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PRSA Orlando Regional Chapter

PRSA Orlando Newsletter

January 2007


President's Message

Lorelie Johnson, APR, PresidentDear Colleagues,

Happy 2007! I am so pleased to begin this new year as your president.

As 2006 ended, the Orlando Regional Chapter celebrated many accomplishments under the remarkable leadership of Andrea Finger. During her presidency, she made a point to guide and prepare me for the upcoming year. I want to thank her and the fantastic members of the board for their leadership, commitment and dedication to continuing to build the chapter successfully.

As we look ahead and begin exploring ways to grow professionally as PR practitioners, I want to briefly highlight a few upcoming opportunities:

January: We kick off the year on the third Thursday (Jan. 18) with a panel discussion about public relations in the public and private sectors.

February: For those of you who have ever considered accreditation, plan to attend the "APR Meet and Mingle" on Feb. 28 at Bennett and Co.

March: The PRSA Orlando/Frank R. Stansberry Scholarship will be awarded to a student majoring in public relations at the University of Central Florida. Applications are available online at our chapter website and are being accepted until the end of February.

July: The chapter will host the 2007 Sunshine District Conference at Disney's Contemporary Resort. The conference kicks off on July 26.

September: All about Ethics! During the luncheon in September, we will focus on Ethics. At that time, we will announce the winner of the Annual PRSA Orlando/Frank R. Stansberry Ethics Award.

As you can see, we are already busy making this year a great one! It is with your help that we can head into our 26th year with many possibilities.

I encourage each of you to consider the following: Save the third Thursday on your calendar for our monthly luncheons. Introduce yourself to someone new at a PRSA event. Donate to the scholarship fund if you haven't already. Renew your membership or become one. Check out the chapter website for new updates and job listings. Ask your company to sponsor a PRSA event or the upcoming District Conference. Volunteer for a committee. Learn more about becoming an APR. Get involved.

Once again, thank you all for your encouragement, your support and the vote of confidence you have given to your new board members and to me.

—Lorelie Johnson, APR



Public vs. Private Public Relations

One of the hottest topics in our industry, both locally and nationally, is the issue of managing communictions for public entities. To address this topic and kick off the New Year, our January lunch program will focus on the differences in public relations strategies for public and private organizations and will feature a panel of experts with experience working in both sectors to share their experiences and knowledge.

Panelists scheduled to participate include:

  • Melanie Forbrick, Director, Communications, Siements Power Generation. Melanie also worked for the Economic Development Commission of Mid-Florida and Florida Power Corporation (now Progress Energy).
  • Nikki Frenney, Director of Media Relations, MV Transportation, Inc. Nikki also served as media relations manager for LYNX and as a public information officer for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
  • Stuart W. Doyle, ABC; Director of Communications, Enterprise Florida, Inc. Stuart also served as manage of internal communications for Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support and as a public information officer for the Florida Department of Children & Families.

Topics will include public vs. private target audiences, legal requirements, how media respond to the different sectors' news events, budget differences, and much more. The program will conclude with a Q&A session.

Lunch entree is Blackened Chicken with Gemilli Pasta and Roasted Vegetables. Dessert is Vanilla Flan and Berries.

Cost: $20 for members, $30 for non-members, $15 for students

When: Thursday, January 18, 2007 - Networking/Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., Luncheon begins at noon

Where: The Citrus Club, 255 S. Orange Avenue, 18th Floor, Orlando, FL 32801

Register online now



APR Save the Date

February 28, 2007

Have you ever considered seeking your Accreditation in Public Relations? If so, don't miss the upcoming "Meet and Mingle" with fellow APRs. You'll have the opportunity to gain an insider's view of the meaning and best practices of the accreditation process in an informal, receptionÐstyle setting.

Visit the official web site of the Universal Accreditation Board for a comprehensive overview of the Accreditation process.

When: Wednesday, February 28, 2007, 6:00 p.m.

