I LOVE WHAT WE DO

Hi, my name is Laura Moreno and I’ve been interning at Zapwater since the end of August. Like most recent graduates, I went through the highs and lows of being super excited to graduate and take my first baby steps in the real world, and other days experiencing the anxiety and pressure to score a job I enjoyed. I made up my mind not to just take the first opportunity that presented itself and end up in a mundane 9 to 5, just because I got paid.

My internship at Zapwater is what transpired, and I couldn’t be more satisfied and fulfilled with the company, the people, the work, and all the positive energy. Susie immediately recognized my niche to work in Lifestyle and so far I’ve had so much fun working on projects for clients such as, Crimson Lounge, Bon V, the Drawing Room and Le Passage, RA Sushi, K.Amato, le dress, Kelly Edwards, among others. I’ve particularly enjoyed and appreciated seeing the cumulative efforts of our work in action at the Grand Opening of the Sheraton Chicago Northbrook, the Bon V and Bright Pink La Vie En Rose! Event, and the Masquerade Party at Crimson Lounge to benefit Bright Pink. Not to say that my work is easy breezy all the time, I have tedious work on my plate too, but I have the pleasure of working closely with some very talented ladies like Susie, Annie, and Holly at an office full of some of Chicago’s most creative, warm and passionate PR people. This is an invaluable experience and I consider myself very lucky to love what I do!

Laura Moreno
Intern

ROCK RA!

Vote RA! may be over, but the fun has just begun. With ballots collected from all three RA Sushi Illinois restaurants (Chicago, Glenview and Lombard), the Barack Attack defeated the McCain Terrain with 174 votes to 166 votes as the best tasting maki.
The new menu has arrived and it features none other than Mr. Obama proudly wrapped up in smoked salmon, cream cheese, cucumber and artichoke rolled in rice and seaweed and topped with crunchy blue tempura bits, finished with a sweet eel sauce and wasabi mayo. The roll created to embody the character, integrity and honor of Democratic nominee and Illinois Senator Barack Obama is available now until Oct. 3 for $10, with $3 of every order benefiting Rock the Vote, an organization that engages and builds the political power of young people in order to achieve progressive change in our country.

Cassandra Mazur

THE MANY WAYS ZAPWATER AND ITS CLIENTS GIVE BACK

The Wikipedia definition of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a concept whereby organizations consider the interests of society by taking responsibility for the impact of their activities on customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders, communities and other stakeholders, as well as the environment. This obligation is seen to extend beyond the statutory obligation to comply with legislation and sees organizations voluntarily taking further steps to improve the quality of life for employees and their families as well as for the local community and society at large.


In marketing circles, CSR is all the buzz. If you read the last few Blogs on the Zap Blog, you’d see we take CSR very seriously. At Zapwater, we try to include CSR components in almost all our client work. In the past year, we’ve helped our clients give back by holding events that have raised over $40,000.00.

Just last week, one of our newest clients, Chicago hotspot Bon V kicked off the annual Air and Water Show weekend with an event that benefited the USO of Illinois. Our current Pro-Bono client is Gateway Green and we’re proud to be the Public Relations Agency of Record for this year’s Green Tie Ball.

Here is a list of some of the ways Zapwater helped its clients give back in the past year.

Chicago area reality television stars from Big Brother, Survivor, The Apprentice and The Real World participated in RA Sushi’s creative contest, RA Reality, to raise awareness for local non-profit organizations. Each reality television star was transformed into a top chef by creating and naming an original recipe for a sushi roll. Survivor Fiji’s Mookie Lee’s winning RAVU roll was available throughout the month of December 2007 at all three Chicago land RA Sushi locations with 15% of the proceeds donated to Mookie’s own charity, Active Chicago.

At Zapwater, we knew that the celebration to officially welcome the Hotel Sax Chicago needed to be on a scale worthy of the extravagant, $25+ million renovation that had recently taken place. In mid-March, Zapwater and the Hotel Sax Chicago threw a grand unveiling event, taking place on two consecutive days. The 2500 attendees included Chicago VIPs and socialites, the boards of local charities, local politicians, technology, leisure, business and events writers, members of the local television and radio media, Microsoft executives and a slew of other partygoers eager to have an amazing time while enjoying all that the new Hotel Sax Chicago had to offer. The two night event benefited two local charities: Gilda’s Club and Lumity.

