PPRA: The Official Blog

Event Recap: Veteran Media Panel Shares Insights on Pitching Broadcast

2012-02-23T11:08:00.000-05:00

Last week, a crowd gathered at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse in Center City for our sold out “Scoring Air Time with Philadelphia’s Major Broadcast Outlets” media panel. This is always one of PPRA’s most popular events, but we were especially thrilled to have some of the biggest names in broadcast join us this year, including Christopher Blackman and Terry Ruggles (NBC 10), Jeff Kolakowski (CBS 3), Marilyn Russell (BEN-FM), Loraine Ballard Morrill (Clear Channel Radio), and Clara Rivas (WWSI Telemundo Philadelphia).

Between bites of chocolate mousse and plenty of laughs, the audience learned key takeaways such as:

Ask media their preferred method of contact. With so many ways to connect with the media, which one’s a PR pro to choose? Simple: just ask! Marilyn Russell is barely ever by her phone, but Loraine Ballard Morrill likes to have verbal contact. Twitter gave Jeff Kolakowski a lead for a recent interview. And faxing? Chris Blackman says it’s the last thing the newsroom will ever check. Understanding how a reporter gathers content will increase your chances of catching his eye – or ear.

Broadcast loves a good human interest angle. Much of the news surrounding weather, crime, and traffic can sound the same these days. Take your pitch one step further than explaining the facts; instead, paint a picture of the story. What is a company doing to help the community during unusually heavy snow? When a shooting takes place in the city, can your client speak to why people turn to violence rather than calmly talking out their problems? If you can find a new way to explain what is happening with these and other trends, broadcast media will love it.

Be persistent: We’re often discouraged from following up too much with the media for fear of being labeled a pest. But newsrooms across the board are working with skeleton staffs, and reporters are still trying to sort through hundreds of emails a day on top of their other duties. Don’t be afraid to follow up (within reason!) when you know you have a really great story to share. The reporter just may not have gotten far enough down his or her inbox to see your pitch. Even Terry Ruggles revealed that the people he developed the best working relationships with had been a ‘nudge’ over the years.”

It’s okay to pitch multiple people at a station: The audience was a little skeptical at first, but our panel confirmed that pitching multiple reporters at the same outlet is to your benefit. They actually fight over the chance to cover most compelling stories in the morning news meetings! However, this doesn’t mean you can send everyone the same email; you’ll still need to cater the pitch for each reporter’s specific beat. Your changes will increase even more if you can tie it to a story the station recently covered.

Make your name known: We can’t say it enough – relationships are everything in our business. That’s why our media panels are so popular. They give you the opportunity to put a face to the name behind the phone calls and emails. From there, you’ll want to “wow” your media contact with a great idea and smooth interview process. If you prove that you’re on top of things, the media will associate your name with their next great story.

For all the inside scoop, you can download a full podcast of the event here. Or, connect with the @PPRA Twitter handle and our #PitchingBroadcast hashtag for more insights.

Our panel made the news! Check out this clip from NBC 10: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QpKB_DDJdY&feature=youtu.be

This blog post was written by Christine Guerrini. Christine Guerrini is a member of the public relations team at Tierney agency in Center City Philadelphia. A Villanova grad, Christine specializes in media relations, social media, events, and research. She has worked with clients in a variety of fields, including consumer, non-profit, and B2B. Outside of work, Christine is an avid fan of the Arts, whether exploring museums or sitting down with a novel. Connect with Christine on Twitter (@CMGuerrini) or at http://www.linkedin.com/in/christineguerrini .

From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen

2012-02-23T11:01:00.000-05:00

Private PPRA Reception and Springsteen Exhibit Access

Thursday, March 8, 2012

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception (Delegates Café)
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Exhibit

From February 17 through September 3, 2012, the National Constitution Center will host From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen – never before seen outside of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. This first major exhibition about the American songwriter takes a comprehensive look at Springsteen’s career and catalog, from such early bands as Child, the Castiles and Steel Mill through his work with the E Street Band and as a solo artist. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to view more than 150 artifacts, including the Fender Esquire from the cover of Born to Run, the outfit Springsteen wore on the cover of Born in the U.S.A., numerous handwritten lyric manuscripts, and Springsteen’s 1960 Chevrolet Corvette.

Beat the crowds and join PPRA for this exclusive event at the National Constitution Center. Private exhibit tours will be available to all attendees. All pre-registered attendees will be entered into a raffle to win two free tickets to one of the upcoming Springsteen parties at the National Constitution Center.

Location:

National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street, Independence Mall
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Free parking available at the NCC parking garage with validation.
The garage is located on Race Street between 5th & 6th Streets.

Registration Fees:

$50 for PPRA Members
$75 for Non-Members

Registration fee includes a cocktail reception with light hors d’ouevres, one drink ticket (cash bar available for additional drinks) and private access to the exhibit.

Deadline: Monday, March 5, 2012
Cancellations will be accepted in writing by March 5, 2012. No Refunds after March 5, 2012. No-shows will be billed.

Breaking Down the New Lobbying Law for Communications

2012-02-23T10:37:00.000-05:00

March Breakfast Program

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Registration, Networking & Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Panel Discussion

You write press releases and you don’t talk to elected officials, so you don’t need to register as a lobbyist, right? That was the conventional thinking of the ‘ye olde days of 2011. The days of assuming your organization’s lobbyist (or your client) is the only one who needs to register as a lobbyist are over.

The City of Philadelphia now considers direct or indirect communication to any person who is elected or appointed to a position in any branch of the City’s government as lobbying.

According to the law, indirect communications is defined as the following:

An effort, whether written, oral or by any other medium, to encourage others, including the general public, to take action, the purpose or foreseeable effect of which is to directly influence legislative action or administrative action, including, but not limited to, letter-writing campaigns, mailings, telephone banks, print and electronic media advertising, billboards, publications and educational campaigns on public issues, but not including regularly published periodic newsletters primarily designed for and distributed to members of a bona fide association or charitable or fraternal nonprofit corporation.

But what does that really mean? How do you register? What’s a quarterly lobbying report and what does it look like?

Speakers:

PPRA has assembled representatives from Blank Rome, LLC, Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy and the City’s Board of Ethics for a panel discussion on this topic. Attend this panel to ensure you and the organizations you represent are in compliance with this new law.

Location:

Philadelphia Bar Association
1101 Market Street
11th Floor Conference Center
Philadelphia, PA 19107
ID required for admission to the building.

Registration Fees:
$12 for PPRA members
$20 for non-members

Deadline: Friday, March 2, 2012
Cancellations will be accepted in writing by March 2, 2012. No Refunds after March 2, 2012. No-shows will be billed.

Leap into Social Media with Gen Y

2012-02-23T09:56:00.000-05:00

Senior Level Program

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Registration, Networking & Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Program

Having trouble ‘leaping’ into the new social media? Call the younger generation! Three young PR practitioners will teach you everything you need and want to know about using the social media to enhance your work. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn--got questions? They’ve got answers!

On this Leap-Year Day, we seek to make a match with the traditional and the new. Don’t miss this great opportunity. Bring your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to this working session and learn the tips and tricks to connect with the media, the bloggers, and your audience.

Panelists include:
• Aimee Cirucci, Communications Manager, Philadelphia Bar Association
• Eric Cortes, Marketing and Promotions Coordinator, WWSI-Telemundo Philadelphia
• Jessica Lawlor, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Visit Bucks County

Location:

Philadelphia Bar Association
10th Floor Board Room
1101 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
ID required for admission to the building.

Recession Special: $14.99
Reserve Promptly – Space is limited

Senior Level PPRA Members Only. Senior level is defined as PPRA members who have been in PR for at least 10 years.

Deadline: Monday, February 27, 2012
Cancellations will be accepted in writing by February 27, 2012. No Refunds after February 27, 2012. No-shows will be billed.

Student Event: PPRA Presents Public Relations Careers 101, March 20th

2012-02-10T10:00:00.001-05:00

Open to students and young professionals in the Philadelphia region, this session is your chance to meet and hear from top PR minds from all areas of the profession, including agency, corporate, sports and travel and tourism. On Tuesday, March 20th panelists will share insights into their careers and the realities of working in public relations, as well as tips on how to stand out in this difficult job market.

Confirmed Panelists:
Moderator: Lori Doyle, Senior Vice President of Communications, Drexel University
Megan Smith, President, Brownstone PR
Lauren Tosti, Marketing Manager: Communications/Interactive, Sesame Place
Rob Zeiger, Senior Vice President of Communications, Philadelphia Eagles
Mary Beth Casey, Corporate Communications, Comcast

*New this year* After the panel discussion, you will have the chance to network with public relations professionals during our topic-specific high-top table networking session. Explore each table and meet pros who work in agency, non-profit and corporate communications. Stop by the 'college to career' table and meet with young pros who can give you firsthand insight on how to translate your college experience into a successful public relations career. Be sure to bring your resume and cover letter and stop by the resume/cover letter review table. Finally, stop by the PPRA and PRSA membership tables to learn how you can get involved.

All pre-registered participants will be entered into our raffle for the chance to win a "shadowing day" with a PR pro, plus other great prizes (must be present to win)!

Careers 101 attendees are eligible for an exclusive membership offer! Join PPRA now at the associate rate of $50 and get six additional months of membership for FREE! (Membership will be up for renewal in August 2013.)

Please use the hashtag #PRCareers101 to join the conversation on Twitter before, during and after the event!

Click here to register online.

Location:
Drexel Univ. Bossone Research Center
3140 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Time:
7:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Registration & Networking
7:30 - 8:15 p.m. - Panel Discussion
8:15 - 8:30 p.m. - Raffle Drawing
8:30 - 9:00 p.m. - Topic-Specific High-Top Table Networking Session

Registration Fees: Only $10 per Person!

Recap: Benefits of Blogging for Business

2012-02-09T11:11:00.000-05:00

By Caitlyn Donchak

At the PPRA “Benefits of Blogging for Business” held in late January, the fast growing trend of blogging was discussed. Moderated by Jeffrey J. Belonger, the founder and president of www.MyPhillyAlive.com, the panel discussion gave firsthand information on the field of blogging from varying viewpoints. From aspiring PR students like myself, to beginner bloggers, and even the most seasoned blog writers, there was useful information to be learned at all levels. Throughout the course of the night, several key themes emerged as necessary fundamentals for the success of any blog. These are some of the best tips that were discussed at the panel event and that I believe are crucial to keep in mind when starting or maintaining any blog.

1. “Content is King”: As stated by panelist Allison Stadd of uwishunu Philadelphia tourism blog, the content of a blog is what initially brings in the readers and then keeps them coming back. As re-stated by panelist Amanda Walsh of Furia Rubel Communications, it is important to have interesting and relevant the content to ensure you keep your readership engaged.

2. Know your followers: Panelist Stefan Frank of Constitution Daily blog pushed the importance of knowing who your followers are; therefore you can provide information that is appropriate and interesting to them. There is a lot of preparation that goes into making a blog, stated panelist Jessica Sharp of Maven Communications, so you need to ensure that you will at least have the initial support of your pre-established followers.

3. Keep an open mind: When it comes to the content of your blog, there will always be people who disagree or challenge your stance. Use any negative comments or disagreements as a way to build and grow as a voice and brand. Work with all the commentary of the public – don’t just ignore it. As Stefan Frank explained, use the commentary as a chance to show that you listen to the people and work to fix any issues.

Each panelist agreed that blogging is a creative and effective way to get in touch with the public. Using this knowledge can help people create and maintain successful blogs themselves.

Caitlyn Donchak is a freshman at Drexel University studying Public Relations. She is originally from East Windsor, New Jersey, but currently resides in Philadelphia.

Media Panel: Scoring Airtime with Philadelphia's Major Broadcast Outlets

2012-02-07T14:44:00.000-05:00

Luncheon Program - Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Have you mastered the art of pitching print, but can't land your client on the evening news? Join us for an exclusive opportunity for a little "airtime" with the faces behind some of Philadelphia's biggest TV and radio outlets. Get inside perspectives on what visuals are most engaging for the camera, what time of day you'll catch a radio host at her desk or even how to develop a content partnership. Find out what the world is like behind the mic.

Panelists include:
Christopher Blackman, NBC 10
Jeff Kolakowski, CBS 3
Marilyn Russell, BEN-FM
Loraine Ballard Morrill, Clear Channel Radio
Clara Rivas, WWSI Telemundo Philadelphia
Moderated by Matthew Cabrey, Shire Pharmaceuticals

Click here to register online.

Location:
Del Frisco's
1426 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA19102

Time:
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM - Registration & Networking
12:00 - 1:30 PM - Lunch and Program

Registration Fees:
$45 - PPRA Members
$60 - Non-Members
$25 - Students
Additional $5 fee for walk-ins

Recap - Penn State Matters: A Roundtable Discussion with PR Pros in Higher Education

2011-12-30T14:53:00.000-05:00

In this roundtable breakfast discussion, more than 20 attendees met for an open and honest discussion about reputation management in higher education answering the question, “Can Sandusky happen to any of us?” Moderated by Chris Lukach, PPRA president and crisis communications firm co-owner and COO, the discussion touched on topics including: sexual impropriety, plausible deniability and re-branding.

“Penn State’s education message is buried under shoulder pads.” said panelist Dan Cirucci, a lecturer on corporate communications at Penn State Abington. “To come out from under this mess, the communications team needs to highlight the school’s commitment to higher education.”

Panelist Paul Healy of the University of the Arts stressed the importance of preparing for a crisis such as the one Penn State is facing. “You can invest years of marketing and millions of dollars to build a brand and it only takes one crises to undo all that work.” He continued, “You need to have a crisis plan in place before the crisis hits to minimize damage.”

“Reputation management is tough – and no one is safe from it,” said panelist Brian Kirschner of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Once the director of communications for the 76ers, he knows this well. “Reputation crises like this are not exclusive to higher education. They happen in sports, with consumer brands, hospitals – everywhere.”

Lukach ended the discussion with a poignant phrase, “I’d wish you all good luck, but we know it’ll take more than that to get through a crisis.”

Vote for Rock to the Future in Pepsi Refresh Project

2011-12-20T21:30:00.000-05:00

Non-profit Recipient of PPRA Pro Bono Assistance a Finalist for 25K Through Pepsi Refresh Project

PPRA members have another way to help make a difference this December! Vote for Rock to the Future, a Philadelphia non-profit organization that PPRA supported through the PRoactive program to win a 25K prize from Pepsi Refresh campaign. Voting closes at the end of the December.

You can vote once online daily and once with a text message daily! Rock to the Future received pro bono PR support through PPRA's PRoactive committee last year and is a cause close to many members hearts.

With $25,000 the Rock to the Future will be able to give the gift of musical education to more students in Philadelphia as part of a free after school program.

Rock to the Future's Mission –

Rock to the Future is a 501(c)3 youth development organization that provides free music education and tutoring to lower-income Philadelphia students who would otherwise never experience the benefits of music education.

From 'Jabberwocky' to 'tober'-mania, a case for only clever wordplay

2011-12-15T17:10:00.000-05:00

By Bill Wedo

Good riddance to you, October.
A.k.a. Dog-tober. A.k.a. Pink-tober. A.k.a. Apple-tober.
Besides being the month for releasing formerly unmarketable movies and for watching teams not the Phillies in the World Series, October has become the nesting ground for that most annoying and inane of marketing efforts.

I speak, of course of the "-tober" craze.

What began as the charmingly simple rhyme/puns of Rock-tober and Shock-tober has morphed into a torrent of annoying, often nonsensical mutations of the word October.

There's Egg-tober—raising funds for gynecological cancers. There's Crop-tober—either a great time to be outdoors, or the chance to win a trip for two to Amsterdam for Cannabis Cup 2011. Your choice.

And let's not forget X-tober, a month-long celebration of "The X-Files." Forget the truth, it's the idiocy that's out there.

But the one that sends me screaming from the room is Subway's "Anytober" campaign. Could there be a more stupid marriage of words? Coupled with its cloying "five-dollar foot-long" ditty, your ears bleed along with your mind.

There's always someone to blame. In case of tobermania, I'm throwing it on FM radio marketers. And Lewis Carroll.

Believe it or not, as far back as 1980, two New York City stations were arguing over who could use the term "Rock-tober." Then in the 1984 horror movie "Rocktober Blood," a revenge-minded rock star rises from the dead to murder his band mates. Okay, maybe it's not all that clever, but at least Rock-tober rhymes with October, and since it's about rock music, it makes some kind of sense.

But why throw stones at Mr. Carroll? The creator of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" almost singlehandedly popularized the notion of nonsense literature, especially with his epic and delightful poem "Jabberwocky." In it, he combined words such as "chuckle" and "snort" to come up with one of my favorite words, "chortle."

To describe these creations, he co-opted the term portmanteau—two meanings packed into one word. In his day, a portmanteau was a suitcase, so the metaphor was perfect. Understand, when it came to words, this guy was a pro and could portmanteau with the best of them.

Even today, many portmanteaux are just fine. Take "Texarkana," the area on the border of Texas and Arkansas. I stopped for gas there once. Nice place. Or "spork," the delightfully whimsical eating utensil combining "spoon" and "fork." Or "jeggings" ("jeans" and "leggings," which my daughter claims are terrific). Though when it comes to Comcast ("communication" and "broadcast") or Verizon ("veritas" and "horizon"), I'm afraid any clever wordplay is overshadowed by the monthly bill. But, I digress.

The problem begins when the amateur wordsmiths step in, those with little talent–or common sense.

These people reasoned (I use the term loosely) that if "rock," "shock" and "Bach" were good -tober matches, then why stop there? I think they missed the "shoat" or "bohip" or something like that.

