Posted on Mon, Apr 30, 2012
By Sandy Lish | @slishcastle
This week’s blog posts are meant to be related to baseball. I want to write about a baseball hat—a specific baseball hat that represents something important.
Last week, as part of our participation in the members-only Public Relations Global Network, I participated in a house build in the Cape Town, South Africa township of Witsand. The build was organized by the Ireland-based Niall Mellon Foundation, which has dedicated itself to building and providing homes in South African townships. These townships, miles of makeshift shacks, are in desperate need of safe and solid housing. The concept behind the Foundation’s Housing Initiative is that when people have something like a real, solid house to live in, they achieve more in other areas of their lives, based upon the foundation (and hope, confidence and security) this housing gives them.
You might assume that an international group of PR executives (and for some of us, our spouses and children) might be given some light lifting—perhaps screwing in some hardware or painting trim. No way. This was hard core lifting, mixing, hauling, shoveling and mortaring, all day, in the hot sun. People worked hard. I saw my 12-year-old laboring physically in a way he has never done before; let’s face it, it was far beyond the norm for all of us. There we were, more than 50 PRGN members and guests, in our PRGN-logo’d t-shirts, hard hats and baseball caps, trying to do our best.
That day, we were not well-educated executives comfortable in our element. We were totally out of our element. We needed, and were provided, direction and instructions from the township’s laborers.
There’s not enough room here to describe this amazing experience. I had the opportunity to visit a township preschool and was invited into a resident’s shack to see how he lives. I learned a lot about why the townships are they way they are, what is being done to change this situation, and how our small part is making a difference.
At the end of the day, we packed up our materials. One of the local laborers came over to me and gestured to my hat and then to him. To me, it was a cheap cotton baseball cap that might possibly make it home and sit on a windowsill in my office, or it might have been tossed when I got back to the hotel. To him, it represented more. It was something he really wanted to have—much more than a souvenir. Something that he could wear for functional reasons, a possession that would be useful to him. I gave it to him. Today, half a world away, there is at least one laborer in Witsand building a house wearing a PRGN logo. PRGN means nothing to him, but the hat does. PRGN, though, means a little more to me today, because it gave me, my family and my colleagues the opportunity to give back in a meaningful way that we will never forget.
A video chronicle of the house build is currently in production: we’ll post it on the blog when we get it, so you can get a better feel for the Witsand house build.
Posted on Thu, Apr 26, 2012
By Keri McIntosh
If you haven’t noticed already, this week of blogging is dedicated to “everything baseball” thanks to my all-star team consisting of Coach Sandy Lish, Pitcher Stacy Wilbur, Designated Hitter Jessica Ciccone, Andrea Teixeira (a.k.a. “The Closer”), and me, Field Manager Keri McIntosh.
So I wanted to investigate ways of bringing the magic of baseball to the world of conferences, events and incentives. Even if you aren’t a huge fan of the sport, everyone can get swept away by the camaraderie and spirit of competition that the game provides...not to mention all the sights, sounds and flavors!
Here are a few ideas to turn the theme of baseball into a home run at your next event:
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Inspirational speakers - there are multiple entertainment bureaus that can arrange a speaking engagement or “meet and greet” with some of baseball’s all time greats like Hank Aaron, Carl Ripkin Jr. and Tommy Lasorda. Current or former Red Sox players would work well for locally based events or conferences. Speakers can present lessons learned on and off the field as related to business goals. Make sure the message matches the occasion.
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Spring training event – a fun and interactive way to get the team “tuned up” for the next season (or quarter). Create the setting with batting cages, pitching and hitting games. Depending on the event location (i.e. indoors or outdoors) these can either be full sized or virtual. If budget allows, hire a major or minor league player or coach to help “train” and motivate the staff. This is also a great opprotunity to present company awards - not only for winners of the games played at the event but company wide prizes such as “MVP” and “Rookie of the Year”. If considering an outdoor event, always plan a weather backup or rain date.
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Baseball themed break at the office – this is a simple and cost effective way to boost morale, especially on a nice day when everyone might rather be at the ball park than sitting at their desk. A hired costumed vendor circling the office with hot dogs, ice cream sandwiches and bags of peanuts can bring instant smiles and a few minutes away from the normal routine. Who doesn’t love those Cracker Jax prizes?
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Team building event at Fenway Park(or other ball park) –a huge crowd pleaser! Historic, 100 year-old Fenway Park serves as an amazing backdrop for events, whether it be a group of seats for a game or a “behind the scenes” tour. But the ultimate team building activity is a scavenger hunt in and around the green monster, where teams compete to uncover the lore and legend of the last century.
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Baseball themed incentive – Contests are proven to motivate employees and a central theme helps tie the campaign together. A baseball theme is popular and works easily with team or company wide goals (i.e. “Hit it out of the Park!”) Top prizes can include a VIP weekend getaway to a big game, autographed merchandise or tickets to a local game. Make sure the contest goals are measurable and attainable (you can even name them singles, doubles, home runs) and promote the incentive frequently and effectively (for example, give them a “playbook” of the rules). Always include a few gifts for the non-baseball lovers such as gift cards or cash.
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Management by baseball – there are many management consultants who claim running an organization is a lot like managing a baseball team. In fact, Jeff Angus dedicated a book to the topic and provides guidance to managers on how to choose a starting lineup (i.e. staffing), time management and training techniques. Consider offering a seminar by Jack or providing copies of the book.
