June PD Session – Afternoon at the Museum: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Currier Museum of Art

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Join us on Thursday, June 5 from 3-5 p.m. (and later if you choose) for our spring PD session: Afternoon at the Museum: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash Street, Manchester NH.

After checking in, we will gather in one of the Currier’s classrooms to meet with Steve Konick, Director of PR & Marketing at the museum. He will briefly discuss the museum’s approach to PR and marketing; the advantages and challenges of a cultural non-profit and his experience in the arts. There will also be a few minutes for discussion.

Following the session with Steve, Senior Educator Jane Seney will lead us on a “behind the scenes” tour of the museum that will take us beyond just its art. Learn more about the daily operations of the museum, how they address security, plan for events, and more.

Following the tour, YPRSA members are invited to wander through the galleries or browse the gift shop. Members are also invited to stay for the Currier’s Young Friends of the Currier meeting at 5:30 p.m. and/or their First Thursday event at 6 p.m. for no additional cost. The Winter Garden Café will be open with refreshments and the museum will be open late.

WHEN: Thursday, June 5 from 3-5 p.m.
WHERE: The Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash Street, Manchester NH.
COST: Members $20, non-members $35, students/interns $10.

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Breaking Down Barriers: Improving the Relationships Between PR Professionals & Journalists – April 16, 2014

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Yankee Chapter Professional Development Session

“The conflict between Romeo and Juliet can be compared to the relationship between journalists and public relations professionals. They rely on one another, but there are many forces that split them apart,” says blogger Adreanne Peters.

Although the two professions have different objectives at times, understanding one another is one of the most critical skills for successful PR professionals to have when working with journalists. This upcoming session, Breaking Down Barriers, will aid in breaking down the barriers between the two professions to help create a mutually beneficial relationship.

We will start with an overview of how to message your story in an environment where many struggle to transform traditional messaging to work in a social media context. Next, New Hampshire media professionals will give you their tips, outlook and advice. The PRSA Yankee Chapter media panel will walk you through how to break through the clutter, and how to connect with today’s reporters.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 16, from 2:30-4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications, 749 East Industrial Park Drive, Manchester NH.
COST: Members $20, non-members $35, students/interns $10.

Media panel to include:

Sarah Ashworth, news director, NH Public Radio
Kathleen Palmer, arts and entertainment editor, Nashua  Telegraph
Tim Buckland, reporter, The Union Leader
David Tirrell-Wysocki, former AP Bureau Chief and current Executive Director of the Loeb School
Matt Mowry, Editor, Business NH Magazine.
Moderator: Martin Murray, PSNH

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Upcoming APR Prep Opportunities

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Accreditation in Public Relations (APR)

Proven Value for 50 Years. Visionary leaders in 1964 established the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) credential as a way to recognize practitioners who have mastered the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to develop and deliver strategic communications. Decades later, as public relations evolved, the APR remains the recognized gold standard for the profession.

Recognized Standard. During the past 50 years, the procedures required to earn the APR have changed. However, one thing has not: The value behind Accreditation and the importance it plays in a society now driven by digital communications, rapidily emerging technologies and a 24-hour news cycle.

Many communicators today work under the mantle of “public relations.” Accredited members go much further. They demonstrate commitment to the communications profession, to their clients, to their company or organization, and to themselves. Earning the APR is an individual achievement open only to seasoned working professionals with a  recommended five or more years public relations experience. It’s a challenging process but it is worth it.

Upcoming accreditation preparation opportunities:

The Yankee Chapter is offering a half-day APR Readiness Review session on Saturday, April 12, at the offices of Louis Karno and Company, 31 Warren Street, Concord, New Hampshire from 9 a.m. to noon. Please contact Brett St. Clair at apr@yankeeprsa.org if you are interested in attending.

The Boston Chapter is offering a FREE Member (Yankee Chapter members too) Informational 1/2-Day  ‘APR Prep Bootcamp’ on Saturday, March 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Junior Achievement of Northern New England, 400 Fifth Avenue, Suite 300
Waltham, Massachusetts. The Bootcamp Course will be facilitated by successful APRs who recently went through the process from the neighboring Yankee Chapter. They will provide an insider’s recap of what to expect, how best to prepare, and the sequence of steps.

PRSA is offering a free webinar on its online APR study course Tuesday, April 1 from 3 to 4 p.m. EDT.  RSVP by Noon (EDT) on Monday, March 31, 2014.  http://www.instantpresenter.com/AccountManager/RegEv.aspx?PIID=EC57D9878548

Photography for PR People – March 19

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Please join us on Wednesday, March 19 at New England College in Concord for our March PD session: Photography for PR People. We will also be holding a brief information session on the APR (Accredited Public Relations) program following the PD session.

