Author Brett Ashley Kaplan scores Kirkus Review

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Rare Stuff by Brett Ashley Kaplan will be published August 1, 2022.

In a big win for a first-time fiction author, client Brett Ashley Kaplan scored a Kirkus Review of her debut novel Rare Stuff.  

“Yiddish-speaking whales, a suitcase packed with secrets, and one young woman’s desperate attempt to find answers. The novel alternates among Sid’s perspective, the long-suffering André’s perspective, and chapters from Aaron’s unpublished manuscript featuring Yiddish-speaking whales trying to save the world from environmental collapse. Kaplan packs a lot into her novel and while the novel’s ambitious scope could easily have been its downfall, it’s saved by descriptions of tender longing for connection and purpose, particularly realized in André’s chapters, as well as a soft, magical tone. A dreamy story with surprising emotional resonance.” –Kirkus Reviews published online 5-11-22 and in the June 1 issue of the print magazine.

Rare Stuff is available for pre-order on Amazon, Bookshop, and Barnes & Noble and will be available Aug. 1.

 

 

 

World premiere of Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia at California Science Center

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Dozens of Los Angeles media outlets covered the world premiere of Angkor: the Lost Empire of Cambodia at the California Science Center. We worked with Young Communications Group Inc. on the exclusive media preview event and on promoting the associated IMAX film.

The world premiere of the new exhibition debuted at the California Science Center February 16. Through 120 original artifacts — half on tour outside Cambodia for the first time — and hands-on exhibits, guests will use the lens of science to explore the ancient empire of Angkor.

Once considered the most extensive metropolis in the world, Angkor houses more than 100 temples, now mysteriously quiet and surrounded by the dense Cambodian forest.

 

 

Five generations of sandwich artists discuss ThunderCloud Subs’ enduring appeal

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Thundercloud for Austin Monthly Magazine
Drew Anthony Smith

We’ve been lucky to work with some quintessential Austin brands over the years. One of these is ThunderCloud Subs, a local chain of sub sandwich shops that is one of the most-loved businesses in the city.

In 10 years as ThunderCloud’s PR agency, this article more than any other gets the vibe and culture that make ThunderCloud unique.

“As much as Austin has changed over ThunderCloud’s 47 years in operation, walking into one of their shops still feels like stepping back in time. And a big part of that classic vibe has to do with the employees, many of whom to this day still fit the city’s legendary slacker archetype, clocking out to head straight to band practice.”

Thanks to writer Dan Gentile for the extensive research and interviews, and really capturing ThunderCloud.

GFO Home founder featured in Austin Business Journal profile

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GFO Home founder and CEO Glenn Gehan is a fifth-generation homebuilder who, as a kid, thought he might be a dentist someday. Instead, he built his first company into one of the largest volume homebuilders in the country. And his new company is already an amazing success story.

This profile of Glenn in the Austin Business Journal is a rare look at the roots of Glenn’s success, and his present-day inspirations. “You don’t get many fifth-generation homebuilders,” Glenn says.

National LGBT Cancer Network joins 350 orgs in supporting Levine appointment

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The National LGBT Cancer Network helped bring together a coalition of 350 nonprofit organizations to support the historic appointment of Dr. Rachel Levine, a trans woman, as Assistant Secretary of Health in the new administration. The coalition delivered a letter to the U.S Senate urging Levine’s appointment as the most qualified candidate. “The fact that she is trans is an inspiration for the many of us who have never had a role model this senior before,” says Scout, executive director of the LGBT Cancer Network. “The fact that she is supremely qualified means her trans status, while historic and inspirational, should not be a factor in her confirmation.”

 

Austin’s Butler Trail in the running for USA Today’s 10Best

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The beloved Trail in the heart of Austin, the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, is in the running for the USA Today 10Best awards. Currently at #4, you can put them over the top by voting here!

Welcome new client GFO Home!

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Brenda Thompson Communications is now the public relations firm for GFO Home, a wildly successful new homebuilder in Austin and Dallas founded by real estate legend Glenn Gehan.

Glenn was the co-founder and CEO of Gehan Homes, one of the 10 largest privately-held homebuilders in the United States. After 25 years, he sold Gehan Homes and in 2018 founded GFO Home in Austin, the hottest real estate market in the country. In just two years, GFO has become the fastest-growing homebuilder in the city and had $280 million in revenue for 2020, only its second full year in business.

GFO Home is known for its team of experienced real estate veterans, and for streamlining and optimizing the process of building and buying high-end homes with modern designs in some of the best communities in and around Austin and Dallas. The company will expand to Houston in the near future.

The Juicy Leaf featured in Facebook’s Resilient Voices campaign

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The Juicy Leaf, a boutique succulent and retail store in Los Angeles’ Highland Park neighborhood, is featured in Facebook’s campaign Resilient Voices: Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month. The incredible amount of attention for the business included being featured as Facebook’s cover video and in multiple posts.

Felix Navarro, who owns the business and manages it with his life and work partner, Felipe Abrahao, has a story of resilience about following his dreams no matter the obstacles and sacrifices required. “Since I was a little kid, I always had my hands in the dirt. I learned everything I know from my mom. To leave my secure job for my passion was absolutely terrifying. I would second-guess myself a lot. I went from being an executive in corporate America, making really good money, to selling succulents at flea markets.

The Juicy Leaf is famous for its succulent arrangements, designer terrariums, and highly curated home decor, and fine art. Since the pandemic, they’ve added succulent arrangement kit delivery with accompanying Instagram Live workshops for people in Los Angeles and around the country. The kits and workshops have exploded in popularity, The Juicy Leaf is becoming even more famous, and owner Felix Navarro is becoming a bonafide plant celebrity. In addition to the Facebook campaign, The Juicy Leaf was recently featured in the Los Angeles Times and in Boys With Plants magazine.

 

 

ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot going virtual

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This year will be the 30th anniversary of the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot, the beloved Austin Thanksgiving Day tradition that typically brings close to 25,000 people together to walk or run with family and friends while also raising money to support ending homelessness. ThunderCloud Subs has raised more than $4 million for Caritas of Austin since the Trot began. This year’s event will be going virtual to keep everyone safe, with plans and details coming soon. Just as it has been for 30 years, the Trot will be all about community and fun, so stay tuned!

 

National LGBT Cancer Network announces leadership changes

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Liz Margolies founded the first and only organization in the country to address the cancer-related issues of LGBTQ+ people in 2006. Under her passionate leadership the National LGBT Cancer Network achieved huge things, including producing internationally acclaimed films, creating an awareness campaign with billboards in Times Square, winning major funding from the Centers for Disease Control, and convening more than 170 organizations to urge action to prevent COVID-19 discrimination. She is stepping down as executive director, but the work of the Network will continue.