The Pillars of Our Firm

There’s a lot to learn as an intern at Eisbrenner Public Relations, from developing client strategy to the tedious-yet-necessary task of assembling a media list. But the most important things to learn, understand and demonstrate at Eisbrenner PR, or any company for that matter, are the core values of the organization.

At Eisbrenner PR, our core values define our culture. All of our actions and decisions are guided by these five core values:

Use individual curiosity to spur innovation
Work hard and have fun
Treat the world with respect
Be motivated to discover what’s next
Find the positive in everything we do

Two months into my internship, I’ve learned when people around here speak of our core values, they mean what they say. They are the essence of our agency. They are what drive us to go above and beyond for our clients. They are why we get out of bed in the morning and why we love coming to work (well, most days).

When working in a collaborative environment, sharing a common vision and attitude is not only important, it is crucial to the team’s success. Here are three ways you can integrate your company’s values into your everyday work life.

Know them
Even though our core values are on display on the pillars in our office and on company business cards, I still printed them out and tacked them to the wall at my desk, always within view. It serves as a daily reminder of why I am here and what I am here to do.

Incorporate them
Find your own unique way to incorporate your organization’s core values into daily activities. For example, one of the recurring tasks for Eisbrenner PR interns is to update the message boards outside the breakout rooms with the week’s meetings and quotations. The quotes I include generally are related to one of our five core values (thank you, Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations).

Believe in them
Core values are devoid of meaning if they are not appreciated and respected by employees. In the end, it is the people who are the true pillars of Eisbrenner PR.

Our core values are the pillar of Eisbrenner PR - literally!

(Left) My daily reminder of what Eisbrenner PR is all about. (Right) My defensive measures against intermittent koosh-ball-shellings, one example of how we work hard and have fun.

A New Journey

Hello! I'm Jessica Postema, the other summer intern at Eisbrenner Public Relations.

I recently graduated from Michigan State University, home of the almighty Spartans (GO GREEN!) with a Bachelor of Arts in communication and specialization in public relations. Prior to joining Eisbrenner PR, I interned with Mittenberry, Triterra and CRT Medical Systems in various public relations and communication positions. Throughout my internships, I have learned how much I enjoy working in public relations, in particular, the media relations and writing components. They also have helped prepare me for the busy-ness, and sometimes craziness of agency life!

Outside of my education and experience, I'm an avid baker (particularly known for my red velvet cupcakes), dog lover and aspiring marathon runner (although I'm a long way from it). I love traveling the world (hoping to visit Greece and South Africa next), spending time with my friends and now that I've graduated, having time to read something other than textbooks; which currently is "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett.

So far, my internship at Eisbrenner PR has been great! They work hard, but definitely know how to have a good time. My co-workers have been so welcoming and willing to go above and beyond to ensure Greg and I have a good experience.

Well, that's a short introduction about me, more about my new journey as an Eisbrenner PR intern to follow. Stay tuned!

Pull Up A Stool

My first official pic at Eisbrenner PR

My name is Greg Melvin and I’m one of the new interns at Eisbrenner Public Relations. I will be your ‘tender for the evening. Not too long ago I was sitting on that side of the bar. I am a long-time reader, first-time writer of the SpeakEasy, and I couldn’t be more excited.

First, a little bit about myself. I am a recent graduate of Wayne State University, where I majored in public relations. During my senior year I served as chapter president of the James S. Measell Chapter of PRSSA, a position that allowed me to hone my ability to multitask and work in a team-oriented environment, both essential to agency life.

Getting goofy at The Henry Ford

Before coming to Eisbrenner PR, I spent eight months as the media and film relations intern at The Henry Ford. My experiences there were as fun as they were valuable – from giving media tours of Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit, to HOUR magazine photo shoots, to the Trevor Bayne vehicle dedication and everything in between. 

The Driving America ribbon
 cutting ceremony

I interned while the museum was opening the new automotive exhibit, Driving America. Working on press materials for Driving America is what initially piqued my interest in the American automobile and how it has and continues to impact our lives. It was a good introduction to life at Eisbrenner, whose clientele is around 60 percent automotive.

My first month at Eisbrenner PR has been great! Sure, I had a Kevin McAllister moment or two that first week – there is a lot of new information to absorb and a learning curve with any new place. But when your first week includes a hula-hoop contest, a game of office baseball and Koosh ball fights (plural), you know it’s a cool place to work.

Outside the Book, Eisbrenner PR’s intern program, is designed for you to succeed as an intern, and everybody – from my OTB “buddy” to the firm’s president – is happy and willing to help you find success. Plus, I’m not alone on this crazy ride – this semester Eisbrenner PR has two interns! You’ll meet Jessica Postema soon.

