ThinkB4YouSpeak

by Brooke Winebrenner

While watching television, 9 times out of 10 the commercials I am subjected to are simply forgotten before my show begins again. I am sure this is true for most people, but today I was caught off guard by the PSA I saw on the ThinkB4YouSpeak campaign that focuses on the harmful words “that’s so gay.” I found out this campaign was launched almost a year ago in 2008 and was surprised I hadn’t seen the commercial before now. Seeing it today definitely stood out to me, not only because of the message behind it, but also because I was having this very conversation the day before with a friend.

The ad features two teenage girls shopping in a store trying on clothes. One girl asks the other about her top and her friend responds, “that’s so gay”. Singer/Actress Hilary Duff overhears the conversation and comes back with a witty comment that puts into perspective how using words that you are trying to convey as stupid or dumb, that are not politically correct or truly represent what you are trying to say, shouldn’t be used.

I thought this was an interesting campaign produced by the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and the Ad Council. The ThinkB4YouSpeak website sends the message that 9 out of 10 lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (GLBT) students report being harassed at school in the last year. The GLSEN hopes the campaign will raise awareness and create a safe environment for all students-LGBT and straight alike, which begins with one simple act: thinking before you speak.

The site also allows viewers to get involved in several ways by signing a pledge, submitting a video asking you to share your story or a message that portrays a unique way of telling people not to use the words “that’s so gay.” You can also send an e-card, become a fan of the GLSEN on Facebook and follow them on twitter.

I think this is a great start to get people thinking about what they are saying, but I can remember being a teenager and we all know how we can throw words around so easily at that age. I can honestly say I am guilty of this act even today.

I am not proud of my actions, but from time to time I say, “that’s so gay”. Not because I am trying to degrade a GLBT person, but simply because it has carelessly made it’s way into my vocabulary and everyone else’s over the years.

I also have a personal story that has always stuck with me, so I figure I should go ahead and share it. It happened one day while I was working at my first job in high school, which was the first time in life I think I had been exposed to various types of people—including a gay guy who I had become friends with. I was in mid conversation with my gay friend and all of a sudden I remarked with the ignorant comment “that’s so gay.” I stopped and looked at him in shock—so embarrassed and mad at myself for commenting on something I meant was stupid, with the type of person he represented. Foot in mouth is what I was thinking, but he so kindly turned my comment into a joke saying “yea that is gay.” We laughed about it and went on our way, but I was so embarrassed about my stupidity and how I would have felt if I was the gay person and people made that statement around me all of the time.

I think people all over the world need to think before they speak about a lot of things. Maybe this campaign will open our minds to the idea of a thoughtful place where we stop putting things and other people down. I am making my own pledge to make a conscious effort to stop using damaging language. And from now on when you are thinking something is dumb or stupid, if you go to comment on it, fill-in-the-blank with your name.

“That’s so Brooke.” Now how much sense does that make? Great point ThinkB4YouSpeak!

Peppered in NYC

by Brooke Winebrenner

Well, I recently made the transition from student to an entry-level professional, traveling over 700 miles to do so. In result to this big change, my blog has been unintentionally neglected. No excuses though, I am getting back on track immediately.

I am currently interning at Peppercom, a Public Relations Strategic Communications agency located in New York City. This opportunity is more than I could have ever asked for. NYC is where the industry I love lives, breathes and will never sleep. I have discovered this place is definitely the fast-paced capitol of the world in many ways. I have never walked down a street so fast in my life. I find myself wondering why I am walking so fast? It isn’t like I am running late, but because everyone else is racing to get somewhere first, I try to keep up. No complaints though, my legs will be in shape in no time.

When I first arrived, I went and experienced the sights in Times Square and Central Park, which did it for me. I was overjoyed while visiting the places I have seen in so many of my favorite television shows and movies. I was over stimulated with advertisements in Times Square and calmed in beautiful Central Park.

NYC is the mecca of all things I find appealing. This is why I am still in shock as I ride the train into Grand Central station every morning, walking the streets amongst big wigs, tourists, celebrities and aspiring interns alike. I am delighted to continue my career at an agency, and even more excited to be living one of my dreams so early on in life. I do not know what my future holds, but for now I am appeased knowing I did it. I made it to the Big Apple and I am thrilled to the core.

