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January
E-Newsletter

January 20, 2009
In This E-Newsletter
Hill Lighthouse Young Awards
Downtown Developments
Spring Accredidation Classes
PR Resource Updates
Free PR resources just a click away
JoelGoldsteinChange and Transformation
 
The watercooler talk in the PR industry this month all revolves around the combination of Edward Howard and Fahlgren Mortine.  What are we to make of this news, affecting one of Cleveland's PR powerhouses and what had been the nation's oldest independent PR firm?  Is this a statement about an individual firm?  Should we be pleased that Fahlgren considers the Cleveland market an attractive expansion opportunity?  Is this Edward Howard's attempt to expand its appeal to a growing national client base?
 
As outsiders, none of us truly knows the total factors at play here.  It's most likely a simple calculus among the agency's leaders that 1 plus 1 has the potential to create 3, that they'll likely be more successful as a combined entity with complementary skills than if each continued to operate separately. 
 
For all of us, it's another sign of change.  Awkward, uncomfortable, never-ending and constant change, something to resist or perhaps as Edward Howard has done, something to embrace.  We're all experiencing transformation and change at every conceivable level - within our agencies and organizations, and within our industry.  PR today requires new skills and approaches;  it's a different discipline than it was just 12 months ago.  No company or PR department is operating the same in January 2010 as it did in January 2009.  More than making any momentous statement about Cleveland's overall business climate, Edward Howard's decision to align with Fahlgren Mortine likely has more to do with this industry transformation than with anything else.  It reminds us that our industry's transformation is ongoing and perhaps even accelerating.   
 
Steve Jobs once said that in a paradigm shift, everyone goes back to zero, and the first one to understand the new reality becomes the giant.  He's right of course.  And the race is on.
 
On another note, I wanted to take a moment to thank our three retiring board members, Tracy Oliver, Tony Santana and Jim Tabasczynski, for their many years of service to the PRSA board.  They all have provided good counsel and hard work to our organization, and we are better today for the commitment they have shown to our organization.  
 
Joel Goldstein
President
Greater Cleveland Chapter
Hill Lighthouse Young Awards - Call For Entries
 
Do you have a client or a boss who communicates well and appreciates the importance of good public relations? This is your opportunity to publicly recognize him or her.

Every year, the Greater Cleveland Chapter of PRSA presents three awards: (Visit our Awards page for downloadable forms)
 
+The Hill Award, for outstanding understanding of, and support for,
communications by a Cleveland-area executive;
 
+The Lighthouse Award for career accomplishments and community
service by a senior public relations practitioner; and
 
+The Davis Young Award for Exceptional Mentors for offering
hands-on instruction and support to students and/or young
professionals.
 
 
Deadline for entries is Friday, January 29, 2010.
 
Please think about who has made a difference in your professional life or talk with your
colleagues and clients about possible nominees.

Questions? Contact:
Barbara Paynter, APR
Chair, Hill Lighthouse Young Awards
[email protected]  
A Billion Dollars of Developments and What They Mean to Downtown Cleveland
 
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
 
11:30 am Registration
12:00 p.m. Program/Lunch
1:00 p.m. Q&A
1:30 p.m. Adjourn
 
Windows on the River, Powerhouse in the Flats
 
Come learn from our panelists of stakeholders who will discuss the Medical Mart, the casino and the East Bank of the Flats projects.How are these developments reshaping Downtown Cleveland's footprint, and what impact will they have after the ribbons are cut? Hear go-to-market strategies for selling these projects and the city.
 
Representatives from all three projects will participate.  Panel will be moderated by Joe Marinucci, president and CEO, Downtown Cleveland Alliance.
 
Cost to attend:
PRSA Members $25
Non-members $40 Advance registration is required. 
Click HERE to register online.
2010 Spring Accreditation Plans
 
PRSA's Cleveland and Akron Chapters will host prep classes for members seeking Universal Accreditation over five weeks (3 classes). Classes are not mandatory but are highly recommended.  Alternatively, there is an online study course available through www.prsa.org. The cost is $195 (local prep classes are free).
 
Informational Meeting - For PRSA members considering Accreditation - Wed., Feb. 17, 6 p.m.
Akhia Public Relations, 85 Executive Parkway, Hudson, Ohio 44236
 
4 Evening Classes - To be scheduled between March 3 and April 30
*(You help determine the schedule!)
 
Readiness Reviews - Week of April 18
 
Computerized Exam (taken anytime at candidate's preference after passing the Readiness Review. Exams are administered at all Sylvan Learning Centers.)
For questions about the Universal Accreditation process, contact one of the following Accreditation Co-Chairs:
 
Jan Gusich                                                        Barbara Hatala
Akhia Public Relations                                        Timken
330.463.5650                                                     330.471.3048 (office)
[email protected]                                                  [email protected]
PR RESOURCE UPDATES
 
After 50 years as a publication, the Northeast Ohio Media Guide has been transformed into an electronic subscription service of The Center for Community Solutions. It may be accessed at www.CommunitySolutions.com. Annual subscription fee is $50, per individual user.
 
The Media Guide includes a primer on working with the media and an expanding directory of print and electronic media. The directory focuses on Northeast Ohio, but also includes Columbus and national resources. Users may search the database by market, type, audience, and keyword. As an enhanced feature, users may export general information for mailings or other outreach.
PRSA has got free resources for you just a click away

Get your money's worth from your PRSA dues by taking advantage of their free-to-member resources. Among them is PRC Search that connects you with a fully accessible online reference library that houses a vast collection of full-text articles from PRSA's publications, PR Tactics and The Strategist, as well as hundreds of groundbreaking Silver and Bronze Anvil campaign profiles dating back to 1969. You will quickly and easily find the answers you need within this indispensible knowledge repository. PRSA members have unlimited FREE access to PRC Search as a member benefit! Go to www.prsa.org and click on the Resources option.