Powerhouse Networking and Informational Interview

This event was held last night November 13th in Milwaukee, WI. at the Huston Business Lounge. The event was created for students to be able to network with professionals and become better interviewees.

The event was very beneficial for me as a student. During the two interviews where they interviewed me, I gained great feedback. Something’s were complements like I have great eye contact and an awesome fun presents. Other comments were thing to improve on like don’t talk so fast. I think I was talking fast because of the environment, but I will look keep note of that well interviewing for jobs in the future.

I was very surprised to learn that informational interviews could be more of a conversation then a question and answer sit down. I had a great conversation with Al Krueger, Director of digital and innovation at Morgan Myers in Waukesha. I learned that Morgan Myers works with big companies like Oscar Meyer and Clemens Food Groups. They are usually brought in to help with image control and branding changes, such as going green or more organic with products. Working the PR area of food can sometimes be a great challenge, especially when it comes to causes of outbreak or contamination. Big companies can’t have a red folder that tells them exactly what to do in every situation because every situation is different. Do to that some companies won’t even pay to have a red folder put together when working with an agency. The whole idea of working with an agency in the first place is that they have experience working with all kinds of situations. I could rally relate to Krueger because my dad deals with Meat all day and has to call agency like Morgan Myers to deal with outbreaks and other things like image updates.   

When it came to interviewing for a factious job, I thought it was going to be uncomfortable, but everyone was very friendly and welcoming. That always helps calm the nerves when the other person is smiling and personable.

My first interview was with Karren Jeske the Communications Manager at Standard Process. The interview went great, no question through me and I did well answering them. After the interview, I did have a question for her though. I asked why companies are now doing more behavioral and institutional questions during interviews. She responded by saying that the best way to tell if a person is going to be successful in the future is to know if they were successful in the past. She explained that if a person can give an example of how they handled something in the past then they can again handle that type of situation in the future, and that is why companies ask those kinds of questions.

Moving on to my second interview it was more of a conversation interview because we clicked. I did also help that I have seen her at a couple other events this year in the Milwaukee area. Her name is Jenna Dubrick and she is the Assistant Marketing Manager at Marcus Hotels and Resorts in Milwaukee.  Talking to her she told me that when asked to give examples to make sure to pick a concert example. I gave her an example of an art project for a time management question. I had finished the project on time but she then asked if I had gotten feedback on it yet and I proceeded and say no because I just handed it in this last week.  Good lesson learned though. Good thing it was just practice.

Over all I think the even was great, it improved my interviewing skills, gave me more confidence, and even allow me to meet some new professional in the field. 

Media Monitoring Software.

Companies are always looking for the best way to track, monitor, or even just collect data about their media efforts. Well with the changing in times and better computer software being developed every year, now companies can pay to have it done for them. Companies like BurrellesLuce, CISION, and VOCUS are the ones that I’ll share with you today.

BurrellesLuce

To start with BurrellesLuce is a company that creates produces that help Public Relations firms with media outreach, media monitoring, and media reporting.  Companies pay to have all of the following programing.  BurrellesLuce gives companies the tools to have Media Outreach which is all about properly targeting and engaging the right people. Also, the tools for Media Monitoring that provides fast, reliable, easy to read monitor data from online, print, broadcast, and social platforms that matter most to the firm.  Plus, BurrelesLuce gives companies tools that do Media Reporting with qualitative, qualities, or holistic measurements to help you understand the impact of the company’s media relations efforts.  

The monthly cost for BurrellesLucs software is available if you call 1-800-368-8070 or a company  can sign up for a BurrellesLuce Media Measurement Pricing Request at http://www.burrellesluce.com/form/measurementpricing.

CISION

CISION is a company that provides award-winning PR and Marketing campaign management software. This software gives a company all the tools they need to plan and execute campaigns, monitor coverage and maximize results. The software helps with Media Database, Press Release Distribution, Media Monitoring, Media Analysis, and content Marketing.

The price to use CISION states at 4,500 witch gives you access to the Media Database, editorial content and connections, and pitch ideas form journalists. If you want to add on media monitoring the cost jumps to 7,000. That also allows you track and publish 5,000 articles a month. The 4,500 package is called the solo package and the 7,000 dollars is a Team package.  

VOCUS

Vocus is computer software for Media Marketing. This Company does everything from monitoring to tracking to even giving company suggestions on how to go about a campaign project. They offer hands on training so companies can guarantee they are exhausting the programs ability for the companies use.

