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Sonja Morgan

Dr. Doolittle

Sonja is thrilled she left Carole's party lizard-less and discusses her ideal business relationship.

Aug 14, 2012

I knew of all the people at that table Carole has the time to nurture the lizard and give it a home. Frankly, I am not sure what anyone else would do with this poor little guy and I did not feel I could handle taking home another animal if I did not have too. I already feel like Dr. Doolittle with the hurricane damage and slew of workers, repairmen, playdates, business appointments, shoots, my interns, and the menagerie of pets I already have coming and going. In fact, we still do not know where our hamster is at the moment and the cat knocked the goldfish out of the bowl. It is a constant battle of scheduling. dentists, vets, grooming, new roof, cracked sidewalk, toaster oven demos, catering clients, board meetings. It's Grand Central until my daughter gets home from school. Then the HOMEWORK. How can anyone squabble at a cocktail party???

I don't know what all the fuss is about. Heather and I are two creative women, she is a designer and I am developing a home and lifestyle collection. We have both done many photo shoots over our many years in business. Heather has business partners that invest in her company so she understands as I do that I will have investors to confer with and buyers down the line as well who will like the packaging with the six pack or not.

We do not make all the decisions by ourselves these brands come together as a team.

I had a branding and packaging guy AND photographer who was dying to be in the limelight as well. But Heather insisted I wait until after London to use hers -- so I provided the studio, hair, makeup, stylist, borrowed dresses, accessories, and set props as part of the team

We were two friends working on a creative project bringing together our resources who were all excited to be involved. I didn't want to limit myself to the Samsung microwave concept that Peter Arnell, world renowned brand strategist and marketing communications expert did it 10 years ago because:

1. It did not look original, it looked very Abercrombie.
2. I can't be sure that the investors/ buyers/shopping networks will go for it.

Next:
Business With Pleasure
Business With Pleasure Sonja discusses Heather's team and why she needed "the Ramona monster." August 14, 2012 The Real Housewives of New York City Season 5 / Episode 10 / Sonja Morgan
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smack26 176 pts

How doe she get free interns???  Who oks this and where do they come from??  That is horrible.  No wonder she thinks that she is entitled.

Cathy9 35 pts

I liked/loved the ad with the the man and his abs.  Made the toaster oven (which you better have great ideas on marketing, because who needs another appliance on their counter?) look strong, sturdy and hits the males and females together.  With just you, it's like only women cook in the kitchen.  You were not a team player with Heather, you just wanted to do what only you wanted at the end of the day, for free.  I used to get you but now I just think your projecting things out there that you yourself have to deal with.  Hope by some of the previews of the up coming show that you are not on a down hill slide.  I would not like to see that.

 

PeaceInNYC2013 27 pts

Sonja, hi, I wish you luck with your product and its launch. You say some great things about Heather and I agree, she seems professional and passionate like you. I do think you could worked harder though with Ramona's wacky insistence that somehow Heather had her dumped from the shoot--Heather was treated by Ramona incredibly unfairly (not the first time). She seems quite paranoid, Ramona. In any case don't allow her to get away with her paranoid projections on anyone. I agree with everyone. Wish the stuff about the tampon had been cut out completely, I found it quite tacky and "over sharing" in a big way. Anyway good luck with everything.

 

69teresa 16 pts

Pay heather for her help you treated her so badly and you said you a a client . clients pay for a team to put that together they pay for what you thought you should get for free. Thats just wrong Heather and her team worked really hard. If you really needed Romona why didnt she help before this. You went to Heather and asked for her help. you dont bring people to buisness meeting. specially when they dont like each other. I liked the sexy man I might have bought that toaster oven but seeing the way you actted  towards Heather for setting all that up. No respect for her time and all those other peoples time. Pay up girl . You were married to a rich man. Act like it.

Rita-la 460 pts

I just went more deeply into Sonja's personal website and have so far found at least three different logos. One for the website overall, one on the Sonja in the City page, which looks like the wordmark James designed, but with a type of "J" that uses a descender; and one on her toaster oven, which you can find if you follow her recipe for potato chips. None of them seemed to relate to each other, although the toaster oven logo did use a scripty font, set on an angle. So much for brand consistency across platforms.

jmos1234 47 pts

 Rita-la I looked and noticed that there are two different walking girls (check the forward foot.)

