Stacie Zinn Roberts's Blog, page 5
January 29, 2018
TOCA Awards
What’s Your Avocado? Marketing & Public Relations based in Mount Vernon, WA, was honored with four national marketing awards last month at the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association’s (TOCA) annual awards ceremony held in Tampa
The What’s Your Avocado? team won two First Place awards for Special Projects and for Best Press Release, as well as two Merit Awards for Writing for the Printed Collateral and Feature Article categories.
In the Special Projects category, head writer and marketing strategist Stacie Zinn Roberts and graphic designer Cynthia Levesque were awarded First Place for their Marketing and Communications project, entitled “Zeon Zoysia and the Rio Olympic Games” for client Bladerunner Farms. Described by judges as “especially creative”, the project established an online pressroom for Zeon Zoysia turfgrass…Read More
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August 21, 2016
From Washington & Texas to Rio
Golf returned to the Olympics in August after a 112-year absence. Learn how the team at What’s Your Avocado? Marketing & Public relations played a part in the publicity and education around the building of the Olympic Golf Course!
Here’s an excerpt: While commentators and sports writers will eventually tell the story of golf’s return to the Olympics through the eyes of the players, a small marketing and public relations firm located in Mount Vernon has been working hard to tell the story of something most spectators might take for granted: the grass the game is played on.
READ THE FULL STORY: http://www.scnews.com/sports/article_8b167aea-632b-11e6-b62e-bb589debbdbe.html
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May 12, 2016
Stacie Zinn Roberts & What’s Your Avocado? Win 5 National Writing & Marketing Awards
May 12, 2016, Omaha, NE: Last week in Omaha, Stacie Zinn Roberts, head writer and marketing strategist for marketing firm What’s Your Avocado?, based in Mount Vernon, WA, was honored with 5 national awards for writing and marketing campaigns.
The awards were presented at the 27th annual meeting of the Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA). There were more than 400 domestic and international entries in this year’s contest.
Roberts was awarded one Merit award, three First Place awards, and the prestigious Gardner Award that regonizes “the best of the best” of the competition.
Stacie Zinn Roberts won the Merit Award for Product Information Article/Commercial Publications for her article “The Quest for the Perfect Sand” that appeared in the August 2015 issue of Golf Course Management magazine. Read it here: http://gcmdigital.gcsaa.org/i/546060-aug-2015/59
Roberts won a First Place award for Writing a Feature Article/MarComm, “Game Changer,” that ran in the January 2015 issue of Golf Course Management magazine. Read it here: http://www.bladerunnerfarms.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/GAmeChangerGCMJan15Reprint.pdf
The article was in support of an event she planned and hosted for What’s Your Avocado? client, Team Zoysia, during the 2015 Golf Industry Show in San Antonio. For that event, the Zoysia as a Game Changer Tour, Roberts was also awarded a First Place award for Special Events. Watch the video: http://www.gcsaa.tv/live/?section=view&id=2533#view
For her article, “To Core or Not to Core?” that ran as the March 2015 Cover Story of Golfdom magazine, Roberts was awarded First Place for Writing a Feature Article/Commercial Publications. Read it here: http://www.golfdom.com/to-core-or-not-to-core-washington-course-stops-pulling-cores/
Roberts was also award the prestigious Gardner Award, that honors the “best of the best” for Special Projects/Marketing Communications for the scope of the planning and promotion of the Zoysia as a Game Changer Tour for client Team Zoysia.
TOCA recognizes members for excellence in writing, design, photography/AV, new media and special projects. The top winners from the marketing and publishing categories are named as Gardner Award winners.
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December 21, 2015
How to Survive Holiday Travel Stress
by Stacie Zinn Roberts
As many of us do during the holidays, I recently drove myself to the airport. I left the house at 5:30 a.m., (the butt crack of dawn), to make an 8:30 flight. The drive to Seattle airport should have taken a little over an hour that time of day. But weather, traffic congestion, whatever clogs I-5, made the drive a full two hours.
