WordPop Public Relations

San Diego | Ventura | Los Angeles

Romantic Terms of Endearment for the Word Nerd in Your Life

For the first time in 153 years, classic Sweethearts candy hearts won’t be available in stores, but before you say “Miss You” to the sugary snacks for your soulmate, consider the alternatives.  Yep, you can show “All the Feels” with Krispy Kreme’s conversation heart donuts (hello, PR gold!), or skip the calories by showering your sweetie with terms of endearment.

Here’s a brief list of romantic endearments sure to please the word nerd in your life. We defined a few for fun, too!

  • 1250 – Sweetheart
  • 1535: Turtle-dove: Applied especially to lovers or married folk, in allusion to the turtle-dove’s affection for its mate. (Oxford Dictionaries)
  • 1612 Flitter-Mouse
  • 1695 – Sweetie
  • 1840 – Cabbage: An affectionate form of address, found especially in the phrase ‘my (little) cabbage’.  (Oxford Dictionaries)
  • 1900 – Pumpkin
  • 1930 – Sugar
  • 1985 – Boo
  • 2000 – BAE (Before Anyone Else): Typically used as a term of endearment for one’s romantic partner, this term rose to popularity through use on social media and in lyrics in hip-hop and R&B music. (Oxford Dictionaries)

Do you have any terms to add? The true beauty of the language of love is that you can express yourself however you see fit! So go tell your cabbage they’re your BAE.

More: https://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2015/02/12/timeline-terms-of-endearment-poppet-sweetheart/

I Got You Babe: 16 Valentine’s Day Gifts Made By SoCal Women

Fancy a Valentine’s Day gift that says “I got you babe” and supports a local entrepreneur? This is your guide! All items below were created by San Diego-based, female-led startups.

-For the swolemates and do-gooders, Vizer is a social impact fitness app. One workout = one meal distributed by the San Diego Food Bank.

-For the spiritual goddess, The Goddess Box offers facial rollers in jade and rose quartz. These stones are believed to have mystical powers and are considered a symbol of beauty, grace, and longevity. Priced at $29.99

-For the couple seeking a new level of intimacy, DeAnna Nunez offers a self-hypnosis series that focuses on intimacy and romance. Audio priced at $199.

-For the yogi, Face Yoga With Koko offers facial yoga sessions to keep you looking youthful naturally. Sessions priced at $200/50 mins.

-Crave wine for breakfast? Domaine Sante offers a natural sweetener, perfect for coffee or tea, that’s derived from California wine country grapes. Priced from $13.

-For the fashionista, Chic to Wear offers gently worn designer goods as well as personal styling services.

-For the redheads, Redhead Revolution offers paraben-, phthalate- and cruelty-free cosmetic products tailored to the needs of the red-headed community. The beloved mascara is priced at $19.

-For everyone, Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland offers a classic velvet heart box filled with your choice of decadent chocolates; including their famous Dom-Perignon truffles. Visit the La Jolla location at 7863 Girard Ave Suite 204. Boxes priced from $35.95

-For the creative woman who seeks comfortable and colorful modest attire, LeVoile Collection offers an innovative collection or hijabs, tunics and more, made in the U.S. Priced from $17.

-For the dreamer, PilLovetalk offers home decor including pillowcases with quotes like “come to my side” and “love you more.” Pillowcases priced from $22.99

-For the glam gal, the Stick With It palette is the perfect on-the-go, compact organizer for storing makeup, false eyelashes and more. Priced from $19.99.

-Carlsbad company A Wholesome Home offers a holistic body care line free of toxic preservatives. The line’s Magic Carpet Unisex Aftershave Tonic priced at $33.00 is a great gift for him or her.

-For the lingerie lover, Hanging Secrets beautifully showcases and protects bras and panties in a convenient and practical way. The lingerie organizer hangs inside the closet on a standard rod or can be hung from a closet door. Priced at $49.99.