Portmenteaux should be labeled DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. OR AT AD AGENCIES.

Unfortunately the Subway campaign seems to be working. Forbes magazine reports that the

"Anytober" promotion helped push up Subway's BrandIndex metrics to yearly highs. I have no idea what that means. But if those scores bring back "Anytober," I will be frumious ("furious" and "fuming"). Thank you for that one, Mr. Carroll.

All this makes me think of poor Alice, who said:
"It all seems to fill my head with ideas–only I don't know exactly what they are."

And that will be the official motto next year when I proclaim Witless-tober.

See you then.

Bill Wedo is a recovering journalist and Communications Manager at Studio Incamminati, a school for contemporary realist art in Center City. This piece first appeared on WHYY NewsWorks, a great place for essays and opinion pieces.

Penn State Matters: A Roundtable Discussion with PR Pros in Higher Education

2011-12-06T15:58:00.000-05:00

Of the Moment Program - Tuesday December 13th

Penn State's crisis has shone a light on the realities of public relations and crisis communications in academia. Can the Sandusky situation happen to any of us? And are we prepared to respond if it does? Don't miss this unique and engaging roundtable discussion about the higher education communications landscape with PR pros from leading institutions throughout the Philadelphia region.

Panelists include:
Moderator, Chris Lukach, PPRA President and SVP & COO of Anne Klein Communications Group
Paul Healy, VP Communications for the University of the Arts
Dan Cirucci, Lecturer at Penn State Abington
Brian Kirschner, Senior Director for USciences News & Public Relations

Location:
Penn's View Hotel
Front & Market Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Time:
8:30 - 9:00 AM - Registration & Breakfast
9:00 - 10:00 AM - Roundtable Discussion

Registration Fees:
$25 - PPRA Members
$40 - Non-Members
$15 - Students
Additional $5 fee for walk-ins

Space is limited! Click here to register now!

2011 Gold Medal Award Banquet Honoring David L. Cohen

2011-12-06T15:33:00.000-05:00

Where’s David? He’s everywhere!

By Thomas Rogers

The Philadelphia Public Relations Association chose to honor David L. Cohen, Executive Vice President of Comcast Corporation, as its 2011 Gold Medal Award recipient. Among family, dear friends and colleagues, David received that award at a banquet on November 17^th in the Grand Ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia.

PPRA 2011 Gold Medal Award recipient, David L. Cohen, and PPRA President, Chris Lukach

David L. Cohen has a broad portfolio of responsibilities at Comcast, including corporate communications, government affairs, public affairs and corporate administration, and serves as senior counselor to the CEO. Before assuming this position in July 2002, David served as a partner in and Chairman of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP, one of the 100 largest law firms in the country. From January 1992 to April 1997, David served as Chief of Staff to Philadelphia Mayor Edward G. Rendell. During the course of his career, David has become an asset to the city of Philadelphia.

At the banquet, Renee Chenault-Fattah of Philadelphia’s NBC10, and a good friend of David’s since their years together at Penn, served as mistress of ceremonies. She conducted a classy event with an attendance of outstanding Philadelphians from the public relations world and beyond. After a tribute video, the list of those who spoke about David included Kevin A. Feeley of Bellevue Communications, veteran Philadelphia broadcast journalist Larry Kane, Governor Edward G. Rendell and Mayor Michael Nutter. Their words were a testament to the great things David has done for not only the public relations industry in Philadelphia, but for the city as a whole. David L. Cohen truly is everywhere Philadelphia matters.

Chris Lukach and mistress of ceremonies, Renee Chenault-Fattah of NBC10

Each speaker emphasized some of David’s outstanding contributions to making Philadelphia a top-notch city. Gov. Rendell praised David’s understanding of the importance of creating opportunities for those less fortunate. Larry Kane commended David’s ability to work with both unions and management to bring events like the 2000 Republican National Convention to Philadelphia. All of the speakers, however, spoke to David’s strong character and leadership. When the speeches concluded, David graciously accepted his award from PPRA President Chris Lukach to a standing ovation.

David L. and Rhonda Cohen with banquet committee co-chairs, Lisette Bralow and Mark Tarasiewicz

The PPRA would like to thank Lisette Bralow and Mark Tarasiewicz, the co-chairs of this year’s banquet, as well as the entire 2011 Gold Medal Award banquet committee, for all of their hard work in making this year’s event a great success.

*Photo credits: Bonnie Squires

This blog post was written by Thomas Rogers. Thomas is working towards his Master of Arts degree in Strategic Communication at Villanova University and he recently completed a public relations internship with the Philadelphia Bar Association. Thomas served on the PPRA’s 2011 Gold Medal Award banquet committee and he serves on Philly PRoactive.

Recap: Why Public Media Belongs in Your Public Relations Plan - A Program at WHYY

2011-12-06T15:17:00.000-05:00

By Nina Scimenes

Recently PPRA partnered with WHYY on an educational breakfast program giving PPRA members an insider’s look at WHYY and Newsworks. Everyone in attendance left with tips from the experts about how to get a story covered by WHYY.

WHYY has a special connection with PPRA because that is where Nessa Forman, late Hall of Famer, spent a significant time of her career. Nessa was The Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at WHYY until 2007. Dan Cirucci gave a beautiful tribute to his dear friend Nessa sharing stories about her wonderful work ethics and endearing personality.

After a warm welcome from Arthur Ellis, Executive Director of Communications & Brand Management and Bill Marrazzo, WHYY President and CEO we were introduced to other key individuals who were on the panel sharing tips about how to get stories covered by WHYY and Newsworks.org.

Eugene Sonn, News Director, Susan Greenbaum, Radio Times Producer and Shannon McDonald, Feed Blogger explained what it’s like behind the scene at WHYY and Newsworks.org. After the panel portion of the program attendees had the option to take a tour of the studios at WHYY Technology Center and Hamilton Public Media Commons.

PPRA Holiday Party at Valanni, December 8th

2011-11-17T11:22:00.000-05:00

Food, Shelter, Cocktails - Dec. 8th - Valanni

Join PPRA and celebrate the holidays in style at the annual holiday party. This will be an event filled with swanky music, Medi-Latin food, drinks and holiday cheer – at Valanni in Washington Square.

Winter-wine sangria anyone? Professionals of all levels will be able to network with their peers in relaxed, yet posh setting. Members and non-members alike are welcome to join the fun. Pre-registered members will also be automatically entered to win a $50 gift card to continue the fun with Valanni!

Click here to register!

Date/Time:
Thursday, December 08, 2011
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Location:
Valanni
1229 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Registration Fees:
$35 for PPRA members
$45 for non-members

Deadline: Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Cancellations will be accepted in writing by December 6, 2011. No Refunds after December 6, 2011. No-shows will be billed.

Upcoming Senior Level Program: Boardroom Breakfast with Larry Platt - Oct. 25th

2011-10-17T19:30:00.000-04:00

Join PPRA for a candid conversation with Larry Platt, editor of the Philadelphia Daily News and former editor of Philadelphia Magazine, in a hands-on, gloves-off confab, moderated by Hall of Famer Nina Zucker.

Attendees: Senior Level PPRA Members Only. Senior level is defined as PPRA members who have been in PR for at least 10 years.

Location:
Philadelphia Bar Assoc.
10th Floor Board Room
1101 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Time:
8:30 - 9:00 AM Registration & Breakfast

9:00 - 10:15 AM Program

Registration Fees:
Recession Special: $14.

Click here to register online.

Space is limited. Reserve Promptly.

Upcoming Breakfast Program: Why Public Media Belongs in Your Public Relations Plan - Oct. 19th

2011-09-30T10:10:00.000-04:00

The trend of hyper-local news is on the rise, as is evident by the launch of Newsworks.org by WHYY last year. Start your day with an exclusive breakfast at WHYY and get the inside scoop on how public media has evolved over the past decade and how public relations professionals can best utilize their broadcast and online outlets. There also will be an opportunity for small, guided tours of the studio following breakfast. Click here for more information and to register online!

Plus a panel of WHYY journalists offer do's and don'ts for getting your stories covered:

Bill Marrazzo, President and CEO
Eugene Sonn, News Director
Susan Greenbaum, Radio Times Producer
Don Henry, NewsWorks Senior Web Producer

Location:
WHYY
Dorrance H. Hamilton Public Media Commons
150 N. 6th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Time:
8:00 - 8:30 AM Registration & Breakfast
8:30 - 10:00 AM Program

Registration Fees:
$25 - PPRA Members
$40 - Non-Members$15 - Students
Additional $5 fee for walk-ins

Remembering PPRA's Nessa Forman

2011-09-23T07:51:00.000-04:00

Nessa Forman and I were circus buddies.
Every year, when the circus came to town we were there. I'm not sure which one of us enjoyed the spectacle of the circus more but I do know that we were like a couple of kids as we sat in the audience and gazed on in amazement at the greatest show on earth.
And this year we enjoyed every moment of the show just like every other year. We enjoyed it just as Nessa always enjoyed every moment of her life, even as she was weakened by an insidious illness.
From the moment that I first arrived in Philadelphia (a long time ago) to practice public relations I heard about Nessa Forman. Nessa was an editor at the old Philadelphia Bulletin and she was known as a first rate journalist -- scrupulous, thorough, unflappable, but patient and caring as well. Though she worked right alongside the guys in the tough, deadline-driven world of a big city daily newspaper, Nessa never developed a hard edge. Yes, she was keenly aware of the human condition but, more often than not she merely smiled knowingly at the shortcomings of others just as she routinely poked fun at herself. She never became a cynic.
By the time I got to know Nessa as more than just an acquaintance she had very smoothly transitioned to the world of public relations and assumed the title of vice president of corporate communications and public affairs at WHYY Inc., Philadelphia's public broadcasting outlet.
I was president of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) in 2002 when Nessa was nominated for induction into the Philadelphia Public Relations Hall of Fame. Nessa was so well-respected and had so many friends that she was voted into the Hall on the first ballot. Then, it was my job to call Nessa and give her the good news. We met for lunch to begin planning her Hall of Fame induction luncheon and that's when a beautiful friendship developed.
Over a period of nearly ten years Nessa and I grew closer. We exchanged stories, shared confidences and enjoyed many good times together. When I was inducted into the Hall of Fame, we became veritable partners. For many years the two of us co-chaired PPRA's annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony. I have to say that I never could have done the job without Nessa. She did most of the work. I was there just to be with Nessa.
Nessa wouldn't want to be called a pioneer but that's what she was - no question about it.
She was one of the first women to advance to a leading role in Philadelphia journalism and then became a model for all women professionals as a corporate executive. The words "worthy of emulation" were written to describe her. In 2005, the Philadelphia Business Journal named her a woman of distinction. She was all that and more. And she had all of the awards and honors to prove it.
But Nessa remembered the first rule for a good PR person: Have a passion for anonymity. She never, ever promoted herself. She was modest and unassuming. Though she was incredibly smart, quick and diligent, she also found the time to be kind and attentive. Consequently, she had many, many friends who were more than happy to sing her praises. And it's fair to say that in the tight knit world of Philly PR and journalism she was truly beloved.
Sometimes when Nessa and I were together I would vent all my frustrations and/or disappointment with one predicament or another or one personality or another. While never speaking ill of anyone, Nessa would simply laugh and redirect my energies toward more pleasant endeavors . She understood -- and she knew better.
Toward the end, Nessa managed her illness with grace, dignity and, yes -- courage. The closest she ever came to even talking about her predicament was confiding: "This is the hardest thing I've ever done."
Now it will be so hard for me to bid adieu to such a treasured friend. So hard.
And this is unfair -- not just to Nessa but to all of us who loved her and cared about her.
Still, we know we were lucky to call this gracious lady our friend. And, thanks to her, our hearts are full of so many happy memories -- so many cherished moments.

Dan Cirucci is one of the most widely honored public relations professionals in his field. He is a Lecturer in Corporate Communication at Penn State Abington and a former President of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association. This piece was first published on his blog at www.dancirucci.com.

Philadelphia Public Relations Association 2011 kick-off event

2011-09-15T10:49:00.000-04:00

Breaking the Ice: A speed-networking event with a twist

Philadelphia Public Relations Association members gathered last week to enjoy
cocktails, enlightening conversation, and the rip and roar of a nearby chainsaw. In the
hands of a skilled sculptor, the power tool tore through more than 600 lbs. of ice, creating
an elegant sculpture for PPRA’s 2011 kick-off event - “Breaking the Ice: A Speed-networking
event with a twist.”

Atop the rooftop deck of The Corner Bar in Center City, members squeezed as
much info as possible into 3-minute conversations for the speed-networking portion of
the evening. Many members took advantage of the very swanky bar/restaurant and
enjoyed the view overlooking the city as the sun began to set.

“I spoke with people I would never had a chance to otherwise meet.” said Beth
Archer, PPRA chairperson, “This was a great way to start off the year and I’m so excited
for the next event!”

Chris Lukach, 2011- 2012 PPRA president, welcomed the newly elected
executive board and thanked Meredith Avakian, vice president for programs, and her
team, including Lindsay Bues and Robert Johnson, social programs co-chairs, for their
hard work.

PPRA Mourns Nessa Forman

2011-09-13T15:12:00.000-04:00

This weekend, sadly, PPRA lost a long-time and beloved member of its family, Nessa Forman. Nessa was a PPRA Hall of Famer, but, more important, a mentor, colleague and good friend to so many of us.

After serving as arts and leisure editor of The Bulletin, Nessa began a quarter-century stint as a marketing executive at WHYY Inc. Upon her 2007 retirement from WHYY as vice president of corporate communications and public affairs, Nessa co-founded the multimedia company Worktheshow.com.

Nessa shaped and inspired many practitioners in Philadelphia through her commitment to professional development, her kind disposition, her trademark humor and her true graciousness. She will be missed.

The Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News both included Nessa Forman's obituary.

Gold Medal Award Luncheon Honoring David Cohen November 17, 2011

2011-09-13T15:06:00.000-04:00

Philadelphia Public Relations Association

Proudly Presents

its 2011 Gold Medal Award to:

David L. Cohen
Executive Vice President

Comcast Corporation

On November 17, 2011, the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) will be honoring David L. Cohen with the prestigious Gold Medal Award. The annual Gold Medal event is one of PPRA most popular events, and this year it is likely to sell out.

David L. Cohen is Executive Vice President of Comcast Corporation, one of the world's leading media, entertainment and communication companies and the majority owner and manager of NBCUniversal. Mr. Cohen has a broad portfolio of responsibilities, including corporate communications, government affairs, public affairs and corporate administration, and serves as senior counselor to the CEO. Before assuming this position in July 2002, Mr. Cohen served as a partner in and Chairman of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP, one of the 100 largest law firms in the country. From January 1992 to April 1997, Mr. Cohen served as Chief of Staff to Philadelphia Mayor Edward G. Rendell.

Since David Cohen is the Executive Vice President of one of the world's leading media, entertainment and communications companies, you can be sure that the attendees will include some of the most important and influential people from our region. Why not take advantage of this by being an industry sponsor? For only $100 you will receive special recognition in the event program. Deadline to register is October 14, 2011. Please contact Lisa Simon (lsimon@simonpr.com) with any questions regarding sponsorships.

Date/Time:

Thursday, November 17, 2011

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Registration
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch and Program

Location:

The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia
Ten Avenue of the Arts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-2598

Registration Fees:
$65 Member
$75 Non-Member
$650 Table of Ten (please email list of names to ppra@comcast.net)

Online registration: http://ppra.net/content/calendar/viewevent.aspx?eventid=59

This Thursday, Sept. 1 - Win A Ticket to PPRA’s Speed Networking Happy Hour

2011-08-30T07:46:00.000-04:00

Image via WikipediaHave you heard about PPRA’s upcoming Sept. 8^th speed networking happy hour with a twist? Want to network with PPRA members on the roof of Center City’s Corner Bar, see an ice sculpture carved by chainsaw and better still, attend for free?

Now’s your chance! This Thursday, Sept. 1^st, one week ahead of the event you’ll have the opportunity to win one free ticket. Just check out PPRA’s Facebook page on Thursday. We’ll give PPRA members 24 hours to comment on a post announcing the giveaway and one member will be chosen at random to receive a free ticket to the happy hour. The winner will be announced on the PPRA Facebook page on Friday, Sept. 2^nd before 3 PM ET.

Please note that since this is a members-only happy hour you must be a member to win so renew your membership now! Good luck, everyone!

Upcoming Event: PPRA's Speed Networking Happy Hour with a Twist - Sept. 8th

2011-08-24T21:21:00.000-04:00

Chain-saws and speed-networking. What more do PR pros need to wrap up the summer? PPRA members are invited to kick-off the new programming year with a speed networking event on the rooftop deck at The Corner Bar, complete with a live carving of an ice sculpture - created using a chain saw!

The speed-networking portion of the event will be a fun and friendly opportunity to get to know new and seasoned members, as well as the new board members. Please remember to renew your membership in time so you can join PPRA for this exciting and entertaining evening.

Click here to register online.

Cost: $40 per person
Registration Fee includes food and two drinks.

Thursday, September 08, 2011

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

The Corner
102 South 13th Street
www.thephillycorner.com

This event is for PPRA members who renew their 2011-12 membership dues by September 8th. Watch your mailboxes for dues renewals invoices, or

click here to renew online.

Upcoming Event: The State of the Industry

2011-08-16T06:32:00.000-04:00

PRSA Philly, PPRA and PBPRS bring you The State of the Industry

OVERVIEW

The first of its kind, this collaborative conference will bring together leaders in the field of communications from some of top industries across the region to discuss the state of the PR industry. Hear from experts in the following areas as they cover current trends, challenges and opportunities, and the future of the public relations field in the Greater Philadelphia Region:

· Non-profit

· Public Policy

· Sports

· Tourism & Hospitality

This conference will feature a panel discussion moderated by Lee Marshall, vice president at BusinessWire, as well as various break-out sessions covering such topics as:

· Corporate Communications

· Crisis Communications

· Health Care

· Social Media

Please visit www.prsa.philly.org for updated information as we confirm speakers and finalize the agenda!

