August 2021
Upcoming Events & Programs
Join us for an interview-style session with Regan Fletcher Stephens, previously featured in Food and Wine, People Magazine, Fortune, Philadelphia Magazine, and more. While Regan is often known for her joyful articles about food, beautiful vacation spots, and dessert treats, she also opens our hearts and minds to issues impacting the restaurant and travel industry - from new restaurant models during COVID-19, menu design trends, and important facts about tipping.

We'd also like to give additional thanks to the following organizations for their support of this event:
Friday, September 17 on Zoom
12-1 p.m.
Work with a group of peers to share pitch ideas, gain feedback, and discuss strategy! This session will be hosted by Sarah Maiellano, founder of Philadelphia-based public relations consultancy Broad Street Communications and freelance writer contributing to the Inquirer, Philadelphia Magazine, USA Today, and more.

On Tuesday, October 12, PPRA will officially induct Cari Feiler Bender, President of Relief Communications, LLC, into the organization’s Hall of Fame. A luncheon will be held in her honor at Franklin’s View at Franklin Square, 200 North 6th Street, Philadelphia.

The October 12 ceremony marks a joyous milestone for PPRA as this Hall of Fame Induction had been postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
#PPRAProud & Member News
After 18 months of working on and off with a CBS national news producer (delayed by COVID), Cari Feiler Bender of Relief Communications secured a story on CBS This Morning about Mural Arts Philadelphia’s important Color Me Back program, which pays individuals experiencing economic insecurity to create art and giving them access to social services. Find the story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSjkW3o48L4.

Past Board Director Sarah Maiellano is celebrating the three year anniversary of her agency, Broad Street Communications. She leads Public Relations efforts for a variety of clients, particularly in the non-profit sector, and freelances as a writer for several larger agencies.

After a successful 2020/21 virtual season, Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) has announced their 2021/22 opera season! AVA will be presenting concerts, recitals and fully staged operas throughout the Philadelphia region September 2021 through May 2022.
 
Kennedy Robinson PR secured a feature for West Park Cultural Center's danceLogic program (a program for teen girls that combines dance and coding) on Philly Live with Aunyea Lachelle in July. Additionally, client Danny Simmons, legendary artists and performer, has a year-long Residency at JCAL starting on October 2, 2021. Simmons’ residency will span eight months and include a Jazz and Spoken Word performance, a major retrospective of Simmons’ work, artist talks and more. In Spring 2022, Simmons’ residency will culminate in a reunion performance of the original cast of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, and a 50th Anniversary Gala for JCAL with Simmons as the artist honoree.
Finally, client Jasmine Wilson aka Chef Jaz will be featured on GirlsNiteLive.com on Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at 4pm. She will lead an online cooking class on how to make her exclusive dish: Lo Cal Orange Chicken. Jasmine takes ordinarily plain or unhealthy dishes and elevating them, making the dish a healthy option.

PPRA Past Presidential Advisor Adam Dvorin, the vice president of media relations at EFK Group, recently recorded a session for Earned Media Mastery, a virtual summit for public relations professionals. Dvorin's talk, "Mastering outreach: Making new media relationships in 2021", focused on the adjustments media relations practitioners had to make as a result of pandemic-related newsroom staffing changes. Earned Media Mastery is presented by Bulldog Reporter and Agility PR Solutions. It is free to attend and will be online for three days only, August 26 to 28.

Taft Communications promoted two team members and added three new senior managers as the firm continues to grow and expand its services. Taft promoted Lisa Williams to senior manager of human resources and Meghan Bianco to senior manager and media relations service lead. New hires include Laura McCormick, senior manager account operations, Caitlin Chase, senior manager, Jemia Kinsey Singleton, senior manager.
 
Taft Communications published its 2021 justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) plan to offer more transparency into how the firm advancing these principles within its organization, and in client counsel. The plan’s goals focus on talent, cultural inclusivity, public education and impact, marketing and communications, DEI as a core client focus area, and business operations.

Nina Rodebaugh, PPRA Past President 18-19, started a new job as the Director of Institutional Marketing at the Kimmel Cultural Campus. Enjoy a free event and celebration with Kimmel Cultural Campus at Arts Launch: A Return to In-Person Arts on Saturday, September 18 11 a.m. - 4 pm. KimmelCulturalCampus.org.

Shriners Hospitals for Children team was happy to have multiple stations cover the 25th annual Christmas in July motorcycle toy run with the Philadelphia Centurions. FOX29, 6ABC, NBC10, and CBS3 for TV stations plus on the radio, The Preston and Steve Show and The Andie Summers Show. The coverage included pre-event and during-event coverage.
Job Bank
Visit PPRA's Job Bank for more details on the following positions:
  • Development Writer, Germantown Friends School
  • Public Programs and Events Manager, Mural Arts Philadelphia
  • Public Relations Program Manager, Nemours Children's Health System
  • Marketing Strategist Specialist 3 (Digital Strategist), Pennsylvania State University
  • Senior Account Executive, Vault Communications
  • Junior Account Executive, Brownstein
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