The event, which will also introduce their latest Public Service announcement, is also set to honor two recipients of the 2010 “Beauty Cares: Champion of Change” Award, including: Dr. Andrew Jacono (the National Chairman of Face to Face), a plastic surgeon who performs countless pro-bono reconstructive surgeries on survivors of domestic violence, and Violy McCausland, President and CEO of VMS Associates and a staunch supporter of women and children living in crisis.

Since, April 2008, Beauty Cares has been hosting the ‘Breakthrough Experience,’ a full day of transformation for survivors housed at Safe Horizon—a safe house for those who have escaped domestic abuse.  Designed to help reverse negative self-image and break the cycle of domestic violence, the participants experience hands-on nurturing with healing massages, expert makeovers with instruction, professional hairstyling, guidance from life coaches to identify their core strengths, totes filled with donated products for everyday reality, and gorgeous after-photos to take as a reminder of how lovely and loved they are.  Beauty Cares’ message is clear: you are beautiful inside and out.

Life-changing messages are collected from the women who go through the “Breakthrough Experience,” including the one from this woman who participated in the last event: “This [event] meant looking at myself in a different light, seeing my true natural beauty and learning that there is something better for me.”  The next of these events will take place on Sunday, February 28^th, during the day prior to the inaugural cocktail charity party where more of their bone-chilling experiences will be shared.

At the event, Beauty Cares will also be unveiling a powerful 60-second Public Service Announcement entitled “Make Under.”  Many women believe that being shoved, threatened, belittled or isolated does not count as domestic abuse. This viral video demonstrates that it’s only a matter of time before these behaviors escalate into dangerous violence, ending with the emotionally-charged statement: “It doesn’t have to get this far, to be considered domestic violence.”

The event, which will bring together local leaders in the beauty industry and beyond, will serve up champagne, delicious food, and inspiring stories, in addition to a live auction, featuring: one of Barry Gibb’s (from The BeeGees) electric guitars,  and gifts from Alto, The Four Seasons, Victor de Souza, a Yankees Stadium Private Tour, and more.  There will also be a raffle of several gift boxes, containing top beauty products valued at over $2,000.

To join in on this eye-opening evening, you may RSVP to 212-252-3399 or RSVP@BeautyCares.org.  Cocktail attire is strictly required and space is limited.

The event is located at: 15 East 18^th Street, Suite 301, New York, NY 10003, with cocktail reception at 6:00pm, award ceremony at 7:00pm, and live auction at 7:45pm. Cost is $150 per person or $1400 per 10 individuals (tax deductible).

For more information on Beauty Cares, please visit: www.BeautyCares.org.  To see the video, see www.YouTube.com/BeautyCares.

[Alyson Campbell for It's All Very PR]

The discussion will be moderated by social media maven, James Andrews (Co-Founder, BeEverywhere.tv & TheKeyInfluencer.com), and the panel will feature: ?uestLove (National recording artists & infamous drummer of The Roots and The Jimmy Fallon Show), Andrew Katz (Senior Marketing Manager, PepsiCo), and Marisa Bangash (Co-Founder of Uncensored Interview).

In partnership with PepsiCo Music, dotMusic & No Longer Empty, the panel will explore the trading and bartering of social media currencies amongst artists, corporations and labels and touch upon who is successful in this trade to boost popularity, creating new revenue streams and promote “global goodness.”

Where?
No Longer Empty – Never Can Say Goodbye Exhibition (also known as the former Tower Records building)
692 Broadway @ 4th Street
New York, N Y 10003
NoLongerEmpty.org

When?
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
Panel from 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Reception from 8:30pm – 10:00pm

SoundCTRL is a network of digital media professionals who are focused on advancing the music industry through the power of the social web.  Social Media Week is a week long, international conference, designed as  series of localized events, which city partners are responsible for organizing.  The aim of each event is to advance the use and understanding of social media in the corporate, public, and non-profit sectors (more info: SocialMediaWeek.org)

To RSVP to this event as Press/Media or VIPs, contact me.

