C. Pharr & Company

You’ve Heard it Once, You’ve Heard it One Hundred Times

2012-01-18T14:43:00.000-06:00

Like the first sentence in this FoxBusiness.com article says, being told to “clean up” your Facebook profile isn’t necessarily earth-shattering advice. Yet, so often I see a picture on someone’s profile that makes me stop and think, “Why in the world have they not de-tagged that?” Being poorly judged by future employers or clients is a common consequence of questionable photos on your profile; however, an even bigger issue may lie in what your profile tells police. The above article explains how Facebook landed a few people, even one lawyer, in some serious trouble with the law. Not everyone is lacking the common sense of some of these folks, but the bottom line is - be discerning, be smart and do something with the advice I know you have been given.

This post was contributed by Shelby Menczer.

New Year Provides Time to Recall Top Five Reasons Why PR is a Rewarding Career

2012-01-10T16:12:00.000-06:00

It’s the start of a new year which means a number of things – new resolutions, new media pitches, new contacts, new business…the list goes on. Needless to say this is a great time to review goals and objectives for our agency as well as clients.

January brings a fresh start with a bevy of ideas for new goals and objectives for media pitching, social media initiatives, new media campaigns, etc. I had an energetic outlook for this year and was ready to kick 2012 off with a bang when my energy level was quickly depleted after reading this headline: “PR is now the seventh-most stressful job in America.” All the media changes and other obstacles from 2011 that I had laid to rest came flooding back after seeing this headline in my inbox. However, after scanning the article I was pleasantly surprised to find that PR practitioner had moved down the list from the No. 2 most stressful job to No. 7!

Rather than recall all the stressful things about our industry (because let’s face it, all jobs and industries have a stress factor), I decided to recall the top five things about our industry and why I love PR and my job. Hopefully this list will inspire you, helping you start 2012 on the right foot as you recall why you took this job in the first place. Happy New Year!

1. Growth – It’s refreshing to look back at a client’s business and see how much it has grown after the start of an effective media campaign. It’s even more encouraging when you are at an event (social or business) and someone says, “Have you heard about XYZ company…?” and it’s for a good reason. Translation – you’ve done your job!

2. Knowledge – We are experts in a variety of fields depending upon what industries our clients are working in, learning about new subject matter on a daily basis. No two days are the same. As an added bonus, it’s fun to be “in-the-know” about our clients’ up-and-coming news before the general public.

3. Impact – I have a hand in some major company/product launches and other projects in my city and beyond, enabling me to look back and realize the impact I have had on a particular initiative. I also am up to speed on the latest “movers and shakers” within a particular industry and how they are impacting our communities.

4. Counselor – Clients look to PR execs for their counsel and advice to help set business strategy. It is great to have a seat at the table with the C-suite as they are deciding what quarterly initiatives to focus on in order to meet their business goals.

5. People – Finally, it’s the people! Of course this is also one of the most-hated phrases by PR execs when an interview candidate says he/she is perfect for this position because, “I’m a people person.” However, in this case it’s true! PR enables me to work with a variety of people. I can be a “social chameleon,” as I forge new relationships with both clients and media, many of whom are experts in their respective fields. It’s encouraging to know that I’m rubbing elbows with these leaders and can even call some of them my friend.

Of course there are a myriad of other reasons why I got into and have remained in PR, but these are my top five. What do you enjoy about PR?

This post was contributed by Leah Ekmark, @leahcpc

Fresh start for the New Year

2011-12-30T10:16:00.000-06:00

The New Year has been branded as the perfect time to clean up and clear out your files, your desk and even that less-than-fragrant office refrigerator. But in this digital age, it’s important to clean out electronic files and storage in order to keep your online accounts and computer running smoothly.

Sarah Evans, a PR and new media consult and creator of Commentz, compiled a very comprehensive list of tools and tricks to help you clean up your online profiles. Check out her blog for some advice on shaping up everything from your Facebook account to Smartphone settings here.

This post was contributed by Vicky Smithee, @VSmithee.

The Social Media Question Plaguing Businesses

2011-12-16T13:20:00.000-06:00

Over the past few years, social media has drastically changed the landscape of strategic communications. Advertisers, marketers and PR pros have embraced social media as a way to extend and monitor brands' engagement with audiences; small businesses and entrepreneurs have taken advertising and brand management into their own hands, building their businesses online.

But despite the wealth of books and blogs talking about the myriad of ways in which businesses can wield the power of social media, many are still hesitant to get on board. Here's a list of the top 5 excuses for holding out:

1.    "We need to be taken seriously." I totally understand! Many business owners think of social media sites as an internet fad that their teenagers use to post silly pictures with friends and follow the likes of Paris Hilton and the Kardashians. It makes sense that businesses, especially B2B, are concerned that participation in social media may make them appear frivolous. Nevertheless, there are many ways for businesses to maintain a sense of professionalism, while still being human. For instance, LinkedIn, a social networking site for professionals, is useful for recruiters, professional referrals, and doing your research before meetings and networking events.

2.    "People in our industry aren't on social media." How can you be so sure? It's true that some industries are slower to embrace technology than others, but companies are made up of people. It's impossible to know if the people that you want to reach are online unless you look for them. Setting up a profile (or borrowing someone else's) to run a few keyword searches never hurt anyone. What you find may surprise you. Plus, if you consider that thousands of people join social media networks every day, it stands to reason that many of the people you want to connect with will eventually join, even if they're not there yet. Why not pave the way for them to find you when they get there? It will only put you ahead of the game.

3.    "It seems like a waste of time." Hmmm...Are free lead development, referrals, customer satisfaction feedback, SEO enhancement, networking, sharing industry-relevant information, establishing oneself as a leader and gathering information about customers, competition and prospects a waste of time? Most people don't think so. And the use of a social media "dashboard," such as Hootsuite or TweetDeck, makes it easy to plan and schedule future posts, so that account maintenance can be done whenever it's convenient.

4.    "What would we say?" There is a common misperception that every tweet and/or post must be original. Not so! In fact, "relentless self-promotion" is annoying to many people. But "sharing," or the referencing and passing-along of articles and ideas posted by others is a completely valid and appreciated practice. Many people find "curators," or people that routinely share quality, relevant information that they find elsewhere, to be a time-saving treasure. As long as you give them credit, the people whose content you have shared will also appreciate your help in the distribution of their messages. It's really a win-win-win situation. Beyond that, feel free to post news about your company's activities and news related to your industry, respond to questions and comments about your company or industry, and occasional feel-good personal musings. After all, people prefer to do business with people they know and like.

5.    "What if something goes wrong?" This is a valid, yet avoidable concern. First, exercise good judgment for every post. As a rule, since the online community is the largest public space in the world, don't post anything online that you wouldn't be comfortable sharing with everyone. If you wouldn't say it in a client meeting, to your coworkers, investors, grandparents or children, don't say it on social media. When in doubt, don't post it. You can always say it later, but you can never take it back. And in the case of a faux pas, apologize and correct the statement as soon as possible.

Social media is not one-size-fits-all. It is not appropriate for industries relying on extreme confidentiality, those who only do business with a few, very select clients, or those who simply don't have the time, interest or ability to keep it up. However, there are many benefits to be had by those who set their skepticism aside and decide to engage.

This blog post was contributed by C.Pharr's fall intern, Kate Kampa.

What we need to know about Google+

2011-12-05T10:31:00.003-06:00

As Google+ slowly gains momentum, PR professionals are closely watching for new features and updates about the social network, monitoring its utility and taking bets on the battle with Facebook. As organizations experiment with brand pages, clients will start looking to us to have all the answers.
So what do you need to know about Google+? PRSAY, a forum for PRSA members, goes over the basics of what PR practitioners need to know about the service in a great blog post here.

After you read, take our poll on the future of Google+ here:

Google+ versus Facebook: what will happen?

Post contributed by Vicky Smithee, @vsmithee.

Seeking Spring Intern

2011-11-07T12:15:00.000-06:00

C. Pharr & Company is seeking a dynamic intern for spring 2012 to assist with a variety of accounts ranging from real estate and construction services, to retail and healthcare. Junior and senior-level students studying journalism, public relations or marketing communications are encouraged to apply.

Candidate must be a resourceful self-starter with an understanding of media relations and AP style. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, along with an eye for details and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, are musts. This is a great opportunity to work in a client-focused team setting, interacting with all disciplines within the agency to gain real-world experience and view the collaborative nature of the agency environment. This is a paid internship of $8/hour, and students may earn class credit.

To view a list of responsibilities, click here.

If interested, please send a cover letter and resume with current GPA to Lauren Venegas at Lauren@PharrPR.com.

Company Overview

C. Pharr & Company is known for generating meaningful results for its clients through creative public relations and marketing. Focusing on business-to-business communications, the agency specializes in media relations, crisis communications, marketing, advertising coordination, planning and research.

We devise communication strategies that help clients achieve their goals through communications, increased business opportunities, higher brand awareness, changed attitudes and greater stakeholder support. Doing so, we build strong and trusting relationships with clients, communities and the media. Our clients value our counsel and support in meeting daily communication challenges as much as our help with long-term communication strategies.

C. Pharr & Company is built upon more than two decades of public relations and marketing communications leadership – a Texas leader known nationally for its business insight, strategic counsel and creative work with the highest of integrity. To learn more, visit www.PharrPR.com.

Communications Summit Recap: What will happen in 2012?

2011-10-27T09:40:00.001-05:00

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Dallas Chapter recently hosted its annual Communications Summit, inviting leaders in public relations, marketing and communications to share insights surrounding this year’s theme: “Digital DFW.”

In addition to a wealth of networking opportunities for guests, a career expo and targeted breakout sessions, the event hosted two standout keynote speakers: Shama Kabani (@Shama) and Kevin Sullivan (@ksullie).

Shama Kabani, of The Marketing Zen Group, kicked off the event with a breakfast keynote on the “Top 10 Digital Trends of 2012.” After opening with a frank admission that she was no psychic, she quickly proved how valuable her assertions would be by reviewing her background as an author, international speaker and CEO of a global digital marketing firm. Based on her extensive experience, she expects these digital trends for the next year:

Drag and drop apps: The ability to create applications for iPhones and iPads, Android devices and others will become less complex, opening the market to even more developers.
People will become Googlized: The battle of the four giants: Google, Facebook, Amazon and Apple, will lead people to evangelize only certain brands.
Identity-based ecosystems: People use the web and social media to express themselves. Online personalities will become digital mirrors for a person’s real life.
Multi-channel publishing: PR pros and brands must present information in a variety of ways so that people can decide what medium they prefer.
Targeting and contextual targeting: Advertising will become more intuitive by using web behavior. Expect to see web ads that display based on what sites you visit, what you’re saying online and what you share on social media.
Video = Web + TV + Mobile: Video experiences will expand past traditional mediums to be used an increasing amount for web and mobile. Facebook is even making its own web television series.
Content curation and aggregation: More tools will be needed to assist people in sorting through the information they find online. Sites like Pintrest are digital swipe files that replace older methods of clipping photos and articles.
Artificial intelligence: The next wave of technology will be dependent on intuitive design. Apple’s Siri is a system to watch.
Online/offline becomes no-line: The references to being online vs. offline will drop off from relevance. Everything will become digitized; even tombstones will include quick response (QR) codes.
Rise of community managers: People will begin professionally educating themselves as community managers in order to expertly guide online conversations.

