Beat the Cold This Weekend

With all of the amazing events this weekend, even the cold can’t keep you at home! Between charity events, comedy shows and music, the city is overflowing with fun and entertaining possibilities. Not sure which events to choose? Let us help with a list of noteworthy events that should be added to your weekend calendar!

Thursday:

Thresholds Charity Poker Tournament 2014 (315 N. LaSalle) 5pm

L.K. Bennett Styling and Shopping Event (900 N Michigan) 6pm-8pm

LUNAFEST (360 N. State) 6pm-9pm

Corey Cox (Bub City) 10pm

Friday:

Tickled Pink for Bright Pink (108 N. State) 7pm-12am

PAWS Chicago's 8th annual Animal Magnetism Event (816 W. Erie) 8pm

Wayne Brady (Chicago Theatre) 8pm

Ballroom Dance Party (3868 N. Lincoln) 8pm

Carnival 2014 (325 W. Huron) 11pm-2am

Saturday:

Being a Chef: Fat Tuesday (810 N. Dearborn) 10am-1pm

Broadway in Chicago Historic Theater Tour (24 W. Randolph) 11am

NHL Stadium Series (Soldier Field) 7pm

CHICAGO (Bank of America Theatre) 8pm

Sunday:

Chicago Polar Plunge (1600 N. Lakeshore, North Ave. Beach) 10am

Texas Independence Day at Bub City (Bub City) 11am

Chicago Jazz Composers Collective (Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway Ave.) 2pm-4pm

Cheeky + Untitled Red Carpet Oscar Bash (111 W. Kinzie) 6pm-12am

What are your favorite ways to spend your weekend? Share them with us by leaving a comment or by tweeting us at @MonikaDixonPR!

By Marisa Coulter, MDPR Contributor

How to Turn Your Instagram Name Into a Link

We have a few favorite Instagram accounts that we check on a daily basis. During one routine 'gram session we noticed something odd. When typing one person's name, two caret symbols showed up before and after their name. 

After looking at their profile, we noticed their name was actually a link. Thinking this must be a fluke, we dug through forums and discovered you can make your Instagram name linkable. As any social media manager knows, the more opportunities you give users to click through to your content, the better. 

Here's how it's done:

1. Click edit your profile. Add the caret symbols before and after your name. For example, MDPR is now ^MDPR^ 

Hit done.

2. Your name should turn into a link within a few minutes. The caret symbols only show up when you type someone's name in search, not your actual profile.

3. The link will go to the address you have in your profile. For example, MDPR links to monikadixonpr.com.

Do you have any other tips on driving traffic with Instagram? Leave a comment!

By Allison Sickert, MDPR Publicist 

Brighten Up Your Weekend

Don’t let this drab weather strand you inside this weekend when our beautiful city has plenty of events to offer! Start by brightening up your weekend with Get Planty at Doc B’s and then see where our list of fun-filled events will take you.

Thursday:

Doc B’s Fresh Kitchen Goes Planty (Doc B’s Fresh Kitchen, 100 E. Walton) 5-10pm

Concert for a Cause (House of Blues Chicago) 7-11pm

Phantom of the Opera (Cadillac Palace Theatre) 7:30pm

32 Below (Bub City) 10pm

Friday:

Gypsy (Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Navy Pier) 7:30pm

Jason Aldean with Florida Georgia Line (US Cellular Coliseum, Bloomington, IL) 7:30pm

Frank Catalano Sextet (Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway Ave.) 9pm-1am

Second City’s 102nd Mainstage Revue (Second City) 11pm

Saturday:

Country Brunch (Bub City) 10am-3pm

Makeup for the Museum (Edith Hart Boutique, 1917 N. Damen Ave.) 1-5pm

The Field of Screams Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt (Field Museum) 1:30pm

Sushi Workshop at The Chopping Block (222 Merchandise Mart Plaza) 7pm

Sunday:

The Nosh Chicago (Logan Square Farmers Market Grassy Knoll) 10am-3pm

Christopher Wool Exhibition (Art Institute Chicago) 10:30am-5pm

CHICAGO The Musical Brunch (Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club, 3700 N. Halsted St.) 11am-4pm

Ice Skating at Lincoln Park Zoo (Lincoln Park Zoo) 12pm-8pm

What fun events are on your agenda for the weekend? Share them with us by leaving a comment or by tweeting us at @MonikaDixonPR!

By Marissa Coulter, MDPR Contributor

Find Your Pearl

Valentine’s Day can be a lonely holiday for those not in a relationship. Thankfully, we’ve got the perfect place to enjoy a stress-free Valentine’s Day and perhaps meet that special someone!

Stop by Pearl Tavern to Find Your Pearl and enjoy 1930s inspired evenings on February 14^th and 15^th. The evening will commence at 9 p.m. (both nights) and keep swinging until close.

Dolls bring your dames and gentlemen bring your fellas, all will enjoy a night of lighthearted fun. With a nostalgic selection of music, décor and cocktails, there’s no telling what the night could bring. Gentlemen, break the ice and bring the lucky lady that catches your eye a creative 30s inspired cocktail. May we recommend the Angry Mermaid?

 Be sure to arrive early to grab the best seats in the house! Don’t miss out on this 30s style soirée and a night to mingle with Chicago’s most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. 

