Tag: Clairemont Communications

iMedia Day at Elon University

Tracy LathanBlog, Professional Development, Social Media + Influencer Engagement, , , , , , ,

I recently had the pleasure of serving on a panel at Elon University for the iMedia Day of Professional Development & Networking. It had been many years since I visited the Elon campus, and I was blown away by how charming it is. Equally impressive was the School of Communication’s facility. Within its School of Communication, Elon offers a ten-month M.A. Interactive Media program – what a great way for communication professionals to add to their skill sets in a short amount of time!

The panelists for the event included myself, a representative from another Raleigh PR agency, a recruiter from a firm in Atlanta and a former graduate of the program (now employed by an interactive agency in California.) We collectively answered questions from the moderator and then fielded questions from the students on the topics of interactive media and successfully navigating the job search.  Questions included…what does “interactive” really mean? What are the most relevant tools we are using today? How do agencies incorporate interactive departments?

What really stood out to me during this discussion was the realization that there is very little we are doing these days that is not interactive in some way…and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Whether we are launching a Facebook campaign, providing hashtags for a client event so attendees can share via their social networks or creating animated graphics to be used on a trade show floor, we are interacting with our audience on some level.

The other topic we discussed at length with the students was best practices – the do’s and don’ts – for trying to land a job, and making a good impression once you have been hired. While some of these tips might sound like advice we have all heard before, what came out of the discussion was that even though things have become much more complicated, the importance of simple, basic courtesies have stood the test of time. Here are a few things the panelists shared:

  • Follow up! Don’t ever hesitate to call and follow up after sending in a resume. And please send a hand written thank you note.
  • Differentiate yourself. Bring samples, create a personal website, share your personal blog. We want to see your personal brand.
  • Do your homework. Come prepared with questions about the company and what your specific role will be.
  • Clean up your online presence. That means no graphic spring break photos!
  • Proof your correspondence. Make sure e-mails and cover letters are free of grammatical errors.
  • Present your best self in the interview. You have one chance to shine and make a good impression. Be professional but also be likeable. After all, people hire people they want to work with.
  • Look people in the eye and dress the part. Even if the company has a casual dress code, dress up for the interview.
  • Once you have started your new job, have a positive attitude! Be willing to jump in and tackle anything.

A big thank you to Maggie Mullikin for organizing the event and hosting us. Hope to join the group again next year! Whether you are a professional or a student, what does interactive mean to you, and how has it changed your role as a communicator?     

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Feeling “InSpired”

Sarah HattmanAwards, Blog, Professional Development, The Clairemont Team, , , ,

Each year in May the North Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (NCPRSA) hosts the InSpire Awards, which brings together the top PR pros in the Triangle to celebrate the “best of the best” in public relations. I am pleased and honored to say that Clairemont Communications won 10 awards at this year’s event, including two best in category awards, six awards of excellence and two honorable mentions. This means that since Clairemont opened its doors in 2010, the team has won 85 industry awards.

I wish I could take credit for the awards, but the truth is that I have been a member of the Clairemont team for only a little over a month, and the award-winning work was done many months ahead of my arrival. Based on the smile that was plastered on my face each of the 10 times that the evening’s emcee, WRAL’s Debra Morgan, read Clairemont’s name, you might think I single-handedly crafted and executed the campaigns and tactics. However, I was simply in awe of my new teammates and excited to know that I joined such an extremely creative and wildly successful team.

I attribute the success to an outstanding team. In my short time with the agency, I have learned that Clairemont takes the word “team” to a whole new level and gives validation to the old saying, “There’s no ‘i” in team.” I know it seems rather cliche, but it really is the truth when it comes to Clairemont. Whether it’s a brainstorming session, working through a challenge or simply going through the daily routine, everyone is working together, supporting each other and having fun.

This is why I wasn’t surprised to learn that each year Clairemont develops a “team theme” for the InSpire Awards. In previous years, team members arrived at the banquet wearing all yellow or waved Facebook “Like” flags as a team member accepted an award for a social media campaign. This year we discussed several options, ranging from straw hats or scarves to an animal print of some sort. After several conversations and much consideration, (Could we find a hat shop? Did we all have animal print clothing? What was within everyone’s comfort zone?) we opted to wear black and/or white with orange accessories.

I liked the idea; it was classy and had a feel of understated elegance. But I couldn’t help but wonder if people would actually look at me and think, “She has on a black dress, a white blazer, an orange necklace and orange earrings. Oh, she must be with Clairemont!” After all, it was an awards banquet at The State Club. I expected many attendees would be dressed in black and white with a splash of color.

Well, it turns out that not only did they did notice, several of them commented saying it was a “fun idea” or a “nice touch.” I admit it was pretty obvious that our color scheme was intentional as I looked around our table and saw everyone dressed according to our “team theme.” That’s when it hit me. Our colored-coordinated attire was a true testimony of the Clairemont culture. We all had the same goal of presenting ourselves as a united team by wearing the same colors, but each of our outfits was different and represented the fact that we each bring our own sense of style and personality to the table in everything thing we do.

I look forward to the days, weeks and months ahead at Clairemont, and who knows, maybe next year will be the year that Clairemont wins its 100th industry award.

 

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Strategies, Goals, Objectives…Oh My!

Tracy LathanAPR, Blog, Marketing, Professional Development, Public Relations, , , 1 Comment on Strategies, Goals, Objectives…Oh My!

Have you ever been writing a PR plan and found yourself questioning whether something was an objective or a strategy? I know I have.  It can be easy to get confused, but when I was studying for the APR a few years ago, I found some helpful guidelines from the PRSA APR Study Guide as follows:

Goals

Keep these few in number. Identify no more than three to five. One may be enough.

