RSVP on the COMM Week website

Please note that tickets can be purchased in advance via the website linked above or at the door. If you are interested in a sponsorship opportunity, please contact special events director Samantha Durbin.

Join us for the last speaking event of the semester! On Wednesday, April 11th at 7:00 p.m. we will be hearing from Jane Gillespie, owner of Jane Gillespie Public Relations (@JGPR), on consumer and lifestyle public relations!

Don’t miss this great opportunity to see what kind of PR goes into the products you see everyday – check out Jane’s bio below!

Jane Gillespie has 20 years experience in public relations, managing clients primarily in the retail, restaurant and real estate industries.  She has handled clients ranging from independent retailers and restaurants to some of the country’s most successful shopping centers.

She has extensive knowledge of all facets of public relations, including traditional and social media, community relations, product placement, special events, video production, cause-related marketing, and more.  She has planned and implemented many events, from small blogger gatherings to grand openings for thousands of people.

By handling a select number of clients, Jane Gillespie is able to maintain a highly specialized and hands-on approach to public relations.  She devotes the time and attention to each client that they deserve, and that is necessary to achieve the desired goals and objectives.

Jane Gillespie prides herself on excellent relationships with the print, broadcast and online media in Southern California.  She has been successful in garnering publicity for her clients through all of these outlets.

Over the years, Jane Gillespie has won awards from the Orange County and Los Angeles Chapters of the Public Relations Society of America for results achieved on behalf of various clients.

Prior to starting her firm in 1998, Jane Gillespie was a supervisor with Ellen Appel, Inc., where she managed the public relations for most agency accounts, including a wide array of retail and restaurant clients.  She also previously worked at two of Orange County’s largest public relations firms during her tenure, Cochrane Chase Livingston and Gloria Zigner & Associates.

An effective public relations campaign can introduce a company, product, service or concept; increase visibility; strengthen a company’s image; establish someone as an expert authority on a specific subject or issue; reinforce an existing customer’s selection of services; educate the public and press about an issue; broaden trends; create ties within a business community or consumer audience; and of course, increase sales and traffic for established companies.  Jane Gillespie has the background and experience to provide a successful program tailored to a client’s unique and individual needs.

“Don’t bypass the gifts that are given to you.” One of my favorite quotes from this year’s Public Relations Student Society of America, National Assembly.

This year, I was chosen to represent California State University, Fullerton at the PRSSA National Assembly in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was amazing to be surrounded by leaders who shared a true passion for Public Relations and PRSSA. As a newly elected executive board member, I knew this experience would be crucial to the success of our Chapter. Little did I know that this “gift” from our Chapter and PRSSA National would be one of the best experiences of my life. Below, I’ve highlighted some of the key quotes from assembly that I’d like to share with our Chapter.

“Everything you do is leading to where you will go” Be active in PRSSA! Join a committee, volunteer at our events, write for our blog, run for leadership positions. Even if it’s something small, helping out with PRSSA will help you in the future.

“We have the ability to chose how we react in stressful situations” Sometimes it’s good to just breathe if you are in a stressful situation, then think of how you will react.

“Don’t say you’re in PR because ‘you’re a people person’ or that you’re a ‘social media expert’ because you have a facebook page.” There’s more to our profession than just tweeting.

“Don’t ever bring a problem without a solution” Sometime in our lives, we’re going to be faced with a major crisis. Always have your crisis plan ready and prepare for the worst.

National Assembly was an unforgettable experience. Delegates sat through one of the longest meetings in PRSSA history to elect the new National Committee and attended various leadership sessions. We also had the opportunity to attend a special session and to listen to an amazing keynote address by Mary Tribble, Chief of Events for the Democratic National Convention Host Committee.

I encourage each and every member to apply to be a delegate next year or attend at least one event hosted by PRSSA National. PRSSA has over 10,000 members and the National events are an incredible opportunity to meet fellow students who share a passion for public relations.

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Contact:
Melanie Tep, National Assembly 2012 Chapter Delegate
meltep@gmail.com
909-569-9411

Interested in special events?

Join us this Wednesday as we take a closer look at what goes into special events with LynnMarie Cooper, Director of Special Events at Working Wardrobes. Get great insider tips and expand your knowledge of the special events field!