Well, that’s a little background on me. I look forward to sharing more of my internship experiences at the SpeakEasy in the coming months. So pull up a stool – I’ll start your tab

The Un-Known “Did You Know’s?” of Detroit

If you haven’t already heard from my previous post, my recent bus tour of the City of Detroit helped me discover many gems of the city and inspired me to explore more. Though I’ve very little room to talk, as I am a Metro-Detroiter myself, I’ve found these gems are often overlooked. I believe my tour guide, Jeanette, said it best by saying, “People locally have no idea what other people from around the world come to see.”

Below is a list of my new found knowledge of the city obtained from my exclusive Inside Detroit tour. I hope this inspires and motivates you to explore all the great wonders of Detroit the same way it inspired and motivated me.

1. Detroit’s motto, shown on the city seal, means “We hope for better things. It will arise from the ashes.”

2. Detroit is the only city to win three major sports championships in one year. The Red Wings, Lions and Tigers all won in the 1935-36 season.

3. There are over 125 bars and restaurants within the one square mile of Downtown Detroit, including the first Coney Island restaurant.

4. Despite its name, the Detroit River is actually a strait. Confusingly enough, the name comes from the French “Rivière du Détroit”, which translates to “River of the Strait”.

5. The Renaissance Center, located on Detroit’s RiverWalk, is so large it has its own zip code.

6. Detroit has the second largest theater district in the country with over 13,000 theater seats in a two block radius.

7. Downtown Detroit has 37 percent less crime than the national average.

8. Martin Luther King Jr. gave part of his “I Have a Dream” speech for the very first time in Detroit when he marched on Woodward Ave.

9. Many of Motown’s greatest hits, including my favorite, “My Girl” by The Temptations, were recorded in the basement of a house on W. Grand Boulevard. This home was bought by Berry Gordy Jr. and named “Hitsville U.S.A”, which now operates as Motown’s Historical Muesum.

10. The City of Detroit has nearly 40 square miles of vacant land.

Interested in learning more about the city, but don’t know where to start? Check out Detroit Moxies’ “40 Things to Do in Detroit Before You’re Dead.” As for me, I think my next stop is Harmonie Park to spot Richard Gere as he films his newest movie.

Where are you headed?

Backyard Discoveries

One of America’s most beloved sports commentators and columnists, Mitch Albom, once said, “The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you and devote yourself to creating something that gives you meaning.”

After attending Discover, Engage, Transform (DET), a program held by the Detroit Regional Chamber and Intern In Michigan, these words took on an entirely new meaning for me. It became more than a philosophy, but a course of action.

Enjoying the view of the Detroit skyline from Belle Isle with other “DET” interns.

This new direction spawned from a discussion on passion with local interns at the Renaissance Club on June 10. “Passion”, as they suggested, “was the process of thinking less with your head and more with your heart.” Although I was told to think less with my head, this discussion really got me thinking – what is my true passion?

With every new day, I discover new things I’m passionate about. During the second session of the “DET” program, I found another in one of the most unlikely places – Detroit.

Ironically enough, Detroit is a place not too far from where I was born and raised. It wasn’t until after seeing landmarks like Belle Isle, the Guardian Building and Indian Village that I realized how little I knew about the city. In fact, I never even knew of these landmarks until our bus tour.

I’m quickly realizing great things are happening in the city. I previously held a belief that unfortunately kept me from spending more time in Detroit. But, after seeing initiatives like The Heidelberg Project, Eastern Market and local boutiques, the City Bird and the Bureau of Urban Living, my perception has completely changed.

LEFT: An outdoor art project located on Detroit’s Heidelberg Street, which includes a series of houses lavishly painted and obscurely decorated with items found throughout the city.

CENTER: Sitting underneath the Soldiers and Sailors’ Monument in Detroit’s Campus Martius Park with another intern, Julia Wendzinski.

RIGHT: Checking out the selection of local produce, meats, spices and other products, including antique bicycles and Mason jars, at the R. Hirt Jr. Co. (1893) in Eastern Market.

Now, I’m inspired to learn more. I’m ready to explore and eager to do my part in transforming Detroit. It’s suiting to follow Mitch Albom’s advice, seeing how he is a fellow Detroiter, and devote myself to what will ultimately give my life meaning.

I never thought it was possible, but the City of Detroit has found a special place in my heart that I know with time will only grow stronger as I continue to explore. If you haven’t had the opportunity to explore Detroit yourself, I‘d encourage you to. You may be surprised what you can discover in your own backyard!

Share your discoveries and stories with me and let’s uncover the treasures of Detroit together.

Be on the lookout for my next blog post to hear more about other discoveries I made during my Detroit bus tour!