PRSA-NCC Capital PR News
Volume III, Issue 3
March 26, 2007
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PRologue
In Focus
New Member Spotlight
Next Up
Benefit Bazaar
Contributors
2007 Sponsors
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PROLOGUE
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Linking Education and Networking in March
Networking is the key to creating great opportunities and so we continue to offer networking to everyone, with its added benefits of education and learning.
This month, we arranged networking for our younger members when the chapter's University Relations Committee hosted our first public relations agency tour for the year in partnership with Levick Strategic Communications. Levick provided a lunchtime seminar comprised of short presentations by Levick President/CEO Richard S. Levick, as well as by interns and account staff that were highly informative for both our PR students and Chapter members in attendance.
As always, there is a synergy with our activities. On April 3, we will provide our first of four public relations seminars for the DC Chamber of Commerce (DCCC) and Greg Wilson, a Levick senior vice president, will serve as one of the panelists at that kick-off seminar. We had the opportunity to see how dynamic a presenter Wilson is and extended the invitation to him to serve. The first DCCC/PRSA breakfast session will highlight Essential PR to Build Your Business, and will be held at the DCCC with registration and continental breakfast from 8:00-8:30 a.m. and the program from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
We have other networking/learning opportunities in the works too with another agency tour for students and new professionals as well as a casual lunch at the National Press Club with two journalists. Stay tuned for future announcements on these activities.
With the arrival of spring, the time is ripe for a spring networking/fun event at the hip and casual La Tasca next Tuesday, March 27 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. with appetizers and an open bar from 6:00-7:00 p.m. You can register at www.prsa-ncc.org. Register today since space is limited!
As always, we are here to serve. Call with your ideas, your challenges or needs. We will always work to support your professional development and networking needs. After all, we are the "must-join" society for anyone working in public relations.
Respectfully,
Sandra Wills Hannon, APR
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IN FOCUS
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University Relations Committee Making the Grade
2007 is off to a great start for the PRSA-NCC University Relations Committee with five PRSSA chapters enjoying the vast benefits of DC's professional network.
On March 9, students from American University, George Mason University, Hood College, Howard University and the University of Maryland were invited to attend an agency tour of Levick Strategic Communications, named Crisis Agency of the Year by the Holmes Report in 2005 and 2006. Plans are underway for an additional agency tour in the spring.
The National Press Club is also planning to host area students who will listen, lunch and learn with nationally renowned journalists. Collegians will have additional chances to mix and mingle with PRSA-NCC members by attending and volunteering at the Thoth award gala and Hall of Fame event later this year.
To keep members informed on upcoming events, the committee produces an eNewsletter each month featuring area activities for PRSSA members. "The eNewsletter is a great way to inform PRSSA leaders and communication schools across DC about public relations events taking place in the region," said DeAnn Baxter, University Relations co-chair. "This year, we really want to give students the opportunity to attend PRSA-NCC events, meet DC industry leaders and network with practitioners."
With the right combination of teaching and mentoring from PRSA-NCC, PRSSA members have the chance to shape the future of public relations.
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PRONet Planning Spring Activities
PRONet is planning a food and beverage public relations seminar later this spring that will include wine tasting. Attendees will learn how public relations is leveraged to ensure the success of food and beverage products, specifically within the wine industry. "We're also hoping to have a sommelier that will give attendees tips on wine tasting," said Katherine Doe, PRONet co-chair.
Keep an eye out for more details.
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Leading Strategic Communications in Higher Education
The 2007 PRSA Counselors to Higher Education Senior Summit is a unique opportunity to focus on strategies and new ideas for effective public relations leadership in higher education. The summit will take place April 18-20 at the Doubletree Hotel in Washington, DC
The summit is for any PRSA or PRSA-NCC member working in some aspect of higher education communications whether with an institution or association. The summit addresses issues and ideas that matter most to all who lead or are involved with public relations or marketing communication operations at or with higher education institutions.
Topics include university branding, effective web strategies and integrated marketing communications. A special pre-summit workshop on April 18 will discuss ideas on how to strategically link an institution's fundraising and public relations goals to achieve greater investment and branding objectives. A higher education media panel will include representatives from the Chronicle of Higher Education, USA Today and Associated Press.
Visit www.che.prsa.org for complete details.
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NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
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Keosha Burns
Project Manager for Council on Consumer Finance
The Financial Services Roundtable
Keosha was an active PRSSA member and knew upon graduation that she had to be a member of PRSA, the largest association for public relations professionals.
1. What skills are required to do your job?
Writing press releases, statements and talking points, interacting with the press, media training and staying current with the news.
2. What's your greatest career achievement?
Being promoted to the communications manager position (June 2007).
3. Where would you like to see yourself in five years?
Either transitioning into a higher communications position or employed with a member company.
4. How do you begin each day?
Checking my e-mail and various news outlets.
5. Tips for maintaining the elusive work/life balance?
I am so young and new to everything, so I have not yet fully embraced the balance. I will catch on soon, though. I am also new to the area so I take short city tours or check out a museum every few weeks, sometimes even on my lunch break.
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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NEXT UP
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March 27, 2007
Spring Networking/Happy Hour Event
La Tasca
722 7th St NW
Washington, DC 20001
6:00-8:00 p.m. April 5, 2007
Behind the Curtain: A Glimpse into the Daily Dynamic of Publishing The Washington Post
Embassy Suites Hotel/Tysons Corner
Vienna, Va.
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. April 18, 2007
Blogging & Podcasting 2007: What You Need to Know
Widmeyer Communications
1825 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC
8:00-10:00 a.m. Registration fees* are listed on the Chapter Web site.
For details on chapter events, register online or call 703-691-9212.
Company discount: Bring your colleagues and each company attendee after the third registrant receives a 50 percent discount, excluding awards programs.
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BENEFIT BAZAAR
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PRSA Seeks Leaders to Advance Profession
The 2007 PRSA Nominating Committee announced the start of its annual process of recruiting candidates for 2008 board officer and director positions. Eligible candidates are accredited, PRSA members in good standing who have served in at least one of the following capacities: voting delegate, chapter president, section chair, district chair, or chair of a national committee.
All applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. (in the time zone in which the candidate resides) on Monday, June 11. Names of potential candidates should be sent to Judy Phair, APR, Fellow PRSA, chair, 2007 Nominating Committee, PRSA, 33 Maiden Lane, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10038-5150 or nomcomm@prsa.org. Candidates may self-nominate or be nominated by others. Detailed information is available at www.prsa.org.
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Spread the word!
New members who join by March 31 as part of Taste of PRSA save on the $65 initiation fee. This offer is valid for new members or for members who have been inactive for at least one year. Sorry, associate members are not eligible. At the conclusion of the promotion, monetary awards will be given to Chapters with the greatest participation, so let's make PRSA-NCC one of those chapters.
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CONTRIBUTORS
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Newsletter Committee Members:
Chanda Gilmore (Chair)
Sandra Wills Hannon, APR
(President)
Scott Shaw
(Board Liaison)
DeAnn Baxter
If you'd like to submit an idea for an article or share your feedback, please email us at newsletter@prsa-ncc.org.
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2007 SPONSORS
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Platinum Sponsors:
News Generation
Gold Sponsors:
Business Wire
Booz Allen Hamilton
The Hannon Group
Keenan PR
PRofessional Solutions, LLC
U.S. Newswire
Bronze Sponsors:
Boscobel Marketing Communications
BurrellesLuce
EFX Media
GRC Direct
Henninger Media Services
mac mannes
Market Wire
The NewsMarket
pims
Preferred Offices
Tobin Communications
TRAVAILLE Executive Search