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Tag: PR People

PR People: Anna Menagias

PR People: Anna Menagias

July 5, 2017July 15, 2022 Sarah HattmanBlog, PR People, Public Relationsculture initiatives, internal stories, Kimley-Horn, PR People, Public Relations, Raleigh PR, website contentLeave a Comment on PR People: Anna Menagias

Anna Menagias

Job title and function: I’m a communications analyst at Kimley-Horn, where I focus on social media, events, website content, culture initiatives, internal stories and public relations.

Most rewarding thing about working in PR today: I love the variety of projects in PR, but what I’m most passionate about is advocating for a client or cause. I’m fortunate to work with a group of talented and caring people (we were named one of PEOPLE’s 50 Companies That Care this year), so it’s very rewarding to see them recognized by others outside of the firm.

Craziest/most challenging thing you’ve done in PR: I used to worked in nonprofit event management and helped plan a gala themed after “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory“— complete with a larger-than-life boat, six-foot tall lollipops and about a lifetime’s worth of candy. It’s all in the details!

Advice for new PR pros: Don’t be afraid to try new things! PR is an expansive field, so diversify your skill set, take on new opportunities, find what you’re passionate about and go for it!

Are you interested in being featured in “PR People?” Send us a message on Facebook to share your story!

Sarah Hattman, APR is president-elect for the North Carolina chapter of Public Relations Society of America and has been working in PR since she left television news. She grew up in North Carolina and was excited to move back to her home state in 2012 and join Clairemont Communications, a Raleigh PR agency. 
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PR People: Travis Bullard

PR People: Travis Bullard

June 7, 2017July 15, 2022 Sarah HattmanBlog, PR People, Public RelationsAPCO Worldwide, corporate communications, innovative companies, PR People, PR professionals, public affairs, Raleigh PR, stragetic communicationsLeave a Comment on PR People: Travis Bullard

Travis Bullard

Job title and function: I am a director with APCO Worldwide, a global communications consultancy. In this role, I get to work with a variety of clients around the world, around the U.S. and here in North Carolina. Our Raleigh office is one of the fastest growing offices in our global network, and I get to lead a team of communication professionals to build APCO’s global, regional and local offering in corporate, public affairs and strategic communications.

Most rewarding thing about working in PR today: I’m fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s biggest and most innovative companies, and I’ve always found it rewarding to help people and organizations share their stories and build relationships.

Every company, at some level, has a purpose. How well an organization is able to communicate that purpose with its key stakeholders — including employees, customers, partners and investors — is critical. As PR professionals, we get to help drive that focus on communicating an authentic purpose.

Our work impacts bottom lines, creates and protects jobs, defines issues important to society, improves workplaces and communities, gains visibility for and gives voice to those who may not typically be heard and much more. Simply put, our work is impactful, meaningful and can either help solve a problem or help create an opportunity.

Craziest/most challenging thing you’ve done in PR: The great thing about PR is the opportunity to mix a little crazy with the ordinary. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to watch the start of the Spanish Grand Prix from inside the Ferrari Formula One garage, get iPhone tips from Steve Wozniak, ski indoors in Dubai, run into Bono at the World Economic Forum in Davos, walk along the Great Wall of China and rebuild a school in Thailand.

I’ve also been fortunate to work on some complex and challenging projects. One of my favorite experiences was launching GlobalFoundries in 2009 as a joint venture between Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Mubadala Development Corporation of Abu Dhabi. Starting as a spinoff of AMD, GlobalFoundries quickly developed into one of the largest and fastest growing semiconductor technology companies in the world with manufacturing campuses in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

Advice for new PR pros: It’s all about relationships. I’m not referring to that old adage, “it’s who you know.” I’m referring to the fact that life is about building positive relationships. If you keep that as your North Star everything else tends to fall into place.

Be sure to remember that your clients are people. Obviously you’ll get to know their business or product and goals very well, but take the time to get to know them on a personal level. Some of my favorite people in the world are clients I’ve gotten to know over the years. Not only are they great friends, but knowing them on a deeper level is really beneficial in helping their business or product succeed.

Are you interested in being featured in “PR People?” Send us a message on Facebook to share your story!

Sarah Hattman, APR is president-elect for the North Carolina chapter of Public Relations Society of America and has been working in PR since she left television news. She grew up in North Carolina and was excited to move back to her home state in 2012 and join Clairemont Communications, a Raleigh PR agency. 
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PR People: Allison Fonke Blough

PR People: Allison Fonke Blough

May 4, 2017July 15, 2022 Sarah HattmanBlog, PR People, Public Relationsbusiness, Operation Enduring Warrior, PR, PR People, skydive, Storytelling, veteransLeave a Comment on PR People: Allison Fonke Blough

Allison Fonke Blough

Job title and function: My job title is owner/consultant of Anthem Strategical. We specialize in marketing solutions for small businesses. It’s important for me as a consultant to have the full picture of a business, from the owner’s personal branding to the business’s overall history in their market.

