How to Connect WIth Journalists by WGN's Nancy Loo

Nancy Loo (@Nancyloo) of WGN gave Midwest Moms Brands & Bloggers Summit attendees a lot of great advice on how to connect with journalists.

You can read a recap here: http://honestandtruly.blogspot.com/2011/07/brands-and-bloggers-summit-recap.html

Cameras Galore at Brands & Bloggers Summit

There were cameras galore at the Midwest Moms Brands & Bloggers Summit. We counted 8 and a half at our table since one was a very small camera. MJ Tam (left), editor of Chicagonista.com, organized last Saturday's conference.

Reuniting With Birth Mother Through Facebook

WGN's Nancy Loo shared a true story about how entrepreneur/blogger/author Wendy Piersall found her birth mother through Facebook at last Saturday's Midwest Moms Brands & Bloggers Summit. An incredible story. Not a dry eye in the house

Brands & Bloggers Summit Swag Bag

I learned lots at last Saturday's Midwest Moms Brands & Bloggers
Summit. Here is the swag bag and gifts from sponsors at the event.

Craiglist's Craig Newmark

Craiglist's founder Craig Newmark spoke at Chicago Techweek yesterday.
Some memorable quotes include "I have no vision. I really don't bother
with ideas. I am very good at cutting through bullshit."
The Craigslist customer service rep (that's his real title) is now
focusing on Craigconnects.org - "Connecting the World for the Common
Good" . The first campaign focused on helping veterans and military
families. His next campaign will try to promote accountability and
transparency in non-profits.

BlogHer's Jory Des Jardins

BlogHer co-founder Jory Des Jardins was interviewed by someone from
Chicago Sun-Times yesterday at Chicago TechWeek. She talked about top
reasons why women blog: 1) express myself 2) have fun 3) connect with
people like me. She talked about clients such as Procter & Gamble and
PepsiCo want to authentically connect with bloggers and create more
virality. She also talked about the democratization of media and the
wisdom of crowds.

Great Retail Theater

Thought Henri Bendel in New York hosting cobblers from Tuccia di Capri
was great retail theater. I have never seen anything like this, and
I've shopped a lot.
Three cobblers came up from Miami to make custom sandals in the store.
Think they said it takes about 2 hours to make one. There's the
element of limited-time only (they were there just through July 11),
customization, and the storytelling aspect of telling your girlfriends
that you saw sandals being made for you right before your eyes. How
many of us can say we've seen cobblers make shoes? Not many.

Eataly is for Meat Lovers

I think Mario Batali's Eataly is probably best for meat lovers. You
see all this cured meat (assume it's all handcrafted). And there's a
huge cheese case as well.

Mario Batali's Eataly

If you are in New York and you love to eat, go visit Mario Batali's
Eataly. It is a food emporium for tourists and locals (saw a lot of
office types coming in after work). There's a seafood restaurant,
pizza, meat restaurant, a beer pavillion, wines, gelato, paninis,
Lavazza and another cafe. You could eat here for days and never repeat.