Exploring Atlanta During PRSSA National Conference

 

In case you haven’t heard, the 2015 PRSSA National Conference will be in Atlanta this November. For us in the Philadelphia region, it is more than just a Mega Bus ride away, but still a doable distance. I highly suggest trying to fit National Conference into your fall semester budget, especially for seniors. Not only will it be extremely beneficial to your professional life, but Atlanta is an awesome city. Below are some pretty neat things to check out in the ATL while you’re not handing out business cards and networking with professionals.

1. Piedmont Park – Even though winter coats will be in full effect in Philadelphia in November, the weather in Atlanta will still be nice. This is a perfect spot to relax, hang out during down time, and capture a great Instagram picture.

2. BBQ- Being the foodie I am, a bunch of different sites have said to not miss out on some BBQ while in the South. Some of the top recommended restaurants are Heirloom BBQ, Fox Bros. BBQ, and Community Q BBQ. Apparently, it would be a sin to not get a side of mac and cheese too.

3. Inside CNN Tour- This is not only on all lists to do while visiting Atlanta, but we all know media is a huge part of our field. This would have to be something most likely planned out in advance because of how often it sells out. I think crossing this off the list is definitely doable over the five days there.

4. The Varsity – This is the world’s oldest drive in restaurant. Eating meals during Conference will not always be the top priority, so why not treat yourself with something fun and easy. Reviews say it is some of the best grease out there and are known the most for a Frosted Orange.

5. Centennial Olympic Park – Created for the 1996 Olympic games, this park is still in business. Conference will have us constantly on the move in between sessions, so why not grab a meal to go and hang out here. This is also another sweet spot for a skyline photo.

The list of attractions and restaurants in Atlanta goes on and on, but these are five things I think can definitely be accomplished during the span we are visiting for Conference. Let the countdown begin!

It's Been a Week: How to Stay in Touch

It's been 1 whole week since the PRSSA National Conference, and it already seems like a lifetime ago. I wore what I now think of as my 'conference suit' today to work because it made me feel like I was getting dressed for another session or workshop. But, while conference may alternatively seem like a long time ago and very far into the future (over a year from now, in Atlanta!) there are some things you can, and should, do to stay in touch with the people you met at the conference. And for those that didn't attend conference, these tips are a good way to stay in touch with anyone you meet that you won't normally see.

For better or worse, technology, and specifically the Internet, rules our world, especially for public relations and its practitioners. The days of handwritten letters as a means of correspondence are over, now getting an actual letter is something special and rare. While at conference, after meeting with people I always make sure to give and get a business card, and I always tried to follow them on Twitter before we parted ways. Not all business cards are made the same way, so don't count on them to have all of the person's relevant information. Twitter becomes very popular while at conference, the hashtag #PRSSANC was trending for awhile because of all the users. Once you have that mutual Twitter follow with someone, you are good to go meet other people; just make sure to hold on to that business card!

Around right now is the perfect time to invite people to connect on LinkedIn; it's been a week so the memory of conference is fading. Sending out and getting LinkedIn invitations right now serves to jolt those conference memories back into action, and will get people looking at your profile. This is especially good for connecting with professionals that you met at conference!

Lastly, and this depends on how close a relationship you want to maintain, send the person an email a week or two after conference. Talk about it was great to meet them, ask a question or two about what's going on in their life, and if it's someone you really want to learn more about, ask to schedule a call or meeting. I shouldn't be anymore, but I'm still surprised and inspired by how helpful every PR pro I've met is willing to; they're always willing to take the time to talk to you and give you tips and advice to further your own career.

Have any questions or comments on the best practices to stay in touch with people? Comment below, we'd love to hear from you.

This post was authored by Faiz Mandviwalla, a junior at Temple University and the Director of Finance for PRowl Public Relations. Follow him on twitter @faizmand. 

PRSSANC: Where Phone Batteries Go To Die

This past weekend, 10 other Temple PRSSA and PRowl students and I had the honor of attending the PRSSA National Conference in Washington, D.C. Each year, this nationally recognized professional development conference is held in a different city. Last year, it was right in Philadelphia, but this year we got to travel a few hours south to the nation’s capital. After four days of packed sessions where we learned about various types and aspects of public relations, endless live-tweeting and some sightseeing of national monuments, I am finally able to reflect and absorb what I learned from several professionals sessions I attended.  

