As a fashionista living in Manhattan, the thought of going to the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas was quite intimidating. After all, I prefer a PC over a Mac and my old BlackBerry to the new iPhone 4S. Let’s face it; I just learned how to tweet.

Knowing I would be surrounded by savvy techies and cutting-edge consumer electronics, I even contemplated toning down my wardrobe, but I didn’t have to, as I was at CES with Case-Mate, the leader in fashion forward mobile tech accessories.

As a virgin to both Vegas and CES, I was pleasantly surprised by just how hip CES is. From a PR perspective, this makes a lot of sense. Companies not only have to have quality products and ground-breaking innovations, but they need to attract media and buyers to their booths using whatever approaches it takes. I saw everything from Justin Bieber to booth babes and even people jumping on trampolines. Case-Mate didn’t need any of this because its booth’s high design, quality products and team spoke for itself.

Some favorites from the show included a new Tortoiseshell case for the hip socialite, a Phantom case for the Soul Cycle enthusiast and a POP! ID case for the minimalist bar-goer. The booth represented Case-Mate’s philosophy of “happiness by design” and showcased all of the products in a fun and vibrant way, even allowing guests to make their own cases on-site or trade in their old cases for a new one. And the team was authentic and genuine – each Case-Mate team member dressed their smartphones up with a case that matched their individual style.

Whether it’s a brand, product or idea – CES is the place to make it come to life in a way that is authentic (and sometimes even unusual). What I learned:  if tech can be sexy, anything can be!

Foursquare: Is it a game you played on the playground; or is it a game you play in the palm of your hand, with your city as the playground? Neither, actually. Though just as playful, foursquare is more useful than either gaming solution.

As a location-based mobile utility, foursquare helps you navigate your city and discover new places within it. You can either ‘check-in’ or simply ‘Explore’ nearby hotspots, niche venues and even deals, with the click of a button.

To demonstrate the relevance of foursquare’s newest features to everyday consumers, Kaplow kicked off a series of walking tours, in which we invite a few reporters on a four-block tour, using foursquare as our compass.

Just a few days ago, we recently took a handful of travel journalists with us as we “played tourist” in the charming Lower East Side of Manhattan. Strolling along Stanton street, we stumbled upon everything from discounted drinks to the greatest sweet-tooth solution known to New York.

As our fellow “tourists” learned, and consequently shared with their readers, it’s incredible what you’ll discover in a city where you’ve lived your whole life!

Kaplow is excited to help change the foursquare conversation from “Maybe I’ll win the Mayorship there” to “Man, Aziza J. just went to Mamoun’s and said the falafel was fantastic! Let’s go there.”

Today, three Kaplow clients were featured in a TODAY Show segment entitled “Big Labels for Tiny Tots: Splurge vs. Steal Fashion Show.” TheFind’s Alison Deyette highlighted fashions from both Target’s Calypso Collection and Carter’s.

“After three years at Kaplow and dozens of Today Show segments for our clients, I’m really proud to have scored a hat-trick by having Target, Carter’s and TheFind all prominently featured in the same segment on the TODAY Show today,” said Dana Glaser, Vice President of Media Strategies and Executive Producer of Kstudio. “This is a true testament to the power of relationships coupled with Kaplow’s top-notch client roster.”

To watch the segment, please visit the Today Show here.

What’s every woman’s nightmare?  Going out after work knowing that you’re not looking hot.  Not to worry; it’s Baby Phat to the rescue!

Kaplow’s Kstudio team filmed a short and fun elevator ambush makeover video.  The video features Soyon An, Emmy-award winning American Idol Celebrity Stylist and BabyPhat Celebrity Guest Stylist, doing a quick makeover to get that working woman ready to go out!

Here are some fun behind-the-scenes photos with Soyon An:

Before

After, thanks Soyon!

Soyon An with Nola Weinstein from Glam.com

Check out the elevator ambush video here.

Barneys Creative Director Simon Doonan debuted a line of couture costumes for Target this year. Members from the Kaplow team were thrilled to model the costumes and show Halloween spirit.

From left to right: Ashlee, Jessica, Alex, Dru, Danielle, Korell

This evening, mark. launches the Spring 2010 beauty & fashion lineup with a NYC TweetUp. Can’t be there in person? Beauty & fashion fans around the globe can virtually meet legendary designer Carlos Falchi and other celebrity mark. experts, while getting the download on the NEW mark. & Carlos Falchi Rio collection. Follow the live feed on the mark.girl Facebook page or search for the #markgirl Twitter hashtag. See you online!

by Mandy Hjellming

Kaplow was thrilled to be invited to participate in PRWeek’s Digital Roundtable on January 14.  Stephanie Schwab, Senior Vice President of K:drive, represented Kaplow at the invitation-only event, which will be covered in the March issue of PRWeek and on their website.

