General Meeting Recap

Bill Sledzik, associate professor and PR sequence coordinator, as well as senior PRSSA Kent officers Lindsay Ridinger and Sarah Lack, led an ethics discussion at our general meeting on Wednesday. The students who attended learned how ethics applies to PR as they discussed several case studies involving ethical decision making.

What is ethics anyway?

Ethics has several different meanings. Some would argue it’s all about telling the truth. Others would say it’s all about values and morals. Put simply, ethics can be defined as doing the “right” thing.

As Professor Sledzik mentioned, PR professionals often encounter ethical dilemmas. There is not always a clear right or wrong answer in ethical decisions. So, before you make your final decision, Sledzik advises to stop and think: “Am I doing the right thing?”

Why is ethics important to public relations?

Students argued that PR professionals should take ethics seriously because a brand’s image is important to the consumer and other target audiences. Companies and organizations should value customers’ trust, and a code of ethics helps regulate the acceptable business practices that ensure trust. Honesty and trustworthiness often grant success.

PRSSA Kent discussed the following cases:

• The “Wal-Marting Across America” blog
• Facebook’s attempted smear campaign against Google
• Ethics case studies and resources from PRSA

Key points to remember:

• Don’t hide the truth from the media
• Try your best to determine the “right” thing to do
• Be transparent with the public

We hope to see you at our next general meeting, Facetime with PRSSA, on March 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Franklin Hall. Bring questions about class, schedules, PR and more, or bring along your favorite board game!

PRSSA Updates

Communications Connection

Don’t forget to register for Communications Connection, which is just right around the corner. It will be held on Tuesday, March 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Attending the event will give you the opportunity to receive a professionally guided resume critique, interact with your peers and participate in roundtable discussions with area public relations and advertising professionals from Marcus Thomas, Fahlgren Mortine, AKHIA, Goodyear, True Digital Communications, Allied Communications and Adcom, to name a few. Be sure to RSVP to commconn2012@gmail.com by March 2. Registration is free for any PRSSA or Ad Club member. All non members will have to pay $5 in advance. For more information, contact Intercampus Liaison Christine Morgan at cmorga20@kent.edu.

Register for the PRSSA Relay for Life Team

Are you looking for an opportunity to get involved with PRSSA while supporting a great cause? Make a difference and join our American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life team. Get to know the PRSSA members in a walking, talking and energetic atmosphere at Kent State’s Relay for Life on April 21 at 10 a.m. To join our team and begin fundraising, visit our relay page. If you have any questions, please contact VP of Fundraising Trenton Chavez at tchavez1@kent.edu.

We hope to see you there!

General Meeting this Wednesday

Our next general meeting will cover ethics in public relations. Bill Sledzik, associate professor and PR sequence coordinator, will be speaking about this hot topic. The meeting will start in room 340 at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 29. Come ready to discuss your view on ethics in the PR industry.

 

Kent State PRSSA members launch campaign to influence Portage County children to make healthy choices

Five Kent State University PRSSA members are tackling childhood obesity in Portage County as part of the national PRSSA Bateman Case Study Competition. Student teams from universities around the country are conducting research, developing a plan and implementing a real-world public relations campaign.
PRSSA Bateman Case Study Competition

Public relations students Ryan Collins, Lisa Gulasy, Jenna Hedman, Christine Morgan and Taylor Titus were selected by PRKent faculty to participate on the Kent State University Bateman team. These students will then recruit other Kent State students to assist with campaign execution.

United Way Worldwide is Bateman’s client this year, and the sponsor is General Mills. The PRKent Bateman Team is working with the United Way of Portage County and other community partners.

“I’m so excited to be a part of the 2012 PRKent Bateman Team. Our team has some exciting initiatives lined up, and we can’t wait to put our plan into action. I am grateful for the valuable real-world public relations experience I have gained thus far in the competition,” Morgan says.

PRSSA Kent faculty adviser Professor Michele Ewing, APR, JMC associate professor, and several PR professional advisers are providing guidance and support throughout the process.

“This project creates an opportunity for students to gain valuable public relations experience and demonstrates how students can use their communications skills to make a positive impact on families and communities,” Ewing says.

However, the students are independently researching and conducting the campaign.

“This is the second ‘real campaign’ I’ve helped research and design in my college career, but it’s the first campaign that actually requires implementation. Attempting to create a measurable, sustainable and replicable plan for the United Way Worldwide is a really daunting task, but I know PRKent Bateman is up for the challenge. You can expect great things from us,” Gulasy says.

DiBiasio Shares Experiences, Lessons with PRSSA Students

On Wednesday, Bob DiBiasio, Vice President of Public Affairs for the Cleveland Indians, visited Franklin Hall to share professional advice, personal stories about his career and the way he got into sports PR.

PRSSA Kent members learned a lot about his 34-year PR career, 33 years of which he spent working with the Cleveland Indians. In 1979, he began his career with the Cleveland Indians as an assistant PR director, and then quickly became director of PR in 1980. In 1988, DiBiasio became vice president of PR.

Key points from DiBiasio:

PR = Planning Right

DiBiasio defined PR as “planning right.” Planning right can help dissolve potential problems, such as the recent Fausto Carmona scandal. He explained some of the steps the Cleveland Indians franchise is taking to resolve the problem.

You’re never wrong when you stand up and tell the truth.

In PR, DiBiasio says telling the truth is a must. Withholding certain facts from the media can cause the company or organization to lose credibility.

PR is a 24/7 job

It doesn’t matter the time of the day: PR never sleeps. You must constantly be aware of any information the media releases about your company or organization. Responding quickly to a crisis is important.

PR – Promoting Relationships

Start networking with professionals now. DiBiasio mentioned how he began writing letters to the Cleveland Indians as early as the ninth grade. It’s never too early to start networking.

Beat the story before it becomes something.

Don’t allow reporters to interpret a story how they want. Get the word out quickly about what happened before it catches fire. Always tell the truth and respond quickly and responsibly.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Feb. 15, when officers will share some of their internship experiences.

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.