The
Topics,
LVM
Letter Spring/Summer ‘09
Tips, and
Tidbits
10 Reasons to Love New York – in Any Economy
By David M. Grant
Yes, the economy is as appealing as a • A hamburger at any of the city’s cheaper hamburger exists anywhere
cockroach in the spaghetti, and it’s very many White Castles. As a lad in else east of, say, North Dakota. (Nor
easy to be churlish these days. So at Queens, this was a major delight for one more divine.)
our LVM Newsletter brainstorming me, and now that I rarely encounter • Manhattan in particular is a great
session we all agreed that it a White Castle, it has taken on borough for walking. Great visuals,
might be uplifting all around even more significance. Of good opportunity to walk off one’s
if someone listed a few rea- course, White Castle lacks the White Castles, and fascinating peo-
sons to love this city, and I cachet of, say, Gramercy ple-watching. Just this sunny, clear
was elected. And, to fit in Tavern – indeed, some churls morning I strolled up Park Avenue;
with the theme, the things would say it even lacks that it’s always lovely.
mentioned below are not level of cuisine – but for me, • Speaking of which, one of the advan-
expensive. Indeed, most of them are its indescribable taste is bliss personi- tages of walking in Manhattan is the
free. (Here’s a test: one of them is actu- fied. And please note that, in this chance to see celebrities. I’ve spotted
ally global – not New York-specific.) recession, I seriously doubt that a Continued on back page
• A walk through Grand Central
Terminal. Now that our offices are
across the street at One Grand Central Crib Notes: Recession Tips from the Mouths of Babes
Place, this is almost a daily occur- By Jeannette Boccini
rence for some of us here at LVM. When I adopted my daughter, Emilia, I and blowing kisses to her little buddies
And at the risk of sounding hokey, dreamed of the many things I would and teachers. Although this may be a
the mere sight of the terminal’s teach her. Well, it turns out that my baby bit over the top when it comes to your
grandeur is indeed an awe-inspiring girl has a thing or two to teach me, too. business connections, it’s certainly a
experience. Although Emilia hasn’t a clue about good idea to reconnect with the people
• The Empire State Building plummeting stock markets or rising you know and begin new relationships.
Observatory. There’s nothing like it unemployment, she does know how to Pick up the phone, send
in our town. Remarkable history, beat the recession blues. Here an email, post a note on
remarkable view, remarkable re-posi- are some of her most useful tips: LinkedIn or Facebook.
tioning of a building (ok, ok, it is our Resiliency – Emilia often Just reach out!
client – but it’s all true regardless!). reminds me of the Energizer Learn new things – Every
• To return now to a free thing: look- Bunny. She keeps going and day Emilia, eyes wide with
ing at the cocker spaniels in Central going no matter what obsta- expectation, points to various
Park. I became infatuated with this cles lay in her way. If I’m objects – everything from
breed in 1970. They are amazingly blocking her access to a toy, planes overhead to fuzzballs on
cute and sweet, and even more amaz- she will climb right over me the floor – and then looks to me to
ingly stupid. Indeed, for that reason to achieve her prized possession. define what they are. There’s a big world
alone, cocker spaniels are very good Similarly, when she was learning to out there, and she wants to discover
to be around, if your ego needs a lift. walk, she would stand, teeter around every inch of it. We, too, still have
And although they were considered like a drunken sailor, and then land something to learn, and there’s no bet-
déclassé for years, please note that soundly on her Pamper-protected ter time like the present. It’s often been
their cousin, the adorable Sussex bottom. Moments later, she was up said that those who will best survive the
Spaniel, won the Westminster best- again. Her bounce-back-ability keeps recession are those who can reinvent
in-show this year. her moving forward. It should be the themselves. By learning new things, you
• Looking at Turner Classic Movies. same for us. can reinvent yourself, too.
No commercials, plus letterbox for- Make connections – Every day Remember to have fun – Emilia is
mat, plus the chance to see Ava when I take Emilia to daycare, she a good-time girl, who smiles and giggles
Gardner again . . . ‘nuff said. enters the room with a flourish, waving Continued on back page
10 Reasons... continued from front page
three ex-Presidents, many famous
actors (Paul Newman walking down
57th Street, Henry Fonda crossing
Out To Lunch
57th Street, in the middle of the street the premises.
