Photo Joe generously provided us with a disk of all the photos he shot before, during and after last Tuesday's Golden Image Awards gala. Josh posted them all this evening over on Flickr.
Check them out at http://www.flickr.com/photos/fpra/sets/72157601288568774/
In closing, I wanted to share with you the totaled Web stats for this blog during our three day conference. The event itself may be over, but the information, podcasts and photos we've posted these past few days will remain for you to refer back to in the future.
Total unique visitors: 1,407
Total page views: 4,528
The average visitor stayed on this blog for 5 minutes, 9 seconds.
Thanks for visiting. We hope to see you next year on Aug. 3-6, 2008 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee. Here's a glimpse...
The 2007 FPRA Annual Conference has drawn to a close. We'll be posting a few recap items over the next few days. I know I had a blast and hope the readers did as well.
Dr. Jay Rayburn, APR, CPRC, and blogging are not two words you would normally associate with each other. How things change.
During this year's conference Dr. Rayburn wrote his first blog post. I talked to Jay about his history within the organization and the students he's mentored over the years. Click here to listen to the interview: JayRayburn.MP3
Last night was a special night for Kathleen Giery, APR, CPRC. Kathleen received the John W. Dillin Professional award. I spoke to Kathleen about the award and her longtime involvement with FPRA. Click here to listen to the interview: KathleenGiery.MP3
In between the two morning sessions on Wednesday I caught up with incoming State Association President Suzanne Sparling, APR. We talked about conference (of course) and her upcoming year. Click here to listen to the interview: SuzanneSparling.MP3
Cynthia Gordon, VP of Corporate Communications and TV Program Development at Universal Studios, gave an interesting presentation on “The New Media Roller Coaster Ride.” She described how Universal used bloggers, appropriate Web sites, YouTube and much more new technology to market their brand and events, such as the popular Halloween Horror Nights.
Universal will soon come out with a new Harry Potter theme park, authenticated by J.K. Rowling herself. Webcasters and fans of the adventure stories were allowed to get a sneak peak at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure. By using new media technology Universal created a BIG buzz about the theme park and invited average media users to help spread the word. Over 300 Million critics with blogs & digital videos are available for hire as potential marketing executives. Maybe you can be one of them.
It’s funny to me how people over 35 seem to be so surprised by new media. As students, we are probably under 25 and we grew up in a time where new media wasn’t really new to us; it’s just the way it is and we grew up with these new advancements. To us catching up on our news online or watching the latest events unfold on YouTube isn’t shocking or amazing to us. This is just the way it is. What I mean by this is we aren’t awestruck enough to let this new technology scare us or intimidate us. We can utilize our skill and knowledge to expand our PR strategies.
Maybe this is our “in” to impressing our bosses and becoming indispensable.
Blogs, podcasts, Facebook/MySpace, links, Web sites, all those “techy” words; to us they are every day vocabulary and we probably know more about them then we think. Just ask someone over 40 if they know the basics of Web site design. Maybe you’ll get a yes, but I assure you the average wouldn’t know.
For instant, my mother once asked me to look up a Jacksonville number while I was in Tallahassee. Then she said, "Oh, you can't because you don't have a phone book." I was like, "Mom, its called Google!" She just didn't think of that because it wasn't second nature to her like it is to me. So study up on new media because it might be our golden ticket to becoming the new giants of PR.
Well, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. Yes, Josh, I am actually posting on the FPRA blog while listening to our speaker. This is an out-of-body experience. I just wish John Dillin was here to see all of this—he wouldn’t believe it!
What's the saying, "What happens at conference, stays at conference?" This entry falls into the category of, 'you had to be there..."
Pictured below is the 'Velvet Hammer'. What is it? You'll need to ask. Just check in with: Rayburn, Oppenheim, Gernert, Savage, McShaffrey, Preston or a few other long-time members.
Listed below is the schedule for Day 3 - Wednesday, August 8, 2007 of the FPRA Annual Conference.
7:30 am - 12:00 pm: Registration Desk Open
8:00 am - 9:15 am: Power Networking Breakfast
8:15 am - 9:15 am: Counselors' Network Business Meeting
9:25 am - 9:30 am: Announcements
9:30 am - 10:35 am: The New Media Roller Coaster Ride
10:45 am - 11:50 am: Ten Traits of Really Great Leaders
11:50 am - 12:00 pm: Conference Finale
Next stop, the Golden Image Awards. We'll be posting the results at the conclusion of the event, so check back later tonight for all the details.
