Newsletter Archive
Welcome,
October 2005 WWPR E-Newsletter
In this Issue:
Dear WWPR Supporter,
There’s been much written about the tremendous
opportunities for women to excel in the field of public relations.
Some theories point to women’s excellent verbal skills or
ability to build strong relationships as possible indicators of
success. Whatever the case, all we need to do is look at the membership
of WWPR to see the great contributions women are making everyday
to public relations in the Washington, D.C. area. Our membership
includes women who own firms—many whom have been in business
for themselves for more than 30 years. Others are executives leading
teams at international firms or heading up public relations divisions
for non-profit organization and NGOs alike. And for every woman
who has achieved success after tears of hard work, motivation and
tough decisions, there are others who are just beginning in the
field and who look to the “ranks” for guidance and support
in what can be a very challenging field to break into.
As Washington Women in Public Relations puts the
finishing touches on its November Woman of the Year event (for details
visit www.wwwpr.org) at which we will honor outstanding contributors
to the field, we invite you to consider your membership to WWPR
as a key component in your career planning toolbox.
As members of this organization, we have all made
a commitment to support other women, and to work together to ensure
that we have opportunities for networking, for professional development
and growth.
The support of other women “who have been
there” is one of the greatest benefits—and possibly
one of the least tapped—areas of membership to WWPR. Our database,
which is accessible to all members, is filled with profiles of women
working in every kind of organization you can imagine. Our discussion
boards allow members to pose questions about careers and seek opportunities
to create dialogue with others who have hard experiences. Our events
allow you to meet others working in fields that may interest you
and may lead to you finding that perfect next job.
We invite you to explore our new website and look
forward to seeing you at Woman of Year Wednesday, November 16, 2005
from 12-2:00 pm at the Mayflower Hotel.
~Karen Saverino Donnelly, WWPR Vice President
2005 FINALISTS Announced -- Washington PR Woman
of the Year
The 2005 Washington PR
Woman of the Year Finalists:
- Vivian Kelly,
President and Founder, Interprose Public
Relations, Inc.
- Carolyn Tieger,
Partner and Director of Public Affairs Division,
Porter Novelli
- Maria Yannopolous,
Adjunct Faculty, American University and President, MEY Communications,
Inc.
The 16th Annual Washington PR Woman of the Year
Award Luncheon is Wednesday, November 16th from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
at The Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC.
The closest metro is Farragut North.
The cost will be $55 for members and $65 for non-
members. If you decide to pay at the door, there will an additional
$5 charge. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Building the Brand for the Region's Business
Community
WHEN: Wednesday, October 19 from
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
WHAT: “Building the Brand
for the Region's Business Community”
WHO: Marie L. Tibor, Vice President,
Communications, Greater Washington Board of Trade
How has the Board of Trade – a local nonprofit
that’s been around for more than 100 years – refreshed
its brand and enhanced its visibility and effectiveness, in the
Greater Washington business community?
Join us for an interactive conversation with Marie
Tibor as she outlines the communications work that supports the
region's leading network of business and nonprofit leaders. She
will highlight the research and marketing efforts that help broaden
the image of the region as a global business center and will share
with us how her team has worked behind the scenes on a variety of
tough local issues – from healthcare costs to traffic concerns,
to bringing baseball back to the nation’s capitol.
With more than 25 years experience in communications
and international marketing, Marie oversees all communications,
PR and advertising for both the Board of Trade and its economic
development affiliate, the Greater Washington Initiative. Previously,
Marie spent 16 years promoting tourism to the region with the Washington
DC Convention and Visitors Association (now WCTC).
WHERE: Greater Washington Board
of Trade, located at 1725 I (Eye) Street, NW, Washington, DCp>
METRO: Farragut West or Farragut
North
COST: FREE to members; $15 for
non- members. (The Board of Trade will provide beverages; please
bring your lunch.)
RSVP: Please RSVP to Jennifer
Bolick by Tuesday, October 18 at Jennifer@RichfieldProductions.com.
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Professional Development Committee Re-cap
On Wednesday, September 28, the 2004 WWPR Woman
of the Year Susan Hager of Hager Sharp, Inc. addressed members of
the public relations community during the WWPR September brown bag
lunch. Her talk, the second in the our Profiles in Leadership series,
focused on the joys and tribulations of building a woman-owned PR
firm, supporting her clients’ socially responsible programming
and being a home grown Washington firm.
Susan recounted anecdotes from the early days
of Hager Sharp – when she started the company in 1973 women
could not obtain a business loan without bringing a husband or father
to co-sign – and shared the secret of her success –
choosing clients and employees that share her commitment to making
a difference.
Susan admitted there is something of an old girl’s
network in DC, and suggested the main difference between that group
and the old boy’s network is that the women are more open
to discussing their struggles, as well as their victories. Don’t
be fooled, these women did not just sit around complain, they brought
about real change in Washington.
Women starting businesses today can thank the
“old girl’s network” for starting the first Women’s
Bank in Washington and reshaping the public’s attitude so
women who start re business today are no longer considered “strange”
– to name just a few!
She spoke to the assembled PR pros about the business
philosophies that have made Hager Sharp a success. Susan’s
deep commitment to community service, both personally and professionally,
permeate Hager Sharp’s corporate culture and make it a place
people want to come to work.
Her business philosophy is to hire smart people,
take on clients and causes you believe in and always make sure to
keep a balance between your work life and your personal life. The
assembled audience would be wise to heed Susan’s advice –
Hager Sharp celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2003 and it’s
still going strong under Susan’s capable leadership.
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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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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
WWPR's Pro-Bono Committee will be taking part
in the Help the Homeless Walk on Saturday, November 19. If you are
interested in participating on our team, please contact Lauren Lawson
at 202-360- 2406 or at LawsonLaurenL@yahoo.com.
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Career Corner
PR Account Executive
opportunity -
An up-and-coming tech PR agency based in New York,
needs a mid-level account executive with technology industry experience
for their new DC office (actual office location could be DC or Northern
VA).
Are you a public relations account executive with
at least two years tech PR experience and a real gift for media
relations? Or, are you an experienced AC looking to move up? Experience
in Web services, networking, storage, enterprise software, info
security, gadgets, or mobile technologies required. If you've got
it, we'd love to talk with you.
In this role, you will maintain relationships
and favorable contacts with current and potential accounts in the
high-tech sector. The ideal candidate has at least two years of
PR agency experience, ideally with a tech PR firm. Any experience
with public affairs and/or lobbying would be a bonus, but not a
necessity. Competitive salary plus commission based on billings.
Interested individuals should email a resume and
cover letter to Jennifer Marshall at Profiles for more information
at jennifer@careerprofiles.com.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
:: stephanieblock1@hotmail
:: http://www.wwpr.org
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