Business Wins When Women Lead

It’s a great time to be in the PR industry – shaping public perception of key issues, political figures, and new products coming to market.  My role as co-president of WWPR has given me cause to think about female leaders in our industry – it’s clear in 2013 woman have made quite a mark, yet there is still plenty of room to push forward.

PRWEEK offers two strong barometers of our profession and the growth of powerful woman within their awards speaks volumes.  This year almost half of PRWEEK’s 50 Power List were women and more than half of their recent 40 under 40 honorees were women.

As many of us see firsthand, PR is an industry often dominated by women who are achieving results at all levels and taking on more and more leadership roles.  The rise of smart women in our field is an important and growing trend fueled by women in senior strategic business roles within PR companies and in the C-suite overseeing the PR function in-house.

It’s not just the role of women in PR changing – PR in the role of business is also shifting.  PR has increased visibility to become a strategic player at the corporate level for many large companies, often putting women at the management table.  Many women staff offices of PR agencies and many agencies even have women at the helm, but still at the holding company level men outnumber women by substantial proportions. So there is room at the top of the industry for positive growth for smart, hard-working women.

Let’s look at the numbers across the industry:

Nearly 80 percent of the PR industry is comprised of women, but four out of every five leadership positions are held by men as reported by Ragan PR Daily earlier this year.

It’s not just a lack of leadership roles, the money lags too – the median salary for women is $80,500 while the median salary for men is $125,000. The gap exists at every level according to Bloom, Gross & Associates Salary Survey.

The void of women in senior leadership is peculiar because the numbers show it’s a smart business move.  A recent Amex Open Forum study discovered that women-owned companies have been more successful, growing at nearly double the rate. As published in Time Magazine, a Catalyst study reported that companies with women in the majority of senior management roles had higher returns on equities—by more than a 1/3.

At my agency, Porter Novelli, we are lucky have a strong female leader in Karen van Bergen as well as a roster of strong women in all of our offices, notably a PRWEEK 40 Under 40 honoree, Loretta Markevics, and two additional female executives: Darlàn Monterisi and Sally Ward.

Real industry success will be marked by a time when men and women are equal in leadership at the agency and holding company level and when generating ROI with smart PR pros in place, regardless of gender, is the only topic of discussion.  Until then, 2013 is shaping up to be a great year from women in PR and 2014 is poised for continued growth from women-led agencies as well as strong teams across the sector empowering smart women to further results.

PR Lessons from the Ballpark

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.

You don’t have to be a baseball aficionado to know that a New York Yankees player named Alex Rodriguez, aka “A-Rod”, has been a bit of PR trouble recently.

In early August, Rodriguez was suspended for 211 games—one of the longest in Major League Baseball history.  Having appealed the suspension which resulted from the Biogenesis investigation that uncovered several MLB players using performance-enhancing drugs, Rodriguez has been allowed to continue playing until arbitrators make a final decision.

Rodriguez’s appeal has garnered much wrath with many issuing stinging rebukes like this: “His appeal is not based on exculpation, but on trying to collect as many paychecks as possible before the guillotine drops.”  Another player from the Milwaukee Brewers, Ryan Braun, was also suspended during the same investigation and agreed to a 65 game suspension as a result of his involvement.  The key difference between Braun and Rodriguez in how they’re dealing with their respective suspensions?  A dose of humility.

Braun has been personally calling fans including season and partial-season ticket holders, and individual buyers.  According to the Milwaukee Brewers’ chief operating officer, Rick Schlesinger, “It was his idea. He came to us and said he wanted to call fans,” adding that “He expects some fans will still be angry with him and tell him so on the phone. He wanted to hear the good, the bad and the ugly.

Skeptics doubt the genuineness of Braun’s gesture, but as a non-sports fan, I know a good PR move when I see or read one.  Reaching out to the fans who make it possible for players like Braun and Rodriguez to collect multi-million dollar paychecks, is never a bad idea.  One would hope that the bad and ugly feedback Braun is receiving on the other end of the line will drive home the point that every good PR professional knows—understanding and engaging with your audience matters.  A-Rod might want to consider borrowing a page from this playbook…just a thought.