WHEN

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Breakfast & Registration: 8:00 – 8:30 a.m.

Panel Discussion: 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Break out Session I: 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.

Break out Session II: 10:15 – 11:00 a.m.

WHERE

The Down Town Club

At the corner of 6th and Chestnut Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19106

COST

$45 for general admission (there is no non-member rate for this event)*

$25 for student admission*

*A hot breakfast buffet is included with cost of admission

An Inside Look at the NBC 10 Morning Meeting

2011-07-13T08:14:00.001-04:00

Part of my job in public relations is finding the balance between what the client wants and what the media finds newsworthy. This is no simple task under normal circumstances, but television is a particularly tricky beast. First, you need not only an interesting story; you also need a compelling visual to go along with it. Even if you do have that, timing may be against you: news crews are short on cameras and have a much quicker turnaround time for their pieces than print media. Then heap that on top of the fact your story is up against the waves of pitches from other communications professionals, natural disasters, updates on the national debt and economy, and police reports. With all of the factors to consider, what’s a PR pro to do?

Go inside NBC 10’s morning meeting, of course.

Recently, I had the great opportunity to get a first-hand look at how Vice President of News Chris Blackman and his team work. I walked into the NBC 10 studios in Bala Cynwyd at 9am expecting the caricatured chaos depicted in movies – papers flying everywhere, arguments over which lead should take priority, and every reporter angling for the most speaking time. Instead, I witnessed one of the smoothest meetings I’d ever been in.

A crew of about 20 or so people filed in with their coffees and portable breakfasts. Chris used a white story board to lay out each beat, news slot, and reporter. He went through the list, asking for ideas related to the shore, health, local news, and AP pickup. No one interrupted or tried to shout over someone else; they all just wait for their beat to come around. Chris filled in assignments next to each reporters name and corresponding news program. A map of the day became clear over the 30-minute meeting and before I knew it, everyone emptied out to put together their news packages.

Some of the most important things the meeting reinforced for how I approach pitching broadcast include:

· Always think in terms of local: Apartment fires and shootings air on the news so often because they truly impact the people of Philadelphia and their safety. If you represent a national brand or even a local brand that is part a larger trend, tie all of your ideas back to how they affect the city and surrounding areas.

· Know the right reporter: I’ve said it in other blogs, and I’ll say it again! Targeted pitches are the way to go. Each NBC 10 reporter had his or her time to talk in the meeting, rather than Chris just handing out whatever came in through the news desk. The next time you call the news desk, ask who covers a specific beat and start sending your stories to him/her with a CC to the desk.

· Get creative: There are dozens of ribbon cuttings in the city. Anybody can give a speech. But find a story that involves a grandmother punishing her grandson over bacon? That will get the reporters’ attention. The news team wants (local) pieces that the public will talk about at the water cooler all day. Think outside of the box and make a standard photo opp into something bigger.

Thank you again to Chris Blackman and NBC 10 for hosting me!

This blog post was written by Christine Guerrini. Christine Guerrini is a member of the public relations team at Tierney agency in Center City Philadelphia. A Villanova grad, Christine specializes in media relations, social media and research. She has worked with clients in a variety of fields, including consumer, non-profit, and B2B. Outside of work, Christine is an avid fan of the Arts, whether exploring museums or sitting down with a novel. Connect with Christine on Twitter (@CMGuerrini) or at http://www.linkedin.com/in/christineguerrini .

Incoming PPRA President Chris Lukach in Philly Ad News

2011-07-08T06:40:00.000-04:00

Congratulations Chris! You make us very proud and we're happy to have you as our incoming president.

Rock to the Future, a Philly PRoactive Partnership

2011-07-05T06:25:00.002-04:00

“There are no walls in music.” -Pierre Robert, disc jockey, 93.3 WMMR.

In 2009, PPRA launched “Philly PRoactive,” a community-based project that assists local non-profits in need of PR assistance by partnering them with members on a volunteer basis. This year, the two non-profits chosen to receive PR guidance in the Philly PRoactive program were Rock to the Future and Girls, Inc.
Guided by Jill Flanagan, M.A., PPRA community service chairperson, the team of volunteers included Meg Boyd, Nina Scimenes, Farra D’orazio, Michelle Kane, Thomas Rogers and Christine Guerrini who worked with Jessica McKay, founding director of Rock to the Future for the past six months on various public relations efforts.

Rock to the Future, now approaching its second year, is a free, afterschool music education and youth development program for Philadelphia School District students (ages 9-14). The program focuses on the incorporation of music education with academics to create success in school and in life by improving cognitive thinking, learning capacity, socialization skills, self-esteem and creative thinking. The premise is that students will learn an instrument –– and will also receive homework help. The students worked together to write new, original music and attend free educational and musical seminars. The program is 100% free to the participants and relies on the donations and support of the community.
The idea of Rock to the Future was first conceived in 2008 by McKay, a Temple University graduate with a degree in business administration and economics. McKay began her music education at a very early age and knew the positive effects that music education has on academic excellence. She created Rock to the Future to pursue her dream of spreading music education to underprivileged youth.

Together the PPRA volunteers produced a PR plan, news releases, media alerts, brochures, a donor solicitation letter and a media kit. They grew the media contact list, took photos, pitched their plea for coverage and assisted in social media efforts. Highlights of the first year included coverage in the Philadelphia Inquirer for the first holiday concert, an educational workshop with Curtis Institute graduates and news coverage on their year-end showcase at the World Café Live.

"As a newbie to the Philadelphia public relations world, I couldn't have had a better entree than helping out a worthy cause like Rock to the Future!" said Thomas Rogers, candidate, Master of Arts in communication, Villanova University.

“Being a former high school band-o, it was a privilege to help Rock to the Future grow and give these kids the opportunity to shine,” said Michelle Kane.

Although assistance was given to Rock to the Future, it was McKay’s foresight, proactive approach and unwavering commitment to Rock to the Future that made her first year a success. On her own, McKay had the students perform in numerous festivals, had articles appear in local journals, held benefits to raise funds with local bands, produced a YouTube video and obtained a 501(c)3 status! It was a learning experience from both sides. Thanks to all those who helped out this year.

This blog post was written by Meg Boyd. Meg Boyd is currently a communications specialist for Catholic Health East, a $6B geographically dispersed, multi-unit, Catholic healthcare organization that serves ministries in 11 states. Here she delivers effective communications for both internal and external audiences in a wide range of mediums in the corporate office.

She is also a freelance writer for Main Line Today magazine and volunteers for many community organizations including the Women’s Resource Center, Good Works, Inc., and Chemo Clothes. She is chair, communications and marketing for the Villanova University Alumni Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter and is a member of both PRSA and PPRA currently working with the PPRA Proactive Program in assisting Rock to the Future with their public relations efforts.

She earned a M.A., in strategic communication from Villanova University and a B.A., in communication from the University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio.

Interview with PPRA's Brodey Award Winner: Rachel Santella

2011-06-29T06:40:00.000-04:00

At PPRA's Annual Meeting, Drexel graduate Rachel Santella was honored with the Dr. Jean Brodey Student Achievement Award. Get to know Rachel a little better in the interview below.

1. What was your reaction to winning the 2011 Dr. Jean Brodey Student Achievement Award?

Knowing how prestigious this award is I was so excited and really surprised. It was a great ending to my college experience and culminates everything I’ve worked for while at Drexel.

2. How has your experience at PECO helped you with your studies at Drexel?

PECO really helped to exemplify everything I was learning in the classroom. It added a whole different level of knowledge and experience that I couldn’t have gotten through just a class setting. Being a full-time co-op and then becoming a part-time intern with PECO for over a year and a half has allowed me to really learn about the company and their communications strategies, so when we were learning about media tactics or dealing with press in class, I was able to compare that to how I saw it done at PECO and the experiences I already had.

3. How are you hoping to use your collegiate experiences to develop into a full-time PR professional?

I’m hoping to take away and apply everything I’ve acquired over the last few years. I want to use every facet of knowledge I’ve received. In addition to practices and skills in public relations that I’ve learned, I also gained knowledge and understanding in valuable things like patience and work management, which I know will help me do well moving into a full-time PR position.

4. What advice can you give students who are working on academic studies, internships, and pre-professional organizations like you did?

Do as much as possible, but be careful not to overdo it. I’ve always been the type of person that gets involved with a million things at once and then ends up running myself ragged. When I came to Drexel I knew I wanted to be involved, but wasn’t sure at what level, so I started out small and worked my way into things. I chose student orgs that I was interested in and used them as a kind of release from school and work, which turned out really well for me and kept me balanced.

Internships are so vital and I can’t thank Drexel enough for the co-op program. I really lucked out in getting three great co-ops and the chance to meet and work with amazing people. As a college student, I don’t think we’re always thinking of the future and how competitive and difficult the business world is really going to be. Internships can give a good glimpse into that world and can set you up for what’s to come.

5. What are you most excited for, post-graduation?

To just be able to do what I enjoy doing everyday. I feel like I was always kind of teased with the co-op program. I’d always hate the transition back to class right after having worked for six months, which I think made me much more career-focused. I’m lucky in that I graduated knowing what I want to do.

I’m also very excited to be done with 15 page papers and all-nighters that’s for sure!

6. How are you hoping to get more involved with PPRA?
I want to learn as much as I can about the organization right now and want to get more and more involved as my knowledge grows. I look forward to a long and fun future with the PPRA.

This interview was coordinated by Melissa Marsili. Melissa is a 2010 Temple University graduate now working in marketing at a non-profit organization in Center City, Philadelphia. As Newsletter Chair for PPRA, Melissa works to gather interesting and helpful information for the monthly newsletter. You can find Melissa on Twitter or on LinkedIn.

Interview with PPRA's Fast Track Award Winner: Darren M. Behuniak

2011-06-27T00:01:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to Darren M. Behuniak, 29, director, marketing and communications for the Devon International Group! Darren was recently awarded the Fast-Track award from the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA). He was nominated for this award by Christopher Lukach, who works for Anne Klein Communications Group, LLC in Mount Laurel, N.J., and who is incoming president for PPRA.

The PPRA Fast-Track award honors a member of PPRA who has made great contributions to the organization, profession, the community and who exemplifies PPRA’s vision for the future. The nominee has been in their profession for 5-8 years and receives a commemorative plaque. Below you will find some more information on Darren.

1. What is your current job? Tell me a little bit about that.

My title is director of marketing and communications for a group of corporate companies, but I feel more like an agency director.

I work for the Devon International Group, which is a multinational group of six companies in King of Prussia that span healthcare, IT, and international business. Our U.S. headquarters are in King of Prussia and we have offices around the world, including a major base in Shanghai.

I lead a department that is responsible for public relations, marketing, web presence, advertising and branding programs for all of the companies. We operate like an agency within a corporate environment, as we support our own “clients” and their respective goals.

I routinely meet with our founder, the companies’ presidents, and sales executives to shape business strategies and ensure that our messages are communicated effectively to all audiences.

It’s been an unbelievable experience to work in health insurance, computer hardware and software, medical devices, and other industries. And I have been lucky to work with a fantastic staff skilled in public relations, marketing, web design, and graphic design that works so well together.

2. Where did you attend school?

I attended La Salle University in Philadelphia and earned a B.A. in Communication, with concentrations in public relations and mass media writing. Go Explorers.

3. Where are you from? Where do you reside now?

I am originally from upstate New York, near Saratoga. I currently live in Oaks, PA, but will be buying a house in the Conshohocken/Plymouth Meeting area. Soon. Very soon. Hopefully.

4. What is your biggest challenge/opportunity at work?

I have had the unique opportunity to work alongside senior business, financial, and legal executives at a young age. Exposure to these seasoned business vets is invaluable, and having access to these leaders has helped me align our communications efforts more closely with business strategies. That is why it is so important that PR folks continue to serve in decision-making roles at their company or organization.

Regarding challenges, I think the biggest is “bandwidth” – but I hate that business term, so I’ll say “resources.” PR pros where many different hats – media/community/investor relations, social media efforts, event planning, fund raising, writing/editing, marketing, sales, etc. – so prioritizing and accomplishing goals can seem overwhelming at times.

The ability to communicate is very powerful, but with this expertise comes a self-imposed responsibility, I’ve found, to make sure everything is done “properly.” You need to delegate – if you have the resources – and pick and choose your internal and external battles wisely.

5. What is your favorite part about your job?

Getting a pizza or having a “liquid-fueled” brainstorming meeting with my staff after work hours. There are some fantastic ideas that come from not having an agenda, sitting in a room together, and just throwing ideas out there. Nothing should be off the table, because sometimes the wackiest, most inappropriate ideas can lead do something feasible, brilliant, and effective.

6. What is your dream job?

Playing golf on the PGA Tour. Or, playing second base for the Phillies or Boston Red Sox. Or, being the owner of a successful public relations/media relations/online marketing agency.

7. What advice would you give other PR folks? Or those entering the field?

Meet as many people as possible. It sounds cliché, but clichés are started for a reason. The more people you know and network with (and PPRA is great for this) the more valuable you become.

Another tip: If at all possible, check email once every hour or two. For many PR folks checking email every time the red light blinks on your Blackberry or a notice comes up on your computer can be a time waster.
Professionals in crisis communications – and maybe some agencies – may not be able to get away with this, but I’ve found that email influx can be very distracting. 99% of your emails are not urgent – focus on your work first, and you may have a more calm and productive day.

8. I understand you are engaged. Where did you meet your fiancé?

My fiancé and I met through a friend. More specifically, we met through a woman that I hired – the first professional hire of my career. I’m glad I didn’t hire the other person.

9. What are your future goals?

I would ideally like to have my own digital agency, to start. There’s a window for the next five to ten years to really help business combine PR and marketing skills to drive sales, cause awareness, etc. online. After that I think the younger generations will easily and fundamentally take online business light years beyond where we’re at even today.

And like everyone, I’m trying to think of the next Facebook or Twitter. However, I have a suspicion that niche social sites – as opposed to having everyone know everyone’s business – will be more popular in the future. I think people will want their information out there less in years to come, so capitalizing on this anticipation is a goal.

This interview was conducted by Meg Boyd. Meg Boyd is currently a communications specialist for Catholic Health East, a $6B geographically dispersed, multi-unit, Catholic healthcare organization that serves ministries in 11 states. Here she delivers effective communications for both internal and external audiences in a wide range of mediums in the corporate office.

She is also a freelance writer for Main Line Today magazine and volunteers for many community organizations including the Women’s Resource Center, Good Works, Inc., and Chemo Clothes. She is chair, communications and marketing for the Villanova University Alumni Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter and is a member of both PRSA and PPRA currently working with the PPRA Proactive Program in assisting Rock to the Future with their public relations efforts.

She earned a M.A., in strategic communication from Villanova University and a B.A., in communication from the University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio.

A Healthy Future Within Reach

2011-06-24T06:28:00.000-04:00

Along with being the principal of Brownstone PR, I am also the VP of Development for Stars Within Reach – a nonprofit organization that takes individuals in the entertainment, sports, and political sector, corporations, and organizations and partners them with charitable causes, to provide tangible solutions to some of our most prevalent societal issues. Annually, the organization embraces 12 causes – one for each month – and implements a multimedia effort to raise awareness and dollars for support.

The organization’s platform is a PR dream, as each campaign is comprised of a community relations effort, but also allows for creative social media implementation, strategic marketing, and unique partnership opportunities that allow for increased (and ongoing) media results.

Take the organization’s ‘A Healthy Future Within Reach’ initiative.

Mayor Michael Nutter, Congressman Chaka Fattah, Senator Larry Farnese, 76er Lou Williams, Eagles tight end Cornelius Ingram, Girard College president Autumn Adkins Graves, Health Partners, The Food Trust, and more joined Stars Within Reach and the Point Breeze Performing Arts Center to launch ‘A Healthy Future Within Reach’ – an interactive, multimedia campaign to raise awareness for childhood obesity and the lack of healthy eating options in the Philadelphia community of Point Breeze, and to turn the vacant lot at 1622-1648 Point Breeze Avenue into a healthy food source for 100+ families living in the area.

Via weekly PSAs and blogs on the Stars Within Reach website, ‘A Healthy Future Within Reach’ featured such footage as Mayor Nutter discussing the importance of eating healthy, Congressman Fattah and Eagles tight end Ingram promoting regular exercise and activity, Senator Farnese speaking on the lasting effects of an unhealthy lifestyle, and Point Breeze resident Abdul Brown, 13, talking about life with Type I Diabetes.

When crafting the campaign, we understood the importance of getting notable figures on board to assist us in communicating the effort’s message. In order to draw individuals to the Stars Within Reach website to view the videos – and in turn, donate to the effort – we had to get individuals who folks knew and who they were interested in hearing speak. What’s more, as part of their participation, we knew the notables would post the video they were featured in on their highly trafficked websites, along with including the video on their social media networks.

Media interest was instant, primarily for two reasons: (1) the issue of childhood obesity and lack of healthy eating options in urban areas being such a hot topic (thanks in part to our first lady, Michelle Obama!) and (2) Point Breeze being the location for the initiative, as the community has experienced ongoing revitalization efforts over the last 2-3 years. Having the notable figures on board for the initiative provided a little more ‘shine’, as the average viewer or reader will listen to just about anything if it’s coming from someone like the Mayor or a 76er star player!

