Practitioner Profile: Tim O’Brien

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1. Tell us about your academic background (college, major, degrees).

My bachelor’s degree is from Duquesne University with majors in journalism and rhetoric. I spent a lot of time working and experimenting at WDUQ-FM, the college radio station and an NPR affiliate, when I wasn’t working to pay for college. I interned in news at WPXI-TV.

2. What was your first job and how did you find it?

My path wasn’t so clear as those who may have had that one first communications job right out of school. In my sophomore year of college, I was a radio engineer/producer on the weekends and a janitor during the week at a commercial radio station called 13Q. A neighborhood friend had initially told me about the job. I then picked up some part-time jobs in radio and at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette through college, and spent my senior year going to school full time and working about 35 hours per week at KDKA Radio and TV as a writer and producer. That led to stints as a copywriter at a couple of local ad agencies, and then the move into my first full-time PR job at Mangus/Catanzano.

Over the years, I found my jobs just by constantly hustling to try new things, do new things and work with people I admired and liked. It seemed that the next opportunity always came about on a referral from someone I had crossed paths with before, and that’s still largely the case in my business.

3. What was the most important lesson you learned from that job that you still carry with you?

Opportunities are what you make of them. Most of my opportunities were available to other people before me. The difference was others didn’t see them as opportunities, and I was ready and willing to see what could be done with them.

4. Give us a snapshot of the remainder of your career path, in addition to your current job and responsibilities.

After a couple of years at Mangus/Catanzano where I honed my basic PR skills, I went to Ketchum. I was in the corporate communications group which included crisis and issues management, and workplace communications. I worked on a large number of high-profile clients and situations and was fortunate to have been a part of an awesome group of people for 10 years.

I then left Ketchum to run Communications and Investor Relations at Tollgrade Communications, a tech firm. Tollgrade was integral to the building of the national broadband infrastructure during the dot-com era. Before that, you needed “dial-up.”

In 2001, I started my business and I use the same client service model as Ketchum, providing corporate communications support, handling crisis and issues management situations and workplace communications. This also includes media relations, annual reports, content development and speechwriting, professional services marketing, among other things. Clients range from start-ups and nonprofits to Fortune 100.

5. Looking back on your career, what was the best piece of advice that you ever received?

Someone once told me you have to be willing to be fired if you’re providing your best counsel. That doesn’t mean you should be brazen. Anyone can be recklessly brash. It means you have to really do your homework, be sensitive to dynamics you may not readily see, have a strong set of personal and professional values, and be able to make your best case. It means that your advice has to be in the best interest of the organization. And it usually means you have to tell someone something they’re not ready to hear. I’ve adhered to this advice many times in high-stakes situations, and have walked into a few rooms not knowing if I’d have a job or a client after the conversation. Fortunately it has always worked out.

6. Tell us about a memorable moment in your career.

One that stands out was the time I had the chance to press the button to open the NASDAQ stock market. It was Tollgrade’s fifth anniversary as a publicly traded company, and in my IR role, I spent the morning at NASDAQ to mark that. The day was ceremonial, but it was a reminder of what our team was able to accomplish at that company, the difference we made in the evolution of the network, and that without effective PR and IR our story never would have been heard.

7. In your opinion, what are the three most important attributes needed to be a successful public relations practitioner?

Be a strategic problem-solver, a good listener, and have strong core values. You will be tested in each of these areas.

8. What is your advice to students who want to work in public relations or young public relations professionals just starting their careers?

You don’t need to have all the answers. But you are expected to have the right questions and a plan to get the answers. Demonstrate that you can work independently and collaboratively. Both are critical. Learn how to take constructive feedback constructively and act on it. When your supervisors tell you things you don’t want to hear, allow time for it to process. They’re usually right.

9. How has the public relations field changed since you started working?

Technology has changed the pace of live communication but not the pace of the work. The work was as intense before digital as it is now because everything was more labor intensive and the deadlines are the same. The biggest change is the immediacy and mobility of communication, which means you now have to be more prepared in advance. Planning used to be mainly about logistics, now it’s about logistics and contingencies.

