Category: Public Relations

We’re hiring! Seeking an account strategist

Olivia NolesBlog, PR People, Public Relations, Raleigh PR Agency, The Clairemont Team, , , , Leave a Comment on We’re hiring! Seeking an account strategist

Clairemont is currently seeking smart, responsible, creative and hard-working public relations practitioners. We are looking for individuals who are ready to tackle any assignment and join a highly motivated, growing team of communications professionals who share in the passion of delivering quality client service while enjoying the co-learning of a team environment for an account strategist position.

Ideal candidates work well in a collaborative environment and independently as self-starters. We are seeking high-energy PR leaders with the ability to build client plans and strategies while anticipating the needs of our accounts as well as our agency. Responsibilities include ensuring that work is delivered on time and satisfactorily, and that relevant team members are kept up to date on the status of accounts and assigned projects.

Versatile applicants who have a proven track record in pitching media, building social media strategies for businesses, writing effective media and marketing communications materials, executing successful client events and cultivating new business leads will be given first consideration.

The account strategist position responsibilities may include:

  • Ensuring that work is delivered on-time and team member are kept up to date on status of accounts and assigned projects
  • Building social media and PR strategies
  • Writing effective media and marketing communication materials
  • Pitching clients to media outlets
  • Executing successful client events
  • Cultivating new business leads

The qualifications are:

  • Bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism or communications
  • Minimum of 5 years of PR agency experience
  • Strong writing, critical thinking and time management skills
  • Has proven, solid written and verbal communication skills
  • Project management experience and strong organizational skills
  • Motivated self-starter who can handle multiple projects and deadlines at the same time
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel
  • Video editing skills are a plus
  • Ability to communicate in multiple languages is a plus
  • Located in Raleigh, NC

To apply: Send your cover letter, resume and writing samples to Dana Phelps at d@clairemontcommunications.com or apply on LinkedIn.

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SPOKEN WORD MAKING A COMEBACK

Derek BullingtonBlog, PR People, Professional Development, Public Relations, Raleigh PR Agency, , , , , Leave a Comment on SPOKEN WORD MAKING A COMEBACK

I had the opportunity to attend the virtual 2021 NCPRSA Strategic Communications + Marcom Conference in November. It was my first time attending a NCPRSA event. Hearing new ideas, perspectives and how the industry of public relations is changing is always enjoyable. Even virtually, it is inspiring to network with fellow professionals in a collaborative learning atmosphere.

Spoken word making a comeback

The virtual, two-day program featured five sessions per day with national and regional industry executives from strategic communication, marketing and PR fields. The sessions covered a variety of topics, such as, audio being added to communications strategies, the misinformation crisis, diversifying the PR profession, the age of influencers and the use of cutting-edge visual technologies being used to tell stories.

AUDIO IS CHANGING OUR JOBS

A session that really caught my attention was “Listen, Do You Hear That? It’s Audio Changing How We Do Our Jobs” with hosts Gene and Julie Gates. This duo was named “Personality of the Year” by the National Association of Broadcasters and shared their expertise on using audio to connect with clients. They are seeing a major spike in audio entering the marketing and PR fields since the start of the pandemic and people being cooped up in their homes.

The ever-growing audio trend is made for the multitasker, and that is what we are all becoming. Now that we are mixing our home lives with work lives, more people are getting news while performing their morning routines, helping the kids get ready, cooking dinner or doing their daily chores. People are less likely to sit down and read longer articles. We are used to quick snippets of news on social media platforms, making long form articles daunting to readers.

SPOKEN WORD DRAWS IN A LARGER AUDIENCE

Spoken word helps alleviate this and draws in audiences that may not take the time to read full articles. Audio can encourage deeper engagement as there is less effort needed. You can repurpose your written content to expand on the topic and bring in a wider audience. Listeners can share their favorite content easily by listening with their significant other, friends or co-workers.

When you first hear the term audio alongside communications, marketing and PR your mind probably goes straight to podcasts, but that is not the only option. Many online newspapers and magazines are developing audio articles alongside written articles on its websites. While audio articles and podcasts may sound similar, they are completely different products. Audio articles are about convenience and delivering content in an easy way for readers. Podcasting is its own form of storytelling all together.

