New "Me to We" video features Loyalist PR Grad Sara Hamil (08/09)

Check out this great, new video clip which features Loyalist PR grad Sara Hamil (08/09).

Sara is the new PR and Publicity Coordinator/Social Media Strategist for Free the Children in Toronto, Ontario.

Freeze Frame with Nick DiMarco (Loyalist PR 07/08)

Today's Freeze Frame features Nick DiMarco (Loyalist PR 07/08) who is currently working as a Marketing Assistant with MLJ Coaching International in Kingston, Ontario.

Prior to enrolling in Loyalist PR, Nick completed a diploma in Radio Broadcasting at Loyalist College.

Freeze Frame: Tell us about your current position with MLJ Coaching International.

Nick DiMarco: Since I’m still relatively new in the position (mid-May 2009), I’m still working towards my full potential in the job. But as it stands right now I am the direct contact between my boss and our clients. I keep track of our database, take part in trade shows and help with workshops for our clients.

A project I have very recently taken on, along with my Operations Manager, is our annual conference/retreat. For this I will have to create all the promotional material as well as be the one to inform our clients of the conference. I will also be attending to conference to help with the day to day activities.

For now though, my primary focus is on the current program we are running, and keeping the clients happy.

FF: What’s the best part of your job so far?

ND: The most joy I’m getting out of the job right now is knowing that since I’ve been there, the business has progressed extensively. The fact that I’ve been able to relieve my boss of certain tasks, such as the marketing, has helped her be able to focus on what she does best and that’s the business training.

Like my boss says “do what you do best and hire out the rest.” It only makes sense.

FF: How did Loyalist PR help prepare you for your current position?

ND: Taking PR at Loyalist helped me in every way possible. It gave me the professionalism, and the academic background to do what I’m doing today -- everything from client and community relations, to the most basic things like stuffing gift bags for events. It’s funny to see how all the small things we did in class, like the team building exercises and creative thinking projects, have really paid off. Without that basic knowledge of social skills and your own creativity, you can’t succeed in a fast paced career based position.

FF: What’s your best memory of your days in Loyalist PR?

ND: You may ask for one, but I’m going to tell you two, just because I feel the need! My first one was obviously the baby shower that the class threw for me! [Nick is now the proud father of a beautiful daughter, Avery.) To this day I still laugh at the fact that it took me half a minute that the surprise was actually for me.

My second favourite memory was our United Way “Way or No Way” fundraiser – it was classic! And the fact that for the first time I was allowed to be on a mega phone and make a complete fool out of myself and it was perfectly fine!

FF: Do you have any advice for this fall’s Loyalist PR students?

ND: Have an open mind! The PR program at Loyalist has something for everyone, so take as much from it as possible, because you’ll never know where you’ll find yourself after you graduate. You don’t want to be sitting in an interview one day saying, “Darn, I wish I had paid attention to what Kerry said about news releases, it would really help me right about now.”

FF: Finally, I know you’re a huge superhero fan – so who’s your favourite superhero of all time?

ND: YAY! Something for me to go on a little rant about! Right now, I’d have to say my absolute favourite superhero is actually a mercenary called Deadpool. If you’ve seen the new Wolverine movie you’ll somewhat know who I’m talking about, but that movie was wrong from the first minute it started and that’s something I don’t want to bore you with!

But the reason why I enjoy Deadpool is because he’s crazy, literally. He talks to himself. He has three conscious levels that talk: the left side of his brain, the right side of his brain, and than Him. They all think independently to help him do whatever it is he’s doing. Plus he is the only person in the comic book world that knows he’s in a comic. Wiki him, you might get a good laugh.

FF: I knew that last question would get you talking – good luck with your new job, Nick!

Thanks for a great year, everyone!

Drink in every day this summer, whether rain or shine. And don't forget to keep in touch! -- Kerry

Freeze Frame with Kyle MacKenzie (Loyalist PR 08/09)

Today’s Freeze Frame features Kyle MacKenzie (Loyalist PR 08/09) who is now the Communications Assistant at the environmental non-governmental organization Earth Day Canada, based out of Toronto.

Prior to enrolling in the Post-Graduate Public Relations Program at Loyalist College, Kyle completed an Honours B.A. in English with a Fine Arts minor in Theatre at the University of New Brunswick.

Freeze Frame: What are some of your communications-related job duties at EDC?

Kyle MacKenzie: My day starts off with a cruise through a lengthy list of environmental blogs and news sites where I compile up-to-date eco-news, facts and other interesting eco-related items.

Media monitoring is next to see if EDC has been mentioned in the media whether it is online, print or otherwise. I also check for articles that will contribute to professional development here at EDC.

Once I have all this information organized, I put together a morning brief and send it around to all the staff, usually by 10 a.m. EDCer’s say they look forward to the briefs every morning.

I have also developed a social media plan and policy for EDC, and am currently integrating it into their overall communications plan. EDC runs six year-round programs. I work with each manager individually to find ways to increase awareness and outreach for their programs. So far it has been a great success.

I am also an assistant to the graphic designer and web manager. I have been assigned multiple design tasks like posters, brochures, status reports and more.

Finally, I have produced videos, walked to the mailbox quite a few times, and played guitar for some kids at this year's Kids World of Energy Festival. Pretty cool stuff.

FF: What do you enjoy most about your job?

KM: I am doing things at work that I would typically be doing at home for fun; it’s like a hobby. Also, the staff here at EDC is all on the same level, hoping to preserve our deteriorating environment. Working for a cause is pretty amazing, knowing that I am working to improve the lives and future of people around the world.

FF: How did Loyalist PR help prepare you for your current position?

KM: I knew nothing about public relations until I walked into class that first day. Now, I know that many things make up the world of PR, and I feel Loyalist helped me gain the knowledge I need to move forward in the growing industry.

FF: What three skills did you learn in Loyalist PR that you use most often on the job?

KM: Social media, graphic design and a belief that anything can happen, all you need to do is try. Of course the writing, theory, case studies, presentation skills, and event planning were important too.

FF: Do you have any “best memories” of your time in Loyalist PR?

KM: Playing guitar at the Loyalist daycare every Friday, Jams 4 Cans and writing that in-class poem about the ever-increasing amount of gum covering Mexico City’s sidewalks.

FF: Do you have any advice for students entering Loyalist PR in the fall?

KM: Dream big and stay positive. I did, and now I’m living the dream.

FF: Since you’re both an environmentalist and a musician, do you have a favourite eco-tune?

KM: Despite past issues he has had to deal with, the man can write a song. I am definitely going to have to go with Michael Jackson’s Heal the World - “Make it a better place for you and for me and the entire human race…”

[Kerry's note: Just days after this interview was conducted, Michael Jackson died at the age of 50; lyrics like these ones are his legacy.]

Sustainable Social Media Ecosystems

This week I had the chance to attend a great IABC Toronto workshop addressing the topic of “How to Achieve a Sustainable Social Media Ecosystem.”

Along with some of my Loyalist PR colleagues (and many others), I had the chance to learn more about integrating current communications tools in a variety of social networking platforms, along with a number of case studies involving blogging, Facebook and Twitter.

Panelists for the evening included Evelyn So, Founder and President of Noesium Consulting Inc., Jeffrey Veffer, Partner with Brandsential and Peter Flaschner, Founder and Creative Director of The Blog Studio.

Thanks to IABC Toronto (along with Chapter President Leslie Hetherington) for putting on this wonderful event addressing such a timely topic.

Convocation Day 2009

"The picture you have in your mind of what you're about will come true." -- Bob Dylan

Freeze Frame with Amanda Pratt (Loyalist PR 08/09)

Today’s Freeze Frame features Amanda Pratt (Loyalist PR 08/09) who is now the Media Relations Officer/Fundraiser for Long Point Waterfowl/Bird Studies Canada. (“My life has a lot of backslashes to it recently,” says Amanda.)

Prior to enrolling in the Post-Graduate Public Relations Program at Loyalist College, Amanda completed a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Biology and Psychology from the University of Western Ontario.

Freeze Frame: Tell us a little bit about your current duties at Long Point Waterfowl (LPW) and Bird Studies Canada (BSC).

Amanda Pratt: A lot of what I do for LPW is social media and brand monitoring. The rest of my job tends to break down into two nice categories, as described by my job title: media relations and fundraising. I’ve been working on promotions and getting sponsors for a national conference we’re putting on this summer and just generally building a stronger brand for us to work with. And let’s not forget grant applications. Lots and lots of grant applications.

FF: How do you feel Loyalist PR helped prepare you for your current position?

AP: The program gave me the basic skills to get me started working in the field of PR. Probably the most important thing that I learned was how to make a media kit, followed closely by what social media is and how to use it effectively. The biggest challenge that I’ve encountered so far is how to stay on top of everything that I’ve got going on and still be productive!

FF: What’s the best part of your job?

AP: I guess I’d have to say that the overall job is the best part! I love waking up every morning and knowing that I’m helping my organization to conserve wetland and waterfowl habitat across Canada. It’s definitely a bonus that my boss trusts me and my expertise enough to let me do what I need to without constantly being monitored.

FF: What’s your best memory of Loyalist PR?

AP: How can I possibly pick one? I’ll have to go with the United Way fundraiser that we did at the beginning of the year, if for no other reason than seeing Dan dressed up as Waldo and Jeff wearing a wig was priceless!

FF: Any advice for students enrolling in the fall 2009 Post-Grad PR Program?

AP: Get involved! There are tons of opportunities to experience different things at Loyalist that you won’t necessarily be able to do when you’re juggling a job and “real life.” Plus, the more things you try, the more likely you are to narrow down the aspects of PR that you might want to focus on.

FF: Thanks, Amanda – and happy birding!

A Vision of Students Today

For the participants in my social media presentation this past week in Washington DC, here is the YouTube video entitled "A Vision of Students Today." Enjoy, and feel free to share your feedback!

Freeze Frame with Jeff Lauritsen (Loyalist PR 08/09)

Today’s Freeze Frame features Jeff Lauritsen (Loyalist PR 08/09) who is now the Communications Co-ordinator at Quinte Waste Solutions (QWS) in Trenton, Ontario. QWS handles all the recycling for nine municipalities in Centre and South Hastings, as well as Prince Edward County, Ontario.

Prior to enrolling in the Post-Graduate Public Relations Program at Loyalist College, Jeff served eight years with the Canadian Armed Forces working in satellite communications, radio and IT networking.

Freeze Frame: Tell us what you’re up to these days at Quinte Waste Solutions.

Jeff Lauritsen: As Communications Co-ordinator, I manage all the promotional materials at QWS, including public service announcements, press releases, radio interviews, paid advertising, design and implementation of various print materials. I am also in the process of developing educational programs on recycling for schools, and when I can, I provide tours of our Material Recycling Facility (MRF) to the public.

FF: How do you feel Loyalist PR helped prepare you for your current position?

JL: The Post-Grad PR Program at Loyalist provided me with the tools I use every day on the job. I notice this most when I am dealing with the local media. It is refreshing for them to have people using the same templates they are familiar with. I find that if you take care of all the formatting issues, and deliver a file to them the way they prefer it, the chances of your articles going to print increase dramatically (not to mention the relationship you are able to build with them).

FF: What’s the best part of your job?

JL: Coming to work every day! In a time when unfortunately many people are without work, I am grateful to Loyalist College, more specifically Kerry [aw, thanks, Jeff!], for giving me the knowledge and tools to market myself effectively in this uncertain economic climate.

FF: What’s your best memory of Loyalist PR?

JL: I really enjoyed all the different people that made up the PR class. Everyone came with their own experiences and skill sets which added to an already excellent learning environment. If I had to narrow it down, I would say Thanksgiving dinner with everyone would be in my Top 3.

FF: Do you have any advice students enrolling in the fall 2009 Post-Grad PR Program?

JL: Do it!

FF: Finally, what is the one thing you think that can help set someone apart in this tough job market?

JL: The one thing that will set you apart from others in this field is really having an understanding of how you will measure the success of the campaign you produce. In a time when money weighs heavily in the decision-making process, being able to identify to your superiors or potential employer how you will measure your success will give you that needed edge.

FF: Thanks, Jeff – congratulations on your success, and good luck in the future!

Are you Linked In yet?

If you're a Loyalist PR grad (or are getting set to graduate this June), it's time to get Linked In!

Linked In gives users the opportunity to build an online networking with people they know and trust. This, in turn, allows you to expand your contact network, and to build and enhance your professional profile.

There are also other features, including the ability to give and solicit professional recommendations, join professional groups, and post status updates.

So what are you waiting for? Get Linked In!

Twitter Workshop for Loyalist Faculty

If you’re a faculty member at Loyalist College with an interest in learning about Twitter, check out my free workshop next Tuesday, May 19th from 1 – 2 p.m. right here on campus.

The “What the Heck is Twitter (and why should I care)?” workshop will address how to set up your own Twitter account, how to build an online following, and how to use Twitter to enhance your teaching experience.

Space is limited (a couple spots are still available). You can sign up by contacting JoAnne Wilson at jwilson@loyalistc.on.ca.

UPDATE May 15, 2009 - Twitter workshop is now full. See you there, folks!

Rotary Club awards Loyalist PR grad for volunteer literacy efforts

Congratulations to Loyalist PR grad Sylvia Draaistra (08/09) who was recently awarded for her literacy awareness efforts by the Rotary Club of Belleville.

Sylvia, who now works as the Director of Marketing for Teach Your Children Well (QLC Educational Services) in Belleville, received the award for promoting literacy in her local community, and for creating a catalog of literacy programs called Rotary Reads which is available to all Rotary clubs around the world.

Last year, Sylvia promoted the literacy catalogue at three Rotary conferences, including the 2008 international conference in Los Angeles. This June, her work will be promoted at Rotary’s international conference in Birmingham, England.

“The goal is to create awareness about the problems of illiteracy through Rotary clubs since it is one of their main areas of concern along with clean water and polio,” Sylvia explains. “We hope that Rotarians will take the responsibility of implementing some of the programs listed in the catalog, and therefore begin to create opportunities for learning in their communities.”