We're now at the halfway point of the conference and figured it was a good time to ask what you think about our conference coverage thus far. Tell us the good, the bad and the ugly. We'd prefer if you left your email so we can respond to you, but if you feel the need to be anonymous, go ahead.
What has been your favorite portion of the conference coverage?
Do you like the fact that we've included commentary on the sessions or would you just prefer the facts from presentations?
Do you like the fun stuff and hallway interviews?
Suggestions?
One of FPRA's dynamic duos, Dr. Jay Rayburn II, APR, CPRC, PRSA Fellow and Joe Curley, APR led an afternoon breakout session on setting up your own business. There are a number of successful independent practitioners within the field and within FPRA. But what does it take to go out on your own? Jay and Joe shared some secrets.
First up was Joe Curley. Joe said that starting a business can be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life, or the biggest drains. Often creative individuals aren't well suited for things like taxes and running a business. However, when you're starting you need to do much of that work. But it's important to shed those responsibilities quickly. You're time is best served doing billable work, not doing the books.
As to when to start your business? Joe says don't do it right out of school, get some agency or corporate experience first. Take advantage of the time you work for an agency. First off the mistakes don't cost you, it costs somebody else. Agency work is also great for networking and building relationships.
Immediately after his address Aaron Cushman talked briefly with Erin McLeod about a topic he forgot to mention. Chris Gent was there with the trusty recorder. Click here to listen to the interview: AaronCushman.MP3
Each of the conference participants has grabbed a boxed lunch and joined one of 13 interactive roundtable discussions facilitated by senior PR practioners. Our blog team has divided up and will report back shortly on the discussions held at their respective tables.
Roundtable topics:
- Social Media - Josh Hallett
- Handling the Bad News and Bad News Media - Bob Gernert, Jr., APR, CPRC
- Lobbying - Kate Gooderham, APR
- Building a Relationship with Your CEO - Joe Curley, APR
- Research for PR - Dr. Jay Rayburn, APR, CPRC, Fellow PRSA
- Public Relations & Branding - Dr. Bob Davis, APR, CPRC
- How to Write Winning Public Relations Objectives - Tina Haisman, APR
- Turning Competition Into Collaboration: Building Business/PR Relationships that Matter - Dee Zulauf, APR
- PR for Fundraising Events - Thomas Nunan, APR
- Thinking Outside the Box: New Ways to Attract Attention to your Product/Work - Michelle Bono, APR, CPRC
- PR for Non-Profits - Rachel Smith, APR, CPRC
- Publicity - Adrienne Moore, APR, CPRC
- Tips for Looking Cool Under Pressure During On-Camera Interviews - Denise Feiber, APR
If you've been to conference before then you know 'Photo Joe'. But do you know Joe's last name? I talked to Joe about his years of loyal service to FPRA and some of the memories (and photos) Click here to listen to the interview: PhotoJoe.MP3
On Public Affairs and WW II:
FPRA Founding President John W. Dillin, APR, CPRC would have taken pride in Mr. Burson's roots in the profession. John and six others founded this association in 1938 ... prior to World War II. One of the roles John played in his WW II tour in the Air Force was the development of the public affairs concept in the armed services. He was quite proud of having had a hand in that military communications function.
Women's Dominance of the Public Relations field:
Mr. Burson has witnessed public relations evolve from a field dominated by men to today's 85/15% female/male practitioners. He noted that he felt more gender balance (closer to 50/50) would be in order. You can also see the evolution of the field in the past-president's gavel passing line (not that its scientifically relevant). I'd like to learn what our female practitioners feel is/are the reason(s) for the gender disparity? Are "salary levels" causing men to pursue other professions?
A "Fine" Situation:
Last but not least ... to the individual whose cell phone rang during Mr. Burson's remarks ... they make those things with both a vibrate setting and an on and off switch. I would suggest to the FPRA Board that a $50 fine be levied against anyone whose phone audibly rings in a conference session -- payable to the FPRA Scholarship fund for use in scheduling sessions on telephone etiquette and common courtesy. The Counselor's Network has had such a policy for several years.
