Posted by Chris Gent on June 19, 2008 at 12:40 PM
The Orlando Area Chapter of FPRA offers an exciting program this month. Nemours, one of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems, recently announced plans to build a children's healthcare campus, featuring a top-tier specialty pediatric hospital, in the Lake Nona area of Orlando.
Karen Breakell, APR, Nemour's Florida Director of Public & Community Relations will share the branding strategies and tactics being used by Nemours to break into an already well established healthcare market.
Click here to download the flyer.
Click here to register.
Posted by Chris Gent on January 14, 2008 at 10:31 PM
This month's Orlando Area Chapter luncheon will feature Dale A. Brill, Ph.D., Director of the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development. The program theme is "Courage to Let the Consumer Have Control."
Dr. Brill will seek to assure us that content is still king, but the tables have turned on who controls it. Kick off your shoes with Dale as he guides us through VISIT FLORIDA's recently released web project known as Open Florida. Learn from the trials and tribulations of navigating in a world where the consumer's control has never been greater.
The luncheon will take place on Thursday, Jan. 24 at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater at Loch Haven Park, 812 E. Rollins St. in Orlando. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.; lunch and program begin at noon.
Register online at www.fpra-orlando.org.
Posted by Chris Gent on November 30, 2007 at 06:05 AM
The Orlando Area Chapter of FPRA scored the equivalent of a touchdown on Nov. 29 with its Backstage Pass tour of Bright House Networks Stadium in Orlando, home of the University of Central Florida Knights.
More than 60 public relations professionals -- including members of the Space Coast and Ocala Chapters -- gathered at the 45,301-seat stadium for a VIP tour. The tour included stops at the recruiting club, home locker room, digital production studios, press room, luxury suites and presidential suite.
At lunch, the group gathered inside the 4,200 square-foot Club Lounge where a panel of UCF employees shared the strategies, experiences and challenges of opening a new football stadium.
The panel included Cynthia Sucher, Associate VP for Community Relations; Joe Hornstein, Assoc. AD for Athletics Communications; Grant Heston, Assistant VP for News and Information; and Fred Kittinger, Associate VP & Director of State and Local Government Affairs. The panel discussion was moderated by Brian Craven, Director of Public Affairs and Communications for Bright House Networks.
Also during the lunch, Dr. Bob Davis, APR, CPRC, ABC presented six FPRA Roast & Toast scholarships to the following UCF students enrolled in the university's Nicholson School of Communications: Tabitha Bernabe, Matt Harper, Jason Holic, Melissa Patterson. Allie Schwartz and Juliann Whitebread.
Congratulations to these deserving students and thanks to everyone who participated in the Backstage Pass event!
Click here to view the complete photo set from Thursday's event.
Photos: Chris Gent
Posted by Chris Gent on November 20, 2007 at 03:58 PM
Make plans to attend the Orlando Area Chapter's backstage tour of the Bright House Networks Stadium, the new home of the University of Central Florida Knights.
Dave Hansen, UCF's Senior Associate Athletics Director, will give us a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, including the Knights' locker room, recruiting lounge, and then to Roth Tower where we'll enjoy lunch and experience the club seats, suites and operational areas. Dave will also discuss the public relations strategies used to open the stadium.
Double click the arrows to preview the event video teasers. Video 1 (2:56), Video 2 (:51)
The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 29 at Bright House Networks Stadium. Click here for directions.
Register online at www.fpra-orlando.org.
Posted by Chris Gent on September 28, 2007 at 09:51 PM
Nearly 300 bloggers and blog enthusiasts from throughout Florida and across the nation gathered at Rollins College in Winter Park today for BlogOrlando.
Sponsored by the Orlando Area Chapter of FPRA, the day kicked off with a keynote presentation by social media expert Shel Israel of Silicon Valley, Calif. The remainder of the day's sessions were divided up into four separate tracks: Public Relations/Communications, Media, Technology and Life/Local.
The day concluded with a presentaton by blogger Chris Heuer of San Francisco, Calif.