In the meantime, Sylvia and the team at Teach Your Children Well continue to promote literacy close to home. A new after-school reading program will begin this month for children who are behind or struggling with literacy. Big Brothers and Sisters of Belleville are partnering with QLC Educational Services, Rotary Club of Belleville and Harvest Community Church.

“We hope to see many young people advance in their reading skills and build confidence as new doors of opportunity open for them,” Sylvia adds.

Way to go, Sylvia – we’re so proud of you!

It's official...

...the Post-Grad Public Relations Program is now full for the fall of 2009.

We are, however, taking applications for the program’s waiting list.

If you’re interested in being placed on the waiting list, please apply at the Ontario Colleges web site or, if you’re a Loyalist student, contact Kaley Gale in the Registrar’s office at kgale@loyalistc.on.ca.

Thank you!

One-on-one with Lisa Kirbie, winner of the 2009 PRISM Mentorship Award

Loyalist alumna Lisa Kirbie of the post-graduate public relations program is now the Senate Liaison and Stakeholder Relations Officer for the Office of the Leader of the Opposition in Ottawa.

Lisa recently shared with current Loyalist PR student, Bryna Jones, how Loyalist helped prepare her for an exciting career on Parliament Hill.

Bryna Jones: What got you interested in politics as a career?

Lisa Kirbie: I first became involved in politics while completing my undergraduate degree when I was VP Academic for my students’ union. The position involved a large amount of advocacy; representing students in grade appeals, to the administration and media and, of course, representing students to elected members of parliament. I had the pleasure of meeting John Harvard, then the Liberal MP for a Manitoba riding, who offered me the job as his Legislative Assistant.

BJ: As a graduate from Loyalist’s public relations program, how do you feel this background has helped prepare you for work on Parliament Hill?

LK: I had worked on Parliament Hill as a political assistant prior to enrolling in the post-graduate public relations program, and after completion, I returned with an additional skill set that has proved extremely valuable in both positions I`ve held since my return.

What was great about the post-grad PR program was that it was a practical, professional program. “Watch one, do one, teach one,” usually applies to medical students, but it really fits in this case as well. We weren’t just learning theory; we were learning the practical applications of PR. We were ready to move right into our field upon graduation. It’s a perfect complement to an undergraduate degree.

BJ: What program-specific skills have you used most in your work?

LK: The importance of seeing the “big picture.” Too many times people get paralyzed by the details and fail to see the end goal. I now determine the end goal first, and work backwards to figure out my plan of action.

I also learned the value of networking. PR is all about building relationships. You never know when a contact is going to come in handy in this business.

Also, because of the nature of PR, your reputation is one of your most valuable tools – relationship building helps develop your social capital. In the political realm, that’s even more important.

BJ: Any advice to Loyalist grads wanting to go into politics?

LK: Start volunteering on local campaigns for the political party whose values most strongly represents your views. Be willing to work hard and take initiative, and it will be noticed.

Those of us who work in this field generally have a great passion for what we do, and the political parties we work with. You have to love politics and enjoy working in a field in which everything can change day to day.

BJ: Do you have any favourite MPs?

LK: All of the MPs are dedicated and hardworking people. However, my favourites are (of course) Liberal Parliamentarians. If I have to choose one, it would be Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff. I have tremendous respect for him both as a politician and a person.

We're all proud of you, Lisa - congratulations on your 2009 PRISM Mentorship Award!

Loyalist PR celebrates a memorable year at the 4th Annual PRISM Awards

It's been a year of a thousand memories, and it all came down to this: the 4th Annual PRISM Awards, held at the Bohemian Penguin here in Belleville.

First, a huge thanks to the PRISM planning team: Sara Hamil (project manager), Jeremy MacLaine (MC), Michelle Pomeroy (uber decoratrice) and Rachel Fehr (gift bag queen).

Also, thanks to our special guests: Maureen Piercy, President of Loyalist College, Geoff Cudmore, Acting VP of Academics, Jane Harrison, Acting Dean of Media Studies, Doug Mepham, Chair of the Post-Grad PR Advisory Committee, as well as the advisory committee members, Loyalist staff and faculty who joined in the celebration.

And the winners are...

2009 PRISM Service Award – Sarah Tummon
Honourable Mention – Bryna Jones

2009 PRISM Leadership Award – Amy Hoskin
Honourable Mention – Sara Hamil

2009 PRISM Innovation Award – Kyle MacKenzie
Honourable Mention – Sara Hamil

2009 PRISM Teamwork Award – Jeff Lauritsen
Honourable Mention – Jeannie Maidens

2009 PRISM Spirit Award – Sara Hamil
Honourable Mentions – Jeff Lauritsen and Dan Truman

2009 PRISM New Media Award – Kyle MacKenzie
Honourable Mention - Jeremy MacLaine

2009 PRISM Professionalism Award – Bryna Jones
Honourable Mention – Shannon Brant

2009 PRISM Mentorship Award – Lisa Kirbie, Loyalist PR Alumnus and Senate Liaison and Stakeholder Relations Officer for the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition, Parliament Hill (Ottawa)

2009 PRISM Student Excellence Award – Jeannie Maidens
Honourable Mention - Shannon Brant

Campaign of the Year Award - "The Grass is Greener in Prince Edward County" for the Prince Edward County Economic Development Office (Shannon Brant, Rachel Fehr, Dan Truman, Stacey Hawkins)

2009 Kay Staib Memorial Scholarship ($500) - Kyle MacKenzie

When the speeches had been made and the songs sung, I think we all realized this is not so much an end as a beginning.

I am so proud of each and every one of you.

Cheers!

Loyalist PR students recognized at Athletics Banquet

Congratulations to Loyalist PR students Amy Hoskin and Kyle MacKenzie who were recognized at last night's Loyalist Athletics Banquet.

Amy was MVP for the Women's Volleyball Team which she captained in 2008/09. She was also the recipient of last night's Arthur McFarlane Award, which is presented annually to a graduating student who has made an outstanding contribution to athletics at Loyalist College.

Kyle was the recipient of the Bob McKendrick Award for his contributions to campus recreation and outdoor recreation. In the fall of 2008, Kyle founded the college's first-ever Ultimate Frisbee League.

We're all proud of you, Amy and Kyle!

Give big or go home!

Throughout the past school year, Loyalist PR students have been actively involved in raising funds and awareness for a number of local non-profit organizations.

This month alone, students planned and held special events resulting in more than $2,000 in donations for the following charities:Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Belleville, Streams of Hope, Quinte Humane Society, Gleaners Food Bank and the Quinte Adult Day School.

Loyalist PR students also played a major role in the success of the recent campus United Way campaign which raised more than $12,000 for locally funded agencies.

Way to go, guys!

Loyalist PR in action

One of the coolest things about my job as professor and co-ordinator for the Post-Grad PR program here at Loyalist is getting to know some of the world's most amazing students.

By the time spring rolls around each year, I've taught eight of the program's 12 courses, and needless to say, my students and I have gotten to know a thing or two about each other.

One of the things that continues to impress me is the multiple talents my students possess, whether on the rugby field, on the stage, on the volleyball court, in the hockey arena, on the big screen or elsewhere.

Last night I got the opportunity to see one of our students, Kyle MacKenzie, in action as he played the lead role in "The Pact", a student-written and produced film that was screened at the Empire Theatre here in Belleville.

What never fails to impress me is not only the talent of students like Kyle, but the time management skills and professional dedication it takes to create a project like The Pact, or take on a campus leadership role, or simply raise a family while juggling all the demands of a post-graduate program.

As we make the transition from students and teachers to colleagues and friends in the very near future, I look forward to the new and exciting opportunities that await us all.

Thanks for the inspiration, everyone.

Local non-profits applaud Loyalist PR community media workshops

More than 100 participants from 40+ non-profit agencies took part in this year’s “Can You Hear Us Now?” community media workshops presented by the Post-Graduate Public Relations students of Loyalist College.

In total, six workshops were presented, ranging in topics from measuring PR success to getting to know Twitter.

Here’s what participants had to say about the workshops:

Well done! The students were knowledgeable, personable, helpful and poised.

The facilitators were excellent speakers.

These workshops were just what our organization needed.

The presenters knew their material well. This led to a clear, persuasive and interesting presentation.

I enjoyed the workshops immensely. Thank you for doing them!

What a great opportunity for non-profits! The length of the sessions fit nicely into my workday.

I appreciate the care and individual attention and support of all the facilitators

I found the students did an excellent job of explaining this workshop. They were great with helping and answering questions.

The time went by so quickly – I learned a lot!

Well-organized speakers, useful data. Plain language teaching appreciated.

Excellent speakers, well-planned and delivered. Great resource sharing!

Wonderful presenters, well-organized and worthwhile.

Great demonstrations – it made it easier to really grasp the concept of what a wiki is and how it can be created.

I enjoyed the enthusiasm of the presenters!

Great intro to Twitter.

Thanks to everyone who attended this year's "Can You Hear Us Now?" community media workshops. We hope to see you again next spring!

Loyalist PR students in Second Life

Loyalist PR students recently toured various virtual spaces in Second Life (SL) as part of an online client project.

Here's a class picture featuring our SL avatars - an other-worldly experience, to be sure!

Loyalist PR students win campus leadership awards

This week two Loyalist PR students were recognized for outstanding campus leadership.

Congrats to Sara Hamil, winner of the Loyalist College Leadership Award for 2009. Sara is this year's campus President of the Rotaract Club at Loyalist College .

Also, a round of applause to Amy Hoskin, winner of the Fred Pollit Leadership Award for Campus Recreation. Amy was Team Captain for the Lancers Women's Volleyball Team which made the provincial play-offs in 2008/09.

We're proud of you, ladies!

Social media brand man visits Loyalist PR

Today, Loyalist PR enjoyed a flyby visit by Rene Dick of Scout Design.

Rene is a major user of social media, applying various tools to launch his own professional brand, and to reinforce the brands of clients across North America.

Rene's presentation left us feeling inspired and motivated to explore more fully the networking capabilities of social media.

Thanks for the visit, Rene. You're a social media rock star.

Time to get a (Second) Life?

Award-winning social media expert Ken Hudson (see avatar image at right) is overseeing a client project being completed by Post-Grad Public Relations students at Loyalist over the next two weeks.

Today the project kicked off with an interactive session on Second Life, followed by an overview of the campaign project.

The workshop provided students and faculty with a great opportunity to discuss the impact of Second Life and social media on both human communication and public relations, as well the implications of branding in the virtual world.

A world leader in online applications of Second Life, Loyalist was the first Canadian college campus to bring students into a social networking simulation classroom in the virtual world.

The Second Life client project continues throughout the month of March.

Loyalist PR students launch community media workshop series

Members of the non-profit sector are invited to register for a series of Community Media Workshops hosted by the Post-Graduate Public Relations students at Loyalist College, from March 16th to 19th.

The free workshops are an opportunity for those working within small agencies to discover ways of achieving success with limited resources.

Participants will learn effective evaluation tools for their fundraising and campaign initiatives, where to find grants and how to get them, and how to use blogging, Twitter and wikis to enhance their operations.

“I attended all of the workshops last year and they were very valuable to me,” said Rebecca Foreman, Coordinator of Fund Development and Public Relations for VON Hastings, Northumberland and Prince Edward.

“My background isn’t actually marketing or public relations. I’m a graduate of the Social Service Worker program at Loyalist. When I started working in my field I became interested in fund development and public relations, so while I‘ve stayed in the non-profit sector I’ve changed my career path. The best thing about learning from the students is that their information is current and they have the enthusiasm that makes it interesting.”

Carol Snell, Media Relations Consultant, Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit, also plans to return this year.

“The students were very familiar with blogging technology and were effective in explaining it. It was a good introduction to the subject for me, saving me the time of researching it myself. The students also provided a lot of context about how they use blogging which is important for me to know as a communicator. The highlight for me last year was to have a new subject de-mystified and made easy to incorporate into my activities.”

“I am excited about this year’s seminars,” said Toni Kirby, Executive Assistant, Community Living Quinte West.

“This format is ideal for us as we are a small agency and don’t have the resources to send people away to conferences and seminars. This short and sweet format means you’re not overloaded with a lot of information that is hard to assimilate. There were several staff from Community Living Quinte West who attended last year and five of us are returning this year.”

Stacey Hawkins is one of the Loyalist PR students organizing the workshops.

“Social media is probably the most progressive and fastest-growing communications tool we have learned about and I am very excited to share what I have learned with members of the community. While the fundamental public relations principles and techniques still apply, an understanding of social media and the implementation of that technology into a well-developed communications plan will no doubt give participants an edge in their business endeavours.”

For more information regarding the media workshops call Kerry Ramsay, Professor and Coordinator, Post-Graduate Public Relations Program at (613) 969-1913, ext. 2127 or e-mail kramsay@loyalistc.on.ca.

Loyalist PR student leads women’s volleyball team to provincial finals

Kudos to Loyalist PR student Amy Hoskin, captain of the women’s volleyball team here at Loyalist College.

Amy and her teammates secured a spot in the OCAA Women’s Volleyball Championships this past weekend.

Good luck at the provincial finals, Amy!

I spent this past Saturday at PodCamp Toronto 2009 with two Loyalist PR students and about 500 others. This fantastic (and free!) unconference explored social media from practically every angle, from workflow and the creative process to the connection between faith and Facebook.

Among the highlights for me were:

Learning more about blogger relations with panelists Anita Clarke, Eden Spodek, David Jones , and Matthew Stradiotto

Getting inspired by 16-year-old creative force Michael Mistretta

Sitting in on a live taping of Inside PR with David Jones, Martin Waxman and Terry Fallis

Eating a fantastic smoked meat sandwich at the Mutual Street Deli with great friends (and some new ones)

Getting a fresh perspective on the links between social media and personal branding with Ryerson student Daniel Patricio

Picking up great fundraising tips at “Social Media for Special Causes” seminar with John Sheridan

Meeting up with new people and adding to my Twitter followers (and following)

Surviving the drive home in a freak late-February snow squall

… and lots more.

A big thanks to the organizers and volunteers of PodCamp Toronto 2009.

Sign me up for next year, guys!

Freeze Frame with Kate Shaughnessy (Loyalist PR 07/08)

Today’s Freeze Frame features Kate Shaughnessy (Loyalist PR 07/08) who is now a Program Assistant for the Enrichment Studies Unit (ESU) at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Under the direction of the Department of Arts and Science, the ESU runs academic programs for gifted elementary and high school students.

