LOWCOUNTRY JANUARY LUNCHEON

Lowering the Walls of the Citadel

Come hear about the development and progress of The Citadel BluePrint strategic plan, the refinement of The Citadel “brand,” and the integrated communications strategy

For The Citadel, expanding and diversifying communications is one of the highest priorities across the institution. In the 3rd quarter of 2009, The Citadel began implementing its new strategic plan, The Citadel BluePrint, which identifies goals, sets resource priorities, and lays the groundwork for future fundraising.

Creating stakeholders with targeted, integrated communications, particularly in the Lowcountry, is the principal measure of success of the BluePrint. As the college’s carefully constructed strategic plan for growth for the next few years, the BluePrint guides strategic decision-making at all levels, which in turn helps manage the bottom line in today’s gripping economy. The BluePrint also sets the stage for behavioral and organizational change that will position The Citadel more competitively for the long term.

Speakers, Jeff Perez, Vice President, External Affairs and Mark Danes, Director of Marketing, endeavor to “lower the walls,” and will discuss development and progress of the BluePrint, the refinement of The Citadel “brand,” and the integrated communications strategy.

About the Presenters

L. Jeffrey Perez

Vice President, External Affairs

The Citadel

L. Jeffrey Perez, vice president for external affairs, oversees an office responsible for media relations, public affairs, marketing, publications, photography, the college web site, and alumni affairs. Dr. Perez acts as the chief spokesman for The Citadel, and is the primary point of contact for external constituencies.

Prior to The Citadel he served as executive director of communications and government affairs at Shawnee State University in Ohio. Along with overseeing media and community relations, he coordinated the university's government relations.

Mark G. Danes
Director of Marketing

The Citadel
 
Mark Danes has developed a career specializing in international marketing and communications serving organizations and clients in several industrial sectors. His communications leadership skills help organizations improve brand positioning, boost shareholder value, generate new revenue, refine customer-focused behaviors, and communicate effectively with audiences, often under difficult market conditions.

Danes has developed a customer-centric approach to strategic planning and marketing, working with organizations including IBM, United Technologies, American Eagle Outfitters, Johnson & Johnson, Hilton Hotels, American Express, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Cleveland Clinic, and Starwood Hotel Group. His agency experience includes leadership positions at Burson-Marsteller, Edelman Public Relations, J. Walter Thompson, Magnet/EuroRSCG and WeberShandwick. 

WHEN:         Tuesday, January 19, 2010

TIME:           11:45 AM Check-in   12:00 PM Lunch Served

PLACE:        Upstairs at Virginia’s on King (412 King Street)

COST:          $15 for SCPRSA members, $20 for guests, $15 for college students. No shows will be billed. Credit card payments are only accepted online prior to luncheon. Payment is expected prepaid or at the door by cash or check. If your company requires an invoice for payment, please arrange for them prior to the luncheon by contacting scprsa@earthlink.net.

RSVP:          RSVPs are now mandatory!  Please make sure to RSVP by noon on Monday, January 18 to Rebecca Blackman at rblackman@leapfrogprco.com or 843.579.0500. RSVPs to Facebook will not be counted.  For online registration and payment, click on a "Buy Now" button below. 

MIDLANDS FEBRUARY LUNCHEON

Politics and Investigative Journalism: A Reporter’s View

You know her as the reporter who broke the now infamous story of Governor Mark Sanford’s trip to Argentina. Now, meet Gina Smith, political and investigative reporter for The State newspaper for more than 11 years.

Covering everything from the plight of the homeless to the aftermath of 9/11 to Hurricane Katrina, Smith’s beat is now South Carolina politics, covering legislation, lawmakers and campaigns. With a passion for investigative and watchdog journalism, when she broke the Sanford story she appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and ABC, just to name a few. Smith was also featured in the December 2009 edition of Glamour Magazine for a “Story of the Year.”

Join Gina Smith as she discusses how she broke the Sanford story, her vast experience in investigative journalism and how PR professionals can connect with reporters in a society inundated with immediate information.

DATE:                           Tuesday, February 9, 2010

TIME:                           11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

LOCATION:                 The Capital City Club at 1201 Main St.          

*** Note Location change ***

COST:                           $18 for SCPRSA members, $25 for nonmembers, $18 for students. Walk-Ups/No RSVPs are an additional $5. No shows will be billed. Credit card payments are only accepted online prior to luncheon. Payment is expected prepaid or at the door by cash or check. If your company requires an invoice for payment, please arrange for them prior to the luncheon by contacting scprsa@earthlink.net.

RSVP:                           By Noon, Friday, February 5. For online registration and payment, click on a "Buy Now" button below.  If not paying online, contact Jacque Riley at jriley@rileycommunications.com.

UPSTATE FEBRUARY LUNCHEON

"No Bull Social Media: Taking the BS out of your online presence" by Jon Evans

Social Media can be intimidating. It’s our job as PR professionals to make it simple. We know that when it comes to communicating, social media isn’t the be-all, end-all. However, it is a great way to create satisfying, relevant conversations with our target audience. Jon Evans will share with us how to cut through the clutter and use social media to our advantage to create authentic, relevant and engaging conversation.

Jon is the founder of Social Media Barista a firm specializing in energizing brands with relevance, awareness and that alluring quality that keeps them coming back for more. His team works to build upon the brand platform by incorporating social media tactics which include Facebook, Twitter, blogs and more.

DATE:                        Tuesday, February 16, 2010

TIME:                        Networking and lunch begins at 11:45 a.m., program from noon to 1 p.m.

PLACE:                      Jackson Marketing Group, 2 Task Industrial Court in Greenville. Take I-385 to Woodruff Road, turn left on Woodruff Road and go to the third light, which is Smith Hines Road. Turn right onto Smith Hines. Jackson Marketing Group is a quarter-mile ahead on your left.Call (864) 272-3005 for directions.

COST:                        $15 for SCPRSA members, $20 for guests, $15 for college students. No shows will be billed. Credit card payments are only accepted online prior to luncheon. Payment is expected prepaid or at the door by cash or check. If your company requires an invoice for payment, please arrange for them prior to the luncheon by contacting scprsa@earthlink.net.

RSVP:                        By noon, Monday, February 15, 2010. For online registration and payment, click on a "Buy Now" button below.  If not registering online, contact Alice Grey Harrison, APR at agharrison@dixon-hughes.com.