PRSA Orlando Newsletter

Dear Colleagues,

While it's important to reflect on how this past year has helped shape who we are as a Chapter, it's perhaps more important to take some time to consider how we want to grow as we enter into the new year.

As your new president of the Orlando Regional Chapter, it's clear to me the value our members bring to our Association. Many of you have supported us over the last several years, whether it was through financial donations or by sponsoring the annual District Conference held here in Orlando.

Because we value our members who have brought us to where we are today, it is with you in mind that we have evaluated what we can offer you going forward to get the most out of your membership. We are excited to provide a line-up of exceptional monthly programs and professional development workshops throughout the coming year. As a member-based organization we realize the importance of providing you with powerful networking and professional growth opportunities that can help strengthen your role within your organization, with your clients and with your peers.

I welcome an open exchange of feedback from each of you and hope that you will offer your suggestions and criticisms so that our board can continue to bring you the value this Association has to offer. Our profession is primed for a path of continued growth, especially here in Central Florida. Let's be sure we all take advantage of the opportunities before us by supporting the Orlando Regional Chapter and participating in our monthly luncheons and programs.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your president in 2008. I look forward to all this year has in store and seeing you at our January program.

Dawn Vaughan, APR

Learn how PR plays a major role in managing the image of a professional sports team and its celebrity athletes.

Serving as Vice President of Communications for the Orlando Magic since 2006, Joel Glass has managed a variety of media/public relations efforts, from winning streaks and celebrity interviews to downtown venues and head coach announcements.

Glass, who joined the Orlando Magic in October 1995, was promoted to vice president of communications in July 2006. He served as director of communications for more than seven years. Glass is responsible for directing communications and media/public relations efforts related to the Magic. He is responsible for media operations, strategic communications, media releases, publications and statistical material, while also coordinating media interviews with players, coaching staff members and front office personnel. Glass also helps oversee Orlando Magic broadcasting.

Please join us as Mr. Glass shares:

• Understanding the connection between the informal and commercial sides of information management;
• Importance of media relationships in protecting a national reputation and image;
• Incorporating publicity tactics with an integrated brand marketing campaign;
• Challenges and advantages of working with celebrity sports figures;
• And much more!

Entree: Marinated Swordfish Steak
Dessert: Assorted Seasonal Berries Romanoff
A vegetarian meal also is available.

Where: The Citrus Club, 255 S. Orange Ave., 18th Floor, Orlando
When: Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008. Networking/registration begins at 11:30 a.m.; lunch begins at noon.

Cost:
$25 for Chapter Members
$40 for Non-members
$15 for Students

Walk-ins are welcome, but seating is not guaranteed and admission will not be discounted.

To RSVP, please visit PRSA Orlando.

January's PRSA Orlando luncheon is sponsored by The Vaughan Edwards Group. To learn how your company can become a sponsor, e-mail Heather Morgan at heather.morgan@chsfl.org or Jessi Blakely at jessi@onmessage.com.

Name: Michelle Edwards, APR

Occupation: Partner, The Vaughan Edwards Group, an Orlando-based public relations and marketing consulting firm.

PRSA Involvement: Currently, I am the assistant treasurer. In the past I have served as the VP of membership and VP of programs. I also served on the 2007 statewide conference committee, serve on APR readiness review committees, present various topics to APR candidates, and mentor young professionals.

Person who has most influenced your life: There are two, actually. My sons Evan and Owen have given me a great appreciation for what really matters.

Quote to live by: "Every choice you make makes you."

What made you choose PR as a profession: In high school, I served as editor of the yearbook and was invited to participate in a journalism conference at a state university. While at the conference, I met several PR majors from the university and was intrigued with the idea of combining my communication abilities with the persuasiveness and strategy of public relations. I was a PR major in college and have worked in the field since graduation.

Best PR advice you ever received: From my father-in-law Wade Edwards, APR, a veteran PR professional: Always appear calm.

Greatest accomplishment: My greatest professional accomplishment to date was helping a client navigate the internal, media, and community issues related to a difficult acquisition of a failing competitor.

Favorite thing to do on the weekend: Cook a great meal and read a good book.

Something nobody really knows about me: I have suffered most of my life from terrifying nightmares that leave me hoarse from screaming and usually hanging from the drapes or running around the house. Funny for spectators, not so funny for me!

It's that time of year once again! The Orlando Regional Chapter of PRSA is currently developing our 2008 Annual Membership Directory, which will be distributed this spring. To ensure that you are listed, please confirm that you are a member of our local chapter and update your contact information by visiting www.prsa.org and going to MemberNet Home4Log In4My Profile4Edit. ONLY local chapter members are listed in the directory.

Interested in promoting your services or recognizing a colleague? Consider an advertisement in our directory. For more information, contact Membership Co-chair LaShonda L. Eaddy at lashonda.eaddy@flhosp.org, no later than Friday, February 8, 2008.

Anyone who joins PRSA this month will get their local membership free for one year! If you know someone who's interested, direct them to http://www.prsa.org/membership/jan08freechap .html . (This offer is not valid for Associate members.)

Save the Date/Spring 2008 APR Workshops

APR is a mark of distinction for public relations professionals who demonstrate their commitment to the profession and to its ethical practice. Candidates earn accreditation based on broad knowledge, strategic perspective and sound professional judgment.