Prior to enrolling in the Post-Graduate Public Relations Program at Loyalist College, Kate completed a B.A. (Hons) history degree at Queen’s University.

Freeze Frame: What made you choose the Post-Grad PR Program at Loyalist College?

Kate Shaughnessy: After my undergrad, I took a year off to work and then decided that I wanted to hone my technical writing and communications skills. I did some research on PR around Ontario and found that Loyalist had a great post-grad program.

Actually, this blog was a big seller for me. I was intrigued by what the students were doing in their classes, sifted through endless accounts of Loyalist alum and their post-grad careers, and was intrigued by all of the volunteer and outreach work that the students were doing.

FF: What do you enjoy most about your job?

KS: The best part of my job thus far is exploring sponsorships. The ESU is a cost-recovery program and at the moment, we have only one sponsor. I am working feverishly to gain some more community support for the unit.

FF: How did Loyalist PR help prepare you for your current position?

KS: So much of what I learned at Loyalist can be attributed to my success at work. A lot of my time is spent coordinating programs, securing appropriate venues, organizing course allocations, liaising with Event Services, the Phys Ed Centre, security and suppliers and synchronizing program logistics. Event planning at Loyalist was a great prep for this field of work.

FF: What three lessons did Loyalist PR teach you?

KS: Only three lessons? Hmmm… First, “You’ll never know if you don’t ask.” This is especially true in the non-profit world, but Kerry definitely taught me that there is no harm in asking for free stuff. All anybody can say is “no!”

Second: volunteer, volunteer, volunteer! It’s a great way to network, build a stellar resume and of course, add value to your own life.

And last but not least – FISH! I have the FISH magnet in my office and it reminds me to have fun at work every day.

FF: So what’s your favourite memory of Loyalist PR?

KS: My favourite memory at Loyalist PR would have to be the Marketwire Morning Mingle networking breakfast. So much work, and too much fun!

Jams 4 Cans rocks out for local food bank

A team of Loyalist PR students, together with Loyalist Print Journalism students, raised 283 kg (622 pounds) of food on Wednesday night in support of the local Gleaners Food Bank.

The Jams 4 Cans benefit concert event was planned and executed as a part of the PR students’ second-semester Event Management class.

"Many Loyalist students brought more than just one can, opting instead to donate large shopping bags filled with canned goods to Gleaners,” says Loyalist PR student Stacey Hawkins who helped organize the event. “It was such a wonderful surprise to realize how effective the medium of music was in encouraging the spirit of giving amongst the Loyalist Community."

“It was amazing to see how many people came out to support such a great cause,” adds Sarah Tummon, another Loyalist PR organizer. “The highlight for me was seeing all the food that was brought in for the Gleaners Food Bank, more than I ever expected. It was a great event for a great cause!”

Freeze Frame with Karen Windover (Loyalist PR 07/08)

Today’s Freeze Frame is with Karen Windover (Loyalist PR 07/08). Karen is currently employed as the Special Events & Development Co-ordinator at Albert College in Belleville, Ontario.

Prior to enrolling in Loyalist PR, Karen completed a diploma in Fashion Merchandising at Fanshawe College.

Freeze Frame: What are some of your duties as Special Events & Development Co-ordinator at Albert College?

Karen Windover: My duties feel like a bit of everything. I plan events from beginning to end. This includes making the invitations, tickets and programs for the event to decorating and managing the event. Some of my other duties include: using communication tools to keep our Albert College alumni informed(i.e. Facebook and Twitter), building relationships, arranging accommodations and travel expenses with our out of town guests.

I also work on things that are going on around the school; for example, right now I am working with the drama students while they prepare for the upcoming play The Lion,the Witch and the Wardrobe which is being held Friday February 26th & Saturday, February 27th.

FF: What do you like most about your job?

KW: I like all aspects of my job. Literally no two days are the same and I am always busy with a different task. Whether it's graphic design work, sending out mailings, planning an event, going to meetings or getting donations, no two days are ever the same and it keeps things really interesting.

FF: How did Loyalist PR help prepare you for this job?

KW: I feel that the PR program prepared me for my job at Albert College by touching on the many aspects of the "PR World."

FF: What are three skills you learned in Loyalist PR that you're now using on your job?

KW: Indesign, fundraising fundamentals and working with non-profits (i.e. how to come up with creative ideas on NO budget!).

FF: Any favourite memories of your time in Loyalist PR?

KW: The whole year was a good memory. I hope everyone is doing well :)

"Africa has my heart": a Loyalist PR student checks in from Uganda

Bryna Jones is a Loyalist PR student who is currently volunteering in Uganda with Outreach to Africa.

In this blog post, Bryna talks about some of her Ugandan experiences so far:

There is nothing in Canada to compare with the poverty in Africa. Even homeless people in winter in Canada have it better than most people here. The difference is the social system. Here, there is none. There is barely an infrastructure for roads, sewage, waste disposal, etc. There is literally NOTHING to support people in a general way, just a lot of non-profits trying really, really hard to touch the lives they can; but without government support it's impossible.

The other thing that makes the poverty completely different is the fact that it is dirty and diseased. EVERYWHERE. Even the dirt is contaminated. People have to defecate in the streets. Livestock live in peoples' homes in the city. Children play in human and animal excrement.

There is no real control over communicable disease here because you still have to have the money to afford the testing for things like malaria, and only after you've been tested will they give out the "free" medication. Completely ridiculous. So most people just live with it, and infect others, and the cycle continues.

There are so many people here too. All the time there are people everywhere. They're just piled on top of each other. And POLLUTION! I can't even explain the air quality.

Even being a student, up to my eyeballs in debt, I am richer than almost everyone I see. Even my six-year-old has more money in RESPs than these kids will ever have. It's disgusting. Every piece of clothing you've ever sent to the Salvation Army is here, being resold. Africa is the world's dumping ground.

It only costs about $200 to send a child to a decent boarding school here, and way less for public school, but there are so many kids on the street. No one has the money to pay for education, and that's what it all comes down to: access to education. Like I said, there are just so many people. The schools have zero resources – only a blackboard, and the kids sit on the floor. No posters, no worksheets, nothing. Today I went to a school where there were 800 kids, and only THREE female squat toilets.

What do these people need? Bottom line: they need money directed to the places that are actually being accountable for where their resources go. Outreach to Africa, the organization I'm with, is one of those agencies that is committed to community development. It’s working, but they need money too. It's never-ending. There's so much to be done.

Despite the negative, there is so much hope here. But don't ever think they don't know what they're missing. They do. It's just that there are some amazing nation changers in the young adult generation, and people who are doing great work, and reaching goals, and bringing education, health care, and a future to the children here. But it's so overwhelming.

On an individual basis, we need to reevaluate how we steward our finances. We need to see that people everywhere are our concern. They really are. This trip will totally change the way I spend my money. It's amazing to think what $200 can do for the life of one child, and then how it will reverberate to their children and grandchildren.

I know from now on I will focus on sponsoring children here through school. Education is the best gift you can give anyone, and it will truly change Africa forever.

Today I was surrounded by about 20 precious little primary school kids dressed in ragged uniforms, but singing “If You're Happy and You Know It” with all the excitement of six-year-olds in Canada. If I can't take responsibility for their future after this experience, I have a serious problem.
I love it here. Africa has my heart.

Bryna will return to Loyalist College at the end of February following her volunteer work in Uganda with Outreach to Africa.

To follow Bryna's trip to Africa, connect to her personal blog.

Loyalist PR trip to Ottawa: Recap of Day 2

The second day of our Loyalist PR student trip to Ottawa began with a visit to Parliament Hill.

Our hosts for the day were Loyalist PR alumni Lisa Kirbie, Senate Liaison and Stakeholder Relations Officer for the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and Heather Forsyth, Communications Assistant for the Senate of Canada.

After a tour of the Peace Tower and Memorial Chapel, Lisa and Heather took us to the boardroom of the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition where we met with Leslie Church, Communications, Office of the Leader of the Opposition and David McGuinty, Member of Parliament for Ottawa South, and Official Opposition Critic for the Environment (see photo above).

Both speakers conveyed their passion for the field of politics, and left us inspired to become more effective agents for social change in our own communities.

Following our visit to the Hill, we wrapped up our trip with a skate on the Rideau Canal (the world's longest skating rink) where picture-perfect weather put the crowning touches on a truly spectacular day.

An unforgettable trip with great students, friends and future colleagues - cheers, all!

Loyalist PR trip to Ottawa: Recap of Day 1

A group of Loyalist PR students wrapped up last week with an overnight trip to Ottawa for some up-close-and-personal experiences in the field of public relations.

First stop was Scotiabank Place, home of the Ottawa Senators. There we met up with Phil Legault, Vice-President of Communications for the Ottawa Senators and Scotiabank Place.

Phil showed us around Scotiabank Place before spending some time going over writing projects submitted by Loyalist PR students. A Q&A period in the Sens press conference room rounded off the afternoon.

Of course, no trip to Scotiabank Place would be complete without actually seeing a live game (in this case the Sens vs. the Boston Bruins).

Great learning experiences and fun times made this a day to remember!

Mohawk communications officer addresses mainstream myths about Canada’s First Nations with Loyalist PR

This afternoon's Loyalist PR case study class featured a visit by Brant Bardy, Communications Officer and Director of Nation Building for the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (Tyendinaga-Mohawk Territory).

Brant’s presentation highlighted a number of mainstream misconceptions about First Nations (including what the term “First Nations” actually means).

He also provided tips for communicating with First Nations communities, and recapped recent crisis communications efforts during high-profile protests on the Tyendinaga Territory.

It was great to have you as part of our class, Brant – thanks for stopping by!

Our Miniature Earth

As Loyalist PR students focus on intercultural awareness and communication this week, the above clip reminds us all to appreciate the vast diversity of our global tribe.

Loyalist PR students catch Obama fever

Loyalist PR students Sara Hamil and Jeremy MacLaine recently travelled to Washington DC for the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States.

"This was a completely surreal experience," says Sara. "We didn't plan to go, it just kind of happened.It was a little crazy, but definitely one of the best decisions I've ever made."

"The highlight for me was seeing Obama in the inauguaration parade on Pennsylvania Avenue," Jeremy adds. "It's something I'll never forget."

Measuring PR success

Thanks to Kevin Foster of News Canada who delivered a webinar presentation on Media Rating Points (MRP) to Loyalist PR students this afternoon.

With upwards of 400 subscribers at last count, MRPs are an idea whose time has come in the PR industry.

Kudos to the CPRS and its partners (including the IABC, Canadian Council of PR Firms and News Canada) for pioneering this innovative measurement tool.

Freeze Frame with Lizanne Donnelly (Loyalist PR 07/08)

Today’s Freeze Frame features Lizanne Donnelly (Loyalist PR 07/08) who now runs her own communications consulting business in Prince Edward County, Ontario.

Prior to applying to the Post-Grad Public Relations Program at Loyalist, Lizanne obtained her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto in Economic Geography & Fine Art History.

Freeze Frame: What made you choose the Loyalist PR Program?

Lizanne Donnelly: JOBS ...when I looked at the interesting jobs available, many required some PR background. This was something I had been doing to some extent in my sales career. PR is about connecting with people in a calculated (and necessary) way.

FF: So, what are you up to these days?

LD: I am fortunate. A U.S. developer is hoping to build in Prince Edward County, and I am doing their PR and Communications. I love what I do and my client is very pleased with the results so far. I've been able to nurture other small clients, but this large project is providing me with a great resume and an income.

I'm also on a local capital campaign committee, and launching the communications plan to raise $1.5 million. I'm nervous because of the visibility and risk. This is a volunteer position, and other volunteers and municipal councilors are on the project. This is very selective volunteering on my part.

To do my job well, I need to be reachable. Radio stations call for interviews and those can't be missed. I was on my way to Europe, and my client called my blackberry about an unplanned media release. I wrote the media release on the plane, and sent it out when I arrived. It could not wait until I got back, so I was able to have a stress-free holiday.

FF: In what ways did Loyalist PR help prepare you for your current job?

LD: "Get the inside onside before you go outside" ... how many times have I said that since graduation??? It is so true.

I could not have my business without the program credentials behind me. Fortunately, I'm using just about every module and skill known to PR. My clients are clever and they rely on me for consulting. I listen to their needs, understand their objectives, and provide solutions.

FF: How important is networking in your current position?

LD: Very important. I spend a fair amount of time making friends in many places. Other people have brought opportunities to me, and I finally got on Facebook because of the networking opportunities.

Prince Edward County is a small community, and these are tough times. Networking is a great way to weather the storm and stay positive. There are opportunities out there, but you need to out there too.

FF: Finally, what's the best thing about owning your own business?

LD: Working in my PJ's with my dog next to my desk. I could never do that in a real office.

PR research in steps and stages

This week Loyalist PR students enjoyed a variety of workshops, webinars and presentations on a variety of topics related to PR research.

Special guests included Alan Chumley of Leger Marketing, Lora Turner of Canada News Wire (CNW) Group, and Ellen Cooper of Quadra Research.

Thanks to all three of these professionals for sharing with us their insights and experiences in the field of PR research!

Ottawa slam poet visits Loyalist PR

Loyalist PR students celebrated Inauguration Day 2009 with an amazing slam poetry performance and writing workshop delivered by spoken word artist Ritallin (aka Greg Frankson of Ottawa).

Greg led us through a step-by-step process of writing our own slam poetry to help get us out of the dreaded writing "rut." His delicious grasp of the English language helped us all break free from our writing traditions, and encouraged us to discover our own inner poets.

We're all richer for knowing you, Greg. Peace.

PR students promote benefit concert in support of local food bank

A Jams 4 Cans charity concert will be held Wednesday, January 28th from 7:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. at the Shark Tank Pub on campus in support of the Gleaners Food Bank of Quinte.

For the cost of $4, or $2 with a canned food item, students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to watch live acoustic performances and win door prizes. The concert will showcase the talents of staff and student performers alike.

“Gleaners provides so much food to our students, but has never asked for anything in return,” says Bev Denyes, Co-ordinator of the Loyalist Lunch Box Program. “It’s wonderful see support for this very necessary organization.”

