Happy Holidays! Here are some of my favorite pics from the Troup organized NYC reception in support of my client, Pennsylvania State Representative Brian Sims, held at Marc Cherry’s stunning penthouse last Friday night. Over 30 people attended the event, including Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane; Pennsylvania State Senator (and Congressional candidate for PA’s 13th District) Daylin Leach; and author, political strategist and civil rights activist David Mixner. Enjoy!!
“In quoting others, we cite ourselves.” – Julio Cortázar
by TROUP
Since I started utilizing social media outlets to connect with people in my personal and professional networks, I’ve rediscovered my love of quotes. As an entrepreneur, I often rely on the words of leaders and visionaries to remain inspired and motivated.
Quotes have become a sort of daily affirmation (and aspiration) for me – a meaningful way to communicate the values I find most important.
So in the holiday spirit of sharing, I’ve assembled several of my favorite quotes in one place. Please enjoy the following list, and feel free to add some of your faves by posting the comment section!
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela
“Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” – Mark Twain
“A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down.” – Arnold H. Glasow
“You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.” – Babe Ruth
“Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it’s always your choice.” – Dr. Wayne Dyer
“Prayer is asking for rain. Faith is carrying an umbrella. Faith is the inner sense of knowing that with divine order working on your side, all things will come together for your good. Faith is knowing that there is a divine plan and purpose for everything in life” – Iyanla Vanzant
“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi
“Remember, happiness doesn’t depend on who you are or what you have; it depends solely on what you think.” – Dale Carnegie
“I believe that one defines oneself by reinvention. To not be like your parents. To not be like your friends. To be yourself.” – Henry Rollins
“Courage is the greatest of all virtues. Because if you haven’t courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any of the others.” – Samuel Johnson
“He who angers you conquers you.” – Elizabeth Kenny
“Never give up on something that you can’t go a day without thinking about.” – Unknown
“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” – Dale Carnegie
“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” – Ernest Hemingway
“Nothing teaches character better than generosity.” – Jim Rohn
“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.” – Peter Drucker
by TROUP
Each time I’m prepping for a trip to the east coast (like the one I’ll take next week to run my client Brian Sims’ first NYC Holiday Reception), I tend think a lot about the similarities between politics, pop culture and corporate America. I’m fortunate to assist Troup clients working in each of these industries with branding and marketing strategies. And as I travel around the country, I’m consistently amazed by how closely these worlds resemble one another when you get up close and personal.
When thinking about topics for this week’s blog, I spent some time on the New York Times’ daily history website. I was struck by how many major events related to politics, pop culture and corporate America have taken place on December 5 throughout history. What follows are some of the most influential and important events accompanied by a short commentary delivered in my signature style….enjoy!
Dec. 5, 1782: Martin Van Buren was born in Kinderhook, New York. Van Buren went on to become the 8th U.S. President and the very first to be born after the country was formed. Though often overlooked, President Van Buren was one of the founders of the Democratic Party in America, and he is largely responsible for instituting a competitive, two-party system. He was also the first U.S. President not of British or Scots-Irish descent – his ancestors were Dutch.
Dec. 5, 1792: George Washington and John Adams were re-elected as President and Vice-President of the U.S., respectively. Arguably the most influential one-two punch in the history of U.S. politics, Washington and Adams were a dynamic duo that built the infrastructure to enable our country and its earliest citizens to prosper.
Dec. 5, 1901: Walt Disney was born – his work developing animation and theme parks revolutionized the entertainment industry. I can’t think of an entertainment company with a more consistently successful track record than Disney. They’ve been ahead of every technological innovation in animation throughout history – setting new trends and breaking box office records along the way. It was Walt Disney’s refusal to rest on his laurels that is largely responsible for his company’s ongoing evolution.
Dec. 5, 1933: Prohibition in the U.S. officially came to an end when Utah became the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, which repealed the 18th Amendment. Can you imagine what business networking and holiday parties would be like without cocktails? A big thank-you to Utah for officially putting an end to Prohibition!
Dec. 5, 2002: Then Senate Republican leader Trent Lott committed political suicide by openly commending Strom Thurmond’s 1948 presidential campaign, which was built on a pro-segregation platform. The outrage over his comments led to Lott’s resignation from Senate leadership. Who would have thought that the likes of Lott and Thurmond would inspire an entire generation of new, ultra-conservative Republicans – what we now refer to as the Tea Party.
