Monday, January 31, 2011

Twitter and the Super Bowl

Yeah, we're talking 'bout hashtags again, folks ...

http://adage.com/superbowl/article?article_id=148568

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

How to chat in a conversation on Twitter

Thanks, Christian, for this link:
http://samanthaogborn.com/?p=90

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

From the WSJ, the concept of the "adjacent possible"

Steven Johnson wrote "The Genius of the Tinkerer," using the theory of the adjacent possible, which he sees hovering over the present, "a map of all the ways in which the present can reinvent itself."

Read this insightful, thought-provoking article for yourself:

http://on.wsj.com/9q4Qu3

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

PR job listings, with needed skills and qualifications

Three current job listings from DFW Communicators website. Notice the consistent call for social media skills in these job postings:

1. Communications Coordinator - Tarrant County Homeless Coalition
The ideal Communications Coordinator will be a creative individual that will use the latest in communication technologies to maintain and expand how TCHC homeless service providers communicate, organize, train, advocate and share ideas to prevent and end homelessness.

The Communications Coordinator will be responsible for translating the internal and external communications needs of the Coalition and lead in the implementation of solutions. In addition, the Communications Coordinator will assist in establishing strong relationships with other non-profits, businesses, and government agencies, while maintaining and growing a presence in the community.
Goals for the Communications Coordinator
• Develop creative, new technology communication schemes using web-based interfaces (e.g. Blogs, Facebook, Groups, YouTube, Constant Contact, GoTo, Survey Monkey, etc.) to promote professional communication and information sharing between homeless service providers.
• Develop a consistent and effective media plan for the TCHC that will promote the mission of TCHC.
• Engage homeless service providers in developing solutions to agency-to-agency communication barriers that disrupt the effective delivery of services to help clients end their homelessness.
• Assess existing membership communication methods and develop and implement improvements with focus on online solutions.
• Working directly with contracted web developer to optimize and expand the website and lead it into its third generation in 2011.
• Use internet tools for training, public forums, event planning, online fundraising
• Design and maintain templates for our e-mail marketing system using Constant Contact
• Assist with the organization of quarterly training and conferences for homeless case managers and expand training methods using the internet, such as podcasts and webcasts.


QUALIFICATIONS
• Education
o Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Marketing or other related degree.
• Skills
o You are creative.
o You are disciplined.
o Demonstrated knowledge of online tools and applications such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, cell phone apps and email programs
o Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Publisher
o Some Demonstrated knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe CS, Production applications
o Some photography, video and video editing
• Communications
o Good written/visual and verbal communication skills.
o Excellent ability to organize ideas and create visual representations of workflows and processes
o Great organizational skills
o Able to work independently or in small/large groups
o Strong general computer skills
o Interest in homelessness and social services – You want to make a difference
• Work Environment
o The Communications Coordinator will work under the supervision of the Executive Director of the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition.
o Creative fast paced office of staff working independently, trustworthy telecommuters with limited direct supervision
o Use internet, text and email as primary method of communication and instruction
o TCHC offices at the Day Resource Center for the Homeless.
o Small, but highly visible, not-for-profit agency with a small but talented staff of interns, grad students and AmeriCorps VISTA members.
o Sometimes work crazy yours, but we love our work because it is meaningful and we are preventing and ending homelessness.


COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
• Salary $29,640 annually
• Health insurance

• Cell phone allowance and unlimited texting

• Mileage Reimbursement

2. Public Relations Executive


Houston-based public relations firm seeks experienced PR executive to work with Fortune 100 companies, large government agencies, and other prominent clients.
Major Job Responsibilities (Most duties able to be performed remotely)


*Write compelling, news-style media releases and other communications materials
*Develop, execute and track creative and strategic communications plans
*Serve as an enterprising reporter for clients
*Build relationships with reporters, corporate executives, public officials, etc.
*Counsel clients on media management strategies
*Manage communications efforts for multiple clients concurrently
*Serve as public spokesperson for clients and the firm
*Support PR firm’s new business development efforts
*Up to 25% travel


Requirements
*Exceptional writing
*Prior public relations experience with proven record of generating news coverage
*Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, meet tight deadlines, and work independently
*Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
*Critical thinker and self-motivator
*Experience working in a newsroom preferred
*Bachelor’s degree
*Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and social networking

3. Manager of Internal Communications & Diversity



The Manager of Employee Communications and Diversity plays a key role in the business for Accor North America. The Manager of Employee Communications is charged with the designing and creating communication plans, communication materials and maintaining existing communication vehicles to ensure employees are aligned on how to best serve guests and company objectives. These responsibilities will include writing communications documents, creating graphics, supporting corporate town halls, supporting company wide events, partnering with outside vendors to revise and customize content for translation. The successful candidate will be experienced in designing dynamic solutions using a variety of media, creative branding and communication tools. As part of the organizational and cultural efforts of this position, the manager is also responsible for driving programs related to diversity and fostering a culture of inclusion which promotes employee engagement and buy-in.


GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES


1. Project Management of Employee Communications The manager will ensure and create a standard protocol and communication plan for all key company initiatives. This plan will be review by key stakeholders and approved prior to implementation. Additionally, the manager will create communications to be reviewed at least 1 week prior to distribution where possible for large company initiatives that are known and planned. The manager will be responsible for keeping an overall project list of when key communications are being delivered and sent to the field so that there is not a communication overload or conflicts in key messages. The manager will also need to ensure that other company initiatives are taken into account to ensure that key roll outs and communications are taken into context with other business activities (Forum, Town Halls, etc). The manager will try to set forward a schedule for Town Halls and Field Calls to provide some consistency in communications. Some key initiatives include Employee Appreciation Week, Earth Guest Day, Mentoring Program, Company Town Halls, Employee Communications from Senior Leadership, Employee Survey, Operational Initiatives and Weekly Communications. It will be imperative that the manager ase appropriate combination of technology and varying communications media to reach all internal audiences and levels within the organization. Provide translation solutions and ensure messages are appropriately written and comprehendible to Accor’s diverse employee population. Define and implement meaningful metrics to support measurable increases in employee engagement.


2. Employee Surveys, Metrics & Outcomes The manager will assess the effectiveness of its programs, design metrics and also implement company wide employee surveys to determine if we are having an impact on organizational culture and key business initiatives. This would include post employee town hall surveys, post forum surveys, annual employee surveys, etc.


3. Diversity Programs and Management Manage key diverse programs as directed by senior leadership including mentoring, talent development, women’s initiative, etc. Create and align ongoing diversity programs that engage, motivate and connect employees to appreciate one another as part of one team. Oversee and recommend approaches to managing diversity councils, diversity calendar, mentoring, leadership development, etc. Create and develop the annual diversity calendar, monthly messages around diversity that weave into overall brand messages and weekly/monthly communications to employees.


• Develop content for company-wide internal communications that support business objectives, align with company values and promote employee engagement

• Partner with internal customers to gather, format, edit and distribute internal communications

• Use appropriate combination of technology and varying communications media to reach all internal audiences and levels within the organization

• Participate in the planning process and assist with content development for annual operations meetings and other companywide events

• Assist with content, setup and facilitation of live and virtual Town Hall meetings

• Assist business leaders with change management initiatives through appropriate internal communications

• Act with urgency to provide communications solutions in the event of critical issues or a crisis situation

• Update intranet web content that allows employees to navigate and find relevant information with ease

• Participate in community relations programs for Accor North America and foster long-term relationship with Accor’s selected community partners

• Create Powerpoint presentations using creative and attention getting functionality to present various messages, status updates, summaries and highlights of events, etc.

• Responsible for timely submission of annual EEO1 Report and maintaining current knowledge of reporting guidelines

• Support diversity programs to enhance and support Accor’s business objectives

• Participate in diversity councils and related activities, including Employee Appreciation Week, leadership events and other educational diversity events

• Facilitate diversity training and manage participant attendance

• Manage mentoring program and coordinate related events and communications

• All other duties as needed or required


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS


• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; communications-related field of study is preferred

• 5+ years of related experience

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus

• Experience with field or business unit level communications preferred

• Experience in multi-outlet service industry preferred

• Excellent relationship building skills, both internally and externally

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate to large audiences

• Demonstrated ability to use creativity and resourcefulness

• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint as well as publishing software and survey tools

• Ability to write in various tones, including business, organizational change, employee engagement and functional topics

• Demonstrated project management skills, including the ability to work independently on projects of high complexity with minimal supervision

• Ability to work effectively with partners from varied and diverse backgrounds and at all levels of the organization

Thursday, January 13, 2011

The scope of the profession

Some examples of local PR professionals, working across the profession:

AGENCY
Michelle Smith, a TCU alum, president and founder of m strategies inc., an agency with offices in Dallas, Chicago, and Atlanta; or Jason Meyer, a VP with Witherspoon PR, based here in FW and with an office in Austin.

CORPORATE
Charley Wilson, managing director of external communication and international advertising manager for American Airlines; Deanna McKinley, PR coordinator for Frito Lay Inc.; and Monica Reyes, community relations manager for Fluor Corp., in Las Colinas.

GOVERNMENT
Amy Casas, director of communications for the AISD and former PIO for the City of Fort Worth; Belinda Willis, PIO for the city of Mansfield; Raul Hinojosa, director of community engagement at UT-Dallas and board member of the Texas Public Relations Association.

NONPROFIT
Lauren Hoofnagle and Sandrea Shields, Big Brothers and Big Sisters; Scott Milder, Friends of Texas Public Schools.

INDEPENDENT PR CONSULTANTS
Amy Sandling Crawford, Crawford Creative Group (Dallas); Linda Jacobson, Que PR (FW PRSA).