Members of the Loyalist College family who are interested in performing at or attending Jams 4 Cans should contact Kyle MacKenzie at kylepaulmackenzie@gmail.com.

Loyalist PR students honoured at this year's athletic scholarship luncheon

Two Loyalist PR students were recently presented with athletic scholarships at this year's annual college athletic luncheon.

Amy Hoskin, Captain of the Women’s Volleyball team (back row, fourth from the left) and Christine Richard, a member of the Women’s Rugby team (back row, far right) were both recognized for their outstanding academic achievements while playing varsity sports on campus.

“This scholarship makes me feel even more motivated, not just in volleyball, but in my academics as well,” says Amy. “I want to represent the college in the best way I possibly can. Varsity athletics have been such an important part of my life for the last three years; I can’t imagine college without it.”

Freeze Frame with Mike Masaro (Loyalist PR 05/06)

Today’s Freeze Frame features Mike Masaro (Loyalist PR 05/06) who now works as the Manager of Ticket Sales and Services for the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors Hockey Club (OHL).

Prior to enrolling in the Post-Graduate Public Relations Program, Mike completed a diploma in Broadcast Journalism at Loyalist College.

Freeze Frame: Tell us about some of your responsibilities with the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors Hockey Club.

Mike Masaro: I deal mostly with minor hockey teams and schools as well as regular groups. I handle my own contacts as well as prospect new business. I also do some marketing work for the team through planning events and speak at some of the events we attend and on behalf of the team.

FF: How did Loyalist PR help prepare you for your current position?

MM: One thing I learned is that you need to be flexible -- not just in your job, but in getting one. All through college and after graduating I held out for that plum sports PR job; for some it happens, for most it doesn’t. There are some things that may not interest you, but you have to keep all your options open.

Another thing the course taught me was to be a better overall communicator in every aspect. Whether it’s speaking or writing, I feel I have a well-rounded delivery and can get my point across much easier and more descriptively.

Finally, I would have to say a little fun can make things much easier. I enjoyed doing something creative for a change, as opposed to reading textbooks all the time.

FF: What’s one of the biggest lessons Loyalist PR taught you?

MM: Network! You never know who knows who! Meet and speak to as many people as possible and get your name out there. When you’re looking for jobs most of the time it’s who you know, so make yourself known.

FF: Any favourite memories about being a Loyalist PR student?

MM: I enjoyed how everything was hands-on, and you had the opportunity to experience different facets of the profession. Two experiences that stick out in my mind were the crisis management press conference, and the planning and execution of an event (in my case, the college’s athletic banquet).

FF: Finally, who is your favourite athlete of all time, and why?

MM: No question: Brett Favre. He is a living legend even though he doesn’t play for the Packers anymore. Regardless, his work ethic and dedication to the game of football over the course of his career have been outstanding; even non-football fans know who Brett Favre is, and know a little about him. He’s someone who is playing the game for all the right reasons.

Do schools kill creativity?

Today's class discussed the various forms of creativity, highlighting the above video from Ken Robinson. Watch it yourself, and see if it doesn't challenge your ideas about the process of creative thought.

Start with the impossible

I recently came across the following text in an ad for HP computers:

“All kids are inventors.
It’s because they’re not afraid to get their hands filthy.
To eat the paste.
To use a hammer as a brush.
To break something just to see how it works.
And to start with the impossible, which is where grown-ups usually stop.”

As we here in the Post-Grad PR program at Loyalist College spend a week immersed in creative thought, I double-dare us all to get our hands dirty, eat the paste and start with the impossible.

Because if we do, there’s no telling what will happen.

Freeze Frame with Candice MacAulay (Loyalist PR 07/08)

Today’s Freeze Frame features Candice MacAulay (Loyalist PR 07/08) who is now the Public Relations and Media Co-ordinator for the national office of the Girl Guides of Canada.

Prior to enrolling in the Post-Graduate Public Relations Program at Loyalist College, Candice completed a degree in Anthropology and Women’s Studies at Trent University. She also spent a semester at Kansai Gaisai University in Osaka, Japan where she majored in Japanese Language and Asian Studies.

Freeze Frame: What kind of PR projects are you working on right now with the Girl Guides of Canada?

Candice MacAulay: One of the coolest things I'm working on is a partnership with HarperCollins Canada to get "recommended by Girl Guides" stickers on the covers of children's/middle grade and young adult books that we feature in our online book club. They did a similar cross-promotion campaign with Hello!Canada magazine, and it won an award from the 2008 Canadian Marketing Association Awards.

So sometime in the next few months if you're at a bookstore and see a book display with the Girl Guide logo, you'll know I had a hand in that!

FF: How did Loyalist PR help prepare you for your job?

CM: All the case studies were really helpful because it showed you what works well and what crashes and burns. I'm able to say, "Well, I think this will/won't work because…" and then actually give real life examples.

All the writing practice also helped because I'm always writing media advisories, articles for our magazine Canadian Guider, corporate sponsorship proposals, etc.

FF: What are the three skills you use the most in your line of work?

CM: Media relations, corporate partnership/sponsorship relations and writing/editing.

FF: What do you enjoy most about your job?

CM: I'm pretty much in charge of all the online marketing/social media stuff like monitoring blogs on RSS feeds, writing content for the GGC Girls website, researching web sites and companies to see where we can get the most ROI from web banners, etc.

FF: Tell us a little known fact about the Girl Guides of Canada.

CM: Girl Guides has been around for almost 100 years in Canada. We're celebrating our 100th anniversary in 2010 with a huge international camp called Guiding Mosaic 2010. We're estimating around 3,500 girls from over 144 countries will be there. I'm also working on getting an author to do a book signing/creative writing workshop/book reading or some such!

Rethink the Way You Think

I recently came across a great book by Michael Michalko entitled Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques, Volume 2 (2006).

The book highlights the itricacies of the creative thought process, and provides dozens of real-world examples of freestyle thinking in motion.

More than that, Thinkertoys is a showcase of effective creative thinking techniques – from brain writing to idea grids - that are useful both in the classroom and in the workplace.

If you’re reading this blog you’re no doubt aware of the paramount importance of creative thinking in public relations.

For me, Thinkertoys is the ideal go-to book for jumpstarting any creative project.

Check it out, and you might just begin to rethink the way you think too!

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." -- Henry David Thoreau

Freeze Frame with Phil Jolicoeur (Loyalist PR 05/06)

Today’s Freeze Frame features Phil Jolicoeur (Loyalist PR 05/06) who now works as the Marketing and Special Events Co-ordinator for the Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough.

Prior to enrolling in the Post-Graduate Public Relations Program, Phil completed a diploma in Radio Broadcasting at Loyalist College.

A comedian in his own right, Phil did his Loyalist PR internship with the Funnyfest Calgary Comedy Festival.

Freeze Frame: What are you up to these days, Phil?

Phil Jolicoeur: As the Marketing & Special Events Co-ordinator for the Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough, I have a lot of duties. Every day is different.

Last month I began organizing a “Laugh out Loud” Comedy for a Cause fundraiser which will be held in Cobourg in January. This month I’ve started researching Canadian foundations for grant eligibility. I have also have been known to vacuum the floors and do some dishes, but I don’t get a professional title for those jobs.

FF: What do you enjoy most about your job?

PJ: I enjoy coming to work for something more than just a pay check. Everything I do is for a reason and for a worthy cause. By the end of each work day I feel like I’ve just given a quarter to one of those people outside the grocery store raising money for Lupus!

FF: How did Loyalist PR help prepare you for your current position?

PJ: There are so many things I learned in the Loyalist PR program that I put to use on a daily basis to list. The tools I never stop using are PR writing (media releases, support request letters, donor thank you letters, etc.), networking, networking, and networking! Never stop meeting new people; they could be helpful in your future!

FF: What's your best memory of Loyalist PR?

PJ: My best memory would have been doing the PR presentation on Mr. Floatie. The PR campaign was for POOP (People Opposed to Outfall Pollution) in Victoria, B.C. Let’s face it, what better way to get your word out than a guy called Mr. Floatie dressed as a piece of poop! The word poop is funny!

FF: OK, you’re a funny guy -- so who's your favourite comedian and why?

PJ: I’m a huge stand-up fan. Jerry Seinfeld would be my favourite mainstream comedian, because he takes the simple things in life and makes very clever jokes out of them. I always find myself in real-life situations relating back to an episode of Seinfeld or a joke he said on stage.

Language takes an unnatural turn

One of the things we frequently discuss in our Post-Graduate Public Relations program here at Loyalist is language, its uses and impact on human behaviour.

So needless to say, two front section articles in today's Toronto Star and Globe and Mail caught my eye, and prompted a heated in-class discussion.

The latest news is that the Oxford University Press is removing a number of nature words from its Oxford Junior Dictionary --words like beaver, dandelion, heron, magpie, otter, acorn, ivy and clover. (A number of Christian terms are also being deleted, including nun, monk and psalm.)

In their place, Oxford is inserting more technological terms such as Blackberry, MP3 player, voice mail and broadband into its Junior Dictionary.

Are you kidding me? As if our kids weren't already far enough removed from the natural environment, we are now actually removing words from their vocabulary that will allow them to discuss the ecosystem using specifics?

Anyone remember Richard Louv's book Last Child in the Woods (2005) where the author discusses the concept of Nature Deficit Disorder (NDD)? If Oxford's latest move is any indication, we are apparently headed toward a world where there are no woods at all (or beavers or heron for that matter), let alone any children with first-hand knowledge of them.

What worries me is not only the removal of these "nature words" but their replacement with more technological terms. While I'm clearly in favour of new technology (I'm blogging, aren't I?), there is something intrinsically perverse about saying one can replace the other.

If language is a tool that helps shape our understanding of the world around us, then let's hope publishers like Oxford come to their senses before it's too late. Otherwise we can blow good-bye kisses to the natural world as we know it, along with the life-altering richness that comes from experiencing the great outdoors... unplugged.

Freeze Frame with Warren Bonnell (Loyalist PR 07/08)

Today’s Freeze Frame features Warren Bonnell (Loyalist PR 07/08) who is now working as Regional Manager for CanAm Physician Recruiting in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Prior to applying to the Post-Grad Public Relations Program at Loyalist College, Warren worked for 15 years in the medical sales industry.

Freeze Frame: Tell us a little bit about your current position.

Warren Bonnell: I work directly with the four health boards in the province matching their physician vacancies with the doctors that are in our data base. This involves having a knowledge of the licensing requirements/procedures for this province and guiding the physicians interested in specific positions through the entire process.

Each week I have regular conference calls/meetings with health boards as well as numerous physicians, of whom the majority are International Medical Grads (IMG's) looking to come to Canada.

FF: How did you come to apply for the Post-Grad PR program at Loyalist?

WB: After having extensive experience in medical sales, I felt a need to step back and return to school to further develop my overall communication skills and possibly pursue a different career path.

FF: What did Loyalist PR do for you?

WB: Loyalist PR helped improve my analytical skills. It helped me to take the complexities of a given situation and be able to present the analysis of it in an organized, well-thought out, well-written format.

As well, I was able to enhance my presentation skills. I present regularly to the health boards, and am an active member of Toastmasters. The Program gave me even more exposure to public speaking and presenting.

FF: What did you enjoy most about Loyalist PR?

WB: My favourite memories would be the fun we had in class playing Kerry's “creative" games. Of course they ALWAYS related to Public Relations in one way or another. From dancing like frogs, playing Balderdash, to building a kingdom/castle with toothpicks, it all had undercurrents of the communications business. Actually, I smile now as I think of those moments.

FF: Do you have any words of advice for this year’s Loyalist PR students?

WB: Start the projects close to the date they're assigned and be on time in submitting them. Be on time for class and if you’re not there let Kerry know why!

FF: Since you’re working in the medical field, do you have any favourite medical TV dramas?

WB: My favourite medical drama has to be Grey's Anatomy for all the obvious reasons: they have the prettiest girls of any medical drama!

"Rock Your Career!" Week

As we near the end of the semester, Loyalist PR students are beginning to turn their focus to the internship hunt, and the career that awaits them beyond graduation.

To help prepare for the job hunt, students were challenged to "rock their career" this past week.

Among the outstanding keynote speakers who joined us here at Loyalist PR were:

Leslie Hetherington, President of the Toronto chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), an organization to which all Loyalist PR students belong

Sue Dafoe, Account Manager of Charity Village, who provided great insights on job-finding in the not-for-profit sector

Lyndsay Kerik, the "world famous" Career & Employment Services Manager at Loyalist College

Laurie Pratt, Counsellor who provided Loyalist PR students with helpful tips on managing stress both in school and in the workplace

Stewart Hood of Stewart Hood Creative Inc. who brought us all up to speed on personal branding

Pat Bradley of Job Connect who provided valuable, real-world tips on leaving a lasting impression and landing your dream job

Finally, we wrapped up the week with a great Business Etiquette Luncheon today at Club 213 here at Loyalist College.

A great week with limitless possibilities ahead... so glad I've been along for the journey.

Freeze Frame with Gracie LaRose (Loyalist PR 07/08)

Today’s Freeze Frame features Gracie LaRose (Loyalist PR 07/08) who is now working as Promotions Director for CHUM Radio Brockville.

Prior to enrolling in the Post-Grad Public Relations Program, Gracie earned a diploma in Broadcast Journalism from Loyalist College.

Freeze Frame: What are you up to these days, Gracie?

Gracie LaRose: As Promotions Director for CHUM Radio Brockville, I handle all of the promotions for 103.7 BOB FM and 104.9 JRfm. I also handle some of the promotions for CHUM Radio Kingston, which includes 98.9 The Drive and 98.3 FLY FM.

My current duties include: maintaining the BOB FM and the JRfm websites, coordinating on-air giveaways and promotions with music and movie reps, working with local not-for-profits and charities to help promote their events, promoting and maintaining the stations' brand, and doing budget stuff. I also do a daily on-air shift on JRfm, Brockville's Soft Rock, 7-10 pm weekdays, and Saturday Mornings!

FF: How did Loyalist PR prepare you for your current job?