And I think that the descending J is just a larger point size, though I can't be certain.  It looks thicker.

penneyone 4623 pts

HELLO, SONJA,  You said in blog that your HAMSTER is missing. Here's a tip. Put the cage on the floor where you keep him and he will come home. Trust me I know. LOL

Rita-la 460 pts

Sonja's current wordmark is almost exactly the same as that of Soma Intimates. I kept seeing their ads on TV and the script looked very familiar. So I looked up both websites and, sure enough, so similar that they might look exactly the same to an untrained eye. I liked James' type treatment much more.

Alph 141 pts

Sonja, you're a joke!!!! A toaster oven? Yeah right!!!!!!!

MichelleGrunner 1577 pts

you just don't get it .... you started the whole commenting about the cost of the help you received when you said 'I am the client' .... nope, you're a friend Heather is helping for free.... so unprofessional and so disappointing....

mansoon 67 pts

I have always enjoyed you but lately you seem really mean and entitled.  I think you need to examine how you treat others and assess the negative impact Ramona has on you.  You are getting sucked into instigating conflict and seem to enjoy it.  When did you become a mean girl?  I hope this is an influence you can rid yourself of and bring back the old Sonja we all enjoyed. 

ChrisK94 167 pts

Sonja, I hope you feel better since it sounds like you have menorrhagia.  That happens in the time approaching menopause, and I have been there and done that.  It is miserable, drains your energy, and makes life hard.  You deserve better.

Mommyjam 1301 pts

Your website still has that girl logo and scripted Sonja so I guess you ended up not taking any of Heather's advice?  Your website has so many photos of you, but none of the ones taken wtih Heather's photoshoot.  There should be more pictures of the actual events that you have hosted, unless there wasn't any......

penneyone 4623 pts

HI, SONJA,  I'm very much a fan. I'm so glad you called Heather out on her so called VENTING  BEHIND PEOPLE'S BACK. I just don't get her yet. She came on this show, I think, just  for ADVERTISING HER YUMMIE. She is making it so hard for me to like her. She needs to relax and lighten-up. I like you. Keep being fun because life is too short.

Rita-la 460 pts

Regarding "the Samsung microwave concept that Peter Arnell, world renowned brand strategist and marketing communications expert did... 10 years ago," that campaign rebranded Samsung as being cool and hip, and dipped their demographic down to include college students who wanted to buy the microwave for their dorm room. Their sales zoomed. In the biz, imitation is often the sincerest form of flattery. When I was branding for a major automotive brand, we would have to change ad directions often because the competition would start copying what we were doing. Reputable, national-brand companies. Once our ad and the competition's ad showed up in the same magazine, with almost exactly the same kind of shot and headline. Now, that's a little too close for comfort. With ten years' difference, it wouldn't have been an issue. You could have done worse, for sure.

jmos1234 47 pts

 Rita-la I totally agree, Rita-la.

 

This could have been a fun, nod to a different yet similar campaign. I think it was a smart choice for James. James even said that Sonja needed to aim towards the grandchildren and not the grandmas.

 

 

Drshilodlenfant 58 pts

Sonja, you seemed unprofessional throughout the duration of working with Heather. She was always professional, providing her expert opinions. She tried to back out gracefully, saying you seemed to have a different vision, but you insisted on making her keep working with you for free. It seemed like you wanted to use her resources but not her expert ideas. She was not hired to work for you, she was doing her a favor, and you treated her very poorly.  Heather came off looking professional and calm, while you, unfortunately, did not. 

Toby_From_Queensland 24 pts

In spite of your 'clinical' upfront no-nonsense attitude about your menstural cycle, broadcasting your period and the fate of your feminine hygiene products was a bit tacky... I liked how you handled yourself at that mini-meeting before the photo shoot about clients vs friends. I actually agree with you on that one.

nita.gale 18 pts

Dear Sonja,

It might help to be clear about what a logo actually is. It seems you are a little confused with this statement "new font (also part of the logo) but a new symbol (logo)" Logo means word so placing it after symbol is a bit incorrect.