Anand Pallegar from atLarge, Inc. led one of the Tuesday morning breakout sessions. Anand's session dealt with how PR and measurement is adapting to the new forms of media. The digital revolution has happened, it's not going to happen, it's not going on, it's happened.
Convergence is the name of the game today, people and firms are constantly taking on a number of tasks. Anand asks the audience who focused solely on PR and who had mixed roles. The majority of the audience worked in a mixed environment. That is part PR, part marketing and who knows what else. With this convergence, how do we know what's working and what isn't working? How can we measure results?
With the new media model there are a number new factors: citizen journalism, social media, etc. Traditional media sources like radio, outdoor and newspaper have eroding confidence levels. New forms of media are growing in confidence.
One of the new tools of the new media landscape is RSS. RSS allows for content to be delivered in a standard format. Blogs elevated RSS and this connected world. Anand talked briefly about the 1% rule. That is if you have 100 people online, 1 will create content, 10 will interact with it and the rest will read it.
The first session of the morning is led by Harold Burson, APR, Fellow PRSA, Founding Chairman of Burson – Marsteller. The session title was “It’s Time to Speak Up for Public Relations,” and Burson covered the historical, philosophical and legal roots of pr as a discipline that existed long before the term “public relations” came into use and long before it was offered as a commercial business service.
Burson began by saying that PR is an applied social science. We as professionals should use our knowledge to teach communications and to influence others. PR professionals should have knowledge of all sciences—behavioral, social, etc. Burson said he heard someone say PR is doing good and getting credit for it, and the room broke out into laughs. Currently, the PR field is at a very high point. At no time in the past 60 years, has the PR field enjoyed the reputation and status as an important and very necessary institution as it is recognized today.
The PR field has gone through tremendous transformations:
- Early on the field was dominated by men.
- Now pr/communications people are now in positions of top management. Upper management and PR professional now work closely. So close, the speaker joked, that now communications professional know where all the bodies are buried.
- With the advent of cable television, the news day became a 24-hour cycle rather than a twice daily (morning and afternoon)
- Starting in the 1980s, the news media became much more intrusive. In the past, publications like Forbes would only publish stories with happy endings.
- Increasingly, you see fewer CEOs that are ready and willing to speak out.
- Corporations have become much more reactive in their PR. In the past, corporations created programs, and now corporations are so busy reacting that they aren’t focused on the positive stories, social responsibility, etc.
- In recent decades, PR has really been able to define itself as a field and FPRA is aggressive in moving the field in a positive direction.
PR as a commercial function only began in the 1900s:
-WWI created a large propaganda bureau and after WWI many people went into PR.
- The big impetus for PR firms came after WWII when reporters, which were public information officers in the war, returned home from war and started their own PR firms (rather than going back to the newspapers). Burson was one of those reporters who started his own PR firm.
-In 1947, about 500 PR firms existed in NY City. Unfortunately, many of those firms did not make it.
Though PR as a commercial function only began in the 1900s, PR has been a huge part of world history—Rome, American Revolution, etc.
- In 1865 (Stamp Act), Samuel Adams started writing articles (4 newspaper in American then), making speeches about separating from England, led the Boston Tea Party, wrote an article labeling 5 deaths the Boston Massacre–these are all examples of early PR.
Burson remarked that as we move into the future, PR professionals need to focus on content. The speaker also noted that over the years, women have increasing entered the field and now there are more women in the field though typically, the higher positions are held by men. Burson feels this is a serious issue that needs to be recognized. He feels the field should be more balanced in terms of gender and that professionals entering the field should have more journalism experience.
As students we are primarily focused on getting PR experience, building our portfolios and making great grades. The President’s Luncheon made me realize it’s never too soon to think about the future. Being surrounded by PR greats and hearing their long lists of accomplishments is motivating in a way that’s larger then life. You just have to be in the room to feel the power.
The steps we take now will lead us to accomplishing the HUGE dreams we may have in the coming years. Start preparing now by becoming involved in a FPRA executive committee or any volunteer event. Get to know the people around you, make contacts, but most of all make friends. Combined the knowledge we have can produce amazing results and strategies to accomplish anything. PR has a very bright future and you can be a part of it.
The dictionary describes convergence as “Coming together from different directions.” In public relations today, we must artfully bring people together for consensus, understanding and, eventually, execution of strategy. David Voss discusses how to learn to listen effectively and facilitate engagement forums of diverse communities to build consensus.