For a play-by-play of the event, check out the feed of live tweets here. Don’t forget to monitor the PRSA Dallas website for details on next year’s event—you won’t want to miss it!

Post contributed by Vicky Smithee, @VSmithee.

Spinning Your Wheels?

2011-10-07T14:42:00.000-05:00

In PR you will no doubt go through phases when you feel like you are just spinning your wheels when it comes to media pitching. You’ve done your homework, carefully crafted pitches to each specific reporter, but you get nothing. This of course is frustrating, especially when the only updates you have for client reports include, “follow-up email sent. Pending response.”

A good practitioner knows media cannot possibly respond to every pitch they receive, but there is always a chance they have been busy or simply overlooked your email. So, the question is… what is appropriate protocol for following up, and at what point do you consider a pitch dead?

The answer to this question has evolved over time. In the beginning of my career it was encouraged to conduct follow-up calls to reporters. Over the years however, reporters have expressed their disdain for receiving follow-up calls, complaining that they are a waste of their time. The only acceptable method these days is email. Soon will even that be considered too persistent? For a quick refresher on proper follow-up etiquette, I found a great article that includes some helpful insight from media.

Read what these guys had to say on the topic here.

Post contributed by Shelby Menczer.

The Perks of Premium and helpful tips for using HARO

2011-09-29T12:33:00.001-05:00

Looking for a new way to gain media coverage for a client? Forget searching for a place to pitch a story, Help A Reporter Out (HARO) makes it easy to find one right inside your inbox. Whether you’re a reporter looking for a source or a source looking for a lead, this win-win relationship is a great tool for PR professionals to easily connect with someone who might be interested in writing about their client.

After being acquired by Vocus, HARO recently launched its Premium subscription package that provides a small variety of applications to help users get the most out of the program for a monthly fee. So, what does the Premium subscription provide you…and of course, is it worth the money?

Three daily emails with reporter queries
Unlimited Saved Searches: save time by having HARO filter out queries that don't match your keywords
Unlimited Profiles: provide biographies to make it easier for journalists to find a good source
SMS Alerts: get early warning when the next email has queries matching your keywords
In-app search: find more opportunities by searching the whole list online, anytime
Early Response: get advance warning of queries that match your keywords, giving you more time to write your response
Phone support
Price: $149.00/month

All in all, I think the premium subscription could save PR pros a little bit of time and gives an advantage to write a response early. The decision to pay for the service should really depend on how valuable the service has proven to your particular group of clients. If you’re frequently finding reporters through HARO, then these extra applications will ultimately have benefits.

Although the perks of the premium program are nice, I suggest PR pros stick to simplicity. The minimum free subscription gets you three easy-to-read emails a day with reporter queries. The free version may not filter emails for you but it only takes a few extra seconds to scan an email during your busy day of sending press releases, creating media lists or sending out Tweets. Read on for a few tips on how to use this program to your full advantage.

Five Tips for “Helping A Reporter Out”…

1.   Subscribe! It’s FREE! The only thing you have to do is get on your email and click open. Simply read through them and see if you can “help a reporter out” and most importantly help out your client.
2.   Don’t ignore the emails. Read them right away. It’s easy to ignore emails that don’t need your immediate attention. It takes 10 seconds to scan HARO’s reporter queries so open them right away so you don’t miss out on an opportunity.
3.   Keep responses short. After finding a query you think is a good fit for your client, write two short paragraphs that gets the reporter's attention, is persuasive and to the point. Don’t spend time on a long pitch. The reporter already knows what they are looking for. Simply explain why you’re the perfect source.
4.   Don’t abuse the privilege. HARO doesn’t tolerate spam, so don’t email reporters with other information unrelated to their query. Spamming reporters will easily get your subscription taken away, which brings me to my last tip…
5.   Build and maintain the reporter relationship. Each time you work with a new reporter, make sure it’s a good experience. Build a relationship with that reporter so that next time you have a story idea, you can call on the reporter again without going through HARO. This is a great way to meet new reporters and continue building your media lists.

Good luck and Happy “Helping!”

Post contributed by Kathrine Brody

Five tips for working on a hyperlocal level

2011-08-24T11:12:00.001-05:00

Although placements in hyperlocal publications might not spike your client’s interest like the cover of The New York Times, specific neighborhood coverage can be immensely valuable and help build your brand in the community.

Inspired by a current client project to distribute news to more than 50 markets across the U.S. on a neighborhood level, we’ve come up with some tried-and-true methods for researching and pitching hyperlocal publications. Many of these tips are relevant for all types of media relations activities, but these are especially important with hyperlocal pitching:

Don’t underestimate a map. Is the new CFO you’re announcing from Minnesota? A particularly small town in Minnesota? The easiest way to find the DMA and other close cities to your target is to check a map. This can reveal the reach of top-tier publications, along with smaller cities and surrounding communities with publications that may cover the area, even when they aren’t explicitly listed.
Double check the coverage area of reporters before you contact them. Especially when using national media databases, it’s important to always check the publication websites for coverage maps. If the writer only reports news for West Palm Beach’s east half, don’t send news for West Palm Beach west. Pay close attention to coverage boundaries because no matter how great your pitch is, reporters only want news for their particular area. If there’s a tenuous link, spell out why that reporter should care.
Be conscious of turnaround time. Many hyperlocal publications are online-only and are constantly looking for fresh content. Often, they can post news as soon as they receive it so be sure to include all details up front so your story makes headlines ASAP.
Be prepared to provide your own visuals. Hyperlocal outlets may only have one person on staff per coverage area and no photographer to send out on assignments. If you already have professional photos taken of an event, an executive, or even an idea for alternate visuals, offer them up.
Keep your eye out for new hyperlocal outlets. With the proven successes of sites like Patch.com and Dallas’ Neighborsgo, the hyperlocal media business model is a trend that is here to stay. With larger newspapers in trouble and declining television viewership, hyperlocal outlets online and in print are springing up everywhere, so it’s imperative to constantly check for new outlets in each market.

Post contributed by Vicky Smithee, @VSmithee

PR back-to-school checklist

2011-08-09T14:16:00.001-05:00

It is back-to-school season and you know what that means…you’re busy (and probably stressed) going through your child’s checklist to get ready for the first day of school. While you’re in this back-to-school, super-organized mode, why not dedicate some of this energy and prep for your own professional development? Set a good example for your kids by completing your own PR checklist to ensure you’re ready to go “back to school” this fall when your clients’ events and media pitching are in full swing after the summer lull.

Here is our back-to-school checklist for PR pros:

Finish your summer reading list – stop throwing those PR Tactics issues in the “read it later” pile. It’s time to dust them off and catch up on the latest PR/marketing trends. Just think, you may even learn a new trick or two.
Review the course syllabus for the year – your “syllabus,” the editorial calendar, is something PR pros can’t live without. Be sure to check and see what editorial coverage is on the horizon while following up with those journalists you haven’t spoken to in a while to see what they’ve got in the pipeline. You never know, you might score a new media placement.
Buy school supplies – stop procrastinating! Do your research and buy that new media tracking or social media dashboard monitoring tool you’ve been talking about for a while now.
Update your school directory – yes, I’m referring to those dreaded media lists. It’s time to revisit those lists and scrub them clean of any outdated contacts or media outlets that have folded. Don’t forget to “hit the books” (or Google for that matter) to find new outlets and contacts to add to your lists.
Check in with the “PTA” – and by PTA I don’t mean the parent-teacher association. I mean the association of public relations professionals, otherwise known as PRSA. Surf the PRSA website, connect with colleagues all over the U.S. and read up on new case studies and other insights that have been published. You’re sure to get some fresh, new ideas for the “school year.”
Do your homework –sharpen your writing skills for the fall course load. Spend some time reviewing AP style additions, SEO trends or even how to write better copy for your press releases, marketing collateral, etc. One of my favorites is Wylie’s Writing Tips. You’re sure to pick up a few pointers.

What are you waiting for? Stop procrastinating and get to work or you’ll be pulling another “all-nighter,” making you think you’re back in college. There will be a test on the first day!

This post was contributed by Leah Ekmark.

Seeking Fall Intern

2011-07-18T11:11:00.000-05:00

C. Pharr & Company is seeking a dynamic intern for fall 2011 to assist with a variety of accounts ranging from real estate and construction services, to retail and healthcare. Junior and senior-level students studying journalism, public relations or marketing communications are encouraged to apply.

Candidate must be a resourceful self-starter with an understanding of media relations and AP style. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, along with an eye for details and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, are musts. This is a great opportunity to work in a client-focused team setting, interacting with all disciplines within the agency to gain real-world experience and view the collaborative nature of the agency environment.

To view a list of responsibilities, click here.

If interested, please send a cover letter and resume with current GPA to Lauren Venegas at Lauren@PharrPR.com.

Company Overview

C. Pharr & Company is known for generating meaningful results for its clients through creative public relations and marketing. Focusing on business-to-business communications, the agency specializes in media relations, crisis communications, marketing, advertising coordination, planning and research.

We devise communication strategies that help clients achieve their goals through communications, increased business opportunities, higher brand awareness, changed attitudes and greater stakeholder support. Doing so, we build strong and trusting relationships with clients, communities and the media. Our clients value our counsel and support in meeting daily communication challenges as much as our help with long-term communication strategies.

C. Pharr & Company is built upon more than two decades of public relations and marketing communications leadership – a Texas leader known nationally for its business insight, strategic counsel and creative work with the highest of integrity. To learn more, visit www.PharrPR.com.

Google Plus: the new social media frontier?

2011-07-12T13:16:00.001-05:00

As PR pros, it’s our job to be up on the latest and greatest social networking tools – especially ones that are creating as much hype as Google+ seems to be. But what is Google+? What does it mean for the other networks that currently reign, such as Twitter and Facebook? More importantly, how can communicators, marketers and PR practitioners use it effectively?

Google+ describes itself as a project that makes sharing on the web feel like sharing in real life. A bit vague, perhaps, but that’s just what it seems to be for now – a project.

A post from Ragan’s PR Daily notes that Google combined a variety of the technologies it has already developed over the last several years, doing a masterful job of weaving these technologies into a well-integrated network that bears some similarities to Facebook, Friendfeed and even Twitter.

