Cleveland Indians VP Bob DiBiasio Coming to PRSSA Kent Feb. 1

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to do PR for a professional sports team?

PRSSA Kent is excited to welcome guest speaker Bob DiBiasio, VP of Public Relations for the Cleveland Indians, for our next general meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1 in room 340 of Franklin Hall. If you’re interested in learning more about sports PR, this is the meeting for you!

DiBiasio will discuss the challenges and rewards of a career in sports PR, as well as share stories from his 34 years in Major League Baseball and his role in developing the Indians Social Suite in Cleveland. A true Clevelander, DiBiasio has spent 33 of those 34 years with the Cleveland Indians. He started in 1979 as an assistant PR director and was named director of PR in 1980 and vice president of PR in 1988. The Lakewood, Oh native was promoted to his current position in 2011. His lone season away from the Tribe was 1987 when he served as Public Relations Director for the Atlanta Braves.

DiBiasio was the 1999 recipient of the prestigious Robert O. Fischel Award for Public Relations Excellence in Major League Baseball.  He was also inducted into the Lakewood High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in 1999.  In 1986, DiBiasio was named the Public Relations Director to the Sports Illustrated Dream Team.  He received the ALS Cleveland chapter Lou Gehrig “Iron Horse” Award for Community Service in 2009 and won the Mel Harder Distinguished Service Award for Community Involvement in 1997.

DiBiasio currently serves as the President of Cleveland Indians Charities, is an Honorary Member of both the Executive Board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland and the Board of the Cleveland Baseball Federation, serves on the Athletic Advisory Board at Notre Dame College (OH), and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Bob Feller Museum in Van Meter, IA.

PRSSA Kent is excited to welcome Mr. DiBiasio and we hope to see you at next week’s meeting!

Meeting Re-Cap: Carli Cichocki Shares Media Relations Tips

Students filled room 110 of Franklin Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 18 to hear Carli Cichocki, an ’06 PR Kent alumna and communication specialist at R Strategy Group in Cleveland, talk about developing and implementing a national media relations plan.

Last summer, Cichocki traveled across the country with the Do Good Bus, a traveling initiative that encourages people to volunteer in their communities. The Do Good Bus partnered with Grammy-nominated band Foster The People during their summer tour. Cichocki was responsible for creating and executing a media relations plan during the tour.

Cichocki shared valuable information about thinking strategically, connecting with audiences and networking with other professionals. Her presentation ended with a contest –the winner, PRKent Freshman Megan Corder, received a Foster The People CD!

Students walked away with some useful tips about media relations as they start their careers in PR.

Carli’s tips for media relations success:

• Think strategically. Develop a plan and be prepared. Set goals and decide what you want your plan to accomplish and what you want your audiences to learn.
• Do your research. Learn as much as you can about your audience and narrow it down to target only the most important. If your media relations plan targets everyone, you’re not really talking to anyone. Research reporters who have covered your subject in the past and pitch them personally.
• Use your resources. Social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr) can help communicate your message.
• Find an angle. Reporters are looking for a way to connect the story with their audience. Emphasize a unique angle to make your pitch stand out. It could be a trend, local connection or celebrity involvement.
• Network and stay in touch. Get to know professionals and stay in touch with classmates. Foster long-term relationships with everyone you come in contact with –journalists, producers and others in the PR industry.

PRSSA Kent would like to thank Carli Cichocki for sharing her experiences with us. It was a great way to start the semester!

Our next general meeting is Wednesday, February 1 at 7:30 p.m. VP of Public Relations for the Cleveland Indians Bob DiBiasio will talk about sports public relations and his career in MLB. We hope to see everyone there!

Upcoming Meeting: Media Relations on the Do Good Bus with Carli Cichocki

Last fall, Carli Cichocki, a ’06 PRKent alumna, developed and implemented a national media plan for the Do Good Bus, a transportable community service venture, that accompanied Grammy-nominated Foster the People on its six-week, North American tour.

Prior to touring on the Do Good Bus, Carli worked as a senior account executive at Spitfire Strategies, a Washington-D.C. based, national communications consulting firm that specializes in helping nonprofits and foundations. She also served in the United States Senate for Senator Sherrod Brown as a press intern and special assistant to the senator’s senior advisor on economic development.

