Last month at the Peppino’s Tweetup, @JGPR (the PR team behind Style Week OC) invited OC tweeters to attend the event as media. There were limited passes, and those who were really wanting to go would be able to get passes. So why was this so important?
First, the fact that Stacey Ellis of Style Week OC listened to the PR team and was willing to take a risk by allowing access to social media (which means live coverage, no control over what is being said, and always wondering what is being talked about). Second, this is the first event that I know of in Orange County that has considered twitter users as media. This is such a shift in ‘traditional marketing’ and shows the power that social media is really taking on. Not only did they invite us, but we were given special passes at the event. The passes were laminated, and were obviously done with care and a purpose. When I first saw it, I assumed that every media person had their own passes, but after walking through, I realized that in fact, they had done this just for us – so that the designers and companies there would know who we were and would want to talk to us.
And talk to us they did!
My first stop when I got in was to Got2b, the hair sponsors for the event. I have been to quite a few ’sponsor events’ and usually see just a booth and maybe a couple people chatting about their products. But not this event. Got2b had at least 5 people there, handing out samples to people after finding out exactly what type of hair they had! This was not “just check us out:, this was a well thought out marketing strategy to make sure that when people left with samples, they would have samples that were perfect for them. And therefore more likely to be happy with their products. In addition, they had stylists on site, using their products and tools to show off how incredible they really worked. They gave me stuff to protect it when blow-drying and straight ironing it (since I have naturally curly hair, but like to wear it straight too).
The line I fell in love with? The new fashions from The Closet.
After chatting with them, I wandered around the rest of the event, and was pleasantly surprised that every vendor that was at the event was just as talkative and involved as Got2b had been. My first stop was to The Closet’s rack. I had heard of the brand, but had never checked them out before. I was so excited to get to look at the line, and chat with one of the owners/managers about who they are and what they stand for. Not only is the line totally California Couture (as their branding states) but the people that are running the line are wonderful.
At this point, I was starving, so I headed to grab some food. Rubio’s (the food sponsor) offered free chips and salsa and either chicken or shrimp tacos. The food was awesome, and the Rubio’s staff was chatting about new menu items and changes to come in the restaurants (trust me, they are worth checking out!).
At the end of the night, I was so excited to see that not only did each person make it a goal to tell me about their product line, where I could go to see it, and about how it was created, they seemed genuinely interested in chatting. The normal reception I get when I talk about my involvement in social media is only a little warmer than a cold shoulder. Not last night. Last night, they understood the power that the bloggers and tweeters really have and were more than happy to talk with us. I wrapped up the night with an interview, talking twitter, blogging and fashion.
I can only hope that this is a trend that continues, as I am happy to write about companies who understand the power of social media.
A few other great photos from the event:
Me, Julie and Stacey(@JGPR and @StyleWeek_OC)
the hubby and I at the event
Me, April and Erin (the ladies of Boutiquing)
)!