This session has approximately 40 attendees.
Convergence is another tool to help you reach your public relations goals
Levels of PR
1. Press relations
2. Public information
3. Persuasion
4. Engagement – listening to audiences, involving public, reaching consensus, sharing responsibility
Speaker Dr. Dale Brill, Chief Marketing Officer of VISIT FLORIDA, gave his presentation entitled, “Evolve or Die!” to an excited group this afternoon. The official title was “Giving Structure to the Chaos of Content.” Per Dr. Brill’s request take off your shoes and relax as you listen to this lesson in content for Web sites, aka “All the things Dr. Rayburn refuses to learn we will be talking about,” said Dr. Brill.
He begins with an excerpt from his FPRA conference presentation given 10 years ago. He pulled out what he thought was the most important points of his presentation.
THAT WAS THEN: 1997 first presentation at conference
- Content is King
- Usability is paramount
- The consumer has control
Then he continued with what he felt was key now regarding Web sites and attracting visitors.
THIS IS NOW: 2007
- Content is King
- Usability is paramount
- The consumer has control
FPRA Immediate Past President Adrienne Moore, APR, CPRC took the stage and announced that Bob Gernert, Jr., APR, CPRC is the recipient of this year's Past Presidents Award.
Bob is the Executive Director of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce and former Executive Director of FPRA.
Send Bob a congratulatory email at bobg@winterhavenfl.com.
This year's Outstanding Chapter of the Year award goes to the Southwest Florida Chapter! Congratulations to Chapter President Olivia Orth and her board. Olivia is Creative Director at Priority Marketing in Ft. Myers.
Send Olivia a congratulatory email at olivia@prioritymarketing.com.
The Chapter President of the Year is Jeff Nall, APR, CPRC of the Pensacola Chapter! Jeff is the Vice President of Marketing Communications for the Council on Aging of West Florida, Inc.
Send Jeff a congratulatory email at jnall@coawfla.org.
The winner of the Most Improved Chapter award is the Nature Coast Chapter! Congratulations to Chapter President Jessica Lambert and her board. Jessica is the Communications Resources Director for the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners in Lecanto.
Send Jessica a congratulatory email at jessica.lambert@bocc.citrus.fl.us.
One of the highlights of the President's Luncheon is the Dillin Dessert. Named in honor of the founder of FPRA, Lt. Col. John W. Dillin. The dessert is sponsored by the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter.
This year's dessert is a Warm Guayaquil Cake served with raspberry compote and Rice Crispy Treats Ice Cream. The cake has a warm chocolate center. Enjoy!
The awards portion of the annual Presidents' Luncheon has just wrapped up in the main ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota.
FPRA State President Jessica Rye, APR took to the stage and recognized the outgoing president of each of FPRA's 15 chapters. They are as follows:
Vivian Myrtetus - Capital Chapter
Ton Nunan, APR - Central West Coast Chapter
Susan Clayton Black - Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter
Nickie Doria, APR - Gainesville Chapter
Reese Riggle - Jacksonville Chapter
Jessica Lambert - Nature Coast Chapter
Tracy Louthain, APR - Northwest Florida Coast Chapter
Emma Eldred - Ocala Chapter
Susan Ennis, APR - Orlando Area Chapter
Jeff Nall, APR, CPRC - Pensacola Chapter
Olivia Orth - Southwest Florida Chapter
Shanti Brasington - Space Coast Chapter
Dan McLean, APR - Tampa Bay Chapter
Karen Brown, APR - Treasure Coast Chapter
Joe Radcliffe, APR - Volusia County Chapter
Next, Jessica recognized the outgoing members of the outgoing 2006-07 Executive Committee:
Suzanne Sparling, APR - President-Elect
Adrienne Moore, APR, CPRC - Immediate Past President
Melanie Mowry-Etters, APR, CPRC - VP of Accreditation/Certification
Erin McLeod - VP of Annual Conference
Lori Martini - VP of Chapter Services
Tina Haisman, APR - VP of Communications
Jay Wilson, APR - VP of Finance
April Herrle, APR, CPRC - VP of Golden Image
Rachel Smith, APR, CPRC - VP of Planning/Research
Paul Ramey, APR - VP of Professional Development
Jamie Melendez - VP of Public Relations
John McShaffrey, APR - Counselors' Network Chairman
Carol Savage, APR, CPRC - FPRE Foundation Chair
Melanie Mowry-Etters, APR, CPRC, Vice President of Accreditation/Certification was next on stage to recognize those individuals who received their APR (Accredited in Public Relations) and CPRC (Certified Public Relations Counselor) certification this past year. Congratulations to
APR
Tina Banner, APR
Betsy Couch, APR
Nickie Doria, APR
John E. Fleming, APR
Kenneth Ryan Gerds, APR
Darlene Goodwin, APR
Kathleen M. Hahn, APR
Tracy Louthain, APR
Stefanie Macfarlane, APR
Christine Martinez, APR
Heidi R. Otway, APR
Gordon A. Paulus, APR
Julie Ann Platt, APR
Clare Ulik, APR
CPRC
Jeff Nall, APR, CPRC
Florida Public Relations Education (FPRE) Foundation Chair Carole Savage, APR, CPRC took the stage and announced the creation of the Bob Davis Foundation Scholarship Award in honor of long-time FPRA member Dr. Bob Davis, APR, CPRC. Bob serves as a professor at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.
