Letter from the President

Do you believe in luck? As we celebrate the "luck of the Irish" in March, I've been mulling over this theme.

There's the flippant, fun side of good fortune, when you are lucky to find a great pair of boots at 60% off, lucky to wake up on time even though the alarm clock failed, or lucky to avoid seeing anyone familiar in the grocery store when there in sweatpants. Then, there's the more serious side, when you are lucky to land safely on a runway after flying through a bad storm or lucky to not be called into the corner office and get handed a pink slip. And then there is the unimaginable side, when you are lucky to walk away from the car accident that others didn't, or lucky to be the one to not get the serious illness. How tragic and incomprehensible it must be when one finds oneself suddenly on the unlucky side.

No matter how I look at it, luck and control seem to be evil twins. As we go about our daily lives, "controlling the controllable" - the drum beat of corporate America for the last 18 months - is truly all we can do. Putting in place data and research-founded strategies, arming ourselves with proven and cutting-edge tactics, and surrounding ourselves with good people is our best bet personally and professionally for success - while waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop. And it will drop. Let's not hope for the best. Let's plan for the best - and the worst - and tame luck.

And so, my PRSA friends, this month I wish you "Good times, good friends, good health to you......and the luck of the Irish in all that you do." -Traditional Irish Saying

Google Buzz Launches: 5 first look tips for PR and marketing practitioners

from Google.com

The much talked about new system takes your Google email, address book and instant messenger and gives them social features such as those found in Twitter. On its blog post announcing the launch of Google Buzz, it is described as "a way to start conversations about the things you find interesting and share updates, photos, videos and more." 

Reactions from watchers have been varied. Some are saying it will be the Twitter/Facebook/Foursquare/Friendfeed killer. Others say it's Google's play on reorganizing the world of email. Some say it will be bridge a gap to Googe Wave. 

I'm thinking some initial thoughts and key issues though for PR and marketing practitioners who may want to have a top line view on what this new launch means and how much time to invest in looking at how it should be treated. Here are five first takes from me whilst I devour the launch 'buzz' and have a play with the service myself: 

1. Google Buzz will integrate very nicely with mobile phones and maps. So this will further impact mobile social networking and online communities on the go. This could affect events PR and marketing quickly.
2. It will be easy to use (where many say Twitter isn't). Google Buzz has already been described as something so simple 'your mother' would use it, according to one watcher I'm following.
3. Search engines will find content much more easily than with content on Twitter. For brands this is a reputation management issue.
4. For PR people, the address book has always been valuable. Whatever your current email address book is, exporting it into Gmail as well will create an instant social network
5. There will be an 'enterprise' version of Google Buzz coming soon. This will change the way internal communications works as well (and might thwn also create the Yammer.com killer).

PRSA Member Profile: Liz Long

 This year is bringing Liz Long great opportunities and great challenges. In December 2009, she became the Communication Specialist supporting the 711th Human Performance Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Senior Technical Proposal Writer for Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation in Fairborn. Her career, once again, took a new direction.

Long started her career in communications in broadcast journalism and made the switch to PR in the early 1990s. In PR "you can use a multitude of different skills, whether it's producing, directing, writing a video, or meeting with the press at a trade show," Long said. "I love the variety. That's really what attracted me to the profession."

In her current position, Long is learning a new industry and lots of acronyms, and she's also gaining a new appreciation for the military here in Dayton.

"I have developed a new appreciation and admiration for what our men and women, both military and on the civilian side, do for us every day. What they do has a direct impact on the men and women serving on the battlefield," Long said.

Long wants to make sure she stays up on current trends in the media and still works part-time as a radio news anchor at WHIO. She also enjoys traveling, especially to London; and reading biographies of historical figures. Long also donates her time and expertise as a volunteer with the American Red Cross Disaster Public Affairs Team.

Over her career, Long has learned the importance of thinking outside the box. "It's good to try to shake things up and do things differently because if you do, you might get better results."

Now is the Best Time to Join PRSA

Get a free one-year membership to the Dayton Area PRSA chapter when you join PRSA national in March and April. This $55 value provides access to member benefits, such as discounted tickets to luncheons and other locally sponsored events.

Join today online by visiting prsa.com. Enter discount code SPRING2010 to receive free local chapter membership.

This is one of the best membership promotions PRSA national gives each year. If you've been thinking about joining, now is the time.