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Make it a family affair – kids love baseball, too. Company outings provide an opportunity for people to get to know each other outside of work. If the company’s demographics consist of families, consider opening the event up to kids. It’s a way of expressing appreciation for the employees and their families’ time and commitment to work. Make sure there are plenty of activities for everyone (face painting, baseball themed carnival games) and the timing is after school or a weekend date. For added pizzazz hire a costumed mascot and let parents and kids pose create their own baseball cards with their photo. Of course food and prizes should be baseball themed. Remember our cupcake wars? Here’s a cool idea!
BATTER UP!
Posted on Tue, Apr 24, 2012
By Andrea Teixeira | @Teixeia05
The grand old American game of baseball has transformed over the years. An obvious change has been the staggering attention it is receiving, in terms of games being available on television and online everywhere. Fantasy league baseball has seen the focus shift more to individual players than teams while the online betting industry and punters alike have embraced baseball whole-heartedly. But have things changed on the field?
According to Inside the Majors, some feel that the game has become more offensive over the years. Back when Cy Young, Honus Wagner and Ty Cobb were superstars, high-scoring games and home runs were more of a rarity than they are today. Even the likes of Jimmie Foxx and Babe Ruth did not display their offensive capabilities every other day.
In the 70's a change in baseball rules saw batters win an upper hand over pitchers. The pitcher mound went from being 15 inches to 10 inches in height, and the strike zone was lowered to 'top of the knees to armpit' from 'knees to shoulders'. Aiding more offense was the designated hitter rule established in 1973.
On the offensive front, a difference with respect to base paths has also been observed. Late 50's major league teams stole 46 bases on an average while the current average per team stands at 93.
Defensively, a major change has been witnessed in the starter and reliever innings pitched. While back in 1958 the starting rotation pulled a lot of the load, going the distance 46 times (on an average), this number has fallen to less than ten (on an average) in the last three years. You'll now see starters throwing at 93 mph without much care to pace themselves as they know that someone else will come in to do the same after a six-innings play. In the 50's starters would pace themselves at 87'ish as they had to sustain their energy and go the entire game. Of course, specialized athletic training has enabled present-day players to push their physical potential in a way that was perhaps not possible even 25 years ago.
Posted on Mon, Apr 23, 2012
By Stacy Wilbur | @swilbur24
This past Friday, Fenway Park celebrated its 100th birthday with huge fanfare.
Leading up to the big birthday event, Red Sox management did a wonderful job engaging fans, young and old, by creating special opportunities and events for those that did not have the chance to go to the celebration. With the help of Red Sox mascot Wally the Green Monster, the Red Sox kicked off the week by releasing 100 green balloons in various Boston neighborhoods with tickets to upcoming Red Sox games inside. Five of those balloons had tickets to the April 20th celebration. If you weren’t a lucky balloon winner (let’s be real – you had a better chance of winning the PowerBall a couple of weeks ago) and did not have tickets to the game, Fenway Park was opened to the public on the 19th. Fans visited parts of the ballpark generally inaccessible to them and had the chance to meet Red Sox legends, as well as view historical artifacts, photographs and banners.
I was one of the lucky fans that participated in America’s Most Beloved Ballpark’s birthday celebration, and let me tell you it did not disappoint. The energy at the ballpark was amazing! Fans were encouraged to be in their seats by 2:00 p.m. to be able to enjoy all of the festivities. Upon entering the gate each fan received a commemorative ticket on a lanyard for the game and at each seat was a can of grape juice for a toast.
At exactly 2:15 p.m.the Boston Pops began to play, and past players began entering the field one at a time, walking to the field position they played while on the team. It was an amazing feeling, standing there and watching players that I have admired through the years walk back onto the field one more time. From Jim Rice to Carl Yastrzemski to Mo Vaughn, Kevin Millar and Pedro Martinez, the crowd provided a standing ovation throughout the whole ceremony. The last players on the field were Fenway’s beloved Johnny Pesky and Bobby Doerr who were taken out to second base in wheelchairs by the recently retired stars Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield, and fan favorite David Ortiz. The whole ceremony had a Field of Dreams feel to it and made me feel proud to be part of Red Sox nation
What I found to be really neat about the whole ceremony was the history intertwined into the whole event. We learned that in 1912 the first pitch was not thrown out at home plate, but from the front row seats near home plate. For the birthday celebration, three ceremonial first pitches were thrown by Caroline Kennedy, the great-granddaughter of John F. Fitzgerald known as Honey Fitz, who threw out the first pitch on opening day in 1912; Thomas Fitzgerald, grandson of Honey Fitz; and Mayor Thomas M. Menino. The event concluded with a toast, like they did to inaugurate the park in 1912, by Fenway’s favorites Kevin Millar and Pedro Martinez who toasted the past 100 years and the next 100 years. The Red Sox are hoping to break the Guinness Book of World Records with the toast.
While the Red Sox did not bring home a win on the field that day, the Red Sox management sure did! They provided an experience that no fan will ever forget or get to experience again in their lifetime.
Here’s to another 100 Fenway Park!
Posted on Fri, Apr 20, 2012
By Jessica Ciccone | @jblciccone
Almost two years ago my husband and I scoured the satellite TV in our Italian hotel room for an English-speaking channel (I know...bad tourist!) and came up with BBC World. Had the programming been less news and more Top Gear I would have been pleased. Instead we found ourselves smack in the middle of a British press corps field day over the highly contested U.K. election. As election coverage in the United States already reaches a fever pitch even before we hit the Republican National Convention, I thought it would be fun to take a look at how our coverage measures up to countries across the globe, and what they think, if at all, of our election.
