First Spring Meeting, Re-Cap

Hello members and welcome back to Quotes for Spring 2010!

We had our first meeting Tuesday, February 2 at 6 p.m. in COM 209. Here’s a recap if you weren’t able to make it out:

• Lenora Lockett, co-chair of the Image Awards for the Orlando chapter of FPRA, taught us everything we need to know in order to enter an award entry into this year’s Image Awards.

• Students studying public relations are encouraged to enter work from their classes, internships or other clubs and activities in either the student category or any of the three professional-level awards categories. Entries are judged by local accredited PR professionals.

• Lenora told us about this year’s theme, “PR Evolves,” and how it reflects the changing climate of the field of public relations. She also explained the different levels of awards and showed us examples of past award-winning entries.

The rules and information packet, along with the entry form is available from the FPRA Web site: http://www.fpra-orlando.org/events/2010ImageCallforEntries.pdf.

There is a fee for submitting each award entry. By joining Quotes, you’ll receive a discount on the regular student entry fee of $15. (Student FPRA members, i.e. Quotes members, pay only $10). All entries are due by Friday, March 12 at 5 p.m.

The awards ceremony will take place Thursday, April 22. Quotes is looking for a few select volunteers to help out leading up to and during the event. Email ucfquotes@gmail.com if you’re interested in serving on the Image Awards committee. Volunteering or attending the event is a great way to network with PR professionals throughout the Orlando area.

About the Image Awards, from the FPRA Web site:
“The Image Awards competition is conducted annually by FPRA's Orlando Area Chapter to recognize outstanding public relations programs in Central Florida and to encourage and promote the development of public relations professionalism. The Image Awards have become a standard of public relations excellence. The awards competition includes four divisions of entries: Public Relations Programs, Printed Tools of Public Relations, Audio/Visual Tools of Public Relations and Student Projects in Public Relations. Awards are presented at an evening celebration each April and an Outstanding Public Relations Professional is also honored at the conclusion of the program. The program is modeled after and leads up to the statewide Golden Image Awards competition held on a state level.”

We concluded the meeting with an “Awards-Off” competition. Seven brave Quotes members gave their best try at presenting an award to Lenora, the lucky winner of the mock Image Award. The crowd chose and Kelly will be handing out awards at the Image Awards ceremony on April 22. Congratulations, Kelly!

You won’t want to miss our next meeting, Tuesday, February 16 at 6 p.m. We will hosting a compelling leadership workshop. Check our Facebook page and Twitter for more upcoming information!

--Julie Primrose and Masha Murakhovsky

Quotes First Meeting of Spring '10

Hello Quotes members and future members!

As I hope many of you have seen our first meeting is this coming up Tuesday, February 2 at 6 p.m. in COM room 209. We are very excited to start the semester off with Lenora Locket, FPRA Image Awards co-chair. She'll be giving students a first look into at the Image Awards, including the theme and how to complete a student entry.

Quotes will be providing FREE snacks and drinks at the first meeting, along with opportunities to mingle with fellow members.

If you are not a member of Quotes you are more than welcomed to attend! Pick up a membership application outside of Ryan Sheehy's office, NSC 249. Application is also available online, just print, fill out and bring to the Quotes meeting or to Ryan Sheehy.

http://communication.cos.ucf.edu/include/file/resources/forms/quotes_application.pdf

New membership is $35

FPRA Image Awards:
The Image Awards competition is conducted annually by FPRA's Orlando Area Chapter to recognize outstanding public relations programs in Central Florida and to encourage and promote the development of public relations professionalism. The Image Awards have become a standard of public relations excellence. The program is modeled after and leads up to the statewide Golden Image Awards competition held on a state level.

Looking forward to Tuesday!

--Masha

Quotes Holiday Party - Dec. 8

Hello Quotes Members!

We hope everyone has been surviving through the remainder of the semester -- vacation is almost here! Quotes is happy to let you all know that our holiday party is around the corner. The holiday party will be at iKiwi, a local and delicious frozen yogurt spot on Dec. 8, at our regular meeting time, 6 - 7 p.m. Quotes will be paying for your frozen treat, as long as it does not exceed four ounces. Other yummy holiday goodies will be at the party as well.

iKiwi is located at the intersection of Mc Culoch and Alafaya. It is inside the plaza next to Blockbuster and Publix. We hope to see many of you celebrating the end of this wonderful semester with Quotes. Please make sure you have submitted your Quotes member applications by this time, so you are eligible to be an FPRA Student Member.

