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November 6, 2020
PASSING THE BATON: ANNOUNCING THE 2021 CHAPTER LEADERSHIP NOMINEES
In Chapter Events, News onPRSA Boston’s 2020 Nominating Committee is pleased to put forth this talented Board of Directors and Leadership Team for the membership’s vote at the Annual Meeting on December 8, 2020:
2021 OFFICERS
President (previously voted)
Kristin Foley
Account Manager at fama PRPresident-Elect
Doug Haslam
Account Director at KNB CommunicationsImmediate Past President
Eric Berman
Communications ProfessionalTreasurer
Michele Snyder
Director of Communications at Maimonides SchoolSecretary
Kelly McFalls
Public Information Officer at City of FraminghamProgramming Co-Chair
Karyn Martin
Founder & Chief Strategy Officer at Golden Thread AgencyProgramming Co-Chair
Jill Goddard, APR
Director of Public Relations and Communications at Boston BalletMembership Co-Chair
Brianna Quinn
Public Relations Professional at PerkinElmer, Inc.Membership Co-Chair
Lynnea Olivarez
Director of External Affairs & Communications at IntelliaDirector-at-Large/Diversity (previously voted) (thru 2021)
Kelley Chunn
President at Kelley Chunn & AssociatesDirector-at-Large (previously voted) (thru 2021)
Nancy Sterling, APR, Fellow
Senior VP Strategic Communications at ML Strategies, LLCDirector-at-Large (thru 2023)
Dan Dent, APR
Media Relations Manager at Draper2021 LEADERSHIP TEAM
Faculty Forum Chair
Jon Boroshok
College Instructor, Marketing Communications/PR Practitioner, JournalistYong Professional Network Co-Chair
Mackenzie Linn
Account Executive at PAN CommunicationsYong Professional Network Co-Chair
Samantha Stone
Account Executive at SHIFT CommunicationsPRSSA Liaison
Rebecca Owen
Intern at Metter Media | Director of Internal Operations at empath worldwide | VP at PRLab at Boston UniversityContent + Social Media Chair
Shayne Brown
eCommerce Retention Specialist at Wolverine WorldwideAccreditation + Diane Davis Beacon Award
Josh Gitelson, APR
Executive Managing Director at RF|BinderWe wish to congratulate our colleagues and thank their 2020 predecessors for going above and beyond for their service to our 225+ strong members. This talent pool points to a tremendous year of networking and programming ahead.
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May 21, 2018
Fast Five: Larry Brantley at Chaloner & Associates Wants to Help You Land that Next Job
Larry Brantley, President of Chaloner & Associates, brings more than 30 years of experience in the communications, marketing and design world to his role at Chaloner. a national executive search firm specializing in communications, public relations and marketing recruitment. He’s worked with brands such as JCPenny, HP, EDS, Texas Instruments, ConocoPhillips and many others to place executive level talent in the marketing and communications roles. PRSA Boston recently had the opportunity to ask him for a few insights into the current job market.
Q: What are some of the key trends you are seeing in the hiring process these days?
A: Firms are now offering signing bonuses, relocation packages, enhanced benefit plans and increased compensation plans. It is a candidate market. Employers are having to compete for talent. It has not been this kind of employment climate since the late 1990s.
Q: What skills should PR and Communication professionals be looking to refine / develop as they start a job search?
A: We all need to be proactive in developing our knowledge in online content creation and management. Social media is key to all PR professionals. Whether you create online content or manage crisis communications, it impacts all of us in a world where everyone uses mobile communications on a regular basis. It is a qualifier in resume screening.
Q: There was a time when communications and digital marketing jobs were separate. Is that still the case? If not, are you seeing employers who are looking for candidates with both sets of skills?
A: Employers are looking for people who are multi-faceted in their skills and ability to do more for their company. It is imperative that we, as candidates, are able to multi- task and spin many plates at the same time. Larger firms may separate traditional communications and digital communications to different teams. However, small to mid-sized companies expect individuals to do both.
Q: Are employers paying more attention to diversity in the hiring process?
