| The monthly newsletter for the Hampton Roads Virginia Chapter of PRSA |
January 2009 |
The Changed PR Landscape
New/Social Media - What Works, What Doesn't.
Tips on Social Media & Emerging Trends
Participate with chapters members in this PRSA national teleseminar at a fraction of the cost of doing it individually ($15 for members and $20 for non-members vs. $150 members and $250 non-members).
Wikis, Twitter, virtual worlds, Facebook, online communities, blogging, digital video, the conversation, SEO/SEM, timeshifting - with the advent of social media, should the public relations pro "throw out the baby with the bath water"? Leading social media experts help public relations pros at every level decipher the correct balance of new media and core public relations competencies.
How new media is defining your company and your brand.
Mining the online conversation.
Emerging techniques and tactics, and melding them with traditional public relations service offerings.
MODERATOR
Peter Himler is an award-winning public relations industry veteran. He is also the founder/principal of Flatiron Communications LLC, a PR/media consulting firm. Previously, he served as chief media officer for Edelman Worldwide, following 11 years with Burson-Marsteller as head of the agency's U.S. corporate and strategic media team and its worldwide spokesperson.
PANELISTS
Adam Christensen, manager, social media communications, IBM Corporation.
Max Kalehoff, vice president, marketing, Clickable.
David Bradfield, senior vice president and partner, Fleishman-Hillard.
Stacy DeBroff, CEO, Mom Central Consulting
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cox Media
1341 Crossways Blvd
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Cost:
$15 Chapter Members / $20 Non-Members
Reservations
Reservation deadline:
Noon, Thursday January 8th |
From the President
by Harry Kenyon, APR
 As I begin my term as President of the Chapter, I think it's fitting to express my sincere appreciation to my predecessor and current Past President, Emma Inman, APR, the fabulous Chapter Directors in 2008, the hard-working and steadfast committee members, and all the Chapter members who made this past year a resounding success.
Our Chapter is vibrant, financially stable and well-managed. We stand on solid ground as we begin the new year and look ahead to a bright future of furthering the profession of Public Relations.
One of the first orders of business that I have for the Chapter is the adoption of the 2009 Strategic Plan. This plan will pave the way for continued success, but we will only be able to achieve our goals through the active support of our members.
This plan contains three main focus areas: The Members / The Chapter / The Profession.
It also establishes seven realistic goals and challenges our members to get engaged in Chapter activities. To keep our Chapter vibrant, we need everyone to be engaged at a level that is personally manageable. As professionals we all have commitments to our personal lives and our professions, but I also believe that we all have a portion of time that we can dedicate to PRSA.
Here is my personal challenge to all of you:
First, get involved in a Chapter activity by attending our regularly scheduled meetings and programs, take advantage of professional development opportunities, and take the time to network and know your fellow professionals.
Second, help us grow as a Chapter. We all know other public relations and communications professionals who are potential members. This year I want every member to invite someone to attend a Chapter function and consider joining PRSA.
Third, volunteer to be part of a committee. We have 167 members and an abundance of committee positions that need to be filled. Please review the 2009 Strategic Plan and see where you can help out. This is a great way to network and engage with other Chapter members.
Being a member of the Hampton Roads Virginia Chapter of PRSA has many benefits so I encourage everyone to make the most of his or her membership by participating actively and helping to advance the profession.
In closing, I am sincerely humbled and honored by serving as your President for 2009 and I look forward to working with all of you to make this a terrific year.
Together, we can make great things happen. |
 Ethel the Ethics Evangelist:
By Gail Kent, ABC
Consistency and Ethics -- Are your company's practices speaking louder than your words?
The Big Three auto makers' top execs showed up in Washington last month to beg for a bailout - each arriving on his own private jet. One agreed to reduce his salary to $1, but another, responding to a question from a congressman about his own salary, said he thought his multi-million-dollar compensation was "about right."
After AIG received its federal bailout, its executives were videoed partying at an exclusive hotel, but attempting to hide the fact by not posting the name of the organization anywhere.
What were they thinking?
