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Social to-do: Top 5 moves for 2013
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By Julie Geller
@JulieGeller
VP Marketing
Cision Canada

 

Before we get too deep into 2013, here’s an all-important top 5 to-do list that will invigorate your plans for the year ahead.

  1. Review your metrics: Accurate research is everything. Review your key performance indicators annually, and confirm that your research and reporting are in line with the organization’s stated goals. If your reports aren’t illuminating useful trends, make adjustments that fit your strategy. Also, examine the forms and data-collection criteria you use to ensure you aren’t missing a chance for gathering new information from clients. Consider creating visually driven reports that will engage your team in meetings and give senior management at-a-glance analytics.
  2. Refresh your homepage and blog: This no-brainer easily falls off everyone’s list. It’s great if your site has been recently re-designed, but you have to keep it fresh for visitors. Stale homepages discourage regular traffic from exploring your content on a deeper level. Fresh visuals, automated slideshow functionality and “related content” widgets are among the ways you can engage people in your organization’s latest news. If you can meet the demands of delivering content on a regular basis, a weekly blog is a great hook for pulling in traffic.
  3. Think mobile, act local: Pay attention to your mobile stats. Remember the 2010 Morgan Stanley report that predicted mobile’s dominance over the desktop by 2015? Well, we’re getting close, and you need to be sure that your content and its delivery are optimized for this exploding audience. If your mobile stats are low, find out why you are lagging and fix it. Maybe it’s time for an app, which provides instant access to your message and is the go-to solution for reaching audiences on the move.
  4. Embrace marketing’s convergence with social: Communications today depends on social media. As social matures, we’re seeing that it’s more than a Web 2.0 technological novelty. We all still need media releases, press conferences and media contacts, but it’s also time to build serious strategy around social tools. Social is more than a delivery system — it’s a marketing platform with unlimited potential for engaging audiences. Take the time to develop creative solutions for sharing your PR message and implementing your marketing plan. Set aside budget to hire dedicated social personnel for your team. Use social media to build value with your audience.
  5. Understand new technologies: Four years ago, we were all scratching our heads about Facebook’s value to business. Now there’s LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, Vine and more. Many of them are indispensible PR tools. You may not find a need for every social platform today, but it is absolutely necessary that you know how the channels work. Marketing strategies morph with time, and you never know what social tool will be useful to your campaign in the future.

Originally posted in the Cision Canada Insights for Influencers blog. Also join CPRS Toronto sponsor @Cision_Canada at the Social Media Ref.

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Open doors with a CPRS Toronto Leadership Award
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By Miranda Germani

A Beatles’ top award was accidentally used as a doorstop for 30 years* (intrigued? See footnote below), but in a not-so-literal sense, awards can truly open many doors to a young PR professional.

Matt Juniper, winner of the CPRS Toronto Young Public Relations Professional of the Year Award in 2012, realized the impact of the recognition almost immediately.

“Receiving my ACE Award was an extremely rewarding experience,” Matt said. “To be honoured for my work in front of some of the most successful public relations practitioners in Toronto was a memorable and rewarding experience.”

In just a year, the award has made a difference to Matt’s career.

“The award has been not only an excellent addition to my resume, it’s given me stronger name recognition in the Toronto public relations industry. I’ve been invited to multiple conferences as a panelist, I’m frequently asked to contribute as a guest writer on public relations blogs and my colleagues in the industry have greater awareness of who I am. In an industry where networking is so crucial, this added name recognition has been invaluable.”

Matt encourages all PR professionals to consider nominating a young PR professional that they know for this award. “Not only will the award open doors for that individual, nominators will be helping pay tribute to younger professionals in the field. In an industry that moves and changes so quickly, young public relations professionals are a valuable asset and I believe it is important to recognize them.”

Tempted to apply and not sure what to include?

Matt thinks a diverse submission made him stand out, giving these tips:

  • A successful award submission shows balance between work and other experience, like volunteering
  • Highlight many areas of experience – Matt has been involved in corporate, political and not-for-profit communications campaigns through his volunteer work
  • Staying informed and involved in industry trends like social media, and other emerging communications trends

But that’s just Matt’s experience – the judges are looking for you to put your personal stamp on your submission.

The CPRS Toronto Leadership Awards recognizes individuals who have achieved excellence in their careers or made significant contributions to the field of public relations. In addition to the CPRS Toronto Young Public Relations Professional of the Year Award, there are also award categories for Public Relations Student of the Year Leadership Award, Public Relations Professional of the Year, Mentor of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

More information is available on the CPRS Toronto Leadership Awards page.

The nominations deadline has been EXTENDED to Thursday, March 7, 2013. This is your last chance to nominate yourself or someone else.

The Leadership Awards will be presented at the ACE Awards Gala on Wednesday, April 24, 2013.

* The Beatles’ top gong, a prestigious Ivor Novello award, was given to them after Yellow Submarine sold 1.2 million copies. A woman found it in a derelict London office building in the early 1980s, took it home, and used it to prop open a door for three decades. The now-elderly woman apparently didn’t realize what she had found for 30 years, but found out and sold the award last year at auction.