Where: Bennett & Company, 230 N. Westmonte Drive, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

For more information, contact:



Sunshine District Conference Save the Date

July 26-28, 2007

Get Ready to Upgrade to HDPR: Creating the Clear Picture

High Definition Public Relations

Disney's Contemporary Resort
Orlando, Florida

More information to follow soon



Ten Minutes/Ten Questions

Dr. Allen H. Moore, JD, APR

Name: Dr. Allen H. Moore, JD, APR

Occupation: Public Information Officer, Orange County Corrections Department, Orange County Government, Florida.

PRSA Involvement: In 2004, I handled External Communications on the Communications Committee and in 2005, I became the prsaorlando.org Webmaster. In 2006, and presently, I am honored to serve on the board as the Ethics and Law Chair.

Person who has most influenced your life: Actually, it would be two very special people, my parents! Allen Moore and Mary E. Moore were always there serving as role models for me and gently instilling a sense of right-and-wrong along with a solid work ethic. Whatever life or career interests I would pursue, they were always supportive whether it was the military, broadcasting, law school, or public relations.

Quote to live by: "Treat others as you would like to be treated."

What made you choose PR as a profession? I tired of broadcasting and journalism, having served 25 years in both Radio and TV as a News Director, Anchor, Reporter, and Radio Talk Show Host. While doing a public affairs program in 1996 for WDBO, K92FM, and Star 94.5, I interviewed Public Relations Practitioner Susan Howard, APR, about the PR Profession. I realized that my training and service in public affairs in both the Army and Marine Corps, plus my journalism background uniquely qualified me to work in media relations. Shortly after making the decision to leave journalism, I was fortunate to be selected to my present position with Orange County Government.

Best PR advice you ever received: Advice from Crisis Media Consultant Clarence Jones when dealing with a negative news situation created by the client's fault or mistake: "If you screw up; confess, repent, and say what you are going to do to fix it."

Greatest accomplishment: Obtaining my Juris Doctorate from Florida State University College of Law. It was the most intense three years of my life. Though I chose not to practice law, the communications, language, and strategic-thinking skills I developed during those years have served me well in my role as a public relations practitioner.

Favorite thing to do on the weekend: Relax and work on DJ music mixes and production for my Internet radio station (floridamegamixradio.com).

Something nobody really knows about you: In 1998, I received the first place "Wrestler of the Year" award in the Florida Amateur Wrestling Association's Open Division statewide competition (ages 18 up).



New Members

PRSA Orlando welcomes the following new members:

  • Camille D. Murawski, Communications Manager, The Florida Bar Foundation

  • Sarah Elizabeth Coombs, Group Sales, Marriott World Center

  • Michelle L. Summers, Public Affairs Coordinator, CNL Financial Group, Inc.


William Murray named new PRSA president and COO

Longtime Motion Picture Association executive to lead staff of Society

PRSA has announced the appointment of William (Bill) Murray as its new president and COO. Murray will serve as the top staff executive of the Manhattan- based PRSA.

An association executive with more than 20 years of experience, Murray was executive vice president and co-chief operating officer of the Motion Picture Association (MPA), the international trade association representing the international interests of the major Hollywood studios.

Most recently, he served as a senior fellow at the USC Center for the Digital Future, and president of William Murray & Associates, a media and entertainment policy consulting firm.

Murray will officially begin his role as president and COO on Jan. 22.



Silver Anvil

Online Registration Will Be Available In Early January 2007

Silver Anvil - The Icon of Best Public Relations Practices

The Silver Anvil, symbolizing the forging of public opinion, is annually awarded to organizations who have successfully addressed a contemporary issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. In the over 50 years that these citations have been made, more than 1,000 organizations have been awarded Silver Anvils for excellence in public relations.

Silver Anvil Awards recognize complete programs incorporating sound research, planning, execution and evaluation. They must meet the highest standards of performance in the profession.

  • February 16, 2007 - Early Bird Deadline for Silver Anvil Entries
  • March 2, 2007 - Final deadline for Silver Anvil Entries

Click here for more information



Check out the Job Bank

Keep checking PRSA Orlando's up-to-date job bank for the latest openings in Central Florida.

Or, if you're looking for the best talent in the area, post your company's open positions on the site.

Click below to check it out!



Submissions

To submit stories or ideas for the PRSA newsletter, please contact Communications VP Michelle Lynch.



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