Public Relations

Diversity and New Pros: Be a Storyteller, Make a Difference

Lauren Gray Leave a comment

As new professionals in the public relations field, we constantly work with people of all walks of life across many disciplines. Working with a diverse range of people opens our eyes to the possibilities and opportunities out there.

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That being said, the PR profession is not as diverse as you might think despite ongoing and tremendous progress that has been made. According to the PRSA Foundation, ethnic groups make up 30 percent of the U.S. population yet only 10 percent of minorities work in public relations.

When most people hear about diversity, the primary identifiers that come to mind include race, ethnicity and sexual orientation. There are many more than that, some of which you might least expect. What makes everyone unique and different in their own ways most likely falls under this category. To name a few, it also includes income level, religion, disabilities, socioeconomic status and age.

Addressing such issues is no easy task yet very much achievable. Local PRSA Chapters can do their part in working on diversity initiatives custom tailored to their communities in order to help diversify its memberships. PRSA members can serve as mentors to PRSSA students of all walks of life as a way to provide professional guidance and support to help prepare the next generation of leaders.

One attribute of PR professionals is that we are storytellers. We all have stories of our own to tell based on our knowledge, experience and upbringing. As no two stories are completely alike, it is having those unique stories that makes us diverse. By learning from one another about our differences, it helps us become competent professionals as a result. If we want to stand out as professionals getting started in this field, it is important that our individual stories be heard to help ourselves advance in this profession.

Now, I would like to hear from you. Each month, I hope to feature on this blog a new professional of different backgrounds and how it relates to your experiences as a PR professional. Speak from the heart so that we can all understand where you are coming from. If you are interested in submitting your story, email simonoh804@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from as many new professionals as possible.

 

Simon_Oh-5Simon Oh is the diversity liaison for the PRSA New Professionals executive committee. He is currently a graduate student at San Jose State University, studying transportation management. His professional background includes public affairs and community relations within the transportation field. Connect with him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

March Twitter Chat Highlights: Crisis Communications

Lauren Gray Leave a comment

We’d like to thank everyone who participated in the March #NPPRSA Twitter chat focused on crisis communications planning. We discussed what is required for any thorough crisis communications plan, which departments to include and how to prepare employees.

PRSA Twitter Chat Highlights: Crisis CommunicationsSpecifically, we’d like to thank Valerie Merahn Simon, senior marketing executive and Director of Marketing Communications for Plymouth Rock Assurance. She is also the co-founder of the #HAPPO and #PRStudChat Twitter chats.

Join us again on April 3 for our next #NPPRSA chat and stay up-to-date with PRSA New Professionals on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.

Review highlights of the chat below. What did you learn from the March chat? How can you plan for unanticipated events for your brand? What methods can you use to prepare co-workers and executives for dealing with the public? Who can you collaborate with or who should you include in a crisis plan?

 

 

Lauren Rosenbaum

Lauren Rosenbaum is the PRSA New Professionals Social Media Co-Chair and Co-Founder of Soversity, a public relations and digital marketing company. You can connect with her on Google+, LinkedIn or Twitter.

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Creative Tech Skills You’ll Need for Entry-Level Jobs

Lauren Gray Leave a comment

Landing your dream job or even an entry level position in public relations requires more than being a crafty wordsmith, talented strategist and a social media wiz.

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While most of us already have blogs and understand how to use WordPress, most job postings I see now list a slew of additional visual storytelling skills that those of us new to the profession have to at least have some experience with before being called in for an interview.

Additional skills to consider developing:

  • Adobe publishing including InDesign, Photoshop and other software to create digital documents and iPad apps
  • Adobe Systems Acrobat
  • Video shooting and editing skills
  • Website creation software – Joomla! , WordPress and Drupal are examples of ones I often see on job posting. If you have created a blog or a website using WordPress, extend your knowledge and skills by learning and implementing the latest upgrades
  • Software to create mobile apps to leverage for campaigns
  • Analytics – although being a data analyst is not expected, understanding the basics and being comfortable with numbers and with an analyst is expected
  • Microsoft Office software including SharePoint Server and Excel. Formulas are a must know!
  • Some knowledge HTML coding
  • Cascading Style Sheets
  • Podcasting software

Deirdre-Breakenridge “Public Relations is becoming more intergraded with marketing and advertising,” said Deirdre Breakenridge, an experienced public relations professional and author of several books on the intersection of technology and public relations. “It’s important to embrace new technology to do justice to the brand. All areas such be working together.”

And although these skills may not be taught in university classes, it’s important to invest some time in learning them before you graduate, she said.

Check out classes online or professional development classes at a local community college as they’re both budget-friendly options. Some of those classes even offer certificates that can be earned with just three or four shorter classes.