Follow Jessica Williams on Twitter: https://twitter.com/oysterviewpoint

NEWSLETTER: October 2013

In This Issue
SAVE THE DATE: WOY November 13th 

Judy Smith: Washington Woman in PR First, Olivia Pope Second

WWPR Media Roundtable

Trends of the Trade

PR In Focus

PR in Politics

Tips from Campus

Member Spotlight

Articles of Interest

Upcoming Events

Jobs

Membership

Sponsor Spotlight

 

SAVE THE DATE!  Register now for WWPR’s 2013 Washington PR Woman of the Year Award Luncheon on November 13th
 

To celebrate the accomplishments of women who are raising the bar in public relations, WWPR will host its 24th annual Washington PR Woman of the Year Award Luncheonon Wednesday, November 13, 2013, at the W Hotel from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  The Woman of the Year luncheon, established in 1990, is WWPR’s signature event and has honored the most talented women in the public relations profession.  It is an annual experience fostering camaraderie among women in public relations, culminating in a must-attend event that honors the achievements of those who have reached a pinnacle in the profession.

The event will also feature keynote speaker Judy Smith, leading strategic and crisis communications advisor, published author and inspiration for the ABC hit series,SCANDAL.

WWPR’s 2013 Washington PR Woman of the Year Award Luncheon

11:30 a.m.-noon (registration, networking & raffle); 2:00-2:30 p.m. (book signing with Judy smith)

W Hotel, Great Room

515 15th St NW
Washington, DC 20004
Click here to register

For more information please contact Avelyn Austin or Mara Vandlik, Woman of the Year co-chairs, at woy@wwpr.org.

**The 2013 finalists will be announced shortly.

 

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Judy Smith: Washington Woman in PR first, Olivia Pope second
 

Working and living in Washington, DC makes most of us pretty numb to crisis situations. Our politicians hop from one scandal to the next.  The government seems to be in a constant state of impending doom.  Navigating some type of crisis is as much a part of our days as our morning coffee.  And when it comes to crisis communications, there are certain people you always want in your corner. One of them is our keynote speaker for this year’s PR Woman of the Year luncheon: Judy Smith, President of Smith & Co., published author, and co-Executive Producer of Scandal.

As the inspiration behind the Emmy-award winning drama series Scandal, Judy Smith has rapidly become a household name. While the general public might categorize her as the “real-life Olivia Pope,” Smith was a force to be reckoned with in the crisis communications world far before Scandal had us glued to our screens every week.

Smith started her career as a writer and public affairs specialist before branching out into the legal arena after graduating from American University’s Washington College of Law. In her twenty-five years as a strategist, she has worked behind the scenes on some of the most historic and sensational events of our time, including the Iran Contra investigation, the prosecution of former Washington, D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, the 1991 Gulf War, the Los Angeles riots, the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Justice Clarence Thomas, the President Clinton scandal involving Monica Lewinsky, the congressional inquiry of Enron, and the United Nations Foundation and World Health Organization response to the SARS epidemic.

READ MORE

 

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Professional Development: WWPR Media Roundtable
 

Receive tips for PR pitching from the other side of the fence!  Ever wonder why sometimes your PR pitch gets a bite and sometimes it falls short?  Hear directly from members of the media at the annual  WWPR Media Roundtable on Tuesday, October 22nd, 12:00 noon-1:30 p.m at the American Chemical Society, 1155 16th St., NW, Washington, D.C.  This year’s program will have a broadcast focus and the panel of reporters, producers and editors will be moderated by a member of Strauss Media Strategies.  Take advantage of the chance to meet members of the press, hear their stories and pick their brains over lunch!  A catered lunch will be provided.  The cost is $15 for WWPR members; $30 for nonmembers.  Registration is open.

If you have a suggestion for a future program topic, please email PD Co-Chairs, Melanie Jordan and Erica Hiar at professionaldevelopment@wwpr.org.

 

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Trends of the Trade: Is Your Message Reaching Mobile Users?
 

Trends of the Trade is a monthly column written by WWPR member Cory Churches exploring, well, trends in PR.Follow her @Coricita or reach her at Cory.Churches@gmail.com.

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

Are you reading this on a mobile device? Chances are that you, like millions of others, access information mostly via a mobile device.

Does your communications and marketing strategy include a plan for reaching your audience via mobile devices? If not, you’re likely missing out on a huge audience.

According to a December 2012 article in Forbes, 5 Eye-Opening Stats That Show The World Is Going Mobile,venture capitalist Mary Meeker presents trends in mobile usage and global penetration of mobile access. One of her top observations is that global mobile traffic now represents roughly 13% of Internet traffic.