The pricing on VOCUS Software is 300 to 2,500 a month. They have different packages to meet different needs.  The Basic Package is 300 dollars a month and a company gets one user, 2 News Releases per month, 2,500 email subscribers, Publicity Alerts, and kick-Off Consulting. At the high end, a company would pay 2,500 per month and get unlimited users and 5 brand profiles, Mobile marketing, 20 News Releases per month, 50,000 email subscribers, 8 hours a month with a dedicated consultant, and 24 hour support.  To find out more information on pricing please go to VOCUS’s price page.  

All these companies offer great computer software for any size business with reasonable pricing. If the company just does PR the use BurrellesLuce to help with all you PR needs within social media platforms. If the company is only marketing then use VOCUS’s software to help track your marketing efforts. The best thing to do the company needs to monitor marketing and PR use CISION that can help track both.  

Speaker Amy Paul at UW-Whitewater

 Amy Paul is a recent public relation UW- Whitewater Graduate.  When in college at the university was involved in PRSSA on campus. Teachers always said she was a hard worker and really like the field of PR. Her hard work paid and dedication to PRSSA paid off.

Three weeks before graduation she Amy landed a job with the Milwaukee County Executive Office. This was an amazing learning experience.  When she started she had a bit of a hard time like all of new PR professionals would; she moved to Milwaukee County and walked into her first day of work and was asked to go write a press release about an even. She had no knowledge of the county or the event itself. She took the challenge with grace and didn't let other workers see she was so scared of not doing well. It all worked out and I’m sure they wanted to see what she could handle, because PR is such a fast passed field to work.  

After working for the Milwaukee County Executive Office, she continued her professional journey and headed to work for Bottom Line Marketing and Public Relations as a Public Relations Assistant.  After putting in her time with them she stared at Ascedia where she is today. Her job duties include but aren't limited to: Interactive Account Coordinator, Digital Marketing, Website Design/Redesign/Content, and Social Media.  Amy is very successful in the field and loves every minute of it.

Amy gave students great advice. She really pushed the whole idea of getting involved and staying involved in PRSSA or other organizations on UW-Whitewater’s campus.  Being involved gives your real world experiences outside of the classroom. The best thing about being involved is that you can use events and activities that the organizations do to build your resume. Employers really like to see candidates that where active in college.

She also suggested that students start their search for internships early, do their research on companies, know how to dress and act appropriately, and that when you get the job ask questions if you don’t know.

There were a couple things that shocked me about an average day in PR. One thing was people working in PR need to be able to shift their focus fast. One minute a worker is focused on press releases for a client and then a phone call comes in and another client needs something down urgent. One needs to be able to change their focus and not get all flustered over it.

Overall, Amy Paul is a great professional in the PR field. She does an amazing job representing the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater. If you want to find out more about Amy, she is on LinkedIn and Twitter.  

The PR Student

I am Lindsey O'Connor; I am supper excited to be starting a blog. It will be something new and exciting for me.

A little bit about me, I am a senior at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, where I Study Public Relations and Fine Art. I chose to study these areas because I have always enjoyed getting dirty in an art room and it makes my day to be able to communicate and meet new people.

This upcoming Fall Semester 2013 will be a great one. I am taking the last of my major classes in Public Relations and Art. Some of the courses I'm pumped to be in is Ceramics, 2D-Design, and PR Tactics II. By the end of this semester I should have the tools to work on the potters wheel and make 2-Denominational art using a computer. As for Public Relations Tactics II, I will have the knowledge to execute appropriate writing formats, ability to respond to public relations problems, evaluate the effectiveness of the various public relations communications, be able to present information in a user-friendly manner, identify and use a variety of non-print technologies, understand the role of social media in public relations, have appreciation for diversity and communicating with diverse communities, and the ability to work in a high stress environment. With all those skills I should be equipped with the tools it takes to a land a job after college in the field of PR.

After graduation, I plan to continue to work for Minhas Brewery and Minhas Micro Distillery. I have been with the company for the last two years and am happy to say I don't plan on leaving anytime soon. I enjoy every day at Minhas; the team I work with is incredible. They keep me motivated and continually interested in my work. As of right now,  I am a tour guide in the Micro Distillery, where I meet new people every day and educate them on how our distillery mixes, bottles, and ships, liquor(s). It is a very time sensitive, unique process that I encourage everyone experience.