Depending on your clients, if you work in public relations or a similar field, you’ll often work with different levels of “celebrities.” Local. Business/Industry. Political. National.
More often than not (at least in my experience), they are usually very nice, professional, civil and sometimes friendly.
Sunday night in working with a local sports team, I had the fortune of meeting and spending some time with “USA Today” columnist, author, TV analyst — and Toledo, Ohio (actually, Ottawa Hills) native — Christine Brennan.
The client honored her with her own team jersey and she “dropped the puck” prior to the game (kind of like throwing out the first pitch in baseball). She also donated two copies of her latest book in a drawing for fans; and during one intermission, sold and signed some books.
Toledo Storm photos by Kurt Nielsen.
(LEFT: That’s Toledo Storm President Barry Soskin just to the back left of Christine Brennan, with Mgr of Game Ops Lonnie Nitschke. RIGHT: Brennan shakes hands with Gwinnett Gladiators’ Jeff Campbell and Toledo Storm’s Jason Maleyko.)
Granted, I don’t really know Christine Brennan. But in the short time I communicated (e-mail and IM) and talked with her, I came away very impressed with her warmth, genuineness (if that’s a word) and of being a very down-to-earth, friendly person. That rare kind of person you meet who makes you feel like her new best friend.
Having grown up and lived in the Toledo area and Northwest Ohio all my life, and with my own background in journalism, it was a personal thrill to be able to combine work with meeting Christine Brennan.
– Mike
