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WMPRSA

April 2006 E-Newsletter

In this issue

April is WMPRSA's premiere event:

2006 PRoof Awards

The 2006 PRoof Awards is West Michigan's representative competition for creative excellence in public relations. Sponsored by the West Michigan Public Relations Society of America (WMPRSA), the awards honor excellence in the profession and cultivate the highest standards in the industry.

In addition to honoring the year's best public relations programs and projects, WMPRSA will also honor four individuals: Communicator of the Year, Distinguished PR Practitioner, Journalist of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Hal Walton Scholarship recipeint.

When:Thursday, April 20, starting at 5:45 p.m.

Where: The Press Club in downtown Grand Rapids

Why: To see the best and the brightest in West Michigan's PR industry get the recognition they deserve.

Visit the 2006 PRoof Awards homepage for more information.

Registration deadline: Thursday, April 13

To register, call the WMPRSA hotline at 616-336-0678 or fax to 616-451-3108 or send an e-mail to Sue Ann Clark at admin@WMPRSA.org.

All program reservations MUST be guaranteed with VISA or MASTER CARD.When you make a reservation we will need your name, company name, phone number, membership status, cr. cd. number and expiration date, and the zipcode where you receive your statement.

"No shows" will be billed. 48-hour notice required for full refund.

 Recap: March Program "Meet the Media"

By WMPRSA President Tyler Andrew

March "Meet the Media" Event a Great Success!

On Thursday, March 23rd, WMPRSA held its annual "Meet the Media" breakfast at the Press Club in downtown Grand Rapids. Over 80 communications professionals gathered to meet the area's top news directors, representing broadcast and print media, covering the greater Grand Rapids market.

This year's star-studded panel included:

• Rich Jones, news director,  WOOD Radio
• Patty McGettigan, news director,  WOOD TV8 (NBC)
• Tim Dye, news director, WXMI TV17 (FOX)
• Tim Geraghty, news director, WZZM TV13 (ABC)
• Nancy Crawley, business editor, The Grand Rapids Press
• Tim Gortsema, managing editor, Grand Rapids Business Journal
• Michael Chevy Castranova, editor, Business Review

The panel tackled questions from the audience, such as:

• What makes news?
• What is the process for determining a lead story?
• When are the media's deadlines?
• When and when not to hold a press conference
• How should embargoes and non-disclosures be handled?
• How can PR practitioners make life easier for the media?

Special thanks again to our panel and Gold Sponsor for this event:

 Chapter News

Going for your APR? Readiness Reviews being held this spring (probably early May)

PR practitioners who want to become Accredited have an opportunity to go through the first part of Accreditation -- a Readiness Review -- this spring. Typically, RRs are held locally only twice a year (spring and fall). If you want to go through your RR this spring, then please contact local APR Chair Molly Klimas by April 7 at klimas@sstpr.com or 616-776-3511. For general information on Accreditation, go to www.praccreditation.org. Candidates don’t have to take the APR prep course in order to go through the RR and sit for the written exam; however, they do need to first apply and be approved to go through the process (again, details at www.praccreditation.org).

Welcome new member Dawn Kroeger!

 Marketing Manager atthe Lansing and Grand Rapids Franchises of Two Men And A Truck

In 2000, Dawn graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication s. During college she interned with the Chicago Wolves Professional Hockey Team in the Community Relations Department and had an internship at Lansing's Catholic Social Services/St. Vincent Home in the Development Department.  Upon graduating from  MSU,  she took a full time position with Catholic Social Services/St. Vincent Home as the Special Events Coordinator.  After two years there she became the Director of Marketing for the agency.
 
In September 2004, Dawn began working for the Lansing and Grand Rapids Franchises of Two Men And A Truck as the Marketing Coordinator and was promoted to Marketing Manager in September 2005.  In  her current position as Marketing Manager she is responsible for all marketing activities including all public relations activities. 
 
Dawn is also a member of the Junior League of Lansing and currently serve as the Public Relations and Marketing Chair for the Junior League. 
 
She lives in Lansing and is married to Andy Kroeger.
 
Contact info:

Dawn Kroeger
dawnk@grandrapids.twomen.com
Phone:  616.245.9200

Welcome new member Beth Glover!

 Communications Specialist atPR agency Professional Marketing

Beth graduated from Michigan State University Honors College in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. She specialized in public relations and mass media. Beth currently works for PR agency Professional Marketing as the Communications Specialist.

