Skip to content

615-294-1886

d@clairemontcommunications.com

Clairemont Communications

Clairemont Communications

  • About Us
  • Awards
  • Blog
  • Our Work
  • Services
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Awards
  • Blog
  • Our Work
  • Services
  • Contact Us

Tag: PRSSA

Meet Nathan, Clairemont Intern

Meet Nathan, Clairemont Intern

May 24, 2018January 31, 2023 Clairemont InternBlog, Entry-Level PR Job, The Clairemont Teamclairemont internship, PRSSA, Public Relations, the clairemont team, Western Carolina

As a rising senior, I am majoring in communication with a concentration in public relations and a minor in entrepreneurship. Apparently, I am the first intern that Clairemont has had from Western Carolina University (the best university this side of the Mississippi), so I am excited to bring a rural flavor to the City of Oaks!

How Did I Get Started?

I originally hail from the great state of Washington and have always been known for my outgoing and often goofy attitude. Known as the class clown throughout my days in grade school, when I finally got to college I figured that I needed to do something social that involved lots of interaction. I felt that communication could be one of my skills, but I really couldn’t discern between the many fields within the major. So, I put down public relations on my application and hoped for the best.

It wasn’t until I attended my first PRSSA National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia during my first semester that I found out what PR really was and how it is connected to writing, speaking and design. Now, I am president of my school’s chapter of PRSSA and cannot wait to be a part of the new wave of public relations professionals.

What’s to Like about PR?

Communication, for me, is not just about messages and how people send, receive and perceive them. I love communication because I love language. I have a deep love for writing and how it enables one to mold and craft the human language. I decided my passion for language was what I wanted to pursue, and I didn’t need to look past this field to utilize that passion. If you stop and look around, you can see miscommunication everywhere in the world. It is shocking to see how many problems exist that could easily be solved with better communication. One of my professors has always said that anything in life starts with good communication. In any field of work and with any task, one must always start with communication to ensure everything else can happen.

I love PR because it gives me the opportunity to connect with people and solve problems. I get to learn about ideas and concepts from all walks of life while challenging myself to come up with innovative solutions and worthwhile initiatives. Human connection is what drives all interaction in this world, so why not be at the crossroads of it all?

As a Sidenote…

I direct a lot of my passion for writing to music. I have been playing bass guitar and writing music for almost 10 years. Seeing live music is my biggest hobby, and I strive to spend as much time as I can seeing my favorite local small-time and big-time bands. If I am not jamming out to punk rock or 60s classics, you can find me enjoying a craft beer or taking a hike in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.

Written by Clairemont intern Nathan McDaniel, a rising senior at Western Carolina University

Read More
Meet Kennedy, Clairemont Intern

Meet Kennedy, Clairemont Intern

January 30, 2018January 31, 2023 Clairemont InternBlog, Fashion, The Clairemont TeamClairemont Team interns, communications jobs, fashion blogging, PRSSA, Social Media

Sprite and Hewlett Packard have a couple of things in common. One, they are global companies, and two, they asked me to partner with them on campaigns this past summer.

Meet Kennedy          

My name is Kennedy Norton, and I’m a junior at NC State University studying communications with a concentration in public relations, as well as minoring in design studies.

You will probably find that I am not your typical college student. In addition to being a full-time student, I am the marketing/PR coordinator for a planner company based in Charlotte, Kahootie Co. I’m also a blogger! I have a fashion and beauty based blog named Enticingly Haute. I have crafted campaigns with Sephora and Neutrogena, taken over T.J. Maxx’s Instagram story for the day and will complete a campaign with Ulta Beauty at the end of this month. Last but not least, I’m Clairemont Communication’s newest PR intern.

 

Social Media Savvy

My favorite class assignment to date was giving a speech on why I believe that Instagram is the best social media platform. I adore social media and the communication it affords me. I started a blog to share outfit ideas and beauty tips with my friends and family. Enticingly Haute took off in ways I could have only imagined. Kahootie Co. loved my Instagram presence of 20,000+ followers at the time and reached out wanting me to work on its social media and communicate with its buyers. I love people and building relationships with them. It’s what made me choose my major and easily share so much of myself through my blog; it’s also why I think I’ve had success in creating meaningful and impactful social media content.

Why Clairemont

As the PR director for the NC State PRSSA chapter, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Clairemont’s own Tracy Lathan. Tracy is passionate about what she does, and after hearing her speak multiple times at PRSSA events in Raleigh, I needed to find out more about Clairemont.

