PRSA Richmond Articles RSS Feed

New Edition of Media Directory Now Available

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:00:00 GMT

The Richmond Media Directory includes contact info for print, radio, television and online media sources in the metro Richmond region, as well as contact info for other communications groups and media monitoring/newswire services. Some new features this year are a page of selected local blogs and also a page of selected media Twitter handles.

Special thanks go to Mary Lantor, a rising senior at the University of Virginia and a summer intern at CRT/tanaka, who updated the directory for the chapter.

The directory is free for members and may be purchased by non-members if they contact prsarichmond@comcast.net for details. If you have any corrections or additions to suggest for next year’s edition, please contact prsarichmond@comcast.net.

22-Jul-10 1:00 PM

PRSA Richmond Newsletter 20-Jul-10

Theresa House — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:07:23 GMT

Hello [firstname],

Welcome to PRSA Richmond's newsletter!

Chapter News

No Lunch Meetings in July and August

Author: Sara Hunt

Release Date: Monday 19-Jul-10 2:00 PM

There are no chapter lunch meetings scheduled for the months of July and August. Our next regular meeting will be Wednesday, September 29. Watch for details about the meeting on the website. Have a great summer and we hope to see you in September.
Posted by: Theresa House

Sheraton Richmond West is now the Ramada Plaza Richmond West

Author: Sara Hunt

Release Date: Monday 19-Jul-10 2:00 PM

As you may have seen in recent media coverage, the Sheraton Richmond West is now the Ramada Plaza Richmond West. This is a name change only, not a staffing change. Also, it doesn't impact our contractual relationship with the hotel.
Posted by: Theresa House

PRSA Richmond Welcomes New Members

Author: Jeff Wilson

Release Date: Monday 19-Jul-10 2:00 PM

PRSA Richmond is pleased to welcome three new members who joined in June 2010. As always, we would like to thank all members and their employers for the continued support of the public relations profession. Our new members are: Nancy Tait, public relations manager, Science Museum of Virginia Robert Bethea, manager, communications and issues development, Altria Ena Berry, administrative assistant, Altria. If you know of a PR professional who could benefit from... [More Info]
Posted by: Theresa House

JOBLink--online and free to job seekers!

Marketing Communications/PR Specialist

Company: Williams Mullen

Date Activated: Monday 19-Jul-10 0:00 AM

Overview The Marketing Communications/PR Specialist provides support to the full Marketing Team. The position includes direct lawyer... [More Info]
Posted by: Charleen McManus

Intern

Company: Subudhi Consulting Group, Inc.

Date Activated: Wednesday 7-Jul-10 0:00 AM

Subudhi Consulting Group, Inc. (SCG) Offers Paid Internships --SCG is seeking interns to join our high tech boutique B-to-B agency... [More Info]
Posted by: Joya Subudhi

Senior Account Executive

Company: Subudhi Consulting Group, Inc.

Date Activated: Wednesday 7-Jul-10 0:00 AM

Subudhi Consulting Group, Inc. (SCG) Seeks SAE -- SCG is seeking a Senior Account Executive to join our high tech boutique B-to-B agency... [More Info]
Posted by: Joya Subudhi

Many Thanks to our 2010 Signature Sponsors!

Stay up to date with our RSS feeds.

20-Jul-10 11:07 AM

No Lunch Meetings in July and August

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:00:00 GMT

19-Jul-10 2:00 PM

Sheraton Richmond West is now the Ramada Plaza Richmond West

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:00:00 GMT

As you may have seen in recent media coverage, the Sheraton Richmond West is now the Ramada Plaza Richmond West. This is a name change only, not a staffing change. Also, it doesn’t impact our contractual relationship with the hotel.

19-Jul-10 2:00 PM

PRSA Richmond Welcomes New Members

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:00:00 GMT

Nancy Tait, public relations manager, Science Museum of Virginia
Robert Bethea, manager, communications and issues development, Altria
Ena Berry, administrative assistant, Altria.

If you know of a PR professional who could benefit from membership in PRSA, have questions about PRSA membership or are interested in helping recruit new members, please contact Jeff Wilson, APR, chair of the PRSA Richmond membership committee, at jwilson@crt-tanaka.comor 804.675.8175.

PRSA National will be offering some great membership specials in the fall, so stay tuned!