Broadcast, print and online media placements resulted in immediate hits on the Stars Within Reach website, and 25% of fundraising secured.

When it came to incorporating social media, Facebook was used by our notable participants to promote their PSAs, while Stars Within Reach focused primarily on Twitter and YouTube. Each video was able to go viral as we utilized the Stars Within Reach YouTube channel to assist in promotion. On Twitter, we developed the hashtag #AHealthyFuture, and had each of our notable participants tweeting on the day that their video was posted on the Stars Within Reach site, and for the remainder of the month. Between the 7 notables on Twitter – and some of our media/marketing partners - there are 139,572 unique followers in total.

Social media efforts resulted in a 110% increase of daily visitors to the Stars Within Reach site, and 30% of fundraising secured.

The uniqueness of the effort attracted the support of Walmart. The company has come on board as the Title Sponsor for the initiative, having committed to matching each donation, dollar for dollar, up to $40,000. What’s more, thanks to media and social media efforts, The Lomax Foundation has come on board as a Major Sponsor, and Whole Foods on South Street will host a 5% day for the ‘A Healthy Future Initiative’ on Tuesday, June 28 – with 5% of the day’s sales going to support the effort.

Public relations is not just securing media placements; rather, it’s a strategic and cohesive effort that encompasses a multitude of platforms to creatively communicate one message and yield positive results. I believe ‘A Healthy Future Within Reach’ does just that, and more!

This blog post was written by Megan R. Smith. Megan R. Smith is the founder and president of Brownstone PR, a Philadelphia-based media and public relations agency serving individuals and companies in the areas of technology, finance, hospitality, lifestyle/entertainment, and sports.

President's Perspective: A Look Back At The Year

2011-06-22T06:25:00.000-04:00

My favorite part of the 2011 PPRA Annual Meeting – besides our esteemed speakers – was the opportunity I had to look back and review the year.

We started a mentorship program that pairs professionals with less than 10 years in the profession with more experienced practioners that many of you are helping to make a success.

We continued to offer programming that meets the needs of our members. Feedback from events early in the year indicated you wanted to hear from experts on some of the trickier social media issues. So, we brought in experts from up and down the East Coast to share their insights. We also responded to your need for more information on crisis communications by stacking a panel of experts from around the city who have handled some of the region's major crises. In other events, we brought in editors from Time and People, leadership of the Inquirer and Fox-29, and the cities top non-profit leaders.

Part of the fun at PPRA is recognizing leaders who understand the value of public relations for their company or organization. This year we had the opportunity to honor Dr. Amy Gutmann, president of the University of Pennsylvania, with our Gold Medal award. Later in the year, we were honored to induct Matt Cabrey, senior director of communications at Shire Pharmaceuticals, into our Hall of Fame.

In order to recruit members, we launched a 'member-get-a-member' effort that has helped add new people to our group. We also added this blog – which if you don't know already, as a member, you can submit posts to add to your portfolio. We tweet on Twitter and post on Facebook daily, which takes a lot of effort by some of our most active members.

In conjunction with Temple University, we also officially launched the archives of PPRA, a multi-year effort to solidify the legacy of our organization and of our members.

Most importantly, we take time to give back to those who are in need of help. Our pro bono program, Philly Proactive, provided promotional services to Girls, Inc. and Rock to the Future. Members also participated in the annual Philly Clean-up Day.

Many thanks to the great members of the Board of Governors! Without them this hard work could not have been accomplished.

PPRA Board of Governors, 2011-2012

Kera L. Armstrong
Meredith Z. Avakian
Ashley Berke
Lisette Bralow
David W. Brown
Matthew Cabrey
Michael Cavacini
Danielle Cohn
Eric Cortes
Bill Cowen
Catherine Engel
Farrah Farnese
Sharla Feldscher
Jill Flanagan
Bonnie L. Grant
Sylvia Kauders
Jessica Lawlor
Christopher Lukach, APR
Melissa Marsili
Silvana Pop
Larry D. Rubin
Megan R. Smith
Bonnie Squires
Mark A. Tarasiewicz
Meredith Wertz
Caryn Williams

This blog post was written by PPRA President Beth Archer. Beth is a Senior Account Manager at Anne Klein Communications Group in Mount Laurel, N.J., where she works with clients in the utility, healthcare and higher education industries. She had her first internship when clips where still clipped out of a newspaper. Connect with Beth on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Congratulations to PPRA's new Board of Directors

2011-06-20T08:48:00.001-04:00

At last week's Annual Meeting, PPRA's 2011-2012 Board of Directors was officially announced. Congratulations to the new board! Stay tuned later this summer for blog posts from the new board about the exciting plans in store for next year.

President
Christopher Lukach
Anne Klein Communications Group, LLC
(assumes position as outlined in the PPRA Bylaws)

President-Elect
Kera Armstrong
Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy

Vice President for External Affairs
Bonnie Grant
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau

Vice President for Programs
Meredith Avakian
DuPont Co.

Vice President for Membership
Ashley Berke
National Constitution Center

Vice President for Communications
Jill Flanagan
Villanova University

Secretary
Michael Cavacini
The Star Group

Treasurer
Caryn Williams

Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.

Directors
Lisette Bralow
Philadelphia Folksong Society
(Term expires June 2012)

Eric Cortes

WWSI Telemundo Philadelphia

(Term expires June 2013)

Darren Behuniak
Devon International Group
(Term expires June 2014)

Immediate Past President (Chair)
Beth Archer
Anne Klein Communications Group, LLC
(assumes position as outlined in the PPRA Bylaws)

PPRA Annual Meeting: Meet the Mayor

2011-06-17T00:01:00.004-04:00

Every year, PPRA members look forward to the organization's final event of the year, the Annual Meeting. This highly-attended event draws some of Philadelphia's finest public relations professionals to network, listen to speakers, honor award winners and vote on PPRA's new board of directors.

Mayor Nutter speaking at PPRA's Annual Meeting

This year's Annual Meeting theme was Meet the Mayor. Attendees had the opportunity to listen to Mayor Nutter, his Chief Spokesperson Mark McDonald and his Director of Communications Desiree Peterkin Bell.

McDonald spoke about how he spends much of his time writing speeches and speaking with the media on behalf of Mayor Nutter. Since McDonald came from a journalism background, he feels that he is able to better understand the media's wants and needs when it comes to building a story.

A few minutes later, Peterkin Bell took to the podium. Impressive fun fact about Peterkin Bell: she has worked for four mayors in her career, including working for Mayor Bloomberg in the years after 9/11. Peterkin Bell then took the opportunity to explain her role in the administration as compared to McDonald. She explained that McDonald is truly the voice of the mayor, while her role as Director of Communications involves overseeing strategy for the entire administration.

Peterkin Bell received applause when she said that PR/communication professionals need to be at the table when decisions are being made in their companies. She also added that PR professionals should be involved in the implementation of those decisions from the very beginning. As PR and communication pros, this is certainly something we can all cheer for!

After hearing from McDonald and Peterkin Bell, President Beth Archer presented the PPRA archives to a

Cathy Engle, Dr. Jean Brodey and Brodey Award Winner Rachel Santella

representative from the Temple University Library. Next, Archer turned the microphone over to Jill Flanagan who thanked the Philly PRoactive teams who offered pro bono PR services to two Philadelphia non-profits: Rock to the Future and Girls, Inc.

Shortly following, Archer presented two PPRA awards. The Dr. Jean Brodey Student Achievement Award went to Drexel University student Rachel Santella. The PPRA Fast Track Award went to Darren Behuniak. Stay tuned to the blog later this month for interviews with both award winners!

PPRA's 2011-2012 Board of Directors

Finally, the PPRA membership voted for PPRA's 2011-2012 Board of Directors. Congratulations to the new Board!

Between multiple useful events, launching a blog, developing a mentorship program and providing several opportunities for members to continue advancing their careers, PPRA certainly had an incredible year.

Since this was the last PPRA event of the year, please share your favorite PPRA member in the comments.

*Photo credits: Bonnie Squires

This blog post was written by Jessica Lawlor. Jessica currently works on the public affairs team at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia. She serves as PPRA's social media chair and blog editor.

Media Relations: Pitching to Win

2011-06-15T06:21:00.001-04:00

Public relations firms are always looking for the freshest angle to get our clients in the best media outlets. If there’s one thing I’ve learned since I started in this industry, though, it’s that sending out a blanket email to the media while pitching, even if it’s a great story, won’t produce results. I’ve had plenty of reporters never respond to my messages or emails, rush me off the phone or respond to me like I’m secretly trying to get them to hand over credit card numbers. Not because I didn’t have a good angle, but because I didn’t package the information how they like it.

There is no fool-proof formula that will work for all media. However, I’d like to share a few simple steps I’ve picked up from my own discussions with reporters that can increase you chances at a winning pitch:

Research Your Target

Reporters often have very specific beats beyond just business, technology, or healthcare. They may only be interested in stories about small businesses with a diversity angle, cloud computing technologies, or biomedical research. These beat writers find it extremely annoying to receive emails that are off-topic, but it is easy to avoid. The easiest way to know if your target reporter is a good fit for a pitch is to actually read his or her past work. Doing your homework on a reporter is also a great way to see how you can tailor your current pitch copy to match a trend that he has already covered.

Don’t Make Contacts. Build Relationships.

I’ve been to several media panels during which editors have stressed the importance of building a rapport with their writers, even suggesting coffee or lunch appointments to introduce yourself and ask questions. This may seem intimidating at first, but the relationship you seek to build is a two-way street. PR professionals need reporters to take interest in their clients, and reporters need interesting stories to engage their readers. They need us as much as we need them! Since you’ve already done your research, use that initial knowledge to engage in a mutual conversation about what you want to place and what the reporter wants to write.

Know When “No” Means “No”

Another of the biggest qualms the media has with PR pros is our persistence in follow up. It is certainly important to check on the status of a pitch, especially with key targets for your client. However, calling every day and sending eight emails for the same pitch will get you nowhere. You have to respect that sometimes reporters don’t need or want the information we have to offer, whether it’s an issue of timing or disinterest. In backing off gracefully, you safe yourself the possibility of ending up on a permanent block list.

Incorporate these steps into your pitch routine and get ready for the placements to be rolling off the presses.

This blog post was written by Christine Guerrini. Christine Guerrini is a member of the public relations team at Tierney agency in Center City Philadelphia. A Villanova grad, Christine specializes in media relations, social media and research. She has worked with clients in a variety of fields, including consumer, non-profit, and B2B. Outside of work, Christine is an avid fan of the Arts, whether exploring museums or sitting down with a novel. Connect with Christine on Twitter (@CMGuerrini) or at http://www.linkedin.com/in/christineguerrini .

Have you registered for PPRA's Annual Meeting yet?

2011-06-08T08:06:00.002-04:00

Join us at the beautiful Stotesbury Mansion in Rittenhouse Square as we celebrate another successful year of PPRA! It's not too late to register!

Our special guest speaker will be Mayor Michael A. Nutter, who will be accompanied by his Chief Spokesperson Mark McDonald and his Director of Communications Desiree Peterkin Bell. We’ll hear directly from the Mayor and his staff about lessons learned over the past three years and the value of public relations in running the city. We also will get a glimpse into his plans to maximize opportunities in the future.

In addition, we will honor our Fast Track and Dr. Jean Brodey award winners, say thank you to our outgoing president Beth Archer, and induct our incoming president Chris Lukach and PPRA's 2011-12 Board of Directors. It’s a celebration you won’t want to miss!

Date:
Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Time:
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Registration/Networking Cocktail Reception
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Program

Location:
Stotesbury Mansion
1923 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Registration Fees:
$45 for PPRA Members
$60 for Non-Members
$25 for Students
$5 additional fee for walk-ins

Want to register? Click here and visit the PPRA event registration page.

Impacting Legislation and Public Policy

2011-05-31T06:25:00.000-04:00

Communications strategist and PPRA past president Jeff Jubelirer joins two of our region's sought after lobbyists to discuss PR and Lobbying: the art of building relationships to impact legislation, public policy and government budgets.

Jeff Jubelirer, president of Jubelirer Strategies, is widely recognized as one of the top corporate communications and public relations strategists in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Perhaps best known for his unparalleled expertise in issue & crisis management and public policy advocacy, Jeff is the "go to" media person and political analyst for Fox 29 and NBC 10.

Daniel F. McElhatton is a partner in The Echo Group. For five years, he served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Representative Allyson Schwartz, responsible for guiding the Congresswoman's legislative, policy and political priorities in both Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. as well as managing her Ways and Means Committee and Budget Committee legislative staff. Prior to his work in Washington DC, Dan served under Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, working in the Pennsylvania Department of Labor with a focus on post-secondary education and workforce development.

Ted Christian oversees GSP Consulting's operations in Eastern Pennsylvania, bringing a background that has spanned the business, governmental and political arenas for the past 12 years. Most recently, Ted was the State Director for the McCain-Palin campaign in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Ted has also worked on congressional races, ran a state party and worked for a national party committee. He served for nearly four years in the federal government, as senior adviser to the Regional Administrator for the U.S. General Services Administration's Mid-Atlantic region, the premier procurement and acquisition agency in the world.

Date:
June 21

Location:
Philadelphia CVB
1700 Market Street
Suite 3000
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Time:
8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Light Breakfast will be provided!

Registration Fees:
FREE for members only! Space is limited to 35 people, so register early!

Want to register? Click here and visit the PPRA event registration page.

Your Resume Speaks to Me, It Literally Did

2011-05-27T06:36:00.001-04:00

Social media is changing how consumers and companies interact, that much is clear, but it is also changing how employers (and job seekers) are connecting on a previously unimagined variety of levels. Mobile technology is evolving, growing, consuming, and inundating every known subject area of PR and now it is influencing career paths.

The problem is a common one and many graduates who are now toiling away behind their computer screen or tablets are faced with a new spin on the traditional job search.

“How do I make a traditional document feel unique?”

"Do I need my own website?"

"Who should I follow on Twitter?"

"How much information is too much?"

"Am I over-thinking this?"

Stephen D. Vujevich, a transplanted Pittsburgh native, self-proclaimed social media addict, and now a recent Communications-Public Relations graduate from Immaculata University is taking matters into his own hands, and utilizing the resume creativity that has been featured in one of Mashable’s latest stories.

He designed and launched his own personal webpage, tied in a Facebook fan page, added professional Twitter name adjustment, a LinkedIn, a Livestream show, and the list goes on. It seemed that none of these approaches, despite his experience, were gaining enough attention from prospective employers.

Riddled with resume advice from workshops, advisors, professionals, and professors, something caught Vujevich’s eye in the form of Victor Petit’s “Content-Rich Resume” video. “I knew that when I first saw this concept passed around online that I needed to develop my own. It’s perfectly brandable; it’s bold and unique,” Vujevich proclaimed. Petit’s and Vujevich’s foray into more untraditional approaches to personal branding are not alone and in outstanding company.

Vujevich is now implementing QR code tech and fusing it with YouTube and his traditional black and white resume, is starting to turn some heads in the local industry, and has Five Tips for Creativity for fellow jobseekers:

Force Yourself to Think – Ask yourself, family, and friends what distinguishes you as a person and possibly transform it into a focus group scenario.
Pick Keywords – Utilize words that describe your experience and your personality and paint a vibrant and unique image of yourself.
Creative, not Crazy – DO NOT think that by planning some outlandish stunt or alternative way to garner attention that it is “backlash-proof.” Use your commonsense.
Be Not Afraid – Ask for help, look to network, inquire from professionals, and dare to be different in your job hunt. We’re not going to bite. We understand.
Embrace Tomorrow’s Technology – Just because you have an iPhone does not grant you omnipotent knowledge. Take time to research what is next in mobile tech and how it can benefit you.

Stephen Vujevich is a new PR pro with a sweet spot for SM. Earlier this month he received his bachelor’s degree in Communication and PR from Immaculata University, he has been quoted in two national AP articles related to social media, and is now acting as a volunteer SM consultant for the Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School project. Peruse www.stephendvujevich.com to find out what Stephen is working on next.

Fair and Balanced Event Recap

2011-05-25T06:26:00.000-04:00

More than 30 years ago, when “The Time of Your Life,” was revived on Broadway, with Henry Fonda playing the lead, LIFE magazine asked the playwright, William Saroyan, to review his award-winning play.

Instead of coming East from his home in San Francisco, Saroyan “reviewed” the play as he imagined it would be performed. LIFE ran the review, which (like G. B. Shaw’s Prefaces) reflected his philosophy of life as well as re-telling the story of the play.

This is the approach that I am going to take in reporting on the PPRA’s April 27 program, “Fair and Balanced?”

The title of the panel discussion refers to the trend to opinion in the news rather than giving the facts and enabling the reader or listener or the viewer to make up his mind. The reasons for the trend include the profusion of electronic toys that enable everyone to be his own expert and tell everyone else that he is, indeed, an expert and is entitled to express his opinion. This is called “civilian journalism,” or something equally stupid and inane.

Another problem is the apparent need for “instant” news--”I want to know what happened five seconds ago, not thirty seconds ago.” Thus, the print media is fashioning a rod with which to beat its own back by supplying “online” news, therefore reducing the number of people who would wait till the newspaper comes out. Often I wonder how I survived not knowing about the bombing of Pearl Harbor until the day after it happened, or the successful invasion of Normandy until the second day?

A third reason is that apparently, somewhere down the line, people have become more stupid and incapable of making their own decisions, so the news must be “interpreted” for them. This is to compete with all the self-declared “experts” who have all the electronic toys and, therefore, can express their views on all subjects, whether or not they have all the facts (or, indeed, any facts!).

