News Buzz
FPRA Really Is For Leaders
The New Year kicked off with many opportunities for professional development through FPRA. My LeadershipFPRA class had two separate sessions this past month. The first session was part of the Counselor’s Network Winter Symposium. I found this session valuable because our class was able to bring up topics and ask questions of highly experienced PR professionals. This type of forum gave new perspectives and insights to workplace challenges and opportunities. I look forward to earning my CPRC so I can attend more CN events in the future!
Our second session covered the topic of government and was held in Tallahassee. While legislative processes are not items I work with on a daily basis, I went into today’s session having enough familiarity to keep up with what was being covered. The LeadershipFPRA class had the pleasure of starting the day off by attending the Capital Chapter’s monthly meeting. The speaker was Meredith Beatrice, Director of External Affairs for the 2017-2018 Constitution Revision Commission (CRC). Many thanks to the Capital Chapter for having us! I came away from that meeting with more knowledge of the CRC as well ideas for us to use in the Ocala Chapter.
After the meeting, our class headed to the Florida Supreme Court to meet with Craig Waters, the PIO for the Florida Supreme Court. Hearing his perspectives on the changing landscape of technology and social media in relation to his role was fascinating. We also had the opportunity to meet and ask questions of Former Supreme Court Justice Major Harding, Rep. Elizabeth Porter, Pete Dunbar, and Senator Denise Grimsley. Having the chance to speak with such high-profile individuals was a great experience for my class. During this session, we also toured the WFSU’s Florida Channel and were recognized as a class during a Senate session.
The biggest take-away I have from the Tallahassee session is the importance transparency and ethics have in our professional roles. Because of rapid changes in technology, presenting factual information within a context is extremely important. This is a reminder I believe everyone can take to heart.
Thank you to Joe Curley, APR, CPRC for the scholarship I received as part of the 2017 Joe Curley Rising Leaders Class of 2017. Your investment in me will not be squandered or forgotten! Thank you again to the Capital Chapter as well as April Salter, APR, CPRC and Colleen Thayer, APR, CPRC, who helped organize the Tallahassee session.
Applications for the next LeadershipFPRA class aren’t due until June, but why wait? Go ahead and apply to be one of the 21 chosen to participate in this outstanding program. This is truly a fantastic opportunity and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to advance their PR career.
With gratitude,
Lauren
Ocala Public Relations Group to Host Workshops in Preparation for Mid-Florida Image Awards Competition
Ocala, FL. (January 11, 2018)— The Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association is 
pleased to host the Mid-Florida Local Image Awards Competition, “PaRade of Excellence,” coming this spring. The Local Image Awards Competition recognizes outstanding public relations programs and encourages and promotes the development of public relations professionalism. The competition includes four divisions of categories: Public Relations Programs, Printed Tools of Public Relations, Audio/Visual Tools of Public Relations and Student Projects of Public Relations. To qualify for judging, an entry must incorporate sound public relations research and planning as well as meeting the highest standard of production, execution and evaluation of results and budget.
Examples of entries include: a Grand Opening celebration, company name or logo change, company newsletter, electronic communications, employee team building exercises, and many others.
In preparation for the competition:
- the first workshop will be held as a conference call on January 23 from 12:00- 1:00 p.m.
- The second workshop will be as a “bring your own” bagged lunch held on Tuesday, February 6 from 12:00 -1:00 p.m. at Medical Health Center, 1714 SW 17th Street, Ocala.
- Finally, an Image entry “swap and critique” will occur on Fat Tuesday, February 13 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Medical Health Center.
All interested individuals are welcome to participate to learn more about the Mid-Florida Local Image Awards Competition. The Award Call for Entries is posted on the Chapter’s Web site www.fpraocala.org/image18 with a March 9 deadline. The Image Awards Celebration, “PaRade of Excellence,” held in conjunction with the Wilton F. Martin Communicator of the Year awards, is set for April 26 at the Medical Health Center, beginning at 5:30 p.m..
For more information about the Mid-Florida Local Image Awards Competition please visit www.fpraocala.org or call (352) 895-4693.
The Ocala FPRA Chapter,www.fpraocala.org, was established in 1980. Members and guests meet the third Friday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at the College of Central Florida.