We did a survey of our international friends and here is what we came up with. First, theU.S. is not alone when it comes to election coverage dominating the news. In Germany political coverage during an election year accounts for about 50% of the news; while in South Africa 75% of the reporting is dedicated to politics. I’d say we can count ourselves a little lucky in that regard.
I’ve heard it a thousand times. This news channel is super conservative or that newspaper is completely liberal; the later mostly from my Midwestern father. In countries like Australia publications are known to be for one party or the other. And in Brazil it depends on the outlet; TV being sensationalized while the newspaper remains neutral.
So I wonder, if I am growing tired of election coverage, what do they think of it abroad? I am not sure if I should be surprised, but most of the people we surveyed knew a great deal about our election. Though from Poland to Ireland, Switzerlandand across the globe there was really no consensus on what the outcome might be. Some think that Obama will be re-elected and others believe that the Republicans have a strong candidate in Romney.
What did I learn from our little experiment? First, we are definitely not alone in extreme election coverage. Second, I should probably start paying a little more attention; I don’t want my cousins Down Under knowing more than me after all. Happy Election Year!
Posted on Thu, Apr 19, 2012
By Elaina Robinson
Beyond the waters of the Boston Harbor lies a great big world waiting to be explored. With all the communication tools and social media channels available to us today, it is easier to always be connected. This ability to connect allows us to gain a deeper understanding of, and relate to people of all cultures in a different way – across the world and around the globe. Social media is bringing together real opinions from real people – displayed in the real world. These types of experiences are likely to continue to increase as we become more globally “social.”
This week Castle principal Sandy Lish is in Cape Town for the Public Relations Global Network (PRGN) annual meeting, where Agency owners from 42 worldwide organizations come together to share – best practices, ideas, tools of the trade, insight into a different culture, market knowledge, economy, business opportunity, etc. that help us connect our Clients and friends wherever they need to be around the world. During the meeting, many of these topics are shared through social media – twitter, blogging, Facebook, etc., making our network an important driver of international social connection.
How are we different? How are we similar? We thought this would be a perfect time to look beyond our shores for ideas and inspiration. We will explore everything from pop culture, superstitions and politics to travel and television in the US and abroad.
If you have yet to connect globally, it’s time. Grab your “social” passports and read on.
We can’t talk about all things international with out mentioning social media. From Twitter to Pinterest and Foursquare – it is clear that social media is quickly dominating the way we interact across the globe. Tweets and posts seem to appear on feeds faster than it takes a crew member to punch a ticket on the train.
Did the audience really like that rendition of What a Wonderful World? Who thought that dance was a little sloppy? Thanks to social media on competition shows worldwide we don’t have to wait for the answer. Tune into The Voice any Monday and find #TheVoice hashtag staring back at you encouraging conversation. A live Twitter news ticker that runs across the bottom of the screen offers a more personal interaction. If that weren’t enough, the show even features its very own “social media room,” where Twitter trends are discussed and hashed out (no pun intended).
Across the pond, Britain’s Got Talent, employs similar techniques of cutting-edge social engagement. The show’s iPhone and Android app allows users to access exclusive back stage footage, browse never before seen photos, read the shows latest stories and share opinions and ratings. The app also allows fans to participate in the spin off show, Britain’s Got More Talent.
In Australia, social media is surreptitiously taking the country’s performing arts scene by storm. From backstage status updates to a sultry Cha-cha-cha, performers and viewers are interacting on a more personal level than ever before. The annual Sydney Festival has attracted a record number of Twitter followers, who can’t wait to discuss their favorite performances and give their recommendations. The contestants in Dancing with the Stars, Australia use their Twitter presence to connect directly with their fans, thereby hoping to gain more votes.
Next to Simon Cowell, there is no other person or thing that has more influence on the worldwide reality competition circuit than Twitter. Forget the judges, from now on winners will most likely be decided by the court of social media opinion.
Posted on Tue, Apr 17, 2012
By Clio V. Rourke | @cvrourke
When “Bully” opened nationwide last Friday, the movie’s initial R-rating had been changed to a PG-13 rating. The R-rating, which the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) had defended with the movie’s strong language, had been widely criticized for keeping Bully’s target audience, middle and high schoolers, from seeing it in the theater. That the MPAA eventually agreed to change the movie’s rating, after having denied a first appeal, is the result of a passionate social media campaign by filmmaker Lee Hirsch. Here is how Hirsch and his team achieved their goal:
To create a successful campaign, Senior Vice President of Marketing Bladimiar Norman at The Weinstein Company spent hours on researching the bullying phenomenon. According to Norman’s interview with Mashable, he “quickly realized the alarming level of bullying that occurs every second, every minute and every hour in our schools.”
Because bullying affects such a great number of students, Norman new that in order to turn #BullyMovie into a trending topic on Twitter, he had to base his campaign on the movie’s message that “13 million kids in America will be bullied this year, and 3 million of those kids will be absent from school due to the bullying they endure.” For the social media campaign “Anti-Bullying Twitter Tuesday,” Norman therefore created a call to action in form of the tweet, “RETWEET PLEASE Did u know 13 million kids get bullied every year? I support @BullyMovie. Let’s make it a trend: #BullieMovie.”
