Thursday, August 29, 2013

Model Brand Ambassador Influencer Program Verizon Lifestyle Blogger Network #VZWBuzz


Brand Ambassador



This is a compensated post

If you are either a brand or a blogger who has ever wondered what makes a brand ambassador program a win-win for everyone involved, keep reading. In this post I'm going to give you a behind the scenes look at the Verizon Lifestyle Blogger program which is now in it's second full year of operation.


Me w/ friends at Verizon TimeShift Party, Chicago, Image by WellconnectedMom.com
Organized by Monica Vila, TheOnlineMom, I'm proud to be a charter lifestyle blogging member of this growing network of influencers which started in 2012. 

Our eclectic group includes celebrity bloggers like Ann Tran, tech savvy mom bloggers like me representing MommyBlogExpert, Robyn Wright of RobynsWorld, and Jacqueline Cromwell of NerdMom and others; dad bloggers such as Paul O'Reilly, TheTechDad; as well as men and women bloggers without children.


The BlackBerry Z10 I reviewed for Verizon, MommyBlogExpert.com 
Monica Vila, foreground, w/ Twitter Party team, MommyBlogExpert.com
We bloggers serve a kaleidoscope of different readerships, for sure. But what we all have in common is a deep passion for Verizon, a love of technology, and a driving desire to keep up to date on the company's latest wireless mobile innovations.


Me with Ann Tran at our Irvine conference, MommyBlogExpert.com
My latest Verizon smartphone, MommyBlogExpert.com
Verizon Lifestyle Bloggers do lots of different things to learn about Verizon's wireless products and services. We get scoops on major company news before it goes public and have many hands-on experiences testing the coolest smart phones, cameras, tablets and other new wireless products and accessories. But our network also gives us the opportunity to get to know the brilliant minds at Verizon (as well as to be a sounding board for some of their new ideas), have access to the company's top executives, participate in Twitter parties, to interact with fellow brand ambassadors IRL and online and so much more.

MommyBlogExpert.com
MommyBlogExpert.com
Among my favorite aspects of the #VZWBuzz program are the periodic face-to-face meetings with the brand and blogger team including both the Lifestyle Blogger conferences we've had at Verizon Wireless Irvine, California West Coast Headquarters and the Verizon Application Innovation Center in San Francisco. 


MommyBlogExpert.com
MommyBlogExpert.com
MommyBlogExpert.com
In just the past few months alone, we've also gotten to socialize and learn from the brand at intimate events at mega conferences like BlogHer and International CES.


MommyBlogExpert.com
MommyBlogExpert.com
MommyBlogExpert.com
All of this has lead to a wonderful synergy that has enabled each blogger in our group to create great content for our individual blog audiences as well as to develop some deep and lasting friendships with some of the smartest people I've ever met both on the brand and blogger sides. 
MommyBlogExpert.com
That, in a nutshell, is an overview of what the Verizon Lifestyle Blogger program is all about. It's a model I think that a lot of other brands might consider emulating to successfully reach and engage consumer audiences through social media.


FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I disclose that I am a Verizon Wireless Lifestyle Blogger and serving in this capacity I have received various products as well as all expenses paid trips to attend Verizon blogger conferences. However, opinions here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

50th Anniversary MLK I Have a Dream Speech - Dr. Martin Luther King, August 28, 1963


History



Today marks the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's historic and inspiring I Have a Dream speech at the March on Washington addressing every American.

MLK Delivering I Have a Dream Speech, Image from National Geographic
Dr. King opened his speech on that sweltering August 28, 1963 day on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC by saying, "I am happy to join with you today in what will go down as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation." 

Today, in 2013, I have no doubt that Dr. King is smiling down at us all from heaven seeing how his dream has turned into reality and how far Civil Rights have come. 

To commemorate this important day in American history, I invite you to watch and listen to the original I Have A Dream in it's entirety right now. I know I'm even more moved by those words today than I was when I was 7 years old watching this speech live on my family's black and white TV back in the summer of 1963.



This is the ultimate example that dreams can and do come true! Thank you Dr. King for touching so many generations with your passionate and heartfelt words.

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or other compensation in exchange for this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Nestlé Crunch Reinvents Girl Scout Cookies As Retro & Modern Chocolate Candy Treat


Good Food
Giveaway details below, Ends 9/1/13



This is a compensated post

Have you tried Nestlé Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars yet?  Better hurry, because these limited edition candy bars – a modern interpretation of the iconic Girl Scout Cookie merged with the classic Nestle Crunch candy bar – are only available during the summer at participating retail stores. That means fans have less than a month left to enjoy them.

Nestlé Crunch Girl Scout Thin Mint Candy Bar, MommyBlogExpert.com
I'm a Baby Boomer with many fond memories as a Girl Scout and of selling Girl Scout Cookies door to door back in the day. When I tried these delicious wafer cookie-candy treats recently it brought back sweet memories of my three favorite Girl Scout Cookie varieties which in the 1960s were known as Thin Mints, Savannahs (Peanut Butter Creme) and Samoas (Coconut with a ripple of chocolate). Luckily today, these three personal picks are also the public's most popular, which is why they were selected for the contemporary product line.

My 1960s Vintage Girl Scout Sash w/ Badges, MommyBlogExpert.com
Whether you are hopelessly nostalgic like me or have never enjoyed a Girl Scout cookie before, you are going to love these if you are a cookie and candy afficianado. No wonder these delectable treats were awarded the 2012 “Best New Product” by Better Homes & Gardens and "Best Brand Extension" by Adweek when they first were introduced. I'm not surprised that they were certified this year as a “national treasure” by the American Collectibles Museum shortly after they became available again in May 2013, either.

Nestle Crunch Girl Scout Candy Shipping Box, MommyBlogExpert.com
Cutest USB media kit (top) I've ever received, MommyBlogExpert.com
Following those dubious honors, Nestlé Crunch® Girl Scout Candy Bars -- which are certified kosher OU -- became the focus of a fun National Treasure Trade competition this summer which ends this week. You won't believe what some people would be willing to trade for these rare little gems. Fans have literally gone wild, offering to exchange everything from a St. Augustine beach vacation, collectible cars, engagement rings to even their precious family pets just to get their hands on some of these candies.



GIVEAWAY

Here's your chance to win these yummy products just for helping to select the winners. 

You can check out the 40 National Treasure Trade finalists and vote for your favorite on the Nestle Crunch Facebook page until September 1, 2013. The winning trade entrants will win Nestlé Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars and other fun prizes. Best of all, just by voting YOU are entered to win three boxes of these scrumptious cookie candy creations!


Vote NOW for Chance to Win!


Nestlé Crunch® Girl Scout Candy Bars Collection, Image by Nestlé
About Girl Scouts of the USA
Girl Scouts of the USA, founded in 1912, is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, with 3.2 million girl and adult members worldwide. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. For more information on how to join, volunteer or reconnect with, or donate to Girl Scouts, call 800-GSUSA-4-U (800-478-7248) or visit www.girlscouts.org.

Nestlé Crunch Supports Girl Scouts, Image from Nestlé 
About Nestlé USA
Named one of “The World’s Most Admired Food Companies” in Fortune magazine for 16 consecutive years, Nestlé provides a wide variety of quality brands and products that bring flavor to life every day. Nestlé USA, with 2012 sales of $10 billion, is part of Nestlé S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland — the world’s largest food company with a commitment to Nutrition, Health & Wellness — with 2012 sales of $98 billion.  For product news and information, visit Nestleusa.com or Facebook.com/NestleUSA.

FTC Disclosure: This is a compensated post and I received the products and USB featured to facilitate this review. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.