FPRA Annual Conference: Student Track - PR’s Most Wanted Topics Uncovered!
To coin a term from one of my favorite shows, this session was a “quick-fire elimination challenge.” These four different speakers were allowed 15 minutes to sum up their company and their responsibilities in the PR business, which helped us student’s decide what fields we were interested in and which ones we weren’t.
First up, Julia Babair, APR, Priority Marketing, Inc. Julia described her role as an event planner for her company, planning scholarship functions to small company luncheons. She passed out a very comprehensive handout that she uses when organizing events to make sure she covers all the angles, down to the littlest detail. Take away tip: Be prepared for the unexpected.
Meghan Watts, Marketing Associate for Conference and Events, FTSE International Limited, LLC- Meghan manages over 40 conferences and client events. Her job is to promote FTSE brand awareness and facilitate the relationship of financial professionals through these events and conference. Take away tip: Research your company and gain the knowledge you need to describe it intelligently; even if it’s an industry like investor relations, you have no background in.
Kari Conley, APR, Director, Community & Government Relations, Orlando Magic- Kari is responsible for promoting the Orlando Magic’s commitment to the community. Her passion wasn’t originally in sports, but through networking she found her way into the NBA. Take away tips: Don’t be afraid to try things you weren’t necessarily interested in originally, network and clean up your Facebook/My Space.
Jennifer Thomas, APR, President /Founder FSR Ventures- Jennifer has worked for small, medium and large firms before starting her own company, which has many national clients. She stressed standing out in your company to ensure promotion and gave us a handout called “Advancing in the PR Agency.” Take away tip: Don’t think you have nothing to offer your next job because you are young; you have the structure and book knowledge that your bosses may have lost along the way.
