PRSA National Capital Chapter to Host 41st Annual Thoth Awards

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - August, 2009) - Public Relations Society of America's National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC) announced that it will "Celebrate the Value of PR" with its 41st Annual Thoth Awards Gala on Thursday, September 24 at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C. The event will recognize public relations Thoth award winners and celebrate the impact communications professionals have on the success of business, government, commerce and community.
An afternoon News Seminar, co-hosted by The National Press Club, will be held prior to the awards celebration to provide guests an opportunity to explore the changing landscape of the news industry and its tremendous affect on public relations. The seminar is comprised of two sessions. The first session will focus on the future of newspapers from 3 to 4:15 p.m. The second session, on the future of journalism, will be from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m.
The Thoth Awards Gala will follow at 6 p.m. with an evening of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and the opportunity to network with and applaud this year's Thoth award winners. The Gala is a time to learn about the future, honor best work and celebrate the value that public relations brings to clients and their our own internal organizations every day.
Tickets to attend both the News Seminar and the Gala are $115 for PRSA-NCC members and $135 for nonmembers. If purchased separately, seminar tickets cost $55 for members and $75 for nonmembers and Gala tickets cost $80 for members and $100 for nonmembers. Discounts are available for groups of eight or more. Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.prsa-ncc.org/ or call (703) 691-9212. Order yours today.
About the Public Relations Society of America's National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC)
The National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is a professional public relations organization of approximately 1,400 members in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. The Chapter provides professional development programs, accreditation instruction and networking events. The Chapter also promotes public relations education through five area Public Relations Society of America Student chapters. For more information, please visit http://www.prsa-ncc.org/ or call (703) 691-9212.

Celebrate Labor Day With the Capital Buzz’ 2nd Annual “Get Credit for Your Labor” Boast and Toast

It’s that time again! Back-to-work, back-to-school, buckle-down and show-what-you-can-do time. And whether you’ve demonstrated your talents for an employer, a client or on a volunteer project, The Capital Buzz wants to generate some buzz about your achievement.

Did you deliver the keynote address for professional group?

Publish a book?

Get your client on Oprah?

Inspire your fellow communicators with your accomplishment. Dazzle your PR colleagues with your professional coup. Attract groupies seeking a guru-like mentor with the success of your bold out-of-the-box plan. Or just impress the boss or prospective employer with your ability to get publicity for yourself and your accomplishment.

Just email me a BRIEF (a good communicator is succinct) description of your recent accomplishment (nothing before September 2008, please). Put “Boasts and Toasts” in the subject line and send your message by close of business on Tuesday, September 8. My email is kperrin@PRstaffing.com. I'll Toast the best Boasts in The Capital Buzz that week.

Last year’s honoree was Julie Phillips-Turner, who in partnership with Five Star Films production company, developed a 30-second PSA/commercial promoting the 2008 Hospice Cup regatta. The PSA aired on DC-area RCN stations and Anne Arundel County Comcast stations throughout September ‘08, up to the day prior to the race and fundraising event.

WWPR’s Professional Development Program Offers Twitter Best Practices

Thursday, August 27, 2009
Noon - 2:00 p.m.
National Education Association ~ 1201 16th Street, NW
Auditorium Side A, Washington

This is a brown bag lunch event, so bring your sandwiches and snacks. (A cafeteria is on the premises if you prefer to buy lunch.)

Talk with the “Twitter experts” about the do’s, don’ts, how-to’s and how-not-to’s of Twitter for PR:

Shonali Burke, Principal
Shonali Burke Consulting

Debbie Friez, VP Major Accounts
BurrellesLuce

Nicole Nolte, Account Director
Welz & Weisel Communications

Daria Steigman
Steigman Communications


Kaitlyn Wilkins, VP of Digital Strategy
360 Digital Influence Group, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide

Event Registration: WWPR Members ~ No cost; Non-members ~ $15.00

AAARRGGHH!!! My Head is Going to Explode!

Phew! I just had to let off some steam after spending this afternoon opening applications from "professional communicators" applying for temporary public relations work through PRofessional Solutions.