19-Jul-10 2:00 PM

PRSA Richmond Newsletter 7-Jun-10

Theresa House — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:51:49 GMT

Hello [firstname],

Welcome to the PRSA Richmond newsletter. We've got a great luncheon program planned for June, and we're looking forward to seeing you there!

Register online now!

June Program & Luncheon
Speaker's Name: Panel: Making the Case for Public Relations
Day: Wednesday 30-Jun-10 11:45 AM
Location: Sheraton Richmond West Hotel 6624 West Broad Street Richmond, VA
Summary: Making the Case for Public Relations: Demonstrating the Value of PR Have you ever been asked whether what you do fo...
Register Mapquest | Add to Calendar
Posted by: Theresa House

Chapter News

President’s Note: Pride in Public Relations!

Author: Denise Baddour

Release Date: Monday 7-Jun-10 10:00 AM

Throughout your career in Communications, how often have you had to stop and explain to non-PR practitioners (family, friends and contacts not in PR or a communications field) the true meaning and practice of Public Relations? I’m sure at least once or twice. How many times has someone referred to you as a spin-doctor or publicist? There is a tremendous opportunity in enhancing the image of Public Relations, growing the profession and demonstrating its vitality to any... [More Info]
Posted by: Denise Baddour

CRT/tanaka Wins PRSA Silver Anvil and Silver Anvil Award of Excellence

Author: Jeff Wilson, APR

Release Date: Monday 7-Jun-10 9:00 AM

NEW YORK (June 7, 2009) – CRT/tanaka, an award-winning public relations and marketing firm known for creative solutions and workplace culture, received a prestigious Silver Anvil Award and a Silver Anvil Award of Excellence from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The Silver Anvil Awards, which recognize outstanding achievement in strategic public relations planning and implementation, were presented during a ceremony held June 3 in New York. The agency received the Silver... [More Info]
Posted by: Jeff Wilson, APR

Spotlight on 2010 "Rising Star" Recipient Greg Surber

Author:

Release Date: Monday 7-Jun-10 6:00 AM

At last month’s Commonwealth Awards ceremony at The Jefferson Hotel, PRSA Richmond announced the winner of its inaugural Rising Star Award: Greg Surber. We sat down with Greg recently to get to know more about him and what winning the award has meant to him. CURRENT JOB: “I’ve been the Marketing Coordinator at Baskerville since October 2008. As one of only three people in our department, I do a lot of everything – developing plans and strategies, new business... [More Info]
Posted by: Theresa House

Commonwealth Awards: Duplicate Awards Deadline is June 9

Author:

Release Date: Monday 7-Jun-10 6:00 AM

If you wish to order duplicates of your awards from this year’s Commonwealth Awards ceremony, the deadline is June 9. Please complete the attached form (one for each duplicate award that you order), and send a check to the address on the form. (One check for multiple awards is fine.) Contact Laura Baliles Osberger at (804) 387-5191 or laura@handcraftedcommunications.com.com with any questions.
Posted by: Theresa House

PRSA Richmond Welcomes New Members

Author: Jeff Wilson, APR

Release Date: Sunday 6-Jun-10 10:00 PM

PRSA Richmond is pleased to welcome three new members who joined in May 2010. As always, we would like to thank all members and their employers for the continued support of the public relations profession. Our new members are: Catherine Gryp, account executive, CRT/tanaka Cameron McPherson, asst. account executive, CRT/tanaka Beth Monroe, public relations director, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens If you know of a PR professional who could benefit from membership in PRSA, have questions... [More Info]
Posted by: Jeff Wilson, APR

PRSA Taps Experts in Social Technology, Online Behavior and Crisis Communication to Deliver Keynote Addresses at PRSA 2010 International Conference

Author: Tina Lambert, CAE

Release Date: Tuesday 25-May-10 3:00 PM

Taking its cue from some of the major trends shaping the practice of public relations today, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has engaged influential thought leaders in the fields of social technology, online behavior and crisis communications to deliver keynote addresses at the PRSA 2010 International Conference, Oct. 16–19, in Washington, D.C. The keynote speakers include: Charlene Li, co-author of the business bestseller, “Groundswell: Winning in a World... [More Info]
Posted by: Tina Lambert, CAE

JOBLink- online and free to job seekers!