Most rewarding thing about working in PR today: The most rewarding part of this industry is discovering more about the people who make up the businesses. I love telling their personal stories as well as those of their companies. I believe that people connect with stories and that authenticity is the capstone. Truth often resonates with us in a way that we can’t even explain. We just feel it! I love that part of my job is being a storyteller.

Craziest/most challenging thing you’ve done in PR: The craziest thing I’ve done for PR is jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. I was in charge of communications for an outstanding veteran nonprofit, Operation Enduring Warrior, and I was tasked with promoting their skydiving program for wounded veterans. At one of the promotional skydiving events, the opportunity to do a tandem skydive fell into our laps. I was then convinced that the best way to share the experience of skydiving was to do it myself, so onward and upward we went! It was amazingly peaceful, and I have to admit that knowing the feeling firsthand helped me promote skydiving with a greater understanding and build a stronger rapport with our audience.

Advice for new PR pros: My advice for PR professionals is to always be bold enough to take on new projects outside of your comfort zone. Good PR is more about helping represent the heart of an organization than being an expert in that field. You’ll be amazed at how much crossover there is and you’ll gain new experiences and opportunities as a result. We’re in this industry because we’re life-long learners, so don’t be afraid to go learn something new!

Are you interested in being featured in “PR People?” Send us a message on Facebook to share your story!

Sarah Hattman, APR is president-elect for the North Carolina chapter of Public Relations Society of America and has been working in PR since she left television news. She grew up in North Carolina and was excited to move back to her home state in 2012 and then join Clairemont Communications, a Raleigh PR agency. 
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PR People: Chris Cowperthwaite, APR

PR People: Chris Cowperthwaite, APR

March 23, 2017July 15, 2022 Sarah HattmanBlog, PR People, Public Relationsfake news, North Carolina Nurses Association, PR People, PR pros, value of PRLeave a Comment on PR People: Chris Cowperthwaite, APR

Chris Cowperthwaite, APR

Job Title and Function: Manager of Communications and Outreach for the North Carolina Nurses Association (NCNA). I’m the entire in-house PR department, so I do a little bit of everything. Responsible for managing the Tar Heel Nurse, NCNA’s bi-monthly magazine; writing news releases; fielding media inquiries; assisting with legislative advocacy; shooting/editing videos; social media; overseeing all e-newsletters (Inside NCNA, APRN E-News, and all quarterly regional newsletters); and anything else that falls under the communications/PR umbrella.

Most Rewarding thing about working in PR today: I really enjoy digging into complex/important issues and figuring out the best way to explain them to people who might not be in the know. When we get the message out and it’s well-received, it’s rewarding to see the appreciation from my “clients” who understand the value of PR.

Craziest/most challenging thing you’ve done in PR: Craziest: Getting to wander around a gigantic solar array on top of a factory when I worked for Southern Energy Management. Most Challenging: A sustained legislative issue where our political opponents have had 10 times as many resources ready to deploy than we could ever hope to match.

Advice for new PR pros: Vigorously maintain your credibility in this era of alternative facts and “fake news.” Refuse to cut corners when it comes to ethics.

Are you interested in being featured in “PR People?” Send us a message on Facebook to share your story!

Sarah Hattman, APR is president-elect for the North Carolina chapter of Public Relations Society of America and has been working in PR since she left television news. She grew up in North Carolina and was excited to move back to her home state in 2012 and then join Clairemont Communications, a Raleigh PR agency. 
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PR People: Roger Friedensen, APR

PR People: Roger Friedensen, APR

March 8, 2017July 15, 2022 Sarah HattmanBlog, PR People, Public RelationsAPR, boutique PR, PR advice, PR People, Raleigh PRLeave a Comment on PR People: Roger Friedensen, APR

Roger Friedensen, APR

Job Title and Function: I’m a partner and co-founder of Forge Communications, a research and communication strategy firm with offices in Raleigh and Charlotte. Launched in 2009, we’re a small boutique firm comprised of senior-level consultants, so my work is actually doing the work – which I love. We all have held leadership positions in our past lives at agencies, non-profit associations, health systems and corporations, but this time around we wanted to spend our days helping clients solve real problems and produce measurable value rather than building a big firm again and having to “feed the overhead beast.” Been there, done that. 🙂

Most Rewarding thing about working in PR today: For me, it’s what it’s always been: the challenge that comes from helping create order out of chaos and solve complex problems; the opportunity to collaborate with smart, creative, accomplished individuals from whom I can learn; and the chance to do meaningful work that helps our clients — and, in turn, their employees, customers, communities and sectors — accomplish what they want and need to do better and improve lives. It’s also really cool to be working in the middle of one of [if not the most] transformative times in the industry’s history. As a geek and wanna-be futurist, I love the intersection of communications and technology!