On July 3, 2008, Zapwater helped open Chicago’s hottest eatery HUB 51. The opening was dubbed “The 4th of July Party on The Third benefiting Starlight Starbright, and it raised over $20,000 for the charity. This was the most successful outside event in the charity’s history. The restaurant opened to a packed house with a line wrapping around the block as over 500 Chicagoans came to experience it.

We don’t just preach CSR to clients. We include it in almost everything we do including our vacation policy. Zapwater employees get an extra week vacation if they use it volunteering!

These are just a few examples of the many charities that Zapwater’s clients have helped raise money and awareness for. We’re looking forward to continuing this tradition and helping more of our clients give back.

David Zapata

TASTE TEST CAMPAIGN OF PRESIDENTIAL PROPORTIONS

I'm not much of a political aficionado but I have to admit that this election has been more exciting than any I can remember. No matter where you get your information on the election or how involved you are or who you think should be the next President, the most important thing this year is voting. If ever there was a time to register and make a difference for our country and our generation it is now. Everything from fashion magazines to the Paris Hilton's of the world have in some way contributed to this election season and restaurants are no exception.

At the end of this month, RA Sushi will go "maki-to-maki" in the taste test of this election season. During the span of both Democratic and Republican conventions, RA will have customers taste test sushi rolls that embody both Presidential hopefuls and vote on their favorite. Political pundits and sushi supporters will have a great time tasting the "Blue" BARACK ATTACK and the "Red" MCCAIN TERRAIN and voting on their favorite candidate. And the best part is that $3 from every sale of the Campaign Platter ($10), will benefit Rock the Vote, an organization that engages and builds the political power of young people in order to achieve progressive change in our country.

The winning candidate’s roll will be inaugurated onto the menu at all three Illinois RA Sushi restaurants starting on Friday, Sept. 12 through Friday, Oct. 3. Both Lombard and Glenview locations will also host voter registration events with Rock the Vote on Thursday, Oct. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday, Oct. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m., respectively.
SO, if you haven't done it yet, now is your chance to register for possibly the most important election of our generation.

Annie Neyman
Group Director, Hospitality

YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU ARE GOING TO MEET

“You never know who you are going to meet”, that is my life motto and I swear by it. I truly believe I would not have had the opportunity to intern at Zapwater Communications without living life this way. I could say that my Zapwater journey started a short two months ago, but that would not be the complete truth. In my mind it all began one night out in Wicker Park last May, when I was introduced through a friend of a friend, to a young, enthusiastic, fashionable, power PR woman by the name of Kiran Advani. We got the chance to chat about PR and she gave me her business card. The next morning I could not wait to start learning all I could about Zapwater Communications. I followed them as they promoted RA Sushi, saw K.Amato designs in US Weekly and Lucky and watched the unveiling of the newly renovated Hotel Sax Chicago.

Eventually a year later my school schedule lightened up allowing me to take a summer off from classes to focus my time, energy, knowledge and enthusiasm on an internship. I knew, since that night in Wicker Park, that I wanted to intern at Zapwater. Hopefully they would realize they wanted me too.

So here I am, a year and three months later, calling myself a Zapwater Intern! Coming in with such high hopes and expectations could have been disastrous, but Zapwater sure has delivered. From day one I have been given the responsibility and trusted to work alongside the publicists in all areas of PR from writing press releases, pitching stories, creating media lists to offering manpower at the door for high profile events.

As the summer term comes to an end I am excited to accept the offer to return as an intern for yet another, what I am sure will be, eventful session. I am already gearing up to start promoting, with Publicist Holly Ramsey, our new client PJ Loughran and his company Kerosene Creative Services, a multi-facetted advertising and marketing agency. Loughran seems to have the same idea about embracing the unexpected and those chance encounters so I look forward to where life takes me, Zapwater and all our clients next!