Although it may be too early to see the effects Google+ is making for the social networking world, it’s not too early to draw some conclusions on the current features. The post combs through several tools such as monitoring, targeting, company presence, search engine optimization, enterprise, circles and other observations. Check out the post here. What do you think of Google+ so far?

This post was contributed by Lauren Venegas.

Measuring the success of PR

2011-06-28T16:00:00.001-05:00

Every public relations agency has its own ways of distributing news, executing events and reporting results. But, one thing is universal: your clients want to know how these impact their bottom line. Especially with the advent of social media, clients are asking “What is the return on investment?”

Responding to a column in the Wall Street Journal alleging that the PR industry lacks a definitive form of measurement, Ragan’s PR Daily delves into the shift away from measuring results using AVE, or advertising value equivalency.

Ragan’s agrees there is not one, easy way to measure the success of PR. Instead, there are multiple ways to track the impact of publicity. For more on what types of standards are being used in the industry, read the post here.

This post was contributed by Vicky Smithee.

Tradition Has Its Place in the Working World

2011-06-08T09:31:00.001-05:00

Now that college graduations are over, a whole new set of job seekers are entering the workforce. And while the economy is in better shape than it was just a few years ago, The Bureau of Labor Statistics says unemployment rates are still struggling to improve, which means more people will continue fighting for the same limited number of jobs.

This leaves many people asking, “What can I do to stand out to potential future employers?” Although it seems to be one of the most obvious answers, sending a traditional thank you note is often an overlooked practice. A post-interview thank you note - sent individually to each person you met with - does not need to be anything fancy, but should be handwritten on stationery and mailed the very next day. The sentiment will be lost if too much time passes.

Not only is it proper and polite to thank someone for their time and consideration, but a thank you note allows you to restate your interest in the position. It also serves as an opportunity to mention anything you may have forgotten to say in your interview. Personalization is another important thing to remember. To do this, try referencing something specifically discussed in the interview, and/or how the individual treated you.

Thank you notes also say a lot more than just what is written. They tell prospective employers that you are thoughtful, considerate, organized and good with people. When employers are faced with a sea of equally qualified candidates, these basic people skills become increasingly significant.

Sending a proper thank you note is crucial to being remembered and makes for a successful job search. And because a lot of people forget or just don’t know better, you’ll find it will help you stand out in the competitive world of job hunting.

This post was contributed by Shelby Sabin.

Gaining experience before "The First Job"

2011-05-20T15:26:00.000-05:00

On the last day of her internship with C. Pharr, our summer intern Sara Corwin shares some fantastic tips that can help students seeking their first jobs or professionals hoping to find their spot in the world of PR.

One of the most important aspects of being a college student is getting a head start within the industry of your field of study. To avoid feeling like a fish out of water after graduation, embrace what is available to you now to help build your skills and professional manner while you are a student. This is an important aspect that will build your resume, not only helping you prepare for a job but aid in landing one too. Gaining experience is achievable with a lot of determination and a little creativity.

PR covers various industries. If you have a particular interest for sports, fashion or green living, for example, show off your knowledge and creativity by creating a blog or tweeting on what you are passionate about.
Volunteering for local nonprofits or other organizations may also demonstrate your passion for a particular industry and will show that you are actively engaging in that field. Design and write their newsletters, post event information online, pass out flyers and brochures or simply lend a helping hand at events or within their office.
Internships are also a great opportunity that is a must-have for PR, marketing and journalism students. Always keep an eye open and apply to several. You can also speak with a local organization and see if they need any help with a little PR. You never know, you could become their very first intern.
Attend industry-related events, such as lectures downtown, networking events at local eateries and luncheons. Be sure to take notes, have personal business cards on hand and follow up with the professionals you meet. Embrace LinkedIn!
Seek out professionals for mentoring, shadowing or informational meetings. If you want to learn more about a particular business or industry, just ask!
Be a part of your school’s organizations. You can boost your written and verbal communication skills by writing for the school newspaper. See if your school has a chapter for PRSSA or other journalistic society. If your school does not have PRSSA, or there is not a PR position within an organization, take the initiative to make one. Do PR for your sorority or another organization you are a member of. You can show leadership and utilize your skills by running for officer positions.

There are plenty of opportunities out there to become more involved in PR before graduating and landing your first job. Get creative and embrace the resources available to you.

This post was contributed by Sara Corwin. Read more insights by Sara on her blog: http://scorwin42.com/ or find her on Twitter: @scorwin42.

Job applicants - This post is for you!

2011-05-03T15:07:00.000-05:00

As PR pros we are constantly sharing tips and industry trends with colleagues, clients and/or anyone who reads our blogs and tweets. I just read a blog post from Peter Shankman and thought it was extremely fitting to re-post his blog on “how to” and “how not to” find a job since we just opened a job search for an Account Coordinator.

If you are one of the applicants applying for this position at C. Pharr & Co., I would highly recommend you read Peter’s post before sending us your résumé – he has some great tips. As he notes in his post, be sure to proof your résumé for spelling errors. Spelling mistakes seem to plague the majority of résumés I read. So, before you apply take the time to proofread your résumé. Don't hesitate to ask a friend or family member to review it as well to catch those minor errors you might have missed. No matter what industry you’re in, attention to detail is a key trait all professionals must possess in order to succeed.

Heed this advice - spell check is not your friend. Remember that last email you sent and realized after you hit “send” that spell check didn’t catch this error, “I know I would be perfect for the roll of Account Coordinator due to my vast experience…” If you can’t find the error in that phrase, then this post is for you!

Thanks for reading and we look forward to reading you’re résumés…again, another error. I just used my “friend” spell check and as predicted it didn’t catch it! If you didn’t catch it either then don’t bother applying.

This post was contributed by Leah Ekmark.

C. Pharr Hiring Account Coordinator

2011-05-02T15:26:00.001-05:00

C. Pharr & Company is seeking an Account Coordinator in its Addison Circle (North Dallas) office. The Account Coordinator will support multiple national and regional accounts including real estate and healthcare. Candidates must have college degree in public relations or related area. Prior PR agency internship and leadership experience are highly valued. Successful candidates will be self-directed and able to multi-task. Superior organizational and communication skills are required. Specific responsibilities include assisting with events, media list development and management; research and reporting, interacting with agency and client teams and social media support. C. Pharr offers a fun, fast-paced, collegial environment with great opportunity for professional development and advancement. Check us out at www.pharrpr.com. Send resumes to info@pharrpr.com.

The Associated Press Got it Wrong!

2011-04-13T15:54:00.000-05:00

News is buzzing on the Internet today about the Associated Press falling for a press release hoax. The fake press release appeared to be from GE, claiming that the company would repay a $3.2 billion tax refund to the Treasury Department. Once the AP learned the press release was a hoax, they pulled the story immediately. Read the details of the prank here.

I'm sure GE's PR rep went into crisis mode as soon as the story hit the wire. This issue brings to light one of the problems with media today. While citizen journalism and social media are great tools to get your message out, the ability to publish breaking news within seconds has a downside. Every outlet from bloggers to mainstream media wants to be the first to break a news story. Unfortunately the AP fell victim to a prank in its haste to get this breaking news out the door.

This is a good reminder for all of us, especially PR pros, to check facts on our own release and pitches, ensuring the information we have - whether it is from clients or our own research - is accurate. You never know when you might be the victim to a prank such as this. Remember, just because you Google something doesn't mean it is accurate!

This post was contributed by Leah Ekmark.

Seeking Summer Intern

2011-04-07T09:42:00.000-05:00

C. Pharr & Company is seeking a dynamic intern for summer 2011 to assist with a variety of accounts ranging from real estate and construction services, to retail and healthcare. Junior and senior-level students studying journalism, public relations or marketing communications are encouraged to apply.

Candidate must be a resourceful self-starter with an understanding of media relations and AP style. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, along with an eye for details and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, are musts. This is a great opportunity to work in a client-focused team setting, interacting with all disciplines within the agency to gain real-world experience and view the collaborative nature of the agency environment.

To view a list of responsibilities, click here.

If interested, please send a cover letter and resume with current GPA to Vicky@PharrPR.com.

Company Overview

C. Pharr & Company is known for generating meaningful results for its clients through creative public relations and marketing. Focusing on business-to-business communications, the agency specializes in media relations, crisis communications, marketing, advertising coordination, planning and research.

We devise communication strategies that help clients achieve their goals through communications, increased business opportunities, higher brand awareness, changed attitudes and greater stakeholder support. Doing so, we build strong and trusting relationships with clients, communities and the media. Our clients value our counsel and support in meeting daily communication challenges as much as our help with long-term communication strategies.

C. Pharr & Company is built upon more than two decades of public relations and marketing communications leadership – a Texas leader known nationally for its business insight, strategic counsel and creative work with the highest of integrity. To learn more, visit www.PharrPR.com.

E-mail becomes email - and other recent AP Stylebook changes

2011-03-24T08:54:00.001-05:00

On March 18 the AP Stylebook, the style and usage guide for a majority of mainstream media, officially changed E-mail to simply email – finally! I have wanted to type it without a hyphen for years, so in the middle of all the tragedy being reported out of Japan, this was welcomed news!
@apstylebook followers were the first to hear of the news, as the update was initially announced on Twitter. In the new 2011 edition of the AP Stylebook, you'll also notice updates to smartphone and cellphone, both now just one word. These changes come on the heels of my favorite 2010 update, when it was announced that Web site would evolve to website, also just one word and lowercase!
For all you other grammar geeks like me, be sure to pick up a copy of the 2011 AP Stylebook, which has these new changes along with many others. The spiral-bound writer’s Bible is released each spring, and you will be able to find an online version on the AP Stylebook website in May!

This post was contributed by Shelby Sabin.

The "Yes Man" Syndrome

2011-03-22T11:35:00.001-05:00

You’ve heard it before…those infamous and seemingly harmless five words: “Yes, that’s a great idea!” When looking for the perfect PR team to boost your company profile and increase brand awareness, it is important to take a step back and evaluate your future (or current) PR partnership.

While every PR agency should serve as a partner, providing client solutions to help move the needle in your business, it is also our role as PR practitioners to let clients know when an idea won’t work and why. Clients always like to hear the magic phrase, “That’s newsworthy and will generate media interest,” and of course it’s even better when your PR agency achieves that coveted hit in the Wall Street Journal or an appearance on Fox Business News.

However, not every bit of news or idea will produce a media frenzy. Just like you turn to friends and family to solicit their honest opinion, you should use that same frame of mind when working with a PR agency. We are here to serve not only as a resource and tool to get your news out, but we are also here to provide counsel when something is not newsworthy.

The PR agency you hire should be a strategic business partner ready to provide creative solutions, packaging your news and turning it into something remarkable. However, take care to avoid those agencies that take the approach of Jim Carrey in the movie, “Yes Man.” While a can-do attitude is what it takes to get the job done, it also requires a PR team that is willing to speak up when an idea won’t work and instead focusing their attention on how to build upon that idea, turning it into noteworthy news.

