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February 2019 
President's Message
It’s a great time to be part of the PRSA Dallas community. Have you heard the buzz about our January breakfast with Amazon’s Kristin Graham? Kristin made “word nerds” out of all of us with her engaging presentation on leveraging data to capture audience attention. In case you missed it, check out the highlights on PRSay.
February is Black History Month, and on our social media channels, we’re saluting African-American pioneers in the public relations industry, as well as some of our own PRSA Dallas members. Follow along on our Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages.
I hope you’ll join us for our next program on Thursday, Feb. 21, as we discuss how to navigate hot-button issues. With our own Jen Cho of Weber Shandwick and Jeannine Brew Braggs, APR, of Verizon speaking, it’s sure to be a compelling presentation!
See you soon,
Brooke Traister, APR
Monthly Event
February luncheon: "The New Crisis: When to take a stand on hot-button issues” with Weber Shandwick and Verizon
Today’s news cycles are dominated by viral moments and hot-button debates. Whether it starts with a celebrity protest or a high-profile diversity issue, CEOs feel pressured to choose a side on the societal or cultural topic du jour. How do you know when it’s the right time for your company or client to take a stand?
Join PRSA Dallas on Feb. 21 for a luncheon presentation from two industry experts who will share how brands can be more proactive in their response to sensitive issues facing society. Learn how to respond proactively – when it makes sense – in conversations about current events, politics, pop culture and more, while handling the decision-making cycle with your leadership team. Speakers include Jennifer Cho, general manager and executive vice president at Weber Shandwick Southwest, and Jeannine Brew Braggs, APR, spokeswoman and external communications manager at Verizon.
Register now to attend this great presentation!
Spotlight On: Black History Month
Throughout the month of February, you’ll see posts on our social media platforms from some of our members sharing what Black History Month means to them.
Black History Month is a time for self-reflection, and it’s also an opportunity for action. Here are some things you can do this month and throughout the year to support racial equality and give back to the community.
Keep in mind that this is just a short list of ideas – Black History Month is a great time to do some research of your own to find other ways, too. We look forward to seeing how you are learning and taking action! --Jennifer Cho, board member and Diversity & Inclusion Committee chair
1. Support black- and minority-owned businesses
Kessler Baking Studio is owned by Clyde Greenhouse and is located just north of the Bishop Arts District
Val’s Cheesecakes has three locations in DFW and is owned by Valery Jean-Bart with recipes inspired by his mom, Marie Jose Labossiere
2. Donate to charities that work towards racial equity in North Texas
Abounding Prosperity provides services to address health, social and economic disparities among African-American men with a focus on the LGBTX community
The Chocolate MINT Foundation addresses the lack of affordable enrichment programs for children whose parents have little to no economic resources
3. Learn more about racial equality, discrimination, bias and how to be part of a progressive future
Books like The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color Blindness, Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do, and Ain’t I A Women provide valuable perspective and education
The Communities Foundation of Texas has helpful information on their website including volunteer events
Additional ideas will be posted to the PRSA Dallas social media channels throughout the month of February.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
PRSA Southwest District Conference
Join PRSA Houston and members from the 13 chapters in the PRSA Southwest District for the 2019 PRSA Southwest District Conference, taking place April 24-26 at the Whitehall Hotel in Downtown Houston. The conference will bring together public relations and communications professionals from across Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma for three days of professional development and networking.
IABC Dallas February Professional Development Luncheon
"Why DFW Must Regain Its Prestige" with Ken Luce, founding partner of Dallas-based LDWW Group, Feb. 12.
“We must as an industry, from agencies to in-house producers to freelancers, remind people that D-FW and Texas have great talent that does national and global work,” says Luce, a veteran of marketing giants such as Temerlin McClain and Weber Shandwick. “For our own survival, we as an industry must educate, celebrate and cooperate, much like fields such as law and consulting.”
IABC is offering PRSA Dallas members a 10% discount! Register by midnight Feb. 10.
Location:
Maggiano’s Little Italy
6001 W Park Blvd
Plano, TX 75093
11:15 a.m. – noon: Arrival and networking
Noon – 1:15 p.m.: Speaker content and Q&A
Costs:
IABC Dallas members: $35
Non-members: $50
Students: $25
Member Spotlight
Meet Thomas Bennett
Project Manager, Marketing & Communications
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Assistant Membership Director and member of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, PRSA Dallas
Your favorite place to eat? Pecan Lodge (the best BBQ in Dallas in one’s opinion!)
What are you reading right now? “Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?” by Seth Godin
Favorite quote or phrase that inspires you? “Devote yourself to the perfection of whatever you pursue."