In addition to asking especially teenagers to support the campaign, The Weinstein Company reached out to celebrities asking for retweets, thereby creating even greater awareness for the issue of bullying through celebrity endorsement of the campaign. Among others, Ellen DeGeneres, Anderson Cooper and Kim Kardashian showed their support.
Katy Butler, 17 and former bullying victim, saw the potential of Bully to instigate social change when she watched the trailer. To make the movie accessible to younger students, she had started the campaign Change.org when she learned about the Twitter Tuesday campaign. Butler began to support the campaign with her Change.com petitioners, nearly 500,000 at the time, creating additional impact.
At this point, The Weinstein Company sent Bully to the MPAA for another rating round. Thanks to the massive support created through Twitter, Bully finally was rated PG-13.
As Hirsch told Mashable, “It was not just about beating the MPAA — it started the conversation about bullying and gave people a way to talk about it.”
Posted on Fri, Apr 13, 2012
By The Belles of Beantown | @hallard, @ddoyle09, @whitdferguson & @ngandia
Thanks to all of you who submitted your stories and those that emailed us. By popular demand, we have decided to extend Castle's Experience Boston Contest until May 5th to allow more Boston fans to post their favorite Beantown experiences on one of the "Belles of Beantown" blogs! See below for contest details - LET'S GO!
Because we’re always looking for new ideas to share with our friends and clients, we want to know YOUR favorite things to do in Boston. Tell us about your favorite way to “Experience Boston” to be entered for a chance to win the Castle Experience Boston Contest! What’s in it for you? Besides the thrill of sharing your story with our readers, one lucky entry will win a weekend stay at the Westin Boston Waterfront (2-night weekend stay, dates based on availability). The Waterfront is all the rage, and with warm weather right around the corner (we hope), there is no better place to enjoy Boston’s most vibrant new neighborhood. Just steps from hip restaurants, trendy shopping and fabulous harbor views, The Westin is one of our favorite places to stay/work in Boston and is in the epicenter of all that is buzzworthy in Beantown. Don’t forget, this contest is about EXPERIENCES so we want to hear your narrative! Post the story of your most memorable experience in Boston as a comment on any “Belles of Beantown” blog post April 9th – May 5th to be entered for a chance to win. The winning entry will be announced next month when we return on May 7th.
Posted on Thu, Apr 12, 2012
By Nicole Gandia, The Belles of Beantown | @ngandia
Remember the old adage “It’s not about what you know but who you know”? Well, if you live in Boston, haven’t mastered the “who you know” part and agree with Paul Graham’s well-written article on cities and what drives their ambition, then you can find comfort in Boston’s high valuation of the “what you know” too. Either way, if you are in the market to build your “what” or your “who”, then Boston is the ideal city for you. With one of the highest conglomerates of universities and students, many thriving businesses and a myriad of professional development organizations that span across multiple industries, Boston has – at its fingertips – ample resources and opportunities for professionals (and especially young ones) to build their business acumen, grow their network, build lasting relationships and stand out.
Here are the 3 tips you should pay attention to in order to stay connected to your current network and to expand it in Beantown:
(1) Become Involved with Your Alumni Network: If you went to school in Massachusetts, tap into your school’s network, and if you didn’t, look for your school’s local alumni chapter. Get involved in an alumni organization (there are so many positions waiting to be filled!), start one and recruit your friends to help, become a mentor for current students, join your school’s social media networks or simply attend an event and reconnect with your classmates. Your return will depend on how much you invest! If you do, trust that great opportunities will come your way.
(2) Engage with Social Networks: Boston loves its social media. Use local networks to your full advantage. Build a rapport with likeminded professionals online, tweet/post about what you’re doing or are interested in – chances are somebody will be interested and will want to connect.
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LinkedIn: Join a group on LinkedIn, participate in discussions and don’t be afraid to reach out to someone you want to build a closer relationship with. For instance, join the Boston Networking Club on LinkedIn and start to connect with professionals on the same wave length.
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Twitter: Create a strong Twitter headline about yourself and your interests, tweet about what you are doing, follow those who interest you and above all – engage. This will help you keep track of what’s going on in your field, what you want to learn, who you want to interact with and where you can do this. One resource you can use it Twtvite, which can help you find Boston tweet-ups based on trending events. The people you meet there will also be business-minded connectors interested in growing their network(s) and helping others do the same.
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Facebook: Use it to stay in touch with friends and let them know what you are up to. Relationships are always evolving and it’s good to stay on top of what your existing network is doing and how you could help or partner with them.
(3) Attend a Networking/Educational Event and Join an Organization: In spite of the large role social media can play in growing your network, face-to-face interactions are still crucial and Boston has networking events for everyone. Below are a few of the best Boston networking resources. These can help you find the right professional organization(s) for you to network and/or become a member of as well as educational events to fit your particular needs. For a more extensive list of resources, visit this website.
Networking is about developing symbiotic relationships built on trust – and beyond that, it’s about leadership and career development. I hope that after reading this post you start to get out there to get your “what’s” and your “who’s” on! GOOD LUCK!
Castle team networking at a Meeting Professionals International Event
ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!
Tell us about your favorite way to “Experience Boston” to be entered for a chance to win the Castle Experience Boston contest! What’s in it for you? Besides the thrill of sharing your story with our readers, one lucky entry will win a weekend stay at the Westin Boston Waterfront (2-night weekend stay, dates based on availability). Post the story of your most memorable experience in Boston as a comment on any “Belles of Beantown” blog post to be entered for a chance to win—LET’S GO!