So, how is all of this related to the question of “Fair and Balanced”? In the old days, we who studied journalism (now, of course, it has been elevated to “communications”) at university (I was fortunate to have been taught be ex-newsmen, and not by academics whose acquaintance with newsrooms is watching “All The President’s Men”) were taught that the journalist must gather the who-what-when-where-why-how of any event or “story” before the story could be written, and the (dare is say, “intelligent”?) reader/listener/viewer had enough information to get on with his life.

This training is what the public-relations practitioner must also need to do his job well when he provides that information to the news media or whomever is the target.

A topic for future discussion might be how an opinion-filled “press release” is interpreted by an opinion-forming journalist. But, I digress.

So, is journalism today “Fair and Balanced”? Newspapers are losing circulation because they apparently have rejected the old idea of fair and balanced. Television news programs apparently are losing audience because they have rejected the idea of fair and balance. So, where does the public get its “news.” When one listens to all the ill-informed comments that are made around the lunch and dinner tables, at parties, in bars, it would appear that “news” is the least thing on peoples’ minds. It is opinion, and “mine is as good as yours.”

It is apparent that the news media--or most of it, to be more accurate--has abdicated its role in our society It has willingly helped the hangman place the noose around its neck. Those with all the electronic toys are the masters now.

And, where does that leave the public-relations practitioner? Use the toys to get your message (don’t bother with facts, it’s opinion that counts) out to your target audience; the “traditional” media is probably useless. But, be prepared when some of that target audience target your client or your employer. How will the practitioner cry “foul” when the concept of “fair” has been killed and buried? Another topic for discussion?

This blog post was written by PPRA member Andrew Kevorkian.

PPRA 2011-2012 Slate of Officers

2011-05-25T00:01:00.000-04:00

As an Active or Life Member of PPRA, you are entitled to vote on the proposed slate of officers of the Board of Directors for 2011-2012. The slate was recommended by Bill Cowen, Nominating Committee Chair, as well as members of this year's nominating committee who were Beth Archer, Eric Cortes, Cathy Engel, Silvana Pop and Mark Tarasiewicz.

The Nominating Committee is pleased to present the following slate of candidates for nomination as officers and directors for 2011-2012. The election will take place at the Annual Meeting to be held on June 15th at 5:30 p.m. at the Stotesbury Mansion. Click here to register.

Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.

Directors
Lisette Bralow
Philadelphia Folksong Society
(Term expires June 2012)
Eric Cortes

WWSI Telemundo Philadelphia

(Term expires June 2013)
Darren Behuniak
Devon International Group
(Term expires June 2014)

Immediate Past President (Chair)
Beth Archer
Anne Klein Communications Group, LLC
(assumes position as outlined in the PPRA Bylaws)

Thank you for your continued support of PPRA. Your input counts!

Moonlighting as a Freelance Writer: Earn More and Advance Your Career

2011-05-24T00:01:00.003-04:00

"Moonlighting." It just sounds better than "working a second job." And as PR people, we know that words matter. Most of us write in some capacity, we're often good at it, and hopefully we even enjoy it. I know I do. That's why I moonlight as a freelance writer. The great thing about writing is that you can do it anytime and anywhere making it an ideal part-time job. Thanks to technology you can write from home (it's cliché but yes, in your pajamas, if you'd like) plan your own schedule and make extra money all while fostering dreams of being the next James Patterson (hey, it could happen, he started in advertising).

Thanks to the economy and tight job market more and more Americans are working second jobs, in 2010 the number totaled 27 million according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In my experience part-time freelancing isn’t going to make you rich but you can earn enough to enjoy a nice dinner, a weekend away, or, if you’re like me, to pay your monthly parking bill!

How to start? That’s easier than you think! Make a list of topics that you know about, perhaps fields that you have worked in or been exposed to or hobbies and interests that you cultivate. Search the Internet for publications that cover these subjects. Look at what is out there, contemplate story ideas, then (and this is the most important part) get writing!

Most articles are sold by query letter so don’t write the whole article, instead write a pitch letter selling your story idea, send it out to editors of publications that are a good fit and while you wait to hear back – write more. Writing is as much as numbers game as anything else – have lots of queries out there so you up your chances of getting assignments. Websites are a good place to start, though they often pay less than print publications they need content more frequently and are more likely to take a chance on a newbie. However don’t shy away from pitching the big guns, there are certainly writers who have made their first sales to well-known monthly magazines.

The web has tons of resources and information from e-classes to sample pitch letters and online writers group – any question you could ask has probably been answered somewhere on the Internet. So get Googling! A good place to start and one of my favorite websites is The Renegade Writer (http://www.therenegadewriter.com/).

One word of caution, do be cognizant of your day job when freelancing – don’t exploit professional contacts for your freelance work or use your work computer or office hours for your writing and avoid potential conflicts of interest with both writing and PR clients. If in doubt it’s always better to mention your freelance work to your boss as he/she could easily find anything you publish online. There are many benefits to freelance writing including making you better at aspects of your fulltime job and providing a much needed creative outlet. I’ve never had an employer voice concern about it but you do want to keep it in perspective and until you’re able to leave your fulltime job that should be your priority.

I recently watched an interview with Julie Powell, author of Julie and Julia in which she said that the Julie/Julia project was not really about cooking or blogging but about Julie making time to do something for herself every day. For me writing is that something – it transports and energizers me, and sometimes, just sometimes, it even helps me pay my monthly parking bill. Whether or not you decide to moonlight as a freelancer, I hope that this is that year that you make the time to do something for yourself.

Aimee Cirucci is a Philadelphia-area PR pro by day, freelance writer and college instructor by night. She is the author of more than 20 published articles and three essays appearing in print anthologies. Check out the fruits of her freelancing at www.cirucci.com.

Spreadin’ the Love through Social Media

2011-05-18T06:33:00.000-04:00

Every year, Philabundance, the region’s largest hunger relief organization, sees a spike in donations, volunteers and overall interest in the organization around the holidays, end of October through the end of December. And every year, like clockwork, donations, volunteers and interest drop significantly once January hits.

In an effort to keep Philabundance and hunger top of mind for supporters during the ‘after holiday slump’, Philabundance needed a way to increase food donations and overall awareness. Hence, Spread the Love was born, a two week virtual food drive securing peanut butter & jelly from a local grocer for every “like” Philabundance received on Facebook. The concept of Spread the Love was inspired by both the viral nature of the campaign and the Valentine’s Day time frame.

The Goal

Spread the Love was designed as a Valentine’s themed social media campaign. The goal was to grow our Facebook fan page “likes” while engaging current and new supporters as well as growing our eNewsletter subscription base.

The Incentive

Our first step was to find incentives for potential supporters. We decided to hold a virtual food drive through Facebook to increase our “likes” and offered a chance at winning a $500 travel voucher from US Air for signing up for FreshNews, our eNewsletter or forwarding FreshNews to a friend.

Partners

In order to hold a virtual food drive, Philabundance needed to secure a food industry partner that was willing to donate. ShopRite agreed to partner with Philabundance for Spread the Love and would donate a jar of peanut butter or jelly for every new “like” Philabundance received on Facebook.

US Airways, the official airline of Philabundance, offered Philabundance a $500 travel voucher to raffle off through a social media push- Spread the Love was a perfect opportunity.

Mix 106 partnered as the media sponsor and aired PSA’s promoting the two week long food drive and hosted a charity badge on their website where monetary donations could be made for purchase of pb&j.

Suburban Square partnered with Philabundance for the Spread the Love event held near the end of the campaign.

Execution

Philabundance pushed this opportunity out through our eNewsletter, Facebook and Twitter. Strategically targeted tweets and Facebook posts encouraged current supporters to invite members of their network to join Philabundance’s network in order to provide a jar or peanut butter or jelly to neighbors in need.

Local papers and blogs were alerted of the virtual food drive and encouraged their readers to participate. We secured coverage from Action News, Examiner.com, WHYY’s News Works and KYW.

The Spread the Love event was held at a local farmers market to help close out the campaign. Supporters could drop off PB&J donations in person and sign up for our eNewsletter for chances at the $500 travel voucher.

Results

This campaign was extremely successful for Philabundance. In two weeks, Philabundance gained more than 4800 news fans. As a result, more than 4800 jars of peanut butter and jelly were delivered to Philabundance from ShopRite. We also gained more than 230 new eNewsletter subscriptions and Philabundance saw an increase of nearly 95% in web traffic. We were able to track all of these statistics through Facebook analytics and our own website statistics.

With a little creativity and some TLC, executing a successful social media campaign can be very rewarding and your results have the potential to grow each year the campaign is conducted. Check out Mashable for a breakdown of what others have done in the past. Have you ever helped drive a social media campaign for your company or client? How did it work out?

Lindsay Bues currently serves as Public Relations Coordinator at Philabundance, the Delaware Valley’s largest hunger relief organization. As PR Coordinator, Lindsay is responsible for expanding relationships with regional media and increasing Philabundance’s visibility throughout the region. She recently graduated from Temple University with a degree in Strategic and Organizational Communication in 2009. While at Temple, Lindsay served as chapter president of Temple’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).

Matt Cabrey Welcomed Into PPRA's Hall of Fame

2011-05-16T00:01:00.001-04:00

On Tuesday, May 10th Matt Cabrey was inducted into PPRA's Hall of Fame. Each year PPRA hosts a luncheon to honor the new inductee making it an annual signature event. Matt is a part of Shire Pharmaceuticals’ international corporate communications team but his public relations talents and passionate demeanor goes well beyond his role at Shire.

The Rittenhouse Hotel's grand ballroom was filled with Matt's friends, families, colleagues and fellow PPRA members. Some guests knew Matt better than others but everyone left feeling a deeper connection with him because of the intimate setting. Before lunch was served he even made his way around the room greeting each table to welcome them and thank them for being a part of this monumental day.

Fittingly, Karin Phillips, Community Affairs Director of KYW Newsradio1060, was the emcee for the program. She and Matt both are consistently making an impact on the community helping locally based charities find a voice and putting visions into actions.

Guests at the luncheon were invited to donate can goods for Philabundance and children’s socks and underwear for Cradles to Crayons, two local charities that Matt is extremely involved in. This also goes along with PPRA’s philosophy of making connections and bettering our community.

The honorable Michael A. Nutter, mayor of the city of Philadelphia, was among the many who paid tribute to Matt’s dedicated work in the city of Brotherly Love. Mayor Nutter presented Matt with a citation of the city thanking him for all of the charity work making the city a better place. Ironically, just before mayor Nutter arrived to the luncheon he received 30 donated laptops at City Hall from Shire’s team that Matt leads. The laptops are for student programs that are in need of them to meet their goals. Mayor Nutter shared his gratitude with everyone.

Angus Russell, CEO of Shire Pharmaceuticals, was the keynote speaker who praised Matt for his humble efforts in bettering Shire Pharmaceuticals and the global community. Shire Pharmaceuticals has grown so much since Matt began working there in 2004. When he joined the team he was one of 43 employees working at the Shire Chesterbrook campus and today it is home to more than 1,000 employees.

Making connections was the topic of many of the remarks made by the guest speakers including Allison Grove, Principal of g2 Communications, Mike Troupe, Vice President, Facilities of YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity and Lisa Cetroni, Matt’s former elementary school teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes. Several weeks ago Matt invited each of them to make remarks because the connections he made with them at different stages of his life and career made a lasting impression.

Long before his career began he was already making positive impacts in his community in the Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia. Lisa Cetroni’s remarks stood out from the others on Tuesday because of her unique connection with the young Matt Cabrey. She had the honor to be his elementary school teacher in both 4^th and 7^th grade at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School. Lisa currently is a teacher at St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Virginia and traveled back to Philadelphia just for this occasion proving how highly she thinks of Matt. She shared fond memories of Matt being a role model in his class. Lisa even recalled his “endearing uni-brow” and pastel leisure suite he sported for his class portrait. Matt ended up being the valedictorian of his elementary school in 8^th grade making Lisa very proud.

A very exciting moment took place near the end of the program when Eddie Bruce performed a surprise rendition of the song “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”. The lyrics were altered by to fit Matt’s personal experiences and his warm personality. It was a big hit and Matt was so pleased to have his close friend Eddie there for him.

The program concluded with Beth Archer, PPRA president along with Hall of Fame Luncheon Co-chairs Sharla Feldcher and Larry Rubin presenting the official Hall of Fame plaque to Matt. He is now a member of the legendary group of Philadelphia’s finest professional communicators, the PPRA Hall of Fame.

PPRA Hall of Fame Members

2011 Matt Cabrey

2010 Lisa Simon

2009 Ellen Toplin

2008 Nina Zucker

2007 David Brown

2006 Bonnie Squires

2005 Ike Richman

2004 Anne Klein

2003 Dan Circucci

2002 Nessa Forman

2001 Joanne Calabria

2000 Brian Tierney

1999 Shelley Picker

1998 Dr. Jean Bradey

1997 Larry Rubin

1996 Judith Garfinkel

1995 Sharla Feldscher

1993 Richard A. Doran

1992 Harry R. Belinger

1991 J. William Jones

1990 Anthony P. Zecca

1989 C. Allan Laferty

1988 Abe Rosen & Allen Sommers

1987 Charles F. Schalch

1986 Sally Berlin

1985 Stephen R. Lawrence

1984 Shirley Bonnem

1983 Thelma Gray

1982 Gloria Hochman

1981 R. Mitchell Thomas

1979 Martha A. Gable

1977 Clifford Brenner

1976 Sylvia Kauders

1975 Christian T. Mattie, Jr.

1973 Milton A. Eisenberg

1972 Reginald E. Beauchamp

Thank you to the committee who helped plan this wonderful event!

PPRA Hall of Fame Committee

Sharla Feldscher, co-chair

Larry Rubin, co-chair

Kera Armstrong

Emily Berish

Shirley Bonnem

Lisette Bralow

Michael Cavacini

Christina Crews

Ellen Feist

Ricki Greenwood

Sylvia Kauders

Nina Scimenes

Lisa Simon

Bonnie Squires

Mark Tarasiewicz

Below are a few photos from the day's event:

Beth Archer, PPRA President, along with Hall of Fame Co-chairs Sharla Fleldscher and Larry Rubin present the Hall of Fame plaque to Matt Cabrey

Mayor Nutter presents Matt citation from the city of Philadelphia photographed with Beth Archer, PPRA President, Karin Phillips, KYW Newsradio 1060 along and Angus Russel, CEO of Shire Pharmaceuticals

PPRA Hall of Fame members at the luncheon along with inductee, Matt Cabrey

This blog post was written by Nina Scimenes. She has been an active PPRA member since 2005 and is currently a part of the Hall of Fame Luncheon committee. After graduating from Cabrini College with a Communications degree in 2006 Nina went on to do PR at various organizations and now she is the temporary Marketing Manager of Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. This year Nina has also been a PR Consultant for Rock to the Future, a local non-profit that is benefiting from pro-bono PR from PPRA members. When she is not immersed in PR work she is blogging on her new blog, Always a Brunette, and training for her next triathlon. Last year she completed her first triathlon in Philadelphia and is brave enough to go back from more including a swim in the Schuylkill River.

PPRA Life Member Beverly Rehfeld Shares Advice

2011-05-09T06:40:00.002-04:00

My professional career began in RCA Victor’s Record Advertising Department where I wrote copy for albums “Little Nipper Albums.” Though I enjoyed the assignment, I found myself drawn more and more to the field of public relations and how it could serve corporate management, government and consumers.

Early in my career, and sometimes even now, I was not necessarily in step with my colleagues about the meaning and scope of public relations practitioners. At times we refer to our field from the narrow perspective of skills such as press releases, spin, special events and glitzy presentations. All of this is necessary to expand communications and visibility with constituents at all levels but it is not the total picture.

I believe public relation practitioners need to understand and question internal policy with regard to fulfilling the organizational mission. The practitioner needs to become conversant with organizational minutes, rules and regulations and whether or not they are being followed. Is what we say what we do? If not, what do we need to do? Do we plan for failure? How do we ameliorate deteriorating situations? Is there conflict internally between departments/employees? What do we do about complaints? In short, these questions need to be a part of the PR practitioner’s role in serving as employee or consultant.

I attribute my professional and personal growth to Temple University’s Program for people with a handicap or disability. I took my job at a time when people who appeared different from everyone else were hidden at home or institutionalized. I had no previous experience with people with special needs. Temple’s program brought me in touch with clients, staff, families and community members who served to increase my knowledge about the potential in all of people.

I count research and listening to others, as among the most crucial skills public relations practitioners need. Before I moved to St. Louis, I found both at PPRA meetings. I still maintain my membership as it helps me stay current and keep up with many friends from whom I learned the importance of compromise and team work.

The advice I would pass on to young professionals is always ask the question. Before you plan anything, use my PAM FORMULA (P=What is our purpose? A=Who is our audience? M=What is our message?)

This blog post was written by PPRA Life Member Beverly Rehfeld.

PPRA 2011 Annual Meeting: Meet The Mayor

2011-05-06T00:01:00.001-04:00

Join us at the beautiful Stotesbury Mansion in Rittenhouse Square as we celebrate another successful year of PPRA!

Our special guest speaker will be Mayor Michael A. Nutter, who will be accompanied by his Chief Spokesperson Mark McDonald and his Director of Communications Desiree Peterkin Bell. We’ll hear directly from the Mayor and his staff about lessons learned over the past three years and the value of public relations in running the city. We also will get a glimpse into his plans to maximize opportunities in the future.

In addition, we will honor our Fast Track and Dr. Jean Brodey award winners, say thank you to our outgoing president Beth Archer, and induct our incoming president Chris Lukach and PPRA's 2011-12 Board of Directors. It’s a celebration you won’t want to miss!