10. What’s next? What do you see as the next big trend in public relations?

Video. Recently, I’ve been doing more and different types of video work because of the ubiquitous nature of smart phones and video screens. This has been good for me because while new delivery platforms are introduced every day, the writing, planning and production process is the same, it takes me back to my broadcasting roots and my first love. Please don’t tell my wife I said that.

Crisis Management: How to Protect Your Brand When Things Go Viral

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[ This article originally appeared on The Way, Sprinklr’s content hub. As one of PRSA Pittsburgh’s sponsors, each month Sprinklr will be delivering you with some insights into how you can use technology to make your marketing more efficient and effective. ]

While you can do your best to prevent a crisis, no company is completely immune to all the things that can go wrong. At any given time, you could be facing labor and employment issues; corporate restructuring and bankruptcy; leadership changes; data breaches; financial mismanagement; product, environmental, and safety issues; and criminal allegations.

It’s during these times of uncertainty that we see companies at their very best (or their very worst)—and the difference is often made by whether they have a solid crisis management strategy in place.

And while large, negative events will always pose a challenge, an important new consideration is how companies respond to small-scale incidents and interactions.

While not every negative customer review constitutes a crisis, for example, a single one can escalate into a real problem if it’s ignored or handled poorly.

Even a minor issue or incident can turn into something more serious if a company doesn’t address it in a timely manner. If you don’t nip it in the bud right away, social media will allow the issue to grow even bigger and become harder to control. This is an essential dynamic to account for in any crisis management plan.

Here’s the good news: With the right people, processes, and technology in place, companies can use social channels to mitigate a crisis (instead of exacerbating it). That said, organizations also need to manage media relations across multiple fronts—including print, broadcast, online, and social—if they want to reduce the negative impact a crisis can have on business finances and brand image.

There are myriad factors to each one, but above all, a company’s crisis management plan must consider how it will restore the trust it once had from customers and shareholders. Here are some tips for mapping out a bulletproof crisis management plan.

 

3 Top Tips for Better Crisis Management

1. Be Proactive and Identify Weaknesses Before A Crisis Hits

Work closely with senior management, IT, HR, legal counsel, communications, operations, outside advisors, and other experts across the business. Continually assess the extent and potential impact of your risks and to secure your vulnerabilities. It can be painful to identify weaknesses within your organization, but knowing what might go wrong is a crucial element of any crisis preparedness plan.

To ensure that you are constantly assessing internal risks, make crisis preparedness a standing item on the board or risk committee agenda. Map out the main threats along with their potential size and impact, and develop corresponding plans for how to address them.

On a more tactical level, consider the following aspects of your crisis managementstrategy: who needs to be informed; your response and escalation protocols; preparing a dark site; creating a response matrix across social channels; internal communication cascades; regulatory statements; basic logistics such as the “war room”, contact numbers, and media lists; and preparing how you will mobilize resources on short notice and continue communication with customers and employees.

These can be dry, cumbersome tasks, but they can serve as the difference between a company collapsing or successfully getting through a crisis.

2. Give Your People the Power to Effectively Manage a Crisis

Invest in education and training for your staff, customers, and suppliers. Run through mock crisis scenarios to solidify lines of communication and establish a clear chain of command.

With a proper system in place, develop base messaging documents that can be quickly adjusted and deployed in the case of a crisis. Ensure that public-facing employees are armed with a consistent set of messages which reflect that the company has acknowledged the situation and is working hard to remedy it.

Use technical language in these documents when you need to be precise, but make sure that the message is clear and accessible—and easy for a wide audience to understand. Displaying empathy and humanity during a crisis is critical, and using hyper-technical language will only prevent you from doing so.

3. Equip Your Social Team With the Tools to Win

Pre-existing strategies and processes are critical during a crisis, but it’s equally important for employees to have the tools to execute properly—especially in our social-centric world. Lock down your company’s social compliance infrastructure, including role-based permissions, a kill switch, and the ability to post in multiple languages.

It’s also necessary to have a comprehensive social listening tool that allows your social team to keep track of what people are saying about a particular situation. Check your keyword queries on a regular basis and ensure that alerts and data are aligned to existing platforms in order to centralize monitoring and response across your business.

