From Angels and Motown to Grandma and Some Reckless Reindeer
Posted on 24. Nov, 2011 by Nicole Ravlin
If you have ever been put on hold for any amount of time, you may have noticed that there are random songs that are played. From time to time, we ask the associates what their favorite tune is at that time, and then we load up the iPod and hook it up to the phone system. This year for the holidays, we figured we would change up the tunes once again. Here’s what you’ll hear if you are on hold and why that song was chosen:
Elizabeth Hagwood, Account Executive – DIFFICULT. My favorite holiday songs are “serious” according to Alicia, like “O Holy Night” and “Angels We Have Heard On High” (both by Josh Groban – the JG version of Angels We Have Heard On High is SO GOOD with Brian McKnight) because they were always may favorite carols to play on the piano (nerd alert – I played for 9 years), and were always played at midnight services – which I prefer much more over Christmas morning mass/service.
Josh Groban’s “Believe” is a good one too – from Polar Express. It’s a book we grew up with, turned into a great movie (what movie with Tom Hanks isn’t good?) and it has a good message behind it – “believe in what your heart is saying”.
Ken Liatsos, Partner – I don’t really listen to holiday music, but when I do it tends to be classical. I choose Handel’s Messiah – Halleluiah Chorus. This is just such a classic.
Alicia DeMartini, Account Executive – For my favorite holiday song, I’d say “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” by Elvis Presley. My mom has had this CD for as long as I can remember (Elvis’ Christmas album), and above all the rest, I remember this song being played during the holiday season as we decorated the tree, wrapped presents, opened presents, etc. – and true to its lyrics, it simply reminds me of being home!
Michael Joseph, Assistant Account Executive – My favorite holiday song is “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” by John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir. I like this song because rather than focusing on Santa or presents, it is all about kindness and peace while looking ahead to a new year.
Kristena Morse, Account Executive – “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” by Michael Bublé is my favorite holiday song. No special reason, really. For as long as I can remember, this has been a favorite of mine. And I LOVE Michael Bublé. 
Tom Kupfer, Account Supervisor – “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” always takes me back to my childhood whenever I hear it. It conjures up memories of decorating my house for Christmas when I was little. And the age-old question still remains unanswered – “Should they open up Grandma’s presents or send them back?”
Julia Lyon, Assistant Account Executive – My favorite holiday song is Stevie Wonder’s “What Christmas Means to Me”. Motown music is a favorite of my mom’s so listening to Stevie Wonder’s Christmas songs have awesome memories, not to mention that this song practically forces you to dance.
Nicole Ravlin, Partner – I love old holiday songs, like Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Burl Ives and Nat King Cole. These guys remind me of baking cookies and cooking for holidays with my mom. She always had the radio on and would hum or sing under her breath as she worked in the kitchen. If I can only choose one, it would with out a doubt be “Ave Maria”. Such a classic. BUT – in the interest of this playlist, I choose “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams – it is, after all, the hap-happiest season of all with marshmallows for toasting and all that jazz, no matter what you celebrate!
Oh – and if you love what we’re spinning, leave a comment below letting us know what your favorite holiday song is and why. We’ll choose one at random and send you an iTunes gift card with our tunes – and yours by December 15.
Happy holidays from all of us at PMG!
Meet Our Team: Kristena Morse
Posted on 21. Jul, 2011 by PMGpr
Over the next few weeks months, we will profile each PMGer to give you a better sense of the firm and those behind our social media channels and working on behalf of our great clients. We encourage you to start a dialogue through the comments section if you have additional questions for our do-gooders.
PMGer: Kristena Morse
On Twitter: @kristenamorse
Position at PMG: account executive
Favorite Music? I’d like to think that I’m pretty open-minded when it comes to music, so my music collection is always growing and changing. I love everything from jazz and blues to hip hop and R&B. About the only thing you won’t find much of in my collection is country (although I will admit I went through a brief country phase in high school). Some of my most-played albums lately include Ray LaMontagne, Coheed & Cambria, Jonny Lang, Dashboard Confessional and a variety of mixed albums that my sister made for me.
Favorite TV? Some of my favorite shows include Modern Family, So You Think You Can Dance, and almost anything on the Food Network (I love to cook!) or The Discovery Channel. If I’m not watching any of those or if I’m not tuned in to the news, there’s a good chance you’ll find me watching some sports game or catching up on highlights via SportsCenter.
Favorite Teams/Sports? Oh, I’m a sports nut! As a huge baseball fan and Michigan native, my heart will always belong to my Detroit Tigers. Other than baseball, I love college basketball (March Madness is one of my favorite times of the year!) and college football.
