It’s time to register for the 2013 PRSA’s Counselors Academy Conference to be held June 9 – 11 in Austin. Register here by May 10 and save $100.
While in Austin, take a walk downtown and see how many cool, old clocks you can find like this one at the Littlefield Building.
Our very own Dana Hughens is the PRSA’s Counselors Academy Conference Chair for the 2013 conference June 9-11 in Austin, Texas. As conference chair, she has the privilege to work with other members of the conference planning committee, which consists of senior-level PR counselors and agency owners from across the United States and Canada. We caught up with these PR pros to find out their secret to success and what they love most about Counselors Academy.
Introducing Dennis Winkler, Co-owner of Winkler Public Relations in Houston, Texas. Dennis has been achieving great things in PR for 35 years and will assist with planning the dine-arounds for the 2013 Counselors Academy Conference. Keep reading to find out a little more about this Texan:
Getting to know you…
Name: Dennis Winkler
Agency: Winkler Public Relations
Position: COO and co-owner
First job in PR: Director of PR and Assistant Director of Development and Alumni (I also taught English), Brother Martin High School, an all boys Catholic high school in New Orleans – a great first job!
Your insights…
Most loved thing about being in PR: There are so many great things to love about PR – the most stimulating is working with clients on media or crisis communications issues and watching their immediate feedback of accomplishment when interviews and crisis situations go well! It is the next greatest sense of pride and fulfillment to that a parent feels when your own child succeeds.
Best source for breaking PR news: As a news junkie, I tune in constantly to news radio and have a television playing in the office – but now that is “old school”. Today Twitter is a constant source of breaking news. Does anyone else panic when Twitter is over-loaded, such as during Super Bowl XLVII media day?
Number one recommendation to new PR professionals: Remain eager to learn and adapt! The Public Relations business is changing, and we must be the ones leading change for our clients. At the same time, find a mentor who will share successful PR principles because the core principles remain.
About Counselors Academy…
Most valuable aspect of being a Counselors Academy member: I continue to be in awe of the successful members of Counselors Academy and that they so openly share and assist each other with knowledge and issues. It is such an honor just to be around these successful PR pros. Every year during Spring Conference I feel like I am in my favorite college class soaking in every bit of knowledge I can from the best professors!
Role on the planning committee: The past two years, Spring Conference has been scheduled in cities where my wife and business partner, Kathy, and I spend considerable time. Thus, we offered to assist with planning events. This year we hope to have a role in the “dine-around” program to introduce our colleagues to some of the uniquely Austin culture. Our son Adam, who is the CBS affiliate (KEYE TV) weekend sports anchor in Austin, is providing great “ATX” insight!
Best thing about the Counselors Academy conference: As great as the speakers and content are during every conference, the one-on-one discussions and the relationships established are the most valuable and lasting benefits of each conference.
Most fun memory of a Counselors Academy conference: I do not know how we could ever top the overall setting in Cabo San Lucas (my first conference, which certainly adds to the allure of Cabo). My favorite individual moment was at the New Orleans conference watching all the PR professionals do the “second-line,” the New Orleans traditional funeral parade to the sounds of a marching jazz band.
Our very own Dana Hughens is the PRSA’s Counselors Academy Conference Chair for the 2013 conference June 9-11 in Austin, Texas. As conference chair, she has the privilege to work with other members of the conference planning committee, which consists of senior-level PR counselors and agency owners from across the United States and Canada. We caught up with these PR pros to find out their secret to success and what they love most about Counselors Academy.
Say hello to our next blog series guest — Aaron Blank, President at the Fearey Group in Seattle, Washington. Aaron has been with the Fearey Group since 2005 and supports the marketing team for the 2013 Counselors Academy Conference. Keep reading to find out more about Aaron and his PR experiences!
