PRSSA at LSU

February 25, 2010 Meeting

2010-02-26T12:04:00.004-06:00

About Tonight's Speaker: Jeff Wright

Jeff Wright is a partner at Wright Feigley Communications, a full-service advertising, marketing, public relations and issues management firm located in Baton Rouge. He has over 24 years of experience in the communications field, including extensive expertise in the areas of retail, healthcare, gaming, financial services and workforce development.

In 2006, Jeff recognized the need for full-service communications agency in the Baton Rouge market and launched WF with partner Stuart Feigley. Since that time, the agency has produced successful campaigns for clients such as Campus Federal Credit Union, the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Louisiana Health Care Review/eQHealth Solutions, Perkins Rowe and Associated Grocers.

Jeff is a graduate of LSU and lives in South Baton Rouge with his wife Lauren. He has served on the board and executive committee for Capital Area United Way and Academic Distinction Fund. He is also a graduate of the Chamber’s Leadership Baton Rouge.

PAID Internship at Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana

Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana, a non-profit here in BR, is looking for an MC student to fill an intern/part-time position ASAP! (not for course credit but it is paid) The job is good for a PR or Advertising student. The position pays $9.00/hr and mostly entails working on grassroots promotions for PCA La’s KIDLINE program, with a flexible schedule of ~20 hrs/week. If you have any questions, contact the current intern, Alison Ruth, at: alison@pcal.org or aruth1@lsu.edu.
Alison M. Ruth (Program Intern)
Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana: Educating Families, Caring for Kids
733 East Airport Ave., Suite 201
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
tel. 225.925.9520 fax. 225.926.1319
www.pcal.org

PAID Student Representative Job Available

Campus Entertainment, LLC is a brand marketing company that participates in promotions on college campuses. They are also the marketing partner of NACA (National Association for Campus Activities). Last semester, they worked on over 185campuses across the country bringing hype and excitement about the new Microsoft Windows 7! That program went so well that they are organizing a Spring Microsoft Program! With this program we have a paid internship available for a student on your campus! They are in need of finding a student to work as a Student Rep and help promote Windows 7. It is a 12-week internship that involves some promotional activities. There is a cash stipend, a laptop, and a net book in it for the student that would like to take advantage of this opportunity! Contact Chris for more information. The deadline is soon!
Chris Reckart (Account Manager)
www.campusentertainment.net
chrisr@campusentertainment.net
Office: 803-227-2602 Cell: 803-429-6572

Check your e-mails from PRSSA for more information.

Update

2009-10-23T14:17:00.002-05:00

The October 22 meeting was cancelled because of the weather, but here's what you missed from the newsletter.

PRestige is working to compile contacts and pitch Wiggio to all student organizations, especially major organizations such as Residence Hall Association, Greek Life and Student Government. PRestige members will pitch to two organizations a week for four weeks. In addition to pitching to organizations, PRestige plans to create a Wiggio Facebook fan page, secure an article in The Daily Reveille and create sidewalk chalk art outside of Free Speech Alley and the Quad.

LSU’s Homecoming week is November 9-14. All campus organizations are asked to get involved the many activities planned. CANapalooza is a great way to donate to a great cause and have fun while doing it! If you donate at least 2 canned goods, you can receive 1 activity point for PRSSA! You may drop cans off in a box in the mailroom on the 2nd floor of the Journalism building. Donate to a great cause and earn a point!

Want to study abroad? Take advantage of these opportunities.
The Magical Media Tour (July 13- August 9) is our ever-popular tour that focuses on the British Isles. We'll start in Amsterdam, journey over to Paris and then head through the Chunnel to London for a look at the financial and media capital of Europe. Then it's off to the Scottish highlands of Braveheart and Rob Roy to the mystical isle of Skye. This trip will end in the Gothic splendor of spooky old Edinburgh just as that city gears up for the world's largest festival of comedy, theatre and music. This trip will focus on how public relations and media operate in the UK, how their media differ from our media, and how those differences result in a different society.

Our Hidden Treasures Tour (May 30-June 24) will explore the development of eastern Europe from World War II to its present day membership in the European Union. You'll also learn how to write about interesting places and people. We'll start in the heart of western Europe - romantic Paris - and then journey over to Amsterdam. We'll spend five days in Prague, the present day party capital of Europe, take in a long weekend doing the street fairs and exploring the neighborhoods of beautiful Budapest and then it's off to Vienna, the capital of culture. This trip will topped off by a week on the magnificent coast of Croatia where you'll explore an 1800-year-old palace and swim in the clear waters of Hvar, the resort of the rich and famous.
For more information, go to http://www.manship2.lsu.edu/ukmedia/

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, November 3 at 6 p.m.

March 24 Newsletter

2009-03-23T23:46:00.002-05:00

Click here to download a PDF version of the newsletter.

As always, send all corrections, comments and criticism to jrunyo1@tigers.lsu.edu

Resumes for PRSSA at LSU Resume Book

2009-03-16T11:36:00.002-05:00

Don't forget to send your resume to Parker at prssalsu@gmail.com for inclusion in the PRSSA at LSU Resume Book. The more resumes we have, the better our organization looks, and we need all members' help to stuff that book! Don't be intimidated if you don't have a huge resume - most of us don't!

If you need help creating or making your resume look great, contact LSU Career Services. They've got professionals who are great at looking over resumes and helping you market yourself to show your best.

www.lsu.edu/career

Regional Activity Registration Web Site

2009-03-16T11:29:00.002-05:00

Registration for the LSU PRSSA Regional Activity, "Geaux Governmental: Communicating in the Capital City", is online and ready to geaux.

http://prssaregionalactivityatlsu.webs.com/

Visit the site for information about the event, speakers, schedule and what to expect. Come help make LSU's FIRST EVER regional activity a success!

Special thanks to Chelsey Laborde and Laura Weems for creating and managing the Web site.

March 12 Newsletter

2009-03-12T17:20:00.005-05:00

Click here to download a PDF version of the newsletter.

Send all corrections, comments and criticism to jrunyo1@tigers.lsu.edu B-)

Louisiana State University Hosts PRSSA Regional Activity

2009-02-26T15:47:00.001-06:00

By Chelsea Laborde

If you have never considered the governmental sector of public relations, now may be the perfect time to do so.

Louisiana State University (LSU) is GEAUXing Governmental by hosting the Public Relations Student Society of America’s (PRSSA) Regional Activity on April 17-18. Focusing on the various facets of governmental communications including trade associations, federal agencies and non-profit organizations, this event is sure to broaden your outlook on the public relations role in government.

“GEAUX Governmental: Communicating in the Capitol City” will include a prestigious series of speakers including Louisiana Secretary of State Jay Dardenne among others. This event will be packed with workshops, networking opportunities and informative tips that will benefit you as a future PR professional.

The program will begin with an opening social on Friday, April 17 at Walk-On’s Bistreaux and Bar. Saturday will continue at LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication with experienced and diverse speakers, such as Professor Danny Shipka and Linzy Cataya from Keating Magee in New Orleans, who will be conducting informative seminars and presentations. The registration fee for PRSSA members is $50, affiliates - $55 and non-members - $60.

Please visit www.prssaregionalactivityatlsu.webs.com for more information or to register online.

February 12 newsletter FINALLY up!

2009-02-14T15:07:00.007-06:00

Hey PRSSA members,

Sorry about the delay in putting this newsletter up. There wasn't much to write about, so it's a little sparse, but Kelli Eason wrote an EXCELLENT article for this week's newsletter. Check it out!

Click here to download the PDF for the February 12 newsletter.

January 29, 2009 Newsletter

2009-01-28T23:26:00.004-06:00

Due to printing restrictions because of budget cuts by the Manship School, the LSU PRSSA newsletter will be posted online the day of the meeting.

Click here to download the January 29 newsletter.