120 minutes.
Yup.
I felt my anxiety start to build as my car crawled through downtown traffic, knowing by then I was still at least a half-hour from my target. But rather than freak out—which would have done no good at all—I decided to try another tactic. I’d recently read Outrageous Openness by Tosha Silver, and in the book, she frequently calls upon the Infinite Spirit, (defined as God, the Universe, or whatever you want to call the force that binds us together), to come to her aid in situations as major as finding a place to live, or as minor as finding a parking spot.
So, there in my car, two hands gripped white-knuckled on the steering wheel, I relaxed my body, slowed my breathing and sought Divine intervention. Out loud, calmly and firmly, I said: “Infinite Spirit, please get me to my destination on time and with ease.”
The traffic moved.
“Please let me get there on time and with ease, with kindness to all I encounter.”
The cars on I-5 merged off nearby exits.
I continued to repeat my appeal, out loud, over and over.
I pulled into the airport with no cars in front of me.
In the multi-story parking garage, I quickly found a parking spot close to the elevator.
So I wouldn’t appear to be a deranged woman bound for the no-fly list, I stopped saying the prayer out loud, and converted it into an internal mantra.
“… with ease and kindness.”
I approached the kiosks to print my boarding pass, and although the stations were all full, just as I reached the one on the end a man finished his purchase and a slot opened up for me. I kept repeating my internal mantra.
“… with kindness, on time and with ease.”
I sailed through the winding cattle chutes of security, the only person in my line.
“… with kindness.”
A uniformed attendant at TSA cracked jokes that made me laugh out loud.
“…with kindness to all I encounter.”
The train to my terminal arrived quickly. I got off at the first stop, rode the escalator to the boarding area, to find my gate right in front of me at the top of the stairs.
“…effortless ease.”
The plane was boarding but I still had time to buy a bottle of water at the nearby gift shop.
“…ease and kindness.”
I found my aisle seat on the plane, and with no one in the middle seat, I comfortably settled in for my flight.
You might think that these events are all random, that I was simply very lucky this particular morning. But I think there’s more at work here. I chose to act with patience, to flow with the world around me, to trust I would make my flight. This deliberate act, I’m certain, impacted everyone around me and opened up my path. Is this a little bit crazy? Perhaps. But I’ve seen evidence of this kind of graceful flow over and over in my life.
I truly believe that the universe reacts to our thoughts and emotions. If I’d have freaked out, yelled at other cars in traffic, screamed to the heavens and scowled at everyone I met, I have no doubt I’d have missed the flight. But instead, I decided to control the one and only thing that I could control—myself. And because of my decision to be calm and kind, sending ripples of peace out into the world, the way forward unfolded effortlessly.
Don’t believe me? Well, perhaps you should try it sometime, just to see. You do get to decide how you react to situations, and your reactions directly determine which version of the world you end up living in. You can walk around a bundle of nerves wound so tight you’re ready to pop at any moment, or you can call upon that space of inner serenity and walk through the world with a smile. Will you choose to feel stressed and spread that stress to all those around you like a virus? Or will you quiet your own anxiety and spread balance instead? You can be an island of calm in a world so swirled in chaos. It really is up to you.
Wishing you peace, kindness and ease this holiday season.
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November 11, 2015
How to Get Out of a Bad Situation – What you can learn from a cat up a tree
By Stacie Zinn Roberts
Penny, the brave kitty
Early this morning, our cat, Penny, got herself stuck up high in a tree. My husband, Rob, found her, mewling and crying in loud, pitiful howls. The tree was a tall, young cedar that Rob had limbed up well above our roofline. She’d climbed so high up into the leafy tree canopy, the only indication she was there at all was an orange tail flicking amongst the greenery—that, and of course, the howling.
Rob climbed the tree and tried to grab her but screamed out in a wail that only cats can make, and she hissed at him in fear. He climbed back down.
