Blog of West Michigan Chapter PRSA

Job Opportunity – Manager of MarCom and PR at Father Fred Foundation in Traverse City

Derek DeVries — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 14:30:30 +0000

The Father Fred Foundation (based in Traverse City) is looking for a Manager of Marketing, Communications and Public Relations. From the description:

This is a full time position, flexibly scheduled. The Manager of Marketing, Communications and Public Relations is responsible for the direction and execution of marketing activities, external communications, media relations and the supervision of special events – at all times protecting the organization’s brand and image. The Manager of Marketing shall provide recommendations to the Executive Director regarding the on-going and evolving marketing needs of the organization. In addition to strict confidentiality, it is expected that mission, core values and vision are exemplified by the individual filling this role. (Full Description Here)

For more information or to apply, contact Liz Sayre-King of Professional Solutions Plus.

Job Opportunity – Marketing Analyst at Priority Health

Derek DeVries — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:16:54 +0000

Priority Health is looking for a Marketing Analyst – from the description:

Statistics and marketing affinity meet in the Priority Health’s Marketing Analyst position. A skilled communicator is sought in Grand Rapids to lead reporting and analysis of their marketing campaigns relating to customer segments, online/offline programs. This position will identify usage patterns, understand customer characteristics, maintain CRM, and analyze Web traffic and social media reports from WebTrends, Google analytics, and/or DMS analytics, Klout and other sources.

The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal, analytical and communication skills for interacting with internal and external resources. A broad understanding of consumers, marketing and e-commerce is essential for success in this position.

For the full job description and application instructions, go here.

Internship Opportunities at Priority Health for Summer 2012

Derek DeVries — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:06:33 +0000

Priority Health has internship opportunities for students this summer; all are paid, full time and run from May through the beginning of August. They cover the following areas:

Social media
Corporate Communications
Marketing (Search Engine Optimization)
Web Experience (Visual Enhancements)
Quality Improvement and Health Communications

For more information about these positions, and to apply, visit the Priority Health website here.

2012 PRoof Award Deadlines Extended

Derek DeVries — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:17:00 +0000

WMPRSA has extended the deadlines for PRoof Award submissions:

Deadline for all entries: Friday, March 9 =$60 each
Late deadline for all entries: Friday, March 16 at noon = $75 each.

All entries must be dropped off to Kelli Cottrell at Cornerstone University:

Kelli Cottrell
Media Relations Coordinator/Editor
Marketing and Communications Office
Cornerstone University
1001 E. Beltline Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525

WMPRSA New Member Profile – Tatum Rucker, Literacy Center of West Michigan

Derek DeVries — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:08:23 +0000

Tatum Rucker, Literacy Center of West Michigan

1. Where do you work and what is your title?

Literacy Center of West Michigan, Public Relations Specialist

2. What is your main objective in that role?

To communicate the mission and increase the awareness of the Literacy Center through media relations, social media, and public relations.

3. How long have you been a member of WMPRSA?

Since November 2011

4. Why did you join WMPRSA?

PRSA is a great network for public relations professionals.

5. If you could have a job anywhere in the world, where and what would it be?

Public Relations Advisor to First Lady Michelle Obama

6. Name a favorite website and explain why you like it.

www.literacycenterwm.org …..lol!

Program Recap: From Bland to Buzzworthy

Derek DeVries — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:02:31 +0000

WMPRSA welcomed Internet marketer Pete Brand to be a part of their luncheon series for the month of January. Brand presented “Bland to Buzzworthy: A Social Media Strategy” to a packed house at the University Club. Brand co-founded Mindscape, a web marketing and development firm that was established in 2001. Mindscape has grown to become a fully integrated, multi-platform branding and marketing agency where Pete serves as the leader of Internet marketing research and strategy.

Brand shared insight based on his experience and successes with various campaigns such as the Grand Rapids LipDub and Google Fiber for Grand Rapids (while Kansas City won the contest, word on the street is that Google came to check GR out because of the community support). He focused on the topic of creating a “winning” social media strategy through reaching influencers.

“The key to effective social media strategy is to leverage awareness and create lasting emotional connections,” said Brand.

He went on to outline the six aspects of creating a successful social media campaign. These aspects included: Identifying Objectives, Understanding Your Audience, Selecting a Social Media Platform, Community and Influencer Identification and Outreach, Creating a Conversation and Engagement Plan, and lastly, Monitoring and Measuring the ongoing plan. Brand concluded, “It can’t just be a campaign. It has to be a commitment. People count on it.”

