Flying the Coop

My name is Blair Kahora Cardinal, and I’m about to fly the coop. 

In late December, my husband and I are due with our first Baby Bird Cardinal. Not only are we scrambling to assemble the nursery and read every parenting book on the planet, but I’m also hustling in the office to create smooth account transitions for my clients and colleagues. What I’ve found is that there’s no shortage of things to consider when you’re going to be out for three months.

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Teaching a Semi-Old Dog New Tricks

I can’t officially categorize myself as an old dog, but after nearly 14 years in PR, I think I qualify as a semi-old dog.

Upon college graduation, I entered the workforce as an assistant at a boutique, Philadelphia-based PR agency whose client base consisted of large, national consumer accounts. I worked my way up the ranks there for almost 12 years. I had a minor stint in corporate communications at a restaurant franchise, but eventually returned to the boutique agency and stayed until it closed its doors.

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Four PR Lessons I’ve Learned Playing Softball

Buchanan Public Relations, Philadelphia Public Relations Agency

Just last week, I submitted a video and resume, hoping to become one of the next Phillies Ballgirls (shout-out to everyone at Buchanan PR here for taking part in my vid!).
 
Sure, having a background in softball helps a great deal with my application, but knowledge of public relations is just as important. Being a Phillies Ballgirl is more than simply fielding foul balls; it’s attending charitable events, pursuing public speaking opportunities and always putting your best foot forward to represent the Philadelphia community. This got me thinking. There are many other ways in which softball, baseball and public relations are related. Here are four lessons I’ve learned since starting my internship at Buchanan PR exactly one month ago:

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PR Shutdown

Buchanan Public Relations, Philadelphia Public Relations AgencyWith the federal government shutdown and its never-ending ripple effect on everything from the global economy to the corner store, I began to wonder what would happen if the PR field were to experience a similar “shutdown.”  What ripple effects would result?  Who would be to blame?  When would it end?

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The Oldest in the Office

I realized the other day that each of our three interns this fall is younger than my oldest child.  I’ve long been the elder stateswoman at Buchanan PR, but now I feel officially old.  So I’ve been thinking about all that has changed in the PR/media world since I was in my early 20s, and all that has not.

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