A: Employers are ideally looking to have a balanced approach to life experiences, cultural perspectives and gender views in their business. We do not have the same constraints that affirmative action required in the 90s, but our customers and clients look to see that our business reflects the market in which we live. We approach all candidates as “talent”, not male/female, gay or straight, Jewish, Muslim or Christian. The only consideration for us is who is the best qualified candidate to perform the job function. Our salary range budgeted is the same for all.
Q: How important is experience vs. an ability to adapt and learn?
A: Both are critical to the success of a new hire; however, adaptability is a critical component into cultural fit in an organization. You can have all the experience in the world, but if you are inflexible, you will be out the door.
Q: What mistakes should a candidate avoid in the interview process?
A: We do our best to prepare a candidate for an interview with our clients. We share a little background on the individuals you may be meeting to help you be relaxed and familiar with who you meet. There are in my opinion some important things to consider-
- Don’t regurgitate everything listed on your resume. The resume helped to get you in the door but now they want to get to know you.
- Let the interviewer lead the conversation. Don’t come in with your own discussion plan.
- Be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you are not.
- Thank the contact for their time and opportunity to meet.
Looking for a new opportunity? Check out the Chaloner website at http://www.chaloner.com or follow Larry on Twitter at @recruitinglarry
About Fast 5
This is a feature of PRSA Boston’s Hot Topics blog page. The expert subject is someone who is clearly in demand or on the go. But we know leaders like to share, so check back for insights, wisdom, author’s books about to hit the stands and other valuable tips. @prsaboston #prsabos
Do YOU have a candidate for a FAST 5 interview? Email: Joshua Milne at josh@joshuamilnepr.com and
pitch your subject expert!
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November 13, 2017
Fast Five: with Richard Chacón, Executive Director of News Content, WBUR, Boston
As executive director of news content for WBUR, Richard Chacón oversees all aspects of local radio and digital news content for WBUR, Boston’s leading public radio station.
Richard’s career includes more than 20 years of experience in print and broadcast journalism, public affairs, politics and government. As a journalist, Richard has worked at The Boston Globe, where he covered Boston City Hall and higher education and was the Latin America bureau chief, based in Mexico City. He also served as deputy foreign affairs editor and as ombudsman. In addition, he has worked at New York Newsday, WCVB-TV in Boston and KTSM in his native El Paso, Texas.
Beyond journalism, Richard also served as director of communications for Deval Patrick’s gubernatorial campaign in Massachusetts, and later served in the governor’s office as director of policy and then as executive director of the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants. He also served as a speechwriter in the New York City mayor’s office under David Dinkins and later as deputy media director for the 1992 Democratic National Convention in New York City.
We caught up with Richard prior to the 2017 PRSA Boston Annual Meeting where he is scheduled to give the keynote address. We asked him about the future of news and how media platforms like WBUR are evolving.
What led you to become a journalist and why did you decide to join WBUR?
Endless curiosity – about how things happen, why and about the people involved. I’ve had this curiosity ever since I was a young boy growing up in the desert in El Paso, TX. My very first job was as a newspaper delivery boy. I’ve been blessed to have had some wonderful experiences in print, broadcast and multimedia newsrooms and working with some talented colleagues along the way. I’m especially pleased and proud to help lead one of the biggest and best newsrooms in public radio. As WBUR grows and becomes more of a primary source of news and information – especially during this transformational time in Boston’s history – we have an opportunity and obligation to help lead the public dialogue on many important issues in our community.
Will presenting news to audiences continue to evolve or change in 2018? If so, how?
Newsrooms across Boston and the country are in the midst of rethinking and redefining how they collect and deliver the news – that includes WBUR. We know that over half of our audience experiences our multimedia content through mobile devices, so our content must be mobile friendly. Visual presentations of content – videos, photos, data visualization – are growing in importance for stories, especially those that are shared through social media channels. Although terrestrial radio continues to reach our largest audience, on-demand listening – whether through podcasts or streaming – is growing in popularity for our audience, especially younger listeners and readers. But even amid all of these changes, it is important that we always remain committed to the traditional values of fair, aggressive and transparent journalism.
PR people continue to see the lines are blurring between advertising and editorial. Is this impacting how you and your team at WBUR report news? If so, how?