Favorite Foods? I definitely don’t have a favorite. I love to eat… and I love trying new foods. Burlington has an awesome variety of restaurants and it seems there’s always a new one to try!
Favorite Quote? “Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.” — Benjamin Spock
A favorite websites: Pandora and/or Grooveshark get me through the day. Other sites I visit daily are: The New York Times, CNN, Washington Post and Burlington Free Press. I’ve also got about a dozen PR blogs that I skim through each day. Some of my favorites include: PR Squared, Social Media Explorer, prTini, PR at Sunrise and PR Breakfast Club.
Meet Our Team: Alicia DeMartini
Posted on 25. Jan, 2011 by PMGpr
Over the next few weeks, we will profile each PMGer to give you a better sense of the firm and those behind our social media channels and working on behalf of our great clients. We encourage you to start a dialogue through the comments section if you have additional questions for our do-gooders.
PMGer: Alicia DeMartini
On Twitter: @aliciademartini
Position at PMG: account executive
Best thing about living in BTV? Since I’ve moved here, I eat about 5 different types of cuisine I never would have tried otherwise – Burlington has some of the greatest restaurants I’ve ever been to, and the best thing is, there’s always a new one to try. (Oh, and I like the lake, too. 
Favorite Music? Lately I’m really into Ingrid Michaelson, Ray Lamontagne, Johnny Cash, Girl Talk… It’s always a mixed bag.
Favorite Thing About Working at PMG? When you combine a client list full of unique, socially responsible companies with an incredibly creative, open work environment, you get PMG – and that results in a great team with a work ethic I continue to be impressed by each day. I never stop learning, and every day is different!
Favorite Teams/Sports? It’s well known in the office that I’m the resident Yankees fan. Though I’ve lived in Vermont for five years now and have found myself slowly being turned on to several New England sports teams, I’ll always remain a New York (state)-er and a Yankees fan for life.
Favorite Quote? “Trust the instinct until the end, though it may render no reason.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson. This quote continues to ring true through many different phases of my life.
List a few of your favorite websites… Pandora gets me through the day… I love GOOD for news about unique companies and good works all over the world… and
Posted on 27. Dec, 2010 by PMGpr Over the next few weeks, we will profile each PMGer to give you a better sense of the firm and those behind our social media channels and working on behalf of our great clients. We encourage you to start a dialogue through the comments section if you have additional questions for our do-gooders. PMGer: Elizabeth Hagwood Favorite Teams/Sports? I grew up a Hokie, so my favorite team to watch is Hokie Football. Lane Stadium is consistently ranked to have the best home field advantage, so it makes for a good game. In college I also rowed, so that would have to be my favorite sport. The clicking of the oar locks, the adrenaline during races, (being able to eat whatever you’d like), and being on glassy water when the sun rises definitely trump blisters, 5am practices and a constant muscle soreness. Favorite Foods? I love anything with bright, fresh flavors, such as Mexican or Thai, but I also love southern comfort food – the dishes where you’re not allowed to count calories, like fried chicken, BBQ (Eastern NC style, of course), biscuits and sweet tea. I love to cook too, but lately I’ve thrown recipes out the window and create my own. Favorite Thing About Working at PMG? We’re a tight-knit bunch without the drama and politics of working in a large firm. And we have an office dog! Best thing about living in BTV? I live three blocks from work (and the lake) and two blocks from Church Street, so the question of “Would you rather live where you work or where you play?” is something that never crosses my mind. List a few of your favorite websites…Meet Our Team: Elizabeth Hagwood
On Twitter: @vt_emh
Position at PMG: account executive
Hobbies/Interests? I’m currently training for my first marathon, so I suppose running is now a hobby. This is my first full winter being settled in Vermont, so I’m really looking forward to finally exploring the mountains (skiing, hiking, attempting to ride, etc.). In the summer, you can’t beat being on the lake – preferably with a paddle of sorts or my dog’s leash in hand.
Hmm… In non-work-related websites, probably www.postsecret.com and www.epicurious.com.
Meet Our Team: Tom Kupfer
Posted on 03. Dec, 2010 by PMGpr
Over the next few weeks, we will profile each PMGer to give you a better sense of the firm and those behind our social media channels and working on behalf of our great clients. We encourage you to start a dialogue through the comments section if you have additional questions for our do-gooders.
PMGer: Tom Kupfer
On Twitter: @tomkups
Position at PMG: assistant account executive
Hobbies/Interests?
