Charity: Water (www.charitywater.org) — Bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations … AND 100% of public donations directly fund water projects (including the credit card fees from your donation). Why are they innovative? They use the digital space in a clever and unique way to very clearly outline, promote and report the progress on their goals (in numbers we can all understand, plus you can check Google maps to see where every completed water project is located).

-Gordon Fowler, President & CEO

826 Valencia (www.826valencia.org) — They help kids become better writers while helping over-burdened public schools and teachers provide the one-on-one attention that budgets no longer allow. But why are they innovative? They also run a pirate supply store which pays the lease, and how cool is that? At first, 826 Valencia started as just the address for a San Francisco publication to house its offices. However, looking at the education need in their own community, they decided they should add a free tutoring program for local kids. Running a publication in the morning, then when school ended, offering up staff as tutors. Because the building was zoned for retail, though, they needed to sell something to stay in their location. They created the Pirate Store, which turned out to be the perfect connection for 826 to the very community they wanted to help, as curious neighbors and visitors stopped in to see the unique store, and more often than not became new clients, donors and volunteers. Far from being part-time now, they have a volunteer roster of more than 1,700 local creative professionals and serve more than 6,000 students in San Francisco alone…and they have even opened seven more chapters across the country.

-Angela Criser, Director of Digital Strategy

Francis House Center (www.francishousecenter.org) — They serve as a triage center for newly homeless individuals and families, providing great emergency assistance, referrals, and case management. Why are they innovative? Francis House Center is the only organization in Sacramento that helps homeless people obtain State-issued identification, which is critical to enrolling in programs, obtaining health benefits, getting a job.

- Kim Tucker, VP Nonprofit Division

Project 7 (www.project7.com) — Simply put, You buy, they give. They are a cause-related company that makes everyday consumer goods like bio-bottled water, gum, mints and coffee. However, they aren’t asking you to buy more stuff, just change the products that you already buy in order to help others. Why are they innovative? Project 7 uses hardcore cause marketing (like retail space at the cash wrap in Walmart) following a hard-nosed, straightforward brand …”Buy this and do that.” Brilliant.

- Steve Alfano, Creative Director

These Numbers Have Faces (www.thesenumbers.org) — TNHF educates and empowers South African youth to ignite community transformation. Why are they innovative? They’re a pretty well-rounded and great organization. They are active on Twitter – and I especially love the quotes and statistics they push out. They also utilize pretty much every major social network and even have an iPhone app — it’s impressive to say the least for a nonprofit to truly understand technologies connection to new audiences.

- Alicia Allen, Social Media Coordinator

Cottage Housing, Inc. (www.cottagehousing.org) — A solution-focused, participant-driven and strength-based organization where homeless people help themselves — and each other — through their transition from the streets to self-sustainability. Why are they innovative? Cottage Housing, Inc. is not the patient type.  They were not interested in sitting around waiting for the economy to improve so they could find their formerly-homeless graduates jobs.  Instead, they started creating jobs by starting businesses.  Take Finishing Touch. This is a mobile detailing business that employs a formerly homeless workforce who graduated from Cottage Housing’s program.  Job skills, employment readiness, a living wage, a self-esteem boost…and a shiny, clean car. And that is just one of many.

- Scott Moak, Director of Nonprofit Services

TED (www.ted.com) — TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, and Design. Since then, its scope has become ever broader. Why is it innovative? They believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world. The TED website offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world’s most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with those ideas and each other.

- Clay Nutting, Account Manager Social Media Services

Doctors without Borders (www.doctorswithoutborders.org) — Doctors Without Borders began in 1971 as Medecins Sans Frontieres by a group of French doctors and Journalists in the wake of the war and accompanying famine in Biafra and Nigeria. Why are they innovative? In light of them being an organization that has been around for more than 30 years, they continue to grow and change, now utilizing social media such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Tumblr to spread the information regarding their great body of work.  Their webpage is designed to show everything from current events affecting the world to ways to donate, from how to work with them to annual reports spanning the last decade.  They currently have 435,738 followers on Facebook and 155,208 followers on Twitter!

