Vegas PR News

She’s a jolly good Fellow!

Congratulations to PRSA-LVVC member Shelli Ryan, APR, Fellow, who was elected to the prestigious PRSA College of Fellows. She will be honored in a special ceremony at PRSA’s International Conference in Detroit this October.

Shelli is new to the Las Vegas region, but an accomplished public relations professional and the owner and president of Ad Hoc Communication Resources. She has been previously named “PR Professional of the Year” by her former PRSA chapter, and winner of three American Marketing Association awards and a League of American Communications Professional national award. For 20 years, she has been sought for marketing strategy, branding, competitive research, and analyst and media relations, by national and international technology and bioscience firms.

To be considered for the College of Fellows, a member of PRSA must have practiced or taught public relations for 20 or more years, demonstrated superior capability as a practitioner or educator, exhibited personal and professional qualities that serve as a role model, and advanced the state of the profession.

Shelli and Roger Buehrer, APR, Fellow, are the Las Vegas Valley Chapter’s members of the PRSA College of Fellows.

Posted in Commentary, Newsletter, PRSA National Info | No Comments »

Ethical Warning Issued on Health Care Coverage

Source: Editor and Publisher

By Joe Strupp

Published: August 11, 2008 4:47 PM ET

NEW YORK Two major journalism groups have issued a joint warning to news outlets to avoid ethical problems that can arise through cozy relationships with health care outlets and hospitals.

The Association of Health Care Journalists and the Society of Professional Journalists state in a joint release Monday that they “are concerned about news media that publish or broadcast stories, reports, news releases and interviews prepared or paid for by hospitals.

“The ethics codes of the Association of Health Care Journalists and the Society of Professional Journalists call for fair and accurate reporting and editorial independence. But editorial cutbacks, along with pressure on hospitals to market profitable services, may be eroding these standards.”

The statement on the AHCJ Web site adds that: “In several recently reported cases, local hospitals have exerted editorial control by supplying pre-packaged stories and other content to news organizations. In some but not all cases, hospitals paid for this special influence.

“Earlier this year, a Maryland newspaper sold its weekly health page to a local hospital and put the hospital in charge of providing content,” the notice said, but did not name the newspaper. “The arrangement was halted amid community protest after just one published issue. Broadcast examples include airing of hospital-produced segments with hazy branding or no branding at all, leading viewers to believe the local station reported the story. In some cases, the hospital-created material is even transmitted to a station through an affiliated news network.”

The joint statement then cited a list of guidelines for news outlets to follow. Those urge that:

• News organizations should fully disclose the source of any editorial information not independently gathered, whether video, audio, photograph or print material.

• News organizations should not run prepackaged stories produced by hospitals unless they are clearly and continuously labeled as advertisements.

• News organizations should not favor advertisers or sponsors over competing health-care providers when choosing sources or story topics and should strive to employ a wide variety of sources.

• News organizations should develop guidelines for the public disclosure of sponsors and advertisers.

• These guidelines should prohibit news personnel from appearing in or participating in sponsored programming or advertisements.

The groups added that: “Our journalistic mission requires us to hold doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and government agencies accountable to the public. In doing so, we commit to fair and transparent reporting of medical issues.”

More on the statement can be found here.

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Featured Job: B&P Seeks Sr. Level PR Pro

B&P, a Las Vegas-based PR and advertising agency, seeks seasoned, skilled pr pro with at least seven years of relevant experience. Local and agency experience is strongly preferred. Very competitive salary based on experience and expertise.

Just log on to our chapter’s job bank http://prsalasvegas.com/jobs/  (free to PRSA Las Vegas chapter members and $20 for a six month subscription to non-members) for full details regarding this position and how to apply –as well as other posted jobs.

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IABC/Las Vegas Partnership with PRSA–Aug. 5 Social Media 2.oh!

 Our colleagues with IABC/Las Vegas have extended a special offer to members of PRSA–Las Vegas Valley Chapter. On Tues., August 5, IABC is hosting Malcom Atherton for a 30-minute professional development seminar preceeding his featured presentation at IABC’s August luncheon seminar. PRSA–LVVC members may register at the discounted IABC member rates by clicking the link below.