Posted on Wed, Apr 11, 2012
By Danielle Doyle, The Belles of Beantown | @ddoyle09
What’s the recipe for selecting the perfect incentive travel destination? The top two requests made by our clients during site selection are that we provide options for 1) a cultural city or 2) somewhere warm—no surprise there! A sandy beach always makes for a beautiful and relaxing trip but the industry is seeing more and more programs trending toward city destinations—with a large percentage of them staying domestic. According to the Incentive Research Foundation's latest survey of incentive-industry trends, nearly 83 percent of incentive travel planners are keeping their trips in the United States, a direct reflection of today's economic realities. But your program doesn’t have to suffer by staying stateside if you make smart decisions during site selection.
Hollywood's current infatuation with the Hub is undeniable. We are practically tripping over celebrities, and if it is good enough for Tom Cruise, why shouldn’t it be good enough for your company? All joking aside, there has never been a better time to visit Boston and while it does not always offer warm weather, the city is an absolute dream for event planners as it contains all the necessary ingredients for a successful incentive:
Accessibility
Get here! Boston Logan International Airport is New England’s largest transportation center with 40+ airlines flying nonstop to more than 100 domestic and international destinations. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Amtrak offers numerous daily routes in/out of North Station, South Station and Back Bay—making it super convenient to get close to your destination or hop one of the MBTA’s rail, bus, subway or boat offerings. Don’t forget about the old adage that Boston is a walking city—it’s true, in downtown Boston around 65 percent of trips during peak hours are nonmotorized—making all of Boston’s hidden treasures highly accessible to locals and visitors alike.
Fantastic Hotels
The hotel you choose as a home for your program will set the tone for the week’s itinerary. Some of our favorites for large groups and/or meetings are the Westin Boston Waterfont, for it’s great location and super comfortable beds, The Sheraton Boston featuring ample & newly renovated meeting space and great accessibility, the hip W Boston and the beautiful Fairmont at Battery Wharf. If you are traveling with a smaller group or looking for something a bit more boutique, try a luxurious room at XV Beacon, cozy up to stunning Charles River views from Hotel Marlowe, visit the historic yet modern Ames Boston, or rest your head behind bars at the always trendy Liberty Hotel.
Meeting Space
Famous for its hospitality and friendly spirit, Boston is one of the premiere meeting destinations in the United States. Offering three major convention facilities and over 127 hotels offering state-of-the-art, flexible meeting space, the Greater Boston area offers plenty of options to accommodate your meetings—from 10 to 10,000 attendees.
Group Activities
There are countless activities that make for an exciting day with your group in/around Boston. Rent a fleet of Duck Boats for a personalized tour of the city or support Boston’s youth by organizing a competitive sailing regatta through our neighbors at the Courageous Sailing Center in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Feeling a bit adventurous? Rent a fleet of vehicles for a road rally/scavenger hunt along the Massachusetts-Maine Coastline. What better way to give guests a taste of New England than with spectacular lighthouse vistas and a few lobster rolls along the way!
Dining
We know our food here in Boston and so do the Chefs that grace us with their talent. There are almost too many to choose from, but a few of our favorites for large groups include Towne Stove and Spirits, Grill 23 & Bar, Lucca (North End OR Back Bay) and let’s not forget about Del Frisco's located on Boston’s exciting new Liberty Wharf. If you are planning a more intimate gathering, don’t miss the opportunity to do a buyout and try the Omakase tasting menu at O Ya, indulge in fabulous service and farm to table goodness at Chef Mary Dumont’s Harvest in Cambridge or sample anything at Barbara Lynch’s infamous No. 9 Park for an unforgettable experience.
Special Event Venues
This is an area in which Boston truly exceeds all expectations as one of a few cities where you can offer guests so many unique ways to soak up the local culture during an evening event. From Cambridge to Dorchester, there are incredible venues on every corner. One of my favorite themes highlights an evening filled with Culture & Cocktails at your choice of fabulous venues including the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, MFA, Boston Athenæum, the über hip ICA or the classic elegance and striking views at the JFK Library. For those looking for a more laid back evening, a great option would be a private tour of Fenway Park followed by a reception on the Green Monster!
Culture
Boston is bursting with history and there is no better way to visit the city’s nearly 55 National Historic Landmarks than on foot—not all in the same day of course, unless you are training for the Marathon! My favorite way to see the city’s highlights is to walk The Freedom Trail. This 2.5 mile red-brick walking trail will leads you to 16 nationally significant historic sites across the city. The Freedom Trail is a unique collection of museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, a ship, and historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution and beyond. For more ideas about what to do & see in the city this spring, check out my fellow Belle of Beantown, Whitney Ferguson’s, blog 2012 State of the City: What Makes Boston Special.
Boston is the perfect example of how a domestic city can be an exciting, culturally rich, rewarding and fun destination for your next incentive. So what’s the recipe? Pick a rich and exciting locale, add at least one ingredient from each category, mix well and serve!
So many things to do yet so little time… Here at Castle, planning unique experiences is our passion and we would love to help create a personalized agenda for your next event. Contact us for more information and don’t forget to enter the EXPERIENCE BOSTON contest for your chance to win a weekend getaway with our friends at the Westin Boston Waterfront!
ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!
