Clairemont Communications

Transforming Your Agency: How Change Inspires Creativity

Margot Horgan — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:05:37 +0000

At the PRSA Counselors Academy Conference, Indra Gardiner, founder/chief influence officer, i.d.e.a, will discuss how to transform your agency with change that inspires creativity. What can you expect to learn from her Breakout Session? Today’s guest blogger, Carolyn Ray, managing partner, CASACOM, gives us a little sneak peak…

Often, when people hear the word “change,” we are filled with anxiety and trepidation. But, in Indra Gardiner’s mind – change can be a wonderful catalyst. At the PRSA Counselors Academy Conference June 9-11 in Austin, Texas, Indra will share her own experience transforming her agency from a fairly traditional “PR shop” to an integrated, creative environment thriving with new innovations and big ideas.

Some of the benefits that she and her team have experienced include:

A more creative integrated approach
A shift from vendor to partner
A highly electric and stimulating environment for her team

In her words

According to Indra, with change comes conflict. However, conflict can be a key part of creativity. “The greatest artists and bands in the world have all experienced some level of conflict. It leads to better work. The ability to artificially create tension pushes them harder – it results in late nights, but also better work. We all need a certain amount of pressure to perform.”

In her presentation at PRSA, Indra has some goals for you:

First, she wants to inspire you!
Help you think about how you are approaching problems in a new way
Challenge the status quo
Push yourself harder

As she says, opportunities are much greater than we think – with the right model and philosophy we can tackle bigger problems than ever before!

PRSA’s Counselors Academy Member Spotlight: Q&A with Laura Pesin

Margot Horgan — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 14:43:21 +0000

Last but certainly not least, meet the final member of the Counselors Academy conference planning committee, Laura Pesin!

Getting to know you…
Name: Laura Pesin

Agency: DeVries Global

Position: Executive Vice President

First job in PR: Associate at The Dilenschneider Group

Your insights…

Most loved thing about being in PR: Nailing a consumer insight related to my client/brands in such a cool, simple way that media and consumers alike “get it” and share it.

Best source for breaking PR news: PRWeek

Number one recommendation to new PR professionals: Be fearless, don’t be shy. And, don’t default to email, pick up the phone/get out of your office!!

About Counselors Academy…

Most valuable aspect of being a Counselors Academy member: Making connections to industry insiders that have a different way of looking at PR, dealing with challenges and approaching client service – and learning from them!

Role on the planning committee: Content Committee team member

Best thing about the Counselors Academy conference: Same as “most valuable aspect” question above.

Most fun memory of a Counselors Academy conference: Have only been once, but was sitting next to Elise Mitchell of Mitchell Communications at dinner in New Orleans last year and oversharing with eachother…

Counselors Academy Member Spotlight Blog Series:

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.

PRSA’S COUNSELORS ACADEMY MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Q&A WITH JON GOLDBERG

Margot Horgan — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 14:00:19 +0000

Getting to know you…
Name: Jon Goldberg

Agency: Reputation Architects

Position: Founder and Chief Reputation Architect

First job in PR: Campaign for the reform of onerous playground rules in the fifth grade. Then internal comms and PR for Prudential Insurance and 20+ years at J. Walter Thompson, Edelman and Porter Novelli.

Your insights…

Most loved thing about being in PR: Talking executives off the ledge and showing them how to transform major crisis situations into opportunities to demonstrate responsible leadership.

Best source for breaking PR news: PR Week online alerts

Number one recommendation to new PR professionals: Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and ask for advice from people who are older and wiser. Find an excuse to go meet executives you admire, or are just interested in talking with. Make those connections early and they’ll remember you later on.

About Counselors Academy…

Most valuable aspect of being a Counselors Academy member: For me, it all comes down to something Eric Morgenstern said during my Counselors 101 session, which is that the odds of any of us competing against one another are slim, so we might as well work together and have all of us succeed. Annual membership in Counselors Academy: $195. Being able to access the brains of hundreds of people who share that mindset: Priceless.

Role on the planning committee: Marketing and PR, doing what Abbie says, and antagonizing Ken Jacobs.

Best thing about the Counselors Academy conference: The chance to meet and really get to know the most energetic, entrepreneurial, smart, and fun-as-all-hell people in the PR business. I arrived in Asheville a skeptic. I left with Las Vegas already on my calendar and a constellation of new friends and trusted colleagues.