 Agency experience is invaluable

One common piece of advice from many guest speakers was to get agency experience. They stressed the importance of gaining various skills like media relations, pitching, multi-tasking and social media development that all come from working at an agency. One speaker during the tourism and hospitality session, Sarah Lipman, a public relations manager for Hilton Worldwide, stressed how agency gives you the best options and skills that are transferrable to any other sections of public relations that you may go into later like corporate. It is also well-known that it is good to try an agency internship in college because it’ll help determine if the fast paced agency experience is for you or not instead of taking a job at an agency and not liking it.

Stay in contact with Linkedin

Today, with so many different ways to contact people via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, email and telephone, it can be hard to actually get through to that people in your industry you want to reach out to. At conference, I learned that Linkedin is essential to keep in contact. One speaker, Anthony LaFauce, VP of Digital Communications Group at Porter Novelli, stressed how Linkedin is the best way to network and contact professionals in your desired field just to ask them questions and meet up if you’re in their area. He talked about how networking can be causal like going to happy hours but that following up with a personalized Linkedin request is the best way to maintain that connection. Before sending out all your new invites, make sure your Linkedin is updated with all your past and current positions and includes skills you possess like Google analytics, SEO, and Vocus or Cision.

Better to be last and right

In the 24/7 world of public relations, it is easy to want to push out content and be the first to break news for a client. The reality is that hurriedness often ends up to incorrect information getting out and incomplete stories. Our field is built on trust and transparency as professionals stressed all weekend to us. Speakers like Jason Mollica, Temple alum and president of JRMComm, spoke about how important it is to have and keep trust from both your clients, publics and the media. He admitted that he would rather be last and right then first and wrong. Always take your time to double check you work whether it is an email or press release or tweet.

The conference was a wonderful opportunity to immerse myself in public relations and refocus my short and long term goals. It was great meeting other students from around the country and seeing what steps they have taken professionally to put themselves ahead and continually grow. Next year the conference will be held in Atlanta, GA, so be sure to start saving now to travel to the south because learning about public relations never ends.

Do you have any tips you received from a fellow student or professional that resonated with you? Comment below! 

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Shaun Luberski.  You can follow Shaun on Twitter at @sluberski94.

How #PRSSANC Eased My First Job Fears

I would be lying if I said the thought of the upcoming job hunt season didn't seem like a daunting task. Luckily for me, according to US News, the job outlook for this year's college graduates is looking great. Those statistics coupled with what I took away from the "First Job Survival Guide" session have definitely eased any fears I previously had.

One of the panelists, Anthony LaFauce of Porter Novelli, had a few nuggets of wisdom to share with the conference-goers. If you've also been struggling with the thought of tackling your first job in the real world then these tips are for you. 

When interviewing, spell out how you're going to midigate risk for the company. Most "entry-level" jobs are listed as requiring two or more years of experience. Since we don't have that just yet, we're technically seen as a risk. Ease the company's mind and explain you're actually an asset.  

Be excited; upper management will notice. Personality is everything. Positive energy is infectious and shows genuine interest. A smile and a good attitude go farther than you think. 

Once you get your first job, there will immediately be three other people trying to get it. Keep your competitive edge and always bring your A-game. Otherwise, there will be someone else willing to step up to the plate. 

You're never inconveniencing anyone by asking questions. It's better to ask thorough questions ahead of time rather than make a mistake that could have been avoided. 

Double check everything you do. It's better to be a few minutes late and right, than not. Same principle as the tip before: thorough preparation makes for better results in the long run. 

Always keep candy on your desk. I could say this fosters positive office commradery...but people just like candy!

Hopefully these tips were helpful and if you have any first job survival tips of your own, feel free to share them in the comments below!

#PRSSANC: Jason Mollica’s Keys to Media Interview Success

Although PRSSA National Conference has come to an end, there are still plenty of helpful insights to share from our experience in Washington, DC. Sessions highlighted an array of public relations topics with prominent speakers from Ketchum, Edelman, the Smithsonian and even Neiman Marcus. Also among those notable speakers was JRMComm President and Temple University alum Jason Mollica, who spoke to a packed house on the dos and don’ts of media relations. Entitled “Understanding What the Media Want,” his session included how to effectively communicate with media and even a few helpful steps of pitching. But the topic that stood out most to me was his tips for preparing your client (or even yourself) for a media interview.

