My perspective on FPRA as a Quotes student member

By: Nathalie Almonte
What is PR? As stated proudly on Quotes t-shirt…“Public Relations is at the core of every cooperation, entity & individual. It is the voice of reason in the minds of corporation executives. It is Superman’s Clark Kent and Batman’s Bruce Wayne. We brainstorm, think creatively & work long hours to make the world a more engaged place. We prefer the dialogue over monologue, transparency over secret, & truth over deception. We are the people that talk the talk for those that walk the walk. We are counselors, advisors, writers, creators, event planners–let us just say we are good at multitasking. PR is strategy leadership at its greatest. We are Public relations. The PR club at UCF established in 1981.” And as a member of Quotes, the PR Club at UCF, we wear this motto proudly!

My name is Nathalie Almonte and I am the Quotes 2011-2012 Outreach Coordinator. It is my second year as a member and my first year on the board. Joining Quotes was the best decision I have ever made along with becoming a Knight, now you might ask why. Well, let’s just say always be ready for the unexpected. As an Interdisciplinary major I was lost and didn’t know how I was going to succeed in the world of PR let alone learn about PR. When I heard that there was a PR club on campus, I jumped right on it and reached out to Ryan Sheehy. Ryan is not only our faculty advisor for Quotes but a true inspiration; it was because of her words and motivation that I never gave up on my goals. Quotes really changed everything for me and gave me the opportunity to do what I had dreamed of doing since 10th grade. I was able to attend FPRA breakfast meetings, connect with local PR professionals, and get the dish on what really goes on in the day of a PR professional.

Since I don’t have any PR classes being part of Quotes and having the access to the FPRA members gives me the opportunity to ask questions and learn things first hand. I participated in the ShadowAPro program created by FPRA. This gave me the opportunity to shadow Jamie Floer APR, Wragg & Casas. It was a fun day of learning how a day as a PR professional is usually never on a set schedule. You must always be prepared for the unexpected. This year as a Quotes board member, I am able to bring forth my ideas and share my reasons of joining Quotes with the new members. As a board we have a year of fun activities and opportunities to build up portfolios. We help each other while helping the members in everything we do. It is our duty to motivate and educate the team on what the do’s and don’ts are of the PR world. This year we are holding our yearly event, Intern Pursuit. It is an event where all the local companies seeking PR, communications, and advertising interns offer the students of UCF that opportunity. We also have plans to participate in local events as well as creating some mixers and socials, creating chances for the members to become familiarized with the Pros.

All efforts hopefully will ease the fear of the unknown PR world for me and the other students. We want to create an environment for the members to seek guidance through FPRA and never be hesitant to ask a question. See you at the next FPRA breakfast.

It’s time for membership renewals!

Renew your membership today. Invest in your future and have a chance to win cool prizes! Renew by the end of October and have the chance to win a ticket to Orlando Calling. Renew by the end of November and have the chance to win two tickets to the Orlando Ballet. Or renew by December and have the chance to win two comp breakfast meetings.

A renewal form has already been mailed to you. So what are you waiting on? You can complete the form and mail it or fax it back to FPRA’s State Office. Or you can renew online at fpra.org.

Why Should You Renew?
Networking with other public relations professionals is one of the primary benefits of a FPRA membership. We offer:
• opportunities to network online with a statewide community of PR professionals, as well as face-to-face at monthly chapter events;
• monthly presentations from leading experts that will sharpen your skills;
• professional development seminars held at various times and locations throughout the year;
• relevant resources on job searching and professional development to help you advance your career;
• exclusive behind-the-scenes Backstage Pass opportunities to see PR in action at some of Orlando’s best and brightest companies;
• a monthly chapter newsletter to help keep you informed;
• industry-specific roundtable events;
• professional recognition through local Image Awards and statewide Golden Image Awards – the only local and statewide PR awards program in Florida
• a two-tier credentialing process for members who seek professional accreditation; and
• a highly-acclaimed statewide annual conference held in August of each year.

Just 47 Cents Per Day
As the cost of doing business continually rises and budgets tighten, many organizations are feeling the strain of a sour economy. It is because of these challenges that it is now more important than ever to use the many tools and resources that a FPRA membership offers. FPRA is committed to providing you with the most relevant resources to advance your professional career, especially during these tough economic times. At just 47 cents per day, an FPRA membership is one of the best investments you can make.

If you are a current member, we look forward to your renewal. If you have a co-worker or friend who could benefit from a FPRA membership, please encourage them to join. We enthusiastically welcome their interests, talents and perspectives to this unique professional organization.

