Pierce Mattie PR wellness client 21 Drops was featured in Prevention Magazine. If you’re working on an aromatherapy story be sure to give our Pierce Mattie lifestyle PR team a call at 212-243-1431 or follow us on Twitter @PierceMattiePR and FaceBook.  

The FiFi Awards are considered the "Oscars" of the fragrance industry. This prestigious, iconic New York event showcases and honors the art, passion and personalities of the fragrance world. Competing to win a "Fragrance of the Year Award" are some of the big, the bold, instantly recognizable fragrance names, celebrity creations and collaborations as well as smaller, niche innovators. There's also competition for Best Packaging of the Year, Best Media Campaign of the Year and more.  Over 800 guests and 27 beautiful crystal FiFi ® awards are bestowed - a recognized symbol of fragrance excellence.  On FiFi night,  industry company presidents, CEOs, high-level executives and their guests mix and mingle with celebrities and VIPs from the fashion, stage, screen and music worlds who join in the fun, sometimes as guests, sometimes as presenters and sometimes as winners themselves in a fragrance category. 

I saw it early Friday morning come into my Facebook ticker, obviously precisely timed to debut just before Mother's Day..."Are you mom enough?" the headline asked. And judging by the cover photo that accompanied the headline meant to provoke a fight, like a bully cornering you in an alleyway, I knew it was a matter of time before all of my social media channels would be inundated with this "tabloid" type question.

Being in PR, I understand what the article and images were meant to do. Controversy sells magazines. As with just about anything, you have strong opinions on both sides and then you have those in the middle. But Time understands what pushes a mom's buttons--make her feel that her way of raising a child may be inadequate and it'll spawn more headlines to sell more magazines and increase pageviews on the website.

As a mom of 4 myself, I say enough already. There's better ways to sell magazines than to pit mom against mom. No matter what the parenting style, these women are raising the next generation. Why not lift them up instead of tearing them down? Instead of sensationalizing with absurd photos, why can't the topic of attachment parenting be broached with education rather than belittlement?

And moms, our role is hard enough...let's keep the focus on raising wonderful kids we can be proud of instead of diverting our attention to finger pointing. Because that's all these types of articles do anyway, they divide us when we should be standing in agreement together that our children are our most precious gifts, no matter which parenting style we choose to use to raise them. 

Have you ever dreamed of interning in New York for a lifestyle PR firm but are not able to get off your college campus, which isn’t located in NY? Now you can! 

Pierce Mattie PR is seeking Summer Social Media Interns to work remotely. In years past our interns have gone on to be published authors, featured in the New York Times, received college credit and most importantly learned the ropes of beauty fashion social media from our in-house experts.

Former HSN CEO Mark Bozek and co-founder Russell Nuce announce the launch of the new e-commerce platform EVINE.com. The site will sell exclusive products available only on EVINE.

EVINE aims to create a shopping platform that's all about unique, value driven merchandise in fashion, beauty, accessories, fitness, food and home for women 35+. 

The initial site launching today on http://evine.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/evine is a "coming attractions" platform that invites members to join for free and learn about the exciting new brands that will be available this summer.

Pierce Mattie PR luxury skin care client Comfort Zone was featured on VanityFair.com. If you’re working on an luxury beauty story be sure to give our Pierce Mattie lifestyle PR team a call at 212-243-1431 or follow us on Twitter @PierceMattiePR and FaceBook.    

Pierce Mattie PR jewelry client Belargo was featured in Aventura Magazine. If you’re working on a jewelry story be sure to give our Pierce Mattie accessories PR team a call at 212-243-1431 or follow us on Twitter @PierceMattiePR and FaceBook.    

As a product of Gen X, I've noticed (and experienced) the disconnect of Gen Y. Or maybe disconnect it the wrong word, because Millennials are more connected than any other generation before it. And that's the point. It is a generation that's growing up in a world that cannot live without technology, prefers everything at lightening fast speed (and I'm not just talking 4G), has no sense of committment and does not get the concept of "long term" (thanks to the popular start-ups that take off, but also quickly die off.)  They don't blink at a resume 4 pages long because they job hop, they're quick to take to public forums to voice their displeasure (and pleasure) with your brand, your website is not the first place they look to for information on your products (they use social media platforms first) and because of the importance digital and social media has played in their upbringing, they are very me-centric (another reason they are called the ME generation.)

Marketing to this generation is tricky. But understanding that Millennials are a generation brought up on customization, then you are beginning to see the light. They are attracted to brands that they can mold to their own unique lifestyles. They are also very much self-aware and understand their worth and how influential they can be.