So, whether you’re taking the first step and dipping your toe in the PR waters, or if you have already embarked upon that PR journey, ask yourself what kind of PR agency you are working with. If you are left wondering what your PR agency should like, read this post from PR Daily outlining five types of PR agencies to avoid. That should give you a good starting point!

This post was contributed by Leah Ekmark

Are you minding your email manners?

2011-02-22T14:24:00.009-06:00

R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Aretha said it right. It should be the golden standard when communicating on a professional level. Showing a little respect to your peers goes a long way, but all too frequently, we click “send” without thinking of the people on the other end, their inboxes and their schedules.

Our friends over at Bisnow passed along this post dedicated to the seven sins frequently committed by PR pros. Drafted after a particularly “maddening evening” of clearing out a clogged inbox of oversized attachments and pitches unrelated to her beat, the reporter offers tips on the best ways to show respect and interest to reporters through email.

We all make mistakes, but these are great reminders on email etiquette not only in dealing with reporters but colleagues of all types. Check out Amanda Marsh’s post.

UPDATE: The disasterous end-result when you're rude to a reporter? You become the news! Techcrunch publishes email chain from PR pro Timothy Johnson, who definitely forgot his manners. See it here.

This post was contributed by Vicky Smithee.

Availability and Freedom of Information

2011-02-15T15:11:00.001-06:00

Starting at midnight on January 27, 2011 in Cairo and Alexandria, political protests against the Egyptian government led to the government enforcing Internet censorship, followed by a blockage of international Internet access between Egypt and the rest of the online world. Since then, we watched the unrest in Egypt unfold through online news, blogs, tweets and emails – while the entire country of Egypt was without access to the Internet.

Before the Egyptian government “turned off” the Internet, Facebook saw six times more traffic than Google inside the country, according to the MSNBC Technolog. Then the outages came, followed by the protests. Two weeks later, the 30-year ruling of Hosni Mubarak ended. As of February 2, normal connectivity and freedom to information was restored. Did the Internet bring down a dictator?

We couldn’t help but think back over the last five years and consider how much the Internet, specifically social media, has globally changed how we live, work and most recently, how it empowers the masses to shape the government. As PR folks, freedom of information, connectivity and the ability to interact with others through the Internet is crucial. What do you think? Check out Public Relations Society of America’s “Considerations for global PR professionals.” How has the Egypt unrest, fueled by social media and information restriction, impacted the way we view the power of the Internet?

This post was contributed by Lauren Venegas

Inquiring Minds Want to Know – Does Quora Provide the Answer (and the Question)?

2011-01-21T09:28:00.000-06:00

I’m sure by now you’ve heard the latest buzz about the newest social media tool on the block - Quora. If you’re like me, you’re already scouring articles, blogs and possibly even Wikipedia to figure out just what this new tool is all about and how it can benefit your clients or aid you in future research.

Here is a quick overview of Quora. Designed by two former Facebook employees, Quora is a Q&A site similar to Wikipedia. All answers are submitted by users, but unlike Wikipedia, users can pose questions as well. Users then vote answers up or down (think Digg) with the most popular answers at the top, but of course, there is no guarantee answers are entirely accurate. One big difference to note – this social media tool is not “open” to the public. Only registered users can pose questions and view answers. Rather than providing even more details about the site, read this article from the Wall Street Journal to get a more comprehensive review of this tool.

Before you leave this post to read all the hype about Quora, one thing you need to be thinking about as a PR pro is how the media will be using Quora. With the advent of Twitter and sending 140-character pitches to reporters becoming more commonplace, Quora seems to be opening another door to connect with media. So, as you delve in to your research about how to start using Quora, take time to think strategically. How can this new tool help you do your job and successfully connect you with the media? After all, isn’t our job as PR professionals to think like a reporter? Perhaps reporters will be using the site to poll users in their area about what questions they would like to see asked of particular interviewees in an upcoming interview session or maybe reporters will utilize the site to ask what is the “hidden neighborhood gem” that only locals know about. Or, they may even be searching the site to get their next story idea, contacting users directly to cite as expert sources for future trend stories.

Whatever the question/answer is and before you jump in to the next social media tool, I would provide the same counsel to you that I do to clients. Be strategic! In fact, I’m sure the next “it” thing in social media is being developed as I type this. So, ask yourself: How useful is this tool to your PR strategy and can it help move the needle on your client’s business model? Whether you’re a PR exec in the business-to-business realm or business-to-consumer industry, you should be pondering that question.

At first glance, Quora seems like a useful thought leadership tool, providing even more online space for your clients to answer questions related to their industry (remember – no self promotion!) or it can be a great spot for doing research to learn more about the latest trends or to learn what is going on in your community. Or, maybe, just maybe, you’ll be able to make a connection with that hard-to-reach reporter who won’t respond to your email pitches or calls.

Here is my question: Have any PR pros found success yet with this tool or made meaningful connections with the media utilizing Quora? I guess that is a question I will have to pose to the Quora community…

This post was contributed by Leah Ekmark

National Mentoring Month - Give As Much As You Get

2011-01-17T17:16:00.000-06:00

Not only is January a time for resolutions, it is also a time for giving back and re-evaluating what you’ll be working on this year to “do your part.” Here’s one thing to think about – January is national mentoring month! If you’re up for the challenge of serving as a mentor, what better time than the month of January to kick off this initiative?

Here at our agency, we’re regularly engaged in the mentoring process, intermittently hosting college students to shadow us for the day and learn about a day-in-the-life of a PR agency. We also have a student intern work with us each semester. Serving as a mentor for these college students is extremely rewarding knowing that we’re passing along all the knowledge we can to help shape this student’s future, which also indirectly impacts the future of the PR industry. On the other hand and much to our benefit, our interns serve as mentors for us from time-to-time, teaching us about the latest and greatest in social media. (Be sure to refer to our previous blog post for more on this reverse mentoring process we have “resoluted” to maintain in spring 2011).

But apart from the mentoring process in the professionalism realm, I would encourage you to consider being a mentor outside of work. I know we are all busy professionals, but one skill set all PR pros in the agency world possess is the ability to multi-task and juggle many activities at once. Why not put that skill to good use and consider becoming a mentor to someone in your community? As we all know, it’s important to practice what we preach which is why I want to share that I am involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters. I have served as a Big Sister for nearly six years, and I have become a constant force in my Little Brother’s life, helping to positively shape his future.

My time as a mentor has helped to shape who I am today – my Little and his family have become a part of my life and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences for me. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to figure out how you can help change someone’s life… or maybe the shoe is on the other foot, and you need to find someone to help provide guidance. If you are that “mentee,” then get out there and figure out who can be that positive force in your own life.

Either way, it’s time to figure out how you can get involved in the mentoring process. Not only will you feel good that you’ve ticked one thing off your resolution list, but you can also feel good knowing you’re taking a step in the right direction as a mentor or mentee. Even President Obama has asked all of America to take action now and issued this proclamation in honor of National Mentoring Month. Take a clue from our President – Start Something!

This post was contributed by Leah Ekmark

A New Plan for a New Year

2011-01-06T12:27:00.000-06:00

If you’re anything like me, you’re still trying to fulfill last year’s resolutions, and the thought of kicking off a whole set of new ones is a little overwhelming. But the truth is, 2011 is upon us and it is time to map out a plan for the new year. While in the past most of my resolutions have been of a personal nature, this year I am making a list of resolutions we can implement here at C. Pharr. I have broken them down into seasonal goals to limit the initial burden, but take a look at what we “resolute” for 2011, and consider adding a few to your agenda in the new year. Cheers!

Winter 2011 –
·    At the beginning of the year it’s time to gather all relevant client award application information, calendaring out deadlines to prepare for the year ahead vs. scrambling to pull nominations together at the last minute.
·    Thoroughly research and review editorial calendars to assist in setting a 2011 strategy for each client.
·    Time to start “scrubbing” media lists, reviewing and updating all contact information so we can proactively start pitching and stay ahead of the game whenever a last-minute media opportunity pops up.
·    Brainstorm and pull together a list of evergreen story ideas , which can be revisited in slower months throughout the year; but let’s be realistic, when do we ever have a slow month?

Spring 2011 –
·    Spring Clean! Go through old client files and archive things you need, throw out things you do not need.
·    Each semester (Spring, Summer and Fall), we hire a student intern. They are often privy to new trends, which we may not yet have on our radar. One of our goals this season is to not only take time to mentor our intern, but also to take time to be the “mentor” as well absorbing all the new information we can. You never know what you might learn in this reverse-mentor role!
·    Spring is all about being fresh, so this season be sure to spend time researching new social media tools, and dare I say, even implement one new idea.

Summer 2011 –
·    The phrase, “The Dog Days of Summer,” is most often used by people in the media world. During the summer news is slow and reporters are always looking for story ideas. Our resolution during this season is to meet three reporters for coffee or lunch and pitch away. I might just bring along my lists of aforementioned evergreen story ideas!
·    The holidays always creep up on me, and this year, we vow to start the client “holiday initiative” conversation even earlier! With the extra time, we’ll be able to implement tactics that really stand out, while still leaving plenty of time to pitch.
·    Even after we do all the leg work in the first quarter reviewing editorial calendars, publications are notorious for making changes throughout the year. Translation – it’s time to dust off that “ed cal” file and revisit these calendars in search of changes, updates and new opportunities!

Fall 2011 –
·    Especially in Dallas, Fall means the kick off of the social season! With a calendar full of charity events, there are plenty of opportunities for our clients to get involved in the community. Our goal is to narrow down some of the larger events around town, and identify participation needs and deadlines. After evaluating what’s out there, we can encourage and coordinate our clients’ involvement in the events where they can make the greatest impact.
·    It’s easy to get distracted during the fall with football, weddings and of course – holidays! This is a good time to resolve to stay focused on meeting deadlines and seeing through with a year’s full of hard work.

This post was contributed by Shelby Sabin

Credibility and Strategic Planning in PR

2010-12-29T15:08:00.000-06:00

According to a Keller Fay study of US internet users, moms are more likely than other adults to share brand messages through word of mouth, mainly due to the credibility of this traditional, age-old medium. This is a truth that marketers and PR pros have a hard time accepting, especially in the realm of Twitter, Facebook and other tech-savvy social networks. After all, word of mouth is harder to fuel and more difficult to measure than other media outlets, even if it is a more trusted and credible source.

So how then, shall we build credibility fueling the message not only with new social media outlets, but also with traditional word of mouth? The start of building this credibility can first and foremost start through creating an overall strategy based on messages that clearly and precisely spell out what the client does and how they can help the audience and build trust, instead of solely focusing on the outlet itself. The answer may seem simple, but is often forgotten during overall strategic planning for the year ahead.

