Cathy Hayes Quoted in Parenting Magazine

I am so thrilled to be quoted in the May 2009 issue of Parenting Magazine! I would love to say it was due to some brilliant insight on parenting but it was MORE fun than that! The story was about the importance of girlfriend getaways! Check it out! http://www.girlsgetawayguide.net/documents/parenting_article.pdf

Casey Wohl on Channel 10

http://www.tampabays10.com/video/default.aspx?aid=80099

Be sure to watch The Getaway Girl's interview for tips on AMAZING travel deals!

Staying ALIVE..ah ah ah ah Staying Alive!!

Okay so this full time mom thing is working out, but I have to say that I miss working so much! I am doing my best to keep up with things in the meantime because I fear being lost in the dust with all of the latest and greatest happening in PR. I think it is totally okay to just be a mom. But my hope is that keeping myself in the loop will help tremendously when I am ready to start working again! How cool would it be to have a client that focuses on the "MOM" business! Right up my ally! So I am tweeting on a regular basis now and you can follow me at www.twitter.com/cathykhayes. I don't even have to read the paper or watch the news! It comes directly to me...BAM! Instantly...more so that EVER I realizing how everything is that way now. Everyone wants things in an instant, and no one wants to wait! Long ago were the days of waiting weeks even months for a letter that would update us. Now we just hop on a computer or our cell phones and find out what we need to know with a couple of clicks! No wonder so many people have patience issues! With that said, I am going to be patient, love on my children, and be the best mom I can be until the timing is right! By then maybe I will be ready to do something GREAT!

Casey Wohl Featured on The Daily Buzz

Be sure to check out The Getaway Girl on The Daily Buzz! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx6ng6Xva30

Extended Maternity Leave

I am going on an extended maternity leave! I now have a 13-year-old, a 7-year-old, a 17-month-old and a now a 3-week-old! God has blessed me with these four wonderful children and I am so grateful to be able to be home with them! Being a mother is my most important job, although I truly will miss working while I am on my mommy break! I am sure I won't be out long, as the love of my work keeps me motivated! I will do my best to keep up with the blog but can't make any promises. I have a good excuse for now right?? At least until they are a little older!

Get "HOT" With The Getaway Girl

Don't Forget to Register!!!!

Due to the overwhelming success of the Girls Getaway to Orlando to celebrate National Friendship Day, Casey Wohl is hosting another fabulous getaway Dec. 5-7. For anyone who agonizes over their holiday shopping and needs to de-stress that time of year, this getaway is for you. Join us at the fabulous Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando as we spend some quality girl time together and conquer your holiday shopping.

This wonderful weekend experience includes:

* A special Girls Getaway room rate starting at $199/night, which includes self-parking and resort fee.
* Exclusive personal shopping experience at Intermix, Orlando’s newest trend-setting boutique. Get great gift ideas and see the top trends of the season while sipping mimosas!
* Shopping perks and savings at the Mall at Millenia and Orlando Premium Outlets
* Tickets to see the unique frozen holiday event - ICE!, with VIP pass.
* Special baking experience with a Gaylord pastry chef – learn how the pros do it.
* Discounts on spa services from the Canyon Ranch SpaClub
* A special VIP cooking and dining experience at Emeril’s Tchoup Chop complete with limo transportation.
* Retail discount card for the shops at the Gaylord Palms Resort
* Complimentary drink ticket at the Gaylord Palms Resort Registration is $259/person and does not include hotel room.

Tips For PItching Stories and Press Release Writing

I put together the following information on Pitching/Press Release Writing! Enjoy!

When pitching a story to the media be familiar with the media outlet you are pitching. Your pitch should be about how your story will work for them. Don't do a general pitch ("A story about working mothers.") but suggest the segment the story would be right for, or what makes it right for them.

Effective PR writing must capture the essence of the story in its headline and first paragraph. Answer the Who? What? Where? When? Why? Which? and How? questions here. If a busy editor needs to shorten the piece, this should help ensure that the most important information will make it to print. It's the same with your final paragraph. A good release should survive what editors call 'top and tailing', yet still make sense and communicate the story effectively.

