News and Events of PRSA - Northwest Ohio Chapter

Professional Development Workshop

September 19, 2008

Development Mike Benard, vice president of communications and public affairs at Kodak before retiring in 2006, led a half-day workshop examining three important topics – how public relations professionals can navigate business transformation, capitalizing on changes in the marketplace of information, and ethical best practices. The session was marked by insightful commentary and spirited discussion with participants.

Benard based his remarks on his experience as the top communications and public affairs executive at Kodak for more than a dozen years. During his 20 years at Kodak he served with five CEOs, supporting four of them as head of communications and public affairs. Mike led the teams that earned four Silver Anvils, the highest award in the public relations field. He was named a “PR All-Star” by Inside PR magazine.

Buchanan&associates Seeks Media Strategist

Growing Dublin ad agency seeks qualified candidate to work as a media planning and strategy specialist. Candidate will be responsible for developing media strategies to reach audiences of all agency clients. Experience with non-traditional media is required. Ideal candidates have strong idea development skills and ability to think beyond the traditional. Should be passionate about staying abreast of the latest news and trends in the industry.

 

Our agency is dedicated to exceptional client service and developing outstanding ideas in a team-based environment. We are looking for a candidate who will enthusiastically contribute ideas to all aspects of the agency and its clients. If you think you could be a good fit with our environment, e-mail your resume and salary requirements to Rebecca Thompson rthompson@buchanan-assoc.com.

 

2 Public Relations Account Executives - Toledo

Laurie Mitchell & Co., Inc., a Marketing Communications Executive Search Firm, has placed 1100+ MarCom professionals over the last 23 years. We staff Public Relations/Advertising Agencies and scores of large & small, public & private companies throughout the Ohio region and beyond.

A prominent Toledo Agency has exclusively and most confidentially retained us to identify two 3-10 year PR/AD professionals who either have agency experience or client side experience serving a variety of internal and external constituencies. These are new positions due to growth, and will work on a variety of consumer and B2B accounts. Only the Agency’s most senior management is aware of these searches.

Our clients desire well-rounded, hands-on professionals with stellar writing and interpersonal skills who are comfortable working with colleagues at all levels of an organization. A self-deprecating sense of humor, a flair for everything from media relations to white papers to product launches, and excellent client-facing skills are mandatory. Our employer-paid-fee services are strictly confidential.

To apply for these positions please email your bullet-format resume as a single MS Word file to MitchellCo17@aol.com . Name the attachment with your last name first, then first name (Smith,Mary 2-08.doc). Please put your name in the subject line and include a thoughtful email message stating your current salary. 
We acknowledge all qualified and serious applicants quickly.

Thank you. We look forward to working with you.
www.LaurieMitchellCompany.com
Laurie Mitchell, CPC
Laurie Mitchell & Co., Inc.
Marketing Communications Executive Search
MitchellCo17@aol.com
Direct: 216-292-6001 (10 am to 6pm only)
Voicemail: 216-292-9936

Assistant Professor of Public Relations

The University of Findlay invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Public Relations professor at assistant level to start August 2008. This person will teach PR writing, principles and campaigns, and additional courses relevant to the field.  Successful candidates must have at least five years of professional Public Relations work and be active in PRSA, as responsibilities will include advising PRSSA. College teaching helpful. A Ph.D. is preferred but will consider a master's degree with extensive professional experience. Review of applications begins immediately. Applications, CV and portfolio examples should be sent to
Dr. Diana Montague, Communication Department chair, The University of Findlay, 1000 N. Main St., Findlay, OH 45840.

PRSA Northwest Ohio Chapter Introduces Luncheon Sponsorships

In recent months, the PRSA Northwest Ohio Board has been lamenting. The Board has high aspirations to continue to secure sought-after speakers for the monthly meeting and also provide opportunities for local college PRSSA members to attend regional and national conferences. All the while, the Board felt constrained by the existing chapter account balance.