We would like to stress that this event will be held at 7:30p.m. in TSU Ontiveros, which is directly across the hall from our normal meeting room, Alvarado.
Hope to see all of you there, be sure to read the bio of our speaker LynnMarie Cooper below!

LynnMarie has been involved with education her entire career, first teaching elementary school and then moving into the educational publishing industry. Her first venture into publishing began with Harcourt Brace Jovanovich as a consultant in Orange County and San Diego.  This involved working with Curriculum Directors and Superintendents on the implementation of new curriculum at the district level.

With an opportunity to move into a corporate training role, LynnMarie moved to Houghton Mifflin as an Educational Consultant.  In this role LynnMarie used her skills as a trainer and professional speaking to provide valuable professional development to districts across the United States. This was also a time to work with the coordination of large trainings and planning of events for Houghton Mifflin.

LynnMarie was also a partner in “A Perfect Affair” wedding/events planning in San Diego County where she planned and facilitated over 100 weddings and events.

After 25 years, LynnMarie retired and moved into the non-profit world. For the past 4 years LynnMarie has provided her event planning skills as Director of Special Events for Working Wardrobes providing guidance and leadership in planning major fundraising events for the organization.

LynnMarie has a degree from San Diego State University as well as a Master’s of Education from Westminster College with an emphasis on Adult Learner’s.  Along with her college degrees, LynnMarie is a Certified Event Planner.   LynnMarie and her husband Rick live in Laguna Niguel.

Are you interested in taking on a leadership role with PRSSA? This is your chance! On March 14, 2012 we will hold executive board elections for the 2012-2013 school year!

The executive board is comprised of 10 members. This collection of leaders works to maintain the integrity of our chapter of PRSSA. The executive board meets every week and runs the chapter for one calendar year. Being an executive board member is a rewarding leadership experience!

To apply for a board position follow these simple steps:

1. Download the 2012-13 eboard application. Complete and turn into csufprssa@gmail.com by Friday, March 9th.
2. Complete a one-on-one meeting with a current board member.
3. Prepare a 2-3 minute speech.
4. Attend elections on March 14, to begin promptly at 7 p.m. in TSU Alvarado.

Hear from our very own about what steps they took after graduation, and how they got to where they are today!

Our guest panel includes: Traci Speir from MPRM, Carlos Gaona from Weissman/Markovitz Communications, Jennifer Heinly from JNJ Consulting, and Cathi Douglas from our very own Titan Magazine.

Cathi Douglas  

Cathi Douglas, APR, has 22 years of experience in public relations and more than a decade of experience in newspaper and magazine journalism. An award-winning writer, editor and public relations professional, she is the founding editor of Titan, the magazine of Cal State Fullerton. The 11-year-old magazine has been recognized nationally for its outstanding editorial content and design.
Prior to her work with her alma mater, Douglas was director of public relations for Chapman University.
Douglas has worked as senior account manager for Amies Communications and as an editor and reporter for the Los Angeles Times, the Orange County Register, and the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. She is accredited in public relations by PRSA and holds the distinction Advanced Toastmaster Bronze from Toastmasters International. She is a past president of PRSA’s Orange County chapter and was recognized with the organization’s Distinguished Service Award.
Douglas earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Cal State Fullerton in 1980. She was chosen the Communications Department’s Undergraduate Student of the Year.

Carlos Gaona

Carlos is currently the Media Relations Coordinator at Weissman/Markovitz Communications, where he collaborates with the Senior Publicist, VP of Television, and VP of Film to execute award campaigns for films and television shows. Some of the projects WMC is currently working on include, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Justified, Sons of Anarchy, The Walking Dead, HUGO, The Adventures of Tin Tin, and Young Adult. Carlos is also a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, The Entertainment Publicists Professional Society, Public Relations Society of America and the Hispanic Public Relations Association. Follow him on twitter @karlosgaona.

Traci Speir

Traci Speir is an Account Assistant at MPRM Communications, working in film, television corporate, and digital media and technology. She majored in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Radio TV Film at California State University Fullerton. For three years was involved in PRSSA and has served on the Executive board for two years and co-directed the 2011 CSUF Regional Activity. She has worked closely with the Newport Beach Film Festival, the Special Events department at the Disneyland Resort and most recently the Grammys.

