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Recap: Communicating Across Cultures – May Brown Bag Panel Discussion

On Thursday, May 15th, the Professional Development Committee and Ketchum graciously welcomed a full house for an informed and captivating discussion of culturally sound communications practices. The awe-inspiring expert panelists included:

  • Mannone Butler, Executive Director, Washington, D.C. Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
  • Dr. Dionne C. Clemons, Division Director, Communications and Community Engagement Division, United Planning Organization
  • Diane R. Johnson, M.P.H., Vice President/Account Supervisor, Health Affairs, Ketchum Washington
  • Moderator: Avelyn Austin, Managing Account Supervisor, Online Strategy Ketchum Washington

After a warm welcome from Ketchum Washington’s Vice Chairman, Lorraine Thelian, the panelists dove into the issues and answered the probing questions of attendees. First, the panelists addressed the concern of being aware of racial sensitivity. Dr. Clemons defined “the lived experience” as who a person is in totality, and cautioned that we all have bias. Mannone Butler shared a helpful acronym for noting cultural differences, AURA: Acknowledging, Understanding, Respecting and Appreciating. Diane Johnson’s approach to looking at race, culture and ethnicity is comprehensive. She suggests taking a bird’s eye view of the total population and recognizing the differences, but warned that the differences may not be important. Further, Mrs. Johnson said, “being able to discern when the differences are important is key.”

The next topic of discussion was the importance of language in communications initiatives. According to Mannone Butler, the importance of language begins with working with the audience to communicate effectively. Diane Johnson pointed out that the unique and richly diverse population of Washington, D.C. is a microcosm of the world.  She advised communicators to approach language as a barrier that can be overcome. Dr. Clemons described the use of recognized influencers and partners as a method for overcoming language barriers.

With regard to reaching culturally diverse audiences, the panelists agreed that the audience should dictate the platform. Dr. Clemons gave three key questions to consider; 1) Who are you talking to? 2) What is the message? 3) What is the goal?

A curious attendee asked how to approach the differences in cultural values. Dr. Clemons suggested that communicators consider effect of hegemony, the influence of the dominant culture that shapes the value system of society. Diane Johnson cited the use of third party organizations, like churches, as a mechanism for employing values. She stated that values are based on personhood. Mannone Butler cautioned that voice matters! Communicators should strive to create an environment that facilitates trust.

A few of the best practices we discussed for effectively reaching diverse audiences through culturally conscious communications efforts are as follows:

Audience

  • Learn your audience; don’t operate from your vantage point.
  • Learn with whom you are speaking then talk to them; the interaction doesn’t have to be formal it just has to be informed.
  • Know the opposite: listen and learn from people who aren’t like you.

Approach

  • Understand the issue at hand. Develop an appreciation for the goal. Then focus on the approach.
  • Invest in the relationship, meet and engage on a one-on-one basis, if possible.
  • Recognize learning opportunities and teachable moments; use them as fuel for the future!

Tools

  • It’s a digital world, leverage social media in your research and outreach.
  • Be sure to leverage partners that are recognized by the audience.
  • When working on a global campaign, reach out to partners who have had success with campaigns outside of the U.S.

Finally, the panelists issued a few challenges for PR and communications professionals:

1)      Move beyond the tactic; think more about what the goal looks like.

2)      Be smart in advising your clients.

3)      As communicators we need to demonstrate the changing make up of our country and the world. It’s up to us to reflect all types of people.

 

 

 

The B Hive: 4 books to read this summer

The B Hive is a monthly column written by WWPR member Beth Stewart.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Washington Women in Public Relations.

4 books to read this summer

With summer in full swing hopefully you are getting some much needed R&R.  And if you are one of the lucky ones, you’re ankle deep in the warm sands of the beach.  Besides a tropical, coconut flavored beverage what’s another great companion to have on hand this summer?  That’s right, a book.

I’ve gathered just a few books from my summer reading list that I think are entertaining, thoughtful and may inspire any public relations professional.

