Monday, Monday

So today is meeting-free, which is much appreciated, since I awoke late and in a jeans-mood. Yes, we all wear jeans to work on a somewhat regular basis, however, my fear (one of many, you'll learn) is that I'll be in full GAP regalia and a more formally-attired client will want to meet - or even worse, I will be asked last minute to meet with a potential new client! Yes, we promote entertainment organizations, many non-profit, so it's hardly a corporate climate in which we operate. However, as I always say, we Groupers (staff of The Silverman Group, myself included) are a young looking bunch and we do ourselves a disservice by dressing casually (since I tend to think that then our opinions are taken more casually). I recall a client, meeting the new Assistant Account Executive assigned to her account, who mistook the AAE for a summer intern! Not necessarily the best first impression for this AAE who expects the client to take her and her work seriously (and who has by now, of course, earned the client's respect). My two cents: The younger your appearance, the harder you have to work to be taken seriously.

Moving on, today have to tackle one of my least favorite tasks as a business 0wner - shaking down the clients for money! Some months are better than others, in that we receive our monthly fee and expense checks without having to ask - other months, like this one, checks are slow to come in so I've got to send out a few reminder emails. The mail hasn't arrived yet* - no doubt one of those checks will be in the mail - annoying the client who has just received a reminder. ah well.

(*Update: Mail arrived, let's just say there were no wasted emails.)

Enough musings for now. I must get back to doing the work for which I'll (eventually) be paid.

Do as I say AND and as I do

Apparently the expression, "Do as I say, not as I do," only applies to parenting, not to leadership, as far as my staff is concerned. At the risk of a mutiny, I can no longer request that they contribute regularly to the silvermanifesto blog, without my doing same. (You'd think being a boss would have some perks. Dictatorship is not one of them.)

So with that, the Beth blogs begin. Jumping right in, I will attempt to log in daily for a week, with the intent of providing insight into my role as the head of a "small, but mighty" Chicago arts publicity firm. I hope to share some valuable tips about contemporary leadership and entertainment publicity, but above all, I hope you find his remotely entertaining.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame...

The whole Silverman Group team (all 4 of us!!) went out on our summer outing on Monday. We celebrated the end of another great Chicago summer in the best way possible - the Cubs game. It is no secret that the Cubs have had yet another dismal season. However, Chicagoans do not go to game after game, summer after summer holding their breath for a World Series title...we do it because the Cubs are a Chicago institution and Wrigley Field is a destination during the summer months.

Sadly, I had not been to a game all season as I missed the game when artist, Tony Tasset, threw out the first pitch in July. So I was thrilled when Beth mentioned a possible company outing to Wrigley Field. On Monday, we had the chance to see the game from a completely different view - a rooftop! These rooftops offer never-ending food and beer, great people watching, and a great view of Wrigley...and I have to say, we had the best seat in the house!

We were all able to sample Goose Island's relatively new beer GREEN LINE (named after the L line), jalepeno/cheddar pretzels and pub chips...

(the one that got away!)

Oh and the highlight of the night: meeting a professional wrestler - what was his name again? - and securing a signed picture which will obviously hang up in TSG office in between the Cirque de Soleil posters. Not sure what the score was - I am sure we lost - but the game was an overall success! This summer has been pretty crazy over here at TSG (in a good way!) so this was a great way to close out summer together.

THANKS BETH! :)

Potential Interns – TSG Wants You!

It's that time again! Are you a current college student pursuing a degree in Public Relations, Communications, or another arts related field? Do you strive for success and enjoy fine arts engagements including theatre, dance, music, art and more? Are you searching for an internship to combine your current skills, education, and personal interests? Then The Silverman Group has a great opportunity for you!

The Silverman Group is currently accepting applications for a Fall Intern position.

TSG interns have the unique opportunity to assist in all aspects and the overall success of operations at the company. Because this is a boutique firm, all members of the team pitch in wherever needed. As an intern, you have the chance to be exposed to every facet of activities at a full-service public relations agency as well as experience a variety of types of entertainment clients. Interns will have the opportunity to participate in media interaction and tracking, writing, promotional planning, event facilitation, and market research in addition to some day-to-day administrative duties.

Students pursuing a career in public relations, communications, or arts management who are willing to immerse themselves in the fast-paced work environment are encouraged to apply!

This is an unpaid internship, school credit is available. Length of internship is 3 months minimum, 6 months maximum and at least 20 hours/week.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples to laura@silvermangroupchicago.com

Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

A new Chicago EYE-con

It is true - the puns have been overplayed since the unveiling of Tony Tasset's "Eye" sculpture. Just to list a few:

- EYE-conic

- EYEsore
- EYE-catching

- EYE-popping

I could probably go on forever. But I won't. I would just like to state for the record that working for the Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) on their public art initiative, Art Loop 2010, has been a true pleasure. I am not only talking about the expansive coverage it has received, but I am also proud that I got to be a party of something so monumental. I don't care how many times I take the Brown Line past Pritzker Park, I still get giddy as the train rounds the corner and the brilliant iris comes into view.

Tasset's oddly beautiful yest grotesque sculpture has garnered attention around the world from India to Wichita, Kansas. Some have marveled at its beauty while others mark its lack of subtly. To see some of the more creative interpretations visit BBC's Magazine Monitor: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/magazinemonitor/2010/07/caption_competition_142.shtml.

CLA has made a commitment to develop and support artistic, cultural and public events in the Loop. Recently, many of their efforts have been toward a public art initiative. I have come to find that public art either evokes a positive or negative reaction - hardly anything in between. Personally, I am a big supporter of public art. I was fortunate enough to grow up in downtown Chicago. As a child I was fascinated by "Cows on Parade." I even had a chance to help my elementary school art teacher create her own cow that was proudly displayed on the streets of Chicago. These kinds of initiatives put our humble city on the map and continues to foster Chicago's reputation as a notable cultural destination.

Stay tuned for CLA's next project - ART LOOP OPEN!

The first time often falls short of expectations

And lest you think I'm referring to anything beyond posting one's first blog entry, shame on you!

So welcome to my first missive on The Silverman Group's blog. As the self-proclaimed "Leader of the Flacks" (and a practitioner of arts PR in Chicago for some 23+ years), figured that it was finally time to put pen to paper, er, fingers to keys.

I hope my unique point-of-view running a successful public relations firm (knock on wood), and also the lessons I've learned working in the industry for so long will at least prove entertaining, if not somewhat educational.

A brief start--what more did you expect?

Chicago Underground Film Festival

The Silverman Group has just been hired to help promote the 17th Chicago Underground Film Festival (CUFF) that will take over the Gene Siskel Film Center this summer, June 24 - July 1.

We couldn't be more excited as CUFF is one of Chicago's leading film events and stands out on the festival circuit for having a unique programming niche, garnering a following among avid film fanatics, media, and industry alike. Each year, CUFF presents an accessible, savvy program of film and video exploring the many definitions and interpretations of the 'underground' concept. Selected films often ignore limitations of genre, and are made with passion and drive.

CUFF is a great time for attendees, filmmakers, and industry, where great screenings are followed by great nights of parties, events and concerts! As Roger Ebert referred to the festival, "What you get for your money is not just admission to the films, but admission to a subculture."

For more information about CUFF check out http://www.cuff.org/.