Independent Practitioners Alliance

Independent Practitioners Alliance

Richmond is a thriving market for independent public relations practitioners. Our talented independents and small firms enjoy client engagements of all sizes and types, as these practitioners often offer their clients decades of experience (from PR firms to corporations to the newsroom) without the overhead of large companies.

Richmond’s independent consultants and small firms are nimble and seasoned with a passion for the entrepreneurial spirit.

About Our Special Interest Section

The PRSA Richmond Independent Practitioners Alliance provides resources and a virtual gathering place for independent practitioners and small firms, whether they work alone or in teams, from home, small or shared offices. The Alliance enables independent practitioners to network and share information with, and seek advice from, other PRSA members who share their entrepreneurial interests.

The Section's purpose is to strengthen the independent sector in the Richmond PR community, advocate for independents within our local chapter, advance their business opportunities and create tailored professional development opportunities.

What We Do

Section resources include an active e-group, news items and professional development; a forum to facilitate new business, mentoring, marketing, teaming and information sharing; national teleseminars; and place where independents and small firms can network.

Who’s Eligible?

This Section is open to any PRSA Richmond member who is an independent or who would like to learn more about this growing sector of the PR industry.

Have Questions?

The section leader is Cherie Blazer, Company B Communications. Contact Cherie for more information or to join the group at 804-543-4001, or cherie.blazer@companyb.us.  

Currently, IPA Richmond has more than 15 members including:

• Laura Baliles, Principal, Handcrafted Communications & Events. Laura’s communications experience crosses multiple business sectors, including the agency, corporate and non-profit worlds. Now on her own, Laura specializes in strategic planning, writing and editing, corporate communications, community relations, media outreach and event planning. (804) 387-5191 or laura@handcraftedcommunications.com.
  
• Karen Batalo, Karen Batalo Marketing & PR LLC.262-9130, 337-3045 (cell), mailto:kabatalo@aol.com, www.karenbatalo.com 
  
• Rachel Beanland,APR, Kismet Communicaitons, LLC. Rachel has a decade of experience communicating on behalf of non-profits, state agencies, higher education institutions and corporations. She launched Kismet Communications in 2012, and regularly works alongside her sister, Eve Moyle, who is a graphic designer. Together, the two sisters are able to provide a full suite of public relations and marketing services, including branding and identity work, strategic communications planning, writing and editing, print and web design, social media management, event planning and media relations. E-mail rachel@kismetcommunications.com or call (804) 616-6723.
  
• Jennifer Billings, jenniferbillings@comcast.net 
  
• Cherie Blazer, Company B Communications. Cherie has 14 years experience in public relations and communications for various sectors including association management, publishing, and corporate. She recently started her own enterprise, Company B Communications, offering writing, editing, media relations, and public relations consulting services. Company B also specializes in creating business and marketing plans for small business development. 804-543-4001 or mailto:cherie.blazer@companyb.us 
  
• Brian Chandler, APR, Commonwealth Public Relations.A native of Virginia, Brian is an independent public relations counselor and brings to his clients more than a decade of experience. He is adept at providing strategic public relations and communications for clients ranging from nonprofits to small businesses and major corporations. Industry experience includes: healthcare, human resources, telecommunications, real estate, builders, professional services, architecture, law, restaurants and nonprofits. (804) 221-9177, bchandler@commonwealth-pr.com, www.facebook.com/CommonwealthPR
  
• Jackie Foreman, Principal, JForemanPR, LLC. Jackie spent five years at Hill & Knowlton and served as media spokesperson and investor relations specialist at Circuit City Stores, Inc.  She received a PRSA Silver Anvil Award for the grand opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian.  Jackie specializes in strategic planning, writing, media relations, event planning, executive visibility and social networking. Contact jackie.foreman@jforemanpr.com or (804) 249-1707.
  
• Chuck Hansen, APR.(804) 240-7743, chuck@chuckhansen.com
  
• Beth A. Hardy, APR - Hardy Communications Consulting. Beth Hardy provides strategic public relations and communications consulting services to a diverse group of clients including Capital One, Williams Mullen, United Way, Goochland Free Clinic & Family Services and TechReach of Central VA. (804) 216-2384 or bhardypr@yahoo.com
  
• Sarah Huddle, APR, ProAct Communications, (804) 788-4485, shuddle@proactpr.com  
  
• Carol Kyber, mailto:ckyber1@comcast.net
  
• Tom Morris, APR, owner, PR consultancy. Tom Morris offers clients incisive counsel and precise communications as both a strategic thinker and a detail-oriented implementer. He has four decades of experience in public relations counseling and daily journalism. Contact him at (804) 750-1753 or morrispr@verizon.net.
  
• Jim O'Brien, ledgewoodpartners@gmail.com
  
• Bill Oglesby, Bill Oglesby Media Consulting. (804) 334-2105, bill@billoglesby.com
  
• Travis Parrish, (804) 556-3133 office, (804) 651-2680 cell, Travis.parrish@parrishsolutions.com
  
• Alissa Poole, APR, Poole Communications. With more than 15 years of corporate and non-profit public relations experience, Poole focuses on writing, editing and strategic communications consulting for clients including Children’s Hospital Foundation, Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners, and Virginia Capitol Foundation, (804) 690-2686,  alissampoole@verizon.net   
  
• Jennifer S. Pounders, President, J. Pounders & Partners. Pounders offers her clients 17 years of public relations and marketing experience garnered from 12 years with a large public relations agency combined with five years as a successful independent practitioner. She presently counsels Altria Group. Inc., Philip Morris USA, Delta Dental of Virginia and DreamDinners Inc. (804) 338-4514 or pounderspr@verizon.net.
  
• Ken Storey, APR. Executive media relations training, local Richmond TV news clips. (804) 730-1791  Storeyline@comcast.net.