Media/Community Relations Manager --new

Company: Dominion

Date Activated: Friday 4-Jun-10 0:00 AM

This Manager role will establish and maintain effective relationships with members of the Hampton Roads news media to enhance credibility... [More Info]
Posted by: Chelsea Coles

Many Thanks to Our Signature Sponsors!

Stay up to date with our RSS feeds.

7-Jun-10 12:51 PM

President’s Note: Pride in Public Relations!

Denise Baddour — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:00:00 GMT

There is a tremendous opportunity in enhancing the image of Public Relations, growing the profession and demonstrating its vitality to any organization’s success. We have the ingredients for a true perfect storm – the impact of social media and its importance in creating meaningful conversations and dialogue with internal and external audiences, the lack of reputation and trust in major organizations and the evolving needs and concerns of CEOs.

As Public Relations practitioners, we are bound by an ethical code of conduct to act as responsible stewards for our company’s/client’s voice in the local, statewide, regional, national or global marketplace. Each and every day, we must strive to demonstrate the real value of Public Relations to our employers or our clients, even though many of them may not have a clear understanding of how our profession can provide strategic services to help them achieve their desired outcomes.

Each one of us has a sense of commitment to and pride in the profession. It’s our duty to explain why public relations matters to our organizations and communities we serve. Thanks to PRSA National and their “Business Case for Public Relations” – one of their five pillars for their 3-year strategic plan – we now have a resource to help us make the case for Public Relations. On a local level, at our Wednesday June 30 luncheon, you can glean information and gain inspiration about the pivotal role of Public Relations through a new lens. I will have the honor and privilege of joining other panelists, top area PR Professionals and their CEOs, in discussing why public relations matters to our organizations and us.

I’m looking forward to seeing many of you later on this month.

Denise M. Baddour

President

PRSA Richmond

7-Jun-10 10:00 AM

CRT/tanaka Wins PRSA Silver Anvil and Silver Anvil Award of Excellence

Jeff Wilson, APR — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:00:00 GMT

NEW YORK (June 7, 2010) – CRT/tanaka, an award-winning public relations and marketing firm known for creative solutions and workplace culture, received a prestigious Silver Anvil Award and a Silver Anvil Award of Excellence from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The Silver Anvil Awards, which recognize outstanding achievement in strategic public relations planning and implementation, were presented during a ceremony held June 3 in New York.

The agency received the Silver Anvil for its work with the Council for Responsible Nutrition’s “Life…supplemented” campaign in the reputation/brand management (associations) category. The Silver Anvil is considered to be the highest honor given by the PR industry. The second-place Silver Anvil Award of Excellence was received for CRT/tanaka’s work with Air New Zealand in the events and observances – seven or fewer days (business services) – category for its “Matchmaking Flight” campaign.

“As usual, winners in this year’s Silver Anvil Awards are among the very top public relations programs in our industry,” said James J. Roop, APR, Fellow PRSA, 2010 awards and honors committee chair. “The Silver Anvils continue to recognize the best practices in our field.”

Council for Responsible Nutrition “Life…supplemented” Campaign

“Life…supplemented” is a three-year consumer education campaign for the Council for Responsible Nutrition – the leading trade association representing the dietary supplement industry –to promote responsible use of dietary supplements as part of an ongoing health and wellness regimen. CRT/tanaka positioned supplements as one of the “three pillars” of health alongside healthy diet and exercise. The agency commissioned research, studying the behaviors and attitudes of physicians and other healthcare professionals about supplements to create “news hooks” and an authoritative message, “doctors take and recommend supplements,” to efficiently counter ongoing negative media coverage about supplements.

Air New Zealand “Matchmaking Flight” Campaign

During a year defined by baggage and other hidden fees, Air New Zealand put the fun back in flying and targeted a new audience segment, creating a distinctive event that highlighted the airline’s quirky brand and culture. With support of CRT/tanaka, Air New Zealand launched the first-ever, long-haul “Matchmaking Flight” offering single passengers a trip of a lifetime and a chance to find love at 30,000 feet. The initiative successfully showcased the airline’s award-winning service and quirky, Kiwi personality, generating 410 million media impressions, and contributing to a 32 percent increase in bookings from North America to the South Pacific. –

About CRT/tanaka

CRT/tanaka is an award-winning public relations and marketing firm known for its whatcanbeSM workplace culture and approach to business. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., and New York, with offices in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and Norfolk, Va., CRT/tanaka features four integrated specialties – Consumer, Health, Corporate and Interactive/Social. The agency has been recognized with more than 300 national and regional awards for its strategic counsel, creativity, workplace culture and community service. Clients include Air New Zealand, BISSELL Homecare Inc., Cambria Suites, Charles Schwab & Co., Council for Responsible Nutrition, Council of Better Business Bureaus, Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, Girl Scouts of the USA, Network Solutions, PetNovations, Sprint Nextel and Wines from Rioja (Spain). More information about CRT/tanaka is available at www.crt-tanaka.com.

