It’s always there, staring you in the face – that flashing red-light on the right-hand corner of your smartphone. Flash, blink, flash-flash. Who’s there? An interview request from a reporter? A client crisis that needs immediate attention? A meeting planner reminder for your third conference call that afternoon? Fair to say, it’s time for that second cup of coffee.
Ranked the second most stressful job by CareerCast – behind airline pilots – yikes! – public relations professionals are programmed to permanently stay tuned in to the news, manage multiple accounts across various industries, stay engaged with the media and exceed client expectations. Oftentimes, we know the news before it makes headlines, and it’s our job to ensure it all – brand, client and subject matter – is positioned correctly.
Amidst all of the activity, PR folks still find ways to unplug and decompress. To find out what inspires my fellow CPRers to continue to do the fabulous work they do, I slathered on the SPF and reached into several beach bags. From books that stimulate to playlists that motivate, here’s what I found:
In paperback Cindy is exploring NYC’s hidden gems in “Invisible Frontier,” Emily O. is laughing her butt-off in “Lies that Chelsea Told Me,” Mamie loves a good murder mystery in “The Girl Who Played with Fire”, Chris gets a history lesson in “The Glorious Cause,” and I’m playing castaway in “The Island.”
On a Kindle, Nook and iPad, Emily R. is reading Kathryn Stockett’s bestseller “The Help”, Anne is furiously flipping through e-pages of “The Snowman” and Mike M. explores religion in “God Is Not Great.”
On Pandora and iPod, CPRers are rocking out to everything from indie rock to bluegrass, here are some favorites:
- Mumford and Sons
- The Avett Brothers
- Johnny Flynn
- Centro-Matic
- Lucinda Williams
- Villain Family
- M83
- She & Him
Your turn, we want to know what makes you turn cartwheels on the beach! Tell us what books you’re reading and what tunes are blaring from your playlists.
As design director at Cookerly, Tim serves as the creative lead in the development of branding campaigns, print collateral and digital media for clients across a broad range of industries, including consumer, professional services, healthcare and technology.
As a senior vice president at Cookerly, Mike Rieman is a strategic communications leader specializing in media relations and reputation management. With a proven track record of securing high-profile placements in top-tier outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN and USA Today, he excels at crafting compelling narratives that resonate across print, broadcast and digital platforms.
Mike Touhill is vice president at Cookerly Public Relations, where he helps lead traditional, social and digital media programs for B2B and B2C clients in packaging, telecommunications and technology, among other industries. As a communication leader, he develops and executes public relations strategy, provides proactive and reactive counsel to C-level executives and secures earned media coverage for client initiatives and product.
Andrew Agan is a vice president at Cookerly Public Relations, overseeing the agency’s internship program and leading media relations, content strategy and social media initiatives. He provides counsel and executes campaigns for clients across various sectors, including finance, healthcare, hospitality, technology, automotive and many others. Andrew excels at crafting compelling stories and building media relationships, resulting in clients being featured in notable outlets such as CNBC, Associated Press, Business Insider, Fox Business, HBO, Inc. Magazine, Sirius XM, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, among others.
As vice president of Cookerly, Sheryl Sellaway uses her extensive corporate communications background to lead consumer PR efforts, deliver strategy for marketing programs and share expertise about community initiatives.
