10.05.09

Nominations Sought for First Circle, Practitioner of the Year, Communicator of the Year Awards

Each year PRAL recognizes public relations professionals who have demonstrated the highest standards of the profession through presentation of the following awards:

• Practitioner of the Year Award
• Communicator of the Year Award
• First Circle Award

These awards, in addition to the PRAL Member of the Year, Jack H. Sanders Award, and William M. Michelet Award, will be presented at PRAL’s Annual Awards Banquet, Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at Juban’s Restaurant. Please mark your calendars now for this celebratory event, but, more importantly, take some time to think about those in our profession who are deserving of these awards and make your nomination(s) today. The deadline for submitting is Friday, December 18, 2009. Complete one or more of the nomination forms (found on the "Awards" page of the Web site). Return to Holly H. Cullen, immediate past president, no later than December 18, 2009.

If you have any questions or need more information, please call 225-578-3872 or send an e-mail to hhouk@lsu.edu. The fax number is 225-578-3860.

09.15.09

2009 PRAL Salary Survey Report Published

The Public Relations Association of Louisiana Baton Rouge Chapter has released the results of its inaugural salary survey, providing an in-depth analysis on salary and benefits of public relations professionals who are employed in the Greater Baton Rouge area.

The median base salary for all respondents was $52,001 to $54,000. Government agencies (local, state and federal) were the top employer type (28.6%); followed by nonprofit organizations (21.4%); for-profit companies (15.1%); and education-related entities (11.9%). PRAL members can now log in to the PRAL website to view the entire benchmarking salary report, including:

• Median base salaries for area PR practitioners, including comparisons by years of experience, years in current position and gender
• Salary comparisons of APR practitioners vs non-APR practitioners
• Salary comparisons by type of employer (for-profit vs. nonprofit)
• Benefits offered by position level

This report is based on an online web survey conducted by PRAL from June through August 2009. A total of 249 potential respondents were e-mailed the link, and 137 survey responses were received for a response rate of 55 percent.

The 2009 PRAL Salary Survey Report is available by logging in to www.pralbr.org. The survey is located in the "Other Documents" section of the Members-Only portion of the website. Members are required to log in to the site using their e-mail address and password to access the report.

The 2009 Salary Survey was written, distributed and analyzed by PRAL Members Michelle Clement and Sadie Wilks on behalf of the association. If you have questions about the survey, please contact Sadie Wilks, APR, at sadie@lsms.org or Michelle Clement, APR, at mclement@lhaonline.org.

06.17.09

'Employee Engagement' Topic of June 23 Lunch Meeting

A representative from a nationally recognized management consulting and training company will be sharing her secrets for expanding internal communication with employees at the next Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL) meeting. The monthly membership meeting is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, at Juban’s Restaurant, 3739 Perkins Road.

Dr. Christel C. Slaughter, a principal with SSA Consultants Inc., will present "Stop the Silos: Increasing Employee Engagement through Internal Communication." SSA Consultants has provided management training and consulting services to hundreds of organizations across the United States and in Canada, and many of SSA’s clients can be found in the Fortune 500 listing.

Slaughter has been named one of the best speakers in Baton Rouge, Entrepreneur of the Year, Marketer of the Year, Young Businessperson of the Year and Louisiana Small Business Advocate. She was a delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business in 1995. In addition, she is listed in Outstanding Young Women of America and Who’s Who in the South and was a torchbearer for the 1996 Summer Olympic Torch Run.

With a doctorate in management from Louisiana State University, Slaughter was named Outstanding Graduate Student and received the Richard D. Irwin Foundation Fellowship. She presented her dissertation research at the London School of Economics and participated in the Academy of Management Doctoral Consortium with 35 top doctoral candidates from around the country. Slaughter has published over 20 management cases and articles in professional journals.

The cost of the meeting, which includes lunch, is $20 for members, $25 for non-members and $10 for students (must be currently enrolled as a full-time student). Please register as soon as possible online at www.pralbr.org. Guests should be registered separately.

02.26.09

Keating Magee Executives Give Tips to Marketing in a Recession

On February 17, at the monthly membership luncheons, PRAL welcomed marketing and PR executives from Keating Magee, a 27-year-old full-service communications firm based in New Orleans, La. Betsie Gambel and Linzy Catoya led the group through an informative presentation on the importance of marketing during a recession. 