About the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)

With more than 31,000 members, PRSA is the largest organization of public relations professionals and students. PRSA is comprised of 111 local chapters organized into 10 geographic districts; 16 Professional Interest Sections that focus on issues, trends and research relevant to specialized practice areas, such as technology, health care, financial communications, entertainment and sports, and travel tourism; and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), which has more than 300 chapters at colleges and universities in the United States and abroad. PRSA is headquartered in New York.

7-Jun-10 9:00 AM

Spotlight on 2010 "Rising Star" Recipient Greg Surber

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 10:00:00 GMT

At this spring's Commonwealth Awards ceremony at The Jefferson Hotel, PRSA Richmond announced the winner of its inaugural Rising Star Award: Greg Surber. We sat down with Greg recently to get to know more about him and what winning the award has meant to him.

CURRENT JOB:

“I’ve been the Marketing Coordinator at Baskervill since October 2008. As one of only three people in our department, I do a lot of everything – developing plans and strategies, new business development, qualifying leads, prepping staff for interviews, developing PowerPoints, graphic design and social media, educating others about the latest technologies. And whatever else they need me to do.”

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

“I interned at Porter Novelli (Boston) in 2007 then went to work full time in their New York Office in 2008. While getting my Masters degree at Boston University, I also served as Account Manager at the PR Lab, a student-run PR firm providing pro bono services to area non-profit organizations.”

EDUCATION:

Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts and Design with a concentration in Corporate Communications, and minors in Writing and Rhetoric from James Madison University (2005).
Master’s of Science in Public Relations from Boston University (2008).

PERSONAL STATUS:

Married to Wendy D’Agostino Surber, a fellow PR practitioner, and proud “parent” of a 5.5 -pound Yorkshire Terrier/Miniature Poodle mix named “Butters.”

HOBBIES & INTERESTS:

“Cooking – I’m on a Greek kick now but my heart lies with Italian food. I also love writing, running (although I’m not the most diligent at it), and playing tennis.”

MOST IMPORTANT PROFESSIONAL LESSON LEARNED (so far!):

“If there is one card you’ve got to have in your deck, it is humility. PR often has the unfortunate reputation of practitioners who are too proud and too full of themselves. But for me, at the root of everything we do is humility. The core of PR is relationship building, which is based on trust and respect, which all circles back to humility.”

ULTIMATE CAREER GOAL:

“I’d love to get back to the agency side practicing corporate PR. It’s such a good way to get experience by working on a variety of accounts, and at the senior level, you get to start having a hand in the strategic and visual identity of the firm. However, I also love to teach, which is what I did as a Graduate Assistant at BU. So, the ultimate goal for my twilight years is to be a Professor of Public Relations.”

WINNING THE RISING STAR AWARD:

“It was a tremendous honor. I’ve met so many other fantastic young PR professionals in the area through my involvement with PRSA, so I was truly humbled by the recognition. “

IMPORTANCE OF PRSA INVOLVEMENT:

“PRSA does a great job of laying out the values and expectations for how a PR professional should go about their job. It’s important to be involved with PRSA both locally and nationally because this career is so much about building relationships, at the very least we need to build relationships with our colleagues. That’s what I’ve liked so much about Richmond. People in the industry are so respectful and even complimentary of each other. There don’t seem to be any antagonistic relationships between agencies or individuals.”

ADVICE FOR OTHER NEW PR PRACTITIONERS:

“I could go on and on, but my top three pieces of advice include:

Express humility in everything you do.
Set goals, but don’t be so rigid about them that you can’t go after great opportunities when they come along. In other words, don’t be too set in your ways.
Above all, don’t’ be afraid to dive in and fail. Your task may seem daunting, but you can do it. And even when you do fail, you learn from it and grow.”