Hobbies or what you like to do on the weekend? Spending time with my wife, running, cycling, trying a new restaurant, or going to iPic Movie theater.
What does PRSA or the communications field mean to you? I believe our profession, PR/Communication, plays a very important role in brand credibility, changing the way people think about our respective companies’ products or services, enhancing online the presence, and managing its reputation. It means a lot, and something I don’t take lightly, to play a role in all these different aspects.
APR Spotlight
Are you APR curious?
Wondering what it takes to become accredited? It takes a professional—someone with exceptional experience, broad expertise, and strong dedication and values—to thrive at what you do and hold the APR certification. Someone just like YOU! Profess what you know by earning your APR in 2019. PRSA Dallas is now offering a free APR prep course along with mentoring to help you become accredited.
Got questions about the prep course, required portfolio review, or the process in general? Join APR chair Suzanne Grant on Friday, Feb. 15 at Noon for an informal session to review the APR process and the Dallas chapter’s new program to help you succeed. Email Suzanne for more info or to join the call by Skype (dial in option 866-430-8098, Access code: 5230177663# ). Make 2019 the year you earn your APR! We are here to help.
New Members
Welcome Neiman Marcus
Welcome to our newest group members of PRSA Dallas: John Walls, Rachel McCartha Hiatt, Wendy Goodman Segal, and Kristin Fletcher from Neiman Marcus.
Please welcome our new PRSA Dallas members:
Melissa Becker, Omni Hotels & Resorts
Kristin Fletcher, Neiman Marcus Group
Alison Golden, Richards Partners
Rachel Hiatt, Neiman Marcus Group
Tammy Kazmierczak, Adroit Health Group
Sarah Keller, Cawley Partners
Mary Kate Korpita, Edelman
Larry Lundy, Night Media
Sunny Mackey, City of Denison
Dusty Miles, Atom Dallas
Mary Newsome, Richards Partners
Cristina Noriega
Bailey O’Neal, National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Sharon Parker, Six Flags Over Texas/Hurricane Harbor
Kiley Rawlins, The Michaels Companies
Rebecca Reap, Richards Partners
Irasema Romero, The University of Texas at Arlington
Megan Saint John, Brinker International
Wendy Segal, Neiman Marcus Group
Susan Straub
John Walls, Neiman Marcus Group
Bishop Wash, Richards Partners
Katie Wilkinson, Richards Partners
DFW Communicators Job Bank
Looking for a job? Need to fill a position?
Check out the DFW Communicators Job Bank, a collaborative project providing a single source of news, jobs, events and freelance listings for all sponsoring organizations.
Recent postings:
Choristers Guild Dallas, TX
Senior Vice President/Vice President – Public Relations & Business Strategy
Pierpont Communications, Inc. Houston, TX
Highland Park United Methodist Church Dallas, TX
Public Relations Account Executive
Bolt Public Relations Dallas, TX
Public Relations / Social Media Intern
MCA Group Dallas, TX
Sponsored Message
This newsletter sponsored by:
Grow Professionally with a TCU Master’s Degree in Strategic Communication
The Master’s Degree in Strategic Communication at TCU prepares working professionals—through theories and skills in strategy, research, storytelling, new media, and leadership—for success in today’s competitive digital and global communication environments. Students benefit from TCU’s teacher-scholar model, which means that graduate students are taught by versed professionals, thought leaders, and top scholars in strategic communication, including both public relations, advertising, and digital media. With TCU’s location in one of the largest media markets in the country, Strategic Communication students gain valuable experience from collaborations with brands, agencies, and non-profits in simulated and real-world, client-based communication projects and through internship, networking, and job opportunities.
Assistantships and Funding
Merit-based graduate assistantships are available that cover partial and full tuition costs, and depending on the award, a monthly stipend to help cover costs. Contact Dr. Catherine Coleman or visit our website to learn more.
Sponsorships Available
Want to get in front of industry professionals to promote your services, elevate your brand and/or recruit for your team? Sponsorships are available for upcoming PRSA Dallas programs. View our 2019 sponsorship packages and contact president@prsadallas.org to get started.
About PRSA Dallas
About PRSA Dallas
The Dallas Chapter of PRSA serves more than 400 practitioners of public relations in North Texas. The chapter was founded in 1950, just three years after the founding of the national society. The chapter provides members with a variety of professional networking opportunities and services, such as the Communicators Job Bank, a monthly newsletter, professional development programs, monthly luncheons, mentoring programs and college outreach programs.
Connect with us: www.prsadallas.org
Facebook: PRSA Dallas
LinkedIn: PRSA Dallas Chapter
Twitter: @prsadallas
