Leff & Associates

05/27/2026

Smyrna is World Cup Ready
Soccer Juggling World Record Attempt, World Cup Match Viewing Party at Village Green Park

The City of Smyrna is getting ready to celebrate all things soccer! First as part of a worldwide effort to break a soccer ball juggling record and then turning Village Green Park into a World Cup viewing party.

June 6: Soccer Ball Juggling World Record Attempt

Before the arrival of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ to downtown Atlanta, Village Green Park will be filled with soccer balls. On June 6, Smyrna will be a part of a worldwide effort to break the current world record for the most soccer balls juggled at the same time.

While Smyrna will do its part, the event is part of an international record-breaking attempt with cities across South America, Europe, and North America joining in the fun at the same time
The goal is to get 20,000 people worldwide to juggle for ten seconds at the same time

When: 12:30 p.m., June 6, 2026
Location: Village Green Park 1250 Powder Springs ST SE, Smyrna, Georgia 30080
Registration: Now open at footballworldrecord.com

June 11 - July 19: Cup Daze (link to graphic)

The soccer excitement continues with “Cup Daze,” an opportunity to watch World Cup matches all through FIFA World Cup 2026™. Throughout the World Cup, Smyrna is turning Village Green Park into a soccer public viewing event as it shows the world’s biggest matches on the big screen.

Bring your blanket and chairs and cheer for your favorite team.

A full calendar of events and matches can be found here - https://www.smyrnaga.gov/.

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Smyrna, Georgia

05/19/2026

Decatur WatchFest ‘26 Announces 60+ World Cup Matches Will Be Shown on the Decatur Square, WatchFest Combines Soccer, Music, and More

DECATUR, May 19, 2026 — Decatur WatchFest ‘26 today announced it has received approval from FIFA World Cup 2026™ to show more than 60 World Cup matches on three big screens on the Decatur Square between June 11 and July 19, 2026.

“The stage is set, the screens are ready, and now it is time for the beautiful game to electrify fans on Decatur’s newly renovated downtown Square,” said Decatur City Manager Andrea Arnold. “Bring your friends and come watch the World Cup matches in Decatur with some of the area’s biggest soccer fans.”

While all 104 matches will be shown in Decatur WatchSpot Pubs and Restaurants, here are the 60+ matches that will be shown on the square: https://decaturwatchfest26.com/schedule/. At least one match per day will be shown on the Square including all US Men’s National Team (USMNT) matches in the group stage and beyond.

Highlights:
June 11 (first match) - Mexico v. South Africa, 3 pm
June 12 - USA v Paraguay, 9pm
June 13 - Brazil v Morocco, 6pm
June 16 - France v Senegal, 3pm and Argentina v Algeria, 9pm
June 17 - England v Croatia, 4pm
June 19 - USA v Australia, 3pm
June 24 - Canada v Switzerland, 3pm
June 25 - USA v Turkey, 10pm
June 26 - France v Norway, 3pm and Spain v Uruguay, 10pm
June 27 - Portugal v Colombia, 7:30pm, Argentina v Jordan 10pm
All single elimination matches are highlights!
July 19 - World Cup Final, 3pm

FIFA World Cup 2026™ runs from June 11, 2026 through July 19, 2026, with eight matches taking place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Easily accessible by MARTA connecting Decatur to Downtown Atlanta, Decatur will join greater Atlanta to celebrate the arrival of world class soccer to Atlanta.

Concerts Every Day of World Cup in Atlanta

Decatur WatchFest ’26 is more than a great place to watch world class soccer. It’s also where fans from Decatur, greater Atlanta, and around the world can come to watch concerts and enjoy Decatur’s best food and beverages.

Decatur WatchFest ‘26 will have a concert every day of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Three concerts will be ticketed, featuring Big Boi, The War And Treaty, and Indigo Girls. The Big Boi and Indigo Girls concerts are sold out but there are tickets remaining for The War And Treaty.
Thirty-one additional concerts will be free and require NO tickets.
A full concert calendar listing can be found here.

Match and concert schedules are on Decatur WatchFest ‘26’s website and its social media pages including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.

05/15/2026

https://www.ppa.com/ppmag/articles/help-wanted

If your work is in event photography for nonprofits and corporations or real estate photography, it's good to know what those clients are looking for when they hire on a photographer. They provide insight.

05/05/2026

News this morning! DM me for more details.

“The Stews” and “DJ EU” highlight a new list of talented musical acts announced today as Decatur WatchFest ‘26 adds to its concert schedule during FIFA World Cup 2026™. All 14 of these additional concerts are free, no tickets required, and will be held on the Decatur Square. And there are more to come!

Click here for all the details: https://decaturwatchfest26.com/music/

These performances will complement the three ticket-required concerts with Big Boi, The War And Treaty, and Indigo Girls. Details on those concerts are noted below.

The 14 newly announced artists include (descriptions below):

June 14 - The Dammages
June 13 and 16 - DJ EU
June 15 - The Stews
June 17 - Vox Britannia
June 19 - John Boy & Surround Sound
June 20 - Rouzbeh
June 21 - LJB
June 27 - La Choloteca featuring La Superiorrr
June 28 - Wolves, Lower
June 30 - Her Majesty’s Request
July 1 - Buffalo
July 4 - GClef and The Playlist
July 5 - The Reebs
July 2 and 6 - DJ EU
July 9 - Polly Holliday

We’re celebrating world class soccer with a series of free concerts. APRIL 30 UPDATE: Wave 2 tickets for Big Boi, The War And Treaty, and Indigo Girls will be available May 1 at 10 am. Check back here for direct links to tickets at Eventbrite.com. WAVE 2 TICKET UPDATES June 11: Big Boi Atlanta’s...

