Looking back on my previous blog anniversary posts, I still feel the same way about Hot On The Street. It’s my piece of the Internet that I can proudly call my own. What’s more, it’s not just a website or my Instagram handle — it’s a brand with a visual identity and a long-term investment. Today is Hot On The Street’s 8th anniversary and I’d like to take this opportunity to show you how I built my brand in the last year.
I love Instagram Stories and I rarely look at Snapchat anymore. I like how it’s easy to produce content for Instagram Stories because there’s less emphasis on perfection. You can just snap a photo or record a short video, add text overlay (like a hashtag or your location for context) and/or emoji, and then you’re ready to share! With the new Type feature, you could even eliminate graphics from the equation if you’d prefer to make it a text-based post.
The latest trend on social media is all about creating and filling out survey templates designed for Instagram Stories that let your followers get to know you. For example, you might identify your favourite foods or reveal exactly how many Netflix shows you’ve binge watched. It’s become popular because it’s light and fun to share!
Typically, bloggers or illustrators who are super active on Instagram design the surveys you see. I would like to show you how some major brands are using their resources to make their own surveys and encourage fans to share.
Tonight I was scrolling through my Facebook feed and I stumbled upon a Facebook video from WIRED. I often save Facebook videos to binge watch on the weekend, but this one caught my attention enough to see it ASAP.
It had the cover of an old WIRED magazine with a bright yellow cover and the post copy said it was from July 1997 i.e. 20 years ago. I was 6 years old! I didn’t read WIRED in elementary school, so I figured it could be interesting to watch a current editor reveal what they published inside.
I still remember how excited Unilever’s team was when they announced that Axe was going to send some lucky guys to space. My peers shared their enthusiasm when we watched a teaser video together at Queen’s University in 2013, but that was the last time I really thought about the brand.
Axe just released a new ad that challenges common stereotypes about young men, which I love. This video makes me rethink what Axe stands for and I admire how it has the power to change consumers’ views about gender. In a way, this ad is long overdue. It’s 2017! Of course it’s ok for guys to wear pink (and not just on Wednesdays). So what if a boy doesn’t like sports?
I wish Axe didn’t have to include a question about depression because it should be obvious by now that guys have mental health issues too. The best article I read on Bell Let’s Talk Day was written by a local male marketer and that was one of many stories.
Name: Crissi Giamos
Position: Director of Public Relations
Professional role model:
Mary Symons, luxury publicist and president of Mary Symons Communications. Everything this lady touches in PR is done with perfection. She oozes elegance and class. My nickname for Mary is “VVVIP”.
In 140 characters or less, what is your favourite part of your job?
The fast paced environment and how each day differs. The best part? Shoe shopping of course—one pair for the photo shoot, two pairs for me.
What are your daily responsibilities?
Fuelling the business of the Town Shoes Limited banners by consistently garnering meaningful targeted media impressions and driving sales, of course. This is ongoing daily, working with media, influencers, stylists, television stations, fashion shows, events, photographers, shopping centres and the country’s tastemakers.
Which tools or software do you use at work?
Microsoft Office 365, Cision, Meltwater, MRP Data