Today is our monthly professional development session.  I hope you’ve reserved your seat at the table to hear Abby Pemberton talk about Publix and her company’s social media success.  You can still pay at the door if you’ve not RSVP’d. 

Because some folks missed it last week, here’s adirect link to the December issue of PRestige, our monthly newsletter.  News tip: next month, PRestige takes on a whole new look… stay tuned!

 

Heard of WestJet Airways?  I hadn’t either… until I watched this video.  What a GREAT example of PR that’s gone positively viral! 

 

 

Annual Conference:  “FPRA: The Road Best Travelled,” August 11-13, 2014, in Orlando.  Clickhere for more info.

Looking for a job? Know someone who needs a job?  Here’s one in Lake County:  

Click here to see this job posting.

Finally, I wish each of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday Season, and a Safe and Joyous New Year!

 

Until next time… continue to “think FPRA!”

Thursday Thoughts, 12.12.13

FPRA Ocala Chapter

Click here for a festive surprise! 

Next Friday, Dec. 20, is our monthly professional development session: click here for more info and to RSVP. 

“FPRA: The Road Best Traveled” – FPRA’s 76th annual conference takes place August 11-13, 2014 in Orlando. Click here then scroll down for a short video on next year’s conference. 

December’s PRestige newsletter is linked for your perusal.

Like music trivia? Check it out. Particularly like Christmas music? Check out this funny video...

Or, if you're like me and prefer the original version, here's Andy Williams...

The Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) has finalized a new “Certificate in Principles of Public Relations” for students.  By way of background, the certificate is designed for any undergraduate student who is:

• a public relations major or major in a similar field at an accredited college or university with a faculty member who will certify he/she is a public relations or related major
• within six months of graduation (before or after) 
• prepared to take a formal preparatory course 
• willing to pay the $125 exam fee (to cover Prometric testing) plus a $25 registration fee.

The latest FPRA white paper benefits us all: PR is Not Always Loved by Management; Here’s How to Get the Romance Started 

Finally, State Office membership rosters will be purged at the end of this month. If you know someone who has YET to renew his/her membership, encourage them to do so now. If they wait, they’ll have to start the process all over again, submit a resume and application, be board approved… and perhaps even pay a late fee.  Remember, memberships are renewed through the State Office.

Gearing up for just one more complete shopping week before Christmas… I encourage you to “think FPRA!”

Kevin Christian, APR

FPRA Ocala Chapter President
Marion County Public Schools

Thursday Thoughts 12-5-13

Click here for a festive surprise!

Our monthly professional development session on December 20 is confirmed with a great speaker… you won’t want to miss this one! Think Publix, Facebook, and Twitter combined… more details to follow in your inbox.

REMINDER:  The FPRA membership database will be purged December 31.  Anyone who renews after this date will not be included in the printed membership directory, may have to start the entire application process over, and may have to pay a $25 late fee to re-join.  Currently, the Ocala chapter has the fourth-best renewal rate in the state… which would improve if more non-renewals sign up.  Questions? Contact Jenifer Lowe, president-elect and membership chair.

Have you considered the next step in your career -- becoming Accredited in Public Relations?  APR is the only universal, post-graduate credential available in the public relations profession. It is considered the “Mark of Distinction” for those demonstrating knowledge, experience and commitment to the profession. When you earn your APR credential, you join an elite group of 5,000 public relations professionals worldwide.  Join some of your credentialed peers Monday, Jan. 13 at 11:30AM in the Hospice of Marion County board room (3231 SW 34th Ave. Ocala, 34474) to hear an overview of the credential process. All you need to bring is your lunch and an appetite for information -- we’ll supply the rest! If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Lisa Varner or call 352.854.5230.

Finally, our Image Award committee is hard at work finalizing details for Save the Date, Call for Entries, and Awards Invitation… based on the “recipe” offered in the November meeting, the 2014 Local Image Awards promise to be desirable, delightful, and delectable!  More details to come in future communication…

Until next time, continue to “think FPRA!”

Thursday Thoughts 11-27-13

As you enjoy time this Thanksgiving with family and friends, I encourage you to pause for a moment to reflect on how much we all have for which to be thankful.  Even in our worst scenarios, we have so much more than many others around the world.  Perspective is a good thing, and holidays provide prime time to examine and reflect.   If you need inspiration, read this quote then click on it for more:

“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.”  --W.T. Purkiser

It’s possible some chapter members may NOT receive email communications from the State Office due to firewall restrictions.  Some issues of e-facts (state newsletter) may not make it through company filters. If you’re not receiving emails from the State Office and your company cannot change firewall settings, you might consider using a personal email address instead (remember to provide this to the State Office for future membership / contact rosters).

From Barbra Hernandez, APR, with Marion County Board of County Commissioners:  [Individuals, brands and PR practitioners that succeed in this new era will do so with edict similar to Dachis Group’s CEO Jeff Dachis new mantra – “This shift from mass communications to a mass of communicators has created a strong fundamental shift.” He’s right, and Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and his team just underestimated how mass this group of communicators could be. Click here to read the full article.