 State News

2006 Michigan PRSA Conference to Feature FOX News analyst Tony Snow and ITT Industries, Inc. Thomas Martin

S econd-largest gathering of PR professionals in country offers something for everyone

DETROIT - The 2006 Michigan Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Conference will host hundreds of public relations professionals May 4 and 5 at the Detroit Marriott at Centerpoint. It is the second-largest gathering of public relations and communications professionals in the nation.

The two-day conference, PR Remixed: Technology. Performance. Results. highlights current public relations, media relations, corporate communications and marketing communications issues for  professionals at all levels in their careers.

In addition to seminar sessions, attendees will also hear from top-quality keynote speakers, including:

• Tony Snow, a political analyst for FOX News and host of "The Tony Snow Show," will provide a keynote address at noon, Thursday, May 4. Snow was the former chief speechwriter and deputy assistant for George H. W. Bush. He was also the former deputy page editor and nationally syndicated columnist for The Detroit News.
  
• Thomas Martin, Senior Vice President and Director of Corporate Relations of ITT Industries, Inc., will speak at 8 a.m., Friday, May 5. As a member of the Executive Council, Martin was responsible for enhancing the company's presence in China.  Martin was 2004-2005 president of the Arthur Page Society, an organization of the nation's most respected and influential Public Relations leaders.
  
• Sister Helen Prejean, author of New York Times Best Seller Dead Man Walking, will close the conference at 12:15 p.m., Friday, May 5. She is a member of Amnesty International, an honorary member of Murder Victim Families for Reconciliation, and Honorary Chairperson of Moratorium Campaign. Sister Prejean inspires audiences with her highly personal public relations tactics and achievements.

The 22-member state-wide planning committee for the conference has taken an aggressive approach to bringing notable speakers to the conference that will appeal to both new and experienced professionals.

"Drawing on the best PR case examples and resources from across the state adds depth and value to the 2006 program," said Conference Co-Chair Susan Ferraro, APR.  "This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for serious PR pros."

For more information about the 2006 Michigan PRSA Conference and its sponsors, please visit www.prsadetroit.org/stateconf. 

PRSA SEEKS LEADERS TO ADVANCE PROFESSION AND INDUSTRY

2006 Process Begins to Nominate Officer and Board of Director Candidates

NEW YORK (March 14, 2006) - The 2006 Nominating Committee of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the world's largest organization for public relations professionals, announced today the start of its annual process of recruiting candidates for 2007 Board Officer and Director positions.

“We are seeking strong, innovative individuals who have the time, talent and leadership skills to move our Society forward,” said Del Galloway, APR, chair, 2006 Nominating Committee.

The available national positions are:

• President-elect
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Director – Northeast District
• Director – Sunshine District
• Director – Tri-State District
• Director-At-Large
• Assembly Delegates-at-Large (three)

Eligible candidates are Accredited, PRSA members in good standing, who have served in at least one of the following capacities:

• Voting delegate in at least one national PRSA Assembly;
• Chapter president;
• Section chair;
• District chair; or,
• Chair of a national committee.

All candidate applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. (in the time zone in which the candidate resides) on Monday, June 12, 2006. Once eligibility is confirmed, PRSA members will be able to send comment letters regarding candidates with a limit of 300 or fewer words. The Nominating Committee will review applications and commentary and then meet August 4-6 to interview Officer candidates in person and Director candidates by phone. Candidates for Assembly Delegate-at-Large positions will be considered for nomination on the basis of information they provide on their application. The Nominating Committee will then make final selections for nominees for consideration by the PRSA Assembly, the Society’s principal governing body.

The PRSA Assembly will elect candidates for office on Nov. 11, prior to the start of the PRSA 2006 International Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Names of potential candidates should be sent to Del Galloway, APR, chair, 2006 Nominating Committee, PRSA, 33 Maiden Lane, 11th Floor, New York, NY, 10038-5150 or by e-mail at nominating@prsa.org. Information packets that outline the specifics of the nominating process will be sent to those individuals.

The candidate application, process timetable and other nominating material can be found by clicking here.

The deadline for completed candidate materials is 5:00 p.m. (in the time zone in which the candidate resides) on Monday, June 12, 2006 - no exceptions. For example, an East Coast-based candidate will have to submit materials by 5:00 p.m. EDT; a West Coast-based candidate will have to submit materials by 8:00 p.m. EDT/5:00 p.m. PDT. Candidates will need adequate time to complete the application process, so we recommend you submit their names as soon as possible to allow them time to prepare their materials.