(Photo by PRowl staff member Shaun Luberski)

In classes and internships, we learn how to communicate with the media on behalf of our client through press releases or social media. But what happens when we need to let the client speak for themselves? Here are a few of Jason’s tips for executing a successful interview with the media.

• Pick a spokesperson. Have a knowledgeable and quotable spokesperson that is accessible to the media. If possible, have the interview conducted in a location that is comfortable for the spokesperson; a retail company’s CEO in one of their stores, for example.
• Craft a key message. A key message that is consistent throughout the interview will allow for more effective communication. 
• Create talking points. By creating talking points, the interviewee is able to stay on track and avoid rambling. This also helps to keep answer short, allowing for better quotability.  
• Take charge. It’s important to take charge when answering questions from the media. They will potentially ask tough or controversial questions but the interviewer has control to frame the message in their responses. 
• Never go off the record. This one is pretty self-explanatory. Jason’s advice, “if you don’t want it on the news, don’t say it.”

There are a few other key takeaways from this session including the importance of doing your research, knowing your audience and, of course, the need to always be transparent.

Museums at #PRSSANC

This weekend, PRowl traveled to Washington, D.C. for the 2014 National PRSSA Conference. Starting yesterday, PRowl is recapping some of the sessions, insights, and stories shared during the conference in our country's capital.

My favorite session of the weekend was A Monumental View: What It Takes To Work in Museums and Public Places. Museums and institutions and arts & culture are more of niche industries, and one we don't particularly learn about as much as say, agency or corporate. Melinda Machado, the Marketing & Communications Coordinator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History presented about her background and experience in this position.

(Source: Newsdesk)

When asked what advice she can give students looking to get involved in the industry, she suggested gaining experience through agency work, where the opportunities for work in different industries is endless. Once employers can see you are capable of handling multiple projects in the fast-paced world of PR, they are more confident in you bringing that back to their internal communications.

Machado prepared a helpful visual presentation breaking down all the processes and results of a few campaigns she's worked on while at the museum. She tracked media coverage and her social footprint as the Communications director. For example, the museum's Communications team organized an event acknowledging Ralph Lauren for his donations and contributions to the National Museum of American History's exhibits. Hilary Clinton presented the award to Ralph Lauren, and clearly - media outlets all over covered the event, giving the museum a ton of earned publicity.

Among many other amazing speakers, Melinda Machado shared great insight for students aspiring to work in the field of PR within not only institutions, but any other industry. Her campaigns are inspirations for future student projects.

The Unique Approach to Networking

I write to you from the lobby of the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., site of the 2014 Public Relations Student Society of America National Conference. The wi-fi is slow, my hands are tired and my feet ache, but it's been an amazing weekend of hearing from our industries professionals, and my own peers at schools across the nation. One of the biggest advantages of conference, or PRSSANC, is the endless networking opportunities.

Most anyone will tell you that networking is the key to success in our industry; getting a job is often all about who you know. Here at conference, I've experiences all forms of networking, and I've come to several conclusions about the best way to go about it.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of PR students here at conference, all vying for a chance to talk to sometimes just 1 single professional after a speech or session. The only way for them to remember you is uniqueness. Before you walk up to someone, do your best to think about something different from anyone else to talk to them about.

This weekend, more often than not I'll hear students walk up to a PR pro, and say something along the lines of, "Well, after my 5th internship..." At first, I was just anxious, I'm only on my 3rd internship, how can I compete!? But, from watching the reactions and body language of the person they're trying to network to,  realized that they often weren't very interested. Everyone has had internships, so a PR pro isn't going to remember you that way. Instead, I introduced myself and then asked him (the guy I wanted a job from) a few questions about his own life, and the props he had on the table. Then we got to talking about Philadelphia, and I ended with recommending he take a trip to Jim's Steaks, which he actually wrote down! I was thrilled, and felt sure he'd remember me after that.

Another key to networking is to follow-up, and do it quickly. I talked to a speaker after his session, got his card, and then emailed him less than 15 minutes later. By the next day we'd scheduled a time to sit down and talk! As with most emails in PR, come up with a catchy subject line, and keep the body short, sweet, and simple. Make sure to connect it with something unique you talked about in-person!

Another few things to think about is to make your business cards stand out, but not be too flashy. The real, over-arching key to networking is to establish your unique, personal brand, communicate that effectively in just a few minutes, and than follow-up quickly and decisively.

Have any comments or questions on best networking practices? Leave them below, I'd love to hear from you!