"As budgets get cut, the return on investment of marketing spends will be examined closely. Many marketers will shift their budgets to more “accountable” media, such as direct response and interactive," said Gambel.

Multiple surveys and forecasts have shown that marketers plan to increase online spending at the expense of traditional media, especially print and television. An e-mail survey of 175 small and medium-sized enterprises reveals that website updates, SEO and direct mail are considered the best ways of reaching target markets when budgets are tight.

"Public relations also presents a cost-efficient way to maintain a brand’s presence in the marketplace. Researching the consumer will show how they are redefining value and responding to the recession in specific industries and allow marketers to sharpen their strategic focus to lead to the most growth," said Catoya. The two also led the group through "Ten Tips to Marketing During a Recession". You can download them here.

01.28.09

LSU Students Receive Awards from Public Relations Association of Louisiana

The Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL) recognized two outstanding Louisiana State University (LSU) students for their dedication to the field of public relations:  Jeffrei Anne Clifton and Luke J. Coussan, Jr.

The two students were presented with their awards at PRAL’s Annual Awards Banquet, held at Juban’s Restaurant in Baton Rouge on January 27.

“Jeffrei and Luke have amazing credentials and are well on their way toward successful careers in public relations,” said Michelle Spielman, APR, PRAL Awards Committee Chair.  “As an organization, we strongly support the development of our future colleagues and are thrilled to present these awards to such accomplished students.”

Clifton was awarded the $1,000 William M. Michelet Honorary Award, a designation that honors the founder of PRAL, a former LSU professor and accomplished public relations practitioner. A senior at LSU, Clifton demonstrates exceptional proficiency in the field of public relations and a strong commitment to community involvement. She has donated her time to the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired, Habitat for Humanity, Pet Adoption Companion Services and LifeShare Blood Center. Clifton has a 3.9 grade point average and is scheduled to graduate in May 2009 with a major in public relations and a triple minor in business administration, leadership development and history. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in international business administration. Clifton is the daughter of Paul and Karen Clifton of Sulphur, La.

Coussan was awarded the $1,000 Jack H. Sanders Memorial Award, a designation that honors the first president of PRAL and a visionary leader in the field of public relations. Coussan, a junior at LSU, exhibited the proficiency, excellence and dedication to pursuing public relations knowledge, skills and abilities that this award requires. He plans to graduate in May 2010 with a major in public relations and a minor in business administration.  Coussan is active in many professional and student organizations at LSU. He is currently serving as the president of the Manship School of Mass Communication’s College Council and is a LSU Ambassador. Coussan has actively participated in various public relation activities, most recently including a summer internship with PepsiCo. Coussan is the son of Luke and Jan Coussan of Carencro, La.

Contact:
Michelle Spielman
Chair, PRAL Awards Committee
225-578-4675

01.06.09

Cullen Honored with PRAL First Circle Award 

The Baton Rouge chapter of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL) honored Holly Houk Cullen, APR with its 2008 First Circle Award at its December membership meeting. The First Circle Award is the most prestigious award annually given by the association to a public relations professional who has demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and dedicated service in the field of public relations.

Cullen, who served as president of PRAL’s 2008 board of directors, is the assistant vice chancellor of Public Affairs at Louisiana State University (LSU) where, for the past eight years, she has led a team of 30 public relations, communications, and creative professionals. During her LSU tenure, Cullen has mobilized and managed the Public Affairs office during several major crises, including Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav and the deaths of two international students. In addition, she also has managed teams responsible for promoting the university through two Bowl Championship Series (BCS) national football championships.

With more than 25 years’ experience in health-care and higher education marketing and public relations, Cullen earned her APR (Accredited in Public Relations) designation in 2005 from the Universal Accreditation Board. APR is a mark of distinction for public relations professionals who demonstrate their commitment to the profession and to its ethical practice, and who are selected based on broad knowledge, strategic perspective, and sound professional judgment. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from LSU, an MBA from Nicholls State University, and currently is pursuing a doctorate in human resource education and leadership development.

To be eligible for PRAL’s First Circle Award, the candidate must satisfy the following criteria:

• Has been a member of PRAL for a minimum of five years;
• Has a minimum of fifteen years in the public relations or related field;
• Is recognized for high standards of professional and personal integrity; and
• Has shown service to the profession through public service, volunteer work, and/or work with students, interns and young professionals.

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