Social listening drives up-to-the-minute knowledge, which in turn provides the power for an informed, well-crafted response.

 

Above All: Practice, Practice, Practice

The tips above are important, but if I had to choose just one piece of advice to give you right now, it would be to prepare and practice, and then prepare some more.

While it’s often the sectors that are perceived as the most stable and trustworthy that are the most vulnerable to breaches and other types of crisis, every organization should be prepared long before a crisis hits. Here’s why: It’s safe to assume by now that your company will face some kind of crisis—even if you have military grade IT security in place. According to security researchers at IBM, 95% of successful hack attacks were because of some type of human error.

It’s also very easy for issues—even the critical ones—to go unnoticed for a while. By the time you do notice, it’s usually too late. The damage has been done and you have some serious work to do. So, it’s essential that you don’t wait for a disaster to hit before putting a communications plan in place.

Given the recent crises that have drawn countless national headlines, it’s never been more clear that taking action in the short-term can prevent a whole lot of trouble down the road.

 

The author Yim Wong serves as Principal, Head of Digital at Finsbury, a leading strategic communications firm that serves many of the world’s most successful companies, institutions, and organizations. Wong elaborated on these tips in Sprinklr’s recent crisis management webinar.

Spend Your Aug. 31 at Buckhead Saloon for Game Night

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PRSA Pittsburgh and Ad2 Pittsburgh is teaming up once again to host Game Night at Buckhead’s Saloon in Station Square on Wednesday, Aug. 31, from 5 to 9 p.m. Join us for an evening of games, networking and prizes including Pittsburgh Pirates tickets.

Learn more about Ad2 Pittsburgh and PRSA Pittsburgh while meeting other young professionals in the city!

What is a game night without a couple of classic, competitive games? Get ready to challenge some of your new professional contacts to a game of flip cup, beer pong, Giant Jenga and more!

Not convinced yet? Check out this recent blog post from a former Game night attendee on why she enjoyed networking over drinks and card games and what is drawing her back this year.

Register for the event by visiting our Event Information page. We look forward to seeing you there!

A few notes about the event:

  • You must be 21 to attend this event
  • Registration info for Ad2 and Ad Fed Members: When registering on the PRSA site, click ‘continue as a guest’ and list your membership in the comment section of the registration form.

Celebrating Diversity Should Not End in August

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By Jordan Mitrik

In recent months, headlines of violent attacks, mass shootings and tragic moments have occupied the majority of our Facebook and Twitter feeds, causing many of us to question if society is progressing or regressing in its efforts to accept others. 

In a world often overwhelmed with hate and judgment, we as public relations professionals need to serve as thought leaders and celebrate diversity in the industry as well as encourage others to follow suit.

Luckily, PRSA dedicates the month of August to bring attention to diversity in public relations and facilitate inspiring conversations that hope to bridge any gap between diversity and the workplace.

Diversity Month, led by the PRSA National Diversity & Inclusion Committee, seeks to inform and educate the public relations profession about ongoing issues and concerns regarding diversity in public relations. According to PRSA, the committee’s mission is to make the Society more inclusive and welcoming by:

  • Reaching out to industry professionals of diverse racial backgrounds, ethnicities and sexual orientations,
  • Helping diversify the industry by supporting minority candidates who aspire a career in public relations by offering support in the development of industry knowledge, relevant skills and a network of professional contacts,
  • Bringing multicultural understanding and expertise to public relations professionals in order to address the diverse audiences in the nation.

With an array of interactive events, social programs and blog posts for members to explore and join the conversation, PRSA does a commendable job in raising awareness and celebrating the diverse backgrounds in the industry.

But acknowledging and discussing diversity should not end at the conclusion of August. Many companies have taken advantage of the resources PRSA has offered this month by holding diversity-focused meetings, participating in Twitter chats and collaborating with other organizations; however, as public relations professionals, we need to continue the conversation.

If your company is lacking in diverse efforts, get approval from your company’s leadership and begin by defining what diversity means to them. Diversity has a different meaning to everyone, but at its core means recognizing and accepting all individuals. Once you have established a definition, develop a strong committee to start conversations and initiatives.

