PN at UGA’s ADPR Connection
Ok, who here is a UGA student? If you said, “me!” then this post is just for you. I’m sure you’ve heard about tomorrow’s ADPR Connection 2011 at the Tate Center and if you hope to one day have a career in advertising or public relations, I hope you plan to attend. Porter Novelli is sponsoring this year’s event along with fellow Omnicom agency BBDO and UGA’s PRSSA and AdClub.
Look out for some of your favorite Porter Novelli Atlanta team members (and several UGA alums) throughout the event and be sure to introduce yourself. Jana Thomas, a senior vice president at PN Atlanta and head of the health and social marketing practice, will give the keynote during the luncheon on the future of social marketing. Yes, that’s social marketing, not social media. If you’re not sure of the difference, you don’t want to miss this!
If it’s workshops you want, PN’s media guru Jodi Fleisig (formerly of CNN) and PN alum Nicole Harris (formerly of the Wall Street Journal) will walk you through the basics of media relations in “Getting to Know the Gatekeepers: How to Establish Media Relationships.” PN-intern-turned-full-timer Michael Gray will also tell you what to expect during your first few months working 40+ hours a week in “Six Months In: The Inside Scoop about the First Six Months on the Job.”
If you want to learn more about Porter Novelli Atlanta and our internship program, be sure to visit our booth during the career fair for more information. We would love the opportunity to talk to you a bit more about who we are and to get to know you as well, so come on by!
Whether you’re at the event or following along from home, you can keep up with all of the action on Twitter with the #PNID and #PNUGA hashtags. We hope to see you there!
- Meghan Kidd
Intern Tip of the Week: Don’t Forget the Attachment!
Source: stock.xchng
When sending out an email in response to someone or requesting that they review a document, DON’T FORGET THE ATTACHMENT! It seems like such a silly thing, and yeah, people forget all the time, but if there is one thing that will make you look like a total rookie, it’s forgetting the attachment.
In such a fast paced work environment, it’s easy to become completely focused on other assignments, or get pulled into meetings where you can’t access your email for an hour or so. The last thing you want to return to is an email saying, “I think you forgot something…”
In a time-crunch, it can be easy to press send without properly reviewing, but before you click “Send” and shoot that email off into cyberspace, take a deep breath. Read over what you just wrote, and make sure any documents mentioned are attached. A quick once-over will give you piece of mind and save time in the long run.
—Sarah Colgrove
Be a PR Hero: Pick Up That Phone!
Source: The Stone’s Colossal Dream
Sometimes, old school is better than new school. Now, I don’t propose that we break out typewriters or completely take the office back to the 1960’s, but I have learned over my internship that occasionally it is more efficient to pick up the phone than to send a message over that new-fangled internet.
I have to admit that in this technical age, our generation is a little too comfortable sitting back behind our glossy computer screens, buffered by firewalls and spell check, as opposed to picking up the receiver and having a direct, real-time conversation-offline. I too have been guilty of a slight phone-phobia, occasionally even ordering my take-out online.
My roommate and I sadly realized, however, after waiting an hour and a half for our Chinese food, that online systems can be unreliable when it comes to time sensitive matters, such as ensuring your won ton soup and moo goo gai pan arrive before the end of the primetime lineup. This holds especially true when you are on a deadline in an agency environment.
Why send an email that might be ignored for days when a simple question could be answered in minutes over the phone? A quick, two minute phone call could save hours of digging through confusing websites or waiting on responses to emails, making you a PR hero in crunch time.
- Sarah Colgrove
The Search for True Love
In my years of internship experience, I have often wrestled with one question: what is the key to loving what you do? I know that I love PR in and of itself—writing, media relations, creating—so I’ve never doubted that I chose the right field. The main question I ponder is if it is more important to love the clients you represent, the tasks you are completing or the people you work with?
My past internships included a little bit of everything—from working with a client I loved but doing very little real PR work to doing tons of traditional PR work for clients that didn’t exactly pique my interest. One thing I have found at PN, is a great combination of clients I can easily get excited about and ones that require a bit more learning to fully understand. But ultimately, it is the culture of our office and the professionals I am surrounded by every day that get me excited about coming to work every morning.
I believe that a major part of PR is learning—if you ever stop learning at your job, it’s probably time to move on. A challenge keeps you fresh and whether it’s learning new skills or learning about new industries, agency work has a way of keeping you on your toes. A major part of my PN internship has been learning new industries and applying my skills to new fields.
