Start Paragraph

Start Paragraph produces online communities for clients who want to develop relationships with their customers. We create and manage blogs and other websites that foster authentic interaction, deliver messages or communicate a lifestyle to select audiences.

Additionally, Start Paragraph offers consulting services to public relations agencies and other businesses interested in more effective participation and engagement with weblogs and other social media.

Services & Capabilities

Community Development

• Weblogs
• Forums
• Activity-oriented websites
• Corporate websites
• Websites that work

Weblog Management

• Editorial direction
• Blogging services
• Style consulting
• Design oversight
• Staffing assistance

Consultation

• Social Media training
• Blogging 101 for PR
• Twitter Explained
• How to pitch blogs
• Online media lists

About Andrew Huff

Andrew Huff is a veteran blogger with a background in journalism and public relations, and extensive experience delivering client messages with an authentic, effective voice.

Andrew launched his personal blog in January 2001, making him one of the 1 percent oldest bloggers. In 2003, he co-founded Gapers Block, one of the earliest city blogs and the first in Chicago, with designer Naz Hamid. Gapers Block has been called the city's "best online read" by Chicago Magazine and is listed as one of the "best city blogs" in Forbes' Best of the Web.

He began blogging for corporate clients in 2006, and has worked on projects for A&E Television, American Express, Kenneth Cole Productions and Starwood Hotels, among others.

Andrew holds a bachelor of journalism degree from The Ohio State University and a certificate in medical writing & editing from the University of Chicago. During his years in PR, he represented clients including Ace Hardware, The Northern Trust, the National Rosacea Society, Skil-Bosch, Galderma, and Chicago's famous Ann Sather restaurants.

Contact: andrew@startparagraph.com or 773-368-6137

Current Projects

Andrew is currently working in connection with Electric Artists, an independent digital brand management and strategy agency, on two projects:

Kenneth Cole
• Awearness Blog (2008-present) Editing and blogging for activism blog tied to the Awearness line of clothing. Managed staff of four regular and multiple occasional contributors.

Starwood Hotels
• TheLobby.com (2007-present) Blogging for travel blog targeted to Starwood Preferred Guest program members.

Past Projects

Coudal Partners
• Layer Tennis (2007-2008) Assisted with game management and liveblogged for design tournament in support of Adobe CS3 launch.

American Express (with Electric Artists)
• Entertainment Access Spotlight (2007-2008; offline) Edited and wrote content for entertainment section of AmericanExpress.com. Managed staff of three bloggers.
• MmmChicago.com (2006-2007; offline) Edited and wrote for lifestyle blog in support of In:Chicago Card launch. Managed team of three bloggers, interacted with client.

A&E Television (with Electric Artists)
• Paranormal Insider (2007-2008; offline) Edited and wrote for Paranormal Insider, a blog in support of "Paranormal State" television show. Managed staff of six bloggers, including the show's host.
• Intervention Insights (2008) Developed content for page in support of "Intervention" television show.

Speaking Engagements

Chicago Journalism Town Hall
• 2009: Panelist, inaugural discussion

South by Southwest Interactive
• 2008: "Working Over the Web: Managing Distributed Staffs"
• 2007: "How to Rawk SXSW"
• 2005: "How to Create a Compelling Community Weblog"

Morton's of Chicago
• 2008 PR Conference: "Working with Online Media"

Publicity Club of Chicago
• 2008 "How to Pitch Blogs"

Community Media Workshop
• 2008 "Pitching Blogs"
• 2005 "Blogging and How It's Transforming the Media"

Media Coverage

WTTW-TV: "Chicago Tonight"
Chicago Public Radio: "Eight Forty-Eight"
Chicago Tribune: "Chicago Web journals vie for validity"

Articles

• "How to Pitch Blogs," Getting On the Air and Into Print, 2008 ed. Community Media Workshop