Visit the BlogOrlando account on Flickr to see images of the day.
Thanks to FPRA's own Josh Hallett who coordinated this informative and engaging event!
Posted by Josh Hallett on September 20, 2007 at 12:01 PM
Just a quick reminder that the Orlando Area Chapter of FPRA is helping sponsor BlogOrlando next week. This FREE un-conference is being hosted by Rollins College in Winter Park. The PR/Marketing track features an all-start line-up of social media experts from around the country. Registration closes next Monday night
Opening Keynote
The State of Social Media in the World
Leader - Shel Israel, CA - Global Neighbourhoods
Keynoter Shel Israel recently conducted a 10 week Global Survey of the state of social media on behalf of enterprise software giant SAP. He interviewed more than 50 people in 20 countries on four continents. His primary finding: social media is evolving at different rates in different corners of the globe, but it is changing all cultures and businesses. It is beginning even to change some governments.
Israel will report on his finding, some of which are quite surprising most of which indicate that social media is rapidly changing the entire world and in a great many ways, it is for the better.
PR/Marketing Track
Blogger Relations and Ambassador Programs
Leader - Tom Biro, NJ - Open the Dialogue
Working at MWW, Tom spearheaded the Nikon D80 Blogger outreach program. Tom will talk about working with bloggers and building ambassador programs.
Using Blogs for Product Development
Leader - Dave Coustan, Atlanta, GA - Earthlink
Dave Coustan, corporate blogger for EarthLink will talk about how organizations are using blogs as communication tools to develop better products by (gasp) actually asking people what they want.
Crisis Communication
Leader - Laurie Mayers, MI - MS&L
How do you handle a crisis via blog, or created via blog? Laurie Mayers of MSL (think the GM Fastlane Blog) will talk about how GM handles ‘issues’ online, and the limitations of what a publicly traded company can say on a blog.
Customer Relationships with the Rabid Crowd
Leader - Jake McKee, Dallas, TX - Community Guy
As former director of global community development for LEGO, Jake knows a thing or two about working with passionate users. What can your organization do to develop deeper, longer term relationships with your audiences?
Tourism and Social Media
Leader - Annie Heckenberger, Philadelphia, PA - Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation
As the social media guru for the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation Annie oversees a number of social media programs used to promote Philly. Annie will discuss how tourism groups are adapting to the new media landscape.
Business Blogging the Next Steps
Leader - David Parmet, Pound Ridge, NY - Marketing Begins at Home
David Parmet returns to BlogOrlando to lead a session on the business blogging. We’ll assume you know what a blog is….and start to talk about what some of the next steps are.
Participation is Marketing
Leader - Geoff Livingston, Alexandria, VA - Buzz Bin
In the end it’s all about getting involved. Geoff will touch on a number of topics presented during the day…the foundations are honest, open communication. Can you do it?
Continue reading "BlogOrlando 07 Next Week" »
Posted by Chris Gent on September 17, 2007 at 11:15 AM
Over a thousand canceled flights. Hundreds of stranded passengers. Millions of dollars in lost revenue. What would you do if you were an airline in this situation?
Find out at this year’s FPRA Professional Development Workshop on Thursday, October 25 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando.
Jenny Dervin, director of corporate communications at JetBlue Airways, will share how her company dealt with the winter storms crisis and how they came out the other side as a stronger airline.
Additional breakout sessions will include: preparing your company’s crises plan, pitching to opinion editorials and alternative outlets, creating creativity in PR and more.
Make sure to mark your calendar for this half-day workshop and luncheon. Stay tuned for details!
Posted by Josh Hallett on September 4, 2007 at 09:41 AM
Do you remember FPRAonline? I'm not talking about the first web site, I'm talking about the original FPRAonline....from 1995. Yes, a little over 12 years ago the organization created its first online presence with a dial-up bulletin-board system (BBS). It all started on January 3, 1995.
While cleaning out some files this weekend I found a copy of the original install floppy-disk, remember those? I took a photo to post here.
