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e-Newsletter: Free Teleseminar
11/2008
Welcome to the official newsletter of the Greater Spokane PRSA Chapter. Past issues can be found by going to www.prsaspokane.org and clicking on the "Newsletters" link.
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Free Teleseminar - Cut Through Regardless of the Economy
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9.5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Marketing Activities Regardless of Budget
Does the downturn in the economy have you rethinking your
communications strategy? Are you dealing with a tighter budget? The
next PRSA seminar will help inspire you and provide insights on how to
market when dollars are scarce. Cut Through Regardless of the Economy:
9.5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Marketing Activities Regardless of
Budget is scheduled for 12-1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008. It will be in the teleconference center in the Foley Library on the Gonzaga University campus.
Drew Neisser, CEO of Renegade, will be the presenter. Renegade is an
interactive brand experience agency. Educated at Duke, trained at JWT
and retrained at Chiat/Day, Drew is all about ideas — the bigger the
better. Drew fathered the TrafficCam and named the Toughbook for
Panasonic, hatched the HSBC BankCab and helped IBM, among others, gain
recognition as Guerrilla Marketers of the Year. His frequent writings
and speeches are chronicled on TheDrewBlog.com.
Participants may earn 1.0 APR Accreditation Maintenance Credits for a
teleseminar. For more information on APR Accreditation Maintenance
Credits, visit www.prsa.org/PD/apr/index.html.
RSVP to this event by emailing Chris Bieker at chris.bieker@wa.usda.gov, OR click here to register online: www.prsaspokane.org/register.asp?id=151
The cost is free for PRSA members, $15.00 for guests (pay at the door).
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Just One of Your Member Benefits…
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Did you know that as one of your PRSA member benefits you have members' only access to a national listing and a local listing of job vacancy announcements? And if you are hiring, you can target qualified applicants by posting vacancies on the PRSA website(s).
To view or post local vacancy announcements, check www.prsaspokane.org/positions.asp
View or post nationwide announcements at www.prsa.org/jobcenter/
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Sleigh Bells Ring...Are You Listening?
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Holiday Auction Fun for a Great Cause
Join us for an evening of great food, good friends, a little wine and a whole lot of fun. The PRSA Holiday Auction will be held Tuesday, December 2,
at the beautiful Fox Theatre. The event starts at 6 p.m. with the
social hour beginning at 5:30 p.m. If you haven’t had a chance to see
what a wonderful job was done restoring this historic theatre, you
cannot miss your chance to enjoy it with friends!
This event is our one annual fundraiser to support local PRSSA student
scholarships. Last year, we were able to award a $1500 scholarship to
a Washington State University student out of the proceeds raised at
this event. But we can't do it again this year without your help. Come
out, show your support and bid on our fantastic auction
items...including a photo shoot resulting in an 11x14" print from
Hamilton Studios, Seattle Mariners Tickets, Spokane Symphony Tickets,
Spa Paradiso Gift Certificates, and so much more! New auction items are
being secured daily to make this year’s event great with something for
everyone. Kick off your holiday shopping by bidding on some great
items, while knowing what you buy goes to support a great cause.
PRSA Holiday Auction
The Fox Theatre
Tuesday, December 2nd, 6 p.m. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m.
Ticket cost: $40/person or $75/couple
Ticket price includes two beverage tickets and heavy appetizers
RSVP online today: www.prsaspokane.org/event.asp?id=152
sponsored by:
 & 
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Economic Downturns Present Challenges and Opportunities for Public Relations Professionals
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by Jennifer West, APR
The
nation's financial turmoil in recent weeks has been unprecedented.
Based on predictions of leading economists, volatile and difficult
economic conditions may last into early 2010. While job growth has
remained steady in the Inland Northwest, it's inevitable that a
slowdown will catch up to us, impacting businesses and organizations
throughout this region. As a result, we as public relations
practitioners are presented with new challenges and opportunities.
During
the last economic downturn we saw many companies postpone or cancel
programs and campaigns, cut back PR and marketing staff and reduce PR
budgets. Competition among communications firms became more intense, as
firms representing a variety of disciplines pursued the same few new
business opportunities. We also saw many operations flounder as a
result of how they managed their bad news. Companies that succeeded
were those that identified new areas of growth and seized them.
As
public relations professionals, we can serve as a valuable resource to
our top executives and employers to prepare for a down economy and help
them seize opportunities. We must be mindful of the environments in
which we operate. Keep aware of what is going on in your industry, your
business and with your customers. Remain flexible when programs are
stalled and other pressing issues require greater time and attention.
Provide solutions that are creative and realistic to serve your
organization's goals. Communicate openly, early and often to guard your
organization's reputation. Adjust your communications plan and revisit
audience and stakeholder priorities, always remembering employees come
first.
New opportunities will arise, and as public relations
professionals, these hard times give each of us an opportunity to grow
professionally from the experience.
Jennifer
West, APR, is a member of the Greater Spokane PRSA Chapter and SVP and
Chief Operating Officer of Hill & Knowlton Northwest.
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Join Spokane MarCom for breakfast on Friday, Nov. 7
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What Happens Behind the Scenes?
As
marketing and public relations specialists, many of us often wonder,
how can I pitch this story to regional and national media? Will it get
picked up? Am I sending the information in the right format? How do
reporters really work?
Join Spokane MarCom on Friday, November 7
to hear from Tobby Hatley, a seasoned journalist with extensive
knowledge in legislative affairs, public policy, and media relations.
