Like LEGOs, like PR. You have to think outside the bricks. 

It’s what I’ve done since childhood. Sure, it started out as constructing square homes, but those grew into mansions, which grew into power plants. And that’s how my communications career has evolved – and continues to grow. 

So how does Megan Zaroda think outside the bricks?  

 Boldness: I commit to making decisions. I don’t back down from the unknown; instead, I pursue it. Call it adventure, call it gumption, but it’s the first step. 

 Reliability: I depend on myself to let others depend on me. If I start a project, I’m going to finish it. It’s a good, honest habit.  

 Initiative: I take an idea, and I run with it. I set a goal, and I push beyond it. Sometimes all the lead you need is the one you give yourself. 

 Creativity: I actively question the answers. Brainstorm big, but dream bigger.  

 Knowledge: I equip myself with the insight I gain from people, from good books, from experiences. In my best estimation, learning is the key to living.  

 Smile: I smile, and smile often. It’s amazing how the world opens when you let others in. 

Let me explain how this has played out.  

In Beijing, China, I supervised a team of 15 as I developed and published three educational bilingual book series for Sino-US organization Our Chinese Daughters Foundation, marketed them to an international consumer base, and planned corresponding business conferences and academic workshops. Whether it was writing press releases or book content, coordinating event venues, or pitching clients, I simultaneously managed multiple projects from conception through post-production. These materials are now used in classrooms, cultural centers, tour and camp facilities, and homes throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. I additionally worked at the Beijing office of Burson-Marsteller, working with a native Chinese team to draft press documents for the company’s luxury automotive clients. My work experience in China coupled with some education in Hong Kong has allowed me to serve as a business speaker, and I have presented workshops for businesses and academic groups about conducting culturally-appropriate work practices in China.  

Stateside, I’m currently forging Lafayette College’s foray into social media. With a new communications directive, I’m re-branding the school’s message and communicating with students through the medium they prefer: Facebook and Twitter. Strategizing and executing this campaign is particularly rewarding as it allows me to redefine my alma mater. As a student, I devised my own majors – Political Communications and East Asian Studies – that equipped me to develop a strong background in communications. My intern days in newspaper and magazine journalism fostered an adherence to deadlines and research, which now resurface when I can tailor pitches with a reporter mindset.  

And where do we build from here?  

I’m looking for a challenging PR/marketing role within the consumer/lifestyles (ideally restaurant/food & beverage) industry with a creative company that respects hard work and recognizes hard thinking. Because of my background in food & lifestyles writing and restaurant consulting, as well as my global travel and work experiences, a role that allows me to explore either of these passions would be a great fit. My diverse communications background coupled with my international skill set are the building blocks of my success. So build with me, and think outside the bricks.

Contact me at zarodam at gmail dot com, follow me on Twitter at mZaroda, and be sure to check out my LinkedIn profile. I look forward to building with you!

Sure, there’s a guilty pleasure in watching people bomb out big time and/or get a healthy dose of reality when they head up on stage. But we don’t watch solely because we enjoy watching people squirm.  

The addition of Judge Ellen is certainly attractive, and in fact, it may be the biggest publicity buzz the show added this year. Combine Ellen’s wit with Simon’s snarkiness, and it’s bound to make the contestants’ hearts race, let alone the ratings.  

You can even say that the show epitomizes the American Dream. Sandwich artist turns superstar. The Girl Next Door turns into the Girl Ya Gotta Know. Heck, even the audience throws in their two cents and can vote. What’s more American than that?   

And admittedly, American Idol is just a deliciously addicting show.   

But it begs the question…is it good PR? Or is it good karaoke? 

Carrie Underwoods and Daughtrys aside, I’d say you can chalk one up for Idol’s PR team. You might as well hand them the gold now as they reap the benefits of yet another ratings runaway. Fox expertly out-sang (pardon the pun) NBC, outnumbering Vancouver’s viewers by nearly 4 million.   

New York Times says we shouldn’t have even batted an eyelash at that: 

No one should have been too surprised: absolutely nothing on any other channel has beaten an edition of “Idol” in almost six years. (The last show to beat “Idol” would be the subject of an exceptional bar bet — an episode of “Fear Factor” on NBC in May 2004.) 

What Idol’s PR team has managed to do is genius. Not only do they capitalize on free publicity, but there’s a near army of small town and big city bloggers chronicling the rising stars. There’s a plethora of big name brands unabashedly washing the show with their logos (anyone else catch the not-so-subtle shift to Vitaminwater Zero mugs? Rest assured the Coke cups are coming back on February 23’s live show). And what Idol has never lost sight of is the importance of conversation, of dialogue, and ultimately the public’s ability to choose. It all comes together in a perfect union. Each element is there, and each is doing swimmingly well. 

 As PR pros, we try to put the best message forward so our target audience will make the “right” choice. The judges let the best singers belt it out in Hollywood and weigh in to sway the public vote.  

Same-same. 

Good PR or good karaoke? What do you think?

Hope this will be a good forum for me!

I wanted to start a blog for a while now, I really did. Humorous anecdotes – chasing cauliflower down the street while on a bike; bungee jumping in China with nothing but velcro wrapped around my ankles; having a pigeon poop on my nose right before a blind date in Central Park — all these grand life stories aside, I’d like to think I have a PRetty good perspective on the communications and culinary field. There’s tons of room to learn more, so as my passion for public relations and cooking unfolds, I hope you’ll engage with me in these pursuits.

Just like the childhood me who asked everyone who visited to construct something for my LEGO village, Legolopolis, the adult me wishes you’ll build upon what I say and contribute to the endlessly fascinating process of thinking outside the bricks.