I go stir crazy if I am stationary for too long. My hobbies follow the change of seasons. In the winter I snowboard as much as possible. When the snow dries up, I enjoy riding my mountain bike around all the great trails in the area. I also ride road once in a while and frequently jaunt around town on my beater/errand bike. I grew up surfing, but have sacrificed that for the multitude of activities there are in VT. Most of all, I just love being outdoors and exploring this beautiful place on earth.
Favorite Music?
I like listening to an eclectic mix of music and am open to everything. KEXP.org is a radio station from the University of Washington that plays everything from African tribal to bluegrass. My mainstays are indie rock and experimental. One of my favorite bands right now is My Morning Jacket. Living in Burlington allows me to see a lot of my favorite bands live. Top three shows since moving here: LCD Soundsystem, Broken Social Scene, and Rubbelbucket.
Favorite TV Show?
I don’t watch much TV but my favorite shows are 60 minutes and the Louie Show on FX. Hulu it if you’ve never seen it. Louie C.K. is the funniest guy on earth right now.
Favorite Foods?
I am known around PMG as the healthy eater. I enjoy my “bird snacks” which I keep in my desk drawer: fruit, nuts, and other edibles mostly. I like eating well; fortunately, living in Burlington makes this easy. My weakness is oatmeal raisin cookies, which I eat almost daily. I think I can find one within 200 yards no matter where I am in Burlington.
Favorite Thing About Working at PMG?
The people I work with. Shout out to my PMGers!
Best thing about living in BTV?
There are too many good aspects to just say one. I love the people, the culture, the food, and of course the proximity to the great outdoors.
When not at work, you’ll find me…
At home with my cat, Miley, or somewhere out in the woods riding my bike or snowboard. On occasion, I’ll be sipping a microbrew at one of the many fine watering holes around town.
Meet Our Team: Ken Liatsos
Posted on 04. Oct, 2010 by PMGpr
Over the next few weeks, we will profile each PMGer to give you a better sense of the firm and those behind our social media channels and working on behalf of our great clients. We encourage you to start a dialogue through the comments section if you have additional questions for our do-gooders.
PMGER: Ken Liatsos
On Twitter: @pmgken
Position at PMG: partner
Hobbies/Interests?
All the usual outdoorsy Vermont stuff, which is mostly so that I can pursue my chief hobby of eating at great restaurants and cooking delicious things that will explode my coronary arteries.
Favorite Music?
Lately: George Szell’s Mahler 4 with the Cleveland; In Rainbows; Jazzhouse by Bill Evans; East/West by Bill Frisell; Grateful Dead at Civic Arena Pittsburgh PA 4/89
Favorite TV?
Samsung Hi Def, 32”
Favorite Movies?
Recently: London to Brighton; The Proposition (w/ Guy Pearce); Julia (Tilda Swinton)
Favorite Teams/Sports?
Pittsburgh Steelers; Chicago Cubs; whoever beats the Red Sox.
Favorite Foods?
Any authentically prepared Italian from Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions will make me very happy all the time guaranteed.
Favorite Quote?
Lately: “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. But that’s the way to bet.” –Damon Runyon
Favorite Thing About Working at PMG?
I get along with my boss most of the time, except when he’s being unreasonable.
Best thing about living in BTV?
I don’t live in BTV. But if I did, I’d eat dinner at Single Pebble and Flatbread every week.
Favorite tool on social media?
Not sure how you mean this. I’ll either answer YouTube, or Ashton Kutcher
When not at work, you’ll find me…
Probably driving on the interstate. I live in Stowe. Yes, I know, it makes no sense.
Places I’ve been/visited:
About 2/3 of the states, and most European countries.
List a few of your favorite websites…
nytimes.com; theoatmeal.com; theonion.com
Next up? Izabela Socha… stay tuned!
Have You Thanked Your Mentor Today?
Posted on 22. Jan, 2010 by Nicole Ravlin
Often times, saying “thank you” to people in your life that have made a difference falls off the plate. We have the best intentions to call or write them to say, “Hey, thanks! You really have helped me on my path.”