-Justin

Upcoming Spring Meeting Dates

2009-01-07T21:01:00.003-06:00

Hey everyone,

I hope you all had a great holiday break and are ready to start the spring semester. PRSSA will be EXTREMELY busy this semester now that our Regional Activity has been planned. A MAJOR thanks goes out to Chelsey Laborde for creating a Web site for the Regional Activity. Also, thanks goes out to everyone who has been planning the activity with our coordinator, Laura Weems.

More currently, here are the meeting dates we've schedule in the Holliday Forum for the spring semester (these are all on Thursday, except for March 24):

January 29
February 12
February 26 (Thursday after Mardi Gras)
March 12
March 24 (TUESDAY)--Networking Night is that Thursday
April 16 (Probably officer elections night)

As always, let me know if you have anything you'd like posted to the blog. I'd love this to be a place where LSU PRSSA members can get the recognition they deserve, so if you know of anyone who has gotten special recognition, received scholarships, scored a great internship, etc., let me know and we'll post it here.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at the first meeting!

Justin Runyon
PR Director

Newsletter for Oct. 23 Meeting (Sorry it's up late!)

2008-10-26T22:02:00.001-05:00

Scholarship Opportunities

2008-10-26T21:57:00.001-05:00

(From Dr. Lundy)

ATTENTION LSU PRSSA MEMBERS: I strongly encourage you to apply for these awards. LSU students have been very successful in past competitions. (From Dr. Lundy)

The Baton Rouge Chapter of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL) annually grants two awards to superior Louisiana collegians seeking public relations or journalism careers.

The Jack H. Sanders Memorial Award is open to all Louisiana college students and the William Michelet Honorary Award is awarded to a student attending either LSU or Southern University. Each scholarship is worth $1,000. For more information about these awards, visit the "Awards" section of www.pralbr.org Web site.

Award candidates must be full-time undergraduates majoring in public relations or journalism, or working toward a degree with an emphasis in public relations. The applicant for the Sanders Award must be a senior during the 2009-2010 school year. To apply, candidates should submit:
• A completed application form. (See attached files.)
• An official transcript.
• A press release publicizing themselves as the winner.
• A one-page essay (see application for details).
• A brief letter of recommendation.

If applying for both awards, a student need submit only one transcript. However, a separate application form, press release and essay are required for each scholarship.

Please encourage your students to apply. Your assistance in promoting these awards is greatly appreciated. Applications should be postmarked no later than Thursday, November 20, 2008 and mailed to Michelle Spielman, Office of Public Affairs, Louisiana State University – South Campus, 8000 GSRI Road, Building 3110, Baton Rouge, LA 70820.

The recipients will be recognized at PRAL's January 2009 banquet. If you have questions, I can be reached at 225-578-4675. Thank you for supporting PRAL!

LSU PRSSA wins bid to host regional conference in 2009!

2008-10-14T19:56:00.000-05:00

Hey PRSSAers,

Get excited because LSU's PRSSA has won the bid to host a regional activity!!!!!!!! Save the Date: April 17 for "Geaux Governmental: Communicating in the Capital City." At the next meeting, (Oct. 23) we'll be talking about forming a committee for regional activity so we can get the ball rolling on booking speakers, getting topics together, etc. This is an awesome way to put LSU's chapter on the map, learn more about the PR field, network with local professionals and other members from around the region, and raise money for our chapter! Being on the committee team will also be a great way to earn active member points and build your resume! Let us know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns!

Sincerely,
Laura Weems
Fundraising Chair/Regional Activity Coordinator

Newsletter for October 6, 2008

2008-10-05T22:04:00.000-05:00

Tiger Stadium Clean-up Fundraiser

2008-09-26T13:25:00.002-05:00

We've been given the opportunity this year to clean up a section of Tiger Stadium as a fundraiser for PRSSA. Here are the details:

Sunday, November 16 (after the Troy State game)
6:45 a.m.
Meet in front of Mike the Tiger's cage
Finish at 10:00 a.m.
Mandatory for officers and those going to conference
E-mail fundraising chair Laura Weems at laura.weems@gmail.com
We need at least 20 people
It's worth 2 participation points

The fundraiser IS early, but it's a really good way for us to help out with various expenses and build PRSSA into a more prominent student society. On a personal note, I was extremely impressed with the amount of members we had at Thursday's meeting. PRSSA has the potential to become an even better way to network and share our undergrad experience as PR majors, and I hope this year sets the benchmark for how successful PRSSA at LSU will be in the future.

So, e-mail Laura or the PRSSA at LSU e-mail address (prssalsu@gmail.com) to sign up and help out!

-Justin

Information About 2008 Bateman Competition

2008-09-26T13:24:00.001-05:00

Applications are now available for the 2008-2009 LSU Bateman team. The application is attached to this email. The Bateman Team Competition is a national case study competition established by PRSA in 1973 to allow members of the Public Relations Society of America an opportunity to exercise the analytical skills and mature judgment required for public relations problem-solving. Students chosen for the 2008-2009 Bateman team will begin work on the campaign in Fall 2008 and complete their campaign in Spring 2009. They will be enrolled for and earn credit for MC 4005 in Spring 2009. Please note: This is something you will work on outside of class. It involves a significant time commitment on your part.

Requirements for selection to the Bateman team:
· 3.0 GPA or higher
· Must be hard-working, able to take initiative and work well in a group
· Must have a flexible schedule to allow time for group meetings

If you meet these requirements and you are interested in applying, applications are due no later than Friday, October 3, 2008. Put all of your materials in an envelope and write LISA LUNDY – BATEMAN on the front. Ask the person at the front desk of the Journalism building to put the envelope in Dr. Lisa Lundy's box.

If you have any questions, please let me know. You can email Dr. Lundy at llundy@lsu.edu.

(From Dr. Lundy)

September 25 Newsletter

2008-09-24T23:47:00.000-05:00

Dues

2008-09-23T11:36:00.002-05:00

The deadline for turning in dues for PRSSA is October 6, 2008. Dues are $70 and include your registration with both our LSU chapter and the national affiliation. Please see Laura Bratcher, our treasurer, to pay them.

PRSSA Conference Registration Deadline Extended

2008-09-23T11:34:00.002-05:00

From PRSSA National Headquarters:

"The deadline to register for the PRSSA 2008 National Conference has been extended to Wednesday, Oct. 1, in consideration of those affected by adverse weather in the Gulf Coast, to accommodate schools operating on quarter schedules and to allow additional time for fundraising.

Please visit www.prssa.org before Oct. 1 to register for the Conference, held Oct. 24–28 at the Courtyard by Marriott Detroit Downtown, and don't forget to sign up for the joint Opening Night Reception with PRSA. The résumé workshop is no longer available. On the Web site you can find a list of recommended hotels within walking distance of the Conference host hotel.

We look forward to seeing you in Detroit."

September 11 Newsletter

2008-09-10T22:28:00.002-05:00

Fall 2008 Meeting Dates

2008-09-09T16:00:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone! PRSSA at LSU is very exited about the upcoming 2008-2009 academic year. Here is the meeting schedule for Fall 2008:

September 11
September 25
October 6
October 23
November 6
November 20

All meetings will be held at 6:00pm on Thursdays in the Holliday Forum of the Journalism building, except for the October 6 meeting, which is on a Monday. We originally anticipated having fall break that week, but, unfortunately, that's been cancelled.

Each week will feature a great guest speaker and a good way to connect with your undergraduate public relations peers. We look forward to seeing returning members again and meeting new members soon!

Congratulations to the new 2008-2009 officers!