For More Information:
Allison Campbell, APR, CPRC, Image Chair
Phone: (352) 895-4693
Email: [email protected]
Jingle, Mix and Mingle at the Holiday Social
(Ocala) Join Marion County public relations professionals as they ring in the holidays, mix the wine for the 2018 Mid-Florida Image Awards and mingle with friends.
The festivities will begin as attendees gather at the Corkscrew, one of Ocala’s lovely downtown venues. The Corkscrew hosts will teach participants about wine making and allow members to mix a signature batch that will be used at the 2018 Mid-Florida Image Awards and Communicator of the Year event. Mark your calendars now for Thurs., April 26, 2018 for that event.
Often, the monthly professional development luncheons do not leave enough time for networking, a valuable source of professional development. The Jingle, Mix and Mingle will give FPRA members and guests an opportunity to catch up on the latest personal and professional projects. Delicious hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Attendees are encouraged to bring diapers to support the Diapers in December Drive for the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County.
The art and science of storytelling: A case study from an award-winning project
OCALA FPRA September Professional Development Program
TOPIC: The art and science of storytelling: A case study from an award-winning project
SPEAKER: Heather Danenhower, APR, CPRC, Communications Manager, Duke Energy
DATE: Fri., Jan 19, 2018
TIME: Networking 11:30 – Program Noon – 1:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Ewers Century Center Teleconference Room at CF 3001 SW College Road
REGISTER: http://www.fpraocala.org/event-registration/
OCALA, FL – Go behind-the-scenes with Heather Danenhower, APR, CPRC, as she describes how she helped solve a public relations problem by telling the remarkable story of Andy Hines – a WWII veteran, prisoner of war in Nazi Germany and one of the most beloved leaders in Duke Energy’s history.
For seasoned PR practitioners or the relative newbie, Heather will offer something for everyone, including real-world strategic 
communications tips organizations can immediately put to use.
Speaker Bio: Heather Danenhower, APR, CPRC, is a communications manager for Duke Energy Corporate Communications – overseeing Fossil/Hydro, Operations Support and Water Strategy/Hydro Licensing/Lake Services across Duke Energy’s six-state territory. She is based in Crystal River, Fla., and serves as the lead spokeswoman for the decommissioning Crystal River Nuclear Plant, three combined-cycle natural gas plant construction projects in Florida and the Carolinas and several other high profile initiatives.
Prior to coming to Duke Energy in 2010, she worked for 12 years in media and public relations.
Heather served Marion County government as a fire rescue and county commission spokesperson, crisis communicator and manager of the Office of Public Information. She also worked in television markets in Orlando and Gainesville as a broadcast news editor, producer and on-air reporter.
Native to Florida, Heather graduated Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida’s Nicholson School of Communication with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio/Television. In 2010, she graduated from the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business with a Master of Business Administration degree. In 2011, she earned her Accredited in Public Relations credential, and in 2016, she became a Certified Public Relations Counselor.
The Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association builds better public relations practitioners and communicators through professional development, networking opportunities and ethical practices. Formed in 1980, the chapter boasts a strong membership representing nearly every industry in the area, including: government, associations, nonprofit, education, healthcare, legal, corporate, retail, agencies and small business. Members are committed not only to the betterment of our profession, but also to our community through a number of community service projects held each year.
LeadershipFPRA: Leading and Managing
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” -John F. Kennedy
The second LeadershipFPRA class had our first session today. Carolyn Maue, Executive Coach and Consultant at the Maue Center facilitated the leading and managing session. My classmates and I took a strengths profile prior to the session. It was very energizing for me to spend the day analyzing my personal strengths and weaknesses and how I can use these in my professional life.
Five Takeaways from leading and managing session
1) Identify your strengths: You may have experience with a personality test or another profiling assessment that determines your strengths and weaknesses. Another way to figure out your strengths is to think of something you remember doing as a child that you still do now, but most likely much better. The idea is strengths often have deep roots from childhood.
2) Interrupt the day: As a leader, another important concept to recognize is the necessity of taking time throughout the day to pause and refocus. Give yourself permission to take the space and time needed to ensure you are using your strengths in the best way possible and change behaviors if needed.