If your workplace is already committed to creating a diverse environment, make sure all employees are aware of this inclusive mindset. The only way employees will truly know if their company accepts diversity is by seeing it firsthand, so by including your company’s diversity initiatives into leadership trainings and professional development workshops, your company will operate in a more cohesive manner.

Accepting diversity makes us smarter, more well-rounded as well as allows us to become more innovative and creative. This way of thinking and living should carry with us for more than one month out of the year. Keep the conversation of diversity and inclusion going long after August ends, and continue to maintain a work environment that is filled with acceptance.

Jordan Mitrik is an account executive at Jampole Communications and serves as blog coordinator for PRSA Pittsburgh. He is a recent Waynesburg University graduate where he studied public relations and marketing. Connect with Jordan: Twitter | LinkedIn | Website

Helping 1,200+ Brands Rewire Themselves for a Customer-First World

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[ This is a post from our sponsor, Sprinklr. Each month, they’ll be delivering you with some insights into how you can use technology to make your marketing more efficient and effective. ]

By now, most global businesses recognize social media as a viable communication channel. It’s something you publish to, interact with customers on, and occasionally buy new tools to manage.

While this is all true, it’s only the tip of the iceberg. Social media is also a disruptor.

It has given rise to a new breed of customers. Empowered and connected in ways that weren’t possible before, they’re accustomed to frictionless experiences – on-demand and on their terms. They expect to be understood not as data points, but as people.

Social has given rise to a new class of companies, too – disruptors that were born in this previously unimaginable world, and more traditional businesses that are rethinking everything to succeed in it.

Sprinklr is working with these visionary companies to transform themselves.

How Sprinklr Helps 1,200+ Brands Rewire Themselves

Every large organization has a collection of, what are now considered, legacy technology systems. They house valuable data about customers – information like purchase history and customer service interactions.

This well of data is essential, but it’s often locked within organizational silos and disconnected systems of record – far away from the various customer-facing teams that need it to deliver the instant and intuitive experiences today’s customers expect.

This data doesn’t paint a full picture of who the customer really is. It doesn’t tell you what happens when the customer leaves the store or hangs up the phone. How she really feels about your brand. Or what she’s telling others on Facebook, Twitter, and beyond about her experiences.

In an age where customer experience is the new battleground and word-of-mouth is everything, global brands need a way to tap into these unstructured customer interactions. They need a new approach to building real customer relationships at scale – one that goes beyond traditional notions of “relationship management.” They need a foundation that models not just structured customer attributes like age and address, but one that also makes sense of and allows them to act on unstructured data, like a recent Instagram post or review on Yelp.

This is what the Sprinklr platform was designed to do.

A New Infrastructure for a Customer-First Front Office

Purpose-built for an unstructured world, Sprinklr’s technology is helping 1,200+ global brands, including more than half of the Fortune 50, manage everything they do on social media – from listening to planning, publishing, engagement, analytics, and more. It’s allowing them to unearth and extract new value from their legacy systems. And it’s uniting their marketing, customer care, and other customer-facing functions.

It’s is becoming the underlying infrastructure for large organizations that want to truly put the customer first.

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It’s Time to Reset

Think back to a time not that long ago. You could walk into your local grocery store and be greeted by name. You’d be recognized instantly. And you’d be made to feel like you really mattered – because, well, you did.

Somewhere along the way, business changed.

That little grocery store became an international supermarket chain full of faceless customers. Humanity was exchanged for automation, process, and efficiency. And businesses stopped having real relationships with the individuals they were meant to serve – it simply wasn’t possible at global scale.

But driven by the internet, by mobile, and especially by social – the world is changing once again.

We’re proud to support visionary companies McDonald’s, Microsoft, P&G, and Samsung as they drive digital transformation and reset themselves for a customer-first world. And we’re excited to partner with future clients – the ones who see this unprecedented opportunity – who are ready to take that first step.

