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Newsletter Archive

Welcome,

September 2005 WWPR E-Newsletter

In this Issue:

• A Winning Combination: Three Decades of Talent, Drive and Service
• Hurricane Katrina: The Aftermath
• Washington PR Woman of the Year Committee Update
• Marketing/Communications Committee Update
• Professional Development Update
• Membership Committee
• Pro Bono Committee Update
• Career Corner

Dear WWPR Supporter,

As the WWPR Membership Director, I wanted to remind everyone about the benefits of being a WWPR member.

I was new to the DC Metro area exactly a year ago when I moved here from Chicago. Not only did I join WWPR, but I became a Board member because of the wonderful networking opportunities. The key to any membership organization is the people who comprise it – and the members of WWPR are amazing women (and some men, too!). Everyone has helped me make my transition into the DC marketplace quickly. I have developed many lasting friendships and business relationships.

Another key membership benefit of WWPR is our monthly Professional Development Brown Bag Lunches that are free to members. We also host formal luncheons throughout the year such as our recent Media Roundtable, which offered the media's perspective on public relations.

Only members have full access to our on-line Membership Directory. The directory provides an easy way to promote yourself and your company across the Washington metropolitan area. As a WWPR member, you also have access to Members-Only areas of the Web site, like the Networking and Resources links. Also, only members have the ability to read archived issues of our newsletter.

If you are not a current member, we welcome you to become a member now! Save today and only pay $65 for the remainder of 2005.

I look forward to seeing everyone at our next Brown Bag Lunch on Wednesday, September 28.

~Melinda Sigal, WWPR Membership Director

A Winning Combination: Three Decades of Talent, Drive and Service

WHEN: Wednesday, September 28 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

WHAT: “Profiles in Leadership”

The second in our series of speaker presentations, designed to highlight the women who have made significant contributions to our profession.

WHO: Susan Hager, Chair and CEO, Hager Sharp, Inc. and winner of three of the region’s most prestigious awards in 2004, including the WWPR Washington PR Woman of the Year. Susan was also recently inducted into the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Hall of Fame.

WHERE: NFIB (The National Federation of Independent Business) located at 1201 F Street, NW, Suite 200. Sign-in upon arrival and proceed to the second floor.

METRO: Metro Center (directly across from station)

COST: FREE to members; $15 for non- members

RSVP: Please RSVP to Jennifer Bolick by Tuesday, September 27 at Jennifer@RichfieldProductions.com.

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Hurricane Katrina: The Aftermath

I find it only appropriate to include information on ways all of us can come together and help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Simply click on the link below, which will take you directly to a Washington Post resource page. The page includes ways to donate and volunteer.

Use the link below as a resource to learn more about what you can do and to spread the word to others about what they can do. Let's continue coming together and doing our part. Together, rebuilding lives, step by step...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-adv/classifieds/features/hurricanerelief/index.html

I also want to highlight Red Cross volunteer opportunties for communication professionals right here in D.C.

Communication Professionals WANTED!

Volunteer Opportunity-American Red Cross needs help from some communication professionals in the DC area for our Disaster Operations Center Public Affairs office (headquarters) in Washington D.C. We are overwhelmed with Hurricane Katrina media calls, and our staff is running on very little sleep. Key facts, daily talking points and hot issues information will be provided so you are not working without a net. If you can help email Pam at: denningpam@usa.redcross.org and cc: p.denning@starpower.net. Even a couple of hours will make a big difference. Day or night. Weekday or weekend.

The Red Cross could also can use some help in the field in the various states with shelter operations. There are 356 American Red Cross shelters, operating in 9 states: Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida, Missouri and Georgia. Many more states are on standby. For more information, please contact Pam at 202-303-4477 or 301-442-8923, or at denningpam@usa.redcross.org.

~Stephanie Block, WWPR Marketing/Communications Director

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Washington PR Woman of the Year Committee Update

Honor an Exceptional Woman in PR!
Important Notice: Deadline Extended to Wednesday, September 21

WWPR invites you to nominate yourself or another female public relations professional for recognition as the 2005 Washington PR Woman of the Year. Candidates must be female professionals with a minimum of ten years experience in the public relations field, at least five of which have been in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. The nominee does not have to be a member of WWPR. This award will be presented at WWPR’s 16th annual PR Woman of the Year luncheon, at the Mayflower Hotel November 16, 2005 (see related article below). For Washington PR Woman of the Year Award nomination criteria or questions, visit http://www.wwpr.org/wom-nominations.htm.