The first-ever recipient of this award was Caitlin Murphy, a recent graduate of the University of Florida. Dr. Davis and Caitlin are pictured above.
Next, Jessica presented her much-anticipated President's Awards of Excellence for 2007. The following Chapters were recognized:
President's Award for Accreditation/Certification - Capital Chapter
President's Award for Chapter Administration - Ocala Chapter
President's Award for Communications - Gainesville Chapter
President's Award for Financial Management - Jacksonville Chapter
President's Award for Fundraising - Orlando Area Chapter
President's Award for Image Awards - Treasure Coast Chapter
President's Award for Leadership Development - Orlando Area Chapter
President's Award for Membership - Pensacola Chapter
President's Award for Professional Development - Central West Coast Chapter
President's Award for Senior Member Development - Gainesville Chapter
President's Award for Spirit of FPRA - Space Coast Chapter
President's Award of Student Development - (tie) Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter, Southwest Florida Chapter
Vice President of Communications Tina Haisman, APR came forward next to announce the winners of Best Chapter Newsletter and Best Chapter Web site.
Best Chapter Newsletter - Pensacola Chapter; Runner-up - Ocala Chapter
Best Chapter Web Site - Central West Coast Chapter; Runner-up - Orlando Area Chapter
And now.... the Dillin Dessert!
Members of the Counselor's Network enjoy unique opportunities throughout the year. One of those perks is one-on-one conversations with keynote speakers during conference. This morning, CN members spent some quality time with opening speaker Kirk Stewart.
Coming up next is the Presidents' Luncheon. This is a very special event which honors the work of outstanding individuals and chapters in the past year, including the coveted Chapter of the Year and Chapter President of the Year awards.
PR professionals who recently earned their accreditation or certification in public relations will also be honored.
The food highlight of the luncheon is the famous Dillin Dessert, sponsored by the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter. More on that in just a bit.
Grassroots Communication Tips:
Phone calls:
- be brief
- be clear, use layman's terms
- be polite
- don't hestitate to communicate with staff
- thank him/her for their time
Written communications:
Consider the impact of your comm. on the elected official before you generate a grassroots letter-writing campaign.
The first breakout session of the morning is Engaging Your Audience: A Scientific Look at What Attract Attention led by Sara Quinn, Visual Journalism Faculty, The Poynter Institute. This session discussed design elements and what holds the readers attention.
The speaker discussed a study by the Poynter Institute examined reader habits. The study tracks what attracts and holds the reader’s attention—400 readers in 4 cities—by measuring eye stops. The study was very scientific—highly defined, specific, setting analyzed, etc. The study had a number of exciting findings including:
Continue reading "FPRA Annual Conference: Breakout 1A, Engaging Your Audience – Sara Quinn" »
I had a chance to check in with this year's conference guru, Erin McLeod. Erin began planning this year's event at the conclusion of last year's event and talks about the planning of the 2007 Annual Conference. Click here to listen to the interview: ErinMcLeod.MP3
The first speaker, Kirk Stewart, Executive VP and Corporate Communications Leader of PACO Worldwide, gave an amazing PowerPoint on “Responsibilities of 21st Century Organizations” this morning. He previously served as VP of Corporate Communications at NIKE and used this experience to influence his presentation.