Date:
Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Time:
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Registration/Networking Cocktail Reception
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Program

Location:
Stotesbury Mansion
1923 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Registration Fees:
$45 for PPRA Members
$60 for Non-Members
$25 for Students
$5 additional fee for walk-ins

Want to register? Click here and visit the PPRA event registration page.

PIFA Created an Army of Bloggers

2011-05-04T00:01:00.007-04:00

An army of bloggers took the city by storm to promote PIFA

Photo Credit , George Widman

How do you get the word out about 135 events over a three-week time period? Create an army of bloggers. That’s what Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) did.

PIFA is inspired by the Kimmel Center and they incorporated partnerships and collaborations with hundreds of artists, organizations and individuals from around the globe. It was nearly impossible to ignore the presence that the inaugural PIFA had in our city recently (4/7/11-5/1/11). No, I am not referring to the giant Ferris wheel or aerial dancers on Broad Street last Saturday for the PIFA Street Fair, I am referring to the non-stop social media presence that PIFA had on Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare and approximately 30 blogs!

Nina Zucker Associates, local boutique public relations firm, represents PIFA and worked closely with Dafni Comerota of the Kimmel Center on the PIFA campaign.They were given the challenge of reaching a broad audience to include a younger crowd that doesn’t typically get involved in the arts and cultural community.

“Out of that challenge, we tapped Ed Salvato, a journalist and social media specialist who was brought on board to oversee social media strategy and create the campaign. As a result, the blogger army was born,” Nina Zucker, President of Nina Zucker Associates and member of PPRA’s Hall of Fame, said.

Reaching a broad diverse audience, many types of bloggers were included: mommy bloggers such as Frugal Philly Mom, arts bloggers, gossip bloggers such as Philly Chit Chat, as well as other local Philadelphia popular blogs including my own independent blog, Always a Brunette. Bloggers from Canada, France and the UK were also part of PIFA’s army of bloggers.

PIFA created its own Twitter handle, Facebook page and YouTube channel so that the bloggers could post their links onto the different platforms. The hashtag #PIFAphilly was trending on Twitter several times prior to the festival as well as during the festival.

PIFA’s army of bloggers certainly helped draw in the crowds with over 100,000 people visiting the Kimmel Center Plaza for the Eiffel Tower light shows two times each night and 150,000 attendees to the Street Fair on Broad Street.

The tremendous success, “Was a result of the fact that we merged traditional media and PR/marketing tactics with new and social media efforts,” said Zucker.

When Salvato was asked if he would include an army of blogger again if he had the opportunity to work with PIFA in the future, he simply answered, “Absolutely.”

This blog post was written by Nina Scimenes. She has been an active PPRA member since 2005 and is currently a part of the Hall of Fame Luncheon committee. After graduating from Cabrini College with a Communications degree in 2006 Nina went on to do PR at various organizations and now she is the temporary Marketing Manager of Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. This year Nina has also been a PR Consultant for Rock to the Future, a local non-profit that is benefiting from pro-bono PR from PPRA members. When she is not immersed in PR work she is blogging on her new blog, Always a Brunette, and training for her next triathlon. Last year she completed her first triathlon in Philadelphia and is brave enough to go back from more including a swim in the Schuylkill River.

Making the leap from corporate to agency, with PPRA’s help

2011-05-02T00:01:00.000-04:00

The conversation started with an off-hand remark at the PPRA Hall of Fame luncheon last year. I was on maternity leave, but I didn’t want to miss the Hall inducting Lisa Simon. After the festivities, I was catching up with fellow PPRA board member Chris Lukach and I mentioned that I didn’t know how I was going to successfully do my job while juggling a new baby and a two-hour commute.

Like most new parents, I was planning to go back to work. I wasn’t really looking to leave my challenging, engaging job that had afforded me many opportunities over the past six years.

Chris sympathized, and casually mentioned that maybe we should do lunch once I figured out what my plans were.

Fast forward several months and lunches and meetings, and I’m now a Senior Account Manager at Anne Klein Communications Group, working alongside Chris and the AKCG team.

Because of my leap, I am frequently questioned by colleagues: “What’s life like on the other side?”

The fact of the matter is that it is much the same. The work is the same. It requires the same skill set; I’m just managing a more diverse workload. I may be working one day to promote conservation steps a water company has taken, while the next day I may be working on a crisis for a hospital. I’m still working with great friends and interesting clients, just in a different capacity.

What’s different is how I sell my abilities. In corporate, “selling” my abilities stopped at my last job interview. Most of my colleagues assumed that I could perform my job if I was hired for it. Now, I sell our team’s talent every day to current clients, future clients, and, frankly, anyone who will listen.

What is also different is the dynamic with my former colleagues in corporate America. If I tell them about our capabilities, will they think I’m over selling? Do they think I’ll charge them for the same conversations about work we have always had?

These hang-ups are likely manufactured in my mind, but they make me extra cautious around corporate colleagues — friends, really — I’ve known for several years.

The truth is that I would like their business. I do want to work with them, but I don’t want it to be at the expense of our relationship. The balance between professional connections and friendships exists, but I’m still finding it. Because, after all, you never know when the next off-hand remark to a friend will lead into the next client, the next project, the next opportunity.

This blog post was written by PPRA President Beth Archer. Beth is a Senior Account Manager at Anne Klein Communications Group in Mount Laurel, N.J., where she works with clients in the utility, healthcare and higher education industries. She had her first internship when clips where still clipped out of a newspaper. Connect with Beth on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Hospitality Leaders discuss the "State of the City"

2011-04-29T00:01:00.000-04:00

I attended the “State of the City: See What’s Developed” presentation/panel discussion on Tuesday, April 26, expecting to find out what new developments are happening in the city (i.e. new hotels, restaurants, attractions, etc.) While I did learn about those, I learned something else, just as, if not more important. I learned what these new developments in the hospitality industry mean to the region’s economy by creating jobs for its residents and generating billions of dollars in economic impact.

The program was presented by the Center City Proprietors Association (CCPA) and Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB). It was sponsored by these two organizations, as well as the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, PPRA, and the Philadelphia Business Journal and was held in the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

More than 200 people attended the panel discussion, which was moderated by Craig Ey, editor of the Philadelphia Business Journal. The panel consisted of Jack Ferguson, president & CEO of PCVB; Meryl Levitz, president & CEO of Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC); Ahmeenah Young, president & CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA); and Alan Greenberger, FAIA, deputy mayor for planning and economic development and director of commerce, City of Philadelphia.

Some of the things that I took away from the presentation were:

The Convention Center and its expansion is a major catalyst for generating economic impact to the city and creating jobs.
A dozen city organizations are in discussions about developing a collaborative “Hospitality University” to train the next generation of frontline hospitality workers.
Hospitality and tourism has replaced manufacturing as one of the dominant “industries” in the region.
Give people a reason to come to Philadelphia (new attractions, more meeting space) and they will come. Philadelphia is an affordable destination and an attractive place to live, work, and play.
Philadelphia has 30 jobs for every 100 residents as compared to San Francisco, with more than 70 jobs for every 100 residents, and Washington has 115 jobs for every 100 people.

The moral of the story? Hospitality means jobs: whether its entry level, mid-level or executive; from cab drivers, to hotel staff, to those of us PR types who help promote Philadelphia as a world-class destination.

The presentation was followed by a tour of the newly expanded center. All I can say is WOW! It’s “ginormous!” Looking out of the windows over Broad Street, I can just imagine what it will be like once the Lenfest Plaza is completed!

This blog post was written by PPRA member, Ellen Kornfield. Ellen is a former communications manager for the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau. She is currently a communications/PR consultant and can be reached at ekornfield@gmail.com.

Student Spotlight: Nick Stackhouse

2011-04-27T06:43:00.001-04:00

Philadelphia is a city filled with some of the best universities in the nation, and we have the students to show for it. In the PPRA Student Spotlight, we’ll introduce you to the PR-pros-in-training from across the city.

I’m pleased to be a part of this new series with one of my former Tierney interns, Nicholas Stackhouse, a Temple communications major graduating this May. I had the good fortune to work with Nicholas this past fall. Over those three and a half months, he proved hard-working, enthusiastic, creative, and a tremendous asset to our team...not to mention he had an arsenal of fun facts to throw at us every day!

Nicholas first became interested in PR as a high school student, managing and promoting local band shows in his hometown of Aston, PA. He utilized social media such as Facebook and Twitter to reach the young target demographic, gathering an impressive 533 people for one of the many shows.

“I enjoyed what I was doing and felt like I had a knack for it,” said Nicholas. “So when I entered Temple, I decided to explore the field more as a communications major.”

To further dive into PR, Nicholas joined Temple’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and PRowl, Temple’s first and only student-run PR firm. He also interned with a variety of organizations, including Relief Communications, WXPN & World Café, and Nexus PR in London. If his hands-on experience wasn’t enough, this semester Nicholas became a research assistant for his professor, Dr. Pompper, on a study that hit close to home: the opinions of males in communications.

“The field of public relations is 70 percent women, according to the PRSA salary survey. For this study, I conduct interviews and focus groups with male professionals to find out what it’s really like to work in a female-dominated industry.”

While we’ll have to wait to find out just what the men amongst us are saying on that topic, Nicholas was happy to share some final advice for students interested in PR.

“It’s very beneficial for students of my generation to become familiar with multiple elements of promotion, aside from traditional press. Media is still very influential in delivering a message, but professionals need to know more about things like social networking, photo/video editing and HTML.”

Nicholas doesn’t just get the Philly PR scene; he lives and breathes it. He possesses the creativity and work ethic that are at the core of our business. I have no doubt we’ll be running into him at PPRA events or seeing his placements in the news in the near future. If you want to connect with Nick now, consider following him on Twitter (@NickStackhouse).

If you know a student we should showcase in our next PPRA Student Spotlight, please leave a comment!

This blog post was written by Christine Guerrini. Christine Guerrini is a member of the public relations team at Tierney agency in Center City Philadelphia. A Villanova grad, Christine specializes in media relations, social media and research. She has worked with clients in a variety of fields, including consumer, non-profit, and B2B. Outside of work, Christine is an avid fan of the Arts, whether exploring museums or sitting down with a novel. Connect with Christine on Twitter (@CMGuerrini) or at http://www.linkedin.com/in/christineguerrini .

How I Took Advantage Of Networking

2011-04-25T06:34:00.000-04:00

As I was reading one of my favorite PR blogs, PRowl Public Relations, written by the talented staff of Temple University's first and only student-run PR firm, I came across this awesome post written by student Evan Galusha. Evan recently attended PPRA and PRSA's joint event Careers 101 and made an extremely valuable connection...one that led to an internship!

Enjoy Evan's story below. This blog post originally appeared on PRowl Public Relations' blog on April 24.

Coming into this semester, I knew I needed to find an internship for the summer. Having never had an internship, or anything resembling a “white collar” job, I found myself very apprehensive and was unsure of how to separate myself from other applicants. How could I, an inexperienced student with limited exposure to the profession of public relations, distinguish myself as a viable candidate who possessed the characteristics and personality that potential employers were seeking? After sending my resume to nearly half a dozen employers and not hearing back from one, I decided simply sending a list of what I had done did not accurately reflect the potential which existed within me. I needed to not just put my name out there, I needed to put a face to my name and make an impression based on an actual meeting.

One afternoon a friend of mine sent me an email containing the details of an upcoming PPRA networking event and suggested I attend. This is exactly what I was looking for: a chance to sit down and meet public relations professionals in the Philadelphia area. So I paid the small registration fee and when the date arrived I put on a suit for the first time in my life. At the event, I learned how to properly position myself to obtain an internship or a job, and how to make myself stand out among the masses. Upon the conclusion of the event, using the advice I had just learned, I approached several employers who had expressed a need for an intern at their place of work. Again, using the advice I had learned from the PPRA event, I followed up with those who I had met and established a relationship by beginning an email correspondence. The next thing I knew, I had an interview scheduled. I prepared myself adequately for the interview by using the suggestions of the professionals I had spoken with at the networking event and was able to provide my interviewer with practical suggestions that fit the organization’s message. Two days later, I was informed that I had received the position.

Thanks to networking, and my friend’s suggestion to attend this particular event, I now have a summer internship. Had I not gone, anxiety would have probably continued to grow as my chances to find a summer internship diminished. The lessons from the professionals at the PPRA event, along with the chance to meet prospective employers face-to-face, allowed me to display my personality beyond a simple resume and cover letter and led to my eventual hire.

Thanks to Evan for agreeing to let us re-post his story!

Student Spotlight : PPRA Associate Member Joe Rapczynski

2011-04-22T06:50:00.000-04:00

Joe Rapczynski is a new PPRA Associate Member who is about to embark on his first internship in public relations. He is a junior at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., where he is co-captain of the men’s basketball team and a student worker in the sports information department. I sat down with Joe (who also happens to be my brother!) to learn a little more about what it is like to be a student gearing up to trade in his basketball uniform for the working-world staple of business casual attire.

What made you join PPRA?
I joined for the opportunities to learn from and network with public relations representatives in the area. As a student who is close to graduating and moving on to the “real world,” my professors and mentors stress that we should take any chances we may get to learn. As a member of PPRA, I have access to events such as “Careers 101” that have given me an advantage coming out of college.

What was your Careers 101 experience?
I picked up small, but useful, pieces of information from recent college graduates now working in the field, such as how to get started with an internship, advantages and disadvantages of a small agency versus a corporate atmosphere and the importance of social media. It was also great to meet other students pursuing careers in PR.

What made you choose Communications as a major?
Communications is a broad major that covers a wide variety of industries. Coming out of high school, I wasn’t too sure what I wanted to study. My friends and family always said I was a good writer, so I figured, “why not”? As I took the Communication courses, I enjoyed the course material and class discussions and gained a passion for the field. After a few more focused courses, I realized I wanted to go into public relations.

How do you balance school work with working in the sports information office and being on the basketball team?
It is tough at times, but my coach and the sports information director stress school work first and always understand the life of a student-athlete. My coach gives us the practice schedule months in advance, which helps me manage my time efficiently. Luckily, the SID allows me to come in during my free time in between school and basketball to finish my writing. However, my coach, SID and professors never let me forget that school comes first.

This blog post was written by PPRA President Beth Archer. Beth is a Senior Account Manager at Anne Klein Communications Group in Mount Laurel, N.J., where she works with clients in the utility, healthcare and higher education industries. She had her first internship when clips where still clipped out of a newspaper. Connect with Beth on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Graduating in May? Some advice from Ike Richman, Vice President of PR at Comcast-Spectacor

2011-04-20T00:01:00.003-04:00

With the end of spring semester quickly approaching and only about three weeks to go until graduation, I and many other seniors are anxiously awaiting and anticipating our entrances into the “real world.” Given the opportunity to interview Ike Richman, who spoke at “Public Relations Careers 101” and currently serves as Vice President of Public Relations at Comcast-Spectacor, I decided to seek out his advice to students who will soon be setting foot in the industry. Here is what I learned from Mr. Richman.

Public relations is all about relationships. Everything comes back to the relationships you’ve established. It’s important to build strong relationships with the media you will be working with the most and to know who to approach with what story.   This will also help build your personal network, which is critical in the field. Take advantage of projects, speaking opportunities, informational interviews, social media, friends, professors, learning opportunities and events – any venture where you can make new connections and expand your network. Work hard to cultivate and develop these relationships and you will reap the rewards down the line.

While forming positive lasting relationships, make sure you take the time to understand and know each person in your network. Mr. Richman keeps a book where he jots down the names of people in his network and details about them. This is even more important for your relationships with the media. Make sure you know what kinds of stories each of your contacts cover and that your pitches are well thought out and targeted. In addition to knowing who to pitch, make sure you know the product you are pitching! Mr. Richman advises getting excited about what you are pitching because once you’re excited about it, it’s more likely others will become excited about it too.

It’s our job, as PR practitioners to get people excited and on board. Mr. Richman explains how public relations can be the convincing factor that helps a consumer make the right decision when making a purchase. He feels this is also the most rewarding part of the job – when his efforts can convince someone to do something, such as attend an event.   He adds it is the ultimate compliment when someone says, “I saw this on the news. Or I heard about this on the radio. Or I read this in the paper.”

To better understand all the effort that goes into successfully getting people on board and excited about what you are advocating, Mr. Richman recommends getting an internship. He stresses to make sure you’re actually writing pitches, contacting media and doing the follow-up work. This is also another opportunity to build your network and garner relationships.

This blog post was written by Temple University senior, Trish Wyatt. Trish Wyatt is a graduating senior Strategic Communication - PR concentration major and Sociology minor at Temple University. She serves as Account Executive for PRowl Public Relations, Temple University's first and only student-run PR and is a member of PRSSA and NSCS. For fun, Trish enjoys being active outdoors, volunteering and following Philly sports. Connect with her @trishwyatt.

2011 Award Nominations

2011-04-18T00:01:00.000-04:00

Want to recognize our region's future and up-and-coming public relations professionals? PPRA presents two annual awards for students and young professionals, respectively - The Dr. Jean Brodey Student Achievement Award and The President's Fast Track Award.

