Let me get it out of the way: The Atlanta Falcons are headed to Super Bowl LI. Second time in team history! Public Enemy Number One, The New England Patriots, are now firmly in the crosshairs of the NFL’s top offense. Sunday, February 5^th is going to be a barnburner for sure.

Sticking with the topic of exciting events on the horizon, Russell will be packing up the portable public relations office and hitting the road in a few weeks. His first stop? The NSA Winter Conference in San Francisco, followed by one of our favorite conferences of the year, Lady and the Champs 2017 in Las Vegas, March 3^rd and 4^th.

This year’s theme is “Create Unforgettable Stories,” and it is a must-attend for speakers, coaches, and authors. At Lady and the Champs, you will learn to curate your presentations to deliver longstanding impact and results.

If you head over to www.LadyandtheChamps.com, you can still take advantage of lower attendee pricing, which is set to increase on February 1^st.

Commit yourself to bolstering your career in 2017. Registering for Lady and the Champs is an outstanding first step.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t begin this blog with an emphatic, “How ‘bout them Atlanta Falcons?!” Headed to the NFC Championship Game for only the fourth time in Falcons’ history; win or lose, Sunday promises to be special.

Atlanta may not be known for its sports successes, but it’s certainly renowned as a geographic flashpoint in the Civil Rights Movement. The birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and home of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he and his father were pastors, the City of Atlanta played a significant role in the struggle for social change.

Yesterday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day to reflect on the efforts of a man—in the face of dire opposition—to fight for equality for all. From buses boycotts in Montgomery to marches in Selma, Dr. King exemplified steel-spined resilience, a full-hearted dedication to the battle for Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness for all Americans.

In an increasingly divided nation, it is imperative that we hearken back to Martin Luther King Jr.’s words and actions. We must reinforce our resolve against individuals and groups that would seek sow discord and carve chasms between Americans. Dr. King’s deeds are forever important, but they may not be as important as they are right now.

Well, to start: Congratulations to your 2017 NCAA Football National Champs, the Clemson Tigers. What a football game (that I missed because my Monday exhaustion led to passing out at halftime)! The second half highlights were great, though. Cheers to Tiger Nation—lend some of that Southern Good Luck over to your Atlanta Falcons this Saturday. America’s Team 2017.

Slight sarcasm—but I digress.

While we’re celebrating the best month of football of the year, we’re also celebrating a major tech milestone. Yesterday, January 9^th, was the 10 year anniversary of the IPhone; the singular product that trumpeted the advent of the Internet Age. Prior to 2007, mobile online accessibility was limited to wallet-wrenching data plans, glacial loading times, and typically text-only site views. Apps were the calamari before the ribeye. Digital music players crammed your pockets next to your cellphone.

Enter IPhone, and enter a new era of interconnectedness. An era that virtually erased the Blackberry, MapQuest, and the IPod. An era that replaced clunky buttons with sleek-but-sometimes-frustrating touchscreens.

An era that put a computer in everyone’s pocket, and revolutionized our personal and professional lives.

In 2006 it was difficult to imagine the impact the IPhone would have—or if it would even succeed. In 2017, it’s hard to imagine how we got by in 2006. Apple put the world at our fingertips, and streamlined how society works.

So here’s to ten great, transformative years, Apple IPhone. We’re all eager to see what innovations you have in store for us between now and 2027.

Welcome back, everybody! I hope you enjoyed ringing in the New Year; and if you’re in the South, I hope you’ve got mountains of collard greens, cornbread and black-eyed peas leftovers.

The New Year is a time to reinvigorate, to set achievable professional benchmarks, and to harness the motivation that the turning of the calendar brings to kick off the year on the right foot. Seeking suggestions? Join Russell on January 17^th on our friend Cathy Fyock’s webinar!

Russell will discuss all the cornerstones of PR for speakers and authors, including boosting book sales, increasing speaking fees and securing speaking engagements in 2017 and beyond. What better way to set the tone for success this year?

To register, please visit the link below:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7121796676839723009

We hope you will join us!

How was your 2016? Did you succeed in accomplishing your personal and professional goals? If you fell just short, that’s the beauty of New Year’s resolutions. Start fresh on Sunday! Make a concerted effort to write your resolution down, and make yourself accountable for your success in 2017. It’s amazing how much a simple pen-to-paper commitment can make when seeking to achieve your goals.

We here at PR/PR want to wish you and yours a safe, healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year. Reflect on your successes and shortcomings, and dedicate yourself to making 2017 your best year to date.