NEW Member Profile: Aaron Baer

One of the newest Green Bay/Fox Valley PR professionals to join the Northeast Wisconsin chapter of PRSA is Aaron Baer, performance president of Baer Performance Marketing in Green Bay. We hope you'll have an opportunity to meet Aaron in-person at an upcoming meeting, but here's a brief introduction. When you see Aaron, be sure to introduce yourself.

Please share some of your education/employment background. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse with a Bachelor of Science degree in public relations and organizational communication with a minor in professional writing. I have been in PR with the Amercian Cancer Society as an intern, marketing for Fairfield Resorts in Hawaii, an account executive for Cumulus Broadcasting, and a public relations director for an exotic car parts manufacturer. 

Describe your typical day. I love that there is never a “typical day.” My days consist anything from meeting with media reps and vendors to writing articles and press releases and everything in between. Talking on the phone and attempting to stay on top of e-mails seems to take up the majority of my time, but I am most passionate about brainstorming and seeing ideas come to reality!

Why did you join PRSA? I am hoping to meet a lot of great people and share ideas and experiences.

Any hobbies? I am a sports addict and love playing and going to games, especially football, basketball and baseball!  I love to travel and be spontaneous whenever possible. Work hard and play hard!

Road Work Ahead: Constructing a PR Message

Heard of Hwy 41 road construction on the horizon? Who hasn't? Join us at our April 27^th meeting to learn about the PR of this major road construction project from Kris Schuller, a former local broadcast journalist who has moved into the role of US 41 Project communication manager.

The massive project, which boasts its own Web site, includes expanding the highway to six lanes in Oshkosh and Green Bay. Kris will address the challenges of getting the message of the project to a variety of audiences, including the general public, the traveling public and businesses affected by road closures and detours.

Please register by April 23. The lunch meeting, which is hosted by Aurora BayCare, will begin with lunch and networking at 11:15 a.m. followed by a presentation at noon. Cost is $20 per member, $30 for a guest and $15 for students.

Speed Networking PRSA-Style

Thrive as a PR professtional by "speed networking" at our May 25^th meeting at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel. Back by popular demand, this evening meeting begins at 5 p.m. with a social, followed by 20-minute roundtable discussions at 5:30 p.m. If you'd like to stay, you can continue networking at 7 p.m.

Hors d'oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be open throughout the program. Please register by May 21. Cost is $20 for members, $30 for guests and $15 for students.

UW Oshkosh students got engaged...with the U.S. Census

The Northeast Wisconsin chapter of PRSA was a sponsor of the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh PRSSA team in the Bateman Case Study competition. Our $250 sponsorship helped the Oshkosh chapter with expenses related to their campaign for the U.S. Census. UW Oshkosh student and PRSSA Bateman team member Melanie Stepanek provided an overview of their experience:

Each of you received a U.S. Census form in the mail this past March. For most of you, your relationship with the U.S. Census lasted fewer than ten minutes. For my team, it lasted more than 21 weeks.

 

We were introduced to the U.S. Census in a research course when it was assigned as the client for the Bateman Competition. In this competition, PRSSA members around the nation work to develop the most innovative and effective campaign to gain recognition for their chapter.

 

Although the U.S. Census may seem dull, our campaign experience was anything but. With just one month to plan and execute our entire campaign, there was no time to waste. (Team members in the photo from left to right: Tina Babler, Patrick Terry, Shane Arman, Jessica Gordon and Melanie Stepanek.)

 

The campaign theme we chose was, “Get Engaged… With the U.S. Census.” We thought this theme would appeal to our target, UW Oshkosh students, because it played off a wedding and engagement motif. Similarly, UW Oshkosh frequently uses the word “engaged” in its promotional material.

 

Because our campaign ended before the U.S. Census was sent out, we measured our campaign’s success by “pledges” from students and faculty stating that they would complete the U.S. Census when it arrived. This “pledge” idea tied in with our engagement concept; it was a commitment. Although we hit a few stumbling blocks, including a near-crisis with faculty over one of our tactics, the campaign was a huge success. We received 300 pledges more than our objective, increased students’ knowledge of the U.S. Census and secured more than five media placements.