- Curtis Ebo, Operations Coordinator, Nonprofit Services

Center for Land Based Learning (www.landbasedlearning.org) — They teach California’s urban youth about the importance of agriculture and watershed conservation. CLBL exposes these kids to farms and ranches — a world they typical do not interface with. Why are they innovative? They work with youth to help them develop leadership skills and learn how sustainable agriculture practices contribute to a healthier ecosystem and create connections to agricultural, environmental, and food system careers. They also use channels like Facebook and YouTube to share these hands-on experiences, hoping to connect those not able to participate first hand with their mission. Besides, who wouldn’t love this video of kids rapping in a field about what they learn.

- Andi Justice, Account Manager

Special Olympics (www.sonc.org) — Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Programs give athletes continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skill, and friendship with their families, other athletes and the community. Why they are innovative? Beyond their incredible use of social networks to spread the message, they have partnered with pop culture media, including the TV show Glee and the Not Acceptable R-word PSA. In their social networks, the positive messages, incredible images and dynamic stories always bring a smile to my face.

- Brian Blank, PR and Social Media Manager

Kind Campaign (www.kindcampaign.com) — An internationally recognized movement, documentary and school program based upon the belief in KINDness that brings awareness and healing to the negative and lasting effects of girl-against-girl “crime.” Why are they innovative? They use a very “real” documentary to reach out to victims (and perpetrators) of adolescent girl-against-girl violence and then provide an immediate outlet for girls to gain support and empower themselves with their tagline “We’ve all been a victim. Unfortunately, we’re also the cause. Help us change.” They also have support from stars such as Lady Gaga.

- Elise Crispen, Account Assistant

Girls on the Run (www.gotrsac.org) –  The nonprofit is geared to girls from the 3rd to 8th grade and they teach them the value of eating right, having a healthy body image and ultimately showing them the joy of running.  Why are they innovative? With so many obese boys and girls in our country, it is great to see a program like Girls on the Run.  At the end of each session, each of the girls ends up running in a local 5K race.  Also, depending on the financial need of the school district the program is instituted in, the organization outfits the girls with new running shoes from New Balance.

- Ross Villegas, Account Manager

I don’t advocate war and don’t think everything we do with our military is right BUT that doesn’t discount the sacrifices our military service people have made for our country. Many of us have served at different points in time where America had different attitudes about our armed forces.

National pride was at an all-time high after World War II and those returning from service were met with ticker-tape parades. Fast forward 25 years and those men and women returning from Vietnam were met with protests and harassment, never quite getting the appreciation they deserved for the arduous conditions and graphic scenes they endured.

I encourage all of you tomorrow or over the weekend to find a vet – a friend, a relative, a stranger – and say thank you! It doesn’t matter whether or not we served overseas or in time of war, we all played a role in supporting our country and sacrificing so the simple “thank you” means a lot!

If your office happens to be open tomorrow, make sure to do something special for your veteran employees — buy them lunch, shake their hand, or just give them the day off. Taking the time to recognize their service will mean a lot. Many of us have fond memories about our time in service and the friends we made, touches like this give us the opportunity to reflect and be proud of our service.

Everybody has had a different experience and have some great stories to share. Don’t be afraid to ask a veteran about their time in but be aware of sensitive areas. Be thankful and share in the history we all were a part of shaping.

In case you are wondering how exactly we got to have Veteran’s Day as a holiday, here is an informative video from the History Channel.

Dr. Gates will be conducting a question and answer session as part of his presentation and we’re certain our 3fold blog readers can come up with a pretty inspiring question. Here is the deal — in order to win this free ticket, submit the question you’d like to ask Dr. Gates in the comment section before 10 a.m. PDT on Wednesday, September 21. We’ll then select our favorite question and pass it on to the Metro Chamber to ask Mr. Gates and in return, we’ll give you a ticket to the event.

With over 23 million meals served and over 800 men and woman trained and gaining full-time employment, Egger’s philosophy helped turn the dream of a socially responsible business into a reality. Egger also penned the award-winning book Begging for Change: The Dollars and Sense of Making Nonprofits Responsive, Efficient and Rewarding for All.

At Friday’s roundtable, Egger shared his passion with leaders from Sacramento’s nonprofit community, asking them to start thinking about social responsibility and treating organizations more as a social enterprise than a “not for profit.” With a shift from a manufacturing orientated society into a service oriented society, our view on quality of life, wealth and social responsibility are changing and so does the way we traditionally have gone about treating the traditional nonprofit.

