What Salary Increase Should I Expect?

  Q.  It’s been more than a year since I got a raise.  My supervisors say I’m doing a good job, and I get positive comments from my clients.  I know it’s a weird economic time, but no one has said anything about a formal performance review or increase.  What should I expect?  -TP A.  Since…… Continue reading What Salary Increase Should I Expect?

Setting Twitter and Facebook Focus

It was a tough call, but I blocked God from following me on Twitter yesterday.  Over the past few weeks, I have talked with more than a dozen people who are reluctant to engage in social media.  Most have Twitter and Facebook accounts, but they don’t want to engage.  They cite the number of “Friend” requests…… Continue reading Setting Twitter and Facebook Focus

Obama Digital Gurus Talk Business

Since I couldn’t attend this week’s PRSA Chicago luncheon featuring a panel discussion about online marketing of the Obama for President campaign, I enlisted intern Joe Federer to prepare this summary.   Joe Federer  This past Tuesday, I attended a PRSA Chicago luncheon which focused on the mysterious, intangible force that was (drum roll, cue fireworks) the Obama marketing campaign. …… Continue reading Obama Digital Gurus Talk Business

Blog Becomes Digital Teaching Tool

  Digital education is increasingly popular, and I am honored that PR professor Susan Gonders at Southeast Missouri State University enlisted Culpwrit as a “virtual guest lecturer” for her innovative curriculum.  Here’s this week’s assignment for the 17 students in Susan’s PR Research & Strategy class.  ‘Making CULPWRITS Of Students’ Susan Gonders, Professor Southeast Missouri State University Public relations students at Southeast Missouri…… Continue reading Blog Becomes Digital Teaching Tool

The 5 Ws of a Successful CSR Initiative

Columbia College’s Sandra Allen, who is a long-time friend and PR colleague, invited me to speak to her Social Change Communication class yesterday.  Her students are focusing on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and they clearly have been giving a lot of thought to the subject. We discussed the evolution of CSR from over the past 30…… Continue reading The 5 Ws of a Successful CSR Initiative

Gain PR Insights Via Silver Anvil Winners

There are numerous awards programs but the three biggies, including PR Week and SABRE, but the granddaddy is the coveted Silver Anvil presented by PRSA.  I attended two of the three programs this year and judged several categories in the other, so I got a great overview of the incredible work being done in our…… Continue reading Gain PR Insights Via Silver Anvil Winners

Going It Alone? Get Health Insurance

My sons were dropped from my healthcare policy the month of their graduation from college, while other graduates have until their 25th birthdays before they’re on their own, insurance wise.   Fortunately, my sons landed jobs by the time they graduated (those were the good old days–two and three years ago).  With the uncertain lag time before…… Continue reading Going It Alone? Get Health Insurance

PR Veteran Offers Ten+ Tips for Ultimate Success in Career and Life

 David L. Shank, APR, Fellow PRSA 1. Understand the world — life exists beyond New York, London or Los Angeles, central Indiana and in some areas, it’s a very different life. Experience different people, cultures and areas. 2. Understand that there isn’t a “public”. There are hundreds of “publics” who relate to your issue or…… Continue reading PR Veteran Offers Ten+ Tips for Ultimate Success in Career and Life

Join Educators at Digital Media Webinar

Although designed for educators, a free Plank Center webinar this coming Friday may be of interest to students and young professionals seriously interested in digital media.    The one-hour discussion begins at 2:30 p.m. EDT, May 1.  Plank Center Director Karla Gower confirmed that students and professionals can join the webinar.  Topics for discussion include the role of the new…… Continue reading Join Educators at Digital Media Webinar

Global PR Facts and Insights

As public relations continues to grow into a significant global industry, I am pleased to learn about a student-initiated effort to develop informative overviews of the profession’s status in international markets.  PRSSA’s PR Student International Coalition (PRSIC) built a website that carries brief, easy-to-read overviews of the PR industries in 17 countries.  The country summaries provide information about…… Continue reading Global PR Facts and Insights