That means that merely pushing existing web content to customers through social media sites, leading users back to your non-mobile website isn’t sufficient in the age of mobile device proliferation. Mobile devices are ubiquitous and are in many cases replacing desktop computers, laptops, and more traditional communication channels.

READ MORE

 

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PR In Focus: Back to School
 

PR in Focus is a monthly column written by WWPR member Jessica Williams exploring a wide range of topics and current events from a public relations perspective

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

This past summer, thanks to the public relations efforts of my alma mater, American University, I learned about their alumni mentor program.  Inspired in part by the School of International Service’s long-standing commitment to public service and finally feeling like I had the time to give back, I decided to apply and eagerly waited to hear about my application.

To my delight, I was accepted and paired up with a first-year graduate student in the same degree program, International Communication.  I recently met her at a welcome reception at the beginning of the fall semester and was struck by the realization that it was my first time back on campus since graduating.  Working full-time while pursuing my Masters degree meant that I took all of my classes at night and didn’t spend much time on campus outside of class.  As a commuter/part-time student, I didn’t get too involved in campus matters or the broader issues about the university or my degree program.  As an alumni though, I find myself with the time and inclination to contribute towards making the AU student experience a rewarding one.

As the old adage goes, one never stops learning and my operating philosophy in life is that no matter what situation you find yourself in, there’s always a lesson to be learned.  Although my mentor-mentee relationship is just beginning, I have no doubt that I’ll learn just as much, if not more, from her than the other way around.

Some lessons are best taught and learned in the classroom, but many occur outside those walls including how one navigates through life and how to develop a successful and satisfying career.  In reflecting upon what I would have wanted to learn had I been in a similar mentor program as an undergraduate or graduate student, I think these pieces of advice would have been helpful:

READ MORE

 

Jessica Williams is Vice President at C.Fox Communications, a mission-driven strategic communications agency with offices in Silver Spring, MD and Washington, DC.  Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/oysterviewpoint

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Public Relations in Politics
 

The Role of Public Relations 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 from a historical and present-day vantage point.

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

Public Relations and Politics have always gone hand in hand. We know for sure since Roman times, and possibly dating as far back as Ancient Bablyon in 1800 BC.  In Ancient Greece and Rome, the art of rhetoric was taught, with much emphasis on “persuasive speaking.”

POLITICAL PUBLIC RELATIONS THEN

Andrew Jackson, who served as the seventh President of the United States from 1829 to 1837, famously used a former newspaper editor, Amos Kendall, as a close advisor.  Many of the practices pu tin place by Kendall are still in use today – polls, speech writing, and article reprints for hand-outs.  President Grover Cleveland, a New Jerseyan who was both our 22nd President (1885-1889) and our 24th President (1893 – 1897), availed himself of the services of another newspaper journalist, George F. Parker, to manage his public image to craft and hone his message.  Parker was one of the first to circulate Presidential speeches in advance, which earned for Cleveland increased media share and higher approval ratings.

However, it was not until 1900, when The Publicity Bureau was founded, that Public Relations became a formal career option.

POLITICAL PUBLIC RELATIONS NOW

Political messaging takes form and takes shape with the aid of a good public relations team.  The role of public relations in politics has changed greatly since the 1990’s, when there was a phenomenal growth spurt in the field.  Agencies have consolidated now to become more professional, with constantly evolving, ever improved messaging. This in turn has led to a more sophisticated end-product – the ultimate example being our current President, Barack Obama.

Messaging, also understood as the creation of a consistent story, is essential in the world of politics today, as he and his public relations team showed during both of his presidential election campaigns, in 2008 and again in 2012.  Mr. Obama’s public relations team used a wide variety of mechanisms and social media platforms not only to disseminate his message, but also to engage with potential voters.

The team identified its target audience early in the process – a very basic technique employed in everyday public relations, inside and outside of politics.  They then tailored or segmented the message to appeal to a very broad demographic.  Potential voters before long became major stakeholders, who were in turn deployed to get the message out in an ever widening circle, in a successful effort at garnering votes.

READ MORE

 

Margaret Mulvihill is Director of Communications at Lawson Mulvihill in Washington, DC.  Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lawsonmulvihill

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Tips from Campus: From Knoxville, with love
 

Tips from Campus is a monthly column written by WWPR member Jordan DeJarnette exploring a wide range of topics from a student’s perspective including guidance to young PR professionals beginning their careers in public relations.