 

To be clear you were looking at a Combination Mark also known as an iconic logotype; this type generally combines a symbol or icon with a unique font treatment to create the logo and is the most common kind of logo. So to correct your statement "new font (wordmark) but a new symbol (icon)".

 

I did not see the treatment in full but it may also be classified as an illustrative logo. Most commonly used in event marketing, it is simply a logo that uses an illustration to represent an image or scene.

 

Good Luck with your future ventures. And, remember, an open hand can become a fist unless you meet in halfway with a handshake of appreciation.

haileybop 389 pts

I actually enjoyed the scenes of you asserting your vision for your product (thou I can't say I know anyone who still uses a toaster over). Heather is a business woman and can take the passionate exchange of ideas. However, as a "professional" yourself you should've been more gracious and apprieciative of the help given by Heather and her team. Gosh thats just good business sense..don't burn bridges or get the rep of being difficult to work with.

 

Also, TMI on your cycle, that whole scene was ridiculous. ..and if your doctor really said you had a young uterus he was lying to you!..hard periods at your age are usually a sign of pre-menopause...Get over yourself..your not a young woman and acting like one doesn't make you look young it just makes you look foolish

 

jmos1234 47 pts

I just thought of something. There was no need for a second shoot.  In this day and age of Photoshop, if the investors, buyers, and shopping networks didn't like the shot of the man-abs behind the toaster that could have been removed.

 

Honestly for a second shot I would have put an unbuttoned white shirt and a loosely-knotted black tie on that man.  It would have looked like you slipped in the kitchen for a snack.

 

Please leave the details of your menstrual cycle to yourself.  It's not classy or luxurious.

Rita-la 460 pts

 jmos1234 Well... you could Photoshop it if you also had an independent shot of the toaster oven by itself. Otherwise, the man's hands and the innate reflectivity of the surface would have created retouch issues that would be better handled by shooting it correctly to begin with. Plus, you have to have a surface for the oven to be setting on, rather than being carried by the man.

jmos1234 47 pts

 Rita-la Hello Rita-la, I would think that shooting the toaster oven by itself is something that could be done a whole heck of a lot easier than shooting SonJa laying on a table.

 

I see your point.

Rita-la 460 pts

 jmos1234 P.S. I like your idea for the second shot.

jmos1234 47 pts

 Rita-la Thanks Rita-la,

 

It would still be a bit of a nod, but perhaps could have had the subtlety that Sonja was looking for.

 

Unfortunately, she invited Ramona who took the planning meeting so far off track that all solutions were buried under a pile of horse dung so high that it would have take a million dung beetles a million years to find them.

sheltypar 1170 pts

Sonya, I have never seen friends treat friends like this show does.  You never backed up Heather about not wanted Ramona at the photo shoot.  You allowed Ramona to speak to Heather the way she does.  And the business about your female problems, that was disgusting.  You really make New York people look like idiots.

aliwilliams66 43 pts

Seriously, Sonja, you don't get it at all!!  Here's some unsolicited advice (it's free and we all know how much you love a freebie).  Get out while you still have a shred of dignity (not quite a shred but I am trying to be delicate).  You and Ramona need to go home/retire/adios/see ya later/something that ends the spectacle that is Ramona and Sonja. 

 

Here's how I call it:

 

 LAST CALL!!  LAST CALL For Ramona and Sonja!!!  LAST CALL!!! 

 

And a heads up, we are starting to run really low on Countess Luann, too!

 

Ali W.

 

Mad Props to my  P.I.C., Chris D., in the place to be...(damn, the Beastie Boys are always in my head) 

 

Just call me the Queen Ad Rock



bella216 415 pts

I really think that when things are given to you 'free of charge' you should show the utmust in respect for others time - it shows good manners and thankfulness....the two shoots is understandable.....Sonja wants her idea - but at the same time - Sonja doesn't show much class during that shoot with her 'issues' - really did Bravo have to put that on television about her menstrual issue. 