2008-04-10T01:22:00.000-05:00

The election of officers was held at yesterday's meeting on April 8. The officers for the 2008-2009 academic year are:

President - Kelli Eason
Vice President - Alex Wommack
PR Director - Justin Runyon
Secretary - Parker Wishik
Treasurer - Laura Bratcher
Fundraising Chair - Laura Weems
PRestige - Chelsey Laborde & Britney Lombas
Mentor Match - Marisa Joseph & Rebecca Erwin

Tuesday, April 8 Newsletter

2008-04-08T19:32:00.002-05:00

Hey guys,

As promised, here is the newsletter from tonight. Congratulations to the new officers! I'm really excited about the 2008-2009 academic year, and I'm 100% positive that PRSSA at LSU is going to continue to grow and maintain its reputation as one of the best pre-professional societies on campus.

Feel free to submit anything for the April 22 meeting's newsletter to me at justinrunyon@gmail.com. Also, don't forget that t-shirts can be purchased for $12 at Dr. Dahman's office in 203 Hodges.

April 8th Meeting

2008-04-07T00:25:00.003-05:00

PRSSA at LSU will be holding officer elections Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m. in the Journalism Building. We would like as many members as possible to attend and vote for the new officers for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Newsletter suggestions?

2008-02-27T00:24:00.005-06:00

Hey all,

This is a personal post from me, Justin, letting all members know that any suggestions for the newsletter are welcome. I'm in the process of redesigning the format and creating new graphics, so any suggestions are welcome. Also, I apologize if there weren't enough newsletters to go around. Paw Prints only accepts cash and I only had $2 on me. If you're interested, I've uploaded the pages of the newsletter here below!

If you've got any suggestions, send them to me at justinrunyon@gmail.com. Thanks!

Oh, and for those of you that missed the meeting, Mr. Duncan was an excellent guest speaker. Also, a big congratulations to Dr. Lundy and her soon-to-be new arrival! Big thanks to everyone who helped plan, and extra-big thanks to whoever was involved in picking out that cake. It was delicious.

New Scholarship Available for Public Relations Students

2008-02-23T22:38:00.003-06:00

The Baton Rouge Chapter of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL) annually grants two awards to superior Louisiana collegians seeking public relations or journalism careers.

The Jack H. Sanders Memorial Award is open to all Louisiana college students and the William M. Michelet Honorary Award is awarded to a student attending either LSU or Southern University. Each scholarship is worth $1,000. For more information about these awards, visit the "Awards" section of PRAL Web site, www.pralbr.org.

Award candidates must be full-time undergraduates majoring in public relations or journalism, or working toward a degree with an emphasis in public relations. The applicant must be a senior during the 2008-2009 school year. To apply, candidates should submit:

A completed application form. (See attached PDFs.)
An official transcript.
A press release publicizing themselves as the winner.
A one-page essay (see application for details).
A brief letter of recommendation.
If applying for both awards, you need submit only one transcript. However, a separate application form, press release and essay are required for each scholarship.

Applications should be postmarked no later than Friday, March 28, 2008 and mailed to Michelle Spielman, Office of Public Affairs, Louisiana State University, 3960 West Lakeshore Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808.

The recipients are scheduled to be recognized at PRAL's April luncheon. If you have questions, contact Erin Mustain at 225-578-4675.

Nov. 13 Meeting

2007-11-19T08:32:00.000-06:00

-Social is on Nov. 28 at 8pm at Mellow Mushroom. Trivia is at 8; karaoke at 10.
Please email the PRSSA email account at prssalsu@gmail.com if you're
interested in going. Your dues are paying for the social!

Guest speaker: Robyn Lott with Fidelity Homestead Savings Bank- She is
looking for an unpaid intern for the spring. If you're interested
please contact robynlott@fidelityhomestead.com for more information.

Lott is a Mississippi native and received her bachelor of science
degree in communications/public relations with a minor in psychology
from Mississippi University for Women in Columbus. She received her
master's degree in communication and information sciences from the
University of Alabama in Tuscalousa.

Lott highly recommends internships while in school. During one of her
internships, Lott worked heavily with promoting direct deposits to
banking customers. Lott has an advertising perspective. She worked
for three years at a Lafayette-based agency called the Graham Group. She
received a step up for regular entry position since she had her
Masters. At Graham Group, she handled clients such as Hotel Monteleone and
various law firms.

She was promoted to account executive after working at Graham for 6 months.
It was a big change, she was a director supervisor. A big challenge
was when her mentor within the agency resigned. She was forced to
"sink or swim" and didn't have that safety net to double check her
moves while she was working. It also gave her an opportunity to
develop as an individual.

At this stage, she started to get larger accounts. She would also take
non-profit work as well if it met one of three criteria: they had
great creative opportunity to help build portfolios, if the group
would give them an in with a larger client that they did want, or if
it was for a charitable cause.

There's high turnover in the advertising agency world. You're
considered a veteran if you've been somewhere more than 2 years. She
was promoted to account supervisor at 2 1/2 years with Graham

Graham was set up in such a way:
3-5 people in media department
3-4 graphic designers
part-time copy writer
interactive department
administrative, accounting, human resources

Account executives handle the initial meetings with clients, pitching,
getting business, once the people are clients - they meet regularly
depending on the clients, sometime once a week, sometimes once every
few months.

There was a PR director that handled the media relationships for
Graham Group itself.

Lott said that agency work is never boring, you see new faces every
day; you can get as many accounts as you feel you can handle. She
found it to be frustrating, however, when she worked on projects that
never came to fruition. Even if she got paid for her work, she never
got to see the ideas materialize. Agency work can be very fast paced
to the point of confusion, you have to be an excellent multitasker.

She also found it difficult to form relationships with clients. It's
a very big deal to have clients for 3-5 years.

After she had been with Graham for a couple of years, she felt she had learned everything she could. She wanted a
new challenge. One of her clients, Fidelilty Homestead, approached her
about becoming their senior vice president of marketing and she took
the job. She felt it was going to be very fulfilling and they offered
great pay and benefits. If she had not proved herself in her agency
work, she might not be where she is today. Developing that
relationship with clients is crucial for future success.

As Senior VP her duties include: 2008 budgeting and planning, manage
Graham Group (she's now the client!), compile every department section
of business plan, 100th aniversary events and planning. She also
prepares a monthly newsletter. She said her weakness is graphic
design and it was very challenging for her. She said its better to
approach weaknesses by educating yourself further in those areas,
instead of giving up. She sought tutoring from a former coworker.

One of her goals was to give Homestead Fidelity a cohesive and
consistant message. They're a growing presence regionally and have a
lot of account holders. They are mainly based out of the New Orleans
and have lost a lot of clients due to displacement. She tries to
support the tellers and provide them with material to help the
clients.

She finds the corporate side of communications to still be fast paced,
but more on her own terms. She has more decision making ability.
Some cons is that no one is underneath her, she can only do so much
as a one-woman department. She tries to build relationships with
coworkers in other departments, so she can delegate tasks that aren't
necessarily hard, but time consuming- such as envelope stuffing, etc.
The corporate side is also not as creative an environment. It's a much
more button down atmosphere than agency work.

She is glad she started off in agency, it gave her a large portfolio
very quickly, you have rapid rates of promotion. She just didn't
necessarily want to spend the rest of her career in agency work.

Lott's advice is not to be afraid to go out on a limb, benefit from
adversity & change. When looking for an internship, you shouldn't
rule anything out. Even if you're not necessarily intersted in PR for
health care, it can be a great place to start and gain experience.
You won't type cast yourself as the "hospital guy."

Our last meeting of the semester is Nov. 27. We will welcome Ann Edelman from Zehnder Communications as our guest speaker. We look forward to seeing you there!

Oct. 30 Meeting

2007-11-04T18:09:00.000-06:00

-Next year's National PRSSA Conference is in Detroit! Dates TBA! If you're
interested please talk to one of the officers and we'll start coming
up with fundraising ideas now!
-Lindsay Southwick has been appointed interim PR Director for the rest
of the semester.
-Dr. Cleo Allen at the Dept. of Social Services spoke at the
meeting. She has an internship available in the spring. Please
e-mail the account if you're interested and one of the officers will
contact you with more information.