-For the girl-on-the-go, the Sash Bag is a ten-pocket, hands-free bag worn across the body. The reimagined fanny pack comes in many styles with fun accents like fringe or studs. Priced from $79.00, with junior bags priced from $49.99.

-For the boss who wants her outfit to reflect her vision, Le Red Balloon offers personal styling sessions that result in transformative experiences. Priced from $149/hour, 2-hour minimum.

-Okay, okay. We had to sneak in one LA friend because we love her! Ditch candy hearts and opt for crafts with Make Mosaics. The bendable, self-sticking mosaic tiles can adhere to just about any surface. Priced from $5.50 for tiles, $25 for DIY kits.

Stop Putting Pizazz in Your Press Release

Party girl laying on a floor and throwing confetti

It’s tempting to make your press release stand out … after all, you think your business is incomparable and extraordinary and you want the world to know it. As much as we’d love to say it’s okay to go all out with adjectives, it’s not. Here’s why you should stop filling your press releases with fluff.

What’s a Press Release for?

Let’s begin by clarifying the reason press releases exist in the first place. The purpose of a press release is to announce something timely and newsworthy, such as an event, a new program or a new study. It should have all the basics: who, what, where, when and why, along with a quote, a captivating headline, and photo captions if you have photos to include. Keep it concise; one page is a good length. Here’s our handy step-by-step guide for writing a press release.

Avoid Industry Jargon

If you’re sending your story to mainstream media, don’t load it with industry jargon. For example, if you’re an interior designer hoping to appeal to the everyday consumer, you probably wouldn’t include “contrived patina.” Alternatively, if you’re sending a story to a trade publication read by industry peers, you could get away with insider talk.

Avoid Buzzwords

It’s tempting to use trendy buzzwords like “innovative,” “groundbreaking” and “unique,” but try to avoid it. How many times have you heard these terms in the past year? How many times per day do you think reporters are yawning at these buzzwords in their inbox?

While you’re at it, avoid slang and acronyms, too. You don’t want your reader to have an SMH moment while reading your story, right?

Skip the Exclamation Point!

Just trust us!!! (Does it sound like we’re yelling?)

Okay, Let’s Recap

A good press release is tailored to a specific audience, and the audience for a press release is typically a professional writer whose full-time job is to breathe life into news stories. There’s no need to put pizazz in your press release; let the story speak for itself.

If you’d rather have someone write your press releases for you, HMU at april@wordpoppr.com.

What is PropTech?

A smarthphone with smart home screen.In an increasingly connected world where buzzwords are constantly being created, it’s hard to keep up with them all but that’s why we’re here to help!

“PropTech” is a term used to describe the intersection of technology and the real estate market. This includes businesses with technologically innovative products and business models that have direct implications with the real estate market.

The global phenomenon aims to provide technological solutions to the traditionally slow-changing world of real estate. These solutions can take many different forms; from websites and apps for finding and evaluating properties like Agent Neo, an Amazon app that helps buyers and sellers book appointments or showings with local real estate agents in their area, to physical products and materials offering innovative solutions to existing problems like indoor modular homebuilding that reduces waste, to services that add dimension to real estate transactions like property drone photography or 3D home photography that allow you to tour homes from the comfort of your home.  

Research indicates that PropTech is growing quickly. According to MetaProp’s Mid-Year 2018 Global PropTech Confidence Index, 96 percent of investors are planning to make either the same number or more PropTech investments in the next 12 months compared to the previous 12 months, up dramatically from 76 percent a year ago indicating that this is a blossoming market.

