Beating the Summer Heat with Frontgate at Fox 4

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

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

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

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

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

Beating the Summer Heat with Frontgate at Fox 4

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

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

At my previous jobs, I worked in serving, house cleaning, data entry and publishing. However, this was the only place where someone asked me what they could do to help me grow as a professional.

That is what makes C. Pharr so different. They care about their intern's experience. I learned so much under the team’s tutelage, and if I could go back in time and do it all over again, I most certainly would. They each taught me something new and different, and for that I am forever grateful.

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

1. If a task takes longer than you expected, ask if there is a better way

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

2. Communication is key

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

3. Be prepared - always

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

4. Time management and project management are crucial for success

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

5. Classes can only teach you so much about public relations

As an intern, you will experience the learning curve of working in the real world. Though you learn press releases and pitching and all those wonderful tasks in the classroom, you will never experience them firsthand until you get out there in the field.

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

This post was written by Holly McCleary. 

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

Now Hiring | Paid Summer Internship

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

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

Internship responsibilities include:

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

The internship typically runs June - August. Hours are flexible.

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

Now Hiring | Paid Summer Internship

PRSA Dallas Honors Leah Ekmark Williams with Norm Teich Award

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PRSA Dallas Honors Leah Ekmark Williams with Norm Teich Award

Reflections on an Agency Internship in PR

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reflections on an Agency Internship in PR

'Tis the Season of Giving

It's that time of year again! Everyone is drinking EggNog, playing Christmas music, hosting holiday parties and finding ways to spread holiday cheer. During the Christmas season many people are reminded of how much they have to be grateful for and take the extra effort to provide for those less fortunate. Working at C.Pharr this semester, I have been very fortunate to see our clients extend this generosity not just through the holiday season but all year long. Below I've listed a few of my favorites I’ve gotten to be a part of in a small way through writing press releases, photo announcements and event support. Each of these respected companies have demonstrated leadership by taking an active role in their communities.

McCarthy Building Companies Inc. Enacted Their Heart Hats Team.

McCarthy employees and their families participated in the American Heart Association's 2016 Heart Walk. The event helped raise funds to save lives from cardiovascular disease and stroke, the No. 1 and No. 5 cause of death in the U.S., and promoted physical activity and heart-healthy living.

Trinity Christian Academy Engaged Students in the Democratic Process.

TCA's senior government students volunteered to work the election polls. Many of these students were first-time voters. TCA knows that teaching youth about the importance of voting increases the likelihood they will vote now and in the future.

ZAK Backs the Blue in Support of DPD's Fallen Officers.

ZAK Products hosted a fundraiser and unveiling of its No. 83 Toyota Camry that honored the fallen officers from the July 7th tragedy. Many came to the unveiling to see the car, take pictures, and help raise money for families of the fallen officers through the Assist the Officer Foundation. The “police car” raced later that week at NASCAR's AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Riveron Consulting Spreads a Day of Giving Throughout the Nation. 

Each of the Riveron Consulting offices chose a community partner to work with in giving back to their community. The Denver office partnered with Tennyson Center for Children helping those affected by abuse. The D.C. office cleaned up a vital community garden with the United Way. The Minneapolis office worked with BestPrep to help students prepare interviews and resumes to get jobs, and the Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta offices each worked with Habitat for Humanity preparing homes for those in need.

We are so honored to work with such exceptional companies! Their efforts are truly making an impact on our community and help inspire our own giving efforts at the office. C.Pharr seeks volunteer opportunities throughout the year, and this Christmas we are excited to partner with Restored Hope Ministries, a safe house for women out of sex-trafficking. This week our team gathered around the conference room for coffee and treats, while we took time to write encouraging notes to the women and collect goodies for their donation closet.

Now, it's your turn! What are you going to do this holiday season and even into next year to put your positive mark on our community? Let us know in the comment section below and have a very merry Christmas and happy holidays!

This post was contributed by Krystal Smith, C. Pharr Intern.

'Tis the Season of Giving

The C. Pharr Team Attends PRSA Dallas UnSummit: PR Deconstructed

Qaadir Abdul-Alim Muhammad & Megan Manning, 6th grade students at St. Phillip's School & Community Center share "The Power of the St. Phillip's Creed in Our Lives" at the 2016 PRSA Dallas UnSummit.