7-Jun-10 6:00 AM

Commonwealth Awards: Duplicate Awards Deadline is June 9

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 10:00:00 GMT

PRSA Richmond Welcomes New Members

Jeff Wilson, APR — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 02:00:00 GMT

Catherine Gryp, account executive, CRT/tanaka
Cameron McPherson, asst. account executive, CRT/tanaka
Beth Monroe, public relations director, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

6-Jun-10 10:00 PM

PRSA Taps Experts in Social Technology, Online Behavior and Crisis Communication to Deliver Keynote Addresses at PRSA 2010 International Conference

Tina Lambert, CAE — Tue, 25 May 2010 19:00:00 GMT

Taking its cue from some of the major trends shaping the practice of public relations today, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has engaged influential thought leaders in the fields of social technology, online behavior and crisis communications to deliver keynote addresses at the PRSA 2010 International Conference, Oct. 16–19, in Washington, D.C.

The keynote speakers include: Charlene Li, co-author of the business bestseller, “Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies,” and founder of the Altimeter Group; Bill Tancer, author of the popular “Click: What Millions of People Are Doing Online and Why It Matters — Unexpected Insights for Business and Life” and general manager of global research for Experian Hitwise; and Bettina Luescher, chief spokesperson for the United Nations World Food Program.

“In a business environment where change is constant, public relations and communications professionals can gain practical insights from the experience and advice of these respected thought leaders,” said PRSA chair and CEO Gary McCormick, APR, Fellow PRSA. “Hearing firsthand how to leverage today’s most powerful trends to generate results and create value for our clients and organizations is an opportunity you can’t miss.”

Also for the conference, PRSA has convened a special a public affairs panel that will focus on public policy issues stemming from the health care overhaul, as well as other pressing legislative and regulatory debates in which social media tools, issues advertising and grassroots campaigns were integral in influencing outcomes. The panel will feature Paul Anderson, vice president for Communication Strategies and Public Outreach at AARP; Eric Lundberg, grassroots director at WellPoint; Susan Neely, president and CEO of the American Beverage Association; and Douglas Pinkhamm, APR, president of the Public Affairs Council.

Conference attendees can save $200 by registering for the 2010 International Conference by Aug. 27.

The PRSA International Conference is considered the world’s foremost gathering of public relations and communications professionals. The event, which attracted more than 3,000 attendees from 25 countries last year, offers professional development sessions led by hundreds of experts in a variety of public relations disciplines.

This year’s Conference theme, “Powering Progress,” recognizes public relations’ role as a driver of business outcomes central to organizational progress, while capturing the essence of Washington, D.C., as the seat of power and progress for our nation and the world.

About the Keynoters

Charlene Li
In her new book, “Open Leadership: How Social Technology Can Transform the Way You Lead,” Li addresses the challenges facing leaders of the modern organization as a result of the dramatic adoption and impact of social technologies on customer, partner and employee relationships. Li is also a co-author of the business best-seller, “Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies,” which reveals how readers can use to their advantage the force created by customers who are connecting in the social media arena.

Bettina Luescher

Luescher will share how critical effective communication is, not only when representing your organization, but also when working to spur the world into action during times of crisis. Learn how the United Nations handles communications during disasters, such as those in Haiti and Chile, as Luescher reflects on her efforts to raise awareness of the hunger issue, and help communities rebuild their shattered lives. She will discuss the spotlight placed on the crucial role of public relations and communications practitioners this year as catastrophic events unfolded throughout the world that left victims in the hundreds of thousands in despair as they faced food shortages of epic proportions.

Bill Tancer

As the world’s pre-eminent expert on online behavior and general manager at Experian Hitwise, Tancer provides cutting-edge research and insight into online consumer behavior and the application of online competitive intelligence. He mines his company’s database of more than 10 million Internet users each day to determine what people are really doing online and how they use Internet-based services. Tancer offers a unique perspective on human behavior in his best-selling book, “Click: What Millions of People Are Doing Online and Why It Matters — Unexpected Insights for Business and Life.” He tracks and analyzes the billions of trails left by millions of Internet users, offering surprising and practical insights that can be used in business and life.

About the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)

With more than 31,000 members, PRSA is the largest organization of public relations professionals and students. PRSA is comprised of 111 local Chapters organized into 10 geographic Districts; 16 Professional Interest Sections that focus on issues, trends and research relevant to specialized practice areas, such as technology, health care, financial communications, entertainment and sports, and travel tourism; and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), which has more than 300 Chapters at colleges and universities in the United States and abroad. PRSA is headquartered in New York.