As the Baby Boomer generation ages and the Millennial generation reaches the workforce, there is a crossroads where the two generations are meeting that will have a major impact on the way nonprofit agencies exist in the future. As Eggers pointed out, this brings around change — change that some are willing to embrace wholeheartedly, while others may resist. “Our generation chose to drop out and rage against the machine. This generation can drop in and take over,” he adds.

This evolving way of thinking across all generations is a good sign for the nonprofit community as philanthropy and a return to the need for “community” and belonging. But nonprofits also need to reevaluate and grow as well to be successful in the future. To thrive, nonprofits have to adopt the mechanics needed to run a business for its longevity.

“Robert Egger challenges us to ‘march out and meet the future,’ and that’s exactly what the Spark! series is intended to do,” said Kim Tucker, Vice President of Nonprofit Services at 3fold. “Let’s do as Robert did at DC Central Kitchen and move around the existing ingredients –- our leading nonprofit organizations and our forward-thinking funders –- and innovate in our responses to community needs.”

With the tagline “Where Coffee Meets Inspiration,” the 3fold Spark! series is a quarterly roundtable speaker event bringing together a variety of voices from the nonprofit community to Sacramento.

So you might be asking yourself who is this Brian Blank guy? Well as of last week I joined the team as public relations and social media manager to help our existing and future clients navigate the ever-changing realm of communications in this digital society.

My background is with technology and sports PR, having worked in and around the Silicon Valley tech scene from the late 1990s to today – seeing a dynamic shift in the way we communicate. The recent growth of social networking and social media has changed the way consumers and brands interact and it can be daunting for companies to shift their communication strategies when it seems like there is a new tool or network popping up every day.

The key thing to remember is many of these networks and gadgets are just tools to use to communicate, and to be most effective you must have a solid communications strategy as a backbone. Strategy will help set the game plan and road map to make your overall public relations efforts and social media tactics easier to grasp and understand.

We are in an exciting time. Great things are on the horizon for the agency and I am excited to be on the team. Our CEO and founder Gordon Fowler has put together an incredible lineup of rock stars here, and we all look forward to meeting your needs and going beyond expectations.

You can read more about me here over as I’ll be a regular contributor on key topics here on the 3fold Blog or you can also follow me on Twitter @brian3fold. So whether you have a question or are looking for a top-notch integrated marketing agency to help you cut through the noise and make a positive impact, give us a call and stay tuned for more great things ahead!

Contest rules/considerations:

1. No, we won’t tell you the due dates for either baby. That’d make this game too easy.

2. Remember, babies have minds of their own. They could come tomorrow. Or this afternoon. Or even possibly in August. One never knows.

3. Lesley and Clay are not accepting bribes…unless that bribe is a massage, pedicure, or dinner at Mulvaney’s. Then, we might consider sharing the due dates. Might.

4. If you don’t win- no whining. There’s going to be enough whining and crying around here as soon as the little bundles arrive.

5. Winners will be announced HERE as soon as both babies have arrived, but we’ll make sure to keep you posted on Facebook too. In case of a tie, we’ll ask contenders to pick birth time. Yes- we know- we’re seriously competitive about this game. We hope you are too!

Good luck! Now, start your commenting.

[UPDATE - 7/21] Great news! Both babies have arrived healthy and happy. Lesley had her baby girl on Monday, July 18; and Clay welcomed his baby boy on Tuesday, July 19. Congratulations Holly, you’ve guessed the closest to the dates. We’ll contact you soon and make sure to get you your cupcakes! Thank you to everyone who participated and submitted your guesses!

*Please leave a comment with your guess by 5pm PST on July 15, 2011 – this will guarantee your votes are locked in! Any guesses after that time will not count in the contest. Thanks!

Last week I got a chance to learn more about our Navy’s use of social media as part of their Leaders to Sea Program on the USS Makin Island. I was connected to the program through meeting Dennis Hall at the Avere Group. Dennis works directly with Guy Kawasaki to set up embarks that “take bloggers-podcasters-journalists as small and large groups together on extraordinary adventures to fascinating, mysterious places where they meet leaders and learn perspectives.”

The day long experience was fascinating and life changing. While I got to learn a lot about the Navy’s use of social media, I was also able to personally meet the hardworking heroes who protect our country. Few people get to see the inner workings of a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship. Trust me, it was as cool as it sounds! (To see pictures, click here.)