Recently, we had the chance to attend the PRSA Dallas UnSummit at the Granada Theater in Dallas. The annual communications summit was given a bit of a revamp and instead of multiple “PR breakout sessions” throughout the day, speakers took the stage every seven minutes for thought-provoking topics from “Communicating in Cuba” to “Counteracting Violence.” Not all the topics were focused on public relations, but each topic encouraged audience members to think outside the box, look at something through a different lens and/or inspire us to make a difference. Think TEDx for communications professionals. The speeches were filled with tweetable quotes. In fact, #PRSADallasUnSummit was a trending topic on Twitter. Below are a few of the most inspiring and thought-provoking quotes that were shared.

•          “The bravest people aren't focusing on themselves. They focus on a purpose.” – Kimberly Davis, founder of OnStage Leadership, on “Unleashing Brave.”
•          "The message that I send is not always the message that is received. Communication is the negotiation of meaning." – Christopher Salinas, Ph.D., senior lecturer and director, corporate communication and public affairs at Southern Methodist University, on “How failure makes you a better communicator.”
•          “If you look at statistics about where employees want to work, they want to work for companies that do good.” – Suzanne Smith, founder and CEO of Social Impact Architects, on “CSR: Why it isn’t PR anymore.”
•          “You can’t talk yourself out of a problem you behaved your way into.” – Jamaison Schuler, APR, senior director of corporate communications at Dean Foods, speaking on reputation and employee engagement in “Shadow Management.”
•          “A river cuts through rock not because of its power, but because of its persistence. Run the mile you're in. Run your own race. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Persistence keeps us going.” – Raquel Daniels, chief strategy officer at OCGPR, on “Moving Diversity Forward.”
•          "The key to a successful communication campaign is to unlock the imaginations of others." – Stephen Patrick, lead pastor of Trinity Parish, on the “Power of Presence: Discovering the dreams of our neighbors.”

The C. Pharr Team attends the 2016 PRSA Dallas UnSummit.

This post was contributed by Krystal Morris. @KrystalNMorris

The C. Pharr Team Attends PRSA Dallas UnSummit: PR Deconstructed

Hashtags and Improved Searchability Available on LinkedIn - Good News for #B2B

Our agency is constantly implementing social media strategy for B2B clients, figuring out which social channels are the right fit for their campaigns. (If you are a B2B and need a quick reminder of the social checklist, check out my past blog). Working in the B2B space, the majority of our clients are blogging and utilizing their blog content to build their thought leadership platforms. For instance, re-purposing blogs as LinkedIn posts or simply re-sharing content on the LinkedIn Pulse feature is one tactic we’ve employed to achieve robust client communications, increasing the reach of each blog post.

Here I am as a hashtag for Halloween way back in 2013,
which I thought was appropriate for this post!

Because LinkedIn is one of the main tools we use as a way to amplify client stories, I was excited to learn LinkedIn is stepping up its game when it comes to social searching. For instance, LinkedIn now enables you to do a content search, enabling users to easily keep up with industries and topics of interest. Improved content searching is just one more reason why it’s imperative to work with clients on their thought leadership campaigns, because you never know how or when their skillset/expertise may be found through a search on LinkedIn. What do they want to be known for, why are they an expert source and what insight do they have to impart that is of value for stakeholders?

Similarly, another feature LinkedIn has rolled out to provide a better return on search results is the hashtag. Of course many of us have been using hashtags for years on other social channels such as Instagram and Twitter, but it hasn’t quite caught on with B2B social platforms, until now. Remember, hashtags help you find and bookmark other posts with the same hashtag. Why should B2B care? Because now it will be even easier for users to find your “thought leadership posts” on LinkedIn Pulse or even real-time information about events and trends simply by searching for a hashtag. Side note – you can search for hashtags and content on both the desktop and mobile versions of LinkedIn. However, hashtags included in your posts (or others) are only “tappable” in the mobile LinkedIn app. 

For more specifics about the recent LinkedIn content and search updates, check out this post. Happy blogging, searching and “hashtagging”! #socialmedia #thoughtleadership #B2B #digitaldirection

This post was contributed by Leah Ekmark Williams, APR. @leahcpc

Hashtags and Improved Searchability Available on LinkedIn - Good News for #B2B

An Intern’s Perspective on Event Planning

We recently helped Primary Care Clinic of North Texas (PCCNT) plan a ribbon-cutting event to commemorate their 100,000th patient visit, 13th anniversary and move to a new location in Plano. PCCNT is a non-profit healthcare facility that provides a medical home to thousands of uninsured North Texans.

We hit the ground running planning for this event. Most people see the glitz and glam of event planning, but it sure is not all it's made out to be, especially in the world of public relations. Planning an event does not only mean the composing guest lists and party hors d'oeuvres; for public relations practitioners, planning an event also means researching media, writing and distributing media alerts and press releases, inviting public figures, planning a run-of-show and so much more. Needless to say it can be a long process. After a little more than two months of planning for the hour-long event, everything came together, and we were ready for the day to come.