DON’T WORRY, WRITTEN CONTENT IS NOT DEAD

Spoken word is making a comeback, but don’t worry, written content is not dying. In fact, great written content is the foundation for audio. There is plenty of room for audio articles, podcasts and written content to co-exist. Developing a mix will build a larger and more diverse audience. If you’re looking to expand your audience, this may be a great addition to your already strong content. Spoken word was the original storytelling, and it sounds like it is making a strong comeback.

Visit some of the top PR podcasts to hear what is being done and to get some ideas!

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5 benefits of working in the office

Clairemont InternBlog, Public Relations, The Clairemont Team, , , , Leave a Comment on 5 benefits of working in the office

During the pandemic, working from home became the norm. We are excited to report that in the past few weeks, the Clairemont team officially transitioned back to working at The Clairemont House for the first time since March 2020. Being together in person has made us realize how valuable onsite work can be. Keep reading to learn our top 5 forgotten benefits of working in the office.

1. Collaborative work environment

To start, being in person at an office with your team creates a collaborative work environment. Now instead of exchanging ideas through never-ending email chains or logging onto yet another Zoom call, you can schedule meetings in person, stop by a coworker’s desk to ask a question or pop down the hall, depending on your office set-up. 

2. Adds structure to your schedule

Another benefit of working in the office is that it creates structure and encourages a healthy work-life balance. Working in the same space you relax in can make it harder to turn off your brain when it is time to rest. Physically being in a new environment will separate your work life from your home life. Commuting to work also allows the time to take a break and to reflect or just let your brain rest between activities.

3. Easier to build professional relationships

This next benefit is especially important for young, entry-level professionals or employees new to the organization. It is that working in an office makes it easier to build professional relationships. There are simply more opportunities to share experiences and develop connections with coworkers when you are in person. Being in a conference room or taking a lunch break together gives you an opportunity to connect that sitting on mute with your camera off doesn’t. 

4. Eliminates outside distractions

Another benefit of working in the office is that it eliminates outside distractions. We can all admit that home offices come with their own set of distractions. Whether it’s the dog barking, the doorbell ringing or balancing a partner’s home workspace with your own, working from home can be distracting. Having the option to go to work creates space from your home life and can make it easier to focus on your work. 

5. Improves efficiency

Working in the office improves efficiency by eliminating distractions, reducing screen fatigue and improving communication amongst the team. Explaining ideas or asking a question virtually can take up more time than you would imagine. Typing every detail in an email and waiting for a response often creates a lag time that working in the office eliminates.

We are excited to be back together and collaborate as a team to best serve our clients. Let us know if you agree with our 5 benefits of working in the office or if you have any other benefits. See you in the office!

By Clairemont intern Anna Beth McCormick, a senior at N.C. State.

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PRSSA prepares students to be PR pros

Clairemont InternBlog, Public RelationsLeave a Comment on PRSSA prepares students to be PR pros

PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) is a household name among PR professionals. The professional organization is known for its annual conferences, awards including the Silver and Bronze Anvil and national job network.

Undergraduate (and graduate) students can join PRSA’s collegiate affiliate organization, PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) to learn about different career paths and network with communication practitioners to help launch their careers before graduation. 

PRSSA at NC State

Clairemont intern and president of PRSSA at NC State, Anna Beth McCormick, says that PRSSA’s mission is to amplify members’ knowledge about the profession of public relations. PRSSA helps members answer big questions like what is public relations? How can I succeed in PR? And what kinds of jobs are available once I graduate? 

The PRSSA chapter at NC State holds professional development meetings that focus on topics such as personal branding, resume building, LinkedIn and social media workshops. Members also hear from guest speakers in the Raleigh PRSSA network, attend Q&A panels, department events and so much more! 

In 2020, PRSSA at NC State successfully held its largest annual networking event, PR Day, virtually for the first time. One of the benefits of having PR Day on Zoom was that speakers from all over the country could attend. Dwayna Haley, “The PR Girl” (Atlanta, GA), was the 2020 keynote speaker in addition to numerous professionals from the Raleigh PRSA network and beyond.