Be consistent with management goals and mission.

Think in terms of end results, not process alone.

Objectives

Think in terms of the awareness, attitude or action you desire—not the process but the end result.

Articulate with verbs that reflect changes in awareness, attitude, or behavior: Recognize, acknowledge, know (awareness); favor, accept, oppose, believe (attitude); and purchase, participate, endorse, discard, write, visit (behavior).

Phrase objectives in terms of specific results you desire, and what you think is possible.

Each objective should cite an audience, outcome, attainment level (%) and time frame. (Example: At 
the end of six months, 65 percent of employees will be in a car pool or ride-share program.)

The same objective may fit a number of audiences but strategies may need to be different.

Strategies

The military definition is the science and art of employing political, economic, psychological and military forces to support policies or achieve goals; to meet the enemy under advantageous conditions.

In planning, how will you approach the challenge of working toward your objectives? On what can you build or take advantage in your situation? What devices will you employ?

Your strategy may describe the diplomacy, psychology, philosophy, themes and appeals you will use, or the message you will convey.

It may describe how you will work with community groups.

You probably will have several strategies for an objective.

Some strategies may serve several objectives.

Vehicles or channels you will use to communicate can appear here, or in tactics or activities.

Examples include media relations, third-party endorsement and public engagement.

Tactics

How will you use your resources to carry out your strategy and work toward objectives?

You can have several tactics per strategy.

These serve as specific elements of a strategy or specific tools, more specifically “how to.”

Examples include meetings, publications, tie-ins, community events, news releases, etc.

 

Here is another great post that tackles The Difference Between Strategies and Tactics. Hope you found these tips to be helpful…if so, print them out and use as a quick reference next time you are working on a PR plan!

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The APR Turns The Big 5-0!

Tracy LathanAPR, Blog, Professional Development, Public Relations, , , 2 Comments on The APR Turns The Big 5-0!

The last of the baby boomers are not the only ones turning 50…the APR credential will also celebrate 50 years in 2014. Although the process itself has changed significantly over the past five decades, the APR remains the only nationally recognized certification of the public relations profession. To all my fellow APRs…congratulations! This is a milestone for us all to celebrate. For those of you who are considering the APR…why not make 2014 the year!

As we move into this anniversary year, PRSA will be celebrating those who have already achieved the designation by sharing their stories and testimonials. PRSA will also be promoting the APR and encouraging people to sign up.  You will soon start seeing tools and resources made available though PRSA, including free webinars and updated content on the web site (www.praccreditation.org).

Having served as the NCPRSA Accreditation Chair for the past three years, I have heard countless people say, “It’s something I really want to do, just have not found the right time.” Sound familiar? If so, think about adding the APR to your list of professional development goals for 2014. You won’t regret it. I promise.

APRLogo2In honor of our 50th anniversary, here are a few fun facts about the APR:

– The program originated in 1964 and was administered by PRSA until 1998, when the Universal Accreditation Board was formed to administer the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations.

– Currently, more than 3,800 PRSA members hold the APR Credential (roughly 18 percent of the membership).

– A 2005 PRWeek/Korn Ferry salary survey, found that Accredited public relations professionals’ annual salaries were approximately 20 percent higher than those of their non-Accredited colleagues, when factors such as age and experience are controlled.

– The cost to take the exam is only $385.00 and PRSA offers a $110 rebate upon completion of the computer-based Examination. Can’t beat it for $275.00!

– The APR is good for life. The only requirement is that every three years you earn a certain number of “points” in continuing education and service categories.

On behalf of all those who have had the honor of adding those three letters after their names…happy 50 APR!

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Three Cheers/Barks for Pawgust First Friday!

Margot HorganBlog, Professional Development, The Clairemont Team, , , , , , , , , ,

Last week marked August First Friday in downtown Raleigh, and Clairemont celebrated the occasion by hosting our own special event at The Clairemont House – Pawgust First Friday. Part networking, part professional development, part tear-jerking and part tail-wagging, the event was a huge success, especially because we were able to raise money for a local pet charity very near and dear to the Clairemont family’s heart: the SPCA of Wake County.

At the event, local PR professionals and friends gathered to network and listen to two dog-inspired presentations given by Clairemont CEO, Dana Hughens, and HMA Public Relations general manager/vice president, Abbie Fink. Reading a blog post written by Clairemont’s top-dog, Billy, Dana shared 10 social media tips for success, like creating leash-free environments on Facebook, being the master of your territory and riding with your head out the window (make sure to check out the blog to see what all of these mean for your social media strategy!).

PRSA Counselors Academy friends at Pawgust First Friday
PRSA Counselors Academy friends at Pawgust First Friday

Visiting all the way from Phoenix, Ariz., Abbie did an encore performance of the highly rated ignite-style speech she presented at the 2013 PRSA Counselors Academy Conference. A love letter to her late dog, Viva, Abbie didn’t leave a dry eye in the house as she talked about the love of a dog and its owner and the hard decisions you sometimes have to make.

At the end of the evening, guests voted for a local pet charity to donate the Pawgust First Friday event proceeds to, and we are happy to say that the SPCA of Wake County was selected! You see, the oh so loveable chief motivational officer at Clairemont Communication and Hughens family dog, Billy, was adopted from the Wake SPCA so we were thrilled that our guests decided to help give back to such a great local organization.

All in all, the event was a blast, and we would like to thank everyone who came out and made it a success!

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