GL: Without the Loyalist PR program I would not have been nearly as outgoing as I am today, and this is not the type of business that introverts thrive in. It also taught me a lot about keeping up a company's brand, which is a HUGE part of what I have to consider every time I prepare for a promotion or event. If it doesn't fit with the brand image we are trying to maintain - no matter how cool the promotion/prizing may be - we just can't do it.

FF: What are three key skills you use every day on your job?

GL: First, creating effective messages. In radio, you have VERY limited time in which to get your message out, and to make sure the important info was heard. A lot of what I do gets summed up in 15-30 second spots, or commercials. But, the length of the spot won't matter if you can't grab and hold the listener's attention.

Next, delivering persuasive presentations. Most of the in-office aspect of my job is writing proposals and creating PowerPoint presentations. The fun side to this, is that I have to make things very self-explanatory, because often the people I'm working with aren't anywhere near the metropolitan-hub that is Brockville. So I almost never get to be there when my presentations and proposals are being viewed. Most of the music and movie reps I work with are in the GTA or in the United States.

And finally, special event planning. This is key to my job. While everyone loves the free stuff I score through my links with music and movie reps, I can't give it away if I can't make a successful event. In radio, we do remote broadcasts all the time - often to help promote local businesses and charities. I have to make sure there is an announcer to go to the event, that there is someone in studio to make sure the cut-ins from the event get on-air, and I have to make sure that the commercial scheduling during the event has no conflicts. (It wouldn't be very good to have a commercial for Jimbo's Sports World running during a remote broadcast from Athlete's World.) The radio stations have a couple of major charity events that get sponsored every year, and we organize these events from the ground up. All the charity has to do is show up and take the cheque at the end of the day.

FF: What’s the best part of your job?

GL: The best thing about my job is the free stuff! Ha! In truth, I really like that I can work with the local charities to help them achieve their goals. I also get to meet a lot of really great people who I work with to create promotions, and who come through the station for interviews… Sam Roberts and the gents from Great Big Sea, and last week we had Steve Smith a.k.a. Red Green come by.

There are some things in my job that don't change from week to week, I'll always have paper work to fill out, and I'll always have to worry about ratings... but what I do for promotions, and contesting is never the same.

FF: Final question: what’s playing on your ipod as we speak?

GL: Powerline - The National Parcs Check 'em out! Totally awesome band!

All We Want for Christmas...

Today's interactive Mall Crawl capped off a week of Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) for Loyalist PR students.

The highlight? Getting to meet St. Nick himself, and reminding ourselves of the child-like magic of the season...

Freeze Frame with Chris Thompson (Loyalist PR 07/08)

Today’s Freeze Frame features Chris Thompson (Loyalist PR 07/08) who is now working as the Assistant Sports Information Officer at Queen's University.

Prior to enrolling in the Loyalist PR program, Chris completed a diploma in New Media & Animation from Loyalist College.


Freeze Frame: What's the best thing about your job these days, Chris?

Chris Thompson: I get to use all of my skills and combine them with sports and bring athletics to the entire country. It's neat to see my work out there in the public.

FF: What's the singlemost important ingredient to landing the job of your dreams?

CT: A strong work ethic. You have to know what you want and put the time in to get there. I still believe that your dream job can change even if you think you're at your dream job right now. Times change and you have to continually challenge yourself.

FF: What are the top two lessons Loyalist PR taught you in preparation for your job today?

CT: First, time management. I thought I was good, but Loyalist PR prepared me for my job right now and the work load and hours I put in now. I don't know where I would be without it. And second, organization. This is key. We had a lot of projects due at different times, and it really is like the real world. Loyalist PR was amazing for getting your affairs in order.

FF: How can this year's students better prepare themselves for the job market?

CT: Have open ears and open minds. Do not settle for a safe job because I believe you will never be challenged and become a successful PR person. Go for it all and keep on your toes. Widen your search; you sometimes don't always know where a PR job lies.

FF: Finally, you're a sports guy, so who do you think is the greatest coach of all time and why?

CT: Being a part of so many teams, I have a huge pool to select from. But I would have to go with not only my hockey coach, but my life coach: my father. He coached me for almost my entire hockey career, and while he was teaching me hockey, he also taught me about life. He taught me respect and loyalty, as well as a drive to compete and be successful. His advice to me: never settle for safe and always push towards the unknown; be smart and use your head.

Marketwire's Lisa Davis discusses PR 2.0

Senior Marketing Manager Lisa Davis of Marketwire dropped by Loyalist PR today to talk about the implications of PR 2.0 in the modern workplace.

Students were able to learn more about the evolution of the news release and how online tools like MediaHub allow PR practitioners to target their media relations campaigns to reach a more specific audience of journalists.

Thanks for the visit, Lisa! It's always great to have you on campus.

Author John Cooper visits Loyalist PR to discuss crisis communications in Canada

Loyalist PR students enjoyed a visit this afternoon from John Cooper, author of Crisis Communications in Canada (2006).

John's presentation focused in on the 2004 Royal Bank of Canada ATM crisis. He walked students through each step of the case, from identifying the problem to key messaging and post-crisis evaluation.

"The crisis isn't necessarily over when you think it's over," he pointed out. "You need to rely on your publics and the media to let you know when the crisis has passed."

Loyalist PR students discussed the effectiveness of the RBC approach to crisis communications, along with other recent cases ranging from Maple Leaf Foods Canada to the 2007 taser case in western Canada.

John's visit followed a morning spent focused on a mock disaster where students had the opportunity to work through a crisis using their own strategic skills and communication abilities. Great work, everyone!

Retired Captain Ian Stock kicks off Loyalist PR's Crisis Communications Week

Loyalist PR's "Crisis Communications Week" got off the ground with a visit from Retired Captain Ian Stock of the Canadian Armed Forces (now with RBC Dominion Securities).

As a friend of the Post-Grad Public Relations Program , Ian shared his experiences as a spokesperson and media coach for the Canadian military.

His key messages to students included the importance of creating (and test-driving) effective organizational crisis plans, as well as how to build professional credibility with the media.

Thanks for spending the morning with us, Ian!

Loyalist PR students take part in Hockey Canada media relations efforts

This week, several Loyalist PR students got hands-on media writing experience while working in partnership with Hockey Canada at the National Women’s Under-18 Championship in Napanee, Ontario.

“I think the most important lesson I learned from this event was that we are learning skills in class that we will be able to use in the real world,” says Loyalist PR student Rachel Fehr, who attended the Hockey Canada event.

“We can go into the workforce with confidence knowing we can do our jobs well once we leave the program," Rachel adds. "This was a great experience for me personally, because it is something I never would have gotten to do in university.”

Loyalist PR student articles can now be found on the Hockey Canada web site.

Aaron Bell of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) speaks with Post-Grad PR students

Today Aaron Bell, Director of Information, Media and Publications for the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)/Canadian Hockey League (CHL) spoke with Loyalist PR students about his career and how to break into today's job market.

Aaron shared with us a number of his own valuable life experiences, as well as providing tips on cultivating relationships with the media and building a strong organizational brand.

"As the OHL/CHL, our main purpose with the media is to get the message out there, whether it's about educational opportunities or the quality of our hockey program," he observed.

Aaron left us all with this great quote by Jack Canfield: "If you're willing to do more than you're paid to do, eventually you'll be paid to do more than you do."

Food for thought. Thanks for a great afternoon, Aaron!

Fundraising expert discusses philanthropy with Loyalist PR students

Certified Fund Raising Executive Rhonda Cunningham of the Northumberland Hills Hospital led an engaging and thought-provoking discussion with Loyalist PR students this afternoon.

Rhonda's presentation in our Fundraising Fundamentals class covered everything from the five I's of fundraising and donor pyramids to how to approach major donors for significant campaign gifts.

Thank you for your time, Rhonda. Your passionate views on philanthropy have given us all something to think about.

Loyalist PR raises $1,200+ for United Way

Post-Grad PR students kicked off the Loyalist College fall campaign for the United Way yesterday by raising more than $1,200 in less than five hours.

With great enthusiasm and a flair for Halloween fashion, students engaged staff, faculty and other students in a campus-wide “Trick or Treat for United Way” event.

“The students looked great in their costumes and got me to buy a winning ticket that caused me to have a happy dance right on the spot!” says Doug Lafreniere, Professor & Academic Co-ordinator of the Fitness & Health Promotion Program at Loyalist College. “It was a fun and profitable day for the United Way. Kudos!”

Special thanks to the many corporate supporters who made this event possible, including: Walmart, Applebees, Starbucks, the Empire Theatre, the Belleville Bulls, Sunoco, Boston Pizza, The Spa at Loyalist, Office Depot, Club 213, Play It Again Sports, Chartwells and the Shark Tank Pub.

Great job, everyone!

2008 Media Mash-Up Hosts Sell-Out Crowd

Loyalist PR students hosted a sell-out crowd at the 2008 Media Mash-Up presented by Apple last night in the Shark Tank Pub at Loyalist College.

Students, faculty and support staff of the School of Media gathered for an amazing night of live music, food and prizes -- all while mixing and mingling with people from a cross-section of media disciplines.

Special guest Scott Moore, Executive Director of CBC Television Sports shared his experiences from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as well as the recent footage of the announcement of the new "Hockey Night in Canada" theme song.

Among the evening's live musical acts was Loyalist PR's own Kyle MacKenzie who loosened up the crowd with his talented acoustic performances. Way to go, Kyle!

More behind-the-scenes tasks were carried out by a host of other Loyalist PR students who did everything from managing ticket sales and event set-up to prize table organization and band co-ordination.

Through it all, we learned what it takes to run a great event, and how to work together as a team to achieve optimum results.

Special thanks to lead sponsor Apple, as well as Sony, Japan Camera, Future Shop and Huff Estates who made this event possible.

Happy turkey weekend, everyone!

Hats off to an amazing thanksgiving feast held at Jeff and Dana's Tweed estate yesterday. The food and company was "right arm" and I hope you all enjoy a wonderful long weekend. -- Kerry

Loyalist PR hearts George Stroumboulopoulos (we really do!)

You see, George, we promised we'd blog about you and we kept our word. The CBC needs more rock stars like you. Call us.

Loyalist PR takes on Toronto

This year's Loyalist PR fall trip to Toronto was filled with loads of fun, learning and adventure.

After pulling out of Bellevegas early in the AM on our rockstar bus, we arrived right on time for our first stop at Hill & Knowlton. Thanks to Paule and the H&K associates who made us feel welcome, and challenged us to follow our passion.

Next up was a family-style lunch at Jack Astor's on Front Street, followed by a brisk walk to the CBC studios. After spending time with Public Relations Director Elizabeth Lea of the CBC, we all left feeling a bit prouder to be Canadian, and with a new appreciation for our broadcasting heritage.

Our final stop was Bullfrog Power where we met up with James Bosma, Marketing Communications Director of this cool eco-brand. James handled the student storm of questions with the utmost of ease and got us all talking about the new possibilities available to us all on the sustainable energy front.

This blog entry would be incomplete without a mention of the bus trip home where we uncovered many hidden talents, including a mobile accordian concert at 110 km/hour on the westbound 401 highway.

It just doesn't get any better than that, folks.

Diana Robinson comes to the party...

When is a party not just a party?

Ask Diana Robinson of Diana Robinson & Associates who has organized media events for the likes of P. Diddy and Beyonce, not to mention a litany of brand launches ranging from laundry soap to organic gluesticks.

Diana's visit to Loyalist PR today offered more than just a behind-the-scenes view of the PR world; she also provided her list of "20 Life Tips" and secrets to personal success.

Thanks for stopping by, Diana!

Loyalist PR Alumni Return for Fall Panel

Yesterday's Loyalist PR alumni featured a cross-section of grads who are applying their skills in a variety of ways for a broad range of organizations.

Among this year's participants were: Katie Dudley, PR & Special Events Assistant with the Toronto Zoo, Lindsay Conboy, Communications Assistant for the Canadian Paediatric Society (Ottawa), Lisa Kirbie, Chief of Staff for Senator Grant Mitchell(Parliament Hill, Ottawa), Alex Sancton, Communications Officer at World Vision (Mississauga), Heather Forsyth, a Communications Assistant working in The Senate (Parliament Hill, Ottawa), Briar Boyce, Donor Relations Assistant, Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (Picton) and Phil Jolicoeur, Marketing and Communications Co-ordinator for the Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough and Northumberland.

Among the topics of discussion at today's panel were the use of social media in today's marketplace, along with the challenges of monitoring such tools as blogs, YouTube and Facebook. They also offered tips on everything from the job hunt to finding the ideal internship.

Thanks for stopping by, everyone! We wish you the best of success in your careers, wherever they may lead you.

Tickets now on sale for Media Mash-Up!

The Post-Grad Public Relations students are now selling tickets for the 2008 Media Mash-Up (presented by Apple) to be held Wednesday, October 15th from 6 – 9 p.m. in the Shark Tank Pub at Loyalist College.

Key sponsors for the evening include Apple (lead sponsor), Sony, Future Shop, Japan Camera and Huff Estates Wines.

This year’s Media Mash-Up event will feature a great night of professional fun complete live music, plenty of door prizes, cash bar and light buffet.

The evening will also spotlight special guest Scott Moore, Executive Director of CBC Television Sports. Scott will be talking about the CBC’s recent live coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Tickets are only $5. Get yours today!

Freeze Frame with Sylvia Draaistra (Loyalist PR 07/08)

Today’s Freeze Frame features Sylvia Draaistra (Loyalist PR 07/08) who is now working as Marketing Director for Teach Your Children Well in Belleville, Ontario.

Freeze Frame: Tell us a little bit about what you’re up to these days.

Sylvia Draaistra: My job consists of several tasks including writing a newsletter for QLC Educational Services to help inform the parents of the students and to promote the materials we use to the greater community. I also spend time teaching students who struggle in school how to read and write (one of my favourite things).

FF: Tell us about your recent trip to Los Angeles.

SD: As a volunteer for the Belleville Rotary Club, I have been involved in organizing a reading program for kids this summer at the Belleville Public Library. Literacy is one of Rotary International’s main focuses which is why we were invited to hold a booth promoting literacy at the Rotary International conference in Los Angeles.

