Teaming Up with THP The Hodges Partnership

In episode 26 of Teaming Up, Anna Friesen engages with current Hodges interns—Jackson Amirshahi, Rachel Spiller and Peggy Stansberry—to answer the question, “What is PR,” while dissecting common misconceptions surrounding PR and the broad spectrum that the term covers. Each intern shares their unique journey, detailing personal misconceptions and how their experiences at Hodges has reshaped their understanding of agency life.

Episode Highlights

Common Misconceptions in PR: Jackson and Rachel delve into their initial misunderstandings of the PR world, discussing how their internships at Hodges provided them with invaluable, hands-on experience.
Personal Backgrounds: An exploration of the diverse academic backgrounds of the interns, highlighting how their distinct majors and life experiences have converged in the PR field.
Examining the Representation of PR in Media: Peggy breaks down the expectations versus reality in a discussion on the portrayal of PR roles in the media, spotlighting characters like Emily Cooper, Samantha Jones, Shiv Roy and Olivia Pope as case studies.
Advice for Future Interns: The trio offers pragmatic advice for aspiring Hodges interns and PR professionals on navigating their entry into the industry and carving out a successful career path.

Related links

Fact vs Fiction: Lessons in Marketing from "Emily in Paris" (The Doers)
How an actual PR agency works: Comparing Keeley Jones Public Relations firm in ‘Ted Lasso’ to the real world
The Hodges Partnership Internship Application

In episode 25 of Teaming Up, Jon Newman engages with Kelly O'Keefe, CEO of Brand Federation, in a thought-provoking conversation about sparking innovation within organizations. They explore both macro and micro aspects of workplace innovation, emphasizing the importance of observation and understanding human behavior to meet unmet needs.

Episode Highlights:

The Essence of Innovation: Kelly O'Keefe discusses innovation as a response to human behavior and needs, stressing the value of simple yet impactful ideas like the DoubleTree Hotel's warm chocolate chip cookie welcome.
Fostering Creativity: Tips on how organizations can cultivate an innovative mindset, including stepping away from distractions and focusing on the needs of those you're innovating for.
Brainstorming Do's and Don'ts: Insights into effective brainstorming practices that encourage free-flowing ideas without premature censorship.
Innovative Examples: The episode covers a range of innovations, from Amazon's one-click ordering to Oreo's resealable packaging, highlighting the variety and impact of different types of innovation.
Strategic Implementation: Advice on how to pitch innovative ideas successfully, emphasizing the importance of preparation and presenting a comprehensive plan to decision-makers.

Kelly's insights provide a roadmap for tapping into the potential of innovation in any organization, making this episode a must-listen for those looking to drive creative solutions and strategic advancements.

Listen to the full episode for a deeper dive into these topics and more, available now on the "Teaming Up" podcast.

Related Links

Brand Federation
What you Can Learn from DoubleTree's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies (inc.com)
Why Amazon’s ‘1-Click’ Ordering Was a Game Changer

In the latest installment of "Teaming Up," Hannah Robinson sits down with Ron Carey, master storyteller and CEO of the Richmond-based creative and production company, Tilt. This episode dives into the art of storytelling through a local lens, circling around the significant yet often overlooked stories nestled within our communities.

Episode Highlights

The Birth of a Planet: Carey delves into Tilt's groundbreaking documentary, which brings to light the compelling story of John Mitchell Jr. and the Richmond Planet. Premiering at the Richmond International Film Festival in 2022, the documentary is a testament to the enduring impact of Mitchell's legacy and the newspaper on Richmond's community.
The Power of Local Stories: The conversation underscores the importance of local narratives in enriching our understanding of history and community. Through the example of John Mitchell Jr., Carey highlights how stories from our past continue to shape our present.
Collaborative Creativity: The episode sheds light on the collaborative efforts behind the making of "The Birth of a Planet," showcasing how diverse perspectives contribute to telling a compelling, nuanced story.

Helpful Links

The Birth of a Planet
Tilt
The Library of Virginia: Richmond Planet

Episode Notes:
In this year-end episode of "Teaming Up," Tony Scida and Casey Prentice step out from behind the scenes of the podcast and discuss the peaks and valleys of marketing and communications in 2023. They each came to the table with one marketing high point and one low, plus a few bonus picks. Then the pair looked ahead to 2024 briefly and highlighted what challenges and opportunities may face marketing and communications professionals in the coming year.
 
Key topics covered in this episode include:


Marketing successes and failures in 2023
Marketing campaigns and their impact on business
Twitter's decline and purpose-driven marketing strategies
Marketing trends and authenticity in 2024

Related links:


The story behind Barbenheimer, the summer’s most online movie showdown (AP News)
Summer Box Office 2023: ‘Barbenheimer’ Brought Audiences Back, But Uncertainty Around Strikes Could Capsize 2024 (Deadline)
Land of the Giants: The Twitter Fantasy (Vox)
Twitter’s first year under Elon Musk: Ad revenue in free fall, fights with the EU over false news, and finally hiring a long-awaited CEO (Fortune)
The year in Taylor Swift, from The Eras Tour to _1989 (Taylor's Version) _to Travis Kelce (AV Club)
Behind the Backlash Against Bud Light (New York Times)

Episode Notes:
"Teaming Up" takes a creative twist in our latest episode, focusing on the fusion of strategy and creativity in communication. Aidan Newbold, THP’s Director of Creative Services, welcomed Christine Coffey, Creative Director of Karnes Coffey, to share her insights.

Aidan and Christine dive deep into the world of creative projects, exploring how strategy plays a pivotal role in driving impactful communications. From Christine’s journey in graphic design, starting at Syracuse University to co-founding Karnes Coffey, to Aidan’s insights on collaborative models in the industry, this episode is a treasure trove for anyone interested in the creative process.

Key discussions in the episode include:


The evolution of creative branding and the importance of strategy in building robust identity systems.
The trend towards specialized talent and collaborative models in the creative industry.
The role of AI in creative endeavors: its potentials and limitations.
Advice for clients in choosing the right design partners for long-term collaborations.
Navigating post-pandemic industry trends, especially the resurgence of traditional marketing materials.

Christine and Aidan's conversation is not just about the 'what' of creativity but also the 'how' and 'why' behind it. They shed light on the importance of adapting to new trends and technologies, like AI, while emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human creativity and strategic thinking.

Relevant Links:


Karnes Coffey

Episode Notes:
Teaming Up is putting two former Hodges interns in the hot seat, talking about a totally new topic for the podcast: brand.

We asked Briana Williams, CEO of LipLoveLine, to join Casey for Episode 21, where the two discussed building a brand and the process and considerations that go into that.

Williams discusses her brand story and her business evolution – from winning a competition on VCU’s campus just before the COVID-19 pandemic, to working with students in the Brandcenter to go through various exercises to find her voice, tone and brand story. She discusses her journey to date and talks about what it means to build a brand and be an entrepreneur in an industry that is saturated.

Other topics in the episode include:


Starting a brand during a global pandemic
The process behind developing a brand story
Navigating a growing brand in a crowded space
The considerations of solo entrepreneurship 

We hope you enjoy the episode!

Relevant Links

LipLoveLine website
VCU da Vinci Center post about her role at VCU