So, I’m a few days late with this post, but it’s gonna be a goody, and you’ll be happy you read along to the bottom; promise.
I sat across the table from Gini Dietrich in Chicago just before Christmas at the Southport Grocery (you can eat there, too, with blue-eyed waiters to flirt with), and the poor dear had all she could do to get out of her chair to jog down and keep our meeting. (She’d been on the go for about three weeks in December speaking on a killer circuit while tweeting, blogging and FB’ing in sync with the jet engine reverberations.)
Then we hit the streets to find a bench to do Gini’s first guest video post (with moi, ahem) which we had to repeat and giggle through. It was after that that I knew Gini was a special someone I loved to be with (and so, too, does everyone else), and I wanted to gift her with a little something in return.
Gini Dietrich is the 2011 Social Media, PR Woman of the Year. (Normally, I’d stop there with a #RockHot and #ThatIsAll, but this time I’ll share why. Oooh, it feels good to blog again after two weeks off.)
>>No one keeps a schedule like she does, and no one has the pulse of PR and social media CONSISTENTLY.
>>She is a mentor to the young PR peeps up and coming, and she works hard to network and land everyone a job.
>>She’ll take time to listen to a business problem and offer solutions and tips to get you out of the trench.
>>She is the author of a new book with Geoff Livingston, called Marketing In The Round, set to publish in spring, and you can pre-order just as I did on Amazon by clicking the link here.
>>She is always accessible with banter, friendly commentary, snark, and giggles.
>>She caters to public relations and social media peeps with content oriented to tools, techniques, and training.
>>Her smile, personality, humor, and love for dogs and bikes know no boundaries, and her energy is ebullient and effervescent (oh, that’s so smarmy, but true!).
>>She gives gifts every Friday; read these posts here and here, for her popular Follow Friday series.
>>She is committed to the cause – changing the perception of public relations and encouraging practitioners to become more marketing-esque with knowledge of financials, business, analytics, and more.
>>She is the consummate social media leader for all things new including channels, gadgets, and tools. She throws the punches where they need to land, and stands tall to take the heat when it comes.
>>She is an A-lister, dammit, and she’ll deny this forcefully…but when her blog, Spin Sucks, sits in the top 35 spot on Ad Age Power 100 for months, and the peeps ahead of her are blogging communities, then why the heck can’t I call her an A-lister? I wonder if that’s a negative…? She’s a leader, and Spin Sucks Pro (her paid platform) is soon to launch for real; she’s taken content marketing to revenue-generation mode (something few have done successfully).
What other reasons besides these can anyone share? I’m sold; hope you are, too!
Love ya, Gin Blossom! I’m a proud twinster!
Simply and awesome choice. Gini as you say ROCKS!
Hoping she will return to Toronto this year so we can finally meet face to face.
I have had the pleasure of her company 1:1 twice. I feel privileged for that undivided attention which is rare! Make the trip to #SoSlam in April in Knoxville, Mark! We’ll all be there including Gini as a keynote! Thanks for paying her homage here!
I will be up your way soon, Mark. Maybe even next month, but definitely in June!
Don’t forget this other Canadian when you’re up in the Great White North @ginidietrich:disqus 🙂
I won’t! I promise!
I don’t know what to say. This was totally not necessary…and it made me cry. Between you and @mschechter:twitter , I have no tears left. Thank you!
Every time I see you in person, we have more and more fun. I am SO HAPPY I forced myself away from work for a little bit to have lunch with you. Now I have stories and memories to tell for years to come. I will see you in April, if not sooner!
xoxoP.S. The alliteration here is beautiful…”energy is ebullient and effervescent”
My dear friend. While my heart is big, yours is bigger. Every now and again, someone who gives as much as you ought to be heartfully acknowledged with the oodles of proof points all in one spot. Well-deserved and the best and most priceless gift evah (in more ways than one). XOXO
If I knew it was this easy to make you cry, I’d have written one of my own. Expect one any day now….
Oh, for pity’s sake (remember when your gramma used to say that?). Get original, Dude.
Creating tears is most definitely NOT my specialty, unless they are tears of laughter. Now, gut busting side cramps and falling out of chairs? That’s a whole different story.
You know what they say, Jayme. imitation being the sincerest form of something or another (sorry – just couldn’t bring myself to type that word).
Oh YOU won’t be able to make me cry. No matter what you do.
Step on her toe. That’ll get her. @SeanMcGinnis:disqus @twitter-22830278:disqus
Who is this phenom? Is she somebody we should know? It appears there are many charlatans in the crazy sphere and we really need to be careful who we associate with.
You tell no lies ma’am. All I know is she is the real deal and as gracious as gracious can be which is remarkable considering the pace she maintains. I really don’t care where she is on the social spectrum, I consider her a friend more than anything else.
With a friend like Gini, you can do no wrong.
Very well done Jayme, Gini deserves it.
I know you’ve met Gin in person, too…she’s the coolest evah. Thanks for coming over!
Do I know you?