There was also an instruction sheet that came with the disk. Here are some highlights:
Q. What is an 'on-line' service?
A. A computer filled with information that others may access from their computers via modem over telephone lines.
Q. Does it cost to use this service?
A. The cost of operating the FPRA system is included in your membership dues. You will incur long-distance telephone charges.
Q. If I don't use the system will I 'miss' important communications?
A. No, not at present. FPRA will continue to publish written communication via Esprit!, PR Florida and the membership directory. However, over the next several years it is expected that the trend will be electronic delivery of information. At some point in time, the association may deem the online service as the primary method for communicating with members.
Q. What will I find on the system?
A. General FPRA Information, Statewide Job Bank, FPRA Book Source, News, Tips, Accolades, Electronic Mail, FPRA Calendar, State Board Information. In the future: Golden Image Winner Summaries, Shopping Mall, Annual Conference Information.
Quite a look back. While some of the questions are dated, some of the same core issues are still around today. Has electronic communication taken over for print? Yes and no.
Posted by Paul Ramey on August 7, 2007 at 02:43 PM
This session was designed for those thinking about becoming a Certified Public Relations Counselor. The interactive session had 14 attendees, and reviewed various aspects of the exam and how to prepare for it.
CPRC exists because FPRA felt there was a need for a professional certification to recognize professional growth and achievement of senior members who have already earned their APR, and who have more experience than someone who has been in the field for a shorter amount of time.
The oral component was added because that’s often what is required in a professional setting, especially in an agency setting where making presentations is something you do everyday.
Continue reading "FPRA Annual Conference: Session 4C, Demystifying CPRC - Dr. Bob Davis, APR, CPRC" »
Posted by Chris Gent on August 5, 2007 at 07:31 AM
Let me be the first to welcome you to the 69th annual conference of the Florida Public Relations Association. This year's theme: PR: The Convergence of Art & Science.
This annual conference is FPRA's premier professional development event. Members of FPRA, as well as other PR professionals from around the region, will gather in Sarasota today for three days of professional development, networking and fun. By offering experts on a variety of industry-related topics, it is our goal to present concepts and tactics that participants can immediately apply to their own jobs.
It's going to be a great conference, and we hope you will take full advantage of this conference blog.
On behalf of the conference blog team, welcome to Sarasota!
Posted by Chris Gent on July 26, 2007 at 10:34 AM
Today is the annual Central Florida Media Roundtable, hosted by the Orlando chapters of the Florida Public Relations Association and the Public Relations Society of America.
More than 140 public relations professionals are gathered at the Orlando Marriott Downtown (see photo above).
Those representing media organizations today include:
Christi Ashby, Editor/Publisher - Orlando Leisure/Orlando CEO
Cindy Barth, Editor - Orlando Business Journal
Sarah Clarke, Business Reporter - Orlando Sentinel
John Cutter, Senior Editor, Online News - OrlandoSentinel.com
Jack DeMarco, Booking Producer - The Daily Buzz
Jose Dieppa, Producer - WVEN-TV Univision 26
Raquel Alysia Giorggio, Managing Editor - WKMG Channel 6 (CBS)
Steve Helling, Contributing Reporter - People Magazine
Peter King, Correspondent - CBS News
Sean McNamara, News Director - Central Florida News 13
Kent Morton, Managing Editor - WESH Channel 2 (NBC)
Rafael Palacio, Editor - El Sentinel
Jean Patteson, Features Reporter - Orlando Sentinel
Hernando Ramirez, Information Chief - El Nuevo Dia
Tara Russakov Menedez, Planning/Special Projects Producer - WOFL 35 (Fox)
Frank Samandari, Anchor/Reporter/Producer/Web Producer - WDBO 580 AM
Dave Seanor, Editor/Vice President - Golf Week/Turnstile Publishing
Diane Sears, Travel/Tourism Editor - Florida Trend
Judith Smelser, Radio News Director - WMFE 90.7 (PBS)
Julie Szulczewski, Sr. Executive Producer - WFTV Channel 9 (ABC)
Our luncheon speaker today will be Barbara Maushard, News Director for WESH-TV/WKCF-TV Channel 2 (NBC) and Channel 18 (The CW).
