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August 2021

Published on 8/9/2021
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While summer is fading fast, things are heating up on the PRSA front this August.

The tradition of celebrating excellence within our field continues with the 2021 Pepperpot Awards, to be held in person on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.

The Pepperpot Awards have become a long-standing tradition for Philadelphia-area PR professionals to join in recognizing the top PR campaigns, tactics, and professionals. NOW is the time to submit your entries for campaign & tactic awards and individual recognitions. Submit your entries by September 13 to take advantage of early bird pricing. All submissions must be in by October 8, 2021. We hope that you will consider submitting and mark your calendars to join the celebration in December. Learn more here.

This month we’re hosting two very exciting events--one virtually and one in person, that I hope you will consider attending. Tomorrow, August 10, from 8 – 9 am PRSA Philadelphia and PRSA Delaware will host an in-depth look at the role of PR and marketing in professional sports. Our panel includes communication pros from the Philadelphia Union, Delaware Blue Coats, and the Philadelphia Phillies. Like most large organizations, PR and marketing pros in the sports sector perform essential roles in publicity, media relations, crisis management, and much more. Hear directly from the ultimate sports insiders at this joint event between our two chapters! Register today!

As we ease back into offering in-person events (hopefully we can continue doing this), we are hosting a Summer Happy Hour on Thursday, August 19 at Jasper’s Backyard in Conshohocken. Enjoy the chance to catch up with your PRSA friends and colleagues! I will be there and hope to see you as well. A happy hour event is also in the works for South Jersey, stay tuned!

As always, you can register for events at https://philly.org/view-events/

Like many organizations, we rely on volunteers to keep the train chugging! If you have any interest in serving on the board next year or joining one of our many committees, please let me know. There’s always room for more volunteers! E-mail me at michele_besso@yahoo.com with any questions or comments.
Enjoy the rest of your summer! The leaves will be changing before you know it….

Best,
Michele Besso
President, PRSA Philadelphia


Tips for Submitting a Winning Entry for the PRSA Philly Pepperpot Awards
By Matthew Burns, Manager of Public Relations, American Association of Cancer Research

Nothing feels quite as good as grasping a coveted PRSA Philly Pepperpot Award. For public relations practitioners in and around the Greater Philadelphia area, the Pepperpot Awards are the best opportunity to showcase their great work in the PR space in one of the largest media markets in the U.S. However, these awards are also highly competitive. Here are some tips to help with your entry:

Know Your Audience: When writing your entry narrative, remember that the person reading your entry is likely from a sister PRSA chapter from a completely different part of the country. So, avoid using terms and locations that only those from this area would understand. Using concise language will also help keep your narrative tight and focused.

Follow Entry Submission Guidelines Closely: We all know there is a lot of work that goes into creating a successful campaign. We often want to include more information than is strictly necessary, but when preparing your entry, include only the information you are required to provide. Try to avoid going over page limits and word counts.

Know Your Fundamental PR: The judging panel is looking to see that your campaign is well planned and thought out. You need to show:
  • Strategies were created
  • Research was conducted
  • Stated objectives were met
Check Your Work: Errant commas and misspelled words will throw any judge off. Be sure to review your work before you submit it. If possible, enlist a colleague or two to check for things like accuracy, consistency, spelling, and grammar.

Click here to learn more about the Pepperpots and how to submit. 






Upcoming Philly PRSA Events





TOMORROW, August 10, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Bring Your ‘A’ Game: PR and Marketing in Professional Sports
We're partnering with Delaware PRSA to bring you the ultimate sports insiders panel of communication pros. We'll welcome PR and Communications experts from teams in our region including: Amanda Young Curtis, Philadelphia Union, Alex Yoh Delaware Blue Coats, and Lauren Testa, Philadelphia Phillies.
FREE for PRSA Members and Students | Future Members: $10 


Summer Happy Hour at Jasper’s Backyard
August 19, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Jasper's Backyard: 101 E. 7th Avenue, Conshohocken, PA 19428
FREE for all attendees

 
PR Institute
Register NOW for the Virtual PRI 2021 Fall Session
September 7 – November 9, 2021
PRSA Members: $250 | Non-members: $350 
Space is limited, registration closes September 5, 2021 (or once sold out)
 

Young professional? Recent grad? Looking to transition to PR? Or just in a rut at work? The PR Institute is an opportunity for you to strengthen your portfolio and build your network. This eight-week advanced training program is designed to keep up-and-coming professionals in tune with industry tools and trends. It is ideal for professionals working at an agency, corporation or nonprofit as well as transitioning professionals looking to break into the public relations field. Gain real experience, leading to real opportunities. Participants will compete on mock-agency teams to create and pitch an integrated communications plan to an actual client. On a parallel path, participants will attend two-hour educational sessions taught by leading industry practitioners.

For a 2021 interest package or questions, please email: prinstitute@philly.org.
To learn more or to register, click here


COMING SOON! The PRSA Philadelphia APR Excellence Program
Thursdays, 6:00 - 8:00 pm: October 14 - November 4, 2021
 
The Philadelphia Chapter of PRSA is pleased to announce the PRSA Philadelphia APR Excellence Program, an online, four-week Accredited in Public Relations (APR) preparation program. Participants who complete the PRSA Philadelphia APR Excellence Program will be well-positioned to formally apply to go through the APR process and successfully earn the credential.

The PRSA Philadelphia APR Excellence Program will be offered to PRSA Philadelphia members FREE of charge as a membership benefit.
 
More details, including registration information, will be released in September 2021. In the meantime, please direct any questions to Jacob Farbman, Ed.D., APR, the APR Chair for PRSA Philadelphia, via jfarbman@njccc.org.
Resources and Events Available to Members
 
Visit the PRSA National Professional Development page to see the latest webinars and workshops available free, or at a reduced cost, to members. Coming up soon:

Comms 2.0 for Business 4.0: Shifting from Firefighting to Futuring
Live July 15, 2021 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET, On-Demand July 22
In this webinar, we will discuss the future of communications. Not pie-in-the-sky theories, but real evidence about how people will consume information three to five years from now and what that means to us as comms and PR leaders to ensure we’re not only competitive, but leading the way. 

Communications Technology for 2021 and Beyond: How Data Is Helping Leaders Build More Effective, Trusted Brands
Live Jul 21, 2021 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET
This webinar features top experts who sit at the intersection of communications, marketing and big data. They will cover how advanced technologies are changing strategic communications, and how communications leaders are using these tools to make better decisions and create more effective PR and brand strategies. The webinar will feature a “fireside chat” style conversation with specific use cases and ample Q&A with participants.

The Power of Internal Branding: How to Unite and Ignite Your Team
Live July 27, 2021 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET
In this session, we will discuss the value of building an internal brand culture, share examples of internal brand alignment, and provide action steps for igniting the team to have a greater impact on the performance of the company as a whole.
Love your PRSA Membership? Encourage a friend or colleague to join today!
Learn more here
PRSA Job Board
For those of you who may be in the hiring position, we hope that you will 
submit your openings as they become available so we can share them with our
community of PR and communications professionals.
If you are on the job hunt yourself, check out our local chapter listings.
We also encourage you to visit the PRSA National job board.