atthebeach 307 pts

Seriously, SonJa? (yes, let's capitalize that "J" so we all know your brand) Out of your houseful of interns, not one could review and edit this week's blog? Perhaps Bravo will be able to pare it down to non-repetitive paragraphing so that it makes sense. What a list of excuses you offer us this week. No apology for your 1-hour delay, no real acknowledgment of the time invested - for free - from all of the professionals helping you. No apology for your extremely offensive "bathroom mentions." Just a reminder to all of us that you have done all of this before with Oscar-winning production crews. You were completely out-of-line having Ramona at your brainstorming session. You knew the friction between Ramona and Heather and you chose to have her there anyway. It was clear that Ramona had an agenda...and it was not to agree with Heather. You ambushed Heather by having Ramona at the table - and you set up what turned out to be an extremely uncomfortable (and unproductive) meeting. You reap what you sow, Sonja....and you created a tense relationship with the "team" from that point forward. Then there is how you back-pedaled, and didn't take ownership for, the "lying" incident between you, Heather, and Ramona. Heather didn't lie. Of course, Ramona wanted to prove that she did - and wasn't willing to listen to any kind of explanation - but you could have...and should have...rectified that situation. NOT well played this episode, Sonja.

Rita-la 460 pts

 atthebeach That pretty much sums it up for me too. I've always like Sonja and I hope she can break free of these ways and shine again.

Lynda58 2994 pts

 atthebeach Well said!  I couldn't agree with you more.  I especially found her "murder scene" description (by incorporating Aviva's leg) as a joke to be most repugnant.  I wonder how Aviva felt hearing that bathroom talk.  Sonja needs to change the name of her "brand" to:  "Sonja of the Sleazy City"

Angela78 6 pts

@atthebeach Very well said. When I saw the episode with Ramona sitting there at the brainstorming session was confused. Why does Sonja have Ramona there? I felt if Sonja was serious of getting some business done why bring in such a distraction. I felt it was a slap in the face to Heather. Yes Heather help with this project, but I'm bringing in my other friend which you two have conflict together already to help brainstorm. Funny there wasn't even a heads up for Heather. Heather gets props though she handle that situation perfect.

NeutronBomb 752 pts

Honestly, why would you want Ramona at your Photo Shoot? The shoot was already going slow enough because you two strong-minded business women had strong ideas. What could be gained from having a third strong-minded business woman, like Ramona, at the shoot? Too many cooks spoil the broth!

jmos1234 47 pts

I'm not sure I understand how the "J" issue was resolved?  Are you saying that Ramona took a J from a different typeface and threw it in with your script?

 

Your walking city gal looks too much like Bethenny's Skinny Girl - only walking. 

I wouldn't go to Ramona to design a logo or label - her label has it's own typographic problems. 

Unless something happened off camera, James said only that he didn't want anyone on the set who wasn't involved with the shoot. No names were spoken.  That needs to be made clear to Ramona.

 

Just my $.02

aliwilliams66 43 pts

Thank you, jmos1234...I said the same thing, as far as the photo shoot, no names were mentioned - unfortunately SonJa has to be steered towards proper business etiquette but regardless, Heather absolutely owes Ramona NOTHING, especially not a phone call to explain that she is not invited to something no one is invited to and it has nothing to do with her anyway...now THAT phone call would start drama.  What the hell, ladies? 

 

I knew that logo looked really familiar..hahaha..it's such a skinny girl knock off.  It's obviously a character/figure I have seen before in other silhouettes and styles but that is strange that Sonja has chosen essentially the same character that another successful entrepreneur that was on the exact same you are on has already used. SonJa really has her own vision doesn’t she?  

Lynda58 2994 pts

I'm so sorry to notice that since you've become RaMOANa's wine taster, you've lost your taste and good manners and have become a blithering idiot.  Stay off the sauce and air out, hon. xo

