Recap by Brandy Shabowich, Assistant Marketing Manager

On Sunday, February 12, millions were watching Super Bowl LVII. Roughly 50 minutes of the game were dedicated strictly to TV ads and a 30-second spot cost $7 million for media alone. With this in mind, brands had to be smart about how they captured viewers’ attention and the message they shared. They were up against numerous other brands, all competing for the same mental real estate of viewers. They walked a fine line between needing to fit in and, at the same time, standing out. 

Ahead of the Big Game, CP’s strategy and creative teams shared their take on this year’s TV spots. Were they worth the millions of dollars to make and place? Or did they miss the mark? 

1. Workday “Rockstar”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ID-1mzRAew&t=1s

Complete with a star-studded cast of actual rockstars, this spot played on the common corporate usage of the word “rockstar.” Rock legends like Ozzy Osbourne, Joan Jett, and Billy Idol explained what the word actually meant. 

Comical and entertaining, with high-profile cameos and a clear message throughout, we believe that this was a traditional and successful Super Bowl spot. This, for lack of a better word, rocked and was one of our favorites. We believe it was a fan favorite as well. 

2. Budweiser “Six Degrees”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dChVB7iKSg8&feature=youtu.be

There were no Clydesdales from Budweiser this year. Instead, Budweiser opted to reach a younger audience by emphasizing the powerful force of human connection. Was it beautifully shot? Yes. Was it a spot that was easily remembered among the 80 others? Not really. We believe that the $7 million could have been spent differently.

3. Alaska Airlines Visa Card “French Tuck”

In this spot, TV personality Tan France quickly ran through the list of perks that come with the Alaska Airlines Visa Card. All that was missing, he explained, was the “French Tuck” as he placed the card in his wallet. There was nothing particularly memorable about this spot and we feel the creative fell short. It’s more important than ever for brands to capture viewers’ attention, even with a regional Super Bowl ad buy – and this didn’t cut it for us.

4. Hellmann’s US “Who’s in the Fridge”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_xfLBvk-AA

John Hamm and Brie Larson found themselves in a refrigerator, representing their namesakes, ham and brie. With Hellmann’s mayonnaise, they were dinner – for comedian Pete Davidson. 

A main point in Hellmann’s strategy is that with their product, no leftovers will go to waste. The spot made one reference to this and if you weren’t listening, you likely missed it. And we think that was a miss. 

With this in mind, we do not believe this was worth the money it took to produce and place. 

5. Oikos “Sanders Family Reunion”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2nVkM-ZcI8&feature=youtu.be

The Sanders family reunion turned into a competition, with the various family members showing that they were the strongest. Highly symbolic, this spot demonstrated how the brand’s variety of offerings are loaded with protein to help make you stronger. 

We don’t think this spot was particularly memorable but Oikos reported an increase in sales after last year’s ad. Featuring much of the same cast, this spot is a sequel to 2022’s “Strong.” 

6. DraftKings “Kevin Hart’s House Party” 

https://youtu.be/wij_Fmg8axA

They had us in the first half… 

While hosting a party, Kevin explained that DraftKings is giving everyone a free bet. After each line of dialogue, we segued to guests whose names matched the last word Kevin said. Big Papi, Ludacris, The Undertaker, and Tony Hawk all make appearances in this spot, which we feel quickly got out of hand. 

With its slapstick humor, puns, and the great cast of celebrities, we feel that this had the makings of a great Super Bowl spot, but it quickly derailed, becoming increasingly chaotic and then abruptly ending.

7. Sam Adams “A Brighter Boston”

Your Cousin from Boston fantasized about a Boston where everything is brighter. We saw various situations in this new city. People were friendly, welcomed Yankees fans with open arms, and advocated against talking trash. Ultimately, this all turned out to be a daydream. 

We were split on this one. On one hand, it clearly resonated with folks from the Boston area and was entertaining to watch. On the other, if you aren’t a fan of the Sam Adams spokesman or are not from the area, this would not have been enough to capture your attention.