So whether you’re building a brand, concept or hoping to gain coverage for your B2B or consumer-focused client through social networks and media outlets in 2011, remember that the overall strategic message is the basis of credibility, and word of mouth combined with media (social or traditional) coverage is an unbeatable combination for building awareness.

Access the post here.

This post was contributed by Lauren Venegas.

Reputation Management Mistakes

2010-12-14T15:09:00.000-06:00

As the year winds down, it's a great time to reflect on some of the successes in the industry. However, it's also a great time to take a closer look at some of the mistakes made this year, examining what went wrong and how to avoid a similar gaffe yourself.

The ReachCast Blog compiled a great Top 10 list: #Fail: 10 Online Reputation Management Mistakes from 2010. We recommend you take a look at the blunders and the "take away" advice to make sure your company is prepared for the year ahead.

Access the post here.

This post was contributed by Vicky Smithee.

New Social Media Tool for Charities

2010-11-30T10:06:00.001-06:00

With the constantly evolving realm of social media, PR execs are now charged with keeping up with the latest and greatest social media sites and tools. Today's New York Times talks about the newest social media venture that the PR industry should take notice of. Jumo, created by a Facebook founder, launched today in an effort to connect people with nonprofits and charities. As stated in the NYT article, Jumo is aimed at doing the same thing for charities that Yelp did for restaurants and the retail business.

So, if you are tasked with handling community relations for your client or if you work for a nonprofit, or even if you're simply trying to spread the word about a cause you are personally vested in, this site is something you need to explore. While there is no telling how successful this site will be, my hope is that it will create increased awareness for all those local charities out there that don't have the resources or deep pockets to generate awareness as well as increased donations for their causes. One thing is for certain, you don't want to get left behind in the next wave of social media tools. Our team is always trying to stay ahead of the curve, proactively looking for opportunities for our clients' next community outreach campaign - Jumo is just one more social media site we'll be researching.

This blog was contributed by Leah Ekmark.

PR in the Postseason

2010-11-19T14:09:00.001-06:00

Last month, the Texas Rangers made it to the World Series for the first time since the team’s inception 38 years ago. Okay, so I know this is old news, and don’t worry, I’m not going to rehash the entire goings-on of this year’s postseason. In a nutshell, the Rangers lost in five games to the San Francisco Giants. While it was a hard loss for long-time Texas fans, we couldn’t stay sad for long since the loss came after a career season full of ups and more ups. So, why am I writing about this? It’s been over for a few weeks, after all.

As a PR student, what I realized while watching (mostly in disbelief) this postseason is how the 2010 Rangers squad must have been a PR practitioner’s dream. Think about it. The Rangers were the underdogs of the American League. And people love the underdog, especially in sports. This makes PR efforts a breeze, right? When the Rangers beat the Yankees in the American League finals, excitement roared across the nation. Why? Because, in general, people would much rather support the underdog. Support the little guy. Support the mom-and-pop store over the international big box. And since people love the underdogs, the media loves covering them.

Did that make this season a free ride for the Rangers’ folks in charge of media relations? As a PR pro, when your client is an underdog in the business world, you have to work much harder to get media attention for the client. But, when your client is the underdog in the sports world, media attention automatically follows. Your job is finished!

No, of course the job doesn’t end there, and I am not discrediting the Rangers’ PR crew. Just because the Rangers received a lot of media attention, does not mean their PR people just sat back and watched it happen. They still had to manage the attention and coordinate with a lot of reporters, camera crews and even bloggers, which can certainly be a difficult task. Plus, they also dealt with some negative media attention stemming from players’ personal issues and season-long changes in ownership and management. But, my point is that representing a team that the media itself is rooting for must be easier than representing one that the media or the community doesn’t support.

Now that the season is complete, uncertainty looms overhead. What will happen next year? Sure, it’s up to the team to determine how much media attention it will earn, but I have to think that the PR people behind the Rangers have another long, fun (hopefully drama-free) season ahead of them. Working for any organization with a large public following has to be a lot to handle, especially a successful sports team. In addition to added media attention, the Rangers now have a plethora of new bandwagon fans, maybe from younger generations who are reviving their baseball fandom. This creates an entirely new challenge for the PR people behind the organization.

No matter what happens I wish the team―and its behind-the-scenes support― good luck this next season—hopefully the Rangers will win the whole thing this year, even if it means giving up that the coveted underdog title while trying to stay on the front page and the center of the attention.

This blog was contributed by C. Pharr's fall intern, Carrie Rodgers.

Seeking Spring Intern

2010-11-18T14:50:00.000-06:00

Addison-based C. Pharr & Company is seeking a dynamic intern for spring 2011 to assist with a variety of accounts ranging from real estate and construction services, to retail and healthcare. Junior and senior-level students studying journalism, public relations or marketing communications are encouraged to apply.

Candidate must be a resourceful self-starter with an understanding of media relations and AP style. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, along with an eye for details and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, are musts. This is a great opportunity to work in a client-focused team setting, interacting with all disciplines within the agency to gain real-world experience and view the collaborative nature of the agency environment.

To view a list of responsibilities, click here.

If interested, please send a cover letter and resume with current GPA to Vicky@PharrPR.com.

‘Tis the season… the charitable season

2010-11-12T11:51:00.003-06:00

November and December are popular times for nonprofits and charitable organizations to ramp up their efforts in order to coincide with the holidays. Not only is this a great time of year to get personally involved with a cause you care about, it is an opportunity to evaluate how your for-profit clients are interacting with the community’s charitable organizations.

Cause marketing can be an essential part of any reputation management endeavor for a client. Donations in the form of time, services or money can be a positive way to build your client’s “character.” Adopting a nonprofit partner shows your employees, customers and everyone else that the company values more than just the bottom line.

When looking for your next cause marketing idea, keep these things in mind:

Pick something that makes sense—Find natural relationships between your client and a potential cause. We could see the hypocrisy of Phillip Morris partnering with American Cancer Society, so seek out a nonprofit whose goals line up with your own. A local restaurant and The North Texas Food Bank? That sounds more like it.
Try it out—There’s no rule that you can’t make a one-time donation, or that you have to pick only one group to work with forever. Recently, the PRSA-affiliated networking group Dallas NuPros spent an afternoon serving lunch at The Salvation Army. No formal relationship or schedule was decided, but this single activity got the ball rolling on establishing a formal community service project. Establish a connection between the two organizations, and see if additional connections among the people of both groups develop.
Be sincere—Consumers and clients can tell when they see something fake or forced. (See some of the worst here.) Don’t seek out a nonprofit for the sole purpose of advancing your own reputation. Remember the reason you are working with a charity: to help a good cause. Hang on to that, and it will provide a good guideline on how to develop this relationship, how to promote the cause and the appropriate way to weave your own client’s name into that story.

Doing “good” makes you look good, right? More importantly, it can make you feel good, so make an effort this holiday season and encourage your clients to do the same.

This post was contributed by Vicky Smithee.

We're Hosting An Event...Now What?

2010-11-11T15:09:00.000-06:00

I'm sure many of you have been experiencing party overload this fall, as we have here at C. Pharr PR. Amidst countless client events, media sponsored parties and fundraisers with no end in sight due to the onslaught of upcoming holiday parties, we decided now would be a good time to take a moment to discuss getting PR for your events. Like many PR agencies, we are tasked with capturing both our client's audience and the media's attention for all of our events. We are often asked what is the best way to secure pre- and post-media coverage for any events we are involved in.

Rather than re-invent the wheel and write another blog post, we decided to share with our readers a recent post from Brooke Nolan's PR Blog about garnering PR coverage for your event. This blog post is full of great tips and reminders for all of those PR professionals out there trying to figure out the best way to capture the consumer's and the media's heart! Enjoy!

Making Lemonade

2010-08-17T14:30:00.001-05:00

During the middle of summer’s triple digit heat, few things sound more refreshing than a cold glass of lemonade. And for some reason this summer, more so than in summers past, I can’t get enough of the stuff –preferably the pink variety. But either way, the thought of lemonade always brings to mind the saying everyone has heard a thousand times, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Although somewhat tired, the adage is still a very applicable piece of advice. I’ve thought a lot about this saying as it pertains to businesses dealing with the piles of lemons brought on as a result of the poor economy. As PR professionals, we know what to do with good client news, but it’s times when those good news announcements are few and far between that we really have to get creative. We sometimes need to find the good in not-so-good news. In other words, we make lemonade.

We recently came across an opportunity for the founder and CEO of one of our clients, MileMeter, that demonstrates just this – how to take a business challenge and turn it into an effective PR tactic. The opportunity came in the form of a new feature on NewYorkTimes.com, called “How I Saved My Company.” Essentially, the feature highlights business owners via video features, explaining what it’s like to own a company that struggles but survives. In his feature, MileMeter’s Chris Gay shared stories of obstacles he encountered while getting his business off the ground, including the global financial crisis that hit in the early stages of its development.

Fortuitously, shortly after Gay sent the shut down notice to all his shareholders, MileMeter was named a finalist out of 900 entrants in Amazon.com’s first start-up competition. This ultimately resuscitated his young company, making for a great “How I Saved My Company” story.

In the weeks after we identified this opportunity, we hired a videographer and worked with Chris to film a video explaining his experience, and sent it to the producers of this new NewYorkTimes.com feature. The video was posted, and in the days and weeks following, MileMeter saw dramatic increases in Web traffic, and the post received a number of positive comments.

NYT reader, Katie from Louisiana wrote, “Awesome idea for a company! As an avid bicycler, I was wishing for something like this the other day. It makes sense both environmentally and economically. I hope that this idea catches on quickly in states besides Texas and that we can foster smart entrepreneurship like this.”

In leveraging its near-death business crisis, we were able to secure national exposure for our client, resulting in increased awareness and attention from consumers all over the world. So, don’t be afraid to talk about a client’s business struggles – sometimes it’s the secret ingredient for the perfect glass of lemonade.

Click here to view MileMeter’s “How I Saved My Company” video on NewYorkTimes.com

The importance of educating college students in public relations

2010-08-16T11:52:00.000-05:00

"Today is our intern's last day and in honor of his final hours with us here at C. Pharr, we asked him to write a blog post to tell us about what he has learned and also to impart some advice to future interns and current students. So, let us introduce you to Colton Wright and his PR stream of consciousness..."

I am what they call a super senior, which I’m told is pretty common “these days.” “They,” being the many students who came before me and gave a good name to not graduating on time. My last semester is about to begin at Baylor University and I’m about to take my final journalism and public relations classes. When recalling my undergrad career, I’m constantly thinking “did I do enough?” “Have I learned enough?” and “What can I do this last semester do improve my communication and PR skills?”. So, did I do enough? I don’t think so, but I don’t think anyone can say they have done everything possible to prepare themselves during college until they start their career in public relations. There’s always something to learn to better yourself before you get that first job. And for many students, that something is interning.