Already late for work, as he backed his truck out of the garage, he rolled down the window and told me that she’d probably figure out how to get down once dawn broke. And if not, he’d climb back up in a few hours and grab her.
As he drove away, I stood at the base of the tree and looked up. Just below the leaf canopy, a stubby, leafless branch protruded not six inches out perpendicular from the tree trunk. Our fluffy orange and white tabby sat precariously perched on that branch like a perturbed parakeet. I called up to her, “Just come back down the way you went up.”
She jostled and cried again. Then slowly, gingerly, she maneuvered her paws off of the perch. The first step was the most difficult. With a little leap, she flattened herself spread-eagle against the tree trunk and slid a few frightening inches down the bark. Whimpering all the while, she dug her claws into the tree and climbed down, paw by paw, like a reluctant lumberjack. Reaching the base, she jumped down and ran up the hill to our backyard.
The tree
I don’t know why she climbed so high up into that tree. Perhaps another cat or coyote chased her, or maybe she was chasing a squirrel. Somehow, to her, it just seemed like a good idea at the time.
Life’s like that, not only for cats, but for us, too.
Sometimes you find yourself stuck up a tree and the only way down is the retrace your steps. Sure you can whine and cry when you realize the predicament you’ve put yourself in, and sometimes a comforting, friendly voice at the base of the tree can coach you into a brave move. But in the end, only you can undo what you’ve done. You can sit on your perch for a morning or for months. But eventually, it’s you who must take that first perilous leap down.
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June 22, 2015
Date Change to July Workshop at Where the Heart Is
Date Change for the July workshop as a part of the summer series of Lifelong Learning Workshops scheduled at Where the Heart Is Assisted Living and Memory Care Community in Burlington this summer. The July event is now scheduled for Tuesday, July 7th. Topic: 5 Ways to Quiet the Mean Voice in Your Head—positive self talk.
June 22, 2015, Burlington, WA: Please note a change of date for the July workshop as a part of the summer series of Lifelong Learning workshops at Where the Heart Is Assisted Living and Memory Care Community in Burlington. The date of the July event is now Tuesday, July 7th and features Personal Empowerment Speaker Stacie Zinn Roberts of What’s Your Avocado? presenting an inspiring and uplifting workshop on 5 Ways to Quiet the Mean Voice in Your Head, positive self talk.
Full details of the summer workshop series include:
Tuesday, July 7: 5 Ways to Quiet the Mean Voice in Your Head
In this workshop you’ll learn how to stop beating yourself up, change your destructive mind chatter, and support your own goals through right-minded thinking. This innovative and uplifting workshop includes personal stories, helpful exercises, and audience participation. Lean how to quiet the mean voice in your head once and for all!
Thursday, August 6: Meditation for Stress Relief
In a stressful world, we could all use a new tool to help us gain a little bit of quiet and peace of mind. In this highly accessible workshop, you’ll learn and experience three easy meditation techniques to quiet your mind, reduce stress and live a happier life.
Thursday, September 3: How to Write Your Life Story
We all have a story to tell. For this interactive workshop, bring a pen and notebook with you as we’ll experiment with journaling and writing techniques to help you get started in telling the most interesting story ever told—Your Story!
All events begin with social time and light refreshments at 5:30pm. Educational portion runs from 6 to 7pm.
Reservations are suggested by not required. Please RSVP to 360-391-1774 or via email at: moc.tmgmreitnorfnull@gtkMIHTW
Where the Heart Is Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, is located at 410 Norris Street in Burlington. The Where the Heart Is Lifelong Learning series is an educational program open free to the public.
