FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear PPRA Members,

I hope 2019 is off to a great start for everyone!
With the popular #TenYearChallenge taking over our Instagram and Facebook feeds, I have been reflecting back at the accomplishments and challenges I have faced over the past 10 years in my career. In 2009, my job title, relationship status and jean size were all very different than they are today, but one of the constants in my life has been Philadelphia Public Relations Association! Over the years, I have learned so many life lessons, best practices in PR, built friendships and welcomed constructive criticism from senior members and Hall of Fame members (including the late Sylvia Kauders). Thank you for helping me 'glow up' to be President!

Technology has been the biggest game-changer in my career. The only thing longer today is the character count of tweets. To prove that, if you have 11 minutes and 42 seconds, you must watch this video of PPRA's 65th Anniversary, filmed in 2009!

At the end of 2019, we will be gearing up for the 75th anniversary of PPRA!

For the new year, my resolution is to work on strengthening our team. We encourage you to become more involved. Join a committee, attend more programs, recruit new members, volunteer with our PRoactive arm, ArtWell. I look forward to seeing you all soon at our educational programs this winter.

Warm Regards,

Nina Scimenes
2018-2019 President
Philadelphia Public Relations Association
HERE'S WHAT YOU MISSED





PPRA hosted its annual holiday party on Dec. 11
at the home of its PRoactive partner, Artwell! 
Attendees mingled and celebrated the winter holidays
with festive cocktails, a DIY selfie booth and a hands-on activity
of making "Artwell at Home" kits for kids.
MEMBER NEWS
Past President Appointment Meredith Z. Avakian began a new role at Boardwalk PR as Senior Director.
Samantha Retamar , PPRA Co-Chair of College Relations, is starting a new position this month at NBC10/T62 as their Community Projects Coordinator.
Michael Lee has joined Bellevue Communications as a Digital Media Associate, Account Representative. A graduate of Villanova University, Michael was as an intern at Bellevue, working closely with the digital media team creating content for clients including Reading Terminal Market, accepting a full-time position with the firm.
Elise Turner , Communications Manager at the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, recently received her Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Graduate Certificate of Nonprofit Management from Villanova University.
Gloria Hochman , Director of Communications at the Adoption Center, helped create an Adoption Honor Roll for companies who provide adoption benefits - paid time off, reimbursement expenses, information and support services - to their workers. Companies will be honored at the Center's "Celebration of Family" on Thursday, April 25 at the Crystal Tea Room in Center City . For more info, click here.

Stand out from the crowd! Advertise in the Philadelphia Public Relations Association's 2019 Membership & Media Directory!
Deadline for submissions is January 25. Click here for more info.
#PPRAProud
Temple University's PRSSA chapter's 50th anniversary year on PRWeek Magazine's social media accounts. The chapter is hosting PRSSA's Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference , March 23-24 on Temple's main campus.
Gregg Feistman , Assistant Chair for Public Relations at Temple University, will be speaking on risk communication at the International Crisis and Risk Communication Conference in Orlando, Florida in March. He will also be speaking on diversity in PR at The Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference in Washington, D.C. in April.
PPRA Board of Governors Director Darrah Pilieri recently earned her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from PRSA. Darrah joins an elite group of nearly 1,500 APRs nationwide who have solidified their prowess, education and status as leaders in the public relations industry.
Melissa Fordyce , PPRA Board of Governors member and Director of Communications for Presby's Inspired Life, landed an in-depth Philadelphia Inquirer feature on the organization's senior affordable housing program. Read it here .
Longtime PPRA member Cari Feiler Bender was selected to be a speaker at Philly Ad Club's annual Women in Advertising event to represent PPRA. Come see her on January 31 at 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Loews Philadelphia!

Win an award? Speaking on a panel? Landed an amazing media hit?  
Email us your good news at   info@ppra.com or tweet us using #PPRAProud
MEDIA MOVES
Julie Zeglen , former editor at Generosity.org, is now Technically Media's Managing Editor, where she will oversee Technically Philly, Technically Baltimore, Technically DC and Technically Delaware. Read about it here.

Valerie Knight is back on the Philadelphia airwaves at 106.1 The Breeze (WISX) as the station's new morning host. Valerie is the former co-host of 106.1's The Breakfast Club, a role in which she spent 14 years. Read about her new role here .
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
PHILLY AD CLUB'S "ANNUAL WOMEN IN ADVERTISING" EVENT
Tuesday, January 31, 2019
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Lowes Hotel Philadelphia, 1200 Market Street, 33rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107
"PITCH PERFECT"
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Braithwaite Communications, 1500 Walnut Street, 18th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Click here to register
"SEO: IN THE KNOW FOR 2019"
Tuesday, February 14, 2019
8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Seer Interactive, 1033 N. 2nd Street, 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19123
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

New faces have joined PPRA. Make sure to say hello if you see them at one of our next events!
  • Brandyn Bissinger, The Meet Group, Inc.
  • Marie DiFeliciantonio, Bondfire Media Relations & Consulting, LLC
  • Colby Gallagher, University of the Sciences
JOB BANK

Your dream career could be a few clicks away. Visit PPRA's Job Bank for more details on the following positions:  
  • Public Relations Director, Furia Rubel Communications
  • Media Relations Specialist, AKCG Public Relations Counselors
  • Director of Communications, The College of Physicians of Philadelphia/Mutter Museum
Have a job you want to promote in the Job Bank to reach over 300 PR professionals in the area?  Click here to post your job !

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