SALUTE
Executive Board: Winter Recruitment Sucess
By Vice President of Member Lauren Dissmore and the e-‐ Services, board. This semester my role was charged with a single mission: expand our membership base and raise awareness of PRSSA as a go-‐to PR/communications resource on campus. As the new VP of Member Services, my initial and primary task was to recruit students to join but also simultaneously to inform potential and current members of all the great benefits available to members.
Networking with professionals, portfolio building workshops, social media workshops, social media training and professional writing opportunities were some of the most popular. “I joined PRSSA to get my foot in the door and further my knowledge of public relations,” said Meaghan Priebe, new member. “Everyone has been very welcoming, helpful and I really appreciate them! I’ve already been on an agency tour at Eisbrenner, and loved it.”
Ultimately, it is every board members responsibility to demonstrate “ enthusiasm f or P RSSA” Per our usual outreach we coordinated classroom visits, e-‐ and I believe this is what resonates blasts, invited non-‐members to well with recruiting students. professional development events and Overall, this semester garnered 19 workshops. During class visits, we new members and in total the shared the numerous outside-‐the-‐ classroom benefits and personally chapter gained 40 first time connected with students who were members since March 2010. interested in standing out upon graduation and expanding their Our chapter currently has 53 knowledge and experience in this members resulting in 15 percent growth since last year. industry.
In This Edition: Page 2 Metro Detroit Agency Tours with Michigan State PRSSA Page 3 Social Media Workshop and PRSA Media Relations Webinar Page 4 HAPPO, PRSA Detroit, IABC Detroit event hosted Identity PR
Pag
Executive Board President Ashleigh Chatel Vice President of Professional Development Erica Rogers Vice President of Chapter Development Rachel Stuyvenberg Vice President of Member Services Lauren Dissmore Public Relations Director Tommy Roy Social Media Director Amy Bass Advisors Faculty Dr. Shelly Najor Professional Mary Henige, APR
Wayne State PRSSA
February 2011
Professionals Open Doors to Budding Professionals By R achel Stuyvenberg Our chapter joined up with Michigan State PRSSA for a visit to metro Detroit agencies. One group visit included Jack Morton, Eisbrenner Public Relations and Bianchi Public Relations. At each visit, members were able to engross themselves in the company’s unique culture.
Account Coordinator Holly Myles coordinates one of the sessions during the students’ tour of Eisbrenner PR.
At Jack Morton, members were able to see how an agency is not just specifically defined by traditional public relations, advertising or marketing practices. This “brand experience” agency provided a behind-‐the-‐scenes look at how the company implemented large-‐scale events such as product launches and mobile tours. Createive Director, John Howard focused importance of strategic messaging. The on the company’s innovative and detail oriented approach to branding captivated eager members. The visit to Eisbrenner Public Relations highlighted the exciting and fast-‐paced life of their business-‐to-‐business public relations agency. Tom Eisbrenner shared background on the company, which has a team-‐oriented environment with a fun and optimistic atmosphere.
Bianchi gave a perspective on his company’s efforts in building relationships and dedication to delivering superior service to select clients. The agency had a more boutique, comforting and hard-‐working culture to it. “It was such a valuable learning experience,” said Erica Rogers, VP of professional development. “I think our members gained a better understanding of agency life and how to tips to help them prepare for their future careers.”
The third tour took place at Bianchi Public Relations. Students had another exclusive opportunity to sit down with owner Jim Bianchi.
PRSSA visited Eisbrenner on Feb. 25 for a comprehensive tour along with members from Eastern Michigan University as they indulged on agency culture. Members participated in a brainstorming session with former PRSSA President Jared Bryan and met with professionals on communication tips with clients. The midday tour gave members a taste of what the future will hold for them thanks to the valuable experiene shared with professionals. Upcoming Events 3/25 | 9 a.m. GM Informational meeting 3/30 | 6 p.m. Panel Discussion 4/4 | 5 p.m. Applications for e-‐board 4/13 | 11:30 a.m. PR Alumni Luncheon 4/18 | 5 p.m. Member Appreciation Meeting
A publication of the James S. Measell Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America2
Wayne State PRSSA
February 2011
Social Media: Understanding PRSA Michael Smart Media and Utilizing Your Brand Relations Webinar By Kristen Japowicz
By John McComb
Social media has become one of the most influential tools to hit the PR industry. It has become a valuable asset to everyone from students to grandparents, professionals to teenagers.
This semester our chapter held an informative media-‐pitching webinar for communication and public relations students at Manoogian Hall on Feb. 7.
Although it is most often used to socializing, PRSSA recognized the need to help students understand how it can be used to maintain and give credit to your personal brand.
The webinar, entitled: “8 Ways to go From ‘Snooze’ to ‘News,’” provided students with innovative ways to create newsworthiness for a story or event.
Social Media Director, Amy Bass said, “We realized this is a resource for establishing and maintaining relationship within a variety of networks.” From her experience she noted, “it takes time and patience to build a personal brand. That’s one of the many benefits of being part of PRSSA.”
Michael Smart, the presenter of the webinar and public relations professional, offered personal examples of how creative pitching results in great deals of media coverage for his clients. Students attending the webinar experienced firsthand some tips on how to be innovative when pitching to the media. He also cave personal examples about creatively find a story angle.
In the business world, branding is everything. At our chapter’s social media workshop, three tools identified for students to utilize were Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
@WSUPRSSA tweeted the event and here was the result:
LinkedIn is “a networking tool to find connections to recommended job candidates, industry experts and business partners,” according to their site.
While LinkedIn is used for strictly “professional” purposes the other two are can be categorized as “social networking.” One point made during the workshop was to “think of these LinkedIn and Twitter profiles as an elevator pitch.” Ultimately it appears that the opportunity to build a brand online has become relevant and vital for students in our profession.
A publication of the James S. Measell Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America3
Wayne State PRSSA
February 2011
Students Attend HAPPO Event at Local Agency
By Lily Medina
Identity PR, Help A PR Pro Out (HAPPO,) and
PRSA Detroit hosted a networking and career advice event on Thursday, Feb. 24 for public relations students and current Detroit area professionals. Participants casually sat down with employees at Identity Marketing and Public Relations to get tips on the career.
Photo Credit: Identity PR. Attendees were greeted by Identity PR employees at the event.
The HAPPO event is part of a nationwide
the agency’s facility. Students were given the opportunity to have their résumés critiqued to improve chances of securing a career with a prospective employer.
event to assist current public relations students as they connect face to face with professionals who offer their advice and tips on how to succeed in the competitive market.
At the event, 40 attendees were received intimate time with fellow career seekers at
The event was a huge success and served its purpose of connecting ambitious students with professionals. Students are encouraged to attend these networking events as they provide vital opportunities to job seekers by establishing new relationships.
The event encouraged students to connect
with other students in the field as an effort
to start building a list of contacts that will
be beneficial to their future.
February Writers
Lauren Dissmore
John McComb
Stay Connected!
Rachel Stuyvenberg
www.wayneprssa.org
Lily Medina Kristen Japowicz To get involved with the production of
Twitter | @WSUPRSSA Facebook | Wayne State PRSSA YouTube | Wayne State PRSSA
Relations Director
Office | 460 Manoogian For general questions, email President Ashleigh Chatel
Tommy Roy
president@wayneprsa.org
Salute contact Public
A publication of the James S. Measell Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America4