This agency could not be more perfect. The women here are driven and excited about what they do. The less than 10-person team is a homey and hands-on experience. I truly feel a part of the team here at Clairemont; you can’t walk around this house without feeling inspired to think up a new idea or to create something. This agency makes me that much more excited about my major and will give me an outlet to continually grow my love for social media and people while offering opportunities to develop knowledge for a lifetime.

Written by Clairemont intern, Kennedy Norton, a junior at North Carolina State University.

Read More
PR People: Kim Strazisar

PR People: Kim Strazisar

July 18, 2017January 31, 2023 Sarah HattmanBlog, PR People, Public Relationsemail marketing campaign, ethical PR, mentor, NCPRSA, professional development, PRSA, PRSSA, Social Media

Kim Strazisar

Job title and function: I wear many hats. I do everything from client networking and proposal writing to strategy and implementation of public relations, social media, email marketing campaigns and web design solutions. I have also started training courses to give small business owners a helping hand with their social media. Ultimately, my job is to listen to my clients and then develop and execute the best plan to help get their voices heard and their objectives met.

Most rewarding thing about working in PR today: Despite the rapid changes in technology and media, ethical PR strategy and tactics still get results. A news release helped a client raise money for charity. A broader social media strategy helped a client gain more customers. Letters to legislators helped a client get a law passed. A newsletter helped a client educate and retain its members. As a PR pro, there is nothing more rewarding for me than the satisfaction of helping a client reach their goals through communications.

Craziest/most challenging thing you’ve done in PR: One of my craziest adventures was while I worked for The Rossman Group (now Truscott Rossman) in Lansing, Mich. My client, The Michigan Oil and Gas Association, hired us to promote The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. One summer, I organized press conferences at several sites across the state. It was just me in my little Honda at these remote locations with limited cell service. Never before in a traditional press conference did I have to direct news trucks down unnamed back roads, schlep podiums out to swampy bird sanctuaries, or ask participants to do their best to talk over the bugling elks standing in the reserve behind them. It was crazy, but it was worth it as the client got great coverage for the program and my work on that campaign won our firm the Central Michigan Public Relations Society of America’s “Best In Show” award that year.

Advice for new PR pros: First, always do quality work. Then…

1) Connect with other PR pros. I met amazing friends and colleagues through the Central Michigan chapter of the Public Relations Society of America’s New Professionals group. We supported each other through the highs and lows during the first years of our careers. Fifteen years later, we are scattered across the country but we’re still cheering for each other’s accomplishments on social media and answering each other’s calls for help or advice.

2) Become a member of a public relations trade association, society, meetup, or club. I am a member of the North Carolina Chapter of Public Relations Society of America (NCPRSA). Membership is the key to continuing your professional development and finding future job opportunities.

3) Find a mentor. Seek out someone that you trust and respect who will answer your questions and guide you through managing workflow, navigating office dynamics and working with clients – all skills that will help you move to the next level.

4) Speak Up! It’s always better to ask for help, than to make a mistake – especially when dealing with the media. But if and when you do make a mistake, admit it, fix it and learn from it – quick!

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. 
Read More

Is the APR Really Worth it?

June 5, 2012January 31, 2023 Tracy LathanAPR, Blog, Professional DevelopmentClairemont Communications, NCPRSA, PRSA, PRSSA

As the accreditation chair for NCPRSA (North Carolina Public Relations Society of America), our local PRSA chapter, I have been asked many times whether or not getting the APR (Accreditation in Public Relations) is really worth it. My answer in a word: absolutely. This has been a hot topic of conversation as some organizations hold the APR in very high regard (even making it a requirement for employees), while others don’t place the same level of importance on the credential. Having just gone through the process myself, I can confidently say it was a worthwhile experience that has positively impacted my career.

After spending the past 11 years in an agency, I understand that the day-to-day workload demands and other responsibilities of life make the thought of pursuing an APR a bit daunting. While achieving it is certainly doable while working full time, it is a time commitment. If you are on the fence in deciding whether or not to commit to the process, here are a few arguments to help make the decision a little easier.

  • Advancing the profession – Accreditation helps boost our industry’s overall image and increases individual professionalism.
  • Setting yourself apart – I have heard from many PR professionals that they take a closer look at resumes with an APR credential, as it shows that the applicant has taken the extra step and demonstrates the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities.
  • Committing to constant improvement – Whether you are in the early stages of your career or a seasoned vet, professional development is critically important. For me, the APR process helped highlight my strengths, as well as identify areas of weakness where I needed to focus a bit more. Aside from the letters beside my name, going through the APR process made me think about things differently and ultimately made me a better counselor.
  • Who couldn’t use a little extra money – There is some research that suggests it may increase your pay grade. Anecdotally, I have heard the same thing from Raleigh PR agency owners and corporate communications professionals.