When you e-mail, make your subject line enticing. Using "Hello!" or something else that looks like spam will get it deleted without being read. Start with “For Immediate Release”: then give a short, punchy headline. Also when sending a press release by email be sure to copy and paste the press release in the body of the email. Often attachments will not get opened. It is best for the editor to have the information right in front of him/her when the email is opened. If the reporter needs an attachment make downloadable versions available on your website or offer to send attachments at their request.

Include links in the body of your press release - this makes it easy for readers (and journalists) to access the information quicker. Also, make sure that these links lead to a unique landing page specifically designed for your press release readers - don't just send them to your home page.

When following up on a release questions like "Did you get my news release?" or "Do you know when it will be printed?" will brand you as a pest. Don't follow up with a phone call to see if the media got your release, unless you are absolutely sure that someone will check for you. Most reporters and editors don't have time. If you do follow up, make sure you have a reason to call. Suggest a particular angle to your story, or ask the media people if they need any other information.

Don't take "no" personally. It may be that they have just done a similar story, or they can't fit it in, or it just isn't right for them. If you speak with someone, ask if they can suggest another show or publication where the story might work.
If at first you don't succeed, pitch again. But wait at least a month or two, and come back with a different angle (not exactly the same idea that got turned down).

The BEST Yogurt EVER

Yes it is silly to blog about yogurt...but you have to try this yogurt! It actually makes me happy! The flavors are indescribable, fun and YUMMY! As they say..it IS, "wickedly delicious". www.rachelsdiary.com

Fashion Week Tampa Bay

My client, Casey Wohl and I have had a blast this week hanging out with the designers at Fashion Week Tampa Bay! From the VIP private party on Wednesday to last night's runway show we felt like the cast of Sex and the City! Of coarse my part was Charlotte the pregnant one!! Fashion Week Tampa Bay is a much needed event for our area! I was amazed at the local talent of which we should ALL be supporting!

Pandora

Okay so I am probably the last person to hear about this site, but I am totally addicted to www.pandora.com! With Pandora you can explore music until your heart's content. Just drop the name of one of your favorite songs or artists into Pandora and let the Genome Project go. It will quickly scan its entire world of analyzed music, almost a century of popular recordings - new and old, well known and completely obscure - to find songs with interesting musical similarities to your choice. Then sit back and enjoy as it creates a listening experience full of current and soon-to-be favorite songs for you.You can create as many "stations" as you want. And you can even refine them. If it's not quite right you can tell it so and it will get better for you. Best of all...it's FREE!!!!

Posting Delay Explanation!

Sorry for the delay! Things are busy here at Hayes Communications and with the Hayes family in general! I am experimenting to try and find out just how many children I can have and still run my business. With that said...I am pregnant again! Kaine Michael Hayes will bring the child number up to FOUR!!! Six months along now so now you know the reason behind my lack of postings!

There is definitely something to be said for working mothers! Our jobs are so important at home. Raising our children is the MOST important job we will ever do! Although when we love our jobs outside the role of mother...sometimes it is hard to find proper balance. The advice I have is to put family first always, and everything else will fall into place! Also schedule and organize your life. I don't care how many sticky notes, calendar requests, bulletin boards it takes. Do what ever works for you to make sure that you have some sanity left. I actually have created a schedule for everything including a weekly menu, laundry time, work time, time to read my bible, time to spend with the kids, time with my girlfriends, date nights with my husband etc. This helps to keep things somewhat organized while trying to work and keep my family functioning! Keep in mind...plan your schedule at the fist of each week, with children involved in activities, etc. schedules typically change from week to week!

Now I am going to go take my own advice and stay on task!!!!

The Getaway Girl Hosts Exclusive Sex and the City Movie Premiere Experience

Can’t wait for the highly-anticipated Sex and the City movie premiere? Anxious to know what has happened to your favorite New York City girlfriends? Orlando-based author and girls getaway expert Casey Wohl, known as The Getaway Girl™, knows just how important this movie is to many women so she has organized an exclusive Girls Night Out (GNO) to celebrate!

For a limited number of lucky ladies, Wohl has secured a private viewing on opening night, May 30, at the AMC Universal Cineplex’s CityWalk Theater in Orlando (Exit 75B off I-4). Cocktails will be available for purchase at the theater.

