Top of Our Game

Greetings Colleagues:

It’s June, which means we’re halfway through 2008—incredible!  This year’s continued momentum is the result of the dedication and talents of our Chapter’s skilled volunteers who give freely of their time, as well as the efforts of our stellar Chapter Manager, Sherri Core. Thanks to these leaders, PRSA-NCC continues to see sold-out programs and packed networking events. And, our more than 25 active committees are keeping that energy going with a summer filled with informative professional development programs and enjoyable networking opportunities. Bravo!

So far, nearly 600 people have attended our monthly events, which is no small feat. Also, more than 250 people have already downloaded the National Capital Channel—our instant live link that provides up-to-the-minute information on PRSA and NCC news, events, job announcements and more. With Chapter events continuing to sell out and a fall program already beginning to fill out, I’d say PRSA-NCC is operating at the top of its game.

I know you’ve heard me say it before, but the sentiment truly is worth repeating. If you haven’t already joined a committee, you really should do so. Participating in a committee is the surest way to maximize your membership, and it’s the quickest and easiest way to get involved in the Chapter, make new contacts and showcase your skills.

We have recently developed a marketing committee, so for those of you with skills in that area, or those looking to sharpen your marketing saw, this is the group to join. It’s chaired by our very own Kristina Messner, a long-time active member of the NCC board, and you can contact her at kmessner@focusedimage.com to learn more about joining the marketing committee and getting involved.

If membership is more your cup of tea, consider joining the membership committee, which is extremely active and has lots of opportunity for fresh energy.  Working on the membership committee will give you the opportunity to work on membership drives, attend events, and most of all get networked in the greater DC public relations community. Contact co-chairs Bren Landon, brenlandon@gmail.com, or Amy Schossler, schossler_amy@bah.com, for more information. The membership committee is always searching for new ways to entice people to increase our ranks.

If you have a friend or colleague who is interested in joining PRSA, this is the month to do so!  New members who join PRSA as regular members in June receive one year of chapter membership dues for free.  Details can be found at http://www.prsa.org/membership/freechapter.html   Be sure that they select the National Capital Chapter as their chapter.  This special promotion is also available to former NCC members who have let their membership lapse by one year or more.

This month, NCC is participating in the annual event BlogPotomac, hosting a seminar on pitching to bloggers, holding a PRONet Happy Hour, and conducting an APR JumpStart Course.  With so many opportunities to get involved, I’m sure you’ll find something that’s right for you. Check our site for more details. I look forward to seeing you at one of our June events!

Sincerely,

Heathere Evans-Keenan, APR

PRSA-NCC President, 2008

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Last Chance to Win a Thoth: Award Entries Due June 6

Named for the Egyptian god of communication, the Thoth (pronounced “tot”) Awards recognize the most outstanding, strategic public relations programs and components developed and produced in the Greater Washington area.  Achievements are recognized in 27 categories, including 14 program categories that celebrate the very best PR campaigns and 13 component categories that highlight top accomplishments in PR tactics. Entries are due by Friday, June 6. For more information about the awards, visit the PRSA-NCC Web site.

Save the Date for Thoth Awards: September 25

‘Great Public Relations is a Safe Bet’ is the theme of the 2008 Thoth Awards, which will be presented on Thursday, Sept. 25 at Hotel Monaco in Washington, D.C. Watch for more information and save the date for one of PRSA-NCC’s premiere events of the year.

PRSA-NCC Focuses on International PR Challenges

China-US trade and nurturing positive relations in a challenging, developing democracy were two topics discussed at PRSA-NCC’s International Relations Committee program in May. 

(left to right) Doris Wilson, PRSA-NCC International Committee Co-Chair, was joined by event sponsor and panelist Scott Sobel of Media and Communications Strategies, Jackie Geissinger of Control Risks North America’s Crisis Management, Christy Stravolo of Stravolo Media Services, and Tom Carver of CLS & Associates.

PRSA-NCC Partners With BlogPotomac Conference on June 13

PRSA-NCC is a proud partner of BlogPotomac, a one-day event that provides an in-depth, high-level look at what works and what doesn’t in social media marketing. Nationally renowned speakers will highlight the first BlogPotomac, which will be held on Friday, June 13, in Falls Church, Va. Registration is $75. For more information or to register, visit www.blogpotomac.com.

June 11 PRONet Happy Hour at Clarendon Grill

PR professionals with seven years or less experience in the field of public relations, graduating students, or other professionals new to the industry are invited to celebrate happy hour with the PRONet committee on Wednesday, June 11, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Clarendon Grill, 1101 North Highland Street, Arlington, VA  22201.   This PRSA-NCC committee aims to create networking and education opportunities for those starting out in their PR careers in the Washington, DC area.

The $5 fee includes appetizers. RSVP by June 4 to Sabrina Kidwai at skidwai@acteonline.org or call 703-683-9312.

Free Digital and Online Video in PR Discussion on June 10

With the explosive growth of Web sites such as YouTube and more companies using video to communicate messages online, digital and online video is becoming an important part of nearly every public relations professional’s “tool box”. A free panel discussion and breakfast hosted and sponsored by The NewsMarket, a PRSA-NCC chapter sponsor, will discuss successful techniques and strategies for incorporating online video into public relations and public affairs initiatives.

Panelists include John Bell, managing/creative director of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, Amy Eisman, director of Writing Programs at American University - Journalism and Public Affairs, Shonali Burke, ABC, vice president, Media and Communications, ASPCA, David All, president, The David All Group, LLC, and Tom Kennedy, managing editor for Multimedia, Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive.

The event will be held on Tuesday, June 10 from 8-10 a.m. at the National Press Building. For details, visit the PRSA-NCC Web site.