Thanks to our sponsor: BusinessWire.
Posted by Chris Gent on July 24, 2007 at 08:59 AM
I posted an article back on June 25 seeking individuals interested in being part of the blog team for FPRA’s Annual Conference in August. I am happy to report that we had some takers!
Throughout the three-day conference these individuals will post their reactions to speakers, sessions and the conference in general. The blog will also feature podcasts as well as plenty of photographs... and maybe even a few surprises!
So without further adieu, let me introduce to you this year’s annual conference blog team:
DONNA FOSTER is the communications manager for the Gainesville Technology Enterprise Center. She has been an active member of FPRA since 2006 and currently serves as the Electronic Media Director for FPRA's Gainesville Chapter. She will also serve in this role on next year’s board. As a first-timer to the FPRA Annual Conference, Donna was chosen as the recipient of her chapter's Annual Conference Scholarship.
CHRIS GENT is vice president of corporate communications for Kissimmee Utility Authority. He has been a member of FPRA since 1994 and currently serves as the Webmaster of FPRA's Orlando Area Chapter. Chris has served five years on the FPRA State Board, including three years on the Executive Committee. He is a past president of the Orlando Area Chapter and winner of both the Doris Fleischman Award and the Dick Pope Grand All Golden Image Award.
JOSH HALLETT is owner of Hyku, LLC, a social media consulting firm based in Winter Haven, Fla. Josh has been a member of FPRA since 1996, and has always been an advocate of technology's role in public relations. This included developing the first statewide Web site for FPRA in 1996 and FPRA Blog Week in 2006. Josh is currently a member of FPRA's Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter and blogs frequently about the impact of social media on public relations and traditional media.
VALERIE NORMAN currently serves as president of FPRA’s Tallahassee Student Chapter. She works as a PR assistant at CoreMessage, Inc. where she has displayed her talent in aggressive media outreach, helping her company earn a FPRA Image Award for pro bono work with the Tallahassee Network of Young Professionals. She was also awarded a conference scholarship by FPRA's Capital Chapter. Valerie will be blogging the student sessions at this year’s conference.
PAUL RAMEY, APR is assistant director in charge of marketing and public relations at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville. He is a past president of FPRA's Gainesville Chapter and will be serving on the FPRA Executive Committee this coming year as Vice President of Technology. Ramey has more than 19 years of journalism, public relations and communications experience, including work in print, radio, health care and public schools before being hired on by the museum in 1999.
Posted by Chris Gent on July 17, 2007 at 04:34 PM
Have you registered for FPRA's Annual Conference? Why you ask? Because more than 200 of your fellow public relations professionals already have!
To date, we have surpassed last year's total number of conference participants and we're still adding names to the list. Will your name be one of them?
Don't miss your opportunity to join with hundreds of other PR practioners from throughout Florida for the largest annual gathering of public relations professionals in the state.
Click here to download the conference brochure and registration form. Register today!
Posted by Chris Gent on July 2, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Wouldn't it be great to question the reporter for a change? Well here's your chance!
Interact with members of the local and statewide media in a casual exchange at the 2007 Central Florida Media Roundtable & Luncheon. Come gain insightful sources to help with future story development.
Confirmed and invited media guests include WESH Channel 2 (NBC), Univision, CBS Radio, Central Florida News 13, WFTV Channel 9 (ABC), People Magazine, Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Business Journal, Orlando Sentinel Online, Associated Press, Florida Trend, WDBO Radio and WMFE Radio.
The luncheon speaker will be WESH News Director Barbara Maushard.
Click here for more information.
Posted by Josh Hallett on June 22, 2007 at 11:05 AM
The PDF brochure for the 2007 Annual Conference has been posted online. Download it and join us at the FPRA Annual Conference in August.
Posted by Chris Gent on December 9, 2006 at 08:50 PM
Space Shuttle Discovery lit up the darkened sky at Kennedy Space Center this evening as the spacecraft blazed off the launch pad for the first nighttime liftoff in four years.
