“There is nothing in life that does not require PR.” – Where I first heard that statement, I can’t recall. However, what I do know is that nearly everywhere I went, I continued to be greeted with that phrase. And, little did I know, I’d soon be living that ideal each and every day.

As a fairly recent graduate from Roger Williams University, living on my own in the heart of downtown Bristol, Rhode Island, I’ve learned a lot about myself. For one – I’ve always loved to write. There’s something about the written word, complex vocabulary and the notion of stringing well thought-out ideas into sentences that has always appealed to me. From my early days on the Hawks campus I pushed myself to communicate beyond paper; that’s when I began to discover my obsession with PR. It all began with a very outspoken and ingenious professor who, when told I wanted to pursue journalism, kindly corrected me; explaining that in fact it was her Public Relations class I was interested in. With minimal persuasion, I signed up for PR: Principles and Practices and within 1 hour of having the textbook in hand, knew that I had found my calling.

From there I dabbled in various forms of marketing and strategic promotions – I tried my hand at some advertising courses, creative writing and eventually garnered some Internet and HTML knowledge through e-Business and graphic design electives. I wanted to understand all aspects of strategic communications, both the business side and the creative, before setting down some PR roots. I interned in radio, participated in national consumer- PR competitions and even established myself as a freelance blogger; leveraging my love for writing to dig a little deeper into the world of social media and integrated-marketing trends.

At first glance, my early post-grad career has been a collection of experiences which has shaped my work ethic and professional goals today. Beginning as an Event Assistant at local non-profit, The American Cancer Society, I got my first real taste of the intricacies of event promotion and dynamic nature of fundraising. I later found my niche in the web content realm, developing my writing further and deciphering effective SEO strategies as the Blog & Content Manager at the Warwick-based Astonish Results. At Astonish, I helped to grow a one-man (yup, just me!) content team into a 6-employee content management division; helping to establish a results-centered keyword strategy for all onsite copy, blogs, press releases and link building articles for the company’s 350+ independent insurance agency clients. My work at Astonish Results helped to shape my current marketing and branding philosophy because it enabled me to help these independent agents establish their own, authentic voice. To me – you are your own best weapon—it’s all about being genuine and real.

Which brings me to Caster.

Caster embodies just that – authenticity. It’s an atmosphere where I know that I can learn and grow as a PR professional, while also remaining me. I’m a Type A, that’s a fact. I love organization (I’ve been known to color code) and I live for setting high standards for myself. I love a good challenge – be it creating a catchy blog title or pitching a new consumer product to a leading, tech trade journal. I am an avid newspaper-reader (yes, the real stuff, where the ink rubs off on your hands) and grew up watching the nightly newscasts with my father. I believe in the power of social media and the new wave of word-of-mouth marketing. I’ll always stop to read a new Brian Solis post or respond to a Chris Brogan tweet; and furthermore, I’ll always believe Content is King.

I am an avid blogger and lover of good, high-quality caffeine (hazelnut mocha with soy, has been my recent favorite). I long for lazy beach days and outdoor dining; well really any dining – I can’t get enough of local, foodie fare. But most of all, I love thy vibrant nature of communications.

Public Relations can be seen and felt everywhere. The world relies on PR. Our businesses partnerships, decisions and relationships all, to some degree, depend on strategic marketing and communications. That’s what makes Public Relations so intriguing – and that’s what drives me. I couldn’t be more excited to join the Caster Communications Team!

Anthem, the leading manufacturer of high-end electronics for music, home theater and distributed audio systems, announces their brand new line of 3D ready receivers. The MRX series features four receivers: the MRX 300, MRX 500, MRX 700, and MRX 900, all featuring 7 channels of amplification (MRX 900 will have 9 channels of amplification) and 4 HDMI in/1 out (MRX 900 will have 7 HDMI in/1 out).  Bringing the company’s award winning technology to its newest line, Anthem’s MRX receivers are all equipped with the critically acclaimed Anthem Room Correction (ARC) system.