melindaannie 2166 pts

Sonya, You my dearest, I would rather watch on my TV screen any day, any time, doing anything! That's what this show is about, trying to entertain. That is what show biz and broadway is all about, & in a much less grand way my favorite TV show, is to entertain! Heather may have no time for anything but her brand, and family. Yet, she definitely has time to join a show to be a RHWNYC, most likely for advertising. While she's at it, why does she have to make it so painful to watch her. I'm sure if the Bravo cameras were not there at the shoot, you and her may have been different. Without a camara on Heather, maybe she wouldn't have been so complaining, and had bring up your every fault, and how she is doing this for free. Also, you may have not been flambouyant, but I know you still would have sparkled. I'm sure of this. Is she is playing the straight guy the jokes fall on, (I doubt she thinks so,) yet still, she bores me. I'm not talking about if I was her neighbor, and would I like her, I'm pretty sure I would, as I really do love people in general. But for me and catching the HW's on Bravo, you are the bees knees, and the corn that is popping! So she has no point in her arguement to me. Go back to being a big CEO of Yummie Tummie, or lighten up and take the time to get to know the sparkling Sonja Morgan. By the way you as a model shoot perfectly, and could get more done in ten minutes than she ever could. Even on the west coast I can see what the package of "Sonja in the City," is better that Heather and James! Love, love, love my Miss Sonja Morgan, xx

randrew 5017 pts

Sonja, nice cover up...so which is it, you didn't want Ramona there or did you?? You talk in riddles like Ramona.

 

You were my fav on the show along with Jill but I'm slowly inching away from you. You're beginning to be just like your best bud which is NOT a compliment.

catherinefriemel.kennedy 347 pts

Sonja, I have NO business experience, but I think the box for the toaster oven would have looked fabulous, it you were wearing the polka dotted apron standing next to your toaster over.  The toaster oven could have been open showing you with a spatula taking something out of the oven or starting to take something out of the oven.  I TOTALLY agree with you regarding the buff guy. I was totally turned off and that picture would NOT get me to purchase your oven. And, as this is a blog for opinions only, I wasn’t that fond of the 2nd shoot either as women don’t want to purchase sex or kitchen appliances from sexy women!!

mizrosy 127 pts

Sonja ... If you a Romona have such a strong friendship bond why don't you just tell her you did not want her at the shoot?  Are you afraid of Ramona? 

DangleParticiple 960 pts

Honey, you're not going to be successful in business if you keep people waiting for an hour and then shrug it off with "I just woke up." You can't get by on an affable personality for long (I know). And no one needs to know you have your period! Stop with the entitled Lady Morgan stop and show people the feisty, resourceful person we fell in love with during Season 3!

MirePoix 66 pts

Quietly telling Carole she has time to look after a lizard because she doesn't have children was a very sneaky "mean girl" comment.  

redial@7 314 pts

Sonja in this episode I saw a different person - one that didn't show any respect to Heather and her crew in helping you with this shoot.  You were late coming and then you took your time inspite of Heather staying on schedule since she's a very busy lady, and  what the heck was the bathroom scene all about.  How in the world could you take a man into the bathroom while you are changing a tampon - that was totally disgusting.  Yikes!!!!

cherrie.brown.35 17 pts

 redial@7

 Her and Ramona are made for each other.  Heather should have charged her once she came late then maybe she would have realized how GREATFUL she should have been to Heather.

pumpkienh 84 pts

Come on, Sonja, the scene in the bathroom was tasteless and way too much information.

Showing up late...get over yourself!

 

Lynda58 2994 pts

I can't read your nonsensical blog.  It's repetitious and sooooo lonnnnnggg.  However, in the first page, you go on and on how YOU had your own people to help you with your silly toaster oven campaign.  Then why oh why did you waste Heather's (et al) precious time to help YOU?  

PowerShot 149 pts

Everybody has their strengths and weaknesses. Your social skills are amazing and you do seem to bend over backwards to be a diplomat, but you obviously (as we can read by this guilt driven blog) saw for yourself you appear to be using and taking advantage of Heather's good heart. Sometimes you have to defend the innocent when you know they are being wrongly judged instead of being smitten and adding fuel to the fire.

 

PS The shoot with the man was more modern and fresh instead of the old fashion 50's housewife diva approach. We've come along way baby.....

Mary_CT 45 pts

I am disappointed in how you have treated Heather. You have received all this expensive help from her and her resources and appear to be very unappreciative.

TondalayoSchwartz 463 pts

What would I buy from Sonja Morgan?  Tips on style.  A book about her life before and after the Morgan money.  Tickets to see her in an almost one-woman show written by, oh, say Carole.  I can see it now, with perhaps one or two other actors and an actress to play the parts of family, daughter, spouse and fah-bulous friends.  It could be amazing.