Ragy Thomas is a technology visionary, entrepreneur, and investor who has played an instrumental role in the evolution of two business-critical channels for the enterprise: social media and email. As founder and CEO of Sprinklr – the world’s most complete enterprise social technology serving more than 1,200 brands globally – he is empowering companies to reimagine their customer-facing operations to manage consumer experiences across every touch point.

Soft Skills Help Young Professionals Win

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By Dan Sprumont, Jessica Franklin and Jordan Mitrik

The world is full of qualified and experienced young professionals vying for a finite number of desirable career opportunities. Their resumes are filled with highly coveted degrees, certifications, publications, technology stacks and big brand names. But at the end of the day, it’s about more than what’s on paper or behind a screen. If people don’t enjoy communicating with you in person, they’re probably not as likely to help you succeed.

Increase your chances for success by emphasizing soft skills. According to Wikipedia, “Soft skills is a term often associated with a person’s “EQ” (emotional intelligence quotient), which is the cluster of personality traits that characterize one’s relationships with other people.” Simply put – can you communicate? Can you work cross-functionally? When the winds of chaos strike your project, can you adjust your sails? When something doesn’t go your way, do you get upset or do you identify alternative solutions?

There are many unfavorable opinions that are hindering millennials in the workforce, but young professionals can bridge real and perceived gaps with colleagues by practicing and applying soft skills. Specifically networking, listening, selling and persevering.

Networking

It can be difficult to talk with strangers at a networking event, to walk into an unfamiliar department at your company and ask for help on a project, or to find a new vendor for a specific service. Networking is a skill and a state of mind. Every person you meet in any context of life is a new opportunity to network. Treat every human you meet with respect while working to create mutually beneficial relationships. As your network grows, more opportunities will present themselves. And so will the opportunities for you to connect members of your network, which directly helps both of them and indirectly helps you twice!

Listening

So you’ve built a solid personal and professional network. Great! Now listen to them. In order to communicate clear and valuable insights, we first need to listen to their needs and pain points. Many of us may agree with Vince Vaughn’s character in the film “Wedding Crashers” when he says, “A friend in need is a pest.” But a friend or professional in need is an opportunity to create value and bolster your personal brand within their network – which indirectly extends your network. Your perceived value continues to increase!

Selling

I’ve had the pleasure of building relationships with many sales professionals, and they’ve sold me on the idea that selling is the most important soft skill to exercise! You might disagree with this paragraph. So riddle me this: What happens when you need to persuade your team to implement that new process you created? When you need your boss to approve funding for your business proposal? When you need to convince that cutie from the gym to grab a drink with you?

So we’ve sold you on selling, but you don’t know where to start. Pick up a copy of “Influential Selling” by Ken Carnes. It’s an oldie but a goodie. Go out and use your new sales skills to convince friends and coworkers to do things. You’d be surprised how easy and fun it is.

Persevering

You will experience many highs and lows throughout the typical 30-40+ year career. As Bruce Springsteen sings in his song “Cover Me,” “the times are tough now, just getting tougher.” Being able to pick yourself up when you fall down or endure the dry spells is a requirement of life. Get through the bad by focusing on the good; family, friends, health and wellness, and personal development.

Young professionals have a long way to go and obstacles to overcome that they don’t even know exist yet. The tangibles on paper will help you survive. The intangible soft skills will help you thrive.

PRSA Pittsburgh is Headed Back to Buckhead Saloon for YP Game Night!

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By Morgan Koter

Community.

What do you think of when you hear this word?

It’s a word often associated with home towns, school districts, comfort and a tight-knit group of people, but the word community resonated with me far beyond that, as a recent college graduate.

As a student at the University of Dayton, I quickly learned that community was the core component of the school’s culture. Community was the feeling of being home even when I was hours away. It was my peers’ willingness to hold doors open for one another and the friendly hellos exchanged with strangers across campus. It was the feeling of being welcomed, accepted and a part of something unique that motivated me to be an active member of the community. This ultimately enriched my personal, academic and professional development and prepared me for my next adventure: my career.

After graduating and moving back to Pittsburgh in December 2014, I knew that immersing myself in a community similar to that of my university would be beneficial in my transition from college student to young professional.