Client News: Three Female Founders Reach ‘to the Stars’, Graduate from Ad Astra Accelerator

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Three Female Founders Reach ‘to the Stars’, Graduate from Ad Astra Accelerator

Cooler Heads, Hydrostasis and Vivid Genomics completed Ad Astra’s 12-week intensive accelerator and each received a $20,000 investment from the organization

SAN DIEGO (Dec. 13, 2018) – Alicia Keys’ “Girl on Fire” was the anthem of the night as three local life science startups – Cooler Heads, Hydrostasis and Vivid Genomics – took the stage on Dec. 6 as new graduates of Ad Astra, a research-based accelerator for women. To mark the occasion, the startup founders presented their business pitches to an audience of more than 150 prospective investors, partners, friends and family in the AMN Healthcare auditorium in San Diego. The founders, who each received a $20,000 investment from Ad Astra, are the second cohort of graduates from Ad Astra, which was founded by Vidya Dinamani, Allison Long Pettine, and Dr. Silvia Mah.

“Over the past 12 weeks, these determined founders worked through our rigorous program to establish a strong business foundation and gain the tools necessary to succeed as a leader,” says Dinamani. “They’ve been partnered with mentors through one-on-one sessions, have conducted investor simulations, and have connected with advisors to strengthen their companies. Now they’re ready to thrive in their own unique ways.”

The new graduates include:

Debbie K. Chen, Ph.D., of Hydrostasis – A former imaging/data scientist at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Dr. Debbie K. Chen is developing a personalized hydration monitor for athletes to reach and maintain peak performance. The company’s initial product is aimed at providing professional coaches with unparalleled accuracy and giving athletes an edge with their performance, while increasing athlete safety, recovery and longevity.

Julie Collens, Ph.D., of Vivid Genomics – Bringing her experience in genomics, molecular diagnostics and life science tools, Dr. Julie Collens founded Vivid Genomics, a company developing non-invasive tools to identify underlying neurodegenerative disease pathologies, drug response, progression rate and tools to facilitate on-target enrollment for clinical trials, thus improving the probability of getting to a successful drug for Alzheimer’s disease.

Kate Dilligan of Cooler Heads – A graduate of Stanford University, Dilligan was the former vice president of a neural technology innovation company. As the founder of Cooler Heads, she’s transforming the experience of cancer patients by providing empathetically designed products that address the special needs of cancer patients.

Ad Astra Audience Dec 6 2018Ad Astra, which translates “to the stars” in Latin, was founded earlier this year to provide a distinctive program focused on business foundations, with a research-based curriculum specifically for female entrepreneurs. Through its programming and investment platform, Ad Astra gives women real-world experience with expert investors and entrepreneur mentors.

The organization’s design and approach is what sets it apart, as Long Pettine says, “Our proprietary framework provides our founders with an awareness of the world’s unconscious bias, an understanding of how it uniquely impacts them and then gives them specific tools to neutralize bias.”

Mah, a scientist and an investor, adds, “San Diego is a mecca for life science, so we’re investing in and supporting female founders so they can better leverage the robust regional strength in this industry. This cohort will make a significant global impact because of great product-market fit and because they are empathetic leaders.”

Ad Astra is sponsored by Qualcomm Ventures, Zipdev, Silicon Valley Bank, Cooley LLP, DLA Piper, JLL, and Marsh & McLennan Companies. Ad Astra partners include Athena, San Diego Venture Group, and Johnson & Johnson Innovation JLABS.

About Ad Astra Ventures:

Founded in 2018 by San Diegans Vidya Dinamani, Allison Long Pettine, and Dr. Silvia Mah, Ad Astra Ventures is dedicated to growing and building female leaders through thoughtful programming and investment opportunities. The organization’s first program is a 12-week business accelerator for high-growth startups led by one or more females. With the support of organizations like Athena, Ad Astra is building a global community of founders, investors, executives and philanthropists passionate about putting more women in leadership positions. For more information, please visit adastra.ventures/.

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Founders Julie Collens, Debbie Chen and Kate Dilligan took the stage on Dec. 6 as new graduates of Ad Astra, a 12-week research-based accelerator focused on women.
Founders Julie Collens, Debbie Chen and Kate Dilligan took the stage on Dec. 6 as new graduates of Ad Astra, a 12-week research-based accelerator focused on women.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Media Contact:

April Enriquez

WordPop Public Relations

april@wordpoppr.com

(805) 816-4833

WordPop Case Study: Brand Evangelists

WordPop Case Study: Brand Evangelists

Tell your story through those who have been affected by your organization’s mission.