The crew of seven astronauts lifted off from Launch Pad 39B right on time at 8:47 p.m. The illumination from the shuttle's engines and booster rockets turned night into day at the press site.
After a scrubbed attempt on Thursday night, tonight's launch was cause for celebration. FPRA and its volunteers have once again contributed to the success of the nation's manned space program!
Posted by Chris Gent on December 7, 2006 at 10:18 PM
The next launch attempt for Space Shuttle Discovery will be at 8:47 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. Friday's weather forecast is predicted to be a 90 percent chance of "no go" so NASA officials moved the next attempt to Saturday.
That's the latest news LIVE from the Kennedy Space Center. Signing off for now...
Posted by Chris Gent on December 7, 2006 at 09:36 PM
There will be no launch today. A low cloud ceiling and thick clouds over KSC did us in.
NASA could try launching again as early as 9:13 p.m. tomorrow, but weather conditions are expected to be worse on Friday.
Stay tuned...
Posted by Chris Gent on December 7, 2006 at 09:31 PM
They can only hold here for 4 minutes, 40 seconds. After that point, the launch window for today will close and a launch will no longer be possible.
Posted by Chris Gent on December 7, 2006 at 09:27 PM
The countdown clock has restarted, but the weather at KSC is a "no go" at this point. Mission managers are going to take it down to 5 minutes and make a decision at that point...
Posted by Chris Gent on December 7, 2006 at 08:41 PM
We've begun the 46-minute hold. We'll come out of this hold at 9:27 p.m.
Countdown clock: T-minus 9 minutes and holding.
(left to right) Bryan Beaty, executive assistant to the president for Indian River Community College; Cynthia Lambert, public relations specialist for METROPLAN ORLANDO and Linda Herridge, public affairs writer for InDyne, Inc.
Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at night with media satellite trucks in foreground.
(left to right) Chris Gent, manager of corporate communications for Kissimmee Utility Authority; Bill Randolph, CPSM, JCR Consulting.
Space Shuttle Discovery on Launch Pad 39B. Photos by Chris Gent, KUA.
Posted by Chris Gent on December 7, 2006 at 08:30 PM
The countdown clock has resumed and will count down to the 9-minute mark. At that point the clock will stop for 46 minutes while the launch director, mission management team and NASA test director conduct final polls for "go/no go" to launch...
Posted by Chris Gent on December 7, 2006 at 08:20 PM
We've just begun a planned 10 minute hold in the countdown. Weather is looking better...
Posted by Chris Gent on December 7, 2006 at 06:44 PM
(left to right) John Harris, director of outcome management at Early Learning Coalition of Orange County; Jessica Rye, APR, public affairs officer for NASA and FPRA State President; and Bill Randolph, CPSM, JCR Consulting.
Media gathered inside the NASA News Center covering the story. Photos by Chris Gent, KUA.
FPRA is well represented here at Kennedy Space Center as STS-116 crew members begin taking their seats inside Space Shuttle Discovery as the vehicle awaits liftoff at 9:35 p.m. EST. Weather at this point appears to be the only obstacle to a successful liftoff.
A cold front moving through the Central Florida area is producing a blanket of clouds, gusting winds and isolated light rain. The NASA launch team will press on with the countdown for now, in case the weather cooperates after all. Currently, there is only a 40 percent chance of acceptable weather.
Among those FPRA members working so far this launch include Sharon Arnold, Bryan Beaty, Chrysten Burzio, Helena Finnegan, Chris Gent, John Harris, Jennifer Hobbic, Cynthia Lambert, Andrea Meyer, APR, Karen Plunkett, APR, Bill Randolph and Laurel Smith, APR.
The STS-116 mission is the 33rd for Discovery and the 117th space shuttle flight. During the 12-day mission, the crew will continue construction on the International Space Station, rewiring the orbiting laboratory and adding a segment to its integrated truss structure.
We're LIVE from the Kennedy Space Center....