While I listened to this lesson of 14 guidelines companies should follow, I thought to myself, these are important rules that we as students should follow when sharpening our PR tools and growing into professionals.
These are his exact bullets with my adaptation of how it applies to us. (I only used the ones I thought were relevant.)
Responsibilities of the 21st Century Student
1. Know Who You Are: Do you know what makes your different? What is your personal mission statement? Define your goals and interests.
2. Live Your Values: Are you using your values to drive your actions? In everything you do, are you putting on a display of your morals and standards? Define the principles you believe in.
3. Take Responsibility: Do you take responsibility for your actions? Have you taken it upon yourself to be committed to absorbing all the PR information and skills you can? Make a list of goals for your career development and take responsibility to fulfill them.
4. Substance First: What consists of your personality and experience? Is it something that would impress those around you and your potential managers? Describe the attributes that you consist of; work on the ones that are weak and hone the ones that are strong.
5. Be Accountable: Do your personal tactics lie upon a foundation of trustworthiness and dependableness? The PR major can be cunningly competitive; use your creativity and talent to become a step above the rest, in an ethical manor.
6. Engage and Collaborate: Are you involved in the community you are searching for a job in? Paid experience can be great, but volunteering for to do PR for a community event can be challenging, extremely rewarding and impressive to a future employee. Show some initiative; volunteer to lead a PR effort for a community organization.
7. Be Transparent: Are you honest and open? What is your credibility rating? Make sure that in interviews for potential jobs you always tell the truth. Even if your resume isn’t up to your standards, use details and creativity to describe what you have done; don’t make promises you can’t deliver by lying.
8. Define, Don’t Defend: Have you put your foot down to keep from swaying with popular opinion? Have you established your role in your workplace as a leader? Define yourself or others will do it for you.
9. Be Consistent: Your dependable, responsible, caring; would your friends describe you the same way? In everything you do, do you strive to advertise your confidence and valuable qualities? Letting go with your friends is one thing, but your core values should always stay consistent.
10. Monitor and Anticipate: Are you studying the industry and trends by reading books or networking with the PR greats? Are you ready for the real world and what it has to offer you? Make a list of topics you want to learn more about.
11. Take Nothing for Granted: Are you utilizing every opportunity out there that could make you a better PR practitioner? Are you grateful to those who have influenced you and taught you valuable PR strategies? Write thank you notes to professors, co-workers, managers, family and friends that have supported you and taught you all you know.
Please note that session 1B has changed slightly from the original conference brochure. The topic is still lobbying, but the speaker has changed. We are very grateful, and fortunate, that FPRA member Colleen Thayer, APR, legislative affairs representative for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, was able to step in at the last minute when the scheduled speaker had a client emergency. Thanks much, Colleen.
The first general session of the 2007 FPRA Annual Conference featured Kirk Stewart, Executive VP & Corporate Communications Leader for APCO Worldwide. Kirk talked about the responsibilities that corporations have to the public and to their stakeholders.
Kirk kicked of his talk with some research around trust, specifically the declining levels of trust of organizations. Currently NGOs are the most trusted organizations globally. There are also increasing expectations that consumers have of companies. One of the top expectations deals with the environment. Another issue is the growing gap between the CSR expectations and performance.
Consumers are increasingly punishing corporations that are seen as socially irresponsible. Combine this with an evolving media landscape. News is happening 24/7/365. Employees and stakeholders are networked. Finally, there is no more local. Everything is news everywhere.
Kirk highlighted 14 points for corporate responsibility:
1. Know Who You Are: This can go back to your mission statement. Sometimes this evolves.
2. Live Your Values: Make sure your operations are in line with your mission. This is also based upon history, i.e. what drives its behavior.
3. Take Responsibility: This can be a difficult thing for companies that haven't dealt with this in the past. Admit your shortcomings, be humble and don't be defensive. Breakdown in any of these areas will cause organizations problems.
4. Substance First: Have something to talk about first and make sure it's worthwhile. Often in crisis situations it's the CEO's role to lead.
5. Be Accountable: This works internally and externally. The external accountability is what many organizations have a problem with.
6. Rally Your Core: In times of crisis your most important stakeholder is your employees. Arm your employees with information. Let them serve as ambassadors for your organization.
7. Engage in Collaboration: Organizations need to be involved, with: community, stakeholders, etc. It involves building relationships. Put a human face on the company.