News organizations are also constantly looking for new business and financial models to help sustain the journalism. Increasingly, we’re seeing the development of “sponsored content” which can sometimes look, walk and quack like newsroom editorial content. As a former ombudsman for the Boston Globe, I think it’s very important that news organizations are both very careful and very clear with audiences about what is advertising and what is news coverage. So far, I believe most organizations – including WBUR – has maintained that line between advertising and editorial but it’s an evolving and ongoing discussions (and debates) that we have on these issues.
Why was it important to develop online niche sites, such as the ARTery and Edify, or podcasts such as Modern Love?
As WBUR continues to grow as a multimedia destination for news and spoken-word content, we are constantly experimenting with new forms of presentations and platforms. We have national programs that reach millions of listeners across the United States; and we have sound-rich podcasts that share peoples’ personal stories and perspectives. In our local newsroom, we’ve developed a number of multimedia content “verticals” as a way to chronicle many of the dynamic sectors that are part of our knowledge-based economy around Boston. We’re building teams of journalists to bring WBUR’s high-quality storytelling to these sectors: “BostonomiX is how we cover tech and innovation; “CommonHealth” covers health and science; The ARTery is how we capture our increasingly diverse arts and culture scene; “Edify” is how we cover the many facets of teaching, learning and education. The great news is we are developing new ones for 2018!
Why is hosting events important to WBUR? How will this continue to evolve in 2018?
WBUR believes it has both an opportunity and responsibility to lead the public conversations on important topics with newsmakers, thought leaders, idea makers and diverse members of our communities. That’s already what we do every day on air and online. We do it through our selection of news stories and topics, our regular use of polling to key issues like the opioid crisis or climate change, and through our growing use of social media and crowd-sourcing. Convening more public events is a natural extension of our role as a public institution. We regularly host public events at WBUR that include many of our journalists. We also sponsor and produce dozens of other events all over the region because we believe strongly in our role of gathering communities together for thoughtful discussion. Sometimes these events can be a source of revenue for us, but more importantly, it’s an opportunity to constantly cultivate and grow our public media audience. There will be some more exciting news on this front also in 2018!
Do you have a candidate for a FAST FIVE interview? Email Joshua Milne at josh@joshuamilnepr.com and pitch your expert!
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author or the individual being interviewed and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of PRSA Boston, PRSA National, staff or board of directors of either organization.
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November 12, 2017
PRSA BOSTON TO PRESENT DIANE DAVIS BEACON AWARD TO DARLENE HOLLYWOOD
Annual Meeting Event Will Also Feature Keynote Address from Richard Chacón, WBUR Executive Editor of News Content
BOSTON, MA (November 13, 2017) – The Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) Boston Chapter will honor Darlene Hollywood, founder and principal of Hollywood Agency, with its most prestigious honor, the Diane Davis Beacon Award. The award recognizes the extraordinary achievements of a Boston area PR professional. Hollywood is being recognized for her numerous professional achievements, service to the communications community, and contributions as a mentor and industry leader. Hollywood will accept the award at PRSA Boston’s Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony, held on November 16, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at the NonProfit Center of Boston.
“On behalf of all PRSA members, I’m honored to recognize Darlene’s great impact on the communications profession. She is an inspiration to all those who have worked with her,” said Dan Dent, president, PRSA Boston. “Darlene’s creativity and enthusiasm have enabled her to accomplish great things throughout her career, and we are grateful to have her as part of our community.”
Hollywood is founder and principal of Hollywood Agency, an integrated communications firm headquartered in Hingham with an office in San Francisco. At Hollywood Agency, she sets the strategic direction for how the firm’s client stories are positioned, pitched, placed and measured. Hollywood has more than 25 years of experience, and her background includes consumer goods, footwear and apparel, business services, not-for-profits and enterprise software. This year, Boston Business Journal named her firm one of Massachusetts’ fastest growing private companies for the second year in a row, and PR Week named her a Champion of PR for challenging the status quo, pushing for the big idea and striving to make a difference.
Hollywood has been a member of the PRSA Boston leadership team for more than a decade, serving in roles including board member, treasurer, president and delegate. In addition, Darlene serves on the executive committee of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce and is on the board of the British American Business Council of New England. She also dedicates time to mentor students at Bridgewater State College’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Chapter.