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

How to make connections in a different city

Many twenty-something soon-to-be college grads have the dream of leaving behind their small college towns and moving into the hustle and bustle of our nation’s Capitol after graduation. The problem many, including myself, face is the task of securing a job in a place that’s hundreds of miles away. This is where the art that it is online networking comes in. Sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and even your good ole’ Gmail account have made connecting across state lines easier than ever. However, in order to be successful in online networking you have to follow one major rule — Keep. It. Personal.

“But how do I personalize a message to a person I’ve never met?” you ask. My first tip is to network within your network. Reach out to old professors, mentors and other professional contacts to see if they know anyone in the place that you’re interested in. Chances are, if they don’t know someone they’ll be able to connect you to someone who will.  Contacting someone through means of a mutual connection normally has a much better chance of getting a response.  My second tip is take advantage of what you’re involved in.  For instance, I am a member of Delta Gamma, a Fraternity that has hundreds of chapters nation-wide. Through research, I was able to plug into the DG DC alum group through Facebook. This page has given me access to dozens of women in the public relations field that are more than willing to help me because of our shared DG sisterhood.  Lastly, make sure to take advantage of the gold mine — LinkedIn.  Search companies that you’re interested in and see if you have any degree of connection to a current employee.  If so, ask your connection if they would mind introducing you and take it from there.

As daunting as reaching out to someone you’ve never met before can be, always remember —  the worst they can say is no!
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Member Spotlight
 

By Kimberly Brown of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists and WWPR Emerging Leaders Awards Committee Member

On July 18, three Emerging Leaders Awards honorees were named at WWPR’s signature event that celebrates young women (ages 23-30) who have significantly impacted the communications field and show the potential to make their mark on the industry as a whole for many years to come.  This month’s Member Spotlight features ELA honoree Lauren Wesley Wilson, MSL Group, @ColorCommntwk.

 

1. Congrats on being an ELA honoree. What does it mean to you to be honored by your peers in Washington?

Thank you. I am truly appreciative and humbled by this honor.  It means so much to me to be recognized by my peers, colleagues, and friends within this industry.  To be honest, it says a lot! This industry is tough to navigate and those who are in this industry truly understand what each other goes through to serve our clients and our companies.

2. What made you choose the PR/Comm field and what makes you stay? How long have you been in the field?

During my college years, I majored in Political Science.  In my family there was always a running joke that what I really majored in was “talking on the phone.”  I love communications, the art of building relationships, executing campaigns, and the process of securing high level and highly visible media placements.  I’ve been in this field since 2007.  It hasn’t been an easy road, but what has made me stay are the bigger goals that I have for myself.

3. What kind of projects do you get excited about? When have you been most proud?

I get excited about working on projects that have a real impact on the everyday person.  I constantly think about how can I help influence, impact, or enhance someone’s life.  I’m truly proud of creating ColorComm: Women of Color in Communications. It’s more than a networking organization; it’s a movement to help strengthen the voices of those who are often underrepresented in the overall business and political discourse.

4. In your ELA video intro you said you’re most proud of your organization, ColorComm. What inspired you to develop this organization?

There are a number of things that have inspired me to start this organization and I’ll speak bluntly on one aspect.  Prior to starting ColorComm, when I looked around at panel discussions, conferences, networking events, etc., I did not see a balance of multicultural executives being incorporated into speaking engagements.  Some of the feedback that I kept hearing was that organizers didn’t know where to find executive level women of color in this field.  ColorComm brings these women together and works with our members to increase their own visibility, helps our members receive industry recognition, and points our members in the right direction to gain uncovered opportunities.

5. This year, you were named one of PR Week’s 40 under 40- and were the youngest person on the list! Can you share with us your experience in being recognized at a national level?

All I can say is that when I found out, I was doing back flips and the cabbage patch!  I am overjoyed to be recognized by PR Week (our industry’s bible!). I’m so grateful and honored that a publication that has the power to influence our industry, thinks enough of me to be recognized in this capacity.  I am looking forward to presenting on diversity at PR Week’s Conference in September and moderating a panel at the Blogalicious Conference in Atlanta in October.

