Whether you’re new to social media or a seasoned user, Sree Sreenivasan’s Social Media Weekend was meant to be a learning experience for everyone. The primary goal behind this event was to share best practices with journalists and media professionals when using social media, and stress the importance of connection. A common thread seen throughout the conference was personal branding. Some savvy social media minds shared their thoughts on social media and its impact on journalism and media; here are some of the key takeaways from that day:

Know who you are.

Never shy away from being you. Pick two to three subjects that define you and demonstrate your niche. Sree Sreenivasan said: “Think about the top 10-15 people following you whenever you tweet. Aim not to bore them.” Regularly update your social media profiles to include the most up-to-date information. It is important to constantly recreate your bio; it is the one place where you can brag about your accomplishments.

Think before you tweet.

Don’t bore or more importantly, misinform your followers. Consider what you’re tweeting to them. Sreenivasan added: “Everyone will miss almost everything you do on social media.” Keep it interesting, find new ways to engage with your community, but remember that your personal brand is an extension of your parent company. Steve Rubel shared a great example – Derek Jeter as an extension of the Yankees baseball brand. Through his own personal pages, Jeter gives the Yankees a humanistic quality and acts as the face behind the brand.

Timing is everything.

Unique content becomes spreadable content when the timing is perfect. We are living in a world of real-time news, where breaking stories are reported instantaneously. There are positives and negatives to this. Reporting breaking stories first can build trust within your community, but rushing and misreporting a story can result in major issues. The false report of Joe Paterno’s death was a great example mentioned during the Sports & Social Media Panel by Richard Deitsch: “As in Paterno’s death, one blogger source was used to break the story. Leading to one blogger embarrassing a major corporation.” Had this corporation verified its sources before releasing the story, this situation may have never happened. While it can be frustrating to wait, ESPN’s Joe Schad added: “I tweet what I know when I know it.”

Hot off the press! Kaplow is pleased to share its listing in the 2011 Holmes Report “Agency Report Card.”

Kaplow kick-started its 20^th year in 2011 with exciting new business additions and a revamped senior management team, quickly overcoming any industry hurdles thrown our way due to the ever-changing economy. As noted in the article, one key to Kaplow’s success is a 360 approach to client campaigns that supplements core media relations capabilities with newer offerings that include Kdrive social media practice, Kstudio content creation and distribution unit and groups focused on special events, corporate social responsibility and brand storytelling.

After the recognition of all our hard work this year, the article closes with a note that the agency has also secured a place on the Holmes list of the Best Agencies to Work For. Way to go!

A special shout-out goes to our dedicated clients, who continue to challenge us to be a best-in-class agency.

You can find the full Kaplow Holmes Report Card here. Here’s to even more exciting things to come in 2012.

I am so proud that Kaplow supported the annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, which held its ninth annual walk here in New York this past weekend. As a long-term partner of Avon’s, we are so honored to be able to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer through this amazing annual event. In addition to working on the series of walks throughout the year with Avon, Team Kaplow also strapped on our walking shoes and covered the 39.3 miles with thousands of other supporters and survivors. As we stood at the closing ceremonies, I was overwhelmed with such a sense of pride at being able to help Avon communicate the importance of this milestone event in so many people’s lives. Avon global ambassador Reese Witherspoon was on hand at the event to share in the stories of survival and to award over $9 million in grants supporting breast cancer organizations.

I want to thank our partners at the Avon Foundation for Women for enabling Kaplow to share in this life-changing event, celebrating people who have made a difference in so many ways to eradicate breast cancer from our lives forever. The walk will be a lifelong memory for me and Team Kaplow.

Here are some words from a few of the Kaplow team who participated in the event:

I’m honored to work with such an amazing client as the Avon Foundation. To watch thousands gather at the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer New York and actually see their raised funds given to local NYC hospitals and organizations on the spot– is very motivating and meaningful. It makes me want to pitch their story until my throat is dry. – Gloria Quinn Doyle

I was so excited to participate as this was my first Walk experience and then a month beforehand I injured my ankle pretty seriously.  I was nervous about training and being able to do it at all, but made a promise to myself and my fundraising supporters that I would give it a shot.  On the Saturday of the Walk weekend, I realized, as we walked up the West Side highway, I was surrounded by a sea of pink shirts, women buzzing and laughing, many wearing signs “in memory of” or “in honor of.” In that moment my physical limitations were no longer my primary thought, and instead I was filled with pride to be part of such a powerful movement in support of such hope and strength. I was able to complete 13 miles- many more than I had thought possible due to my injury- and I can’t wait to try to complete the whole thing next year! – Melinda Templeton-Duffy