New event! MERGE, a scholarship fundraiser

It’s a MERGE of Public Relations Professionals – and a terrific way to build your personal and professional network while contributing to the FPRA Scholarship Fund! Join your fellow PR Professionals for our first-ever networking event called MERGE!

Wednesday, November 2
6 – 8 PM
Bar Louie in Dr. Phillips
7335 Sand Lake Road | Orlando, FL 32819
(407)608-5190

Non-members are welcome | A $10 donation to the FPRA Scholarship Fund covers your entry to the event and includes one drink ticket and raffle entry. | Happy hour drink specials will be available all night.

MERGE is a networking series that will take place in various locations around the Orlando. These informal events will be devoted to networking and increasing your reach with fellow public relations professionals in the Orlando area. So if you are looking for a chance to kick back with fellow professionals, discuss the challenges and highlights of your day, or gain a new perspective from another member, MERGE Networking Events are a “can’t miss” networking opportunity.

All proceeds fund scholarships for the Nicholson School of Communication at the University of Central Florida and the Organizational Communication Program of the Hamilton Holt School of Rollins College.

Intern Pursuit to be held on October 31 at UCF

Intern Pursuit will be held at UCF on Monday, Oct. 31. For the first time ever, Quotes will host Intern Pursuit at the UCF main campus. The event will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Key West Ballroom of the Student Union.

Parking arrangements will be made for employers who plan to attend. If you’re an employer seeking an intern please do the following:

– RSVP to internpursuit@gmail.com with confirmation of your attendance. Please include the contact person, title, organization, phone number, email and attach a job description of the internship opportunity. Please send in your reservation by Wed., Oct. 26 at 5 p.m.

– Create an account on Intern Connect, the Web-based internship service. Intern Connect was designed to pair students seeking positions in the fields of advertising, integrated marketing communication and/or public relations with companies who provide such opportunities. Access to this program is exclusive. Once you have created an account, you will be approved and directed to develop a profile. Once an individual profile has been created, students may view employers, and in turn, employers will have access to students. It is the responsibility of both the student and employer to create and maintain a profile. This will help prepare students prior to the event. The website URL is http://internconnect.cos.ucf.edu.

– If you have an Intern Connect account, be sure to update your employer profile, revise the job duties and/or adjust the dates to reflect the new internship position you are looking to fill.

If you are unable to attend Intern Pursuit, please utilize Intern Connect as a resource to seek out potential intern candidates. If you experience any technical problems while using the program, please contact Ryan Sheehy at Ryan.Sheehy@ucf.edu or 407-823-2199.

Member News – October 2011

Nancy DeVault’s last day as Director of Communications at the American Heart Association will be October 28th. She will continue to serve as a writer and photojournalist for Orlando Family Magazine and pursue additional freelance opportunities; additionally she will also take on a Media Specialist role at UCP in November. Nancy’s email is now writerdevault@gmail.com.

Jay Davis (davisj@seminolestate.edu) is now Director of Communications and Media Relations for Seminole State College of Florida. Jay now is responsible for all College communications, including the content and design for the website. He joined Seminole State in 2007.

Monique Yeager, former spokeswoman for Maitland-based Sonny’s Franchise Co., has joined the Orlando office of Tony Roma’s as marketing director.

 

Brittany Englert has joined Curley & Pynn as a communications specialist. She offers clients experience in research, media relations, marketing coordination, social media and external communications.

Prior to joining Curley & Pynn, Englert was a marketing assistant at Florida Dairy Farmers (FDF). During her time at FDF she developed marketing collateral, coordinated events, partnered with the United Sates Dairy Export Council multicultural communications department and worked with the NFL and FDA on the Fuel Up to Play 60 program to educate schools and students about the benefits of incorporating dairy into their diets. Following her work with the Dairy Farmers, Englert went on to become a public relations representative for the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex where she worked heavily with the media, served as a community relations liaison to nonprofit organizations and developed her social media skills.

Englert graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in advertising and public relations and a minor in marketing. While completing her degree, Englert was a marketing and communication intern at Heart of Florida United Way.

About Curley & Pynn
Founded in 1984, Curley & Pynn provides counsel and advice and total program management to Florida professionals and corporate clients who recognize that in today’s business environment it is essential to communicate with all who have an interest in their success. Curley & Pynn is the Central and North Florida affiliate of MSLGROUP Americas, one of the world’s largest public relations firms. For more information, visit http://www.TheStrategicFirm.com.