In the past two weeks I've had the chance to share tips for improving cover letters, resumes and job search techniques through both IABC and PRSA (thank you, by the way, to both groups for the invitations and very nice speaker thank-you gifts). But STILL people -- including some who were at one or both of those events -- address their cover letters to "Dear Sir/Madam", "Dear Hiring Manager" or (and here's a unique one) "Dear Professional Colleague".

One more time: There is No Excuse For Not Sending a Personalized Cover Letter. And in my case, they heard me speak AND my name is all over my web site.

And why don't people believe me when I explain that they need to keep their resume to two pages? A few shrink the type to 8 points and eliminate all margins to try to accomplish this (who do they think they're kidding?) and others just go ahead and spill over, sometimes just for a couple of lines, others for a full additional page -- or more!

My fellow 2009 Matrix winner, Michelle Singletary's column in Sunday's Washington Post (Tiny Typos Can Add Up To a Big X On Your Résumé, The Color of Money column, August 23) detailed how people blow their job prospects with resume typos. She reported on a survey by Accountemps of 150 senior executives from the country's largest companies. Forty percent reported that it only took one typo on a resume to eliminate a candidate from consideration.

(photo courtesy of Uncommon Photography)

In light of that, what should I do when applications are addressed not to PRofessional Solutions, LLC but to PR Staffing or Professional Staffing or some other variation on the company name?

If you're in the job market and haven't read this column, go get a copy. It has five excellent tips for creating error-free resumes. And join Michelle at washingtonpost.com at noon this Thursday, August 27, for a discussion of job hunting. She will have executives from Robert Half available to take questions.

Maybe they'll be more persuasive than I've been.

More on Job Seeking for PRSA Networkers

Ned Lundquist, ABC shares his "lightening strikes" theory of successful networking or "Ned-working."

Ben Long stressed using this slow economic time to "focus" one's career.



See earlier blog postings on this topic. Especially benefit from Boss Lady Kate Perrin's comments posted Friday, August 21, 2009. Click on their names to obtain even more help in your job search.

The August PRSA Networking Event

“You worked before and you will work again!”

This was shared with confidence by Boss Lady Kate Perrin as she spoke to a PRSA group of job seekers along with fellow panelist Ben Long and Ned Lundquist, ABC. All three panelists shared valuable tips for securing your next position. Click on the video feed for the first segment of event highlights. More of the 30 minute presentation will appear on the blog in the near future. PRSA-NCC President, Barbara Burfeind, APR introduced the panel in the first clip. The panelists' names are linked to their job support areas of expertise.

Membership is Expensive, But You Can Save the IABC Application Fee

September 2009 is IABC Worldwide Membership Month

Here at PRofessional Solutions, LLC we advise professionals applying for temporary assignments through us that they ought to belong to a professional society. I personally credit my active participation in the local communications professional societies with the success that we've achieved as the Washington area's only public relations temporary staffing agency. Being an active member provides you with resources and a network that can be invaluable throughout your career.

Regular readers of The Capital Buzz know I often reference groups I think are a bargain because while the bigger groups provide the largest networks and extensive programming, they are pricey.

For those who are interested in joining the Washington chapter of IABC (a very friendly and welcoming group, by the way) next month offers a chance to save a few dollars. For September IABC will waive the application fee -- $40 -- for new members or lapsed members who re-join. Additionally, IABC will host an online open house to offer non-members free trial access to some online members-only benefits during the month, including IABC’s online library and MyComm.

If you join, use the saved $40 to pay to attend a monthly chapter dinner meeting, which generally costs $40 for members. And while the application fee will be waived, you will still have to pay the local and international dues to the tune of $312 for the year (payment options available).

Happy 12th Anniversary News Generation!

Congratulations to Susan Matthews Apgood and Lynn Harris Medcalf, the talented founders and driving force behind the success of News Generation!

They set the standard in media relations and pitching the best stories and know radio inside and out. Their clients are grateful for their experience, knowledge and guidance and we Boss Ladies' are proud to know them!

