[COMMS]raderie

Welcome back to Commsraderie: a production of the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. 

Celebrated in September, Ethics Month is a time for communications and public relations practitioners to reflect on the core values that guide our profession—honesty, fairness, and accountability. Today, we’re taking the time to slow down and discuss what ethics looks like, the values we employ to make tough decisions, and some tips for fellow professionals.   

We’re excited to be joined by Dr. Jamie Ward, Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication & Media at the University of Toledo. Jamie, who also serves on our NWO PRSA Board, has been involved with PRSA for many years and brings both academic insight and a real-world perspective on how ethical decision-making shapes the work we do every day. 

Let’s jump into the conversation and explore how we can all strengthen our commitment to ethical communication!

Episode Resources

Contact Dr. Jamie Ward -  [email protected]

PRSA Ethics Month

AI Insights - PRSA 

A Practical Guide to Ethics in Public Relations, by Dr. Jamie Ward

Questions or comments? Find us online at nwohioprsa.org or email [email protected]. 

Welcome back to our summer series! In this episode, we’re joined by Kelly Hancock Weber, owner and founder of Weber Communications, and a seasoned communications professional with more than 20 years of experience in PR, marketing, and strategy. 

Together, we explore the importance of internships and how they shape the next generation of PR practitioners, the challenges and opportunities in today’s ever-evolving media landscape, and the power of planning in achieving meaningful results.

Kelly also shares insights from her diverse career spanning industries from healthcare to public libraries, along with thoughtful advice on problem-solving, adaptability, and building authentic connections. Whether you’re a student, a seasoned professional, or simply curious about the future of PR, this episode is packed with takeaways you won’t want to miss.

Episode Resources

Weber Communications

Northwest Ohio PRSA

Questions or comments? Find us online at nwohioprsa.org or email [email protected]. 

Welcome back to our summer series! In this episode, we’re joined by Scott Carpenter, Public Relations Director for Metroparks Toledo—a nationally recognized park system known for its innovation, growth, and community impact.

Scott shares how he helped shape the Metroparks into an award-winning, 200-mile outdoor destination and reflects on his decades-long career in journalism and public relations. From humorous travel writing to strategic reputation management, Scott combines his storytelling expertise with his passion for connecting people to the outdoors.

In this episode, we'll also dive into topics like APR accreditation, the evolving relationship between journalism and PR, and Scott’s advice for the next generation of communications professionals.

Don't miss this insightful and inspiring conversation—perfect for summer listening!

Episode Resources

Accreditation in Public Relations (APR)  

Metroparks Toledo

Best of the Midwest Awards

Questions or comments? Find us online at nwohioprsa.org or email [email protected]. 

Welcome to our 2025 Podcast Summer Series! 

While our in-person programming is on pause for the summer, we’ll be bringing you a new podcast episode each month featuring a local PR superstar. 

This month, our host and PRSA Chapter President Emily Zareki will be joined by BJ Fischer—an award-winning PR practitioner and the President of Strategy by Fischer. Together, they will dig into the deeper side of public relations, exploring how we shape our legacy, navigate the tricky intersection of politics and PR, and tackle burnout in our fast-paced world.

They'll also be unpacking tough topics like ethics, trust building, and the future of our industry. Stay tuned for another great conversation! 

Questions or comments? Find us online at nwohioprsa.org or email [email protected]. 

You’re listening to Commsraderie—a production of the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Welcome to our first episode! 

This month, our host and PRSA Board President Emily Zerecki, is joined by Homestead PR Founder and seasoned public relations professional Sarah Bednarski-Hartigan.
 
With decades of combined experience in the industry, Emily and Sarah will pull back the curtain on the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of public relations and share the strategies, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped their public relations careers.

For more information about Homestead PR, CLICK HERE!

To learn more about our host Emily Zerecki and her latest book, Golden Scars, visit https://www.emilyzarecki.com/goldenscars. 

For more information about the Northwest Ohio Chapter of PRSA, visit nwoprsa.org, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

Questions or comments? Find us online at nwohioprsa.org or email [email protected].