Finally, here’s a “visual invite” to our December meeting, complete with holiday music and snow: 

(Special thanks to Devon Chestnut, APR, Gainesville Chapter member and State Board Executive Committee member, for producing this spot for us!)

In giving thanks, continue to think FPRA!

Thursday Thoughts 11-21-13

Happy Thursday! One week from today, we’ll enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with family, friends, and others who make our lives meaningful.  I hope the time away from your job is peaceful and filled with rest… although some of you may venture into the “Black Friday” zone.  If you do, best of luck with that!

Special thanks to Carole Savage, APR, CPRC, on a successful ACES meeting this week.  Though small in attendees, the conversation was rich and full of thought!

Last week’s State Board meeting was filled with information for chapter members.  Among them:  Golden Image is going electronic!  Yes, that’s right – no more three-ring binders at the state level.  Stay tuned to Heather Danenhower, APR, for more details on this exciting evolution and how it may impact our local Image Awards.

In membership, the Ocala Chapter slipped to 4th in the state for renewal rates, but from those listed as “non-renewed” on the State roster, we’ve identified several locals who already ARE in the process of renewing.  If you’re still undecided, do so today… you’ll avoid a late fee and possibly having to start the entire process from scratch.  If you’re not sure, you can always email the state office. <mailto:state@fpra.org>

Exciting changes are in store for our newsletter… so keep reading these weekly emails to discover those changes!

Here's information on the 76th annual FPRA Conference in Orlando...
 

I hope you’ll start making plans now to attend!

MARKETING OPPORTUNITY – we’re looking for monthly meeting sponsors wanting brief time before Ocala’s best PR professionals.  If you know someone who’s interested (for a fee), let me know.  I’m happy to contact them to make the pitch.

And finally, watch for a new job posting on www.fpraocala.org <http://www.fpraocala.org>  soon offering someone with graphic arts experience a good opportunity that’s local.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thursday Thoughts 11-14-13

Fall is in the air, and cooler temperatures -- at least for today -- are refreshing!

Tomorrow is our monthly professional development session at the Holiday Inn & Suites / Ocala Conference Center.  Networking starts at 11:30AM. I hope you’ll join us to hear Megan Licata, APR, of Fry Hammond Barr Public Relations in Orlando.  Megan was the lead executive in charge of transitioning the famed Peabody Hotel – ducks and all – into the Hyatt Regency Orlando.  With rebranding as her focus, Megan has great experience to share with us. If you’ve not RSVP’d, you can still pay at the door with the $25 price.

FPRA’s State Board of Directors meets this weekend in Jacksonville.  Your Ocala Chapter is well represented on this prestigious leadership team.  Tina Banner, APR, CPRC, is vice president of Accreditation and Certification; Laura Byrnes, APR, is vice president of Professional Development; and Allison Campbell, APR, serves as the vice president of Golden Image.  In addition, Barbra Hernandez, APR and your Programs Chair, and I will attend to represent our chapter. I look forward to bringing home great news for our chapter from this meeting.

And finally, this comes courtesy of our own Toni James, APR, CPRC,… What a museum did to attract visitors: The Rijksmuseum in Holland had an idea:  Let's bring the art to the people and then, hopefully, they will come to see more - at the museum. They took a 1642 Rembrandt painting, “Guards of the Night,” and brought to life the characters in it, placed them in a busy mall, and the rest you can see for yourself!   
http://www.youtube.com/embed/a6W2ZMpsxhg?feature=player_embedded <http://www.youtube.com/embed/a6W2ZMpsxhg?feature=player_embedded>

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Until next time, continue to “think FPRA!”

Thursday Thoughts 10-24-13

What a beautiful FALL day here in Central Florida!  The cool weather is quite refreshing!  As you enjoy this (hopeful) change of season, you might consider the following as well:

·        Image Awards are coming!  I’m usually challenged when people tell me no – when they say something’s NOT possible or downright demand me not to do something. For some reason “no” and “don’t” often prompt me to do the exact opposite. Call it reverse psychology or awakening the rebel within. So today, I advocate disobedience and beg you, please don’t take this survey <http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C6TKFDP> . Please don’t provide us your feedback <http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C6TKFDP>  by tomorrow.


·        Many of our chapter members work for non-profits and other organizations that depend largely on volunteers.  In this spirit, National Philanthropy Day is coming very soon.  The information attached to this email may be useful for you and for any organization wanting to recognize one outstanding giver of time, talent, and/or treasure. (Thanks to Chapter Treasurer Lauren DeIorio for these details.)


·        “Blogs, Tweets, and Posts – Oh My!” – No, this isn’t the latest Wizard of Oz chapter; instead, it’s an invite to follow FPRA-Ocala on social media.  Our technology guru, Ginger Broslat, is spearheading efforts to revive our social media presence, so Tweet, re-Tweet, post, follow, tag, pin, snap, whatever platform you use – think FPRA while doing so!



·        Finally, membership renewals are on the up and up, with many of you renewing by the Oct. 31 deadline (thank you).  I’ve spoken with more than a dozen people recently about joining, rejoining, or renewing their FPRA membership.  I hope you’ll do so – we want you as part of the Ocala chapter!



Until next time, continue to “think FPRA!”