PUBCLUB's blog

By Annette Maggiacomo, Duffy & Shanley

Do you find yourself answering emails or phone calls in the middle of the night? Coaching executives on what to say and what not to say? Writing endless powerpoint decks, press releases and integrated marketing strategies? Responding to “urgent” reporter requests?

Kelly Woodsum, Co-Executive Director of the Publicity Club of New England, shared a fascinating article on her Facebook page: Mediabistro.com posted the results of a CareerCast.com survey, which listed PR Officers as “America's 8th Most Stressful Job.” The survey analyzed 200 professions with firefighters (#1), corporate executives (#2) and taxi drivers (#3) taking the top spots. Not far behind... PR professionals (#8).

by Allyson Schultz

It would’ve been easy for a friend popping into my home office a month ago to think that I’d switched jobs rather than left my job to become unemployed. With a color-coded web of contacts tacked to my wall, file folders filled with different versions of my resume lining my desk, and an Inbox chirping at me regularly, I certainly didn’t feel unemployed. And yet I was—and really for the first time, which was pretty intimidating. More pressure came from accepting that the only way I was going to get a job was to start selling myself—my skills, knowledge and personality, both to people I knew and to complete strangers.

By Karen Reynolds, President of the Publicity Club of New England

We extended our deadline to Wednesday, March 10, for all Bell Ringer submissions. Late drop off (with late fees) will be Monday, March 15.

Here’s a few thoughts on deadlines…

"A deadline is negative inspiration. Still, it's better than no inspiration at all."
- Rita Mae Brown

"I love deadlines. I especially like the whooshing sound they make as they go flying by."
- Douglas Adams

By Shawna Hassett, Duffy & Shanley

How many times have you heard it? "2010 is the year of social media." It's just February and I feel like that expression is so terribly dated. Yes, social media is certainly amping up - clients, companies - they are all trying to figure out how to play in the social media space. It's our job as PR professionals to be sure we are ahead of the curve in order to provide counsel to our clients or management. But when there is SO much information out there - and NEW information is being created at an alarming rate, how do we maintain our positions of "authority?" Learning... constant learning is key.

This week’s “Get to Know Boston’s Healthcare Media” panel event proved as popular as ever. The sold out event was moderated by Solomon McCown & Co.’s Michal Regunberg and included panelists from print, television and new media. They shared their insights, tips, thoughts on Twitter, etc. The Pub Club wanted to share some nuggets from the night.

For those who believe that public relations is a soon-to-be obsolete profession, think again.  U.S News & World Report unveiled this week its “America’s Best Careers 2010” listing, and guess what made it into the top 50?  You got it – public relations.

In just the past year, the Publicity Club has developed new programs and workshops related to the emergence of social media, implemented a new position on our board managing new media, and ignited the interest of 284 followers on Twitter (@PubClubofNE).

We're gearing up for 2010 and look forward to an exciting year of programs and workshops and celebrating with you all at the Bell Ringer ceremony in June.

The Publicity Club of New England is proud to announce that it has selected Judge Baker Children’s Center as the beneficiary of the 2010 Bell Ringer Awards ceremony silent auction. The Club sat down with Kristen Woulfe, communications manager for JBCC, to discuss the organization and how the monies from the auction will benefit it.