A Plan....

posted by Patty James @ 7:24am, Monday 3 May 2010.

It was a big work weekend (when isn't it?) and I made some progress. This morning I heard from Erin and it was good news! She is willing to save 2 weeks for me out of the 2 months I have her to pitch to the western states. This is a big deal. I committed to 2 months with Erin and Smith Publicity and it is 2 consecutive months, not to be split up. I knew that, but asked her if she could pitch Seattle, Portland and the San Francisco Bay Area instead of some of the smaller eastern states. I wanted a local girl comes home after a national project type-ending to her media pitch. What she said is that you can't start pitching that far ahead (not a big surprise) but to help she was willing to end the 2 month pitch on May 21st, which gets the pitching through the major east coast states, and then save the last 2 weeks for the end of the project and she'd pitch the areas I just mentioned. Isn't that wonderful? Great news!! Thank you Erin-this really helps a lot.

So based upon today's information and eliminating some small eastern states, here is the new itinerary:

Today is Kid's interviews in Drums, PA, a newspaper interview and then I'll drive to Philadelphia. Tomorrow is a TV show. After that I drive to....

May 5-7 Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Kid's interviews and radio spots

May 9-14 New York City

Kid's interviews and media spots (lots more as well-The Clinton Foundation, a fundraiser for Wellness in the Schools (WITS), meetings and of course, volunteering as part part of Child Abuse Prevention Month)

May 17-20 Boston, and Acton Boxborough, Massachusetts

Kid's interviews and media

May 21-22 East Barre, Vermont

Kid's interviews

 

May 23-26 Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine

Kid's interviews and yes, I really want to see Bar Harbor. Before I left I knew I wanted to go to St. Augustine, FL., and Bar Harbor, Maine. I didn't know why, but those 2 places have drawn me in...can't explain it...

 

May 28-June ?: Chicago and Naperville, Illinois

Kid's interviews and I will stay with Victoria until the RV is ready.

 

This time frame depends on when the RV is complete. It’s a 2 full day drive back to St. Augustine, Florida. After I drop off the rental car and pick up the RV, I will drive back to Naperville, pick up the dogs and head north and then west. It’s probably a 3 day drive back to Naperville in the R.V.

These are the remaining states, which will give a good feeling for kids in each region. The further west I go, the more people I know, with the exception of New York City-I know a lot of people there. Actually, if I were to do this trip again, I have friends all over the country! It's so nice...

These 10 states will take about 7-8 weeks to travel through. Remember it's kid's interviews and no media until I get to Seattle, Washington. I will stay a week in Utah as I have a friends and business colleagues there and I will stay a week in southern Oregon as my Mom and sisters, my niece and nephew are there. I figure I'll be home by September and will spend the first few weeks doing P.R., talks (Rotary, and other clubs) and of course, and mostly, hanging out with my family and friends.

 

Wisconsin

Minnesota

South Dakota

Nebraska

Colorado

Utah

Wyoming

Montana

Washington

Oregon

This will be a total of 31 states, which gives a good feel of kids in every region of the country. The written surveys will be disseminated in every state and this is where I really need your help!

I did a lot more over the weekend, but I have been working for hours and need to step away from the computer and get some fresh air....more soon...

P.S. Already thinking ahead to parties. I'm going to have a big Landing party after my smallish launch party. I also know what I will be for Halloween...(big surprise)  a Gypsy! How apropos is that?