This post was authored by Faiz Mandviwalla, a junior at Temple University and Director of Finance of PRowl Public Relations. Follow him on twitter @faizmand.  

The Inside Scoop: Living the Life of a Nonprofit PR Professional

As the fall season came into focus, so did the Public Relations Student Society of America’s National Conference!

Over the past few days, members of Temple University’s PRSSA chapter have been listening to various PR professionals speak about communication topics ranging from resume-building, healthcare PR, and more.

However, for those interested in pursuing a job in nonprofit communications, two women representing vastly different careers in the division gave tips for young professionals aiming towards making a change in the world.

Both National Director of Communications for The Salvation Army Jennifer Byrd and Field Organizer for Amnesty International Savannah Fox have experience in the field of non-profit PR. Both women discussed the requirements for their jobs as well as the things they have been able to accomplish in their professional careers.

According to Byrd, one of the best parts of being involved in the field of PR is having the ability to make a difference and promote change. As someone who had been involved in legal agency PR at one point, Byrd was hoping to find a way to impact people’s lives, and she found that outlet when she joined the Salvation Army.

Fox also spoke about how her involvement with Amnesty International has given her the chance to participate in the advocacy for the termination of the death penalty in the United States.

Through their jobs, both women are able to take part in something that they are passionate about as well as contribute to making a difference for the causes they believe in.

Another highlight of the field of nonprofit PR is the variation of the work a professional completes on a daily basis.

Byrd mentioned how there isn’t any typical day for a person in her position. She could be doing a multitude of projects ranging from media outreach to crisis management daily!

Fox, who hours before the conference had been observing human rights violations in the middle of Ferguson, Missouri, can find herself in the middle of an event standing alongside the demographic her workplace supports, or she could be doing traditional PR work in the form of reaching out to news outlets for coverage.

Although both Byrd and Fox spoke on different sides of the nonprofit spectrum, there main messages were the same. If you hope to go into the world of nonprofit PR, you must have a passion or drive for a cause, and you must be willing to dive in to finding a solution for the problems that cause faces.

Branding Yourself Through Business Cards

This weekend is the Public Relations Student Society of America’s National Conference. Thousands of PR students and professionals will meet in Washington D.C. to develop their skills through workshops, presentations, and networking. Meeting others, especially in a large setting, can be overwhelming, but networking in the industry is necessary for your future success. In preparation for National Conference, I designed personalized business cards to help me network with others and stand out among the crowd. Business cards start a conversation. When designing your own cards, you may want to consider the following:

What kind of customer are you trying to attract?  Whether your business cards are for your company or for your personal brand, think about your audience and what you want to highlight about yourself.

Be visual. People are more likely to remember you through pictures, colors, and designs. Original pictures are always better than clip art. If you have a background in graphic design or art, put your own artwork on the back of your cards. It is a great way to show off your portfolio by giving them a piece of your work.

Inspire curiosity. Stand out by showing people you are unique. Give them a reason to contact you. I have seen people design business cards that are not cards at all. Some have made business cards out of plastic, wood, or cloth. Others have made foldable or pop-up cards, as well as personalized coins. It is up to you to decide what makes you different from the rest and what kind of impression you want to leave people with.

Where do you engage the most? Your home address takes up a lot of space. Think about the best way for others to contact you. If you primarily use email, then put your email address. If you want others to engage with you on social media, add your Twitter and Instagram handles. Provide people with the contact information you use the most.

Use a Quick Response code. QR codes are barcodes that your smartphone and other machines can scan. They redirect others to a link of your choice. Maybe you want to use a QR code to link your business card with your LinkedIn profile or personal blog. QR codes can help you share more information about yourself without taking up a lot of space.

To stand out, you do not need to be extravagant. One way I made my business cards unique was by using a non-traditional shape; my cards are square. Whether you are going to a conference or networking event, or simply want business cards for everyday use, these tips will help guide you in the right direction. How will you stand out through your business cards?

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Megan Healy. 

Living Blogging From #PRSSANC

This weekend, PRowl members are networking, learning and building connections at PRSSA's Annual National Conference....and we are bringing you with us!

Be sure to check these blog frequently for new posts and updates on our takeaways from conference. We'll be posting tips for navigating a national conference effectively, and information about the sessions we attend from today until Monday night when we make our way back to Philly.

If you have questions or comments for us about #PRSSANC, send us a tweet @PRowlPR!

