Member Profile: Elizabeth Baranik

Years in FPRA:  4 years; Currently serving on FPRA Board as Vice President of Professional Development, a shared roll with Laura Cole

Favorite FPRA Event:  The Professional Development event held this past Fall at Rollins College. We had fantastic speakers on engaging topics surrounding the event theme, “The Evolving Landscape of PR.”

Favorite Benefit of FPRA Membership:  The connections made between the FPRA industry network – not only have I found mentors in the PR industry, but peers that I can work with between our organizations.  It’s been an invaluable experience so far, and I know it will continue.

Explanation of your job:  I am the Marketing Manager of Group & Travel Markets for Hard Rock International.  I act as the industry-related marketing, media, and public relations liaison, with writing and creating editorial for industry associations and digital & print media for market segments;  in addition to capturing opportunities within these markets at press conferences and media events.   I have many other roles but my goals are in line to drive top line cafe and retail sales while heightening overall brand awareness.

Exciting Achievement: Being asked to join the FPRA Orlando Chapter Board in 2011 as the Professional Development Chair!

Contact info:

Email: elizabeth_baranik@hardrock.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ElizabethB

Website: http://hardrock.com

Taking Social Media to the Next Level

Event Title: Taking Social Media to the Next Level
Sponsors: Orlando Area Chapter Florida Public Relations Association & Young Nonprofit Professional Network Orlando

Date: Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Location: Adult Literacy League – 345 W Michigan St # 100, Orlando, FL 32806

Price: Free for FPRA and YNPN members; $10 for non-members. Includes lunch

Event info: Your organization is on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., but what’s next?  Join us for a panel discussion on leveraging social media for special events and fundraising from our panelists who have had successful results.

Speakers:               

Joshua Johnson, NextZen Media

Lindsay Mays, Public Allies

Jessica Schwendeman, Hands on Orlando

Capacity: Maximum 30 people

Registration Now! Email Gabrielle Davis at gabriellegdavis@gmail.com

2012 Image Awards Submission Tips and Helpful Hints

Are you fretting over your Image Awards entry? Have you checked the checklist but are still wondering if there is something you’re missing? With all the questions we ask ourselves before submitting an entry, consider these insider tips from the Image Awards workshop, led by Chris Gent, APR, CPRC.

The Basics:

• Read the directions carefully, and be sure to address all five required elements in your two-page summary (Research, Objectives, Implementation, Evaluation and Budget).
• Track projects throughout the year, not just at awards time.
• Plan ahead to conduct research and document results.
• Focus on your two-page summary. It’s 70 percent of your total score.
• Carefully review the checklist provided in the Call for Entries, and make sure all criteria are met.

Tricks from the Pros:

• The top complaint from judges is that objectives are not specific or measurable
• Make sure your evaluation reflects every element of how you achieved your objectives
• Don’t be discouraged because your budget is too large or too small—focus on the cost of getting your message to your target audience
• For everything mentioned in the two-page summary, document it in your binder—that goes for pertinent phone conversations or oral feedback

To ensure that your entry is complete, download a copy of the 2012 Call for Entries on the FPRA-OAC website today at fpra-orlando.org. All entries must be received by Friday, March 16, at 5 p.m. at either Curley & Pynn (258 Southhall Ln., Maitland) or Fry Hammond Barr (600 E. Washington St., Orlando).

The 2012 Image Awards Gala will be held on Wednesday, April 18, at the Orlando Science Center and is sure to be an event you won’t want to miss.  If you have any questions, please email Kerry Martin at kmartin@thestrategicfirm.com or Alayna Rivera at alaynar@floridamilk.com.

FPRA Backstage Pass Event at lululemon athletica

Thursday, March 22, 2012

8 – 9:30 a.m.

Mall at Millenia – 4200 Conroy Road, Orlando, FL

Join us at lululemon athletica in the Mall at Millenia for an interactive breakfast with Amanda Casgar, Area Community Manager of the Eastern U.S.  We will learn about the international retail apparel company’s entry into the Orlando area and its brand awareness campaign that gained community support and brought hundreds of local athletes out to celebrate the opening.  Amanda will discuss the company’s focus on grassroots marketing strategies, rather than traditional advertising, and its thriving brand ambassador program, which is utilized across all 137 stores.

We will also kick-start the morning with lululemon’s signature goal setting program—designed to help you create your ideal life. Goal setting is a big part of the culture at lululemon.  Every employee is encouraged to create a vision for their ideal life and to set personal, health and career goals to achieve that vision. Amanda will guide us through this practice from its employee relations program and show us how to apply the goal setting exercises to our careers as well as bring them back to share with our co-workers and employees.

Goal setting workshop, program and light breakfast included. Dress is business casual—although, think yoga mats, not chairs. Register now!

Speaker Bio –

Amanda Casgar has been the Area Community Manager of the Eastern U.S. for lululemon athletica since 2010.  In this role, she serves as the regional spokesperson and oversees the regional retail stores performance and community initiatives.  In addition, she leads team building, assists with store development, contributes to employee recruitment and ensures that all educators, key leaders, assistant managers and store managers are excelling in their roles within the eastern U.S. area.

Prior to joining lululemon, Casgar served in public relations and marketing roles for brands including Every Day with Rachael Ray, Budget Living, Lifetime Magazine, Harpo Productions and The Oprah Winfrey Show.  Casgar graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in communications, radio, television and film.