The Navy does their best work far away from US soil, but unfortunately that means taxpaying Americans don’t have an opportunity to really understand the great work our men and women in uniform do. My hope is that you read this post and learn something you didn’t know before.

Here’s a brief overview of what I learned about how the Navy is using social media:

• Lt. Alec Zirkenbach currently assists CNSP Public Affairs Officer, Jason Salata, to manage social media efforts for the Naval Surface Force. They’re working to create Facebook pages for all of the US Pacific Fleet ships. Take a look at the USS Makin Island page on Facebook. You’ll see lots of conversation, especially from family members of those on the ship who use the page to stay informed. This is the power of social media—that family members at home can stay up-to-date on their loved ones.
• To get a large scale picture of the most important Navy news, you can follow @navynews on Twitter. Just this week they provided great information about how the USS Enterprise, the USS Bulkeley and the USS Leyte Gulf and Carrier Air Wing One have been involved in supporting efforts to rescue four American citizens aboard a pirated yacht.
• Just like any corporation or small business, the Navy also struggles to decide how to deal with negative comments and feedback on their social sites. Jason Salata recalled a story about a Navy wife who was given a hard time publicly on one of their Facebook pages, and the tough decision he had to make about handling the online conversation.
• Of course, I believe one of the most powerful things the Navy is doing online are their Blogger Embarks. By inviting writers, photographers and storytellers to sea, millions of people across America get to see a firsthand look at how our Navy works.

Besides learning about social media efforts, here are highlights of my day on the ship:

• My first trip on a helicopter! Let me tell you, it’s nothing like flying commercial.  When you’re strapped in tight, wearing a helmet and ear protectors, there’s little opportunity to talk to anyone. That half hour flight allowed me to really soak in the experience. When was the last time you were forced to sit quietly and think?
• We were welcomed to the ship with a cake cutting ceremony. Besides the fact that the cake was delicious, it reminded me that despite being at a place so different from my office, food still unites people.
• I really enjoyed seeing the teamwork, planning and calculation that go into Navy operations—particularly as we watching the Harrier take-off and landings. I wish the corporate world had more opportunities to practice first before executing.

Navy boys on USS Makin Island

I have so much more I could say. To learn more about what our day on the USS Makin looked like, I’ll direct you to a few other sources. You can incredible pictures of the USS Makin Island on Cara Renee’s blog. I was also fortunate to meet Will Mayall, co-founder of Alltop, and Joanna Clark of AT&T, who blogs about her experience here. I particularly love her reflections on the Navy as a career. Kim Merill of Merill Marketing and Communications in San Diego also provides an in-depth look at the day.

Lastly, become a fan of the Surface Warriors or if you’re on Twitter, make sure to follow @navynews. Doing so will keep you better informed and engaged with military operations here and worldwide.

To the great men and women on the USS Makin Island, and the Naval Base in Coronado–thank you so much for planning an incredible day, and for the great work you do for our country.

Helicopter view of USS Makin Island

Here’s what I said last June on 3fold’s blog:

“I’ve started wondering – as I handle a daily barrage of tweets, emails, texts and phone calls – am I developing ADD? Granted, because of my job, I’m probably more connected than the average person. But, that’s also the reason why I thought I’d be a perfect candidate for this challenge.”

Turns out there are a lot of people like me.

After the Times ran their online story about the challenge, I talked to many others who are also trying to find ways to cut back on phone and internet use.

Tonight, News10 will air a special report on their 11:00pm broadcast about digital overload. I hope my story will inspire others to think about ways to unplug during the evenings or weekends.  While I still haven’t unplugged enough, I hope to continue advocating about the importance of time away from technology. Our brains need time to unwind, and our hearts need space to be creative.

So, in conclusion, stop reading this post. Go outside! Take a break! I’m certain you’ll thank me for it.

And, p.s., watch News10 tonight at 11:00pm

While it’s easy to get lost in the trauma of such an event, we can’t help but be inspired by River City’s continued focus on service. Even now, their number one priority is finding new paths as quickly as possible for serving the needs of their clients. With nearly 750 people served every week and 8,000-10,000 pounds of food lost in the fire, getting services up and going again is essential. (A big thanks to Sacramento’s other food banks for stepping in temporarily to ensure River City’s clients get the assistance they need.)