Ashley Plaetzer
Intern

72 HOURS, ZAPWATER STYLE

It’s not every week that you can start with an open house in the suburbs, followed by a Carnivale, topped off with a 2.0 grand opening event (complete with burlesque dancers) and then end the festivities by Dressing Up! Get ready, here we go!

Wednesday, July 16

3:00 pm
Our journey to Des Plaines to visit Feldco, Chicago’s own home renewal specialists, began in the late afternoon and was an hour and half reminder of why I live in the city, it only took that long to go 26 miles! In that time, we managed to wave at fellow drivers, call Allison’s grandma, watch planes land freakishly close at O’Hare and then some.

5:00 pm
Our task for the night was to host and staff a private reception for media and VIP’s, giving them a “behind the windows, siding and doors” look at the all-new Feldco showroom and headquarters.

8:30 pm
The night was a success, as drinks were poured (with one minor bartender finger injury) and RA Sushi was devoured, the crowd was truly impressed by the new Des Plaines facility.

Thursday, July 17

5:00 pm
Prepping for events entails a lot of work, including stuffing gift bags for guests. In preparation for a Friday afternoon/evening event at le Dress, I kidnapped our intern Ashley for a night of stuffing, staffing and dancing.

7:00 pm
After meticulously prepping 100 bags, we crossed over from Wicker Park to Bucktown for the Carnivale celebration at Akira. Proceeds from the door benefited Chicago Gateway Green, the non-profit organization dedicated to beautifying and greening Chicago, and served as the second of three pre-events for this years’ annual Green Tie Ball.

9:00 pm
A quick change and cab ride later, we found ourselves at Crimson Lounge, ready to participate in the Grand Opening 2.0 celebration. Scantily-clad burlesque dancers stole the stage and almost bared all (I was impressed!), and the Crimson Kitties made their debut dancing performance. Champagne, appetizers and DJ Kiss filled the night and I even had my own dance-off with one of my favorite DJ’s, Matt Roan!Friday, July 18

10:30 am
As the day begins with a totally crazy cabbie, what other kind is there really, I was ready to put the week to bed, but not before I “le Dress”ed it up at le Dress’s media event and official grand opening. The city’s newest dress-only boutique treated media and guests to champagne, wine, amazing truffles, cheeses and cupcakes (all from our great friend Rehanna at Chocolate Grape), toasting to the boutique’s success and walls of beautiful dresses. I myself felt a bit like Katherine Heigel, I tried on at least 27 dresses throughout the day!

7:30 pm
Equipped with two bottles of wine, I grabbed a cab and headed home, where I immediately toasted with my fiancé to a whirlwind 72 hours – Zapwater style!

Holly Ramsey
Publicist

EATING FOR A CAUSE

As if I need a reason to eat more Tunacado, my favorite entrée at RA Sushi! At least this week the money I spend on my sushi fix at RA is going to a great cause and while I scarf down yummy rolls and salty Edamame, I can at at least feel good about it.

This week, May 25-31, RA will host its fourth annual "Nicky's Week" fundraiser to benefit the renowned St. Jude Children's Hospital. 100% of the proceeds from sales of various food and beverage items will help the amazing efforts at St. Jude's to help treat and cure children with life-threatening illnesses.

The fundraiser was developed in memory of longtime St. Jude patient Nicky Maillard, who died in February 2005 after a long battle with brain cancer. A nephew of one of RA's founders, Nicky holds a special place in the hearts of many RA employees. Also, every year patients and families of the hospital visit a restaurant and share their stories with the staff.

RA has raised more than $150,000 for the national hospital and this year they hope to raise $100,000 more. This is an amazing cause and I hope to encourage anyone that loves sushi as much as me to come to RA next week and give a little back!

Annie Neyman
Senior Publicist

THE PERFECT MOTHER’S DAY GIFT(S)

Do you always struggle to find your Mother just the right thing for Mother’s Day? Whether it is brunch, fashionable jewelry or the ideal handbag - we can help you!

