Dine on Nuevo Latino food for WWPR’s Pro Bono Client

On Saturday, October 15th, enjoy a prix-fixe multi-course Nuevo Latino dinner menu at Mio Restaurant (1110 Vermont Ave NW # 1, Washington, DC) and a portion of the proceeds will go directly to supporting Thrive DC, WWPR’s pro bono client. The night is part of Mio Restaurant’s Chef for a Day series, featuring Thrive DC board members and culinary artists Ben Snow and Amy Freckmann.

Seating is limited so make your reservation by calling 202-955-0075 or at OpenTable.com. Please designate Thrive DC when making your reservation.

DATE:              Saturday, October 15, 2011

TIME:               5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

LOCATION:      Mio Restaurant

1110 Vermont Ave NW # 1 

Washington, DC 20005-3575        

COST:              $55 per person for a multi-course dinner

Mio Restaurant www.miorestaurant.com

Thrive DC www.thrivedc.org

A Special Invitation to WWPR Members – Videojournalism for the Web

In collaboration with Arizona State University – Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) invites you to attend a two-day workshop:

“Videojournalism for the Web”

When: October 22nd and 29th

Where:  ASU – Cronkite School

1834 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20009

You’ll learn the fundamentals of shooting on-camera interviews and effective b-roll, along with the important basics of audio, framing, lighting, composition and sequencing.

Christina Pino-Marina will instruct the two-day workshop. She is a college instructor with years of experience teaching working professionals and students the art of online storytelling. Christina has worked at the Washingtonpost.com, USAToday, and the El Paso Times.

Cost: $399

All WWPR Members will receive a $50 discount!

Click here to register and enter your discount code: WWPR

Getting the Job Done and Looking Good While Doing It

Tara Luizzi of Tara Styles DC

We spend a lot of time analyzing data, running multiple appointments in a day, and developing brands for our clients and business partners. This is second nature, and ultimately first and foremost in our brains. Well, have you ever given yourself the same care and attention when it comes to branding YOURSELF? Sure we make a conscious effort when getting dressed in the morning, but who has time to think about seasonal staples and color blocking when we have kids, husbands, and/or other jobs that require our time and mental space

September’s WWPR event sought to bridge that gap between styling necessity and style trendsetting. What colors are cutting edge? What shape and cut is best with today’s looks? What closet staples are on their way out? These were just some of the questions we had answered at Georgetown’s crowd pleaser and hip girl about town shop, Madewell.  It saddens me to say that indeed leggings are on their way out (say it isn’t so!).

Tara Luizzi of Tara Styles DC was our host and fashion expert for the night. Having been heavily involved in the fashion industry for a number of years, she was able to style and present a series of looks that could be worn for work as well as play. We learned that the trick to keeping up with the changing looks, while on a budget, was to keep your basics and play off of new trends with key accessories. Shoes, jewelry, and scarves can update a look and confuse people into thinking that what you are wearing is entirely new.

Exposed brick walls, fruit and cheese, and racks and racks of clothing set the stage to this most informative meeting. As President of WWPR Kendra Kojcsich was able to work in concert with Tara, and the staff at Madewell to give us two amazing deals after the presentation. Not only did we have access to Tara’s personal time and styling advice while shopping, but we had a special 20% off promotion on new items up to $120.00 and a 50% off option on all sale items. What more could a business professional want? Style all wrapped up in a tantalizing deal!

NEWSLETTER: September 2011

In this issue:

PR Woman of the Year
Upcoming Events
Partner with WWPR
WWPR Blog
Get Involved
Member Spotlight
Articles of Interest
Sponsor Spotlight
Job Board

WWPR is now accepting nominations of female public relations professionals for the 2011 Washington PR Woman of the Year. The award honors and celebrates the professional accomplishments of women in the public relations field, as well as their community involvement. Nomination materials must be received no later than midnight on Friday, September 30, 2011.

Please view the complete nomination and submission details here. Email your questions to PR Woman of the Year Co-Chairs, Laura Cilmi and Emily Hughes at woy@wwpr.org.

The 22nd annual 2011 Washington PR Woman of the Year award will be presented at the Capital Hilton on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.

It’s not too late for your company to sponsor this signature event! Contact Lisa Newman at sponsorships@wwpr.org for more information.

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Upcoming Events
For full information about our exciting events and programs, please visit our Events page.

WWPR members receive member rates for PRSA-NCC and AWC events.

WWPR and Tara Styles DC Fall Fashion Preview – Styled for Success event: September 29

PRSA-NCC Georgetown Art Gallery Tour: September 28

WWPR PR Woman of the Year Award Luncheon: November 15

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5 Reasons to Partner with WWPR
Here are 5 great reasons to partner with WWPR:

  1. Align with industry leaders.
  2. Increase your exposure to the “right” audience.
  3. Establish new relationships and partnerships.
  4. Promote your company directly to decision makers and stand out from your competitors.
  5. Multi-platform partnership: brand your company onsite, online, and on an ongoing basis.

If you’re looking for an ideal way to network and connect with Washington’s movers and shakers in the communications industry, consider sponsoring our annual PR Woman of the Year Award Luncheon.

Need additional information? Please contact Lisa Newman at sponsorships@wwpr.org or 301-233-7677.

WWPR Blog

Have you checked-out the WWPR Blog recently? You will find recaps of the monthly professional development seminars, news of upcoming events, and communications insights.