 

“After much discussion, the Board felt a perfect solution to bring additional financial resources for the Chapter and its membership was to institute a monthly luncheon sponsorship program,” said Bill Hamilton, APR, Northwest Ohio PRSA Chapter President. “Our monthly luncheons bring the Northwest Ohio communications leaders to one location, and a number of companies are anxious to capture the attention of this high-profile group.”

 

The Chapter has introduced a three-tiered sponsorship program (Gold, Silver and Bronze) that is reasonably priced. Sponsorships give companies a chance to be recognized in front of the lunch group, share promotional materials and even introduce their services directly to the group. Companies also receive admission to the luncheon as part of the sponsorship.

 

“Our thanks to Business Wire, a Gold sponsor in March, and PR Newswire, a Silver sponsor in April,” Hamilton said. “We look forward seeing the sponsorship program grow, so we can offer more benefits to our membership.”

 

If you know of any company who might be interested in being a sponsor, please email PRSA Board Member Matt Lockwood matt.lockwood@utoledo.edu currently overseeing the sponsorship program.

 

PRSA Northwest Ohio Young Professionals Networking Group
Are you on your way up the ladder in the public relations field? Would you like to meet other up and coming public relations/communications professionals in the area and discuss industry trends in a less-formal setting? If so, PRSA’s newest initiative is for you! The PRSA Northwest Ohio chapter is considering starting a New Professionals group. Ideally, the group would meet about once a month for networking activities geared toward practitioners with up to five
years of experience. Programs will be casual to appeal to a younger audience, such as drinks and hors d’oeuvres at a local restaurant while discussing nontraditional PR tactics, an open forum about media relations tips or hearing about advancing your career from a seasoned pro. The group will not cost anything to join; you simply need to be a PRSA member (and pay for your own food and beverage at the activity). Depending on the level of interest, the first program will likely be in June.
With Associate memberships starting as low as $60, now is the perfect time for young communications professionals to become PRSA members. If you are interested in participating in the New Professionals group or helping with the planning,
please contact Kelly Hancock at khancock@hartinc.com or 419-893-9600.

Advocacy For Our Times
Responding to a 2002 member survey, PRSA created an Advocacy Advisory Board to help the organization identify public and professional policy on which PRSA’s leaders should be heard. PRSA recently began expanding this board to include local chapter representatives. I will be serving as the Northwest Ohio chapter representative. Locally, we will establish an advocacy function to identify, monitor and respond to the unique communications challenges in Northwest Ohio. We will also pass along information about issues being pursued by the national Advocacy Advisory Board. We made a great start in issue management with our May meeting program. We highlighted the Advocacy Advisory Board at our January 2007 meeting, and we will have other activities and information for you throughout the year. I look forward to working on this program in the coming months, and hearing your opinions and ideas.

Julie Pompa, APR
juliep@LMGnet.com

Advancing the professional

APR (Accredited in Public Relations) is a mark of distinction for public relations professionals who demonstrate their commitment to the profession and to its ethical practice, and who are selected based on broad knowledge, strategic perspective, and sound professional judgment.

APR is a strong brand representing more than 90 percent of all practitioners accredited by any certification process in the public relations field. Increasingly, job listings are specifying “APR preferred.” While factors such as years of experience and seniority contribute to increased salary, Accredited public relations practitioners earn about 14 percent or about $10,000 more annually than their non-Accredited counterparts. APR dominates the field of professional certifications in our industry with 4,300 PRSA members holding Accreditation—about 22% of all PRSA members.

The Northwest Ohio Chapter is well above the national average, boasting some 30% of members who have earned Accreditation. For those who have achieved this distinction, the value of the credential is viewed in many ways. For some, becoming Accredited means proof of their knowledge. For others, it means achieving a personal goal. For many, it opens the doors to more senior level positions and higher salaries.

Regardless of the reasons for seeking Accreditation, professionals are outspoken in their support.  Visit www.prsa.org or www.accreditationboard.org for full details on the process or contact the Northwest Ohio Chapter APR Chair: Julia L. Orwig, APR, at: :jorwig@orwig.net