[Alyson Campbell for It's All Very PR]

The book surrounds his relatively quick and calculated rise to personal branding fame and the opportunity that is newly available to everyone in today’s restructured digital society.  In the book, Gary states that he lives by three simple rules:

Love your family.
Work Superhard.
Live your passion.

With this, he says, you will find ultimate happiness and success.

The main theme of the book is identifying and pursuing your true passion, with a focus on the current (free) social media tools available to all of us.  Although these channels may change as rapidly as they’ve been created, the strategy for success remains the same, “If you spend most of your life time working, then it better be for something you love,” warns Gary.

Gary was an entrepreneur from the very beginning, creating a “personal brand” on everything he did, from his franchised lemonade stands to his baseball card trading empire. Soon, he was working at his parents liquor store in Clark, New Jersey which he later grew into a $60 million business.  The book explains why we should all be able to do the same (if we’re truly crushing it, that is).

Gary, with his life-long obsession to one day buy the New York Jets, has used his god-given DNA to pursue what comes naturally to him, and what doesn’t even feel like work.  The book points out that we all have different DNA, and it’s important to embrace what we’re instinctively good at and recognize what we’re not.  Authenticity in business is key.

Gary, like me, shares the motto “refuse to settle” and was prompted to do this book out of the disbelief that there are still people out there who haven’t figured out that you don’t have to settle, ever.

We all love something, we’re all overly knowledgeable about something, and we are all the ‘go to’ person for something amongst our family and friends. As far as Gary is concerned, the more niche your passion the better, in one example showing how even a fisherman particularly interested in the best bait for the best catch is a walking money machine if monetized correctly.

Advertising dollars are going where the eye-balls are, and the eye-balls are moving from print to screens, so if there was ever a time to create a loyal audience online and offer that inventory up to an ad-buying company within your niche–it’s now.

In today’s world, the gate keepers have lost their power and to succeed, you just need to clarify where your DNA and passion intersect–and be willing to hustle.

WATCH the below video of AMP3 PR client, Justine Suh of The Green Scout Report, interviewing Gary Vaynerchuk about the new book (and disregard my shaky camera work!).

For anyone out there looking to motivate their personal and career goals, I strongly recommend this read. I personally plan on gifting it to several people in my life who are in the process of reinventing themselves or are considering new entrepreneurial ventures this year.

From Roberto Gonazalez, my friend and NYC real estate guru who conceived, wrote and directed the viral video “The NYC Realty Guide” to my big sister who is a pharmacist by day but a passionate family travel blogger by night, the niches that social citizens could be capitalizing on are endless, and @Garyvee is not afraid to say it, “Quit your job, quit your job today.”

Gary (next to my hero Oprah) is in the running to be my mentor of the decade.

Get out there, and start crushing it today!

And for the wine lovers out there, don’t forget to tune into WineLibrary.TV for Gary’s ongoing video series on all things wine.

[Alyson Campbell for It's All Very PR]

On opening night, Bob put the space in perspective by bringing together a collective of talented local artists to display their works in an auction-style, fund-raising exhibit.  The event also featured the Endless Summer Taco Truck, frosty beverages courtesy of Pabst Blue Ribbon, and live music by indie rock sensation, Jeff Taylor.

Later this month (July 18/19), The Arsenal will be home to a trunk show for indie designers like Brooklyn Royalty.  Keep an eye on the website for all of the juicy details.

Congrats on the new space Bob, it’s genius!

*Designer Bob Bland with her Brooklyn Royalty collection at The Aresnal

*My favorite piece(s) that were on display as part of the Art Auction

*Skakeboard art

*Wood-based jewlery by GOOD WOOD

*Good Wood’s Frankie Velez with Leah Pilon and Erin Gell

[First 3 photos courtesy of Guest of A Guest, Second 2 photos courtesy of me!]

[Alyson Campbell for It's All Very PR]

The event featured organic rum courtesy of Cuca Fresca, and a suggested donation to benefit one of my favorite local charities, City Harvest (which helps to feed the less fortunate in New York City).   My favorite part was the create-your-own cupcake bar sponsored by Ivy Bakery–I had a vanilla cupcake with vanilla icing and chocolate chip topping in honor of the site’s birthday.