Here’s what you’ll find on the blog this month:

All members are invited and encouraged to contribute to the WWPR Blog. Please send submissions to debbie@wwpr.org.

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Get Involved with WWPR Today!

Here are a number of great ways to get involved with the premier organization for women in communications in Washington D.C.
Here are a number of great ways to get involved with WWPR and make the most of your membership. For more information visit our Committees page.

Support Thrive DC, WWPR’s pro bono client

Thrive DC distributes nearly 2,000 toiletry items per month, and would give out even more if it had additional inventory. Your contribution makes a difference! Thrive DC’s clients need the following: razors, travel-size deodorant, travel-size soap, travel-size shampoo travel-size conditioner, feminine hygiene products and Depends undergarments. WWPR will be collecting toiletries for donations at all of our upcoming events.

Save the Dates! Thrive DC will be having two special fundraisers in October. The first will be on Saturday, October 15, when Mio Restaurant will be giving part of its proceeds to Thrive DC. Additionally, two of Thrive DC board members will be guest chefs that day.

Volunteer on one of WWPR’s committees

  • Looking to showcase your graphic or web skills? Join our website committee and leave your mark on the WWPR website. Volunteers would help manage the WWPR website, contribute content, and plan for future website enhancements. Knowledge of WordPress, HTML and photo editing software would be helpful but not required. For more information, please email Kate Barrett, website chair, at website@wwpr.org.
  • Want to do some good for a deserving DC nonprofit while using your PR/media relations skills? Get involved with the Pro Bono Committee. Please email probono@wwpr.org.
  • Help plan a high profile event by attending the next Woman of the Year Committee meeting. For more information, please email woy@wwpr.org.

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Member Spotlight

Member Spotlight: Jackie Dilworth, WWPR Marketing & Communications Committee Member
By Pheniece Jones

Jackie Dilworth studied marketing and psychology at American University, where she was intrigued by the intersection of consumer motivation and behavior. Questions such as: “What ultimately drives someone to watch a certain TV program?” and “What makes someone pay attention to your message?” inspired Jackie to pursue a career in public relations.

After graduating from college, Jackie started her career at Leadership Greater Washington. Currently, she is the Director of Communications at the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington. In this role, she develops and maintains all online communications, publicizes new community partnerships and initiatives, drafts scripts and key messages for all association-wide events, oversees the production of various internal and external newsletters, and ensures that all of their branches are upholding the Y’s new brand standards. She’s most proud of finalizing her first Annual Report where she oversaw content, design and publication.

Jackie’s interests include sushi, wine, and country music. She’s an avid live theater-goer who attends NSO concerts and Woolly Mammoth Theatre plays.

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Articles of Interest

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Membership News

New Members

– Bonnie Piper, USEPA

– Katie Gommel, American Association for Justice

– Cecilia Sepp, CS Association Services

– Lauren Wesley Wilson, Hill and Knowlton

– Carrie Sessine, Grace PR

– Cynthia Martinez, ZGS Communications

– Emmie Lancaster, The Liaison Capitol Hill

– Jennifer McLennan, SPARC

– Amy Cuddy, KCCT Architects

– Janiré Hopkins, Education Week

– Katie Connell, Gannett Company, Inc.

– Deborah Ager, ClickWisdom, LLC

– Lauren Condoluci, Rational 360 PR.

– KayAnn Schoeneman, Ketchum

– Nikki Salzman

– Jennifer Gradnigo, Graphite Connections, LLC

Renewals

– Jennifer Schleman, International Food Information Council

– Deb Fiscella, Center Stage Marketing

– Sarah Harrell, Qorvis Communications

– Margaret Ferry, MAF Global Communications

Interested in joining or renewed your membership? Simply complete the online membership form.

To learn more, please contact Leslie Rutledge, Membership Chair, at membership@wwpr.org.

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Job Board: DC Employment & Volunteer Opportunities
Our Jobs section offers WWPR members and website visitors a central location to see who’s hiring in PR, communications and related disciplines in the DC metropolitan area.  Positions will remain active on the site for 30 days unless removed by the poster, ensuring the list includes only active job openings.

Post an open position by visiting www.wwpr.org/jobs. It’s easy and free to connect with outstanding communications professionals in our area!

Please contact web@wwpr.org with questions or feedback.

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Gibraltar Associates (GA) is one of the country’s leading public relations agencies, representing some of the world’s best known companies and brands. Since its founding in 2007, GA has grown quickly to become one of the country’s leading PR agencies. Earlier this year GA earned a ranking by O’Dwyer’s PR Report as a top-80 independent agency in the U.S., as well as one of the top-35 healthcare PR firms in the country. GA has offices in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, as well as closely-affiliated partners in Europe and South America. To learn more, visit www.gibraltar-llc.com.

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WWPR’s Business Owners Roundtable: What Did You Miss?

The first WWPR-Executive Communicators Business Owners Roundtable took place at the offices of Hager Sharp on September 21, 2011.  After introductions and sharing reasons why they started their businesses, the group talked about a myriad of topics, from business goals and client challenges, to project anecdotes and suggestions for future roundtable topics.

Future roundtable topics will focus on best practices for:

  • Branding your business
  • Self-promotion strategies
  • Vertical marketing vs. diversification
  • Outsourcing work
  • Managing the bidding process
  • Getting timely payment from your clients

Keep watching the WWPR Calendar for announcements about future meetings!

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