We spoke with people from all over the world offering solutions for their education problems. It was amazing to see how people everywhere are challenged with the same issues, and it felt good to be able to offer a solution.

FF: How would you say the Loyalist PR program helped prepare you for your current job?

SD: One of the guest speakers at the Rotary International convention in LA was Premier Dalton McGuinty. He spoke on the topic of literacy and happened to be on my flight home -- the one that flew in circles for three hours and landed in Las Vegas because of an air compression problem.

Our trip back to Canada was very late but very interesting for me since I was seated next to Ben Chin, Premier McGunity's Media Relations Specialist. We discussed education in Canada at length and he introduced me to the Honourable McGuinty after we landed safely in Toronto. As Professor Ramsay said (a million times or so) you just never know who you will meet so be at your best and be careful what you say and to whom you say it. Good advice!

FF: What are the three most important lessons you learned in Loyalist PR?

SD: Be organized, be flexible and be honest. I learned that these three things are crucial in public relations.

The course involved many hands-on activities and real-life situations where I learned how to juggle many things at once, while having a crisis thrown at me, and remain positive even when others are not.

I appreciate the way that we were encouraged to be truthful and honest at all times since this coincides with my own personal values. It makes relating to the public a pleasure.

FF: Finally, we know you love literacy – so what's your all-time favourite children's book?

SD: Something From Nothing by Phoebe Gilman is my favourite children's book. It has beautiful illustrations and a heart warming story with a positive message for all ages.

Loyalist PR takes part in AERO webinar

Post-Grad Public Relations students at Loyalist College enjoyed a CPRS webinar hosted this afternoon by Daniel Tisch, President of Argyle Communications and Alison George, the firm's VP.

The webinar (the first in a CPRS series) deconstructed the recent "Guys Just Don't Get It" PR campaign for Nestle AERO.

Learning points ranged from brand positioning to the use of Ombnibus surveys and effective media relations.

The campaign also highlighted the usefulness of Media Ratings Points (MRPs) in the PR evaluation process.

Thanks to Dan, Alison and the CPRS for a great presentation!

Freeze Frame with Ashley MacCormack (Loyalist PR 07/08)

Today’s Freeze Frame features Ashley MacCormack (Loyalist PR 07/08) who is now working in Events and Special Projects with the Ottawa Humane Society.

Prior to enrolling in the Post-Grad Public Relations Program at Loyalist College, Ashley earned a B.A. (Honours) in Political Studies from Queen’s University.

Freeze Frame: So, what are you up to these days?

Ashley MacCormack: I have several major projects that I am responsible for. Half of my time is spent making our monthly PAW (pre-authorized withdrawal) donors happy. I take care of everything and anything from sending welcome packages, to dealing with expired credit card information, to making thank you calls to each of our 3,000 donors.

The second half of my jobs involves all of our events. I am currently attending United Way events across the city encouraging employees to direct their contributions to the OHS, as well as, promoting all of the services that we offer to the community.

I am also in charge of third party events, which could mean anything from accepting money from Timmy’s birthday, to being the OHS contact for a charity country jamboree, to helping with the details of our largest event of the year, the FurBall.

Finally, I actually get the opportunity to take ownership of two events - Santa Pet Pics and Bunny Snaps. Held in conjunction with Christmas and Easter, we organize photo ops with Santa or the Easter Bunny and your little furry friend. I have already started planning for SPP 08 and am super excited to have the opportunity to plan such a creative event!

FF: What’s the best thing about your job?

AM: Feeling like I am making a difference! I was lucky enough to intern with Disney Canada in Toronto last May, and loved every minute of it, but came out realizing that the corporate environment might not be for me.

After applying with multiple non-profit agencies in Ottawa, the OHS came along and just seemed like the perfect fit. With thousands of non-profit agencies in Canada promoting multiple causes, I think animals sometimes get forgotten. They have no voice and are unable to justify their cause, so it is great to be able to be that voice for them and really help people understand why donating to such a worthwhile cause is important.

Being around cute and cuddly animals everyday, is a pretty cool perk too!

FF: How did Loyalist PR help prepare you for your current position?

AM: The one thing that I loved about the Loyalist PR course is the multiple areas that you get to cover. I really feel like I am getting the opportunity to use them all (even digital media).

This course really gives you a hands-on learning experience. I felt like I had a great background coming from university, but really had no marketable skills.

I was able to come into my current job with a very diverse background and the confidence to attempt any task that was given to me. Kerry really gives you a great foundation, making anything else a piece of cake to tackle!

FF: Any words of advice for our current Loyalist PR students?

AM: Learn, learn, learn, and when you think you’ve got it all, learn more! You never know the direction your life might take you, and after this year you really will want to have as many marketable skills as possible. I really thought I would be moving to Toronto at the end of the year to attempt getting into Sports Entertainment. Oh how our dreams change! So, take in as much as you possibly can.

Second, don’t box yourself in. I think one of the coolest things that I learned from Kerry last year is that an adult will think of maybe 3-5 ways to tackle a problem, pick one and go for it; a child will think of 60 or more. Be creative. Think of wacky solutions and different ways to approach problems. The one thing I am hearing a lot at work right now is, “this is a new position, make it Ashley”. I am getting the opportunity to flex my creative muscles and find ways to reach as many people as I can with our messages.

Lastly, get to know your fellow students! You really will be like a family in no time. Enjoy this experience, because you will long for it when it’s over.

FF: Finally, you work for the Humane Society now – so, do you have any pets of your own?

AM: Mac “Mackie” MacCormack was born on a cold day in March 2007. On May 9, 2007 he officially became a part of my family, and has brightened up my life every day since then. He enjoys long walks in the park, organic peanut butter treats, and visiting his “glamma” (my mother).

I’m not sure who was more excited about me working for the OHS. The 20th annual Wiggle Waggle Walk-a-thon was on September 7th and Mackie is still investigating all of his free “swag”. Once he is able to sit still for more than three seconds, he will actually be able to come with me to work.

For someone like me, who is an avid animal lover, this really is the perfect place to start my PR career!

What We Learned from Ultimate Frisbee

Yesterday's Loyalist PR students took it outside for some ultimate frisbee (see right) -- and together we learned 10 things that will help us out in the year to come:

1. Sometimes you've gotta dive for what you want.

2. Get in the game.

3. Teamwork matters.

4. Look before you lunge.

5. Everyone has a part to play.

6. Winning is sweet.

7. Losing sucks; but at least we can learn from it.

8. Pay attention to your teammates' strengths -- and play them up.

9. Play nice.

10. Have fun!

Thanks, guys (and to the weather for such a spectacular day) -- see you Monday.

Something's fishy...

What a great first week we've had together! Here's to a fishy year ahead!
-- Kerry, Rob and JoAnne

Let's get it started...

It's that time again - the start of a new fall semester is just around the corner!

We here in the Loyalist PR program are looking forward to meeting this year's students, and making this the best year ever.

We'll see everyone at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2nd in the Loyalist gymnasium.

Enjoy the long weekend, everyone!

Summer issue of college magazine features work of Loyalist PR students

The latest edition of Lasting Connections magazine is hot off the presses, and features a variety of articles written by Loyalist PR students.

If you're a Loyalist College alumnus, watch for the summer issue in your mailbox soon!

Freeze Frame with Sarah Koester (Loyalist PR 07/08)

Today’s Freeze Frame features Sarah Koester (Loyalist PR 07/08) who is now working as a Public Relations Assistant with the St. Boniface General Hospital & Research Foundation in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Prior to enrolling in the Post-Grad Public Relations Program at Loyalist College, Sarah earned a B.A. in Politics and Criminal Justice Studies from the University of Manitoba.

Freeze Frame: What are your duties since you began working at the St. Boniface General Hospital & Research Foundation?

Sarah Koester: I have been primarily involved in event planning. This has involved setting up vendors, for special events, and soliciting donations for raffle prizes, takeaway gifts, and auctions. Other event planning aspects have included coordinating donation pickup schedules, and creating event information packages that are sent to potential event sponsors.

From the communications side I recently wrote a communications plan for an upcoming Foundation fundraising event. I’ve written a few stories for the spring edition of the Foundation newsletter, and I also recently had the opportunity to write the speaking notes for a Foundation news conference.

FF: How did your internship help prepare you for your current position?

SK: My internship actually turned into my current position, so it was a seamless transition. The staff at the Foundation has been nothing but encouraging. They aren’t afraid to let me try new things, which is essential when you’re looking to gain practical experience.

Additionally, my internship has provided me with great networking opportunities, and a chance to work in a fully bilingual environment which has given me the opportunity to exercise my French language skills.

FF: What were the top three lessons you learned from Loyalist PR?

SK: First, always tell the true, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth! Second, if something goes wrong at an event and no one notices, then nothing went wrong. And finally, write, write write, then repeat.

FF: What's the best-kept secret about living in Winnipeg?

SK: Winnipeg has brutal winters, but beautiful summers. When the snow melts the city comes to life. There are tons of great festivals, restaurants, and beautiful parks. We’re often overlooked, but it’s not a big deal, it’s what maintains our low cost of living!

Convocation Day 2008

"This time, like all times, is a very good one -- if we but know what to do with it." - Emerson

The seas of change

The theme of the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) national conference in Halifax this past week was “Charting the Seas of Change”. Set against the backdrop of one of Canada’s most beautiful harbours, the three-day conference explored many facets of change as it relates to the field of public relations.

Here are just a few of my favourite conference highlights:

Max Valiquette (aka Conference Rock Star), President of Youthography in Toronto delivered an outstanding presentation on youth culture and the ways today’s brands can connect with the digital natives.

Keynote speaker Ret. General Rick Hillier proved that the Canadian Armed Forces brand has undergone a radical transformation in recent years, and that true leadership is based on a strong set of core ethics, personal values and humility of heart.

Joseph Thornley, Chairman and CEO of Thornely Fallis Communications (Ottawa) and Carman Pirie, Principal at Colour (Halifax) teamed up to bring us up-to-speed on the latest social media developments and what they mean for the field of public relations.

Leonard Brody, Co-founder and CEO of NowPublic challenged our beliefs about the role of citizen-generated news in our digital age.

Amanda Brewer, Director of Change and Internal Communications, Hill & Knowlton and Brendan Hodgson, Director, Hill & Knowlton outlined a great case study detailing the use of social media during the last CBC lock-out, and applied the philosophies of SM to employee communications

Dana Phillip Doiron, Managing Director of the Partners Strategy Group articulated the keys for success during crisis communications planning, using personal examples from the Swiss Air disaster.

And of course, who could forget the amazing lobster suppers at The Shore Club, the cobblestone streets of the city where democracy was born in Canada, and the many new colleagues (and old acquaintances) who made this conference such a great success.

Congratulations to all the conference organizers on a job well done!

Freeze Frame with Katie Dudley (Loyalist PR 07/08)

Today’s Freeze Frame features Katie Dudley (Loyalist PR 07/08) who is now working with the Marketing & Public Relations Department of the Toronto Zoo.

Prior to enrolling in the Post-Grad Public Relations Program at Loyalist College, Katie earned a B.A. in Sociology from Western University.

Freeze Frame: So, what are you up to these days, Katie?

Katie Dudley: For the most part my job consists of co-ordinating group events at the Zoo. From speaking with clients one-on-one during the planning process to sending out work orders to various departments at the Zoo to visiting the site throughout the day during the event, I make sure that the group events (mostly corporate picnics and fundraisers ranging from 70 to 1,500 people) run smoothly.

I also assist the rest of my PR team with media filming, VIP tours, exhibit launch events (i.e. our 2008 Stingray Bay), and promotional endeavours.

When I was first hired at the Zoo, people questioned what kind of “PR stuff” would a Zoo do? The answer is LOTS! We have numerous partnerships, including many various popular media outlets. We also hold over 70 corporate events through out the summer and many other cross-promotional and fundraising events. The Zoo is a not-for-profit organization, and, as all PR junkies know, non-profits thrive on PR tools and techniques.

FF: What's the best thing about working at the Toronto Zoo?

KD: I work with an AWESOME team. My co-workers are all from various walks of life (similar to my classmates from the Loyalist PR program). We get along great, have an awesome communication system at play, and continually learn from and support each other.

Second best part is that I get to visit Africa, India, and Australia (to name just a few countries!) on a daily basis. I also get to be outside a lot which will be so much fun once the weather starts to warm up, if it ever does! I plan on hitting up the Loyalist PR Reunion in September with a fabulous tan :)

FF: How did Loyalist PR prepare you for your new position?

KD: The program prepared me on numerous levels. Coming out of university with a degree in sociology I honestly had no idea what to do next. The PR program looked like it would be a lot of fun and great training - which it was and much more!

Through the various courses and hands-on learning opportunities I was able to hone my PR skills and become more confident with myself as an employee and in general.

The PR industry is a great place for someone like me. I love meeting new people, constantly learning new skills and developing my current skills, as well as getting to do fun and interesting work on a daily basis.

The Loyalist PR program prepared me for a successful career and showed me that there are opportunities for me in the industry.

FF: Any words of advice for students entering the Loyalist PR program this fall?

KD: ENJOY IT! The eight months (including internship) flew by. I miss it, but am also really happy to be in this new phase of my life. I would advise the students to get to know their classmates as it is important to develop your social skills throughout the year. Once you enter the workforce these skills will set you apart from the rest of your colleagues.

Also, pay attention and apply yourself to the best of your ability. The program professor and co-ordinator, Kerry Ramsay, offers so much in terms of needed skills and mentorship so take total advantage (in a good way).

FF: What's your favourite zoo exhibit?

KD: Hard to say. Our new Great Barrier Reef Exhibit is gorgeous! Over 1,000 tropical fish in the most colourful aquarium I have ever seen. The moon jellyfish are awesome to watch as well, so calming. I also try to visit the Siberian Tigers and Orangutans as often as I can. Our baby orang is hilarious to watch - such a little monkey!

FF: Good luck, Katie! We know you’ll do grrrrreat (sorry, couldn’t resist).

Loyalist PR Professor Receives Award for Innovation & Excellence in Teaching

Professor Kerry Ramsay, Coordinator of the Post-Graduate Public Relations program at Loyalist College, has been awarded the College’s first Innovation and Excellence in Learning-Centred Teaching Award.