Hopefully the top PR person in these organizations counseled these executives about the folly of their ways. We all have been in the position to have our advice ignored by our bosses to their own peril. If their PR department did not coach them, they need new counsel. If the execs ignored good advice, then shame on them for having such poor common sense.
Afterwards, of course, the auto companies' spokesmen were left to put lipstick on the pig (to rehash a much-ballyhooed campaign expression). A story on CNN.com quoted them:
"Making a big to-do about this when issues vital to the jobs of millions of Americans are being discussed in Washington is diverting attention away from a critical debate that will determine the future health of the auto industry and the American economy," GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson said in a statement.
(My comment: It was the actions of the executives that diverted attention, not the discussion of the action.)
Chrysler spokeswoman Lori McTavish said in a statement, "while always being mindful of company costs, all business travel requires the highest standard of safety for all employees."
(My comment: If you are so concerned about the safety of all your employees, why don't they all fly on your corporate jets?)
Ford spokeswoman Kelli Felker pointed to the company's travel policy and did not provide a statement elaborating.
(My comment: Who knows - or cares - what the travel policy is? Why hide behind a piece of paper to explain such boorish behavior?)
Such non-explanations may have been the best these PR pros could manage under the circumstances, but they did nothing to help their case in the court of public opinion. As we know, the Detroit auto makers did their mea culpas and drove in hybrids to Detroit for their second acts, but the damage was done. Will they get their bailouts? Who knows? But their cases were damaged by their insensitivity and downright arrogance.
Were these bad decisions illegal? No. Were they unethical? Perhaps. Were they bad PR? You betcha.
When private companies seek public money, the rules change. You don't stand in line at a soup kitchen wearing a Rolex, and you don't plead for a bailout to save your company while your executives continue to live a luxurious lifestyle.
What does this have to do with the run-of-the-mill company or organization? When times are tough and layoffs or salary freezes have been or are about to be announced, employees, clients and vendors are ultra sensitive about company behavior. Expensive company holiday parties, four-color printing for the company newsletter and annual report, executive expense accounts and perks send mixed signals and contribute to resentment and bad morale in the workplace.
Consider setting up a special fund for hard-luck employees with funds that would have been used for holiday parties or gifts. Send e-cards rather than paper ones, telling your employees and clients that you're doing it to save money and the environment. Top execs should consider postponing expensive personal purchases, even if they can afford it. It just doesn't set well for the CEO to drive to work in his new Mercedes when employees have been given notice to expect no raises because times are tough.
Nobody enjoys living through a recession, but it can present opportunities for great employee relations if handled well. Employees are willing to make sacrifices if they see their management also taking the hit. An all-for-one-and-one-for-all mindset can build tons of goodwill for your company - both internally and externally - that will last far beyond the recession.
Remember: Always do the right thing!
(Gail Kent is PRSA ethics chair and managing director of The Buzz Factory, a boutique PR and marketing firm in Newport News.)
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PRSSA News
Member Perspective: Hampton University PRSSA President 'Driven to Distinction' at National Conference
by Autum Wilds, HU PRSSA President
During the 2008 PRSSA National Conference in Detroit, Michigan, I was "driven to distinction," a fitting theme for the annual gathering of public relations students. As the 2008-2009 president of the PRSSA Hampton University Chapter, I not only took part in a number of professional development sessions, networking activities, and amazing socials, but I extracted valuable information from the sessions on chapter branding techniques, global communications, and strategic business growth. I discussed best practices and innovative ideas with other PRSSA members, and established working relationships with several other PRSSA chapter presidents and members of the 2008 National Leadership Committee. A very special public relations professional I met was Betsy Plank.  She is the founder of the Champions for PRSSA, a past national PRSA president (the 1st woman to hold the office), and the woman that the Betsy Plank scholarship is named after.
Another highlight of the conference for me was the keynote speaker, Ofield Dukes, an African-American who has been a pioneer in public relations for decades. During the keynote address, he said, "The price of greatness is responsibility!" His words inspired me to use the skill sets and knowledge I have acquired to enhance my own professional persona and to fulfill the commitment I have as the HU PRSSA chapter president to institute new ideas and elevate current practices within the chapter.