What do you think? Were our predictions correct?

Carla Doyle, Account Director, ZOO Digital 

There’s no doubt about it, the Irish do love to travel. I wonder, is it something to do with living on a tiny island on the most western, wet and windy part of Europe…hmm? In 2017 I left my job and life in London (after 10 years of living there!) and took a year off to go travelling before setting back at home in Dublin, Ireland in 2018.

I didn’t think I’d really get the chance again to spend an extended period of time in another country…..until the CP Abroad programme was announced. As soon as I heard all the details, I knew this was something I definitely wanted to get involved in. Luckily enough, I got a spot on the programme for 2 months in Boston during October and November, aka ‘Fall.’ There’s no doubt about it, ‘Fall’ is a beautiful time to visit Boston and the wider New England area. Whilst working in Boston, I was still managing my client accounts back in Ireland – ESB Networks and MyMilkMan.ie. I have to say (and not because this blog will be public!), each of my clients were super supportive and very encouraging of me taking part in the programme. From a work perspective, I adjusted all my client meetings to AM Boston time, which would be afternoon Irish time. So there was no real disruption in my day-to-day management of the accounts. 

I got into a rhythm of always working a half a day ahead of myself. This meant any feedback or new briefs that had to be shared with our creative team in Dublin were ready to go and in their inboxes in the morning, so they could start right away. Then we’d catch up in the afternoon and chat through any questions or comments they had. In fact, at one stage, one of my clients said she felt she was just about getting 24-hour service while I was in Boston! Not bad, eh?!It was really great to get to know colleagues in CP Boston, as ZOO were still relatively new to the CP family. I had some great conversations with people across Brand, Creative, Strategy, Media and Marketing / PR. For me the biggest benefit from a work perspective, is being able to share ideas. For example, CP colleagues in Boston shared some really interesting and successful case studies around influencer campaigns they managed in Boston. This is something I really want to introduce to some accounts I am working with in Ireland, as the power of the ‘influencer’ will only continue to grow! Putting names to faces has also been great, and takes the initial awkwardness out of contacting someone you’ve never met before. I’d have no qualms now contacting anyone in Boston for a chat, work or social!

There was also time for exploring Boston and some travel too. It wasn’t all work, work, work! I enjoyed some amazing Italian food in the North End, saw the Celtics play, visited the MFA and Isabella Stewart Gardner museums, saw the historic Head of the Charles Boat Race and of course experienced Halloween in Boston which was amazing!! I flew to Washington DC for a long weekend. So much history and so many free museums and galleries to visit! I spent a weekend up in Portland, Maine and gorged myself on delicious seafood and lobster rolls. #NoRegretsI look forward to welcoming colleagues from CP Boston and VRX to Dublin, and showing them around our city! So….when can I apply again?!

 

#holidayshutdown 

The last few years showed us all that working from home is possible, but it also taught us that being in-person is invaluable. What happens when you believe in both? The boundaries between work and home blur more than ever. 

Working is no longer limited to the office and home isn’t the safe space it used to be. Work has crept into our bedrooms, kitchens, kid’s rooms, cafés, and commutes. With constant email, Slack, WhatsApp, Zoom, and other notifications, it’s hard to create separation. Which is our new reality. 

And that’s ok. Except for the holidays. We believe the holidays are our time to reset the boundaries, even if for a short period of time. Which gives new meaning to “home for the holidays.”

Happy Holidays from Connelly Partners!

 

CP’s 2022 Fall Interns  

Catching a glimpse into the world of advertising proved to be an exciting and challenging experience for all eight of CP’s fall interns. From 3D modeling to Influencer campaigns, our interns experienced all CP has to offer. Before we send them off for winter break, we asked some hard-hitting (and some not-so-hard-hitting) questions about their time at CP. 

Andrew Pinard, Finance 
Bridgewater State University

Right off the bat, CP was one of the coolest offices I’d ever been in. The employees and general atmosphere of the company was my favorite part, making me excited to go to work everyday.