Dr. Allen has received degrees at both Southern and LSU. She began in
journalism and then switched to PR. She is also APR certified. She
worked in journalism for 16 years, then moved to freelance PR and
began teaching mass communication. She was initiated into state work
in fall 2005. It was "trial by fire" with the many complications from
the hurricane season that year.

There are three agencies within the Department of Social Services:
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, Office of Community Services and
Office of Family Support. She helps develop incentives to families
who participate in foster and adoption services and communicates with
the media. She is currently working to promote National Adoption
Month (November) and will be having an event at the Governor's
Mansion. Her work requires press releases, trying to get a cover
story in the feature section of the Advocate. Also in November is Hunger & Homelessness Weeks (Nov. 11 - 17), which encourages people to
understand homelessness in the state, individually and as groups. It
also gives them a great opportunity to let the public know what DSS and the State are doing to help the poverty situation.

Allen said that one of the hardest parts of her job is that she
receives reports of fatalities or near fatalities of children everyday. She
said she must be prepared in case there is high human interest in a
story. It's heartbreaking to read about neglected and abused
children.

Allen said it used to be very difficult to speak to the press because
they were not allowed to talk about the private lives of the people
involved in such instances. "No Comment" looks very guilty. They
were recently given the ability to clarify, confirm, or correct
information that a media source might already have, just not give out
any additional information.

Much of her job requires both internal and external communication.
She advises that students takes writing very seriously and read as
much as possible. She expects her interns to monitor the media
and try not to miss any stories. You never know what you have to
respond to. A lot of her communications include memos, press
releases, quarterly meetings and newsletters. One draw back to being a
state employee is that if you are "unclassified" it means you can be
replaced once a new administration takes over.

Allen recommends getting masters or PhD degrees to anyone who would be
so inclined. Grad school broadens outlook, very beneficial, helps
look at big picture. Doesn't necessarily recommend working first, it
took her 17 years to go back to school. It does help to work in order
to get a better idea of what you want to do, any truly interested
student would always benefit.

She received her masters in Journalism and her PhD in Political Communication.

Our next meeting will be held Nov. 13 and our speaker will be Robyn Lott from the Graham Group. We hope to see you there!

Internship Opportunity

2007-10-23T16:58:00.000-05:00

Job Description – Corporate Communications Intern

Employer: Baton Rouge General Hospital, Corporate Communications Department
Position: Non-paid (credit only) Internship
Positions Available: 1 for fall, 2 for spring
Location: 8490 Picardy, Suite 300-B (across from the Baton Rouge General Bluebonnet)
Reports to: Scott J. Miller, APR, Corporate Communications Mgr.
Hours: 15 hours per week for fall and spring semesters; 28 hours per week for summer. Flexible scheduling.

Internal Communication:
-Research and write material for internal/employee newsletter. Participate in discussions of story strategies and monthly content.
-Assist with writing and implementation of other employee communication vehicles including broadcast e-mails, screen saver programs, posters, special events, etc.

Media/Public Relations:
-Assist with the development, implementation, dissemination, and evaluation of press releases including personnel announcements, awards and recognition, announcements, business updates, technology advancements, etc. Compile and analyze media clips and report on results.
-Assist with handling of broadcast activities on location including live broadcasts from a facility or recorded interviews with physicians, staff, patients or families.

Marketing Communication:
-Assist with the development, implementation and evaluation of material/programs to support Baton Rouge General’s product lines and services. Write copy; work with creative design staff to develop collateral; assist with photography and video as appropriate.
-Assist with revisions, implementation and review of web content and the proactive evaluation of internal web opportunities.
-Assist with the research, planning, and execution of special events.
-Assist with other general duties of the corporate communications department, as appropriate, to further the goals and objectives of Baton Rouge General.

Send resume and writing samples to:

Scott J. Miller, APR
Manager, Corporate Communications
Baton Rouge General Medical Center
8490 Picardy Avenue, Suite 300 B
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Phone: 225-237-1609
Scott.miller@brgeneral.org

Internship Opportunity

2007-10-23T16:55:00.000-05:00

Public Relations/Public Affairs Internship
Deadline: Monday, Nov. 19, 2007

The Louisiana Department of Social Services (DSS) is responsible for developing and
providing social services; improving social conditions for the citizens of Louisiana; and rehabilitating persons with disabilities for employment.

Position: Public relations intern.
Pay: Minimum wage.

Job summary: Responsible for a wide range of tasks from computer and technical
work to media monitoring, handling constituent inquiries, and writing news releases,
among other duties. The internship is available for 20 hours per week in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Personal traits: Must work harmoniously with other members of the DSS team.
Energetic work ethic; outgoing personality; positive attitude; and 110 percent effort. There is always work to do at DSS, and any intern taking on this position needs to be ready and willing to take on any tasks given.

Skills: Media writing, Associated Press style; use of computer software, including
Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, InDesign, PowerPoint, and others.

Responsibilities: May include design and production of newsletters, brochures, posters, media kits, and other department materials.
• Knowledge of communication strategy, including media campaigns and
communication plans, would be helpful.
• Occasional assistance in planning and implementing news conferences and other
events.

To apply:
Send a resume, cover letter, and three (3) writing samples to Cleo Joffrion Allen, Ph.D., APR, DSS press secretary, by e-mail to Cleo.Allen@dss.state.la.us.

Oct. 16 Meeting Minutes

2007-10-23T16:46:00.000-05:00

Reminders:
*Still looking for PRestige members. Meetings are at 5pm on Tuesdays, before PRSSA meetings.
*Anyone who didn't get to participate in MentorMatch will have an opportunity to sign up in the spring.
*Guest Speaker Scott J. Miller is interested in finding an intern for this or next semester. You can contact him at 225-237-1609 or Kaki Heiligenthal Kheili1@lsu.edu 512-627-5254. For an internship description, contact PRSSA President Monique Friloux at mfrilo1@lsu.edu

Guest Speaker: Scott J. Miller
Miller is the corporate communications manager at Baton Rouge General. He got his start in PR from volunteering at a hospital where his dad worked. He worked more specifically with their PR director and realized that he might want to pursue that as his own career. He was unique in the fact that he was exposed to PR at a young age. He feels that strong writing is necessary to succeed in the profession.

He's been in the work force for nine years and graduated with a degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He worked in the non-profit sector for two and a half years for the Baton Rouge Food Bank. He really appreciated and recommends the experience for young professionals. He says you get your hands onn everything in non-profit. Marketing, board relations, PR committees, etc. He headed the PR committee and through that work he met a woman who offered him a job with Eatel in Gonzales where he worked for four year. He printed newsletters, updated websites, sent letter and notification. He worked for a home health care company for 9 months, which was mostly internal communication and he found it to be boring. He was very interested in PR for a hospital and went to work at Baton Rouge General.

His first week of work was the same week Hurricane Katrina hit, and he had to jump into a crisis communication situation very rapidly. He learned to deal with national media. The Children's Art Project is a campaign that BR General is known for. He said it's a great way to interact with the community and get the name of the hospital in the community. They hold a contest for children to enter and their pictures are included in the BR General publications. Every child who enters receives letters and certificates for participation. Great examples of stewardship. There's also an awards ceremony that helps promote the hopsital as well.

One of the problems the PR team faces is that the children's art program, while great, also makes them look a bit too much like a pediatric hospital. One way they combat this is to make the children's art more subtle. For example, on their website, they use the picture of a flower a child drew as the link to the gift and flower shop at the hospital.

The hospital was recently awarded the Best in Cardiac and Critical Care for Louisiana awards, and he spread this news thru online & print newsletters. He also deals with reporters that specialize specifically in health care. This is both beneficial and challenging, different reporters like different stories and you have to build a relationship with each of them in order to use their work most effectively. Another issue Miller faces at his job is work interaction with insurance companies. One company, Hermana, was unwilling to reimbruse them what they asked, and he's trying to get the patients to pressure Hermana into treating the hospital fairly.