While technology is becoming almost a basic requirement for entry level jobs, good, strong writing skills still rule.

“You need a balance of the two,” Breakenridge said. “Always strive for the balance.”

A healthy balance of skills can set you apart from the crowd of applicants.

How many of you are making the effort to go beyond your college classes or to upgrade your personal talents in these areas?

 

Kris Antonelli,  is a freelance writer and communications professional based in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. metro area. As a former newspaper journalist, her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Baltimore Magazine, Baltimore Sun and other publications. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter or via email at Kris.antonelli@yahoo.com.

February Twitter Chat Highlights: Real-Time Marketing

Lauren Gray Leave a comment

We’d like to thank everyone who participated in the February #NPPRSA Twitter chat by discussing the opportunities and challenges of real-time marketing. This month we discussed ways that brands can be authentic when engaging in real time and also addressed some the of risks that can come with real-time marketing.

Real-Time Marketing Twitter Chat Highlights

Specifically, we’d like to thank our two special guests for February: Adam Naide and Ken Burbary. Adam Naide is the Executive Director of Marketing for Social Media at Cox Communications, where he leads overall strategy for the company’s social media presences including fan engagement, customer acquisition & retention, social commerce and Social TV. Ken Burbary is the Chief Digital Officer at Lowe Campbell-Ewald. Ken has over 20 years of marketing experience with a focus on digital for Fortune 500+ brands.

Join us again on March 6 for our next #NPPRSA Twitter chat and stay up-to-date with PRSA New Professionals on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google+.

Review highlights of the chat below. What did you learn from the February chat? Should brands attempt real-time marketing? Is it worth the risks? How can brands authentically engage with consumers?

 

Amy BishopAmy Bishop works in digital PR and marketing for DigitalRelevance, a content distribution and promotion agency. She is also Social Media Co-Chair for the PRSA New Professionals Section.  Read her insights on customer experience and social business on her Marketing Strategy blog. Connect with Amy through Twitter, Pinterest or Google+.

5 Advantages of Working in Tech PR

Lauren Gray Leave a comment

I studied public relations at the University of Southern California with the expressed intention of someday heading up communications for a major studio. But after graduating in the height of the Great Recession, entertainment jobs were few and far between, and a former manager 5 advantages of working in tech PRrecommended I tried technology. Pursuing a role in this industry is the best decision I’ve made in my adult life.

Here are the top five things you should know if you’re interested in the dynamic world of technology communications.

1. Embrace the challenge

At first glance, any PR practitioner, regardless of level, may balk at the idea of taking on a tech client. Chances are, you chose this profession because subjects such as science and math weren’t your strongest suits. But that really doesn’t matter.

Just because you don’t have an engineering background doesn’t mean you can’t communicate with engineers, scientists, CTOs or programmers. In fact, it’s often your role to “translate” their jargon into terms mere mortals can understand. And that’s quite rewarding!

2. Zeitgeist

It’s no question that this is the golden age of this industry. Startup founders are the new rock stars, tech executives grace the cover of fashion magazines.

People will look back at this era and wax nostalgic about the beginnings – and ends – of technology companies, trends and the characters that move them. Get in on the movement.

3. Being young is an advantage

Especially in startups, executives tend to be young and demand a team that will be able to go toe-to-toe with them on the latest trends. If you’re a new PR pro, you’re likely to be an early adopter of the latest gadgets or the cutting edge of social media.  It’s easier to find your role on teams.

Deep tech, or the enterprise, is undergoing a renaissance as well. And I promise you that some of the most rewarding work can be connected to highly complicated, back-end services and structures.

4. The industry is growing with you

Many of the burgeoning products and trends are facing coming-of-age, just like you: mobile devices, Internet privacy, 3D printing, console gaming – these are product lines reckoning with growth, change and regulation. How much more exciting can it get?

5. Tech affords a diverse crowd that will keep you on your toes

The cast of characters that are involved in technology are some of the most interesting, intellectually stimulating, unpredictable people I’ve ever worked with. They’re mad scientists, relentless humanitarians, have doctorates in medieval studies. They’re immigrants that have overcome amazing obstacles and eventually create billion-dollar companies.

The people that power technology PR have more facets than I can shake a semiconductor at. And that’s a beautiful thing.

Have you chosen or considered a career in technology PR? How has your PR experienced crossed paths with the technology world?

 

Clare Sayas (@claresayas) is a senior account executive in Edelman’s Silicon Valley office, where she works on a broad range of tech clients, including Adobe, SnapLogic and Evolv. She is also one of the proud community managers for @EdelmanSV.