PRSA-SV #FridayForum: “Salary Negotiation Strategies for PR Professionals”

PRWeek’s PR/Talent Salary Survey revealed that 22% of PR pros changed jobs in the past year, and 79% increased their salary with their new role. Listen to our conversation to hear strategies on negotiating your salary from career experts and PR professionals.  Moderating is PRSA SV Board Member Jazmin Eusebeo, Jazmin is a justice advocate who is consistently identifying ways to create equitable opportunities for underserved communities. 

Our panelists include: Nicole Balsam Nicole brings over 8 years of Executive Search experience to her current role as an Associate Partner at Eastward Partners. Judith Cushman As President of Judith Cushman & Associates, Judith uses her 30 years of experience in this field to provide retained search and consulting services exclusively filling the full spectrum of Communications, Public Relations, Public Affairs, Marketing Communications, and Investor Relations Positions.  Gideon Fidelzeid of PRWeek  Gideon heads up all custom content activations, as well as some legacy editorial projects, including the annual Salary Survey. 

Making the leap from college to a communications career can be daunting. Whether you’re a communications major with multiple internships under your belt nearing graduation, an undeclared first year student, or looking to make a mid-career switch with continuing education, this conversation is for you. In this week’s PRSA Silicon Valley Friday Forum, San Jose State University alumni will delve into the ins and outs of making the most out of college and embarking on a career in communications.

Caylee Tompkins, president of the San Jose State University chapter of PRSSA moderates this lively discussion. Three San Jose State alumni have joined me to discuss the ins and outs of making the most out of college and embarking on a career in communications.

• Alannah McDermott, a senior account executive at Lumina Communications and project manager for PRSA Silicon Valley's Media Predicts 2022.
• Sierra Fatlowitz, a corporate communications specialist at eBay who previously worked in local government as well as for a tech PR agency. 
• Jazmin Eusebio, who is a Senior Account Executive and Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Specialist at Highwire PR as well as a PRSA-SV board member.

Take a listen!

How I Got Here: BOCA CEO & Founder Kathleen Shanahan

“How I Got Here” #FridayForum, PRSA Silicon Valley hosts Board Member and BOCA Communications CEO and Founder Kathleen Shanahan. Take a listen to how she started in agencies, learned the business and now owns and drives her own PR agency with a client roster that includes some of the best of the best in Silicon Valley and beyond. Moderated by PRSA-SV Chapter President Vanessa Yanez.  

#FridayForum: Elevating ESG Impact through Strategic Communications

In boardrooms, on earnings calls, in company-all-hands and customer meetings—stakeholders at every turn are demanding more action from companies on everything from social justice to climate change. The pressure is on and as communicators, we’re often at the front line. What, when and how to communicate on Environmental Social Governance (ESG) topics in an authentic and meaningful way to each audience individually can be a daunting task. In this #FridayForum we’ll break it down and get into the tips and tricks and creative approaches to making the most impact with your ESG communications.   

Key Takeaways Understand why ESG communications is critical to building a company’s brand reputation and increasing brand trust and loyalty Industry insights and examples of how companies are doing this well (and not) today.

Useful tips and creative ways to integrate ESG into a corporate comms and brand strategy effectively

About the Speakers

Hotwire Global Communications Co-President, North America Heather Craft is responsible for managing clients’ experiences and health, as well as overseeing our People and Culture and Finance departments in the US. With over 15 years of experience, Craft has extensive expertise and a proven track record leading integrated communications programs of scale, from early-stage startups to established public companies. Most of all, she loves building thoughtful and incredibly high-performing teams.

ESG Marketing & Communications Consultant Paige Rodgers has spent over 20 years working at the intersection of business, technology, and social / environmental impact. She has worked with leading software, hardware, and technology services brands, including Salesforce.com, StubHub, Autodesk, Cloudera and Equinix, to build and execute their social impact, sustainability, and ESG marketing and communications strategies and is currently working with leading tech marketing and communications consultancy, Hotwire Global Communications, to design and deliver their new ESG practice.   

