Oklahoma State University PRSSA » Meetings

January 20 Meeting

osuprssa — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:17:45 +0000

OSU PRSSA welcomed back its members on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010.
Twenty-four OSU students and all four officers attended the meeting.
President Katie Butler talked about membership and officer applications and all of the officers talked about what their jobs are all about. Katie then introduced Janet Reeder with the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association who spoke about internship opportunities.
Then Bonnie Cain introduced Dustin Pyeatt, a crisis communication specialist whose first job was with DHS.
You can’t really plan for a crisis, you never know what’s going to happen, Pyeatt said. But it helps to be prepared; take crisis training.
For a “crash box” you should have phone numbers, e-mail and physical addresses for people in a laminated hard copy, copies of your annual report and type writers, he said. Keep things up to date.
The first thing you should do in a crisis is calm down, Pyeatt said. You’re paid to be calm. Next, leave your ego at the door–it just gets in the way.
If the authorities (police, federal agencies) are involved, let them take the lead.
If something happens, call the police/authorities even if they have been notified. It makes you look like you’re concerned.
During a lawsuit, don’t answer a question unless a lawyer tells you two. Work out message points with them.
Only answer questions you can answer. If it’s legal, moral and ethical you should talk. If it’s not then don’t.
Be prepared with a boilerplate statement about your organization.
Timing is everything; a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Release information in the morning, noon and evening to everyone.
Make sure the press is clear on numbers to call and Web sites.
If the military shows up and has nothing to do, tell them to dig a ditch, then fill it in. People with nothing to do will snap.
A natural disaster is considered a crime scene–keep law enforcement officials within ear shot. If a journalist goes somewhere you’ve told them not to, have them taken into custody.
Feds do things differently. You never see their PR people, only the head of the agency, speak.
During a live media conference, media will ask questions they don’t want to know for the sake of asking a question.
Don’t be goaded–be professional. Don’t let the media pit you against someone else. Don’t pick a fight with the press. If it’s that bad, take the nuclear option and cut them off from information. Don’t pick fights.
There’s no casual Friday in PR. Always dress your best. The best dressed person is the one in charge, always be the one in charge.
We’re paid to be nice in PR, but sometimes paid to not be nice. Be ready to take on any role.
Relationships matter. Build your relationships and reputation, use them when you can. Remember everyone is a person, treat every one with respect.
The press is lending credit to your stories. Never talk to 60 Minutes. They know everything and you’ll lose.
For TV interviewing, have command messages–three main points to drive home. Never answer, “What do you think about…?” “How do you feel about…?” questions. Answer with “That’s not important. This is.”
After a crisis review what went right or wrong. Bring in the media and ask how you did.
If there’s a crisis/disaster–get a Chaplin.
Who should respond to a crisis depends on the crisis.
One of the biggest mistakes during a crisis is not choosing your words carefully enough.
Pyeatt’s advice for crisis specialists are to:
–”Get a decent crisis,” intern with FEMA or Homeland Security
–PR is not an education, it’s a vocation. You learn by doing.
–The media is always late.

Register for the 2009 Professional Development Seminar!

osuprssa — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:04:54 +0000

PRSA Tulsa 2009 Professional Development Seminar
8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009
Oklahoma State University – Tulsa
700 N. Greenwood, North Hall

Cost: (includes breakfast & lunch)
PRSA Members: $40
Non-Members: $50
Non-Profit: $30
Students: $10

Join PRSA Tulsa for our 2009 Professional Development Seminar on Oct. 28! This half-day program features local and regional keynote speakers, break-out sessions and panels to answer your most pressing questions about navigating today’s PR landscape. Register today for this exciting event!