I didn’t have a clear picture of what the public relations industry was when I chose my major. I chose something that I excelled in, but my major classes didn’t show me what my future career would look like. I recommend any student going into public relations to obtain more than just one internship to truly see what happens in the day-to-day life of public relations. There is a whole subset of areas a person can go in to when picking a career in public relations: corporate, non-profit, government (careful, it’s “public affairs” when dealing with government) and the agency world to name a few. I didn’t know anything about those areas from school, all I knew was the theory behind PR: Network, meet the reporters, write, take on the masses and score an “A” on the final. Well that’s easy. In theory I can do all of that and, theoretically, become successful in public relations.

But when I started to intern I learned a lot more than writing and networking (those are just perks). I have interned in the corporate, non-profit and agency spears, and each one provided a new PR lesson; a jumpstart of what PR actually is. Public relations is more than planning events; trying to spin a disaster (BP Oil); a popular TV show (The Hills, Sex and the City and PoweR Girls – Why aren’t PR males represented on TV?); and a pretty smile. Public relations is a lot of writing, a time commitment, the ability to improvise quickly (but knowledgeably and calmly), addressing a crisis and reflecting on previous projects.   PR is constantly evolving and a person in PR should be able to adapt to new situations and learn how to engage the target market.

Assignments completed for school (and those I complete during my final semester this fall) are already out of date. Jeremy Porter, a writer from Journalistics , asked, “Do [journalists] want to receive news releases? Do they find news releases the best source of information for finding story ideas?”. “No” to both inquiries. Well that’s scary since I spent most of my college career writing news releases. Instead of writing “at them,” Porter says to engage reporters in person and have a conversation with them; connect through Twitter and other social media websites. That seems pretty obvious – humans like interacting with other humans – but apparently it’s not common practice because a lot of PR blogs mention this over and over.

With the digital age of micro blogging and other social media tools, PR is changing. I haven’t seen “social media 101” on a university course listing but can recommend Eric Qualman’s Socialnomics as a good start to learn the potential of social media. Through an internship I’ve learned how to use TweetDeck, Hootsuite and the crux of those two; Twitter. Social media is a market that many find confusing when applying it to jobs but the importance of social media has long lasting effects. Companies have seen this and have started hiring social media experts. @Mashable regularly Tweets jobs in social media – some request 10+ years experience … 10 years? Wasn’t that the peak of Xanga? – and posts these job opportunities to its website, mashable.com. The need to be flexible and adapting to change is necessary now more than ever, and public relations practitioners need to adapt to remain competitive in the market.

Understanding what public relations is and how to effectively use it and learning to adapt is something an internship can give a shining hopeful.   Writing skills, interacting with social connections on the Internet and remaining competitive with market trends and experiencing the demand is what an internship can provide.   For my fellow peers graduating in December, let’s find something more to do than Underwater Basket Weaving. Tempting I know. Let’s stay competitive and learn something that we can bring to a future career.

Now Hiring: Fall Intern

2010-07-13T09:03:00.001-05:00

Public Relations Internship Opportunity

C. Pharr & Company is seeking a dynamic intern for fall 2010 to assist with a variety of accounts ranging from real estate, design and construction services to advertising and retail/multi-family developments. Junior and senior-level students studying journalism, public relations or marketing communications are encouraged to apply.

Candidate must be a resourceful self-starter with an understanding of media relations, AP style and have an exceptional eye for detail. Outstanding written/verbal communications, research and organizational skills, as well as ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment are musts. This is a great opportunity to work within a client-focused team setting, interacting with all disciplines within the agency to get real-world experience and views of the collaborative nature of the agency environment. Please send a cover letter and resume with current GPA to Vicky@PharrPR.com. No phone calls please.

C. Pharr & Company is a business-to-business public relations agency that serves a variety of clients. We participate in crisis communications, marketing, various public relations activities, advertising coordination, planning and research. To learn more, visit www.PharrPR.com.

Rewarding Dads while rewarding our client

2010-06-29T14:22:00.001-05:00

Public relations is all about getting your name out there…the right way. When working in business-to-consumer communications, getting your client’s name out there becomes especially tricky when the products and services you’re trying to promote compete in a large market like Dallas.

With every holiday, there are numerous opportunities to earn spots on gift guides and multiple attempts to come up with the newest way to celebrate annual events. A recent project for our client, The Plaza at Preston Center, took some creative thinking on how we would catch attention for Father’s Day.

We decided to host a contest to honor the deserving fathers and father figures out there. Rather than simply offering up a prize to those who entered, we requested free-form essays and video submissions from children, wives and friends about why the Dad in their life deserved the best Father’s Day ever. We started initial planning for the contest months before the family-focused holiday, and we had to keep a few things in mind to ensure the Most Deserving Dad contest was a success:

Choose a theme. We thought about focusing our attention on the sometimes forgotten dads out there. This year, we wanted to switch the focus, say from Mother’s Day, to a holiday reserved for just the boys. As someone who knows fathers can be just as integral as mothers on a family’s strength, the chance to see how others feel about their father or father figure was intriguing. We expected much different answers and sentiments when asking about dear old dads rather than moms.

Hit your target. By picking a contest that honored male father figures, we were asking their wives, in addition to children and friends, to submit entries. Lots of the shops at The Plaza at Preston Center are focused on selling items to the female demographic, so we were able to capitalize on the audience we traditionally target . By leveraging those who already shop there, we are able to expose the brand to those who might not.

Call in some help. It’s no surprise signing my name on the press release doesn’t make anyone at D Magazine take a special look, but we know finding a way to include the names of some heavy hitters might get their attention. So, we enlisted the help of Kent Rathbun, the famed local chef, Gene Gates, the co-host of The Gene and Julie Show on 103.7 FM, and Eric Nicholson, a local newspaper editor, to help us judge the entries. Our idea to partner with media personalities and local celebrities undoubtedly helped secure quality coverage in print and on-air.

Keep it human. Yes, the purpose of the contest was to serve the needs of our client. Yes, we needed to get the contest promoted in the media. But, in the meantime, can we make really great memories for a family? We had multiple entrants say that even if they didn’t win, they were going to share their essays with their dads for Father’s Day. We were thrilled to provide an opportunity for those people to pay tribute to their fathers or father figures this year. We received a lot of heart-warming entries, and we’re happy to make this holiday special for the recipients. It certainly makes everything easier when you’re working on a project that makes you smile. And in case you haven’t smiled today, check out the reaction of our grand prize winner, Steve:

Since the contest has closed and the prizes have been doled out, we’re calling this year’s contest a success. We were able to connect with an audience segment we traditionally do not focus on, and we secured multiple media hits for the contest, enhancing The Plaza’s reputation for actively caring about its community. Not only were we able to brighten many families’ celebrations this Father’s Day and remind them of the special bonds many of them have with their patriarchs, we were able to establish a bond between The Plaza’s brand with people we reach… the right way.

Turning a client milestone into a media frenzy

2010-05-17T11:30:00.002-05:00

In January, we posted a blog entry highlighting the value of persistence when corresponding with the media. Ideas included finding news angles to work with, creating a local angle from a national news trend and pursuing the right contact person for the pitch, among others. We noted that persistence is key in any industry and still hold that to be true.

However, before persistence becomes relevant to your pitching process, a fresh idea must be generated. It’s no secret that we’re in an “information-overload” age, and if there is too much “noise,” value for each piece of information is easily lost. So, the question is: What type of fresh idea gains attention and, therefore, value?

(Let’s keep in mind that reporters, on average, get about 200 emails per day – if not more.)

One fresh idea was revealed last week at an event for one of our clients, Trinity Christian Academy. Rod Morris, head of Lower School, committed to rappel down the Tom Landry Stadium wall as a reward for his students (second - fourth grade) if they read 252 million words by April 30. Mr. Morris knew that it would take a very creative and exciting reward to encourage these students to read – and this was a reward his students will never forget.

As PR pros, it is our responsibility to recognize and capitalize on incredible opportunities, such as this, that our clients present – whether it’s generated from their side or yours. Mr. Morris’ rappelling stunt not only prompted the lower school students of Trinity to reach their goal (nearly two weeks ahead of time, by the way!), but also resulted in five local TV newscasts that aired that day and another early morning newscast that aired the following day.

So, the next time you’re preparing to announce a client milestone – whether it is another award announcement or a new project – allow yourself, as a PR pro, to think differently (new angles!), be creative and make it visual!

And in the words of Peter Shankman, “Don’t ever stop. We work in an industry that doesn’t ‘end’ just because we got some media attention. There’s always more to get. Figure out different ways of getting it.”

This post was contributed by Lauren Venegas.

Brand Yourself- Back to the Basics

2010-04-23T10:15:00.003-05:00

Branding is a term close to all of our hearts in the PR industry. On a daily basis, we help maintain our client’s brands: their identity and their story. We want to pitch each of their unique stories to the outside world. Brian Solis, PR guru, recently wrote a book titled “Engage” about how brands and businesses can build, cultivate and measure success in the new web. It is all about what you can do to leverage yourself, set yourself apart from the crowd.

As a second semester college senior facing graduation in 22 days (but who’s counting anyway) my mind is consumed with branding both professionally and personally. I am constantly reading articles and blogs about the importance of branding yourself, creating your own unique brand. I even follow @brandyourself on Twitter. We all spend so much time consumed with branding our clients, but what about branding ourselves? I read pointers such as, “Make your Twitter name reflect and identify yourself professionally,” but what does this all mean? The same is true for companies, brands and individuals alike; there are several steps that need to be taken before diving straight into “branding” yourself.

College is often referred to as a time to “find yourself.” As cliché as this statement sounds, there is substantial truth to it. Understanding yourself is the key to branding yourself. We become wrapped up in creating a perfect tale unlike any other that truly portrays our superior qualities and skills, but it is time to return to the basics.

Last summer, I took a management course taught by a fantastic professor. On the first day of class, she told us the key to understanding and working effectively with any boss, client, co-worker, teammate or friend is to know their personality type. Before being able to work effectively with others, you must first be aware of your personality. She made us go home that night and take the Myers-Brigg personality test. This single assignment was the stepping stone in the challenge to brand myself.

The Myers-Brigg personality test identifies 16 distinctive personality types based upon interactions with different preferences, such as types of decision making and information processing.

"Perception involves all the ways of becoming aware of things, people, happenings or ideas. Judgment involves all the ways of coming to conclusions about what has been perceived. If people differ systematically in what they perceive and in how they reach conclusions, then it is only reasonable for them to differ correspondingly in their interests, reactions, values, motivations, and skills." -Myers-Brigg

Knowing and understanding my personality type changed the way that I presented myself to others and interacted with them. It helped me better gauge my strengths and weaknesses. Identifying my personality was the best way of getting the ball rolling on branding myself. While I am still in the midst of branding myself, and know I will be for years to come, I constantly stop and ask myself a couple of questions:

    What do I know?
    What skills am I good at?
    What am I truly passionate about?
    What excites me?