How to Make the Most of Your National Conference Experience, Without Leaving Philly!

PRSSA National Conference is one of three large-scale events in conjunction with PRSSA National. It is the perfect opportunity for members to gain insight into the profession, learn more about certain PR industries and meet other members from across the country. This year’s conference is in Washington, DC hosted by American University’s chapter. It would be ideal for each school to be able to fund every member’s attendance, despite the distance but unfortunately it’s just not a reality for many. However, there are plenty of ways to stay up to date with national conference happenings, even from Philadelphia.

(Source: PRSSA)

• Search the hashtag. From Twitter to Instagram, searching #PRSSANC will make it seem like you’re actually there! The conference is full of active social media users (it’s a PR conference afterall) who will surely be posting photos of speakers, live Tweets and more.
• Follow other members. In order to stay in tune with all things National Conference, there are a few key accounts you should be following. PRSSANational and PRSSA National Conference are guaranteed to keep their followers well-informed. You can also check in to the accounts of the National Committee members. National Committee is the executive board equivalent for PRSSA National. There are a number of Temple PRSSA and PRowl executive board members going as well who will be working to update the members who aren’t able to attend.
• Read the programming. Before conference starts, check out the programming schedule. If there are any speakers you would have attended had you been at conference, search their name on Twitter for mentions. Attendees will likely live Tweet quotes and important points they make.
• Check back! Be sure to check back with PRowl’s blog next week for a recap. It will include events and speaker highlights so you don’t miss a thing.

When staying updated with PRSSA National Conference, remember that social media is your best tool. It will allow you to see photos, videos, quotes and speakers that you will make you feel like you're actually there!

How to Prepare for PRSSANC

Whenever you talk about the Public Relations Student Society of America National Conference, it always seems so far away, in the distant future. Even as recently as yesterday, I assumed I had a few more weeks until conference.

BUT WAIT. It's this weekend. As in, 5 days from right now, you and I might be at the same seminar or workshop, in our nations capital, Washington, D.C. With conference coming up so soon, a million little things I needed to do came rushing into my brain, keeping me up later than I wanted to be, as I fretted about each minute detail. Here are some of the most important ones:

1. SOCIAL MEDIA. It's 2014, and the name of the game is social media. Or maybe just Twitter. Regardless, connecting with people on social media is now just as important as actual face-to-face networking. In fact, I've found that meeting someone in-person, and then waiting a day or two to connect via Twitter and LinkedIn, is a good way to stay in touch. To prepare for conference, think about some important people/groups to follow on Twitter. Think about other members from your PRSSA chapter, consider following PRSSA chapters from another school. Not biased or anything, but Temple's PRSSA chapter is definitely worth following, same goes for our PR-firm, PRowl Public Relations.

2. Business attire. Everyone's heard the age-old adage, 'Look good, feel good.' Well, let me add another part to that: 'Do good.' Plan to dress up for conference, wear a tie, wear a jacket. Ladies: wear whatever the female equivalent is. The more professional you look, the more seriously other's will treat you. Don't expect to show up in a polo and shorts and get a job.

3. Networking. I mentioned it earlier under social media, but networking is one the primary reasons for attending conference, and the activity that'll likely help you down the road. PR is, after all, about who you know. Get business cards of your own, and be ready to get a lot from people you meet. Don't be afraid to walk up to a group of strangers, stick out your hand, and introduce yourself. You'll probably be doing what they all wish they were doing. Introduce yourself, find something to connect on - ask what specific field of PR are they interested in, or what they are studying or if they are interning somewhere. Offer your business card after a few minutes, and then it's on to the next one!

4. Money. Figure out all your financials, as well as your group's financials, ahead of time! No one wants to take a long trip, only to find out that they don't actually have a hotel room, or aren't really registered for conference. Double check all your confirmations, from conference to hotel to travel arrangements, and keep printed copies for yourself! Make sure to take more money than you think'll need; you never know what might happen.

There are many more, smaller details that go into making your trip to national conference a successful one, but I think that these are the most important ones, and that they cover most of what you'll need. I look forward to my own early-morning bus ride to D.C. because I know that meeting and hearing from some of the PR industry's pros and other student organizations will all be worth it.

Think I missed anything essential to going to conference? Comment it below, we'd love to hear from you!

Ready, Set, Conference!