Fortunately, days like today, Thank Your Mentor Day, has us take pause to think about who our mentors are and thank them. From the associates at PMG, we offer the following words of THANKS:
From Alicia DeMartini
Throughout my college career, there are a handful of professors that stand out amongst the rest as influencers, teachers, friends, listeners, and mentors. However, for Thank Your Mentor Day, I would like to thank my former professor Jim Ellefson. I took his Reading and Writing in the Wilderness class in the fall of 2008. The class focused on reading literature of the environment and the outside world, as well as intensive writing and journaling to explore our own passions and expand our abilities as writers. I have never had a class that encouraged more free discussion and student interaction, in a truly comfortable and open setting. Jim took us on various hikes and outdoor adventures, as well as opened his home to us for a communal (and absolutely delicious!) dinner of homemade garlic bread and minestrone soup. I immediately felt like I belonged. It was visible on my and my fellow students’ faces the effect that these sessions had on us. Jim encouraged me to share my writing, as well as my dreams and fears, and gave never-ending support and encouragement. A year and a half later, I still look back on those experiences as moments that truly shaped and developed who I am today. For that I thank him!
From Elizabeth Hagwood
As most people who grew up in good families know, parents always seem to top the list of role models in one’s life. Mine is no different, and since I’m a momma’s girl, my mom has played a significant role in my life. I grew up in a military family and moved around every couple years, and my parents (especially my mom) always was able to make the best of it and never complained. She always put HER dreams to the side to support my dad’s dream of flying (he was a Marine aviator) and her kids. She was always there to encourage us, whether it be at a swim meet, piano recital or science fair, and to lend a giving hand (or, in some cases, a firm hand). Now, my parents have retired, and my mom is finally able to live her dream of quitting the corporate world and moving away from the suburbs – they live on a farm and take care of many chickens, fifteen goats, and two dogs, and oh, play with clay for a living (alright, she’s a potter now). Hmm, maybe that’s why I not only went to the same college as her, but also ended up in the same general career field as her (amidst all her career changes)…
From Izabela Socha
Mentor, hero, best friend— they all ring the same sort of bell in my ears. A great, passionate, determined sister or brother can make a monumental difference in your life. They drag you out of that deep hole you dug yourself into, but will also give you a piece of their mind to keep you in line. My mentor in life is my best friend and sister, Daria. Her determination for her personal career and vibrant life, in general, has inspired me to directly do the same with mine.
She has “shown me the ropes” of what needs to be done to get what you want, when you want it without hurting others in your way by giving your all and giving it with a certain sense and degree of passion. Her positive reinforcement for my seemingly far away dreams has made me the person I am today and continue in becoming everyday.
From Alex Benepe
My mother has been a solid mentor in my life. She is a very steady, consistent, and calm person, who believes strongly in education. She taught High School for many years and is now a counselor at a University, and she has always encouraged and helped me to succeed in my own studies and projects.
One outlook she taught me that I will always remember is “Doors open and close for a reason,” which means that you should not be disheartened by rejection, and instead look at it as an opportunity for moving in a new direction.
From Nicole Ravlin
When I started my career I thought I would actively need to seek out a mentor. For me finding this person was more organic – something I would have never thought. I was under the impression that I needed to have a structured conversation and define the relationship. My mentors have come into my life, as bosses, and have evolved into mentors over the course of years after I had time to really appreciate what they were bringing to the table of my professional career.
For me, I am lucky to have two such individuals in my life, whether they know it or not! Peter Giles is my former employer. While I worked for Peter, I was greatly impressed with his skill as a publicist and his natural ease with clients. However, Peter did not become a mentor to me until long after I departed Giles Communications and started PMG. It was then that I looked back on my days at Giles and was able to fully appreciate all that Peter did for the firm and why he made the decisions he did. Peter and I have talked from time to time and he has always offered me great advice and has been one of my biggest cheerleaders. I consider him often as we work to build and better PMG and treasure the advice he has given, and I hope, will continue to give!
My second mentor is Reggie Cooper. Again, my appreciation for what and who Reggie is took some time and reflection. From managing financials to management of associates and learning how to deal with tricky situations with grace, the lessons that I learned from Coop (as I fondly think of him), have stuck with me. I am honored to consider him a dear friend and my mentor.
PMG works with icouldbe.org, an online mentoring program connecting high school students from at-risk communities with mentors from across the country, cultivating the students’ potential career interests, post-secondary educational opportunities and overall future goals. January is National Mentoring Month. If you have one hour that you can spare per week, please consider signing up to mentor a child. The beauty of the icouldbe program is, the mentoring takes place online only – so you can mentor from home, work, the beach, wherever is convenient.
Have a mentoring story or want to thank your mentor? We’d love to hear it!
PMG is short for People Making Good. It's long for people that are making good socially, environmentally, and on the bottom line. And it describes our clients and the people we strive to work along side.
We're in our ideal habitat. Making good for responsible upstart and established clients around the country, from our home office in the northern Green Mountains. Close to some of the best skiing, hiking and natural landscapes in the northeast. Come on up.