Midnight Makeover

by Brooke Winebrenner

Please, don’t be startled. Take a look around and enjoy the new scenery. I realize this may come as a shock for those of you who may have already viewed my blog previously. This is a new look from the old Brooke blog. Like the hosts on the infamous tv show featured on TLC, “What Not To Wear” I decided it was time to step in and change my interactive blog life on an episode I would like to call, What Not To Widget: Blog Makeover Edition. 

I decided at midnight it was a new day and I couldn’t waste another minute looking at my old theme. I will continue to change a few other things on here, not only in my look, but also in my writing. I set-up this blog in a rush, knowing very little in the beginning about functionality and the direction I wanted to take. So the old Brooke blog was a journalistic view of my great international adventure and now I am moving forward with the new Power Words. This is the new and improved direction I am introducing my reader’s to. I am almost positive the change is for the better.

This is what makes blogging so great. I can develop and grow online, viewing overtime what works and what in the world I have talked about.

Adios España

by Brooke Winebrenner

While my journey to Spain has come full circle, it has left me with a surreal feeling of a dreamlike opportunity that seemed to pass with a blink of an eye. I gained so much from this experience during my four weeks in Spain that I could probably go on talking about it forever. The opportunity to differentiate and set myself apart from other entry-level PR professionals through this experience is an unmatched benefit in itself. But it has also been so much more than that. I lived and surrounded myself in an unfamiliar culture, faced language barriers, opened myself to different people and views, and challenged myself constantly during the development and completion of our work.

The Imagewest International team went into overdrive and overtime, during our last week in Madrid. This was necessary for the success and completion of the work we planned to present to the client, which included an encompassing digital marketing plan and designing website, poster and city guide templates. Having the opportunity to pitch the work to the client was the most rewarding part of the entire process. We got to see first-hand the client’s excitement and delight when we showed what we had completed in those few weeks.

Overall, the work was a success and following our presentation; we celebrated with an appreciation dinner at the world famous Corral de la Morería where they performed traditional Flamenco dancing and music. This was a great end to our adventure and I feel so fortunate to have experienced numerous Spanish traditions during my time in Spain.

This journey exceeded my expectations, leaving me Spainsick, the opposite of homesick. Spain will always have a special place in my heart and I will always cherish the international relationships and friendships I established during my time there. I hope someday I will be able to return to this wonderful place, but for now with a kiss on each cheek, Adios España.

Enlightening Experience Every Step of the Way

by Brooke Winebrenner

I find myself taken back by the realization that I only have a little over a week left in one of my new favorite places in the world. The time has been flying by as the IWI team has been working hard to complete the work for the City Council of Villanueva de la Cañada. Currently, the designers are working on new website templates for the City Council website. The account team, which includes me, is working hard on completing a thorough digital marketing plan to strategically implement the digital tools necessary to communicate with the city’s target market. It has been a challenging and all-encompassing learning process, as we have had to grasp that working in Spain is not the same as working in the U.S.

We have faced many setbacks, but we have successfully met our timeline and are overcoming our obstacles by doing the proper research and working overtime. We plan to present and pitch our work to our client next week. Pretty exciting.

While we are working hard during the week, we also have the chance to play equally as hard on the weekends. Spain is like no other place I have been too. I love it here because you can find and stumble upon things you hadn’t even planned on seeing or doing. For instance, Maggie and I decided to head into Madrid in an area called Chueka one evening. As we stepped out of the metro we were surprised to see that there was a gay pride celebration-taking place. This event attracts hundreds of thousands of people for a weeklong celebration that ends with a huge parade every year. The area was set up with multiple open-air concerts and everyone was allowed to walk around enjoying food, alcoholic beverages, music and dance. This is not what we were expecting, but we had a blast.

IWI recently went to Valencia for a beach vacation over the weekend in celebration of the United States’ Independence. We had the chance to sunbathe under the “muy caliente sol” and enjoy the Mediterranean Sea. At night is when we roamed the town and interacted with the people. I have learned that Spain is the country that never sleeps and on the weekends neither do I. In essence, it is almost as if time is not of importance here. Everyone seems to live in the moment and you can enjoy nightclubs into the early morning.