Understanding your personality, as well as others, and exploring both what excites you and what you love is only the first step in branding yourself, but it is important step.

As the pressure of graduation and starting my career slowly begins to weigh more heavily on my back, I force myself to sit back and take time to brand myself. We all know how important it for our clients, so why not make it a priority for ourselves?

-Charlotte Robertson, intern, spring ‘10

Public Relations Internship- Summer 2010

2010-04-12T12:57:00.001-05:00

Addison-based C. Pharr & Company is seeking a dynamic intern for summer 2010 to assist with a variety of accounts ranging from real estate, design and construction services to advertising and retail/multi-family developments. Junior and senior-level students studying journalism, public relations or marketing communications are encouraged to apply.
Candidate must be a resourceful self-starter with an understanding of media relations, AP style and have an exceptional eye for detail. Outstanding written/verbal communications, research and organizational skills, as well as ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment are musts. Great opportunity to work within a client-focused team setting, interacting with all disciplines within the agency to get real-world experience and views of the collaborative nature of the agency environment. Please send a cover letter and resume with current GPA to Vicky@pharrPR.com. No phone calls please.

C. Pharr & Company is a business-to-business public relations agency that serves a variety of clients. We participate in crisis communications, marketing, various public relations activities, advertising coordination, planning and research. To learn more, visit www.pharrpr.com.

Looking for a Senior AE

2010-04-05T11:41:00.001-05:00

Looking for a job in PR or know of someone who is? Keep reading for details:

C. Pharr & Company is looking for a talented Senior Account Executive to join its North Dallas office. The ideal candidate should be highly motivated and professional, have strong account management and media relations experience and be a self-starter. This position requires the ability to interact effectively with clients, media and account teams.

Responsibilities
- Creating, managing and implementing communications programs

- Conducting effective media relations at local, regional and national levels

- Writing news and feature materials

- Managing clients, projects, events and junior staff

- Contributing to social media campaigns and creative programs

Requirements

- PR agency experience of two-to-four years

- Strong written and oral communications capabilities

- Communications/PR/Journalism or related undergrad degrees

- Professional appearance and poise

- Experience developing key messages, media relations and integrated marketing campaigns

- Exceptional interpersonal skills

- Self starter with high energy, meticulous attention to detail

All responses will be handled with total confidentiality. Competitive salary plus benefits. No relocation expenses provided.

APPLY: Qualified candidates should send resumes to info@pharrpr.com. If you require more information prior to sending your resume, please email your questions to the same address. For more information, visit www.pharrpr.com

Calling All PR Mentors

2010-03-15T14:42:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again! The Dallas Chapter of PRSA is helping our next generation of PR pros learn best practices by connecting participating chapter members/organizations with eager, young PR leaders who are hoping to gain an inside scoop on a day in the life of a PR exec. All PR professionals can relate to this urge to figure out what a "typical" day looks like in the public relations industry.

PRSA's annual Pro-Am Day is one event that helps college students figure out just what it is that we do every day. Be sure to sign up to be a mentor. It doesn't take much time or money on your part...only the urge to help out someone else early on in their career. This is your chance to help teach Generation Y that a job in PR isn't all about chatting on the phone or Tweeting about your day-to-day activities. Who knows, you might learn a thing or two from this experience as well!

Go to the PRSA Dallas Web site or see below for additional details on becoming a mentor on April 9th! The C. Pharr team has already signed on!

April 9: Annual Pro-Am Day – Call for Mentors

PRSA Dallas is calling all mentors and students to save the date for the annual Pro-Am Day on Friday, April 9. Pro-Am Day 2010 connects university students with seasoned PR practitioners through “shadowing” opportunities and a special luncheon program.

Professionals will host students in the morning, providing them with direct experience and insight into the public relations world. Then, participants will come together for the monthly PRSA Dallas luncheon featuring Stacy Cinatl, senior vice president of strategy and operations for the George W. Bush Institute.

Sign up to host a student!

We’re currently looking for volunteers. If you’re interested in hosting a student this year, please contact Christi Chesner at cchesner@lewispublicrelations.com

For more information about Pro-Am Day and the 2010 program, visit www.prsadallas.org

D/FW Health Care Journalists Offer Tips to Local Communicators

2010-03-08T12:21:00.000-06:00

The upward shift from traditional media to online – from blogs to social media – has left us with fewer reporters to connect with and more competition for less space in print. To offer local PR pros an opportunity to learn current tips and best practices from journalists first-hand, we recently teamed with our client, Jim O’Gara, president of Dallas-based advertising agency OnMessage and leader of the D/FW American Marketing Association (AMA) Health Care SIG, to organize a panel of local health care journalists for the SIG’s second event: “How Your Company Can Secure Coverage in Healthcare Media.”

The panel, moderated by O’Gara, included Jason Roberson, health care business reporter, Dallas Morning News; Elizabeth Bassett, health care, science and technology reporter, Fort Worth Business Press; Chad Watt, associate editor, Dallas Business Journal; and Jan Jarvis, health care reporter, Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Panelists confirmed that when considering a pitched idea, the news that affects the largest number of people with relevancy to the area has a better chance of becoming a story.

“If a nationwide health trend can be localized, it becomes more significant to our readers,” Bassett said.

Watt added, “Health care is a complex topic. Bring it home to the people – make it accessible to many and keep it simple.”

The use of social media in terms of picking up story tips or connecting with PR pros was also discussed. We learned that despite the “buzz,” social media outlets do not rank high as a channel to find sources and story ideas for these individuals.

“The majority of my stories come directly from readers, so about 75 percent of my time is spent in the office,” Roberson said. “I want to brainstorm story ideas and angles with you on the phone.”

Jarvis added, “I prefer face to face. I’ve found that some of the best stories developed while I was out of the office, on the ground.”

As you know, having the opportunity to interact face-to-face with journalists and learn the specific topics that appeal to them individually is invaluable to our business. So, we encourage you to take advantage of these types of opportunities - you never know who you might meet and what tips you'll bring back to the office!

Persistence is Key

2010-01-27T14:15:00.000-06:00

While there are only four days left in the first month of the year we wanted to share one last blog post about another resolution to consider.

Working in the PR industry, all PR pros have experienced the feelings of frustration and disappointment when calls and emails go unanswered from reporters and editors. Unfortunately this happens more frequently than many of us would like, but the key is not to give up. So, the final resolution to add to your check list before January is officially over is persistence.

Persistence is key in any industry, not just for PR practitioners, but before we go any further, we need to outline what persistence is not. Persistence is not bombarding the media with repeated emails and phone calls with the same press release or pitch. Persistence is not making a follow up call to ensure a reporter received the press release you emailed. And persistence is most definitely not getting upset and yelling at reporters when they don’t like your story idea.

Many times PR pros feel pressure from clients to get stories in the media. With the start of 2010, all businesses are ramping up their media relations efforts again, hoping to make last year’s down economy a distant memory. Persistence is the number one tool all PR practitioners will need in 2010 to help their clients achieve their business goals.

When you make the first pitch of the year (which I’m sure many of you have already done) and a reporter does not like it or does not respond, try again. Find a new angle to work with. Can you tie your client’s story to a timely event or holiday? Can you create a local angle from a national news trend? The lesson here is to keep trying but ensure that you are sending fresh ideas – if you keep sending the same pitch, your email will most likely end up in the “circular file” as reporters are constantly struggling to fish out the best, most timely story ideas from their already flooded inboxes. The Bad Pitch Blog has some great pitching tips with real life examples of bad pitches. You do not want your (or your client’s) 15-minutes of fame to be on this blog. Just like the age-old saying goes, “think before you speak,” you should also “think before you pitch.”

One other thought – maybe your pitch is not getting through to the right person. Again, persistence is paramount. When a story isn’t getting through, take a step back and re-evaluate. Did you do your homework? Are you pitching the right reporter? Just because a reporter is listed on Mediatlas or some other online editorial research service does not mean this reporter still covers this beat or is even still working at that publication. Do not rely solely on these services as your research tool – when your pitch is not getting through it’s time to think like a journalist and figure out the missing link. Check out this great article from Bulldog Reporter that provides more tips on pitching.

Persistence was the key to our success from this recent TV hit on Austin’s Fox network. One of our clients MileMeter is an innovative by-the-mile insurance company that just launched a little over a year ago. Its unique by-the-mile pricing system is no longer new so we had to devise a new angle to remind the media and the public of why by-the-mile insurance is still a newsworthy story. As a first step, we waited – we waited because we were busy doing our homework to figure out which reporter would most likely have an interest in our story. Once we found that reporter, we crafted a targeted pitch geared toward this reporter’s interests and previous story coverage on the Fox network. While we would love to say we got an immediate response from this reporter, we didn’t. Rather than giving up or taking the approach of beating a dead horse, repeatedly sending the reporter the same tired old pitch, we took a step back and re-evaluated our pitch. We followed up again but with a new timely, local angle and bingo, we got a hit! Check out the TV segment below, which was a direct result of persistence.

Persistence is one trait that all PR pros must possess if they ever hope to succeed, but on that same note, it is our duty to figure out why a story idea isn’t working versus re-sending the same thing over and over. While your job is to sell your client’s story to the media, there are times when a client’s idea just isn’t newsworthy. PR execs are hired for a reason – to provide expert counsel to clients. So if you know a story idea won’t mesh, tell your client why and then figure out another angle that will work. Again, your clients are relying on you to create media-worthy ideas so you have to be persistent in order to find that hidden gem in a story.

Getting More Serious With Your PRSA Chapter

2010-01-21T14:11:00.000-06:00

It’s the start of 2010, which means business and social calendars are starting to fill up with networking events. For many PR pros, between attending several luncheons and panel discussions whilst mixing and mingling with fellow industry colleagues, you might find yourself smitten with your local PRSA chapter. If that’s the case, you are probably looking for ways to get more involved so we wanted to give you a few tips on how to take this “relationship” to the next level.

Diving in deeper with your local organization can be a bit like taking the next step in a dating relationship—you need to define that relationship and make the move to pursue what it is you want. Here are two things to consider:

First, decide where you intend for this relationship to go. Would you like a long-term commitment with your local chapter, perhaps spearheading a committee or even starting a new committee for the year? Or, are you planning on a more casual liaison - do you have a great idea for a one-time event? Establishing your expectations up front is the key to avoiding spreading yourself too thin.

Once you have defined the relationship, perhaps the most important thing you can do is take the initiative in pursuing the project/committee of your “desire.” Would you like to head up the social media committee? Do you believe the chapter needs more diversity programs? Be bold and approach your chapter leadership with an outline of proposed initiatives. PRSA leaders will be able to connect you with the appropriate resources to make it happen and will be thrilled to have another volunteer on board to help generate fresh ideas.