In the end, whether or not you choose to pursue an APR is a decision only you can make, but I have yet to meet someone who has been through the process and did not feel that he or she benefited from it in some way.  I encourage you to reach out to your local PRSA chapter accreditation chair for advice and support (if you are in the Raleigh area that would be me!). The APR chair can also connect you with other people in your area who are going through the process, as well, which can be a great support network.

Best of luck!

Read More

Free Advice Friday: Listen Up, Students!

November 18, 2011January 31, 2023 Dana PhelpsBlog, Free Advicenetworking, PR, PRSA, PRSSA11 Comments on Free Advice Friday: Listen Up, Students!
Networking with Mary Deming Barber, Abbie Fink, Gini Dietrich and Shonali Burke at the PRSA International Conference.

Last month while I was attending PRSA’s International Conference in Orlando, I had the pleasure of finally meeting Mary Deming Barber of The Barber Group who just might be one of the best networked professionals in the communications field. We got to talking about how students connect with professionals and use networking to help secure that first big break into PR.

Wait, I should correct myself. We really talked more about how students are NOT connecting and networking. With nearly 20 years of experience, I was honored to get to sit by Mary during lunch. Imagine my surprise when she told me that a friend’s daughter who aspires to enter the communications field ignored Mary’s email introductions to several other established, well-connected and willing-to-help professionals.

During the same trip, I got to have a little fun by celebrating Abbie Fink‘s birthday with her at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Abbie is another networking queen, and she spied the group of students wearing PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) t-shirts. Abbie exchanged hellos with a few of them, and honestly, I wanted in on the fun! As a former PRSSA member,  I was excited to see them, so we attempted to start a dialogue with the larger group of about 10 or 12 students. They were friendly, but not a student out of the group seemed to have the thought that two potential employers were standing in front of them saying, “Hey, tell me about yourself!”

I remember when I was a college junior and attended the PRSSA International Conference, which is held at the same time as the PRSA International Conference, by design. Standing in the buffet line, I found myself in a conversation with a man who had a ribbon on his name badge that read College of Fellows. After asking what that meant, I also learned that he was attending an invite-only College of Fellows dinner that evening.

“Can I go?” I asked. “No. You have to be a Fellow or guest of a Fellow,” he replied. “Can I be your guest?” I asked. “No. I already have a guest,” he answered. “Can you get me a ticket?” I tried again. “Look kid, you can’t go to this event. Why would you even want to go?” he asked. “I thought you might be able to introduce me to some people who might want to hire me next year,” I said, naively confident. He told me I was “nicely assertive” and was chuckling and shaking his head as he walked away. Two years later, he gave me my first agency job.

Mary and I wondered…why do today’s students seem to be missing some networking know-how? Is it not being taught in school? By parents? Is it our responsibility? Like most PR professionals I know, I’m willing to share anything I can to help students and new grads! Let’s start with these three tips:

  1. If you (or your mom or dad) ask a busy professional like Mary to help you, keep up your end of the bargain. Mary took the time to write email introductions, connecting the student with other people in PR she respects. When the student never responded, she wasted Mary’s time and made Mary look bad for making the recommendation in the first place. Not to mention the fact that the student missed out on making some very influential people part of her life that could have had positive outcomes throughout her career. Learn to follow up now, or you won’t make it.
  2. Have a few conversation starters ready to go so that when you find yourself with a networking opportunity — whether it is at a business event or a theme park — you can make the connection. With social media, it should be easier now than ever to exchange contact information. Something that could have worked for the students at Disney — “So you are here for the conference, too? That’s great. Are you coming to any of the student events?” I think this would be a good one seeing as we were all communications people….”Hey, are you tweeting about your day here? What’s your Twitter handle so we can follow you?” It also never hurts to ask someone to say her name again if you didn’t get it the first time (most people don’t)… “What is your name again? Do you happen to have a card on you?” That works in any situation, and people are typically flattered that you are making an effort to remember their names and pay attention to who they are and where they work.
  3. One of my clients and an incredibly smart CMO, Teri Slavik-Tsuyuki, says that curiosity and critical thinking are two of the most important things she looks for when screening candidates. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I didn’t know what College of Fellows was all about, but my curiosity about it was what led to the conversations that landed me my first agency job. Prior to my interview, I did as much research on the firm and its clients as I could, and when I arrived I was armed with lots of questions. I asked about how the agency did its work and why the teams had made certain client decisions.

Now it’s your turn. As PR practitioners, what other pieces of advice do you have for students? And students, we would like to hear from you, too! Take advantage of the comment thread as an opportunity to ask questions — we’re here to answer them!

