Maybe I watch too much HGTV. Maybe it was growing up in a family of home builders and realtors. Or maybe it’s my passion for creating interesting living spaces. Whatever the reason, I love renovating and selling houses. Over the last ten years, I’ve renovated and sold seven houses in three states. My biggest project … Continued
Break out the cake, the champagne, the balloons and confetti! Lux + Associates, Inc. – now Lux-Writes – is celebrating 25 years in business as a successful marketing communications, branding and public relations firm. Long before it was cool to be an entrepreneur, wear a man bun, drink lattes, and play ping pong in a … Continued
There’s nothing inherently funny about joint replacement surgery. I know. Three days ago I had my right hip replaced and I am so. not. laughing. That said, I also know that humor woven into well-told, authentic stories is one of the best ways to cut through media clutter, create connections, drive awareness, and convert customers … Continued
Eight years ago, the South Carolina Bar Association was feeling bruised and battered. Nikki Haley had just been elected South Carolina’s first female governor. Her winning campaign included bashing trial lawyers, which didn’t sit well with the Bar’s membership. A brand-building image campaign was in order. My recommendation to the Bar was to produce a … Continued
I hate to admit it, but I’m an email junky. When I hear that ping, something goes off in my brain that compels me to see who’s sent me what… Oh look, a discount from Williams Sonoma and (gasp!) free shipping…an invitation to cruise with Royal Viking (that actually sounds good right now)…a request for … Continued
What makes a community unique, a place we want to visit time and again or come to live? It’s certainly not free wifi. Or endless rows of chain restaurants. It’s not the presence of Walmart. No, what draws us to communities is the quirky, the memorable, the different, the things that make us smile. It … Continued
A former colleague has extended an invitation to speak to her public relations students at the University of South Carolina this spring. I’m flattered, but a little apprehensive. Public relations is not dead, but it’s much different than it used to be. Gone are many of the traditional media outlets. There are fewer reporters (and … Continued
Growing up, my parents were clear about what words were acceptable and those that weren’t. A slip of the tongue would earn a nasty swipe of soap. Fast forward to now. While we may think we’ve outgrown the need to be reminded of good words/bad words, reminders are a good thing. Words that work in … Continued
A British colleague and I had a brilliant idea for a partnership when we both worked with global packaging company Sonoco. As Sonoco’s public relations consultant, I was “words.” As their graphic designer, he was “pictures.” Thus the informal marketing duo of “Words and Pictures” was born. The funny thing is, I’m not just a … Continued
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (January 29, 2019) – – SIMBA Chain, a blockchain startup whose technology platform enables users to deploy blockchain dapps (distributed applications) in minutes rather than weeks or months, has announced that Joe Matz, a 26-year Microsoft veteran with extensive global responsibilities, has joined the company as an executive advisor. Matz will counsel … Continued