Despite my love of all things Chicago, I cannot bring myself to adjust to our city’s brutal winters. There is something about the runny nose, static hair and chapped lips that can make even the most well put together professional seem like a clumsy, frazzled mess.
In anticipation of the snow storm that has threatened to cover our streets this week with more than 18 inches of snow and slush, I’ve compiled my ”Top 10 Lessons Learned from a Brutal Chicago Winter.”
10. If there is more than 2 inches of snow on the ground, those cute Steve Madden boots are not appropriate for treading through the snow
8. Your one hour reverse commute will literally triple in length when it’s snowing
7. No matter how much forewarning Tom Skilling provides before a storm, the snow ploughs always run approximately 4-8 hours behind
6. If you live in a 3rd floor walk-up and have to maneuver an outdoor staircase in order to get in and out of your apartment every day, don’t assume your landlord will shovel or salt your stairs! Proceed with caution…
5. At some point on the snow scale, even delivery-only restaurants will stop delivering in Chicago
4. Snow almost always falls its heaviest during morning and evening rush hours
3. The scariest part about snow in Chicago is realizing exactly which path the rats take to get to and from your building
2. My dog is always much more efficient outside when there is snow and ice involved
1. If you’re not a teacher and don’t work for the government, snow days are hard to come by. So, enjoy it while you can!
Celebrity floral designer and the Founder of the American School of Flower Design, Michael Gaffney shared quick, do-it-yourself tips for designing beautiful and affordable Christmas centerpiece for Casa Sugar.
If you were only allowed to follow five people on twitter, who would they be and why? Here’s what a few of the Zapwater folks had to say:
David Zapata @KTZapata
I follow my wife to make sure she doesn’t go into labor. Not that she is an over sharer like me.
@BravoAndy
How can you not follow Bravo TV’s Andy Cohen?
@luisarroyave Chicago Tribune’s Celebrity Columnists to find out which celebrity is hanging out at a Zapwater client.
@TanyaZuckerbrot
Perfect for nutrition info/healthy eating advice.
@WomensHealthMag
Helps me with my New Year’s resolution for living a healthier lifestyle.
@BravoPR
It provides updates for BRAVO TV shows – which I love!
@USMagazine
This feed is a MUST for celebrity gossip.
Zapwater continues to grow each year, which gives us the prime opportunity to invest in our human capital. Stephanie Poquette joined the Zapwater team as an intern in June 2010 and quickly established herself as a strong writer and overall support for account leads. In October 2010, she was hired as an Assistant Publicist and works on both corporate and hospitality accounts with clients, including Rasmussen College, Red Foundry, RA Sushi, and more. Stephanie graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in News-Editorial Journalism.
In addition, Michael Corrigan was promoted from Assistant Publicist to Publicist in January 2011. As an active member of both the hospitality and lifestyle teams, Michael consistently showcases his creativity and innovation on accounts such as HALO [FOR MEN], Sebastien Grey, RA Sushi and Crimson Lounge. We are thrilled for his promotion and trajectory at this agency.
Zapwater was recently retained by Mary Cook & Associates, an award winning interior design and architecture firm. The company was founded by Chicago native Mary Cook who offers full scale interior architecture and design services to a wide range of clients, with projects including multi-million dollar renovations, landmark restorations, adaptive reuse, and new construction.
Over the past 20+ years, the company has grown to acquire national presence, implementing and managing hundreds of design projects across the United States. Their team is well known for designing spaces that deliver an emotional impact, demonstrating their unique ability to understand the demographic influences in specific markets and create exceptional interiors that cater to certain lifestyles.
Their projects include golf, yacht and country clubs, senior living facilities and residences, lobby and corridor design, fitness centers, residents’ clubs and other amenity spaces, and single and multi-family homes. Most recently, the Mary Cook & Associates team was tapped by Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago to execute five fully furnished residential model units with interiors that will reflect the diverse design needs and aesthetics of prospective buyers. The five model units range in size from 580 square feet (studio) to 2,742 square feet (three bedrooms) and were unveiled February 2, 2011. Zapwater coordinated individual media tours with top targets to showcase the units and is currently in the midst of organizing a media event in mid-February 2011. Confirmed features include Chicago Social’s March 2011 Design Issue and Chicago HOME + Garden Magazine.