Mosaka (Mo) Williamson, Editor-in-Chief, founded Socially Superlative in the summer of 2008.  The site stays true to the pulse of the hottest cultural, fashion, art, and charity events taking place in the city, allowing readers to plan their outings using the site’s events calendar or to read up on recaps of past events.

Guests parted with cushy gift bags featuring: an E.l.f. Studio Mini Makeup Collection, Liquid Lightening Energy Drink, Sonu Water, Bath Junkie Body Wash + Bath Salts, Luxe Tea, $50 Gift Card to One Little West 12th, 20% off your next BagTrends purchase, 10% off YouAreOnTheList.com Industry Insider membership, $25 off an Isabella Grace Original design (jewelry), and an Allison Parris look book.

CONGRATS goes out to Mo and the rest of the team at Socially Superlative, including the delightful Yvonne Lee! Here’s to another successful year, and lots of fun working together along the way.

*Socially Superlatives’s Yvonne Lee with Jeremy Logan-Cavendish, Alyson Campbell (me), Termeh Mazhari, Lorna Solano (Photo courtesy of Guest of A Guest)

*Ivy Bakery Owner, Daniellan Louie and the melt-in-your-mouth Cupcake Bar

*Designer Allison Parris w/ Danielle

*Derek loves Shopping’s, Derek Warbuton, with Juliet Falchi and Kate Falc

*Courtney Henley-Anderson, Termeh Mazhari, Jeremy Logan-Cavendish and me!

[Alyson Campbell for It's All Very PR]

I arrived to the home of the NextUP series, 92Y, with fellow AMP3 co-hort @Termeh, where we proceeded to eat (delicious, mind you) hummus, chat with the ever-present Matt Caldecutt, and interview the Editor-In-Chief of Mashable, Adam Ostrow, you know–the usual pre event fare.

Moderated by mashable rep, Adam Hirsch, the talks got underway. And here is the run-down of what we learned:

Panelist(s) #1–Philip James (CEO) and Mark Angelillo (CTO) of Snooth.com:

Snooth.com is a comparison shopping engine for wine. Philip taught us that when dealing with a web startup, most negotiating is actually going to end up being compromise and that is just what you have to deal with in the beginning. His advice was to accept it, swallow your pride, and get your deals done. If you believe in the quality of your product and you know where it’s going, you will be able to revisit your business deals once you have bargaining power. CTO, Mark, gets a giggle out of the crowd after introducing himself as a techie, “I’m a tech guy, so I don’t really talk in front of people… but hey, they did stand me in front of a computer here, so maybe this will be ok.…!?” Turns out it was, as he offered feedback on open source rules and solutions. Mark’s moral of the story? Invent the racecar, not the wheel. The faster you move, the better your business is going to be. The two continued on with the perfect balance of a Tech VS. Business dynamic which is obviously what makes them so successful at what they do.

Panelist #2–Melanie Notkin, Founder & CEO of SavvyAuntie.com:

Melanie is a beam of positive, contagious energy who really keyed into WHY her business has been so successful, so quickly. I also enjoy her because she coined the phrase “PANK’s” (Professional Aunts, No Kids). Turns out, I am a “pank” myself; a very proud auntie at that, but not so savvy when it comes to what’s trendy for kids. That’s where Melanie’s service comes in.

Here is what Melanie identifies as her 3 secrets to success:

• Powerful Niche: Melanie identified a niche (herself included) of women who were unsavvy about Sponge Bob, The Jonas Brothers, and Hannah Montana, but who were passionate about kids and the kids in their life (even though they are not their own). Turns out, PANKs, are one of the most affluent demographic segments on the market!
• Strong Product: She introduced her website not just as a good idea, but with superior quality, and that is reflected by the fact that she is currently nominated for a WEBBY award.
• Social Influence: She is the face of the brand and she has a strong social presence. She represents the “SavvyAuntie” in everything that she does. Twitter has been a huge social referal for her from Advertisers (such as Playskool and Sephora) to Press Interviews/Coverage, noting that she “launched at the best time, [I] was on Twitter before it got Oprah’d“

Panelist #3–Michael Galpert, Co-Founder of Aviary.com:

Aviary is an accessible Photoshop-like platform that allows you to manipulate visual media with ease, in a manageable, sharable file-type/size. It allows users to be creators and offers a simpler version to the non-graphic-designers out there, similar to what Google Documents has done for those who do not have the Microsoft Suite.

