Archive for August, 2010

Q: Text Messaging is such a common practice nowadays. Does the AP Stylebook have anything to say about it?

– Anonymous

Yes, in addition to an entry for “text messaging/instant messaging,” AP style provides information on common practices and abbreviations. These rules can also apply to emails and social media messages, such as Twitter updates and Facebook posts. Below are five of the AP Stylebook’s definitions and my comments on them:

G2G

Definition: Got to go.

Comment: I also know people that use “GTG,” and I’ve seen both versions used to mean “good to go,” as well. Read the rest of this entry »

The very mention of the words student, teacher and social network in the same breath summons controversy in the blink of an eye; what with states like Missouri legally disallowing students and teachers to become “friends” on social networks like MySpace and Facebook, it’s now more than just an issue of ethics and personal privacy. Students will always try to get closer to their teachers if only to gain a peep into their private lives, not because they’re voyeurs, but because they’re naturally curious as to the other side of the stentorian they see and interact with in school.

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Most PR practioners claim neutral when it comes to politics as an agency’s client base can range from the far corners of the right and the left.  

But we all work with elected officials offices and want to be sure our clients’ messages are heard.  One office staff member I give kudos to for his real community involvement, technology and communication skills, and vast intelligence is Woo-Jin Shim, Director of Community Relations for San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts – 4th District.  Here’s some of his direct insight re: office communications and how to possibly get your clients’ activities recognized. 
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There are some great new job opportunities popping up over SoCal. Check them out:

Los Angeles

Internship Opportunities on PRSA LA Website

Account Executive, JMPR Public Relations

Social Media Strategist, Color Image Apparel

Orange County

Public Relations Specialist, Molina Healthcare, Inc.

Communications Manager, FamilyIQ

Marketing/Communications Specialist, The Consortium for International Development

San Diego

Senior Account Executive, BERKMAN

Intern, BERKMAN

Public Relations Manager, California Center for the Arts

Interested in seeing your job posting on SoCalPRBlog? Send job information to info@socalprblog.com and we will get it posted!

Marisa Valbona, APR, Fellow PRSA, Selected as PRSA National Western District Director

Congratulations to Marisa Valbona, APR, PRSA Fellow (president, CIM Incorporated, La Jolla, Calif.) for securing the slot on the slate as the Director for the Western District. Marisa is from the San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter and was currently the chapter’s Ethics Officer. Read here to see who else made PRSA National’s slate of candidates for 2011 leadership positions. 

Scripps Health Promotes Don Stanziano

Scripps Health announces the appointment of Don Stanziano, APR, to corporate vice president of marketing and communications.

In his new role, Stanziano will direct all marketing and communications functions across the Scripps system of five hospital campuses, 19 outpatient centers and home health services. Stanziano will work to increase Scripps market share in key services, support standardization and quality improvement initiatives across the system, and grow its physician network and clinical research services.  Read more here. Read the rest of this entry »

When we heard about SDSU’s program in digital media, we wanted to find out the details.  Here’s insight from an interview held with Tamara McLeod, executive director of professional development for SDSU’s College of Extended Studies on the new educational offering in digital media.  

With a full-house response to the program, we’d all be lucky to get a seat in SDSU’s classes.  People from various industries are flocking to learn more about digital media.  The value of the certificate will be determined in future job interviews.  For now, I think the content of the classes is going to be where the value lies.  Take those skills and apply them at work immediately.

When asked what companies she felt were doing a great job in digitial media, our team didn’t get references of consumer brands, yet.  It sounds like there are real opportunities for business leaders who are doing a good job to get involved.  Let’s see which local PR leaders will start teaching these classes.  We’ll keep this on our radar!

1) What are your expectations for the program as far as students’ interest?
The Professional Certificate in Digital Media, offered through SDSU’s College of Extended Studies, surpassed enrollment goals during its first delivery. We believe that as long as we continue to present relevant content aligned with workforce needs, the program will continue to grow and flourish.�
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SoCalPRBlog Co-founder/Editor Jennifer Berson Monimated for MomPreneur Award

SoCalPRBlog co-founder Jennifer Zankan Berson is nominated for a MOMPreneur Award and we’d really love your support.  Berson is the founder of Jeneration PR, a boutique PR & Social Media agency specializing in promoting beauty, fashion & lifestyle brands.  She has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, PR Week, The New York Times, and was recently profiled by Apple.  She balances her time between running her public relations firm and raising her son, born in March.  You can show your support by voting for her here. Read the rest of this entry »

This is one of the most hilarious, but creative job postings we have ever come across and had to share it with you!

At FOX 5 TV in San Diego we are assembling an army of blood thirsty assassins armed with creativity and fortified with a “can do” attitude to join our sales force.  We provide the tools, training, and environment to achieve unlimited income and live the life less ordinary by offering the most innovative TV, Mobile and Web marketing solutions ever conceived.  You provide the brilliance, passion, commitment and willingness to laugh at failure then bask in victory which will aid us in our quest of becoming the best media organization in the history of the universe.  If you are an “order taker” with a fancy degree and “proven track record” you should have stopped reading by now.  However, if you are that one in a million, forged from the fires of hell, ass kicking, name taking lunatic that we are looking for, please contact Mike Martin at 858-496-0267or email mgmartin@tribune.com.

Celebrity gossip and news are hot topics in today’s media. Consumers everywhere are fascinated with what their favorite stars are doing, wearing, driving, eating and more. As style leaders, they are powerful influencers and its no wonder that more and more companies want to integrate their products into the lives of celebrities with the goal of generating mass media exposure. This process is known as Celebrity Product Placement or Celebrity Seeding. There are several techniques that can be used to execute a Celebrity Seeding program which can help you to achieve coverage in the media at a fraction of the cost of advertising or paid endorsements. Read the rest of this entry »