Deadline Extended: Apply Today! 2010 Board of Directors

Now is your chance to get more involved in YP! If you are interested in serving on PRSA-LA’s Young Professionals 2010 Board of Directors! Please request and return your completed application and current resume to Kristin Wood via e-mail by 5 p.m. on Monday, November 23.

Serving on the YP/PRSA-LA board is a valuable complement to your professional career in public relations. You will have the opportunity to network with leaders in the PR industry, as well as peers who are also navigating their way through the business. You will also be given the chance to hone your PR skills through writing, speaking, and leadership activities. Taking a position on the YP board means taking an active role in the direction of the organization and your career.

Additional details at: https://prsalayp.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/apply-today-be-part-of-the-yp-board-in-2010/

Application: Email Kristin or find an easy to download application in the blue box on the right hand side of the blog

November Meeting: Corporate Communication

We are wrapping up 2009 with the final panel meeting of the year – Corporate Communications. Topics include the differences between Corporate PR and Agency PR with a tie into how media is used at the corporate level.

If you are a student, or are just starting out as a PR professional however are undecided on which path to take we encourage you to join us for an evening of networking and knowledge. Speakers include State Farm Insurance Public Affairs Assistant Manager Camille Garcia, Ready for Media Founder Anne Ready, Marketing and Communication President and CEO Keith R. Pillow, Occidental Petroleum Corp Director in the Communications and Public Affairs Eric Moses, and Principal for Killeen Furtney Group Michael Furtney.

November 18, 2009
6:30 – 7 p.m. networking
7 to 8 p.m. program

State Farm Insurance
300 Corporate Pointe, Suite 200
Culver City, CA 90230

Light refreshments will be served

Parking:
Parking is available for event attendees. To access parking, exit from the 405 S. at Slauson, make a Right onto Slauson. At Bristol turn Right and make a Left on Hannum. Pass the street Uplander and make a Left into the first driveway. To access parking, exit from the 405 N. at Slauson. Turn right on Green Valley, make a left on Bristol. Approach Hannum and make a right. Pass the street Uplander and make a Left into the first driveway. **Please make sure to park in the 200-300 Corporate Pointe Parking structure.

Cost:
$10 for PRSA/PRSSA members and $15 for non-members/guests.
For your convenience you may make a payment online through our payment center. Please note that a $1.50 processing fee applies for online payment.
As always, you can also pay with cash or check at the door.

RSVP via our Facebook group. Acteva.com RSVP link will be provided shortly.

If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Peres (jp . viscom at ymail . com).

We look forward to seeing you.

Apply today – be part of the YP board in 2010!

Now is your chance to get more involved in YP! If you are interested in serving on PRSA-LA’s Young Professionals 2009 Board of Directors, please download the application from the blue box on the right side of the page.

Serving on the YP/PRSA-LA board is a valuable complement to your professional career in public relations. You will have the opportunity to network with leaders in the PR industry, as well as peers who are also navigating their way through the business. You will also be given the chance to hone your PR skills through writing, speaking, and leadership activities. Taking a position on the YP board means taking an active role in the direction of the organization and your career.

Descriptions of each position are listed below. The current board members are available to share more about what each job entails.

President
Oversees the entire group and fills in as needed. Organizes and coordinates all of the board meetings. Represents the group at PRSA-LA board meetings and works closely with the PRSA-LA liaison. The applicant must have served on the board for at least one year.

Program Co-Chairs (2 Positions Available)
Works jointly to develop meeting topics, identify and recruit speakers, develop and distribute meeting invitations and manage meeting RSVPs. Addresses food and venue details and hosts each meeting. Coordinates thank you gifts for guest speakers.

Communications Co-Chairs (2 Positions Available)
With input from the rest of the board and the membership base, the Communications Co-Chairs are responsible for PRSA-LA YP blog, The Next Generation blog, Facebook group and other communications vehicles. The co-chairs also prepare recaps after each monthly meeting for interested members.

Membership Chair
Welcomes all new and potential members to YP/PRSA- LA, including sending welcome e-mails to new members and renewal reminders. Maintains a current membership list, updates the group’s e-mail lists in Constant Contact and responds to inquiries about YP/PRSA-LA. Initiates plans to grow and retain current membership. Prepares and distributes holiday cards to all those who attended meetings throughout the year, speakers, etc.

