Just miles down the road from Clairemont in Raleigh, North Carolina we welcome Roger Friedsensen. Principal and Owner of Forge Communications, Roger has been dedicated to wide array of strategic communication programs since 1985. Get to know Roger better by reading his Q&A below about PR and Counselors Academy!

Getting to know you…
Name: Roger Friedensen, APR

Agency: Forge Communications

Position: Principal & Owner

First job in PR: Public Relations Specialist, Epley Associates

Your insights…

Most loved thing about being in PR: I thrive on helping solve complex challenges, the process of “connecting the dots,” and the ability to learn about a wide range of issues, ideas and industries. I’ve been blessed in my public relations career to be able to do all that and more working alongside some of the smartest, most creative people I’ve ever met.

Best source for breaking PR news: Honestly, I don’t look to just one source for updates as the “breaking PR news” I want is less about which giant agency won/lost which giant account (reported most excellently by PR Week, PR News and similar trade publications) and more about the latest tools, trends and ideas that will help me serve our clients more effectively (e.g., SmartBriefs, Mashable, Social Media Examiner, HBR, Wired, Fast Company, etc.)

Number one recommendation to new PR professionals: Develop a sense of savvy and learn how to connect the dots. And read, read, read everything you can get your hands-on. Have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge about people and the world around you. And buy a couple of really good business suits.

About Counselors Academy…

Most valuable aspect of being a Counselors Academy member: The ability to connect with and learn from the best and brightest public relations and business professionals working in the industry today.

Role on the planning committee: Fundraising Subcommittee this year.

Best thing about the Counselors Academy conference: The opportunity to get educated, energized and revitalized alongside some of the smartest and most talented professionals I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet (many of whom have become very close friends and advisors).

Most fun memory of a Counselors Academy conference: My first Spring Conference was in St. Petersburg back in the 90s. My friend and colleague, Mike Herman, and I performed three songs at the “talent show.” When we finished, the room erupted in thunderous applause and a standing ovation. Later that night, we sat with our guitars on the hotel’s back deck next to the ocean, drank exceptionally good single-malt scotch (Bowmore for those of you keeping score) and led a sing-a-long of rock, blues and country songs that lasted until early morning.

 

Counselors Academy Member Spotlight Blog Series: 

Our very own Dana Hughens is the PRSA’s Counselors Academy Conference Chair for the 2013 conference June 9-11 in Austin, Texas. As conference chair, she has the privilege to work with other members of the conference planning committee, which consists of senior-level PR counselors and agency owners from across the United States and Canada. We caught up with these PR pros to find out their secret to success and what they love most about Counselors Academy.

Say hello to Pam Golden, President of GLA Communications just outside of New York City. Combining her background in technology and journalism, Pam founded Golden Loder Associates in 1986. Pam will provide help on content and sponsorships for the 2013 Conference. Keep reading to learn more!

Getting to know you…
Name:  Pam Golden

Agency: GLA Communications

Position: President

First job in PR: Account Executive at Frank Barth Inc.

Your insights…

Most loved thing about being in PR: Being able to help companies and people achieve their goals and objectives

Best source for breaking PR news: PR Week

Number one recommendation to new PR professionals: Be inquisitive, learn as much as you can and ask questions

About Counselors Academy…

Most valuable aspect of being a Counselors Academy member: Having access to really smart people who are willing to share their knowledge

Role on the planning committee: Helping on content and sponsorships

Best thing about the Counselors Academy conference: Two best things: gaining new knowledge and being with my fellow CA members

Most fun memory of a Counselors Academy conference: Sharing desserts during dine-around dinner in New Orleans

 

Counselors Academy Member Spotlight Blog Series: 

Our very own Dana Hughens is the PRSA’s Counselors Academy Conference Chair for the 2013 conference June 9-11 in Austin, Texas. As conference chair, she has the privilege to work with other members of the conference planning committee, which consists of senior-level PR counselors and agency owners from across the United States and Canada. We caught up with these PR pros to find out their secret to success and what they love most about Counselors Academy.