A firm or corporation is far more likely to be successful when its employees are satisfied. A corporate culture that I can mesh with is something that I have come to value more and more the longer I am in the working world. I feel very lucky to have found a firm where playing kickball, being on walking teams and having spontaneous fun are not such foreign ideas.
You spend a majority of your time at work, so it’s important to enjoy—dare I say love—it. Everyone looks for different things in a job, and like me, for most it is probably a combination of factors that make the job a good fit. As you begin looking for jobs and internships, it is important to know what you are looking for. For me, doing valuable PR work with people I enjoy working with and a sprinkling of cool clients is the perfect equation. What’s yours?
By: Amanda Coppock
How to leave a footprint at your internship… and in the hearts of your colleagues
Picture credit: wandee007 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Okay, so the title’s a little cheesy. I’m here to provide tips on creating an impact at your internship that will stick even after you leave. In this economy, the best you can hope for is that you leave your boss and colleagues impressed with:
- Your work.
- Your skills.
- Your (smiling) face.
Here are some tips from me (and from my role models and fellow PN colleagues) that I have already used and plan to take with me as I swim into the sea of real-world public relations.
- Be friendly to everyone in the office, even those you don’t know. Introduce yourself. Ask them about their job and background. It’s an easy way to get to know people and build relationships.
- Get connected on LinkedIn with your co-workers. That way, after you leave your internship, you still have an easy way to contact them. Plus, if you keep your resume section updated, they’ll see what you’re up to.
- Ask different co-workers out for coffee. When I found out a few of my co-workers had a Spanish background, I asked each of them to coffee. They explained to me how they found a niche for Spanish in each job they had- and that was inspiring. If somebody has a similar background as you, they’re likely a goldmine for information on how to use your skills in specialty areas.
- Get career advice from somebody at the top of the heap. Even if it’s a quick 15 minutes in their office, speaking to execs that have worldly experience may be the best decision you’ve made yet. Be sure to write up questions beforehand and talk them over with your advisor.
- Be open to doing anything and everything, even if it’s not something you’d list as a hobby, and pay close attention to detail. As my former boss said, “the devil is in the detail”. The small things you do will make a BIG difference in the end.
- Stay in touch with your boss and colleagues after you leave. Making lasting connections gets you places. And be sure to write (hand-written, Millenials!) thank-you cards before you walk out the door.
To close off my advice saga, I’d like to relay some advice from some of the brightest public relations professionals I know: Remember to always keep yourself one step ahead of the game, stay flexible, and don’t singlehandedly try to cure cancer. Just talk about it like a pro.
A SUMMER IN THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE….
Greetings!
I’m Rachel Krasnow, and it’s a pleasure to say I’ve been working as the Health and Social Marketing intern at PN’s DC office for the past 10 weeks. Time flies when you’re having fun… and working hard! Although my internship officially ends in one week, I’ve got to a lot to say about my experience here. At PN this summer, we’ve had a lot of laughs, a giant 6 foot map placed on my boss’ wall and the presence of Congress arguing about the debt ceiling just minutes away.
BACKGROUND: This fall, I’ll be a senior double major in Spanish and Journalism at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. I’m from Ann Arbor, Michigan, and as you can see, I went from one Big Ten school to the other. I’ve always loved to write- I began as a reporter at my college newspaper and gradually ‘crossed over’ to the other side. I realized after interning at a public relations agency last summer that this is what I really want to do.
WHAT I LOVE: PORTER NOVELLI – that’s obvious, though. I love my internship and the people I work with. This has been the best working experience of my life, hands down. Outside of work, I love to sing, write, dance and listen to good music (I’m an “old soul” according to one of my PN colleagues). I like doing the right thing—which means spreading awareness on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Medicare’s preventive services is right up my alley!
WHAT I DON’T LOVE: Not being busy and impatient journalists.
MY DREAM: I want to work in public relations while utilizing my Spanish, communications skills and passion for human rights.
WHY MY INTERNSHIP ROCKS:
- I’m right in the midst of the nation’s capital. This means there is NEVER a dull moment.
- My HSM team, Kendra Kojcsich, Ken Sain, Rosy McGillan and Laura Hanssen are all AMAZING professionals (and fabulous role models).
- In the process of two and half months, I learned about 124673 different things. I’ve seen how ‘real life’ public relations work. I shook Michele Bachmann’s hand. I’ve networked a LOT. I’ve become an acronym expert: I know what RFP, DLD, NHLBI, COPD, CMS, HHS, SFI, IDIQ mean. Most importantly, I’ve worked with talented professionals in the field, gotten valuable career advice, and have seen what it’s like to work at an award-winning public relations agency.