Read More

Categories

  • APR
  • Awards
  • Blog
  • Case Studies
  • Clairemont Client News
  • Copy Cat
  • Counselors Academy
  • Entry-Level PR Job
  • Fashion
  • Free Advice
  • Furniture PR
  • Hiring a PR Firm
  • In Our Community
  • Inspirational
  • Internal Communications
  • Marketing
  • Oh Momma Monday
  • On the Record
  • Our Work
  • Owning a Business
  • Photo of the Week
  • PR People
  • Professional Development
  • Public Relations
  • Raleigh PR Agency
  • Real Estate PR
  • Restaurant PR + Hospitality PR
  • Social Media + Influencer Engagement
  • Starting a business
  • Sustainability
  • The Clairemont Team
  • Travel
  • Trends
  • Wonderfully Random

clairemontcommunications

SNEAK PEEK! @dellthepig landed at @wendellfallsnc SNEAK PEEK! @dellthepig landed at @wendellfallsnc (client) today, and rumor has it that @blah2voila has already been hamming it up with Dell! We know you want a selfie with Dell to post on Pigstagram, too!
We are proud to represent Raleigh as a member of P We are proud to represent Raleigh as a member of Public Relations Consultants Group, allowing us to offer clients expertise and support across the country! Clairemont founder, Dana Phelps aka @blah2voila, recently attended the PRCG conference in Oklahoma City.
2022 has been a fantastic year for Clairemont Comm 2022 has been a fantastic year for Clairemont Communications! Visit our blog for the full 2022 year in review!
As communications professionals, we wear a variety As communications professionals, we wear a variety of hats to meet our clients’ needs.
 
We’re writers, social media managers, photographers, marketers, editors, content creators- the list goes on and on.
 
Check out our recent blog post to learn what @olivia.noles , account coordinator here at Clairemont, does on a weekly and monthly basis.
#communicationsagency #communicationsmajor #pragencylife #pragency #raleighpr
This Friday, Clairemont’s Dana Phelps, @blah2voi This Friday, Clairemont’s Dana Phelps, @blah2voila , will be speaking at the 2022 @nc_prsa Strategic Communication & MarCom Conference! Phelps is a repeat presenter at this annual conference, and this year she is leading a session called Growing from Communication Technician to Strategic Counselor during which she will share three of her coined concepts: knowcasting, morecasting and collabolighthing. Visit our blog for the link to register for the conference!
@clairemontcommunications and @yellowdogcreative g @clairemontcommunications and @yellowdogcreative go together like the bacon and eggs! And speaking of bacon and eggs, have you been to @therainbowluncheonette yet? YUM!
Later this year, Clairemont client @wendellfallsnc Later this year, Clairemont client @wendellfallsnc, a master-planned community just 15 miles from downtown Raleigh, will welcome @parksideraleigh, a Raleigh-favorite restaurant known for its fresh, made-from-scratch dishes, to the community!
 
Visit our blog to see the @trianglebizjrnl coverage and read the full feature in the TBJ to learn more about Parkside.
“What exactly does a PR Agency do?” Because we “What exactly does a PR Agency do?” Because we get this question often, we have a series on our blog where we dive into our recent projects to give you a look at what a PR Agency really does.
 
For example, a statewide resource for small businesses recently hired Clairemont to devise an executive visibility campaign to help position the organization and its director as the leading small business resource in North Carolina.
 
Head to our blog to read what exactly an executive visibility campaign entails and to learn more about our services!
So you say it’s National Coffee Day? We say let So you say it’s National Coffee Day? We say let us tell you about our new favorite @drink321coffee ! If you are in Raleigh, go see Paul, the other Paul, Emma  or whichever smiling faces are working today. We LOVE this place and the coffee! ❤️❤️❤️
Our client @wendellfallsnc, one of the largest mas Our client @wendellfallsnc, one of the largest master-planned communities in the Triangle, closed on its first age-eligible rental community plan, Arden at Wendell Falls, that will offer 140 open-concept units and exclusive onsite amenities!
 
Visit our blog to see the @trianglebizjrnl coverage and read the full feature in the TBJ to learn more about Arden at Wendell Falls.
Staying in Raleigh this Labor Day weekend? Stop by Staying in Raleigh this Labor Day weekend? Stop by client @vitaviteraleigh for good snacks and great wine!🍷 Both locations are open normal hours Friday-Sunday and closed on Monday.
You never know who might be hanging out at The Cla You never know who might be hanging out at The Clairemont House. Thanks to @yellowdogcreative for helping save this buddy. Notice that we speak lizard. Or skink. Or gecko or whatever he is. Or maybe it’s the extra caffeine before our client presentation.
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!
Load More Follow on Instagram
Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: realy-store by inverstheme.
Cleantalk Pixel