Giving Thanks

It's that time of year when we all eat too much rich food and reflect on the things that truly make us grateful.  In that spirit, I'd like to list some of the things us agency PR types are thankful for in late 2007:

We are thankful for the great human beings we have gotten to know in our client base who have been clients many times and have transcended that relationship to become lifelong friends.

We are thankful that some people are still writing in complete sentences.

We are thankful that our friends in the trade press are working hard to adapt to the current social media climate, which we know will make them more valuable to their loyal readers.

We are thankful for the real journalists who have become bloggers who adhere to journalistic standards of objectivity and fact-checking.

We are thankful for people who still use personal salutations in e-mails rather than "hey there."

We are thankful that Hank Aaron may not have to give up his home run title just yet.

We are thankful that the writer's strike in Hollywood and New York is getting the attention that the true creators of the entertainment industries deserve (as well as a competitive wage).

We are thankful to live in a country in which a former First Lady can be taken seriously as a front-running presidential candidate.

We are thankful that clients no longer ask to be on the cover of Fortune magazine. (Realistic expectations make us truly grateful.)
 
We are thankful for an economy that is treating our client base well.

We are thankful for new PR professionals entering the work force who inject enthusiasm into everything they do for our clients. They keep everything energized and fun.

We are thankful that the industries on which we focus (high-tech and life sciences) continue to be so dynamic and disruptive.

We are thankful to have so many championship-caliber sports franchises to root for.

We are thankful that A-Rod is going to continue to fail in New York.

We are thankful that social media has created so many opportunities for companies to engage and interact directly with customers.

We are thankful that we were not doing PR for the following clients this year:

Heather Mills
Don Imus
Michael Richards
Britney Spears
Paris Hilton
Lindsay Lohan
O.J. Simpson

And last, but not least, we are thankful for our smart, dedicated and talented employees and alumni who have been THE most important part of our success.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our great clients, employees, alumni and friends!