Not all public relations professionals are photographers. With the changing media landscape, it’s more important than ever to include photos with press releases that are relevant, properly formatted and print-ready. Two professional print photographers will share their expertise, tips and an example workflow guide. John Hession, photo editor of New Hampshire Home Magazine, is a photographer with more than 25 years of exeperience in editing, advertising, public relations and magazine photography. Alexander Cohn, former photo editor at the Concord Monitor, has extensive newsprint, professional photography and photo editing experience.

Presentation to include:

  • Best practices 
  • What makes a print-worthy photo
  • File formatting….more than just jpegs
  • Simple photo corrections, tips and tricks
  • When you should take photos in house and when you should hire a professional 

There will also be ample time for a question and answer session.

About John Hession  
John W. Hession has 25 years experience shooting in all formats for clients ranging from Sony and IBM to Elle and 17 Magazine. John’s photographic specialties include architecture, commercial portraiture and food. In 2007, John became the founding photo editor of New Hampshire Home,  a position he still holds today. As photo editor he oversees the editing and prep for print of photographs from diverse professional and amateur sources. He has helped the magazine’s advertisers develop and refine their photography to improve their marketing and sales. He is well versed in all aspects of image acquisition, color correction, retouching and prep for print and web distribution. In addition to still photography, John is currently shooting two feature length documentary films using HDSLR technology, as well as acting as director of photography on numerous commercials and short films.

 

About Alexander Cohn
Alexander Cohn is a Manchester-based editorial and commercial photographer and multimediaproducer. From 2008 to 2013 he was the Photography Editor at the Concord Monitor. Despite growing up in Alabama, he now leads backcountry ski and rock climbing trips for the New Hampshire chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. His work can be seen at: www.cohnphoto.com

 

 

Event Details

Where: New England College, Concord Campus, 62 North Main Street, Concord. Metered parking is available on Main Street, or in the Storrs Street Parking Garage.
When: Wednesday, March 19, 3-5 p.m.
Cost: $20 for members, $35 for non-members, $10 for students/interns

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*A brief information session on the APR (Accredited Public Relations program) will be held immediately following the PD session. If you plan to attend or would like more information, please contact Bob Lindquist at boblind@comcast.net. 

Thanks to New England College for allowing us to use their beautiful new campus location.

Behavioral Strategic Planning — Feb. 26

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Please join us on Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 3-4:30 p.m. for our February PD session: an abridged version on Behavioral Strategic Planning...for those who learn quickly or just want an introduction to the idea!

Stacey Smith, APR, Fellow PRSA, Senior Counsel and Partner with Jackson  Jackson & Wagner will be introducing, teaching (or reviewing, as the case may be) with us how to build a behavioral strategic plan that can be measured — all in 1.5 hours.

This is an abridged presentation of her well-received one-day workshop she does regularly for PRSA members around the country (the next one is in Boston on March 28).

Session is to include humor and treats, so why not?

About Stacey Smith
Since joining Jackson Jackson & Wagner in 1981, Stacey Smith has helped clients with her counseling expertise in crisis planning and problem solving, facilitation and training, developing public relations and marketing plans, and organizational dynamics and development. Stacey has particular expertise in research, specifically, problem analysis and methodology design. She has also worked with a number of clients on the issues and strategies surrounding organizational development.

Event Details
Where: The Elliot at River’s Edge, 185 Queen City Ave, Manchester (please park in the parking garage and use the Main Entrance)
When: Wednesday, Feb. 26, 3-4:30 p.m.
Cost: $20 for members, $35 for non-members, $10 for students/interns.

Thanks to The Elliot at River’s Edge for the use of their wonderful facility.

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Digital Media and Today’s Digital News Release

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Please join us on Thursday, January 23 from 3-5 p.m. at New Hampshire Housing, 32 Constitution Drive in Bedford, NH for a webinar and post-webinar discussion. This event is free for Yankee Chapter PRSA members, $20 for not yet members and $10 for students/interns.

Webinar: Digital Media and Today’s Digital News Release, 3-4 p.m.
Newsrooms have changed dramatically, and traditional news release distribution methods no longer meet the needs of journalists. As new technologies and staff cuts change the way newsrooms operate, journalists are busier than ever. Bloggers also add new challenges and opportunities. Take advantage of this trend by making it easier for the media to pick up your story. Digital news releases are designed to get all the information a journalist or blogger needs — contact links, images, video, backgrounders, bios, social media elements and more — directly into the inbox of your targeted list of journalists.