 

As a student at Kent State, Carli interned with Marcus Thomas LLC, The Babcock & Wilcox Company and the City of Kent. She also worked for two semesters at Flash Communications; served as Vice President of Public Relations, PRSSA; and survived the course “PR Campaigns.”

Carli currently works to further local nonprofits’ and political candidates’ communications efforts at R Strategy Group in Cleveland, Ohio.

Jan. 18 – PRSSA Meeting

Using the Do Good Bus as an example, we’ll cover traditional/social media relations planning and implementation. More specifically, we’ll discuss:

• The qualities of a news story
• Determining target audiences
• Crafting messages
• Pitching media/ working with reporters
• Ways social media tools can complement each other to spread the word.

Don’t forget the meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in room 110. We look forward to seeing everyone there.

Welcome Back!!!

Welcome back to Kent State! We hope everyone had a fun and relaxing winter break. Check out our spring semester programming schedule and see what’s up with PRSSA Kent this semester!

Jan. 18: Carli Cichocki: Media Relations on the Do Good Bus

Feb. 1: Bob DiBiasio: Sports PR –Cleveland Indians Social Suite

Feb. 15: All About Internships

Feb. 29: Ethics Discussion: Bill Sledzik, moderator

March 6: Communications Connection

March 14: Facetime with PRSSA

April 4: Officer Elections

April 18: Heather Wuensch (Akron Children’s Hospital): Healthcare PR

Our first general meeting is Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m in room 110, Franklin Hall. Be sure to check this blog regularly for updates about programming and information about guest speakers. Have a great semester!

 

PRSSA Update

Curious what we talked about in our last meeting? Follow the link to the CCI Blog  to learn how to handle difficult personalities.

Tonight will be the last general meeting of the semester. Come and enjoy snacks and refreshments as we close out this semester.

Campaigns Presentations

Come to the Governance Chambers on Friday, Dec. 9 to watch the seniors make their big presentations for Campaigns class. These students have worked hard all semester, so come support them and get a preview of what you may have to do not only in this class, but in the real world of PR. For information or questions, contact Heather Thomas (hthoma3@kent.edu).

Look Forward to Next Semester

The PRSSA officers never stop working hard to bring members a great semester. Look out for great speakers, Communications Connection, the annual networking event planned with AAF Kent and other fun opportunities to get involved and boost your PR knowledge next year.

Last Chance to Pick Up Your PRSSA T-Shirt

If you ordered a PRSSA t-shirt at one of the last general meetings, come by the last meeting to pick it up! Bring $10 to the general meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 7 and ask Heather Thomas (hthoma3@kent.edu) for your tee. Start reppin’ PRSSA on and off campus to show your PR spirit.

Join us on PRSSA Kent’s social networks to keep up with all the latest information about meetings and internships. Leave a comment on Facebook, our blog or tweet us about PRSSA or other relative PR news!

 

Member Spotlight: Congratulations Allison

Full Name: Allison Brookes

Allison Brookes, PRSSA president

Major: Public Relations

PRSSA Title: Current President, Former VP of Fundraising

Hometown: East Liverpool, Ohio

What are your plans after graduating: Work for an agency and learn the ropes of being a young professional.

Favorite thing you like about Kent State: The people I have met and the life-long friends I’ve gained really made a difference in my time at Kent State.

What you think you will miss most about Kent State: I’ll miss the professors and seeing my friends in the halls of Franklin.

Favorite PRSSA memory: Going to National Conference in Washington D.C. last year. It was such a fun conference and itwas a great bonding experience!

Interesting fact about yourself: I’m engaged and will be getting married next October.

What advice would you give someone that you wish you have known as a freshman: I would tell them to not be afraid to get involved. Once you get involved with committees and start to get your name out there, the networking opportunities you’ll receive will amaze you. When professors tell you “It’s all about who you know,” listen to them, because it’s definitely true.

On behalf of PRSSA Kent we would like to thank you Allison for everything you have done. We all wish you the best of luck and congratulations on graduating. Allison will be graduating from Kent State University this December.