Craziest/most challenging thing you’ve done in PR: After 32 years in this business, that could be a reaaaaaaally long list. A couple of items do stand out, though. First, I took a former U.S. Surgeon General, the past president of the American Medical Association, the president and CEO of the second-largest pharmaceutical company on the face of the planet, and about two dozen senior pharma executives to what turned out to be an overly trendy, Yuppie-filled restaurant/hip-hop dance bar in San Francisco’s financial district.

Second, I was once threatened by a county commissioner while on a client’s advance team informing him and his fellow commissioners that their county and three others in North Carolina were on the short list for a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility. “Son, if I were you, I’d get out of this county by high noon. It’s time for us to marshal the troops.” We hit I-40 out of the county right after the meeting.

And finally, I helped one of my colleagues, the great Mike Herman, APR, Fellow PRSA of blessed memory, manage a “unique” crisis situation for one of our clients, Austin Nichols. I’ll let the Wikipedia entry speak for itself: “On May 9, 2000, a fire destroyed a seven-story aging warehouse at the company in Anderson County, Kentucky. It contained more than 17,000 wooden barrels of whiskey. Burning whiskey flowed from the warehouse, setting the woods on fire, causing limestone deposits to explode. Firefighters saved Lawrenceburg’s water treatment plant from destruction. However, an estimated 20% of the whiskey flowed into the Kentucky River. The river contamination required the temporary shutdown of the water treatment plant. Officials ordered water usage restrictions. Businesses and schools were closed because of the water shortage. The alcohol spill also depleted the oxygen in the river, killing an estimated 228,000 fish along a 66-mile stretch. The EPA and the Coast Guard’s Gulf Strike Team aerated the river using equipment mounted on barges. The company paid $256,000 to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife in an effort to restore the fish population in the river.”

Yep. That’s right. More than 180,000 gallons of prime Wild Turkey bourbon made its way into the Kentucky River in the middle of the night, forming a mile-long plume of whiskey that wiped the river clean. The plume didn’t dissipate until it reached the Ohio River.You just can’t make this stuff up.

Advice for new PR pros:

Tip #1: Stay unquenchably inquisitive.
Tip #2: Recognize that “PR” does not mean the same to folks outside of the profession as inside. Understand that to remain relevant (i.e., employable) your perspective and skill set — not to mention your reading and professional development — must be broader than “traditional” public relations practice (media relations, special events and the like). Our business is about clarifying and strengthening communication between individuals. Public relations, marketing, advertising, content management, etc. — those are just different colored lenses we can use to evaluate a problem and figure out a solution.
Tip #3: Learn and practice good manners. They make a difference.
Tip #4: Don’t be lazy, greedy, rude, stupid or unethical. I really shouldn’t have to say this.
Tip #5: Don’t be lazy, greedy, rude, stupid or unethical. I really shouldn’t have to repeat this.
Tip #6: Learn to read the tea leaves and connect the dots. This business is not simply about connecting people; it’s about seeing the linkages among ideas, trends, issues, opportunities, people and organizations and making meaningful connections.
Tip #7: Get out of your own head and your own world regularly so you can be better able to put yourself in others’ shoes.
Tip #8: Learn to ask questions.
Tip #9: Learn to ask smart questions.
Tip #10: Learn to ask smarter questions.

Bonus Tip: Learn how to write, speak and, the most important, listen successfully. But then again, that’s good advice for pretty much everybody.

Are you interested in being featured in “PR People?” Send us a message on Facebook to share your story!

Sarah Hattman, APR is president-elect for the North Carolina chapter of Public Relations Society of America and has been working in PR since she left television news. She grew up in North Carolina and was excited to move back to her home state in 2012 and then join Clairemont Communications, a Raleigh PR agency. 