How Is PR Shaping the 2008 Election? Find out at the IPRA Luncheon on June 5

The 2008 presidential election is one of the most exciting and memorable in years and also is being shaped by the media—McCain’s alleged flirtation, Hillary’s tears and Obama’s pastor are all proving to be fodder for more than just the tabloids. Beth Frerking, senior editor at Politico and Politico.com will discuss The Role of the Media in the 2008 Presidential Election at the IPRA monthly luncheon on June 5. The event will be are held at the Embassy Suites Hotel/Tysons Corner in Vienna, Va. from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. For more details, visit the PRSA-NCC Web site.

PRSA National 2008 Nominating Committee Begins 2009 Board Search

Nominees Due By June 9

The search is on for fifteen 2009 PRSA National board members. The officer positions are one-year terms and the director positions are two-year terms. The Assembly delegate-at-large and International Assembly delegate-at-large position are one-year terms. Eligible candidates must be accredited, PRSA members in good standing, and have served in at least one of the following capacities: voting delegate in at least one national PRSA Assembly, chapter president, section chair, district chair or chair of a national committee.

Nominations should be sent to Donna Jonas, PRSA, 33 Maiden Lane, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10038-5150, or by e-mail to nomcomm@prsa.org. Information packets that outline the specifics of the nominating process will be sent to those individuals. The candidate application, process timetable and other nominating materials are available on the PRSA Web site.

Candidate materials must be received by 5 p.m. (in the time zone in which the candidate resides) on Monday, June 9, 2008 — no exceptions. For example, an East Coast-based candidate must submit materials by 5 p.m. EDT, while a West Coast-based candidate must submit materials by 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT.

PRSA-NCC’s Public Service Committee Works for Causes at Home and Abroad

PRSA-NCC’s Public Service Committee is buzzing along and is about to get busier.  Thirty-five nonprofits requested the RFP (Request for Proposal) for pro bono services from the committee.  Not all had responded at press time, but the committee will have its hands full reviewing and deciding on a recipient of its services for the next 18 months. 

For its global charity, the committee is making progress setting up PR counselors for Save Darfur-related groups in five major cities around the country, and is working with the local DC-based group on efforts in the Sudan, Africa.  For more information about PRSA-NCC’s Public Service Committee or to get involved, contact Deborah Deal at deborah@saintblackwell.com.

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David J. Olson

Director of Public Affairs
Population Services International (PSI)

• Why did you join PRSA?

I joined PRSA to expand my contacts and improve my knowledge of PR practices in a developed country (much of my work is focused on developing countries).

• How long have you been in the PR field?

I have done some PR throughout my 22-year career in international development but now focus on it exclusively since returning to the U.S. in 2001.

• What skills are required to do your job?

Communications, patience and ability to motivate and convince colleagues that PR is everybody’s job not just the PR Department.

• What’s your greatest career achievement?

In PR, three things: 1. Playing a critical role in developing a New York Times editorial on HIV prevention; 2. Getting two of our social marketing projects written up as Harvard Business School case studies; and 3. Contributing to and learning from my colleagues in our overseas programs do more strategic PR, like my recent trip to Nigeria, so they can have greater health impact.

• Where would you like to see yourself in five years?

Either running the communications shop for a large non-profit, or self-employed.

• What’s your dream job?

A job where I interact with many different kinds of people to bring together the best ideas from developed and developing worlds in a way that makes a positive difference in the world.

• Who’s your role model, and why do you admire him/her?

Mike Tidwell, is a friend and environmental activist in Takoma Park, where I live. He changed his lifestyle and gave up a successful writing career to start an organization (Chesapeake Climate Action Network) dedicated to fighting global warming in the DC area out of his concern for the world in which his son would grow up. 

• What’s the last book you read or movie you saw?

“The Invisible Cure: Why We Are Losing the Fight Against AIDS in Africa” by Helen Epstein

• Tips for maintaining the elusive work/life balance?

Don’t take too much of work home or too much of home to work, and don’t scrimp on exercise and sleep. Have family meals as often as possible.

If you’ve joined the chapter within the past six months and would like to receive a questionnaire, please contact newsletter@prsa-ncc.org. To view past new Member Spotlights, visit the membership section of the Web site.

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I am a Broadcast Network Journalist with almost 20 years experience trying to break into PR in the San Francisco market. Any position I apply for [and I'm going for anything from entry level to more established level positions] continue to tell me I need a couple years of agency experience. I'm wondering if I am somehow approaching this incorrectly. Any advice would certainly be appreciated.—DN, Washington, DC

DN: I have a question to ask first: Who told you that you need to have agency experience in order to get a PR position in San Francisco?  Because from my experience, it just isn't so.  A broadcast network journalist with 20 years of experience should have no problem getting a PR job that requires a media relations background.  That could be with an agency, or it could be in the corporate, nonprofit or government sector.  Experienced broadcast journalists are valued because--unlike most PR practitioners today--you have actually spent time in a newsroom.  You know why an assignment editor gets testy when a PR person calls to ask if you received their news release--especially when they're calling in the late afternoon! 

Of course, agency experience is helpful training for any PR position.  You learn about the importance of client service as well as the agency's need to get new business.  You get to perform a lot of functions, from media relations to events management.  And you usually work in a team environment, where collaboration is key. 

If I were you, I would stop applying for entry level positions and look for PR and communications positions with organizations that have a large public outreach and need to rely on the media as a channel of communication.  You know what the media want, so you're in a better position to give it to them.  Go for an agency if that's what you want--but don't do it as an intermediate step to the kind of job you really want.  Because you don't have to. 

Regards,

Fred Whiting, APR

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