View the slides that accompanied the presentation here.

Recap Provided by students from Ferris State University’s PRSSA Chapter:

Jenni Omness – President @jenniomness
Alicia Cunningham – @AliciaCunninghm

What’s Happening at MLive and the Grand Rapids Press? – SOLD OUT

Derek DeVries — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:56:46 +0000

WMPRSA’s “What’s Happening at MLive and the Grand Rapids Press?” program scheduled for February 16, 2012 is now sold out! Watch for the recap in an upcoming post.

With the launch of a new media company, MLive Media Group is responding to revolutionary changes in the way people seek and consume news. Learn how MLive Media Group has restructured its print and online editorial teams to make sure it delivers high quality, engaging and relevant content to readers across all platforms. Dan Gaydou, President of MLive Media Group, will kick things off with a glimpse at the vision that guided the changes. Then Grand Rapids Press Community News Director Julie Hoogland will lead a news team panel discussion about the newsroom structure, news team, and the news organization’s renewed focus on community engagement. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions and take a tour of the new Grand Rapids hub.

11:30 am – Registration/Lunch
Noon-1 pm – Program and Q&A
1 pm – Tours of the hub

Please note change in venue: Entire program will be held at MLive Media Group’s offices in the Founders Bank & Trust Building, 169 Monroe Avenue NW.

Registration for this program will be limited to 80 members, guests, and students. Register now to ensure your participation.

Thursday, February 16, 2012 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

MLive Media Group
Founders Bank & Trust Building
169 Monroe Ave. NW
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503

Contacts for the New MLive Media Group

Derek DeVries — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:19:26 +0000

Looking for a comprehensive list of the contacts for West Michigan newspapers in the MLive Media Group? – We’ve got your back:

PRoof Award Deadline Rapidly Approaching

Derek DeVries — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:22:19 +0000

In West Michigan, national-caliber, award-winning programs are bringing deserved accolades to public relations professionals, agencies and corporate communications teams. Now more than ever, during our 27^thannual PRoof Awards celebration, local PR practitioners are achieving the highest levels of success and celebrating their accomplishments on local and national levels.

We offer members the opportunity to prepare their WMPRSA PRoof Award entries in tandem with PRSA Silver Anvil and Bronze Anvil award entries. PRoof Award entry requirements mirror the Silver and Bronze Anvil awards criteria and entry categories are the same. We encourage you to submit replicated entries for these national PRSA awards programs to increase awareness of your high-caliber work.

Please choose the category that best describes your work. Please follow all entry instructions, note deadlines for submissions very carefully, and plan to join us Thursday, April 25, 2012 for the 27^th Annual PRoof Awards Gala Celebration, an annual event highlighting the outstanding work of West Michigan public relations professionals. The evening includes food, music, networking and of course the awards presentation.

Call for Entries / Application (.pdf)

Entry Deadlines

Deadline: Entries in-hand at or before Noon on February 29, 2012
Late: Entries in-hand at or before Noon on March 9, 2012

Need help on crafting your entry? Check out the guide former WMPRSA Board Member, Former Judge, Award Winner and generally awesome guy Brian Burch put together.

Still Time to Benefit From WMPRSA Year-Long Program Registration Deal

Derek DeVries — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:14:48 +0000

WMPRSA’s popular “year-long” program subscription is again being offered for 2012. Members of WMPRSA can register for all 2012 programs at a special subscription rate that amounts to a savings of $50 (or the equivalent of two programs).

On the schedule for this year:

FEBRUARY 16 – What’s Happening at MLive and The Grand Rapids Press?
MARCH 15 – The Changing Marketplace of PR
MAY 17 – Take the Mystery Out of Research
JUNE 21 – Crisis Communications
SEPTEMBER 20 – #CelebratingFailure
OCTOBER 18 – Meet the Media
NOVEMBER 15 – Year in Review

Register Here

All the luncheons listed above begin with registration/networking at 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch and the program at noon. Luncheons will be held at The Grand Rapids University Club, 111 Lyon Ave. NW – 10th Floor of the Fifth Third Bank Building.

Cost for the 2012 Program Subscription is $150 and is NOT transferable. Deadline to subscribe is February 29, 2012. Questions? Contact us at wmprsa@gmail.com or (616) 821-8238.

SUBSCRIPTION FEE: 2012 Luncheon Subscription $150.00