Most fun memory of a Counselors Academy conference: Seeing the Eagles live at the New Orleans Jazz Festival, with around a dozen Counselors crammed into the tiny patch of turf Eric and Shanny Morgenstern staked out and guarded for us for the entire day. That’s what Counselors do for each other.

Counselors Academy Member Spotlight Blog Series:

PRSA’S COUNSELORS ACADEMY MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Q&A WITH ROGER FRIEDENSEN

Margot Horgan — Wed, 29 May 2013 14:00:50 +0000

Just miles down the road from Clairemont in Raleigh, North Carolina we welcome Roger Friedsensen. Principal and Owner of Forge Communications, Roger has been dedicated to wide array of strategic communication programs since 1985. Get to know Roger better by reading his Q&A below about PR and Counselors Academy!

Getting to know you…
Name: Roger Friedensen, APR

Agency: Forge Communications

Position: Principal & Owner

First job in PR: Public Relations Specialist, Epley Associates

Your insights…

Most loved thing about being in PR: I thrive on helping solve complex challenges, the process of “connecting the dots,” and the ability to learn about a wide range of issues, ideas and industries. I’ve been blessed in my public relations career to be able to do all that and more working alongside some of the smartest, most creative people I’ve ever met.

Best source for breaking PR news: Honestly, I don’t look to just one source for updates as the “breaking PR news” I want is less about which giant agency won/lost which giant account (reported most excellently by PR Week, PR News and similar trade publications) and more about the latest tools, trends and ideas that will help me serve our clients more effectively (e.g., SmartBriefs, Mashable, Social Media Examiner, HBR, Wired, Fast Company, etc.)

Number one recommendation to new PR professionals: Develop a sense of savvy and learn how to connect the dots. And read, read, read everything you can get your hands-on. Have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge about people and the world around you. And buy a couple of really good business suits.

About Counselors Academy…

Most valuable aspect of being a Counselors Academy member: The ability to connect with and learn from the best and brightest public relations and business professionals working in the industry today.

Role on the planning committee: Fundraising Subcommittee this year.

Best thing about the Counselors Academy conference: The opportunity to get educated, energized and revitalized alongside some of the smartest and most talented professionals I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet (many of whom have become very close friends and advisors).

Most fun memory of a Counselors Academy conference: My first Spring Conference was in St. Petersburg back in the 90s. My friend and colleague, Mike Herman, and I performed three songs at the “talent show.” When we finished, the room erupted in thunderous applause and a standing ovation. Later that night, we sat with our guitars on the hotel’s back deck next to the ocean, drank exceptionally good single-malt scotch (Bowmore for those of you keeping score) and led a sing-a-long of rock, blues and country songs that lasted until early morning.

Counselors Academy Member Spotlight Blog Series:

Counselors Academy: Bring Your Bikes to Austin

Dana Hughens — Tue, 28 May 2013 12:51:49 +0000

I blogged the other day about running in Austin during PRSA’s Counselors Academy Conference, so today’s post is for our cyclist members. One of the things I noticed while I was in Austin in January is that it is a city that loves its bikers! Don’t want to bring your bike? Austin Bike Tours and Rentals will deliver a rental right to the hotel for you!

PRSA’S COUNSELORS ACADEMY MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Q&A WITH PAM GOLDEN

Margot Horgan — Mon, 27 May 2013 14:00:55 +0000

Say hello to Pam Golden, President of GLA Communications just outside of New York City. Combining her background in technology and journalism, Pam founded Golden Loder Associates in 1986. Pam will provide help on content and sponsorships for the 2013 Conference. Keep reading to learn more!

Getting to know you…
Name: Pam Golden

Agency: GLA Communications

Position: President

First job in PR: Account Executive at Frank Barth Inc.

Your insights…

Most loved thing about being in PR: Being able to help companies and people achieve their goals and objectives

Best source for breaking PR news: PR Week

Number one recommendation to new PR professionals: Be inquisitive, learn as much as you can and ask questions

About Counselors Academy…

Most valuable aspect of being a Counselors Academy member: Having access to really smart people who are willing to share their knowledge

Role on the planning committee: Helping on content and sponsorships

Best thing about the Counselors Academy conference: Two best things: gaining new knowledge and being with my fellow CA members

Most fun memory of a Counselors Academy conference: Sharing desserts during dine-around dinner in New Orleans

Counselors Academy Member Spotlight Blog Series:

PRSA’S COUNSELORS ACADEMY MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Q&A WITH MICHELLE BAUER

Margot Horgan — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:00:11 +0000

Introducing Michelle Bauer, President and Founder of Common Language in St. Petersburg, Florida. With more than 20 years of experience, Michelle founded Common Language with the hope of putting diverse skills, connections and knowledge she has gained over the years to work. To gain more insights on Michelle’s wealth of knowledge continue reading below!

