Buzzflikr Blogs: Debra's Interviews

Chatting with Mimi and Maggie

debra — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:26:10 +0000

“There’s a fine line between being informative and annoying,” says the childrenswear founder of Mimi and Maggie. This truthful nugget popped out as we were chatting this morning about the value of online communication. For these industry vets, it’s a top priority to ensure that everything they do is consistent with the distinctive flavor of their handcrafted kids brand.

On one hand, there’s tremendous opportunity to reach retailers, editors and consumers thru all the many exciting channels of new media now at our disposal. On the other, just one eblast or tweet too many, and you’ve tipped the scales into unredeemable spam.

Don’t forget, you’re creating a permanent, trackable brand presence on the web. These links, comments and posts never go away. How will you use these communication tools today?

Mimi and Maggie Create Artistic Gear for Fearless Girls

How to Use The 80/20 Rule

debra — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:22:26 +0000

You know what they say, 80% of the time we’re successful by using just 20% of our abilities. In other words, our genius lies in focusing on our areas of expertise and leaving the rest to others.

In this Digital Era many small business owners They feel unsure about using online communication to promote their brands. They know it’s important but it’s not their expertise or focus. Neither should it be.

Here’s our 2 cents: Concentrate on running a great business and delegate these functions to someone who can commit to doing it. Planning meaningful blog entries, posting news to facebook or twittering about your latest buzz is quite possibly the most effective strategy for promoting your company. It should be conducted as a cohesive part of your business growth strategy and handled by someone with a passion for these activities.

Need help figuring out your 80/20? Let’s talk!

Zappos CEO Uses Facebook to Connect

What Can Twitter Do for YOU?

debra — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:48:42 +0000

Face it, a proactive twitter campaign IS time consuming. First, you need followers then you need something compelling to talk about. And of course that all-important time element to make it a regular gig. But this new media DOES generate worthy return on your hard-earned investment because of consumer interest. Tweets are simply the hottest newest thing, and this immediacy is exactly what our market requires today.

At Buzzflikr we tweet editors and clients with news, event reminders and updates plus run these campaigns for clients. It has definitely generated new leads and eyeballs to our business and can do the same for you. Want to start your own Twitter campaign? Let’s talk!

Pantone x Seavees @ Fred Segal Tonight

debra — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:28:12 +0000

You’ve read about it in the New York Times, Selectism, Men Style and many others. Pantone is red hot and actively collaborating with the world’s hippest brands to bring its color vision to life.

Recent hook ups with Uniqlo, The Gap and Fine Paints of Europe have galvinized cult status for the world’s leading color authority. Now, the New Jersey-based firm makes tracks to the West Coast in partnership with Seavees to launch a limited edition range of sneakers debuting tonight at Fred Segal. An installation based on vintage paint chips hangs in Conveyor where the California Cool kicks are on display. Don’t miss it!

Design for Seavees x Pantone Display at Conveyor

FBI’s Open House Tonight!

debra — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:18:21 +0000

Flinging open the newly stenciled doors to its expanded 7,000 sq ft Resource Center, Fashion Business Inc. hosts its open house tonight and invites one and all. This event marks a significant benchmark for the non-profit organization that serves as a small business incubator for fashion and textile brands. By partnering with Microsoft, Brother International and others the FBI is poised to offer much-needed seminars, retraining programs and business coaching to fledgling brands in this changing economy.

Buzzflikr is pleased to support the FBI with PR and marketing oversight. We invite you all to attend this evening’s celebration and design your own custom tee at the On Demand Printing Center, courtesy of our fab friends and organic tee shirt makers, bgreen.

BGreen Sponsors FBI Open House Tonight

FBI Projects Ambitious Growth Plans

debra — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 23:18:50 +0000

Fashion Business Inc. has announced ambitious growth plans this year, in spite of the troubled economy. Leveraging its expertise in employee training, small business coaching and monthly seminars, FBI has expanded its services to the fashion industry by partnering with Microsoft. Together, the two companies offer free retraining programs targeting displaced apparel and textile workers.

Founder Frances Harder spoke to Buzzflikr about her commitment to cultivating emerging fashion brands. “Times are tough for the apparel industry, but we offer the tools to innovate and get thru it,” she explains.

To accommodate this expansion, FBI has moved its Resource Center to a larger, newly renovated 7,000 square foot facility in the California Market Center. Here the non-profit organization will be able to expand its monthly curriculum and serve more members than ever. Proof positive that innovative thinking is just what we need in this market to survive and thrive!

Frances Harder Expands Training Curriculum at FBI

Catch a Buzz @ FOCUS Lounge

debra — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:52:01 +0000

Catch a Buzz with Buzzflikr this week at the FOCUS ecolounge during LA Market Week. Meet our busy, buzzy team of cute interns and enjoy complimentary coffee all day or beer and wine all evening. We’ll share tips for building your brand’s online profile, making the most of blogs, SNs, Tweets and the many amazing web tools we use everyday. Join us and take the sting out of PR!”

Catch a Buzz with Buzzflikr

Pantone x Seavees Launch @Fred Segal

debra — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:32:04 +0000

The buzz is all about Pantone x Seavees and the launch of their 1963-PMS inspired limited edition sneakers. Don’t miss the debut at Fred Segal this week, Thursday 19 March from 5-8p. Music by Irons, a color-infused bar hosted by Skyy Vodka and powered by our Buzzflikr team.

Pantone x Seavees Limited Edition Sneakers Launch @ Fred Segal

Celebrate Earth Day in Lalaland

debra — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:50:36 +0000

If you’re anywhere near Lalaland on Earth Day (and heck its practically the birthplace of all things eco), then head to The Way We Wore on April 22 for a celebration of reclaimed, revived and repurposed.

Legendary proprietress Doris Raymond debuts her Out of the Ordinary collection, a celebration of restored 20th century fashion. Participating designers include many of my personal faves including Katayoni Adeli, Madga Berlinger and badboy Jeremy Scott (thx for the front row tix @MOCA!).

Susan Henry of SHADES is the night’s hair mistress and will showcase her non-toxic all natural hair care range while green expert Paige Padgett handles makeup. To find out more, follow us here and see you there!

Party Like a President in Puerto Vallarta

debra — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 22:27:19 +0000

French Presidnt Sarkozy and his actress-model wife made international headlines today with the news of their lavish vacation at El Tamarindo, a luxury resort just south of Puerto Vallarta. Invited by Mexican president Felipe Calderon and his wife, the French couple spent two nights in total secrecy. A longtime enclave of discreet decadence, breathtaking real estate and exquisite geography, the Puerto Vallarta region is weathering the global economic downturn better than most, including neighbors like Cabo.

Clients of Vallarta-based home furnishings brand CRATE by Carlos Alberto seek out this private region while trading down from the expense of the Hamptons or the hassle of trekking to the Caribbean. Attractive pricing and high season flights from Los Angeles, New York and the midwest provide a welcome alternative in this turbulent economy.