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Tag: Raleigh Public Relations Society

How to Avoid Being a Photo Faux Pas

How to Avoid Being a Photo Faux Pas

December 3, 2018January 31, 2023 Clairemont InternBlog, Professional Development, Public Relationsphoto tips, Photography, Public Relations, Raleigh Public Relations Society, smartphones

Do you ever stress about the “photography skills” line of your resume? In a world of ever-improving iPhone cameras and easy access to photo editors, this seems like a must-have skill. Public relations students are increasingly expected to take courses in photography or videography, and PR professionals are often in charge of providing visual representation of their clients.

At a past Raleigh Public Relations Society’s Lunch and Learn, a panel of professional photographers answered questions about their jobs, discussed ideal client relationships and extended photography advice to the room of PR professionals.

Working with Professionals — Dos & Don’ts

Even if your client is lucky enough to have the budget for a professional photographer, there are still a few ways to help.

  1. DO figure out which photographer’s style best fits your client’s vision for the project. Kimberly Rhoades, a portrait photographer with her own business, Nine 19 Photography, said the most important aspect of the ideal client relationship is building a relationship of trust from the get-go — sounds familiar, right?
  2. DO provide useful information ahead of time to the photographer. You want your money best spent taking photos, not figuring out where to stick the backdrop.
  3. DON’T forget to give the photographer credit on social media.

Working without Professionals — Quick Tips

If your client needs you to be the impromptu photographer for the day, the panelists provided some tips:

  1. For more casual social media posts, using your iPhone to snap a few pictures will do, but an in-depth photo shoot probably warrants a better camera.
  2. If it’s a bad picture, don’t post it just to post something, especially when trying to show off your product or food. As Felicia Trujillo from Food-Seen pointed out, a chef trying to showcase his or her food won’t be successful with a bad photo.
  3. Make do with the camera you have, and learn how to use it well. Amanda English from Amanda English Photography advised not to use the auto setting on the camera; instead, watch YouTube videos, read books or ask an experienced user how to shoot the camera manually.

Five Easy Ways to Improve Your Photography Skills

  1. If you’re looking for a good lens, English recommends a 35 or 50 mm lens, which is better than zoom lenses. Sometimes you can even rent lenses if you find yourself scared of commitment.
  2. Improve composition by moving around the client you’re photographing, not vice versa.
  3. Don’t have people face the sun! Closed eyes in pictures are probably not your client’s most ideal look.
  4. There isn’t a hard and fast rule for how many shots it takes to get the perfect one, but definitely don’t settle for the first one you take. Make sure every photo looks different, even when they’re the same type of shot.
  5. When shooting an event, be knowledgeable of what the client wants before you arrive. Create a shot list. As Kim Kirchstein from Leopold Designs pointed out, it is impossible for one person to capture every moment of the event, but communication with the client is key to making sure you get the best shots!

With these quick and easy tips, you’ll improve your photography skills in the blink of an eye or hopefully, the snap of a camera! For tips translating visuals into social media, give this post a gander.

Written by Haley McDougal, previous Clairemont intern from UNC-Chapel Hill.

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Clairemont Goes Platinum

Clairemont Goes Platinum

October 25, 2018January 31, 2023 Cherith AndesAwards, Blog, Raleigh PR Agencyaward winning PR, PR Awards, Raleigh Public Relations Society, RPRS awards, Sir Walter Raleigh AwardsLeave a Comment on Clairemont Goes Platinum

Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Garth Brooks, Barbara Streisand — these 20th-century musical moguls marked history with more than 30 platinum and more than 10 multi-platinum records — each.

While we may never build a Graceland or jumpstart a British invasion, Clairemont celebrated its own platinum milestone at the 2018 Sir Walter Awards.

Hosted by the Raleigh Public Relations Society, the Sir Walter Raleigh Awards of Excellence in Communication showcase exemplary campaigns and tactics by public relations and communication professionals. This competition is held annually and recognizes and honors practitioners who have achieved excellence in a variety of categories, as judged by an independent panel of judges. Winning entries receive a rank of silver, gold or  platinum, which is the highest recognition.

This year, Clairemont was humbled to receive a total of eight awards, including six platinum accolades, the most number of platinums awarded this year.