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Storify: @CPRSNational & CCPRF #PRBootcamp
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Did you miss the CPRS National and the Canadian Council of Public Relations Firms’ Bootcamp on March 1?

Checkout some of the highlights in this Storify put together by our friends at Cision Canada (@Cision_Canada).


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LEADERSHIP AWARD NOMINATIONS DEADLINE EXTENDED!
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What better way to set yourself apart at this year’s ACE Awards Gala than by winning an award?

The Leadership Awards nominations window has been extended for ONE more week! This is your chance to nominate yourself, or a deserving peer or colleague for one of these prestigious awards. Please submit your nominations to ace@cprstoronto.com by March 7, 2013.

Entry is free of charge. Winners will be announced and recognized at the ACE Awards Gala on April 24, 2013. Winning an award at the ACE Gala provides valuable recognition in front of a room of PR professionals, industry mavens and communications experts – better than a business card!

Categories include:

CPRS Toronto Public Relations Student of the Year – Recognizing a CPRS Toronto full or part-time student graduating this year who has a solid academic record and has demonstrated interest in professional development. Click here to read about what last year’s Student of the Year is doing now.

CPRS Toronto Young Public Relations Professional of the Year (Under 30 years of age) – Recognizing a public relations professional (under 30 years on March 23, 2013) who has been in the industry for less than three years (i.e., since March 23, 2010) who has made significant achievements in his or her career.

CPRS Toronto Public Relations Professional of the Year – Recognizing outstanding personal achievement within the public relations industry over their career, with particular focus on their successes over the past year (2012-2013).

CPRS Toronto Mentor of the Year Award – Recognizing a volunteer who has served as a mentor to public relations professionals or students in the year of 2012/2013.

CPRS Toronto Volunteer of the Year Award – Recognizing a volunteer within CPRS Toronto during the previous year (2012/2013) year.

Click here for more information about each category, and submission requirements.

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Stand out (!) with a CPRS Toronto Public Relations Student of the Year Leadership Award
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By Miranda Germani

It can be tough for students and new grads to stand out from the crowd when looking for that perfect first job. Everyone’s education and work experience tend to be similar, so winning an award can really make you shine.

One person who did just that is Robin Smith, winner of the CPRS Toronto Public Relations Student of the Year Leadership Award at the ACE Awards gala in 2012. Here’s how he used this opportunity to land a role with one of the top agencies in Canada.

“Winning the Student of the Year Leadership Award was a major stepping stone for me. I used my acceptance speech as a ‘pitch’ and advertised myself to the people most likely to make new hires. Before leaving the stage I had received my first business card, and by the end of the night I had met some very important people,” Robin says. This strategy worked, and as Robin went on to explain, “By following up on the contacts I made at the ACE Awards Gala I was able to secure a full-time position with one of the best agencies in Canada, starting my first job after graduating from Seneca College.”

Robin encourages anyone to apply, saying “I think a self-nomination is a great career building move. I knew going into the nomination that it would be a long shot, but the satisfaction and confidence that being recognized brought was a huge reward. If you’re not nominating yourself and you’re giving your colleague the nod, it is a big show of respect for that person. Taking the time to highlight the talents of one of your colleagues is a great way to show that they are appreciated and valued.”

Robin thinks his application stood out to the judges due to a shining reference, with solid volunteer experience sealing the deal.

“Receiving an ACE Award was amazing, totally fantastic. When I got the message from the President of CPRS Toronto it caught me so off guard that I just started laughing. Toronto is one of the most important cities for Canadian PR practitioners, with a large and active community, and being recognized by the group was a huge honour, especially considering how many PR students there are in post-grad programs across the city.”

If you think you or someone else should be recognized, now is your chance to nominate yourself or a deserving peer for the CPRS Toronto Public Relations Student of the Year Leadership Award. And there are no barriers to throwing your hat into the ring – entry is free!

In addition to the CPRS Toronto Public Relations Student of the Year Leadership Award there are also Award categories for Young Public Relations Professional of the Year, Public Relations Professional of the Year, Mentor of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

More information is available on the CPRS Toronto Leadership Awards page. But hurry, the deadline is soon! Nominations must be submitted by February 24, 2013.

The Leadership Awards will be presented at the ACE Awards Gala on Wednesday, April 24, 2013.

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Freebies for your family weekend from @RyersonU
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Sheldon Levy, CEO at Ryerson University invited the community to come experience the Ryerson campus at the 20th Annual CEO Awards luncheon.

Here are a couple free things to do while you’re there:

Also be sure to checkout

And if you had any doubt about why today’s Ryerson is so great, check this video out.

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Archived presentation: CEO Award to Sheldon Levy @RyersonU (23:50)
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Click the arrows in the bottom right corner to watch in full screen.
Also be sure to checkout some pictures from the event and this video showcasing Ryerson University’s growth.

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National conference reminder: Save $400 by Feb. 18
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This June, join us in Ottawa to help Change the Conversation! CPRS Members – register by February 18th and save $400 off full conference delegate pricing for Conversations 2013.

More than 20 keynote presentations and workshop sessions over three days will help frame the conversation around communications.