Job Listings and Jobs Wanted

Public Relations Representative, Haworth

At Haworth, Inc., a global leader in office furniture and architectural interiors in the role of Public Relations Representative your talents and abilities will be showcased by your ability to strategize, develop and produce corporate communications.  

This highly interactive and creative experience allows you to meet with national and international business' consumer and trade press representatives to uncover story opportunities relevant to Haworth.  As a Public Relations Administrator, You will work to develop story angels based on company products and capabilities that appeal to press representatives.  You will serve as public relations counsel to Haworth components in Europe, Asia, South America, and First Source to help develop regional public relations programs and extended Haworth's corporate public relations messages to regions.  Finally, you will also have the opportunity to develop corporate communication tools, such as speeches, by-line articles, and brochures, to be used to merchandise Haworth to media and other corporate stakeholders. 

We value continuous learning through education and experience. The ideal candidate will possess:

• A Bachelors degree in journalism, public relations, marketing, or equivalent. 
• Five years business communications experience including experience in public relations.
• Excellent written and verbal communications.  
• PC/CRT and keyboard skills required.

What do you value? Customers, Integrity, Results?  Then learn more about the possibilities at Haworth, www.Haworth.com.  Our beautiful, effective and adaptable workspaces will impress you, but more importantly the exciting and innovative culture will amaze you! 

EEO/AA Employer M/F/F/V

Marketing Manager, Grand Rapids Symphony

This individual will work collaboratively with all members of the Marketing Department, including the Vice President for Marketing and PR, Public Relations Manager, Visual Communications Manager, Marketing Assistant, Director of Ticketing Operations, Customer Service Representatives.

The Grand Rapids Symphony's Marketing Department is responsible for generating $1.4 M in subscription sales, $1.2 M in single ticket sales and $172K in program book advertising sales. The marketing expense budget is roughly $800K.

The Marketing Manager will works closely with VP for Marketing and Public Relations and other team members to develop broad marketing strategy for the orchestra. The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

Subscription Campaigns

• manage day-to-day activities of subscription campaigns
• assist with campaign theme development
• research industry best practices
• research all programming, develop sales angles 
• copywriting/concepting for season materials
• organize and execute production of all pieces for subscription ticket mailings for summer and main season
• assist with development of smaller themed packages/products
• plan and execute direct mail campaigns for subscription push
• develop corporate/group subscription program
• develop subscription content and timelines for website
• assist with pricing and sales projection models
• coordinate any print, broadcast, online subscription campaigns.

Telemarketing Campaign Management

• Coordinate 9 month telemarketing campaign with national firm. This year will be investigating feasibility/cost savings of conducting activities in-house.
• liaison with firm and telemarketing sales manager
• lead selection and production
• develop sales promotions/perks, fulfillment
• campaign set-up: negotiate contract with firm, lead projections, script writing, secure office space
•  prepare training materials, conduct training sessions with callers
• sales production/expense tracking and reporting
• work with annual fund manager to coordinate campaigns

Subscriber Retention

• Develop program of activities in increase customer retention rate.
• subscriber communications/mailings
• oversee subscriber open rehearsals and events
• new subscriber handbook 
• weekly renewal sales tracking, analysis, reporting, forecasting
• surveys: design and execution: lapsed subscribers, new subscribers
• develop subscriber added-value packages/perks
• develop subscriber e-club and subscriber/donor club

Single Ticket Campaigns

• Manage single ticket campaigns including coordination of direct mail, print, broadcast, outdoor, group and online campaigns
• Mail Prospecting programs
• concept development, copywriting
• research market to determine where to target mailings
• fulfillment - processing - mailing brochures

Marketing Database

• oversee the maintenance/development of the marketing database containing more than 100,000 leads (Filemaker Pro)
• build lead database through various lead generation programs.

E-marketing

• research industry best practices
• coordinate vendor relationship
• develop e-databases, strategies, timelines, messages
• track results

Media Partnerships

• Coordinate all broadcast media purchases, trades and ticket giveaways
• Nurture existing and develop new trade partnerships with print and broadcast media. 
• Ensure fulfillment of media partner benefits
• Corporate Sponsor Partnerships
• Maximize sponsorship support by developing marketing partnerships with corporate sponsors.