 

 

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Yep, our town is pretty cool. #raleigh Yep, our town is pretty cool. #raleigh
Who wants to have a Friday afternoon porch meeting Who wants to have a Friday afternoon porch meeting?
Congrats to our new neighbor on Bloodworth Street Congrats to our new neighbor on Bloodworth Street South @raleighwineshop ! @blah2voila was there today representing Clairemont at the grand opening festivities and enjoying the @grandchamphospitality sandwich pop up. Yum! 🍷🥪
It’s National Volunteer Month, and volunteers ar It’s National Volunteer Month, and volunteers are needed more than ever! Many organizations with scarce resources rely on volunteers and would not exist without them. Visit our recent blog post to read about the organizations Clairemont has supported and how you can make a difference in your community!
Authenticity is trending, and research shows that Authenticity is trending, and research shows that consumers are 2.4 times more likely to view user-generated content as authentic. Read our recent blog post to learn about UGC, how it can benefit your brand and how to use it in your marketing strategy.
From social values to behavior patterns, COVID-19 From social values to behavior patterns, COVID-19 has left an impact on every sector of life, including marketing. Read our blog on marketing in a post-COVID world to learn how things have changed and how that should impact your business strategy.
We are so excited to share that Clairemont earned We are so excited to share that Clairemont earned eight awards, five gold🥇and three silver🥈, at this year's Sir Walter Raleigh Awards hosted by the Raleigh Public Relations Society!🎉 We are beyond grateful to work with so many amazing partners, clients and industry friends!
This spring, Ali de la Vega is joining the Clairem This spring, Ali de la Vega is joining the Clairemont team as an intern! Ali is a Junior at NC State who prides herself in being a daughter and a Christian as well as an amateur athlete, overachiever and older sister. Learn more about her background and how she found a love for PR on our website!
If you could change one thing about Instagram, wha If you could change one thing about Instagram, what would it be? Comment 🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏿‍♀️🙋🏽‍♀️ if you said, “I’d bring back the chronological feed.” Well, the chronological feed could be returning in 2022! Visit our blog to read the 2022 recent Instagram updates and how your Instagram strategy should change.
Many people don’t realize it, but a lot of behin Many people don’t realize it, but a lot of behind-the-scenes work goes into creating a successful blog post. Visit our blog to learn the 11 blogging mistakes you’re making, why these mistakes are hurting your blog and how to fix them.
Since TikTok’s success, short-form video has tak Since TikTok’s success, short-form video has taken over social media. With how easy it is to reach new audiences, you should be using short-form video in your business’s social media strategy. Visit our blog to learn how TikTok took over and how to use short-form video for business.
Clairemont is currently seeking smart, responsible Clairemont is currently seeking smart, responsible, creative and hard-working public relations practitioners who are ready to tackle any assignment for an account strategist position! Check out our latest blog post for the job description and further information. #raleighpr #clairemontcommunications #pragency
From new employees to outstanding awards, Clairemo From new employees to outstanding awards, Clairemont has had an amazing 2021. Visit the blog to read Clairemont’s 2021 year in review.
To celebrate the holiday season, the Clairemont te To celebrate the holiday season, the Clairemont team dined at @angusbarn and played a regifted version of White Elephant, a game that has been a Clairemont tradition for years. Visit our blog to read more about the Clairemont team holiday traditions and how they came about.
While you may feel the need to capitalize the word While you may feel the need to capitalize the word “merry” when wishing someone a merry Christmas, merry is not a proper noun, name or event and should only be capitalized when at the beginning of a sentence.
This year, Clairemont was the only agency headquar This year, Clairemont was the only agency headquartered in NC to receive a 2021 Silver Anvil Award on top of two Best in Show awards from NCPRSA and a Queen City award from PRSA Charlotte. Visit our blog and read about the recognition we received in 2021.
Claus is Santa’s last name. A clause is a group Claus is Santa’s last name. A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. For example, “When he comes to our home, we get gifts.”
Giving back to the Raleigh community is important Giving back to the Raleigh community is important to our team, especially around the holidays. Check out our blog and read about how our team gives back to the community.
Not only are these holiday words often miswritten Not only are these holiday words often miswritten as two words, many are also frequently misspelled. Mistletoe has a silent T and sugarplum is spelled with an A, not an E. Other commonly misspelled holiday words include poinsettia, reindeer, angel, hot cocoa and boughs (of holly). #holidaygram #grammar_tips #grammartips
Chief Mosley is more than just a client and collea Chief Mosley is more than just a client and colleague, he is also a true friend with the kindest soul. He has dedicated most of his life to the fire service, starting as a volunteer and continuing on to roles from firefighter to deputy fire chief. 

While working with the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs on a two-year campaign to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters across 15 of the most at-risk agencies in North Carolina, Chief Mosley helped secure 474 new recruits. Visit our blog to learn more about Chief Mosley’s career in the fire service.
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