Miller is also APR certified, a certification program public relations practitioners can participate in after being in the workforce for a recommended 4-5 years. It isn't necessary, but it definitely doesn't hurt to have it. He said after receiving the certification, he began to work at more managerial positions. He also said this might have been due to his work experience as well.

Miller said that throughout his work experience he's generally had an average work day: 8am-5:30ish. He said you get more experience in nonprofit because they can't afford to have a lot of specialize employees. He also said that in corporations you have a more specialized job and there's more perks and monetary benefit. You can generally expect some travel, occasional weekends, etc, especially when you get into more managerial rolls.

Our next meeting will be held on Oct. 30. Our speaker will be Dr. Cleo Allen, press secretary for the Louisiana Department of Social Services.

Oct. 2 Meeting

2007-10-09T08:32:00.001-05:00

Deveney Communication- Top 5 Boutique Firm based out of New Orleans- presented at the meeting
-flat organization (no title- everyone is equal)
-Great associate (intern) program, www.deveney.com
-Lindsay Glatz & Anna Whitlow, the speakers from Deveney, both started as interns and worked their way up

Boutique PR firms do whatever clients wants
-whole spectrum of clients
-agency PR gives you a lot of various experience
-Deveney associates become part of the team, an intern at Deveney is being an assistant account executive at any other firm.
-go after opportunities you like & projects you'll enjoy
-talk to your supervisors
-Lindsay worked w/ NOLA convention & vistitor's bureau before Katrina & when it hit she was one of a few people back in the city for communication.
- build partnerships!
-if you know where you want to be after graduation, get to know the media in that market
-biggest thing starting out: your credibility & willingness to build good & beneficial relationships

-Anna started as an intern too
-Anna led New Orleans Museum of Art's "Femme, Femme, Femme" exhibition
-bring in tourists/travelers from everywhere
-worked w/ whole city for benefit of NOLA, hospitality industry, etc.
-in hospitality it's all about creating experiences
-coming out of college you, you bring all these new things to the table (some seasoned PR professionals use old tactics)
-we have competitive edge by underestanding blogs, facebook, etc.
-you'll be able to teach clients about networking with facebook, etc.
-stay on top of trends like blogs
-in agency, clients change for various reasons
-when you're competing, make sure it's friendly competition in case it gets back to them
-people want authentic communication not spin
-there's no such thing as a typical day in agency work
-Deveney Communication is very well-connected
-if you come in as a senior, they'll help you find your dream job
-as an intern take all opportunities given to you & be excited
-to apply as a Deveney Communication Summer Scholar visit their website

Our next meeting is being held on Oct. 16. We will welcome Scott Miller, manager of corporate communications at Baton Rouge General Hospital. For those of you who may are interested in healthcare PR, this is the meeting you don't want to miss. Hope to see you there!

Sept. 18, 2007 Meeting

2007-10-08T14:33:00.000-05:00

Reminders

-National Conference in Philadelphia deadline to register is next Monday!
-If you're interested in entering the PRSSA t-shirt design contest, please submit your design by Oct. 16.
-Wednesday was the last day to sign up for MentorMatch, if you signed up and havne't received an e-mail from Erin Mustain, please contact her at emusta1@lsu.edu.
-Remember your $70 dues are due at the next meeting on Oct. 2. Remember, this does cover you for the whole year. If you need to pay before the next meeting please drop your money off at our mailbox in the Journalism Building on the second floor. You can ask the receptionist if you need help finding it.
-If you're interested in PRestige, the student run PR firm, meetings are at 5pm, right before regular meeting days.

Guest Speaker: Rebecca Strecker, Public Affairs Specialist for the NASA Stennis Space Center
Former PRSSA member and LSU alumna, Rebecca Strecker, gave advice to PRSSA members at Tuesday's meeting. Her main duties include internal commmunications, education media relations, promotion of the StenniSphere, the visitor center at SSC, and history office coordinator. Soon after coming to work at Stennis, she was faced with the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia. She provided what information they had to the public, astronaut biosheets, mission factsheet to the public, and also held a press conference. After the crises, she aided NASA in publicizing what they were doing to make sure another tragedy wouldn't happen again. She would invite media to engine checks and keep them informed of findings of the investigation.
Strecker said there is no typical day you can expect in Public Relations, but she mainly works with internal communications, handles media inquiries, and writes a weekly newsletter. Strecker suggests finding internships and that nonprofits are a good place to start. She said she was able to do and learn more since nonprofits have a large professional staff.
Strecker, who has a Master of Arts degree in organizational communication from SLU herself, says that having a masters degree is great, but not necessary. She suggests working and getting real world experience while you're earning your masters.

2007-08 Officers Elected

2007-05-07T16:24:00.000-05:00

Monique Friloux
President
mfrilo1@lsu.edu

Kelli Eason
Vice President
Keason2@lsu.edu

Laura Weems
Secretary
Lweems1@lsu.edu

Hannah Gartman
PR Director
Hgartm1@lsu.edu

Teryn Banker
Fundraising Chair
tbanke1@lsu.edu

Stevie Crovetto
Treasurer
scrove1@lsu.edu

Alex Wommack
Prestige
awomma1@lsu.edu

Andrew Broussard
Prestige
abrou15@lsu.edu

Erin Mustain
Mentor Match Director
emusta1@lsu.edu

Lisa Lundy
Faculty Advisor
llundy@lsu.edu

PRestige Project Managers: Outhouse Film Festival

2007-03-27T16:46:00.000-05:00

PRSSA LSU members who are interested in participating in the communications efforts for the Outhouse Film Festival should contact the following project managers:

Marketing
Alex Wommack, e-mail: alexshae27@yahoo.com

Advertising
Andrew Broussard, e-mail: abrou51@lsu.edu
Ashley Martin, e-mail: ashqtpie86@yahoo.com

Media Relations
Nicole Staudenmeier, e-mail: nstaud1@lsu.edu
Katie Collins, e-mail: kcoll14@lsu.edu

Graphic Design
Emily Wilkerson, e-mail: ewilke1@lsu.edu

PRestige

2007-03-05T11:01:00.000-06:00

PRestige recently obtained a new client - the Cinema Club's Outhouse Film Festival.

The Outhouse Film Festival is a 3-day independent film festival at LSU. This year, it will be held April 13-15 at the Bo Campbell Auditorium of the Cox Communications Building on Fieldhouse Drive.

PRestige will hold a special meeting on Thursday, March 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the Journalim Building to discuss our communications plan, assign projects and appoint project directors.

Scholarship Opportunity

2007-03-02T09:20:00.000-06:00

The Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL) has a scholarship available to juniors who have demonstrated proficiency, excellence and dedication to pursuing public relations knowledge. The scholarship is awarded in honor of Jack H. Sanders, the first president of PRAL and a visionary in the area of public relations.

Application and supporting materials are due postmarked by April 4, 2007.

For more information, visit www.pralbr.org. Application forms are available via e-mail: prssalsu@yahoo.com.

Student Conference Sponsored by the Advertising Federation of Greater Baton Rouge

2007-02-16T14:23:00.000-06:00

On Saturday, April 21, the Advertising Federation of Greater Baton Rouge will host a career-building Student Conference for advertising, marketing, design and communications students in Louisiana. During the day long Conference, college seniors will learn interview and resume tips, attend workshops covering copy writing, PR, Account Services, etc., and participate in portfolio reviews.

There will be an opening reception on the evening of Friday, April 20 at a local Baton Rouge advertising agency.

More info:
Registration fee - $10
Questions – ambergoodwin@cox.net or (225) 302-5857 or (228) 596-9830.