Because we’re always looking for new ideas to share with our friends and clients, we want to know YOUR favorite things to do in Boston. Tell us about your favorite way to “Experience Boston” to be entered for a chance to win the Castle Experience Boston contest! What’s in it for you? Besides the thrill of sharing your story with our readers, one lucky entry will win a weekend stay at the Westin Boston Waterfront (2-night weekend stay, dates based on availability). The Waterfront is all the rage, and with warm weather right around the corner (we hope), there is no better place to enjoy Boston’s most vibrant new neighborhood. Just steps from hip restaurants, trendy shopping and fabulous harbor views, The Westin is one of our favorite places to stay/work in Boston and is in the epicenter of all that is buzzworthy in Beantown.
Don’t forget, this contest is about experiences so we want to hear your narrative! Post the story of your most memorable experience in Boston as a comment on any “Belles of Beantown” blog post April 9th – 13th to be entered for a chance to win. The winning entry will be announced next month when we return on May 7th—LET’S GO!
Posted on Tue, Apr 10, 2012
By Whitney Dow Ferguson, The Belles of Beantown | @whitdferguson
Spring is the perfect time to visit Boston. Bats are swinging, swan boats are plodding along, the Boston Public Garden is in bloom, and hip waterfront restaurants have opened up their terraces. This spring, when many local institutions are celebrating their centennials, is an even better time to get acquainted with these much loved landmarks or to revisit old favorites. We’ve shared some of our favorite spots and walks in this post. Read on, watch the video below, and get excited about coming to visit!
Boston is one of America’s most walkable cities: put on colorful springtime flats and get started on a Boston centennial tour. If you’ve ever met a Red Sox fan you know that Boston’s love for the game is undying. As Jimmy Fallon’s character says in Fever Pitch, “They're here. Every April, they're here. . . . And if it gets rained out, guess what? They make it up to you. Does anyone else in your life do that? The Red Sox don't get divorced. This is a real family.” The stadium is celebrating its 100th anniversary; try to score tickets to a game: if you do, be sure to get a Fenway frank and a beer (we recommend locally-brewed Harpoon). If there’s no game on, Fenway holds hourly tours at very reasonable prices (about $15). Beware out-of-towners, you may catch the fever!
While the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum isn’t celebrating its centennial, the museum just added a stunning new wing. Walk up through the Fens – one of Boston’s revered public spaces designed by Frederick Law Olmsted – towards the museum. The ISG was the home of the museum’s benefactor and has been kept exactly as she designed the building and arranged the art. The museum is famous for an unsolved heist in which a Rembrandt, Degas, Manet and Vermeer were stolen. True to the museum’s character, the empty frames remain.
Tired yet? Take a cab up to Copley Square, there’s lots to see in this area and plenty of shopping on Newbury. First stop at the Fairmont Copley, also celebrating its centennial, for lunch. The Fairmont is one of the city’s premier hotels but is also great for a quick visit. Originally, the building served as the Museum of Fine Arts. Civic planners intentionally designed the square to epitomize the “dawn of the American experience.” When you stand in the square you are surrounded by buildings that represent education, religion, art and civic engagement.
After lunch head up to the Boston Commons to just watch the world go by. Pass through the Gardens, home of the swan boat, on your way into the more casual Commons, a site originally designed for shared grazing land. It’s also the centennial of the Parkman Bandstand, a large fixture on the Gardens.
Beacon Hill and the North End are both short walks from the Commons. We’d recommend strolling down Charles Street, and taking in the beautiful and historic homes on the Hill. At the end of Charles and can walk along the Esplanade towards the North End, a busy neighborhood known for it’s Italian feel and excellent restaurants. It’s been a long day; why not enjoy a casual slice of pizza – we recommend Ernesto’s or Regina’s – and a delicious pastry from Modern Bakery.
ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!
Because we’re always looking for new ideas to share with our friends and clients, we want to know YOUR favorite things to do in Boston. Tell us about your favorite way to “Experience Boston” to be entered for a chance to win the Castle Experience Boston contest! What’s in it for you? Besides the thrill of sharing your story with our readers, one lucky entry will win a weekend stay at the Westin Boston Waterfront (2-night weekend stay, dates based on availability). The Waterfront is all the rage, and with warm weather right around the corner (we hope), there is no better place to enjoy Boston’s most vibrant new neighborhood. Just steps from hip restaurants, trendy shopping and fabulous harbor views, The Westin is one of our favorite places to stay/work in Boston and is in the epicenter of all that is buzzworthy in Beantown. Don’t forget, this contest is about EXPERIENCES so we want to hear your narrative! Post the story of your most memorable experience in Boston as a comment on any “Belles of Beantown” blog post April 9th – 13th to be entered for a chance to win. The winning entry will be announced next month when we return on May 7th—LET’S GO!
Posted on Mon, Apr 09, 2012
By The Belles of Beantown | @hallard, @ddoyle09, @whitdferguson, @ngandia
“Above all, I sincerely believe that the public institutions of this capital of Massachusetts are as nearly perfect as the most considerate wisdom, benevolence and humanity can make them. I never in my life was more affected by the contemplation of happiness . . . than in my visits to [Boston].”
- Charles Dickens
It’s a banner year for Boston. Many of the city’s beloved institutions are celebrating their centennial, making it the perfect time for a trip to Beantown. Even for Bostonians, this is a great time to revisit some of your favorite spots and renew your hometown pride. Our city has always led the nation in civic engagement, set the highest standards for education and acted as steward for tremendous public spaces that engage citizens and visitors alike. As Boston builds its brand for the 21st century it will be marked by a powerful confluence of heritage and a collaborative ecosystem of innovation.