Look for my future posts as I share the wealth from DC!
-Rachel Krasnow
Handling Criticism in the Workplace
We have all been criticized at one point or another, whether in our personal or professional lives. However, not everyone reacts to criticism the same way.
Some ignore it, protecting them from hearing things they do not want to hear.
Some become defensive, building up feelings of resentment.
Some become disheartened and allow their self-esteem to lower.
But others use it as a way to correct and grow from their mistakes.
If you fall into the last category, congratulations! You are ahead of the game. If you fall into one of the other categories, don’t worry there is always time to change your ways.
As interns, we are just beginning to get a glimpse into the working world. We are inexperienced and still have much to learn. To think that we are undeserving of criticism is naïve and, frankly, will not allow any room for growth.
I know that it can be tough at times to accept criticism when you think you have done a great job on a task, but look at it this way: your superior isn’t trying to get you in trouble or offend you in any way; he/she is just trying to teach you so that next time, you will do an even better job on that task. If you just ignore what they say or take it as them being spiteful or let it get you down, you will miss out on a great learning opportunity, one that could be critical to your job when you finally start working.
The working world is a big change from what most interns are used to. In college, you get rewarded for your hard work by good grades, positive comments from your professors, etc. I am fortunate enough to have superiors who let me know when I have done a good job, but you may not always have that kind of support. There will be times when you are not recognized for your hard work. In fact, it may be that the only time you are recognized is when you do something wrong! Don’t let that bring you down. If you learn to handle criticism with poise and the knowledge that it will help you become a better business professional, you can turn a seemingly difficult situation into one that is advantageous to you.
Learning to react to criticism in the correct way is essential to succeeding not only in the PR world, but in any job environment. If nothing else, react positively to criticism to show your boss that you respect his/her opinion and are willing to set aside your emotions in order to improve your work.
-Parnia Ghazanfari, Porter Novelli Washington, DC
Public Relations Agency 101
Hello Blogosphere!
I graduated in May with no definite plans for my transition into the real world. I was definitely pounding the pavement, but was also enjoying my last summer break with trips to the beach, the lake, the river, the pool—basically any body of water— to escape the sweltering heat. After a few weeks of fun in the sun, I looked at my friend and said, “I think I’m ready to work now. I actually want to get up at 7 a.m. and have something to do.” Reading a Cosmo at the pool, grabbing a slice of pizza at Little Italy and renting cult flicks from Vision Video had become a boring routine. After four years of college and one final vacation, I felt prepared to make the transition from student to professional.
Two days later, I got a call from Porter Novelli to join the intern team. I was so excited to be able to integrate myself into the working world and trade my bathing suit in for a button down. The following week I threw an air mattress and a few skirts in the back of my Jeep and drove from Athens to Atlanta, ready to begin my post-grad life.
Now, just three weeks into my internship, I am quickly learning the ropes of the technology practice and becoming fully-emerged in the Porter Novelli culture. I have had lunch with my co-workers, contributed to a case study discussion at the monthly Cases and Cases meeting, joined the Wellness Circle’s walking challenge (go team Left, Right, Left!) and even participated in my first kickball game.
The Porter Novelli internship program is giving me a real life course in Public Relations Agency 101. I have worked in several different areas of public relations before, including food and beverage, luxury consumer, hospitality, non-profit and music, but technology and business-to-business are new to me. I have also never worked in such a large firm with offices all over the world.
This internship is a chance for me to ask questions, get involved and build a portfolio of actual client work. I am expanding my skill set everyday at PN and acquiring knowledge about the industry that you just can’t learn in the classroom. Two months ago, when I turned my tassel, I was feeling a little weary about the future, but now I am looking forward to the next nine weeks of my internship, confident that I am building a solid foundation for a career in public relations.
Greetings from the Nation’s Capital!
I’m Parnia, the Consumer Marketing intern at Porter Novelli Public Services in Washington, D.C. Here is a little more about me:
Hometown: Ashburn, VA, a small-but-growing suburb of Washington, DC. I was born in Sweden and lived there for five years before moving to Vancouver, Canada for a year and finally to Ashburn.
Education: I’m a rising senior at James Madison University (Go Dukes!). I’m working toward a B.A. in Media Arts & Design with a concentration in Corporate Communication.