Mary Cook & Associates was also taped by Chicago’s two ‘masters of rock,’ Angels & Kings and the Hard Rock Hotel to execute the design and installation of Angel & Kings Chicago, the city’s hottest nightlife destination, as it relocates to Hard Rock Hotel Chicago. The new venue, which replaced the existing lobby bar was unveiled to the public January 20, 2011. Zapwater was on-site to ensure that Mary Cook was interviewed by media and organized a key photo opportunity with Pete Wentz, the bassist for the music group Black Cards and one of the owners of Angels & Kings.
Cook’s success is a testimony to her drive and attention to detail. Her ability to anticipate client objectives and create a product that is both esthetically pleasing and functional is what drives her company’s success. Mary Cook & Associates continues to diversify its portfolio of projects and adapt to the ever-changing demands of its clients. For more information, visit www.marycook.com.
The Arboretum of South Barrington, a 450,000 square-foot retail town center features an assortment of retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment options for guests of all ages. This winter, the Arboretum wanted to make a big splash in the community through ongoing events, marketing initiatives, store promotions and more. The goal was to encourage consumers to visit the center for all of their holiday shopping needs.
An important ingredient to this plan was securing several partnerships with community organizations and businesses. The first community partnership was with Alexian Brothers Hospital Network. Together, they unveiled the Alexian Brothers Skating Plaza, a synthetic ice skating rink, heating tent, and registration area. The Zapwater team worked to obtain both local and national press for the rink. Features on the Alexian Brothers Skating Plaza were secured in the Daily Herald, Barrington Courier Review, Crain’s Chicago Business, among others. It was also named one of Olympic gold medalist, Evan Lysacek’s top ten favorite ice rinks in the United States in USA Today.
The grand opening including an appearance by Santa Claus and an acoustic performance by William Beckett, lead singer of the nationally renowned pop punk band The Academy Is.
The Arboretum also developed a partnership with Broadway in Chicago for a special live performance from Elfaba the hit Broadway musical, Wicked, followed by a ceremonious lighting of the 60-foot tree at the Alexian Brothers Skating Plaza. They also developed a promotion for shoppers who spent more than $500 in a 24-hour period where they received two tickets to see Wicked at the Cadillac Palace Theater in Chicago.
Yes, there is an App for that. Hap Aziz, the Director of the School of Technology and Design at Rasmussen College, visited Fox’s Good Day Orlando to discuss how mobile applications will help viewers keep on track with New Year’s resolutions.
If you’ve been hiding under a rock the past few months, you might have missed all of the incredible press surrounding the opening of Twilight Traffic Control’s new establishment, Public House. From features in the RedEye Chicago to Thrillist to Chicago Magazine and much more, this new establishment is out with the old and in with the brew.
The talented trio and nightlife moguls behind Twilight Traffic Control – David Rekhson, Luke Stoioff, and Brandon Zisman – officially unveiled Public House on January 13, 2011. The 10,000 square foot space is located on the corner of State & Kinzie in the River North neighborhood. The “beer-centric” concept boasts one of the most extensive beer lists in Chicago. Guests can also enjoy an array of American favorites with a unique, upscale twist and rustic rotisserie smokehouse flare.
Beer plays a major role as one of the principal ingredients in many of the dishes and house-made sauces. Public House is laden with the renowned table tap technology, which has been exclusively available at Bull & Bear. However, Public House will bring something new to the table, or more specifically, wall taps where self-serve beer taps are at the ready.
Zapwater will continue managing media relations for Twilight Traffic Control’s two properties, Public House and Bull & Bear, moving into Spring 2011.
As Zapwater embarks on a new year, we are thrilled to announce several new additions to our client list in the corporate and lifestyle practice areas. The first is Kiser Group, the most prominent and active commercial real estate brokerage in Chicago, specializing in the sale of Chicagoland apartment properties.
With over 13 years of experience valuing, marketing and closing apartment transactions, Kiser Group knows Chicagoland multi-family properties like no one else in the industry. Zapwater has been retained by Kiser Group to manage ongoing media relations, social media efforts, and marketing activities. Our agency was chosen for our ability to emphasize Kiser Group’s unsurpassed industry standards and track record in the brokerage of Chicago apartment properties to media.