It is time to register for PRSSA National Conference 2014! Last year, I had the honor of attending National Conference in Philadelphia. I attended with several of Temple’s PRSSA and PRowl members, and it was one of the best weeks of my life. Each day was filled with a variety of sessions, networking events and career opportunities. It was such a rewarding experience, and I learned more 5 days about public relations than I did my whole freshman year.

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There are a countless number of benefits of attending this conference. Here are just four reasons why you should register for conference!

1.     Find your way in public relations

As a student, finding a particular type of public relations to work in is extremely difficult. There is nonprofit or corporate or agency or sports or publicity… the list goes on and on. Luckily, there were sessions for all of these at conference. Some of the sessions I attended included “Step up to the Plate: Sports PR,” “Fashion PR: More than Selling Items in a Store” and “Juggling Life at an Agency.” Each had a handful of professional that told stories of their experiences, weighed the pros and cons of each industry and of course answered questions. I enjoyed the session and wish I could’ve attended all of them, but it solidified my interest in working at an agency.

2.     Learn a little each day

The whole experience is such a great learning experience. I got tips on how to best pitch stories to the media, how to stand out in an interview and write a strong cover letter to prospective employers. The best thing I did to absorb as much information as possible was always have my notebook on me. I took notes at each Keynote and session. I now can go back and utilize the advice from all of these professionals and put it to use at my future internships and jobs.

3.     Network, network, network

Being at conference was such a unique experience. I participated in a Twitter chat hosted by PRSSA National a couple of weeks before the conference. The chat included tips of what to bring and expect for first time conference goers. The whole night I was favoriting and following fellow eager public relations students. Later, I went back and direct messaged them and talked about with they do for their PRSSA chapter and where they’ve interned for. Then at conference, it was easy to meet up with them and talk in person. I also made sure to sit next to other students at the sessions rather than Temple friends to branch out and introduce myself. Lastly, there was a career fair where I talked to different firms and companies about their internship opportunities.

4.     Travel

Being in Philadelphia last year wasn’t too exciting since I grew up right around the city, but students from other schools loved going to the landmarks like the Love Statue, Liberty Bell, the Art Museum steps and more. Washington D.C. will be just as great with all of the historic memorial and monuments. I have been on family vacations to D.C. a couple of times and love going to the free Smithsonian museums and memorials. Conference is like a mini field trip away from school. Take the time after sessions and lunch breaks to go explore the capital!

Conference is a unique and highly rewarding experience. It is the prime place for anyone interested in public relations even if you’re majoring in marketing or journalism. It’ll show you new opportunities to grow and learn.

Register for the 2014 PRSSA National Conference here. I hope to see you in D.C in October! 

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Shaun Luberski.

PRSSA National Conference: Chapter Branding

Attending PRSSA National Conference is like hitting the lottery for a PR student. It’s where all the best and brightest future leaders of the industry meet to learn, discuss trends, exchange ideas and, of course, business cards. This year, conference was conveniently hosted in Temple’s hometown of Philadelphia, allowing for a total of 40 members to attend! Sessions included young professional panels, industry veterans (like Temple alum Jason Mollica) and chapter presentations. The University of Florida’s session focused entirely on developing your chapter through brand building in order to develop a strong and proactive program. Here are a few main points that I took away from the presentation.

1. Establish A Mission- Coming up with a mission gives your chapter a clear and concise direction for the year. It provides a central theme in which speakers, meetings, and even social media can be centered around.

2. Create A Strategy- Once you have determined the vision for the year, the next step is to create a strategy to give guidance to that theme. The purpose of your strategy is to have a plan that will best suit your chapter in when it comes to promoting the brand.

3. Promotion- Promotional material gives a visual to your chapter theme. Chapter business cards with a uniform logo, that year’s hashtag, and member t-shirts are great ways to build up the year’s brand.

4. Develop Your Programming- Chapter meetings should coincide with the year’s theme. Speakers, skills seminars, and workshops help unify the brand with the promotional material and established mission.

5. Revamp- It’s important to keep things new and continually refresh your brand from year to year and even throughout the semester. A theme can get stale from week to week, so finding new ways to approach it is important and helps keep your members interested and engaged.

6. Connect Your Message- Keep things uniform over all promotional platforms. From social media to flyers to the website, it’s vital to stay consistent in your chapter voice.

In the words of PRSA International Conference keynote and digital analyst Brian Solis, “Brands are not people, and people are now brands” and PRSSA chapters are no exception!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Jaime Martorana. 

