolutely LOVE spa treatments so this was an added bonus I was happy to accept.

Bright and early the next morning, Megan and I arrive a the Microsoft Store in Fashion Valley and boy was I overwhelmed! There were over 100 people there from the directors, employees, extras for the commercial, etc. We were sent to wardrobe, hair and makeup. I’ve never had so much makeup on in my life. But the lovely Meagan Brown Owner of Artistry of Makeup did an amazing job and the whole staff was so sweet that we had a great time chatting and getting ready together.

Finally we receive instructions from the director and begin filming. Wow! creating a short commercial is such hard work, I now have the utmost respect for people who work in show business. It was a full day of filming and while it was exhausting, we had a blast doing it! We spent the first half of the day filming at he Microsoft Store in Fashion Valley.

 Then we took a lunch break and met up in La Jolla for the second half of the shoot. Filming in La Jolla was amazing, it was such a gorgeous view and I just love being out on the beach during sunset! We even drove around in my car and got some footage there. The sun soon began to set and after a very full day, THAT’S A WRAP! We concluded the shoot and after thanking everyone for providing me with this opportunity, I went on my way home. The filming took place in July and in Auguest I hadn’t heard anything about the commercial coming out.

Then one day I received a Facebook message from a Microsoft employee:

Now I’m really curious to see my own commercial. I wasn’t able to get a hold of it quite yet. Then during the San Diego Film Festival  September 29 – October 3 I was delighted to see posts/tweets from my friends who saw my commercial on the big screens! 

Well that’s the story of my one day in the life of  being “talent”! And once again I say, THAT’S A WRAP! Wait, what!? You want to see the commercial? The director recently sent me an email letting me know that they have permission to distribute the commercial now but they’re still waiting for the correct file they can send me. So the SUSPENSE continues! I have yet to see the commercial but the first thing I plan to do when I get the file is to share it with all of you. Stay tuned!