The Dr. Jean Brodey Student Achievement Award is awarded to a college junior or senior who has exhibited outstanding professional promise in the field of public relations, has an excellent academic track record and contributes to his or her community. Any PPRA member or internship supervisor in the Philadelphia region may submit nominations for the award. The winner receives a commemorative plaque and a $250 cash prize. Past winners include:

2010 - Jessica Lawlor (Temple University)
2009 - Kwan Morrow (Penn State Abington)
2008 - Robert Johnson (Temple University)
2007 - Rosie Braude (Rowan University)
2006 - Meredith Avakian (Temple University)
2005 - Arianna Stefanoni (Rowan University)
2004 - Chris Lukach (Rowan University)
2002 - Susan Stahl (Temple University)

The President's Fast Track Award recognizes an up-and-coming professional who has contributed greatly to the organization, the profession and the community. This professional exemplifies PPRA's vision for the future and has been in the field for 5-8 years. The winning nominee will receive a commemorative plaque presented by PPRA's president and the person who nominated the award winner. Any PPRA member may submit nominations for the award. Past winners include:

2010 - Ashley Berke
2009 - Meredith Avakian
2008 - Kera Walter
2007 - Christopher Lukach
2006 - Elizabeth Rapczynski
2005 - Paige Wolf
2004 - Mark Tarasiewicz
2003 - Jeff Guaracino
2002 - Danielle Cohn

The award winners will be chosen by the PPRA Awards Selection Sub-Committee. The awards will be presented on June 15 at the PPRA Annual Meeting at the Stotesbury Mansion.

Click here to download the nomination forms for both the Dr. Jean Brodey Student Achievement and President's Fast Track awards. The deadline for receipt of completed nomination forms is May 27, 2011. Supporting materials that show the nominee's professional promise, community service and commitment to the profession must accompany each nomination form. All materials should be faxed to the Philadelphia Public Relations Association at 856-727-9504 or mailed to:

PPRA
P.O. Box 579
Moorestown, NJ08057

If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments.

The Rewarding Life at Philabundance

2011-04-15T06:24:00.003-04:00

After almost three years of college and public relations courses, I still am not positive on what I want to do with the rest of my life. It was only recently that I became interested in non-profit organizations, like Philabundance.

Philabunance is a non-profit organization in Philadelphia whose mission is ending hunger and helping the less fortunate in the Delaware Valley. I was given the opportunity to interview Marlo DelSordo, the Director of Communications and Marketing at Philabundance. Since this is an area I am interested in, I was eager to hear what Ms. DelSordo had to say about her work at Philabundance.

For me, the idea of a non-profit organization is intriguing because you are working for a cause that impacts real lives. Ms. DelSordo agreed, saying that she was drawn to Philabundance because of its mission of ending hunger and the positive impact they make across the Delaware Valley. The work is more meaningful and fulfilling when you know that your role has allowed families to have food on their table.

As with any job, there will always be challenges. For Ms. DelSordo, there are fewer resources in the non-profit sector, so messages must be constructed creatively and with a smaller budget. Just from these two questions, it appears that non-profit work, like Philabundance is both extremely rewarding and challenging.

As a young professional, I have seen that school and an internship can be a tricky balancing act. I was curious as to what a professional’s opinion on this idea was. Ms. DelSordo said this was something she still struggles with. She is technically on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but during family time she does not answer any emails. She is committed to her job and the Philabundance cause, but realizes that her family life is a priority too. Her passion for her job is what drives her dedication to the position and organization.

When a PR student has the opportunity to talk with a current PR professional, he or she is always curious about how to find a job in today’s competitive market. Ms. DelSordo had helpful tips for job searching while still in college. She recommended identifying organizations you’d like to work for and completing informational interviews with them. It is great practice and can foster new relationships. Additionally, she said to get involved in organizations like PRSA and PPRA. Her advice has proven true, considering I was given the opportunity to interview her through PPRA and PRSA's event, Careers 101. My interview with Ms. DelSordo has reaffirmed the idea of working in a non-profit environment and has helped me better understand the skills necessary for success.

This blog post was written by Temple University student, Alex Crispino. Alex is a junior Strategic Communications major at Temple University, with minors in Spanish and Psychology. She is a member of PRowl Public Relations, Temple's student-run PR firm, PRSSA and is a Resistant Assistant at Temple. In her free time, Alex likes to blog and is an avid baseball and football fan. Connect with Alex on Twitter.

Resume Tips – How to Highlight Your Skills

2011-04-13T00:01:00.000-04:00

This past month, I had the difficult task of helping my department’s Internship Committee sort through a pile of resumes for our summer program. I saw a great deal of talent, but I was also extremely surprised to see a significant portion of applicants overlook common sense details. It went beyond typos; think: a resume in size 26 font, making what should have laid out on one page a three-page submission. These kinds of mistakes should never make their way past the first draft of your experience – yes, you should go through multiple drafts – but what about tips for most effecitvely highlighting your skills for employers?

Put Your Best Foot Forward
If you’re still in college or have recently graduated, you may think that it’s best to put your college experience at the top of your resume because it is the most recent material. While companies think it’s great that you did work study in the library for four years, they would rather see any professional internships that show your understanding of the industry listed first. Consider dividing your resume into three simple categories, such as Professional, Communication, and Education. This way, you can still highlight the skills that you picked up as a resident assistant or president of a sorority while pushing real-world PR experience to the forefront.

Pick and Choose
Resumes should showcase skills that directly relate to the position you want to land. It can be daunting to know what to include…so some people throw in everything, from summer stints as an ice cream server to working part-time in a wallpaper store. Unless you can find very concrete ways that these jobs deserve note – like you helped to increase revenue by fifty percent by creating a grassroots campaign – leave them off. If nothing else, this is a great incentive to find creative ways to stand out in part-time jobs to build up marketable skills.

Tweet, Like, and Link Your Way In
As if PPRA hasn’t made it painfully clear already, social media is an integral part of communications strategy. It is acceptable – and, in my opinion, necessary – to emphasize your active participation on social media channels. My own resume now includes social media as a skill, as well as lists my Twitter handle and LinkedIn address so that employers can see how I utilize them on a daily basis.

These are only a few of many things to consider when drafting a resume. You will surely write and re-write your resume a few times in your life, and a good foundation out of college will make that all the easier. I highly encourage all students and young alumni to utilize their university’s career services department, as well as supervisors from their internships, to continually strengthen your resume for whatever opportunities may arise.

This blog post was written by Christine Guerrini. Christine Guerrini is a member of the public relations team at Tierney agency in Center City Philadelphia. A Villanova grad, Christine specializes in media relations, social media and research. She has worked with clients in non-profit, law, technology, hospitality, and B2B fields. Outside of work, Christine is an avid fan of the Arts, whether exploring museums or sitting down with a novel. Connect with Christine on Twitter (@CMGuerrini) or at http://www.linkedin.com/in/christineguerrini .

Transitioning from the Classroom to the Office

2011-04-11T00:01:00.000-04:00

Nearly five years ago, I traded in my cap and gown for pumps and pearls. Of course they weren’t real pearls, but you get the picture. Transitioning from a college student to a working professional was a transformation I eagerly welcomed, though in retrospect am not sure anyone can be properly prepared for.

Looking back on my college experience, I remember most of my classmates were extremely intimidated by the public relations professionals who would guest lecture our classes and come speak at our Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) meetings. Some of these professionals were only a couple years older than we were, though they were held at a much higher levels of respect and stature.

Now that I’m one of those PR professionals who guest lectures college classes and speaks at student meetings, I have a different perspective on the intimidation factor. I often have thought to myself, “That was just me a few years ago. What’s changed since then?” I’ve grouped my key learnings into the following five categories.

· Career path –Ready to transition from a college student to a young professional? Well, you are if you stop thinking in terms of jobs and start thinking in terms of your career path. If the Land of Oz represents retirement and the yellow brick road represents career path, the concept of jobs is like being stuck in Kansas. Get out of short-term ruts and focus on the bigger (long-term) picture.

· Professionalism – Most undergraduate college students tend not to worry about sounding “professional” simply because they’re focused on their top priority – graduating. Surrounding yourself with highly respected professionals can help increase your understanding of “professionalism” in its truest sense. (This also can help minimize any sort of intimidation factor.)

· Appearance – What messages do your clothes send? This is likely the most visible aspect of the transition. Do your clothes read “broke college student” or “savvy working professional”? What about your hairstyle, piercings, tattoos, etc.? Dress how you want to be perceived.

· Demographics – You can choose your friends, not necessarily your co-workers. In college, you are surrounded by your peers. In the work environment, you may now have to spend time with people you normally wouldn’t surround yourself with. Learning to love and appreciate diversity is one of the keys to a successful transition.

· Work/life balance – Learning this juggle can be a struggle. It may take some time. Set your priorities and stick to them. Flexibility is often a promotable behavior. Know what is important to you and what you are and are not willing to sacrifice.

Now that I’m headed down the yellow brick road, I look forward to once again becoming a student prior to arriving in the Land of Oz. Hopefully that transition will be just as smooth.

This blog post was written by Meredith Avakian. Meredith Z. Avakian is a public affairs specialist at DuPont Co., where she's specialized in employee and leadership communications. Avakian also serves as PPRA's vice president of communications and the chair of the Armenian General Benevolent Union Young Professionals of Philadelphia. In addition, she is the 2009 recipient of the PPRA President's Fast Track Award and the 2006 recipient of PPRA's Brodey Student Achievement Award. Avakian earned a bachelor's degree in public relations from Temple University, where she served as the chapter president of the Public Relations Student Society of America.

Fair and Balanced

2011-04-08T08:04:00.000-04:00

From Fox News to NPR to the blogosphere and community journalism, it seems “point of view” and “voice” are morphing into “advocacy.” How does this agenda-driven news affect the original media advocates - public relations professionals? As the lines blur between “Five W” (and "One H") reporting and outright opinion, the ethical dilemmas mount for journalists and the PR people who seek their attention. Join us as a panel of experienced communications pros tackle the issue of how this changing media landscape alters the complex relationship between the public relations pro and the working journalist.

Date:
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Time:
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Registration & Networking
12:00 - 1:30 PM Lunch and Program

Location:
Estia Restaurant
1405 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Panelists include:
• Moderator: Cynthia Sanz, Assistant Managing Editor, People magazine
• Michael Days, Managing Editor, The Philadelphia Inquirer
• Gina Furia Rubel, Esq., President/CEO, Furia Rubel Communications, Inc.
• Michael Berry, Esq., Partner, Levine Sullivan Koch & Schulz, L.L.P.
• Kingsley Smith, Vice President of News & News Director, FOX 29 Philadelphia

Registration Fees:
$45 for PPRA & SPJ Members
$60 for Non-Members
$25 for Students
$5 additional fee for walk-ins

Want to register? Click here and visit the PPRA event registration page.

PR Careers 101: Expert Panel Provides Insight for Students and Young Professionals

2011-04-06T06:24:00.007-04:00

With graduation on the horizon for many, learning how to navigate today’s tricky job market is key. At the PPRA and PRSA Public Relations Careers 101 event on Monday, April 4 at PECO’s Energy Hall, our panelists answered a variety of questions pertinent to the young public relations professional. Lots of useful information was shared in the hour allotted, and here are the key points:

Erin Allsman of Brownstein Group

Writing is a key component of PR, and your portfolio should showcase your ability
Internships are generally counted as experience, and you should take initiative, even if there’s no paycheck or job opportunity available
Show your conversation skills during an interview, and be able to think abstractly about the industry. Don’t just “be” your portfolio

Meredith Avakian of DuPont

Professors are wonderful resources when looking to expand your network
Don’t treat your first job like a social opportunity! Take on your organization’s culture, be a leader, and strive for daily success
Showing leadership in areas outside of your company and industry broadens your experience and network

Marlo DelSordo of Philabundance

Agencies can offer greater diversity (compared to corporate positions) and allow you to find your niche, while corporate in-house professionals have the ability to focus on one mission
Networking is extremely important! Spend time putting yourself out there, and take advantage of mentors and informational interviews

Ike Richman of Comcast-Spectacor

Social media like Facebook and Twitter provides a quick way to get attention from the media and distribute your message. Social media is becoming the driving force behind the press release
Make an everlasting impression on a potential employer or contact, and stay in touch after your initial meeting

Moderator Gregg Feistman, Associate Professor and Faculty Advisor for PRSSA and PRowl at Teemple University

When asked about salary requirements on an application, try to avoid putting any number down, if possible. During the interview, discuss your desired range to avoid selling yourself short

Though every potential job candidate and situation is unique, these tips and words of advice are great ways for a young professional to build a strong professional foundation. Careers come in all shapes and sizes; as long as you put your best foot forward, there’s one out there for you, no matter how challenging the times may be.

Thank you again to our panel for sharing this invaluable information!

This blog post was writen by Stephanie Parker. Stephanie is a senior at Drexel University studying Corporate & Public Relations, and will graduate this June. She specializes in social media, online marketing, and copy writing and editing. Stephanie has experience working in the entertainment industry as a past intern for a Pittsburgh-based musician, and currently with a video game design firm in Old City. Outside of work and school, Stephanie is a music buff who enjoys singing and going to local shows. Connect with Stephanie on Twitter or by visiting her website.

How To Manage An Intern

2011-04-04T00:01:00.001-04:00

Not too long ago I was sitting in the intern hot-seat, following the lead of my managers and allowing my brain to act like a sponge, trying to learn everything and anything. I have had managers that were effective and successful at communicating and I have had managers that were not great at communicating, with their interns at least.

Recently, the roles were reversed and now I am managing a PR intern. Because of my experiences, it was easy to identify communication and managing styles that I found effective and also greatly appreciated as an intern.

The task of managing an intern can be a challenge but by establishing expectations, keeping lines of communication open and giving thorough directions, you will be well on your way to establishing the mutually beneficial internship program.

Establish expectations. This can be done as early as the interview process. Explain clearly what your company needs from an intern and listen to what candidates are interested in and the experiences they are hoping to leave with. If your needs and their goals match up, then the program is off to a great start.

Keep lines of communication open. Your intern needs to feel comfortable asking questions; especially if it deals with work they have been assigned. Not only must an intern be comfortable coming to you, but as a manager you must be comfortable giving constructive feedback. Remember that interns are looking for mentors, people that are going to guide them in the right direction and help them prepare for the real world.

Thorough directions. Look, interns are not mind readers. Make sure you thoroughly explain every aspect of what you need the project to include, down to basic formatting. It may take some extra time to explain, but in the end its better than having only half of the project because you were not clear. Spending this extra time will also alleviate any frustrations the intern may feel after spending time on an assignment to find out they must redo it.

Although these may seem like basic principles you would be surprised at the amount of managers who disregard them. Also, managing an intern is priceless experience prepping you for a possible management position in the future.

Five Days, Five Easy Tips for Increasing Your Facebook Fanpage Likes This Week

2011-04-01T00:01:00.002-04:00

Welcome to the Facebook Era - where being "liked" has never been so important, especially for businesses. What can you do if your Facebook fanpage isn't garnering the coveted likes that mean you're expanding your audience? Counter fanpage envy with these five quick tips to expand and engage your Facebook audience this business week:

MONDAY - Post a photo

The old cliche is true, and on Facebook where a thousand words are quick to turn off visitors, photos do quite the opposite by pulling viewers in without the technical glitches that can come with video. Look through your company's archives or walk around the office with your smartphone and snap some interesting shots.

TUESDAY - Get personal

By now we should all know that Facebook isn't a place to sell, sell, sell, but what it is for then? Mainly, it's a place to connect and one of the best ways to do that is by sharing the personal side of your business. Have a company picnic planned for this week? Supporting a worthy local charity? Hosting business partners from Omaha? Share it on Facebook!

WEDNESDAY - Ask a question

Keep the conversation two sided and let fans talk about what is likely their favorite topic - themselves! Post a question and then monitor and respond to the replies. It could be as simple as "what's for lunch?" or designed to gather unique information to help your business.

THURSDAY - Pay it forward

As a fanpage administrator, you can "like" other fanpages. Search Facebook for vendors and business partners and then pay it forward by liking their pages. This will benefit your page since you'll now be able to see and share their latest news on your newsfeed and you can use the @ symbol to mention them in posts. Additionally, for PR people, liking publications/stations/reporters you hope to pitch helps you to quickly see what they are covering and share information with them.

FRIDAY - Commit to next week

One of the keys to building your fanpage is posting regularly, so now is the time to start thinking about next week. How often can you commit to posting a week? What news will you have to share? I recommend creating a loose schedule to keep yourself accountable and organized. Then, if you won't be posting on the weekend, say "TGIF" to your fans, remind them that you'll be back next week and leave the office with the knowledge that you're expanding your audience!

Aimee Cirucci is web communications specialist for a local toy company. She has been an adjunct instructor in strategic communication at Temple University, is a faculty candidate in communication at the University of Phoenix, and can be reached at www.cirucci.com.

Social Media Tips & Tricks with Ben Grossman

2011-03-30T06:39:00.000-04:00

Back by popular demand, Ben Grossman, Communications Strategist at Oxford Communications, will return to PPRA to share his favorite social media tips and tricks! Ben joined us in February to provide insight into the complex world of social media, and PPRA members made it clear that they wanted to hear even more. Now’s your chance to ask him those pressing social media questions that have been on your mind and to hear his advice on the most effective ways to get the most out of your social media efforts. This informal setting will provide the perfect opportunity for plenty of Q&A time so you can “pick Ben’s brain” on the social media issues that matter most to you.

Date:
Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Time:
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Registration & Cocktail Hour
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Program

Location:
Kokopelli Restaurant & Tequila Bar
1904 Chestnut Street
2nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Registration Fees:
$45 for PPRA Members
$60 for Non-Members
$25 for Students
$5 additional fee for walk-ins

For a sneak peek of the kinds of tips and tricks that will be presented at the event, check out this Mashable interview with Ben Grossman regarding Facebook’s new “Questions” feature by clicking here.

Want to register? Click here and visit the PPRA event registration page.

Hispanic Public relations in a newly created U.S.A.

2011-03-28T00:01:00.000-04:00

The year is 2011, the Census numbers have been releases and you’re still marketing towards the same audience. With the U.S. demographic quickly changing, a lot of businesses and organizations are questioning who exactly their target audience is. This is a bit confusing because there is a huge difference in Latinos in a digital age (first generation born) and their parents whom immigrated to the United States. However, there are tons of resources out there for you to start focusing on Hispanic public relations and marketing.

