Behind the Scenes Blog Queen

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Fri, 06/15/2007 - 07:47 — Angela Vargo

When I left Public Relations a year ago, the blog had launched just two months earlier and was still an infant. It was hard to leave my "baby" behind to take on a new job role in Marketing, but I left it in very capable hands. I know most of you know Brian, a.k.a. "Blog Boy," but I'd like to introduce you to the other person who works tirelessly, day in and day out, to make sure this blog is fun, interesting, and a bit wacky.

Paula Berg is our behind-the-scenes Blog Queen and I recently went behind her back and asked some of her friends and Coworkers, "Who is Paula Berg?"

Paula Berg is...

...the most real person you will ever meet, the first person people put on their guest list when throwing a party, adorable, honest, creative and brilliant!

Submitted by Brandy King, Coworker and PR Manager

...passionate about this relatively new concept--the blog--that allows Customers and Employees to connect on common interests. She is tireless in her efforts and understands how important it is for companies to be transparent in their communications with Customers.

Submitted by Ginger Hardage, Sr. VP of Corporate Communications

...Paula is a true friend and the best person in the world to travel with. I don't think I could trek through Iceland, get stranded in Frankfurt, or get left by the bus in Vienna with anyone but Paula. She makes every moment count...

Submitted by Marilee McInnis, Coworker and PR Manager

...nice enough to post my jokes so she can't be all that bad.

Submitted by Jill Howard-Allen, Manager Business Support Projects and "Nuts" Blogger

...the best story teller that has ever walked the Earth. No one else has her cornucopia of knowledge about waxing, ethnic men, jalapenos, Central Market, body wraps, drinking, political movies that only air at 2 am, and making friends with strangers. Can't wait to read her book!

Submitted by Whitney Eichinger,Coworker and PR Manager

...wacky, off-the-wall, immensely talented, big-hearted, dedicated, and the perfect 'audience' for my puns. When she gets this certain twinkle in her eye, I know that she is about to share one of her unusual "Paula" stories that almost always leave me LMAO.

Submitted by Brian Lusk, "Blog Boy" and Manager of Customer Communications/Corporate Editor

...a future President of the United States

Submitted by Chris Mainz, co-worker and PR Specialist

...the best storyteller you will ever meet. No topic is taboo, and she's not afraid to laugh at herself, which makes her an immensely enjoyable person to be around (and here at Southwest, we work a lot, so we're around her A LOT!!).

Submitted by Linda Rutherford, VP of Public Relations and Community Affairs

I posted some pics of Paula so you can buy her a drink if you ever run into her at a Southwest airport. I promise you that it will be entertaining. You'll leave with some great stories and a new friend.

Thanks, PB, for keeping the blog alive behind the scenes. You rock.

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Comments

Girl! You are awesome! Keep up the great work!

Steven — Fri, 06/15/2007 - 14:11

Paula Berg is...

...blessed with her own page'o'quotes at thinkexist.com (http://thinkexist.com/quotes/paula_berg/). What's next? A Wikipedia entry? A fan site? (paulaberg.com is already taken -- we might need "Malice in Dallas II" with the similarly-named Boston attorney to settle that issue) Inclusion into Bartlett's Familiar Quotations? :D

Drew — Fri, 06/15/2007 - 14:14

Kudos to Paula, Angela and the entire communications team down there at Southwest for making this an enjoyable as well as informative place to stop by.

You would like to know that at the New Media Summit event that we put on last week with Cisco, this blog was brought up several times in conversations and SWA was one of the companies that "gets it" when it comes to New Media. Keep up the great work!!

Rick Sauter — Fri, 06/15/2007 - 14:28

Paula,
You're awesome, smart, fun and a neat person to know! You definitely deserve this "shout-out" from Angela, and I'm honored to be your friend!
Best wishes always,
Kim
External Blog Boy :)

Kim Seale — Fri, 06/15/2007 - 19:24

I would like to see a blog about what cities people here would like to see Southwest fly to that they don't already go to now. I fly to MSP a lot but wait for DING specials to Chicago's Midway from BWI or IAD then switch to another airline but it would be nice if SWA went there. I'm stuck paying taxes twice but it's still less than other airlines charge sometimes.

Steve — Fri, 06/15/2007 - 23:05

Oh you guys! I feel so LUVedÃ

Paula Berg — Sat, 06/16/2007 - 00:00

Paula Berg is...

Absolutely a FUN luving girl! She has this incredible aura around her and a glow that lights up a room as soon as she enters. Her hospitality is awesome, her sense of humor is impeccable, and she is an incredible conversationalist.

Jedi Blog Master

Paco Cerda — Sat, 06/16/2007 - 01:30

Can I have your autograph?? Whenever you are in SAN and i am actually there i will have to buy u a drink....keep up the good work.. this blog has brought me new friends.....

