Brian Gleason; VP over at Ulta Lit Technologies is on an camera pro, not to mentione an expert in "everything Christmas!"

Good Morning America NOW asked us to introduce their viewers to new trends in holiday home safety & decorating for the upcoming season.

Watch Brian on ABC as he explains what's new to the market!

Kim Overton; a Rivendell Communications client and an Austin-based fitness expert and the creator of the original SPIbelt TM; appears on NBC's Today Show in a segment with Donny Deutsch; of The Big Idea.

Kim designed the new Reflective SPIbelt as a sleek and safe alternative for holding your iPod, Blackberry, cell, keys, ID or any combination of small personal items during nighttime activities.

Kim explains the new design, “My new Reflective belt has a 7/8-inch-wide elastic strap with a snap buckle closure and reflective strips down the entire length of the band. The 100% reflective zippered pouch sewn into the belt is made from a lightweight, super-stretchy material. When it's empty, it's only 7 inches long and 1 inch wide. The belt looks grey in the day and glows bright when light hits it at night.”

Check it out at http://www.spibelt.com/!

Christmas in July with Ulta Lit Technologies

Do you have any idea how challenging it is to get media play for your client throughout an entire year? A client who manufactures Holiday products and only Holiday products?

Well, we found a way, with pitching the "business of Christmas" angle to ABC's Channel 7 in Chicago.

Ulta Lit Technologies, Vice President; Brian Gleason introduced the ladies of the noon news and their viewers what will be NEW to the market this Holiday Season in the way of Home Decor and Holiday Safety. Ulta Lit Technologies newest product is the Christmas Tree Safety System. http://www.christmastreesafetysystem.com/

This segment aired exactly 5 months till Christmas Day....the display was very refreshing complete with Christmas Trees in the studio....on a very hot July day.

The product that stole the show? Again? The Lightkeeper Pro; the little red gun that actually fixes failed miniature light sets; FAST & EASY! www.lightkeeperpro.com

Kim Overton - The Creator of The SPIbelt

Kim was thrilled when we were able to introduce the producers of the Rachael Ray talk show to her SPIbelt and they asked us if they could "DISH" about the no-bounce activity belt with Lara Spencer. (SPI = small personal items.)

"Are you kidding me? Absolutely!"

We were also amazed that 17,000 people logged on to the RR website to try to win one of the 15 SPIbelts we gave away!

17,000 new people now know about the SPIbelt...do you? http://www.spibelt.com/

Gotta love the power of the DISH!

Congrats Casey!

Mom, wife, floral designer, business owner, style coach and new book author; Casey Cooper, is about to hit the BIG APPLE in support of “What’s Your Bridal Style?” by providing a segment for Better.TV to run during their Bridal Week.

Better.tv - a daytime nationally syndicated lifestyle show produced by the Meredith Corporation already know for brands like Better Homes & Gardens, Ladies' Home Journal, More, Family Circle, Fitness, Parents, and others. www.better.tv

And today Casey was pre-interviewed by phone for Martha Stewart Radio through Sirius Satellite. She will appear on-location at their studios in NYC on Thursday, January 31st at 7:30 AM. (EST) So, if you have a Sirius subscription, you must tune-in to check her out! http://www.siriusradio.com/

What will you learn?

Casey recruited the assistance of one of our clients and wedding author extraordinaire; Sharon Naylor to co-author “What’s Your Bridal Style?” http://www.sharonnaylor.net/

As Principal of Botanicals, Inc. in Chicago, Casey takes her day-in-and day-out experience and knowledge with working with newly engaged couples to help them articulate their “style” to their various wedding vendors. http://www.botanicalschicago.com/

These two dynamos with very different areas of expertise came together to write this extremely in-depth and insightful workbook based on Casey’s intake questionnaire which Botanical’s designers utilize with their clients booking floral services for weddings.

Planning your wedding day together is only the 1st step in combining your styles successfully as a couple. As you work through the intake questionnaires in the book, your answers will certainly apply to your wedding, but they’ll also reach beyond the wedding. Think of all of the decisions you’ll make together that are influenced by personal style: deciding on the furniture arrangement in the living room, picking paint colors, purchasing homes, buying cars, selecting names for children, or deciding where to retire….

So, if you’re becoming a committed couple and about to merge your habitat and your lives “What’s your Bridal Style?” is a couple’s must-read, must-do exercise before meeting your wedding vendors!

And Casey…take a BIG bite out of the BIG APPLE while you're visiting!

Sharon Naylor is a "Wonder"

If you've never been married or ever part of the wedding planning process, you may not know the name; Sharon Naylor.

But if you've waltz down the aisle yourself or planned a bridal shower as a bridesmaid, you most likely know who Sharon is and quite possibly own one or two of her books on wedding planning and etiquette. You see Sharon Naylor has written 35 books on various wedding topics!

Can you believe it? 35 books!

But why is Sharon Naylor a "WONDER?" Well if 35 books aren't enough to rock your world (I'd love to see you try!) Now she has a line of "Favors" with Kate Aspen and we're getting some really cool media buzz.

Sharon was able to showcase a few of her newest book titles in addition to the new favor line at Conde Nast's Dream House this past fall in New York City.