On another note, three notable fashion brands have joined the agency, including Ted Baker London, Sebastien Grey, and TheTieBar.com. The British brand, Ted Baker London, has officially launched on the shores of Lake Michigan, with a cheeky sense of humor and impeccable tailoring. Ted Baker London retained Zapwater for their Chicago store opening event, media relations, and social media efforts. They chose to retain Zapwater after finding us to be strong, like-minded and an overall well rounded agency.
Sebastien Grey launched this past winter as Chicago’s newest platform for customized style, with locations housed in the Loop, South Loop, and Lincoln Park locations of HALO [FOR MEN]. HALO [FOR MEN] owner Robert Patrizi recognized a need for the comfort, fit, and creativity of custom clothing. He envisioned an opportunity to further service his clientele by bringing a new custom tailoring brand into the HALO [FOR MEN] space.
With more than 60 plus years of experience between three tailors, the Sebastien Grey line offers shoppers the unique flair and impeccable service of bespoke English tailoring. Robert Patrizi chose to continue his ongoing relationship with the agency and retained Zapwater to manage the launch event and ongoing media relations. For more information and complete pricing, please visit www.sebastiengrey.com or www.suitablyunique.com
Finally, TheTieBar.com was launched in 2004 by former lawyers and co-owners Greg and Gina Shugar after being fed up with paying a fortune for neckties. They created TheTieBar.com to offer an affordable, stylish option for men looking to add to their wardrobe without the high cost. The website offers hundreds of 100 percent silk ties in a variety of styles, colors and patterns for only $15 each. In addition to selling ties, TheTieBar.com also sells original design cufflinks, and pocket squares, making it a one-stop-shop for business professionals and gift buyers. TheTieBar.com retained Zapwater for ongoing media relations and promotions and chose Zapwater due to our innovative ideas, vast media relationships on a local, regional and national level, and more.
Mark your calendars for these Zapwater Communications client events for January and February 2011
Fridays, Life After Work at Crimson Lounge
Crimson Lounge will host weekly after work parties on Fridays to kick-off the weekend. With extensive food and drink menus, a chic ambiance accented by plush furniture, and close proximity to many of Chicago’s businesses, restaurants, and Michigan Avenue shops, Crimson Lounge is the perfect setting to escape the work week and avoid rush hour traffic. Eric Ortiz, of Chicago’s favorite cover band, RENDITION, will headline the weekly event with acoustic performances at the Sax Chicago nightspot every Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. Guests will enjoy $8 Absolut martinis, $6 Absolut drinks and a complimentary spread of hors d’oeuvres.
dana hotel & spa’s January 2011 Spa New Year’s Resolution Promotion
Book a facial and receive a complimentary 15-minute consultation on your unique skin care needs with a spa at dana esthetician. Along with informing you about your skin’s specific needs, you esthetician will assist you with finding the perfect products for your complexion.
dana hotel & spa’s January 2011 Gift Card Promotion:
If you were lucky enough to receive a gift card to the spa at dana over the holidays, redeem it before January 31 and receive a complimentary upgrade to your service!
*All services must be booked by February 1
*Call to ask for specific upgrade promotions
*Must mention gift card when booking your appointment
dana hotel Spa Packages and Lunch:
Book any spa package for the month of January and receive a complimentary lunch from the dana hotel’s Asian-fusion restaurant, aja.
*Lunch must be adjacent to the service and select menu available
Saturday, January 29, 2011 – Arboretum of South Barrington’s Second Annual Chili Cookoff
The second annual Chili Cookoff, benefiting Gigi’s Playhouse of Hoffman Estates, will take place from 1 – 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 29 at the Arboretum of South Barrington, located at 100 W. Higgins Rd. Tickets to this family-friendly event – $10 in advance and $15 at the door – may be purchased at www.shopthearboretumsb.com.
Thursday, February 17, 2011 – Ted Baker London Chicago Store Launch Party Ted Baker London has officially arrived in Chicago and brings a great mix of both British-tailored and deconstructed looks. The opening party will embrace the windy city’s Mayoral Race with a “Vote Ted” theme, encouraging everyone to become model citizens for a better (looking tomorrow). To request an invitation, please contact jenn@zapwater.com
Thursday, February 17 (Various times) – Rasmussen College Career and Networking Fair
Rasmussen College will host a Career and Networking fair at all 21 of their campuses located in the Midwest and Florida. The fair will feature local businesses and provide students and community members a chance to ask pertinent career-focused questions. For specific times and locations, visit www.Rasmussen.edu
