Posted by: Erica Rodriguez | June 19, 2013

In Focus: Blogger Tara Salinas

Many people love to travel, but a lot of people don’t get to travel for work and share their experiences with the world. Tara Salinas of Trippin’ with Tara turned her passion for traveling into a blog that features her many trips, as well as recipes and product reviews.

Between boarding planes, testing new products and writing, Salinas took some time to answer a few questions the O-Squad had on blogging, pitches and her favorite Phoenix places.

Trippin with taraQ. How did you get into blogging?
A. I am the social media specialist for a vacation home company in the Disney area in Florida and have been fortunate to work with some really great bloggers that reviewed our properties. Because of the relationships I had built and blogger events that I held, I was highly encouraged to begin my own blog. Super long story short, I began writing about things I like or things I would do, and in about a year, I have had some of the most incredible opportunities. I have met some of my best friends in the blogging world. So I guess I got into blogging for fun and continue to blog because for me, it’s still fun and has become a passion.

Q. You blog a lot about your travels. What was one of your favorite trips?
A. Well, I take a lot of trips. I love when Disney invites me out to Los Angeles to a premiere and I get to experience the West Coast. The red carpet treatment is always a treat. I have some posts currently in the works for Europe and Toronto, and I really enjoy traveling international. But if I didn’t live in Florida, I would live in Arizona, so it’s easy to say honestly that the trip to Phoenix with my girlfriends was hands down one of my favorites!

Q. What types of features are you looking for PR pros to pitch?
A. I love to travel. I love to cook and feature recipes on my site. I like to review things that are things that I would really use. I like to keep it real. One thing that I haven’t had someone send me a good pitch yet is for a family trip. I have two teenage daughters and I would love to do a destination review with their input. They are both really great about helping me with reviews when it’s pertinent to them. I would love them to share their thoughts on a destination as teens along with mine as a parent, couple and family.

Q. What is the strangest thing someone has pitched you?
A. Oh boy, I have received adult toys – is that strange? I also get pitched often on baby products – and I am way past that stage. That is when you know a PR rep didn’t do their research.

Q. Any advice for someone looking to start their own blog?
A. First think about what you want your blog to be about. Who do you want your audience to be? What is your passion? If you are doing it for opportunities, know that it is work. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lot of fun and I LOVE having my blog. The best part about blogging is that it’s yours and you do get to control what you want out there. But it takes time to build an audience, so don’t get frustrated and make sure to have fun!

Q. What were some of your favorite things about your recent trip to Phoenix?
A. Wow, I love Phoenix.  I made so many great memories there with my friends. I had the best meal of my life at Different Pointe of View at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort. I loved horseback riding in the desert. I saw the most spectacular views while being adventurous on the hot air balloon ride and got an incredible fill of culture at the Musical Instrument Museum. I will be back again no doubt! Next time with my family.

Posted by: Veronica Graves | June 14, 2013

Happy Hour: Getting Ready for Father’s Day

Treat dad to dinner at Beckett's Table (pictured) or El Chorro this Father's Day.

Treat dad to dinner at Beckett’s Table (pictured) or El Chorro this Father’s Day.

For me, Father’s Day is the most difficult holiday to buy gifts for. I can never figure out what to get my dad – he’s probably the most content, minimalist person I know. We have years of Father’s Day gifts in boxes, not because my dad doesn’t appreciate them, but because he really has no desire to watch DVDs, have a new watch, or ever put on a tie again. Recently I learned the best gift for my dad is food. Thinking most fathers might be the same, here’s a few Father’s Day dinner ideas for those last minute gift givers (like me).

El Chorro:

Treat dad to a memorable dinner in the shade of the Camelback and Mummy Mountains on Sunday, June 16. Chef Charles Kassel created a memorable menu for El Chorro’s Father’s Day dinner. Menu items include: a refreshing salad featuring tomatoes from the restaurant’s very own garden, Oaxaca cheese and pickled red onions; a delectable 14-ounce prime Niman Ranch rib-eye served with rosemary roasted new potatoes and grilled asparagus; and a sweet root beer float with vanilla bean ice cream. The menu is available for $39, plus tax and gratuity per person.

Location: 5550 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
For more information: (480) 948-5170, www.elchorro.com.

Beckett’s Table:

Families can enjoy a menu from Chef Justin Beckett and Sous Chef Jeff Schoening that will make dad proud.  Menu items will include Beckett’s Table barbecue sampler featuring housemade smoked sausage, baby back ribs and brisket or the cornmeal crusted shrimp BLT po’ boy with housemade tater tots and hot sauce aioli. For fathers with a sweet tooth, the dessert menu will feature a peanut butter banana cream pie complete with Nilla wafer crust and meringue. Drink specials for dad will include half-off Arizona bottles of wine and $3 draft beers for the entire evening.

Location: 3717 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85018
For more information: (602) 954-1700, beckettstable.com

Want to stay in and still treat Dad? Chef Ken Arneson from Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak will be sharing grilling recipes and tips Sunday morning on AZ Family Channel 3. Be sure to tune in and learn to grill big beefy ribs, a grilled sweet potato salad and grilled banana sliders!

Posted by: alisonsf | June 11, 2013

PR Primer: Rising Above the Clutter and Getting Noticed

We’re all bombarded through the media with messages for everything. If you are a movie junkie, the summer is particularly a time when studios are vying for your attention and more importantly your entertaining dollar.

No matter what you are watching, reading or hearing, the studios will pull out all the stops to make sure you know about the latest and greatest films. That’s the good news, the better news is how do you find a fun and unique way to rise above the clutter and effectively generate good strong awareness and word-of-mouth?

courtesy of Universal Pictures

courtesy of Universal Pictures

If you’re Universal Pictures, you take to the sky. And you do it a big way. As in A-150 blimp, an airship that is one of the largest in the world at 165 feet long, 55 feet high and 46 feet wide!  Designed to look like a minion from the film, this bright yellow airship brings a smile to all who see it. The DESPICABLIMP, promoting one of the summer’s most highly anticipated films DESPICABLE ME 2 began touring across the United States in March. The DESPICABLIMP has garnered tons of media exposure, flown over numerous large scale events including spring training here in the Valley and major league baseball games across the country.

Normally flying at 1,000 feet above the earth, the DESPICABLIMP is a continuous moving billboard as it crisscrosses its way across the country and back. When the DESPICABLIMP completes its six month tour traveling the United States it will have logged approximately 20,000 miles.

The film is also getting an assist on the ground as well from the bright yellow minions who been found at events across the country. These recognizable film characters have delighted young and old alike. So whether you looking up or getting up close and personal with a minion, Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s is generating lots of excitement for the July 3 opening in theaters.

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