Great things are happening in town! To mark the centennial and start of tourist season we’d like to introduce the Belles of Beantown—Proud Bostonians and Castle employees—who will bring you the best our town has to offer through fresh and diverse perspectives. This week, our team of seasoned Bostonians Hilary Allard, Danielle Doyle, Nicole Gandia and Whitney Ferguson will share tips for navigating Boston this spring. From centennial celebrations and local activities, to fantastic dining and great networking opportunities, we are excited to share Boston’s most anticipated offerings.
WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
Because we’re always looking for new ideas to share with our friends and clients, we want to know YOUR favorite things to do in Boston. Tell us about your favorite way to “Experience Boston” to be entered for a chance to win the Castle Experience Boston contest! What’s in it for you? Besides the thrill of sharing your story with our readers, one lucky entry will win a weekend stay at the Westin Boston Waterfront (2-night weekend stay, dates based on availability). The Waterfront is all the rage, and with warm weather right around the corner (we hope), there is no better place to enjoy Boston’s most vibrant new neighborhood. Just steps from hip restaurants, trendy shopping and fabulous harbor views, The Westin is one of our favorite places to stay/work in Boston and is in the epicenter of all that is buzzworthy in Beantown.
ENTER TO WIN!
Don’t forget, this contest is about EXPERIENCES so we want to hear your narrative! Post the story of your most memorable experience in Boston as a comment on any “Belles of Beantown” blog post April 9th – 13th to be entered for a chance to win. The winning entry will be announced next month when we return on May 7th—LET’S GO!
Posted on Thu, Apr 05, 2012
By Clio V. Rourke | @ cvrourke
When employers first requested that job applicants disclose their Facebook logins, they did so based on the premise that an applicant’s Facebook profile accurately represents an applicant’s personality. And when Pepsi recently created a consumer test program for its new low-calorie product Pepsi Next, the company based the program on the premise that a consumer’s Facebook profile can predict how much he or she will like the soft drink – “without opening a can.” Black marketing magic? Big brother alarm? It’s far less serious (though still a little creepy). On the Pepsi Next Facebook page, Facebook users can apply to participate in Pepsi’s Internet Taste Test. Since even Facebook doesn’t have a taste app yet, the selected applicants are then being represented by their “improv self” – comedians from Pepsi’s partner Funny or Die. Using the information found on the applicant’s Facebook profile, a comedian impersonates him or her and acts out the most likely – and probably most funny – reaction to the taste of Pepsi Next. A video of the performance is posted on the Pepsi Next Facebook page and YouTube. So why is this still a little creepy? “We’ll analyze [the applicant’s] Facebook persona,” said PepsiCo Beverages’ Head of Digital Shiv Singh, according to Mashable. “It will be very close to who they actually are.” Will you try it?
Posted on Wed, Apr 04, 2012
By Jordana Heinke, LCI Assistant Account Executive, Landis Communications Inc. (Castle's PRGN partner firm)
For a majority of the public, YouTube has become a legitimate go-to source for entertainment, discovery and even self-promotion. We’re now up-to-the-minute experts, reciting jokes from the latest internet memes at the water cooler. Some of us even re-create our own versions of popular videos. But what causes a video to go viral? And most importantly, whose stardom has been launched as a result?
Companies and individuals alike have found a home on YouTube. Viewers are willing to spend as much as 30 minutes of their bus rides, lunch hours or workout routines absorbing the latest in Internet entertainment. What makes YouTube so massively popular is that it can be digested in short chunks – filling the mundane minutes in the waiting room of the dentist’s office. Perhaps even more important, watching others on YouTube conveys the sense of watching yourself, or someone like you, with a video camera and a bit more time on their hands.
Who Uses YouTube?
Companies: Vegemite created Happy Little Vegemite Cat (67.3 million hits) which became an instant YouTube sensation (viewed 50 million times this year). The video led to a wide variety of spin-offs and parodies, creating an international sensation.
Individuals: The Gregory Brothers, a pair of and refreshingly “average” guys with a penchant for music-mixing, came up with an amazingly popular series called “Auto-Tune the News.” They gained fame by creatively re-engineering news clips into catchy songs. As a testament to their popularity, people actually dressed as Antoine Dodson for Halloween in 2010.
Creative Types: Artists and filmmakers – from the serious to the aspiring – use YouTube hoping to get their work seen by the millions of users. Check out Marcel the Shell Part I and Part II and you’ll know what I’m talking about.
Why Do Videos Go Viral?
In this recent TED Talk video, (posted by Gizmodo) Kevin Allocca, trends manager at YouTube, discusses why videos go viral. Here are the two key takeaways:
Taste Makers: Influencers like Jimmy Kimmel can hurdle even the most obscure video into viral insanity with a simple tweet (think Alec Baldwin and the now uber-popular app game, Words with Friends).
Community Participation: Parody videos can boost both popular and obscure clips into the Viral Hall of Fame by simply creating buzz around the original video. Imitation is, after all, the most sincere form of flattery.
A third “viral-making” category I’d like to insert here is a sort of “top down” model, wherein celebrities whose claims-to-fame stem from outside the parameters of YouTube create their own virally sensational videos. Here’s one by actress Jennifer Aniston on just how to accomplish that. This week, we also delighted in seeing two of the Glee kids teaching us how to Dougie (12.5 million hits and counting).