Summer Networking Socials Continue Into Autumn

Just when you thought it was back to school and back to our regular programming there is another semi-social, semi-business networking, drinks-after-work event.

Washington Network Group and the Association for Women in Communications - DC Chapter are teaming up for the next signature networking event so that, they report, "Members and non-member guests may gather, grip, and grin for shameless networking purposes."

Thursday, September 17
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Bar Louie at Gallery Place
Private Reception Room
701 Seventh St, NW
Washington, D.C.
(Located at the Chinatown Metro station)
Cash bar / Complimentary hors d'oeuvres

Register:
AWC-DC Members: $15 advance registration (paid online)
WNG Members: $15 advance registration (paid online)
Non-Members: $30 advance registration (paid online)
$10 surcharge for unregistered walk-ins paying at the door

Maintaining Employee Trust in a Downsizing -- How One Organization Handled It

Can a good communication plan during an organizational downsizing make it possible to maintain the respect and trust of the employees who stay and those who leave?

Peggy Schoen, HR Communications Officer for the International Monetary Fund (IMF), (pictured at right) will review the organization's 2009 IABC Gold Quill Award-winning entry that showed how communications helped the organization navigate successfully through its 2008 downsizing.



WHEN: Thursday, September 10th, 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Hilton Arlington, 950 North Stafford Street, Arlington VA
Metro-Ballston (Orange line) ~ Parking $8 in the underground garage.

COST: Register by Tuesday, September 8 for the following prices
IABC Member - $40
1x Guest of Member - $45.00
Non-Member - $65.00
Student - $30

REGISTER online

41st Annual Thoth Awards Gala & News Seminar

41st Annual Thoth Awards Gala & News Seminar

Thursday, September 24, 2009 at the Willard Inter-Continental Hotel

Celebrate the Value of PR

As public relations professionals, we affect change from board rooms to living rooms, from Wall Street to Main Street, and around the world. Our inspired, effective, “great PR” contributes to the success of business, government, commerce and community.

To learn about our future, honor our best work, and celebrate the tremendous value our industry brings to the world, join us at this year’s Thoth Awards Gala and News Seminar at the historic Willard Inter-Continental Hotel.

At our afternoon News Seminar, co-hosted by The National Press Club, explore the dramatically changing landscape of the news industry and how it affects public relations. Then celebrate with us into the evening with sparkling cocktails, sumptuous hors d’oeuvres and our industry’s top talent at the 41st Annual Thoth Gala, where you’ll network with and applaud this year’s public relations stars. Named for the Egyptian god of communication, the Thoth (pronounced “tot”) Awards recognize the top achievements in Washington Public Relations.

When: Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thoth News Seminar 3:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.

The Future of News: Will Journalists and PR Pros Have a Valued Role in Public Communication?A dynamic panel of top media and PR professionals will address the responsibilities of providing public information, the working relationship between public relations and media professionals, and the economic and technological challenges facing each of these professions. Watch the NCC web site www.prsa-ncc.org for announcements of participating panelists.

Session 1: The Future of Newspapers, 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Session 2: The Future of Journalism, 4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.

Thoth Awards Gala 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Where: Willard Intercontinental Hotel

1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C., 20004

Registration Information

Member
Non Member
Student/Retired
Seminar & Thoth
$115
$135
$60
Seminar Only
$55
$75
$25
Thoth Gala Only
$80
$100
$55

A ten percent discount is available for groups of eight or more. To register a group, call the chapter office at 703.691.8733. Register at: http://www.prsa-ncc.org/thoth_awards/

Proper Toppers at the AWC-DC Power Tea

Oooooh! Didn't we all look marvelous?
Or is it just that Maggie Szymanek of Uncommon Photography knows how to flatter her subjects?

Close to half the women attending this year's AWC-DC Power Networking Tea at the Willard Hotel "got the message" and topped off tea sandwiches, scones and sweets with fabulous chapeaux.

Conversation flowed along with the tea, cards were exchanged and connections made.

Can you pick me out in this bevy of business babes?