A highly anticipated release, the Anthem MRX receivers include all the latest audio formats including Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, and DTS-HD Master Audio and support internet radio (except MRX 300) and HD Radio (MRX 700 and MRX 900).  In addition, the MRX series will process 3D movies and television when paired with a 3DTV and a 3D capable source component making them the perfect addition for 3D enabled home theaters.  The MRX receivers boast amplifier sections embodying Anthem’s design focus on low noise, low distortion and “real” power. Standard on all Anthem products, the receivers come with the company’s hallmark of user-friendly menus and easy operation.

Additional technical features of the MRX receiver line include:

• 9.1 channels of amplification with bi-amping capability on the MRX 900
• 7 channels of amplication on all other models
• Built in award-winning Anthem Room Correction (ARC) system
• Internet Radio via built-in Ethernet port on models 500 and up
• Front and rear USB inputs play music from the hard drive or memory stick on models 500 and up
• 1080p up-conversion with Deep Color support
• Second 2-channel zone

Designed for use with all MRX receivers, Anthem is also introducing an optional add-on accessory, the MDX 1 iPod/iPhone dock, including native digital output and on-screen display for the latest generation iPod/iPhone. With no AC adaptor plug or inserts required, as well as menu access and song selection using an MRX remote control, the MDX 1 is a desirable add-on to the MRX family. The MDX 1 will be released simultaneously with the MRX 500 and MRX 700 and will be priced at $129 MSRP.

The MRX series receivers are estimated to start at $999 MSRP with the first two models, the MRX 500 and MRX 700 expected to hit specialty dealer shelves by late summer 2010. More information on Anthem can be found at www.anthemAV.com.

SurgeX, the only manufacturer of AC surge elimination and power conditioning products, announces the XN120, the perfect protection solution for multi-circuit residential AV systems where space is at a premium. This compact 120 Volt / 80 Amp unit is hardwired as a subpanel at the service panel or the equipment room and is designed to provide failsafe protection required for multiple circuits 

Engineered with professional grade Advanced Series Mode^® Surge Elimination Technology and Impedance Tolerant^® EMI/RFI noise filtering, the XN120 is the only NEMA enclosure protection product in the market that eliminates surges and transients that can degrade AV system performance and shorten service life. The XN120 frees up valuable rack space and eliminates the need for individual powerline conditioners. In most installations, there are panels located in each room that, until now, have needed to be protected separately. But, with the XN120, there is no need to protect each individual panel with a powerline conditioner at every site. When the panels are connected to a single circuit and fed through the XN120, the SurgeX unit will protect each panel on that circuit. There’s no in wall extension cords, nor individual units to install and maintain. One XN120 circuit will protect an average of 8 panels. In addition, every outlet powered by the XN120 is protected even though there is no PLC at the rack.  

“The XN120 frees up the valuable rack space that you didn’t have before,” said Rick Komendera, Vice President of Sales for SurgeX. “It protects and conditions from either the equipment room, or the demarcation and acts just like separate subpanel for your AV system. There’s no in wall extension cords, nor multiple individual units to maintain.”

As with all SurgeX products, the XN120 boasts Advanced Series Mode® Surge Elimination Technology and Impedance Tolerant^® EMI/RFI noise filtering which eliminates all surges without the side effects that come with traditional surge suppression products. Unlike sacrificial MOV based surge protectors, the XN120 completely eliminates ALL surges up to 6,000 Volts/3000 Amps without producing disturbances that can degrade the performance and shorten the service life of an A/V system. Because of this technology, installers have the confidence that their power protection unit will actually protect the equipment they are installing and not degrade or damage it over time. 

With SurgeX A-1-1 Certified Advanced Series Mode® technology, equipment will run better, sound better, and picture quality will improve in the blink of an eye. SurgeX has recently extended its industry leading warranty from ten to now an industry leading eleven year Connected Warranty which not only protects the SurgeX equipment, but also every device that is plugged in to a SurgeX product.  

For more information about SurgeX, visit www.surgex.com.