About Where the Heart Is
Where The Heart Is Assisted Living and Memory Care Community includes a specially designed neighborhood to serve the special needs of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other forms of memory loss. Every day we make it a goal to go above and beyond to enrich the lives of our residents. With our Pathways program, a Montessori-based philosophy for care, we create a specialized, life-enriching environment that affords each individual maximum self-expression. The staff is committed to delivering a quality of care that meets the resident’s physical, social, spiritual and emotional needs. 360-755-8007, www.whereheartis.com
About Stacie Zinn Roberts
Stacie Zinn Roberts is an award-winning writer, speaker, marketing consultant and the author of the book “How to Live Your Passion & Fulfill Your Dreams.” Her company, What’s Your Avocado?, is based in Mount Vernon, WA. www.whatsyouravocado.com
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June 16, 2015
Summer Workshop Series Scheduled
Summer Workshop Series Scheduled – Personal Empowerment Speaker Stacie Zinn Roberts Returns to Where the Heart Is
4-Part Lifelong Learning Workshop Series scheduled at Where the Heart Is Assisted Living and Memory Care Community in Burlington this summer. Topics include: define your life’s purpose, positive self talk, meditation for stress relief, and how to write your life story. All workshops free with reservation.
Burlington, WA: Back by popular demand, Personal Empowerment Speaker Stacie Zinn Roberts of What’s Your Avocado? returns to the Where the Heart Is Lifelong Learning workshop series with four uplifting and entertaining presentations this summer in Burlington. All workshops are complementary with reservation.
The four-part series includes:
Thursday, June 18: What’s Your Avocado? Define Your Life’s Purpose
Everyone has something about them that’s special. We call that unique element, Your Avocado. The key to a happy life is to identify Your Avocado, and express it out in the world. Through this interactive workshop, you’ll gain the tools to identify Your Avocado, and strategies to live a more authentic life in step with your unique purpose.
Thursday, July 9: 5 Ways to Quiet the Mean Voice in Your Head
In this workshop you’ll learn how to stop beating yourself up, change your destructive mind chatter, and support your own goals through right-minded thinking. This innovative and uplifting workshop includes personal stories, helpful exercises, and audience participation. Lean how to quiet the mean voice in your head once and for all!
Thursday, August 6: Meditation for Stress Relief
In a stressful world, we could all use a new tool to help us gain a little bit of quiet and peace of mind. In this highly accessible workshop, you’ll learn and experience three easy meditation techniques to quiet your mind, reduce stress and live a happier life.
Thursday, September 3: How to Write Your Life Story
We all have a story to tell. For this interactive workshop, bring a pen and notebook with you as we’ll experiment with journaling and writing techniques to help you get started in telling the most interesting story ever told—Your Story!
All events begin with social time and light refreshments at 5:30pm. Educational portion runs from 6 to 7pm.
Reservations are suggested by not required. Please RSVP to 360-391-1774 or via email at: moc.tmgmreitnorfnull@gtkMIHTW
Where the Heart Is Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, is located at 410 Norris Street in Burlington. The Where the Heart Is Lifelong Learning series is an educational program open free to the public.
About Where the Heart Is
Where The Heart Is Assisted Living and Memory Care Community includes a specially designed neighborhood to serve the special needs of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other forms of memory loss. Every day we make it a goal to go above and beyond to enrich the lives of our residents. With our Pathways program, a Montessori-based philosophy for care, we create a specialized, life-enriching environment that affords each individual maximum self-expression. The staff is committed to delivering a quality of care that meets the resident’s physical, social, spiritual and emotional needs. 360-755-8007, www.whereheartis.com
About Stacie Zinn Roberts
Stacie Zinn Roberts is an award-winning writer, speaker, marketing consultant and the author of the book “How to Live Your Passion & Fulfill Your Dreams.” Her company, What’s Your Avocado?, is based in Mount Vernon, WA. www.whatsyouravocado.com
The post Summer Workshop Series Scheduled appeared first on What's Your Avocado?.
