Getting a client in an Associated Press article is like hitting the lottery! This is sent to hundreds if not thousands of publications and goes over the internet. Sometimes, these stories get picked up by the major tv shows too! Here, we got our Trendhunter Jeremy in an article about the top trends in 2009…check it out!

AP) – What will be the top trends of 2009? Here’s what professional trendspotters forecast:

THE TREND: The “Cuspers”

Marian Salzman, trend spotter, chief marketing officer for Porter Novelli Worldwide

The “Cuspers” are Boomers born between 1955 and 1964, said Salzman.

She predicts the Cuspers, sometimes called Generation Jones, will continue to rise to power. She ticks off a list that includes president-elect Barack Obama, Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations nominee, and Caroline Kennedy, who could be tapped to run for Sen. Hillary Clinton’s vacant seat.

Unlike older Boomers, Cuspers are more egalitarian, more tolerant and more anxious to make a big difference, she said. Look for more Cuspers in leadership roles, said Salzman. And look for their “let’s get on and do it” message to resonate with the masses, she said.

THE TREND: Detoxing

Anna D’Agrosa and Paige Newman of the Zandl Group

Newman and D’Agrosa see aversion to “toxic spending” _ living above one’s means and buying things they don’t really need or want.

“Lately, several people have even mentioned that the recession almost seems like a blessing because they are now forced to readjust their values and make different choices, says Newman.

Even those who are OK financially are choosing to cut back, place more value on substantive things and focus on personal relationships that are not based on buying.

THE TREND: Credit crunch couture/DIY and upcycling

Jeremy Gutsche, Chief Trend Hunter, TrendHunter.com; Rita Nakouzi, director, Promostyl, North America

Inexpensive designs are getting a lot more attention, says Gutsche.

Designers such as Vivienne Westwood, who made a splash in her spring/summer 2009 collection by emphasizing fashion statements that work on a limited budget, including necklaces made out of safety pins and shawls from tablecloths, are going in that direction, he says.

The credit crunch is also adding fuel to more folks doing it themselves, DIY, says Gutsche. A troubled job market and the need for extra cash will motivate hobbyists to transition their love for their craft into a cottage industry.

That dovetails with “upcycling,” reusing an item so that it doesn’t become waste. The term comes from “Cradle to Cradle” authors William McDonough and Michael Braungart.

“There would be no waste if we upcycle everything that we’ve used,” Nakouzi says.

Last year, Etsy, a site where people buy and sell handmade things, challenged users to create an upcycled object to sell on the site, she said.

Nakouzi said to look for things like a chair cushion made out of old neckties, and more restaurants and hotels using reclaimed materials.

THE TREND: Distraction as entertainment

Ann Mack, Director of Trendspotting at JWT

Content creators are layering a multitude of media into entertainment for simultaneous consumption and engagement, Mack said.

For example, “LittleBigPlanet” users are gamers, social networkers and content creators, “The Hills” ‘Backchannel’ social networking site is where fans can gather to talk about the show as its happening on TV, and author Stephenie Meyer has a playlist that readers can listen to while they’re reading the Twilight series, she said.

“People are almost in an entertainment bubble of sorts,” said Mack.

THE TREND: Mobilize me

Jane Buckingham, president of The Intelligence Group

The year 2008 was all about computer saturation, says Buckingham, with people Facebooking, uploading videos on YouTube and watching television on their laptops.

“But next year your media friend might start collecting dust when a mighty mini version takes hold,” says Buckingham. “With the iPhone, the Bold and the Google phone, we’re beginning to truly be able to take our shows on the road.”

Pinched by recession, Christmas shoppers will skimp on people, sure. But never a dog.

“Oh, no. Not for our babies. Are you kidding?” said San Francisco resident Donald Steelman, whose bichon-Yorkie, Milo, has his own closet with 21 coats in it. Milo gets to pick what to wear every afternoon to the Doggie Christmas Tree in Lafayette Park in Pacific Heights, where his laminated picture hangs high on a bough, alongside pictures of all the other regulars, dead or alive.

“As long as they’re being fed and clothed well, everything is OK,” said Steelman, who goes by his own pet name, Bonjo.

In a survey released last week by the American Kennel Club, 81 percent of respondents said they would buy holiday gifts for their dogs, and 69 percent would sooner tighten their belts on friends and extended family than tighten the collars on their dogs. And 65 percent would rather eat ramen noodles than make their dogs eat on the cheap.

The buck stops somewhere beyond the dish.

“We’ll cut back on our own food first,” said Ming Chapin, owner of Kelsi, a white bich-poo (bichon-poodle mix) who was dashing around the Lafayette Park tree while trying out a new pink rain slicker, a hand-me-down from Milo.