Main Topics:

“Making Ideas Stick” – Learn how to utilize public relations, marketing and communication strategies to build public support for your organization. Denver Peacock & Andy Moreau, Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods – Little Rock, AR
“Social Media & Customer Service: A Match Made in Heaven” – Hear how social media tools are being used to improve customer service beyond more traditional customer support channels. Brandy King, Southwest Airlines – Dallas, TX

Break-Out Sessions:

“Active Influence” – Take a detailed look inside the strategy and engagement of social media and marketing executions. Brian Kratkiewicz & Bryan Jones, Cranford Johnson Robinson Wood – Little Rock, AR
“Building a Brand on a Shoestring Budget” – Find out how to turn a personal passion into a popular brand with only a limited budget via PR, partnerships and social media. Deedra Determan & Melanie Henry, 918 Moms – Tulsa
“Back to Basics” – A local communications panel reviews the basic PR skills and knowledge that remain relevant in the age of social media. Russ Florence, Schnake Turnbo Frank | PR – Tulsa; Nellie Kelly, American Red Cross – Tulsa; and Kim MacLeod, City of Tulsa
“Momblogging 101” – Hear one blogger’s perspective on the national momblogging trend, her tips for pitching to this unique audience and how recent changes in FTC guidelines are affecting bloggers and PR pros. Melanie Norman, Blogging Basics 101 – Tulsa

Minutes from September 29 Meeting on Social Media Reputation

osuprssa — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:09:09 +0000

Bonnie Ann Cain-Woods and Valerie Trammell joined OSU PRSSA on Sept. 29 for a Social Media Makeover, or how you’re perceived online based on content shared, etc.
Future and current employers, coworkers, clients, colleagues and media could be watching your media.
They search for you through Google, social networks (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and open records (OSCN.net).
They’re looking to fact-check your resume (job title, start and end dates); what you’re saying about them, about their competition, etc.–always be positive; they’re looking at your writng samples and personality traits. Pick three traits that you’d like to portray you and strive to include them in your social media and online presence.
Case study: Marissa Chaves.
Google yourself, go back at least 10 pages and try different keywords.
Clean up your Facebook pictures, about me, groups, etc. If you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see it, take it off or untag yourself. If you’re tagged in an inappropriate pitcure in someone else’s album, untag it and any other photos in the album.
Twitter, be professional but express some of your interests. Have a variety and include people in your conversations with @ replys and hashtags #.
Future employers use this as an informal resume check–make sure your job history and information is consistant across the board.
Don’t inflate your salary–open books will give you away every time.
Check OSCN and open records. Be aware of what’s there and be prepared to talk about it. “It was poor judgment,” is a good reply.
Establish your reputation–from www.chrisbrogan.com/tag/reputation –take a decent photo of yourself (100×100 pixils are best), add photos and a location to your social media. Participate in blogging–create a wordpress.com or Blogger accout–you don’t necessarily have to blog; commenting is great, too. On Facebook be yourself, but professional. Get YouTube, Gmail and LinkedIn accounts. Add professional content.
Monitor yourself on Google–try different searches like news, blogs, Web, images, etc. Search Twitter. Create and keep up with search feeds. Watch conversations and where others tag you. Be responsive.
Maintain your reputation; keep it clean; watch out for controversial topics; point people where you want them to go through links, hyperlinks, etc.; be honest, thorough, active and interactive.
Don’t post photos with underwear showing or with sexual connotations, don’t look drunk and keep the booze out of the picture.
Stay way from awkward groups or topics like prolife, extreme views, drug use, civil disobediance, -isms, personal ads.
Don’t get comfortable with privacy settings. Expect what you’ve added online to be available to anyone. If you’re not comfortable showing it to the whole world–don’t put it online.
Just because you can delete something, doesn’t mean it’s gone from the Web. The Way Back Machine on Google has Web sites archives from the beginning of the Internet.
Thanks to Bonnie Ann Cain-Woods, Valerie Trammell, Marissa Chaves, Chris Brogan and everyone who attended.

Advice from our “Marketing Yourself” Panelists

osuprssa — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 03:58:29 +0000

· Set aside one hour a day to job search, beginning now if you graduate in May – use the PRSA Web site to help you search. Your job is finding a job! Those most persistent will find the best jobs.

