For this Trending Thursday, we explore the backyard boldness trend from our 2016 Garden Trends Report.

People are revamping their backyards into bolder and more whimsical sanctuaries. Many are going back to the outdoors for relaxing and entertaining, but with more creative and innovative décor.

Learn more about backyard boldness in our latest YouTube video.

I don’t always enjoy nine years of the same marketing campaign, but when I do, it’s because Dos Equis does it right.

Jonathan Goldsmith, also known as the Most Interesting Man in the World, has been the iconic face of Dos Equis for almost a decade. After years of Goldsmith encouraging fellow beer drinkers to “Stay thirsty,” the beer company is saying goodbye to its famous spokesperson.

And of course, he has to go out with a bang. The company launched the final advertisement of Goldsmith’s campaign, which features him taking off on a one-way mission to Mars.

So, after nine years of a wildly successful campaign – the number of beer cases shipped by the brand increased 34.8 percent since 2007– why is Dos Equis sending off their legendary spokesman?

Continue reading to learn how your business can create interesting marketing campaigns.

Move over DIYers, there’s a new movement in town – the Makers.

People are shifting from “doing” to “making” as the Makers Lifestyle takes off. The movement is based on creating experiences that are unique to each individual’s taste. The Yuccies are a major player in this trend as they seek validation of their intellect and lifestyle, no matter the price.

PR pros need to be aware of these trends in order to more effectively reach their target audience through specific, unique campaigns.

Continue reading to learn about some of the most popular trends of the Makers Lifestyle.

It is hard to ignore emojis.  These illustrated emoticons have made their way across the internet, through cell phone screens and have even graced the cover of notable magazines.

Brands should take note of their widespread reach and embrace them.

Emojis have become a staple in PR in recent years, so much so that powerhouse brands like Chevy even released a press release in nothing but emojis. 

What makes emojis so great is that they are a common language. People all over the world can use them and know what they mean.

The PR world is utilizing the power and reach of emojis to make an impact for brands.

Continue reading to discover why all PR professionals should be using emojis.

Watch out hipsters! There is a new demographic out there: yuccies.

Yuccies are young urban creatives that thrive on making, experiencing and fighting for a cause. They make their mark by being inventive and original.

At the forefront of the maker’s lifestyle trend, yuccies emphasize creating experiences and a world for themselves. Their existence has helped the DIY movement shift from “doing” to “making”. These young individuals personalize their environments – from their careers to their personal brand to their backyard spaces.

Continue reading to learn about how brands can target yuccies.

Each year, the MTV Generation Award is given to an actor or actress whose timeless work is representative of an entire generation. Previous winners range from comedian Adam Sandler to America’s sweetheart Reese Witherspoon.

The 25^th annual awards winner was different.

This year Will Smith was honored with the award because of his incredible career as musician, sitcom superstar and Oscar-nominated actor. Smith has succeeded in almost every aspect of the entertainment industry.

So, while PR professionals might not be billion-dollar superstars like Will Smith, their careers definitely have a few things in common.

Read more to discover what you can learn from Will Smith and his diverse career.

The divide between homeowners and renters is continuously growing.

Renters are spending more of their income on housing each month as it becomes an increasingly popular living option, especially among young people in urban areas.

Meanwhile, homeowners are taking advantage of current interest rates to keep monthly payments low.

It is essential for garden companies to understand the differences between homeowners and renters. These two groups have different lifestyles that affect how and where they spend their money. You need to target marketing techniques to the different groups.

So, what are some of the most important differences between these two demographics?

Read more to learn about how you can adjust your market strategy accordingly.

Who runs the world? Beyoncé! And marketing is no different.

Queen B, as her fans like to call her, is not only a top entertainer, but also a great marketer. Any brand should aspire to follow in her marketing and public relations footsteps. 

Beyoncé utilizes strategies that are not typical - but work very well. And by adapting her efforts to the digital world, she has found even greater success.

Continue reading for public relations lessons you can learn from Beyoncé.

In this Trending Thursday, we're examining the Makers Lifestyle trend from our 2016 Garden Trends Report. 

As the DIY movement sifts from making to “doing,” home owners and renters want to experience a personalized way of outdoor living that maintains a sense of home and familiarity.

Yuccies are leading this movement.

Learn more about the Makers Lifestyle from our latest YouTube video.

For this week’s Speaker Series, we sat down with the newest member of the Garden Media team, intern Nicole Guarasci. Nicole is a Junior at the University of Delaware, majoring in mass communication with minors in advertising and journalism.

Nicole definitely stays busy at school! She is the public relations VP for her sorority Gamma Phi Beta, a social media ambassador for the University of Delaware (you can find her @BlueHenNicole on Twitter), and a Style Guru Intern at CollegeFashionista. 

Through her experiences at the University of Delaware, Nicole has really found her place in the PR world.

Continue reading to learn more about Nicole’s experiences at Garden Media.