Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Beating the Summer Heat with Frontgate at Fox 4

We arrived bright and early to the headquarters of FOX 4 in Dallas. Loaded only with groceries, equipment and a burning sense of responsibility, we set out to create a truly captivating segment for the average morning news. As the intern for C. Pharr & Company, I was thrilled to visit the newsroom for the first time and experience what it was like to organize and operate an entire segment behind the scenes. I was eager to meet Shannon Murray, FOX 4 reporter and Amy Kroll, Frontgate's visual merchandise manager.

Luxury home retailer, Frontgate, was about to open a giant flagship store in Plano and it was our job to showcase some of the amazing products they sell. Our focus for the segment was items useful for beating the summer heat while hosting parties on the patio or by the pool. The products ranged from the Riviera Aruba Designer Umbrella to a stainless steel Optima Chill Beverage Dispenser, but the biggest hit was the LED Floating Bluetooth Speaker, which plays music as it floats.


Setting up the segment, we hurried to unload all the equipment. We meticulously laid out shrimp and quiche, fanning out fancy lettuce and peppering them with parsley. Everything went smoothly apart from a few hiccups along the way. Who knew grapefruit juice would be too murky for live television? We rolled with the punches and used what would suit our visual needs much better (a.k.a water with sliced fruit). Also, the umbrella happened to be a little too big, but we worked out that kink too. All in all, after a few finishing touches, we were ready to roll.

I was amazed by how the staff collaborated with us and fluidly operated the equipment and merchandise to orchestrate this segment. The segment was set to air in a couple days, but they taped the recording like it was live- just like that, all in one take. Despite this, Murray and Kroll expertly demonstrated the utility of Frontgate's goods. As my first time helping run an event like this, I was thrilled to meet everyone involved and see the operations of a real newsroom. I can't help but be thankful for being a part of it.


Check out the segment here and all the items you might need at your next summer bash! 

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Tuesday, May 30, 2017

The Intern's World: Five Months at C. Pharr & Co.


A job and an internship aren't very different. The basics are still there, from the interviewing process to the day-to-day. Yet, one distinct difference stands out among all the jobs I’ve ever had: On my first day at C. Pharr & Co., I was asked what three tasks I wanted to accomplish by the time I left and how they could help me achieve those goals.

At my previous jobs, I worked in serving, house cleaning, data entry and publishing. However, this was the only place where someone asked me what they could do to help me grow as a professional.
That is what makes C. Pharr so different. They care about their intern's experience. I learned so much under the team’s tutelage, and if I could go back in time and do it all over again, I most certainly would. They each taught me something new and different, and for that I am forever grateful.

Here are five things I discovered during my five months at the agency:

1. If a task takes longer than you expected, ask if there is a better way
Agency life is fast-paced. If it takes you an hour to do a routine task, a more efficient method is probably out there, so just ask. Your boss is more than willing to help you succeed.

2. Communication is key
Always make an effort to share status updates on projects, and speak up when you feel overwhelmed or bored. If you're bored, then ask if you can help with something. This is key to leaving a lasting (positive) impression.

3. Be prepared - always
Always have a pen and a notebook on hand! If you are attending an event, don't forget your padfolio. Also, bring a spare charger for your phone, because live tweeting can drain a battery quickly.

4. Time management and project management are crucial for success
Working in a smaller agency is one of the best experiences you can get in public relations because you get the opportunity to work on so many different projects. You will need to quickly adapt to changes and manage your time effectively, so be ready. If you're ever unsure of what needs to be done first, (again) ask how to prioritize.

5. Classes can only teach you so much about public relations
As an intern, you will experience the learning curve of working in the real world. Though you learn press releases and pitching and all those wonderful tasks in the classroom, you will never experience them firsthand until you get out there in the field.

Don't take your experience for granted and enjoy every opportunity you are presented with because this is where your future begins.

This post was written by Holly McCleary. 
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Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Now Hiring | Paid Summer Internship


C. Pharr & Company is seeking a dynamic intern for summer 2017 to assist with a variety of accounts ranging from real estate and construction services, to education and corporate social responsibility. Sophomore and junior-level students studying journalism, public relations or communications are encouraged to apply.

Candidate must be a detail-oriented, resourceful self-starter with an understanding of media relations and AP style. Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.

Internship responsibilities include:
  • Drafting and distributing media materials including pitches, media alerts, news releases, backgrounders, fact sheets and media briefing materials for clients
  • Creating/updating media lists
  • Tracking media coverage and updating clip logs
  • Gathering and organizing editorial calendars
  • Reviewing newspapers/industry publications for client mentions
  • Assisting with the development and execution of plans, events and activities that support client communication goals and objectives
  • Researching clients, client competitors or other subjects requested by team
  • Assisting with social media planning and account maintenance for clients
  • Drafting posts for CPC blog and social handles
  • Attending occasional PR industry events and participating in seminars, webinars and other professional training
  • Working within a client-focused team setting, interacting with all disciplines to get real-world experience and understanding of the collaborative nature of the agency environment
The internship typically runs June - August. Hours are flexible.


