Snackbox Gains New Account Executive

Austin, Texas (September 07, 2015) – Snackbox, a public relations and design firm based in Austin, Texas, has promoted Jamie Hooker as the agency’s newest Account Executive. Hooker has been with Snackbox since 2015 where she joined the company as a part of agency’s apprenticeship program. Upon graduation from Texas State University she was offered a full-time position and has contributed to Snackbox’s success since. As Hooker takes on the new title at Snackbox, her tasks will include media research, strategy and outreach, and assisting in new business development with existing and future clientele.

“Jamie has been an integral part of our team and has shown not only proficiency in her field, but also a tremendous passion for the craft of public relations ,” said Jenna Oltersdorf, Principal, Snackbox.  “She has played an important role in a wide range of accounts from Smoothie King and Sunwarrior to leading pieces of business like Mama Fu’s and The Spyder 360.”

About Snackbox

Snackbox, a public relations and design firm, is headquartered in Austin, Texas with offices throughout the United States. Led by Jenna Gruhala Oltersdorf and Eric Oltersdorf, the firm boasts a network of experienced professionals that specialize in food and beverage public relations. Clients range from local businesses to international companies. For more information, visit www.snackbox.us

 

###

/by

Snackbox Promotes Young Star

Snackbox Promotes Young Star, Increases Emphasis on Measurement in Public Relations 

Snackbox promotes Yahaira Hernandez from Assistant Account Executive to PR Analyst

Austin, Texas (August 31, 2017) — Snackbox, an Austin, Texas based public relations firm specializing in food and beverage, announced today the promotion of Yahaira Hernandez from Assistant Account Executive to PR Analyst. Hernandez began her career as an intern in 2014 and after college graduation, was immediately promoted to a full-time team member at Snackbox.

“Yahaira has shown a strong proficiency in measurement and reporting as she has grown into her career at Snackbox,” said Jenna Oltersdorf, Principal, Snackbox. “Because transparency and reporting is a cornerstone of what makes Snackbox different from other firms, we felt it was important to add team members who oversee these analytics and who will also continue to push the limits of our measurement opportunities to deliver an even more robust proprietary reporting system to our clients.

Snackbox offers three areas where services differ from other larger PR firms:

  1. Agency principal oversees every piece of business
  2. Proprietary reporting system
  3. Creative, personalized media outreach

 

For more information about Snackbox, visit www.snackbox.us.

About Snackbox

Snackbox, a public relations and design firm, is headquartered in Austin, Texas with offices throughout the United States. Led by Jenna Gruhala Oltersdorf and Eric Oltersdorf, the firm boasts a network of experienced professionals that specialize in food and beverage public relations. Clients range from local businesses to international companies. For more information, visit www.snackbox.us.

###

/by

Meet Team Snackbox: Eric Yule, Apprentice

Eric Yule joined Team Snackbox in January 2017. We like to call him “Other Eric” because we decided having two people named “Eric” in the office was too confusing.

What food can’t you live without?  

The one food that I cannot live without is pasta. It doesn’t matter what kind of pasta, but I have learned pasta is a filling dinner while balling on a budget in college—plus, I love my carbs.

Favorite thing about PR?

My favorite thing about PR is that the job is new every single day. I love how everything is a constant moving piece and it never really lets you get comfortable. My motto for life is: If you’re comfortable, there’s a problem. PR always keeps me focused and on my toes.

What movie could you watch a million times?

I could watch Interstellar a million times. Space has always enamored me and I wish I could understand more about the theory of relativity, but I think I’ll leave that to NASA. I thought Matthew McConaughey performed magnificently in this movie and it will always be a favorite of mine.

Favorite band or performer?

My favorite performer is Dillon Francis. He’s a great performer and can always excite any crowd in front of him.

Where do you get your news?

BBC

What is your drink of choice?

I am definitely a whiskey guy at heart, but I can never turn down a Moscow Mule.

Favorite social media channel?

Snapchat is increasingly becoming my favorite social media channel. The filters that Snap Inc. come up with are genius and they never fail to brighten my mood.

Pancakes or waffles?

Waffles, 100 percent. Growing up my dad and I found this restaurant in San Pedro, Ca., called ‘Omelette and Waffle Shop’ that makes the BEST waffles I have ever had. Since moving away from California, whenever I come home we always go there at least once so I can have my fill of waffles.

/by

Meet Team Snackbox: Brandi Calhoun, Apprentice

Brandi Calhoun joined Team Snackbox in January 2017, and we adore her! You will too.

Do you have any pets?

