The topic of the monthly PRSSA National Twitter Chat included advice for starting the semester, fundraising ideas and recruitment tips. The UT chapter added to the discussion by sharing ideas for using profit shares with local business to raise money while making connections in the community. Officers also shared information about a new chapter initiative to get members involved with a points system.

[Below: President Rachael Sperling on how the chapter recognized members last semester and introducing a points system to recognize members this semester.]

@rachaelsperling Rachael Sperling: “@kbbacher Last semester it was mbrs we noticed went above & beyond, always participated & attended evnts/mtgs. This semstr tryin pnts #PRSSA“

@leahspector Leah Rose Spector: “@PRSSANational Connect w/local biz thru profit shares. % of all patron purchases could go to our chapter #PRSSA“

@PRSSANational PRSSA: “Partnering with restaurants to get percentages for profit is a VERY popular idea tonight - #PRSSA“

During the chat, chapter president Rachael Sperling discovered Storify, a social news sharing site. Check out the Storify story she compiled about the chat. You can read a recap of the chat on PRSSA National’s blog.

As public relations pre-professionals we are taught Twitter is an important tool for getting your brand message out to the public, but using it to educate each other on new industry trends and tips is just as beneficial. Plus, it’s just plain fun. We look forward to February’s Twitter Chat!

#PRSSA

Hello UT PRSSA members and prospective members!

UT PRSSA is hosting its first meeting of the semester this Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 6:30 p.m. in Pharmacy (PHR) 2.108. We will hear from the officers and faculty advisor and senior lecturer Dave Junker about all that the Alan Scott chapter has to offer this semester.

For all chapter meeting dates and upcoming events, check out the calendar section.

If you need to renew your membership this semester, you may print out and bring your completed Membership Forms to meeting. If you need to renew your dues, you can bring $75 to meeting as well (checks made out to UT PRSSA).

As always, join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and our blog!

Leah Spector, a junior public relations major from Garland, Texas, has been a member of PRSSA since spring 2010. She has been involved in several PRSSA projects and campaigns, including the Cotton “From Blue to Green” denim drive campaign and startup company, HireWired’s, launch event. Spector was also chosen in November to compete in the Texas Public Relations Association’s Digital Media Summit in Dallas with the PRSSA executive board. The Alan Scott Chapter placed for “Best Critical Thinking” at the competition.

Leah (center) with Rachael Sperling and Alysse Fisher for the 2010 Cotton “From Blue to Green” campaign. Photo source: Rachael Sperling

Leah is a member of other student organizations on campus including the Association for Women in Communications (AWC), where she serves as secretary and vice president elect. She is also an active member of Texas Spirits’ spring 2010 pledge class and has held several leadership positions centered around writing, communications and recruitment in the organization.

Why did Leah want to run for an officer position?
“I have seen the extraordinary growth and development this chapter has accomplished since my freshman year,” Spector said. “I am passionate about how much PRSSA can do for us as communications students, especially in an industry where both your personal and professional development matter so much…I want to be part of the team responsible for PRSSA’s success in getting that message out to our campus and the Austin community.”

So why public relations director?
Leah has had plenty of experience with writing and media relations. As an intern for Noble Strategic Partners, Inc., she has sent out numerous news releases and secured article placement in state publications. She is a feature blogger for the Spirits blog and newsletter editor and staffer for Spirits’ and AWC’s newsletters. Social media platforms are how Leah unwinds, from tweeting whatever comes to mind (strategically, of course) and sharing photos on Facebook to connecting on LinkedIn and writing about running on her fitness blog.
Leah’is enthusiasm and experience will make a great addition to the executive team, and she couldn’t be more excited.

“I am ecstatic to have been elected to this position and can’t wait to start working with the other officers for an organization we all care so much about!” Spector said.

Leah (fourth from left) with PRSSA officers at the TPRA 2011 Digital Media Summit. Photo source: Rachael Sperling

This year, I had the opportunity to attend the 2011 PRSSA National Conference in Orlando, Fla. I had a great experience networking with professionals and peers in the industry and had the opportunity to attend keynote sessions for the PRSA National Conference.  