05/03/2026

This week, our "4 Questions Journalist Spotlight" shines on Allison Entrekin, Editor-in-Chief, Atlanta magazine.

Coolest Thing About Allison: She's a February 29 birthday, so she's only 11 years old! Also, she has "hitchhiker thumbs" (you need to watch this on YouTube).

Favorite Restaurant: Haven in Brookhaven
Favorite Local Getaway: The St. Regis Hotel
Last Books Read: "Theo of Golden" by Allen Levi; "Lady Tremaine" by Rachel Hochhauser
Favorite Guilty Pleasures: Cherry Coke Zero and the FX series "Love Story"
Favorite Non-Work Hobby: She loves tennis
Website: http://Atlantamagazine.com

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4-questions-journalist-spotlight-with-allison-entrekin/id1531587458?i=1000765839883

Atlanta Magazine Allison Weiss Entrekin

Podcast Episode · 4 Questions Journalist Spotlight · May 3 · 33m

05/01/2026

WSB-TV Reports: The City of Smyrna will host the Grand Opening and Dedication of River Line Park’s new splashpad on Friday, May 1 at 4 p.m.

The addition of the splashpad was approved by the Smyrna city council in 2025 and construction began several months ago. On May 1, the new attraction will be open to all residents to enjoy.

River Line Park is a 14.2-acre park with multi-use fields, a playground, pavilion, concessions, and walking trail.

When: Friday, May 1, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Where: 6043 Oakdale Rd, Smyrna, GA 30126

Splash Pad Features:

Multi-zone splash pad features a gentle spray ground - perfect for the youngest of patrons
Interactive twirling water features encourage playful water battles
Super splash bucket - sure to be a hit for teens.
Plentiful shade structures and seating
Easily accessible concessions and restrooms

05/01/2026

Second Annual ICey Awards Held in Atlanta, Honoring Georgia Independent PR Professionals

ATLANTA, May 1, 2026 -- The second annual ICey Awards were held April 20, 2026 in Atlanta, celebrating the work of talented public relations professionals from Georgia. The winners were all independent PR professionals, senior practitioners from Georgia who own their own PR agencies. In each category, the runner up got the "Pretty Cool" award and the winner got the "ICey" award.

“Independent Counselors in Georgia represent clients small and large and are usually very senior professionals with decades of expertise,” said Mitch Leff of Leff & Associates, who organized the awards. “ICey stands for ‘Independent Counselors Elevate You’.”

The 2026 ICey Award Winners Are:

Best Work of the Year - The “Maverick” Award
Fitzgerald PR, “The Caregiver’s Journey: Shining Light on Dementia Care”

Journalist of the Year - Chris Rosenthal, Fox5 Atlanta

Best Nonprofit Campaign
ICey - Fitzgerald PR, “The Caregiver’s Journey: Shining Light on Dementia Care”
Pretty Cool - Dialogue Marketing, “World Plumbing Day 2025: Go Blue for Plumbing”

Best Written Work
ICey - NEW’s Public Relations, “World Premiere of ‘The Games in Black and White’”
Pretty Cool - 404 Communications, “Soul Symphony Weekend”

Best Business Campaign
ICey - KW Green Consulting, “Rebrandland and AI Pitch & Support Day - Atlanta Tech Week”

Best Ongoing Campaign
ICey - Fitzgerald PR, “The Caregiver’s Journey: Shining Light on Dementia Care”

Best Small Event Campaign
ICey - Leff & Associates PR, “Anime, Animation, Gaming Convention MomoCon Sets New Attendance Record”
Pretty Cool - Dialogue Marketing, “World Plumbing Day 2025: Go Blue for Plumbing”

Best Entertainment Campaign
ICey - NEW’s Public Relations, “World Premiere of ‘The Games in Black and White’”
Pretty Cool - Sage PR, “A Shakespeare Happening Series”
Pretty Cool - Fitzgerald PR, “Music Milton: Great Music Close to Home”

Best Photo
ICey - Sage PR, “French Stewart”
Pretty Cool - Sage PR, “Shakespeare Festival”

Best Lifestyle Campaign
ICey - 404 Communications, “Atlanta Educator Announced to National Teachers HOF”
Pretty Cool - Leff & Associates PR, “Smyrna Celebrates MLB All-Star Week: Budweiser Clydesdales”

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04/26/2026

This week, our "4 Questions Journalist Spotlight" shines on Noah Washington, a reporter with The Atlanta Voice.

Coolest Thing About Noah: Booker T. Washington was his great-great-great Grandfather ... and he's had three brain surgeries

Favorite Restaurant: BBQ Kitchen
Favorite Local Getaway: The Majestic Restaurant
Last Book Read: "Purple Cow: Transform Your Business" by Seth Godin
Last Podcast Listened to: Closer Look on WABE Radio
Favorite Guilty Pleasure: Coca-Cola
Favorite Non-Work Hobby: Yu-Gi-Oh! card game
Website: http://theatlantavoice.com

You can watch this episode in video format at https://youtu.be/7h9Rek2Dsno

Or you can listen to the audio format at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4-questions-journalist-spotlight-with-noah-washington/id1531587458?i=1000763357115.

"4 Questions Journalist Spotlight" with Noah Washington, The Atlanta Voice

04/21/2026

Do you want an AI bot running your retail store?

USA TODAY's Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today national consumer reporter talks with David Schweidel from the Goizueta Business School about how it might work (or not!).

Luna, an AI bot, is the owner and operator of a retail store in San Francisco. Is this the future of retail?

04/11/2026

Emory University School of Law professor John Acevedo talks with 11Alive TV about the Supreme Court heading oral arguments on birthright citizenship.