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November 30, 2010
“Vegheads”: An enduring term created by meat-lovers for one who does not consume meat. Synonymous with “Bambi-lover,” “Grazer,” “Plant Killer,” and “.”
Being a vegetarian myself, my personal favorite identification is, “Yea, she’s a Veggie.” To which I reply, “Why yes, I am a carrot.” While other fifth graders looked longingly at their McDonald’s Cheeseburger Happy Meal with accompanying toy racecar, I was eating a bag of carrots and mustard and cheese sandwiches. Well, I still do that. But, as epidemics sweep the nation—Twilight, ugly leggings, and an obsession with teen pregnancy shows—the vegetarian lifestyle has started to become one.
It wasn’t too long ago that people would look at you funny for passing on the Thanksgiving turkey, but now celebrities and everyday people are rapidly endorsing the eating lifestyle. In the past few years alone, Chicago has opened several Vegetarian-only restaurants, or they have been newly discovered, and major food establishments around the world are catering their menus to be Veghead friendly. Delicious treats like sweet potato fries, black bean burgers, and eggplant lasagna also give meat-lovers something to enjoy.
I can’t wait to see what the restaurant world develops in 2011, and what celebrity will be next in announcing their switch to a vegetarian lifestyle—always making it seem like they were the very first person to do so. Clients like Park Grill, RA Sushi, and Blue Plate Catering are sure to continue adapting. Unfortunately restaurants that don’t offer veg-friendly options will miss out on a large demographic within the upcoming year.
While we watch as the army of Vegheads expands in 2011, let’s enjoy some sexy vegetarian in the meantime.
Stephanie Poquette
Asst. Publicist
This year fried eggs came out of the gates like the new ketchup – that’s to say it garnished everything from burgers to hot dogs and fine foods alike.
One of my personal favorites is The Purple Pig’s Fried Pig’s Ear with Crispy Kale. Mash it up, mix it all together and it simply melts in your mouth.
My favorite burger with a fried egg hales from DMK Burger Bar, #4 Burger, Roasted Hatch Green Chile, Fried Farm Egg, Sonoma Jack, Smoked Bacon. It’s the perfect mix of a little spice and a lot of flavor.
I predict the fried egg trend will continue into 2011, topping foods we never would have dreamed of…maybe ice cream is next? Whatever the case, I’m not complaining!
Megan Lagesse
Publicist
November 29, 2010
My prediction for 2011 is that ‘royal fever’ will sweep the nation with the upcoming wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. It’s been a long time since America has had a reason to be interested in England’s royal family and everyone loves a good wedding!
Women across America will have their eye on all the royal details from invitations to Kate’s dress (her engagement dress by Brazilian designer Issa sold out within days after being photographed on the future princess!).
Zapwater’s ‘bridal’ clients will no doubt keep their eyes on the upcoming trends being set by the royal nuptials. ForYourParty.com will definitely be ready to replicate wedding invitations and favors that are used, and Blue Plate Catering will be eagerly awaiting announcements of what cuisine will be served since future brides throughout Chicago may likely request something similar.
Whether you’re planning your own wedding or just paying attention for entertainment purposes, I’m sure that there will be many trends in 2011 that are shaped from this royal affair.
Deanne Daneck
Senior Publicist
November 28, 2010
Ladies, get ready to break out the bell bottoms and platform heels because Spring 2011 fashion is all about 1970’s glam. Channel your inner 70’s style icon whether it be Ali McGraw from Love Story or Farrah Fawcett in Charlie’s Angels. Everywhere you turned at New York Fashion Week, it seemed like the decade was center stage, Studio 54 lights and all.
Top design darlings like Marc Jacobs, Fendi, Etro and Ferragamo marched out a sea of flower child-inspired models. The season will bring a wealth of retro-chic styles like high-wasted denim, peasant blouses, maxi dresses, floppy hats, supersized sunglasses and bold prints. My favorite 70’s-inspired collection of the season? Marc Jacobs. Sure, a predictable choice, but he showcased the strongest looks overall and made the style feel effortless and extremely accessible. I’m still dreaming of the vibrant pinks, purples, oranges, and maroon fashion from the line.
 
 Photos Courtesy of Style.com All in all, while Chicagoans are thinking about UGG boots, bulky sweaters, and Moncler jackets, I for one am brainstorming all of the bohemian-chic styles that will be added to my closet very, very soon.
Jenn Lake
Creative Director
November 27, 2010
The team at Zapwater is already looking forward to 2011. As is tradition, we’ll be making our trend predictions for the coming year. If you’re interested in what the team thinks will be hot (or even not), you might want to keep checking the Zap Blog in the coming weeks. We’ll be predicting the year’s coming trends.
Meanwhile, here is a look at some of the predictions we made last year. Click here.
November 10, 2010
  
Crimson Lounge invites Chicagoans to take part in a contest designed to select its next resident DJ, a talented mix master who will fill a position formerly occupied by world renowned DJ’s Samantha Ronson and Frankie Knuckles. Keeping with its reputation as the destination for music, Crimson Lounge combed the country to bring an eclectic mix of top talent back to the Windy City. Throughout November, the Sax Chicago nightspot will host Hollywood powerhouse DJ Edski, South Beach darling DJ Jessica Who, and Chicago’s own DJ Matt Roan as they compete to claim the title of its new resident DJ.