I was incredibly inspired to have the opportunity to walk with so many dedicated women, men and even children, some of which have been participating in the Avon Walk for the Cure for years.  To be surrounded by countless supporters and survivors was an amazing experience and I couldn’t be more honored to have the opportunity to be “in it, to end it” with my Kaplow-colleagues! – Jacqueline Agosta

In the spirit of summer fun, a few of the Kaplow girls had some team bonding over manicures. Thanks to the Kaplow Team for planning fun summer outings!

Cassie & Dana

Tori & Danielle

Mandy, Cassie, Danielle, Dana, Tori

All polished up!

Members of the Kaplow team braved the New York heat to get some fresh air at the golf course.  Check out the photos from the fun summer outing below!

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of hosting Tim Massie, Chief Public Affairs Officer and an Adjunct Professor of Communications at Marist College (my alma matter) for a brief visit to Kaplow. Tim is one of my friends and mentors, and he brought a class of senior public relations majors with him to discuss PR, social media and finding a job in the field post-college. I’d done a similar trip with Tim back when I was a senior student in his class and felt it was immensely valuable in preparing to start my career (no pressure!).

While I likely rambled on for way too long about Skype and foursquare, below are the three key points of advice that I hope resonated with the class regarding finding a job in the ever-evolving field of public relations:

1. Participate in Internships

Especially with the economy still on the rebound, entry-level candidates need to do everything they can to show that they have relevant, real-world experience. Strong internships are the best way to get that experience. My internship at World Wrestling Entertainment was a key differentiator and definitely set me apart from other candidates when I had just graduated.

2. Have Social Media Presence (and Keep it Clean)

PR is evolving and becoming more involved in the online world, but one thing hasn’t changed: your reputation is everything. Working at an agency, you will be a representative of the brands you work on, and employers often look at the social media presences of applicants to ensure they aren’t offensive. You might think that your Facebook photo where you have a Corona in each hand, a blunt in your mouth and your shirt off is pretty awesome, but it is definitely not going to score you an interview. Keep your public photo and content clean, and keep everything else set to private.

3. Do Your Research

Conducting research can be key in both getting in the door and during the interview process. Agencies (and employers in general) want to know that you really do want to work for THEM, and that you want THAT particular job, not just that you want A job. You can help strengthen your case here by conducting research before submitting your CV/resume.

Check out the agency’s website to see what their focus areas are and what clients they service; Google search the company’s name to see what new business they’ve won recently (or, check on PR news trades like PRWeek and PR Newser which often list these wins); and finally, check LinkedIn to see who works at the firm.

[WARNING: British slang used liberally.]

Kaplow had a rockin’ knees-up today in celebration of the Royal Wedding.  While we skipped the morning coats and fascinators, we were adorned with plastic tiaras, giant plastic gem rings and princess wands.  And, of course, we enjoyed hot tea, scones and mini tea sandwiches.  We sure are knackered from all the excitement, but, as the Brits would say, bob’s your uncle!

Congratulations to William & Kate!

We are delighted to celebrate the marriage of Kaplow Vice President Alysha Crouse and Kelly Kozlowski.  Alysha and Kelly joined hands during a beautiful ceremony on February 5th.  Best wishes to the happy couple from the whole Kaplow Team!

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

Last week, Kaplow staff gathered to celebrate the 90th birthday of Sylvia Miller, more commonly known around the office as “Mrs. M.” Seasoned singer and opera performer, Ryan Lathan, arrived with flowers for Mrs. M and performed “The Song is You” from Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein’s Music in the Air. During the sweet serenade, Mrs. M asked the singer, “Where were you 40 years ago?” making the whole crowd chuckle. After a heartwarming and humorous speech from Kaplow CFO Evan Jacobs, the group enjoyed a lovely luncheon.

“In all my 70 years of working, I have never met the head of a company so considerate of his employees,” Mrs. M. remarked. “Evan and Liz [Kaplow] are very caring, concerned and in constant touch with their staff.”

And who wouldn’t want to bathe Mrs. M in affection? The New York native is known for dispensing fashion, beauty and relationship advice, brightening the Tuesdays and Thursdays of each Kaplow employee, “even on the off-Thursdays!” jokes account executive Megan Cross.