Hunger never stops, and, apparently, neither does River City Food Bank.

Currently, they are now actively looking for:

• Monetary donations online or gift cards (Visa/Mastercard/American Express) dropped off here at 3fold to ensure food services can begin again as soon as possible
• Non-perishable food donations (dropped off at any Goodwill Xpress locations for the time being)
• Office furniture, computers, and general supplies to begin distributing food and restarting services (For River City’s specific needs for donations, visit their website for up-to-date needs)

The work River City Food Bank does for the resident’s of Sacramento is invaluable. 3fold is determined to make sure the organization not only gets back on their feet, but thrives in the face of this temporary setback.

We’ve always been inspired by the strength of Sacramento’s community and its willingness to support the many worthy causes throughout the region. When an organization dedicated to helping people down on their luck finds itself knocked to the ground, it’s up to all of us to get it going again.

Will you help get River City Food Bank back to serving our community?

Update! Check out the Sacramento Bee’s article: Fire destroys River City Food Bank; Sutter Health offers new quarters

The Citizen Hotel asked 3fold to create a fun window display to ask Sacramentans who they think is the trick or the treat in the race for Governor. Respondents are entered to win a night in the Governor’s suite, regardless of the outcome of the actual race. Are you game?

Passers-by are asked to go inside and participate in the Citizen’s “straw poll” of the candidates, casting their vote to determine who’s the treat and who’s the trick in this year’s election. The results will be counted on November 1. (A drawing also will be held, with one ballot-caster getting a night’s stay in the Citizen’s 14th floor Governor’s Suite.)

Everyone’s getting in on the fun…check out Meg Whitman’s stop at The Citizen to pose with her poster! Also, check out the Sacramento Bee’s coverage of the contest!

Who do you think is the trick and who is the treat?

Among the various pictures I’ve hung, there’s now a vintage Clairol ad on one of my shelves that my co-worker, Alicia, found for me in the June 1960 issue of Life magazine. “Does she…or doesn’t she? it asks. I find myself staring at the model’s red lips and simple wedding band, curious about what her life was like. But what I really love is the ad’s story, which I first read about in Malcolm Gladwell’s 1999 article in the New Yorker.

You see, this ad was created by a woman–Shirley Polykoff–a junior copywriter at Foote, Cone & Belding. Female copywriters were rare in the 1950s ad world so Polykoff was certainly an anomaly. In 1956, she was given the Clairol account just as the company was launching “the first hair-color bath that made it possible to lighten, tint, condition, and shampoo at home, in a single step.”  (In my head, Mad Men’s Peggy Olson is perhaps modeled after Shirley. Makes sense, right?)

“Miss Clairol gave American women the ability, for the first time, to color their hair quickly and easily at home,” Gladwell writes. “But there was still the stigma-the prospect of the disapproving mother-in-law. Shirley Polykoff knew immediately what she wanted to say, because if she believed that a woman had a right to be a blonde she also believed that a woman ought to be able to exercise that right with discretion. ‘Does she or doesn’t she?’ she wrote.”

The campaign led to overwhelming Clairol sales, and hundreds of other hair color options now available in today’s drug stores.

About ten years after the successful Clairol campaign, another brilliant female copywriter emerged: Ilon Specht, who created the advertising for L’Oreal’s hair color line. You’ll have to read Gladwell’s article for the full scoop on her campaign’s strategy. Trust me, it’s worth the read.

But one thing that really sticks out in Gladwell’s article is this:

“They were brilliant copywriters, who managed in the space of a phrase to capture the particular feminist sensibilities of the day. They are an example of a strange moment in American social history when hair dye somehow got tangled up in the politics of assimilation and feminism and self-esteem. But in a certain way their stories are about much more: they are about the relationship we have to the products we buy, and about the slow realization among advertisers that unless they understood the psychological particulars of that relationship-unless they could dignify the transactions of everyday life by granting them meaning-they could not hope to reach the modern consumer.”

Specht and Polykoff’s findings have never been more relevant. Reaching the modern consumer is about being part of their everyday life, understanding their passions, responding to their frustrations.

