A Note from the President
Dear PPRA Members,

Our Programming Committee is knocking it out of the park! We've already learned how to measure the impact of our work, heard from broadcast media professionals about how to get our stories on the air, enjoyed behind-the-scenes tours of media outlets in both Philadelphia and New York City, and acquired new ideas for using the latest social media tools.

This spring, we have another amazing line-up of programs. From the NFL Draft to healthcare communications, we're helping you hone your skills while staying on top of the latest news and events.

PPRA is also great for networking. I hope you will join us for a combined happy hour with our colleagues from PRSA on April 6!

And, if you're a college student or simply looking to advance your career, you won't want to miss our annual Careers 101 event. Meet some of PPRA's brightest young committee leaders as they discuss their journey from campus to career.

As you know, our industry is constantly evolving. I am incredibly grateful for PPRA and the ongoing role it has played in my professional development. It is also a privilege to meet and learn from you, our dedicated members. Thanks for being part of our community! I hope to see you at an upcoming program.

Best,
Ashley Berke
2016-2017 President
Philadelphia Public Relations Association
Here's What You Missed
#MemberMonday
Our popular #MemberMonday series continues, most recently featuring Michael Cavacini, PR Specialist at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, and London Faust, Account Executive at Bellevue Communications Group. Read their full Q&As on our blog!

Live Pitching Turned Placement! 
Amanda White of Philabundance saw her "live pitch" at a recent PPRA media panel turn into a CBS3 spot for her organization. Head over to our blog to learn how she spoke up and turned her pitch into a placement.

Upcoming Events
Want to know more about what the Draft might mean for area public relations professionals? Join PPRA for a sneak preview breakfast discussion with a colleague who is on the front lines of it all: Alethia Calbeck, Director of Communications for the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau. Register here

We figured you needed some time to unwind. Join us at Pennsylvania 6 for a Cash Bar, Pay as You Go Happy Hour. Your admission includes some light appetizers. Register here

Healthcare Communications 2017, April 18th, 5:30pm-7:30pm

In 2017, healthcare is changing with the new political leadership in America. What challenges do changes pose to local communications professionals? To find out, join PPRA for a spirited discussion of the challenges that face us and impact the way we communicate with our key constituencies. Register here

Careers 101: From College to Career, April 20th, 6:00pm-8:30pm

Join us on April 20th to hear from a panel of young professionals representing a diverse cross-section of the communications industry. Learn how they navigated the transition from college to career and discover how they're setting themselves apart as leaders. Register here.

Here's What You Don't Know About Greater Philadelphia, April 27th, 8:00am-10:00am

Please join PPRA for a special program highlighting the many amazing assets that make our Greater Philadelphia community such a special place to live, work, play, dine, explore, create, innovate, and raise a family. Opening remarks and Q&A by Nick Bayer of Saxby's Coffee Company. Panelists include: Meghan Kelly of Select Greater Philadelphia; MaryFrances McGarrity of Chester County Economic Development Council; Tamarra Morris, Economic Development, New Castle County; Heather Simmons, Gloucester County Freeholder; Dawn Summerville of the Philadelphia Department of Commerce; moderated by PPRA Hall of Famer Matt Cabrey of Select Greater Philadelphia. Register here

Go Behind the Scenes of "The Q", May 5th, 10:30am-12:30pm

PPRA is offering a "Members Only" behind-the-scenes experience at "The Q," Philadelphia's locally produced daytime program on Fox 29. Be part of the studio audience and hear from guests on a variety of topics, including music, comedy, and pop culture.  Following the taping, host Quincy Harris will meet with us and offer tips on placing guests/stories on "The Q." Register here

Join us as we induct Dr. Bill Cowen into the PPRA Hall of Fame at Union Trust in Philadelphia! A longtime friend of PPRA and a Past-President, Bill Cowen, EdD, MA Public Relations, PRSA Counselors Academy, is a renowned PR consultant, university professor, and leadership coach who has successfully served top agencies, Fortune 100 corporations, non-profits, entrepreneurial ventures, and academia. He is President and owner of Metrospective Communications LLC, and is co-founder and a two-term Past-President of PR Boutiques International. Register here.
Local Media Happenings
  • Where Magazine's editor Jessica Tzikas (Green), has left the publication and will be moving to South Florida. She will be writing for publications in South Florida and freelancing and can be contacted at [email protected].
     
  • NBC10 welcomes Tammie Souza to the evening newscasts from 5-11pm, replacing Sheena Parveen. Souza is a former meteorologist from Fox32 in Chicago. 
     
Know of a recent media change? Email us! 

#PPRAProud
Win an award? Speaking on a panel? Landed an amazing media hit? 
Email us your good news at  [email protected] or tweet us using #PPRAProud.


