Strate named 2009 JacksonSpalding/PRSSA Outstanding Senior

Katherine Strate was named the 2009 Jackson Spalding/PRSSA Outstanding Graduating Senior on Thursday, April 23. Strate, the daughter of Tom and Kelle Strate of Morristown, Tenn., will graduate on May 9, from The University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Journalism degree in public relations.

The award, given by Jackson Spalding Athens and the Public Relations Student Society of America, each year recognizes a senior who has made outstanding contributions to the organization. Strate has served on the executive board for PRSSA for two years, as vice president of committees and membership, and as Webmaster.

“Katherine is the real face of PRSSA,” Dr. Betty Jones, faculty advisor, said. “She has represented us with professionalism and enthusiasm and has inspired younger members who are interested in careers in public relations with her creativity and innovation.

Brian Brodrick, who established the Athens office of Jackson Spalding, presented the award. Strate interned for him last summer.

“When we hire interns, we look for students with a force of personality and the talent to serve our clients,” Brodrick said.  ”Katherine had both. She was an incredible asset to our clients, the Athens community and our office in her time with us.  She raised the bar for all interns at Jackson Spalding in Athens.”

The award comes with $100 for the recipient to join a professional organization following graduation.

Two other students were recognized as PRSSA Members of the Year.

Kaitlyn Darr, a senior from Columbus, Ohio, has served this year as the director of Creative Consultants, PRSSA’s student-run PR firm. Creative Consultants provides free PR services to 23 clients in Athens-Clarke County. More than 100 PRSSA members are involved on Creative Consultants teams.

“Kaitlyn has worked tirelessly throughout the year to give Creative Consultants a much-needed face lift,” Dr. Jones said. “She values and respects the needs of the client while providing students with a good learning experience.”

Leslie Emanuele, a graduating senior from McDonough, Ga., has served this year as PRecedent editor, PRSSA’s monthly newsletter. “Leslie designed an impressive, informative newsletter for our organization this year. And she is always ready to help wherever we have needed her. Leslie has been a great team player for PRSSA.

With more than 230 members, PRSSA is the largest student organization in the Grady College at the university.

Help Out the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau

Our friends at the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau are sending around a survey asking about internships we’ve held and our experiences with them. Please be a good citizen and fill out the survey for them.

It’s only eight questions and takes two minutes. Seriously, I’ve already done it.

Go here to see the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=I_2bH_2bF9v_2bh9J4TWg7EFnj2A_3d_3d

Thanks for being great in general. I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Public Relations in the Music Industry

By: Jami Houston, senior from Americus, Ga.

The following is an informational interview conducted with Michelle Roche, owner of Michelle Roche Media Relations, Athens, Ga. This company specializes in all aspects of publicity within the music industry. In addition to managing tour press for various musical artists and festivals, Ms. Roche also takes on promotional projects for DVD releases, such as Adult Swim’s Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

What do you find most challenging about your current job?

The most challenging part of owning my own company is the financial aspect, such as dealing with taxes and billing. It’s also a challenge deciding the most effective use of my time and maintaining a balance between work and a personal life.

What are the most and least rewarding aspects of your job?

The most rewarding is definitely being my own boss and having the opportunity to travel whenever I want. I usually travel five or six weeks each year. It’s also nice to have respect within the community as a local business owner. The down side of owning my own company is that no one pays for my vacation time and benefits.

Do you have any special words of warning or encouragement as a result of your experiences?

Internships, internships, internships! I think you should have several internships while in college because employers are looking more and more for graduates to have real world experience. Also, I would pay close attention to the length of the internship and the knowledge that can be gained from it. For example, if your internship was only two months, I know that you only received two-months-worth of experience, as opposed to a longer opportunity that would allow for more hands-on experience.

Meeting Tomorrow…woop woop!

Hey everyone!

Get ready for an awesome meeting TOMORROW, Wednesday, April 1 (this is not a joke, even though it’s April Fools) at 6:30 in SLC 101.

We’re having Kaitlin Tenery from Cobb Energy speak to us, and we should get some great information.

Plus, there’s a 50/50 chance we’ll have a Skype date with Eddie Garrett, the VP of New Media for Porter Novelli’s office in D.C. He’s in NYC right now teaching Pepsi executives how to Twitter, so we’ll see if they can make time for us.

Hopefully we’ll see you tomorrow!

Tumornators Hosting Super Cool Songwriters Concert on April 3

The Tumornators’ Creative Consultant Team is hosting a benefit concert at the Melting Point and we hope to see ya’ll there!

Grammy award-winning songwriter and Washington, Ga. native Hillary Lindsey will headline an all-star lineup April 3, 2009 for Writers in the Round at the Melting Point in Athens, Ga. The benefit will raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation on behalf of the Tumornators, a Lilburn-based fundraising team.