Confirmed speakers include: Heath Applebaum ABC, MCM, Brent Barootes, Ira Basen, Danielle Côté, ARP, Terry Fallis, Richard Fournier, ARP, Daniel Granger ARP, FSCRP, Caroline Kealey, Amelia Kennedy, Trish Krause, APR, Sean Lewis, Fraser Likely APR, FCPRS, Derek Lothian, Kevin McCann, Brenda Sweeney, APR, Evan Solomon, Daniel Tisch APR, FCPRS, Martin Waxman, APR and Howard Williamson.

 

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President’s message: Sunshine in February
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There’s a long, uphill bridge that takes you from the green (end) of the 14th hole to the tee box (beginning) of the 15th hole. When you are walking, you really feel it in your legs and back especially on a hot day.  You’ve already walked 14 holes worth of turf which is about 5 km pulling this bag that’s getting heavier and heavier despite the fact that you keep emptying it of golf balls (see last month’s message!).

But you keep going because you love this game, and you know you’ll be sad when the 18th hole (the last hole) has come and gone. Plus, ahead of you lies the 15th…a Par 5 that doglegs left and has water around the hole. But you can par this one without too much skill or sweat and attempting that energizes you enough to continue plodding uphill till you reach the tee box.

Isn’t that the way it is with us at this time of year?  Winter has settled into the city of Toronto. Enthusiasts of warmer temperatures and brighter days hope that the season is more behind us than in front, yet we are reminded that February 1 is only half way through the season of winter. So, we look for things to keep us going like that great 15th hole.

CPRS Toronto has a great event on February 26th that is like the bright sun in a dreary season. Daniel Tisch, APR, FCPRS is presenting. Tisch is chair of the Global Alliance for Public Relations & Communication Management.  Chair of the Global Alliance!  A CPRS Toronto member and chair of the Global Alliance! How cool is that for us!

The Global Alliance is a confederation of the world’s major communications industry associations.  Dan is also a Fellow of the Canadian Public Relations Society, and CEO of Argyle Communications, one of Canada’s premier independent public relations firms.

I heard Dan speak at the CPRS national conference and on other occasions. (By the way, Early Bird Registration for this year’s conference in Ottawa ends February 15th so make sure you register before the deadline!)

Anyway, going back to hearing Dan speak on previous occasions, it’s kind of awesome (awesome in the real sense of the word) how CPRS members like all of us share similar needs and goals of so many other PR professionals around the world.  The Alliance centers its work on unifying the public relations profession, raising professional standards all over the world, sharing knowledge for the benefit of its members and being the global voice for public relations in the public interest.

In November, Dan attended the 7th World PR Forum in Melbourne, the Alliance’s biennial event…a chance to learn from top communicators on every continent, and also from leaders of businesses, governments and civil society from around the globe.  Delegates debated the “Melbourne Mandate for Global Communication”, a new universal statement on the emerging areas of value that public relations and communication management bring to organizations, and to society.

On February 26, join us at the Globe Bistro to find out first hand from Dan if you are practising to the full scope of the new Melbourne Mandate for Public Relations and how these ideas – and ideals — can enhance your practice, counsel your clients and guide your professional development.

I trust this will be a very satisfying Par score for you – write down a 5 on the scorecard and move to the 16th completely energized.  Dan is a very engaging speaker.

I hope you can make it, and also hope to see you there!

 

 

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CEO reshapes downtown core; recognized for leadership
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by Natasha Radlovic

Ryerson University is going through many changes both internally and externally. The CPRS CEO Award ceremony, held on January 30, honoured Sheldon Levy, the president and Vice Chancellor of Ryerson University, as the man leading all these changes.

Gone are the days when the university was referred to as “Ry High.” With new buildings and programs transforming both the academic and visual appearance of the school, Ryerson is becoming both a cultural and educational hub for downtown Toronto.

Through Levy’s leadership, Ryerson was a key player in revitalizing the Maple Leaf Gardens and further advancing the university’s role as a city builder.

Levy described his three fundamental features for the city-building strategy:

  1. Density
  2. People first and public transportation
  3. Design excellence

CPRS TORONTO 20TH ANNUAL CEO AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Through a “people first and public transportation” fundamental feature, he described that cars might be sacrificed as second priority. Although some people may not agree with this approach, he demonstrated that he is serious about his plan and that he stands by it.

With 23 million people walking past Ryerson every year, the university has taken on the responsibility for improving the Dundas/Yonge community.

In supporting the design excellence fundamental feature Levy said, “If you build ugly on Ryerson, not only will the university and the students suffer, but so will Toronto.”

Levy explained how his involvement in public relations and knowledge of communications helped to successfully deliver the message and solve issues that have come up in regards to the changes concerning the Ryerson neighborhood.

The CEO Award statue is a silhouette of two people conversing – symbolizing the art of communication.

Through an extremely inspiring and engaging speech, Levy demonstrated that he knows how to keep the audience listening by speaking in a tone that is laid-back but also informative and professional.

“We have built a new cultural street for Toronto, a new cultural street for Canada, and an important new destination,” ended Levy.

This year marked the 20th anniversary of the CPRS Toronto CEO Award of the Year award. 

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