Today, exactly 90 years after the 19th Amendment passed, I can’t help but be thankful to work at an agency where females represent a large majority of our work force. We are following in Polykoff’s steps, although I would imagine we haven’t had to fight as hard to get to where we are today. She fought for us.

I’m also thankful I work in an age where the consumer is our focus. How fun that I get to connect daily with the very consumers I’m trying to reach–whether it be through the copy I write for an ad, Twitter or Facebook.

Does she… or doesn’t she? It’d doesn’t really matter anymore. And that feels really good.

3fold loves Sacramento. We are avid supporters of our Midtown neighborhood and big fans of bike commuting. We are also big ol’ softies when it comes to helping out our own…and apparently our friends and colleagues (around town and in our various social media networks) are even more awesome.

Thank you to everyone who pitched in on our “Alicia-On-Wheels 2.0” bike replacement fundraising drive! It means a lot. You’re all amazing and we’re blessed to know you.

And, in celebration, here’s an awesome video homage to some of the great sharks who’ve entertained us (the only time when jumping the shark is a good thing)!

Lately, I’ve been feeling a little too connected. Perhaps you’re familiar with the warning signs:

• Checking your phone every three minutes for no particular reason.
• Leaving the office with tired eyes, only to crack open your laptop the moment you walk in the front door.
• Logging into Facebook just one last time before bed.

I’ve started wondering – as I handle a daily barrage of tweets, emails, texts and phone calls – am I developing ADD? Granted, because of my job, I’m probably more connected than the average person. But, that’s also the reason why I thought I’d be a perfect candidate for this challenge.

So, last week, I gave up my cell phone for three days. Below is a video of my experience and the ups and downs of my cell phone-free work week.

The video has also been uploaded to the NYTimes.com along with others who completed the challenge. Soon, the site will post the very best videos on their website. Maybe mine will be chosen; maybe it won’t. Either way, I’m glad I participated.

In fact, I had such a positive experience, I’ve unplugged in other ways too:

• No more checking Facebook after 8:00pm
• Attempting to not check social networks on the weekend
• Unsubscribed from blogs that take up too much of my time

If you had to give something up, could you? What would you give up? What should you give up?

From minimalist to quasi-trash can, it’s clear 3folders are always prepared – in your face, Boy Scouts. (Please note the pepper spray.)

Here’s what we found…

What does your bag say about you? We’d love to know!

For the past two weeks, Lesley has been kind enough to let me take some time off for—you guessed it–the glorious series of nerve-wrecking interviews. After completing a couple of them, I have realized what I have known for quite sometime—3fold Communications is legit. Gordon, Linda, Phyl, Angela, Ross, Kim, Natalie, Alicia, Amanda, Allison, and Lesley are all very, very legit. And no, they did not pay me to write this.

I can say this because my original-three-month-internship-turned-six-month internship has provided me with oodles and oodles of memorable experiences and career skills that are useful and meaningful for my career.

For all you job seekers and soon-to-be graduates out there, let me just say what you may already know: experience is key. For every interview I’ve had, my first question was, “Can you tell me about your experience? Why PR?” For a decent portion of my explanation, I have discussed in detail, my experiences at 3fold. All of which are notable, however there are a couple skills that come to mind:

#1: Stalking. 3fold loves digital media. Don’t quote me on this, but interning at 3Fold has transformed me into a Grade A professional stalker. I must admit, I didn’t have much trouble locating my secret ECON1A crush my sophomore year, but attempting to locate target audiences for your clients, or media contacts, can be quite challenging. I have found with the proper tools and knowledge, locating target audiences weren’t as complicated as I thought it’d be. A large portion of the tools I used to find people were social media based. Understanding the impact of larger social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, WordPress, and Blogger and upcoming networks such as FourSquare and Urban Spoon, has allowed me to easily build our media lists. I began understanding the impacts of digital media and how it could dramatically change the impressions of a brand.

#2 Engaging. 3fold stresses the importance of maintaining relationships with contacts in the community. One of the best pieces of advice I have received from professionals is to be bold and to network. Together at 3fold we have compiled a list of over 1,000 influencers for a client, but how powerful is the list itself without the existence of connections? While some of these connections have already been built, there is always room for improvement. A large proportion of my thanks go out to the capacity of social networks today. Conversations are generated by literally milliseconds. These word-of-mouth technologies allow for me to converse and strengthen my relationships with local online bloggers and influencers.

