Big Changes...Exciting Times!

Hello FPRA Treasure Coast!

This is an exciting time for us all! The nation is about to elect a new President, we are nearly half way to our membership goal and the Florida Gators crushed the Georgia Bulldogs! Ahhh, life is good! :-)

We are still trying to confirm a wonderful speaker for our November program, but we promise your patience will pay off. So…please RSVP now for the November 18th monthly program focusing on Government Relations ~ “How Did Public Relations Play a Role in the Elections?” Thankfully, the elections will be “history” at that point; therefore the program will examine how our profession played a key role in shaping perceptions and opinions for local, state and federal elections and voter turnout. This event will be held at the South Florida Water Management District’s Martin/St. Lucie Service Center located at 780 SE Indian Street in Stuart. You can make your reservations online now at http://www.fpratreasurecoast.com/ or by calling Programs Chairman Cara Perry at (772) 873-3339 or e-mail at ccarlton@fau.edu. Remember, beginning in November, the price for the monthly program is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.

Bryan Beaty, President-Elect, Adrienne Moore, APR, CPRC, Immediate Past President and I will be attending the FPRA State Board meeting this Friday and Saturday in Palm Coast. The meeting will be hosted by the Volusia/Flagler Chapter and we will have the opportunity to share our successes with the other Chapters and learn about some of their exciting events and programs so far this year. I’ll give you a complete recap next week.

Adrienne attended last month’s Gold Coast PR Council monthly meeting and had this information to share with us: Presenting at the October meeting were Palm Beach Post Assistant Managing Editor Rick Christie, South Florida Business Journal editor Jeff Zabar, Lynn University Public Information Officer Jason Hughes and Tracy Tilson of Tilson Public Relations. They provided a series of tips related to new procedures since many reporters/contacts are no longer working at area newspapers. Below is a summary of those tips:

• Web, web, web, audio, video and photography - Become familiar with all of these techniques to better serve your clients and to provide access of events to local media. Post high resolution jpegs or videos online and reporters can transfer directly from your website. Putting high resolution in an attachment bogs down the entire email system. Reporters are learning to go to websites.


• Get your own You Tube account and start thinking about tips your clients can provide in short video clips, with updates, and post on their website. Use this video technique for announcements and other information.


• Topics of interest for pitches: Health, Green, Mommy things, Entertainment and the Economy. The Post suggested these topics, while the Business Journal was interested in more traditional business topics, the economy, and unique projects that might benefit businesses.


• If you use a blog, identify yourself and reveal why you are blogging, such as presenting a product, discussing issues related to a product or service. Blogs are synonymous with grassroots campaigns. It is better to put your reasons up front than have bloggers find out later. Several people in the audience said they were getting many more page views since they started blogs.

In case you missed it, the November edition of The Pro is hot off the “presses.” Thanks to Misti Guertin, APR, and Sarah Starr for their efforts and determination in developing and producing such an awesome newsletter!

Finally, congratulations to Laura Kelley, APR, Chairman of the Indian River Council, as she wrapped up the four-part Public Relations Professional Development series in Vero Beach on October 29. In partnership with the Cultural Council of Indian River County, the community service project was a complimentary series aimed at bringing a basic understanding of the value of PR using the RACE formula. Also, a special thanks to our presenters: Bev Paris of Paris Productions; Pat Austin-Novak, APR, of Pat Austin Consulting; and Anne Satterlee, APR, CPRC, of the City of Fort Pierce.

Be sure to vote (if you haven’t already) and have a wonderful week!
Linette