Had a huge event this weekend we ran for a client – and I happened to speak to Mark Birnbaum, a friend and the mogul behind EMM Group, one of New York’s most successful hospitality, lifestyle and management companies and he had some great advice I wanted to share that anyone should know when running an event.

• Plan ahead and don’t leave anything for the last second

• As Mark Birnbaum says with your blackberry you have to “live life practically through this thing.”

• Be prepared physically – even if it looks easy, it isnt “…business is long hours, late hours. We have to maintain our health. Boxing is a great part of our lives. We [train and spar] three or four times a week. “

• Make sure the music is right – music sets the tone for many things – including an event.  Plan ahead.

As GQ says Mark Birnbaum of EMM Group is the “new king of nightlife” – and “…if you’re at one of their spots, chances are, you’re having the time of your life.”

Running an event is always a ton of work – and for more, follow Mark Birnbaum on Twitter at: twitter.com/markbirnbaumemm

Ronn Torossian

5WPR

Donald Trump is someone who always has great quotes, and two of his quotes really resonate with me:
“If you love what you do, you will work harder.” “The harder you work, the luckier you will get.”

Two recent arrivals to New York City are people who really epitomize both of these quotes and they are hard, driving ideological successes – Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin. One of the greatest things of owning 5WPR is the mix of great people we get to interact with- and a few I spoke with or met within the last 48 hours epitomize successful entrepreneurship:

• Ed Mermelstein – Best Real Estate attorney in NY, the lawyer for the oligarchs in US (Russian Lawyer in NY) – By far youngest attorney named to Observer Lawyers You Call List
• Mark Schulhof, CEO of Quadriga Art – Tremendously driven to succeed for clients in all aspects of direct marketing and other arenas
• Michael Malik – leading entrepreneur and developer from Detroit – Self-made multi-multi millionaire – almost 60 years old he is nonstop movement and energy
• Mark Birnbaum – Nightclub impresario of EMM Group.  Chances are if you go out in NYC, you have visited his venues, whether Abe & Arthurs, Catch, TenJune or elsewhere – and in his mid 30’s, he’s just getting started

I love it every day.

Over the weekend I had a chance to reflect upon my Friday. As people often ask what a day looks like in running a PR agency, thought to write about it. Tiring, exhausting and great all at the same time.

Started early with a 530 AM job, bike and light lifting – followed by 8AM midtown breakfast with the premier US NY Russian attorney, Edward Mermelstein.  Ed’s a client and friend we have worked for many years – and always enjoy hearing his take on the world.

• Had a 930 AM strategy meeting with a client, followed instantly by a client conference call with my team
• Quick internal meeting followed by returning 2 calls – 1 new business call (scheduled a meeting for next week), and returned a call to a Reporter
• The afternoon saw a 30 minute break to return emails, catch my breath, and before I turned around it was time for a internal staff meeting with 1 of my teams
• Had a new business meeting end of day – and then more returning emails, calls to Mark Birnbaum of EMM Group about an upcoming event for a client, Elie Hirschfeld about a recent media story, and the like.

Its always something different – moving fast and making it happen.

Ronn Torossian

5WPR

Owning a Public Relations firm, 5WPR, stress is always a factor. Public Relations is a 24/7 business and 1 never knows what comes next.

Some tips which allow me to cope:

• Take pre-planned vacations (preferably in another time zone so you get free time before office hours start – as even a vacation for an executive cant mean completely tuning out)
• Exercise – Sweat always helps…
• As I said in a recent Men’s Health article:  Have music available where you can listen to music for a few minutes to rebalance – http://news.menshealth.com/cope-with-stress/2012/01/19/

Different executives have different ways to defrag – Real Estate mogul Elie Hirschfeld has his triathlons and the gym he loves – Sports Club/LA (East Side) – Doesn’t hurt that he owns the building. Read more about Elie Hirschfeld favorite places at:  http://mia.hauteliving.com/haute-secrets/?cat=All&market=New%20York&guideid=270

As Mark Birnbaum and Eugene Remm who run a nightclub and hospitality empire recently explained in GQ they box multiple times a week. Read more at:  http://www.gq.com/style/ten-essentials/201112/emm-group#ixzz1lSAIGMBt

Of course, those who don’t live in NYC have many different options – Michael Malik, a gaming mogul has boats which allow him to defrag – and of course we can all dream of having our own island ala Richard Branson.

Ronn Torossian is the CEO of 5WPR, and author of the recently released PR book “For Immediate Release”

One of the most exciting aspects of my business is the successful and interesting people we meet or come across – Some random thoughts:

• I run a lot – and have been contemplating training for a triathalon but wonder if I will have the time – until my client Real estate mogul Elie Hirschfeld reminds me that he’s done 75-plus triathlons in my lifetime, and at the age of 61 finished his last one in under 3 hours. I am just going to call him Inspiring Elie Hirschfeld.

• Mark Birnbaum & Eugene Remm whom Forbes refers to as “The New Kings of New York Nightlife” by Forbes- They seem to be in perpetual movement with success – expanding on their already fabulous empire, they have decided in the last few weeks to open Catch Miami, and a 18,000-square-foot restaurant on the Lower East Side.

• Michael Malik who never stops working and is a pioneer in the casino development industry, including big projects in California, Michigan, and New York. He has been  involved in bringing gaming to multiple communities, and continues to seek investment and development opportunities in the entertainment and gaming industry. Mr. Michael J. Malik is another one who’s always looking for more positive action.

• Interestingly, Sumitomo Corporation  closed on a joint venture deal that gives Unicharm a significant stake in the common share of The Hartz Mountain Corporation (Hartz), parent company who makes many pet products, including Hartz flea and Hartz flea & tick.

• NY Russian Real Estate Attorney Edward Mermelstein in Time Magazine this week discussing the fascinating London lawsuit between 2 oligarchs -  Boris Berezovsky and Roman Abramovich.  “This lawsuit is a public relations nightmare for Putin and his country,” says Edward Mermelstein, an international lawyer and an authority on commercial deals in Russia and Ukraine. “The financial aspect is not as material here as is the press that is being generated. It puts all of the Russian government and its business people in a bad light.” Read more: http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2012/01/20/londons-six-billion-dollar-trial-how-boris-berezovsky-has-already-triumphed/#ixzz1kEkGlTXz

Ronn Torossian is the CEO of 5WPR, and author of the recently released PR book “For Immediate Release”.