  • Platinum Award in Integrated Communications: “Babalu’s Grand Opening Rocks the Guac“
  • Platinum Award in Campaigns: Green/Sustainability – One Time or Special Event: “Briar Chapel’s Pepper Festival Turns 10”
  • Platinum Award in Campaigns: Special Events – One to Five Days: “Il Palio Fires Up at the James Beard House“ (This award received a perfect score.)
  • Platinum Award in Campaigns: Special Event – Media Event: “Western Governors University Comes to North Carolina”
  • Platinum Award in Tactics: Media Relations: “Talbots and Oprah Magazine Dress for Success“
  • Platinum Award in Tactics: Media Kit: “Il Palio’s Freshly Baked Media Kit”
  • Gold Award in Tactics: Videos – Broadcast/Web Commercial: “Wendell Falls Builder Spotlight Videos”
  • Silver Award in Tactics: Social Media: “The Vita Vite Lifestyle“

Thank you to our clients! It’s such a privilege to be able to do work we love for people and businesses we love.

Want to explore how we might cook up something great for your business? Drop us a line!

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Clairemont Wins 11 Awards for Excellence in PR

Clairemont Wins 11 Awards for Excellence in PR

September 25, 2013January 31, 2023 Margot HorganAwards, Blogaward winning PR, PR, PR Agency, Public Relations, Public Relations Agency, Public Relations Awards, Raleigh PR Agency, Raleigh Public Relations Agency, Raleigh Public Relations Society, RPRS, Sir Walter Raleigh Awards1 Comment on Clairemont Wins 11 Awards for Excellence in PR

Clairemont Communications Recognized Among Top Raleigh Public Relations Agencies with 11 Awards

–Raleigh Public Relations Society Names Sir Walter Raleigh Award Winners– 

Raleigh, N.C. – Sept. 25, 2013 – Clairemont Communications, a full-service public relations and marketing communications firm, brought home 11 Sir Walter Raleigh awards from the annual Raleigh Public Relations Society awards banquet. These honors included the most gold and best in division wins of the evening.

“Being acknowledged as the best in division winner for a number of our client campaigns reflects our dedication to do work we love for clients we love supporting,” said Dana Hughens, chief executive officer of Clairemont Communications. “As Raleigh continues to grow as a top communications agency market, we are honored that our work is recognized among the best in the region.”

Clairemont team member, Tracy Lathan accepts a Gold and Best in Division Award for Triangle Family Services' 10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit
Tracy Lathan accepts a Gold and Best in Division Award for Triangle Family Services’ 10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit

The Sir Walter Raleigh Awards are hosted annually by the Raleigh Public Relations Society and showcase exemplary work completed by North Carolina public relations and communications professionals. Award entries are judged by an independent public relations organization based on individual campaign’s objectives, method, results, creativity and budget. Members of the Sacramento Public Relations Association judged this year’s entries.

Clairemont was awarded with the following:

Special Event/Campaign

  • Best in Division and Gold: Triangle Family Services’ 10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit

Media Kit

  • Best in Division and Gold: Triangle Family Services’ 10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit

News Releases

  • Best in Division and Silver: Newland in the Wall Street Journal

Organizational Identity/Promotion

  • Gold: Briar Chapel

Social Media

  • Honorable Mention: Thomasville Furniture
  • Honorable Mention: Briar Chapel’s Best Buddy Contest

Promotional Campaign for a Product, Program, Topic or Issue

  • Honorable Mention: Briar Chapel’s Best Buddy Contest

Employee Relations

  • Honorable Mention: Wrangler Dave & the Railinc Cow
Dana Hughens accepts one of Clairemont's three Best in Division Awards
Dana Hughens accepts one of Clairemont’s three Best in Division Awards

“These awards represent the strengths of our Clairemont team including strategic planning, effective media relations, results-driven social media, creative campaigns and successful event planning,” said Tracy Lathan, account strategist, Clairemont Communications.

Clairemont Communications devises communications strategies that utilize traditional communications and social media to help clients achieve business objectives and improve the bottom line by influencing purchases, persuading stakeholders and influencers, and defining brands. Clarity in vision + the promise of monumental results = Clairemont Communications.

