Video Spotlight: AXE "Clean Your Balls" Campaign

You've got to hand it to them. AXE has always been the center of controversy for their racy commercials which push at the boundaries of what is acceptable to say and what's not. Now, with their newest "Clean Your Balls" commercial, it's easy to see the company doesn't plan on stopping its questionable campaign any time soon.

One thing you can't take from AXE is that they really know their audience. Looking to market themselves to young adult males, I think you might be hard-pressed to find a guy between the ages of 16 and 30 who doesn't find these commercials amusing and I am no exception. Some people may say these commercials are offensive, but to me, I think they're taking the kind of humor our generation finds hilarious and running with it instead of ignoring it. And that, to me, makes them edgy but smart about the way they do it.

If you haven't seen the original AXE "Clean Your Balls" commercial, click here.

Chicago: The Windy City blows advice my way pt. 1

When I went to Chicago this weekend, I knew I would be meeting a handful of PR professionals who would have a lot to say about how to get into the field with advice on what steps to take to make it that way. However, I really didn't expect to leave the city with so much inspiration I am heavily considering going to the nearest Target, buying a calendar of the year 2011, and counting down the days until I graduate and can move here.

I learned so much that I can't put it all in one blog post, so I'll be creating a couple to try and get the more important points across.

Over the course of the day, I got to meet and speak to Allan Schoenberg of CME Group (@allanschoenberg), Mike Pilarz of Burson-Marsteller (@mikepilarz), Erin Serkaian of Back on my Feet(@erinserkaian), Todd Blecher of Boeing, as well as Pam Weaver (@pamweaver) of PR Newswire. Unfortunately, our group was too big to go everywhere together, so we had to be split into two groups and because of this I didn't get to meet Amber Porter Cox of Golin-Harris (@amberportercox). I did, however, hear a lot of great things about what advice she gave. I recommend everyone follow them! They helped us all out a LOT.

The first thing I'm going to talk about is the process of finding a job or internship and the advice our speakers offered.

Todd and Mike both stressed the importance being professional from every corner, including basics such as spelling. You would think it was a given to avoid text speak in professional e-mails, cover letters, and resumes, but that's not the case. No "u"s; spell it out as "you" or risk being ignored. Likewise, know exactly how to spell the name's of people you write to in an e-mail or cover letter. Misspelling a name could get your resume tossed in the trash before it's even looked at!

Also, find your niche and make it grow. As Mike said, "Context is a communicator's greatest asset. Know your job better than anyone else." This means if you're interested in entertainment PR, know it like the back of your hand. If you're interested in corporate PR, know the ins-and-outs of your dream company and figure out how you might fit in. Read the trade publications, Google until you just can't Google anymore, go NUTS.

Keep in mind it's always best to take the job you're offered in today's economy, but know where you see yourself in the future. As a fresh face in the field, you'll start to brand yourself based on your experience which will shape who you are as a PR pro for the rest of your life. Always keep the end in sight and know when you want to end up, because heading in a corporate direction when you would like to move to sports PR may prove to be a little difficult over time.

That's all I've got for now. Look for another part to my Chicago saga coming up sometime soon!

STKW, Nov. 15: Black Eyed Peas - The Time (Dirty Bit)

It's Monday, so like always, it's time for our Song For The Weekend to get you excited about the upcoming weekend and hopefully make the week go by a little faster.

A lot of people will accuse the Black Eyed Peas for selling out for doing a song like this, because it's completely different than their original sound five years ago, and it's even a little different from The E.N.D. from last year. However, I applaud them for taking electronic beats and bringing them to the mainstream.

I have always been a fan of electronic music, especially when it comes to getting yourself in the mood for a great weekend, so I am definitely an advocate for the rising trend of electronic music making its way into the mainstream of Top 40 hits. In Europe, electronic music at bars and clubs is very much the norm. I have been wanting to visit Europe for some time, so at least with this new electro-pop trend, it will tide me over until I can afford to do so.