Chris Brogan, president of Human Business Works, was one of the keynote speakers who spoke Monday, Oct. 17 at the 2011 PRSA National Conference in Orlando, Fla.

 In Brogan’s presentation, “How PR Professionals Can Amplify the Human Digital Channel for Their Clients,” he had three big points: cultivating visibility, earning leverage and realizing that business is about belonging.

He encouraged us to cultivate visibility by utilizing social media outlets like blogs. Telling stories changes by medium, and people want to hear stories that grab their attention and they can connect with. He also emphasized that frequency matters, so tweet back and keep the conversation going.

 ”You can earn leverage by learning a thing or two about Jay-Z,”  recommends Brogan. He continues, “You are in the business of selling people… you are in the business of customer service.” He explained that we need to influence people, not just gain exposure and leverage. Any business is about belonging because “inclusion is the new black,” according to Brogan. 

Brogan also stressed the importance of amplifying your stories and making the customer the hero when pitching a product. “Stories are the coin of the realm. I get so many pitches for how amazing a product is, but products are so rarely amazing. When they make me cool, they are amazing. Frequency matters,” he said.

 Brogan left us with his personal and professional recommendations:

·      Connect with more causes.

·      Improve your blogger relations.

·      Reconsider metrics.

·      Rethink velocity.

-      Shine your light on other people.

Brogan’s presentation really emphasized the importance of forming connections and engaging. I would recommend all PRSSA members to attend next year’s PRSSA National Conference in San Francisco, Calif. if they have the chance. It is a great learning experience!

-Paola Arias

Guest speaker, Matt Berndt, director of Communication Career Services in the College of Communication at UT Austin, clued in members on the top three points of what makes a great and memorable elevator speech.

The Alan Scott Chapter and local communication industry professionals teamed up at the fourth meeting for an interactive elevator speech workshop to prepare for Communication Job and Internship fair. An elevator speech is a one-minute presentation about yourself, your background and your career goals that you should be able to pitch in any setting because you may make a connection for your next internship- even in an elevator!

The three key things to keep in mind when preparing a successful and memorable elevator speech:

1. Introduce Yourself

Start with a good, firm handshake (no floppy fish hands). Be sure to relax, yet continue to exude confidence in your body language. Body language and tonality are extremely important when you first meet someone- so own it!

2. Position Yourself

Choose content to share about yourself that will separate you from other students and offer something unique to contribute to the firm you are interested in working for.

3. Engage in Conversation

Make sure it’s a two-way conversation. Don’t be so stiff that you appear mechanical, actually interact with the recruiter and ask questions. Ask them “when you hire people, what are some of the main issues you need them to help with? This creates a conversation and allows you to position yourself as the person who can fix the agency’s problems.

After Matt’s presentation, members broke off into groups to present their elevator speech to our guest industry professionals: Patrick Jackson of Market Sense Inc., Megan Hirshey of Fleishman-Hillard, Samantha Sipowicz of Composed Communications, Jenifer Sarver of Burson-Marsteller and Matt Berndt of Communication Career Services.

Megan Hirshey, Managing Supervisor at Fleishman-Hillard, emphasized engaging the recruiter in conversation, not just pitching yourself at them.

Everyone was a little gun-shy at first, but once members started presenting their elevator speeches, the room was buzzing. This part of the workshop really helped students feel more comfortable and fine tune their self-presentations with the professionals insider tips.

Samantha Sipowicz of Composed Communications, LLC offers advice to a few of our members during the breakout session.

If you missed the meeting you can find more tips about how to be prepared for the career fair here.

At our next chapter meeting we will have a panel of recruiters that will clue in members on what agencies are looking for in interns and what makes an applicant stand out. Don’t miss this great prep the day before the job and internship fair! Our next meeting is Tuesday, October 25, 2011 in Student Activity Center, Room 1.106.

Written by Alysse Fisher, Vice President

Edited by Rachael Sperling, President

But I was put at ease when I walked into the Underground at Max’s Wine Dive and saw fellow PRSSA members and other recent graduates I’ve met at past events. I also really liked the atmosphere at the happy hour. It was much more casual than a PRSA luncheon, and even if you’re not 21, undergrads are encouraged to attend.