Social Media 2.oh!!!!
Social media, new media, emerging media…. whatever you want to call it, the times are a’changin’. Communicators are faced with a moving target each and every day as trends shift, acronyms are born, philosphies are debated, and a battle between control and visibility rages on. Today’s lunch program will emphasize some current tools that can be utilized including “old” stalwarts like blogs to buzzworthy sites like Twitter. Case studies and an open discussion on “what’s next????” will be included.

Press Releases and Attention Deficit: Tips for writing releases for the Web
With the amount of online content increasing there is a resulting decrease in the amount of time that editors, journalists, and other audiences have to sift through it all. How can your press releases stand out? How can you help your online content be more compelling to readers and search engines? These questions will be examined and tips will be provided. Keyword research/discovery, text formatting, multimedia usage, and how releases can be written for robots & humans will be covered in this pre-lunch workshop.

To register and for more information on the speaker, please visit IABC/Las Vegas’ registration site at http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Invitation.aspx?e=a267f016-8b33-4779-ad9c-dd345f07e7ca

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Volunteer “Fore” Media Relations

PRSA member Michele Madole of Roughly Speaking PR is looking for media relations volunteers for the PGA TOUR’s 26th annual Las Vegas event, the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. The event, held Oct. 13 – 19 at TPC Summerlin, will raise money for the Shriners Hospitals’ international health care system dedicated to improving the lives of children. This event is a great opportunity for public relations professionals and communications students to get hands-on media relations experience at a fun and meaningful event. And did you see Justin Timberlake’s name in the event title? Yes, he’ll be there!

Media volunteers will staff the tournament’s media center, working in conjunction with PGA TOUR media officials and public relations representatives to oversee general operation of press facility including media registration and general office responsibilities.

There is a $40 volunteer uniform fee that covers the cost of the volunteer’s official tournament hat, golf shirt and jacket.  Each volunteer will also receive complimentary lunch on the days they work, a week-long tournament badge and two tickets to the volunteer kickoff party. Tournament officials are also looking for volunteers to help with other committees, including the competition (registration/caddies), corporate hospitality and special events. For more information, visit www.jtshrinersopen.com. Interested media volunteers should contact Michele directly at 702.466.4829

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A student internship preparing for July 13 Miss Universe event

Calling all PR students! There will be a Miss Universe 2008 event held in Las Vegas, at the Newport Lofts penthouse, on Sunday, July 13. The event organizers are looking for a volunteer intern to help with logistics. Please contact Paul Murad at paul(at)metroplexgroup.com for details.

The event is this Sunday and there is a lot to do in preparation. This is a great opportunity to hone those special event planning skills. The pageant will be aired on NBC.

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Featured Job: Ritz Carlton Lake Las Vegas PR Coordinator

The Ritz Carlton is hiring for a coordinator positon in the public relations area. The individual will promote awareness of brand image internally and externally, among other tasks and responsibilities.

Just log on to our chapter’s job bank http://prsalasvegas.com/jobs/  (free to PRSA Las Vegas chapter members and $20 for a six month subscription to non-members) for full details regarding this position and how to apply –as well as other posted jobs.

Posted in Job Bank | No Comments »

Luncheon Seminar Fees Increase for Nonmembers (eff. August 2008)

It seems the price of everything is going up and it’s no different for the chapter’s expenses. In the last year, Lawry’s has increased their rates on several occasions and these fee increases have not been passed onto attendees. Lawry’s is again raising its rates. To ensure the chapter collects enough revenue to cover costs, a fee increase is required.

The board feels strongly that the monthly luncheon seminars should be a good value for our members. After much consideration, the board has decided to raise nonmember rates for those who register by the deadline from $33 to $35 and for those nonmembers who register after the deadline or at the door from $35 to $40. This change also brings about parity in pricing; nonmember rates will more closely reflect the price spread members currently experience when they register before and after the deadline.

Members will continue to pay $28 before the registration deadline and $35 after the deadline and at the door.

The new pricing will be in effect with the August luncheon. If you experience any problems with registration, contact the event coordinator at registration@prsalasvegas.com.