This song has a beat that hits very hard while sampling lyrics from a classic song of the past. It starts off in a way that you can recognize before taking you on a ride you just can't help but dance along to. As always, depth in a Black Eyed Peas song is pretty much non-existent. But at least they know how to get people on the dance floor.

Video Spotlight: "Down On Me" - Keenan Cahill featuring 50 Cent from Chelsea Lately (Full...

I still can't say I understand the appeal of Keenan Cahill, because he's obviously not really the best at lip syncing (is that the funny part?). Granted, he makes funny faces once in a while, but it's not really enough for me to laugh out loud at.

Nevertheless, I think it's pretty awesome that he got to lip sync a song next to 50 Cent just for becoming a YouTube sensation. Maybe I should become a YouTube sensation for swimsuit modeling. Then, maybe I'll get to hit the beach for photographers next to Bar Refaeli! :D

Sorry, guys. I'm dreaming out loud.

How to be popular!...on Facebook.

Did you really think graduating from high school meant the popularity contests were done and over with? Not anymore! Now, with Facebook, those people who were the talk of the school in the halls are still here to drill their business into your skull and you're stuck listening to it (unless you use the Hide feature, which never hurt anyone!). You can listen quietly, or you can let Facebook tell people that you're just as interesting. Here's how.

There was a study done about a month ago that The Daily Beast conducted to see exactly how Facebook determines who pops up in your Top News. The study came to show that Facebook was more or less a popularity contest, and the more comments and "likes" you got on your photo albums, videos, and links, the more likely you were to pop up in someone's Top News. The odd part, however, is that it also affects rather or not you pop up in someone's Most Recent news!

So, it seems, being Facebook popular is like running for Prom King or Queen. Want to be Facebook popular? Well, listen up! If you're posting videos and photo albums, it's like handing out candy and treats for your campaign for the ultimate popularity title, which will get endless attention. If you're posting up links, it's like handing out little buttons with your face on it for people to wear. And, if you're posting up statuses? Well, it's more or less like handing out "Vote For Me!" flyers, and we all know we threw those out in the first trash can we came across.

Being new to the site has its disadvantages more than anything, because you are not as established on Facebook as some of the other regulars might be. If you're new to Facebook, you're like the new kid at school: no one knows anything about you yet, but if you get your friends to "like" enough of your stuff, your popularity will start to skyrocket. You may find it hard to compete with those who have been around longer, who may have well over 600 friends, but the more attention you get, the better chance you will stand in the race.

I know what you're thinking. "Cool, now I know how to be Facebook popular. Why on Earth would I want to be?"

Think of it this way. If you're working PR for someone and you have to get a great turn out at an event in a short amount of time, the best tool to utilize will be social media. Do you want your requests to be at the top of everyone's Top News, or not even loud enough to be a peep on someone's Most Recent mini-feed? If you know how to be seen, you'll find it easier to be heard. It's all about making a splash!

Read more about the study here:

How Facebook Decides What To Put In Your Newsfeed

Songs To Know For the Weekend: Tuesday, November 9th

I'm going to be starting what will (hopefully) be a weekly blog post called Songs To Know for the Weekend, or STKW, which will consist of songs you might want to listen to through the week to get yourself ready for an awesome weekend. This way, Friday seems that much closer.

It's T Shirt Tiiiiiime!

Jersey Shore may be on a small hiatus for now until the third season debuts, but at least they've given us something to remember them by. I don't mean just the catchy quotes which make us laugh (though if you're like me, you still can't help quoting them in every day life). Now, we have a song to keep our heads rockin' and our fists pumpin'!

I have to be honest: I have no idea who made this song, and I have no idea where you can find it to add it to your collection. All I know? It's catchy, it's got a great beat to play over some big speakers at your favorite party spot, and most importantly it keeps everyone well-informed on what time it is so no one's left without a t-shirt when the "cabs are here"! There is really no way to lose.

Does it have a lot of substance? Well, it's no Love The Way You Lie Pt. 2. Will it keep you dancing around in your computer chair until this weekend rolls around? I'm willing to bet my money on a grenade-sized YES.