Treasurer
Maintains detailed records for YP/PRSA-LA and updates the group at all board meetings. Handles registration and ensures payment from all attendees at monthly meetings. Initiates fundraising ideas.

Collegiate Outreach Chair
Acts as a liaison between PRSSA chapters at local universities through coordination of the mentorship program. Works closely with the PRSA-LA board member designated to work with PRSSA. Collects, formats and distributes Internship Board e-mails to YP membership.

Professional Outreach Chair
Acts as a liaison between YP members and local organizations and recruiters with job openings. Collects, formats and distributes Job Board e-mails to YP membership.

Trevett Award Chair
Coordinates all aspects of the Trevett Award, given out by YP each October to two outstanding Young Professionals. Activities include sponsor solicitation, layout/design of the application, selection of judges and coordination of oral interviews with finalists and presentation of the award at the annual PRSA-LA PRism Awards Banquet.

Board Requirements/Expectations

• Must be a YP/PRSA-LA member when application is submitted and throughout the term on the board
• Must attend a minimum of 6 board meetings and general meetings a year
• Must attempt to recruit a minimum of 2 new members to PRSA-LA and YP
• If you miss three consecutive board meetings, you may be replaced on the board
• All board members should provide one solid idea for a YP general meeting

Sports PR Panel Recap

Date:                      October 21, 2009

Location:             MS&L

Panelists:

• Monica Sears, Public Relations Coordinator, Golden Boy Promotions
• Denise White, CEO, Entertainers & Athletes Group

Recap:

Last week young professionals and students from all over the Los Angeles area met at MS& L for the PRSA-LA YP Sports PR panel.  Denise White, CEO of Entertainers & Athletes Group and Monica Sears, Public Relations Coordinator at Golden Boy Promotions shared their raw insights and advice for breaking into the sports PR arena and succeeding in this stressful, yet rewarding, industry.

Hut One, Hut Two – Getting Started

• Denise started her career in broadcast journalism before making the jump into sports PR.
• Monica started her career at Brener Zwikel & Associates before joining the Golden Boy team.
• Starting off with an internship, specifically in sports PR, is recommended but not required.
• A little more than a decade ago, sports agents were required to have a law degree.  Now that a law degree is no longer a prerequisite, clients are in need of PR representation with a solid law background to pick up where the agent leaves off.

Power Jab – Managing “Multiple Personalities”

• As a PR professional, you have to build a close, business relationship with your clients so you can feel comfortable telling them when their behavior is or isn’t acceptable.  It is not uncommon to speak with each client at least one time per day.
• Athletes, celebrities, and almost any person for that matter, can be difficult to please.  One of the most important parts of the job is learning how to deal with the multiple personalities you come across on a daily basis.  Often times these multiple personalities all come from a single person.
• When you work with very young people who have come into a lot of money in a short amount of time, your job is to try to get them through the experience unscathed.
• Get to know everything about your client professionally and personally, and be sure to set your own moral compass aside.

The Underdog – Managing Expectations

• As you would do for any client, it is important to develop a PR plan specific to that client.  Sit down with the client, get their buyoff, and be flexible as situations change.
• With the state of the economy and the changing face of media, big print results are harder to come by.  As the amount of daily print journalists is dwindling, the industry relies a lot more on Websites for coverage rather than beat reporters from publications.

Boxer’s Shuffle – Important Skills

• You must be able to handle the athlete, do publicity and know the sport.
• Having a thick skin is very important in this business.  Things tend to be told in very straightforward ways, and nine out of 10 times, the PR team tends to be the last group recognized for a success.
• Passion for what you are doing will help propel you through all the evening and weekend hours that are sure to come along with the job.
• Consider getting a law degree to help understand and manage legal matters after the athlete’s contract is signed.
• As with all PR jobs, professionals must have excellent writing, speaking, multi-tasking and organizational skills.

Touchdown – Networking and Finding the Job

• www.JobsInSports.com
• Team Web sites
• www.WorkInSports.com
• Women in Sports Wednesdays through EAG – www.EAGSportsManagement.com
• Even if the job posting says, “No phone calls please,” still consider making that call.  Sometimes a little follow-up is all you need to make the short-list.