Although I worked in finance, I was able to shadow the production team for a shoot in Boston. It was great to experience advertising from another department and sparked my curiosity about what else the advertising industry has to offer. I was surprised at how many clients CP has for being relatively smaller compared to other ad agencies.

Jane Amendolara, PR & Social Media
Boston University 

I knew right off the bat that CP was special! I loved the unique, homey atmosphere at the office. Everyone was professional, yet friendly and approachable. It especially helps that I have such an amazing team to work with. 

The fast-paced nature of the advertising world is probably one of the biggest things that has surprised me, but it keeps things exciting and I have never been bored! My most memorable experience was singing karaoke in front of everyone at CP’s Thanksgiving celebration.

Jared Smith, Media 
Bentley University 

Something about the advertising world that surprised me was just how fast everything moves. Since joining CP in the summer, I had a lot more experience and was more involved than ever before, so I got to see how fast projects and different campaigns move. 

The most interesting thing that I’ve done is learn about the planning process. Using the information and data at our disposal to make informed decisions is very interesting to me. I also loved working so closely on everything with the MFA! 

Jayde Zainc, New Business & CP Marketing 
Emmanuel College 

Going into my first internship, I had no idea how many moving parts there were to create a successful advertising campaign. It was so interesting to not only work with New Business but work with other departments to see how everyone’s work meshes together to create something great. I enjoyed listening to all the pitch opportunities coming into New Business, especially brands I recognized.

I was surprised at how inviting and comfortable the office space was. It makes the day go by a lot faster when there’s a ton of different places to sit and work, away from your desk. 

Lily Ward, Brand Leadership 
Trinity College

CP created a warm and welcoming environment that made the office a great place to work. I was surprised by the open layout. I’ve found that this helped cultivate a more laid-back environment which made it much easier to ask questions and learn more about the agency. 

The most exciting part of my internship was seeing my different research projects and analysis being shared with and appreciated by clients. I loved helping brainstorm the Quarterly Catch presentation for Gorton’s, which focused on drawing parallels between brand loyalty and religion. 

Sophie Jurion, Creative
Boston University 

I worked a lot with CP’s social content, like designing our CP Abroad social posts. I loved using the new branding for CP to create engaging content for our social platforms. Not only did I love the work environment, but everyone was so nice and helpful! You couldn’t go anywhere without being greeted by smiling faces.  

I was surprised by the level of communication needed to stay on top of time management, revision, feedback, and staying on the same page on a project. My biggest takeaway is the importance of communication for everything to run smoothly. 

Toni Baraga, Creative
Boston University 

Being in such an amazing environment here at CP encourages you to be your best self. When you’re not having a good day, your coworkers (and the cold brew!) are there to help pick you back up.

The one aspect of CP that sticks out to me is the scope of ideas that are produced during the concepting stage. I loved how big, blue-sky ideas were encouraged rather than stifled. I learned to not put a lid on yourself before you even start and to let the ideas flow. The practical considerations will come later.

Travis Earp, Creative 
Purdue University 

CP instantly felt like a place I wanted to be. I loved the company atmosphere and energy, it comes from every employee naturally, making the office such a fun place to work. I felt so lucky to have the opportunity to work at such an amazing place. 

Coming from an industrial design background, I didn’t realize how involved ad agencies are with their clients. There is so much more that goes on behind the scenes compared to what people see. I look at every commercial and billboard differently now.

 

Troy Zirk, Solutions Architect, VRX Studios

I will sum up my time in Boston with a single word: WOW.

Boston has been on my “cities to see” list for many years. I am beyond-words grateful for the opportunity to spend a month working there on the CP Abroad program – what a whirlwind! From working in the Boston office with my fellow CPers during the week, to exploring New England on the weekends, my month abroad went by in the blink of an eye. 