If you have any questions or concerns please e-mail ucfquotes@gmail.com or check our Facebook page, Quotes the Ad/PR Club for updates.

Re-Cap of the Last Three Member Meetings

Quotes has had a lot going on these past two months, see below for meeting re-caps!

11/17 Meeting Recap: Joel Glass Talks Magic

On Tuesday, Nov. 17, Joel Glass, the VP of Communications for the Orlando Magic, came to the Quotes meeting to share his PR wisdom with all of us. He discussed how he managed the onslaught of positive publicity when the Orlando Magic made it to the NBA playoffs and finals earlier this year.

Before he spoke about the opportunities that came for the Magic when they made it to the finals, he talked about his communications objectives for the Magic and his overall PR philosophies. Here are some of the points he touched on:

• When Glass is giving the players advice on dealing with reporters, he tells them to always remember their ABCs. ACKNOWLEDGE the reporter’s question, BRIDGE to what you want to say, and CLEARLY communicate your message. You don’t have to answer their specific question – develop your messages and clearly communicate them.
• On the viral nature of social media: Everyone is a reporter. Traditional media has gone out the window, along with all of its rules. “With great technology comes great responsibility.”
• If he had to boil PR down into three main points: (1) deal with crises from a position of strength, (2) minimize the negative and (3) maximize the positive.
• Media relations activities are based on a combination of the message, audience, timing and method.
• Glass asks each of the players to list three ways they want others to perceive them. He then bases the player’s media relations strategy on these desired perceptions. For example, Dwight Howard wanted to be viewed as hardworking – he now does all of his interviews as he’s walking off of the court.
• When you’re using social networking as a part of your communications plan, make sure you know you have a specific strategy with specific objectives. Remember that every word counts. Glass suggests taking a few minutes each day to determine what you’re going to say through your social media channels.

Then Glass discussed how he dealt with the wave of positive media coverage resulting from the NBA finals. He said the key to keeping his sanity during this very busy time was to have a strong plan already in place. The Magic plans to go all the way to the finals every year and has a communications plan in place for when they do. Planning is an essential part of the public relations process, he said, and having plans in place for a number of circumstances is crucial.

Thanks again to Joel Glass for coming and speaking to us! GO MAGIC!

Ad Club Resume Workshop Recap: 11/5

The Ad Club hosted a resume workshop with PR, advertising and marketing professionals from Acropolis, Disney and Work Force Central Florida to give resume tips and advice. With Intern Pursuit right around the corner, we encouraged all members to attend and spruce up those resumes in preparation. Here’s a recap of some of the advice the professionals shared.

• Make sure your resume looks professional and is consistent in format and font.
• Absolutely NO errors on your resume (All of the professionals on the panel said they will throw your resume at the sight of even one error.)
• Prove positive results of your successes (i.e. increased media coverage by 10%, boosted sales 5%, etc.)
• Make sure to have internship experience before you graduate!
• Use a cover letter and use it to expand on the highlights of your resume and showcase your personality. Include detail as to why you’re a good fit for the company, the position (pull words from the job description) and show you’ve done some research.
• DO include an objective on your resume and use it to target each position you’re applying for if you can. DON’T say “to find an internship…” It may come off seeming desperate.
• Longevity in positions is important. If it’s not a job targeted to the profession you’re working toward, just put it closer to the bottom.
• Bring copies of your resume to the interview. Bring your portfolio with you as well.
• Skills the professionals are looking for: strong writers, coordination of projects, ability to multitask, detail-oriented, well organized, etc.
• When you put something on your resume, be able to explain your experiences and how they are going to help you in this job.
• Definitely include your membership in Quotes and/or Ad Club.
• Send a thank you card or email the day of the interview. Follow up within two weeks of your interview but the professionals suggest doing so no more than twice. And make sure there is a position available and it wasn’t just a hopeful resume send-out.

Thank you to Ad Club for putting this very educational workshop together!

Quotes member meeting recap: Halloween Horror Night Trip 10/27

• In celebration of Halloween, Quotes made a trip to Universal Studios’ corporate offices to learn about the entertainment side of the development of Halloween Horror Nights and, of course, about the PR opportunities that come along with such a popular event.
• First, Patrick Braillard, the Entertainment Show Director, spoke about how he and his team come up with the overall theme each year and the scare tactics to be used in event. He told us about the creative process and how they sit around and watch scary movies and eat junk food to get inspiration on everything from the haunted houses to scare zones and even the entire movie-inspired theme this year.
• To cover the public relations aspect of the event Kristen Clark and Meara Lyons, Universal Orlando’s PR coordinator and a PR representative respectively, told us all about their exciting role in making HHN a reality. They showed us the communications plan, told us about coordinating the media when they invite them into the park to preview the event and showed us some pretty spectacular media teasers they’ve sent out to entice them.