25-May-10 3:00 PM

Around Town: Pulsar Advertising Invites you to a FREE Workshop

Sande Snead — Mon, 17 May 2010 19:00:00 GMT

Limited Communications Budgets,

Unlimited Possibilities

Please join us for a continental breakfast and 101 Communication Tips Nobody Should Be Without

May 26, 2010

8:00-8:30 AM Registration

8:30-10:30 AM Workshop

State Capitol, House Room 1

Workshop Speakers Include:

The Honorable Lt. Governor Bill Bolling (invited)

Pulsar's Kelly Callahan-Poe

Non-Traditional Marketing to Spark Customer Engagement

Michelle Finzel, Vice President

Maryland Marketing Source

Market Research Methods: Oldies and New Goodies

Leveraging You OrganizationDuring Challenging Times

Jennifer Pickett

Chief of Policy and Communication

Department of Rail and

Public Transportation

Colin Ceperich

Organization and Strategy

Consultant

Booz Allen Hamilton

Please RSVP by May 20:

(804) 225-8300 or

ssnead@pulsaradvertising.com

17-May-10 3:00 PM

Around Town: The Social Networking Happy Hour Sponsored by VCU School of Mass Comm & 9WG Studios

Jessa Nelson — Tue, 11 May 2010 18:00:00 GMT

The Social Networking Happy Hour
Thursday, May 20
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
9WG Studios, 9 W. Grace Street
between Foushee and Adams Streets

You are invited to the Social Networking Happy Hour on Thursday, May 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 9WG Studios, 9 West Grace Street in Richmond. Meet the new graduates of the VCU School of Mass Communications, reconnect with former classmates and network with pros from your industry. Help us celebrate our graduates' new beginnings.

This event is FREE and open to industry professionals in advertising, public relations, journalism, art and theatre, and social media and to new graduates and alumni of the VCU School of Mass Communications.

Sponsored by the VCU School of Mass Communications and 9WG Studios. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Jessa Nelson at nelsonj@vcu.edu with "Happy Hour" in the subject line.

We hope to see you there!

www.9WGstudios.com
www.has.vcu.edu/mac

11-May-10 2:00 PM

PRSA Richmond Newsletter 4-May-10

Theresa House — Tue, 04 May 2010 21:49:31 GMT

Hello [firstname],

Welcome to PRSA Richmond's newsletter. We've got some exciting events planned, and we're looking forward to seeing you there!

Register online now!

Social Media Professional Development: I've Got It, Now What Do I Do WIth It?
Sponsor: PRSA Richmond
Speaker's Name: Jon Newman, The Hodges Partnership
Day: Thursday 20-May-10 7:30 AM
Location: CRT/tanaka 100 Commerce Road Richmond, Va.
Summary: I’ve Got It, Now What Do I Do With It? Your organization most likely has a pr...
Register Mapquest | Add to Calendar
Posted by: Theresa House

May Program & Luncheon
Speaker's Name: Suzanne Hall, Chief Communiations Officer, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Day: Wednesday 26-May-10 11:45 AM
Location: Sheraton Richmond West Hotel 6624 West Broad Street Richmond, VA
Summary: Communication During Times of Change The word ‘change’ can cause fear, questions and ...
Register Mapquest | Add to Calendar
Posted by: Theresa House

Chapter News

President’s Note: Enriching the Richmond PR Community through Diversity!

Author: Denise Baddour

Release Date: Tuesday 4-May-10 5:00 AM

We are on the cusp of launching “Diversity in Communications - Enriching PRSA Richmond,” a campaign that celebrates PRSA Richmond’s diverse individuals while educating members and the larger Richmond PR Community about the Chapter’s point of view on Diversity. The integrated campaign is designed to raise awareness of Diversity, to positively recognize Diverse members and to create a dialogue with members regarding their definitions and perspectives of the topic. The... [More Info]
Posted by: Denise Baddour

Facebook Pages vs. Groups

Author: Brian Chandler, APR

Release Date: Tuesday 4-May-10 3:00 AM

To change or not to change: that is the question. It’s a question that the PRSA Richmond Chapter recently faced when deciding whether to change its Facebook “Group Page” to a “Fan Page” (now being referred to by Facebook as a “Page”). In fact, it’s a question that corporations, small businesses, organizations, and non-profits face as the world of social media changes and evolves. In the competition of Pages vs. Groups, the chapter’s board... [More Info]
Posted by: Theresa House