I think it is interesting to have the opportunity to meet with people from all over the world and learn where they have come from and where they have been. It is fascinating to find out that the people I have met constantly travel and are intellectually knowledgeable about many topics, as well as international politics. Everyone I have met knows multiple languages, and luckily at least one of them is English so that way I can communicate with them. This has brought me to the realization that I, along with many other Americans alike, live culturally self-centered lives and we do not always open our eyes to the entire world. It is good to know that most people from other countries don’t hold this against us. It seems as if it is expected and they conveniently cater to our incompetence. I hope I can enlighten myself in the future and become more cultured as I grow into adulthood. I also hope in some way I can reflect this when I come back from this amazing adventure. 

 

City Council Town Hall in Villanueva de la Cañada

 

Gay Pride Festival concert in Madrid

Drag queen strutting her stuff

Maggie and I enjoying the music

Really talented DJ playing some techno

 

Maggie and I made friends!

In Valencia we came across a pageant in the middle of the park. We could tell it was an important tradition here.

 

In Valencia, the El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía Building captured in the early morning.

Valencia

 

Toros! Toros! Toros!

by Brooke Winebrenner

Sitting in the stands of the Plaza de Toros Las Ventas in Madrid was an out of body experience to say the least. I felt so nervous knowing I was about to see one of Spain’s oldest tradition take place right in front of me. In Spain bull fighting is known as Fiesta National, which stands for the national sport. Rightfully so, its origins date back to 711 AD. The Plaza de Toros in Las Ventas is one of the most prestigious and famous bull fighting rings in Spain. I could not imagine what I was about to see.

As the first bull entered the ring, I could view the look of panic and confusion that came over him all at once. The bull came running out at first, but then suddenly came to a screeching halt, moving his head from side to side realizing that this was not a place he wanted to be nor could he escape. I was immediately overcome with a sense of sadness, knowing that this bull did not stand a chance. He was up against three banderilleros (flag men), picadores (men on horseback armed with a lance), and finally the matador that would bring the bull to its deadly fate. The first part of the fight begins as the banderilleros entice and lure the bull with their colorful capote or dress cape. The bull begins to run and charge at the first sign of movement of the cape. The banderilleros are not armed at this point and if the bull gets to close for their comfort they cowardly run behind a small wooden wall to get away from the bull.

The next part of the fight begins when the picadores enter on an armored and blindfolded horse. The picadore rides around the ring and finally the bull charges at the horse trying to puncture the helpless animal. The horse appears to be unharmed, but at this point the bull is first speared with the lance. (I will get a bit graphic here, but I want to portray the full effect of what I experienced.) As blood begins to rush from the bulls back, you can hear the crowd’s emotion through their cheers as well as the sense of shock in some spectator’s reactions all at the same time. It was the strangest experience. As I thought to myself, “this poor animal is so helpless and clueless right now,” but the fans around me were excited to see the show and they definitely wanted to get their money’s worth. They often shouted in Spanish at the matadors, taunting them to give them something to cheer about. I felt as if I was in the U.S. at a football game and there was a loud obnoxious fan standing and shouting at the other team repeatedly.

I was brought back to reality as they began to arm the banderilleros with daggers that were stabbed into the bull. You can tell the bull is aggravated at this point and begins to flail around trying to wiggle the spears free. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for this bull and wished that it would take one of these guys down. At one point, one of the banderilleros stabbed a bull, but as he turned to run away he tripped and fell to the ground. This was the bull’s chance. The tide had turned and finally, I could see the look of fear in the mans face as he began to embrace the charge and force of the bull’s horns. He covered his head, but the bull was successful as it stabbed the man repeatedly trying to get its revenge. The bull trampled over the man and finally the banderilleros ran free.

He lives to see another day, but the bull is not so lucky. The matador who enters the ring uses his cape to evoke and lure the bull to follow the capes every move. The matador that amazed me the most was Iván Fandiño. It seemed almost as if he was hypnotizing the bull with his cape. He could hold it on one side of him and as the bull charged, he would not move. At the last minute he would switch the cape behind his back to the other side causing the bull to change direction and barely miss striking the matador.

One of the local bull fighting fans that I had met prior to the bullfight, explained to us that the matadors are perceived as unearthly. They are more than human and a little less than a God. I could now put this into perspective as this brave man fought for his life, never knowing day by day if it would be his last bullfight. He was very talented and intriguing to watch. Although I knew that this man was about to kill this beautiful, healthy, strong bull, I couldn’t help but watch the matador and bull’s every move. I felt as if I were to blink I may miss something spectacular and regret it forever.