Intern Pursuit Employees as of 11/16/09

AGENCY
Acropolis
Curley and Pynn
Deatrick Public Relations
Edelman Public Relations
Fry Hammond Barr

Go Convergence
Massey Communications
Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc
PowerHouse
PUSH

The Rawls Group

Ron Sachs Communications

Tcreative

TJM Communications Inc.

True Marketing

Vantage Communications

VSM Advertising and Public Relations

VS Publishing Company
Ypartnership

CORPORATE
98.9 WMMO

AAA National Office
Art Calendar Magazine
Cox Events Group

Cox Radio Inc. (Interactive Department)

Florida Hospital

Florida Nurses Association

Goldner Associates
Oerther Foods, Inc.-McDonald's

Orlando Ballet
Orlando Business Report
Produce For Kids

ProductionHUB

Thoughts.com

Turnstile Publishing

NON-PROFIT
American Cancer Society
American Lung Association
American Red Cross
Arnold Palmer Hospital
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Downtown Arts District, Inc.
Florida United Way
Nemours

GOVERNMENT
City of Orlando
City of Winter Park
East Orlando Chamber of Commerce

Orlando Health
Orlando Science Center
UCF News and Information

Intern Pursuit Employers as of 11/6/2009

AGENCY
Acropolis
Curley and Pynn
Deatrick Public Relations
Edelman Public Relations
Fry Hammond Barr
Massey Communications
Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc
PowerHouse
PUSH
Vantage Communications
VS Publishing Company
Ypartnership

CORPORATE
98.9 WMMO
Art Calendar Magazine
Cox Events Group
Oerther Foods, Inc.-McDonald's
Orlando Business Report
Produce For Kids

NON-PROFIT
American Cancer Society
American Lung Association
American Red Cross
Arnold Palmer Hospital
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Florida United Way
Nemours

GOVERNMENT
City of Orlando
City of Winter Park
East Orlando Chamber of Commerce
Orlando Science Center
UCF News and Information

INTERN PURSUIT Flyer - Nov. 18 6-8pm

Quotes presents this semester's Intern Pursuit

Hello fellow communication students!

On Wednesday Nov. 18, 2009, 6-8 p.m. Quotes is hosting its biannual Intern Pursuit where communication students are offered the opportunity to meet with Orlando professionals in the advertising, public relations and marketing industries. Intern Pursuit will take place at the Orlando Sentinel, 633 Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. During Intern Pursuit students will have the opportunity to submit their resumes with companies seeking interns for the upcoming Spring and Summer semesters.

Professionals from around Central Florida attend Intern Pursuit in the hopes of hiring communication students with a desire to be a part of their organization and cause. Employers represent a number of industries such as non-profit organizations, government agencies, corporations and communication firms. Employers are currently sending in their RVSPs and a full list will be available as the event nears.

Students are not required to RSVP for Intern Pursuit, but are encouraged to dress in professional attire. Light refreshments will be served throughout the evening.

This year, Quotes members will have the opportunity to prepare their resumes for Intern Pursuit during the Ad Club's Resume Workshop on Nov. 5, 6:00 p.m. in the Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom. Quotes encourages students to attend and spice up their resumes.

We'll see you soon!

Halloween Horror Nights Behind the Scenes Look: 10/27 Meeting Information

Greetings Quotes Members!

Our next member meeting on Oct. 27 will be Quotes' semester field trip. We have been invited to take a behind the scenes look at Halloween Horror Nights! Running in its 18th year, Halloween Horror Nights has become the most anticipated horror event in Orlando and Universal Theme Parks.

The presentation will be at the Universal Studios corporate offices where members will be given the full story of HHN from a public relations and marketing stand point. Members will also learn about how the Entertainment team decides on the theme and executes the event.

CARPOOL

Since this meeting is off campus two options are available to members -- carpool and individual driving. Carpool will be available on campus, which will be provided by our board members, Dana Bakich (941-504-9990) and Julie Primrose (239-895-2677). Dana and Julie have four spots each in their cars, so if transportation is a problem they are the ladies to go to! You can meet them in front of VAB at 4:45 p.m. on Oct. 27, carpool will be leaving at 5 p.m. A carpool location will also be in Downtown Orlando, provided by Michelle Khouri (786-200-0221). Meet her on the courtyard of the Plaza building at the corner of Church Street and Orange Avenue. Downtown Carpool will be leaving at 5:15 p.m.

