The Heart of PR

As with any job, there are those occasional “wow” moments when you realize why you love your job so much. In PR, it can happen when you get your client’s name in a big publication or when you’re making great connections at a high-profile event. And sometimes, these moments occur when you least expect it.

Just last week, we headed to Malibu for the star-studded, second annual Open Hearts Foundation event, hosted by Jane Seymour and James Keach in their home. At the event, various individuals were celebrated for living with an open heart each and every day, despite enduring tragedy and/or overcoming adversity. The 2012 honorees included Rodney and Holly Robinson Peete (HollyRod Foundation), Kristi Yamaguchi (Always Dream Foundation), Kim and Glen Campbell (Alzheimer’s Association) and John and Roxanna Green (The Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Foundation).

All of the honorees were incredibly deserving of this prestigious award, and each had his or her own inspiring story to tell. But there was something especially moving about the story shared by John and Roxanna Green. The Arizona-based couple tragically lost their only daughter, 9-year-old Christina-Taylor, in the January 2011 Tucson shooting involving Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Christina-Taylor was the youngest victim in the shooting that injured 13 and killed 6. After her death, it became clear to the nation that her short life had remarkable meaning and significance. She was born on September 11^th and from an early age loved our country and made it her mission to use her life for good. She served on student council and was a good friend to those who weren’t as outgoing or confident as she was. She was a kind, smart and loving little being.  After her death, President Obama addressed the nation and remarked “I want to live up to her expectations…I want America to be as good as she imagined it.”

At the Open Hearts Foundation on April 21, 2012, we also hoped to live up to Christina-Taylor’s expectations. In a room full of 350 guests, John Green shared that this was a night Christina-Taylor would have loved. He shared that “she always wanted to be a star,” and that the celebration would have been right up her alley.

Throughout the night, the Greens’ story continued to inspire the entire room. Grammy-award winning artist Marc Cohn dedicated his performance to her. Holly Robinson Peete, NFL star Rodney Peete and football legend Marcus Allen also shared heartfelt remarks about how the Green’s story had touched them and the rest of America.

As we walked Roxanna and John back to their car at the end of the night, Roxanna looked up us and said, “This is the first time since my daughter’s death that I feel happy instead of sad. I didn’t cry once.” It’s a moment I’ll never forget.

Later in the week, Roxanna and John continued to express their appreciation after reflecting on the evening. Roxanna even reached out to tell us that she and John get invited to many events, but they usually decline because they tend to make them too sad. Yet, the Open Hearts Foundation event actually brought them joy and made them feel that Christina’s spirit was right there with them in the room.

The words shared by Roxanna and John made every minute of our team’s work so meaningful and worthwhile. That unforgettable night at Jane Seymour and James Keach’s home went far beyond media relations and event logistics — it was about making an impact on someone’s life for the better.

After all the guests departed and the last flower arrangement was removed, we looked at each other, suddenly realizing that we had helped make a difference in the lives of two people who had been through unthinkable tragedy and heartache. If that’s not a “wow” moment, we don’t know what is.

HC Loves Robin Thicke

While in town to support VH1’s Save the Music campaign, award-winning singer/songwriter and actor Robin Thicke hung out at the HC office last night during his Chicago press junket. Thicke proved to be one of THE nicest celebs we’ve met to date sharing photos of his adorable 2-year old son between interviews with members of the media including RedEye’s wingman Ernest Wilkins and Chicago Tribune’s “About Last Night” columnist Luis Gomez. Thicke recorded an upcoming PSA for more in-school music programs. After warming up his soulful voice among our colleagues’ desks, he headed downstairs to Chicago’s hottest nightlife destination, Studio Paris, to perform a 5-song set in front of a packed house. Check out some photos below! Happy Photo Friday.

 

A Remarkable Day: Easter Prayer Breakfast at the White House

 I often remark that my life is bigger than I ever could have dreamt it to be. When I was a little girl, I imagined someday being a wife and a mother, but I could have never predicted that I would have five great kids, a super supportive husband of 15 years (and counting!) and a career that brings me great joy and meaning every day… and certainly puts me in very memorable scenarios.

I call these unique experiences my personal “Forrest Gump” moments – situations where I often say to myself, “How on Earth am I actually meeting this person?” or “How did I end up here with this wonderful opportunity?” No matter how many times I meet someone prominent or get to do something incredibly special, I always have this internal conversation with myself.

