PRSA Tar Heel PRactitioner
March 2008 Vol. 15 No. 3 www.prsatarheel.org
This newsletter is provided each month to members and prospective members of the Tar Heel Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The Tar Heel Chapter serves the Triad area of North Carolina. If you would like more information about the Tar Heel Chapter, please contact Teresa Loflin, VP of Membership, at membership@prsatarheel.org. If you have comments or suggestions regarding the newsletter, contact Tamara McLendon, VP of PR, or Caroline Matthews, Elon PRSSA Chapter Public Relations Director, at pr@prsatarheel.org.
TAR HEEL BLOG
Visit the PRSA Tar Heel blog for our recurring columns from the president and newsletter editor, along with submissions from the rest of the board and membership and a PRSSA member from Elon University. You own it -- use it! Tell us what you're thinking, wondering and fuming about...
Recent posts:
- I Challenge you, PRSA Tar Heel Chapter- Elon University Student Caroline Matthews calls the chapter to better engage with their younger affiliates and continue their support by going beyond speaking at chapter meetings and Regional Activities.
- Explaining RSS- John Mims, APR, follows up his presentation about social media with an explanation of the acronym RSS (Really Simple Syndication). Read on to the full article by Ed Lee, current Internet communications consultant.
Visit the blog at www.prsatarheelblog.org.
UPCOMING PRSA MEETINGS AND EVENTS
PRSA Tar Heel Professional Series
Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Greensboro-High Point Marriott Airport
Special guest John Peterson, one of PR Week's "40 under 40" and Director of Client Services at Capstrat, will speak at this monthly professional series event. Registration is open.
PRSA Tar Heel Professional Series
Date: Friday, April 11, 2008
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Greensboro-High Point Marriott Airport
Special guest Liz Goodgold of DUH! Marketing will speak at this monthly professional series event. Registration is open.
PRSA Tar Heel Professional Series
Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Greensboro-High Point Marriott Airport
Special guest Mary Cohn of Louisiana-Pacific will speak at this monthly professional series event. Registration is open.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Get a "Taste of PRSA" when You Join in February or March
Public relations professionals who join the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) in February or March will not only save money, but also will gat a "taste" of the benefits of PRSA membership. The "Taste of PRSA" membership promotion gives you an opportunity to join PRSA, the world's pre-eminent public relations organization, and become a part of a member network of more than 22,000 public relations professionals.
"We want to help our members enhance their careers by giving them opportunities to increase their professional knowledge and skills and to develop new business contacts. PRSA National and Chapter memberships can help achieve this," said Jennifer Ian, PRSA vice president of member services.
During this special promotion, PRSA will waive the standard $65 initiation fee. The benefits you receive as a PRSA member include:
· Complimentary subscriptions to Public Relations Tactics and The Strategists;
· Professional Resource Center, including direct access to our proprietary online research database— PRC Search;
· Professional development, including seminars, teleseminars and annual International Conference— all at reduced member rates;
· Career support, such as job listings, resume posting and mentoring; and
· Membership enhancements through our more than 100 Chapters, and/or 20 Professional Interest Sections and Affinity Groups
This offer is valid for those joining as full Members at the $225 annual rate (offer not available for Associate membership). Local Chapter dues are additional.
To join, download the Taste of PRSA application and flier by clicking on the Taste of PRSA icon that will be posted on PRSA national's Web site on February 1. Join PRSA in February or March and experience the value that membership provides. To learn more about how a PRSA membership can benefit you, visit our Web site at www.prsa.org.
Need a Name Tag? Let us Know!
Have you changed companies recently? Had a name change? Do you need a replacement for your name tag? Have you recently joined our society but have not yet received your complimentary name tag? If you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, please contact Vice President of Membership, Teresa Loflin, at membership@prsatarheel.org
In addition, members of the Tar Heel Chapter will now be asked to keep their name tags and bring them to each meeting; therefore, you will no longer need to worry about picking name tags up at the beginning of each meeting. Name tags will be handed out at the next few meetings; please look for members of the Membership team to be getting these out to you.
PRSSA Job Connection
The PRSSA JobCenter site, www.prssa.org/jobcenter allows you to post entry-level positions and internship opportunities on the site free of charge. This site is exclusively for members of PRSSA and Affiliate students. To learn more about PRSSA JobCenter, please contact Job Bank Manager Aleasha Vuncannon at (336) 553-1705 or jobbank@prsatarheel.org.
Board Meetings
PRSA Tar Heel Chapter Board Meetings, are held on the first Wednesday of each month. Chapter members are always welcome to attend and provide input. For location or more information, contact Aaron Wall, APR at ((336) 878-6711 or president@prsatarheel.org.
Changes In Your Professional Life?
Have you changed your name, position, phone number, email, employer, or any other pertinent professional information? Visit www.prsa.org today to update your member profile. The information profile is how we contact you with chapter and national information. It is also used in the national membership directories. So make sure your information is correct to receive all the benefits of PRSA membership. And if you need a new nametag, let us know that, too.
JOBS
Title: Account Executive
Organization: RLF Communications, Inc.