 Question

How do you work with brand evangelists to keep the PR momentum going? 

Our client Hera Labs is a nonprofit business accelerator that helps female-led businesses. Over the past few years, our PR firm has positioned Hera Labs founder, Dr. Silvia Mah, as a leading expert in entrepreneurship. Part of our approach has been to secure TV spots and op-eds for Dr. Mah, demonstrating her business expertise. Now that we’ve demonstrated Dr. Mah’s position in the media, how do we create new press opportunities for Hera Labs; opportunities that unveil the impact of the organization?

Solution

WordPop is helping Hera Labs harness the power of the many people who have been bolstered by Hera Labs over the past few years. By engaging brand evangelists, we’re telling the Hera Labs story in new and interesting ways.

Successes

Example 1: Urban Translations

Urban Translations, a technology startup, demonstrates the synergy power of this approach. WordPop was tasked with earning pre-event and post-event press leading up to Hera Venture Summit, Hera Labs’ annual event which brings together startups and angel investors. We’d been speaking with a contact at Huffington Post who covered the event the previous year, but her beat had changed to a technology focus. That’s when we brought Urban Translations into the story, illustrating how Hera Labs has helped tech startups on their way to success. Because Hera Labs gave Urban Translations the opportunity to get mentioned in the Huffington Post, when Urban Translations’ PR firm landed a story in San Diego Business Journal, the team, when interviewed, mentioned Hera Labs and its role in the organization’s success. By taking a “sharing” approach, both organizations earned two media placements instead of one each.

Example 2: Donation Match

Donation Match is an online platform that pairs those in need (like schools, PTAs and nonprofits) with those who have something to donate (usually corporations). We worked with Hera Labs to nominate Donation Match for a San Diego Daily Transcript Leading Startups award which they won. In addition, on behalf of Hera Labs, we connected Donation Match with the San Diego Business Journal, resulting in an excellent feature story. To return the favor, Donation Match mentioned Hera Labs in the story. Win-win!

Example 3: Roundups

There’s strength in numbers: it’s much easier to illustrate a trend and “prove it” to a journalist when you can show multiple examples, not just the one example of your organization. “Roundup” articles are one technique we’ve found to be effective when pitching Hera Labs. In our pitch, we feature multiple organizations, business leaders or products that fall into a particular category, like women business owners or mom business owners.

If you have any questions about how you might harness the power of brand evangelists, don’t hesitate to ask April. Brand evangelists can help you earn press and can earn press for themselves, too.

How To Write Sizzling Award Entries

Are you ready for the glitz and grandeur of awards season?
Before the glamour of awards galas comes choosing award entries, compiling photography, drafting content and presenting your award application to judges. WordPop has been through many cycles of awards seasons and we want to help you prepare and polish your entry!
Five tips for entries that shine:
1. Follow all instructions.
2. Label everything carefully.
3. Ask how judges will view your material (on an overhead, in a group, on a computer, in a printed packet, etc.).
4. Keep things clear and concise (imagine you’re a judge with stacks of entries to review).
5. Determine the length of the application and whether your team has the bandwidth. If the answer is “no,” create a system to collect information throughout the year and bolster weak areas of your application so you’re ready to apply for the following year.
How will the awards process help you?
1. Boost your credibility – even as a finalist.
2. Distinguish you from your competition.
3. Boost your organization’s spirits.
4. Allow you to network with fellow honorees.
5. Forces you to take a closer look at what makes you qualified for an award and identify areas for improvement.
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WordPop has not only helped clients win awards such as SDDT’s Top 40 Under 40, PCBC’s Gold Nugget Community of the Year, and SDBJ’s Business Women of the Year, but has also secured its own awards, including 2015 and 2017 San Diego Press Club Excellence in Journalism awards. If you need an extra hand throughout the application process including writing or editing content, please don’t hesitate to contact April.