3) Weaknesses: Weaknesses are not a negative thing and can be approached and handled in several ways.
-Partner with someone who has your weakness as a strength
– Work on improving the weakness
– Decide if dedicating time to working on the weakness is beneficial. If not, refocus on your strengths.
-”Sandwich” the weakness between two strengths
4) There is no “right way” to accomplish something: Leaders can use different strengths to accomplish goals. Just because someone goes about something a different way than you, using their unique strength; does not make it wrong.
5) Every team you are on can be a great team: The “recipe” for a great team includes, trust among team members, good team conflict, commitment to the team, accountability, and attention to results. Any team we are on can be a good one if these pieces are in place.
Thank you to LeadershipFPRA and the team at the Maue Center for an excellent session and for giving me many things to contemplate.
I am looking forward to our next group session in January!
Ridesharing battle in Florida: How Uber drives results in Florida with sound public relations
Does your organization struggle to grow from regulatory constraints? Learn from the Uber Public Affairs Manager, Javier Correoso as he shares how the ridesharing pioneer used public relations strategies to revolutionize an industry.
Since Bosses Day is Monday prior to the luncheon, treat your boss to a seat at the luncheon on Friday! This is a topic all executives will enjoy.
SPEAKER: Javier Correoso, Public Affairs Manager, Uber Technologies – Florida
Javier Correoso is the Public Affairs Manager for Uber Technologies in Florida. In this role, Javier manages Uber’s communications throughout the state, helping build Uber’s brand and profile with the media, third parties, and policy makers.
Prior to joining Uber, Javier was an advisor to Senator Marco Rubio’s presidential campaign and consulted on many successful political campaigns and initiatives across the United States and Latin America. These included Senatorial campaigns in Florida and Colorado, Congressional races in Florida, Texas, and Arizona, and ballot initiatives.
Prior to founding National Capitol Strategies, Javier served in various roles, including Chief of Staff, in the United States Congress.
Javier is a graduate of Florida International University, where he double majored in Communications and Political Science.
Please RSVP to Christy Jergens at [email protected];
payment can be made by visiting http://www.fpraocala.org/event-registration/
RSVPs cannot be guaranteed without payment. Cost is $20 for members reserving early and $25 for guests and for members who pay at the door, or pay online at the ticket URL listed.
The monthly meetings begin with networking from 11:45 a.m. – Noon with lunch and presentations from Noon – 1 p.m.
Sponsored By:
Ocala Leaders at FPRA Conference
The public relations professionals in the Ocala/Marion County area were proven to be among the leaders in the state, and received recognition at the Florida Public Relations Association Annual Conference Aug. 6-9, 2017 at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes.
VP of Annual Conference
Ginger Broslat, APR, CPRC of Ginger Broslat Communications and the Heart of Florida Health Center’s Measure Up Marion Program, served as the VP of the Association’s 79th Annual Conference. Broslat worked with FPRA Executive Director Cheray Keyes-Shima, APR, CPRC and her team at Sarasota’s KSC Public Relations and Advertising to coordinate the venue, recruit speakers and sponsors and generate excitement for attendee registrations.
The theme graphics, PR: It’s Personal: Research Relate Respond, were created by Ocala’s John Tripodi of Neptune Advertising. Marc Rice, owner of Digital Fury Productions served as a Diamond Level sponsor and produced the promotional video, credited in part to the record-breaking attendance numbers.
Broslat and Keyes-Shima recruited keynote speakers including Ann Rhoades, architect of the corporate culture of Southwest Airlines and Co-Founder of JetBlue Airways, Mary Lunghi Director of Business Analytics and Market Insight at IKEA US, Scott Stanzel, Director of Corporate Communications at Amazon. Cox Communication Director of Community Outreach Devon Chestnut, APR, CPRC conducted a breakout session on internal communications.
