Why I Take my Talents to the Outback

As many of my social media followers and friends have seen, there’s been a lot of talk about a certain restaurant that I hold close to my heart with an utmost respect. The Outback Steakhouse is more than just a social media presence willing to toss out a Bloomin’ Onion to anyone who gets plugged in. Growing up, I lived in the Ohio flatlands, formerly known as the Black Swamp. Going out for a nice dinner was always a special treat, but we held Outback to an even higher standard, as it became our traditional spot for lunch on Easter Day. While many people stayed in and munched on their favorite fluffy animal candy or egg-shaped sweet tart, the Okuley household drove over 50 miles to Toledo, Ohio for steaks and Aussie Fries. Now, fast-forward several years to my entrance into the professional career field. Upon graduation from college, I traveled around Ohio as an Admissions Counselor and spent almost every Sunday afternoon seeking out that glowing fluorescent sign. The Outback Special became a signature staple of my diet once again, and all was well.

 Yes, I admit, the Outback Steakhouse has recaptured my heart, thanks to the help of their brilliant social media strategies and personal touches with their fans and followers. Any brand that is willing to invest in the opportunities that have been given to them to invest in their customers will receive my loyalty. It’s why I fly Southwest, my shoes are bought through Zappos, and my underarms are satisfied by the oddly made comeback of Manta Claus and Old Spice.  The rapid development of online interaction is moving faster than ever before, so much so that keeping up with the latest apps is almost impossible. But I can clearly appreciate being recognized as an individual with value rather than just a wallet with cash ready to be used.

So with that, I patiently wait upon a phone call from the Outback Steakhouse, in hopes that I will be joining them this Holiday season for the matchup between Michigan State, the Big Ten Champions and the Georgia Bulldogs, a SEC team which I had little hope for in the first weeks of the season. These are excellent teams, and the Outback Bowl has plenty of legacy worth admiring. The SEC vs. Big Ten feud is held close to my heart, and despite a track record of SEC teams winning the BCS Championship, I still believe in the power of brute force football that can only be found in the midwest.

Just throwing this out there too, 68 degrees and Sunny sounds a bit more appealing to me than 24 degrees and rainy in Ohio. Later this week, I'll share a few reasons why I believe I am the perfect candidate journo for the Outback Bowl. I'm no bludger, and hope that Outback will give me a fair go.