 

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Articles of Interest

 

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Upcoming Events
 

-10/22/13 — 12:00 noon-2:00 p.m.: Media Rountable

-11/13/13 — 11:30 a.m. Washington PR Woman of the Year

-11/14/13 — Are You On?  The Social Media Experience (WWPR members save 10%.  Enter discount code SME10)

 

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
 

Public Relations Manager, Goodwill Industries International

Media Specialist, Sociologists for Women in Society

PR Intern, ZCOMM PR & Marketing

Public Relations Account Executive, ZCOMM PR & Marketing

Communications Coordinator, Concepts, Inc.

Public Relations Intern, U.S. News & World Report

Staff Writer and Editor, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Senior Account Executive, GolinHarris

Senior Account Executive, Racepoint Group

Administrative Assistant, Charles Koch Institute

Policy Analyst and Research Fellow, Charles Koch Institute

 

Post a Job

 

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Membership 

 

September New Members 

-Carly Whiteside, JPA Health Communications

-KC Sledd, Wolly Mammoth Theatre Company

-Jasmine Nesi,TogoRun

-Dziko Crews, PCI

-Brittany Feinson, Fleishman Hillard

-Kristine Coratti, The Washington Post

-Corey Petree, Story Store Media

-Maria Brazda, Story Store Media

-Courtney O’Neal, National Urban League

-Shaquanna Shields

-Benae Mosby, WAMU 88.5

-Mary Manyahilhal, GEICO

-Maya Calabrese, Isom Global Strategies

-Melanie Durian, Communications Strategy Group

 

September Renewals

-Elizabeth Stuckle, Consultant

-Jackie Dilworth, YMCA of Metropolitan Washington

-Lorelei Harloe, Ascend Communications, LLC

-Kerry Turner, Campaign for High School Equity

-Lauren Condoluci, Ernst & Young LLP

-Dana Korsen, Environics Communications

-Danielle Veira, Nahigan Strategies, LLC


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Sponsor Spotlight
 

Hager Sharp is an employee-owned firm that embraces one ideal: developing and delivering communications that improve health, safety, and education for all.

Walk our halls and you’ll find experts in communication, social marketing, media relations, and digital strategy working alongside former reporters, public health experts, teachers, and researchers.  These close collaborations result in insightful counsel, creative solutions, and measurable results-giving us the ability to translate even the most complex topics into powerful, actionable communications.

Some recent ways we’ve made a difference:

  • Helping girls build strong bones by engaging them — and the people and organizations who influence them — through friendship and fun activities, including dancing with the First Lady on the White House lawn.
  • Increasing high school student participation in a voluntary academic assessment by 13% in one year.
  • Transforming diabetes from a silent killer to a cover story.  In 1997, 8% of Americans thought diabetes was a serious disease; a decade later, nearly 90% did. Now we focus on giving people the tools they need to prevent or control it.

Hager Sharp: Helping our clients make a difference since 1973.

 

NEWSLETTER: September 2013

In This Issue
Woman of the Year: Call for Nominations 

WWPR 2014 Board Opportunities

WWPR Fall Events: Mark Your Calendars

Trends of the Trade

PR In Focus

Tips from Campus

Member Spotlight

Articles of Interest

Upcoming Events

Jobs

Membership

Sponsor Spotlight

2013 PR Woman of the Year: Call for Nominations
 

Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) invites you to nominate yourself or another female public relations professional for consideration of the 2013 Washington PR Woman of the Year award. The award will be presented at WWPR’s 24th annual Washington PR Woman of the Year Award Luncheon, to be held at the W Hotel on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The PR Woman of the Year Award Luncheon began in 1990 and has honored the most talented women in the public relations profession. The event celebrates the achievements of the honorees and announces the winner. View the list of WWPR’s previous PR Woman of the Year winners here.

NOMINEE QUALIFICATIONS

  • The nominee must be a female professional with a minimum of 10 years of experience in the public relations field, at least three of which have been in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area (she must also currently reside in this area).
  • The nominee exemplifies the true characteristics of a leader in the public relations field. She is a visionary, a standout representative of her company or organization, has the perseverance to face almost any challenge and is someone that can strategically link a project/campaign to lasting results.
  • The nominee does not have to be a member of WWPR.

Nomination and supporting materials must be received no later than midnight onFriday, September 27, 2013. Email your information to Woman of the Year Co-Chairs, Mara Vandlik and Avelyn Austin at woy@wwpr.org .

