Member Spotlight: Terri Howe

By Christie Bender, Ferris State University

For the last sixteen years Terri Howe has been strategically cultivating relationships for her clients at Howe Marketing Communications.

Howe followed her heart when she decided to create her own firm. She wanted to establish an environment where she could put her own client service philosophies into practice. Creating long relationships with clients who understand the value of a strategic approach is a key measurement for growing her business.

Terri said, “Success in business is predicated on success in creating relationships. It’s all about connecting the right people, at the right time, for the purpose of a beneficial outcome.”

Howe also currently serves on the board of West Michigan Public Relations Society of America (WMPRSA), and is the chair of the PR for Good committee. PR for Good helps a selected local non-profit with public relations services on a pro-bono basis during a two-year commitment. The current PR for Good client is Family Promise of Grand Rapids.

Terri attended Grand Valley State University and worked for several years at a West Michigan advertising/PR firm before starting her business in 1997. Beginning her own business allowed her to combine strategy with solid communications know-how to get excellent results.

Howe has worked in multiple facets of public relations. She advises young public relations professionals to explore different areas of public relations to find where their heart takes them.

Job Opportunity – Social Media Consultant at Spectrum Health

Spectrum Health is seeking a Social Media Consultant.

The consultant would support System Communications efforts in using social media to enhance Spectrum Health image and reputation among external and internal stakeholders and support System Marketing efforts in using social media to promote Spectrum Health services and programs to current and prospective customers.

See full job description

[RECAP] 28th Annual PRoof Awards Gala

On behalf of the board of directors, thank you for attending the 28th Annual Proof Awards Gala. Approximately 160 professionals attended last night’s awards ceremony to honor the achievements of some of West Michigan’s best public relations practitioners, campaigns and projects.

Congratulations to our individual award winners:

Robin Luymes
PR Professional of the Year
Each year, the West Michigan PRSA honors one of its own with the Public Relations Professional of the Year Award.  This year’s recipient is dedicated to leading public relations activities for Davenport University.  As Executive Director of Communications he has elevated the University’s Communications Department by guiding the strategic direction of all communications. Under his leadership, the University has become a leader in communications best practices.  Robin has served as WMPRSA Board President more than once, and has sat on the Board of Directors for nearly 10 years throughout the past decade.  He’s well known within student groups, and often volunteers with GVSU PRSSA in resume proofreading or speaking engagements.

Larry Yachcik
Communicator of the Year
This award recognizes a community leader who has made outstanding contributions to West Michigan and who also exemplifies the practice of good public relations. Larry Yachcik, Porter Hills, has exhibited foresight and innate ability to create relationships. His embrace of creative and innovative ways of working together, even with entities that can be considered his competitors, helped him thrive during his recent transition as President and CEO of Porter Hills, a role that he assumed just one year after the company lost its CEO in a tragic car accident. His collaboration efforts include working with companies like The Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids, the Marywood Health Center, and Emmanuel Hospice.

Adrienne Wallace
Newcomer of the Year
The Newcomer of the Year Award is given to public relations professionals who is new to WMPRSA and has demonstrated the potential for becoming an outstanding practitioner. Adrienne joined the organization in 2012 and has already immersed herself in leadership within the chapter and the larger public relations community in a variety of ways.  Her contributions to the profession include:  The WMPRSA board, PRSSA, volunteerism, and last year’s ArtPrize entry: Lights in the Night.  She is also a contributor to numerous publications like Grand Rapids Women’s Magazine, West Michigan Women Magazine, and has led the re-boot efforts of the online magazine: The Mode Life.  She also maintains her own food blog.  As an active member of the community, she volunteers for numerous nonprofits and serves on a variety of boards including the Grand Valley State University Alumni Board and WGVU Engage.

Elizabeth Michalski
Student of the Year
Elizabeth Michalski serves as vice president of the Ferris State PRSSA chapter, logging more than 2,500 hours of PR work annually.  In the spring of 2012, she wrote a PR plan for the Cass City Chamber of Commerce as part of a class assignment. Then, the client brought her on board as an intern for the summer and fall of 2012 to implement the plan!  Also, she one of five students in the NATION to be selected as a finalist for the PRWeek Student of the Year award.

Shelley Irwin
Media Person of the Year
The Media Person of the Year Award is given to a deserving journalist, editor or publisher for their outstanding contributions to the field of journalism in the West Michigan area. Shelley Irwin is a well-known name in the West Michigan media landscape. She emcees many events, interviews leaders, sits on several boards and committees, and continues to cover both the good and bad news going on around us.  She also manages to get in a run or workout daily between gigs! Her work at the WGVU Morning Show and throughout the West Michigan community has, in one way or another, touched every PR professional in the area at one time or another.

And kudos to our newest APR recipient:

Katherine Hollaran, APR
As a public relations and communications manager at Saint Mary’s Health Care, Katie Halloran understands why lifelong learning is essential for professional growth. When she first learned about the APR designation in college as a member of PRSSA, she set the accreditation as a long-term goal for herself. After working in the field for several years, Katie felt that the time was right to finally seek that APR accreditation – seeing it as a way to continue to learn and advance.  Countless hours of studying later, she is another shining example of the great practitioners that lead PR in this community.