So where do you being? Do you pitch Spanish-language publications like El Diario/La Prensa, El Nuevo Herald, La Opinion or do you pitch English-lanugage publications with a Latino audience like Latina Magazine, Hispanic Executive Magazine or even the HispanicPR blog? Advertising Age said it best, “Dubbed the ‘bridge generation’ in a recent study by MRM Worldwide, these young, U.S.-born Latinos move comfortably between English and Spanish depending on the situation. They attend American schools and have American friends.” This of course makes them American, but nothing can change their cultural identity.

Like social media, this is something you have to do research on, find your audience, and pitch away. Use your resources. The Hispanic Public Relations Association’s (HPRA) mission is to help Hispanic professional communicators enter and advance within the public relations and marketing communications fields by creating an exchange of information and ideas that empower public relations practitioners to be experts in their fields among other things. HPRA are heavily involved with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and are co-sponsoring the 2^nd Annual Hispanic PR & Social Media conference this April.

You can also follow the Hispanic PR blog which is managed by Multicultural PR veterans Manny Ruiz and Angela Sustaita-Ruiz. Throughout the posts you’ll find interesting trends, research, case studies and best practices on how to start your Hispanic marketing/PR campaign. It will also give you insights on how to use social media to reach the Latino consumer. One social media suggestion is to “talk” to your audience in the #Latism hashtag on Twitter. LATISM, the largest organization for Latino and Latina professionals engaged in social media, is a 501(c) 4 nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing the social, civic and economic status of the Latino community.

The outlets are there. The trends are there. As public relations professionals you should be able to follow best practices and your outcome will be as successful as your mainstream campaigns. Hey, sometimes even gearing your big campaign to the Latino consumer will make sense. Starting something completely new may be challenging but it can also lead to success.

This blog post was written by Eric Cortes. Eric Cortes is a member of the media relations team at the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC). He joined GPTMC in 2008 and quickly became an integral member of the team, developing PR pitches, placing stories in top outlets and planning large-scale media events. He also manages the company’s outreach to the ever-growing Hispanic travel market through his use of traditional media relations and social media.

In 2010, Cortes was named one of the “Delaware Valley’s Most Influential Latinos,” an event produced by the Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress and Impacto Latin Newspaper, and in 2011, he took home the Professional of the Year Award, one of three Excelencia Hispanic Business Awards distributed annually by the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He serves as one of three directors for the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) and as the vice president of professional development for the Latino Leadership Alumni Association. He is also a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and Gamma Phi Sigma “Hermanos Unidos” Fraternity, Inc.

Did I Do That?: PPRA Panel Shares Crisis PR Expertise

2011-03-25T11:32:00.000-04:00

From the BP oil spill to Gilbert Gottfried’s recent social media snafu, we’ve all seen the damaging headlines splashed across the media. At the PPRA Crisis PR and Reputation Management panel on Monday, March 21 at Le Méridien Philadelphia, our panelists shared first-hand stories of how crises were handled and what they would have done differently. A great deal of information was packed into just one short hour, so here are the topline points that you missed:

Anne Klein of Anne Klein Communications Group

PR people can never be brought into a crisis situation fast enough
We may not be able to prevent the media getting a hold of a story, but we can prevent being caught unprepared
Lack of communication is one of the main reasons that a situation escalates to crisis level
Failing to respond to the media in a timely fashion can lead to a tarnished reputation for many years to come

Karen Friedman, communications coach and author of “Shut Up and Say Something”

Reporters will always ask “When did you know, and what did you do about it?”
NEVER say “no comment.” It’s okay to admit when you don’t know or to explain why you can’t talk about an issue
When crafting messages, don’t think about the reporter you are talking to, think about the audience you want to reach
Don’t let any client go on air without media training

Jeff Jubelirer of Jubelirer Strategies

Internal stakeholders (employees, board members, etc) are a company’s most powerful advocates and best messengers
When sending out letters to external stakeholders, personalize each one to show your investment in them
The internet is everywhere – crises move faster, so always be prepared to monitor social media sources
Consider preparing a dark site with all of the information you need for potential crises

Joshua Peck of Duane Morris LLP

The relationship between lawyers and the PR world is changing
Lawyers are beginning to recognize that their clients need more than just legal counsel in some situations
Consumers of media do not want to hear from the lawyer or the PR person – they want to hear from the client
When crafting an apology, focus not only on relating empathy, but also relaying what your next steps will be

Moderator: Richard Maloney of SEPTA (and former KYW Newsradio Reporter)

The success of a message comes down to credibility
You don’t have control over who your CEO is, but you have control over if he speaks to the media or not
The old joke is, the wife is the last to know. The PR person is really the last to know

While every crisis situation is certainly unique, the public relations goal is always the same: maintain your client’s reputation. We hope you don’t have to deal with any crises soon, but now you can rest assured that you have some great principles to live by if you do.

Thank you again to our panel!

This blog post was written by Christine Guerrini. Christine Guerrini is a member of the public relations team at Tierney agency in Center City Philadelphia. A Villanova grad, Christine specializes in media relations, social media and research. She has worked with clients in non-profit, law, technology, hospitality, and B2B fields. Outside of work, Christine is an avid fan of the Arts, whether exploring museums or sitting down with a novel. Connect with Christine on Twitter (@CMGuerrini) or at http://www.linkedin.com/in/christineguerrini .

Winging It: Live Tweeting Lessons Learned

2011-03-23T06:24:00.000-04:00

You’ve visited the registration table and donned your name tag, networked with other attendees and selected your seat. As the event emcee crosses the stage and approaches the podium, you ready your smart phone, prepared to send your first tweet about the event starting. The emcee opens his mouth…and requests all attendees turn off their
cell phones.

Huh?

If you’re confused and put off by this turn of events, you’re not alone. When my colleague – who actually experienced this “anti-social” announcement firsthand – relayed this story to
me, I was quick to respond with my own frustrating experience.

In attendance at a communication association event, I immersed myself in translating the keynote address into tweet-friendly snippets. With soft, unobtrusive tap-tap-taps, I hashtagged my way to messages retweeted by the speaker’s organization, and other interested PR professionals. Halfway through the talk, however, one woman at my table– who had made her less-than-enthusiastic opinion of Twitter quite apparent before the program began – told me to turn around and hold my BlackBerry below the table “if I insisted on using it right now.”

Despite the increasing prevalence of social media, and number of individuals accessing these apps through their phones – 31% of all mobile consumers in the U.S. own smart phones, cell phones with app-based, web-enabled operating, according to a December 2010 Nielsen
study – these two occurrences clearly point to the fact that not everyone is ready to embrace this form of communication.

There are ways, however, to smooth any feathers ruffled by individuals prone to squawking at live tweeters. Please note several of the following suggestions are easiest to achieve if you can converse with the organizers prior to the day of the event.

Consider the (crowd’s) source
Know your attendees, and be prepared for professionals who have embraced social media as part of their 9-to-5 identities – such as communication professionals – to naturally feel inclined to tweet from the event.

Rephrase the reminder
Suggest the reminder to turn off cell phones be modified to kindly request attendees place their phones on silent.

“Pound” the pavement
Encourage the event organizers to select a hashtag to accompany all event-related tweets, and announce it at the start of the program.

Wear your handle on your sleeve
Recommend that name tags include Twitter handles on them, or ribbons identifying the individuals who will be live tweeting the event. Even better, propose providing a table or designated area (or tweet-up) for anyone who plans to tweet about the program.

Meet, greet and tweet
Introduce yourself to anyone you may not know at your table, or sitting in your immediate area. Take some time before the event starts to converse about social media. Find out if anyone else is active on Twitter, and if so, what their handles are. And mention you plan to tweet throughout the event, so no one misinterprets your phone-focused nonverbal behavior for emailing or other inattentive multitasking.

What tips for encouraging live tweeters to participate actively would you add? Have you ever been on the receiving end of negative opinions about posting social media updates in public? Do you encourage live tweeting at your association events?

This blog post was written by Margot Mackay and originally appeared on the Association Headquarter blog here. This blog post was written by Margot D. MacKay. Margot is a Public Relations Coordinator at Mt. Laurel NJ-based Association Headquarters, Inc. (AH). In this capacity, Margot services a variety of non-profit associations, providing strategic communications, social media expertise and media relations solutions. Margot graduated from Villanova University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication, and earned a Master of Science in Public Relations from Boston University in2007. She enjoys connecting with PR professionals on LinkedIn, and tweets regularly from @msbruschetta, conversing with local, national and international practitioners, as well as lovers of fitness, food and Philly.

Two PPRA Announcements: Spring Clean Up and Member Get A Member Program

2011-03-21T00:01:00.000-04:00

Want to know the latest about PPRA and our upcoming events? Read on...

Introducing the Member Get A Member Program

Pass along the knowledge, networking and professional development opportunities found only through membership in the Philadelphia Public Relations Association - the nation's oldest and largest metropolitan public relations association with members representing a diverse cross section of business and non-profit organizations throughout the tri-state area.

Be a "Member to Get a Member" and Receive Great Prizes!

* Bring in two new members and receive a free meeting coupon for use at any luncheon program!
* The member that recruits the most individual or associate members each month (minimum of two) will win a special prize and recognition in PPRA's website and newsletter.
* Recruit the most new corporate memberships (at least three members from one company), and you could receive a special prize. And, be the most active recruiter and bring in the most new members for the grand prize and receive an overnight stay at one of Philadelphia's most exclusive hotels and recognition at PPRA's annual meeting in June.

Help us spread the word-PPRA is is the premiere association for public relations professionals in the Greater Philadelphia area! Please visit PPRA's website for more information and the membership application.

How to be a Member to Get a Member

1. Identify someone who should be a PPRA member.
2. Print your name on the "Referred by" space on the membership application.
3. Give the membership application to this person and ask them to join.
4. Follow-up with your colleague.

Prorated Memberships Available

* Members who join in January - April 2011 will have dues prorated by 50 percent.
* Members who join in May - August 2011 will have their membership extended through August 31, 2012.

Rules

* Member Get A Member runs now through May 31, 2011.
* The program is only open to members.
* This campaign is not open to former members who have not renewed in the past six months.

PPRA Volunteers Sought for 2011 Philly Spring Cleanup on Saturday, April 2

PPRA members are invited to take part in the Philly Spring Cleanup event on Saturday, April 2. Volunteers from PPRA will meet at the Callowhill/Reading Viaduct Neighborhood Improvement site at 11th and Callowhill Streets in Center City to work alongside other volunteers from the community. The event is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; however, if volunteers are able to join us for part of the day, that would be helpful as well. PPRA Board members will be on hand to meet volunteers so please let us know when you arrive!

If you would like to take part, please click here. From there, please select Center City from the "Neighborhood" drop down menu and register for the Callowhill site.

If you have any questions, please contact Jill Flanagan, Chair of the Community Service Committee at jill.flanagan@villanova.edu. We encourage interested volunteers to sign up for the event as soon as possible to ensure slots are still available. Hope to see you there!

Mobile Technology: Changing the Way We Do Business

2011-03-18T00:01:00.001-04:00

On March 3, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce hosted a Mobile Technology event held at the Hub Meeting & Event Center in Center City. Professionals from various industries gathered to learn more about emerging trends in the wireless technology sector.

The keynote speaker, Vivek Kundra, U.S. Chief Information Officer, spoke about closing the technology gap. He discussed the Obama administration’s priorities concerning mobile technology in the coming months. He cited statistics that indicated that there has been a rapid growth of mobile devices. This growth has created a global consumer that often uses their wireless device as a primary connection to the Internet.

One priority of the administration has been to promote entrepreneurism and innovation. Kundra talked about working with startup companies in Silicon Valley and their cutting-edge thinking in mobile application development. Their focus is working with American start-up companies to make sure we remain competitive in the global economy.

Kundra went on to identify more trends to follow such as consumers moving to one device for personal and professional use and the money saving strategy of moving files to cloud computing. He sited some interesting numbers: more than 350,000 apps for the iPhone and more than 150,000 for the Android platform are on the marketplace today. Even with all these application, new ones are being developed at an astounding speed.

He spoke about faster and more ubiquitous networks, cheaper and more powerful processors and in the future, billions of sensors becoming part of a hybrid Internet. I have to be honest, the future he talked about sounded so cool! In addition, some of the other Obama priorities include providing at least 98 percent of Americans with access to 4G high-speed wireless and pouring $3 billion into a wireless innovation fund.

Public relations professionals need to keep up with the emerging trends and ways to reach their target audiences. New gadgets are rolled out constantly, the mobile consumer will continue to access their information via a wireless device, are you reaching them?

This blog post was written by Amanda Walsh. Amanda Walsh has a passion for integrated communications, social media and emerging technologies. She joined the public relations and marketing agency, Furia Rubel, in 2008 as a dedicated blogger and social media strategist. In 2010 she was promoted to Account Coordinator. Whether she’s using social media outlets to spread the good news about clients, conducting media outreach to regional publications or bloggers, or expressing opinions concerning industry news on Furia Rubel’s ThePRLawyer blog, Amanda is energized by all aspects of integrated communications. She can be found on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Crisis PR & Reputation Management: What To Do When You Become The Headline

2011-03-16T00:01:00.000-04:00

PA teacher suspended over online blasts at students.

BP oil spill could have been prevented.

Toyota's late recall raises questions about its credibility.

These are not the headlines and front page stories we hope for in the PR industry. But if you find your company in the midst of public controversy, will you be prepared? Our panel of experts will simulate real life crisis scenarios, demonstrating how to think on your feet, handle tough questions, and deliver information quickly and accurately.

Panelists include:

    * Karen Friedman, Karen Friedman Enterprises, Inc.
    * Jeff Jubelirer, Jubelirer Strategies
    * Anne Klein, Anne Klein Communications Group
    * Joshua Peck, Duane Morris LLP
    * Moderator: Richard Maloney, SEPTA (and former KYW Newsradio Reporter)

One registrant will be selected at random to receive a free copy of Karen Friedman's new book, Shut Up and Say Something: Business Communication Strategies to Overcome Challenges and Influence Listeners.

Location:

Le Méridien Philadelphia
Trumbauer Grand Ballroom
1421 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Date:
March 21

Time:
11:30 a.m. - Noon
Registration & Networking

Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Lunch & Program

Registration Fees:
$45 - PPRA Members
$60 - Non-Members
$25 - Students
Additional $5 fee for walk-ins

Want to register? Click here.

Philadelphia Social Innovations Journal: A Breakfast For Words

2011-03-14T00:01:00.003-04:00

On February 25, Nicholas Torres and Tine Hansen-Turton shared with PPRA their collaborative, social creation, the Philadelphia Social Innovations Journal (PSIJ). The PSIJ is a progressive journal that highlights social innovations in the Greater Philadelphia area, by elaborating on the principles that create, uphold, and reform social transformations.

Soon to be a household name in Philadelphia, with nearly 5,000 views daily of the site; this online phenomenon was an idea created by the co-founders, after completion of their Eisenhower Fellowships.

While the journal is published online four times a year, the inspiration and collection process is a year round effort. Torres and Hansen-Turton credited the community members of the organization, whose significant contributions enabled much of their success. The majority of their 80 and growing volunteer base is comprised of young and entrepreneurial leaders given the opportunity to nominate, advocate, inspire, and even blog about the social changes in Philadelphia today. Anna Mira King, Sales and Marketing Executive of PSIJ, elaborated describing their volunteers as an expanded insight and wealth of knowledge to the rapidly evolving city.

The next issue of Philadelphia Social Innovations Journal will include sections on: Arts & Culture; Food Industry Production and Health; Energy; and Violence.

Volunteering with the PSIJ was highly encouraged. To learn more about the Philadelphia Social Innovations Journal, click here.

This blog post was written by Leslie Cottle. Leslie has been a PPRA member since 2010 and is a 2009 Corporate Communication graduate from The Pennsylvania State University. She is currently working as a Researcher Associate for Diversified Search, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. You can find Leslie on Linkedin at http://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliecottle.

PPRA and PRSA Philly Presents Public Relations Careers 101

2011-03-07T00:01:00.007-05:00

Open to students and young professionals in the Philadelphia region, this event is your chance to meet and hear from top PR minds from all areas of the profession, including agency, non-profit, corporate, and entertainment. The panelists will share insights into their careers and the realities of working in public relations, as well as tips on how to stand out in this difficult job market.

Also, after the panel you will have the chance to speak with local young professionals in the PR field for some firsthand insight on how to translate your college experience into a successful career in PR.

Be sure to place your resume in our "drop-box" for review by a PPRA or PRSA professional. All pre-registered participants will also be entered into our raffle for the chance to win a "shadowing day" with a PR pro, plus other great prizes (must be present to win)!

Confirmed Panelists:
    * Moderator: Gregg Feistman - Assistant Professor -Public Relations
    * Erin Allsman - Public Relations Director, Brownstein Group
    * Meredith Avakian - Public Affairs Specialist, DuPont
    * Marlo DelSordo - Director of Communications and Marketing, Philabundance
    * Ike Richman - Vice President, Public Relations, Comcast-Spectacor

Location:
PECO
Energy Hall
2301 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Date:
Monday, April 4

Time:
5:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Registration

6:00 - 6:45 p.m.
Panel Discussion with PR Executives

6:45 - 7:30 p.m.
Round Table Discussion with Young Professionals

7:30 - 7:35 p.m.
Raffle Drawing

Registration Fees:
$10 per person

Want to register? Click here

Stay tuned for a future post directly from students and young pros who have benefited from attending Careers 101!