I stayed in a micro-loft in South Boston, affectionately called Southie. It’s an area to the East of South End, where CP headquarters is. There were many tavern-style restaurants for me to explore, and boy, did I! I ate out a lot, and I must say, the food is some of the best I’ve ever had. From fresh-caught seafood to sophisticated brunches, the local cuisine impressed me.

I spent time exploring Boston’s many rich-in-history neighborhoods, such as the South End, South Boston, Beacon Hill, Jamaica Plain, and the North End. One weekend I was joined by a friend, visiting from Vancouver. We explored more of the historic towns and cities outside of Boston. In Provincetown, we climbed the Pilgrim Monument, which had the most amazing view at the top. Then we toured Salem, which was packed with folks celebrating Halloween. Traveling further north, we spent some time in Portsmouth, New Hampshire before finishing our road trip in Portland, Maine. The foliage along the way was some of the most spectacular I’ve ever seen.

I met SO MANY wonderful people at the Boston office! I have even made a few close friendships. Our people really do bring a happy energy to the office. One of the most memorable highlights of the office is, of course, meeting at the bar after work for some social face-to-face time, to share a drink or two, shoot the breeze, and play darts. (Or watch others play darts, as in my case.)

Working in another country and experiencing its local culture and peoples has enriched my life in so many meaningful ways, not the least of which is my joy of working with others and socializing afterward. This palpable hustle, bustle, stir and rustle in the advertising industry has Connelly Partners at its forefront!

Would I recommend the CP Abroad program to everyone? I comfortably say a resounding YES. Do it, and you will love it, as I did.

Alyssa Stevens, Director of Public Relations & Social Media

15 years ago, I backed out of my study abroad program in Paris just weeks before I was scheduled to depart. I had no good reason other than I was scared. Sure, I had traveled as a young adult, but the idea of being in a foreign country and traveling alone made me more uncomfortable than I was ready to admit. At the time, a wise friend told me that the experiences that put you out of your comfort zone are the ones that help you grow. I didn’t understand what that meant at the time…maybe I didn’t really want to. But with age comes wisdom, and I’ve often thought back on that moment of my college career with regret. 

The fact is that, over the years, I’ve realized how much I LOVE to travel. The sound of a stamp hitting my passport, paired with those first hours of pure discovery in a new locale, give me a rush like no other. From the rolling hills of Switzerland to the torrid Sahara Desert, I’ve been to many amazing places. But despite checking destination after destination off my bucket list, that feeling of wishing I had pushed myself to study abroad in Paris has lingered. 

So…you can imagine my delight when Connelly Partners announced its CP Abroad program. A second chance to live abroad and work alongside my Irish colleagues? The opportunity to visit new countries every weekend? Sign me up! Ready to embrace the experience with open arms, I packed my bags to head to Ireland for the month of October. 

Part of being ”defiantly human” is uncovering new cultures and exploring the different ways that people work and live. Being able to work from our Dublin office, attend international industry conferences such as the Influencer Marketing Show in London and “The Long Lunch” with Dave Trott in Dublin, and be interviewed about influencer marketing in several Irish media outlets (you can check those out here and here) enabled me to truly embrace my CP Abroad experience. I gained an enlightened global perspective on how to approach social media, PR, and influencer marketing, along with a better understanding of ways to enhance our client strategies around those learnings. 

CP Abroad also opened the door for some amazing travel opportunities…five countries in five weeks! 

I frolicked through the Emerald Isle, exploring the Dingle Peninsula and Ring of Kerry. This is such a gorgeous part of Ireland with the most lush landscapes and jaw-dropping coastlines. I loved seeing the Dunquin Pier, the colorful town of Dingle, and driving (as the passenger!) on the ever-so-narrow roads through Killarney National Park. 

I touched down in London to attend the Influencer Marketing Show, soaking up industry knowledge, before heading to the mystical city of Edinburgh, Scotland. Charming shops, winding streets, medieval architecture, and a picturesque castle perched atop a dormant volcano make Edinburgh appear like something out of a storybook. 