Posted by Bob O'Malley, APR on November 9, 2006 at 10:24 AM
Just as FPRA did with its annual state conference, the Public Relations Society of America will blog its 2006 International Conference on November 12-14.
If you can't make the trip to Salt Lake City, the blog is a great way to participate in the conference. Click here for the blog's RSS feed.
And kudos to PRSA for using the blog to expand the dialogue about public relations issues.
(h/t Constantin Basturea)
Posted by Chris Gent on October 26, 2006 at 02:01 PM
The Orlando Area Chapter wrapped up its annual Professional Development Workshop today in downtown Orlando. Printed surveys distributed at the end of the day confirm that the day was a resounding success!
Of the 30 evaluation surveys returned, 100 percent of the respondents rated the workshop as either 'excellent' or 'very good.'
Special thanks to Dana Johnson of Curley & Pynn and Jeff Stanford of the Orlando Science Center who chaired this year's event, and to our sponsors: Bright House Networks Public Affairs, Kissimmee Utility Authority and MindComet.
Here are some additional survey comments:
This was the BEST professional development workshop EVER and John Moore was awesome!
Very useful for personal and professional development.
The workshops were very informative and I left with lots of new knowledge.
Posted by Mike Pynn on October 26, 2006 at 01:29 PM
The presentations to this point were full of valuable information. The luncheon keynote speaker, John Moore, gave a presentation entitled "Tribal Knowledge: Lessons Learned From Working Inside Starbucks."
John says that Tribal Knowledge is the information you learn while you work for a company that is never written down, but simply becomes common knowledge among those inside. Here are some of the important points from his presentation:
Continue reading "FPRA Orlando: Conducting a Brand Autopsy" »
Posted by Mike Pynn on October 26, 2006 at 11:19 AM
Scott Allen of MindComet is presenting the considerations and specifics of viral marketing:
The hope for viral marketing is that each person who sees your message will deliver it to more people.
"Anything can be viral."
"Viral", Scott explained, refers to how the message spreads, not what sort of message you deliver. So anything can be viral, whether it's a blog, a video or anything else. As long as people spread it, it can be viral.
According to Scott, viral marketing can be used for several purposes. Internal communications, community tools, downloadable resources, promotions, brand awareness, and sales drives are all purposes that can be served with viral marketing.
Continue reading "FPRA Orlando: Meet Viral Marketing" »
Posted by Mike Pynn on October 26, 2006 at 10:30 AM
Lori Cuonze comes to us from PUSH Advertising. Lori's presentation deals with mobile marketing, and how important it is to the new media.
She suggested that mobile media, (iPod's, mobile phones, PDA's, etc.) are becoming the primary means of receiving information for many people. She calls this the "new new media." Marketing communications are no longer "transactional," she says. The new media is changing that, requiring broader thinking. Social media will bring about major shifts in communications.
Those who fall behind are going to be left behind.
Lori explained that many companies are afraid of the shift because it requires a more youthful team. It is vital, though, to utilize the new media effectively. The younger generations are the ones using these services the most.
Continue reading "FPRA Orlando: Mobile Media Messaging" »
Posted by Chris Gent on October 26, 2006 at 10:15 AM
One of the topics on today's agenda is viral marketing. UCF student and fellow blogger Mike Pynn will offer a synopsis of that presentation shortly, but I've put together a short list of some effective viral marketing campaigns:
The Subservient Chicken - a promotion of Burger King's line of chicken sandwiches and their "Have it Your Way" campaign. (see photo above)
ilovebees.com - This was a clever viral marketing for the video game Halo 2.
Hotmail - Very effective! Promoted largely by links at the bottoms of emails sent by its users. Gmail does the same thing.
Posted by Mike Pynn on October 26, 2006 at 10:00 AM
This is my first post of the day, and I'm very glad to be at the FPRA Professional Development Workshop. Many thanks to Susan Ennis for the introduction and opportunity.
Jeff Rubenstein authors the Control Freak blog for the Orlando Sentinel, and he's giving a presentation to introduce attendees to blogs and the culture of bloggers. Here are some of the more important points he's made:
He's explained that bloggers who post frequently can change search results. This, he says, can also change the information people first receive. There is, needless to say, a great deal of gatekeeping power available to bloggers who often post.