EVENT SPONSORSHIPS

To sponsor WWPR’s PR Woman of the Year Award Luncheon, please emailsponsorships@wwpr.org.

RAFFLE GIVEAWAYS

To make a raffle donation for this year’s luncheon, please email woy@wwpr.org.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information or if you have questions, please contact Woman of the Year Co-Chairs, Mara Vandlik and Avelyn Austin, at woy@wwpr.org .

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Call for 2014 Board Nominations
Are you interested in getting more involved in WWPR and taking your leadership in the organization to the next level? Consider applying for a 2014 board position. Emailinfo@wwpr.org to request an application. Applications are due by September 27th. 

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Professional Development: WWPR Fall Events
Our fall calendar is packed with events. Sign up now so you don’t miss out on one of these great opportunities! 

Speed Networking

Back by popular demand, be sure to register for WWPR’s annual Speed Networkingevent! Like speed-dating for professionals, but bring lots of business cards for exchanging contacts! We’ll also have plenty of time for open mingling. This event is a great way for meeting communications folks across the industry. As a special highlight, the event will feature our newest Emerging Leaders Awards honorees. Join us Wednesday, September 18 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for networking, light appetizers and drinks at the National Association of Home Builders, 1201 15th St., NW, Washington, DC. The cost is $10 for WWPR members; $20 for nonmembers. Register now.

WWPR Media Roundtable

Receive tips for PR pitching from the other side of the fence! Ever wonder why sometimes your PR pitch gets a bite and sometimes it falls short? Hear directly from members of the media at the annual WWPR Media Roundtable on Tuesday, October 22nd, 12:00 noon-1:30 p.m at the American Chemical Society, 1155 16th St., NW, Washington, D.C. This year’s program will have a broadcast focus and the panel of reporters, producers and editors will be moderated by a member of Strauss Media Strategies. Take advantage of the chance to meet members of the press, hear their stories and pick their brains over lunch! A catered lunch will be provided. The cost is $15 for WWPR members; $30 for nonmembers. Registration is open.

If you have a suggestion for a future program topic, please email PD Co-Chairs, Melanie Jordan and Erica Hiar at professionaldevelopment@wwpr.org.

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Trends of the Trade: Reaching Multigenerational and Culturally Diverse Audiences
 

Reaching Multigenerational and Culturally Diverse Audiences

Trends of the Trade is a monthly column written by WWPR member Cory Churches exploring, well, trends in PR.Follow her @Coricita or reach her at Cory.Churches@gmail.com.

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

Globalization has taken root. We no longer speak to a narrow and local audience to communicate the value of our organization, highlight the differences between our companies and competitors, and assume business as usual is an acceptable way to conduct our operations.

Our markets have always been culturally diverse but recently, that trend is accelerated. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau’s population projections, by 2060 nearly one in three U.S. residents will be Hispanic, and the Asian population will more than double from 15.9 million in 2012 to 34.4 million in 2060.

How do you modify and customize your message and delivery to reach younger and more culturally diverse audiences? Where do future customers find messages? Who are their influencers for decisions? How are they motivated to action? How do you make them care about your mission?

There is a library of research out there that analyzes demographics, parses audiences, and delineates action plans to engage these new markets and segments. This is not new. What is new is the shift to blending messages in which audiences see themselves reflected.

Organizations from Volkswagen to Home Depot and The Nature Conservancy to the

Environmental Defense Fund are modifying their products and messages to appeal to and recruit younger and more culturally diverse audiences, buyers, employees, and members.

READ MORE

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PR In Focus: A Binder Half Full
 

PR in Focus is a monthly column written by WWPR member Jessica Williams exploring a wide range of topics and current events from a public relations perspective

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

Recent news speculating about whether Janet L. Yellen will be appointed as Chairman of the Federal Reserve has prompted further discussion about Obama’s track record on increasing the number of women in his Cabinet. Eight months into his second term, the reviews are mixed and rightly so.

As I wrote in February, “continuing to nominate women and minorities to high-level posts speaks a thousand words that Obama is committed to improving the diversity of his administration.” And yet, on the eve of another high-level appointment, it appears that the President has yet to come out ahead in fulfilling both the image and campaign promises he promoted in his reelection campaign.