The annual award acknowledges an individual who exemplifies excellence and engages on an ongoing basis in innovation that improves the quality of teaching and learning at Loyalist.

“I am very pleased to sponsor this award, the recipient of which is selected by the College Faculty Professional Development Committee, chaired by Associate Vice-President Academic Geoffrey Cudmore,” said Loyalist President Maureen Piercy.

“The students in the Public Relations program are fully engaged, networking with each other and the community from the moment they arrive on campus. My congratulations go to Kerry on this well-deserved honour.”

As part of the recognition, Professor Ramsay participated in the Teaching Professor Conference, held in Florida and hosted by Dr. Maryellen Weimer. Dr. Weimer is Associate Professor of Teaching and Learning at Berks-Lehigh Valley College of the Pennsylvania State University and editor-in-chief of the Teaching Professor newspaper. She has authored and co-authored numerous books including Teaching on Solid Ground and Learner Centered Teaching.

“Having the opportunity to attend The Teaching Professor Conference was definitely a career booster," says Kerry. "I especially enjoyed the chance to sit in on sessions with experienced and knowledgeable educators from right across North America. With the conference now behind me, I'm more determined than ever to create a learning environment for students here at Loyalist that is collaborative, interconnected and community-minded.”

Freeze Frame with Alex Sancton (Loyalist PR 07/08)

Today’s Freeze Frame features Alex Sancton (Loyalist PR 07/08) who recently completed his internship at World Vision Canada’s head office in Toronto. Alex has now been hired on at World Vision Canada as an Emergency Response Communications Officer.

Prior to enrolling in the Post-Grad Public Relations Program at Loyalist College, Alex earned a degree in International Development from Dalhousie University in Halifax.

Freeze Frame: Given the recent disasters in Myanmar, you must be busy these days. What are your current duties as an Emergency Response Communications Officer with World Vision Canada?

Alex Sancton: I am currently working with our support offices around the world in the U.K., the U.S. and Australia, along with our national offices in each country that we work. All these offices have communications officers just like me with whom we communicate and share information on a regular basis.

In times of emergencies, like the one we are facing right now in Myanmar, these communication officers are crucial to us. They co-ordinate media interviews with World Vision staff who are on the ground in countries like Myanmar, Uganda, Zimbabwe or Sudan. This way we can tell their story to Canadian media, and complement it with information about specific programs we have in that specific country.

On the home front, I help co-ordinate interviews with our VP's and President Dave Toycen, and have so far accompanied Dave twice on media "tours" through downtown Toronto to places like CTV Newsnet, Business News Net, Global National, City TV, CP24. During these visits I help Dave keep up with the hectic schedule of interviews.

For instance yesterday we did a live hit on CityTV from 12:30-1 p.m., another hit from 1-1:30 p.m., did a pre-interview with Global National on the way to the car, took an interview with National Post at 1:45 p.m., Globe and Mail at 2:10 p.m. (these two were done while navigating downtown Toronto enroute to the DVP for Global's studios), and finally Global National and Local from 2:30-3:00 p.m.

When things aren't so crazy, I do things like create fact sheets and backgrounders on countries so that in the event of emergencies, we have a solid background of how many sponsored children we have, how many programs are in that country, etc. This way we can quickly brief ourselves, and be able to tell the media what World Vision Canada is doing there.

FF: What do you enjoy best about working at World Vision Canada?

AS: Helping children. The best thing about my job is stepping back from the insanity and knowing that we are all, as an organization, helping children, families and others who are in need. Often in times of crisis or emergency, we are so busy that I find it takes a deep breath and removing yourself from the situation to be able to look at the big picture and think of who we are helping. That is where I can find motivation and strength to work even harder so that we can continue helping them.

FF: What's it like being at the heart of a humanitarian disaster like the recent crisis we’ve seen in Myanmar?

AS: Insane. We've had two major events in the last two weeks: the food crisis announcement on April 23rd and Cyclone Nargis on May 5th. Everyone in the office says this isn't normal, and for the sake of the victims of both of these situations, I hope it isn't.

That being said, these are the kinds of things that some of us thrive on. The fast-paced environment of fielding and managing media calls is often high stress as you try and keep everyone happy while raising awareness of World Vision is one that I truly love.

I also work with a phenomenal team who have been such great teachers and mentors. The combination of exposure to the events of the past two weeks, their guidance and encouragement, and the confidence they have in me is giving me an experience I will never be able to get again, and I am extremely thankful for that.

FF: How did Loyalist PR help prepare you for your current position?

AS: I had a mini-panic attack about five weeks before the end of term. Kerry taught us so much and had covered off everything so well, but I was worried that I wouldn't remember it all, or wouldn't have the confidence to apply it. It was clear from day one of my internship though that I was so well-prepared for everything they threw at me, and even the things that were new to me were a breeze.

That's because Loyalist PR teaches you how to deal with new things. If I hadn't been through the Loyalist PR program, I know I wouldn't have been able to have the confidence that I now have on the job, and the courage in my work to be able to jump off a cliff and know there will be a working parachute to guide me to a successful, safe landing.

FF: All the best – you’re doing a wonderful job, Alex and we’re proud of you!

Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario: centre of the PR universe?

One of the questions I’m often asked by students considering the Post-Graduate Public Relations Program at Loyalist College is, “Where exactly is Belleville?”

Once I explain we’re located on the shore of Lake Ontario, an equal distance between Ottawa and Toronto, I point out that our classroom is filled with a variety of university and college graduates from right across the country (and, in some cases, around the world).

This year, for instance, our class of 30 outstanding Loyalist PR students hail from the University of Toronto, the University of Manitoba, the University of Ottawa, Dalhousie University, the University of Prince Edward Island, Queens University, the University of Western Ontario, Memorial University (Newfoundland), Loyalist College and Fanshawe College.

What’s more, our students find internships all across Canada with some of the nation’s leading PR firms, corporations, non-profit agencies and media outlets. We compete against the country’s very best, and are highly successful in our placement process.

As I write this blog, this year’s Loyalist PR students are completing internships with a variety of employers in cities like Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, London, St. John’s (Newfoundland), Mississauga, Ajax, as well as Belleville and the surrounding area.

Throughout the year, our students also enjoy guest visits from some of the brightest and the best PR professionals in Canada. During the past two semesters, for instance, we welcomed PR and communications professionals into our classroom from a broad range of organizations, including:

• Hill & Knowlton (Toronto)
• Argyle Communications (Toronto)
• World Wildlife Fund (Toronto)
• World Vision (Mississauga)
• Ontario Hockey League
• Hala Events & Communications (Toronto)
• Canada News Wire (Toronto)
• News Canada (Toronto)
• MarketWire (Toronto)
• Cake Beauty (Toronto)
• Mitsubishi Canada (Mississauga)
• Marshall Fenn (Toronto)
• MacDonald & Company (Toronto)
• Diana Robinson & Associations (Guelph)
• Office of Premier Gordon Campbell (Victoria, BC)

and many more.

Finally, Loyalist PR students enjoy field trips to cities such as Ottawa and Toronto, and regularly participate in CPRS Toronto chapter events.

In short, studying PR in Belleville offers the best of both worlds: all the advantages of a high-quality, one-year, post-graduate education while living in an affordable and safe community on one of the most beautiful college campuses in Ontario.

What’s not to love?

For more information about Loyalist College or enrolling in the Post-Graduate Public Relations, contact Professor Kerry Ramsay, Post-Graduate Public Relations Program Co-ordinator at kramsay@loyalistc.on.ca or call 1-888-LOYALIST, ext. 2127.

You can also enroll directly at the Ontario Colleges web site.

PR students raise $11,000+ for charity

Students of the Post-Graduate Public Relations Program at Loyalist College raised more than $11,000 for charity this spring as part of their final semester (pictured here: the Gourmet Marche Gala team).

The fundraising projects were planned during the first semester in the students’ Fundraising Fundamentals class, and implemented second semester through their Event Management course.

Among the beneficiaries of this year’s student team fundraising projects were:

Fixed Fur Life - $1,983.76 raised by Pet Glamour Day

Bridging the Gap - $501 raised by Local Luxuries Raffle

Big Brothers and Big Sisters - $200 raised by students through Wild & Wonderful Workshops; American Eagle matched the students’ fundraising efforts with an additional $250 contribution through its Salute Program, since one of its employees was on the team.

World Vision Canada - $700 raised through a twoonie drive to supply underfunded, overseas classrooms

Salvation Army - $175 raised through a student yard sale

Loyalist College Foundation - $7,500 raised through the Gourmet Marche Gala fundraiser in celebration of the college’s 40th anniversary; the Ontario Trust for Student Support (OTSS) also matched the students’ fundraising efforts, bringing the grand total of funds raised to $15,000. Funds will be added to the student endowment fund for financial assistance.

"The fundraising project was a great learning experience for me. I was able to exercise the skills and techniques that I have learned from the Post-Graduate Public Relations Program at Loyalist, as well as have a great time raising money and awareness for a local charity,” says Loyalist PR student Katie Dudley.

Fellow Loyalist PR student Kate Shaughnessy adds, “Our fundraising event allowed me to hone the skills I have been developing throughout the year. From the planning stages to the execution of the event, I gained a great deal of experience, and it opened my eyes to the amount of work that goes into event management. The entire process was both stressful and exhilarating. Months of research, organization and preparation resulted in hundreds of dollars that will help to better the lives of those who are less fortunate. It was an amazing feeling to be a part of that."

In a note of thanks, Fixed Fur Life President Darlene Quinsey remarks, “I want to take the opportunity to commend your PR students for their wonderful efforts in planning and implementing the Pet Glamour Day fundraiser."

"The idea was brilliant and attracted an overwhelming number of people and their pets," she adds. "The concept was unique and appealed to many. The event was carefully planned and to my knowledge took place with zero complications which I would attribute to the carefully thought out details. This was a very mature dedicated group and I would not hesitate to recommend their planning and PR skills."

Congratulations to all our student fundraising teams!

Students and employers grade Loyalist PR

Recent results from an independent study of Key Performance Indicators (2007) for the Post-Graduate Public Relations Program at Loyalist College reveal that students and employers alike are highly impressed with the program -- and the results it’s getting in the workplace.

Here are a few of the survey’s findings:

Students speak:

Ability to provide skills and abilities specific to your chosen career – 100% satisfaction

Includes topics relevant to your future success – 100% satisfaction

Teachers' knowledge of subjects – 90% satisfaction

Teachers’ presentation of the subject material – 100% satisfaction

Quality of classroom learning – 95% satisfaction

Helpfulness of teachers outside class – 90% satisfaction

Teachers are up-to-date/current in their fields – 90% satisfaction

Your overall college experience – 90% satisfaction

Overall your program is giving you knowledge and skills that will be useful in your future career – 95% satisfaction

Overall quality of the learning experiences in this program – 95% satisfaction

Employers speak:

Based on the same independent survey results, here's what employers have to say about the Loyalist PR students they are currently employing:

Quality of work – 96% satisfaction

Teamwork – 100% satisfaction

Problem solving – 92% satisfaction

Computer skills – 96% satisfaction

Productivity – 92% satisfaction

Adaptable – 96% satisfaction

Responsible – 96% satisfaction

How would you rate your satisfaction with this employee’s overall college preparation for the type of work he/she was doing? – 96%

In the Post-Graduate Public Relations Program we are committed to the pursuit of excellence, and will continue to put forward our best efforts in preparing our students for a dynamic and ever-changing workforce.

PRISM Awards Honour Student Excellence

Students of the Post-Graduate Public Relations Program at Loyalist College gathered together with professors, college staff and advisory committee members for the third annual PRISM Awards, held at the Bohemian Penguin in Belleville, Ontario.

PRISM Award winners for 2008 are as follows:

PRISM Service Award - Sylvia Draaistra

PRISM Innovation Award - Chris Thompson

PRISM Professionalism Award - Jennifer Boyd

PRISM Spirit Award - Hollie Stephenson

PRISM Student Excellence Award - Kate Shaughnessy

PRISM Mentorship Award - Bonnie Perrigard, Public Relations & Promotion Director of the Quinte Ballet School of Canada

Congratulations to all award winners, and to all our students! We are proud of each and every one of you, and your many achievements.

We wish you all the best as you set out on your internship adventures next week.

MarketWire Morning Mingle brings together students and professionals

On Wednesday morning, professional communicators from Kingston, Belleville, Peterborough, Quinte West, Prince Edward County and Cobourg enjoyed a chance to get together, share ideas and gain new insights into the field of public relations.

The breakfast was held at the Bay of Quinte Golf & Country Club and hosted by students in the Post-Graduate Public Relations Program at Loyalist College.

Keynote speaker Mark Hunter LaVigne of Hunter LaVigne Communications treated the audience to a great presentation entitled “Making Ink and Airtime in a Cluttered Media Landscape.”

“Today’s media move at the speed of light,” he noted, pointing out many effective techniques for capturing the interest of today’s news editors and reporters.

Official Sponsorship for the event was provided by MarketWire, while Mentorship Sponsors included Dr. Geoff Cudmore (Loyalist College), News Canada, PR Communications Inc., Royal Roads University and Thornley Fallis. Friend Sponsorship was provided by Quadra Research.

“I found the workshop quite informative, and yes this old dog can still learn some new tricks!” comments Gerry Fraiberg of Vision & Voice/Fraiberg Communications. “The MarketWire Morning Mingle was a good networking opportunity with a very knowledgeable and funny speaker.”

Thanks to all our participants -- and stay tuned for next year’s big networking breakfast event!

Senior communications staffer from World Vision visits Loyalist PR

This morning Philip Maher, Senior Correspondent (and all-round communications wizard) from World Vision paid a visit to Loyalist PR students to share his insights and expertise in the field of not-for-profit public relations.

Philip's presentation covered everything from building the credibility of a non-profit brand to practical tips on media relations.

"World Vision is about helping the poor and dealing with the root causes of poverty," he explains.

As the largest distributor of food for the UN's World Food Program, World Vision also enjoys top-of-mind brand awareness, and manages an effective (and comprehensive) communications campaign

On a related note, a team of PR students will be raising funds for World Vision this Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Loyalist Cafeteria and Shark Tank Pub. For $2, students and faculty can help contribute toward the purchase of school supplies for students in need overseas.