New Positions & Hires, Clients, and Endeavors: 
  • Visit Bucks County has hired a new Industry Relations Director, Lisa Paglaicetti.
  • Joshua Peck of Duane Morris LLP is presenting at the annual conference of the Legal Marketing Association in Las Vegas in March, for an unprecedented sixth time. He is part of a day-long series of events focused on legal PR and communications. 
  • Sharla Feldscher and Hope Horwitz will be busy with celebrities this spring. From Ty Pennington painting a mural with kids at the Jewish Family and Children's Services of Greater Philadelphia in their new Bala Cynwyd center to Shirley Jones being honored at Bucks County Playhouse's Oscar Hammerstein Festival and the announcement for Dot Time Records, Legends Series that four newly discovered Louis Armstrong CDs are being released over the next two years.  
  • SPRYTE Communications has been selected as public relations agency-of-record by Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania-based Griswold Home Care, which has 200 privately held and company-owned offices in 33 states. The relationship aligns closely with the mission of SPRYTE, previously known as Simon Public Relations, to counsel healthcare clients on their communications strategies based on business goals.
Notable Media Placements: 
  • The National Museum of American Jewish History's new exhibition 1917: How One Year Changed the World was featured in The New York Times' Museums Section.
  • Forbes named Jessica Lawlor & Company client Muck Rack the #1 Twitter account to follow for branding inspiration. Muck Rack is in good company on this list with Southwest Airlines, Tony Hawk, Seth Godin, and more! 
  • Studio Incamminati, School for Contemporary Realist Art Communications Manager Bill Wedo's article "Healing with Both Medicine and Art," was the cover story for Philadelphia Medicine, the Philadelphia Medical Society's magazine. The piece detailed the school's "Face to Face" project, which uses the intimate portrait-painting process to help youngsters with craniofacial conditions see themselves in a different light. 
  • On February 16th (which happens to be her birthday!), Andrea Carter scored two segments on Good Day Philadelphia for Yvonne Orji, co-star of the HBO television series "Insecure." Andrea did freelance work with Accelerate Delaware and TEDxWilmington to promote a TEDx event featuring Yvonne Orji as a keynote speaker. She also secured coverage for the event in the Philadelphia Tribune.

  Events, Openings, and Opportunities: 
  • Visit Bucks County invites everyone to their Photo Walk event on April 9th in Doylestown. It is free and open to the public. More information here
  • Nominations are now open for Philly.com's 2017 Readers' Choice Awards. Nominations are being accepted through April 3rd here
     
Special Moments: 
  • Congratulations to Khaila Burke, our VP of Communications, who welcomed Zion Burke-Green to the world on Tuesday, March 7th at 9:24am, weighing 7lbs 2oz. Mom and baby are both doing well! 
     

Photo of the Month













A packed house at our "Social Media 201" event at Slice Communications!


WELCOME NEW PPRA MEMBERS!
New faces have joined PPRA. Make sure to say hello if you see them at one of our next events!
  • Betsy Anderson, The Philadelphia Foundation
  • Christina Clark, Philadelphia Youth Network
  • Lina Duffy, Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians
  • Louise Eliason, Eliason Communications
  • Rebecca Goodman, Comcast Spectacor
  • Alyssa Guckin, Chubb
  • Stephen Krasowski, Risk Management Association
  • Mike Neilon, Bellevue Communications Group
  • Sarah Ohanesian, Julian Krinsky Camps & Programs
  • Brittney Pless, Richard Allen Preparatory Charter School
  • Shannon Rostick, Comcast Spectacor
  • Maggie Wurst
CAREER CORNER
Your dream career could be a few clicks away. Visit PPRA's Career Corner for more details on the following positions: 

Account Manager
Anne Klein Communications Group (AKCG)
Account Executive
BTC - Creative, PR, Direct Marketing, Digital
Communications Specialist 
Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art
Senior Director, Marketing & Communications
Please Touch Museum
PR & Marketing Communications Account Executive
Hornercom


Have a job you want to promote in the Career Corner to reach nearly 300 PR professionals in the area? Click here to post your job !

SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS
Temple PRSSA is hosting its fourth Annual TU Invitational on  Saturday, April 1 in  Tuttleman Learning Center Room 105, located on Temple's campus, from  10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  This year's theme is You as a Brand: Setting Yourself Apart from Your Competition.  The line-up  of speakers includes:

Justin Pizzi, VP of Sales & Marketing, Saxbys Coffee
Ike Richman, VP of Public Relations, Comcast Spectacor
Kate Shields, President, Vault Communications

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at  TUinvite17.eventbrite.com. There will be a complimentary lunch provided for all attendees.