I have three labs (a black and English silver lab, Dahlia; a yellow lab, Deacon; and a black lab mix, Doodle) and they’re definitely my fur-babies. Yes, I am one of those types of dog people. I LOVE animals, especially dogs. I’m that annoying person that will stop anyone, anywhere, who has a dog just to pet it. I’m obnoxious when I actually get to pet one, speaking in that annoying baby voice, saying those stereotypical things, “Who’s a good boy?!” But dogs are seriously the best animals and if my husband would let me, we’d have a lot more than just three.

Describe your perfect Sunday.

My perfect Sunday would be a day off with my husband and our puppies, brewing beer or exploring things in Austin that we’ve yet to do. (We recently went and explored the Inner Space Caverns and it was so much fun doing something new, even as small as touring a cave for an hour.)

Favorite type of beer?

Oh man, that’s a tough one. I typically enjoy darker beers, but really, my favorite type of beer is one that makes me say, “Damn, that’s a good beer” after my first sip. Not all beers warrant that type of reaction, so it’s always nice to find one that does.

What do you love about working in PR (so far)?

Well, first of all, I specifically like working for Snackbox. At the risk of sounding lame, I feel like I’ve found my people with my coworkers here. As far as PR specifically, I like finding creative ways to bring attention to a brand. In my day-to-day tasks, there hasn’t really been anything I haven’t liked doing yet.

Favorite “Austin,Texas” thing to do?

Eat. I know that really isn’t specific to the city, but it kind of is because Austin has some of the best places to eat. The city is known for being food-focused and I am so glad because boy do I love to eat. Other than that, I love attending Movies in the Park and local festivals, when time and money allow.

Who would you want to play you in a movie?

Margot Robbie, because she’s totally my celebrity girl crush. But Emma Stone or Kristin Wiig would probably portray the essence of me better.  

What is your go-to dance move?

I actually have a signature move that we (my friends and I) call my rain dance. It never fails that it ends up raining when I do it. (Keep in mind that it has nothing to do with the fact that it’s usually already cloudy with a chance of rain.) It’s hard to describe but I’ll try: I do a hip-thrusting movement and then try (and fail) at a belly dancing move while one arm is up in the air and the other is outward from my body while my hand appears to be moving marbles around.

What would be your Cash Cab expertise?

True Crime, definitely. I’ve been obsessed since I was a kid and would watch Forensic Files and Unsolved Mysteries with my mom. Currently, I’ve become an expert thanks to podcasts like “My Favorite Murder” (shout out Murderinos!), “Undisclosed” and “Sword and Scale” (and no thanks to any actual certified education on the subject.)

Who is your dream client?

Ryan Gosling. I mean, I don’t think we’d normally take on a client like that… but I can dream J (In actuality, it’d be a major brewery or winery.) 

/by

The Story Behind: Everybody At This Table Eats

By Jamie Hooker

It’s not unusual for a company to have a mantra, but Snackbox’s is genuinely unique – everybody at this table eats. The idea behind the saying is that everyone the company touches is taken care of; everyone gets a seat and everyone gets a plate.

From the mailman to the employees to the clients, Snackbox treats everyone the way they want to be treated, with kindness, respect and fun.  The motto is applied to everything Snackbox does, including client relationships, work culture, networking and more. To put it simply, the company has an unofficial “no a-holes” policy.

Eric Oltersdorf, Principal Creative Director of Snackbox, is the originator of the mantra.

“When we created Snackbox, we knew the type of culture we wanted. Each person we interact with should leave happier than when they arrived, and we want to take the best care of our employees and clients,” Oltersdorf said.

“Everybody at this table eats” revolves heavily around Snackbox employees. Sure, there are endless snacks available and occasional pizza parties, but the “Snackbosses” want each employee to reach their full potential professionally. Two Assistant Account Executives have the same title, but each of them may have different interests and abilities. Snackbox is a great environment for employees to not only learn new things, but to emphasize each person’s natural abilities and turn them into something great.

Other companies look at employees as a means to a profit, rather than a team that can work together toward a similar goal. Some employers treat their people like a number, squeezing every bit of their time out without much compensation. Employees are often expected to stay late to impress the boss, but Snackbox has a strict work-hard-play-hard policy and its employees are encouraged to clock out right at 5:00 (Snackbox HQ even closes early at 2:00 p.m. on Fridays!).

There are other office politics Snackbox avoids, such as dressing like a corporate cog. Jeans and t-shirts are welcome; in fact, no employee of Snackbox has ever shown up in a suit. But that’s not to say they don’t clean up well!