Signature Fried Chicken from Max’s Wine Dive that’s on my list to try! - Photo: Culture Map Austin

After mingling and snacking on the delicious sweet potato chips, we settled in for our guest speakers. The topic: Food & Beverage Public Relations. Cathy Cochran-Lewis, Global Marketing Manager of Whole Foods Market and Lisa O’Neill of Newton O’neill Communications shared their insights into the industry.

Cathy Cochran-Lewis discussed the increasing number of restaurants with community tables, the rising popularity of pork, craft brewers, and the growing number of sustainable, organic and local products.

A few notable restaurants in Austin with the community-style tables are Barley Swine, Contigo and Salt Lick. People are talking like this is a “new thing,” but community tables are actually a centuries-old practice says Cochran-Lewis.

“The communal seating is a social setting…it’s about embracing and sharing,” Cochran-Lewis said.

The trend of pork-based menus is evident in the restaurant, Bacon, which opened last month. Cochran-Lewis specifically mentioned heirloom pork, a type of ‘quality’ pork from pigs that are raised on free range farms.

Bacon’s menu features traditional items like BLTs to unusual sides like they’re corn fritters with bacon aioli and their unique bacon cookie. Photo: Bacon Facebook

Cochran-Lewis mentioned craft brewers, small and independent beer breweries, are growing in Austin and the US. An informative blog about Austin craft breweries can be found here. Last, she touched on sustainable food options such as grass-fed beef, sustainable and organic production, and local and artisan markets as a signature Austin trend that is becoming popular in other big cities as well.

Lisa O’Neill indicated the ‘something for everyone’ menu is becoming attractive for many restaurants. This means gluten-free, food allergy conscious, vegetarian and vegan options are developing into necessary elements of Austin restaurant menus. Sites like VeganAustin.org and Texas Gluten Free provide lists and reviews of Austin-area restaurants that cater to these food choices.

Lucky’s Puccias, a food trailer in off West Fifth, is one of the most highly rated vegetarian restaurants on Yelp.com. Photo: Yelp, Lucky’s Puccias

I encourage members to attend PRSA events and happy hours because you learn trends in the industry and get to make new contacts and friends. Check the PRSA Austin event calendar for more information.

Which of these trends do you see growing in popularity in Austin? Do you have a favorite communal style or vegan restaurant around town? Comment below and share your opinions and reviews!

Follow Rachael on Twitter @rachaelsperling and check out her Food Trailer blog at foodtruckfoodie.blogspot.com

In teams of four or five, you are challenged to research, plan, implement and evaluate a comprehensive public relations campaign. This is the real deal and a great portfolio builder.

Research and planning are completed November through January, and the campaign is actually implemented in February. Final entries are due to PRSSA Headquarters in March.

After an extensive judging process executed by PRSA members and other professionals, three finalists are chosen to present their campaigns to sponsor representatives in May. The first place team receives $2,500 and a trophy; second place receives $1,500 and a plaque; and third place receives $1,000 and a plaque. All teams are recognized at the PRSSA National Conference 2012 (in San Fransisco!).

We encourage our members to apply. Make a team and utilize the Facebook page to find other group members or email texasprssa@gmail.com for more information.

The links to further information are below.

Rachael
President, UT PRSSA

Bateman Case Study Competition

Cover Letter

Project Letter

Competition Rules

Timeline

Intent-to-Enter Form

Right now the board is preparing for PRSSA 2011 National Conference in Orlando, Fla. PRSSA National Conference is an amazing networking and learning experience and we encourage everyone to attend! The conference is October 14-18 and the registration deadline is Sep. 12. If you have any questions about the conference, hotel, or travel plans please email texasprssa@gmail.com.

Members can also look forward to new chapter t-shirts, an expanded mentorship program with local public relations professionals, creating personal business cards, networking opportunities, and more.

Don’t forget to check your emails and the UT PRSSA Facebook page and Twitter for PRSSA national updates, internship opportunities and chapter news.

I look forward to further developing our chapter with all of you!

See you at the first meeting Tuesday, Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Activity Center (SAC) 1.106.

Rachael Sperling, President