Don’t forget about our last meeting of the year this Weds. in Franklin Hall room 213 at 7:30 p.m. Come and enjoy the end of the year party.

Happy Holidays

On behalf of PRSSA Kent we would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and safe travels. Join us this Wednesday for our end of the year party.

 

 

PRSSA Survey

PRSSA is asking everyone to please fill out this survey. It should only take up a few minutes of your time. Also, don’t forget about the meeting tomorrow.

Come get educated at tomorrow’s general meeting in Franklin Hall room 213. Ben Brugler, executive vice president, AKHIA public relations and marketing, and Brandi Neloms, sales and marketing manager, Digital Color International, will be educating students on ways to handle different personalities in the real world.

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. Make sure you get there early to network with other PR students. We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow night.

Public Relations Students Share Their Homecoming Court Experience

PRSSA Kent had a special reason to celebrate this year’s Homecoming festivities on Oct. 15. Two senior public relations majors,

Darian Thomas and Lisa Gulasy, were honored with representing their respective sponsoring organizations and the School of Journalism and Mass Communication on the 2011 Kent State Homecoming Court.

Gulasy, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is involved with TV2 and the Tannery Communications while Thomas, from Elyria, Ohio is the online media manager for PRSSA Kent and works in the marketing department for the Kent State Ice Arena.

Thomas and Gulasy were two of the six students who were chosen as this year’s Homecoming Court. The group of outstanding seniors, chosen by a panel after an application and interview process, participated in several events during Homecoming weekend including the parade on Saturday and a philanthropy project benefitting Hattie Larlham.

“I was honored to have the opportunity to represent Kent State University as a member of Homecoming Court,” Thomas said. “It didn’t really hit me until the Court did our philanthropy project together. We all volunteered at Hattie Larlham and after interacting with the rest of court I knew this whole experience would be special.”

Gulasy also had a unforgettable experience as a member of Homecoming Court.

“I didn’t anticipate enjoying being a member of Homecoming Court as much as I did,” she said. “I know it’s generic to say, but the Court members got along so well, and we all genuinely liked one another. The only thing I would have done differently would be to dress more warmly the morning of the Homecoming parade. I was so cold after riding the float in the parade that I couldn’t feel my feet!”

Despite the chilly autumn weather, Thomas and Gulasy participated in the parade and ceremony before Saturday’s football game that culminate Kent State’s Homecoming festivities. Both said that they made many memories and new friends while representing the class of 2012.

Congrats Darian and Lisa!

Darian and Lisa during the Homecoming Parade

Upcoming Networking Events

PRSSA Networking Opportunity at Ursuline College

Ursuline College Public Relations Student Society of America invites PRSSA Kent students to attend “Managing Reputation in a Social Media World” on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The meeting will be held on Ursuline’s campus at 2550 Lander Rd., Pepper Pike, OH, Pilla Center.

The event is a panel discussion featuring Bill Sledzik, Kent State University; Kelly McGlumphy, Roop & Co.; Samantha Fryberger, JumpStart Cleveland. Resume critiques, networking and, of course, dessert is included. The cost is $5, and RSVPs can be sent to lhammel@ursuline.edu. If you’re interested, please contact Heather Thomas (hthoma3@kent.edu) or RSVP directly to Ursuline PRSSA.

2011 PRSA Cleveland Student Day: Friday, Nov. 11
Learn the ins and outs of the public relations profession in a full morning of interactive panels and discussions lead by leading public relations professionals — from landing an internship to succeeding at your first job and developing your online persona. Students will also have the opportunity to learn pertinent interviewing and networking skills as well as tips on perfecting their resume.

The event will be held in the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost of admission is $35, but we will pay $20 of that total to the first 20 PRSSA members who register and bring us their receipt. Again, you have to be a member for the reimbursement to apply (so you have to pay your dues on Wednesday!). If you need a ride to the event, we will be coordinating carpooling to Cleveland.

PRSSA students gather for a social

For more information or to register, click here.

Join us on PRSSA Kent’s social networks to keep up with all the latest information about meetings and internships.