You Pick < Choose Crimson's Resident
A column that ran on page four of Monday’s Red Eye really hit home for me. “Sandals in the Office Not the Problem,” by reporter Stephen Markley responds to a recent BusinessWeek article by Teddy Wayne that targets the 20-somethings in the workplace, describing the entire age bracket as unprofessional and irresponsible in his cover story, “Millennials: the New Office Morans.”
As a hardworking “Millennial,” it’s hard not to take offense to Wayne’s article, which explicitly states that civility in the workplace is nearing its low point with the most recent batch of college graduates. Especially annoying is how this article is only one of many in what seems to be a growing trend that has many major news outlets, including the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and NBC’s The Today Show, classifying our entire generation as lazy and rude.
Until Markley’s column, it seemed as though no one would defend our generation, which by the way is full of innovative and driven professionals (Check out Inc. magazine’s list of the Top 30 Under 30).
Markley writes:
Armed with prosciutto-thin anecdotal evidence, Wayne makes the point that my generation doesn’t know proper etiquette in work environments. He backs this incisive point with pictures of Warren Buffet in a suit and Mark Zuckerberg in sandals.
I single out the Businessweek article only because it’s the latest in the rising trend to dump on Millennials as spoiled, lazy, entitled jerks, who listen to their iPods at work.
But while we’re making generalizations, boy do these other generations sure think a hell of a lot of themselves!
And why not? After all, they’ve done such a great job.
They spent 30 years creating a political and economic system that let wages stagnate and income inequality spike. Then they started working more hours, which made them more miserable, so they quieted their personal dissatisfaction with a bunch of useless crap like gargantuan homes and gas-guzzling SUVs. And because they failed to innovate anything other than useless financial instruments that made only 1% of them richer, they started running up mountains of debt.
But you’re right: Millennials do spend too much time at work on Facebook!
Sarah Marseille
Senior Publicist
We’ve all heard the saying “There’s an app for that.” And while there may be an app for that, it seems that apps are continually being made and people are seeking new and more unique app ideas daily. Red Foundry, a Mobile App Platform that allows anyone to create apps without the cost and without the difficult coding, has made creating any app you want possible. Think about it. There are apps out there solely dedicated to putting a mustache on your friend, mother’s or dog’s face. There are also apps created to making banking as easy as taking a photo of a check. But, if you could create one app, what would it be? Would it be an app that makes your life easier, an app that makes you laugh, or an app for personal reasons?
If I had to create an app, it would most likely have to do with one of my favorite activities—shopping. Much like a personal shopper, you could tell the app your five favorite brands and five favorite items, say tall boots, skinny jeans, long sweaters, comfy tank tops, and statement jewelry. After entering your location, the price range you wish to spend, and your size for your items, your personal shopper app would tell you where you can find store locations within a certain radius that feature any of those items in any of those brands. Ahhh, shopping made easy.
But, really, if you had the tools to create an app, which you can do with Red Foundry, what would you create?
Stephanie Poquette
Asst. Publicist
November 7, 2010
At Zapwater, we’re committed to volunteering in and around Chicago and to using our talents to strengthen others in need. It’s always an honor to work with clients who uphold the same values and who go above and beyond to be charitable.
On Friday, July 23, Rasmussen, Inc. employees donated an unprecedented 6,500 hours of work volunteering throughout their communities as part of the annual Rasmussen Community Service Day, which benefits the communities where its 21 campuses are located, as well as four central office communities.
Rasmussen, Inc. employees throughout the country assisted with manual labor tasks, including landscaping, painting, cleaning, and organizing, and provided insight on a variety of projects as part of the community service day. Benefiting organizations included local schools, shelters, rehabilitation centers, and food kitchens, among others.
The generosity displayed by Rasmussen employees received significant media attention. From the Ocala Star Banner in Florida to the Mokena Messenger in Illinois, many media outlets took notice of the incredible commitment to community held by every Rasmussen employee. We hope learning about these volunteer opportunities motivates others to follow in their footsteps!
Professional development is important at Zapwater, and that is why the majority of Zapwater’s employees are members of the Publicity Club of Chicago.
The Publicity Club of Chicago is a network of inspired Chicago-area professionals making up the nation’s largest independent public relations membership organization. The organization’s hundreds of corporate and individual members represent PR, marketing and communications practice at boutique to worldwide firms, corporate offices and businesses, associations, non-profit organizations, and independent consultancies throughout the Chicagoland area.
One of the highlights of being a member is the popular PCC Monthly Luncheon Series, featuring panel discussions with top practitioners, journalists and other experts on hot-button communications issues, trends and challenges.
This month’s PCC lunch featured panelists who have “been there, done that” in “Crisis PR.” Panelists included those who have experience at McDonald’s, United Airlines and with former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, among others.
Zapwater is proud to be a corporate sponsor of PCC. If you are interested in joining, visit www.publicity.org
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