· Get your portfolio in order now! Make digital copies as well as a hard copy and keep updating as you gain more experience.

· Pretend as if you’re getting a grade on your cover letters and resumes. Make sure there are NO spelling/grammar mistakes.

· Take another internship if you can’t find a job.

· Volunteer for a non-profit organization to fill your resume – it’s better than just sitting at home and it helps with networking.

· Go to PRSA meetings in the city of your choice – you’ll have a discounted membership when you graduate and it’s a great networking opportunity.

· Having a job helps you get another job. So, you may not be able to be picky. Take what you get and make the most of it while also searching for your dream job.

· Enroll in a graduate program and take one class per semester. The classes are almost always at night and taking a graduate class will give you an edge.

Bonnie shared a recap of the meeting and her answers to your questions on her blog. Check out Bonnie’s advice at There’s Only Ever One Bonnie.

Again, a special thanks to Becky Endicott, Gina Noble and Bonnie Ann Cain.

“Marketing Yourself” Meeting Photos

osuprssa — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 20:00:06 +0000

First Meeting of Spring 2009

osuprssa — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:25:49 +0000

Your PRSSA officers would like to welcome all of our members back from the break and hope your semester is going well thus far.

We will be having our “Welcome Back Bash” this Thursday, Jan. 22 at 6 p.m., with FREE pizza at The Hideaway.

PR pros Becky Endicott, senior director of marketing and communications for the OSU Foundation; Bonnie Cain-Wood, APR and senior communications specialist for the OSU Library and PRSA OKC liaison; and Gina Noble, professor, will join us for a “Marketing Yourself” panel to kick off job and internship searches for 2009.

Also, available at our meeting will be spring membership forms, T-shirt order forms and officers applications for 2009-2010.

For more information or questions, contact OSU PRSSA president Marie Kadavy at marie.kadavy@okstate.edu.

PRSA-OKC FREE Teleseminar and PRSSA Christmas Send Off Meeting

osuprssa — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:32:38 +0000

The PRSA Oklahoma City Chapter will host its teleseminar Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 4-5 p.m. titled “Secrets of Social Media Marketing.” The seminar will be held in the Will Rogers Conference Room located on the main floor of the Agency.

The “Secrets of Social Media Marketing” will tell you how to set strategies, choose tools and build customer affinity.

Social media marketing, in its many forms, has taken the business world by storm. The compelling speed, cost-effectiveness and customer engagement benefits of social media campaigns are rewriting the rules of marketing. But so much is happening so fast that it’s impossible to keep track of all the options.

The guest speak will be Paul Gillin, a veteran journalist who’s always been fascinated by the leading edge of technology innovation. He has been reporting on the impact of technology and media for 25 years. Before focusing full-time on social media, Paul was the founding editor-in-chief of TechTarget, one of the most successful new media entities to emerge on the Internet.

To register to attend, please e-mail Holley Mangham/Diana Rogers at communications@ohfa.org. We hope you will take advantage of this member only teleseminar. PRSA teleseminars normally cost at least $150. But it’s free to PRSA and PRSSA members!

If you are still planning to attend the PRSSA meeting tomorrow night at Mexico Joe’s, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. and have not RSVP’d, please e-mail Marie Kadavy at marie.kadavy@okstate.edu.

We will be decorating holiday cards to send to kids at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Joyce Montgomery from the Service-Learning Volunteer Center will speak about volunteer opportunities.

Dinner will be provided.

Next Meeting: Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. at Mexico Joe’s

osuprssa — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:35:27 +0000

OSU PRSSA’s next meeting is Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. at Mexico Joe’s. Take a break from studying and join PRSSA for a free dinner and the last meeting of the semester.

We will be decorating holiday cards to send to kids at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Also, Joyce Montgomery from the Service-Learning Volunteer Center will speak about volunteer opportunities on campus and in the community. Following the meeting, we will have a short information session for those interested in being a 2009-2010 PRSSA Officer

This is a great way to take a break during dead week and get a free meal while helping others during the holiday season. Please RSVP to marie.kadavy@okstate.edu by Dec. 1.