[a major no-no for an actor who Cucina
played Moralistic so well], Barbra offers both
Streisand coming out of a restaurant), MetLife Building light fare and
and many other celebrities, ranging 200 Park Ave @ E.45th Street hardier clas-
from John Kennedy Jr. to the Pope. Tel: 212.682.2700 sics, such as
(OK, I lied about the last one.) By Jeannette Boccini French toast,
• And, if you can’t walk, there’s no bet- Living in the foodie capital of the eggs Benedict
ter way to get around town than the world seems reason enough to take a and omelets
subway. As a kid in Queens, I spent a three-hour lunch at one of the city’s made to
lot of time on the A train; as an finest dining establishments. However, order, with a selection of sides. If
alleged grown-up, I find the subway the economic pinch is causing even you’re looking for something a bit less
is the best way to get around town. diehard restaurant goers to rethink caloric and cholesterol clogging, con-
And even though fares keep going their next outing. Many are opting for sider the tasty “Health Breakfast,”
up, it’s still a bargain – and a lot nicer breakfast complete with yoghurt with granola
than it was, say, 30 years ago. meetings, and fruit, juice and tea or coffee. The
• The pulse of the town. I’m not a which are oatmeal is a wholesome option, too,
snob, but in no other city have I much less especially with a smattering of
found the excitement, the stimula- costly, take bananas or strawberries.
tion, the availability of talent, and less time Cucina’s tables are a bit close for
the sheer energy of New York. (unless you comfort, forcing guests to either hud-
• Best of all, and also free of charge: hang out at dle in intimate conversation or blab
seeing my bride’s face at night. the buffet above the din, while wait staff flit like
Makes everything else worthwhile. until clos- bumble bees between tables. Yet, this
And it proves that free is not equiva- ing), and doesn’t seem to deter the customers,
lent to not dear. can be health smart, depending on many of whom are regulars, who use
your choices. the restaurant as their networking
Cucina, where a complete breakfast headquarters.
We’re Blogging for two, including tip, can cost less
than $25, is a great choice for those
So, if you are looking for an inex-
pensive breakfast café with tasty
Not since Ottmar Mergenthaler looking for a casual breakfast in options, and a place to see and be seen
invented the Line-O-Type machine in Midtown. Located in the MetLife just steps from Grand Central
1886 has communications technology Building, Cucina’s breakfast menu has Terminal, Cucina fits the bill of fare.
been changing so rapidly. Today, it all, from fresh-squeezed OJ to tasty
we’re as concerned with where and muffins that are freshly baked daily on
how we say things as we’ve always
been with content.
With so much information in so It’s a unanimous all-forks-up from LVM!
many places, members of the firm blog Crib Notes... continued from front page
regularly on PRevelations.com to keep her way through the day. She finds
clients and friends up-to-date with the fun in everything from a plastic spoon
technology, philosophy, and psychology
of modern communications, marketing,
and public relations.
and a tin can to a pile of pillows. Yes,
the recession is serious, but we can’t
get weighed down in negativity. We
The
LVM Letter
Did you know that the Centers for have to remember that even if things A publication of LVM Group Inc.,
Disease Control is using Twitter to are tough, and we may have to work a public relations, investor relations
communicate the latest news regard- harder than ever before, we still need and marketing firm.
ing Swine Flu? to find time for a little giggle. Member, Pinnacle Worldwide,
On the other hand, do you know Take a nap – After bouncing back with partners around the globe
that over-using Twitter is a good way from obstacles, playing with friends,
to turn off your audience? discovering the world, and having an David M. Grant, President
Plus, have you ever thought about overall good time, Emilia grabs her Jeannette Boccini, Principal
why television news is practically favorite pink blankie and gets some 60 East 42nd Street
content-free these days? quality shut-eye. She knows what many Suite 722
Among us we have more than 200 of us sometimes forget: A good long rest New York, NY 10165
years of professional communications can reenergize and refocus you. 212-499-6500
experience we’re eager to share. So It’s not always easy being a grown- David@lvmgroup.com;
check out our blog, PRevelations.com up. But if we follow Emilia’s tips, we Jeannette@lvmgroup.com
and remember: we love to hear back may be able to turn recession blahs Web address: LVMgroup.com
from our readers. into recession ahs!