He's also mentioned the importance of portal sites (Digg, Fark) in blogs getting attention. These sites allow users to give positive or negative feedback to specific blogs. "The Internet empowers the meek," as Jeff explained. Positive feedback on some of these sites can increase a blog's visibility "more than exponentially."
"Statistically, not even one percent" of readers comment on blogs, he says. If a blog has a large volume of reader comments, it's number of readers is likely much larger. Essentially, watching the comments on a blog is a great way to measure how popular or influential a blog can be. This is true of watching comments on the portals, as well.
Continue reading "FPRA Orlando: Dial B for Blog" »
Posted by Chris Gent on October 26, 2006 at 09:30 AM
A wiki is a type of website that allows the visitors themselves to easily add, remove and otherwise edit and change some available content, sometimes without the need for registration.
I’m sitting in a session featuring Matt Thompson, a professor at the University of Central Florida.
His topic is wikis. He kicked things off by talking about the benefits and pitfalls of Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a Web-based free content encyclopedia project. The name Wikipedia is a blend of the words wiki and encyclopedia. Wikipedia is written collaboratively by volunteers, allowing most articles to be changed by almost anyone with access to the website. Little known fact: Wikipedia's main servers are located right here Florida – Tampa to be exact.
He talked about the recent rise in wiki vandalism – any addition, deletion, or change of content made in a deliberate attempt to compromise the integrity of Wikipedia. The most common type of vandalism is the replacement of existing text with obscenities, page blanking, or the insertion of bad jokes or other nonsense. Fortunately, this kind of vandalism is usually easy to spot and is quickly deleted or changed.
Continue reading "FPRA Orlando: The Wonderful World of Wikis" »
Posted by Susan Ennis, APR on October 25, 2006 at 09:55 AM
It's a busy time of the year and not everyone is fortunate enough to take a half day to attend this Thursday's professional development program. So that you won't totally miss out on all the great information, we have asked Mike Pynn to post to the FPRA Blog throughout the morning. Mike says he is excited to blog the FPRA Professional Development Workshop and to learn as much as he can about the medium.
A little about Mike:
Mike Pynn is a student at the University of Central Florida in his final semester. He is participating in the Co-op and Experiential Learning program, presently involved in two internships. He serves as a social media researcher at Curley & Pynn, where he is earning valuable experience with public relations and marketing communications. He is also assisting in the selection and editing process for UCF’s international literary magazine, The Florida Review. After receiving his degree, he hopes to work in the field of communications while saving money for Graduate school.
Posted by Bob O'Malley, APR on October 9, 2006 at 08:31 AM
On his blog, Josh Hallett recently wrote a post titled, "How to Blog a Conference." I mention this for two reasons.
First, Josh uses his experience blogging the 2006 FPRA State Conference as the case study for the lessons he shares. That alone is reason to read it.
In addition to this reason, his post provides valuable information we can all use in our jobs. Public relations practitioners often have a role in planning and cooridnating large business meetings, trade conferences, public hearings or other special events. The case study provided by Josh provides a "how-to" primer on incorporating blogs into these meetings and events.
We all witnessed the benefits blogging added to FPRA State Conference. Why not add these benefits to your next event or meeting?
Posted by Josh Hallett on August 9, 2006 at 11:55 AM
The 68th Annual Conference has come to an end. A fitting way to wrap things up online was to talk with outgoing State Association President Adrienne Moore, APR, CPRC. Click here to listen to the interview: AdrienneMoore.mp3.
Posted by Josh Hallett on August 9, 2006 at 11:46 AM
Mark Ziegler is an Associate in Communications, College of Communication at Florida State University. Mark is a very energetic speaker to say the least. His style is very engaging. He opened his session with a quick story about an FPRA conference he attended almost 10 years ago in Boca. His credit card had been stolen during the event, so when he thinks about FPRA he always checks his wallet :-)
Mark had intended to go to medical school, but he saw the signs when he was studying. During gross anatomy he had trouble opening the chest cavity. He said, "this is a sign."