The 16th Annual Washington PR Woman of the Year Luncheon

Keynote Speaker: Eleanor Clift, Washington correspondent, author and political pundit

WHEN: Wednesday, November 16th

TIME: 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

LOCATION: The Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC (Metro accessible)

COST: $55 for members, $65 for non-members

Invitations will be distributed in October, so make sure we have your correct mailing address.

Sponsorship DEADLINE: September 25

For more information on the annual luncheon or sponsorship opportunities, visit http://wwpr.org/woman-year.htm Please contact Event Co-Chairs Lisa Kelley at lisak@career.org and 202.336.6834 or Gwen Haynes at ghaynes@PointsofLight.org and 202-729-8261.

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Marketing/Communications Committee Update

As of today, there are 356 people that receive our monthly e-newsletter. And, this number continues to grow! If you know someone that IS signed-up to receive the e-newsletter but is not seeing it in their INBOX, or if you know someone that wants to sign-up for the e-newsletter, please have that person contact Stephanie Block at stephanieblock1@hotmail.com.

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Professional Development Committee Update

On August 24, Kathy McGriff, ABC7’s publicist and special projects producer, gave a WWPR group an overview of the news station and gave a tour of the facilities. Then, the group watched a live broadcast of ABC7 News at Noon. Immediately following the broadcast, co-anchors Alison Starling and Doug McKelway answered questions and openly talked about their jobs, competition in the marketplace and the state of the news business in general. Finally, the WWPR group enjoyed their brown-bag lunches at the outdoor garden on the roof of the ABC7 studio.

Highlights:

• ABC7 “teases” news items that may be of relevance to mothers in an attempt to keep that 5:00 p.m. audience (important to remember if pitching the 5:00 p.m. news)
• Men and businesspeople are the target audience for the 6:00 and 6:30 p.m. newscasts, which is why viewers will see a difference in the “teasers” for those shows
• The station itself takes care of anchor makeup according to individual contracts
• ABC7 has 9:00 a.m. production meetings daily, which determines the length of each story, the content, the graphics, etc. It’s best to pitch from 7:00 a.m. to noon daily; after noon, there’s no point in pitching the station because the content is set for the day, unless you speak with a planning editor. The station also meets at 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to discuss the day’s newscasts
• ABC7, which also runs Newschannel 8, only has two crews to report stories
• Send food if you want to get the attention of the assignment desk
• Faxing is a bad way to get the assignment desk’s attention
• Most people would say journalism is the best background for a budding television reporter, but a liberal arts background is necessary. Most importantly, a person should know how to package a story
• People that speak in sound-bites make the best in-studio guests. Short phrasing is key, while “doctor- lawyer speak” or a lot of hemming and hawing is horrible for interesting news. Many times, when McKelway does taped interviews, he will do several shots so the guests can tighten their language into sound bites

~Lindsay Keller, WWPR Secretary

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Membership Committee Update

Membership is working on a packet for new members that will tell them how to acclimate quickly into WWPR. It will also contain information about our Board Members, how to contact them, committees to get involved in and highlight the benefits of our organization.

Membership is also working on developing a special WWPR membership certificate to honor each member.

Membership is looking for committee members to help with several other projects. Projects include: contacting new guests and telling them more about WWPR, calling new members a few months after they join to ask for suggestions and feedback, designing a new member orientation and developing a Fall membership drive/incentive program. For more information, please contact Melinda Sigal at 703-302-5980 or msigal@earthlink.net.

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Pro Bono Committee Update

Safe Shores is in need of assistance for their holiday drive. If anyone is interested in volunteering, contact Lauren Lawson at 202.360.2406 or LawsonLaurenL@yahoo.com.

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Career Corner

No postings for August. If you have a career opening you would like to post through the WWPR e- newsletter, e-mail Stephanie Block, stephanieblock1@hotmail.com.

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:: stephanieblock1@hotmail.com
:: http://www.wwpr.org