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WMPRSA

March 2006 E-Newsletter

Be sure to join your fellow practitioners at this year's...

2006 PRoof Awards

Visit wmprsa.org for the latest information...

In this issue

Just announced! March Event:

MEET THE MEDIA

Here's a great way to beef up on your knowledge of local media: WMPRSA's annual "Meet the Media" breakfast. We have a smart panel lined up this year with a nice mix of broadcast and print media.
 
Join us for breakfast at the Press Club in Grand Rapids for an engaging panel discussion where you'll hear - straight from the editors' mouths - what, how and when they like to receive news.

WHEN: Thursday, March 23 (Breakfast at 7 AM, program begins at 7:30 AM)

WHERE: Grand Rapids Press Club, 111 Lyon NW, Suite 1025

COST:Member $25;Non-member $35; Student $20 (includes breakfast)

A special thanks to this month's Gold Program Sponsor BusinessWire.

Registration deadline: Friday, March 17

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. You can still pay the day of the event with a check.

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. 24-hour notice required for full refund.

February Member Mixer

Join your fellow PR practioners for some fun and relaxation!

WHEN: Wednesday, February 22 at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: the Bite in downtown Grand Rapids

Just show up! Contact Anne Veltema at anne_veltema@yahoo.com for details.

 Recap: February Program "Michigan's West Coast

By WMPRSA Board Member Mary Eilleen Lyon

Those who attended WMPRSA's February event on brand strategy are now thinking about how to use "Michigan's West Coast" campaign to their client or company's benefit.

More than 40 people attended the lunch meeting at Watermark Country Club and heard how this regional effort to bring tourism to the area is helping build the local economy.

Guest speakers were Steve Wilson and Janet Korn of the the Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Kathleen Ponitz of ProgressiveAE and vice-chair of the GR/CVB Board.

The three not only outlined the successes of this regional marketing cooperation (they landed a January convention while their sunshine-bathed competition was left wondering), they also challenged public relations and marketing professionals to see how it can help their companies.

To see promotional materials, including a television commercial that will be airing soon, visit www.MichigansWestCoast.com.

Recap: January Program "So You Wanna Be in Pictures" a great success!

By WMPRSA President Member Tyler Andrew

WMPRSA kicked off its 2006 program line-up with “So you want to be in pictures?”, an in-depth look at the film industry and a proposed law aimed at attracting more filmmakers to Michigan.

Held at Cornerstone University on January 18, a star-studded panel discussed Michigan’s potential to become a movie maker’s paradise. Panel members included:

• Janet Lockwood, head of the Michigan Film Office
• Dave Anderson, founder and executive director of Compass Arts Film Academy.
• Deb Havens, head of the newly minted West Michigan Film and Video Association.
• Tom Clay, Grand Rapids based filmmaker
• Bradley Porter, Cornerstone film student

WMPRSA members learned about the impact the film industry has on the state of Michigan and the potential for public relations professionals as the industry continues rapid growth.

The event was covered in the Grand Rapids Press. Click here to read the article:
http://www.mlive.com/business/grpress/index.ssf?/base/business-3/1137685939158650.xml&coll=6

Special thanks to Cornerstone University, the sponsor for this event!

Recap: GVSU Hosts “So you want a career in PR” event for students

By WMPRSA President Member Tyler Andrew

On January 29, WMPRSA joined with Grand Valley State University's News and Information Services office, the PRSSA chapter, and the Multicultural Affairs Office for an event about careers in public relations.

Students got advice along with the pizza at the open house luncheon on the Allendale Campus that included 40 students and 10 professionals. A couple of professors joined the group for the informal mentoring event as well.

We hope to make this an annual event.

Recap: Three cheers for generous givers

By WMPRSA Member Clare Wade

Many thanks to all ACWM and West Michigan PRSA members – and our Interchange and Intercom guests – for contributing cash, crayons and a cartload of books to local homeless students.

During our Heartside holiday mixer at McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon, generosity was great. In addition to $140 in cash donations, we collected:

On behalf of Evelyn Kirchgessner, who coordinates this program for Grand Rapids Public Schools, and the children she serves, we thank you.