Here are some ways to market to Millennials:

1. Support a cause. Gen Y strongly believes in supporting and buying from brands who support and contribute financially to causes. Aligning themself with a charity or philanthropic effort is part of describing who they are as an individual.   

2. Customize. You can slice and dice this up into so many levels. Customize to region, customize locally, customize to suit a trend or lifestyle. Whatever it may be, once you define the niche demographics of who your Millennial customer is--customize to their interests. 

3. Get social. Gen Y isn't hanging out on your website or in your retail store. They're online and TALKING. With friends, with strangers who share their love of your products, and most often...with YOU. They're not one to call your 800 number, but instead are more likely to tweet you or post on your Facebook fan page. If you are not already active here, or simply designate it to someone 9-5, then you are missing opportunities to connect with them. 

4. Provide discounts and savings. They're also coined Generation Discount for a reason. While this generation may enjoy spending rather than saving (i.e. the traditional method of putting your money away in the bank), they do not like to pay full price.  

5. Real people as brand ambassadors. While celebs still hold a lot of influence when it comes to marketing your product, Gen Y looks to resources they trust and feel they can identify with. Celebs that buy $700 jeans? Not so much. But a well respected blogger or editor to create an effective campaign? Absolutely. Enlist and partner with your most vocal brand loyalists. (But follow these tips on how NOT to do it.) 

Do you have other tips that have worked? Leave us a comment and let us know. 

*Photo Credit: Creative Class 

Pierce Mattie PR footwear client GBX was featured in Nylon Guys Magazine. If you’re working on a footwear story be sure to give our Pierce Mattie accessories PR team a call at 212-243-1431 or follow us on Twitter @PierceMattiePR and FaceBook.  

For a while now we've seen corporate America creep into social spaces online. Well, they've always been there...it's just more blatant now with with an actual designated page or profile asking that we interact with them on a daily basis. Vying for our attention, wanting to be kept top of mind. Who is doing it best...who is doing it better...how much of your privacy can be invaded? Then you have the argument of where is it better to connect with those who are not in your close circle, but know you as an acquaintance or from work--Facebook or LinkedIn? When can we finally have the ability to just connect with our family and close friends online without feeling the pressure to connect with anyone and everyone under the sun, because if you haven't capped out at the 5K friend limit, then surely you aren't an influencer.

Recognizing the need for more privacy, more intimacy and the fact that no one has 5K "close" friends, former Facebook employee, Dave Morin, began Path. Path is what is being coined a private social network capping your friend limit at 150 (which seems to fall in line with the typical number of invited guests on a wedding list. Ironic?) Path is a great mix of a lot of things: connections with only people you care about, brand interaction-free, the control over whether to keep your "moments" private or something you send to your other social networks such as Twitter, Foursquare, etc., blogging as Path is a journal of your daily life, and mobile-centric (Path is an app for iPhone and Android.)

It's no surprise that one of the newest people to throw their hat into investing in Path is Richard Branson, which is why it's now beginning to grab some eyeballs. Path already has 2 million users, but that is expected to grow. Of course, that means brands will be itching to find out how they can invade this new social network. But one has to wonder, is there better room for growth in a network where people feel they can mention the places they go, the products they buy and the items they love without it becoming a sponsored story or retweet? My opinion is that word of mouth will flourish in Path for this very reason...no brand involvement required.

What do you think? Comment below.

Do you ever see a trend that you wish you had created or at least wish you could replicate to add your own bit of sass? Acclaimed blogger, author, and DIY-er, Jenni Radosevich of I Spy DIY makes being crafty look easy! For the last four years Jenni has worked at a fashion magazine in Manhattan where she has been surrounded by trends, beautiful people, and amazing clothes that have inspired her to make trends more attainable and affordable (not to mention, she has been able to add her own personal touch to each project).

Raved about by Seventeen, Lucky, InStyle, and ELLE, Jenni is more than just a blogger with a knack for crafting. Women of all ages look to Jenni for inspiration and motivation to stand out in the crowd. Jenni’s book I Spy DIY Style just out April 17, 2012 is filled with 30 step-by-step projects to transform your closet and look with inspiration from celebrities, runways and classic styles. Jenni can teach you how to walk into a hardware store, craft store, or thrift store and leave feeling like a million bucks.