I hunted for truffles, rode horses, and tasted the fine wines of Italy during a relaxing trip to Tuscany. With unseasonably warm weather, our days were spent lounging by the pool and indulging in copious amounts of cured meats and pasta. Tuscany has some of the most amazing sunsets I’ve ever seen! 

And during the weekend I was traveling solo? Well, I went to Paris. A decade and a half later, I embraced my favorite city on my own accord. From strolling through the quaint streets of Saint-Germain and people watching at sidewalk cafes to spending the afternoons meandering along the Seine and soaking in the views of the Eiffel Tower in the distance, I realized that timing is truly everything.

Being “uncomfortable” did make me grow…not in years, but in rich experiences that will last me a lifetime in memory. For me, CP Abroad was an incredible personal journey that allowed me to garner new work perspectives while facing my fears. It also helped me to finally lay an old regret to rest…and for that, I am forever grateful. 

Megan Canoni, Assistant Media Planner

In September, I left Boston for Ireland and in a span of thirty days, I was able to experience famous landmarks, travel to four different countries, and meet so many fun and unique people from around the world. Here is a glimpse into my experience of CP Abroad in Dublin.

I spent my first week in Dublin, getting situated and exploring all the city had to offer. I visited the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College and many different museums. Outside of  Dublin, I explored other areas of Ireland on day trips to Belfast and Kilkenny, where I got to witness the history and nature of Ireland that make the country so unique. 

My first weekend trip away from Ireland was to Edinburg, Scotland. The city was a quaint, magical place that was filled with streets of cobblestone and small, family-owned shops.It truly felt like something out of a fairytale. During my time there, I experienced a piece of history as I witnessed Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral proceedings occur throughout Edinburgh. The moment was a unifying experience, as people from many different countries gathered to witness this historic moment. 

My next daring adventure was in Barcelona, Spain. Scuba diving is something that has always been on my bucket list, and here I was able to cross that thrilling experience off the list! Being able to swim in the Mediterranean Sea, visit the beautiful Familia Sagrada, and explore the city on a Tapas tour, are just some of the experiences that gave me a better understanding of the history and culture of Barcelona.

The final trip I took was to Reykjavik, Iceland. Out of all of the countries I visited, Iceland was unlike anything I have seen before. There were volcanoes, waterfalls and even glaciers. I was lucky enough to go on a glacier hike. It was amazing to be able to explore something so breathtaking.

Although I spent my weekends traveling, I spent my weekdays working at our Dublin office. Everyone in the office was extremely friendly and welcoming, which gave me the ability to interact with co-workers that I would not have gotten the opportunity to do otherwise. Collaboration is a large part of CP culture and getting the opportunity to interact with others from different backgrounds has helped me gain a more holistic view of the world. 

After all my traveling and living in a new country, I learned that the world is so much bigger than myself. It’s filled with so many different people, experiences, and perspectives that I have yet to witness. The CP Abroad Program gave me the opportunity to experience just a little bit of that. 

CP’s 2022 Summer Interns

This summer, we had a group of rockstar interns at CP. From helping launch a new global agency program to assisting with influencer campaigns and much more, these five new CPers got a taste of the fast-moving world of advertising. Before they head back to school, we asked them a few questions to reflect on their time here. Read all about their experiences below.

Kendall Gilbert, Analytics
Elon University

One thing that continues to surprise me about Connelly Partners is the amazing collaboration that goes on between all departments. I was given the opportunity to meet with many different people and was amazed at how everything connects and comes together to bring Connelly Partners success. I am extremely grateful the CP employees were kind enough with their busy schedules to spend time with me and teach me about their specific roles within the agency.

I think that the most exciting thing about the industry is new business. I was able to see a side of advertising that I never really knew or thought about. I enjoyed seeing the dedication and passion CP employees put into winning clients.  