As an intern, it was a great experience to not only see an event planned from beginning to end, but to be involved in the process every step of the way. I learned how hard it is to plan an event with so many moving parts and how the work continues even after the event is done. I learned so much from this experience, and working on a project for such a great organization for the community is something I will always remember!

PCCNT's priority is to give back to the community by providing affordable medical services to the uninsured. Through corporate donors like Capital One, this is possible. I really enjoyed planning this event for such a great cause. 

Check out this story from Plano Profile about the event: https://planoprofile.com/2016/08/16/primary-care-clinic-of-north-texas-moves-to-new-location/

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

An Intern’s Perspective on Event Planning

Now Hiring | Paid Fall 2016 Internship

C. Pharr & Company is seeking a dynamic intern for fall 2016 to assist with a variety of accounts ranging from real estate and construction services, to education and corporate social responsibility. Sophomore and junior-level students studying journalism, public relations or communications are encouraged to apply.

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

Internship responsibilities include:

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

The internship typically runs Mid-September through early December. Hours are flexible based on class schedule.

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

Now Hiring | Paid Fall 2016 Internship

Sweet Summertime Highlights from January to June

Summertime is here and we are officially halfway through 2016. Time has flown by at the C. Pharr office with new clients on board, fun projects, training sessions and volunteer outings. Here are just a few of our favorite highlights to-date.

5. Crisis and Media Training

Whether it’s equipping our clients for a potential future crisis or getting them practice in front of a camera before a big interview, we love putting on trainings and presentations. Earlier this year we had the chance to travel out to Long Cove's luxury lake home community to train on-site staff and executives on what to do in a crisis scenario. Our favorite quote we shared with them was this: “The single biggest predictor of reputational harm is that people think you don’t care. Effective crisis response is a timely and persistent demonstration that you care.”

We also ventured out to Capital One’s Plano campus to train executives for future media interviews. Fort Worth market president Tiffany Cason had the chance to put her training to the test just a few weeks later for an interview with Fort Worth Business at the Capital One Women Entrepreneur Event.

4. Putting Our Creativity to Work

We often use our creativity in planning and writing, but rarely do we get to flex our muscles in the realm of design and videography. Recently we had the chance to revamp a few client documents with a design refresh as well as put together a video from iCode’s first graduation event. 

3. Earning our “Wings”

We’re thankful to have clients that have been with us for years and we’re equally thankful for the chance to bring new clients on board, especially when they are as fun and innovative as RISE, a Dallas-based company that offers its members unlimited monthly flying and the ability to arrive just minutes before a flight, park feet from the terminal and board the plan in less than three minutes. You won’t want to miss the news coming from this company!

2. Telling Stories that Will Warm Your Heart

We consider ourselves very lucky to work with clients that are doing amazing things that leave a lasting impact on others. Our team has been hard at work pitching stories for Trinity Christian Academy and the media is loving it. In case you missed it, check out this heartwarming story of TCA students using their final engineering project to make life easier for Micah Kwok, a 3-year-old Allen boy who has hydrocephalus. You can also see a timely Dallas Morning News story from Mother’s Day. 

1. Team Bonding and Having FUN!

With a team full of “foodies,” we’ve slowly been eating our way through Dallas at outings to Carbone’s, Savor, Klyde Warren Park Food Trucks (Sno Cones) and the historic Highland Park Pharmacy (it’s so much more than a pharmacy!). With countless hours of hard work, it’s been sweet to enjoy a few outings together and celebrate the accomplishments along the way – both work-related and personal. We’ve also had the chance to give back to the community through volunteer days at Genesis Women’s Shelter and Dwell with Dignity’s Thrift Studio. There’s nothing quite like coming together for a good cause and we’re looking forward to partnering with more great organizations in the future.

Stay tuned for more exciting news to come and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Google+ for the latest client news.

This post was contributed by Katie Venhaus, @Katie_Venhaus.

Sweet Summertime Highlights from January to June

Women Helping Women: Volunteer Day at the Genesis Women’s Shelter

Each quarter one member of our team chooses a volunteer outing for the group and for the first quarter of 2016, I was tasked with choosing our activity. Yesterday, we had the joy of serving Genesis Women’s Shelter in Dallas. The incredible women and children who live in this shelter are survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and Genesis is their stepping stone to a safer and better life. Our role was to provide 15 Easter goody bags for the women at the shelter, which included daily living supplies such as soaps, basic first aid and even a little chocolate for something sweet. We also received a tour of the facility, and saw firsthand the opportunity for success and healing Genesis provides.