Registered participants will:
· Receive a guaranteed seat ON OPENING NIGHT at the 6:15 p.m. show
· Not have to wait in line to purchase tickets (if there are any available)
· Not be disappointed with sold out theaters
· Meet new friends
· Visit with other Sex and the City fans
· Participate in a fabulous networking opportunity
· Be able to purchase and enjoy the Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, Miranda, or Mr. Big Martinis at the theater.

This exclusive experience is limited and is only available by registering at www.GirlsGetawayGuide.net. Tickets are still available for only $15 each (regular admission tickets alone are nearly $10), but seating is limited so register today.

VIP PRE-PARTY: As an extra special bonus, the first 50 women to register will receive a private invitation to The Getaway Girl’s™ Cosmopolitan Cocktail Party at Neiman Marcus Orlando. All compliments of The Getaway Girl™ and Neiman Marcus, guests will be treated to a fantastic Sex and the City pre-party at Neiman Marcus’ fabulous shoe salon where they will view the Cosabella “Sex and the City” Intimate Apparel Line in the City Chic Lounge. Enjoy Cosmopolitans, scrumptious hors d’oeuvres, beauty consultations, party favors, giveaways and more – all exclusively for Casey’s getaway girls. Ladies, be sure to wear your Manola Blahniks. The pre-party will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 30. Neiman Marcus is located at the Mall at Millenia (4200 Conroy Road). This is a private event created especially for The Getaway Girl’s™ audience so don’t wait to register. Visit www.GirlsGetawayGuide.net NOW to reserve your seat and join the fun and excitement.

Cathy Hayes and Client Casey Wohl meet Travel Channel's Samantha Brown

What a pleasure it was to spend some time talking with the bubbly and totally adorable Samantha Brown! This travel pro has the best job in the world in my opinion! Hopefully after reading her copy of Casey's book she will take us up on our offer for a fabulous Girl's Getaway!!!!

Little Black Dress Party

The Little Black Dress Party was a great success! We had a wonderful time getting pampered, shopping and dancing! The Girls Getaway Guide was loved by all! Over 300 ladies were in attendance, Larissa with Whiskey North did a fabulous job of coordinating the event.

Casey Wohl Provides Tips for the Perfect Mother's Day Getaway!

Okay ladies, just be honest...what we ALL want for Mother's Day is what we have the least of...time to OURSELVES to do what WE want to do!!! An escape from the monotony of every day life...a GETAWAY!!! My client Casey Wohl has provided some awesome tips for planning the perfect Mother's Day Getaway...so feel free to forward this link on to your husbands and children to point them in the right direction for the gift we all want!!! www.prlog.org/10062919.html

Join the Getaway Girl for an Evening of Pampering!!

Slip into your little black dress and join the Getaway Girl, Casey Wohl, for an evening of pampering!! Whiskey North in Tampa is hosting the Little Black Dress Party, a ladies only event on April 26th from 6PM to 9PM! Enjoy a complimentary gourmet wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres while indulging in spa and salon treats! Guests can also browse the latest fashions from the hippest local boutiques! The first 100 ladies will receive a goodie bag with the best in beauty and door prizes! Admission is FREE with online RSVP at www.whiskeynorth.com.

Door prize raffle to benefit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay

Casey Wohl Interviews With Sharmen Lane

Faces of Breast Cancer Book Signing

I was so blessed to promote award winning photographer Rachel Absher's coffee table book, The Faces of Breast Cancer. Rachel Absher, along with several wonderful woman pictured in The Faces of Breast Cancer will be available for a book signing on Thursday, March 20th from 6pm-9pm at Vintners Cellar Custom Winery in Lakeland, . Vintner's Cellar Custom Winery will give each customer who purchases a book a FREE bottle of wine. Chef Paulie will be providing light hors d'oeuvres. For more on this talented photographer visit www.rachelabsher.com.

Girls Getaway Guide Happenings!!

Be sure to check out my clients blog at www.girlsgetawayguide.blogspot.com.
Casey Wohl is the Queen of "Go".