Now running a communications firm in downtown Spokane, Tobby Hatley
& Associates, Tobby provides clients with strategic consultation,
communication, and public representation.
With more than 30
years in broadcast journalism, Tobby will share his perspective on the
story that happens behind the scenes of local media. He'll provide
insight on how newsrooms work, how reporters think, and tips on how to
get your story covered. Tobby has a strong understanding of new media
and will share his thoughts on the future of communications and PR.
Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. and we will be starting the presentation promptly at 7:45. RSVP at www.spokanemarcom.com/meetings/
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This is the year to get involved. You have the opportunity to make a difference. Shortly, if you haven't already, you'll be making decisions that will affect local, regional and national policies. As a U.S. citizen, you're entitled to vote -- and I hope that you do so. But there's also other ways that you can enable change -- other ways you can become involved -- right here, on the local level.
You can make the future bright. Attend the Magnum PR Holiday Auction which raises funds for local PRSSA student scholarships and provides opportunities for young professionals to develop their skills and potential. Additionally, if you would like to donate an auction item, please contact Christine Varela (VarelaCM@EmpireHealth.org) today.
You can lead the way. Volunteer as a member of the Spokane PRSA board of directors and set the pace for the chapter over the next few years. Please consider volunteering or suggesting a colleague to a current board member by November 30.
This year is beginning to take shape for Spokane PRSA. With a new strategic plan in hand and dedicated members, Spokane PRSA has already had an extremely professional development workshop this fall. And more high-caliber programming is coming. Make the most of your membership and participate in these upcoming events, some of which have even been made available to you for free -- just another benefit of being a Spokane PRSA member.
-Lance Kissler
chapter president
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For the sixth consecutive year, CyberAlert, Inc. will award public relations grants to a minimum of 10 not-for-profit organizations in the U.S. and Canada. Each grant consists of one full year of free press clipping/media monitoring service from CyberAlert. Each grant ranges in value from $2,700 to $3,900.
CyberAlert is accepting grant applications until December 31 and will announce grant recipients in early January. A simple and secure grant application is available online at https://secure.cyberalert.com/grants.html
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PRSA Spokane Continues to Grow
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by Tamitha Anderson
I am often reminded of the great wealth of knowledge, experience and
talent within the Greater Spokane Chapter of PRSA. One of the great
advantages to being a PRSA member, beyond the national resources and
local professional development opportunities, is the vast network of
professionals throughout the organization. Whether you are a
professional looking to change industries or need advice on media in a
specific market, there is always another PRSA member ready to provide
thoughtful insight and assistance.
Within our own chapter, there are now over 60 members across a wide
variety of industries and at different stages in their career. Each of
us has something to offer and something to learn from one another. I
encourage all members to reach out to not only our newest members but
to other members of the chapter that you may not have connected with
recently, or may have never met, to learn more about their background,
expertise and areas of interest.
As an organization, our strength continues to grow as we network with
one another and as new members join our organization. Take a moment to
reach out to one or more of the new members who have joined our chapter
this year, welcome them and learn more about their interests and
organizations.
PRSA Greater Spokane New Chapter Members for 2008:
• Lisa Gerber, President: Big Leap Creative
• Elizabeth Hill, Public Information Officer: Educational Service District 123
• Kristin Jacobsen, PR & Special Events Manager: Washington State Tourism
• Kristin Monasmith, PR Specialist: Shriners Hospital
• Renee Parkins, Marketing Specialist & Recruiter: Washington State University
• Dawn Picken, Director of Marketing & Communications: Greater Spokane Incorporated
• Ravi Ramkumar, Account Executive: Business Wire
• Jed Spencer: NBS Promos
• Jodi Walker, Generalist: Gritman Hospital
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On Friday, October 3, local communications professionals came together
for this year’s PRSA Professional Development Workshop. Stephan Kaufman
(CBS Radio), Steve Smith (former editor of The Spokesman-Review), Greg
Birchell (BHW1) and Patricia McRae (KHQ) lead an interactive
presentation and panel discussion addressing “Challenges of a Changing
News Media.” Steve Becker did a fantastic job (as usual!) moderating
the morning event.
Kaufman led an interactive discussion that focused on his background
and experience in radio as a successful freelance reporter, and later
joined Smith, Birchell and McRae for a panel discussion that offered
insight on what we as PR professionals can do to work effectively with
the next generation of journalists.
Prior to the workshop, Steve Smith reminisced about yesterday’s
newsroom and how it affects today’s journalists. His discussion was
timely and insightful due to his recent resignation as editor of The
Spokesman-Review.
The PRSA board would like to extend a thank you to all those who
attended the workshop and breakfast and to the Spokane Club for their
hospitality and service. We also want to thank all of this year’s
workshop participants for making the time to provide such important
information that is so relevant to our careers as communications
professionals.
And, a BIG thank you goes to this year’s Professional Development sponsors – NBS Promos, Johnston Printing and Empire Health Services!
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The board of directors had its regular monthly meeting on Oct. 16. Items discussed included the upcoming teleseminar and the holiday auction, as well as open board positions for the next calendar year.
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Your story/article/announcement here
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Have a story idea for the Spokane PRSA newsletter? Send your article, announcement or shameless plug to Lance Kissler by the 15th of the month. Contact:
Lance Kissler
lkissler@pacificu.edu
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