Shhhhh…..I tell everyone you do; it’s given me incredible street cred in here…………
Oh. Right.
Do I know you?
Awesomeness @ginidietrich:disqus – and well deserved! You absolutely rock the social web!
It would not surprise me at all to see @Jaymee:disqus in this position in the near future.
You ladies are social media gold : )
Cheers to both of you!
XOXO — Mark, I do have the fondest of feelings about you; you are so generous! Thank you so much. My goodness.
Ahhhh! Thanks my friend! It’s so good having you back.
I hate to say this… not a fan of her…
That said, I don’t think you could have made a better pick, but then again I literally know nothing about PR. That said, I know people and there are few finer, few who care as much and few who are willing to work as hard. Fairly certain world domination is in her grasp.
What?! I thought you made her cry today, too!
Yeah, but that’s because I was being mean 🙂
Sorry, don’t think my complete and utter sarcasm came off. I think at some point we will likely get into a physical fight over the role of president of her fan club 🙂
There really needs to be a sarcasm font… actually apparently there is one: https://glennmcanally.com/sarcastic/
Really, Dude?? Ever hear of co-presidents? #RockNot Heh.
But then what I am I going to do with the giant cage style ring I just purchased?
Get some wax and seal all those letters you write; that’s what kings do.
I’ve SO always wanted an excuse to seal a letter with wax…
You suck.
I heart you too.
You suck.
There are not enough letters in the alphabet or words in any language to fully give credit to the person that @ginidietrich:disqus is. She was one of the first people to reach out and help me when I was getting started, and she’s the “go to” person for all who look for sound advice, wise counsel, fun friendship and business savvy. The real-meal deal…minus the bacon:) Cheers! Kaarina
Minus the bacon. LOL!!
Agree. Full stop.
And yet I’m a hater on Twitter. Bwahahahaah!
Truly wonderful post for a beautiful person. I can’t wait to meet you in person in April, @ginidietrich:disqus and catch up with the lovely @twitter-22830278:disqus and @twitter-54546555:disqus for a reunion! Glad to see you blogging again!
Thanks, Friend! Feels good; I just whipped out two guest posts in the last few hours! That’s called inspiration!
It’s strange we haven’t met yet. I feel like we should have by now.
It’s strange we haven’t met yet. I feel like we should have by now.
Lovely post, @twitter-22830278:disqus . Miss @ginidietrich:disqus is phenomenal. I certainly appreciate all she’s done for me.
Thanks Erin! xoxo
I couldn’t have picked it better myself– Gini is definitely one of my blogging heroes (as well as you, Ms. Jayme 😉 Gini always adds to the discussion and has generated a real community around PR and social media issues. I honestly don’t know how she does it, but am grateful she’s still truckin’ and carrying the torch for good, responsible communications.
INDEED! Thank you! BTW…did you change your name?
Clones, Krista. I have clones.
Clones, Krista. I have clones.
Agreed. Can’t say much more than that unless you count the endless snark I’m preparing to unleash. 😉
It’s so nice to have friends like you. NOT!
Good grief, Gertie. So serious.
All kidding aside, @twitter-22830278:disqus was spot on with everything she wrote here. You’re a good egg.
I actually don’t know what to do when you’re serious. It’s like one of my brothers being nice to me. Say what?
Guess I’ll just go back to pulling your pigtails and giving you Indian burns.
Congratulations, Gini, from the girl who still can’t quite wrap her head around how you do it all. Jayme didn’t exaggerate one bit!
Ha! Thanks! But it’s all a farce. I just let my clones do all the work.
I think that a Dear Abby column about this post is coming up real soon.
YES!!! Finally!
Wow, I’m away for a day and Gini wins an Emmy… or a Jayme. Do you give little statues too?
Of course, very well deserved. What is most striking is that you can write a post like that about Gini and not have to embellish at all — she really is all that!
I’m glad you wrote this Jayme! I figure at least one day a year we should all give Gini something besides snark.
On the other hand…
I’m pretty sure I would have NO idea what to do without the snark.
Blah Blah Blah. Oh, she is SO wonderful. Really ? Well, we shall see. A soon to be skype call will reveal more and later this year I too, will make her cry. I am planning a trip to Chicago to do a special helmet-cam video on her bike. Plan on crashing her at least twice. Ha !
Just kiddin darlin. You know I CARE. This is great Jayme and Gini deserves the accolades (BIG word for me) She has always been supportive (well?) and even did a guest post for me. (Still shocked). I am looking forward to our skype call and will be taking notes on all her great advice (Seriously). Congratulations Gini. See you soon. Luv ya.
Al
You are crazy.
Sob! I’m all verklempt! I am honoured to have had coffee with Gini (on a Monday, no less)…and I couldn’t agree more with all these reasons! Except you forgot to add that she is also in tip-top shape…supporting the fact you can be both physically and fiscally fit.
When I grow up…I wanna be Gini….
There once was a lady named Gini
Who preferred penne over linguini
Now she’s gal of the year
And is praised far and near
Like an overture writ by Rossini
Regards
Leon