Five Ocala Members Graduate From Leadership FPRA
Carole Savage, APR, CPRC, the first director of Leadership Ocala/Marion, served as the VP of Leadership FPRA in its inaugural year. Savage and Broslat, along with United Way of Marion County Executive VP of Resource Development Tina Banner, APR, CPRC, Career Source Citrus Levy Marion Communication Manager Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC, and Heirs Baxley Funeral Services Community Outreach Manager Barbara Carbaugh comprised five of the 17 members graduating as part of Class Pynn. The first class has been named to honor Roger Pynn, APR, CPRC, who envisioned the program during his year as Association president in 2015-16.
VP of Accreditation/Certification
Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC, Communication Manager of CareerSource Citrus, Levy, Marion, served as the Association’s VP of Accreditation/Certification. Her efforts to encourage and support chapter leaders across the state assisting members with study sessions, resulted in 13 members receiving the APR credential, a mark of distinction for professionals who demonstrate their commitment to the profession and to its ethical practice. Candidates earn accreditation by passing oral and computer-based exams that test their broad knowledge, strategic perspective and sound professional judgment. Byrnes recognized six members obtaining the CPRC credential, an extensive process, which requires candidates to pass written and oral exams that test their ability to present strategic solutions for accomplishing public relations goals, implementing crisis communication plans and solving public relations issues. Candidates must have their APR, which demonstrates a high level of competence and dedication to the field, and at least 10 years of industry experience. These newly credentials members now join fewer than 150 certified members across the state.
Joe Curley Rising Leader Class and Leadership FPRA Scholarship Recipient
The Ocala Chapter Board appointed Ocala Health Marketing Communications Manager Lauren Debick as its nominee for the Joe Curley Rising Leader Class of 2017. The Rising Leader Class recognizes the future leadership stream for chapters across the state. Debick was honored to receive the first-ever Joe Curley Leadership FPRA Scholarship to be a part of Leadership FPRA Class II. Debick is also a member of this year’s Leadership Ocala/Marion Class XXXI.
FPRA President Terri Behling, APR, CPRC presented FPRA Ocala Chapter President Lauren DeIorio and Treasurer Allison Campbell, APR, CPRC with the President’s Award for Chapter Financial Management.
Eight Ocala Professionals to Serve on the FPRA 2017-18 Executive Committee
President………………………………………………………Ryan Gerds, APR, CPRC
VP of Finance………………………………………………………………Lauren DeIorio
VP of Golden Image……………………………………………….. Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC
VP of Accreditation & Certification…………………………… Ginger Broslat, APR, CPRC
VP of Member Services………………………………………..Devon Chestnut, APR, CPRC
VP of Student Services………………………………………..Allison Campbell, APR, CPRC
VP of Leadership FPRA………………………………………… Carole Savage, APR, CPRC
Florida Public Relations Education Foundation Chair……..Tina Banner, APR, CPRC
Three awards won at the Golden Image Awards Gala
Golden Image – Heather James, Ginger Broslat, APR, CPRC and Andy Stracuzzi of Zed+Zed+Eye for Heart of Florida Health Center brochure in Division B, Printed Tools of Public Relations.
Award of Distinction – Maclyn Walker, MSW, Ginger Broslat, APR, CPRC, Marc Rice of Digital Fury and Jacob Fields of JJ Fields Design for the Heart of Florida’s Measure Up Marion program in Division A Public Relations Programs.
Award of Distinction – Heather Danenhower, APR, CPRC and Marc Rice of Digital Fury for online engagement in Division C Digital Tools of Public Relations for a video produced for Duke Energy.
Get an insider’s look at the APR
Whether you are preparing for the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) exam or just exploring the path to accreditation, plan to join your Central Florida colleagues for an informative discussion and Q&A.
Ginger Broslat, APR, CPRC, will share her experience in taking the APR exam earlier this year. Accreditation mentors for the Orlando chapters of PRSA (Beth Swanson, APR) and FPRA (Jeff Grainger, APR) will join her. This is a great time for interested candidates to explore the APR process and to learn about available resources through PRSA and FPRA.
The webinar is free to PRSA and FPRA members.
Details
• Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016
• 6 p.m.
• Call in: 650-479-3208
• Access code: 625 886 402
• Meeting password: Px2zbKpn
What Disney Movies Say About Public Relations
Our friends at PR Daily have a great article to teach us a bit more about PR looking through the eyes of Disney characters.