See Yourself on Radio?

Check out our newly introduced radio media tour and audio news release videos from News Generation, Inc. outlining our services. Visit: http://www.youtube.com/newsgenerationinc

PRSA-NCC Crisis Communications Podcast Available

One great service provided by PRSA's National Capital Chapter is that it makes many podcasts of professional development programs available at no charge. Check out the podcast from their August 11, 2010 program on crisis communications, which featured representatives from WMATA, the American Meat Institute, GolinHarris and Booz Allen Hamilton.

These podcasts are provided courtesy of chapter sponsors News Generation, Inc. and Strauss Radio Strategies.

American Psychological Association Uses Podcasts to Further Awareness of Psychology Issues

According to emarketer.com, Internet users downloading podcasts is expected to grow to 17% in 2013, from 9% in 2008. That translates into 37.6 million people downloading podcasts on a monthly basis, double the figure just two years ago.

While broadcasters seldom use podcasts as part of their news or information gathering, this direct-to-consumer medium has widespread appeal to iPod users and other Internet surfers looking for topics of personal interest to them. Further, communicating more complicated issues naturally fit within podcasts’ framework since it can be longer than a typical 60-second news item.That’s why the American Psychological Association (APA) chose this medium to communicate messages from this year’s annual convention in San Diego.

From August 12 to 15, researchers, practitioners and educators convened at the 118th APA Conference to examine a wide range of current issues affecting our society, including happiness, stress, memory, social relationships, and same-sex marriage. There were 1,400 sessions focusing on every aspect of psychology, with hundreds of continuing education sessions, including intensive, hands-on training especially for practitioners. News Generation, Inc. partnered with APA to develop questions and guide discussions with nine practitioners and researchers about:

• Psychologists in Primary Care
• Baby Boomers Caregiving Experiences, Expectations and Preferences
• Strategic Partnerships: Views of Psychology from Other Perspectives
• Marriage, Mental Health, and Physical Health: A Longitudinal Study
• Sexual Orientation, Stigma and Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Relationships
• Maximizing Psychology's Value in the New Health Care Environment
• Gender Differences in Retirement Satisfaction
• Middle School Students' Perceptions and Response to Cyber Bullying
• APA President discussing what attendees can expect at this year's conference

To communicate with its members, APA placed podcasts on its convention site. These podcasts will help the organization to communicate internally about the depth and breadth of research and topics surround psychology.

The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world’s largest association of psychologists. APA’s membership includes more than 152,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students.

Update: More additions to the blog

Our new directions, improvements and changes to the blog continue, and we appreciate your patience as we explore new territory and phase in our new features a few at a time.  Among the new features you may want to try are:

• Simple sharing tools within each post that allow you to email, post to a blog, tweet, post on Facebook or add to Google Buzz;
• Sharing tools at the bottom of the blog that allow you to share the blog, tweet, "like" it on Facebook, Stumble or Digg it;
• Built-in chat and IM options so you can discuss what you're reading on a variety of IM and chat sites, including Facebook;
• New feedback tools within each post.  These allow you to leave comments, as before, and we've added a star rating (click on one to five stars to share your rating) and the options to check a box to rate the post as "useful" or, for event coverage, to say "wish I'd been there!"

There's more coming, and we're happy to have your input to consider. Please use the tools noted above to share your thoughts with us.

WWPR seeks nominees for next pro bono client

Washington Women in Public Relations is seeking nominations for a Washington, DC metro area nonprofit that will be the group's next pro bono client, as well as volunteers to work on communications projects for the pro bono client.  The current client is the Children's Law Center, and previous clients have all been charities focused on women or children.  To volunteer to help the pro bono client or nominate a worthy group, email probono[at]wwpr[dot]org for an application.

6 PR Myths Smart Marketers Must Douse

Great article by Dorothy Crenshaw regarding 6 PR Myths Smart Marketers Must Douse. Marketers in particular understand and appreciate what PR brings to the table. Except when they don’t. Read on http://bit.ly/aujQG3

The Capital Buzz gets a new look, polls and more

We're redesigning the Capital Buzz to make it easier to navigate and to provide readers with access to new features and tools--so expect some changes in the coming weeks.

Visit the blog and look to the left to see our current poll on which Washington PR groups provide the best value--we'll keep this poll open for two weeks to make sure you have a chance to respond.

And since things are a-changing here, it's a good time to ask you for your input: What kinds of posts would you like to see? What types of features are you looking for?  Please share your insights and inputs in the comments--starting with whether you like the new look.