Want to do more? Watch for details on a back-to-school backpack drive this summer or contact clare@clarewade.com.

 Chapter News

Mark your calendar: 2006 PRoof Awards date announced

Plan now to attend WMPRSA's 21st annual PRoof Awards, to be held on Thursday, April 20. Location to be announced. In the meantime, d ownload 2006's Call-to-Entries guidelines at http://www.wmprsa.org/Chapter_Info/awards.htm. All entries must be received no later than Thursday, March 16, 2006 at 5 p.m.

In addition to honoring the year's best public relations programs and projects, WMPRSA will also honor four individuals:

Communicator of the Year--This award is unique because it is presented to a person who is not a PRSA member or PR professional. PRSA will recognize this community leader for outstanding contributions to West Michigan that exemplify the practice of good public relations. Please indicate the context of the nominee’s most significant contribution in 2005.

 

Distinguished PR Practitioner--This award goes to a deserving member of the West Michigan Chapter of PRSA who demonstrated contributions to one or more of the following areas: the community; the West Michigan Chapter; the public relations profession and the Public Relations Society of America; and/or who has demonstrated overall superior performance in meeting day-to-day professional public relations responsibilities.

 

Journalist of the Year-- This award goes to a West Michigan journalist for outstanding contributions to the areas media industry.

 

Newcomer of the Year--Newer members of the West Michigan Chapter of PRSA are eligible for this award. The winner will be an active public relations professional of three years or less who has demonstrated potential for becoming an outstanding member of our profession. Please support with examples and remember, the nominee must be a member in good standing.

 

Hal Walton Scholarship Award--This award goes to a PRSSA member enrolled in a public relations program as a sophomore or junior of undergraduate studies. The student must be attending a college or university in our chapter area, or their hometown must be in our chapter area. The four categories of achievement evaluated include: academics, demonstrated leadership and extracurricular activities, practical experience gained through internships or PRSSA activities, and an understanding of and commitment to a public relations career (see wmprsa.org's Scholarship page for details).

 

Used Effective PR books? Who can sell/loan?

Do you have an 8th or 9th edition copy of Effective Public Relations by Cutlip, Center and Broom that you are willing to sell or loan out? Some upcoming APR candidates could use the book. Please contact Accreditation coach Molly Klimas, APR, if you can help out: (616) 776-3511 or klimas@sstpr.com.

Thanks for supporting APR education …

WMPRSA and local Accreditation Chair Molly Klimas, APR, extend thanks to Aquinas College and Marty Fahey, APR, director of college relations at Aquinas, for offering space on campus for this year’s APR prep course. Class goes through February and March with seven candidates signed up.

Welcome new member Kristen Hofmeister!

 Communications Coordinator atNorthern Michigan Hospital 

 in Petosky

Kristen graduated from Central Michigan University in May 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in Integrative Public Relations and a minor in Advertising. While at CMU, she was the co-PR Director for PRSSA and a consultant for PR Central, a student run firm. She also held two internships in Mt. Pleasant, a 300 hour internship for Area 7 Special Olympics and a 40 hour internship for Big Brothers Big Sisters. 

In September 2005, Kristen started her current job at Northern Michigan Hospital. As the Communication Coordinator she writes news releases, daily briefings, newsletters, and takes lots of pictures for various publications. She also sits on committees looking for communications assistance, helps put on internal events and much more. Kristen says her days at work are rarely the same, which makes her very happy.

HBO EXECUTIVE CHERYL PROCTER-ROGERS, APR, FELLOW PRSA, TAKES HELM AS PRSA PRESIDENT AND CEO

NEW YORK (January 19, 2006) — With an eye towards “creating a new normal and breaking new ground,” public relations executive Cheryl Procter-Rogers, APR, Fellow PRSA, takes office as the 2006 president and CEO of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Procter-Rogers, regional corporate affairs director for Home Box Office (HBO) in Rosemont, Ill., brings more than 25 years of public relations experience to PRSA, the world’s largest organization for public relations professionals.