Interests: I am very much interested in conveying important information to people and giving advice to people about how to improve their lives. I work for the school newspaper, The Breeze, where I am the online editor, and I love directly contributing to the delivery of news to the JMU population. I am so excited to have the opportunity at PN DC to work on an awareness campaign for an issue important to the American public. I am also an avid animal lover and a book worm (I’m currently reading Dispatches from the Edge by Anderson Cooper).
What inspires me: In addition to my mom, who inspires me on a daily basis with her strong work ethic and her ability to balance a career and a family so incredibly well, I am inspired by anything that makes me think on a deep level, whether it is a book, a conversation, a project, or even an advertisement.
Favorite Quote: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” –Eleanor Roosevelt
Internship: I learned about PN’s internship program through, believe it or not, LinkedIn—another reason to be awed by the power of social media in today’s age and time! I have been at PN DC for almost eight weeks now and time has flow by! This is my first internship, so every day here is a learning experience. I have had the opportunity to work with some great people and get a feel for what the PR industry is really like. I am working on some big-name accounts, mainly FDIC and SFI (I have learned more about banks and sustainability than I ever thought I would!), and I am also helping out with other accounts as well.
Future Goals: I would love to work in the PR industry and gain more skills and knowledge about creating a successful campaign and effectively communicating with the public. I want to incorporate my knowledge and experiences to raise awareness and educate the public about important social issues.
I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts and experiences on the blog!
-Parnia Ghazanfari
Want People to Listen to What You Say? 10 Tricks to Make Your Blog Better
It’s safe to say that we live in a world dominated by online communication. When our parents and grandparents began getting Facebook accounts, I knew that social media was not a trend reserved exclusively for Millennials. From Facebook to Twitter to blogs, it seems that nearly everyone and every company has an online voice.
The ability for anyone to take part in online communication means that a lot of what is out there is simply noise that we easily ignore. Therefore, if I’m going to share my thoughts with the entire online world, I want to be sure that I am creating something valuable, not just noise!
An article posted on Ragen’s PR Daily last week outlined tips for creating a meaningful blog to break through all the online clutter. Here are the top takeaways from the blog, with a bit of my commentary sprinkled in:
- Coming up with a direct but enticing title is the most important part of your blog post: A title should catch your reader’s attention, but make sure it relates to your post. I always wait until I have finished my blog or article to come up with a title. That way I know that it relates—and I normally have an “ah-ha!” moment while I’m writing that provides the perfect title.
- The perfect blog post lets readers know immediately what they are about to read: I love a great novel, but I have to agree that when I am reading a blog, once it nears novel (or even short story) length, I lose interest. Especially for younger generations, online is synonymous with quick and easy. Readers will only give you so much of their time.
- Top-10 lists and rankings interest readers and give them a reason to read to the end: I don’t know what it is about a good top-10 list, but people seem to love them. Think about how much excitement and buzz David Letterman builds with his nightly top-10 lists—wouldn’t it be great to create that for your blog? The once-you-start-you-can’t-stop Pringles mentality helps maintain your readers’ attention.
- A great blog needs a lot of outbound links: Just because a blog is your opinion, doesn’t mean that you should refuse to back up that opinion. Links make your blog more credible and a better resource, more than just your opinion. They also help increase SEO, or search engine optimization, which is always a nice plus, especially for a corporate blog.
- Make your post look nice: Organizing your post nicely so that it is easy to read makes your reader happy and allows you to emphasize the things that are most important.
- Adding images or videos is crucial to breaking up text and keeping it interesting: One of the greatest things about publishing your content online is the ability to make it interactive. Try posting a video instead of typing out your blog to give it a since of personality. For businesses, videos make your company seem more personal and better optimize search engine rankings.
- A perfect blog post is concise and stays on topic: You came to this blog to read about…well, blogs. If I randomly started writing about cooking, you would be confused and probably stop reading. Each blog should be able to stand on its own and focus on what it claims to. There’s nothing worse than false advertising.
- Keywords are key: Using commonly searched terms and tagging them in your blog helps bring in more readers.
- Stay under 1,000 words—aim for 500 to 800: Online readers’ attention spans are only so long. Keep it short whenever you can.
- Don’t simply say what everyone else is saying: Blogs are personal. They should include opinion and insight. Readers are much more likely to keep coming back for more if you offer something new. Think about what makes you unique and apply that to your blog. Are you a jokester? Add a humorous commentary to your blog about (insert over-discussed topic here).
So to abide by tip number nine, I will leave you with this: like all writing, becoming a great blogger takes time and learning tricks like these. Find a topic that you are passionate about and make the effort to share your thoughts with the online world (parents and grandparents included!).
By Amanda Coppock