Here at C. Pharr, we’ve each found fulfilling yet diverse opportunities within the Dallas PRSA chapter:

Leah Ekmark and Marie Powell - Drinks+Diversity co-chairs
Katie Flodder and Vicky Smithee - NuPros co-chair and NuPros board
Shelby Tuttle - Agency referral

If you have innovative ideas and a desire to make an impact, consider carefully what you’d like to accomplish and then be bold. It’s time to take action in order to create meaningful opportunities for yourself and your local PRSA chapter. As with any relationship – both on a professional and business level – this saying rings true, “You only get out of something what you put into it.”

January is National Mentoring Month

2010-01-13T16:19:00.001-06:00

During the first part of January nearly the entire world is busy trying to keep their New Year's resolutions while others are still trying to figure out what resolutions to make. The point is everyone is wrapped up in making this year better than the last.

You know the drill - many of us vow to lose weight this year or save more money in 2010 but how many of us have really stuck to these resolutions? One attainable resolution many of us should consider is becoming a role model/mentor for someone in 2010 whether it is in your professional or personal life. In fact, January is officially known as National Mentoring Month! Being that person others can count on for guidance or lean on for advice is something that brings dual rewards for both involved. Even better, anyone can serve as a mentor or mentee during any stage of life.

In the PR realm, finding a mentor is the key to success in our fast-paced industry. The path of public relations is diverse, constantly changing and evolving most recently with the advent of social media. There are many career options to pursue making it essential to have someone there to help you navigate the field while introducing you to contacts and telling you which books and blogs to read.

So when that intern strolls by your desk asking what to work on today, be sure to take a little more time showing him/her the ropes. Remember, they are there to absorb everything they can and to seek your professional guidance - chances are you were in that same position at one point in your career. Who knows, your intern just might have a thing or two to teach you about social media. This role of reverse mentoring is commonplace now so even the most seasoned PR veterans are learning new tips about social networking.

Don't think you're off the hook if your company doesn't have interns or you're not in a position to manage the intern duties - you can still serve as a mentor for a new colleague (young or old) in your organization. And if you're still making excuses and don't think you have time to establish a mentoring relationship, then how about being a mentor for the day? Dallas PRSA hosts Pro Am day each spring, which allows college students from all over Dallas and beyond to shadow a PR professional for the day. It's a great way to give students a taste of a day-in-the-life of PR. Be sure to check Dallas PRSA - details are coming soon.

So as you're thinking about all the New Year's resolutions you've already broken, this is one resolution you can keep.

The Season of Giving

2009-12-16T15:54:00.000-06:00

During the holiday season, it seems like food is always around. We're consistently trying our best to resist those large-quantity trays of unneeded holiday treats, making it hard to imagine what it’s like to feel truly hungry. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for millions of Americans who go hungry on a daily basis.

In an effort to jump start their own season of giving – and to fight this suffering – the 15 employees of OnMessage, a Dallas-based integrated ad agency, recently came together to build a Christmas Tree made of nearly 700 collected cans of food (roughly translates to 2,500 meals) to donate to the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB).

Using their expertise as advertising/marketing professionals, OnMessage employees have gone above and beyond by using this Christmas Tree CANstruction event as a “kick-off” to a full viral campaign, “AJoyFULLHoliday,” to drive donations to the North Texas Food Bank Web site and raise awareness of how one can make a difference. The campaign kicked off earlier this month and will run through the end of the year.

We hope you’ll join OnMessage in providing A JoyFULL Holiday for someone in need - and spread the word. Check out the campaign’s promotional video and Fox 4 news clip below. You can also follow the campaign on Twitter @AJoyFULLHoliday.

Bull's Eye! Staying On Target With Company Messaging

2009-12-08T13:36:00.002-06:00

It seems like we are constantly bombarded by brand messaging—Just Do It. Eat More Chicken. It’s enough to make businesses wonder, how do you stand out against all the chatter?

Jim O’Gara, president of Dallas-based integrated ad agency OnMessage, recently interviewed with “That Marketing Show” to discuss the importance of clear and concise messaging and telling your brand “story.”

A few of Jim’s take-home points are below. Click here to listen to the full podcast, with additional tips!

• What’s your story? Do your employees, especially those dealing directly with customers, know how to tell your company’s story? Is it aligned with your current business strategy, service/product offerings?

• Turn your typical marketing model on its head: Leading the attack with full-blown campaign tactics and execution before nailing down clear, laser-focused key messages for your company will earn you a one-way ticket to jumbled messaging, which can result in a significant amount of wasted sales and marketing dollars.

• Hearing Voices: Every company needs to get close to the voice of its customer, routinely – not just during that initial, one-time focus group or interview. Your product/service needs to adapt as your customers and technology do….and when it does, your company “story”/message must be adjusted to reflect those changes, also.

• Fancy Schmancy: Go beyond the elaborate logo and catchy tagline—these won’t matter at the end of the day if your message doesn’t resonate with your target audience.

Corgan employee shaves head in support of friend

2009-11-23T14:42:00.000-06:00

With Thanksgiving coming up this Thursday, we thought this week's blog entry should focus on the spirit of giving. Earlier this month, our client Corgan Associates hosted an event that is definitely worth noting and shows the true spirit of giving. Corgan employee, Karen Farmer, made an inspiring gesture for her childhood friend, Whitney Ness, who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Karen decided to show her support for her friend by sacrificing her own hair, but Karen took her idea one step further and devised a way to get her firm involved in this heart-warming gesture.

Karen asked her coworkers, colleagues and clients to pledge $25 for a chance to cut off a section of her hair. Within a week, Corgan's family of employees and contacts responded with donations totaling nearly $5,000 that will help subsidize Whitney’s medical costs. Corgan’s weekly Friday Forum was chosen as the grand finale - the first 26 donors were given the chance to cut off a portion of Karen's hair. As a fitting closing to the ceremony, Whitney cut off the final section of hair, and Corgan President David Lind, shaved off Karen's head to complete her "new do."

The event gave us a peek into the corporate culture at Corgan and is just one of many examples of Corgan rallying behind its employees and the causes they undertake. The firm's team spirit and family-like environment is a great example for all of us, especially for those companies looking for ways to boost employee morale and strengthen employee bonds.

Below, Karen stands next to Whitney before the hair cut starts.

For the complete story, go to the Dallas Morning News NeighborsGo site: http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/46405. To check out more photos and videos from the event, visit our Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cpharr/sets/72157622659017151/ or visit Corgan's YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/CorganAssociates.

MileMeter on Fox Business News

2009-11-10T11:21:00.000-06:00

Congrats to our client, Chris Gay, for a great interview that aired live today on Fox Business News. Chris discussed how MileMeter works and all of the benefits of by-the-mile auto insurance.

PRSA Dallas' Drinks+Diversity Initiative Receives National Diversity Award

2009-11-02T15:53:00.000-06:00

This year, our very own Leah Ekmark and Marie Powell (2009 PRSA Dallas Diversity co-chairs) created and launched PRSA Dallas' first, ongoing diversity program for the chapter.

Appropriately coined "Drinks+Diversity" (D+D), the informal, quarterly networking event was initiated to potentially expand the PRSA Dallas membership base and also raise awareness about the importance, and various meanings, of diversity.

Today, we heard from the PRSA National Diversity Committee that this initiative has earned the Dallas chapter a 2009 Diversity award! Along with the Orange County and Miami chapters, PRSA Dallas will be presented with the award at the National Assembly Luncheon in San Diego on November 7th. In addition, each winning chapter will receive a $250 reward to help advance its own diversity initiatives.

For those of you who haven't made it to a D+D happy hour yet, we invite you to join us for our next event, co-hosted by NuPros, at Elbow Room on Thursday, Nov. 5th beginning at 6 p.m. There, you will learn cutting-edge trends and tactics of diversity in communications from Shawn Williams, founder and publisher of Dallas South blog. Don’t miss out on this fun opportunity to network with your peers and other industry professionals in an informal, happy hour environment – all while learning more about diversity! View event details and RSVP via Twitter here: http://twtvite.com/muys5g or contact marie@pharrpr.com.

Past D+D event speakers include Tommy Thompson, president of iNSPIRE! and Cooper Smith, editor-in-chief and publisher of Gay List Daily.

McCarthy wins #3 spot on Dallas Morning News Best in DFW: Top Workplaces list

2009-10-29T13:32:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.'s Texas Division for being honored as the number three best workplace in DFW by the Dallas Morning News. The top two spots went to the Richards Group and Southwest Airlines.

McCarthy was recognized this afternoon at a luncheon hosted by the Dallas Morning News recognizing all of the companies selected for a Best in DFW: Top Workplaces award.

Created by The Dallas Morning News and its partner, Workplace Dynamics LLC, this is the inaugural award. Companies eligible for participation included public or private companies, as well as for-profit and non-profit organizations with more than 50 employees in the DFW metroplex. The award seeks to recognize big and small companies and organizations that excel at creating a dynamic, supportive and inclusive workplace. Each entry is judged based on an employee opinion survey. All employees rate their employer in different categories such as business operations, values, policies and facilities.

McCarthy adds this award to a growing list of other business and industry-based awards the firm has received, including most recently being named the 2009 Contractor of the Year by the Dallas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Check out the Nov. 1 issue of The Dallas Morning News to see other award winners.

McCarthy's Texas Division Successfully Completes Wyly Theatre

2009-10-16T09:30:00.004-05:00

Unless you've been hiding under a rock recently, you probably already know that this week was the official grand opening week for the highly anticipated AT&T Performing Arts Center marked by numerous celebrations and community-wide events, to give the public a glimpse inside the new Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House and Dee & Charles Wyly Theatre. Press from all over the world has flown in to get a glimpse of these two world-class facilities that have officially put Dallas on the map. According to Newsweek, "Lincoln Center is still the country's premier cultural complex, but it's getting competition from an ambitious project in—are you ready for it, New Yorkers?—Dallas."

Congratulations to our client, McCarthy Building Cos. - they were the general contractor for the Wyly Theatre. The Wyly is the only "high-rise" theatre in the world that boasts many unique features that no other theatre can claim. To find out what those features are, check out one of the many articles that has been written about the Wyly. Here is a great article to get you started.

C. Pharr & Co. Launches Web Site

2009-10-16T09:00:00.004-05:00

After a long wait, C. Pharr & Co. officially launched its new Web site on Friday, Oct. 16th, and with that came that start of this blog. Be sure to check back here for industry news, client updates, our thoughts on the latest industry trends and to learn more about upcoming business and industry events. And for those Twitter fanatics, for today's "Follow Friday" add the C. Pharr team to your network: @stuttle; @fahey222; @leahcpc.

Check back next week for our tips on what we learned at Dallas PRSA's annual Communications Summit.