Jennifer Heinly

Jennifer Heinly has nearly 20 years of experience in public relations and marketing, including an MBA.  Current and past clients include those in the real estate, health care, legal, high tech, publishing, construction/engineering services, sports marketing, insurance and financial service industries.

Heinly’s current areas of expertise include media relations, news release/article writing, and public relations/marketing planning. Her clients have been featured in USA Today, NY Times, LA Times, Money Magazine, Fast Company Magazine, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Business News, Money Magazine and Gannett News Service.

While working for several advertising and public relations agencies in Southern California and Denver, Heinly’s account experience included computer peripherals and software, telecommunication, electronic components, state government, non-profit, travel, education, and medical.

Heinly is on the executive committee for the Independent Practitioners Alliance Section of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and past president of the International Association of Business Communicators, Colorado Chapter.

Heinly holds a master’s in business administration from Pepperdine University, Malibu, Calif., and a bachelor’s in communications from California State University, Fullerton, Calif.

Think you have what it takes to represent the CSUF PRSSA Chapter at the 2012 PRSSA National Assembly in Charlotte, NC on March 15-18?

Each year, CSUF PRSSA sends one official delegate to National Assembly, where you will have the opportunity to elect a new National Committee and review the bylaws. In addition, those who attend will gain leadership training as well as network with other PRSSA members.

All interested candidates must complete a Delegate Application by Friday, Feb. 10. Announcement of the 2012 official delegate will proceed at our Feb. 15 event.
CSUF PRSSA will cover the cost of the flight, while National will cover both the cost of room as well as registration.

Applications are available by clicking here - Delegate Application. For all other inquiries, please email, vice president Katie Stolting at csufprssa@gmail.com with PRSSANA in the subject line.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: We’re excited to announce the spring 2012 schedule of events!

Feb. 1 – Kickoff event
Feb. 15 – Alumni panel
*Feb. 29 – Sports PR
March 7 – Special events ( 7:30 p.m. in TSU Ontiveros)
March 14 – 2012-13 Executive board elections
March 15-18 – PRSSA National Assembly, Charlotte, NC.
April 11 – Consumer/ Lifestyle PR
April 25 – Comm. Week event: TBA
May 9 (date tentative) – Farewell dinner/ Award ceremony

All events are to be held on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in TSU Alvarado unless otherwise specified.

Please note that our May 9 event date is still tentative.
*Membership fees are DUE Wednesday, February 29.

Are you interested in leadership opportunities? Do you want to serve our chapter? Talk to a board member today for more information on becoming a member of the 2012-2013 executive board! Check out csufprssa.org/meet-the-board/ for more information on positions and contact information for all the board members. Be sure to keep an eye out for updated information on elections, to be held in March 2012!

It’s never too early to make an investment in your future!

CSUF PRSSA Raises National Conferences Hands

FULLERTON, Calif. – Twenty eight students from Robert E. Rayfield Chapter at California State University, Fullerton PRSSA attended National Conference on Oct. 14-18, 2011 in Orlando, Fla.This year, PRSSA National Conference was held at the Renaissance Orlando at Seaworld. National Conference is a nationwide event where thousands of PRSSA students are invited to network and learn from professionals in the field. CSUF PRSSA brought 28 members to conference this year, making them one of the largest Chapters at conference.

Every year at National Conference, PRSSA holds a chapter roll call, this is where each Chapter has the opportunity to showcase their creativity. When CSUF PRSSA was called, all 28 members stood up and sang “Raise Your Hands,” a remake of “Raise Your Glass,” by Pink (re-written by Special Events Director Samantha Durbin, from CSUF’s PRSSA).

“I still have that song stuck in my head,” said chapter member Alicia Lykins.

Each member was able to attend sessions based on their interest and network with professionals in the industry. “I enjoyed the Crisis Communication because the speaker was able to engage us and wasn’t teaching us what Crisis Communications was, but instead shared incidents,” said Cynthia Rivera, Outreach Director for CSUF PRSSA.

National Conference also offered members the opportunity to attend a Carnaval Brazilian Masquerade sponsored by Walt Disney.

“My favorite part about conference had to have been bonding with CSUF PRSSA and meeting new people across the country,” Joel Umana, member of CSUF PRSSA.

After National Conference, CSUF PRSSA Chapter continues to keep members involved by planning fundraisers and bi-weekly meetings. The chapter hopes to bring even more members to National Conference next year.