Lindsey won a Grammy for writing “Jesus Take the Wheel” and continues to write #1 hits for some of country music’s biggest stars from her current home in Nashville. She will be joined by, Nashville star Jedd Hughes, Lilburn legend Matt Moore, Athens native Gabriel Kelley, Nashville starlet Ashley Ray and 13-year-old phenomenon Rachel Farley from Lawrenceville as well as up-and-comers Derrick Southerland, and Hannah Dasher (who is a Grady alumna!!).

The evening will begin at 6:00 p.m. and is open to ages 18 and up. Tickets are $24 for the floor, $17 online, and $20 at the door. All proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Tumor Foundation.

Bring your friends and your love for country music!

For More Information On:

The Tumornators http://www.tumornators.com

Hilary Lindsey: http://www.myspace.com/httpwwwmyspacecomhillarylindsey

Jedd Hughes: http://www.myspace.com/jeddhughes

Matt Moore: http://www.myspace.com/mattmooremusic

Gabriel Kelley: http://www.myspace.com/gabrielkelleymusic

http://www.gabrielkelley.com/

Ashley Ray: http://www.ashleyray.com/

Rachel Farley: http://www.myspace.com/rachelfarleymusic

Derrick Southerland: http://www.myspace.com/derricksoutherlandmusic

Hannah Dasher: http://www.myspace.com/hannahdashermusic

…and this time, we’re taking orders!

That’s right, everyone!

The Great PRSSA Biscuit Sale is once more coming to a campus near you.

…and this time, we’re taking orders!

From 8:30-11 a.m. this Friday, March 20, we’ll be at the Arch once more selling plain and chicken biscuits from Chick-fil-A to passerbys and offices on campus.

If you’d like to place an order for your office, please e-mail prssabiscuits@gmail.com and include the following information:

• number of biscuits (plain= $2, chicken= $2.50)
• liaison’s name
• office name (where you are on campus, so we can find you)
• delivery time (between 8:30 and 11 a.m.)

Sound good? If you have any questions about it, just include it in your e-mail.

For all you on-the-fly buyers, we SOLD OUT last time, so hurry and get them while they’re hot!

We hope this chicken biscuit sale will be even more successful than the last one, but it’s up to you to make it happen! All the proceeds go towards our professional in residence program that will help compensate a public relations professional to come speak and hang out with us for a week…a different kind of learning!

We hope all of you will turn out for the GREAT PRSSA BISCUIT SALE!!

P.S. If you’re wondering about the picture of Donkey, the phrase “and this time, we’re taking orders” reminds me of Donkey’s line, “and in the mo’nin, I’m makin’ WAFFLES!” Thought you’d find it funny.

Coach C!

I thought this e-mail was so awesome that I couldn’t help but post about it.

Cheer on “Coach C!”

All Grady and pre-Grady students are invited to stop by the Dean’s Office and pick up your free tickets for Thursday night’s Lady Dawgs game, where Grady Dean Cully Clark will serve as guest coach as the Dawgs take on the LSU Lady Tigers.

Dean Clark will be one of four deans “coaching” at the 7 p.m. game. The dean who brings the most people to the game will win a Nike warm-up and four tickets to the 2009 NCAA Women’s Basketball First and Second Rounds at the Gwinnett Arena in March.

Dean Clark, who now refers to himself as “Coach C,” is hoping for a large Grady College student turnout to support his coaching debut.

Tickets from the Dean’s Office will entitle bearers to halftime refreshments in the hospitality room, located under the video board. All Grady guests must sign-in during halftime for “Coach C” to receive credit for their participation.

Stop by the Dean’s Office today!

Don’t forget your breakfast!

Don’t forget about Chicken Biscuits tomorrow from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at The Arch.

You’ll see us and our smiling faces bright and early!

Remember, if you’re on a CC team, it’s a competition to see who can get the most people there!

This is why you should be on Twitter.

If you’re looking for a job, get on Twitter.

Enough said.

No wonder people love us.

I just have to say on behalf of the ENTIRE E-board that our Creative Consultants teams absolutely ROCK!!!!!

Guys, if you weren’t there, you missed the most impressive client work I’ve ever seen.  Listening to each presentation made me realize that we TRULY are Democracy’s Next Generation.

The client interactions, presentations, speaking skills, progress, creativity, professionalism and TEAMWORK made me so, incredibly proud to be a part of PRSSA at our wonderful university.

I left Sanford Hall on a total public relations high just thinking about all the GOOD we are doing in the world.  Whether it’s for a nonprofit, a sports team, our college, or whatever, you’re spreading the Gospel of Grady in such a positive light.

Also, thanks to our wonderful judges, Justin Pettigrew, Dr. Russell, Dr. Reber and Ashley Harp from Jackson Spalding for being so attentive and asking great questions.  We couldn’t have done it without you!

Last but not least, I think Ms. Kaitlyn Darr needs a round of applause. I have never seen such impeccable organization and running the show.  She did an amazing job, and it’s all because she loves her Creative Consultants babies so much.

So, job well done, troops. Now get back to studying for whatever, but get back to it with a positive peace of mind. “You done me proud!”

Love,

Katherine