So where did I find one? 

While job searching, I attended PRSA Pittsburgh Young Professionals Tours and met new friendly PR faces, which sparked new connections. When the next PRSA event approached, my new connections extended me a personal invitation to the Game Night at Buckhead Saloon.

‘What were networking happy hours really like?’ I wondered.

As a newbie to the “real world” and PR community, I went to the event alone, but quickly got the sense that I actually was not. I met some who were also new to the full-time communication field and others who were veterans, but a casual space with great drinks, snacks and music gave me that good High School Musical feeling, of “We’re All in this Together.”

I was inspired by the stories of like-minded PR people who shared about how they got to where they are in the field today. I learned about the life of a local photographer who owned his own business. I enjoyed connecting with a variety of creative Pittsburgh professionals, thanks to the event partnership with Ad2.

One of the best parts about the event was the awesome raffle basket I left with, which included a PRSA Membership, a ticket to the annual PRSA Professional Development Day and basket filled with ‘I Love PRSA Pittsburgh’ T-shirts. Winning that basket was surely a sign that PRSA Pittsburgh is a community in which I belong. This sign has proven to be true as I have developed stronger relationships with PRSA members and received valuable career advice throughout my first full year of working.

Let’s put our responsibilities to rest for a night, play some games and be a community Wednesday, Aug. 31, at Buckhead Saloon. I’m looking forward to seeing you there!  

Morgan Koter is the social media coordinator at Trib Total Media. You can get to know her more by viewing her online portfolio or connecting on LinkedIn and Twitter. In her free time, you can find Morgan blogging about health and happiness on her personal lifestyle blog.

7 Strategies to Survive Your New Job

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By Dan Sprumont, Jessica Franklin and Jordan Mitrik

Professionals are changing jobs at higher rates than ever before. With every job change comes the excitement of new opportunities, new people and a new environment. But let’s be honest. With every change also comes the anxiety of new challenges, new politics and new expectations. Don’t panic – you were hired for a reason. Your new team believes in your skill set and liked your personality enough to commit to a long-term relationship. Starting fresh at a new company can be freeing. However, there is no second chance for a first impression, so use these seven insights to make the most of your first days on the job.

1. Take copious notes

Legendary basketball coach Rick Pitino emphasizes organization and preparation in his book Success is a Choice. Taking notes in every meeting, on every new process and on every new term will be unbelievably valuable as you navigate your new role. Organize the notes you take, document offline conversations via emails and prepare for the next project or conversation using your new knowledge.

2. Learn your new industry & company lingo

This can be achieved via a two step process. First, Google every industry term you hear and stay up-to-date on industry news. Second, ask coworkers for a list of company terms and acronyms. If you show a desire to learn, people are usually quite happy to help.

3. Learn the hierarchy

Before you appear insubordinate to a superior or accidentally ask the CEO to move their meeting to a different conference room (haha… funny story), get familiar with the company hierarchy and key players. Learn how your role fits into the established culture and framework. Then identify opportunities to create value within that framework.

4. Share knowledge strategically

PR and marketing professionals must stay current with changing tactics, technology and customer needs. As you digest new information, share relevant articles with your team. If an information rich eBook or white paper finds its way to your inbox, study the content in depth and share the most valuable insights in conversations with your superiors.

5. Set expectations appropriately

You might be the first social media specialist that your new company has ever hired. Or your boss doesn’t understand the time, resources and budget needed for that new enterprise system. Before saying yes to every request, learn the expectations of your role and set new expectations appropriately. New employees often bite off more than they can chew by trying to please every new colleague they work with. Be helpful, be productive, but be careful.

6. Give praise, take responsibility

There are many bricks that build a strong leader. A great foundation is the ability to give praise when things go well and accept responsibility when things do not. If a project does not meet its goals, accept responsibility for your deliverable, analyze the results and provide options for improving future iterations. Conversely, praise all team members for their pieces of a project when it is a rousing success.

7. Smile!

It’s as simple as it sounds. Happiness is contagious. Go share some and go rock that new job!