Radio Production

• Produce all Grand Rapids Symphony radio commercials including development of creative copy, selection of music bed, scheduling of talent
• schedule radio flights
• archive radio spots

Miscellaneous

• assist team members with hall set-up for concert weekends
• evening and weekend concert and event duty
• special projects as needed
  

Salary  $25-$30,000 + benefits. Send cover letter and resume to: V.P. for Marketing and Public Relations, Grand Rapids Symphony, 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, or email to kmueller@grsymphony.org. No phone calls.

Public Relations Administrator, Stiles Machinery Inc.

Responsible for promoting company-wide internal and external communications and marketing efforts that enable Stiles Machinery's stakeholders to remain engaged, informed and focused on key business objectives. Position will focus on improving the visibility of the Stiles Machinery, Inc. brand interests through a variety of knowledge and information initiatives as identified.

Essential Functions:

• Proactively work to establish and maintain relationships with a variety of media including industry press and association contacts to promote programs, services and events that enhance Stiles' image and reputation in the marketplace. 
• Evangelize what Stiles has to offer by developing and making available a consistent voice and related content for Stiles press releases, media kits, and ad copy to the media. 
• Develop, edit and provide editorial support for the production of all marketing communication and promotional materials including brochures, sales kits, presentations, fliers and other collateral materials. 
• Drive the development of a Stiles photo bank including the supervision of on-site customer photography, case studies and publication articles. 
• Identify research, develop and produce customer success stories, knowledge papers and articles - involves field travel, direct customer and sales contact. 
• Develop a Stiles speaker bureau to offer qualified speakers and presentations at industry events and related association programs. 
• Act as association liaison, attend meetings, and coordinate sponsorships with industry associations to ensure superior visibility and to maximize our opportunities. Attend association meetings and be our liaison at group meetings and committees. 
• Place media insertion orders and serve as traffic manager for all marketing, advertising, communications, and public relations projects. 
• Provide the appropriate "Stiles Face" to visiting customers, SE classes, etc., as a host and brand experience gatekeeper. Attend dinners, customer visit meetings and related on-site promotions. 
• Attend product marketing meetings, RSM and RSA teleconference sessions, and related on-site small events as marketing liaison to internal customer groups. 
• Identify, write, edit, or coordinate article selection and interactive elements for Stiles monthly customer newsletter - E-Update. 
   

Education, Experience and Skills Required:

• Requires Bachelor's in Journalism, Communications, Marketing or Public Relations. 
• Five to seven years experience in corporate communications/PR/marketing. 
• Ability to drive development of and execution of PR Plan including: speaking opportunities, and press relations. 
• Must have strong writing skills with the ability to translate knowledge into strong, concise written communication on both micro and macro level. 
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to multi-task, manage deadlines, take initiative, research and understand business practices and processes. 
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills, with the ability to pool resources and manage projects. 
• Travel is essential and required. 
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications is required. 
• Able to manage multiple projects, deliverables and deadlines simultaneously. 
• Good understanding of branding and marketing communication strategies and tactics. 
   

Please send your resume in confidence to Stiles Machinery Inc., Attn: Heather Hoezee, Human Resource Manager, 3965 44th Street, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512, e-mail HHOEZEE@stilesmachinery.com, or fax to 616-698-9411.

VP of Communications Independent Bank Corporation, Ionia

Independent Bank Corporation is currently seeking a VP of Communications to plan, develop and direct the strategic communications of the Independent Bank brand among target audiences statewide in order to attract new customers and to increase the use of Independent Bank’s products and services among existing customers. These communication efforts will include advertising, public relations and community relations/corporate giving programs.

The qualified candidate must have 8 to 10 years’ experience in corporate communications/branding, public and media relations. The candidate must also have supervisory skills and have a bachelor’s degree in advertising or a related field. Please send your resume in confidence to Independent Bank, Attn: Marty Spencer, 227 W. Main Street, Ionia, MI 48846, mspencer@ibcp.com, or fax to 616-523-2414. We offer an excellent salary and benefit package!

Subscriptions and 2006 Newsletter

Editor Contact

This monthly electronic newsletter comes from the West Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.  Sponsorship of the newsletter is provided by http://www.pathwaynet.com , which also hosts the WMPRSA Web site.

WMPRSA
PO Box 68124
Grand Rapids, MI 49516
Phone: 616.336.0678
Fax: 616.451.3108

admin@wmprsa.org

www.wmprsa.org

Send newsletter feedback, ideas and accompanying photos to newsletter editor/webmaster Jill Ward at jhward@gmail.com.