Thank you, Mom
On Mother’s Day it’s natural for people to reflect on the many sacrifices mom has made over the course of a lifetime. For many, it’s mom who makes sure tummies are fed, clothes are washed, cuts are cleaned and teeth are brushed. They are the motivators, believers and untiring supporters. Perhaps it was best said by U.S. Olympic Weightlifter, Sarah Robles, that “even when everything crumbles around you, you still have your support system.”
Procter & Gamble is in the business of h...
On Your Mark: Have Fun Making a Point
On the account that I have oversight of we have experienced tremendous growth in 2012 thanks to a client partner that values our work product, ideas and perspective when it comes to advancing them toward their business and communication goals. We have also experienced growth because of the hard work of everyone involved on the account from the newest account coordinator to the managing partner that is responsible for our outputs and outcomes.
Because of that growth we have had to add people t...
On Your Mark: Solve, Don’t Sell
So this is my first blog entry for Threads, where you can find tremendous insights from some of the brightest professionals in our industry. I am proud of the transformation this agency has achieved and the impact we are creating for our clients, but for me, more importantly, our people.
I have often drawn the analogy that working at Taylor is like being a part of a teaching hospital. It is your responsibility to practice very well, and teach very well and always learn. We are all "doctors" o...
A Southerner’s Take: “Real” Coke & Other Brands That Change My Life
Several weeks ago I went grocery shopping with my little sister who is living the good life as a starving college student at UVA. After the manager made us quit taking turns riding in the cart, we proceeded with the task at hand – obtaining as much food possible for as little cash as we could fork over.
Ramen Noodle? Check. Chicken noodle soup? Check.
Then, in an attempt to quell the rising trend of noodleage, we headed to the peanut butter aisle. Sally reached for the shelf and in a m...
The Only Job Security You Really Need
New York Times Op-Ed Columnist Frank Bruni recently wrote a poignant piece entitled "The Imperiled Promise of College”. It is another sobering look at the state of education today. Mr. Bruni writes that a college degree which once was nearly a guarantor of success is far from it today. Even though a college education was much more accessible previously than it is now, the promise that college will deliver a graduate into their chosen career is hardly a promise that can be kept. Although colleg...
A Tradition Unlike Any Other…
Watching the Masters is a Duffy family ritual. My dad would forgo his own golf game, or makes sure he’s finished by Noon, so he can be home and on the couch for the TV broadcast. For us, our love is as much about the scenery as it is about the golf. Whether it’s a shot of Hogan’s Bridge or the azalea-lined Rae’s Creek, I believe August National to be one of the five most beautiful places on Earth.
But why do so many people, even ones who don’t play golf themselves or follow it relig...
A View From the Judge’s Bench: A Seven Step Guide to Winning Awards
It was one of those perfect early spring days that felt like we got a free pass right into June. But the calendar said March 23 – judging day for the PRSA Silver Anvil Awards -- so I was confined to a crowded hotel ballroom in lower Manhattan. Despite missing out on the 72-degree weather and brilliant sunshine, I found the experience quite valuable. As with the PRWeek Awards, which I’ve been privileged to judge as well, you get a good feel for the variety and quality of work in our indus...
SXSW Music: Battle of the Brands
Last week, I was in attendance at South by Southwest (SXSW) Music conference for the fourth year in a row. Overall, the idea of SXSW Music conference has always been about music discovery – finding that new band that will be playing in your stereo system, on repeat, for months. Fortunately, I was able to catch quite a few great shows and I have been playing the music every since.
From an overall conference perspective, I did notice that the focus has shifted from previously being a “bat...
Can A NHL Locker Room Be A Successful Business?
Maybe it is because one of my passions – the NY Rangers – are leading the NHL in points and having the type of season us diehard fans only dream about, but I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how special the locker room is for a professional hockey team. For those that are not familiar, everything about an NHL locker room screams commitment and dedication. The way it is shaped (usually an “O”) demands that each player has no choice but to look directly in the eyes of his teammates b...
SXSW: Social Media + the Olympic Spirit
London will be the biggest social media sports event in history. There has been a fundamental shift in how we consume information since four years ago in Vancouver. Mass adoption of social media, the emergence of second and third screens, as well as the recent International Olympic Committee policy changes for athletes indicates that the online conversation will be bigger than it ever has been before. Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Usain Bolt are already seeing social media growth and support, ...
Threads is the voice of Taylor. It is a rich and resonant voice, one that speaks from diverse experiences, both personally and professionally. As a brand counselor and marketing communications partner to a select portfolio of the world’s leading consumer brands, we provide a unique perspective on a variety of topics and issues that impact our business, from brand planning, digital strategy and consumer insight, to strategic media relations and measurement & evaluation.
We also have our finger on the pulse of everyday life and popular culture, expressing thoughts, emotions and musings on sports, music, fashion, food, movies and most everything in between. We’re marketers, communicators, influencers, critics, fans, authors, poets, and artists -- of all ages and professional levels. We may be opinionated, perceptive, thoughtful, humorous, but regardless of our point of view, we hope that one thing resonates as you follow our Threads: We’re Built Differently.