Two weeks ago her favor collection was spotlighted on Good Morning America NOW where Sharon did an 8-minute segment on "the many steals and deals that can be found in January," especially if you're planning a wedding.

And currently on Bridal Guide's Blog Page, Associate Editor; Valerie Berrios features Sharon's collection!

Check it out at; http://www.bridalguide.com/community/blogs/

And because favors aren't just for weddings, many people love the art of entertaining and channel a bit of Martha Stewart by providing favors for their guests at parties and elegant dinners.

That's why I pitched Fancy Food Magazine when, after doing a bit of research, I discovered they were scheduling a round-up of food inspired party favors. I quickly sent Natalie a few high rez images including; Sharon's "Love Olive Oil," the "Martini Candle" and the "Bride & Groom Gourmet Coffee Set." Natalie loved them and after some back-and-forth emails, have confirmed Sharon’s' favors with Kate Aspen will be included in the round-up for Fancy Food's March issue!

So next time the "Martha" bug bites...check out the entire collection at:

http://sharonnaylor.0.kateaspenshops.com/

And Sharon....I "WONDER" what's next for you? Designing Bridal Gowns?? ;)

Every Once in a While...

Most the time I need to turn potential clients away. Why? My client roster may be full, we may not be a good fit as a team, or their topic just isn't "newsworthy."

But....every once in a while, I meet someone I would absolutely love to work with. Work with...as in represent them to the media. Sometimes, for them, the timing isn't quite right or certain projects need to be in place before moving forward.

This is the case with Tia Dantzler. I met Tia through Linked-In (a business networking site) and we discovered we're almost neighbors. Tia asked a few questions about how I rep people and I explained the process. After looking through her website I was in awe of Tia's talents. You see, Tia is a celebrity make-up artist.

Well, those of you that know a bit about me, may remember that I am a licensed cosmetologist and had worked with L’Oreal for 7 years in NYC and also freelanced as a make-up artist and hairstylist working with MTV, VH1, various designers for runway shows and of course the never ending head shots for actors and test shots for models. So I know a bit about the path Tia is on and how hard it is to find and book your own work.

Because Tia's clients are the likes of Jennifer Hudson, (see posted image) Chandra Wilson, Barack Obama, Jenny Finch among many others her work is high in demand and she jets from coast to coast leaving behind her husband of 11 years and her two daughters.

I had the opportunity to meet Tia and her husband recently and after talking for an hour or so, I truly hope one day we will work together. I even mentioned Tia to two of my writer contacts and both mentions lead to two opportunities for Tia. So I know she is "newsworthy!"

One she will be quoted on Spring 2008 Make-up Trends for www.sheknows.com and the other is for a feature in Joliet magazine. Which may turn out to be a cover opportunity for Tia, we'll have to see once the publication hits the news stands in a month or two!

So even though she's not a "signed client" at the moment, we're both in hopes that her bookings and future projects will warrant a need for her to have her own publicist. And of course, fingers-crossed, that would be me...

Check out Tia's work at www.TiaDantzler.net

Images: Top - Tia Dantzler Bottom - Jennifer Hudson

So here we go...

I’m asked quite frequently in business why I named my company Rivendell Communications and from curious family and friends why I’ve secured a plaque on the front of my home christening it “Rivendell Manor.”

Rivendell is an Elven outpost in Middle-earth, a fictional realm created by J. R. R. Tolkien. Peter Jackson’s portrayal of Rivendell was stunning in Lord of the Rings and the Canadian band RUSH created a vision in my mind of what Rivendell looked and felt like with their lyrics:

Sunlight dances through the leaves
Soft winds stir the sighing trees
Lying in the warm grass
Feel the sun upon your face
Elven songs and endless nights
Sweet wine and soft relaxing lights
Time will never touch you
Here in this enchanted place
You feel there's something calling you
You're wanting to return
To where the misty mountains rise and friendly fires burn
A place you can escape the world
Where the dark lord cannot go
Peace of mind and sanctuary where loud waters flow
I've traveled now for many miles
It feels so good to see the smiles of
Friends who never left your mind
When you were far away
From the golden light of coming dawn
Till the twilight when the sun is gone
We treasure every season
And every passing day
We feel the coming of a new day
Dark gives way to light a new way
Stop here for a while until the world,
The world calls you away
Yet you know I’ve had the feeling
Standing with my senses reeling
This is the place to grow old till
I reach my final day

So after traveling the world and living in six states, and working 24/7 for companies and people who didn’t care or deserve such devotion and sacrifices a work-aholic so easily offers up; I'm now able to operate Rivendell as I wish; with the highest of standards I've set for myself and my clients.

I represent kind and wonderful people with terrific areas of expertise to the media, people who are truly appreciative for the media awareness brought their way; together our successes are making an impact on growing their businesses.

This is the best life for a working girl.

Feel the sun upon your face, sweet wine and soft relaxing lights…friendly fires burn. This is the place to grow old, and where the dark lord cannot go.

Peace of mind and sanctuary.

My business. My home.

My Rivendell.

To hear Rivendell by Rush click here:
http://mp3lava.com/flash_track.php?trid=23900&artist=Rush&album=Fly%20By%20Night&track=Fly%20By%20Night