Rachel Schultz, Brand Leadership
University of Wisconsin-Madison 

My favorite project that I worked on was the launch of CP Abroad. It was fun to be behind the scenes of a new endeavor and help figure out how CP could use an experience like this to benefit the employees and all the offices as a whole.

What excites me the most about the world of advertising is how it is constantly moving and changing. As someone who prefers to work on many different things and switch up the tasks I have, I appreciate how advertising allows me the opportunity to try various things and see what I like the best. Being in the CP office all summer, I have been exposed to the intricacies of different departments, which makes me excited to eventually be able to live and learn through them in my career. 

Jared Smith, Media
Bentley University

During my internship, I was very surprised at how the interns are included in everything. I was allowed to see what life at CP is really like by being involved in all meetings, events, and activities.

The top highlight of my internship was playing on the softball team. I had such a great time getting to know so many CPers, and doing this helped me to truly understand the culture of the company.

I also loved seeing all of the dogs in the office on Waggin’ Wednesdays. This was the best on national hot dog day when the dogs wore the hot dog bandana’s and played with the hot dog toys.

Jane Amendolara, PR & Social Media
Boston University 

I’ve learned more than I ever could’ve hoped – how to build media lists, how to run an influencer campaign from start to finish, community management skills, planning social calendars, influencer scouting, the list goes on! 

My fellow teammates have been nothing but supportive and helpful to me since I started at CP last January. They’re all so smart and creative, and make coming to work fun. I couldn’t think of a better group of people to learn from!

I have loved running influencer campaigns for our clients Gorton’s, Kayem and al fresco. Understanding the behind the scenes and watching campaigns come to life from start to finish has been such an awesome learning experience. Something that excites me most about the world of advertising is the ability for me to use my creativity and experience the reward of my work helping others.

Gideon Baeza, Production
Emerson College

During my time at CP, I learned that it takes hard work and dedication to actualize any idea or project. Things don’t happen with a snap of a finger.

I was given the opportunity to implement my own ideas and concepts into the company. It was amazing to be respected as a creative thinker and to have the chance to collaborate with my other employees was a very immersive and involved experience.

The most exciting element of advertising is that what’s considered good, is always changing. There is never a right way to promote anything and it takes creative thinkers to expand the capabilities of advertising.

CP Pride

In recent years, you can tell the start of June by the consistent and ubiquitous appearance of rainbows. 

It is an incredibly positive step that in so many countries, particularly western, there is such a celebratory feeling to Pride. Major brands, both public and private, are now racing to out-rainbow each other and associate themselves with the LGBTQ+ community, the cause – and for some of us cynics, sell a few products where they can during this month-long party and celebration of diversity. 

However, the origins of Pride were anything but a party. The events at the Stonewall Inn in 1969 which were to spark Pride were brutal, bloody and an important reminder to us all that we have many more steps to take for real equality and visibility for all in society.  

Everyone, especially corporate brands, who in recent years have joined ‘the Pride party’, need to consider their support for this important cause with careful authenticity. Because with the Pride party comes the essential element of protest – for further necessary rights of the LGBTQ+ community around the world.

More steps to make

There are many countries who do not recognise their LGBTQ+ communities and many more rights to be given to LGBTQ+ communities in countries where there is at least recognition. 

• 70 countries criminalise same-sex relationships
• The death penalty for same-sex relationships is either ‘allowed’, or evidence of its existence occurs, in 11 of these countries
• In more than half the world, LGBTQ+ people may not be protected from discrimination by workplace law
• Most governments deny trans people the right to legally change their name and gender from those that were assigned to them at birth
• A quarter of the world’s population believes that being LGBTQ+ should be a crime

(Source: Stonewall.org.uk)

Careful authenticity

An integral part of Pride is visibility. And for corporate brands, this is about true visibility and authenticity. 

The fact is that it’s only been in recent years that the wealth of major brands have really associated themselves with the party of Pride. 