Image source: giphy.com

Plank Center Fellowship Series (3 of 3): Your Assignment…

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By Dr. Brittany Rowe-Cernevicius

It’s hard to believe that two weeks has come and gone. My Plank Center Fellowship expanded my knowledge of the field, refreshed some of my professional skills and provided me with plenty of experiences to share with my students. I left New Orleans wishing everyone could have a similar opportunity, so I decided the goal of my final post would be to challenge everyone to commit to their own professional development.

It will probably come as no surprise that someone who has a career in higher education is touting the virtue of life-long learning, but that doesn’t mean I’m encouraging everyone to go to grad school. Working in an ever-evolving field like public relations does not allow effective practitioners to be complacent and uninformed.

DEVENEY, my host agency, recognizes the value of professional development. They have a weekly Lunch ’n Learn series. Consider implementing something like this where you work.

My fellowship was an incredibly valuable learning experience, but it’s only one professional development tool. PRSA provides a variety of in-person workshops as well as live and on-demand webinars, some of which are free for members. I regularly take advantage of these opportunities. Our Pittsburgh Chapter hosts events and the PRSA International Conference is also a great professional development opportunity. 

If the traditional webinar, workshop or conference route sounds too much like school, then I would encourage you to try things that will provide you with a new perspective.

With a non-profit background, I wanted to have a better idea of the day-to-day workings of an agency. Over the last two weeks, I have gotten that experience. My new perspective will help me better advise students.

It’s summer. Take time to do something that will expand your worldview.

If you work in an agency or a large corporation, consider volunteering at a non-profit. If you work in a non-profit or social service agency, experience a day-in-the-life of one of your clients.

Travel to a new country. Spend time with someone from a different generation. Try a new hobby to unleash your inner creativity.

I will be a better educator because of my experience, so I’m encouraging you to seek out opportunities that will make you a better practitioner, family member, friend, etc.

I think my next step will earning my APR. What will yours be?

Brittany Rowe-Cernevicius is an Assistant Professor of Public Relations at Westminster College. She also serves as the adviser for Westminster’s PRSSA Chapter.

Connect with Brittany: Email | Twitter | LinkedIn

Welcome to our newest sponsor, Sprinklr!!

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By Steve Radick, Chapter President

One of the things that Dan Sprumont (our Sponsorship Chair) and I have been talking about this year is really upping our sponsorship efforts. And not just in terms of securing more sponsors, but in identifying more sponsors like Waynesburg, Point Park, WVU – sponsors who offer can tangible value to all 200+ members. Our current sponsors offer top-notch grad school programs, tremendous sources of new talent (hello Chelsea, Sam, Jordan, Kariann, Eric and dozens of others who help us out so much), and infinite wisdom and expertise (thanks Bob and Richard for all you do!), but we also wanted to branch out to sponsors who could help our members on a more day-to-day level too.

That’s why I’m thrilled to introduce you to our newest chapter sponsor, Sprinklr. If you’re not already familiar with Sprinklr (no “e” – these tech companies just hate their vowels, don’t they?), it’s one of the leading social media management platforms out there. Now, before you write this off as just another marketing claim, hear me out – these guys are who the other guys are trying to be like. I remember back in 2009 when Sprinklr first started out and people on my team were talking about how much they liked it back then. And that was when they were basically just a social media publishing platform. In the 7 years since, they’ve added a ton more capabilities, including social media monitoring, digital asset management, community moderation, reporting and analytics, and a bunch of other cool stuff they’re adding all the time. Sprinklr works with a ton of the biggest brands to scale their social media efforts across multiple departments, dozens of social channels, and millions of customers. They’ve got a ton of a great experience and expertise to share with us, not to mention a really slick software platform.

You’ll be seeing more of them this year at some of our events, and they’ll be contributing a monthly blog post aimed at providing solutions to some of our most common social media problems. Stay tuned!

If you have any questions about Sprinklr, feel free to contact our reps Todd Lemmon (todd.lemmon@sprinklr.com) and David Graswick (david.graswick@sprinklr.com) to learn more. Or, if you’re interested in learning more about our sponsorship initiative, reach out to Dan Sprumont (dan.sprumont@gmail.com).