More about PRSA Boston’s 2017 Annual Meeting
In addition to Hollywood’s recognition ceremony, PRSA Boston Annual Meeting will feature keynote speaker Richard Chacón, WBUR’s Executive Editor of News content, who will give us his perspective on the news business and its future in Boston. The event will take place on November 16, 2017, at The NonProfit Center of Boston, 89 South Street, Boston, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://prsaboston.org/events-registration/.
About the Public Relations Society of America, Boston Chapter
The Boston Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is among the largest and most influential of the 112 U.S. chapters that make up the PR industry’s foremost professional association. With over 300 members, PRSA Boston is comprised of recent graduates to PR professionals with decades of experience who work in corporate, agency, nonprofit, and public settings. Members strive to share their diverse knowledge and experience to create a continuous learning community and networking opportunities.
About the Public Relations Society of America
Based in New York, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the largest professional organization serving the U.S. public relations community of more than 22,000 members. With a mission to “advance the profession and the professional,” PRSA provides news and information, thought leadership, continuing education and networking opportunities; sets standards of professional excellence and ethical conduct; and advocates for the business value of public relations and greater diversity among public relations professionals.
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Contact: Joshua Milne, josh@joshuamilnepr.com, 617-501-1620
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October 17, 2017
PASSING THE BATON: ANNOUNCING THE 2018 CHAPTER LEADERSHIP NOMINEES
In Chapter Events, News onPRSA Boston’s 2018 Nominating Committee of past presidents is pleased to put forth this talented Board and Leadership Slate for the membership’s vote at the Annual Meeting on November 16, 2017:
2018 OFFICERS
President 2018 (previously voted)
Erin Callanan, APR
President, Callanan & KleinImmediate Past President
Dan Dent, APR
Media Relations Manager, DraperTreasurer
Jeff Caywood
Director, Headquarters Communications, GESecretary
Cheryl Wheeler
Director of Global Leadership + Associate Engagement Communications, NovartisVP Programming Co-Chair
Michele Snyder
Consultant, Snyder CommunicationsVP Programming Co-Chair
Rhiannon D’Angelo
Senior Media Specialist, Eversource EnergyVP Membership Co-Chair
Matt Bashalany
Senior Communications Manager, FTI ConsultingVP Membership Co-Chair
Eric Berman
Director of Communications, Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®Director-at-Large/Content (thru 2019)
Sofia Coon
US PR Manager, kununu USDirector-at-Large/Diversity (thru 2019)
Kelley Chun
President, Kelley Chunn & AssociatesDirector-at-Large (thru 2020)
Amy Riemer
President, Riemer CommunicationsChapter PRSA Delegate (thru 2019)
Diane Pardes, APR
President, Pardes CommunicationsChapter PRSA Delegate (thru 2019)
Josh Gitelson, APR
Executive Managing Director, RF BinderChapter PRSA Delegate (thru 2020)
Loring Barnes, APR, Fellow PRSA
CCO, Clarity2018 LEADERSHIP TEAM
Content Chair
Joshua Milne
President, Joshua Milne Public RelationsAccreditation + Awards Chair
Josh Gitelson, APR
Executive Managing Director, RF BinderSocial Media Chair
Shannon Giordano
President, Serendipity Social MediaYoung Professional Network (YPN) Chair
Kristin Foley
Senior Account Executive, Sleek MachineFaculty Forum Chair
Maureen O’Connell
Subject Matter Expert, Bay Path UniversityPRSSA + College Co-Liaison
Nikki Vergakes
PR Specialist, Trevi CommunicationsPRSSA + College Co-Liaison
Ermolande Jean-Simon
Student Programs Manager, New England Center for Investigative Reporting at Boston UniversityEthics Chair
Nancy Sterling, APR, Fellow PRSA
Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications, ML StrategiesIndependent Practitioner Network (IPN) Chair
Henry Stimpson, APR
President, Stimpson CommunicationsThe Ted Chaloner Learning Fund Liaison
Dan Dent, APR
Media Relations Manager, DraperWe wish to congratulate our colleagues and thank their 2017 predecessors for going above and beyond for their service to our 300+ strong members. This talent pool points to a tremendous year of networking and programming ahead.