Are you ready for APR?

APR spring workshops begin February 25 and all interested candidates are invited to attend. This one- hour workshop is an orientation to the APR process, including these topics:

• APR Overview
• Study Guide
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
• Application Process

February 25, 2008
HD Supply
501 W. Church St., Orlando

Visit the official Web site of the Universal Accreditation Board for the Candidate's Process Chart for the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations and the Eligibility Form.

About APR Workshops
APR workshops are held weekly from February 25 through April 21 at a convenient time and location for participating candidates. The one-hour sessions are led by seasoned APR facilitators to guide a discussion of core topics that will be covered on the APR written exam. The workshops are not required 'classes' but rather a professional development networking group of mentors prepared to help you succeed.

Key Dates

• Submission of the UAB Eligibility Form: January/February 2008
• APR Orientation Workshop: February 25
• Written Submissions Due: March 14
• Readiness Review Panel: Week of March 31 -- April 4

For more information and to RSVP, contact: Laura E. Richeson, APR, at (407) 478-4040.

Now Offering Certificate Program

The UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management now offers a Certificate Program in Event Management.

As a leader in undergraduate education in event management, the College has created a new certificate program designed for working professionals and those desiring to enter this exciting industry, including:

• Meeting, event, and training planners, coordinators and assistants
• Conference and convention service managers and coordinators
• Directors of special events
• Nonprofit organization staff that plan events
• Administrative assistants with responsibilities for meetings and events
• Experienced professionals who want to keep abreast of the latest trends and knowledge

The Program is delivered in module format with one module a month for six months. Each module consists of two days of instruction. Classes meet on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Breaks and lunches are provided both days.

The next Certificate Program in Event Management begins in January 2008. The dates for this program are:
Foundations: Event types and event management - January 11/12
Technology - February 8/9
Contracts, negotiations, risk management, legal issues - February 29/March 1
Promotion and marketing - April 4/5
Event design and production - May 2/3
Professional development, starting your own business - June 6/7

To register online, visit the Division of Continuing Education of UCF. (From the home page, click Professional Development on the left hand side of the page. This will take you to a list of subject areas where you will click on Hospitality Management, then click Certificate Program in Event Management.)

For more information, please contact Ashley McMeel.

Featured Guest: Raoul Martinez, WESH Ch. 2 (NBC)

Welcome to the Media Spotlight¸ your way of glimpsing an insider's view of the inner workings of Central Florida's diverse and changing media. Each month we'll chat with a different reporter, assignment editor, or writer. January's guest columnist is Raoul Martinez, of WESH Channel 2 (NBC). Raoul has been with WESH since January 2002.

How did you get into the news business?
As a kid, I was a news junkie. Watching TV helped me learn English when my family moved to California from Cuba when I was 7. After graduation and a two- week law school stint, I opted for journalism grad school. At the University of Southern California, I met people who guided me toward my career. And less than a month after receiving my master's, I landed a reporting job at the Palm Springs , California, ABC station. My news director remembered me from class and hired me on the spot!

Describe your role?
As an anchor and a reporter, you get the best of both worlds. Having field reporting skills helps on the anchor desk when dealing with breaking news, where nothing is scripted, and you're flying by the seat of your pants! Raoul anchors two hours each weekday morning and occasionally reports for afternoon shows or special projects.

What time/day is best to call?
The best time depends on a reporter's schedule. Working an overnight or early morning shift means being off by noon. So an afternoon phone call is akin to receiving a work-related call around 9 p.m. But when it comes down to it, if you have a great story, the time doesn't matter.

How do you like to be contacted?
I'm a big e-mail fan. So e-mail him at raoulmartinez@hearst.com.

Which topics are hot right now? Which are not?
Public safety (crime) stories are always 'hot.' Staying safe at the mall, work or school, always go over well. Also, new technology gets people's attention.

What's your most memorable experience with a PR person?
The best PR people are there if you need them on a story, but don't hover. They provide information, with bullet points, but don't try to tell you how the story should be told.

Anything else you'd like PRSA Orlando members to know?
Some reporters may come across as abrasive or harsh...because we're under immense pressure, stress, and time constraints. We'd like to be friendly and chat, but sometimes we don't have time because of tight deadlines. Sometimes we just need to get in and get out. Long speeches by the CEO or two-hour news conferences, especially ones scheduled right before a main newscast, only adds to our stress. But all in all, we all work together quite nicely!

PRSA Orlando Regional Chapter will unveil a new Web site in the next few months. More details to come.

The Dr. P. Phillips Orlando Performing Arts Center (DPAC) has issued the attached Addendum to the Public Relations Consultant Request for Proposal.

The deadline to receive responses has been extended to Friday, January 18, 2008 to the DPAC office no later than 4:00 p.m. EDST.

RFPs and addendums may also be obtained from the DPAC Web site, www.orlandopac.org .

If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Steele at Rachel@orlandopac.org.

To see a complete description, visit www.prsaorla ndo.org/jobs.

Welcome!

Terri Guidry Spitz, Publicist, Terri Spitz Publicity, Inc.

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.

If you are interested in maintaining the job bank, send an e-mail to jobs@prsaorlando.org

Click below to check it out!