Jennifer Meyer & Jason Ouellette, Co-Directors, Technology Portfolio, PAN Communications
What is the most important thing that PR does?
Jason: Public relations helps an organization craft or sustain its identity and brand. Public relations is much more than media and analyst relations. It is helping an organization create valuable messages that resonate with their customers and prospects, while helping to support their lead-generation activities across other marketing disciplines.
Jennifer: PR offers third party validation of a product or service. Anyone can pay for an advertisement to say exactly what they want them to say. True credibility is more easily built through PR, since it brings together analysts, editors, customers and partners to actually endorse an offering.
Is there a quote that best sums up your business philosophy?
Jason: "A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business." -Henry Ford
Jennifer: "The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people." -Theodore Roosevelt
How has social media impacted PR?
Jason: It has created more journalists and also made organizations take stock in the comments and conversations about their business or product. In the end, I think it is just natural evolution of the media, but now there is more to react to and comment on for our clients.
Jennifer: Social media has (and continues to) transform PR. No longer is it an additional consideration. It is either integrated with (or was given priority over) traditional media. Social media enables companies to truly engage and interact with prospects and customers, resulting in greater customer retention and brand loyalty.
What are the most outstanding facets of the culture, for both clients and employees, at PAN?
Jason: Its atmosphere. There is a continuous sharing of ideas and brainstorming going on and I think that is really attractive to our clients. They know that they have their team here at PAN, but that there are also 50 other heads thinking about their business and news ideas.
Jennifer: For our clients, we are not only results-driven and creative, but we are truly passionate about PR. Further, each team member becomes a true extension of our client’s PR and marketing team. We are fully invested in the success of our clients and the results we secure prove it.
For employees, our collaborative culture gives everyone a voice and an opportunity to lead. This fosters individual creativity, confidence and the ability to do the great things that will enable them to grow personally and professionally.
What is your favorite URL?
Jason: Yahoo.com. It is my one stop shop for news, sports, financial updates and personal email.
Jennifer: I visit so many different sites every day and Google is the one I access most, so google.com it is!!