I was the lucky one in our agency to choose this quarter’s cause. Women’s rights and social justice are my passion, and Genesis was the perfect fit when it came to finding a simple, personal and impactful way to help women who deserve the best.  

As a team, C. Pharr is always honored to help those in need, and we look forward to next quarter’s volunteer day soon! Check out the photos from our volunteer day and see more information on Genesis here: http://www.genesisshelter.org

This post was contributed by Nichole Hazard. 

Women Helping Women: Volunteer Day at the Genesis Women’s Shelter

Let’s get Digital – Learnings from the PRSA Dallas Chapter’s March Luncheon featuring Mike Wilson, editor at The Dallas Morning News

You may have seen the recent Poynter article detailing The Dallas Morning News’ plans over the past year to bring relevant and impactful stories to readers in a more financial-savvy, digital format. For as long as I’ve been in the PR field (10 years this year!), there’s been a lot of chatter about what “going digital” means for PR pros, readers and journalists.

Our team had the chance to hear first-hand about the recent changes at The Dallas Morning News from editor, Mike Wilson at the PRSA Dallas Chapter’s March Luncheon. In a nutshell, The News will be operating as a website and not a traditional newspaper or as Mike puts it, “We’ll think of ourselves as a website that produces a great American newspaper.”

So, what’s changing?

Beats are out – Hubs and Obsessions are in

Reporters will no longer be defined by their prospective beats, but will report news based on more loosely outlined themes. For example, a reporter who may have been solely covering all things DISD, will now be in the education hub and will be tasked with regularly reporting on an obsession (like pre-K) for six months. At the end of the six-month period, the same reporter will switch to another obsession. Obsessions are not meant to be permanent like beats.

Content Generators are Not Tasked with Content Production

Reporters are no longer writing for tomorrow’s paper, but are drafting stories that can be published online quickly. As such, reporters will be working earlier hours to get stories online sooner. It will be the editor’s job to decide what goes in print and what stays online. Also, content generators are not only reporters, but a large roster of contributors offering expertise in a range of subjects from business analysis to '80s music.

Breaking News Will Focus on Video and Social Media Channels

Going digital also means using original and curated video. The Dallas Morning News will accomplish this through its partnership with NBC 5 to provide rich video content to accompany breaking news stories. Additionally, breaking news reporters will use platforms like Periscope to bring live video to their audience.

Coverage Priorities Will Change

In 2016, The Dallas Morning News’ coverage will be heavily focused on Muslims in the community, the presidential election, the City of Dallas, growth in DFW and great storytelling with new features like, “The Moment.” Stories in “The Moment” section will feature small, but pivotal moments in people’s lives. The example that Mike shared during the luncheon, was about a Dallas woman who had to stand trial against her abusive husband.

As PR pros this means that we will be challenged with providing story opportunities that are visually appealing and finding story angles for our clients that are in line with the newsroom’s priorities. It will certainly be interesting to see how The Dallas Morning News executes the shift into the digital age throughout 2016 and if this will be a business model that sticks around for a while.

This post was contributed by Krystal Morris. @KrystalNMorris. 

Let’s get Digital – Learnings from the PRSA Dallas Chapter’s March Luncheon featuring Mike Wilson, editor at The Dallas Morning News

Trinity Christian Academy Alumna Returns to Her Roots

Our client, Trinity Christian Academy (TCA) in Addison, was recently featured on Fox 4's "Hometown Hero" segment. Megan Solis, a TCA alumna, found herself wanting to go back to TCA, and this time to teach kindergarten. Megan attended TCA from fourth grade to her graduation in 2005. Many asked Megan, “Why did you want to come back to TCA?” Her reply was that she hoped to share the same incredible education and experiences she received with a new generation of TCA students.

I had the opportunity to pitch this story and initially it was a hard sell. I began researching multiple news stations and journalists to learn the type of stories they’re interested in covering. They key was to find someone that I knew would like the story, a focused effort rather than a long shot. Through this process, I was able to share the story with a reporter at Fox 4 who was interested at first, but ultimately passed it along to another reporter at the station. This is was a huge step in the right direction, and taught me that not giving up on a pitch and building those reporter relationships are key.

TCA dedicates themselves to focusing on the needs of each grade level down to the very detail. Megan's enthusiastic energy in the classroom, attention to individual needs and a passion for teaching at her former school made her a perfect “Hometown Hero.” Parents always want their kids to have the best education, so to see a TCA alumna come full circle in her education, is assurance in TCA’s program.