The morning kicked off with a casual keynote from Bill Evans of Fleishman Hillard, which was followed by a Q&A with Adam Brown from Coca-Cola, led by PRWeek’s Erica Iacono. The intimate roundtable conversation then dove deep into the emerging trends of digital PR, with perspectives shared from brands and agencies.  Look for the March issue of PRWeek for more details!

Kaplow has added a significant new force to its already robust group of practices with the introduction of the Technology and Emerging Media group. Kaplow’s own Chaim Haas, an industry expert in technology and social media, will lead this new division for Kaplow. As Senior Vice President of Kaplow’s Technology and Emerging Media practice group, Chaim will continue his work with Skype, and will lead a team working with a digital media company and a digital news service covering stories vital to local communities.

His deep understanding of social media has already been noticed by other industry experts. A new book by Emmy Award-winning former CBS News reporter David E Henderson “Making News in the Digital Era,” features some of Chaim’s thoughts on the changing media landscape and the practice of public relations. He remarks, “the ways of communication – be they traditional journalists, online journalists, bloggers or direct to consumer – are converging, and we must be able to do each one of these things exceptionally well.” He stresses the importance of the online space, noting that “reporters follow bloggers for story ideas just as consumers follow bloggers for information. Everyone is actively in the conversation.” (A full excerpt from the book can be found here.)

Congratulations, Chaim, on these two major achievements.

NEW YORK and DELHI – August 27, 2009 – Kaplow and Torque Communications today announced a new strategic alliance, expanding their offerings into the India and United States markets, respectively.

New York-based Kaplow, which was recognized by both PR Week and the Sabre Awards with the best global campaign of 2008, serves as lead agency for a number of global brands. The alliance with Torque now offers Kaplow clients full coverage of the Indian market through Torque’s four offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

Torque will be offering major Indian companies access to the North American media and consumer market through Kaplow’s diversified consumer and corporate communications offerings. The alliance also allows for integrated Indian-North American client programs as well as the sharing of best practices across the two regions.

“We look forward to working closely with Torque to offer our clients the opportunity to expand their brand profiles with the media and consumers in India,” said Liz Kaplow, president and CEO of Kaplow. “This important alliance allows us to offer global brands full representation in India both in the consumer and corporate communications practices.”

“Firms today have global needs and require global outreach. The coming together of Kaplow and Torque will enable both firms to present clients with capabilities that have been tested in the world’s two most competitive markets,” said Supriyo Gupta, Managing Director of Torque Communications.

Kaplow has an existing strategic alliance with Trimedia International and their offices throughout Europe.

About Kaplow

Kaplow exists for a singular reason: to emotionally connect our clients’ brands with the audiences who matter most. For nearly two decades, Kaplow has specialized in creative, compelling brand storytelling that changes the conversation.

Kaplow is defining the public relations agency of the future, reinventing the public relations practice using new tools and platforms. By integrating social media and emerging technologies with well established media platforms, Kaplow is ensuring that our clients’ brand stories are front and center where the consumer is living today.

Kaplow is headquartered in New York City with strategic partners across the globe. Visit www.kaplowpr.com for more information.

About Torque Communications

Torque is a leading public relations and communications consultancy company headquartered in India. Torque operates four offices India backed by a media outreach system that covers over 119 towns and cities across all parts of India.

Torque Communications has scorched a blazing trail of client acquisitions and communication work since its inception. The Agency specializes in handling large consultancy based communication accounts and is at the center of some of the biggest stories in India. The consultancy has also been engaged in Public Affairs counseling at various levels, including defense, changes in immigration laws and formulation of policies in Energy, Telecom, Agriculture, Shipping and Pharmaceuticals.

For more information visit www.torquecommunications.in.

Skype recently teamed up with Glamour.com’s Single-ish bloggers for a Skype affair to remember. Hi-tech flirters, Erin and Ryan, each went on three virtual dates using the Skype video calling software. After their virtual trysts, the video-dates were posted to the site and readers voted to determine which Skype suitors would score an in-person rendezvous with bloggers Erin and Ryan.

The partnership enabled Skype to connect with Gen Y consumers by introducing an innovative approach to speed dating and tapping into the media’s fascination with dating and relationships. The video dating challenge brought about tremendous media coverage. The TODAY Show and The New York Post featured articles stressing the message that Skype’s video calling software is free. Additionally, Kaplow successfully leveraged social networking tools such as facebook and twitter to create buzz around the program.