Become a Member
Don’t want to pay the nonmember price? Consider becoming a chapter member! When you sign up, select the Las Vegas Valley as your chapter so that you’ll qualify for the chapter member rate for our chapter’s events. If you join as a new member before the end of July, PRSA’s national office will pay for your $45 Las Vegas Valley Chapter dues. Just use promotion code CHAP2008; this promotion applies a new regular membership or a renewing member who has been lapsed at least one year.

In addition to the benefits offered through national PRSA, the Las Vegas Valley Chapter offers:

• Access to the chapter job bank
• Reduced pricing on luncheon seminars, professional development seminars, APR programming, and the Pinnacles
• and more…

If you have any questions about the new luncheon pricing, contact Amy Brooks at finance@prsalasvegas.com.

Posted in General Info, Membership | No Comments »

A Word About No Shows

Thank you to everyone who has registered (and will register) in advance for chapter events. This information is vital for the planning process (i.e. number of place settings, materials, meals).

For the monthly luncheons, the chapter provides a head count to the restaurant and must pay for this number regardless of how many people actually attend. The chapter instituted a cancellation policy to help protect the chapter from unexpected losses:

CANCELLATIONS must be made via e-mail to registration@prsalasvegas.com or to the event planner before the reservation deadline. The chapter will refund the amount paid, minus a $5 administrative service fee, if the request is received before the reservation deadline.

The chapter will not refund the amount paid after the reservation deadline has passed. While we certainly understand the deadline pressures our members face, but the chapter incurs expenses based on headcount. Persons who have reserved space and elected to pay-at-the door will be billed if they do not attend the event. (Revised and approved 2/20/08)

 To avoid paying for an event that you cannot attend, try the following:

• Cancel your reservation before the deadline by emailing registration@prsalasvegas.comor cancelling your registration in Cvent
• Send someone in your place (ask them to give your name at the door so we may credit your account)
• In the event of an emergency, contact registration@prsalasvegas.com. We maybe able to help find someone to take your place.
• If your schedule is too unpredictable, you can register at the door. One draw back to this strategy is that a seat is not guaranteed.

This is my least favorite policy to apply but one of the most necessary to ensure the chapter has enough funds to cover our bills. If you have concerns about an invoice you’ve received, please contact me at finance@prsalasvegas.com. If you have questions or thoughts that other readers may benefit from the discussion, please post your thoughts in the comments section below. I’ll respond here.

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The Impact of PRSA…it’s You!

Earlier this month I had the privilege to attend PRSA’s national Leadership Rally—a day-and-a-half-long overview of PRSA’s national and district infrastructures, as well as a wealth of programming and implementation ideas for chapters to share with each other.

Bill Murray, PRSA’s president and CEO, explained that the national office is hard at work to bring greater benefits to each of us in our local chapters. A team of volunteers from across the United States is building a strategic plan to direct how PRSA can continue to advance the profession. Other committees are building programming that ranges from the PRSA International Conference in Detroit this October to special interest section professional development seminars.

The most remarkable thing about PRSA that I took away is a deeper appreciation for how volunteer professionals really make this organization tick. The examples above are part of the larger direction of PRSA and what our industry can accomplish when we work together.

But here in Las Vegas, all of the great things we do—from monthly luncheon seminars to student scholarships to an annual awards program (stay tuned…Pinnacle Awards info coming soon!)—is because one of our colleagues in PR is giving his or her time to create a more robust professional environment in Southern Nevada. To all the volunteers in our chapter, many, many thanks for what you do here for us in Las Vegas…and as part of the larger national effort to enhance our profession.

One hallmark of PR practitioners is that we like to dream big, right? And boy, do we! Our volunteer cadre has a million terrific ideas how to involve and coach and celebrate every corner of public relations life in Las Vegas. Several of our committees need some more hands on deck—ranging from a few hours to coach an APR candidate to dedicated time as a Cvent coordinator. And, in a few short months, the chapter’s nominating committee will begin discussions about next year’s elected leadership.

Care to dream big with us?

Hope to see you next Friday at our June luncheon seminar!

Best regards,

Lori Bachand, APR

President

PRSA—Las Vegas Valley Chapter

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