And finally, congratulations to ALL of the winners of gold and silver PRoof Awards! This year, our applicant totals were higher in most categories than in the recent past. That’s cause for even more celebration! Many of the categories featured close calls, with a high number of honors awarded due to the quality of work presented.

View a full list of winners and read about the area’s finest campaigns and tactics from 2012.

Media + Members: Rapid Growth

Join us for the second installment of Media + Members with Rapid Growth’s Jeff Hill, publisher, and Juliet Bennett Rylah, managing editor.

This quarterly event features a discussion with a media leader that focuses on their publication(s), needs from PR types, new sections/initiatives, etc. These bring-your-own-lunch events are free for members and are designed to provide a unique perspectives on the many changes within the news media and the needs of reporters who work at specific media outlets.

WHEN:
Thursday, May 15
Noon-1 p.m.

WHERE:
Haworth Interphase @ MoDiv
40 Monroe Center (the corner of Monroe Center and Division)
Parking is available at the Monroe Center Parking Ramp or there are meters along Monroe Center. 

PRICE:
Members and students: FREE
Nonmembers: $25

RSVP:
Register here

See also: [RECAP] Media + Members with Mary Kramer of Crain’s Detroit Business

Member Spotlight: Robin Barnett

By Amanda Krebs, Ferris State University

Robin Barnett has spent her entire career in the world of publishing, working tirelessly to help authors’ work get noticed.  She started as a PR Manager at Zondervan, which is one of the top three Christian publishers in the United States.

Barnett has been working at Revell Books, which is part of Baker Publishing Group, where she is a Senior Publicist for almost two years.  She spends her days at Revell calling authors, pitching media outlets, and meeting with the company’s PR and marketing teams to coordinate campaigns.

We were able to talk with Barnett about how she reached such a great point in her career, what she loves about her job, and her advice for future PR professionals:

Q: What did you study in college?

RB: I went to Baylor—Sic ‘Em Bears!—and double majored in history and journalism with an emphasis in public relations.

Q: What has been your career path up to this point?

RB: I’ve been in publishing for all of my PR career. I briefly ran my own firm while I lived in Chicago, but quickly returned to the corporate environment. 

Q: What are your main duties as a Senior Publicist at Revell?

RB: My main goal is to develop strategic book release campaigns and secure media attention for authors. It’s a lot of media relations. I work with everyone from national morning shows to local radio in authors’ hometowns. I also run my division’s social media strategy for Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.

Q: What made you realize you wanted to pursue a career in PR?

RB: I realized I wanted to go into PR shortly after taking the LSAT. I’m so glad I didn’t go to law school! I’d never considered publishing as a career option, and it just came to me one day. I love to read books, so why not help create them!

Q: What is your favorite part about your job? Why?

RB: I love working with authors and building their platforms. One interview or blog post can launch an author’s career. The first time I booked the Today Show for two debut authors, their memoir hit the New York Times Bestseller list. It was an amazing feeling to realize I helped share their story with millions of viewers.

Q: What is one of the most important things you’ve learned about public relations during your career? How?

RB: It’s all about relationships. I work hard to build solid relationships with my authors and with media contacts. I saw a huge jump in how much national media I was booking when I started routinely meeting with media in New York. Once you’re more than an email address to them, they’re more likely to open your emails, return your calls and book media.

Q: Do you have any advice for PR students entering the work force?

RB: Network! Who you know really matters. Introduce yourself to guest speakers, go to conferences. If you’re job hunting, make yourself business cards. You come off looking professional, and they’ll most likely give you their card so you end up with their contact info.

Job Opportunity – Communications Coordinator at Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce

The Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce and Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) are together seeking a full time Communications Coordinator.

The Coordinator will assist all communication activities for Chamber and CVB and provide assistance to the CVB Executive Director for advertising, publications, graphics, and promotions.

See full job description

To apply for the position, send a resume and references to:

Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce
RE: Communications Coordinator Position
5300 W. US 10
Ludington, MI 49431

Job Opportunity – Educational Support Professional – Communications at Grand Rapids Community College

Grand Rapids Community College is looking for a Educational Support Professional – Communications.

Responsibilities include:

• Support the Director of Communications in the creation and implementation of the Communications Department strategic plan and the college wide communications plan.
• Act as traffic manager for department responsibilities and projects managed by others in department – monitor deadlines, coordinate information, tasks and people within and outside of department, ensure customer needs are met – using Basecamp project management software.
• Provide administrative support, including calendar management, to the Director of Communications.
• Manage Communications Department budget transactions, including the ProCard, using Peoplesoft Financials, Excel and other software as needed. Budget for, track and document all spending.
• Assist the Director of Communications in budget forecasting.
• Field media and advertising calls.
• Assist in drafting, editing, and distributing various internal and external GRCC publications and news releases to media and other interested parties as needed.
• Create and distribute monthly GRCC events calendar to the department, the President’s Office, and local media calendars.
• Work closely with college departments, and GRCC Foundation, to assist in planning and deploying events as needed.
• Collect and submit bi-weekly payroll.
• Purchase and distribute promotional items for donations, special events, and special interest groups on and off campus as needed.
• Assist in the supervision of Communications interns and student employees.
• Provide backup to the GRCC switchboard as needed.
• Maintain a database of local and regional media contacts.
• General management of office including maintaining general and confidential files, scheduling meetings, note taking and managing daily and bulk mailings.
• Participate in GRCC committees and teams.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Communications.

See full job description