PRSA Meeting Information
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Wednesday, December 15, 2004
"Upper Case Award Winners Tell All"

December's regular monthly meeting features two winning campaigns from our 2004 Upper Case Awards. The topics will include:

• Launching a regional campaign to promote the hit exhibit "Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body" at Omniplex.
• Debuting a national, straight-news story introducing "CatSeat" a product developed by a client of the Jones Public Relations Group.

Nancy Coggins, APR, director of marketing and public relations for Omniplex
Brenda Jones, APR, founder of Jones Public Relations Group

The members of PRSA, AMA and IABC are joining forces for one rockin' holiday mix and mingle event. Power up your networking, and cut lose at this after-hours event.

RSVP's are an absolute must.

Visit the official Jingle Mingle Web site for all the information and to RSVP.

See you there!

Wednesday, November 17, 2004
"Shadow Day"

Join fellow professionals and aspiring PR students on Wednesday, Nov. 17 for a morning of networking and learning. This year’s Shadow Day is jam packed with activities and speakers to benefit PR novices and experts alike. See the itinerary below for details.

Reservations are due by Friday, Nov. 12. The Shadow Day luncheon price is $13 for PRSSA members, $15 for college students not in PRSSA, $15 for PRSA members, $20 for non-PRSA members.

Please refer back to this Web site to view your Shadow Day location. The match up listing will be posted by Monday, Nov. 15 on this Web site. If you have any questions, please click here to email Karla Bradshaw at or call her at 405-745-6000 x347.

Friday, October 29, 2004
"27th Annual Upper Case Awards Banquet and Annual Elections"

Visit the Upper Case Awards page.

The goal of the 27th annual Oklahoma City Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Upper Case Awards competition is to recognize the best in public relations programs and practices in the Central Oklahoma region and throughout the state.

First held in 1978 as the Bronze Derrick Awards, the competition’s name was changed in 1990 to the Upper Case Awards to better reflect the journalistic beginnings of the profession.

Type that is set in capital letters stands apart from its surroundings. It demands attention and shouts importance. Here’s your chance to stand apart and show your talents. Your work is exceptional, dazzling, stupendous—it’s UPPER CASE!

Business is still shaking from the effects of bad ethical decisions. When bad things happen, they often come to our attention as dilemmas — that is, situations where we must choose between two equally repugnant choices.

You know the killer questions like, "Did your company do this intentionally, maliciously, or negligently?” If you choose their side, there will be serious litigation and perhaps permanent reputation damage. On the other hand, if you choose the other side, there is embarrassment, humiliation, and continued investigations.

Bad situations generally have a moral dimension that needs to be addressed. Most ethicists and moral advisors will tell you that there are questions, which need to be asked promptly, to assess the moral dimension of any situation or problem. Asking early can trigger prompt, appropriate action as warranted. Failure to ask questions can be considered ethical failure by omission. Ask the right questions early as suspect situations are developing. You may be able to head off serious difficulty or perhaps even enhance the value of your decisions and actions.

What better way to increase your inquisitive skills than with a game of Ethics Jeopardy. PRSA-OKC has pieced together some of today's hottest ethical topics and will present them in a fun and informative way. Join PRSA-OKC for its monthly meeting on Sept. 17 at OSU-OKC from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. You may learn something that will help your career survive in business.

Please RSVP by Monday, Sept. 13. The luncheon is $15 for PRSA members, $20 for non-PRSA members, $13 for PRSSA members and $15 for non-PRSSA members.

We live in diverse society and public relations practitioners must serve and service many different cultural, ethnic, racial, religious and political groups. Globalization – essentially, the denationalization of markets, politics and legal systems – has increased the demand for highly-skilled public relations firms and staffs who are able to bridge cultural and communications gaps.

Information brokering skills are needed now, more than ever, as CEOs and Executive Directors recognize how vitally important it is that their companies and organizations build and maintain relationships with all cultural, ethnic, racial, religious and political segments of their communities. Public relations firms and their staff, which communicate effectively with these various audiences, have the competitive advantage.

This month the Oklahoma City Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America explores the subject, “PR, Marketing and Communications in a Diverse Society,” at its monthly meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 11, third floor, Student Union Building, OSU-OKC, 10th and Portland, Oklahoma City.