–30–

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Thinking About APR? Track Your Success

August 14, 2012January 31, 2023 Tracy LathanAPR, Blog, Professional Development, Public Relations, Raleigh PR AgencyRaleigh Public Relations Society

I recently had the pleasure of speaking to members of the Raleigh Public Relations Society about ways to advance in a public relations career. I shared a few nuggets of wisdom that have served me well over the years, but primarily I was there to talk about how working toward your Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) can be great for professional development. One topic we discussed that I want to share is something I wished I had done many years ago – bookmarking those projects you know are something special along the way.

Since the group was primarily comprised young people in their twenties just starting out in their careers, I made the point that while the APR can be an important achievement, you really need a few years of experience on the job before beginning the process. The most important thing to understand is what the APR process entails, so you can set aside components, plans, supporting materials, etc. for those projects throughout your career that really stand out as top notch. You can simply create a separate folder so the materials are easy to access and all in one place. Then, if and when you decide to pursue your APR, you are one step ahead when it comes to preparing your portfolio and readiness review materials.

I really wish I had done this. And I can’t tell you how many candidates over the years have told me they worked on a really great campaign but can’t remember all the details, or where to find the plan. When it came time to prepare for my readiness review, I spent weeks trying to remember all the projects I had worked on over the years and then finding the supporting materials for the one I chose. Even if you never go the APR route, no doubt something will come up down the road where this would come in handy.

So next time something in your gut tells you this project/campaign/event is worth setting aside – do it!! You will be so glad you did.

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NCPRSA vs. RPRS

June 25, 2012January 31, 2023 Josephine ButlerAPR, Blog, Professional Development, Public Relations, Raleigh PR Agencyclubs, Communications, groups, NCPRSA, networking, North Carolina Public Relations Society, professional development, Raleigh Public Relations Society, RPRS

Are you a public relations or communications professional? Then you probably realize the importance of getting out and networking! If you’re located here at a Raleigh PR agency or somewhere else in the Triangle, there are two great organizations you should consider joining: the North Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (NCPRSA) or the Raleigh Public Relations Society (RPRS). While I personally recommend becoming a member of both, if you had to pick just one, here are a few tips that will help you decide which group is right for you.

For starters, let’s take a look at what is offered by both groups:

  • Luncheons are held each month, where local PR professionals and industry leaders will share ideas and case studies.
  • Each group hosts an annual awards ceremony – NCPRSA hosts the InSpire Awards and RPRS hosts the Sir Walter Raleigh Awards – recognizing successful communications campaigns and tactics.
  • Members receive discounted rates on monthly luncheons and other events.

Now, let’s hone in on what NCPRSA has to offer:

  • This group is comprised of PR professionals with a broad range of experiences and leadership positions at every level. From CEOs to entry-level employees, there’s a lot of variety.
  • Each year, the organization hosts a PR & Marketing Seminar, playing host to both local and national communications experts.
  • On the website, members have access to the NCPRSA Job Bank, where local employers frequently post new job openings and leadership opportunities.
  • The North Carolina chapter of PRSA is part of the world’s largest network of PR professionals.
  • Within PRSA, you have the option to join one of 16 professional interest sections, putting you in touch with other members who share your expertise.
  • The organization offers the industries only accreditation program, Accredited in Public Relations (APR) program.
  • When you become a member, you’ll receive periodicals, daily news updates and access to research, articles, white papers and case studies.
  • Because of the larger network, dues are pricier than other local groups. National dues are $255 annually, plus a $65 initiation fee and the local chapter fee.

Now let’s take a look at what RPRS has to offer:

  • This group also features PR professionals at every career level, but has an especially strong presence of entry-level to account supervisor-level members.
  • In addition to monthly luncheons, this group will occasionally arrange tours at local media outlets.
  • Twice a year, the organization will host free networking socials at popular Raleigh restaurants.
  • An attractive economic option for members with a smaller budget, individual dues are only $75 annually.

Now that you’ve had a chance to learn more about these wonderful organizations, feel free to ask questions. Dana and Tracy both sit on the board for NCPRSA, while I (Josie) serve as publicity chair for RPRS. We’d love to help you decide which group (or if both groups) is right for you!

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Have you heard about Meta’s newest social media Have you heard about Meta’s newest social media platform? It’s called Threads, and it’s being referred to as “the new Twitter.” Read everything you need to know about Threads in our latest blog post - link in bio!
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.
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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!
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