What Michael says is the key to his web start-up is the community focused platform that allows users to share and see what others are doing in real time. He recommends open source, and reminds us that Aviary released an API so that 3rd Party users can use this platform on their own.

Ultimate message: be open, don’t try to control everything, and don’t try to do what has worked for others in the past; think ahead about what’s going to be happening next.

Panelist #4–Scott Belsky, Founder & CEO of Behance.com:

Letting us know that, no, he doesn’t work for Beyonce, Scott reminded us that most good ideas never happen. As such, Behance was born out of frustration as a platform to help creative professionals realize their goals by creating an organizational structure that keeps all project members looped in and accountable. His platform seeks to solve the problem of organizing creative work on a macro and a micro level and also *buzzword* encourages community where creatives can curate and “appreciate” art in one space.

Scott’s Tips for Best Practices:

• Hire based on Initiative, Not Experience [*IMHO--Someone that really wants something, will make it happen, regardless of experience]
• Solve a Frustration [What is your business seeking to achieve? Does it solve a current problem that exists?]
• Value the Experiential Education as Compensation [The old adage rings true: What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger, right!? You live, you learn.]

The evening closed with a multi-panelist group Q&A moderated by Mashable’s Editor In Chief, Adam Ostrow, where I captured the above panelists answering the following question: “What do you love about being a web/tech startup in New York City?”

This event was very relevantly sponsored by DubMeNow and SunStartUp Essentials, and rumor has it that the next event will be held on June 3rd regarding “Social Media Marketing,” followed-up by what I can only imagine as hilarious, “Tech Karaoke” in the space after-hours.

[Alyson Campbell for It's All Very PR]

Next Friday (May 8th), there will be a pre-party to collect clothes for the main benefit that will take place in Fort Greene on May 16th.

Perfectly timed, I encourage everyone to do the “spring cleaning” I’m guessing you probably need to do at this time of year anyway, and instead of throwing out the things you might not need anymore, just throw them into a bag for this great cause instead.

“The Fashion For All Donation Pre-Party on 5.8.09, hosted by MINT Jodi Arnold™, is intended to collect gently used women’s clothing and accessories donations for the Fashion For All Shopping Benefit which will take place at Irondale (www.irondale.org) in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn on May 16th. To show our appreciation, all guests will receive wholesale price on current MINT Jodi Arnold™ Collections. The first 50 guests to arrive with 15 acceptable items or more will receive a luxurious gift bag. Food and beverage will be provided.”

Friday, May 8th, 2009 6pm-9pm
MINT Jodi Arnold™ Showroom
230 W.39th St., Floor 2 New York, NY 10018
(between 7th and 8th Ave.)

RSVP to: Deenie Hartzog
212.997.2329 ext. 24
dhartzog@jodiarnoldnyc.com

Learn more about the cause: http://www.feliciasullivan.com/ffarelease.pdf
Visit: www.fashionforall.org

[Alyson Campbell for It's All Very PR]

The event featured a series of booths manned by various hand bag companies who share an eco-friendly “green theme,” as well as a tucked away spa area where you could get a massage or a non-toxic manicure while you sipped on organic cocktails courtesy of Yellowfin wines and Pink Champagne.

At the event I ran into a few of my favorite party-goers, including:  Robin Ross (Founder of YouAreOnTheList.com),  Courtney Anderson (Blogger/Activist),  Lorna Solano (MapFlex.com), Dynelle Skinner (My Life on and off the Guest List),  Geraldine Laiz (Fashion Stylist), Jeremy Logan (Jeremy Logan Enterprises), Thei Zervaki (FullyBooked.biz), Patty Hughes (Curvy Girl Style), Jill Goldsberry, and of course, the women of the hour, Michelle & Pamela.