At one point during Fandiño’s fight, the bull took him down. I began to say, “oh my god, oh my god,” as I could see this strong bull stab the matador in the legs and rip his pants with his horns. Fortunately, Fandiño was freed from under this massive bull, but he was injured and it took him a minute to get up from the dirt. I couldn’t believe when he got up and motioned for another sword from his assistants. He intended to finish what he had started. The crowd cheered all at once. He stumbled around at first, but he soon took his stance and challenged the bull again. The bull came close to taking out his leg again, but Fandiño would be victorious. With one stab the bull began to go down, and soon the banderilleros would taunt the bull with their capes cornering the bull until he fell to the ground.

The crowd began to cheer and wave their white towels in the air for Fandiño. He was truly courageous and after I viewed this final match, I had a different understanding and appreciation for the bullfight. To some people, it may be viewed as violent and inappropriate. Don’t get me wrong, as they drug the lifeless bull out by horses across the ring, my heart went out to this helpless animal, but at the same time I had realized I had witnessed an art form and sport that many Spaniards cherish. You could tell the matadors were truly involved with this sport and valued this animal even up to the moment until they take the the bull’s life. It was a very intense realization.

This is not something I could watch every week if I lived in Spain, but I am so grateful I got to experience this event while I was in Madrid. It is something I can’t describe to its fullest, but I will never forget it.

My seat inside Plaza de Toros Las Ventas

Plaza de Toros Las Ventas in Madrid

In this picture you can view the daggers the banderilleros put into the bulls back.

Bull charging at a banderilleros

Toros!

Intense moment of the banderilleros about ready to stab the bull.

Matador statue outside of Plaza de Toros Las Ventas

Wall monument outside of Plaza de Toros Las Ventas

Very scary! I can't imagine one of these charging at me in real life.

I just had to do it.

We Have Arrived

Arc de Triumf in Barcelona

Gaudi building located in the Ramblas

 

 

The streets of Barcelona

Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

Barceloneta Beach

Columbus Monument

Took this pic because the statue resembled the Fleur de Lis, just a neat shot.

Maggie and I shopping in the Gothic Quarter, Photo Op at Jimmy Choo

The market in Barcelona

Beautiful little girl outside the market in Barcelona

Royal Palace in Madrid

Royal Palace

Gothic Quarter city square in Barcelona

Plaza de Toros in Barcelona (bull fighting ring)

by Brooke Winebrenner

As I entered Barcelona, Spain I would describe my body and mind as over stimulated. Over stimulated in a good way of course, but nonetheless I was exhausted from the nine-hour plane ride. I had only retained 20 full minutes of sleep. This was not my first international plane ride, but for some reason I always seem to be assigned to the one and only chair that does not recline. Lucky me.

I did not let that get me down though because I had just arrived in Barcelona, Spain. It was bright and sunny at 9:00 am there, while back at home it was 3:00 am. A wonderful Spanish woman named Mariella, who so graciously transported our luggage from the airport to our hotel, first greeted us. In Europe, they do not believe in oversized vehicles they only have small cars, so you can imagine Mariella’s reaction when she saw how much luggage we had brought with us. I could tell she must have thought we were crazy. Due to the lack of space in her car, our group began our first navigation adventure from the airport through the city of Barcelona. We had traveled by plane, next would come the train, underground subway and finally on foot.

We did not have a map and we only had very little guidance from Mariella on how to find our hotel downtown. We had our first challenge and experience with interacting with the locals that only speak Spanish. I was thrilled because I could go up to people and try my best to ask where our hotel was located in Spanish. We went from street to street and requested directions from a woman enjoying a café on the corner, a bartender at a local bar and many others that passed by.

I can tell you in 2 hours we did a complete circle around our hotel, but it was an enlightening experience that allowed me to take in the realization that I was in a foreign city. I learned so much about the area and the people during this time. Everyone we spoke with was so kind and helpful, even if they could not necessarily understand us and we couldn’t always understand them, they were still trying to help us.

To sum up Barcelona in one word I would use beautiful, or more appropriate bella, the spanish word for beautiful. The people and city are gorgeous. You can walk a few blocks in one direction and view architecture dating back thousands of years in the busy city, or head a few blocks in the other direction and you are on the Mediterranean Sea. You will see people at all hours in the early morning and late evening sitting at a local bar or café enjoying one another’s company in conversation with either a cerveza or café (coffee) in hand.