PRSA Richmond Welcomes New Members

Author: Jeff Wilson, APR

Release Date: Monday 3-May-10 9:00 AM

PRSA Richmond is pleased to welcome two new members who joined in April 2010. As always, we would like to thank all members and their employers for the continued support of the public relations profession. Heidi Stansbury, senior manager, communications, Capital One Britt Farrar, public relations manager, CarMax If you know of a new PR professional who could benefit from joining PRSA, the National Chapter is offering a great promotion for May. Individuals with less than two years of... [More Info]
Posted by: Jeff Wilson, APR

PRSA Richmond Embraces Diversity Initiative

Author: Carol Kyber

Release Date: Monday 3-May-10 8:00 AM

One of the goals in the chapter’s strategic plan is to increase the awareness of the importance of diversity within the PR industry among PRSA Richmond members. As part of that goal, the diversity committee along with the rest of the Board has developed “Diversity in Communications: Enriching PRSA Richmond.” In the upcoming months we’ll be featuring members who represent diverse backgrounds in race, ethnicity and the communication industry, and what their experiences... [More Info]
Posted by: Theresa House

Next PRSA Richmond Networking Happy Hour – May 13

Author: Lindsay Grant

Release Date: Sunday 2-May-10 3:00 PM

PRSA Richmond’s Networking Happy Hour will be held on Thursday, May 13 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Balliceaux (203 North Lombardy Street, Richmond, VA 23220). Come out to connect with fellow communications professionals and enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and drink specials. Spread the word to your social networks and colleagues! And remember, when tweeting about this event and other industry-related information always use #PRSArva!
Posted by: Lindsay Grant

Plan to Attend the PRSA 2010 International Conference, Oct. 16–19 in Washington, D.C

Author:

Release Date: Wednesday 28-Apr-10 8:00 AM

Join thousands of communications professionals in Washington, D.C., the epicenter of thought leadership, for the PRSA 2010 International Conference, Oct. 16–19. Register before August 27 and save $200! Take part in more than 80 sessions within four tracks focusing on innovative strategies, effective tactics and techniques, specialization and practice areas, and the Business Case for Public Relations TM. The Conference also features additional emphasis on the latest strategies in social... [More Info]
Posted by: Theresa House

Committee Members Needed to Assist ElderHomes With PR Efforts

Author: Ryan Smartt

Release Date: Wednesday 28-Apr-10 7:00 AM

Each year, the PRSA Public Service Committee offers a Richmond-area nonprofit organization support in promoting an event, project or ongoing mission. After receiving more than 30 applications last month, they selected ElderHomes for 2010. The committee plans to assist ElderHomes with creating a plan to help build awareness of their organization, leading up to their “Rockin’ with The Renew Crew” event on October 30. In addition, the committee will assist with ElderHome’s... [More Info]
Posted by: Ryan Smartt

Many Thanks to Our 2010 Signature Sponsors!

Stay up to date with our RSS feeds.

4-May-10 5:49 PM

President’s Note: Enriching the Richmond PR Community through Diversity!

Denise Baddour — Tue, 04 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT

The Board of Directors’ definition of Diversity is - any public relations professional who is diverse in ONE of the following areas: race; ethnicity; or background in communication jobs (branding, marketing, advertising, public relations and new media). We want to bring attention to individuals who are sharing their diverse insights on the profession; ones who are challenging us to keep Diversity top of mind as we develop communication strategies and business plans; and ones who respect others’ Diverse thoughts or communication styles. If you know a PRSA Richmond member who meets the criteria above, please let me or our Diversity Chair, Carol Kyber, know, as our goal is to highlight the member and his/her background and skill sets.

On a National level, PRSA continues to promote Diversity by dedicating one of their strategic pillars on the topic and implementing tactics in support of this initiative.

If you’re interested in diversifying your background in communications and expanding your social media acumen, join us May 20 at a morning professional development session, at CRT/tanaka, focusing on leveraging social media platforms: Social Media Professional Development: I've Got It, Now What Do I Do With It?

We hope you continue to broaden your skills and to expand other PRSA Richmond peers’ PR knowledge through our “Diversity in Communications” campaign - we’d love to learn how you celebrate, define and leverage Diversity in the work place.