#3: Follow-up. 3fold emphasizes the potential of persistence. I have been told once that pitching a story to the media is like dating. After episodes of being persistent, it is almost heartbreaking to experience another “no” from a reporter, or especially a “maybe” that suddenly turns into a no. But within these forms of rejection, there is a small glimmer of hope. To me, each pitch or invitation is an opportunity to expand a client’s reach. I have come to understand that persistence is greatly valued in public relations. Media outreach is not going to walk to me; I have to chase after it.

I could go on extensively about the skills I have adopted and experiences I have encountered during my time at 3fold. However, what is more important, is the relationships I have created with each person on the 3fold team. After a series of internships and part-time jobs, I learned that by the end of the day, it is the dynamics of a team and how well they can work together that truly makes a company successful. I love that at 3fold, even though each team member has a title, everyone’s ideas count. It was the series of collaborative ideas that allowed for successful marketing plans to emerge. 3fold consists of very talented individuals and an even more powerful team. I will miss each of them dearly and wish them all the very best.

Are you a recent graduate? Are you just as nervous and excited as I am about taking on the new world? Find me on Twitter! @sandra_fong

Yes, I mocked the name when first announced. Yes, I whined about certain missing features. None of that mattered as I got my chance to experience life post-iPad. Even with a fraction of the apps available to the iPhone and no Flash (EVER! if Steve Jobs has his way), my first weekend with the iPad was splendidly productive.

20 things I accomplished with my iPad in 48 hours:

1. Note taking for a meeting via Evernote, which I synced with my account and was accessible on my work computer before ever leaving the conference room.
2. Updated a blog post via the WordPress app.
3. Checked out a client’s competitors’ websites during a strategic planning meeting.
4. Created a website wireframe design for a future project.
5. Edited a presentation in the Keynote app.
6. Found a pair of shoes sold out at Nordstrom and ordered them online before leaving the mall.
7. Ordered food online for pickup while waiting at a red light.
8. Watched a Netflix instant watch movie while a baseball game played on my TV.
9. Caught up on the news with multimedia editions of AP, BBC, New York Times and USA Today.
10. Streamed NPR audio programs from while driving around town doing errands.
11. Had a VoIP argument with a friend in Kentucky about horse racing and unfortunate equine names.
12. Watched an online marketing training course while sitting on my patio.
13. Finished 3 books I’d started on my real Kindle via the iPad Kindle app.
14. Caught up with Twitter updates in the  Tweetdeck app.
15. Spent far too much time figuring out where constellations and planets were in relation to my sofa and refrigerator thanks to the Star Walk app.
16. Recorded several terrible karaoke versions of Glee songs with friends in the Glee app.
17. Caught up on several dozen blogs while enjoying the sunshine at the park.
18. Used the IMDB app to win an argument while at the movies.
19. Made hotel reservations for a weekend getaway.
20. Pretended not to enjoyed the attention from people asking, “Oh, is that the iPad?!”

While goofing off with the iPad was endlessly entertaining, what was very clear was how much this little device can increase productivity. Particularly for business users, and especially those in the marketing industry, the uses are abundant. From monitoring analytics on the go, to outlining strategies, from mapping projects to keeping up to date on real-time trends, the iPad takes mobile from emerging tech to game changer.

Secondly, happy Foursquare Day!

As you may (or may not) know, Foursquare is a social-networking site in which users “check-in” via mobile device to the various places they frequent in an attempt to gain more check-ins than friends and other Foursquare users. And, in celebration of this craze, April 16 is now a holiday.

The rationale behind the chosen date (according to 4sqday.com): ”Since four-squared equals 16, it would be great to check into Foursquare [and create Foursquare Day] on the 4th 16th of the year, otherwise known as 4 / 16 or April 16th.” Nerds.

Still. I’m ready to give a little recognition to one of my favorite iPhone apps, which combines my love for fidgeting with my phone while visiting places and earning virtual badges for the effort.

Not to mention, this company has provided me hours of entertainment simply by watching my own mother get into it. After introducing it to her during her last visit to Sacramento, she’s taken it on the road, almost single-handedly introducing my hometown of Wichita, Kansas to the power of Foursquare, grabbing mayorships and literally putting places on the map.