  1. On Writing Well – William Zinsser A classic in it’s own right, this book both teaches and inspires writers both professionally and personally.  Communications consultant, Barbara Semedo recommended this book to my mentoring group during last year’s WWPR Speed Mentoring event.  I have found the book to be very helpful since then. buy here
  2. Daring Greatly:  How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We LIve, Love, Parent, and Lead – Brene Brown Daring Greatly is another great Barbara Semedo recommendation.  In this book, Dr. Brene Brown encourages the reader to not accept vulnerability as a weakness.  She instead defines “vulnerability as uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure.” buy here
  3. Bossypants – Tina Fey This has been on my summer reading list for a while now.  In case you didn’t know, the amazing writer and comedian, Tina Fey, chronicles her life and success in Bossypants while using much of that SNL humor we’ve all grown to love. buy here
  4. #Girlboss – Sophia Amoruso I know the random use of hashtags has gotten out of control lately but please do not let Sophia’s use of the tag detract you from buying this book.  If you love a great rags to riches story, you’ll find Sophia Amoruso’s rise to creating a multi-million dollar e-tailer company inspiring. buy here

What draws me most to these great reads are the themes of strong and inspiring women.  These are topics I find helpful in driving my success in communications.  What books are on your summer reading list that inspire you?

 

PR In Politics: War on Women – Real or Media-Driven?

The Role of Public Relations in Politics is a monthly column written by WWPR member Margaret Mulvihill. Her column examines the role of PR in politics through history.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Washington Women in Public Relations.

Why are politics and public relations so closely linked? The roots of this close linkage are grounded in history, and over the decades, have become so interwoven that it is difficult at times to figure out which is which, especially during active mid-term season. When it comes to the putative ‘War on Women’, which the Democratic Party has been accusing the Republican party of waging, it is really difficult to figure out which came first – the media or the politics.

This 2014 election cycle is a very crowded, active cycle. According to the interactive almanac of U.S. politics, BallotPedia, “A total of 471 seats in the U.S. Congress (36 Senate seats, including three special elections, and all 435 House seats) are up for election on November 4, 2014.” That translates to a lot of public relations, of spin, promotion, and electioneering – whatever you care to call it, we are not going to be able to avoid it.

Republicans and Democrats shared an equal number of female politicians some thirty years ago. In the intervening years, the Democrats have increased their representation significantly, at the expense of the Republican Party.  This encouraged the Republican leadership to create a program specifically for women – GROW (Growing Republican Opportunities for Women), to encourage more women to run for Congress.  Since its inception last summer, GROW has not been especially successful. The Democrats are not faring any better in their efforts.

Women are voting in much greater numbers than men, a statistic that has held firm for the past thirty-some years. Are they not voting for women? Are women candidates not ‘reaching’ women voters across the issues? Women were a key voting block for President Barack Obama, yet when it comes to women candidates, the voters tend to stay home.  There still appears to be a paucity of support and resources available for women candidates in both parties.

Democrats have made it very clear that the “war on women” playbook will be key to their efforts this fall in electing and re-electing representatives. The majority of candidates will be male representatives, attempting to appeal to women voters on traditional women’s issues.  In the last election cycle, we were bombarded daily – hourly even – in every competitive race, with television advertisements about abortion, birth-control access, the defunding of Planned Parenthood. Where are the women?

Republicans are actively trying to appeal to women, both as candidates and as voters, to cut into the perceived Democratic advantage created by the ‘War on Women’. Yet GOP congressional leaders have not, as yet, released any comprehensive women’s agenda. Within that void, conservative radio stations and media outlets are openly calling out the Democratic hypocrisy on the ‘War on Women’. Journalists are pointing to races where women candidates are being ignored by the Democratic Party in favor of male incumbents whose seats are at risk. (As in the Massachusetts Sixth Congressional District, for example.) This enduring double-standard makes it very difficult for anyone capable of a basic thought process to take the party seriously when it claims that the Republican Party is the one waging a ‘War on Women.’

I think most of us women would agree that neither of the two main political parties in this country are providing us with the representation that we need, as we make our way towards the end of the second decade of the twenty-first century. This makes the War on Women, whether individually perceived as real or media-driven, a sideshow, distracting us from the real issues we need to face.

Is there a (Spin)doctor in the house?

 

NEWSLETTER: May 2014

WWPR Newsletter 

May 2014

In This Issue
 

From the President

Emerging Leaders Awards 2014: Nominations Due May 23!

Secrets to Planning Perfect Events, 6/26

April Speed Mentoring Recap

PR in Politics

The B Hive

Member Spotlight

Articles of Interest

Upcoming Events

Jobs

Membership

Sponsor Spotlight: Whitmoyer

 

 

From the President
Since launching our 2014 professional development program, Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) has organized four sold-out events for DC-area communicators.  From the coattails of January’s Annual Meeting, we jumped right into our “Nonprofit & Philanthropy Panel” in partnership with Johns Hopkins University (February), “Crisis-Free Life vs. Crisis-Charged Workload” in partnership with Levick (March), “Speed Mentoring” in partnership with Hager Sharp (April) and this month’s “Communicating Across Cultures” in partnership with Ketchum.  Each of these events reached sold-out capacity! 