Each Snackbox client is always in close contact with the team. The company prides themselves in client relationships and has made meaningful connections with many people in the 10 years they’ve been in business. Always treated with respect, Snackbox clients can rest easy knowing their PR firm truly cares about their business and its success.

Snackbox’s ultimate goal is that every person who interacts with the firm walks away with a good feeling, like the warmth you feel from your family.

/by

Meet Team Snackbox: Yahaira Hernandez, AAE

Yahaira Hernandez is an Assistant Account Executive at Snackbox, spearheading the accounts for Jose Luis Salon and business coach Stephanie Chung.

Who is your celebrity crush?

Tom Hardy! I fell in love with him (yes, we are married in my head) when I watched him in “This Means War” with Reese Witherspoon and Chris Pine. Ever since I watched that film, I’ve followed his work and have become fascinated with the roles he chooses and the commitment in his performances, especially in the movies “Bronson”, “Warrior” and “The Dark Knight Rises”.  

Favorite type of food?

Although I love Chinese and Vietnamese food, I have to choose my culture’s cuisines – Mexican food. There’s nothing better than to wake up to the smell of homemade tortillas in the morning or relaxing with friends and family eating fajita tacos with the hottest salsa I can find.

Favorite season and why?

My favorite season would be summer since I was born in June and one of my favorite activities is swimming and wearing comfortable shorts and flip flops. But, because the Texas heat is so intense, I’d choose the mix of rain and sunshine of the spring season.

What three items would you want with you on a deserted island?

A knife for protection and survival. A flashlight that I could use to look for something and potentially grab the attention of boats passing by. And finally, a satellite phone to call loved ones and have them call rescue crews because I don’t think I can survive on a deserted island.

What do you love about PR?

I love meeting new people everyday, whether it’s a new client or a reporter. It also keeps me very busy and I get to learn about topics and industries I never thought I’d work on.

What’s in your purse right now?

A ton of things! I have a scratchpad and pen in case I get a work-related call, my wallet, keys, lip balm (because I feel weird without it) and cell phone.

Favorite social media channel and why?

I love Facebook the most. I’m not very active on any other channel because most of my friends and family are on Facebook and I love catching up with them as often as I can.

Favorite workout?

I’ve tried free weights, running, Zumba, Pilates and yoga. None have sparked my interest until recently when I joined a kickboxing gym. Kickboxing teaches me a variety of techniques and fighting styles, and I get to have fun and lose weight at the same time.

 

/by

Meet Team Snackbox: Jamie Hooker, AAE

Jamie Hooker is an Assistant Account Executive at Snackbox HQ. Here is a bit about her:

Favorite decade?

Although I wish I grew up as a teenager in the 80s, I have an affinity for the early 2000s. Britney Spears and *NSYNC were my jam (I still live for Justin and Britney’s all-denim AMA look), and I owned so many headbands I didn’t even know what to do with.

What do you order at brunch?

First and foremost, I order a mimosa. If I’m feeling more like breakfast, you’ll probably find me ordering French toast. If it’s lunch I want, I’ll most likely order any type of sandwich on the menu (I don’t discriminate). You should know I have a slight obsession with sandwiches and can eat one for just about every meal. Did I say a mimosa? I meant bottomless mimosas.

Favorite holiday and why?

I love the days between Christmas and New Years. It’s a time to stay in your pajamas, eat leftovers and be with family, then finally having a party to celebrate a brand new year. I like the feeling of a fresh start.

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I’ve always wanted to sail the Mediterranean and visit Spain, Italy and Greece. The views are incredible and the food is probably on another level. Also, wine costs less than soda in Italy, so why not??

What do you love about PR?

I love how much of an impact good PR can have on a business. Connecting audiences with their favorite brands through social media is something I am most passionate about. People sometimes underestimate social media, but I want to work to show the positive impact it can have.

Highlight of your career?

A highlight of my career is having an article I wrote (bylined by Jenna!), A Cry for Yelp, be published on the Austin Business Journal website, and then having it be featured on the front page of the Business Journal website. I originally wrote it for our Snackblog, but it turned out to be a great piece that we pitched to business and restaurant trades. Seeing my words on a major local outlet was awesome.

Favorite dessert?

I have, and always will, love strawberry shortcake.

Do you think pineapples belong on pizza?

Yes. 

/by

Snackbox Turns 10: A Burning Question: Why “Snackbox”?

By Jamie Hooker

Before the inception of Snackbox, Jenna and Eric would visit their 24-hour gym in Charlotte, N.C. and think of as many random names for their future business as possible. No idea was a bad one during the brainstorm sessions. I like to picture them throwing a medicine ball back and forth (rapidly), and with each throw came a different idea, but that’s just me. They also had a type of gallery wall in their apartment, where they would hang random and silly things, like a machete, a bubble wand and a wave cap, to draw inspiration.

