Public Relations

It is my pleasure to announce that Susan Vaillancourt has joined the Publicity Club of New England as executive administrator.

With this year’s Bell Ringer Awards quickly approaching (Monday, June 7), what better time to catch up with last year’s Young Professional award winner, Adam Novak of PAN Communications? Adam, who won the crowd over at last year’s dinner by thanking his mom, will be presenting the award to this year’s winner, passing the torch on to the next PR up-and-comer. I caught up with the PR star to discuss the field and his future (sans mom).  Here is what he had to say:

By Annette Maggiacomo, Duffy & Shanley

Do you find yourself answering emails or phone calls in the middle of the night? Coaching executives on what to say and what not to say? Writing endless powerpoint decks, press releases and integrated marketing strategies? Responding to “urgent” reporter requests?

Kelly Woodsum, Co-Executive Director of the Publicity Club of New England, shared a fascinating article on her Facebook page: Mediabistro.com posted the results of a CareerCast.com survey, which listed PR Officers as “America's 8th Most Stressful Job.” The survey analyzed 200 professions with firefighters (#1), corporate executives (#2) and taxi drivers (#3) taking the top spots. Not far behind... PR professionals (#8).

What does building a brand mean today?  Now more than ever before, building a brand should incorporate a carefully calibrated mix of both "on land" and "online" marketing elements – that is to say, the traditional methods of allowing potential buyers to touch and feel a product, and the digitally-oriented, social media strategies that have been gaining popularity in recent years.

With projections for more than 18 million people to be using Twitter by the end of 2009 and another 200 million currently using Facebook, it’s clear that social media is here to stay. The essence of the Web 2.0 phenomenon is the rise of user-generated content (UGC) and the power it gives average citizens to express their opinions – and have others listen.

Q. What is your average week is like?
I arrive at the office, and filter through about 50-100 emails every day. I file away important ones, and delete ones that I cannot use. Then I plan my four newsletters that I create each week. The Restaurant Club goes out on Wednesdays, and includes blog entries about restaurants, dining event blurbs, and a restaurant slide show. I create content for all of those features, writing about restaurant openings and trends, compiling interactive features involving the best places to dine, depending on the season, and tracking down the best dining events for the week.

On Tuesday evening, November 17, a group of New England’s most celebrated tech journalists descended on the Fama offices in Cambridge to discuss their field in the age of social media.  As the de facto hotbed of high tech, Massachusetts is the home to a plethora of print and online technology publications.