In June, Samantha Power and Susan Rice were nominated by Obama to the positions of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and National Security Advisor, respectively. Both appointments were ultimately confirmed by the Senate and many (myself included) were heartened to see these posts filled by highly accomplished women. Having served as a U.S. Department of State intern as an undergrad at the U.S. Mission to the UN, I was especially pleased to see another woman succeed Rice in a post that is fraught with challenges-not the least of which is representing the U.S. in an institution that has the unfortunate image problem of being anachronistic and ineffective.

READ MORE

Jessica Williams is Vice President at C.Fox Communications, a mission-driven strategic communications agency with offices in Silver Spring, MD and Washington, DC. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/oysterviewpoint

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Tips from Campus: LinkedIn Cold Contacting — No or Go?
 

Tips from Campus is a monthly column written by WWPR member Jordan DeJarnette exploring a wide range of topics from a student’s perspective including guidance to young PR professionals beginning their careers in public relations.

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

I was first introduced to the ingenious concept that is LinkedIn during my freshman year of college in a first year studies class. Twitter and Facebook were already familiar to me as a resource to connect with friends, but the thought of a professional social media network had never crossed my mind. Since then, and especially in my senior year as I am starting to think about employment after graduation, LinkedIn has quickly become one of my most visited, and useful networking resources.

Like most people, I am connected to anyone that I have personally crossed paths with — from friends, to past employers and even professors. I was speaking with my mentor last semester as school was starting to get into its final weeks about tips I could use to help secure a fall internship. One of her first questions to me was, “Have you reached out to employees of the companies that you’re interested in on LinkedIn?” I was confused. “But, I’ve never met them before,” I quickly responded. She proceeded to let me in on one of the best kept secrets for young professionals — it’s okay to connect with people that you’ve never met before.

READ MORE

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Member Spotlight
 

By Kimberly Brown of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists and WWPR Emerging Leaders Awards Committee Member

On July 18, three Emerging Leaders Awards honorees were named at WWPR’s signature event that celebrates young women (ages 23-30) who have significantly impacted the communications field and show the potential to make their mark on the industry as a whole for many years to come. This month’s Member Spotlight features ELA honoree Rachael Glaws, Principal and Founder, RGI events & public relations.

1. Congratulations on being an ELA honoree. What does it mean to you to be honored by your peers in Washington?

Absolutely everything. It’s extremely rewarding to be honored by women who know the ins and outs of this industry – and what it takes to forge a successful career in it, especially in this very unique city. I’m so very appreciative of this recognition.

2. What made you choose the PR/Communications field and what makes you stay? How long have you been in the field?

I fell into the field very much by accident — I was working in entertainment and through being very short staffed at my position at the time I was tasked with a very communications heavy workload. I discovered not only was I so passionate about that aspect of my job – but I was really good at it – and made the transition to public relations. I’ve been in the field now for 10 years.

3. What kind of projects do you get excited about? When have you been most proud?

I love building platforms for a message — pulling together elements to attain client goals in unique and unexpected ways. I always refer to it as ‘Materializing the message’ — which I think is really a great way to describe it – taking what an organization stands for and making it physical, making it impactful – igniting change and the advancement of ideas. I’m most proud of being able to operate my firm for 5+ successful years – everyday I go to the office where I’m proud of the team and what we have accomplished, and what we have in the incubator ready to unleash next.

4. In your ELA video intro you said you’re most proud of Jump Start. What inspired you and your team to develop this program?

JUMP START! – it’s a specialized scalable suite of public relations services designed specifically for small businesses and entrepreneurs which aims to make effective public relations accessible and affordable. Since I opened RGI we have been continuously approached by small businesses seeking PR advice — and unfortunately, we couldn’t work with many of these incredibly inventive and amazingly passionate projects because they just can’t commit the timeline or operating capital to a PR campaign as fully formed as it needs to be in order to achieve success. I was really bummed out about missing these opportunities and I knew there had to be a way to bridge the gap. That, coupled with the experience of growing a small business organically from the ground up has made me especially passionate about this project. Any day I have a heavy JUMP START! Agenda — I’m incredibly anxious to start my day!

 

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Articles of Interest

 

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Upcoming Events
 

-9/18/13 — 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.: WWPR Speed Networking

-9/19/2013 — Mid-Atlantic Marketing Summit

-9/28/2013 — FREE TICKETS GIVEAWAY: KT Tunsall OR ZZ Ward. If interested send an email to info@wwpr.org or contact us on Twitter @WWPR.