After attending the conference and evaluating the current state of the Hampton chapter, I felt that the most effective way to fulfill that commitment would be to design and establish a student-run public relations firm within the chapter. The establishment of a student-run firm will give our chapter members a chance to build upon their skills as aspiring PR professionals through the practical experience they will receive in managing client campaign projects. I also envision that this effort will create new avenues for mentoring and working relationships between the Hampton Roads and Peninsula PRSA chapter members and the students in the HU chapter.
HU PRSSA Chapter hosts reknowned PR professional
by Ronda Bryant
On Nov. 18, students and faculty gathered on the second floor of the Hampton University Museum to hear public relations professional Terrie Williams speak. Presented by the HU chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), in conjunction with the Caldwell Café, Terrie Williams spoke on topics that the audience could relate to.
Terrie Williams is a social worker, public relations professional, author and youth advocate. In 1988, she funded her own public relations agency, The Terrie Williams Agency, in New York, NY, which provides "people relations," executive coaching, marketing and communications advice to some of the most well known professionals and Fortune 500 companies in the world today. For her work, Williams has received countless awards including the PRSA New York Chapter's Phillip Dorf Mentoring Award for Public Service. She was also the first woman of color to receive The New York Women in Communications Matrix Award in Public Relations in the award's 70-year history. Williams is currently the author of four books: "The Personal Touch: What You Really Need To Succeed in Today's Fast Paced Business World," "A Plentiful Harvest: Creating Balance and Harmony through the Seven Living Virtues," "Stay Strong: Simple Life Lessons for Teens" and the latest of her collection, "Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting."
 Before a crowd of 80, Williams sat down with Prof. Rosalynne Whitaker-Heck, APR, assistant dean for academic affairs to share insights on her professional career and her personal challenges. Williams also gave students advice on ways to make a successful transition from college to the professional world.
Williams also spoke of her latest book, "Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting" and her battle with depression.
"Depression comes from not paying attention to yourself. It's really important to get in touch with who you are and what your needs are. It's important to deal with your stuff. If you don't, then it will cripple you. If you don't deal with the stuff inside you, then your mask will crack," she said.
After her speech, students enjoyed a raffle and book signing of her latest book. |
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The holidays are upon us! Check out some interesting facts compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau. For the complete report, click here.
Christmas Trees and Decorations$493.3 million
Sales by U.S. Christmas tree farmers in 2007. Source: USDA Economic Research Service http://www.ers.usda.gov/
$114.3 millionSales by Christmas tree farmers in Oregon in 2007. Source: USDA Economic Research Service http://www.ers.usda.gov/
$593.8 million
The value of U.S. imports of Christmas tree ornaments from China between January and August 2008. China was the leading country of origin for such items. Similarly, China was the leading foreign source of artificial Christmas trees shipped to the United States ($66.2 million worth) during the same period. Source: Foreign Trade Statistics http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/
Hanukkah and Kwanzaa 52%Proportion of the nation's spuds produced in Idaho and Washington in 2007. Potato latkes are always a crowd pleaser during Hanukkah. Source: National Agriculture Statistics Service http://www.nass.usda.gov/
New Year's Eve and Day
More than 305 million
The nation's projected population as we ring in the New Year. Source: Population projections |
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 You could win a free PRSA membership this month!
If you are not yet a member of PRSA but would like to be, here is your opportunity. PRSA will give away a free one-year PRSA National membership, along with other prizes including: a black leather backpack with drawstring top, travel clock with calculator and calendar, a blue and black nylon messenger bag, and a baseball visor cap.
Click here for more information.
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Member News
On the Record, a weekly half-hour interview program hosted and executive produced since 1992 by PRSA HR member Joel Rubin, APR has been cancelled by WVEC TV in an effort to save money. The last show will air Sunday December 28.
Over the years, Rubin interviewed a wide-range of guests including political figures, local government and community leaders, teachers, civic activitists, non-profit directors, business leaders, authors, journalists, public safety officers and other dynamic individuals.
November 2008 Treasurer's Report
Mindy Hughes, APR, Treasurer
November income: $1,696.73
November expenses: $8,263.32
YTD income: $48,658.84
YTD expenses: $34,902.76
Total assets: $21,628.84 | |
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