We have several events in May that celebrate our members and the notion of Diversity so I hope to see you soon.

Warm Regards,

Denise M. Baddour

PRSA Richmond President

4-May-10 5:00 AM

Facebook Pages vs. Groups

Brian Chandler, APR — Tue, 04 May 2010 07:00:00 GMT

To change or not to change: that is the question.

It’s a question that the PRSA Richmond Chapter recently faced when deciding whether to change its Facebook “Group Page” to a “Fan Page” (now being referred to by Facebook as a “Page”). In fact, it’s a question that corporations, small businesses, organizations, and non-profits face as the world of social media changes and evolves.

In the competition of Pages vs. Groups, the chapter’s board of directors chose to change to a Page (www.facebook.com/PRSARichmond). Below are some of the reasons why the conversion was made.

In the words of Facebook: Pages can only be created to represent a real organization, business, celebrity, or band, and may only be created by an official representative of that entity. Groups can be created by any user and about any topic, as a space for users to share their opinions and interest in that subject. Groups can be kept closed or secret, whereas pages are intended to help an entity communicate publicly, or build a brand.

Pages allow people to maintain a personal-professional distinction on Facebook. If you’re a Group admin, your name will appear on that Group, while Pages will never display their admins’ names. Additionally, when you take actions on a Group, such as posting on your Group’s wall, these actions will appear to come from you as an individual. However, if you post or take other actions on a Page, it will appear to come from the Page.

Other differences in Pages and Groups include:

Limitations – Groups have a 5,000 member limit for communications, only allowing communication to a limited number of members. Pages can have an unlimited number of followers and unlimited communication options.

Personalized URLs – Pages allow users to customize their URLs once there are more than 25 followers. URLs cannot be customized for Groups.

Search Optimization – Groups are not indexed by external search engines such as Google, meaning they can only be accessed from within Facebook. Pages can be found via various search engines.

Analytics – Groups do not provide any user feedback. Pages provide user and visitor statistics.

Applications – Pages can host multiple applications making them more functional. This is not a function allowed by Groups.

Events – This is one area where both Groups and Pages are similar. Events will appear in the users request and upcoming events section of their own page.

In summary, Groups should be considered as a tool for use on a personal level, allowing an individual to create Groups for an idea, group, or topic that they are passionate about or interested in sharing. Pages are better for businesses, or brands that are trying to communicate or interact with customers, brand ambassadors, or various individuals. There are some similarities to Groups and Pages, however, the benefits of a Page outweigh the options available on Groups.

Note: Facebook has now changed the terminology of Pages from “Become a Fan” to “Like.” All the functions and features of the Page are still the same, just the terminology of becoming a fan is now known as “liking” a Page.

The PRSA Richmond Chapter Board of Directors would like to invite anyone to “like” its new page by clicking: www.facebook.com/PRSARichmond

4-May-10 3:00 AM

PRSA Richmond Welcomes New Members

Jeff Wilson, APR — Mon, 03 May 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Heidi Stansbury, senior manager, communications, Capital One
Britt Farrar, public relations manager, CarMax

If you know of a new PR professional who could benefit from joining PRSA, the National Chapter is offering a great promotion for May. Individuals with less than two years of experience who join in May will get their New Professional Section Dues of $20 waived.

New member prospects must put the promotion code MAY2010 on their national applications to take advantage of the May membership promotion.

If you have questions about PRSA membership or are interested in helping recruit new members, please contact Jeff Wilson, APR, chair of the PRSA Richmond membership committee, at jwilson@crt-tanaka.com or 804.675.8175.

3-May-10 9:00 AM

PRSA Richmond Embraces Diversity Initiative

Mon, 03 May 2010 12:00:00 GMT

See our insightful Q&A inaugural profile featuring Malcolm Holmes.

If you would like to suggest a PRSA Richmond member to feature, let us know. Our goal is to highlight and grow our members that enrich PRSA Richmond.

Other plans for the upcoming year include the continuation of the fall mentoring program with area universities and programs devoted to diversity in communications. If you have suggestions or would like to be a part of this committee, contact Diversity Committee Chair, Carol Kyber by calling 804-678-9619 or by email at ckyber1@comcast.net.

3-May-10 8:00 AM

Next PRSA Richmond Networking Happy Hour – May 13

Lindsay Grant — Sun, 02 May 2010 19:00:00 GMT