Pr Hangover

As part of our Contemporary Legends of PR series, I sat down with Dottie Barnes to discuss the life and work of James E. Lukaszewski. James specializes in crisis management, where he places a strong emphasis on changing management behavior. Dottie Barnes works as the Associate Director of News and as a public relations and journalism professor at Grand Valley State University.

Quarantine has been a difficult time full of adjustments for everyone, and students are no exception. Students Delaney MacKenzie, Lindsay Corwin, Allison Canter, and Samantha Brigham joined Dr. Adrienne Wallace and I to talk about how COVID-19 and quarantine are affecting the mental health of students.

In honor of Earth Day, I recently sat down virtually with Derek DeVries to continue our Contemporary Legends series and learn more about Marilyn Laurie. Laurie was the first woman to do PR for a fortune 50 company, and played an influential role in the creation of Earth Day. Derek is the Director of Digital and Social Strategy at Lambert and Co., and is the professional advisor to Grand Valley’s PRSSA chapter.

This week, former PR Hangover host, Courtney Fogle, joined me for a virtual recording session. After graduating from Grand Valley State University last year, Courtney moved to Las Vegas and currently works for Ivory Star Productions in Public Relations and Marketing. Today, she "sat down" with me to talk about how young professionals can best communicate with their clients and superiors, and how to ensure their voice and opinions are heard in a time where we're all working from home. Bad PR pitches during Coronavirus: https://muckrack.com/blog/2020/03/16/this-month-in-bad-pr-pitches-coronavirus

It's no secret that students at Grand Valley State University students are up to great things, especially in our Advertising and PR program! Recently, Devon Yousif was named a Most Promising Multicultural Student by the American Advertising Federation. Listen to hear about her experience in New York City!

Among a slew of other things, she’s been an intern, she’s hosted interns, and now she’s an internship coordinator for the Advertising and PR major at GVSU. This week’s episode is with GVSU PR Legend Adrienne Wallace, who walks me through the Dos and the Don'ts for internships for the intern AND the intern host.

This week, I sat down with GVSU graduate Brooke Rosier, who is currently working in global beauty marketing at Amway International. Listen to hear Brooke discuss her experience marketing to a global audience, why you should avoid those enticing $1 face masks, and why it's better to do a few things well than to do a lot of things poorly.

Following this year's Superbowl, I had the opportunity to sit down for a phone call with Scott Cowley, a Digital Marketing Professor and Researcher at Western Michigan University. With his knowledge of SEO, Scott walked me through Planters' "Baby Nut" campaign from pre-Superbowl teasers to their SEO catastrophe, and hits on other major highlights from the Superbowl.

CALLING ALL GVSU PRSSA MEMBERS! Considering an eboard position for the 2020-2021 school year, but not quite sure what role you want to apply for? You're in luck- give this podcast a listen the inside scoop on each GV PRSSA eboard role. 0:38- VP of Programming, Ella Rechner 5:45- VP of Philanthropy, Sarah Virkstis 12:56- Podcast host, Sarah Dudinetz 18:10- VP of Public Relations, Allison Canter 25:52- VP of Fundraising, Olivia Windorf 32:22- Social Media Director, Anne Stodulski 35:43- VP of Professional Development, Sofia Anderson 45:23- VP of Member Services, Teagan Epley 49:15- President, Delaney MacKenzie

Former GV PRSSA member and recent graduate Morgan Shaffer shared her advice and insights for those who are about to go from ‘student’ to ‘adult’. Morgan works at LEAD Marketing Agency here in Grand Rapids, and you can check out her personal blog at seemorganwork.com

Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with Jason Manshum, a Grand Valley State University graduate and adjunct professor. Jason’s work has involved public affairs regarding multiple environmental-related crises in the state of Michigan. Listen to hear him chat about why we need to form relationships in PR before we need them, what it’s like to craft messages in the midst of one the worst inland oil spill in the history of the U.S, and why he values putting the emphasis on the ‘R’ in PR.

Today, I was able to sit down with Marketing Consultant and Grand Valley State University adjunct professor, Becky Olson, to discuss her experience working in Consumer Public Relations and Events. We were also able to talk about the importance of what she calls a 'trust bank', mistakes jpeople make when applying for a job, and why young professionals need to conquer their fear of speaking up in meetings.

Happy Holidays! Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Bronner's Communications Assistant, Lori Libka. Bronner's, the world's largest Christmas store, is a holiday staple for many in the Mid-Michigan area. Lori and I had the chance to talk about spending your promotional energy where your audience is, the lessons she's learned from company founder Wally Bronner, and what I like to call the 'Bronner's Legend of Ringo Starr'. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

12 GV PRSSA members traveled from Michigan to San Diego a few weeks ago for PRSSA's International Conference. Today, Evan Clark, Delaney Mackenzie, and Sofia Anderson shared their favorite memories, the biggest things that they learned, the recognition Grand Valley's chapter received, and advice for chapters considering attending next year's PRSSA International Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

In this episode of PR Hangover, I got to sit down with creative problem-solver Chris Koens- A Graphic Design, Marketing, and PR guy who wears a lot of different hats and has a lot of great advice. In addition to talking about his career, we we're able to chat about having imposter syndrome, why young professionals need to stick up for themselves, and why you should never say never.

In this week’s episode of PR Hangover, I got to sit down with Bre’onna Raymo, Group Sales Account Executive for the Grand Rapids Griffins, and Jessica Bishop, Season Ticket Sales Development Manager for the Grand Rapids Griffins. We were able to chat about why it’s helpful to remember client’s birthdays, anniversaries, or kid’s names, why bad internships can actually be good, and what it’s like to manage ticket sales for the Griffins, the affiliate team to the Detroit Red Wings.

Daltyn Terpstra, Assistant Marketing Manager at Eataly in Chicago, came back and visited her Alma Mater to speak to Grand Valley’s PRSSA chapter and chat with me over a podcast. Her and I got to chat about why it's vital for PR pros to ask questions, how influencer marketing is changing the professional landscape, and how we can help journalists do their job well.

Listen to hear Bruce Reynolds, Corporate Communications Manager at Steelcase, discuss how the internal communications field is changing, the importance of a good story, and more.

Are you as intrigued by the 'Raid Area 51: They can't stop all of us!' Facebook event and social media trend as I am? Listen to hear me chat with Ben Risinger, a digital marketing pro and GVSU adjunct professor, chat about the event, why brands have decided to latch onto it, and the advantages or disadvantages of brands associating with an event that has already led to the arrest of two people.

The Grand Valley PRSSA Chapter has big plans for the 2019-2020 year! In this episode, GV PRSSA executive board members Delaney MacKenzie, Teagan Epley, Sophia Anderson, Emily Gagnon, and I get to chat about the exciting things coming our way, including agency tours, the PRSSA International Conference, and more.