Hi babes!
Writing to you in between wading through the hundreds of media leads about tariffs. Not too much news on the home front, but I did cringe seeing this truly embarrassing PR gaffe, and I simply cannot sit in that feeling alone.
Pride
I am beyond proud of the Adams Morgan Partnership BID and DC Arts Center for putting together another beautiful AdMo Spring Art Walk—it’s such a celebration of our local arts scene, and every spring when promo kicks off, I can finally start to feel like we survived winter. The art walk is great for anyone looking to experience the heart of Adams Morgan in a new way. There are still guided tours through the weekend!
Sloth
This week’s long read to luxuriate into takes us to the evolving landscape of conservative media. Max Tani at Semafor highlights how young conservative women are carving out spaces distinct from the traditional "manosphere." I love anytime we can process through a gendered lens, and the female-centric conservative platforms are exploding, highlighting the growing complexity of political and social divides.
Greed
I can’t stop thinking about the Zizians. At first glance, a fringe vegan cult with a penchant for radical anarchism and AI skepticism might seem far removed from the PR world, but the best PR pros are always taking in the cultural undercurrents. Led by “Ziz” LaSota, the group has been linked to multiple homicides across the U.S. I’m sure several documentaries are forthcoming*
The Zizians’ ideology intertwines radical veganism, anarchism, and some controversial theories about our brain hemispheres having different genders and values. The best PR folks know how to manage narratives when the subject matter is both sensitive and sensational. You must understand the complexities of identities. Here’s a good read on the topic for anyone communicating around gender, technology, and radical beliefs.
Gluttony
Guess what’s back in print? Edible DC, baby! After a hiatus, the beloved regional food magazine has returned, and it’s better than ever. This revival is a win for the local food scene, and I’m especially thrilled to see two of 7Deadly’s clients featured in the latest issue: Female Rage Hot Sauce and FRESHFARM, such a testament to their dedication and the power of community-focused PR.
Lust
One of the little habits I’ve developed in my career is “ digitally dog-earring” bylines when I spot a journalist seeking commentary for stories I can’t wait to read. Like this one, “ISO man who became slightly obsessed with sleep tracker data for a story about fitness wearables (pros/cons), I'm looking for a very specific example: a man who found himself caring a bit too much about what his sleep tracker had to say about his sleep...
—Leslie Goldman, Prevention Magazine”
I am a perfectionist in recovery, so I simply can’t handle being graded on how well I’m asleep, but I am fascinated by biohackers.
Envy
Very jealous of what the Pinterest team executed a Coachella this year. They really put the experience in experiential with digital mood boards, AR try-ons, and curated style stations that sound more like a fashion-forward game than a marketing campaign.
From a PR perspective, Pinterest nailed the art of brand positioning. They didn’t just show up, they showed out in a way that felt authentic and aligned with their platform’s ethos. They tapped into the festival’s fashion-forward energy, creating a space that was both aspirational and accessible.
Wrath
As always, I have no time for wrath, so instead, you get a recent camera roll gem: I celebrated my 4-year anniversary with my honey this week. I officially have a degree in Alonzo.
okay bye, babes!
-M
*I am also patiently awaiting the Better Help documentary that (hopefully) illuminates how the business model managed to abuse both care providers and those in need at the same time.