-10/22/13 — 12:00 noon-2:00 p.m.: Media Rountable

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
 

Director of Marketing, Weather Analytics

Media Relations Assistant, Z Communications Company

PR and Community Relations Manager, Enviva

Health Communication Specialist, WESTAT

Vice President, Linsey Careers (executive search firm)

Volunteer Intern for Communications, Congressional Budget Office

Event Planner/Coordinator, MANCON

Public Affairs Assistant, MANCON

Strategic Planning Specialist, MANCON

Communications Assistant, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Communications Assistant, Vanguard Communications

Account Supervisor, TRAIVAILLE Executive Search

Associate Director, Corporate Communications, Chaloner Associates (Search Firm)

Publications Manager, Landon School

Public Affairs Specialist, USDA Food and Safety Inspection Service

Public Affairs Specialist (Spanish required), USDA Food and Safety Inspection Service

PR Intern, Fall Semester, GuideStar

Research Director/Senior Vice President, Porter Novelli

Public Relations Manager, TorchLight

Post a Job

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Membership
August New Members 

-Kaitlin Sanderson, The Humane Society of the United States

-Brooke Carrico, Arnold & Porter LLP

-Virginia Bundy, Student

-Johanna Harvey, The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation

-Shannon Murphy, Burson-Marsteller

-Tesia Love, The Corporate Council on Africa

-Ashley Parker, Association for Career and Technical Education

-Amanda Orr, AO Communications

August Renewals

-Corneila (Bonnie) Piper, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

-Cynthia Martinez, ZGS Communications

-Marisa Harriston, Goodwill Industries International

-Margaret A. Ferry, MAF Global Communications

-Elise Simmons, Freelance

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Sponsor Spotlight

 

This summit (Thursday, September 19th) is the region’s premier event in marketing, technology, communications and media. This one-day event will bring together over 300 marketing and communications executives to discuss high-level issues through a series of panels, keynotes, presentations and networking.

The event is co-produced by two of the most respected news organizations of their kind in the region: Potomac Tech Wire, the region’s source for technology news and co-producer of Digital Media Conference East, and Capitol Communicator, the region’s source for marketing and communications news.

The themes will focus on emerging technologies and trends in marketing communications. Topics will include: metrics, mobile, social media, multi-platform campaigns, online video campaigns, experiential advertising, B2B, PR, and much more.

This summit will explore the disruptive technologies that are creating a major shift in how communications professionals reach their audiences and decision makers. You should attend if you are a CMO, advertising, public relations or marketing executive, entrepreneur, investor, technologist, brand marketer, creative director, researcher, media planner or publisher.

 

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Tips from Campus: From Knoxville, with love

Tips from Campus is a monthly column written by WWPR member Jordan DeJarnette exploring a wide range of topics from a student’s perspective including guidance to young PR professionals beginning their careers in public relations.

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

How to make connections in a different city

Many twenty-something soon-to-be college grads have the dream of leaving behind their small college towns and moving into the hustle and bustle of our nation’s Capitol after graduation. The problem many, including myself, face is the task of securing a job in a place that’s hundreds of miles away. This is where the art that it is online networking comes in. Sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and even your good ole’ Gmail account have made connecting across state lines easier than ever. However, in order to be successful in online networking you have to follow one major rule — Keep. It. Personal.

“But how do I personalize a message to a person I’ve never met?” you ask. My first tip is to network within your network. Reach out to old professors, mentors and other professional contacts to see if they know anyone in the place that you’re interested in. Chances are, if they don’t know someone they’ll be able to connect you to someone who will.  Contacting someone through means of a mutual connection normally has a much better chance of getting a response.  My second tip is take advantage of what you’re involved in.  For instance, I am a member of Delta Gamma, a Fraternity that has hundreds of chapters nation-wide. Through research, I was able to plug into the DG DC alum group through Facebook. This page has given me access to dozens of women in the public relations field that are more than willing to help me because of our shared DG sisterhood.  Lastly, make sure to take advantage of the gold mine — LinkedIn.  Search companies that you’re interested in and see if you have any degree of connection to a current employee.  If so, ask your connection if they would mind introducing you and take it from there.

As daunting as reaching out to someone you’ve never met before can be, always remember — the worst they can say is no!

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