August 2009 L. A. Connect

Here we are in the dog days of summer, when life seems to slow down and relax a bit – except when it comes to PRSA-LA! Our board and committees are busy planning the next six months, and I’d like to use this message to mention a few highlights that should be on your radar.

Coming up this month is our second round of ConneXions Networking Mixers, which will be held simultaneously on August 27th at six Wokcano locations across the L.A. area. Bring plenty of business cards and a healthy thirst for meeting fellow PR pros.

Next up is our annual Social Media Professional Development Seminar on September 24th. We have an impressive lineup of keynote and panel speakers, so reserve your tickets early. And congratulations to PRSA-LA Member Carolyn Campbell,who participated in our social media survey and was selected randomly to attend the seminar for free.

And last, but definitely not least, is the PRSA International Conference (Nov. 7-10) in San Diego. It’s not often that PR’s largest international conference is in our backyard, and PRSA-LA members can save big by registering for the conference by September 25th.

You’ll find more information about upcoming PRSA-LA events in this newsletter. So get involved and make the most of your membership. And while you’re at it, check out our various committees and shoot me an e-mail if you find an area that peaks your interest. 

Stay cool in the summer heat!

1 Night.
6 Locations.
Unlimited Networking!

ConneXions Networking Mixers Return August 27th

L.A. is a very big place. That’s why PRSA-LA will hold its second multi-location ConneXions Networking Mixer on August 27th. The first such mixer held last March was a resounding success.

This time, it will be held simultaneously at all six locations of Wokcano Restaurant & Lounge, which include Burbank, Pasadena, Downtown L.A., West Hollywood, Santa Monica and Long Beach. It’s free to attend, and guests will have an opportunity to network, meet PRSA-LA’s leadership, learn about the organization and win some great door prizes.

Please RSVP directly to the host at the location you wish to attend. Click here for details.

Sponsored by:

With great sadness we report that Jack Heeger, APR, Fellow PRSA and former PRSA-LA president passed away on July 3rd in Napa Valley at the age of 78 following a battle with cancer.

Jack’s contribution to PRSA-LA and the public relations profession was profound. He joined PRSA in 1960, was accredited in 1964 and served as president of the L.A. chapter in 1973. He was also elected to the College of Fellows, and was the recipient of PRSA-LA’s Distinguished Professional Award and the Joseph Roos Community Service Award.

Observations from those who new him best

Jack helped educate, mentor and inspire an entire generation of L.A. PR professionals. Here are observations from a few who new him well:

A: PRSA-LA employs a broad range of social media tools, from our Twitter stream and YouTube channel to groups on Facebook, LinkedIn and Yahoo (you can access the chapter’s presence on all of these platforms via the links in the top left margin of this newsletter).

Our goal is to make sure you’re up to speed on chapter and industry news, and to encourage a dialogue among members on various trends, issues and best practices. The wonderful thing about today’s social media tools is that the discussion is immediate, so you can engage with the chapter and your colleagues in real time.

For example, if you’re looking for a job, PRSA-LA’s LinkedIn group, Twitter stream and chapter Web site each include job listings – some of which cannot be found elsewhere. If you missed one of the chapter’s monthly meetings, we often post video highlights on our YouTube channel (as well as the main chapter Web site). We also post links to major PR industry news stories and commentary culled from a range of leading sources. So what are you waiting for… use PRSA-LA’s social media resources and become part of the discussion.

If you’re not already a PRSA member, here’s your chance to win a free one-year membership to the national organization. 

During August and September, PRSA will randomly select five members to receive gifts, including a $100 Amazon gift card and items from the PRSA Store.

The easiest way to update your demographic information is via the MemberNet section form.

Sponsorship Opportunity – PRSA-LA’s 9/24 Social Media Seminar

PRSA-LA is finalizing plans for its 2^nd Annual Social Media Professional Development Seminar, which will be held Thursday, September 24th at The Olympic Collection in West L.A. This year’s event will feature an amazing roster of speakers, including Emanuel Rosen – author of The Anatomy of Buzz and regarded as the godfather of social networks, and Peter Shankman, world-renowned social media expert and founder of Help A Reporter Out (HARO). The chapter is currently seeking corporate, agency and PR service sponsors for this distinctive event. For more information, please contact Keith Pillow, Web site and social media committee chairman, at (805) 389-1815, or Josie Mora, sponsorship committee chair, at (626) 744-0340.

Online Resources to Ace the APR Exam

While PRSA-LA’s classroom-based APR prep course has wrapped for the summer, it’s never too late to benefit from a range of online test prep resources. The recently revised APR Online Study Course is a great option for candidates who want to study at their own pace. There’s also a series of APR podcasts available for download, and a sample test offered by Thomson Learning.

For more information on accreditation, please contact Sallie Olmsted, APR at solmsted@rogersandcowan.com or Rebecca Mikkelsen, APR at rebeccam@usa.net.  

Special Thanks…

Kudos to Andrea Van Hook, APR (of L.A. Care) and Michael Furtney, APR, Fellow, PRSA (of Killeen Furtney Group) for designing and teaching PRSA-LA’s recent in-class prep course. These masterful PR pros donated their time and expertise to help local APR candidates who attended four weekly classroom sessions. Thanks also to PRSA-LA Board Member Dawn McKenzie, APR, who lectured about her Readiness Review and the test preparation process.