You will learn:

  • What more than 200 journalists told us in a recent survey regarding press release preferences.
  • What journalists and bloggers really need in-hand to cover your story, and in what format they want it.
  • How to use segmentation and long-lead/short-lead distributions to make your release more effective.
  • How to optimize your digital news release to maximize Web exposure.
  • How to analyze digital new release vendors.

Speaker: Malayna Williams, Ph.D.

Photo of Malayna Williams, Ph.D.Williams has worked in the digital communications field for seven years, focused primarily on the execution of electronic press kits. She works with clients ranging from associations to CPG firms to some of the country’s largest and most innovative public relations firms. She earned her master’s degrees at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Chicago, and has a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.

 

Post-Webinar Discussion: Using Digital Media, 4-5 p.m.

Speaker: Carol Robideau

Carol Robideau of the Nashua Patch will lead a discussion about digital media, how the Patch uses digital news releases and how “everyone is a reporter” in this environment.

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New Year, New PR Successes

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2014 resolutions?

Build your PR insight (check).

Expand your network (check).

Start the new year off right! Join PRSA in January and become part of an engaged network of PR pros, with access to tools and resources. Receive waived initiation — a $65 value — through Jan. 31.

Join PRSA with code JAN14 and receive waived initiation ($65 value).


Black Friday Membership Special

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Black Friday Offer For You! Join #PRSA by 11/30, choose a FREE Section & waived initiation OR a FREE Chapter bit.ly/1aW6RSM

Dunkin Hot PR & Branding, Annual Meeting, Awards and Chapter Elections – November 21

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What does it take to stay in the running in the coffee market? With beverage and food competition brewing strong, Dunkin’ Donuts was recognized again this year for offering a superior experience in customer loyalty in the coffee category and in the packaged coffee category in Brand Keys surveys.

Our keynote speaker, Michelle King, is director of global PR for Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc., and is responsible for external communications for Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins in the United States and worldwide. In her dozen years at Dunkin’ Brands, she has helped develop and implement award-winning communications campaigns for many of the brand’s most important initiatives, including Dunkin’ Donuts’ return to California, its first mobile app for payment and gifting, the company’s IPO in 2011, and the launch of literally hundreds of innovative new foods and beverages.

Find out about Dunkin’s public relations planning, and get some ideas on how to keep your company’s public relations in the running. As you might expect, Dunkin’ Donuts coffee & donuts will be served. (Also, we’ll have delicious appetizers and a cash bar!)

Where: Red River Theatres, Concord, NH

When: November 21, 2013, 3 p.m.

Timeline:

3 p.m. “Dunkin’ for Hot PR & Branding Ideas” Michelle King, Director of Global PR, Dunkin’ Brands
4 p.m. Annual Meeting Yankee Chapter PRSA Awards — Lifetime Achievement Award Isobel Parke, APR, Fellow PRSA and 2013 Summit Award, recognizing excellence in strategic public relations objectives through a special event.
4:45 p.m. Networking — Hors d’oeuvres, cash bar & Dunkin’ coffee and donuts

Cost: 15 members (bring a colleague – $20 for both), $25 non-members, $10 students/interns/AmeriCorps members

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Thank you to our sponsors

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What’s Next in Health Care – And How Do We Talk About It?

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Please plan to join us on Thursday, October 10, 2013 as the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Tuck School of Business join the Yankee Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America to host a professional development seminar: “What’s Next in Health Care – And How Do We Talk About It?”

A panel of health care leaders from Dartmouth will discuss the latest developments in health care; they will then be joined by journalists who cover health care for both print and electronic media, followed by a Q&A period.

Health Panel:

Dr. Sanders Burstein, medical director, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Nashua, expert on Shared Decision Making and Advance Directives
Katy Milligan, Director of the Master of Health Care Delivery Science Program, Tuck School of Business
Roddy Young, Vice President, Communications and marketing, Dartmouth-Hitchcock

Moderator:

Rick Adams, Director of External Affairs, Dartmouth-Hitchcock

Media Panel:

Charlotte Albright, Reporter, Vermont Public Radio
Chris Fleisher, Staff Writer, Valley News
Todd Bookman, Health Reporter, New Hampshire Public Radio

The event will occur from 3 to 5 p.m. in Auditorium B&C of the DHMC Lebanon Campus  Main Building at One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH. (Directions)

A reception will follow.

Event details:

WHEN – Thursday, October 10, 2013, 3. to 5 p.m.
WHERE – Auditorium B&C of the DHMC Lebanon Campus  Main Building at One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH.
COST – $20 Members, $35 non-members, and $10 students/interns.

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