Communication Seminar/Networking Opportunity

2007-02-15T15:00:00.000-06:00

PRAL and BRSMEI Seminar and Luncheon

Thursday, Feb 22, 2007
8:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Marriott on Corporate Blvd.

The Public Relations Association of Louisiana, the Baton Rouge chapter of Sales & Marketing Executives International, and PRSA are co-hosting a Feb. 22 seminar and luncheon featuring two communication experts detailing how the Internet provides a powerful forum for the public to share thoughts and opinions on a local, national, and worldwide scale.

Richard Nacht, CEO and founder of Blogging Systems, the leader in the rapidly growing area of corporate blogging. He developed a real estate blog platform that produces a low-cost, high results tool for effective real estate Internet marketing, including communication and collaboration, competitive marketing, sales, and customer relations. He was a New Jersey Governor's Cup for Entrepreneurial Excellence finalist and was a member of the Inc. 500 list of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies in 2003. He also is co-author of Realty Blogging: Build Your Brand and Outsmart Your Competition, published by McGraw-Hill. He has a law degree from New York Law School, an MBA from New York University and is a current doctoral candidate at the International School for Management in Paris, France.

Paul Chaney, Blogging Systems' vice president for marketing, spoke to the Baton Rouge SMEI chapter last year and was so electrifying with his internet communications knowledge that chapter members requested his return. He has been a business blog consultant for the past three years and is widely known and respected in that field. He explains how blogs can be used as a tool for marketing communications and has worked with clients assisting them in deploying a blog marketing strategy. He is the other co-author of Realty Blogging: Build Your Brand and Outsmart Your Competition. He has written a monthly feature for Practical Ecommerce magazine on the use of blogs and has led blog workshops and seminars, including the first ever such seminar in Asia, held in Singapore in September 2005. He writes a blog for Allbusiness.com called "Strategic Business Blogging," where he provides practical information on how to use blogs as a marketing tool. He has also blogged professionally for Weblogs Inc, the world's largest blog network.Both will detail how blogs, the popular term for "web logs," along with other forms of social media such as "MySpace.com" and "Youtube.com," have empowered consumers to heavily impact the effect of branding and marketing messages.

The February 22 workshop is designed to help public relations and sales and marketing professionals (1) understand the impact social media is having, (2) adapt to change, and (3) learn the tools necessary to connect with target individuals. The workshop will define current trends, outline five forms of social media marketing, and provide practical strategies for engaging consumer publics.Members of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber also will attend the seminar, which substitutes for the regular PRAL February monthly meeting.

The student cost, which includes lunch, is $20. The event will be held at the Marriott on Corporate from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Reservations can made on PRALs Web site, www.pralbr.org.

You can also contact Jene Burgess by e-mail at jene.burgess@louisianalottery.com or by phone at 225-297-2083.

Contact Info:
Jene Burgess
jene.burgess@louisianalottery.com
225-297-2083

Registration Info:
Student Fee: $20
Register Online: index.cfm?md=form&amp;tmp=home&cfmid=264

National Assembly: Schedule of Events

2007-02-06T19:12:00.000-06:00

More information for those interested in the 2007 National Assembly:

Friday, March 23, 2007 - Special Session, 2:30 - 4:00pm
Don't miss this opportunity to find out the behind-the-scenes for the Nashville music industry, television publicity and national media relations. It's not all about the red carpet and parties when you're promoting talent and media companies. Learn how they work with media and marketing to ensure that their shows and talent get the exposure needed to sell records and garner ratings. Lisa Chader, Vice President of Corporate Communications for CMT (Country Music Television) who has also worked for Comedy Central and Turner Broadcasting. Jason Owen, Senior Vice President of Media, Artist Relations and Creative Services for its Mercury, MCA Nashville and DreamWorks Nashville labels representing such talent as Shania Twain, Reba McEntire, Sugarland and Trisha Yearwood. Gary McCormick, APR, Fellow PRSA, Vice President of Public Relations for DIY Network and Fine Living TV Network, sister networks to HGTV and Food Network in the Scripps Networks.

Sunday, March 25 - Keynote Presentation – Demystifying Leadership
If you are interested in taking on a leadership role within PRSSA but just don't know where to start, you are not alone. Whether in your Chapter or on the National Committee, holding leadership positions within PRSSA helps students prepare for the next exciting phase of their lives – becoming public relations professionals. Listen as three former PRSSA national presidents share their insights on what it takes to make the transition from member, to student leader, to young professional.Gail Liebl, APR, senior communications manager, St. Paul Travelers (PRSSA President 1996-97) Kent Landers, APR, general manager, corporate communications, Delta Air Lines (PRSSA President 1998-99)Cedric L. Bess, director, public relations, Public Relations Society of America (PRSSA President 2000-01)

Whether you are a new member or have held membership for a few years, the National Assembly is sure to offer you new insight. Remember the registration deadline is February 9. You can access the on-line registration at www.prssa.org/assembly.

Feb. 1 Meeting Minutes

2007-02-05T22:11:00.000-06:00

The Public Relations Student Society of America at LSU held its first meeting of the spring semester on Feb. 1. At this meeting, our new professional advisor, Chris Spencer, was the guest speaker. Spencer is the senior communications manager at JPMorgan Chase and gave a look into his day-to-day duties as well as his handling of crises in the corporation.

Those still interested in joining, should bring their membership dues and member information forms to the next PRSSA meeting on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. in the Journalism Building’s Holliday Forum or drop them off in the PRSSA mailbox upstairs in the Journalism Building (additional member information forms are available in the mailbox).

For new members, the cost is $53 to join. Returning members, if have any questions about how much your dues are this semester, please contact our treasurer, Shilpa Brahmbhatt, atsbrahm1@lsu.edu.

Also, anyone interested in going to National Assembly must register at www.prssa.org by Friday, Feb. 9. The cost is $60 to register. If you are interested in going to Assembly or have any questions, please contact us at prssalsu@yahoo.com.

Sports PR Volunteer Opportunity

2007-02-05T21:59:00.000-06:00

What: 2007 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
When: Thurs., March 15 - Sun., March 18, 2007
Where: New Orleans Arena

Info: Volunteers will assist media relations staff by acting as runners, taking quotes at press conferences and performing various other communications functions.

RSVP: Meghan Legaux
mlegau1@lsu.edu (Please use "NCAA Tourney" as subject of e-mail.)

Useful Links:
NCAA March Madness
New Orleans Arena
Manship School of Mass Communication - PRSSA
Public Relations Student Society of America

2007 National Assembly - Nashville, TN

2007-01-30T20:01:00.000-06:00

The 2007 PRSSA National Assembly is just around the corner. The Assembly is a great way for active members and upcoming officers to get to know each other and more about all PRSSA has to offer. Assembly is a four-day meeting where officers meet and network with officers from chapters all across the country to learn more about the public relations profession and their roles as officers of the club.

For more information, contact prssalsu@yahoo.com, visit the PRSSA Web site at prssa.org/assembly or see the Q & A below:

Q & A:
Where is the 2007 National Assembly being held?
Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel
623 Union Street
Nashville, TN 37219
Phone: 615-259-2000

When is the Assembly?
Thursday, March 22 - Sunday, March 25, 2007

Is there a registration fee?
Yes. There is a $60 registration fee for all non-delegates. Delegates attend for free.

Does PRSSA provide any meals?
Yes. There will be an opening reception Thursday evening from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. and a continental breakfast will be provided on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

How do I make my hotel reservation?
Simply complete the delegate or non-delegate registration form, return it as directed and PRSSA will make your hotel reservation. Note that all reservations are made for quad occupancy, unless noted. Make sure you write any specific needs on your forms, and we will do our best to accommodate you. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE HOTEL.

Will PRSSA notify me once my hotel reservation has been made?
Yes. We will send you a confirmation letter regarding your room reservation and give you the name of your roommates.