Additional details on the promotion can be found by clicking the link below.

Promotional Details!

Questions about membership can be directed to Sarah Hibner at sarah.hibner@mwv.com or 937-495-5018.

March Luncheon

Dayton Dragons - Hitting a Home Run in Marketing a Brand
When: Thursday, March 25 at Dragons stadium
Bring your business cards because two lucky attendees will receive a set of Dragons tickets 'on the house.'

Sipping Social Networking

TBD

Save the Date!

Prism Awards

At our PRism Awards banquet, we will be recognizing those professionals who developed a campaign or project that "made a big splash" with their intended audiences.

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, April 27, 2010. Networking/cash bar begins at 5:30 p.m. and dinner begins at 6:15 p.m. You will receive an invitation in the mail shortly.

Join us "poolside" for the 2009 PRism Awards Banquet at the David Ponitz Sinclair Center, 444 W. Third St., Bldg. 12 in downtown Dayton.

For more information contact Liz Long, APR at 937-255-0982 or elong@ball.com.

https://www.timewarnercable.com/corporate/about/careers/search.ashx

TIME WARNER CABLE 

JOB VACANCY NOTICE 

Post Date:  January 11, 2010    Deadline: January 21, 2010  

Position: Communications Manager (117251) Department: Public Affairs/Marketing 

Level: Exempt Level M     

JOB FUNCTION:  

Manage the earned media and internal communication efforts for TWC’s Southwest Ohio division. As a member of  

the communications department, the selected candidate will proactively identify and develop media opportunities to 

promote division products, services and business initiatives; pitch and place stories to a wide range of print and 

electronic media; write media advisories, news releases, pitch letters & press kit materials as needed; maintain 

effective media relationships throughout the area; serve as media spokesperson as directed by vice president of 

communications and senior leadership. 

Additionally, this position is responsible for ensuring effective internal communications by developing and executing 

effective plans to inform and educate associates about company and department programs, TWC products and 

related initiatives. 

RESPONSIBLITIES:  

•Manage additional media relations tools: enhance division’s media presence on external website; maintain current  

media database; monitor and manage division news coverage. 

•Develop and implement promotional/PR campaigns around products, services and community relations initiatives  

(including the “Connect a Million Minds” education initiative) to increase customer/community awareness; manage  

and implement special events to promote products and services. 

•Support the development of strategic messaging, key talking points and FAQ’s. 

•Develop and implement a comprehensive internal/employee communications plan utilizing the division’s e- 

newsletters, websites, internal blogs, talking points, speeches and other materials as needed to ensure that all 

Time Warner Cable employees are notified of company initiatives; communicate via email, Internet, Intranet, 

newsletters and any other means as necessary. 

•Track and monitor key messages from competitors and key audiences to assist in development of a strategic 

communications plan; counsel the management team of issues that may affect our local business. 

•Support regional initiative and projects as assigned. 

•Maintain strong base of influential relationships with the division’s media, peers and regional/corporate contacts. 

•Perform additional duties and special projects as needed or assigned. 

•Manage educational projects, including but not limited to handling all school requests for installation and service.  

•Attend public functions as a representative of Time Warner Cable as directed by the V.P. of Communications;  

note, events may occur during the evening or on weekends. 

REQUIREMENTS:  

•Related Bachelors degree or equivalent related work experience and training. 

•Five years of corporate communications, public relations agency or print/broadcast journalism experience. Must  

have a passion for writing and editing. 

•Superior verbal and written communications skills. 

- Adept at breaking down complex concepts and making them easy to understand 

- Ability to track down details and facts 

- Working knowledge of new media techniques 

- Strong editing and proofreading skills 

•Passion for meeting deadlines and deliverables 

•Basic design and layout skills 

•Proficient on all necessary software (Microsoft) 

•Ability to anticipate issues with people and vendors 

•Ability to have the vision to activities that appeal to a diverse audience 

•Ability to successfully manage multiple priorities 

•Position will be located in Cincinnati, but will also cover the Dayton area. 

•Valid drivers license with good driving record. 

EOE 

Apply on-line via Employee Self Service and submit completed Job Bid Application to Deidra Bartlett – Human 

Resources.  Late and/or incomplete Job Bid Applications will not be accepted. Job Bid applications and On-line Bids 

must be submitted by the deadline date.  

For further information, please contact Mike Pedelty, VP, Communications at (513) 386-6757