Public Relations Program Receives Certification At International Conference

The following article was published on SMC News and Events on October 26, 2013.

The public relations industry has converged on Philadelphia this weekend and Temple University is playing a starring role.

The city is playing host to the International Public Relations Society of America Conference Oct. 26-29. A silver-level sponsor of the conference, Temple has secured its place as an important part of the future of public relations. On Saturday, the PR program within the School of Media and Communication’s Department of Strategic Communication has officially earned the PRSA’s Certification in Education for Public Relations. Only 32 other PR programs in the world have received this certification.

“Our public relations program is approaching a level that can be described as exacting, compelling and rigorous,” said Professor Cornelius B. Pratt, department chair.

The certification is something to which future students should be attracted as they search for a college program that fits their needs.

“It should offer a high level of confidence in the quality of the education that we will provide them,” Pratt said.

He said the depth and breadth of the department’s five full-time public relations faculty members, two of whom are accredited in public relations, were key factors in receiving the certification. All five have practical public relations experience.

Brianna Rooney of Ambler, Pa., is a senior in the public relations track. As president of the Temple Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, she understands what the certification means for her degree.

“Hearing that PRSA is offering its support to our program is beyond exciting,” she said. “It brings great and necessary attention to the program and everything that it offers to students. It is a huge testament to the program, department and school and makes me so proud to be part of something so great.”

Strong SMC presence
Temple will be visible throughout the conference. On Monday, SMC Dean David Boardman will make introductory remarks at the all-conference networking luncheon. This opportunity will enable the new SMC dean to introduce himself to more than 2,500 international communications professionals, and tell them a little bit about Temple and its undergraduate and graduate programs. That same afternoon, adjunct instructor Amanda Bednar will be presenting a workshop on non-profit and association PR at the Public Relations Student Society of America conference, which is being held concurrently with the professional conference.

On Tuesday morning, Heather LaMarre, assistant professor of strategic communication, will present a workshop on “Defining Corporate Character Advocacy on Character Reputation and Relationships” at the professional conference.

More than 40 of SMC’s PR students have registered for the student conference. Members of Temple’s PRSSA chapter, student-run PR firm PRowl Public Relations and the Temple chapter of the Black Public Relations Society have been intimately involved in planning ways to get the most out of the school’s sponsorship. They are staffing tables throughout both conferences, promoting SMC’s graduate and PhD programs. Additionally, student are surveying conference attendees to see what they know about Temple and are exploring future opportunities to speak in classes and perhaps even teach.

Kaitlyn Sutton, PRowl firm director, said she and her fellow students are focused on networking this weekend.

“For many of us, this will be our first time interacting with professionals within the field,” Sutton said. “I think the other main benefit is the chance to explore new realms for the PR world that we may have not thought about before. Being exposed to professional development sessions at such a young age, I feel that we will be gaining an advantage over other students who do not have this opportunity during their college career.”

#PRSSANC Essentials You May Have Forgotten

After an extremely hectic past few weeks, the big event we have all been waiting for is finally here! PRSSA National Conference has officially begun! 

With a jam-packed weekend ahead of us all, here are a few essentials to keep handy this weekend that you may have forgotten about: 

Phone Charger (make sure you personalize it!)

We all know that we are Tweet-aholics. Be sure to carry around a charger to ensure that you can stay connected with the social media world! Make sure you personalize it though, or it may get lost in the sea of chargers. 

Band-aids

Paper cuts and blisters - need I say more?

Ibuprofen

Networking involves a LOT of chit-chatting. Pack a travel-size bottle of Motrin just in case you feel a splitting headache coming on. 

Hand Sanitizer

It's flu season! Better to be safe than sorry. 

PRSSANC Professional Development Workshops

As we know, at the PRSSA national conference there will be a variety of programs and diverse topics that are available for participants. From tips on pitching to the media to insights on Fashion PR, PRSSA touched on every corner of the PR world and also fulfilled the PR public's needs by providing beneficial information.

In the Professional development workshops, the one segment that caught my attention is the Perspective From large and Small Organizations: Association and Nonprofit Public Relations. As Nonprofit Public Relations sector continue to grow and develop, I believe this workshop will bring necessary information to us, college students. One of the presenters, Amanda Bednar, has more than 13 years of communication and marketing experience in the nonprofit and higher education sector. With her experience, knowledge and dedication to the communications field, your intellect is sure to develop.

Are there any other workshops that caught your attention?  We will like to know!