In other exciting news, the 2014 Emerging Leaders Awards (ELA) are now accepting nominations (click here for details).  WWPR’s Emerging Leaders Awards ceremony honors young leaders for their unique skill and talents.  These are the PR pros to keep your eyes on. Learn more about past ELA honorees here

A huge thanks to all who take the time to share feedback which we use to shape our programs, to our partners who continue to support WWPR’s mission and to my fellow Board of Directors who are working hard to strengthen and provide value to the DC-area communications community.

I hope to see you at an upcoming event.  As always, if you have any questions or comments you’d like to share with me directly, please contact me at Lauren@wwpr.org.

 

 

 

 

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2014 Emerging Leaders Awards: Nominations Due May 23rd!
Nominations are now open for the 2014 Emerging Leaders Awards!  Help WWPR find communications professionals who stand out based on their accomplishments, drive and impact on the industry.  Nominate a colleague, friend, or yourself (don’t be shy!) before Friday, May 23, at midnight. 

Last month you voted on the hors d’oeuvres you would enjoy most at the Emerging Leaders Awards reception (July 22 at Zentan Restaurant).  Now, we want to know what WWPR can do to make it easy for you to attend events!  Please answer a few transportation questions, here.  Survey closes May 30.

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Professional Development Update: Secrets to Planning Perfect Events 6/26
 

WWPR, in partnership with Pepco Holdings, Inc., will host a panel presentation, “Secrets to Planning Perfect Events” on Thursday, June 26 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery, 702 Eighth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001.  Hear from event planning industry experts about budgeting, creating a project plan, tips on working with caterers and design professionals, how to plan green events, and more.  From 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., there will be networking, a wine tasting courtesy of Total Wine & More and light hors d’oeuvres donated by Geppetto Catering, Inc.To learn how to plan flawless business events, register now for this program.

Cost: Free to WWPR & PRSA members; $20 for non-members.

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April Speed Mentoring Event Challenges Women to Look Inside for Career Advancement
By Alyssa Ritterstein, WWPR Professional Development Committee Member
On April 10, women leaders throughout the DC-area revealed career advancement strategies during the Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) speed mentoring event.  Many of the executive-level communicators called on their mentees to know themselves.

The mentoring event consisted of a networking time, followed by an opportunity for a mentee to speak with an established female mentor in three 20-minute small group sessions.

Here is a snapshot of three sessions.

Hager Sharp’s Interim CEO Lynne Doner Lotenberg pushed women to understand who they are and apply that knowledge to the workplace.  Lotenberg challenged women to ask for a promotion, if they earned it; know when they need help and get it; and, assert themselves at meetings.

Meanwhile, United Nations Foundation Senior Communications Officer Rachel Henderson offered advice on career paths.  “Shape the direction you want your career to go,” Henderson said.  “Stay at a job if you want to be an expert at it. Don’t stay, if you don’t.”

To get to the next step on the career ladder, Henderson promoted LinkedIn as a means of networking and finding job opportunities.  She also encouraged women to get involved in a hobby so as to stand out with current and potential employers, become a leader at the office, and, most importantly, create time for themselves so that they can do better at their job.

Tangela Richardson, national public affairs specialist for the Social Security Administration, had a different approach.  She invited mentees to look inside and develop their personal brand for career advancement.  Richardson recommended women promote their brand through social media sites like Twitter, Facebook or Instagram as well as advance it through professional organizations like WWPR.

To learn more about upcoming WWPR events, please go to https://wwpr.org/events.

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PR in Politics
The Role of Public Relations in Politics is a monthly column written by WWPR member Margaret Mulvihill, examining the role of PR in politics.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Washington Women in Public Relations.

The Politics of Public Relations

Let’s turn this column on its head from being, “The role of public relations in politics.”  Let’s look at the role of politics in public relations.  All of us who have worked for agencies will sigh in understanding!  There is no workplace more fraught with politics than the public relations workplace; there is no comparable industry where politics play such an enormous role.  However, we’re not going to delve into individual firms — this time.READ MORE

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The B Hive
By Beth Stewart, WWPR Marketing Communications Committee Member
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Washington Women in Public Relations.