Use, Understanding and Trust of Social Media Still a Mix of Confused Attitudes

According to a new survey by Minneapolis-based Russell Herder and Ethos Business Law, eight in 10 businesses participating in the national study of management, marketing and human resource executives acknowledged concerns regarding social media use.

Those surveyed who are not using social media on a corporate basis say that is primarily out of concern about confidentiality or security issues (40%), employee productivity (37%) or simply not knowing enough about it (51%).

But...and this is what makes my head hurt...despite their concerns these same executives believe that social networking is a key strategy and eight in 10 said social media can enhance relationships with customers/clients (81%) and build brand reputation (81%)!

Also of interest is the recent report from LinkedIn Research Network and Harris Interactive. They report on June research, which included surveys of US advertisers and Internet users, that while 83% of advertisers were familiar with Twitter, only 31% of Web users were.

And when assessing Twitter’s effectiveness in promoting products and ideas, neither advertisers nor consumers were gave a ringing endorsement -- 34% of advertisers said that Twitter was not very effective and 8% felt it was not effective at all.

As Promised...More On Upcoming US Chamber's Social Media Program

WHAT: U.S. Chamber of Commerce and The Communication Center's 2nd event. Topic: "New & Social Media: Investment & Return".

WHEN: Wednesday, September 30, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1615 H Street, NW Washington, DC

COST: $95, including lunch

REGISTER: On-line. For more information, call The Communication Center at 202.463.0505.

The first program was standing-room-only! This session promises to discuss where you should invest your time and resources, how to get the most bang for your buck and how to measure success.

PANEL:

• Adam Conner, Washington, D.C. Associate, Facebook
• Chris Battle, Partner, Adfero Group
• Laura Howe, Sr. Director, Public Affairs, American Red Cross

Listen Up: Recent Survey Shows Radio Can Be a Cost Effective Medium for PR in the Downturn

This Spring, News Generation conducted a survey of radio newsrooms in the top-50 markets and found that two-thirds of radio newsrooms have been impacted by the economic downturn. While we had been hearing from radio reporters for several years that cutbacks and layoffs were becoming more and more common, what we were surprised to learn was just how these cutbacks were playing out in ways that listeners might hear on the air—programming choices and news coverage on the local level.
Full information was posted on Bulldog's Barks and Bites on August 6 and 7: http://tinyurl.com/le96p2

The T.E.M.P. Report 2.0™ for AUGUST 2009~ Exclusive to The Capital Buzz

A brief update on the current Washington area PR employment scene based on the view from PRofessional Solutions, LLC, the Washington market’s only PR temporary staffing agency.

(Kate Perrin at PRSA's 2008 Thoth Awards. Photo by Mary Fletcher Jones)

Last month (July ’09): Fair
Last year (July’08): Slow
Ratings:
Bust - virtually no hiring for jobs, freelancers or temps
Slow - a few, mostly low-level, positions being filled; fewer jobs for freelancers or temps
Fair - existing jobs are being filled and moderate work for freelancers and temps
Strong - organizations are hiring at all levels and good work for freelancers and temps
Boom! - virtually everyone who wants work is finding it

Kate’s Overview: It seems lately everyone I talk to assumes that the PR temp business must be booming. They believe that when organizations downsize they turn around and hire other professionals to do the work. Au contraire, mes amis! Budget cuts that reduce staff mean doing without those who must be paid, whether permanent staff, freelancers, contract help or temps. But that optimism people have about how much work PRofessional Solutions is seeing isn't totally unjustified.

According to the July 19th New York Times (“When, Oh When, Will HELP Be WANTED?” Week in Review section, p1), the temporary help services sector is down almost 33 percent and the employment services sector is down almost 29 percent. So could the fact that PRofessional Solutions, LLC is only 11 percent behind last year's earnings be another indication that the PR employment scene in the Washington market is not all that bleak? Just today I got to congratulate another colleague who is starting a new job with a local PR firm.

The situation is harder for more senior, older professionals. It always is, though, not just when there is a recession. What can they do to improve their odds of finding either permanent positions or freelance work? That will be the subject of a future Capital Buzz post.