Networking Night and Professional Panel Minutes

osuprssa — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:09:57 +0000

More than 20 OSU PRSSA members joined six PR professionals and guests at Joseppi’s in Stillwater Nov. 12. PRSA Tulsa treated students to dinner and had plenty of advice to offer. After getting to know each other over pasta, professionals formed a panel to share their experiences and take questions from PRSSA members. Andrea Myers, of Williams and PRSA Tulsa president, served as the moderator.

Gina Godfrey, OSU grad and senior manager of marketing communications and PR at NORDAM, said joining a PRSA chapter can take you to the next level. She also reassured members concerned about the job market in Oklahoma. Her advice: “Be a chameleon.” Make the job work for you and be adaptable.

Jerry Goodwin, assistant professor at Tulsa Community College and senior partner at Goodwin & Grant, passed along the advice of Harold Burson, APR and founding chair of Burson-Marsteller. Goodwin related his own experiences to Burson’s suggestions: 1) Build a network 2) Spend as much time as you possibly can trying to be a good writer and 3) Try to develop a body of knowledge about a lot of different things. Goodwin emphasized the importance of internships and volunteer work.

Melissa Clark, internal communications manager at Williams, began her career in journalism, where she gained valuable knowledge. She urged members to develop another area of expertise. She also encouraged students to join PRSA, saying “sometimes you need to bounce ideas off of someone and that’s what PRSA gives you.”

Amanda Clinton, OSU alumna and communications manager for Cherokee Nation Businesses, also began her career as a journalist and spoke of having to work two jobs in the beginning. She shared stories of her crisis communication experiences, but her main message to students was it’s all about relationships. “You can call on people in PRSA to help you out,” Clinton said.

Joy McGill, media relations officer for St. John Health System, talked about the importance of volunteering. She said, “No one is going to turn you away from a volunteer position.” She said relationships built through volunteering can get you to where you want to be. She also encouraged members to seek out a company or organization where the people love what they do everyday.

Final thoughts and answers to questions included these key points:

McGill: “Send your resume, even if they aren’t hiring.”

Clark: “Social media must be responsible.”

Goodwin: “To plan for the future, look at trends.”

A special thanks to PRSA Tulsa for a wonderful evening and great advice.

PRSSA Networking Night and Professional Panel Tomorrow Night

osuprssa — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:02:35 +0000

The OSU PRSSA Chapter will be hosting its second networking night and professional panel Wednesday, Nov. 12 from 6-8 p.m. at Joseppi’s. Last year’s networking night and professional panel with PR professionals from Tulsa was a huge success.

Due to last minute conflicts, there are four seats still available. To reserve a spot, e-mail Marie Kadavy, chapter president, at marie.kadavy@okstate.edu by 10:00 p.m. Nov. 11.

If you are unable to attend, we will be posting minutes from the networking night and professional panel with photos here on our blog. Also, one of the officer’s will be tweeting during the event.

For the event, dinner is provided and dress should be professional. The following is a list of professionals and guests.

Professionals:

Melissa Clark
Manager, Internal Communication
Williams

Gina Godfrey
Senior Manager, Marketing Communications and PR
NORDAM

Amanda Clinton
Communications Manager
Cherokee Nation Businesses

Joy McGill
Media Relations Officer
St. John Health System

Jerry Goodwin
Assistant Professor, Tulsa Community College
Faculty Adviser, TCC Connection
Senior Partner, Goodwin and Grant, Inc.

Andrea Myers
PRSA Tulsa President
Williams

Special Guests:
Dr. Derina Holtzhausen, School of Journalism and Broadcasting Director
Prof. Brooks Garner, Chapter Adviser
Prof. Gina Noble, Student Firm Adviser

Bring your business cards and resumes, this could open up an opportunity for a potential job or internship.