They knew they could never name the business after themselves. Because, really. Who wants to hire Gruhala-Oltersdorf Marketing?

One name stood out to them: “Machete”. They liked the idea that their future business would “cut through the clutter”, and provide a new, innovative way to do public relations. Unfortunately, Machete Editing and Design already existed… so onto the next.

They knew their firm would offer multiple services, each service acting as a compartment within the business. So what has compartments? Lunch boxes (we’re getting there!)

“When I hear ‘lunch box’, all I think of is losing my lunch,” Jenna said… so onto the next.

Jenna suggested “Snackbox” instead of lunch box, and she and Eric knew that was it. The name Snackbox is fun, memorable and approachable, and encompasses the culture and structure of the firm.

/by

Snackbox Turns 10: What was trending 10 years ago?

By Jamie Hooker

We’ve talked about how much PR has changed in 10 years, but let’s look at the bigger picture and talk about what was trending in 2006 outside of the PR world. You may be cringing just thinking about it, but I’d like to take you back in time anyway…

Gaucho Pants

If you combine yoga pants with capri pants, these are what you get. Although incredibly comfy and breathable, they should only be worn in the comfort of your own home.

MySpace

The first social media site that was completely customizable, famous for the awkward mirror selfie that we’re all guilty of. Then Facebook came around and MySpace was a thing of the past.

“Bad Day” by Daniel Powter

According to Billboard magazine’s Top Hot 100 songs of 2006, “Bad Day” came in at number one. I remember this song quite well, but only because it was the song American Idol would play to accompany the sad montage of the singer going home that week. Once it was in your head, there was no getting rid of it. “Temperature” by Sean Paul came in at a close second.

Crocs

Either you were a firm Croc-believer or you were extremely confused by them (like I was). They have stepped up their game as of late, releasing wedge booties, flip flops and flats, but the original Croc took the world by storm.

The Departed

The 2006 film brought home the Oscar for Best Picture at the 2007 Oscars. It starred Leonardo DiCaprio (who finally won an Oscar for himself this year!), Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson, to name a few. For those of you who solely look to Rotten Tomatoes for input, it scored a 91 percent – certified FRESH!

Wristbands for a Cause

What’s more chic than rubber wristbands stacked on your arm all the way up to your elbow? The Livestrong Foundation started the trend in 2004 with their famous yellow bracelets, and unless you had one you weren’t cool. Then it seemed as if all causes had a correlating rubber bracelet to don.

Obviously these just a few things that made 2006 so great, but I’m sure we’ll be looking back in 2026 at what is trending now with the same attitude.

 

/by

Snackbox Turns 10: PR: Look How Far We’ve Come

By: Jamie Hooker

Ten years ago, it was a time when people listened to their voicemail. You know, like you leave one and the other person listens to it, and then actually calls you back?

The public relations process has changed dramatically in the last 10 years. Students entering the PR workforce today are very lucky to have the tools they do, mostly because our job now relies heavily on the Internet. From pitching to BlackBerrys, we truly don’t know where to start.

Press Releases

Today, children don’t know what it means to “fax” something, but that was how press releases were sent to news outlets 10+ years ago. Calling reporters to see if they received your fax was very common, too. Although we still call stations and reporters for hopeful coverage, email is our go-to today.

Pitching

Before you pitch, you need a media list. Today, databases of hundreds of thousands of reporter and outlet contact info is readily available online. Bacon Books were used before online databases, and were basically huge phone book-looking things that you physically flip through to find what you need. (Sort of like actually going to a library…) Each media type, such as television, radio, and newspaper, had it’s own Bacon Book, so that kind of made things easier, right?

News Clips

For my Mac users, command+shift+4 gives you a screen shot of your placement in seconds that you can save to your computer with ease. A decade ago, life was not so simple. Scissors and tape were essentials when it came to documenting a placement. For a newspaper, you would cut the name of the paper and the placement out and tape them to a piece of copy paper. If the placement is longer than the eight and a half by 11 sheet of paper, you had to tape another sheet of paper to it. BUT WAIT, you weren’t done yet. You would then make a copy on the printer so it was all one cohesive piece of paper. Thank goodness for technology.

Press Conferences

Although these do still happen, they don’t happen nearly as often. What can be done with a press release and simple mass email to reporters is much easier than holding a press conference. Thanks to smartphones and live streaming, hand held recorders and notepads are a thing of the past.

Gone are the days of BlackBerrys; we have come so far. 

/by