Dec. 5, 2008: A judge in Las Vegas sentenced O.J. Simpson to 33 years in prison (with eligibility for parole after nine) for an armed robbery at a hotel room. How does that saying go, “what goes around comes around?” Roughly 13 years after being (inexplicably) found not guilty in the murder of his ex-wife Nicole and her friend Ron Goldman, years of bad behavior finally caught up with O.J. This time around, no amount of celebrity or any ill-fitting glove would be enough to keep him from getting locked up.
TROUP there it is!
by TROUP
I was honored to serve as a co-host for the 2013 Compete Sports Diversity Awards, which took place in Los Angeles on Tuesday. This year’s award recipients include Jason Collins, Robbie Rogers, Scott Norton, Helen Carroll, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the National Gay Flag Football League, and several other leaders in the fight for equality in athletics. Here are a few pics from the event!
Troup on the step-and-repeat – photo courtesy of Teal Moss
by TROUP
I’m excited to share some of my favorite pics from Palm Springs Pride. TROUP was retained for the second consecutive year to promote the Saguaro Hotel‘s Palm Springs location at four separate Pride events last weekend. I recruited and managed an exceptionally diverse “street team” that acted as brand ambassadors for the Saguaro throughout the weekend, sharing information with Pride attendees about the hotel. I hope you enjoy the pics! TROUP there it is!!
by TROUP
I want to start by wishing everyone a very happy and very safe Halloween. Though started to celebrate the end of harvest season in ancient Celtic culture, many in contemporary America view Halloween as a consumer-driven holiday.
And it’s not just kids (and corporate execs) who love with this annual celebration. That’s right – adults are getting in on the act in record numbers and sharing their Halloween costumes and adventures on a seemingly endless array of social media outlets.
While Halloween may mean different things to different folks, there’s no disputing that it’s BIG business. Here are some spooky numbers that illustrate how pervasive the Halloween impact is, courtesy of the National Retail Foundation:
As someone whose business it is to keep his finger on the pulse of popular culture and marketing, I have a deep appreciation for the Halloween phenomenon. Halloween provides all of us with the chance to escape reality and indulge a fantastical world where we can be anyone (or anything) we want.
We won’t all make it to Hollywood, but October 31st is one day when we can play whatever role our hearts desire. It’s a day when extremes are celebrated and the creative rules over the conservative. I, for one, think we could use a couple more days like this throughout the year. As Douglas Coupland says in The Gum Thief, “I think if human beings had genuine courage, they’d wear their costumes every day of the year, not just on Halloween. Wouldn’t life be more interesting that way?”
If you’re still struggling to come up with a costume idea for you or the kids, here are this year’s top choices according to the National Retail Foundation –
For kids…
For adults…
If you’re looking for something more “on trend,” you might consider going as Miley Cyrus, cast members from AMC’s hit show “Breaking Bad,” or the Minions from “Despicable Me” – all of which are in the top 5 of Google Shopping searches this October.
During presidential election cycles, politicians dominate the Halloween costume trend-o-sphere, but in an off year like 2013, pop culture reigns supreme. It looks like I’ll have to wait ‘til Halloween 2016 to debut my Hillary Clinton mask 🙂
But if all other options fail you tonight, just place carved pumpkin over your head and go as John Boehner.
Happy Halloween! TROUP there it is!!
by TROUP
I’m very fortunate to have a close working relationship with the amazing folks from Media Out Loud who publish Compete Magazine and StandUp Magazine. They are true champions of sports equality and undisputed leaders in the global effort to stop bullying.
They’re also getting ready to present the 2013 Compete Sports Diversity Awards, which will take place in Los Angeles on Tuesday, November 12 at 6:30 PM (PST). This year’s Sports Diversity Award recipients include Jason Collins, Robbie Rogers and several other leaders in the fight for equality in athletics. I’m thrilled to be serving as a co-host for the event. Please email me at Troup@troupconsulting.com for more information about the Sports Diversity Awards!
I’m also excited to share the full text of a new article I wrote for StandUp Magazine’s Fall 2013 edition, which focuses on innovative and effective partnerships that have the power to end bullying. You can read my article below, and make sure to click here to check out the digital version of the magazine.
The Potential of Powerful Partnerships to Stop Bullying
StandUp Magazine – Fall 2013
“Instead of focusing on their individual agendas, collaborative partnerships establish common goals. In order to address problems that lie beyond any agency’s exclusive purview, but which concern them all, partners agree to pool resources, jointly plan, implement, and evaluate new services and procedures, and delegate individual responsibility for the outcomes of their joint efforts.” – Atelia I. Melaville with Martin J. Blank, What It Takes, Washington DC, Education and Human Services Consortium.