RECAP:  Employing Visual Content for Compelling Storytelling

As a budding communications professional I often find myself in this balancing act between bringing rich, engaging content to my firm’s audience while also trying to stay current and entertaining in our ever evolving industry.  And something tells me even the seasoned communicator has the same issue.  We’ve all come across an infographic or two or even those enticing “listacles” on such infotainment sites as BuzzFeed.  But does it really make sense to interpret one message in an infographic over video?  Or forgo a press release all together for an exciting image instead?  The reality is multimedia has transformed the way audiences are absorbing information and we as communicators need to understand how to hone in on this powerful tool. To get a better grasp on using multimedia, last month I attended PR Newswire’s and the Business Development Institute’s forum on “Employing Visual Content for Compelling Storytelling.”
READ MORE

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Member Spotlight
This month’s Member Spotlight interview features WWPR member Lauren E. Patterson, Business Development & Advertising Associate at The Daily Caller, and ELA Committee member.

Q: How did you get started in communications?
A: My interest in communications began when I developed a love of politics during my undergraduate studies at the College of Charleston.  I was fascinated by the role that media plays in civic engagement on national and international scales.  I was never actually interested in politics until I had the outstanding faculty at my college to provide an open environment for learning and debate.  Traditional news coverage seems to leave a gap between readers and engagement in what’s occurring in their day-to-day lives.  While most of this is related to not-so-easy to digest political news, I couldn’t be happier to work for a new media publication that engages readers across the country and invites them to communicate with each other, national associations, or government relations with their daily news gathering routine.  I never before understood the role that advertising plays in business development.  My grandmother was actually a pioneer in the industry, and I find it ironic that I’m now working with strategic communications related to what she was first asked to do in the 60’s at a broadcasting company.  She was the first female to work in her industry due to her artistic ability to appeal to the public eye, and I hope I can live up to her amazing endeavors in creativity.

 

Q: What inspired you to get involved with WWPR?

A: I am brand new to D.C., but quickly found a stellar communications professional who suggested WWPR.  The start-up atmosphere of a new media publication is possibly one of the most challenging yet rewarding environments imaginable.  The duties that I am able to provide for my clients vary so dramatically that it starts with understanding what is important to public relations professionals.  My main focus has been to understand why media is important to sustain, while also understand how it can benefit as a “firehose” to public relations efforts.  The extreme energy that comes from having 11 million eyeballs checking our site for news coverage multiple times a day relates to how important adjacent content needs to be for communications efforts to connect in a strong and impactful way for both sides.  I’m a people person, and I am doing my best to bring meaningful partner content in both paid and earned spectrums to our new audience of news gatherers around the country.  Being involved in WWPR has not only connected me with a strong way to understand the public relations environment, but a fun way to be involved in an important part of D.C. media.

 

Q: What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment professionally?

A: I came to D.C. not even a year ago with no clue how I was going to fit in or where I was going to be helpful.  I am lucky to have fallen into the beginning of a life-long career that I am passionate about, but more importantly find excitement about on every level.  I developed skills and a working knowledge of the advertising and communications industry on both D.C.-based and national platforms that I am passionate about.  To go from no industry, “D.C.”, or digital experience to running some of the most successful communications campaigns for advocacy efforts can be overwhelming.  The strongest accomplishment is not mine, but begins with the around-the-clock efforts of journalism that begins in my office.   There’s nothing more that I could want than to help sustain media; the strong levels of engagement that I am able to interact with make me realize the opportunity that lies in the future for new media and trade association or brand marketing efforts.  The additional fact that my CEO and publisher are the coolest bosses make my job one of the most fun I can even imagine.  The enjoyable atmosphere and comic relief for breaking news make the start-up minded challenges much easier to face each day when I wake up.  The opportunity of digital space is endless, and I can’t imagine a more creative and dynamic job that includes communications, media and business in one.

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Articles of Interest

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Upcoming Events
 

 

If you have a suggestion for a future program topic, please contact the Professional Development Committee at professionaldevelopment@wwpr.org.

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Jobs
 

– Marketing Coordinator, Berkeley Wellness, Remedy Health Media

– Marketing Coordinator, The Body, Remedy Health Media

– Marketing Communications Editor, National Catholic Education Association

– Digital Media Manager, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

– Senior Media Relations Specialist, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

– Manager, Issues Analytics & Content, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

– Online Communications Specialist, City of Falls Church, Virginia

– Press and Media Relations Manager, Americans for the Arts

– U.S. General Manager, CARMA

– Director of Membership and Marketing, Natural Products Association

– Traditional and Digital Media Full-Time Paid Internship, Environics Communications

– Communications Specialist, Honda

– Vice President of Marketing & Communications (Pro-Bono Position), Rock Recovery

– Media Strategies Comm29, American Civil Liberties Union

– Digital Communications Professional, Van Eperen & Co.