How do I get to and from the airport?
The Hotel is approximately 15-20 minutes from the Nashville Airport, which is a $22 cab ride (flat rate.) At the Airport, you can also take the Grey Line which is $18 round trip or $12 one-way. The Grey Line runs every 15 minutes.

Is there a dress code?
Yes. Thursday and Friday dress is business casual, Saturday and Sunday is business attire.

A Member's Perspective

2006-12-14T14:45:00.000-06:00

By Kaki Heiligenthal

When I first joined PRSSA this year, I didn’t really know how much to expect out of it, being as I am already a junior. I then learned about the MentorMatch program and thought I would give it a shot. I was paired up with Molly Sanchez, who does all the public relations for St. George’s Catholic Church and School. Upon our first meeting at LSU, she invited Ashley Crooks and me to come to her office and visit. We agreed and once going there, were each given a huge stack of her work--everything from newsletters to brochures to letters to videos. It was extremely comprehensive, and after going over some of it and being told we were welcome to take it home with us, we took a tour of the campus and she described some of the things she does and pointed out some of the things she writes about. When I was in her office, she was showing us the PRSA website when I came across an internship opportunity. Molly helped me edit my resume, and even gave me advice on what to wear and say during the interview. I ended up not taking the internship for various reasons, but I doubt I ever would have heard about it, much less gotten the opportunity to get an interview, if I had not had Molly’s help. Recently, Molly invited Ashley and I to the PRAL/PRSA luncheon at Juban’s. While all PRSSA members are technically invited, I was so glad once I got there to have Molly with me. It can be a little intimidating walking into a room where you don’t know anyone or even know what the meeting procedure is, but with Molly by my side, we went around the room and meet some other professionals. While we were there, Molly gave me the opportunity to introduce myself in front of the room and announce I was looking for a spring internship. After all the announcements were through, I had three people approach me! Representatives from various offices in Baton Rouge came up to me and offered that they were always looking for interns, gave me their cards and told me I could send them my resume. It could not have been easier to get my name out there or find an internship, and was well worth the $16 lunch. At the end of the lunch Molly also offered me an internship and invited Ashley, Codi, and I to come help her layout a new newsletter she’s putting out. Molly has been an incredible resource for me, and I consider the MentorMatch program to be one of the most beneficial activities I’ve participated in thus far at LSU. I would recommend anyone in PRSSA to take advantage of these great professionals and sign up for a mentor next semester. You’ll make at least one contact and get an idea of what it’s like on the job in the PR field you’re interested in.

About Kaki
Number of Semesters in PRSSA: 1
Classification: Junior
Hometown: Austin, Texas

For more info about MentorMatch, or to write your own Perspective, contact prssalsu@yahoo.com.

PRSSA Members Get an Insider’s Look into Sports PR

2006-12-07T23:18:00.000-06:00

BATON ROUGE, La. – Members of The Louisiana State University chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America not only cheered the Tigers to victory over Tulane at the men’s basketball game in the New Orleans Arena on Saturday, but also learned what really goes on behind the scenes in sports information public relations.

Richie Weaver, assistant director of athletic media relations at Tulane University, served as the group’s guide. He gave PRSSA members a behind-the-scenes tour of the different media posts around the Arena, including the press box and courtside activities. He also spoke with the group about his experience in the field of athletic public relations.

"The world of public relations is a very large one and the field seems to be changing every day,” Weaver said. “I can only speak of my experience, which has been limited to working in the world of college athletics, but I've always been a big believer that the more experience you can get while you're still in school, the better off you're going to be. By coming down on Saturday and getting a small glimpse of what we do as sports public relations personnel, I hope that we were able to help some of the LSU PRSSA students get a better handle of our small niche in the PR
world."

The group received media passes for the game, which granted the students access to the media room, postgame interviews and the opportunity to meet with various media personalities.
PRSSA members met with LSU Men’s Basketball Sports Information Director Kent Lowe, The Voice of the Tigers Jim Hawthorne, The Times-Picayune journalist Jim Kleinpeter, and ABC26 Sports Director Ed Daniels. The speakers provided valuable career advice and answered numerous questions regarding their daily tasks and opportunities.

Eight students took advantage of the opportunity to learn about the field of athletic public relations, including Curtis Akey, Joni Andrews, Stevie Crovetto, Jill Hancock, Eric Hollier, Megan Komendanchik, Meghan Legaux and Jessica Shay. Participating students have also been invited back to New Orleans to participate in other upcoming sporting events.

“I always knew I wanted my career to be behind the scenes of a sports team; I just didn’t know exactly what that was or how to go about finding it.” Shay said. “When I joined PRSSA, it really helped me decide that Public Relations was the career path I wanted to take. Then, when I got the e-mail about the chance to help with the LSU vs. Tulane game, I knew it would be a great experience, and it was! I am so happy I got the opportunity to meet people like Jim Hawthorne and Ed Daniels and to see how the media aspect of sports works. It was definitely a valuable experience and one that I look forward to having again.”

Looking for Writing Experience?

2006-12-07T10:02:00.000-06:00

PRAL/PRSA has offered to help students hone their writing skills by submitting original articles for the PRAL newsletter, PRALines.

PRSSA Students may submit an article by January 5, 2007 for inclusion in the quarterly newsletter. Articles should be about PRSSA events, PR related topics or case studies.

For more information, contact Alicia Davidson at the Louisiana Department of Economic Development at adavidson@la.gov or at 225-342-9222.

PRSSA Social

2006-12-06T11:35:00.000-06:00

The PRSSA fall social will be held this Thursday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. at Dean-O's Pizza on Highland Road.

For more information, or to RSVP, e-mail Vice President Katie Kelley at prssalsu@yahoo.com.

We hope to see you there!

2007 National Assembly

2006-12-04T15:50:00.000-06:00

The PRSSA 2007 National Assembly will be held in Nashville, Tennessee from March 22 - 25, 2007. The National Assembly is the official voting body of PRSSA – delegates will elect the 2007-08 National Committee. Members also have the opportunity to learn important leadership skills. It's also a great way to exchange ideas with other chapters, meet officers from PRSSA chapters and schools across the country and network with other future professionals.

Official Assembly delegates do not have to pay a registration fee. PRSSA will also cover the cost of your hotel room for three (3) nights (quad room occupancy). Everyone is responsible for making their own flight arrangements, so the earlier you book a flight the cheaper it will be. Assembly registration for all non-delegates is $60. Non-delegates are also responsible for their own hotel cost. Rates are ($144) for single/double/triple/quad room plus taxes per room per night will apply to all reservations.

Deadline: February 5, 2007 – Delegate and non-delegate Assembly registration forms and fees due to PRSSA Headquarters.

More info: prssa.org/assembly. Or e-mail LSU chapter officers at prssalsu@yahoo.com for additional information.

Volunteer Opportunity in Sports Information PR

2006-11-20T11:43:00.000-06:00

Interested in Athletic Public Relations?

Here’s a great opportunity to volunteer, watch the Tigers play and learn more about the wide world of athletic public relations!

Who: PRSSA dues paid members interested in athletic public relations/sports information

What: Men’s basketball – LSU vs. Tulane

When: Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m.

Where: New Orleans Arena

More info: You’ll get a chance to see how an NCAA event takes place from an insider’s perspective, have access to all media areas and get a first-hand look at what goes in to running an event from an athletic PR standpoint. Anyone interested in making the trip will receive parking passes, credentials to get into the game, pregame meal and access to all post-game interview areas.

Tulane is one of the host institutions for the 2006 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament (first and second rounds). The Dec. 2 game in the Arena is Tulane’s dress rehearsal for the Tournament. (The games are scheduled for March 16 and 18). Participating PRSSA members MAY also be eligible to volunteer to work the Regional event in March.