Pat Fennell

Latino Development Agency

The program will feature Pat Fennell, executive director of the Latino Community Development Agency, Oklahoma City, as guest speaker and a panelist. Other panelists include: Ann Dee Lee, public relations director, Oklahoma Arts Council and active member of the Jewish community of Oklahoma City; Charles Shepherd, KOCO-TV photojournalist and president of the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists; Victor Gorin, representative for the Gayly Oklahoman, and Scott Carter, public relations director for the Metropolitan Library System (MLS). The MLS has a formal public relations and marketing program designed to reach diverse audiences.

Learn how proactive media relations, strategic messaging and direct communications can keep your company in a positive light even when faced with adversity when Larry Brumley, vice president of external relations for Baylor University, visits the Public Relations Society of America – Oklahoma City Chapter and Oklahoma City Advertising Club in a joint meeting and luncheon at 11:30 a.m., July 9, at the Central Oklahoma Homebuilder’s Association, 625 West I-44.

Brumley leads the 26-member Public Relations Office, which encompasses media relations, publications, creative services, photography and online communications. In his presentation, Brumley will share how his office dealt with the unfolding crisis of the June 2003 disappearance of a Baylor University men’s basketball player, subsequent arrest of his teammate on suspicion of murder, and resignation of the head coach.

Brumley also serves as chairman of the board of Brazos Valley Public Broadcasting Foundation, which operates Baylor’s PBS and NPR stations. He joined the Baylor administration in May 1997 after serving for six years at Mercer University in Macon, Ga., where he was assistant vice president and later associate vice president for university relations. From 1985 to 1991, he was director of public relations at Oklahoma Baptist University. Brumley holds a B.S. degree from Baylor and an M.A. in mass communication from the University of Oklahoma. He is a past District IV board member for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and is a frequent presenter at higher education public relations conferences.

The Central Oklahoma Homebuilder’s Association is located east of North Western on the I-44 service road. Guests are welcome to attend.

Join the Oklahoma City Chapter of Public Relations Society of America for a half-day seminar on Internet Technology & Public Relations presented by Spinnaker, Back40 Design, Smart Goat Web Design, Full Pace Web Solutions and Ultimate Webz.

Visit the Professional Development page for more information.

SPECIAL MEETING

Wednesday, May 19, 2004
New Member Orientation

New and Future PRSA Members:

Ever wondered how your membership in PRSA benefits you on both a local and national level? Have you wondered how you can become an accredited member of the public relations profession? Or questioned where ethics fits in our workplace, in our profession and in the media? These questions and more will be addressed during our annual, new-member orientation session at 10:30 a.m. Wed., May 19 at OSU-OKC on the third floor of the Student Center.

Several Oklahoma City PRSA board members will give presentations on various topics and will discuss how your PRSA membership can be best utilized in your profession, within the community and on a national level. Learn how public relations play important roles in professional development, in career advancement, getting you and your company national attention plus much more when you attend this special session. Following this hour-long session, we will hold our monthly meeting.

As a dedicated group of professionals, we would like to encourage you to take part in this worthwhile orientation session and further enrich your knowledge, expertise and contacts within our field.

Please RSVP and send any questions to Becky Endicott at to reserve your seat. We'll see you there!

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING

Wednesday,
May 19, 2004
Media Relations: How to Develop your Message for the Medium

You asked and we answered. PRSA-OKC hosts “Media Relations: How to Develop Your Message for the Medium.” Give your media relations the thrust it needs with strategies and tactics from area television, print and radio journalists.

Please RSVP by Friday, May 14.

The luncheon is $15 for PRSA members, $20 for non-PRSA members, $13 for PRSSA members and $15 for non-PRSSA members.

May 19 Featured Panelists:

• PRINT:
  Don Mecoy
  Business Reporter
  Oklahoman
  
• RADIO:
  Melissa Gandall
  Anchor and Reporter
  KTOK - Talk 1000 AM
  
• TV:
  Jonathan Shelley
  Assistant News Director
  KOCO-TV Channel 5
  
• PR PRACTIONER:
  Rick Buchanan
  Communications Director
  Humphreys for Senate

Wednesday, April 21, 2004
Career Night & Zenith Awards
"Real World: How to Land that Job"

The Oklahoma City Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America invites PR professionals, professors and students interested in public relations to attend our annual Career Night on April 21. Career Night provides college students and recent college grads the opportunity to hone their public relations and job searching skills. The evening will feature an expert panel of PR professionals from the events, sports and agency arenas; a resume critiquing session; and the prestigious Zenith awards.

