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. Return to top |