Annual Professional Development Workshop: The Evolving Landscape of PR

The Orlando Area Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association presents its annual Professional Development Workshop:
The Evolving Landscape of PR
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Rollins College, Winter Park

8 – 11:45 a.m. Breakfast & Morning Sessions
11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Luncheon & Keynote Presentation
$50 for members ($25 for lunch only)
$60 for nonmembers ($35 for lunch only)
$40 for students ($20 for lunch only)

EVENT SCHEDULE
8 – 8:30 a.m. – Registration & Breakfast
8:30 – 9 a.m. – Welcome
9 – 10:15 a.m. – Breakout Sessions A (two options; choose one)
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. – Breakout Sessions B (two options; choose one)
11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Luncheon & Keynote Presentation

BREAKOUT SESSION SUMMARIES:
BREAKOUT SESSION A
SEO vs. Writing: When to Write for Search Engines and When to Write for People
Erik Erikson, SEO & Marketing, Fry Hammond Barr

Getting your website ranked highly on Google doesn’t have to mean reducing copy to over-stuffed gibberish. In this session, Erik will define a strategy for determining how to write effective website copy that is friendly to both users AND search engines. Starting with a primer on the basics of keyword research, Erik will outline the tactics of “theming” and “blending” as well as a provide an overview of how search engines read and understand copy. Along the way common myths will be dispelled so content managers can focus on what is most important. Jargon-y buzzwords such as “seeding” and “Latent Semantic Indexing” will also be demystified – if these sound ridiculous or puzzling, this is the session for you.

The Power of the Brand
Jim Knight, Sr. Director of Training, Hard Rock International

Ensuring your company’s brand stays relevant in an ever-changing environment can prove challenging. Now, more than ever, a strong brand establishes an identity and experience that customers come to expect in design and advertising components as well as in products and services. Exploring this visceral approach to branding, Jim will show how Hard Rock tapped into a rock ‘n’ roll attitude to create a brand presence that highlights the company’s infamous beginnings, VIP service and high-energy culture. During the session, you will learn more about creating a powerful brand identity and leave with the knowledge and energy to better engage with today’s audiences.

BREAKOUT SESSION B
Ethical & Legal Concerns in a Digital World
Ana-Klara Anderson, Litigation Associate, Thomas & LoCicero, PL

As the public relations profession evolves more and more in this digital world, staying up-to-date on the legalities within this realm is so important. An attorney who represents both English and Spanish-language media clients in the areas of First Amendment law, Ana Klara will walk you through the pitfalls of user-generated content, help you gain a better understanding of the risks and rewards of social media and shed some light on how to protect your client’s identity in a digital world. Most importantly, she’ll help you determine if the Sunshine Law applies to your company and, if so, how you can use it to your advantage.

Today’s Ever-Expanding Media Universe
Dan Ward, Vice President/Partner, Curley & Pynn

Only 10 years ago, big media organizations operated in a defined, predictable pattern. But with the addition of 24-hour news channels and the internet, the media universe continues to expand. Now, every client you serve is part of the media landscape via blogs and social media. Rather than training them for a 60-minute interview, you must prepare them to deliver a message consistently, as they’re always on. Dan will discuss this ever-expanding media universe, including fact and error on the internet and what constitutes news, and help walk you through communicating effectively, avoiding media relations mistakes and building powerful partnerships with the media.

DIRECTIONS
Directions to Rollins College
Parking is available in the SunTrust Parking Garage located between Comstock and Lyman Avenues just east of Park Avenue. Workshop attendees who bring their ticket stub to the event will have their stub validated and parking fee waived.
COST
Workshop Pricing
Members – $50
Nonmembers – $60
Students – $40
Lunch-Only Pricing
Member – $25
Nonmember – $35
Students – $20

Achieving Outrageous Trust®

By Cynthia Lambert, APR

What’s the difference between run-of-the-mill trust and outrageous trust? FPRA members learned the answer to that question during the September breakfast. Roy Reid, APR, CPRC, and partner at Consensus Communications, inspired attendees to help their organizations earn a strategic advantage by cultivating a culture of trust.

An outrageous trust radically exceeds expectations and can carry a person or organization through any crisis. This level of confidence is achieved by being trustworthy, authentic, dependable, and influential. Roy emphasized several guiding principles for cultivating trust, including:
• Communicate consistently.
• Equip and train yourself and others to take responsibility for trust.
• Be candid by addressing the issue at hand and asking the hard questions.
• Fight for what’s important.

About the Speaker
Roy W. Reid, APR, CPRC is a sought after speaker and leading authority on improving your results by improving your relationships through a greater focus and emphasis on trust. His clients include Fortune 500 corporations, public agencies and entrepreneurs. He is a partner with Consensus Communications, has been honored with numerous awards for his work and accomplishments and holds a third degree black belt in Taekwondo. You can reach Roy at roy@onmessage.com or 407-694-3533.