“It’s her color,” Chapin said. The raincoat is a necessity, not a gift, she said, and so is the monthly visit to the salon, $50 plus tip. “She’s on all the furniture,” Chapin said, “so she needs to be kept clean.”

Another new study, released by the University of Vienna, concluded that dogs can sense unfair treatment. If slighted, the animal may decline to perform a trick and will go so far as to turn tail and look away. No owner wants to be faced with that on Christmas morning.

Sales are unheard of

This may help explain why nothing is on discount at pet boutiques, seasonal or otherwise – even in a grim economy.

“We don’t ever have a sale. We don’t have to,” said Rachel Kirshman, associate at George, purveyor of fine American-made pet products on California Street. “I’ve had a solid day, and it has been good for the past week.” Most popular this season are a gingerbread stuffed animal with a different squeak in each limb, $22.50, and musical Hanukkah dreidels “for the Jewish dog,” $12.50.

Asked whether a recession will interfere, Kierstan Ranum, owner of an 11-month-old Staffordshire named Molly, said: “Not with this. It never does. I think they appreciate it more than people do.”

Gift wrapping is an important extra. Maybe as important as the gift. Gwen Cage’s coton de tulear, Chepe, empties his stocking of bones, balls and treats first, saving the wrapped gift to tear into. “He always knows when it is new and it’s for him,” said Cage, after doing a lap with Chepe around Alta Plaza Park, also in Pacific Heights.

Along the park terrace, a mother-daughter border terrier duo was playing tug-of-war with a toy in the shape of a doughnut. To prevent this type of arguing on Christmas morning, each gets her own stocking, filled equally. “We couldn’t have any fighting about it,” said owner Tina Evans, who won’t put out the stockings until the dogs are asleep, to protect the surprise. Her dogs know what day is Christmas, she says, and know which stockings are theirs.

“They’re up at 6 to check it out,” Evans said.

Dog shopping is cheap

Pet owners are quick to point out that shopping for dogs is cheap compared with shopping for people, even at 40 percent off.

“When you think about it, you can get a whole stocking filled with toys for $11,” said Annie Altman, owner of Chester, a “labcetera (lab etcetera, etcetera).” “What can you get a kid for $11? Nothing.”

Still, it adds up. Lafayette Park tree trimmer Bob Turner read somewhere that an owner spends $26,000 during an animal’s lifetime. At first reading, Turner thought that was high. Then when he tallied it, it seemed low for San Francisco. The home groomer alone costs $80 or $85, every six weeks for his young Malti-poo (Maltese and poodle) Marley, named for Bob the Rastafarian, not Old Marley the ghost.

“Marley is gonna cost $26,000 easy. When you start looking at doggie jackets, doggie toys. And vet care is not inexpensive,” said Turner, while paying homage to a laminate of Marley’s late predecessor, a yellow lab named Coco.

Bonjo, a hairdresser, saves by slipping Milo into the chair for a touch-up or blowout. The 21 coats in the closet come from a doting godfather in Florida, who is always sending out new fashion possibilities.

There is no annual party at the Lafayette Park Doggie Christmas Tree, but there is an owners’ night out, leaving the dogs at home.

“You get 20 people and 20 dogs in one apartment,” Bonjo laughed.

So what do they talk about?

“Something else besides our dogs, finally,” he said. “We do have other things in our lives, occasionally. I know it’s hard to believe.”

I brought a Search and Rescue Dog, Willow to the mall. Sponsored by my client Chillybuddy, Willow took pictures with shoppers and was a huge hit! Here she is with her owner Bobbie Snyder. The two of them are true American Heroes, showing up whenever there’s a natural disaster like they did for 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. My Bliss had to show her support by getting a photo with Willow too!

Alpha Dog PR got some major media coverage for Yoyo’s first press conference on her bid to become the White House Dog! – WATCH THE VIDEO

Los Angeles, California – In the weeks since President-Elect Barack Obama’s historic victory, the most pressing question on everybody’s mind is the most surprising of all: who’s going to be the presidential puppy? During his eloquent speech on Election Night, in which he declared that “change has come to America,” Obama promised his two young daughters, Malia and Sasha, a puppy when they move into the White House, carrying on a long tradition of famous Presidential Pets. But who is the right pet for America’s New First Family?

Behold, the candidate for today’s America: Yoyo the Puli for Presidential Puppy!

Yoyo is a native of New Orleans, where she survived Hurricane Katrina, and she is a rescue dog, which would show the Obamas’ support of shelters throughout the country. She is hypoallergenic, which is a necessity because of Malia’s allergies. This housetrained, well-groomed four-year-old Puli is energetic, friendly, and very diplomatic, just in case Vladimir Putin brings his Russian wolfhound over for a run!