Continue reading "FPRA Annual Conference: Thoughts on Communications, Life and PR" »
Posted by Josh Hallett on August 9, 2006 at 09:47 AM
FPRA's 68th Annual Conference is almost over and it has been a wonderful experience, with some great surprises. Work has already begun on next year's conference at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, Fla. Erin McLeod is the incoming Vice President of Annual Conference and is responsible for planning the event. I spoke with Erin about next year's event and what she has in store for us. Click here to listen to the interview: ErinMcLeod.mp3.
Posted by Josh Hallett on August 9, 2006 at 08:24 AM
Listed below is the schedule for Day 3 - Wednesday, August 9 , 2006 of the FPRA Annual Conference.
7:30 am - 12:00 pm: Registration 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: It's a Blast from the Past
10:45 am - 11:50 am: Thoughts on Communications, Life and PR
11:50 am - 12:00 pm: Conference Finale
Posted by Chris Gent on August 8, 2006 at 10:21 PM
The next individual award given out tonight was Member of the Year Award.
This award is intended to recognize one member who has made a significant contribution to the Association through outstanding leadership, demonstrated enthusiasm, extraordinary involvement and loyal support. The recipient is selected by the FPRA State President.
Drum roll, please... the 2006 FPRA Member of the Year is:
JOSH HALLETT
- Owner, hyku, llc. - Member, Orlando Area Chapter
Click here to send Josh a congratulatory note.
Posted by Chris Gent on August 8, 2006 at 10:20 PM
At the conclusion of tonight's Golden Image Awards ceremony, three individual awards were given. The first award was the 2006 Doris Fleischman Award.
The Doris Fleischman Award honors unrecognized contributions an individual FPRA member has made to the public relations profession and/or to FPRA. In essence, this is an “unsung hero" award intended to reward that individual who consistently provides support and assistance to the Association.
The award was established to honor the achievements and contributions of Doris Fleischman, business partner and wife of Edward L. Bernays, the “father” of public relations. It honors those FPRA members who, like Ms. Fleischman, make contributions to the field of public relations through consistent, tireless efforts. It is meant to honor a member for his/her “behind the scenes” work and FPRA volunteer efforts that go unnoticed by chapter members and are not recognized by other awards programs.
This year's winner could not attend the Golden Image Award gala, so the award was presented to her by members of the Pensacola Chapter at their July board meeting. Click the image below to view the acceptance video. The proud recipient is...
EILEEN PERRIGO, APR - Instructor & Internship Coordinator, University of West Florida - Member, Pensacola Chapter
Click here to send Eileen a congratulatory note.
Posted by Josh Hallett on August 8, 2006 at 07:20 PM
Trista Wallace, APR just took the stage to welcome the attendees to the Golden Image Awards Gala. Chris will have a complete wrap-up after the event.
Posted by Chris Gent on August 8, 2006 at 01:40 PM
Next up is a presentation on the Terri Schiavo case.
For those of you new to the case (or from outside Florida), the case was about a woman from St. Petersburg, Fla. whose medical and family circumstances and legal battles fueled intense media attention and led to several high-profile court decisions and involvement by politicians and interest groups.
Schiavo, then 26, collapsed in her home in 1990 and experienced respiratory and cardiac arrest. She remained in a coma for ten weeks. Within three years, she was diagnosed as being in a persistent vegetative state (PVS).
The legal history around the Schiavo case included fourteen appeals and numerous motions, petitions, and hearings in the Florida courts; five suits in Federal District Court; Florida legislation struck down by the Supreme Court of Florida; a subpoena by a congressional committee in an attempt to qualify Schiavo for witness protection; federal legislation; and four denials of certiorari from the Supreme Court of the United States.
Ultimately, Terri's husband won the legal right to have her feeding tube removed on March 18, 2005. She died thirteen days later at a Pinellas Park hospice on March 31, 2005, at the age of 41.
We'll have insight on the presentation afterward...