And anyone who knows me well knows that I can’t take one bit of credit for the blessings that come into my life.  I always say that God is in charge and that all I need to do is show up every day. Even when I’ve hit some of my life’s biggest challenges, I’m often able to look back and say “God had a plan” or “Look at the blessing that came out of that awful situation. Who knew?” It gives me great comfort to know that God has put me exactly where I’m supposed to be throughout my life, both in good and in bad times. It’s this faith that always keep me headed in the right direction and the same faith that brought me to the White House last week.

Yes, just last Wednesday, April 4, 2012 I had the unbelievable honor of being invited to The White House for the President’s third annual Easter Prayer Breakfast, an event that brings together approximately 100 faith-based individuals (the majority of which are pastors and non-profit leaders and then a few faith-based corporate leaders like myself) and members of the administration to celebrate the meaning of Easter. I had the great joy and privilege to invite Marla Gottschalk, the CEO of The Pampered Chef, to join me for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was thrilled she could attend and we had a lovely time together.

I know, I know; we’re in an election year so many of you have strong opinions about politics and policy, and I can appreciate that. But I’ll tell you that when I received this kind invitation from The White House, I simply viewed it as an unbelievable opportunity to meet the 44^th President of the United States and to pray inside the nation’s most famous home.

It was honestly a surreal moment to walk up the driveway and walk through the doors of the White House (after passing all of the security clearances!). I wish I could do it all over again so I could take better mental pictures of the many unique and historic things displayed around me. I saw the beautiful china of past Presidents displayed in elaborate cases, the presidential portrait of President John F. Kennedy painted after his assassination where he’s looking down in thought, and historic photos of Princess Diana dancing with John Travolta at a state dinner held by President Ronald Reagan. I looked out the windows and saw in the distance moms just like me taking pictures with their families with the White House in the background. I thought to myself, “OK, wait a second! How again did I end up here?”

As I walked through the hallways towards the East Room, dozens of members of the administration were on hand to graciously greet and welcome us all to the White House. (Having trouble hiding my own enthusiasm, I leaned over to a guard in full military formal dress and said to her how cool her job was working inside the White House, and that her parents must be very proud. She said they sure were!)

A Baptist children’s choir was performing as we entered the intimate East Room  – precious little boys and girls singing their little hearts out about Easter. Our table assignments were shared on thick stock lined with gold ink and stamped with gold Presidential seal, and we were invited to take our seats for the breakfast.

I was seated directly next to Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor and assistant to President Obama for Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, who was very gracious and also shared my love for Chicago. Next to Valerie was Leith Anderson, the president of the National Association of Evangelicals. On the other side of me was a very kind Baptist pastor and next to him, Al Sharpton (How on Earth did I end up HERE?! One minute I’m changing Finley’s Pull-Up, the next I’m sitting in the White House with Al Sharpton?) Also seated at our table were the lovely couple, Gabe and Rebekah Lyons, the founders of Q: Ideas for Common Good.

After Joshua DuBois, Special Assistant to President Obama and Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, welcomed the group of 150 people, the press corps began clicking away in the background when he shared a special guest would be introducing President Obama. In walked Vice President Biden, who first shared a special greeting about Easter before introducing the President.

When the President entered, he stood in front of the presidential seal at the podium and delivered a message about the special meaning of Easter and what it meant to him and his family. While he spoke just a few feet away from me, I was both listening and also marveling at this new blessing in my life (many thanks to my friend and colleague JR Kerr who is an advisor to the White House on corporate partnerships). There I sat, pretty grateful, and praying for my HC colleagues, my family and friends and for our country. No matter what your political affiliation, we all want peace and safety for this great country we live in so freely.

After President Obama concluded his remarks, we heard from a number of remarkable pastors, and heard heartfelt songs performed by Sara Groves, Wintley Phipps and the adorable kids from the Zion Baptist Church Children’s Choir. I especially enjoyed observing the President watching the kids and seeing the delight on his face as they each performed a mini solo at the mic. None of those tiny kids seemed nervous to be singing for our President or a room full of leaders. They were just joyful and relishing the moment. I realized, so was I.

After the formal program was over, each table was given an opportunity to take a photo with President Obama. When it was our turn, I shared a common personal connection with the President in normal Act-Like-You-Can Kathleen fashion; he was extremely gracious and friendly to me as we shook hands and had a quick laugh. I don’t care what side of the aisle you sit on, it’s pretty cool to shake hands and share a laugh with the leader of the free world!