Sensational vs. Stardom
YouTube as a platform for sensationalizing offbeat personalities has worked for many of its users, an excess of which have enjoyed internet fame. The laundry list of names includes (but is certainly not limited to) Justine, The Annoying Orange, Antoine Dodson and Yosemite Mountain Bear (the list is growing as I type).
There are, however, those who actually step out of the YouTube-o-sphere and into the world of mainstream fame. Teen singer Justin Bieber is a prime example. He started his career on YouTube and has now reached mega-stardom. And, as recently covered in the New York Times, Kate Upton used YouTube to launch her runway modeling career and to land the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. It all started with this video where she performed popular hip hop dance, The Dougie.
They were discovered. They became stars. And they have YouTube to thank for it.
Posted on Tue, Apr 03, 2012
By Stacy Wilbur | @swilbur24
I received my first text message from Lionsgate on February 22nd telling me that tickets to "The Hunger Games" were now on sale, and the world will be watching on March 23rd! Well, the world was definitely watching.
Two weekends ago, "The Hunger Games" movie, based upon the novel by Suzanne Collins, brought in over $155 million in opening weekend. According to the AP, this weekend’s box office numbers marks the third-best debut ever in terms of revenue, behind the $169.2 million opening for last year's "Harry Potter" finale and the $158.4 million opening of 2008's "The Dark Knight."
As an avid reader and movie-goer, I am always pessimistic about seeing the movies based upon books I have read and usually wait to see them on DVD. In the case of "The Hunger Games", I was not missing out on attending opening weekend! After following the movie on Facebook and Twitter, and receiving text message updates on the movie, I proudly purchased my tickets last week to see the movie this past Sunday – and I was not disappointed.
Like any book made into movie there were definitely some changes that bothered me, but nothing that truly altered the essence of the book’s premise. I was very pleased with the acting, storytelling and scenery. The filmmakers translated the book to movie very well, and as a viewer I felt like I was in the games with them!
After seeing the movie, I see the following trends coming to life:
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On a style note, rock star Lenny Kravitz, who played Katniss’ stylist Cinna, started a new trend with gold, glitter eyeliner!
Happy Hunger Games!
Posted on Mon, Apr 02, 2012
By Keri McIntosh | @kl_mcintosh
At Castle events we are always looking for the latest and greatest event technology, with the best applications for our clients. The hardest part is staying ahead of the curve. Smartphones are obviously here to stay and being integrated more and more into our daily lives. For the conference/event planner, it’s changing the game in terms of interactivity, customer experience and event navigation. I decided to review a few event technologies and the potential impact for client events.
Mobile Apps - A hot topic of late has been mobile applications for events. Many of our clients already use them successfully. Apps can enhance the attendees’ experience before, during and after the event by offering – direct to the users’ smartphone – customized event content (i.e. a personalized agenda), maps of the conference venue, SMS messaging for news alerts and on-site changes, speakers’ bios, facebook and twitter integration and post event surveys. Apps cut back on paper, are convenient and can be updated quickly. Many “off the shelf” applications are available (i.e. grupio.com, eventmobi) or if resources allow, companies, can build their own. An important differentiation is building/offering a web based vs. a “native” app. Although potentially more cost effective because they are universal for all phones, web based apps obviously rely on internet connectivity. Planners must ensure that the wireless connection at the conference facility is sufficient enough to support the amount of users. Otherwise planners should consider creating a native app that is downloadable and lives on the user’s device. Since different phone types should be accounted for (i.e. Blackberry, iphone, Droid), costs and lead times to develop can be greater.
QR (Quick Response) Codes – These are those squares that you now see everywhere from the cover of USA Today to business cards. Users scan the square with their smartphone to link to websites, promotions or to “check in”. Event marketers have started using them as an instant way to link to registration pages or adding an event to your calendar. Since they have the ability to store more data than the standard bar code used on many conference badges today, lead generation for exhibitors and networking for attendees can benefit. QR codes can be built into the navigation of the event or tradeshow itself, allowing attendees to check-in at certain points. And given that it is so easy to generate a code, they are printable on a variety of mediums from signage to T-shirts, (Tiffany & Co printed them on cookies at last fall’s New York Fashion Week) and so easy to use, we may see more and more of them. Check out this local company who uses them to register attendees at road races in seconds!
RIFD (radio frequency identification) - Technology has been on the scene for some time (in technology time that is), allowing planners and marketers to keep track of attendees and more recently connecting people to social media such as Facebook Places. Used at large trade shows, ski resorts and concert venues, RIFD enabled badges or lift tickets have a small chip or tag readable by radio waves and/or electromagnetic fields that enable users to check in, be tracked and even synchronize to their Facaebook profiles. Locations may be set up throughout an event venue where guests can swipe their badge and check-in to Facebook Places, take and upload pictures or post a status update. At Vail Ski Resorts you can track your runs, vertical feet and more.
NFC (near field communication) - Is essentially short range wireless RIFD. It’s a technology I keep hearing about and has a huge potential impact in events. Already used inEurope, it allows data exchange or payment processing when mobile devices are in close proximity. Instead of swiping a credit card, users touch their phone to make a payment or to check-in. Since NFC technology will be soon be designed directly intoU.S. smartphones this has great promise for enhanced lead generation at conferences, instant payment of registration fees and concert tickets, checking in for your flight or at events, and more. Keep a look out!
In short, it’s important to be alert and responsive to the ways technology is changing the way we do business. While it’s not essential to jump on every trend coming our way for the sake of staying current, it’s critical to analyze the ways it can increase efficiency and enhance the audience experience and adopt when it makes sense.