Celebrate Sunday, May 11th on the captivating shores of Lake Geneva with an elegant brunch specially prepared by Executive Chef Scott Powers. With a wide variety of specialty dishes including breakfast classics, flavorful lunch options and many seafood selections, the Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet at The Abbey is sure to please anyone’s palate. To toast the fabulous women on their special day, the brunch will feature a Champagne fountain and fresh peach bellinis along with tasty decadent desserts. The Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet at The Abbey Resort and Spa is offered from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the low price of $32.95 per adult and $13.95 per child age five through 12. Children under four years old eat for free! For more information or to make your brunch reservations please call 262-275-1815.Join RA Sushi for the Treats & Tea Retreat to kick-off Mother’s Day weekend with a nontraditional Japanese tea party on Saturday, May 10 at 1 p.m. RA Sushi will offer moms a “cup of tea” with its signature "Zen Mojito" which features Zen Green Tea Liquor along with an assortment of signature RA dishes on a classic two-tier serving platter. The Treat & Tea Retreat is priced at $25, serves two people and will be offered at both RA locations in Chicago and Glenview between the hours of 1 and 4 p.m. Reservations are required. Please call the Chicago location at 312-274-0011 or the Glenview location at 847-510-1100.Already have plans? You can’t go wrong with jewelry. Make your mother a fashionista with one of the many stylish and affordable pieces by K.Amato designs. The Maple necklace, a 1.5" filigree with a clear teardrop that hangs on an expandable 15-17" gold-filled chain, is a charming pick for mom at the reasonable price of $60. All of the hottest celebrities are sporting her designs, let mom make a statement too! For more information, call 312-882-1366. How about a fabulous piece from the unique and contemporary designs of Tivi? My personal favorite from the collection is the ionic wood cuff bracelet. With many modern silkscreen prints to choose from, the lotus, an ivory screened maple cuff with a gorgeous garden print, is a soft fresh look for any mother to enjoy at the price of $70. Visit http://www.tiviwear.com for more information.Whether it’s for a casual day at brunch or night on the town, any woman can use a new, hot handbag. The question is; how do you choose the perfect handbag for mom? Kristi Ryan, the owner of grace boutique in Bucktown offers a few secrets on how to purchase the ideal handbag. From wallets to cell phones to family photos to planners, purses are the catchall accessory. Look for an all-purpose bag that can hold all of the necessities, for the mom on the go. Try the Lambertson Truex “Bradley” tote, $295. For nights out on the town, women love the convenience of a handheld clutch, but also want enough space to fit those little required items. A simple color, like brown, will match any outfit choice. Try the Alexis Hudson “Santorini” clutch, can be used as a clutch or shoulder bag, $395. If you can’t decide on the perfect handbag, a gift certificate is the next best thing. Gift certificates at grace are available in any dollar amount and never expire. Visit grace at 1917 North Damen Avenue.End the battle of trying to choose the finest gift for your mother this Mother’s Day with the many things our clients have to offer. After all, your mother deserves the best!

Amy Stahulak
Intern

WHO KNEW...LOMBARD!

Zapwater’s most recent opening activity was coordinating the Grand Opening of RA Sushi’s 14th national and 3rd Chicagoland location in Lombard, Illinois. Coming off Crimson Lounge’s opening, Zapwater was tasked with creating an equally successful yet entirely different event to celebrate RA’s growth, support two local charities and introduce the city of Lombard to its newest upbeat and trendy sushi destination.

Complete with blackjack, roulette and poker tables and live DJ, RA’s venue was transformed into a gambling haven for a Vegas-themed Grand Opening Party. Guests could partake in faux gambling festivities, feast on RA’s tasty and equally aesthetically pleasing menu items and enter for a chance to win one of a selection of many raffle prizes. Consistent with Grand Opening tradition, RA chose two local charities around the Western Suburbs to donate bar proceeds from the evening. The night resulted in over $2,800 raised and split between the Naperville Young Professional Group and the American Cancer Society branch in Oakbrook.


I will keep names anonymous but will leave you with quote from one of Zapwater’s own, “I have never been out to Lombard before, but there really is a lot going on and it’s pretty cool!” So for all you suburban skeptics out there, I suggest you give it another try (it’s not that far), the evening was a great success and as the restaurant’s mantra promises, “It’s more fun in the RA!”

Natalie Cowel
Publicist