Pictured above: Loyalist PR students and Philip Maher of World Vision (second from the left).

PHOTO CREDIT: Anthony Damonse, Online Pioneer

Tara Wood of WWF-Canada visits Loyalist

Loyalist PR students had a great time yesterday sitting in on a session by Tara Wood, Public Relations Manager for the World Wildlife Fund (Canada).

Named one of Marketing Magazine’s “Ones to Watch” for 2007, Tara shared with us her knowledge and enthusiasm for the field of public relations, and the projects she is currently overseeing.

One of those projects is Earth Hour, which takes place on March 29th from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. As Tara describes it, Earth Hour is a “one-hour, lights out event that’s designed to get people to take action for the planet.”

Pioneered by WWF in Sydney, Australia last year, Earth Hour is going global on March 29th, with participating cities including Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Copenhagen, Tel Aviv and dozens of others.

“Our goal is to get people to think beyond the one-hour, lights out event,” says Tara. “We want to get people thinking about creating a conservation culture.”

To register for Earth Hour, visit the WWF's Earth Hour link.

Thanks for a fantastic visit, Tara. We enjoyed your hearing about the various campaigns you've been involved with, as well as your tips for internship and job hunting.

We’ll be joining millions of others on March 29th as the lights go out!

Get on the ball... Loyalist PR now accepting fall applications!

Interested in enrolling in the Post-Graduate Public Relations Program at Loyalist College for the fall of 2008? If so, we're now taking applications!

To join our fall program, simply visit the Ontario Colleges web site and register to enroll.

In order to apply, you must have completed either a college diploma or a university degree, since this is a post-graduate program.

Last year's program was waitlisted, so act today!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Professor Kerry Ramsay, Program Co-ordinator at kramsay@loyalistc.on.ca or by phone at 1-888-LOYALIST, ext. 2127 (drop the T if calling by cell phone).

The Five Minute Mentor: Featuring Robin Luymes

Today’s Five Minute Mentor features Loyalist College grad Robin Luymes, now working as Public Relations Manager for Quixtar Inc., based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Loyalist PR: What’s the coolest thing about working in PR at Quixtar?

Robin Luymes: I've been with the Quixtar and Amway companies for 16 years and the best thing has been variety. I view my job here to be the chief "story teller" for the company with public audiences, employees, our business partners, and more. We tell those stories through our interface with news media, but also through web communications, our sponsorships and philanthropy, and so much more.

Loyalist PR: What do you enjoy most about blogging?

Robin Luymes: As a professional communicator for nearly 20 years, I'm always seeking feedback on what I write. With a blog, you get that immediately. If your readers think you're off the mark, they let you know. If they agree with you, they might even elaborate on your points with their own experiences, adding depth and meaning to your views.

From a PR perspective, it’s an excellent tool to achieve for your clients the “mutually beneficial” relationship that is at the core of our profession, provided they’re willing to be open, honest and transparent. A true blog, to be respected, has a true “voice,” an identified author, a unique point of view, and a willingness to publish comments that are not always flattering.

Loyalist PR: What's the most innovative advancement in social media you've come across lately?

Robin Luymes: There are lots of innovations for which the most appropriate use has not yet been discovered. I’ve met the creator of Twitter, for instance, who also developed Blogger, which later was bought by Google. I like to say I know the guy who created Blogger and Twitter, but I have no idea what deep, human need Twitter solves yet. I’m sure someone will discover it.

My most recent fascination has been with Facebook. For most students, this is probably a funny thing. But for all of us who graduated from college some 20 years ago, Facebook only became open to us in the past year or so. It’s been a great tool to reconnect with friends from long ago. Sadly, I’ve had the least success reconnecting with old friends from my days in Loyalist’s Print Journalism program.

Loyalist PR: Looking ahead two to three years, where do you see the growth in jobs for the field of public relations, both in the U.S. and in Canada?

Robin Luymes: I’ve been in the U.S. since I graduated from Loyalist, so I’m not as familiar with the Canadian business scene. I think it’s probably true that the Public Relations profession has made tremendous strides in Canada, as it has in the U.S., over the past few decades. Companies are beginning to understand the tremendous value of PR to achieve business results. The fact that there is a PR program at Loyalist is a key indicator (to me) that the profession has made great gains in Canada. I didn’t even know what PR was when I went to Loyalist in the mid-‘80s.

Advertising does a good job of delivering a message. PR is better at creating a dialog and creating trust. With the boom in web communications and social media plus the heightened awareness of the value of Corporate Social Responsibility, the PR profession is well-positioned for continued growth.

Loyalist PR: Have you had a mentor during your career, and if so, what impact did he/she have on you?

Robin Luymes: My mentor is my boss, with whom I’ve worked 16 years now. I don’t think we’ve ever talked about our relationship in terms of “mentor/mentee,” but that’s essentially what it has been.

When I joined this company in 1991, I had no background in Public Relations. I was a reporter for the Grand Rapids Business Journal and covered a lot of major companies based in the West Michigan region. When approached to make the switch from news media to public relations, I did so because the pay was better.

While I could already write, there were aspects of Public Relations I needed to learn from scratch. That’s why having a mentor in the workplace worked well for me. I also became a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), through which I received accreditation in 2001.

These days I’m always thrilled to help younger practitioners and students learn more about Public Relations as a profession and a career.

Time to exhale...

It's spring break time, everyone! Time to take a deep breath, relax... and get ready for March madness.

The month of March will be a busy one for Loyalist PR students with our Community Media Workshop series (March 10-14th), MarketWire Morning Mingle networking breakfast (March 19th), PRISM Awards (March 26th) and plenty in between.

So enjoy the time off, and let's look forward to the last month of classes together as we gear up for internship season.

See you in March, everyone!

Kerry

Loyalist PR hosts Job Fair 2008

A big thanks to all the Loyalist PR students who helped host this year's Job Fair 2008 at Loyalist College.

With nearly 100 employers and an endless stream of students, the day was a great success. Loyalist PR students were involved from welcoming employers to set-up, take-down and hosting of the event.

We couldn't have done it without you - thanks for your professionalism and enthusiasm on this important day!

PR students ring in the Year of the Rat

Understanding the global impact of public relations is key when it comes to communicating effectively in a world of disappearing borders.

Yesterday, a week of fascinating (and often delicious) intercultural experiences came to a close with Loyalist PR students welcoming in the Chinese New Year (Year of the Rat).

We would especially like to thank Lucinda Pritchard of the International Student Centre at Loyalist College for arranging such a wonderful feast for us, and for connecting us with such an interesting group of international students.

Thanks also to the EAP (English for Academic Purposes) faculty and students from Egypt, Japan, Korea and Cuba who participated in a lively roundtable on intercultural relations. As professional communicators, we now have a better understanding of your unique cultures, as well as an appreciation for our own.

Happy Chinese New Year, everyone!

NEW FEATURE: The Five Minute Mentor

Today we’re launching a new blog feature called “The Five Minute Mentor.” From time to time, we’ll be dedicating this space to five-minute interviews with some of our favourite mentors in the public relations industry.

Our first Five Minute Mentor features Joel Levesque, Vice President, Public Affairs, Moosehead Breweries Ltd.

Loyalist PR: Joel, what’s the social media tool you can't live without?

Joel Levesque: I've recently subscribed to a new blog-monitoring and measurement tool called Radian6. No self-respecting practitioner can live without this service. Radian6 takes the guess work out of monitoring on-line conversations and postings. For PR professionals working for consumer goods companies (like Moosehead Breweries) managing social media commentary about your products is now mandatory. I have already used Radian6 to flag a potentially embarrassing issue thus allowing me to intervene quickly. I was able to turn a disgruntled consumer into a fan overnight. I am so impressed with Radian6 that I invested in the firm.

Loyalist PR: What's the one word or phrase that is so overused in the industry you'd like to see it banished forever from PR vernacular?

Joel Levesque: I absolutely detest the term "Spin Doctor". Spin doctors usually work for politicians and spend their miserable lives twisting facts and distorting reality. I've only met one spin doctor in my life. I hope to hell I never meet another. I will leave the last word on this subject to the legendary American PR practitioner, Thomas L. Harris. Writing last year about U.S. politics, Harris said, "I am profoundly disturbed by the high jacking of public relations, which I always thought was about truth-telling, by its bastard stepbrother spin."

Loyalist PR: What’s the title of one book every PR student should read before they graduate?

Joel Levesque: The best PR book I've read is not about PR, it's about advertising. David Ogilvy's 1983 classic, Ogilvy on Advertising, chronicles the author's success in the ad biz. He started as a junior and ended up building the world's largest ad agency. But substitute the word "communications" for "advertising" in the book and the reader will come away with wonderful insights about reaching and influencing consumers (publics in PR parlance). Plus, it's one of the most entertaining books you'll every read.

Loyalist PR: If you hadn't wound up in PR, what would you be doing right now?

Joel Levesque: I left my first year of university because I hated the parochial feel of the small liberal-arts institution I was attending. My objective was to work for the rest of year, then enroll at a larger university. I got a job at the local phone company delivering the inter-departmental mail. The only office in the company where employees seemed to be enjoying their work was the PR department. After 10 months as the mail boy, I applied for a junior post in the PR department and got the job. If the good folks at the phone company hadn't given me a chance at PR, I probably would have retired 25 years later as a senior
clerk in their warehouse.

Loyalist PR: Finally, tell us about a mentor who's made a difference in your career.

Joel Levesque: I've been blessed with the opportunity to work with a number of superb PR people throughout my career. But my favourite was Ron Coulson. Ron was an old-school practitioner and was kind enough to take an active role in the development of his young charges. Ron not only encouraged me to return to school, but also taught me the value of volunteer service to my profession and my community. Thirty years on I still keep in touch with Ron and remind him every so often of his role in the success of my career. He claims his influence was minor; it most certainly was not.

Loyalist PR: Thanks for your time, Joel! All the best at Moosehead.

Loyalist PR grad discusses event planning

In yesterday’s Event Management class, Loyalist PR students had a chance to sit in on a high-energy presentation by one of our alumni, Amanda Attard (Loyalist PR 06/07). Since graduating this past June, Amanda has been working full-time as the Events Assistant at Hala Events & Communicationsof Toronto.

Amanda’s natural skill for lighting up a room and conveying her passion for events management gave students a taste of high-end event planning, including glimpses inside some of Toronto’s hottest charity events.

Students picked up tips on everything from event crisis management to creating corporate sponsorship kits that will turn heads.

Amanda also joined students for a post-class networking luncheon where the conversation continued!

Thanks for brightening our day, Amanda. We wish you and Hala Events & Communicationsthe very best of success.

Loyalist PR gets pointers on grant writing

An integral part of non-profit communications is grant proposal writing, and this week, Loyalist PR students got first-hand training from Bonnie Perrigard, Public Relations Director for the Quinte Ballet School of Canada.

Bonnie's presentation outlined the 5 W's of grant writing, including understanding WHO your organization is (and its niche in the marketplace), WHAT you're applying for, WHEN to apply, WHERE to find grant databases and other sources of funding, and finally WHY the needs of your organization dovetail with the motivations of the funding organization.

Thanks, Bonnie, for the excellent pointers, and for leading a lively classroom discussion on this important skill.

Loyalist PR to host networking breakfast

On Wednesday, March 19, 2008, the Post-Graduate Public Relations students of Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario will host a networking breakfast for professional communicators at the Bay of Quinte Country Club from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The Marketwire Morning Mingle will be the first networking breakfast of its kind for the Belleville-Kingston region, and will offer marketing and public relations specialists from both the business and non-profit sectors a chance to interact with each other and with graduating Loyalist College public relations students.

The keynote speaker for the morning event will be Mark Hunter LaVigne, President of Hunter LaVigne Communications Inc. in Aurora, Ontario. Mr. LaVigne is an accredited member and past president of CPRS Toronto (Canadian Public Relations Society). In 2007 he was named the CPRS Toronto Mentor of the Year. His latest book, Making Ink and Airtime, was published in the fall of 2007.

“The Marketwire Morning Mingle is a great opportunity for professional communicators to get to know one another and our graduating class of future PR professionals,” says Professor Kerry Ramsay, Co-ordinator of the Post-Graduate Public Relations Program at Loyalist College. “We’re looking forward to having this breakfast become an annual event.”

Marketwire is the official sponsor of the Marketwire Morning Mingle. Mentorship sponsors for the event include: News Canada, Thornley Fallis, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, PR Communications Inc., Royal Roads University and Dr. Geoff Cudmore of Loyalist College. Friend sponsors include Quadra Research.

The Post-Graduate Public Relations Program at Loyalist College is a one-year program based in Belleville, Ontario. All students of the program are members of both the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

To RSVP for the event, or for more information please contact:
Professor Kerry Ramsay, Co-ordinator
Post-Graduate Public Relations Program
Loyalist College
Phone: (613) 969-1913, ext. 2127
E-mail: kramsay@loyalistc.on.ca

Measuring PR success

How do you measure PR success? On Thursday afternoon, Alan Chumley, Director of Measurement for Hill & Knowlton in Toronto shared his insights and experiences on the issue with Loyalist PR students.

While everyone wants to know what their PR spend is buying them, there are dozens of different measuring tools available to do the job, says Alan.

“Eighty-nine per cent of practitioners are measuring volume,” he points out. “Only 32% are measuring behaviour.”

Alan’s five main pillars for understanding PR measurement include:

1. Measurement is research, research is measurement.

2. The industry must link communications and business objectives.

3. The industry must move beyond measuring simple outputs.

4. There is no singular industry standard.

5. Approaches to measurement must be evolutionary.

“We aren’t in the business of securing media coverage,” says Alan. “We’re in the business of projecting and protecting the reputations of organizations.”

For this reason, it’s important for PR practitioners to evaluate the success of their efforts based on more than media monitoring alone.

From web metrics and focus groups to reputation quotients, Alan shared some of the current techniques being used by his own company, one of the biggest PR firms in the business.

Thanks for beaming down to our classroom for the afternoon, Alan. We look forward to hearing more updates from the field as new developments take place in the area of PR measurement.

To learn more about PR measurement from Alan Chumley, visit his blog at http://alanchumley.wordpress.com/