Join the event on Genuine Entertainment Chicago’s, Find Your Pearl event page and get ready to have a ball! 

App Updates

Working in social media requires us to be up-to-date on the new apps and tech trends the minute they come out. We love testing out new apps in the office. After much downloading and debating, these are the ones we’ve decided are worth adding to your phone.

• Paper — Paper is Facebook’s newest iPhone app. Paper acts as an alternative to the original Facebook app. Users can updates from their friends and browse through a variety of other sections. Paper pulls content from big-name publications as well as small blogs to give people the option to read up on topics like sports, tech and cooking.
• Checkout 51— Every Thursday this app releases 16-30 new offers from brands including SC Johnson, Kellogg’s and Mondelez. Shoppers can then purchase items at any store or online retailer and upload their receipt to the app for a credit. Once you have accumulated a $20 credit on your profile, you can be issued a check or wait until the amount reaches a higher balance.

• Waterlogue — Waterlogue acts as your own personal painter. This app can take your pictures and turn them into beautifully intricate watercolor masterpieces. With a large variety of presets, you are now able to put a new spin on an ordinary looking picture.

• Find. Eat. Drink. — Unlike other restaurant apps, Find. Eat. Drink. does not base its reviews on those fueled by overly excited or disgruntled customers. Find. Eat. Drink. enables you to search for restaurants that have been reviewed by chefs, bartenders and those that are familiar with the industry. 

What apps do you find yourself using the most? Let us know by leaving a comment or by tweeting us at @MonikaDixonPR!

By Marisa Coulter, MDPR Contributor

We're Hiring a Social Media Manager!

THIS  POSiTION HAS BEEN FILLED. Exciting news! We're looking for a skilled, enthusiastic Social Media Manager to join the MDPR Team immediately. If you think you are a good fit for the position and would like to apply, please email your resume and at least one writing sample to emily@monikadixonpr.com with the subject 'Social Media Manager'. Please include a brief cover letter in the body of the email explaining why you are a qualified applicant and why you would like to work at MDPR. We look forward to hearing from YOU soon!

Monika Dixon Public Relations creates integrated marketing communication programs using the client’s business objective as a foundation.

MDPR implements custom marketing and social media strategies specifically tailored to clients’ unique needs. Leveraging expertise in media relations, promotional event planning, strategic marketing, and experience in the lifestyle and retail industries, MDPR brings an extensive network into play to generate dynamic results in name recognition and brand awareness.

Monika Dixon Public Relations is seeking an experienced Social Media Manager (SMM). The SMM will develop, strategize, create and execute the social mediapresence for the MDPR company accounts as well as 6+ clients on multiple platforms, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. This includes the creation of written content as well as accompanying graphics/images. All strategy, campaigns, contests, promotions, editorial calendars and daily content are the responsibility of the SMM to be approved by MDPR's CEO. The SMM will maintain and build the social presence of MDPR clients with engaging, relevant content as well as constant interaction with clients' social communities and potential customers. The SMM will be in constant contact with clients to discuss new social media pitches, strategies, etc, so candidate must be comfortable communicating ideas via email or face-to-face. Creativity is key, because the SMM works almost independently to constantly create fresh, engaging content for a range of clients in a range of fields on a daily basis. The SMM will also contribute to MDPR's blog and various client blogs and will be involved in various other MDPR projects, including event coordination and live posting from events. Passion for social media is a must!
Requirements:
-At least 6 months of professional social media experience
-Bachelors degree in communications, public relations or related field
-Strong writing and editing skills
-Ability to multitask, juggle many projects at one time and to handle unexpected work at moment's notice
-Very independent worker who is self-motivated
-Creative thinker who can execute ideas both through copy and graphics
-Graphic design experience (Photoshop is a plus)
-Must know the best practices for various social media networks and stay current with changing trends and technologies
-Willingness to work outside of office hours when needed and attend client events
-Extremely well-versed in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn and other social media platforms
-Previous experience with email marketing tools like Constant Contact
-Versed in Blogger in order to contribute to MDPR blog and client blogs
-Effective communicator
-Experience analyzing and reporting social media metrics
-Previous experience within the lifestyle industry is a plus
-Familiar with Eventbrite.com and WordPress to update MDPR website
-Must be available to occasionally attend evening and weekend events

Escape from Chiberia

According to the forecast, there's no end in sight to this deep freeze. It's looking like the perfect time for a last-minute getaway to a hot, tropical local.

The only problem is last-minute airfare usually costs an arm and a leg, or so we thought. I Fly First Class just introduced their steeply discounted business class and first class tickets to Chicago, keeping our vacation dreams alive!

I Fly First Class specializes in finding ridculously cheap first class tickets at the last minute (we're talking 40-50% off normal fares). You could decide you want to leave this weekend and have your flight booked this afternoon.

Seeing as it's summer in the southern hemisphere, an African safari or a trek around the Indonesian islands sounds like heaven! I Fly First Class offers discounted airfare on all major airlines that fly to Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. No itinerary is too complex for their experienced staff of travel experts.

If you're flying international for business rather than pleasure, you can still take advantage of their services. Travelers who book business class tickets through I Fly First Class generally save 20-30% off normal fares.

Now if you'll excuse us, we've got some packing to do.