In honor of National Bullying Prevention Month, here are some statistics that indicate just how pervasive bullying is in the digital age –
When aggregated, these statistics illustrate that bullying is a systemic problem in the U.S. – one that touches every student and teenager at one time or another. As with any complex social issue, stemming the tide of bullying requires a sustained, multi-pronged movement that simultaneously engages and unites parents, students, educators, administrators, advocates, law enforcement personnel, government officials and corporate leaders.
With such a wide range of concerned parties, getting everyone on the same page is no small feat. If you look at other pervasive social problems, collaborative opportunities frequently fall off track because the key players can’t agree on an understanding of the problem, let alone the optimal way to intervene. Despite these challenges, partnerships have tremendous potential to create positive change when executed effectively. Whether in politics or activism, I always encourage collaboration over competition. I’m fortunate to apply this on a daily basis to my work on AT&T’s diverse partnership with the Trevor Project.
Though appearing last in my preceding list of key players, corporations aren’t any less important than others in the anti-bullying movement. On the contrary, they MUST play a very active, collaborative role if the movement is to be successful. Nonprofit expert and writer Erdin Beshimov provides an excellent perspective on this issue –
“Not so long ago the business and non-profit sectors stood at arms length from one another and were even seen as polar opposites whose agendas conflicted. Businesses today are exhibiting broad receptivity to the socioeconomic agendas of nonprofit organizations. In their turn, nonprofits are putting greater trust in the message of social responsibility emanating from the business world. Businesses and nonprofits today are exhibiting patterns of genuine collaboration, especially in areas where their interests intersect” (Beshimov, Trends to Watch: Non-Profit and Business Partnerships, http://www.experience.com).
Corporations certainly have the resources to uplift other key players in the anti-bullying movement. But their role goes far beyond providing financial support. Because corporate America is responsible for most of the advertising messages and entertainment content that students and teens see on a daily basis, they also have the power to create widespread awareness about social problems. Integrating anti-bullying messages and themes into mass media and digital content can be very influential. Many corporations also have access to elected officials and other stakeholders whose support and engagement is necessary to end bullying. In sum, the optimal role for corporations in the anti-bullying movement is a sustained commitment that results in broad, layered partnerships.
In return for their generosity, businesses actively partnering to combat social problems cultivate a positive corporate image. They also send strong messages to consumers and competitors about their culture, priorities and values.
Corporate partnerships are one of the most effective tactics available to support the anti-bullying movement – and they’re very good for business!
TROUP there it is!!
by TROUP
Happy Spirit Day! If you’re not familiar, this commemoration takes place each year during LGBTQ History Month. A Canadian teen named Brittany McMillan created Spirit Day – the first observance of which was held on October 20, 2010.
Spirit Day is a visible campaign whereby supporters wear the color purple to increase awareness, recognition and support for LGBT youth who have been victims of bullying. The color and campaign name are inspired by the purple stripe in the rainbow flag, which represents “spirit.”
Since 2010, Spirit Day has grown by leaps and bounds. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is responsible for promoting it, and they’ve leveraged support for Spirit Day from a wide range of celebrities, entertainers, athletes, corporations, brands, media outlets, colleges, universities and non-profit organizations.
GLAAD has coined the term “Going Purple” – which refers not only to wearing purple, but also includes a robust social media and marketing effort. On Spirit Day, supporters add a prominent amount of purple to the design of logos, images, billboards and photos to illustrate their commitment.
Spirit Day is a wonderful example of a campaign that combines broad social and cultural support with interpersonal and digital networking to draw attention to a pervasive social problem (or to generate support for those combating the problem).
I feel very fortunate for the opportunity to assist my client AT&T with a similarly layered and impactful campaign throughout LGBTQ History Month.
The “Love is Changing History” project was developed by AT&T to benefit the Trevor Project by demonstrating how LGBTQ love is changing history in everyday life. The Trevor Project is the country’s foremost LGBTQ youth suicide prevention organization.
“Love is Changing History” is the second campaign developed by AT&T this year dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ community. The first, “Live Proud” took place during pride month in June – it encouraged supporters to utilize popular social media sharing tools to add to the total AT&T would donate to The Trevor Project.
“Live Proud” exceeded all fundraising goals, and AT&T wrote The Trevor Project a check for $50,000 at the finale event in Los Angeles. AT&T’s innovative efforts to support the LGBTQ service organizations like The Trevor Project are unmatched by their peers in the Fortune 50. I’m so appreciative that I get to support a progressive company, which consistently goes above and beyond for the LGBTQ community.