RSVP: E-mail prssalsu@yahoo.com. Please use “LSU vs. Tulane” in the subject line.

You must RSVP to be eligible to volunteer.

For more information, contact Meghan Legaux at prssalsu@yahoo.com.

Learn more about PR

2006-11-17T12:54:00.000-06:00

Interested in PR? Ever wanted to learn more about the fields of PR, but don't know where to turn?

Check out the PRos in Training blog: http://www.prosintraining.blogspot.com/. It's written by a professor at the University of Oregon and is filled with tips, tools and resources about the ever-changing field of public relations.

Member Benefits

2006-11-16T23:31:00.000-06:00

Becoming a member of the largest Mass Communication organization at LSU has a variety of benefits:

National Conference Students from around the nation convene each fall for four days of professional development, career advancement, resume critiques, networking opportunities, social events and much more. Recent Conference locations include San Francisco, Atlanta, New York, Miami and Chicago. The PRSSA 2006 National Conference will be in Salt Lake City, UT, November 10 - 14.

National Assembly PRSSA chapters send members each spring to the National Assembly where everyone participates in advanced leadership training. One delegate from each chapter votes to elect a new National Committee and votes on any proposed bylaw changes. Recent Assembly locations include Miami Beach, San Diego and New Orleans.

Regional Activities Organized and hosted by PRSSA chapters at various locations across the country, these spring sessions serve as mini-conferences for members. Regional Activities provide a more localized way to meet peers and professionals.

JobCenter is an online database of internship and job contacts available exclusively to members. The site includes job hotlines, directories, Web sites, professional contacts, and an online career manual. Contact our Chapter secretary for your login and password.

Scholarships and Competitions for PRSSA members. Each year PRSSA and its sponsors award nearly $20,000 in scholarships and award competitions to members.

PRestige is our chapter firm, PRestige, is one of the best ways to gain experience and meet other members of PRSSA at LSU. PRestige members gain valuable public relations experience in a hands-on setting. With a diverse client roster which includes the Citizens Corps of Louisiana and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Baton Rouge, there's something for everyone! For more information, contact PRestige Directors Eric Hollier and Meghan Legaux at prestigelsu@yahoo.com.

PRSSA at LSU Newsletter is our semesterly publication to keep members informed of past, current and future PRSSA events. Written, produced and edited entirely by members, the newsletter is a great way to hone your writing skills and add to your portfolio. For more information or to help create the newsletter, contact PR Director Nicole Marshall at prssalsu@yahoo.com.

PRAL/PRSA Meetings are a great way to network with local professionals and listen to excellent speakers, all while enjoying a delicious lunch. Meetings are held monthly on Tuesdays at Juban's on Perkins at Acadian Thwy. The PRAL/PRSA Holiday Party is on Dec. 5 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

PRSSA-Talk is the PRSSA mailing list. PRSSA-Talk, engages members in discussions about the PR profession and PRSSA's many programs. To suscribe to PRSSA-Talk, go to www.prssa.org/community/prssa-talk.asp and fill out the form under PRSSA-Talk and click "Join."

FORUM is the PRSSA national newspaper. FORUM is mailed to chapter faculty advisors in September, January and April. FORUM contains Society and industry news, tips about writing, job hunting and other relevant topics. FORUM is a great opportunity to build one's portfolio, all members to submit articles to this publication.

For more information about PRSSA member benefits or to find out how you can join, contact Shilpa Brahambhatt at prssalsu@yahoo.com

Internship Opening for PRSSA Members

2006-11-16T23:24:00.000-06:00

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Baton Rouge
Marketing/Communications Internship

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Baton Rouge, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing after school and summer programs for youth, seeks a communications intern starting in December 2006. The intern will work 20 hours per week.

QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates should be proficient in graphic design programs, including Quark, Illustrator, or InDesign. Candidates should also be skilled at digital photography and use of
Photoshop to crop and correct pictures. Candidates should be self-starters and able to work with little direction.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Primary duties include creating monthly graphic e-mail updates for Board of Directors, all writing and layout for quarterly newsletter, creating monthly Board packets. Other
responsibilities include maintaining media contacts and writing press releases about various Club
events, maintaining media coverage logs, organizing and participating in communications for special events.

EXPERIENCE: Intern will gain a wide variety of experiences in graphic design, internal
communications, special events and media relations fields. The intern will also have the opportunity to build his/her portfolio as he/she will work on several projects from start to finish.

Visit www.brclubs.org for more information.

TO APPLY: Send a resume and ONE graphic design sample by Nov. 15, 2006 to:
Julie Betz
461 Westmoreland Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Julie@brclubs.org

Drop off graphic design samples in person, via USPS mail or send PDF file via e-mail to
Julie@brclubs.org.

The Boys & Girls Club is The Positive Place for Kids. The Club’s programming provides Club
members with a safe place to learn and grow, ongoing relationships with caring adults, life-enhancing programs and character development activities, hope and support.

###

PRSSA JobCenter

2006-11-16T10:17:00.000-06:00

PRSSA JobCenter a Great Resource for Members
November 16, 2006

BATON ROUGE La. -- Being a member of Public Relations Student Society of America has many benefits while in college, but after graduation is what really matters. PRSSA offers a great resource to it's members, JobCenter. JobCenter is a career resource that allows members to search for jobs and internships, post their resume, and use other career resources.

It's a great service many members don't know about. The site has opportunities from many locations with a variety of jobs and internships. Visit JobCenter for more information: http://www.prssa.org/jobcentermembersite/.

Only paid members have access to the account and need to have the chapter password to gain access. Send an e-mail to prssalsu@yahoo.com for the chapter password.

###

PRSSA Starts Online Fundraiser

2006-11-16T09:29:00.000-06:00

PRSSA Starts Online Fundraiser
November 16, 2006

BATON ROUGE, La. -- The Louisiana State University Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America started a new fundraiser this week with CampusFundraiser.com. Members have the opportunity to fill out surveys online and raise money for the organization. Each survey is short and can be done anytime, there are no obligations.

Members can register online and begin filling out surveys shortly after. PRSSA gets paid for every survey filled out. Help raise more money by telling friends and family, it's not limited to PRSSA members. Click on this link to get started: http://www.campusfundraiser.com/grouphome/registration.asp?e=72769&es=800459&m=-1&ms=-11&r=-1&rs=-11

After registering, members will receive two confirmation e-mails. The first from CampusFundraiser and the second from GlobalTest Market. It's important to use an account that will not filter out these e-mails.

"We wanted to try something different," said Fundraising Chairman, Taylor Erwin. "It seems like in the fall we rush to raise as much money as we can. It was a great opportunity to try this out and see if it works. We hope we have a great response from our members."

For more information or questions about the fundraiser please contact Taylor Erwin at
prssalsu@yahoo.com.

###

MentorMatch Program

2006-11-14T18:58:00.000-06:00

PRSSA LAUNCHES MENTORMATCH PROGRAM WITH PRAL & PRSA
November 15, 2006

BATON ROUGE, La. -- The Louisiana State University Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America is proud to announce its MentorMatch program. The program pairs PRSSA students with local professionals who provide one-on-one advice and counsel. Mentors will help students with their job or internship search, building their portfolio, resume critiques and learning more about the various fields of public relations.

“The mentors participating in this program represent some of the most experienced professionals in Baton Rouge and New Orleans,” said MentorMatch coordinator, Meghan Legaux. “Sports PR, agency, non-profit, government and healthcare are among the various areas of public relations the mentors represent. I think this will be an excellent learning experience for PRSSA students.”

Students and mentors met for a Meet & Greet session. Students set goals and learned about their mentors’ backgrounds during the informal get-together. The year-long program will culminate with a social at the end of the spring semester.

For more information about MentorMatch or the Public Relations Student Society of America at Louisiana State University, please contact President Kali Kimmell at prssalsu@yahoo.com.

###