 

We thank you very much for your contribution to our campaign. The money was used for classroom giveaways and a grand prize incentive to encourage people to sign our pledge sheets. If you would like to see our full ten-page campaign report or have any additional questions about our campaign or the Bateman Competition, please e-mail me at stepam87@uwosh.edu.

Mmmm....Pancakes (with the PRos!)

Join us for the kickoff of our first members-only series, Pancakes with the PRos! Did you ever wish you could tap into the mind of a seasoned PR Pro to learn from his or her experience? Then join the members of the Northeast Wisconsin PRSA Chapter for Pancakes with the PRos on April 9 at Schenck in Green Bay. Our kickoff breakfast will feature Susan Finco, president & CEO of Leonard & Finco Public Relations. Chat with Susan about her career, get insight into her personal PR path and apply her life experience to your own PR journey.

Please register by April 6 at 4 p.m. Cost is $20. Regisration begins at 7:15 a.m. with the program and breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Ready to Catch APR Fever?  by Janet Bonkowski

APR fever is spreading in Northeast Wisconsin: Last week, our Chapter’s very own Megan Wilcox took the second step in the accreditation process when she went through her Readiness Review Session. She is now anxiously awaiting the decision of the Universal Accreditation Board regarding advancing to the computer-based exam.

Two days later, another member of our chapter informed me she was itching to begin the APR process this spring. When you consider that it’s been more than five years since any of our members have pursued accreditation, this is indeed an exciting time for our chapter and these candidates.

April is APR month---the perfect time to become Accredited in Public Relations (APR) if you haven't already done so. Established in 1964, the Accreditation Program:

• is a recognized standard across the profession.
• promotes lifelong learning with continuing education programs.
• provides career enhancement as a voluntary demonstration of competency
• is a positive for public relations by creating a greater understanding of the profession.

If you are interested in learning how you can accelerate you public relations career even when job opportunities are scarce, consider attending a FREE webinar on Tues., April 13 at 2 p.m. Communications strategist Jenny Schade will lead the discussion.

You can also contact accreditation chair Janet Bonkowski to find out if the time is right for you to catch the fever!

Member in the News

Mary Schmidt was featured in The Business News on March 29!

Media Tips from St. Norbert College President Thomas Kunkel

Pitching stories to the media isn't easy. And it isn't easy listening to the pitches either. Having worked at major publications like the New York Times and Miami Herald, that's the perspective that Thomas Kunkel, St. Norbert College President, shared with more than twenty local PR professionals at the March 23 Northeast Wisconsin chapter meeting at St. Norbert College's Bemis Conference Center.

Kunkel's biggest advice is to always be interesting and relevant, and don't ever deceive. He also shared his perspective on St. Norbert College's communications and marketing efforts, as well as the state of print media as we get more and more of our news in a digital format.

Get the Best of Both Worlds for One Price

During the month of April, receive a free one-year Northeast Wisconsin Chapter membership when you join PRSA National. Being a member of both is a great way to connect with fellow public relations professionals across the nation and right in your backyard.

Join online now with promotion code SPRING2010. This special membership is for a limited time only. Contact membership chair Erin Elliott if you would like more information about what a PRSA national and local membership can do for you.

Top 10's in Honor of our 10-Year Anniversary

During 2010, we'll be sharing with you a Top 10 in each issue of our newsletter to recognize the 10-year anniversary of the Northeast Wisconsin chapter. This month, we're doing double duty with two Top 10's.

• TIME magazine shared the 10 Tech Trends for 2010. WIth social media and technology advancing by the minute, you'll want the in's and out's of these 10 trends – some of which may change the way we do business in the future.
• Because we're apt to forgive a little mathematical snafu, we're sharing (10 +1) 11 Little Known Grammatical Errors that will Shock and Horrify You. Make sure you read this one well before bedtime and preferably when you are not alone.

April

21 Years
Julie Henderson
Tom Schoffelman

3 Years
Jessica Wettstein

1 Year
Lisa Hildebrand
Andrea Wisdorf