WWPR Presents on August 18: A Communicator’s Guide to Robust Resumes, Hiring Hints and Interview Insights

Join WWPR for August's brown bag lunch, and see our own Kate Perrin in action.
When: Wednesday, August 18th, 2010, 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Johns Hopkins University: 1717 Massachusetts Ave. NW, located between 17th and 18th Street next to the Brookings Institution (METRO STOP: Dupont Circle)

Topics include:
• Persuasive techniques (in person and on paper)
• Tips for updating your resume
• Interviewing insights - preparation, questions, and answers
• The new standards of dressing for success
• How social media sites have influenced the rules for
• What every PR pro needs to include in their work sample portfolio
Panelists:
• Kate Perrin, CEO of PRofessional Solutions, LLC
• Ken O'Quin, professional writing coach and the author of Perfect Phrases for Business Letters (McGraw-Hill)
• Eron Shosteck, founder and CEO of ResumeRevision.com

Cost: WWPR and PRSA Members may attend complimentary. Non members at $15. To register, visit http://conta.cc/cJC0Ji.

Wonder What to Do When the Crisis Hits the Fan? Check Out Next PRSA-NCC Program

PRSA-NCC Professional Development Committee Presents Experts to Address Crisis Communications Planning

Wednesday, August 11, 2010
8:00-8:30 a.m - Networking/continental breakfast
8:30-10 a.m. Program

U.S. Navy Memorial & Heritage Center
701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington
Metro: Yellow/green lines, Navy Memorial/Archives

Cost: $35 PRSA and WWPR members; $55 Non-members;
$10 Students/retirees ($10 extra when register on-site)

Register Here

Learn what it takes to develop and implement a crisis communications plan, and gain valuable insights to help prepare for when a crisis hits the fan and at your organization.

The panel will cover:
• An overview and introduction to the key elements of crisis communications planning
• Crisis message development
• Senior executive crisis counseling
• A behind-the-scenes understanding of a crisis communications plan put into action and tools and tactics used
• After-the-crisis take-aways and lessons learned

Hear first person, behind-the scenes accounts of crisis communication activities and lessons learned for:

• The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s tragic June 2009 Metrorail accident, which resulted in nine fatalities, and
• The American Meat Institute’s crisis team response to the United States’ first case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy ( “Mad Cow Disease” )
  

Speakers:
Tim Tinker, Director of Booz Allen Hamilton’s Center for Risk and Crisis Communication and a Senior Associate on Booz Allen’s Strategy and Organization team
Lane Bailey, President of Global Public Affairs, GolinHarris
Lisa Farbstein, Director of Public Relations, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Janet Riley, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Professional Development, the American Meat Institute
Moderator: Mike Rothenberg, APR, PMP

Capital Buzz Enjoys PRSA-NCC Reception

Chapter Thanks Volunteers and Sponsors, Seeks Candidates for Board and Committees








ABOVE: Susan Matthews Apgood of News Generation, Inc is co-chair of the Thoth Awards and her firm is both a chapter sponsor and Thoth sponsor, joins past chapter presidents Heathere Evans-Keenan and Barbara Burfeind.

RIGHT: Lisa Soda of Silo Smashers and Kate Perrin of PRofessional Solutions, LLC which is a chapter sponsor, with Susan Matthews Apgood.


The National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America did a lovely job of thanking volunteers and sponsors for support and also encouraging their continued participation at a reception last night. Past Chapter President Barbara Burfeind currently chairs the Nominating Committee and joined current Chapter President Jeff Ghannam in pointing out the many personal and professional rewards of volunteerism.

JOIN US ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 FOR THE 42ND ANNUAL THOTH AWARDS GALA

On the evening of Thursday, September 23, 2010, the winners of this year’s 42nd Annual Thoth Awards Gala will be unveiled at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C. Outstanding PR achievements will be recognized in 34 categories, including 13 program categories, celebrating the very best PR campaigns and 21 component categories highlighting top accomplishments in PR tactics. The gala will take place from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

We will be joined by Chris Hansen, "Dateline NBC" correspondent, NBC News and Greta Kreuz, veteran reporter and Maryland bureau chief for ABC7/WJLA-TV.

Ticket prices are $85 for PRSA, DC Ad Club and WWPR Members. Non-Member prices are $105, and Students/Retirees are $55. You can reserve a table for $1,000 ($1,200 for non-chapter sponsors/members) and get 10 seats at a reserved table in a preferred location with your logo on the table. Register at www.prsa-ncc.org/thoth_awards.
The event will have a raffle to raise money for the Center for Child Protection and Family Support, a local non-profit whose mission is to ensure that children are raised in families and communities free of physical abuse, neglect, sexual victimization and family violence.
For ticket information, call the chapter office at (703) 691-8733. For general information, contact Jennifer Balios at (703) 815-8079 or jen@fifthelementcom.com or Susan Matthews Apgood at (301) 664-6448 or sapgood@newsgeneration.com.