While in Barcelona, we had the chance to enjoy the city and we also got to go to two universities, which include the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya and Universitat Pompeu Fabra to speak about possible partnerships in the future with WKU. This was a great opportunity to see how the universities are structured in Spain.

We only had a short time in Barcelona, but I will never forget it, I am already ready to go back there.

Currently, we are located in a city outside of Madrid, Spain called Villanueva del Pardillo. It is a short bus ride to the city and the university from the town we are living. The university we are working with is called Universidad Camilo Jose Cela. So far we have not dove into our project because things work at a little different pace here, so we are slowly but surely working towards starting something great!

I will keep everyone posted on everything that’s happening. Until then I hope you enjoy the photos.

What happens in Spain…you will soon find out

by Brooke Winebrenner

Well, in less than 24 hours I will be headed to Spain. I don’t know where the time went, but I guess all the PReparation for the trip has allowed the time to slip by so quickly. I finally got my stuff packed and I will leave with a total of 3 bags, a laptop and myself. I think I packed everything possible, including food to help save money for other areas of spending while in Spain.

I had many offers from close friends to pack them in my suitcase and I seriously thought about it, but after 2 bags it costs money, sorry guys. I think I am prepared in every way, except for the language barrier. For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to take french in high school and at WKU. It has really helped, let me tell you. I can just see myself now when the client says, “Hola” I will probably respond “Bonjour.” Hopefully they will go easy on me while they speak spanish because I only know a little bit. It should be interesting.

It has not hit me yet that I will be in Spain for 4 weeks, I can’t wait to get there. It’s funny when people ask me “are you excited?” I say yes, but I won’t truly be excited until we get there. I think it’s because it hasn’t hit me that I am about ready to have an experience, of literally a lifetime. I know it’s cliche to say this, but it’s true.

A lot of my friends and family have commented on how jealous they are of me that I get to go, and I am now realizing how lucky I am to get this opportunity. This will be a story I will be able to tell for years about something I have done so early on in my life. I am starting to realize that I am on the right path, career wise. I think this will definitely help prepare me in the industry as well as allowing me to grow as a more well-rounded person. Not to mention, I get to work in Spain!

I want to give a shout out before I leave to all of my family and friends who have helped to fund my trip as a graduation gift. Your money is being well spent. I am so grateful, not only to have special people in my life, but if it was not for all of you, I would not get this chance. Thank you.

Please check back to read regularly about my entire experience and all the work we will be producing every week. You can also check out our website which will have up-to-date photo’s, blog posts, video’s and information on our project details. But for now, take care in the states. I promise we will represent Kentucky well. Adios Amigo’s!

 

 

Imagewest International Team

(Top from L to R): Mark Simpson and Zac Stout

(Bottom from L to R): Matt Plappert, Maggie Hinklin, Brooke Winebrenner and Heather Garcia

From the beginning

by Brooke Winebrenner

During the last semester of my college career at WKU, I had been planning to set up a blog to offer everyone and anyone my prospective about my current experiences. I can finally check it off my list and I can now call myself a blogger. This is exciting for me and I can’t wait to let you know about what I am getting ready to embark on. 

During my spring semester I interned at a full-service, revenue generated, student-run public relations and advertising agency called Imagewest at WKU. My title was PR Coordinator and I had a great opportunity to work with clients on unique projects. My internship came to an end for the semester, but I decided to apply for the Imagewest International summer client project. I was selected to work as Sr. Account and PR Coordinator.

This once in a lifetime opportunity allows for interns to travel abroad to work with a client. In less than a week, I along with 3 other team members, agency manager and assistant professor will be heading to Spain for four weeks. We will be working with the University called Universidad Camilo Jose’ Cela (UCJC) and the City Council in Madrid, Spain on an ad promotion.

We will also be traveling on the weekends to Barcelona, Valencia and many other cities surrounding Madrid. Hopefully this will be a good time to discover myself along the way as I immerse myself in the culture and learn how the industry of public relations and advertising is conducted in Spain. I can’t wait to share my experience with everyone.

Please return to read about my adventures over in Spain. It should be interesting to say the least. I will be keeping up with my blog while over in Spain.

 

Oh yes, I get to go here.