– Communications Outreach Specialist, Stratacomm

– Senior Communications/Public Relations Specialist, Stratacomm

– Director of Communications, Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.

– AE, SAE and AS, Van Eperen & Co.

 

Post a Job

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Membership  

 

April New Members 

Jessica BatesUnited Nations Foundation
Mary BeckActive Minds, Inc.
Mitzi EmrichMWW
Loretta Jergensen2U, Inc.
Sherise MalachiCBS Radio
Elise PerkinsCommittee for Economic Development
Jacqulyn PriestlyPotomac Communications Group
Terry SavageWestat
Tiffanie WagnerEsinahs Media Group
LeAndrea WhiteConcurrent Technologies Corporation
Deborah WilligFedEx

 

April Renewals

Dorothy AmatucciU.S. Department of Education
Angela BarnettCredit Union National Association
Beth CasteelAmerican College of Cardiology
Katie LiptonCenter for LNG
Tina McCormack BeatyPorter Novelli
Margaret MulvihillLawson Mulvihill Media
Candace L. RandleThe RLJ Companies
Renée RevettaEdelman
Tangela RichardsonSocial Security Administration
Racine Tucker-HamiltonElizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation

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Sponsor Spotlight
 

Whitmoyer is a creative web studio specializing in design, development and marketing strategy. We thrive on innovative design, we value teamwork, we’re driven by web-based marketing strategies and we live for success. When working with clients, we focus on providing creative solutions that stand out from the competition and produce measurable results.

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RECAP: Employing Visual Content for Compelling Storytelling

This is a monthly column written by WWPR member Beth Stewart.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Washington Women in Public Relations.


As a budding communications professional I often find myself in this balancing act between bringing rich, engaging content to my firm’s audience while also trying to stay current and entertaining in our ever evolving industry.  And something tells me even the seasoned communicator has the same issue.  We’ve all come across an infographic or two or even those enticing “listacles” on such infotainment sites as BuzzFeed.  But does it really make sense to interpret one message in an infographic over video?  Or forgo a press release all together for an exciting image instead?  The reality is multimedia has transformed the way audiences are absorbing information and we as communicators need to understand how to hone in on this powerful tool.

 

To get a better grasp on using multimedia, last month I attended PR Newswire’s and the Business Development Institute’s forum on “Employing Visual Content for Compelling Storytelling.”  Speakers included:

 

  • Michael Pranikoff, Global Director, Emerging Media, PR Newswire
  • Larry Gamache, Communications Director, Carfax
  • Stacy Bowman, Director of Public Relations — Local Stakeholder Engagement, Sodexo
  • Kevin L. Rettle, Director, marketing, Insight and Innovation, Sodexo
  • Russ Radar, Senior Vice President, Communications, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
  • Amanda Ponzar, Director, Communications, United Way Worldwide
  • Ryan Smedstad, Director of Creative Services, Penske Truck Leasing
  • Peter LaMotte, Senior Vice President and Chair, Digital Communications Practice, LEVICK
  • Andrew McClellan, Creative Director and Senior Vice President, Fleishman-Hillard

 

Below were my biggest takeaways:

 

  • Keep your client’s goal in focus. It is easy to get wrapped up in the creativity of visual content but it means nothing in the end if you don’t stick to your company’s goal in the first place.

 

  • Infographics are still in. I often wondered if infographics were becoming stale for many viewers but much to my personal happiness, every panelist agreed infographics will be sticking around a little bit longer.  However, one panelist did shed some light on the fact that extremely long and large infographics are quite cumbersome and should be avoided.

 

  • Visual content should be one piece in the entire campaign puzzle. We can’t expect to rely on one content piece to tell the entire story.  It’s using a combination of tools and channels that will make us the most successful.

 

  • There is no secret button to make a piece of content go viral. The key is to simply create content that is valuable to your viewer and that will enlighten and make his or her day better.

 

While every speaker provided unique insight into employing visual content the greatest theme was the importance of using traditional media.  Traditional media doesn’t go out of the window just because we have more channels at our fingertips.  The key is to use a combination of tools to enhance our audience’s experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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