PRSA-SV #FridayForum:  A Day in the Life: Agency & In-House 

Is agency experience needed to succeed in an in-house role? What is the difference between going straight to agency and going in-house? Whether you’re an emerging professional trying to decide which route to pursue or an experienced PR pro looking for your next gig – take a listen to the August 12 #FridayForum panel discussion to hear answers to these burning questions and more! You’ll hear perspectives from a PR professional who has spent an entire career working at PR agencies, and another who made the switch to an in-house position. Zelle and Early Warning® Sr Director, External Communications Meghan O'Driscoll Fintland has more than 20 years of experience working with private and public companies across various sectors, including non-profit, corporate, enterprise, and consumer technologies, consumer goods, automotive, and healthcare industries. 42 West B/HI Sr Account Executive Rae D'Agnillois an experienced PR professional with a background in comics, gaming, and tech. As a key member of the gaming and publishing teams, Rae manages major titles and tentpole projects, drives content creation, and leads massive measurement and success reporting. PRSA-SV DE&I Committee Member Adriana Gonzalez Sebastian (panel moderator) is a graduating PR senior at San José State University. She currently works full-time at Hartnell College and interns part-time at Precious Stone PR Inc. as a PR and design coordinator.

During this insightful #FridayForum, Allison+Partners EVP of Purpose Whitney Dailey unpacks Purpose Under Pressure, a new study released jointly by Allison+Partners, Carol Cone ON PURPOSE and The Harris Poll. Moderated by Allison+Partners Partner and SF General Manager Meghan Curtis, this event explains why strong corporate purpose (the reason a company exists in addition to making money) is important for recruitment and retention. And how strong purpose in turbulent times can drive employees’ decision-making and overall buy-in. If you need recommendations about how to help your organization build purpose authenticity and pull-through across departments and hierarchy, be sure to listen to this important program.

Thinking about taking on your next role? Uncertain that you are ready in today's job market?

Learn from experts Brooke Kruger, of recruiting firm KC Partners, Kathleen Shanahan, Founder BOCA Communications about what you need to know right now in order to get hired. 

Hear about the state of communications recruiting, what in-house and agencies are looking for at the early career, mid career and senior career levels and what will make you stand out among candidates.

Moderated by Board Members Vanessa Yanez and Meghan Fintland.

PRSA SV #FridayForum: The Latest in Consumer Trends for 2022

How we shop, eat, and consume goods has changed forever since the pandemic. Consumers and brands alike are leveraging the newest technologies to create the ultimate experiences when it comes to shopping and dining. From ghost kitchens to delivery services, along with frictionless and contactless shopping and payments, to the rise of the creator economy, to how AI and AR are creating unique shopping experiences, and the rise of the Metaverse and beyond, take a listen as our panel discusses what trends are hot, which are not - which ones have staying power and how can brands adapt.  Our panel:

Robin Raskin (moderator), Journalist and Founder, The Virtual Events Group (VEG )

Jim Louderback, VidCon

Deborah Weinswig, Founder and CEO of Coresight Research

Alicia V. Nieva-Woodgate, Managing Director, ANW Networks

PRSA-SV #FridayForum: ​​Resume Building: What Employers are Looking For

Job openings in the U.S. have hit record levels with 11.5 million available roles according to new government data. What does this mean for jobseekers? It’s time to polish your resume! Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned professional – there’s a common goal: to find a job.  During this conversation, you’ll learn from career experts and PR professionals on what to do to stand out in today’s crowded market and tips for building an eye-catching resume. You’ll also hear from a recruiter, who will tell you exactly what employers are looking for when hiring PR and communications professionals.

Join Adriana Gonzalez Sebastian, DE&I Committee Member, PRSA Silicon Valley as she moderates this insightful panel discussion.  Adriana is a graduating public relations senior from San José State University. She currently works full-time at Hartnell College and interns part-time at Precious Stone PR Inc. as Public Relations and Design Coordinator.

Panelists: Phoebe Nguyen is a public relations specialist at Bill.com, where she manages various external-facing communications platforms such as corporate communications, content creation, media relations and though leadership development.  Oscar Garcia, Chief Empowerment Officer, Aspira Consulting, Inc. is Founder & Chief Empowerment Officer of Aspira Consulting, a Silicon Valley training and consulting firm providing culturally relevant career and leadership programs. Wendy Brittain, HR Director, BOCA Communications has been an HR leader for over 20 years, working with public relations and advertising agencies throughout California. 

PRSA Silicon Valley helps students and professionals find mentors and connect with other PR professionals in many ways. Hear from mentees-turned-mentors Mega Jewell (VP of Social at Bospar) and Odalys Jasmine Garcia Arce (Events Project Manager at LinkedIn), along with Jeannie Entin (PRSA Silicon Valley Mentorship co-chair), about how to make the most of mentorship in PRSA and beyond.  Take a listen! #FridayForum