May 2003 eNews

Our latest PRSA-St. Louis chapter news is sponsored by Bacon's Media Pulse.

July 16 luncheon Looks at Reputation and Brand - through the eyes of FedEx
With more than 5.3 million shipments daily, 2.5 million electronic transmissions and 200,000 employees, FedEx continues to be one of today's most admired companies ranking No. 8 in FORTUNE magazine's "America's Most Admired Companies" (2003). How did they build this reputation and how do they continue to maintain a leadership position?

Join Shirlee Clark, managing director, Corporate wide Communications, FedEx Corporation, and hear how FedEx Worldwide Communications manages its company's reputation and links business goals with reputation management to add maximum value to the business.

Sample presentation topics:
* How do you define the differences in reputation and brand? 
* Can communications really affect a company's reputation? 
* Can you measure it? 
* How do you strengthen your corporate reputation?
* Why do we assume that a brand can be managed and measured but not a company's reputation?

If you haven't registered, go here. We look forward to seeing you on July 16.

New Member Orientation - 11:15-11:30 a.m. - July 16
For new members and those wanting to know more about membership in PRSA, national and the St. Louis chapter. Contact Jim Braibish, membership chair if you would like to attend.

June 19 luncheon brings PR/Ad people to the same table
Panelists at the June 19 PRSA/Ad Club joint luncheons agreed that professional communicators do the best for their clients when they first help the clients determine what they really need. They didn't really drop the gloves and duke it out as some expected. If anything they were a little too nice. But Denise Heintz, Ed Madden and Jim Schnurbusch gave 105 attendees a look at various options for prospective clients who seek advertising, photography/design, marketing communications and public relations. Who stirs the pot? Does advertising or PR or graphics? It definitely varies. And it is not always easy to work "as a team" when a client desires expertise from three or more disciplines. But for those who seek long-term working relationships with a client the message was clear. Put the client first and any and all different communications partners/players will be winners. Thanks to Jerry Bryan, APR, Fellow, for moderating.

Welcome these new Members*
Say hello to the latest area professionals to join PRSA and our chapter.
Amy McLard, VP-Public /Legislative Affairs, Missouri Credit Union+
Jon Cole, Community Service Liaison, Ozark Center (Joplin, Mo.)+
Nancy Ann Tully, Manager, Public Affairs, Holcim US, Inc (Bloomsdale, Mo.)

On the move
Jacqui Lampert, relocated to Denver; Jessica Little, Ritenour School District is now Jessia Pupillo, and Michelle Faszold, Millenium Communications, will soon be Michelle Mason.

What others are doing:
CSPRC - July 8
Summer Roundtables: "The Ins, Outs, Ups, Downs of Special Event Planning and Execution"
featuring representatives from the Missouri Historical Society, YMCA, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America, National Kidney Foundation of Eastern Missouri, Vector Communications Grand South Grand House and Garden Tour, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Science Center and Step Up St. Louis. Sheraton Clayton Plaza. For more info or to register, contact the CSPRC office at 314-647-1000.

A parting thought - Personalize your out-of-office e-mail response
Calling on a client? Out on a business trip? Taking a holiday? Personalize your automatic e-mail response. Don't make it like those voice mailboxes that some people opt to not even record their own voice!

Here are some random responses to our June meeting e-mail.
"Greetings. Sorry I missed your e-mail. I will be out of the office on vacation..."
"I am out of the office from ... until... I am in Hawaii getting married!!!!"
"ALOHA! This wahini is out of the office until the 17th. I will get back with you on the 18th. Mahalo!"
"I am out of the office at the Paris Air Show until June 23."
"I will be out of the office until Wednesday, June 11. If this message is urgent, please contact ..."
"I am traveling on business until Thursday. If you need immediate assistance, please contact my assistant ..."
"I will be out of the office on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 10, with limited access to email. If you need to reach me sooner, please leave a voicemail at ..."

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