Members are encouraged to carpool with one another as well.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• 20 Slots available for paying members ONLY
• MUST RSVP by e-mail to ucfquotes@gmail.com by Sunday Oct. 25 at 9:00 p.m.
• Presentation is from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Address to Universal Corporate Office:
1000 Universal Studios Plaza
Orlando, Florida 32819

Driving Directions to Universal Corporate Office:

From campus:

• Take 408 Toll W ramp to Orlando/Ocoee
• Take exit 10A to merge onto I-4 W to Tampa
• Take exit 74B Universal
• Merge onto Adventure Way
• Turn left at Hollywood Way
• Turn right at Co Road 439/Turkey Lake Rd
• Turn right onto Universal Studios Plaza

Look out for updates on fliers, Twitter.com/Quotes_UCF and the Facebook Page and group. Hope to see many of you at the behind the scenes look at Halloween Horror Nights!

xoxo,

Quotes, the PR club
ucfquotes@gmail.com
786-200-0221

Second Meeting Recap: Board Elections & Laura Guitar

Hello Members --

In case you were unable to make the Quotes meeting this week, here’s a recap of all the fun that took place!

We began the meeting with elections for our two vacant board positions, president-elect and director of advertising.

Dana Bakich won as president-elect, and that’s no surprise! Dana presented in a way no one has ever done before at Quotes – she brought in different objects that represented her personality. She showed a football for her love of sports, concert tickets for her love of music, and a FPRA Conference pamphlet because of her passion for Quotes. Dana is currently the external director of Knight-Thon, the largest fundraising club at UCF. She is also interning with UCF Athletics, and aspires to intern for the Orlando Magic in the community relations department. Dana will be shadowing Michelle Khouri, Quotes president, throughout the coming year and will then transition as president of Quotes next year.

We had two candidates for the director of advertising position, Hillery Brooks and Charlene Ruhge. Charlene was unable to be at the meeting this week, but sent in a biography including all of her qualifications. Both candidates were very well suited for the position. Ultimately, though, Hillery won the election and is now officially your new director of advertising! She has a focus in graphic design and has been working with Photoshop and Illustrator for several years. Hillery just completed a year-long internship at a PR firm. Hillery will be the mastermind behind the flyers and other promotional collateral for Quotes you’ll see around UCF.

Congratulations again and welcome to the board, Dana and Hillery!

After announcing our board members, we switched gears and welcomed Laura Guitar, senior vice president of Edelman Orlando. Laura started off by explaining how she worked her way up in PR and how she eventually, with her colleague Lori Kifer, opened the Orlando office of the global PR agency, Edelman.

She gave insight into the fast-paced world of agency PR and the culture of the Edelman network. Here are some of the points she touched on:

• The biggest change happening right now in PR is a shift toward focusing on public engagement. We must talk with consumers, not at them.
• We are all aware of the growing popularity of social media as a PR tool, but we need to realize that it is a channel, not a strategy in itself. We must use it to our advantage – not use it as a crutch.
• PR used to be focused on output (writing news releases, accumulating media hits, etc.); now, it’s becoming more geared toward behavior change. PR practitioners have to be more accountable for producing real results.

Laura then spent time during her presentation answering questions we had about Edelman, agency PR and the field in general. Here are a few highlights from the Q & A:

• When hiring new employees and interns, Laura looks for prospects that have a deep intellectual curiosity about a variety of things, not just PR.
• You must bring fresh ideas to the table and be passionate about whatever you’re working on.
• You’ll be more successful if you gain an entrepreneurial vantage point – get to know the finance and legal team and really understand how the business works.
• There’s no particular type of PR person. You just have to figure out what niche of PR you’re best suited for.
• Critical thinking and offering fresh ideas are a must to make it in agency PR!

Laura finished off her presentation with an invitation to send in your resume to intern at Edelman. See previous blog post for more details.

Be sure to come out to our next meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 13. Grant Heston, assistant vice president of UCF News and Information will be there to discuss how UCF introduced the new tailgating policies and managed the issues surrounding their introduction. The meeting is all about UCF pride, being the Tuesday before the big game against the University of Miami, so be sure to wear your black and gold!

See you at the next meeting!

Masha Murakhovsky & Julie Primrose