Location: Greensboro
Job Description: RLF Communications, Inc., a strategic communications agency located in downtown Greensboro, seeks an experienced Account Executive. The ideal candidate for this public relations position must possess strong writing skills, organized planning skills, client relationship experience, media relations knowledge, including consumer, and 3-7 years experience in the field, preferably in an agency setting.
How to Apply: Interested candidates should send a resume and writing samples with cover letter to: Monty Hagler, RLF Communications, 301 North Elm Street, Suite 102, Greensboro, NC, 27401. To learn more about our agency, visit www.rlfcommunications.com
Title: Account Supervisor
Organization: Trone
Location: High Point
Job Description: Trone seeks an experienced account manager for one of our integrated accounts; part of a five-person account team (reporting to VP/Management Supervisor) that provides integrated communications including advertising, collateral development, public relations, relationship marketing and trade show support. Must have a minimum of five years experience in public relations. Must possess be able to quickly understand the client's business and overall marketing strategies, be strategic in developing programs that align with the clients business and will deliver results that grow both the agency and client businesses. Strong leadership, consensus building and organizational skills required.
How to Apply: Please forward your résumé to hr@trone.com
Title: Assistant Account Executive, Public Relations
Organization: Trone
Location: High Point
Job Description: Qualified candidates will possess a related business degree and strong communication skills. Proficiency in French reading, writing and speaking required. Excellent research skills and organizational capabilities are essential.
How to Apply: Please send your resume and cover letter to Angi Wesson at awesson@trone.com
Title: Media Relations Specialist
Organization: The Center for Creative Leadership
Location: Greensboro
Job Description: The Center for Creative Leadership, a global provider of leadership education and research, seeks a media relations specialist to help manage a wide range of external and internal communications tasks. Responsibilities include coordinating global media relations, developing print and Web content and supporting a variety of newsletter, internal communications and executive communications initiatives. Strong writing skills are a must.
How to Apply: Please send your resume, cover letter and writing samples to
Barbara Moser, Group Manager-- Human Resources
Center for Creative Leadership
One Leadership Place P.O. Box 26300
Greensboro, NC 27438
To learn more about CCL, visit www.ccl.org
Title: Communications Manager
Organization: Syngenta
Location: Greensboro
Job Description: Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. Key responsibilities for the position include: handling a variety of complex communications issues in a timely manner; managing relationships with agricultural trade media; writing and editing news releases, Q&As and other communications materials; providing public relations support to US manufacturing sites; monitoring media and other stakeholder activity that may impact the NAFTA region businesses; assisting with media training of company spokespeople, including scientists and executives; coordinating community relations activities, including annual events and a grant program, in the Greensboro area. The successful candidate must possess as a minimum, the following background: a bachelor's degree in communications or related field; excellent written and oral communications skills; proven ability to build rapport with a wide variety of internal and external audiences; experience in planning and executing successful communications programs; ability to remain focused and motivated while managing several projects at once; and an understanding of activist agendas and their potential for impacting Syngenta and its products. Candidate must also have a solid understanding of different writing styles and approaches required for different audiences. Experience managing issues in a technical field or the ag chemical industry is preferred.
How to Apply: Interested parties should forward their resume and salary history by email to Cara McElroy at cara.mcelroy@yoh.com.
Title: Account Supervisor
Organization: Amplify Communications
Location: Greensboro
Job Description: Amplify Communications, a rapidly-growing PR and marketing communications firm with offices in downtown Greensboro, has an immediate need for an experienced account supervisor to oversee activities on a portfolio of new accounts. A full-time relationship is preferred; however, a flexible schedule can be discussed. The ideal candidate will have a take-charge attitude, sharp writing and editing skills and the ability to multitask without fear. Please apply if you have at least four years of experience and if you consider yourself a "pitch pro." Amplify is a firm that takes pride in a unique and progressive approach to integrated communications; it is also a firm noted for fostering an outstanding work-life balance. Please visit our website at www.amplify-comm.com for more on our process and capabilities.
How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter, including salary requirements, and resume, to jordan@amplify-comm.com. No phone calls, please.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The following Board of Directors is here to serve you during 2008. The 2008 board was inducted at the January 10, 2008, Spinks Banquet:
President: Aaron Wall, APR
(336) 878-6711; president@prsatarheel.org
President-Elect: Ken Smith, APR
(336) 812-2108; presidentelect@prsatarheel.org
Secretary: Leslie Brooks
(336) 889-2899
secretary@prsatarheel.org
Treasurer: Deanna Holt Miller
(336) 335-1567; treasurer@prsatarheel.org
VP Membership: Teresa Loflin
(336) 883-3022; teresa.loflin@highpointnc.gov
VP Professional Development: Donnie Turlington
(336) 275-7000; profdev@prsatarheel.org
VP Public Relations: Tamara McLendon
(336) 510-4148; pr@prsatarheel.org
VP Ethics: Open Position
ethics@prsatarheel.org
Past President: A.-C. McGraw, Ph.D., APR
(336) 733-1471; pastpresident@prsatarheel.org
Assembly Delegate: Eric Fletcher, MBA, APR
(336) 878-6202; delegate1@prsatarheel.org
Assembly Delegate: John Guiniven, APR, Fellow PRSA
(336) 278-5772; delegate2@prsatarheel.org