Introducing Michelle Bauer, President and Founder of Common Language in St. Petersburg, Florida. With more than 20 years of experience, Michelle founded Common Language with the hope of putting diverse skills, connections and knowledge she has gained over the years to work. To gain more insights on Michelle’s wealth of knowledge continue reading below!

Getting to know you…
Name:  Michelle Bauer

Agency:  Common Language

Position: President

First job in PR: Joanne Creveling Public Relations, NY, NY, 1987

Your insights…

Most loved thing about being in PR:  Doing strategy with clients

Best source for breaking PR news: twitter

Number one recommendation to new PR professionals: Know how to sell.  Because if you can sell your ideas, your agency, your clients, and eventually yourself (as an entrepreneur or freelancer – because we all seem to end up in these roles at some point in our careers) – you’ll always have work to do.

About Counselors Academy…

Most valuable aspect of being a Counselors Academy member:  Face to face interaction at the Conference with some truly smart people whose experience I want to soak up.  What a terrific group of people who are so generous with their guidance and ideas!

Role on the planning committee:  Not sure what specifically…I believe I’m providing general support, where I might be needed…

Best thing about the Counselors Academy conference:  See my answer about being a Counselors Academy member…

Most fun memory of a Counselors Academy conference: Having a drink at a hotel bar in New Orleans last year where this truly world class group of musicians – who all must have been in their 70s – played one of the most remarkable live jazz sets I’ve ever heard in my life.  That was an amazing, unexpected, and truly memorable evening.

 

Counselors Academy Member Spotlight Blog Series: 

Our very own Dana Hughens is the PRSA’s Counselors Academy Conference Chair for the 2013 conference June 9-11 in Austin, Texas. As conference chair, she has the privilege to work with other members of the conference planning committee, which consists of senior-level PR counselors and agency owners from across the United States and Canada. We caught up with these PR pros to find out their secret to success and what they love most about Counselors Academy.

Welcome Martin Waxman, Principal at Martin Waxman Communications.  A Toronto resident, Martin is involved in all things digital and has co-founded three agencies during his career. Keep reading to find out what Martin will be up during the 2013 Conference!

Getting to know you…
Name: @MartinWaxman

Agency: Martin Waxman Communications

Position: Principal

First job in PR: Doing publicity for a comedy club in Toronto (and also being one of the MCs…and I wanna tell you…)

Your insights…

Most loved thing about being in PR: I’m a media junkie  – now I guess you’d say I’ve turned social media junkie.  And I still get a thrill about seeing a story I helped develop come to life whether in digital or traditional outlets.

Best source for breaking PR news: These days for me it’s Twitter.  I found out pretty much everything there from hard news to bizarre cultural trends.  I also get personal news and updates from friends and colleagues.

Number one recommendation to new PR professionals: Participate.  Get active in whatever you do and that means work, professional organizations like PRSA, social networks, your communities – and learn by testing, adapting and seeing what other people do.

About Counselors Academy…

Most valuable aspect of being a Counselors Academy member: The most valuable aspects of being a CA member – I hope I can include two – are the content and the community.  Counselors gives us an opportunity to meet and build strong relationships with some of the smartest and open people around who trade stories, share insights and ideas, talk about business dreams and challenges, and yes – eat, drink and act merry, too!

Role on the planning committee: Last year, I was conference chair.  This year, it’s in Dana’s more than capable hands and because of that, I know it’s going to be the best event we’ve had.  I’m helping with programming and specifically breakouts and keynotes.

Best thing about the Counselors Academy conference: I think I answered that one above.

Most fun memory of a Counselors Academy conference: Um – this is for publication.  So even though we don’t have it in Canada, I’ll take the Fifth Amendment.  I will say one word: prom.  Oh  – and the content, it’s all about the amazing content.  Did I mention that?

 

Counselors Academy Member Spotlight Blog Series: 

Our very own Dana Hughens is the PRSA’s Counselors Academy Conference Chair for the 2013 conference June 9-11 in Austin, Texas. As conference chair, she has the privilege to work with other members of the conference planning committee, which consists of senior-level PR counselors and agency owners from across the United States and Canada. We caught up with these PR pros to find out their secret to success and what they love most about Counselors Academy.