It’s Membership Renewal Time!

If you haven’t renewed your FPRA membership yet, grab a pen, dig the paperwork out of your in-box and fill in the blanks.

All you need to do to renew your membership is submit the one-page renewal form you received via e-mail from the state office. If your SPAM folder ate it or you didn’t receive a renewal form, please let FPRA-OAC membership chair Allie Stevens know. She can be reached at AStevens@fhbnet.com or 407.849.0100.

FPRA’s 2009 Professional Development Workshop

OnPoint, FPRA’s 2009 Professional Development Workshop, is an event you won’t want to miss. This half-day workshop will take place on Thursday, 
October 29 at Rollins College in Winter Park. Top professionals in the communications field will share their insights and experience in a forum where members can sharpen their PR skills, learn new strategies and network. Speakers include Sara Quinn from The Poynter Institute, who will discuss writing for multi-media audiences. Communication professionals from Firehouse Subs, Tupperware and SunTrust will also speak about marketing messages in tough economic times.

Half-Day Workshop Schedule:
8 a.m.
Networking/Registration (with light breakfast)
8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. – Workshop 1
10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Workshop 2
Noon – 1:15 p.m. – Luncheon with speaker

Cost:(workshop sessions and luncheon) $50 FPRA members, $60 non-members, $30 students
(luncheon only) $25 FPRA members, $35 non-members, $15 students
*Free parking with validation

To register visit http://www.fpra-orlando.org/luncheon2009-10.html

For more information, contact Doreen Overstreet at 407-592-7706 or DoreenOverstreet@costadevault.com or Jackie Benton at 407-895-3955 or Jackie.Benton@bentonmg.com.

Special thanks to our sponsors: Rollins College, SeaWorld & Costa DeVault

Marketing Messages in a Down Economy

Fortune magazine recently interviewed Avon CEO Andrea Jung in an article about how companies are changing their marketing to reflect the times. Jung pointed to research that found only 13 percent of people who are tightening their budgets will go back to their old spending patterns once the recession ends. Avon has taken this opportunity to tell customers that Avon is a good value – using language such as “Shop smart: Shop Avon” and “Beauty on a Budget.”

Other companies, like Proctor & Gamble, have tweaked their product lines. They’ve recently rolled out Tide Basic, which The Wall Street Journal reported as lacking some of the cleaning capabilities of the original Tide – but costs 20 percent less. And almost a year ago, SunTrust changed its tagline to “Live Solid. Bank Solid.” Banks are also reviving “Christmas Club Accounts” to encourage people to save.

Just watch advertisements during a one-hour prime time show and you’ll find dozens of examples of companies catering to the frugal consumer. What this means is that the public doesn’t mind buying products or services – they’re just doing so with a value-centric attitude. And this affects the way companies communicate.

This subject of tailoring marketing messages to the economy will be addressed at the Orlando Area Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association’s Professional Development Workshop on Thursday, October 29 at Rollins College. Guest speakers from Tupperware, SunTrust, Firehouse Subs and more will share insight about their communication strategy in tough economic times. It’s a timely topic worth checking out. For more information about the event, visit www.fpra-orlando.org.

[…] This post was authored by Doreen Overstreet, APR and was originally posted on the Costa DeVault blog. […]

November Luncheon: Measurement and ROI of Social Media

As social media has matured and become part of the communications program for many organizations the focus now turns to measurement and ROI.  If you manage a social media program how can you show the value of your actions?  Josh Hallett will lead a discussion on how effective programs measure their results at FPRA – Orlando Area Chapter’s next monthly luncheon on Thursday, November 19.

RSVP information will be available online at www.fpra-orlando.org at the end of the month.

• Speaker: Josh Hallett
• Thursday, November 19, 2009
• 11:30 a.m. registration – lunch begins at noon
• University Club – 150 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, 32801

Join the Image Awards Committee

Want to get more involved in FPRA? Put your creative planning skills to the test by being a part of the 2010 Image Awards Committee! Join Image Awards chairs Lenora Lockett and Jennifer Gammage to help plan and organize this event. Come to the committee kick-off meeting on Wednesday, October 21 at 12:30 PM at Panera Bread, 696 E Altamonte Drive in Altamonte Springs, Fla.

OAC Welcomes 140th Member

Congratulations to Megan Crofton with Orange Reporting, who recently became FPRA-OAC’s 140^th member and won free Panera Bread lunches through March.  Thank you to Panera Bread and all of our new members for helping our chapter reach its membership goals.

Calling all Senior Level Counselors…Take the Certification Challenge

Become a Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC) and Earn FPRA’s Highest Credential

What is Certification?
The certification process was developed to recognize professional growth and achievement of senior members who have already earned the APR designation. Candidates for Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC) must be a member of FPRA and have a minimum of 10 years of professional practice in public relations.

Though it is a second tier credential, it is not APR 2.0. This exam is a subjective exam that requires candidates to draw from their experience to solve problems and present solutions. Earning the CPRC credential involves passing a written exam (16 essay questions) and an oral exam (presentation of a public relations program or project).

CHS of Florida Named “Top Place to Work in PR” by PR News

PR News selected Children’s Home Society of Florida, headquartered in Winter Park, as one of the “Top Places to Work in PR,” a distinction shared by only 25 companies nationwide and just five nonprofits.

Children’s Home Society of Florida is the only company headquartered in Florida to make the Top 25 list.

LMA Presents: Sleepless in Orlando – Where Do We Go from Here?

The Legal Marketing Association – Orlando City Group will present its Third Annual Managing/Marketing Partner Forum on October 22, 2009, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Embassy Suites Downtown. 

It’s no surprise that Central Florida’s legal and accounting partners have been losing sleep the past eighteen months – and they may continue to lose a few winks as they grapple with the future of their businesses and reformulate operational and business develop strategies.

A panel of partners from some of the area’s leading firms will discuss these and other issues. For more information about the event and the Legal Marketing Association – Orlando City Group, please visit www.legalmarketing.org/Southeastern or the event page.

Campaign Manager Joins Team Thompson

Mandy Taylor-Salgueiro, APR, president of the Florida Public Relations Association-Orlando Area Chapter, has joined Jennifer Thompson’s campaign to become the next Orange County Commissioner for District 4 full-time to serve as Campaign Manager. Taylor-Salgueiro will oversee the day-to-day activities of the campaign including volunteer coordination, community outreach, constituent relations, scheduling, fundraising efforts and more. Congratulations Mandy!