As an intern, it was beneficial to be part of a story the whole way through. The experience showed how the work doesn't just end at the pitch, and that follow ups and persistence are crucial. Working with a well-known journalist on this story was an experience I’ll always remember. Not to mention the nice addition this makes to a resume! This experience showed coverage in PR is not paid for, it is earned.

Check out the full "Hometown Hero" story here!

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

Trinity Christian Academy Alumna Returns to Her Roots

NOW HIRING

We're hiring! CPC is seeking an Account Executive and Account Coordinator to join our team. For more information regarding the open positions, see below:

C. Pharr & Company is looking for a talented and energetic Account Executive to join its Dallas team in an Uptown location. Ideal candidates will have solid media relations, social media and client management experience, as well as strong verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills. They will also have an interest in working with business-to-business clients and be self-starters with the ability to confidently interact with media, clients and account teams. Send cover letter, resume and writing samples to info@pharrpr.com.

Responsibilities:

·         Support Senior Account Executives (SAE) and other senior leadership in fulfilling client PR programs

• Actively contribute to account plan development and develop new, strategic ideas for clients
• Develop written materials, including press releases, byline articles, speeches, client correspondence
• Learn clients’ businesses and business goals, gain understanding of their competitive environments
• Participate in client and new business presentations
• Maintain regular client contact, proactively devising new ways to meet client strategic needs
• Assist SAEs with implementation of press conferences/briefings, media events and tours, etc.
• Leverage existing media/editorial/journalistic/media contacts; readily develop new relationships
• Conduct social media activities as part of client programs; continuously learning new methods and technologies
• Assist SAEs with project management for marketing materials, such as websites, brochures, newsletters, award submissions, videos, etc.
• Maintain careful attention to detail, ensuring accuracy of materials, contacts, schedules, etc.
• Promote teamwork by teaching junior staff and interns, delegating as possible
• Work with SAEs to manage Account Coordinator as part of client team
• Create and assist SAEs with overseeing reports, managing budgets and providing other account and financial management
• Develop an understanding of various research methods; coordinate internal and external resources in implementing research projects
• Actively participate in ongoing professional development, learning new skills and expanding personal capabilities

Job Requirements:

• Minimum B.A/B.S. in public relations, journalism, marketing or related field.
• Two to three years experience in public relations; agency experience required
• Aptitude to learn quickly and thrive in fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated writing ability in AP style
• Successful track record of working with traditional and social media
• Professional and media references

C. Pharr & Company Offers:

• A positive, professional and collegial environment for work and career development
• Competitive salary
• Flexibility, team building volunteer opportunities, 4 pm Fridays, professional development

*Send resume to info@pharrpr.com, learn more about us at www.pharrpr.com or check us out on LinkedIn or Google+

EOE/AA M/F/V/D

C. Pharr & Company is looking for an entry-level Account Coordinator to join its Dallas team in an Uptown location. The ideal candidate will have had one or more PR agency internships, a beginning understanding of research, media relations, social media and account reporting responsibilities. Ideal candidates must also be highly motivated and able to meet deadlines while multi-tasking. This position requires strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to interact with clients, media and account teams. Send cover letter, resume and writing samples to info@pharrpr.com.

Responsibilities:

·         Support Account Executives (AE) and Senior Account Executives (SAE) in fulfilling client PR programs

·         Learn clients’ businesses and their competitive environments 

·         Demonstrate ability to draft full range of written materials under AE’s supervision – such as press releases, media alerts, social media content, client correspondence and reports

·         Assist AEs and SAEs with social media activities as part of client programs; continuously learning new methods and technologies

·         Assist with implementation of events

·         Fully participate as part of team working together to create results

·         Create budget status reports and review job status reports

·         Research and develop editorial calendars and media lists, and keep them current

·         Develop an understanding of various research methods; conduct internal and external resources as directed and write reports of findings

·         Assist in developing proposals and gathering information for new business opportunities

·         Assist with management and overall direction for C. Pharr intern

Minimum Qualifications:

·         Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, English, marketing or a related field. 

·         One or more internships in PR agency or similar position in a non-agency setting.

·         Demonstrated writing ability in AP style

·         Professional references

C. Pharr & Company Offers:

·         A positive, professional and collegial environment for work and career development

·         Competitive salary

·         Flexibility, team building volunteer opportunities, 4 pm Fridays, professional development

Send resume to info@pharrpr.com, learn more about us at www.pharrpr.com or check us out on LinkedIn or Google+

EOE/AA M/F/V/D

NOW HIRING