If interested, please send a cover letter, resume and writing samples to Katie@PharrPR.com.

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Friday, March 3, 2017

PRSA Dallas Honors Leah Ekmark Williams with Norm Teich Award


DALLAS, March 1, 2017 — The Dallas chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) recently recognized Leah Ekmark Williams, APR, and vice president of C. Pharr & Company, with the Norm Teich Award for her significant contributions to the local community. Along with her active involvement in PRSA and The Real Estate Council (TREC), Williams currently volunteers as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star (BBBS) and Woodrow Wilson High School (Woodrow).

PRSA established the Norm Teich Award in 1989, one year after Teich's death, to commemorate his meaningful impact on others and his commitment to the betterment of the city of Dallas. Every year, the award is granted to a PRSA member who matches Teich's drive and dedication to volunteerism and community service.

“Leah joins a special group of Norm Teich recipients who epitomize excellence in both public relations practice and community service,” said 2016 PRSA Dallas President Sandra DuhĂ©, APR, Fellow PRSA. “Her dedication to mentoring and caring for others is evident not only in her work, but also in her life. Leah is a true leader exceedingly worthy of this honor.”

Williams has been active in BBBS since 2005, mentoring young leaders of the future as a Big Sister and serving in various volunteer and leadership roles. In 2009, she was elected to the inaugural junior board and served as chairman in 2013, where she recruited additional mentors and raised more than $50,000 for the organization. In 2013, Williams also joined the organization's e-mentoring program, Mentor 2.0, which matched her with a North Dallas High School freshman , whom she continues to mentor today.

In addition, Williams serves as the communications committee lead for the Academy of Finance Advisory Board at her alma mater, Woodrow. The Academy helps East Dallas students learn fundamentals about the business and start-up world. Williams advises students on her committee on how to create and implement communication plans for the academy, plan large-scale events for peers and parents, and, overall, how communications and marketing can lead to a solid career in business.

As a member of TREC, Williams also led the strategy and development of TREC’s social media outreach. She implemented TREC’s first young real estate professionals’ volunteer day, Together We Give, in December 2009 – the inaugural event was attended by more than 80 young executives from eight nonprofit real estate organizations. Williams served as the public relations/marketing chair for TREC’s young professionals group, Young Guns. She was also the publicity chair for Fight Night, the premier fundraising event within the commercial real estate organization.

Williams has extended her spirit of giving at C. Pharr & Co., where employees volunteer quarterly at different organizations and nonprofits in the community. In the summer of 2014, Williams and her colleagues hosted a four-week career camp for Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas, an organization that helps at-risk young women reach their full potential through education and encouragement. Together, they worked with about 20 students, ages 12 to 15, to help prepare them for their future careers.

Williams joined PRSA Dallas 12 years ago and currently serves as the chapter's assembly delegate. She has also served on the marketing and membership committees and was chapter president in 2014.



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Friday, January 13, 2017

Reflections on an Agency Internship in PR


I want to describe my first day at C. Pharr, but after a year and a half, I really only remember smiles, quick introductions and immediately getting to work. My internship began on August 27, 2015, and over the course of four semesters, I am so fortunate to say I have seen many aspects of public relations that helped me learn far more than I would in a classroom. I was able to work hands on with different projects for real clients and further my career along the way.


From the beginning of my internship, my supervisors handed over many writing assignments. I'll be the first to say writing is far from a strong skill of mine, but I've learned being honest with your skill set can only help you improve. I put forth strong effort in many of my writing assignments and got out of my comfort zone to work on my weakness. Although I am still far from perfect, I can confidently say practice has helped me improve significantly and led to success both in school and at my internship.

At the end of my first semester with C. Pharr, I was given an assignment to pitch a story about a local teacher at Trinity Christian Academy (TCA), one of the clients I worked with often. I researched who I wanted to pitch the story to and ended up coming across Jenny Anchondo with Fox 4 news. Even though she didn't pick up the story, she had a connection to the teacher through both of them being involved in the KIPP literacy program. She sent the pitch on to her colleagues, and after our winter break in the office, I came back to the exciting news that Clarice Tinsley wanted to cover the heartwarming story on the "Hometown Heroes” segment. You can see the coverage and read more about my experience here.


In the summer of 2016, I was asked to participate in planning an event for a non-profit client, Primary Care Clinics of North Texas. Event planning is a little bit more complicated than they make it seem in the movies, and the work involved more than what was taught in the classroom. I learned event planning requires a lot of detailed planning and I was able to plan ahead by creating a checklist of everything we would need before, during and after the event. It was a great experience and I’m confident I’ll be able to plan my next event with more ease.

As my last semester is coming to an end, I'm proud of all the work I’ve accomplished thanks to my dedicated supervisors I've had over the past four semesters at C. Pharr. I was able to gain a broad range of experience and gain a greater understanding of the diverse industries our clients are in – everything from education to non-profits, commercial real estate and even corporations. Some people decide to have multiple internships, but I think I was fortunate enough to stumble upon this agency to offer the experience necessary to begin a successful career in public relations.

This post was contributed by Elizabeth LaMonte, C. Pharr Intern.

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