All from a woman who’s been known to ask questions such as, “If you record a show without the sound turned up, will you be able to hear it later?” I’m so proud.

Who wouldn’t want to celebrate this?!

Badge geeks: Earn a special Foursquare Day Badge on the 16th by checking in with the #4sqday hashtag!

Running from Monday, March 29th to the evening on Thursday, April 1st, the hunt uses Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare! The hunt was created as way to lead treasure seekers to restaurants, retailers and venues around the Sacramento region by giving them clues through social media.

Are you in on the hunt?

Clue #1 (via Natalie’s Twitpic)

Clue #2 (via Natalie’s Twitpic)

The hunt checklist (via Sacramento Treasure Hunt’s website):

1. Be sure to follow tweets from both @sactreasurehunt and @nataliedaily on twitter each day. Clues and contest updates will be given out Monday through Thursday via the twitter platform.
2. Be sure to follow @nataliedaily’s Foursquare check-in’s on Twitter to see where she checks in during the week. You can also add @nataliedaily as a friend on Foursquare so you will be notified each time she checks in to a new location. Natalie will tag some of her check-ins with “@sactreasurehunt clue” or “STH3”; if the location is not tagged…it’s not a clue.
3. TO QUALIFY FOR PRIZES: To qualify for a prize at the end, you must go to one (1) place that @nataliedaily has checked in at (via foursquare) and get a picture taken with any employee that works there (logo helps). Post the picture on twitpic or facebook; then tweet it out before 2 p.m. on Thursday. For those of you who live outside the city of Sacramento, you may go to a different store/location of the same company and take the picture there. Make sense? (Special Prize: the person who can get the most employees in a picture with themselves gets a $100 gift card!)
4. Natalie and I will be at the secret location on Thursday evening from 6 to 8pm. We will be awaiting the arrival of the first twelve (12) people. No daily keywords are needed for this hunt. As long as you’ve qualified (by taking a pic at one of Natalie’s stops along the way with an employee) the first twelve (12) people who arrive will win a prize.
5. As each person arrives, they will be given a numbered ticket, which is the order in which they will pick a gift bag after the last person (number 12) has arrived.
6. PRIZES: All of the STH3 prizes will be in gift bags. All of the gift bags will be the same size, so choose wisely! To keep this hunt even more different from past ones, we are NOT announcing what all of the prizes are in advance. All we are saying is that each gift bag will have a prize with at least a $50 value inside…and several bags will have prizes valued well over $50!

3fold’s Social Media Policy

As a creative agency, we expect and want our employees to use social media, both personally and professionally. We recognize there is a blurred line between personal and professional use. If you list 3fold as your place of employment in your online social media bio, display the 3fold company logo anywhere on your social profiles, and/or connect with 3fold vendors or clients using your online profile, then you’re representing 3fold professionally.

3fold will never ask you for personal information in regards to your private profiles, such as login information to your Facebook or Twitter pages.

Like the 3 Musketeers—3fold is All for One, One for All

• Social media while at work is used to promote 3fold – our competence, our creativity, and our culture – in that order.
• Supporting a controversial position is a team decision.
• Using social media to build and/or enhance your communication with clients, not to avoid discussions that require a phone call or email.
• Completing your work creatively and timely.  Fill gaps in your day with social media updates and communication.  In that order.

Disney Got it Right—It’s a Small World After All

• Don’t give away 3fold’s competitive position.
• Don’t bad mouth our competition.
• If it causes you to pause, you probably shouldn’t post it.
• Be authentic, genuine and transparent.
• Let your audience know when you’re promoting a client.
• Value and guard your personal information. Safety comes first!

If it Would Surprise Your Mama, it’s Gonna Shock Your Boss

• Tweet others as you expect to be tweeted.
• Make 3fold proud. Don’t post anything that is not professional or in line with who we are as a company.
• No profanity.
• Don’t be mean. If you disagree with someone online, respond respectfully. And if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.
• If you make a mistake, admit it.

Around the Office Etiquette with Regard to Social Networking

• Your supervisor respects your personal, online privacy and will not ask to join your personal online networks.
• Understand every employee feels different about online privacy. If you ask another co-worker or your supervisor to become part of your network and they do not accept that request, don’t take it personally.

Does your company have a social media policy? Leave us a comment as to where we can find it online!