*Co-Founders and Party Co-hosts: Michelle Finkelshteyn & Pamela Pekerman

*Teich Bag Booth

*Jane Marvel Booth

*Dr. Remedy Eco-Friendly Nail Polish

*On Site Manicures

*Fellow event-goers: Lorna Solano, Courtney Anderson, Geraldine Laiz, and Jeremy Logan

I could tell how much work must have gone in to pulling off such a great event–congrats to the BagTrends team!

[Photos courtesy of me!]

[Alyson Campbell for It's All Very PR]

There is nothing like a group of scantily clad trannies to wake you up on a saturday morning!  First stop, The Patricia Field Boutique on The Bowery, was home to a Valentine’s Day party, featuring Dirty Dolls Lingerie, champagne and strawberries.  After a quick walk through the dual-level shop and a flash back to my “Happy Valley Nightclub” days, I was aesthetically stimulated and ready for our next move.

Next stop was the Andrew Buckler presentation aptly entitled, “The Decay of Beauty, The Beauty of Decay.”

“The picture of Dorian Gray, by controversial Irish writer Oscar Wilde, is a Gothic tale that exposes the duality between substance and surface, good and evil, ethics and aesthetics, and human decay. When first published in 1890, Wilde caused a great stir in aristocratic London as he revealed the life and the aim of the dandy: turning life into a hedonistic work of art. The binary nature of the story has inspired the Fall 2009 Buckler Collection, offering versatile garments that work equally well in a rough or formal setting. The designs are a contemporary take on traditional mens garments.”

*Andrew Buckler F/W 2009 (Photo courtesy of Bob Bland)

With the Front of House being handled by People’s Revolution, I took the opportunity to (re)introduce myself to infamous PR-guru and current star on “The Hills” and “The City,” Kelly Cutrone (who had handled the opening of Happy Valley, an account that AMP3 later took over).  Interestingly enough, she was attached at the hip with a girl who she introduced to me (and everyone else that approached her) as “Ashley Dupre, my good friend.”  (Yes – that Ashley Dupre, the call girl associated with the Governor Eliot Spitzer scandal).  At the time, I found it slightly odd.  I later found out this was a PR stunt in the making, with Kelly standing strong by her decision to seat Ashley front row at the Yigal Azrouel Show, a move which soon after got her fired from the job.

Kelly’s bold statement that she is “vehemently opposed to morality” aside, I really admire her forwardness.  While she’s on one side of the extreme that I don’t think I’ll ever quite reach, I love that there is no wishy-washyness to her, Kelly tells it like it is!

*In a sea of blacks & grey, I stand out in my hot pink valentine’s day dress @ Buckler (Photo courtesy of Bob Bland)

Still reeling from my amusing Kelly run-in, we left SoHo for the Tents for the Monarchy show.  An ode to my heritage, Monarchy displayed a Scottish inspired Fall/Winter line.   Designer, Eric Kim, showed off women’s and menswear full of plaid capes, toques with fur pom-poms, high-waisted trousers, pleats, and double-breasted trench coats, which were all emphasized by various shades of olive, cream and grey.

*The adorable Jennifer Love Hewitt leaving the Monarchy Show.

An exciting 3-part start to Fashion Week, I called it an early evening to head off to a special Valentine’s day date of my own.

[Alyson Campbell for It's All Very PR]

Co-founders, Tobin and Jevaun Howell, have invented a unique fix to this phenomenon with the introduction of their company: Cupid’s Lab.

Alyson Campbell: So Tobin, what is Cupid’s Lab?

Tobin Schwaiger-Hastanan: Cupid’s Lab aims to bring geek and chic together, helping singles break the ice by allowing them to flirt with or match each other via a custom mobile text messaging system used in a real world setting (sounds fancy, but if you can send a text, you’re golden!). If you’re single, it’s business as usual but with an awesome interactive twist. At our events, you can flirt anonymously if you’re shy, or directly if you’re feeling bold. Either way, you’re in a room filled with people who are open to the possibility of mingling, at an event hosted by Cupid’s Lab, so it breaks the ice.