Yoyo’s Puli Party Platform:

Yoyo calls for Americans to help make the change that’s necessary in our nation’s overcrowded shelters and help her work toward a future where no more pets have to be euthanized. She hopes to put rescue and shelter dogs into all American homes. Her personal motto is “No More Drama,” and she encourages dogs everywhere to unite and put conflict behind them, volunteer in their communities, avoid chewing on furniture, and remember that their similarities (four legs, cute noses, tails) are far greater than their differences.

Other “pet projects” for Yoyo include:

Support American Humane – Put your canine in a cool, American Apparel ‘White House PAWtential’ doggie t-shirt with proceeds going to this worthwhile organization. www.alphadogpr.com

· Stay Cool Under Fire – Just like the canine heroes she admires who volunteer for Search & Rescue Missions, Yoyo promises all dogs will be kept cool in the summer and warm in the winter. She suggests owners visit www.Chillybuddy.com and check out the latest vests like the special edition red, white and blue one she’s wearing to announce her candidacy.

· Green Toys for All – Pets of all shades should demand toys and playthings made from non-toxic materials, produced by environmentally responsible companies, such as Simply Fido’s Organic Pet Toy Collection, which manufactures all of its toys right here in the United States. www.simplyfido.com

· Eat Organic – Just like their owners, dogs and cats love their organic food! Organic pet foods, like Kruncheros Fine Pet Dining, are simply healthier and tastier, and the choice of the discerning pet palate. Kruncheros offers a sophisticated line of freeze-dried raw food that comes in four delicious flavors: Chicken Pot Py, Beef Wellington, Chicken Fiesta, and Spaghetti & Meatballs. www.doctorsfinest.com

· A Good Night’s Sleep – With a country in crisis, it’s important to a good night’s sleep. This helps us, both humans and pets, be the best version of ourselves: productive, friendly, and happy. This is only possible with a comfortable bed, such as those made by Urban Bone Dog Beds, which produces handmade canine and kitty beds that are comfortable, decorative, and durable. www.urbanbone.com

· Stay Healthy – Our health, and that of our pets, is of utmost importance, and an important aspect of any health regimen is proper nutrition. Recommended by top pet nutritionists, Vetraceuticals is an easy-to-use supplement that helps pet immune systems, ensuring a long healthy life. www.vetranutrition.com

· Support the Arts – A vibrant culture of arts is essential to a successful civilization and, under a Yoyo pet-ministration, all pooches will be encouraged to express themselves. American Artist Aimée Hoover will help. Her one-of-a-kind, custom pet portraits already hang in the homes of animal lovers across the country and now, she will be painting our Nation’s First Dog hopeful. Her work has been featured in numerous publications including Bark Magazine, Modern Dog, and Australia’s Urban Animal, in which she was recognized internationally as one of ten pet portrait artists from around the world. www.aimeehoover.com

· Support Your Party – Seeing the light side of any situation is an important aspect of being a pet, especially a presidential hopeful, and Yoyo finds all her fun accessories at Charming Pet Products. Whenever she has to address her public, Yoyo sports the company’s famous Original Party Collar in a red, white and blue patriotic design for all-American canines! This Party-Collar consists of fancy chiffon ribbons finished with stars connected on a covered elastic band that fits around a patriotic pooches’ neck. Yoyo says Charming’s Patriotic Party Collar is the perfect accessory for the new First Dog in the White House! Woof! www.charmingpetproducts.com

· Dress Fabulous, Be Fabulous – A lover of stylish clothes and dramatic fashion statements, Yoyo knows pets must look good to succeed. She finds her pet fashion at Total Diva Pets, whose fashionable wigs for fashionable dogs were a giant hit on the runways of Pet Fashion Week in New York and Tokyo. Dogs everywhere will want to look just like Yoyo by wearing the Afro style. www.totaldivapets.com

· Be Prepared – Following the Boy Scouts’ solemn creed, Yoyo keeps herself safe by bucking up while in the car with her own seat belt from www.handicappedpets.com. She does this not only to protect herself, but also for the driver and passengers in the vehicle. Unrestrained pets can cause serious harm to your beloved four-legged family member or to other passengers if the pets are launched during a crash.

Think not what your dog can do for you, think what you can do for your dog!

And she did it in style with a press conference at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel with media crews there covering this historic occasion! In the coming months, watch for Yoyo’s Pup Rallies and other events to raise money for her favorite charity, American Humane. Meantime, check out her first fundraiser, doggie tees that say White House Pawtential by clicking on the shopping page of www.alphadogpr.com. You can also see a list of her sponsors in this month’s Trendsetter. Yoyo welcomes any of your clever ideas for her campaign….Woof!