The original Pride parades in the 1970s were a form of protest. They had a daring strategy – to walk the streets of major cities declaring support for a minority, and often misunderstood members of our community. Now it is considered ‘safe’ and is a positive association to launch campaigns covered in rainbows and to walk in Pride. However, it’s not just about branding and floats in a parade, as some brands are finding out. 

AT&T, Toyota and Amazon are just three organisations who have been found to be playing both sides in the LGBTQ+ rights according to a recent article in AdWeek.  The Data for Progress and Popular Information have highlighted brands for a level of marketing hypocrisy – building an extensive Pride campaign while also spending more than $1 million on political campaign contributions to state lawmakers responsible for anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

In an age in branding, marketing and advertising, where purpose and making a meaningful difference is at the forefront of many brands and consumers’ minds, it’s crucial to go beyond past shortcomings when it comes to supporting each other. For example, just a flag, a temporarily redesigned logo or tweet as support. With transparency at an all time high and consumers more interested and knowledgeable about what’s going on behind closed doors and willingness to bring up past comments and actions, it’s critical that brands not only take a stand and speak up this month, but also genuinely show up in support.

Today, there’s so much to celebrate for what’s been done for LGBTQ+ rights. And yet, with 70 countries not recognising LGBTQ+ rights and over 300 pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation passed by US State lawmakers this year alone, there is so much more to do, and it’s all not going to happen in June every year. 

So for those who are planning their corporate strategies for rainbow coloured campaigns next June, consider extending the colours to an annual campaign, and stretch to the entire annual corporate budget and culture, not just the marketing spend. 

It’s not just about painting rainbows in June.

Image Source

 May is Mental Health Awareness month, something that can take on many definitions for different people. One of which is stress, something that everyone has experienced at one point or another. Combatting stress is an important step in looking out for one’s mental health. In an industry where things move exceptionally quickly and can change suddenly, we know firsthand how important it is to be mindful and check in with ourselves regularly. 

Fellow CPers share some of their best practices for reducing the stressors that can impact our mental health. 

Breathe 

When I’m stressed I try to remember to breathe; to check in with my body and pay attention to what’s going on around me. I try to remember to read the stories I’m telling myself about myself. I try to remember to give myself a break. 

Mostly I de-stress by walking outside, especially near water. 

Relationships are like places you can go, too. They create space. The space created through my wife is by far the purest place I de-stress. I can try to remember to do this or that, but she shows me where home and safety are without even trying. I can give myself a break, but she gives me something far more unconditional.

Paul M. Capobianco, Cultural Anthropologist 

Connelly Partners Boston

Talk it out! 

If you’re stressing about something, it can be extremely therapeutic to chat through it with a family member, a friend, or colleague who may bring a different perspective, share a solution or even just be there to listen. You know what they say, a problem shared is a problem halved!

Practice gratitude. 

Starting and ending the day with gratitude has proven benefits. Try writing down two or three things you’re grateful for. It could be the sunshine, the coffee you had on your way to work, the chat with your friend, the lunch you had. By simply taking some time to regularly appreciate the little things in everyday life, you’ll be amazed how quickly your mood will change.

Practice relaxation techniques. 

Taking the time to relax every day helps to manage stress and to protect the body from the effects of stress. You can choose from a variety of techniques, such as deep breathing and mindfulness meditation. These are quick ways of grounding yourself when your client briefs you and the due date is yesterday….yes, we have all been there! 

It’s okay to say “No!” 

To anything that is too demanding of your time and energy or that will place too much stress on you. You don’t always have to meet the expectations of others or the pressures that you put on yourself. 

Nature is nurture! 

Going for a walk around your favourite place and listening to music or a high-vibe podcast can be a great mood-lifter. Research shows that going for a swim in the sea is a great way to release endorphins and reduce stress. Even on those rainy, cold, Irish mornings, Portmarnock Beach in Dublin is one of my favourite locations to go for a dip to get some vitamin sea! 

Karla Whelan, Social and Digital Media Manager & Kelly Murtagh, Junior Account Manager  

Connelly Partners Dublin