Getting to know you…
Name: Aaron Blank
Agency: The Fearey Group
Position: President
First job in PR: Asst. Account Executive, Edelman
Your insights…
Most loved thing about being in PR: Most loved thing is the fact that we can communicate messages to so many people at any given time. As for working for an agency, it is the mix of industries that keeps me going. I can be working in healthcare one minute, then real estate the next, and then a crisis for a publicly traded company comes in the door. Every day is different.
Best source for breaking PR news: Social media
Number one recommendation to new PR professionals: Gain experience at a public relations agency and get to know the ropes. Doing so will help you down the road.
About Counselors Academy…
Most valuable aspect of being a Counselors Academy member: The network of individuals who have gone through what you have or are experiencing.
Role on the planning committee: Support marketing efforts
Best thing about the Counselors Academy conference: The wealth of knowledge about running a firm or practice is priceless.
Most fun memory of a Counselors Academy conference: Eating turtle soup at Commander’s Palace in New Orleans while joined by CA colleagues from around the country.
Our very own Dana Hughens is the PRSA’s Counselors Academy Conference Chair for the 2013 conference June 9-11 in Austin, Texas. As conference chair, she has the privilege to work with other members of the conference planning committee, which consists of senior-level PR counselors and agency owners from across the United States and Canada. We caught up with these PR pros to find out their secret to success and what they love most about Counselors Academy.
Introducing Barbara Hyman, chief operating officer of Hopkins Public Relations in Texas. Barbara is an accredited member of PRSA and will play a large role with the social and dine-around aspects of the 2013 Counselors Academy Conference. Read what Barbara has to say about her experiences as a PR professional below!
Getting to know you…
Name: Barbara Hyman, APR
Agency: Hopkins PR
Position: Chief Operating Officer
First job in PR: Asst. Director of Communications, Peachtree Center, Atlanta
Your insights…
Most loved thing about being in PR: Making a difference for our clients, making them happy
Best source for breaking PR news: Don’t rely on just one
Number one recommendation to new PR professionals: Get a handle on finances and budgeting for your projects; understand the importance of numbers to an organization
About Counselors Academy…
Most valuable aspect of being a Counselors Academy member: Meeting really great people
Role on the planning committee: Social/dine-around
Best thing about the Counselors Academy conference: Getting super ideas that impact our agency
Most fun memory of a Counselors Academy conference: Finding out that my conference mentor was a scotch-drinker, too – and having one, or two, together
We have all experienced it – the boring, routine presentation that leads you to incessantly double-check your watch and meticulously count down the minutes until you are free to leave and go about your day. This kind of presentation can be categorized as a TCP: the Typical Corporate Presentation. While most can agree that public speaking is typically not at the top of the “favorite things to-do” list, it does not mean that you are incapable if giving a stellar presentation.
I recently had the opportunity to attend a NCPRSA Professional Development luncheon, where Alan Hoffler, the executive director and principal trainer at MillsWyck Communications, spoke on the essentials for giving a successful presentation. The valuable tips shared can be applied to any type of professional or scholarly environment, and can even fine-tune your every day communication skills. But, you may ask, “What exactly defines a successful presentation?”
Essentially, a presentation can be deemed successful if the audience is able to repeat something discussed. At the end of the day, if people cannot repeat your message, it was not successful.
To improve your presentation and communication skills, check out the three main steps that will prevent you from giving that dreaded TCP:
Capture the audience’s attention – “You can’t lose what you don’t have!”
If you want to keep the audience’s attention, you must first have it. You must give them a reason to listen. Interacting with members in the audience, asking questions or sharing a relatable story can achieve this.
Give your audience a mental list – “You can’t repeat what you don’t remember.”
After you have the audience’s attention, tell them what you intend to tell them. This tool provides the audience with an easy to follow structure and lets the crowd know exactly what they will be getting out of your presentation. Your message should first be addressed and then expand on the topic from there.
Finish strong and briefly – “You can’t finish what never ends.”
Always, always, always finish strongly. Make sure you keep your ending brief and to the point, while giving the audience a call to action that they can take away from the presentation.
Have any other tips that have helped you give a successful presentation?