To support “Love is Changing History,” AT&T has created two videos with longtime LGBTQ supporters and activists, Lance Bass and Pauley Perrette.
AT&T will provide the Trevor Project with a minimum of $25,000 up to a maximum of $100,000 based on the amount of social sharing on the “Love is Changing History” website. Through Nov 11, there are 3 ways for supporters to contribute to this project –
1. Visit the “Love is Changing History” website,www.loveischanginghistory.com to share the site on Facebook and Twitter and AT&T will donate $1 to The Trevor Project.
2. Share one of the films from the “Love is Changing History” website on Facebook and Twitter and AT&T will donate $1 to The Trevor Project.
3. Submit a story that represents a “Love is Changing History” moment on the website and AT&T will donate a $1 to The Trevor Project.
Thanks to everyone in advance for your support of this important project!
by TROUP
TROUP is thrilled to announce a new partnership with The Saguaro Hotel Palm Springs, a member of the Joie de Vivre hotel collection. Engaged for the second consecutive year to market The Saguaro Palm Springs to visitors during the 2013 Greater Palm Springs Pride weekend, this is the next step in Troup’s strategic effort to promote the hotel to key market segments of leisure and business travelers.
With a buzzing pool scene and vibrant flavor from Iron Chef Jose Garces, The Saguaro Palm Springs offers guests to the desert uncomplicated fun with a splash of 1950s Technicolor. The Sydell Group is a company built on the idea of sharing, collaborating, and encouraging a creative process that builds a compelling narrative within each of its hotels. Sydell launched its first hotel collaboration in 2009 with the Ace New York and Palm Springs. Shortly thereafter, they opened the technicolor Saguaros in Scottsdale, Arizona and Palm Springs, California with Joie de Vivre Hotels. In 2012, Sydell opened The NoMad Hotel in New York and in December 2012, they launched Freehand Miami, a premium hostel.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, TROUP is a corporate strategy and communications firm. We provide our clients a roadmap to secure a competitive advantage through diversity and inclusion. The case for corporate responsibility and diversity is compelling and well established – stronger stakeholder relationships, better decision-making, inclusive marketplace and work environment, increased market share and long-term sustainability.
“I’m so appreciative of the opportunity to work with The Saguaro Palm Springs during LGBT Pride festivities this November,” said Troup B. Coronado, Esq., founder and president of TROUP. “The Saguaro Palm Springs is one of the most progressive and inventive hotel properties in the world, and I can’t wait to continue sharing their commitment to diversity and inclusion with visitors from all over the globe.”
by TROUP
TROUP is pleased and honored to announce its working relationship with a new client, Sims 4 PA, the reelection campaign for Pennsylvania State Representative Brian Sims (PA – 182). This engagement will allow TROUP to apply our advanced expertise in national fundraising strategy and community relations, while also expanding our reach into the world of state politics. It is clients like Sims 4 PA that contribute to our success and growth.
Pennsylvania State Representative Brian K. Sims is a policy attorney and civil rights advocate from Center City Philadelphia. The former staff counsel for policy and planning at the Philadelphia Bar Association, he recently stepped down as both the president of the board of directors of Equality Pennsylvania and as chairman of Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia (GALLOP). He also has extensive experience as a guest lecturer.
Sims is dedicated to making Philadelphia safer, strengthening and protecting public education, preserving services for seniors and other vulnerable Pennsylvanians, making affordable health care more available, expanding civil rights for all Pennsylvanians, preserving our environment while investing in alternative energy, creating jobs and cleaning up Harrisburg.
“I’m excited to begin this partnership with my friend, Troup Coronado, and his consulting firm TROUP,” said Sims. “Troup brings a lifetime of experience in government and business that will help me reach people all over the country who want to see more progressive politics in Pennsylvania.”
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, TROUP is a corporate strategy and communications firm. We provide our clients a roadmap to secure a competitive advantage through diversity and inclusion. The case for corporate responsibility and diversity is compelling and well established – stronger stakeholder relationships, better decision-making, inclusive marketplace and work environment, increased market share and long-term sustainability.
“I couldn’t be more pleased to have this opportunity to support Rep. Sims reelection campaign,” said Troup B. Coronado, Esq., founder and president of TROUP. “Since beginning his first term in office in January, Brian has exhibited an unrivaled commitment to innovative policy solutions on behalf of his constituents, while simultaneously helping promote equality throughout the U.S. and around the world.”
TROUP there it is!