Afterwards, I was fortunate to attend a special briefing hosted by Joshua DuBois and his team where we learned more about the administration’s programs in local communities as well as how they were addressing issues from children’s health and fatherhood to child trafficking.

I listened intently for ways that I could bring their needs back to Chicago and inspire others to do good. As a self-proclaimed “catalyst of conversation,” I am always looking for ways to connect Henson Consulting’s corporate clients to non-profits and organizations that need help – it is where I find the most meaning in my profession. It’s also what inspired us to create HC3 last year as part of our own mission to bring brands and organizations together to serve those in need and make this world a better place.

After it was all said and done, I have to admit, I raced to catch my flight home and simply re-entered my crazy, hectic life filled with lacrosse practices and homework and conference calls and client memos. But I did have a big smile on my face the rest of the week (ok, it’s still there). It reminds me how grateful I am for the amazing people in my life and all those who have helped to  get me here.

I hope everyone’s holidays were meaningful and filled with love and people who inspire you.  Mine sure were.

You can read more about the President’s remarks here (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/04/president-obama-hosts-easter-prayer-breakfast_n_1402871.html)

The Accidental Agency

Some say that people come into your life for a reason, but how many of us actually have our eyes open when it happens? I often joke that we’re the “accidental agency” to those who ask me if I had planned this all along. I actually created my firm 10 years ago because nothing like Henson Consulting existed when I needed to focus on being a mom AND a PR professional at the same time.

When I look back, I can now see that many of the people that were influential in my career held skills that I both admired and needed to be successful: confidence, strategic thinking, creativity, wisdom.  Here are a few people I’ve met along the way that shaped my career… and the clues for how you can identify these people in YOUR life.

Going back to my junior year at Purdue University, I remember my first life-changing interaction with a pivotal person in my career. Hill & Knowlton Chicago’s Wendy Levi came to speak on campus, to share her experiences as a recent grad and basically help us clueless students see that it was possible to have a fulfilling career after we graduated. Wendy was everything I wanted to be one day – smart, confident, articulate – and (okay, I’ll admit it) fashionable. Convincing news outlets to run a story about your clients? Working with high-profile figures? Creating unique events and travel? I was hooked. This random interaction would set my career in motion.

Another person that guided the pathway for my future was my first boss at H&K – Janet Cabot – one of the smartest women I know. Today, she’s EVP and Managing Director of US Food & Nutrition Practice at Edelman Worldwide. But back then at H&K, she was the VP that ran a number of big consumer accounts including Kraft Foods – which spurred my ongoing interest in consumer marketing. I knew right away from observing her that Janet was a great PR practitioner, enormously strategic and certainly creative – all things I admired and aspired to be someday.  She continues to be one of my most valued mentors and dear friend to this day.

Another pivotal player in my career is legendary restaurateur Richard Melman, Chairman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. I had the privilege of meeting him after being retained by his equally talented sons, RJ and Jerrod, for their first foray into restaurants – HUB 51 – several years ago. A very “under the radar” type of guy, Rich was quietly observing his sons’ busy brunch crowd while I was visiting the restaurant with my family. I came over to merely say hello and we ended up having a 45-minute conversation.  A month later, Rich hired me to do a special project and, as they say, the rest is history. Today, we work with a number of his company’s divisions and Rich has continued to be a really valuable career resource for me. He has encouraged me to not grow Henson Consulting too quickly, but to be thoughtful about the people with whom I partner and surround myself.

I could go on and on about the terrific people I’ve had the good fortune of meeting along this 20 year journey – actress Jane Seymour whom I met 15 years ago while at Edelman is now a client (we support her Open Hearts Foundation). Or, Doug Porter the CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, who is a terrific example of someone who uses his job to give back and connect people along the way.

So, how do you know if when you meet someone, that they could help influence your career? You don’t really. Wendy showed me what a cool career PR could be. Janet taught me how to be strategic and creative. Rich guided me to grow my firm thoughtfully.

My advice for you? Find people you want to emulate and then become the best “you” you can be.

Post adapted from PR News Insiders article

Welcome to the Bubble Blog!

At HC, we are all in the business of providing our clients with unparalleled creative, strategy and results, all while having fun along the way. Today we are proud to announce the launch of the Bubble Blog. Here we’ll be regularly commenting on the news of the day, sharing client success stories and lessons learned, providing insights into new PR trends, as well as fun observations from the HC staff…and most of all, we’ll be creating strategic conversations with smart people just like you.

We invite you to come back whenever you wish to join us in the convo.