Last year, PRSSA also hosted virtual agency tours and met with representatives from French West Vaughan, Ketchum and APCO Worldwide. Additionally, PRSSA and the NC State College of Humanities and Social Sciences co-hosted an event with alumna guest speaker Adonna Biel, former deputy national secretary for Biden for President, about her experiences in government public relations. 

PRSSA prepares students for a future in PR

Other benefits of PRSSA membership include exclusive access to (paid!) internship listings, scholarships, awards and leadership opportunities. 

Joining PRSSA gives students partial membership into PRSA so that after graduation, they can get a discounted membership to PRSA. 

Interested in being a guest speaker, have an internship opportunity to share or, want to join PRSSA at NC State? Get connected with them at ncsuprssa6@gmail.com.

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Finding PR in a Pandemic

Clairemont InternBlog, Public Relations, The Clairemont Team, , , , Leave a Comment on Finding PR in a Pandemic

Similar to many college students, I work in the restaurant industry. Over the years I have been asked so many questions that I have learned not to be surprised by anything. Sometimes I get wrapped up in a conversation with a customer who wants to know everything about me, where I go to school and what I want to do with my life. The one question that never fails to surprise me is “Why are you studying communication at a STEM school?” 

The question is fair, especially if the person asking knows NC State for its College of Engineering or athletics. Therefore, in my time at State, I have made it my responsibility to work hard to debunk the stereotype that you need to be focused on STEM at a mostly STEM school. My experience as a communication student has been the perfect balance of challenge and opportunity, and here’s why.

Finding Opportunities

When I came to NC State in the fall of 2018, I found my place in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, studying communication. While I had no idea what was ahead of me, I did know that I only wanted to take the bare minimum of math and science classes! I would have traded my Geology 101 class (which was NOT “rocks for jocks” like I had been told), a five-minute walk from where I lived, for the trek across campus to the Court of North Carolina for my communication, journalism and English classes any day.

Then, in spring 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. I was finishing up my sophomore year coursework at my parents’ house, grieving what might have been a summer traveling or a high-profile internship, and scrambling to find something productive to fill my time. Spring 2020 reminds me of the restaurant slang “in the weeds.” The phrase is used to describe getting behind on a busy night, and at the time, that was exactly how I felt. In hindsight, I’m sure most everyone felt this way. But I was able to channel my “work harder” mentality inspired by a STEM school environment to help find opportunities in a doomed situation. I stayed connected to campus by writing for NC State’s student newspaper, Technician, and attending virtual events with my PRSSA chapter. When both organizations were seeking leadership for the next school year, I was ready to apply!

I couldn’t have imagined that some of my most influential experiences yet at NC State would occur during this time.

In May 2020 I was hired as a news editor for Technician and elected to the board of our PRSSA chapter. Two irreplaceable experiences I don’t believe would have been possible if everything was “normal.” Both the newspaper and PRSSA taught me more about what I wanted to do with my career than any summer internship could. I planned virtual events, networked and recruited new members to campus organizations in a time when most students were desperate for a connection to campus life. I helped lead a student newspaper through a pandemic entirely through Zoom calls while simultaneously becoming a stronger writer, student and leader. And, believe it or not, I was still able to make the most out of a summer in a pandemic!

The PRSSA E-board during our first-ever virtual ‘PR Day’ networking event in November 2020.

Joining Clairemont

While I was proud of the work I was doing, I learned that I didn’t want to be a news journalist. Inspired by my experiences with PRSSA, I decided I wanted to intern at a PR agency. 

To anyone who asks me why I study communication at a STEM school, the answer is “why not?” The relationships and experiences I have gained at NC State have led me to so many opportunities, including finding Clairemont Communications.

Joining the Clairemont team this summer is the next exciting step on my career journey. I am eager to work alongside the Clairemont team and clients, gain industry knowledge and build confidence as an aspiring PR professional. Thank you, NC State, for getting me here, I wouldn’t have it any other way!

By Clairemont intern Anna Beth McCormick, a senior at NC State University.

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