APR Trivia February 2012

Q: How much does it cost to apply for accreditation?

A: $385 … but the FPRA state office and the Southwest Florida Chapter both offer $100 rebates to successful candidates, bringing the cost down to $185!

January Lunch Recap: Put Me In Coach!

By Brian Hamman
brian.d.hamman@centurylink.com

LCEC's PR all-star Karen Ryan laid out her game plan for winning the image game at January's luncheon.  Karen shared the template she and her team use as they create a communications plan for everything from an outage to the installation of new office phones.  Here's a sample of the topics covered on the template:

1. Situational Analysis

2. Target Audience

3. Measurable Objectives

4. Implementation

5. Evaluation

You don't want to miss a single meeting this year.  Next month, Pason Gaddis, president and group publisher of Florida Weekly, will join our Chapter on Feb. 7 to share insights on the future of media and newspapers.

President's Word: New Year's Resolution

By Carla Ulakovic
carla.ulakovic@gmail.com

The Southwest Florida Chapter New Year’s resolution is to encourage chapter members to invest in their professional development and participate in the many great programs, networking opportunities, and accreditation preparation courses that we offer.

The start of a New Year is a wonderful opportunity to re-energize and refocus our goals.  Our Chapter has take inspiration from the 2012 Olympic Games and encourages our members to set a “Winning Tradition” through participation in the local Image Awards competition.  At our January luncheon, Karen Ryan, APR, CPRC shared tips on how to craft a winning PR Playbook and on January 24 we will host a FREE Image Preparation Workshop.  But our work doesn’t stop here! To keep in line with our resolution, the Chapter has started a Passport to FPRA program to engage new and potential members in Chapter activities. And for both new and existing members, we are once again offering APR study sessions. An informational session will be held on Thursday, Jan. 19 in the offices of Pushing the Envelope, 12655 New Brittany Blvd., Suite 13W in Fort Myers. Anyone interested in learning more about the APR process should attend the meeting.

What better way is there to start the New Year, than by joining the Southwest Florida Chapter in setting a winning tradition in 2012 and investing in your professional development?

Warming up for Image

By Carla Ulakovic
carla.ulakovic@gmail.com

As the 2012 Olympic Games approach, it’s time to warm up and submit your medal worthy public relations programs for the Local Image Awards. On Tuesday, January 24 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, a panel of distinguished PR professionals are offering an Image Workshop to help you get started. The panel of Image coaches includes Kate Gooderham, APR, CPRC, Victoria Moreland, Pam Nulman, APR, CPRC and Samantha Scott, APR. Each expert will provide insight about the do’s and don’ts of program entries, judging categories and scoring, the all-important two-page summary and binder composition.

Attendance at the Image Workshop is FREE, and for more individualized feedback, you are encouraged to bring campaign plans, printed materials, news releases, or other communication tools. Submitting entries to Image is valuable as it may attract greater exposure for your client(s) and further distinguish yourself as a PR professional exhibiting the very best examples of innovation, planning and design.

Go for the Gold – Sponsor the 2012 Local Image Awards!

By Carla Ulakovic
carla.ulakovic@gmail.com

Sponsorship Opportunities are available for the 2012 Local Image Awards. We are currently looking for sponsorships or in-kind donations for items or services that will be used in the event (food/beverage, giveaways/door prizes), to be held on Tuesday, April 10, 2012. All levels of contribution are greatly appreciated. Please review the sponsorship levels to take advantage of this opportunity! The deadline to reserve your sponsorship is Friday, Feb. 3, 2012.

Start a Winning Tradition in 2012! Local Image Call for Entries Now Available

By Carla Ulakovic
carla.ulakovic@gmail.com

Calling all public relations and marketing professionals in the area – now is the time to submit your finest work. The Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) has issued a Call for Entries for its 2012 Local Image Awards.

Local Image Awards are held annually and recognize the best public relations, communications and marketing efforts in Southwest Florida during the past year.

Submissions for awards must be presented in a detailed and specific format, as directed by the Call for Entries. The contest is open to FPRA members and non-members as well as students. Please review the Call for Entries for the 2012 Local Image Awards as it contains all the information you need for an Image entry including judging criteria, awards presented, rules for entry, deadlines and where submissions need to be sent, descriptions of each of the divisions and categories, entry fees, the official entry form and an entry checklist.

Whether you are new to the process or a seasoned Image participant, use the Call for Entries as your step-by-step guide to staying on track. A new project is kind of like your very own PR science experiment – you have a hypothesis or great idea, develop a plan, consider and address the variables, observe and collect data, create back-up materials, formulate the project results and come up with a final conclusion.

One very helpful hint is to ask someone who is not invested in the project to review your entry. A colleague, with a fresh perspective and eyes, may notice something that needs to be corrected or clarified.

New Member Engagement Program

By Carla Ulakovic
carla.ulakovic@gmail.com

Ten new and potential members attended the kick-off for the 2012 Passport to FPRA Member Engagement program. Interested individuals were invited to learn more about the many ways that FPRA, both locally and statewide, can help enhance our profession and your career. The Southwest Florida Chapter launched the membership engagement program help individuals to make the most of their membership and create fun ways to get to know industry colleagues.