Lovely Bridal Shop is the perfect respite from the overdone chandelier, bright lights and rows of dresses shrouded in plastic that make up your average mainstream bridal store. It’s also a more approachable option for the stylish, Coco +Kelly reading bride who would rather shimmy on and off her favorite J brands than dress to the nines in order to feel welcome at the more couture bridal houses. Marketing maven Lanie List and operating partner Cassandra Quinn recognized this lack of a homey, quaint bridal boutique and opened the doors of their West Village Brownstone store just six weeks ago. At launch they had already secured 50 initial appointments and have been booked solid ever since. So how did they do it?
Cynthia Rowley Bridesmaids Launches with Foursquare

The Dessy Group, Cynthia Rowley and newly opened NYC bridal boutique Lovely Bride have joined forces to promote the designer’s latest venture, Cynthia Rowley Bridesmaids, and they are using Foursquare to do it. Working behind the scenes to execute the online components are Macala Wright Lee of Fashionably Digital and Foursquare VP of Business Development Tristan Walker, with strategic direction and support from PR Couture. While retailers and designers have made use of Foursquare’s online-to-offline capabilities, we have yet to see a manufacturer, designer and boutique come together to leverage social tools to grow brand awareness and drive event participation. This eye toward collaboration and integrated promotion is quite innovative, and it’s refreshing to assist on a project where everyone, from the vendor to the PR department, is committed to their part to spread the word about this quick turn-around campaign.
So how does it work?

On the evening of June 3, Lovely Bride will host Cynthia herself for an intimate soirée with dress fittings provided by Lovely. Attendees who demonstrate that they are checked in on Foursquare will receive a special gift. Of course, there is also the opportunity to unlock coveted badges including Newbie, Adventurer, Bender, Crunked, Local, Taxi (taking a trip above 59th St), Overshare and ultimately leading to the almighty swarm badge with 50+ people checked in.
For those who aren’t able to attend the event, you can follow CR Bridal on Foursquare and Twitter as she checks-in to various local spots around town. Lovely Bride, Dessy Group and Cynthia Rowley are also in on the fun. It’s a social collaboration!
Seems simple, right? We sure hope so! Integrating social tools like Foursquare into offline campaigns and events doesn’t have to be complex, but it does require assigning campaign goals and then developing strategy and content that support those goals.
Next up PR Couture gets the inside scoop with The Lovely Bride
Event Recap: A Night of LUX for LLS + Online Auction
Last Thursday I met up with the BFF half-way between Los Angeles and San Diego to attend an unforgettable charitable event put on by Elizabeth Wahler, founder of Kiere Media, (LadyLux) to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The event was sparked by her nomination and candidacy The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man and Woman of the Year Campaign, a 10 week national campaign with local chapters supporting two local children who are blood cancer survivors.
Set against a remarkable backdrop of Pacific Ocean and sky at a private estate, the evening event included a silent auction that included pearl strands from Jane Basch, a guitar signed by Mick Jagger, pieces by Valentino and Catherine Maladrino, art and high-end beauty products. Model’s wearing LUXE by Lisa Vogel strutted their stuff in vibrant prints and mingled with guests. Event sponsors included South Coast Plaza, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Black Starr & Frost, Nancy Gonzelez, LUXE by Lisa Vogel, and Dr. Domanskis.


