Photo Shoot at Tryon Palace

So many of my posts this year have been about our work at Tryon Palace - work of which we are extremely proud.

Our positioning for Tryon Palace was approved in April, the creative campaign was chosen in June, so now it was time for the photography shoot. We spent three days last week in New Bern - one of my favorite new places, by the way. We really enjoyed the process and met some great folks along the way. I'm attaching a couple of photos from "behind the scenes".

We expect the print ads to begin running in February 2011.

Charles Aris, Inc. is New Client

I am very pleased to announce that Charles Aris, Inc., a multinational executive search firm, is our newest client.

Based in Greensboro, NC, Charles Aris, Inc. is known for its strategic and professional approach to searches for its clients. With over 20 search professionals, the company has completed searches in 37 states and 12 countries around the world in a broad range of disciplines.

The company was founded over 40 years ago by Mitch Oakley, who is Chairman of the company. He has just promoted Chad Oakley to be President and COO of the firm. We'll be handling all of their public relations and media relations work, in addition to establishing Chad as a national speaker in the areas of retaining and recruiting talent.

Welcome Charles Aris, Inc. to The Harris Partners!

Topping Off Ceremony for New Cancer Center at Duke

I wrote this time a year ago that we had broken ground at Duke for the new Comprehensive Cancer Center building.

Well, I attended the topping off ceremony last week where the last beam is hoisted into place, along with an evergreen tree to keep "evil spirits" away. We all got to sign the beam before it was lifted away, and I also signed my parents' names and my brother's. They would be so proud to see how far we've come.

It was thrilling, to say the least, to watch that beam be put into place. I've attached a picture here. Look closely, and you can see the white beam and the tree!

The building will be finished in 2012!

Miracles Do Happen!

If you've ever wondered about this, you can stop now!

I wrote a little over a year ago about my dear friend, Dr. Neil Spector, who is an oncologist at Duke. After battling cardiomyopathy for 12 years as a result of Lyme disease, he received a heart transplant in July 2009.

I'm pleased to report that Neil is back at work and thriving! I had lunch with him a couple of weeks ago, and was so grateful to be able to spend some time with him and reflect over the last 16 months. He's writing a book about his experiences over the last 12 years, and I made him promise I'd get one of the first ones - autographed!

Now he's turning his attention to starting the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Clinic at Duke. A terrible disease. How grateful we all are for his vision - and good health!

Election Day 2010

I am very pleased and proud to say that our candidate, Judge Lindsay R. Davis, Jr., was re-elected to the Superior Court, representing Guilford County.

I love politics, and really enjoy representing candidates that are worthy of holding public office. Judge Davis is that kind of individual.

We need more like him!

The North Carolina History Center Opens

After 10 years of planning and hard work, the North Carolina History Center opened at Tryon Palace in New Bern yesterday.

We attended the grand opening, and it was spectacular to say the least. I told the Executive Director that despite our having been involved with this project for a year now, I could not have imagined how truly magnificent it is.

The evening concluded with fireworks over the Trent River. A perfect conclusion to a very memorable evening.

New Office for The Chordoma Foundation

I am very pleased to announce that The Chordoma Foundation has officially moved its office to Durham, where it can be closer to the wonderful research being done to cure this terrible disease.

My dear friend, Josh Sommer, who is also the Executive Director, hosted an open house in the lobby of his new facility, and lots of folks came to share in the excitement. Josh continues to be healthy, and is really doing significant work in this area. I am so honored to be his friend, and prous that The Harris Partners serves as marketing consultants to him.

September in Chicago

What a wonderful time to be in Chicago! Warm days, bright sunshine, and the Casual Furnishings Industry market!

All of the manufacturers and retailers were very positive about this market. All signs of optimism about the economy. So it was a very positive and uplifting time together.

The 51st annual Apollo Awards dinner and presentation was held in the Field Museum, and it was spectacular! Imagine having dinner with the 100 year-old elephants and Sue, the famous dinosaur. I've included pictures, so see for yourself. Oh, the Apollo Awards logo is one we designed for last year's 50th anniversary celebration.

Finally a Full Real Estate Broker

I took the last of my post-licensing courses today and passed with flying colors!

All this means is that I am no longer a provisional broker, and I don't have to work under the supervision of someone else. However, since this is not something I do full-time, I am sure that I will still want to have someone review my deals and contracts!

Just picked up my second listing for a warehouse in High Point.

Casual Furnishings Industry Pre-Market in Chicago

One of my favorite events is the Casual Furnishings Industry pre-market at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. I've been working with their trade association, the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) for three years now, and I'm starting to really feel a part of this industry.

This was a quick trip to video those who will speak on behalf of this year's Lifetime Achivement Award winners. Absolutely wonderful people!

And we'll be back in September for the Market itself!

New Creative Look for Tryon Palace

Yesterday, we presented five different campaigns for the launch of Tryon Palace's new strategic positioning. Each included ideas for print ads, outdoor, promotional ideas, social media, and website applications.

The good news is that there was a lot to like! After much discussion, we all agreed on one approach for moving forward. I wish I could include a sample here, but I'm going to keep it a secret until we have final work to show! Coming soon!

Commission Meeting at Tryon Palace

We've just returned from a very successful presentation to the Tryon Palace Commission in New Bern!

After three months of hard strategic work, our recommendation for the new positioning of Tryon Palace was unanimously approved! We couldn't be more proud!

We also recommended a new logotype and mark for Tryon Palace. The mark is based on an emblem on the the actual gate in front of the Governor's Palace. Take a look at the top of this post!

Now we start creative development!

Concrete Express Expands

Last May, I wrote about my client, Concrete Express, starting up in this market.

I'm pleased to tell you that the company is going so well, and they have expanded into the Winston-Salem and High Point markets. We've been working with them on some public relations and media efforts, and they are really paying off.

Keep watching for their trucks!

Tryon Palace Update

We had our final presentation of Phases I and II to the Marketing Committee today, and it could not have gone better! Our recommendations were accepted unanimously, and then later on by the Executive Committee.

We have enjoyed every minute of this project and so proud of the work we've done. We'll present to the Tryon Palace Commission at the end of April, and then start on creative development. Stay tuned!

Re-Elect Judge Lindsay Davis

You know how much I love political campaigns. I'm pleased to announce that my long-time dear friend Lindsay Davis is running for re-election to the NC Superior Court from District 18. He's asked me to help him with his marketing.

Lindsay is one of the most highly regarded judges in the state. He's exactly the kind of person that we need on the bench.

He's put together a wonderful campaign team, and I'm so honored to be part of it.