8. Be Transparent: Kirk feels this is the single most important thing that organizations can do. Increased transparency equals increased credibility. There is no alternative.
9. Define, Don't Defend: Define yourself or others will do it for you. You could say stay on the offensive and not on the defensive.
10. Stay Close to Your Consumers: Keep the brand fresh, keep the brand relevant. Often your most important stakeholder is the people that buy your products.
11. Be Consistent: Words=Actions. Focus on a core theme over time. Kirk referenced the recent scandal involved Whole Food's CEO, John Mackey.
12. Speak With One Voice: Integration is a must. Coordinate among all functions and channels, but most of all tell compelling stories.
13. Monitor and Anticipate: Develop an early warning system. Use tracking research and prepare for the unexpected. Ultimately though you must manage crisis effectively. How an organization responds in crisis really speaks about who they are.
14. Take Nothing for Granted: Never become complacent. Don't underestimate competitive response.
This year there are 204 attendees registered for full conference and 277 expected for Golden Image on Tuesday night. In addition there are 24 students registered. Are you here? We'd love to hear from you :-)
Listed below is the schedule for Day 1 - Monday, August 6, 2007 of FPRA's 69th Annual Conference:
7:00 am - 5:00 pm: Registration Desk Open
7:30 am - 8:30 am: Breakfast with Exhibitors
7:45 am - 8:15 am: Past Presidents' Council Meeting
8:35 am - 8:50 am: Conference Welcome and FPRA Annual Meeting
8:50 am - 9:55 am: General Session A - Responsibilities of 21st Century Organizations
10:10 am - 11:10 am: Breakout 1A - Engaging Your Audience: A Scientific Look at What Attracts Attention
10:10 am - 11:10 am: Breakout 1B - Schizophrenic Sharks: The Role of the Lobbyist
10:10 am - 11:10 am: Counselors' Network Breakout 1
11:20 am - 1:40 pm: Presidents' Luncheon
1:50 pm - 2:50 pm: Breakout 2A - Diversity Speak... Messages of Inclusion
1:50 pm - 2:50 pm: Breakout 2B - Giving Structure to the Chaos of Content
1:50 pm - 2:50 pm: Breakout 2C - The Art of Convergence
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Leadership Training
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm: Afternoon Meltdown
4:05 pm - 5:00 pm: FPRA State Board Meeting
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm: Scholarship Fundraiser & Membership Mingle at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
It seemed appropriate that I would speak to FPRA State President Jessica Rye, APR, during the President's Reception this evening. Jessica looks back over the past year and talks about what's in store for her after her term as president ends on Sept. 1st. Click here to listen to the interview: JessicaRye.MP3
As my partner in crime, Stacey Getz and I followed the red brick road up to the towering paradise, also known as the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, we realized that we are definitely not in Tally anymore. There was not a gray cloud in the sky and the sun was shining bright.
In summary: The hotel is very beautiful. There are chandeliers everywhere you look and my gosh….what they must spend in fresh flowers!! They are everywhere! On your plate, in your drink, at every table…EVERYWHERE! Beds are comfy and view of the Gulf is beautiful. I would definitely recommend coming to the conference for the professional development, as well as the great atmosphere. I am looking forward to next year and I hope you will consider coming next year.
What is your favorite Florida hotel and recommendation for the conference committee in the years to come?
If you are here, what part of the conference are you most excited about? I'm excited about Dr. Dale Brill's session on "Giving Structure to the Chaos of Content". When I interned at VISIT FLORIDA, where he is CMO, he would always tell the PR team, “Don’t be afraid to try new things because you are afraid to make a mistake.” It really is the only way to come up with creative ideas; sometimes you may miss the mark, but eventually you will hit the PR nail on the head.
When I arrived at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club there was a Lamborghini Gallardo in the drive. I asked Tom Preston and Jay Rayburn if they were driving it...nope. Perhaps it belongs to Jessica Rye :-).
The usual gang of FPRA members took part in the annual golf tournament at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Sarasota this afternoon. Who are the usual suspects? You know, Oppenheim, Rayburn, Preston, et al. The links were beautiful and of course the Ritz-Carlton service was superb.
The winners and awards will be announced at the reception this evening. We'll post an update when we have the details. (It turns out they did not announce the winners at the reception. We'll get the details soon though.) Here are some photo highlights