Check out Jenni’s project gallery on her website where you can find inspiration to get craft. One of my favorite projects of Jenni’s is her Chain and Rhinestone Bracelet (pictured above) that I have recreated myself. It is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry and I get compliment on it no matter where I am when I wear it. The next project I can’t wait to try is Jenni’s Heart Ring. Adding a little something to your outfit that you created is a great way to start your day.

Which DIY projects to you love? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR. 

According to Interview Magazine, Garance Doré is possibly the fashion world's most followed blogger and we agree! Since 2006, as an illustrator frustrated with her work, her the launch of her blog has led fashion enthusiastic women across the world to want to know what Garance has to say, thus giving her loyal following on a global scale.

Garance Doré blogs about everything fashion and lifestyle related under the sun: from advice, fashion tips, travel photos, to outfit critiques and collaboration. Her site is a delicate twist of feminine and cutting-edge, offering spontaneous pieces of information to motivate the fashion-hungry folk. She is adamant to avoid advertising for brands through her site, proving her sincerity and genuine love of stylish clothing pieces and all-time personal favorites without the pressure to make a buck from big name brands trying to turn her site commercial. 

Doré's illustration section on her blog site has colorful sketches that allow the reader to take a peak into her personal life, whether it be through travel, beauty product favorites and vintage finds. This site is a great way for the reader to take a breather and unwind from a hectic day and explore her creative, girly side. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

Follow Garance Doré on Twitter (@garancedore), go to her website garancedore.fr/en or visit her offical Facebook page for updates about the fashion photographer, illustrator and writer extraordinaire. 

If you are anything like me, music is your primary motivator to get through that early morning or mid-day workout. Fortunately, Apple has a released a new generation iPod Nano that mixes music and fitness seamlessly, giving you an even greater experience when working out.

The sheer design of the sixth generation iPod Nano enables extreme portability when working out. I normally just clip it to my clothes and it never interferes with my routine. It is a touchscreen device, so it is extremely easy to switch between different songs, playlists, and settings. Although the device only supports Apple apps, definitively chose the most important ones to compliment a workout. Pre-installed apps include a pedometer, FM radio tuner, and a Nike Fitness + app, which tracks distance, duration and calorie statistic for your workout. Not to mention the device is available vibrant colors that you can choose to match your personality.

Although many people use their iPhones or iPod Touch to join in their workouts, the 6^th generation iPod Nano is designed to accompany you while you are at the gym. Not only can you add your entire iTunes music library to the iPod, but also if you are not feeling your normal fitness playlist, you can switch to the FM Tuner and listen to the local radio stations. The iPod Nano also knows that we all have those days where our preferences do not lean towards a specific music genre; therefore the device has a Shake to Shuffle feature where all you have to do is shake the iPod and it will shuffle to a different song within your library.

With the available accessories, and the built in clock app, you can also attach the iPod Nano to your wristband, creating a sporty watch right on your wrist. The Apple iPod Nano is available on the Apple website, as well as Apple retail stores. The device starts at $129 for the 8GB and $149 for the 16GB model.

What do you think about the newest iPod Nano? Do you use it when working out? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

Technology is forever making life more and more convenient, producing applications that were once never considered possible. A new app, LevelUp, is a breakthrough in the world of convenience by linking your credit or debit card to your phone, and connecting you with new food and retail locations. The app is available for iPhone and Android, once downloaded, you are prompted to capture your credit or debit card, the app then produces your own unique QR code. This code then allows you to pay for food or clothes without having to physically have your credit or debit card.

We have seen this technology specifically with the Starbucks Card App, but did you ever wish you could use this feature at any other retailers aside from Starbucks? LevelUp goes one step further, by adding a GPS feature, which tracks your location and provides a list of retailers near you who accept LevelUp. Currently, LevelUp is in about 10 major cities across America, with the expectation to add more to the list.

LevelUp even features loyalty reward programs for your favorite retailers. Most retailers have it set up where you spend a certain amount of money using LevelUp and in return you will receive certain deals and discounts. The incentive lies where the more frequently you use LevelUp the better the discounts and deals.

LevelUp taps into the digital coupon world similar to LivingSocial and Groupon. However, based on the cities that which LevelUp has a solid presence, studies show that the app is successful in retention of visitors. Businesses even have a wide range of creative liberty with the deals and rewards that are provided to the customers. Finally, for some of the smaller food chains and restaurants, LevelUp provides loyalty programs that are usually only seen with national fashion retailers.

Have you stepped up with LevelUp? Tweet us if you've used it as a consumer or as a retailer @PierceMattiePR.