May 12, 2015
What’s Your Avocado? Wins 4 National TOCA Awards
Mount Vernon-based writing and marketing firm What’s Your Avocado?, and company president Stacie Zinn Roberts, were honored recently with four national awards for writing and marketing campaigns from TOCA, the Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association, at the organization’s 26th Annual Meeting held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Roberts won a First Place marketing/communications writing award for Best Feature Article, “Seeding a Sodded Variety,” that ran in the October 2014 issue of Sports Turf magazine. The article, written and placed in the publication for client Sod Solutions, featured an interview with Billy Findley, head groundskeeper for the St. Louis Cardinals Major League Baseball team. Read the story here: http://hgtsod.com/2015/03/10/seeding-a-sodded-variety/
Roberts was also awarded three Merit awards—two for journalistic articles, and the third for a social media campaign she developed for client, Performance Nutrition fertilizers.
Merit winner “Muddied Waters,” ran in the January 2014 issue of Golf Course Management magazine. Named Best Product Information Article, it investigated Florida’s confusing fertilizer regulations and their impact on golf. Read the story here: http://www.gcsaa.org/gcm-magazine/2014/january/gcm-january-2014-muddied-waters
The story, “It Never Rains in California,” was awarded a Merit award for Best Environmental Stewardship article. It ran in the June 2014 issue of Golf Course Management magazine and examined the efforts of the California golf course industry to manage drought conditions while keeping golf courses open for play. Read the article here: http://gcmdigital.gcsaa.org/i/319440-jun-2014/62
Roberts also won a Merit award for Most Engaging Social Media Campaign for client, Performance Nutrition, along with graphic designer, Todd Maguire. The campaign, “We Care What You Put on Your Turf Because We Know Who Plays On It,” promotes a social media photo contest hosted by the company, a manufacturer of eco-safe fertilizers and turf care products for lawns, sports fields and golf courses. The contest is open until September. To learn more about the campaign, visit: http://www.pnfertilizers.com/positive-message/
ABOUT WHAT’S YOUR AVOCADO?
What’s Your Avocado? is a writing and marketing firm based in Mount Vernon, Washington, specializing in the agriculture, golf, turf and real estate industries. Company Founder Stacie Zinn Roberts is a writer, marketing consultant, speaker and the author of the book, “How to Live Your Passion & Fulfill Your Dreams. www.whatsyouravocado.com
ABOUT TOCA
The Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) is comprised of editors, writers, publishers, photographers, public relations/advertising practitioners, industry association leaders, manufacturers and others involved in green industry communications. It is a national organization based in New Prague, MN.
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May 11, 2015
How a New Haircut (& Everything Else) is About Marketing
Marketing is about more than just advertising. It’s about creating a perception. Find out how in this article that I wrote for PR Daily, the leading blog for PR and marketing professionals …
How a New Haircut (& Everything Else) is About Marketing
by Stacie Zinn Roberts
I got a haircut last week. My stylist lopped off eight inches of hair. Eight inches.
I sucked in my breath when she handed me the first wet, orphaned clump. Too late now, I said, as she kept right on snipping. She shaped my formerly long, somewhat unruly auburn locks into a sassy, wavy bob. The hair that had once hung down between my shoulder blades now curled just under my ears.
A few hours later, I debuted my look at a business function, and I found the reception to my transformation a bit surprising. One of my friends actually jumped up and down shrieking, “Oh my God! I love it!” Another friend couldn’t stop touching my hair and cooed how much more professional I looked—and younger, too.
Which got me thinking how much a haircut says about marketing. Not fashion. Not vanity. Marketing.
READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE AT PR DAILY
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April 15, 2015
How to Write a Killer Lead
Writing is hard. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not. Writing well is even harder. Throw in the challenge of a dry subject matter, and the task can be downright excruciating. Unless you know the secret …
I recently wrote a Guest Blog pos titled How to Write a Killer Lead for Spin Sucks, the nationally recognized expert blog for communications professionals—you know, writers, PR pros, branding and ad creation gurus. In my article, I reveal my secret for making even the most seemingly boring topic enticing.
Click Here to read the full article at Spin Sucks
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