“My desire is to leverage the collective experience and resources of our local, regional and national leadership to increase member value, and to inspire those who have considered membership to join us,” said Procter-Rogers, recipient of PRSA’s 2005 D. Parke Gibson Pioneer Award for multicultural public relations and the youngest member ever to be inducted into the PRSA College of Fellows. “As a Board, we will build on the success of the core tenets of our profession and the Society.”

During her presidency, Procter-Rogers will lead the charge in making cultural shifts that will have a long-term impact on the viability, growth and success of PRSA and the profession. To accomplish this, the 2006 Board of Directors has prioritized five initiatives:

• Technology: Investing in the Society’s technology to deliver member services and professional development in formats that meet member’s needs.
• Financial Accountability: Reviewing the Society’s current business model, as well as financial policies and procedures, to find new revenue sources and ways to reduce expenses.
• Issues Management: Enhancing PRSA’s continued effort to serve as an advocate for the profession and the leading voice for the industry on ethical and industry issues.
• Measurement: Establishing measurement tools that will help the Society’s leadership be more accountable and provide members with a return on their investment.
• Branding and Marketing: Following a brand management strategy that ensures PRSA continues its work to advance the profession and the professional.

Since joining PRSA in 1983, Procter-Rogers has been an active leader both locally and nationally. In addition to being the second African American elected to serve as the Society’s president and CEO (Debra A. Miller, Ed.D., APR, Fellow PRSA, was the first in 1997), she was the first African American elected president of the Chicago Chapter of PRSA. She has also served on numerous committees and task forces, and is a member of PRSA’s Corporate, Multicultural Communications, and Entertainment and Sports Professional Interest Sections.

Procter-Rogers’ professional career includes serving as director of public relations and advertising for Nielsen Marketing Research, Northbrook, Ill., manager of public relations and advertising for Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company, Los Angeles, Calif., and establishing her own LA-based public relations firm, Step Ahead Public Relations. She received her MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management in Chicago and a bachelor’s in English and Journalism at Bradley University, Peoria, Ill.

As an advocate of education, Procter-Rogers has contributed to many books and spent time lecturing to students, professionals and organizations across the United States. Most recently, University of Northern Iowa professor Gayle Pohl, APR, invited Procter-Rogers to contribute a chapter to a communications textbook, “No Mulligans Allowed: Strategically Plotting Your Public Relations Course,” published by Kenall/Hunt Publishing Company. She was one of 11 public relations practitioners interviewed for the CD companion to “Public Relations: The Profession and the Practice,” published by McGraw Hill Higher Education, and was the 2005 Vernon C. Schranz Distinguished Lecturer in Public Relations at Ball State University.

Job Listings and Jobs Wanted

Communications Specialist

Summary: A Grand Rapids-based logistics software company is looking for a Communication Specialist to join the company’s marketing organization. This position would be a vital part of the Marketing department enabling the company to create and maintain visibility within the logistics community. A strong understanding of the technology sector along with a desire to learn is imperative.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop press releases (new win, partnership, customer, company, etc.)  for distribution to target media; and work them through the approval process. 
• Pitch press releases and coordinating media interviews stemming from news releases.
• Tracking media coverage in printed and online trade and business publications.
• Maintain the company’s comprehensive media database to facilitate appropriate news distribution. 
• Proactively monitor editorial calendars and pitching publications with news accordingly.
• Responding to unsolicited media requests.
• Tradeshow media interview outreach and coordination.
• Arranging and preparing for media briefings via phone, trade shows, webcasts, or media tours.
• Bylined article and case study development, strategy, pitching and overall management.
• Developing multimedia presentations for sales and prospect/customer presentations.
• Research and complete submissions for company and customer speaking engagements and award nominations.
• Determining budget needs.
• Mapping Marketing activities to budget

EDUCATION

The position requires 2-5 years in marketing communications. Candidates should have a degree in journalism, public relations or marketing.

Send all inquiries to clarksinmi@charter.net.

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.