Getting to know you…
Name: Michelle Bauer

Agency: Common Language

Position: President

First job in PR: Joanne Creveling Public Relations, NY, NY, 1987

Your insights…

Most loved thing about being in PR: Doing strategy with clients

Best source for breaking PR news: twitter

Number one recommendation to new PR professionals: Know how to sell. Because if you can sell your ideas, your agency, your clients, and eventually yourself (as an entrepreneur or freelancer – because we all seem to end up in these roles at some point in our careers) – you’ll always have work to do.

About Counselors Academy…

Most valuable aspect of being a Counselors Academy member: Face to face interaction at the Conference with some truly smart people whose experience I want to soak up. What a terrific group of people who are so generous with their guidance and ideas!

Role on the planning committee: Not sure what specifically…I believe I’m providing general support, where I might be needed…

Best thing about the Counselors Academy conference: See my answer about being a Counselors Academy member…

Most fun memory of a Counselors Academy conference: Having a drink at a hotel bar in New Orleans last year where this truly world class group of musicians – who all must have been in their 70s – played one of the most remarkable live jazz sets I’ve ever heard in my life. That was an amazing, unexpected, and truly memorable evening.

Counselors Academy Member Spotlight Blog Series:

PRSA’s Counselors Academy: Let’s Run in Austin!

Dana Hughens — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:31:22 +0000

Knowing we have several runners in Counselors Academy, I wanted to provide this beautiful shot of the path outside our host hotel that leads to several miles of running trails. See you in Austin soon for our 2013 Counselors Academy Conference! Haven’t yet registered? Lace up your shoes and run on over to the registration page!

Who wants to go for a run?

PRSA’S COUNSELORS ACADEMY MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Q&A WITH MARTIN WAXMAN

Margot Horgan — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:00:06 +0000

Welcome Martin Waxman, Principal at Martin Waxman Communications. A Toronto resident, Martin is involved in all things digital and has co-founded three agencies during his career. Keep reading to find out what Martin will be up during the 2013 Conference!

Getting to know you…
Name: @MartinWaxman

Agency: Martin Waxman Communications

Position: Principal

First job in PR: Doing publicity for a comedy club in Toronto (and also being one of the MCs…and I wanna tell you…)

Your insights…

Most loved thing about being in PR: I’m a media junkie – now I guess you’d say I’ve turned social media junkie. And I still get a thrill about seeing a story I helped develop come to life whether in digital or traditional outlets.

Best source for breaking PR news: These days for me it’s Twitter. I found out pretty much everything there from hard news to bizarre cultural trends. I also get personal news and updates from friends and colleagues.

Number one recommendation to new PR professionals: Participate. Get active in whatever you do and that means work, professional organizations like PRSA, social networks, your communities – and learn by testing, adapting and seeing what other people do.

About Counselors Academy…

Most valuable aspect of being a Counselors Academy member: The most valuable aspects of being a CA member – I hope I can include two – are the content and the community. Counselors gives us an opportunity to meet and build strong relationships with some of the smartest and open people around who trade stories, share insights and ideas, talk about business dreams and challenges, and yes – eat, drink and act merry, too!

Role on the planning committee: Last year, I was conference chair. This year, it’s in Dana’s more than capable hands and because of that, I know it’s going to be the best event we’ve had. I’m helping with programming and specifically breakouts and keynotes.

Best thing about the Counselors Academy conference: I think I answered that one above.

Most fun memory of a Counselors Academy conference: Um – this is for publication. So even though we don’t have it in Canada, I’ll take the Fifth Amendment. I will say one word: prom. Oh – and the content, it’s all about the amazing content. Did I mention that?

Counselors Academy Member Spotlight Blog Series:

Counselors Academy: Painting the Town Red and Leaving Our Mark on Austin

Dana Hughens — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:23:49 +0000

Austin is one of those places that makes you fall in love with it in an instant. That’s one of the reasons we selected it for the 2013 Counselors Academy Conference. I snapped this photo during our conference planning meeting in January. Can’t wait to see the city in full bloom during the conference, June 9-11.

This will be our message to Austin soon!