IN OCALA, A TALE OF TWO CITIES: REBRANDING UF & SHANDS

Melanie_headshotOCALA, FL – Branding is no easy task for any business, big or small. This month, area professionals have an opportunity to learn from an expert’s experiences with a highly-visible rebranding effort: repositioning the University of Florida and Shands. On Nov. 20, Melanie Fridl Ross, MSJ, ELS, Chief Communications Officer with UF Health, will share insight from this process at the Florida Public Relations Association Ocala Chapter’s professional development luncheon. The luncheon is set for noon-1 p.m., (networking begins at 11:30 a.m.) at The College of Central Florida Ewers Century Center, 3003 SW College Road, Ocala.

Ross oversees news and publications, marketing, public relations, strategic communications and public affairs, advancement communications, creative services, and web services for UF Health in Gainesville and Jacksonville. She teaches news reporting as an adjunct faculty at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications. Ross also oversees operations for two nationally-aired consumer health radio series.

 

Ross joined UF in 1992 from The Tampa Tribune, where she was a reporter. She holds a bachelor’s degree in American studies from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in journalism with a concentration in newspaper administration from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism. She is a board-certified editor in the life sciences.

 

The meeting is not limited to members; guests and non-members are welcome to attend with payment and RSVP to [email protected] by Nov. 17, 2015. The registration fee includes lunch; $20 for members and $25 for guests and for members who pay at the door. Visit http://www.fpraocala.org/event-registration/ to register and pay online.

 

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, corporate, retail, agencies and small business. Members are committed not only to the betterment of the profession, but also to the community through a number of community service projects held each year.

 

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Media Contact: Elaine DeIorio McClain, Communications Director

Phone: 352-438-2300  Email: [email protected]