April 21 Featured Speakers:

• Josh Evans, Director of Communications - Oklahoma City Blazers
• Maurissa Buchwald, Event Marketing Specialist - Express Services, Inc.
• Sandra Pantlik, Public Relations Director - Visual Image Advertising

March 2004
Strategies and Tactics of Airport PR

Wednesday, March 17

The commercial aviation industry is experiencing change at every level since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Imagine communicating changes mandated by the federal government and an airport’s renovation project.

Karen Carney, marketing director for Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers World Airport (WRWA), is set to speak about the strategies and tactics behind the public relations efforts at WRWA concerning the media, airport travelers, Oklahoma residents and local and state government officials. Carney joined the staff of the Oklahoma City Department of Airports as marketing coordinator in 1994. Besides marketing the Department’s three airports, she also handles public relations and media relations.

Join PRSA for its monthly meeting on March 17 at OSU-OKC from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Please RSVP by Friday, March 12, using the link above. The luncheon is $15 for PRSA members, $20 for non-PRSA members, $13 for PRSSA members and $15 for non-PRSSA members.

Karen Carney - March 17 Featured Speaker:
Karen Carney joined the staff of the Oklahoma City Department of Airports as marketing coordinator in 1994. Besides marketing the Department’s three airports, she also handles public relations and media relations. Ms. Carney currently serves on the Oklahoma Tourism Promotion Advisory Committee and has served as president of the board of directors for the Travelers Aid Society of Oklahoma. Before joining the Department of Airports, she worked as a broadcast producer for Ackerman McQueen Advertising in Oklahoma City.

February 2004
Homeland Security

Wednesday, February 18

Demystify the nation’s leading hot topic, Homeland Security. Does your communications campaign help or hinder the homeland security initiatives? Ever wanted to know what Oklahoma is doing when it comes to homeland security? Join PRSA for its monthly meeting, featuring Melissa McLawhorn Houston, chief of staff for the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security.

Houston became involved in the issue of homeland security in 1995 when as part of a group of family members and survivors of the Murrah Federal Building bombing, Melissa advocated for anti-terrorism legislation at the federal level.

Attend the Wed., Feb. 18 PRSA Meeting at OSU in OKC from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please RSVP by Monday, Feb. 16 using the above link. The luncheon is $15 for PRSA members, $20 for non-PRSA members, $13 for PRSSA members and $15 for non-PRSSA members.

Melissa McLawhorn Houston - Feb. 18 Featured Speaker:
Melissa McLawhorn Houston currently serves as the Chief of Staff for the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security. In her current position Melissa works to develop, recommend and implement various homeland security initiatives in the State of Oklahoma. Melissa first became involved in the issue of homeland security in 1995 when as part of a group of family members and survivors of the Murrah Federal Building bombing, Melissa advocated for anti-terrorism legislation at the federal level.

Immediately prior to her current position, Melissa was involved in political and policy development initiatives. She has worked on various campaigns including the Oklahoma State House and a statewide issue campaign where she served as both the Coalitions Director and Political Director.

An established professional in criminal justice reform measures, Melissa has worked for sensible criminal justice reform. She played a lead role in reform efforts related to “truth in sentencing,” community sentencing, and federal anti-terrorism legislation. Melissa served as the Deputy Director for the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association, a statewide organization representing the 77 elected county sheriffs. She has also held the position of Staff Attorney for the Oklahoma Truth in Sentencing Policy Advisory Commission.

January 2004
Political Public Relations

Wednesday, January 21

Tony Vann

Is all political public relations like the "West Wing"--filled with action-packed days of dodging crises and promoting agendas? Find out as Tony Vann, communications director for Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin, shares his inside perspective of public relations and politics. RSVP today for the Jan. 21 PRSA meeting!

Attend the Wed., Jan. 21 PRSA Meeting at OSU in OKC from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please RSVP by Friday, Jan. 16 to Amanda Spencer at amanda@thirddegreeadv.com. The luncheon is $15 for PRSA members, $20 for non-PRSA members, $13 for PRSSA members, and $15 for non-PRSSA members.

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