AC: How does it differ from many of the other dating websites that are out there?

TSH: Our goal is to go beyond the barriers of a single profile page and allow users to discover one another through interaction. Specifically our live events use a custom mobile text messaging system that allows users to interact with each other in a fun environment. Afterwards users can come back to the site and view a recap of the event which includes photos, attendee lists, comments, and a summary of what happened. Right now our events are unique, but we expect to see others try to recreate similar experiences as our community grows.

AC: It sounds kind of high-tech, can the tech illiterate try it out to?

TSH: It takes a little warming up for some, but our technology is quite simple to use at the events. The users interact with one another through their cellphones by sending text messages to our service. Users can use various functions such as crushing, winking, and matchmaking to indicate interest in another attendee.

Crushes are anonymous and it allows someone to comfortably participate at the event if they are shy. If there is someone that catches an attendee’s attention they can send an anonymous Crush to that user. The sender simply texts in the word “crush” and their crush’s badge # to our service. The recipient will receive an anonymous message stating that someone has a crush on them. If they want to learn the identity of the crush, they are encouraged to send in their own crushes. If there’s a mutual crush, both users are notified of each others identity.

Winks are a more direct means of interacting with someone. A user can send a short message to a specific person’s badge # and the recipient will receive the message along with the senders identity. For example someone can send a wink telling the recipient “You’re cute, meet me at the end of the bar.” This is done by texting in the word “wink” followed by the users badge number and a short message.

Matchmaking is a fun way to get involved with other people at the event and it also allows those in relationships to participate as well. If there are two people someone thinks would be a good match for one another, all they have to do is text in the badge numbers of the match and they will both receive a message notifying them of the suggestion.

At the same time we also display suggested matches and a leader board of who are the top 5 users receiving the most crushes up on the big screen. This seems awkward at first, but a lot of people start having fun with it and use it as a means to talk to new people.

There are times where users don’t utilize the texting system we’ve created and they take an “old fashioned” approach. We see nothing wrong with this and we like to think that we’re bridging a divide between an online social experience and a real-life social situation.

AC: So if you’re taken, but your single best friend wants your support as his or her wingman, joining in the fun is fair game?

TSH: Of course! We encourage everyone to come with at least one friend and we’ve especially designed the matchmaker functionality to encourage those that are in relationships to participate. We try to make it fun for everyone!

AC: Have you seen any matchmaking success?

After each event we’ve heard of people going out or getting involved. We’ve also received a few emails from users who started seriously dating after one of our events. Most notably:

“Thanks so much for throwing your party. You picked a great venue and had kickin’ tunes, but more to the point I had a great time talking to a bunch of people I hadn’t met before in an environment made safer by the fact that everyone had been vouched for by at least one person (their not-date). It was easy to chat up anyone in the room because everyone was there to be friendly. I am, in fact, seeing someone I met at the event – which is only sad because I might have to miss your next party! Thanks again.”-Kira

AC: And, what’s next for cupid’s lab?

We’re always looking for new ways to get people to interact. Meeting new people and dating in a large city like New York isn’t always easy and we are trying to find ways to let everyone be themselves and enjoy themselves. As we grow we’re looking to throw more events geared towards specific demographics.

Online ,we’re building a system that encourages conversation with other users. There’s more to a person then a 200 word dating profile and we’re looking to extend that and allow others to discover one another through engaging in online discussions and activities.

AC: Thanks Tobin! Sounds like fun!

For those interested in testing out the action, Cupid Lab’s next event will be held on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 14th, from 7pm-10pm @ M1-5 (randomly the site of AMP3’s first office). This is a “Not My Date” party, meaning that they encourage you to bring a single friend of the opposite sex who you are NOT interested in. For details on how to RSVP, visit: www.CupidsLab.com.

[Alyson Campbell for It's All Very PR]