USS BLOG BOY

francisco delgado — Sat, 06/16/2007 - 03:22

Paula Berg is a person whose name I use to obtain news on Southwest that doesn't always come in under Southwest Airlines. I also use Whitney's name to do the same thing. Great job both of you.

Scott near SMF — Mon, 06/18/2007 - 00:04

Soooo... who is going to be the first author of the Paula Berg Wikipedia entry?

Scott near SMF — Mon, 06/18/2007 - 00:06

I'm enthusiastic about blogging but my 'day job' company is not yet. Any studies at Southwest about blogging having an impact on employees? (It's of course more than 'academic' interest.)

Dan Smith — Mon, 06/18/2007 - 01:37

Why has no one mentioned her BEAUTY? She has a Meg Ryan quality. In the few times I've been around her she makes me feel like a true friend!

Here's a toast to Angela - CHEERS!

Carole

Carole Adams — Mon, 06/18/2007 - 04:26

Those who get the chance to meet her are truly lucky....She is a friend for life!

Tania Sotomayor-Galvin — Mon, 06/18/2007 - 21:28

Start up the doubles and triples again or it will be time to hit the road. I am a loyal, but nearly gone, customer. I might as well start collecting International miles on a different airline at this rate.

Tim — Tue, 06/19/2007 - 00:18

Paula was a fabulous speaker. I just heard her speak today at a conference and she was awesome. I can see why this blog and SW is so successful. Thanks for coming to OKC!

klk in okc — Wed, 06/20/2007 - 18:43

I've been around Paula a little and she's electric!!!! Nice shout out Angela!

K.Francis — Wed, 06/20/2007 - 20:27

I'd have to say that after meeting her, Paula is definitely the type of person who's an immediate friend. Thanks for taking the time to travel to OKC and talk to us about this blog.

And thanks for the cookbook!

Tiffany Monhollon — Thu, 06/21/2007 - 18:54

Paula, I love SWA, everyone who works for them are special to me. Three and a half years ago I lost my best friend, my daughter , Lindsay Kent. She was a flght attendent for SWA. Lindsay, her boyfriend, and two other friends were klled in a boating accident. Part of me died that September day, but I have to tell you SWA were so good to Lindsays family and friends. I could never thank them enough for their genuine concern for us. They really are a family. Some of Lindsays best friends are SWA flight attendants, and they come visit me four to six times a year. I feel like part of Lindsay lives in them, and it is a comfort to know how much they love her too! I will always be partial to SWA, and I do public relations for them all the time. Whatever SWA does to make the closeness between their employees, keep up the good work. I like to believe they only hire the greatest people. Lakendra Harper and Pam Ralls are what SWA is made of. Thanks again for the compassion SWA has. Sincerely, Jerri Grobe

JerrGrobe — Fri, 06/22/2007 - 20:53

Paula is incredible. I was fortunate enough to sit in the cube next to hers back in the days when she used to work for Customer Relations. She will always have a happy face, nice smile despite of what she would be going through that day. She is a person you want to be around with. I have not seen her for probably a year or so, even though we work at Headquarters. Can you believe it? Anyway, she is a keeper.
Sincerely,
Juan F.

Juan F. Fernandez — Wed, 06/27/2007 - 21:22

hey paula. just an old friend from high school who stumbled upon this sight. it sounds like you haven't changed a bit! glad to see that. you were always the spunkiest girl on the cheer squad. love ya
martha (ball)

martha whitesell — Fri, 08/17/2007 - 20:06

Never mind "wacky", and "off-the-wall" - "behind-the-scenes Blog Queen", and "Nuts about Southwest" really say it all for me.

To Paula Berg of Southwest Airlines, their apparent "behind-the-scenes Blog Queen" as quoted above, who herself says, regarding the events of March 6-7, 2008 and the record US$10,200,000 in fines racked up by Southwest: "...this situation was never and is not now a safety of flight issue".

Nonsense, Paula.

Cracks in airplanes? Nonsense, Paula.

I've been around publicists and other entertainment folk for over 20 years, and I have heard better publicity emanating from self-plugging screenwriters on acid.

And Paula, as for "[t]he FAA approved our actions and considered the matter closed as of April 2007".

Nonsense, Paula.

It's not "closed", until WE the PUBLIC say it is closed! Take that back to your superiors for me - and tell them that we are just getting started.

John J. Tormey III, Esq.
Quiet Rockland

John J. Tormey III, Esq. — Fri, 03/07/2008 - 23:12

Hey Paula! Ned and I will be flying Southwest for the first time in June. I accidentally found this site when trying to acquaint myself with SWA. I enjoyed reading all of the comments from your co-workers - you haven't changed a bit. You are still the same Paula that I knew as a little girl and I am thrilled to see how successful you are - although I am not surprised. Would love to see you the next time you are here to see your parents.
Hope that SWA will live up to it's reputation.
p.s. your smile is the same "Paula" sparkle I remember

Kitty Costa — Mon, 03/31/2008 - 02:49

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