#REVERB10 Day 9 – PARTY

December 9 – Party Prompt: Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. (Author: Shauna Reid)

I didn’t do a lot of partying this year. I have become a homebody. But of the few social gatherings that I have attended, two of them stood out the most. But one was definitely memorable.

The first was while I was in DC. I had went to brunch with a family friend and her friends. I helped in the kitchen with a few of the cooking. Everything that you can think of that is  made for breakfast and lunch was on the table – scramble eggs, bacon, sausage, and jerk chicken just to name a few. I got the chance to play Wii for the first time. I somehow got talk to going swimming with the group. I didn’t have a swimsuit or clothes that you can wear by the pool, so I had to borrow clothes from the hostess. Afterwards, we went up the street to go to a sushi restaurant. I had calamari for the first time and tried sushi that was outside of the regular spicy salmon tempura and california rolls. And afterwards, I left. Drove around the city and saw a woman cab driver for the first time.

It was nice to meet different people throughout the day. I met a person who worked for the government, a couple that were entrepeneurs, and law students. Gatherings that last all day are always my favorite. You never know what to expect or the adventures you will get into. That day just reminded me how much I’m in love with DC. I felt alive and at home.

#REVERB10 – Day 7 Community

I have fallen behind on my Reverb 10 posts, but I am going to do better. The reflection for today talks about community.

December 7 – Community Prompt: Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

During this year I have discovered public relations professionals have built multiple online communities that was created with the intention of providing a helping hand to job seekers, students, young and veteran professionals connect and learn from each other. This year the PR community has given me support, laughter, and knowledge. It is a true example of what a community should be; a group or family looking out for each other without a thought and without seeking any thanks in return.

In 2011, I hope to continue to become more deeply connected with the PR community and with the Nigerian community as well. I say that because growing up I was running away from my culture because of being teased. But as I have gotten older, I feel like I have a duty to connect with the Nigerian community as a way to preserve my family history.

#REVERB10 – Day 1

One of my New Year goals for 2010 was to blog more. Although I have blogged (go to Come Recommended’s Blog and read some of my posts), I have not been blogging here at my site. Well… that’s going to change starting today.

A few of my Twitter followers were tweeting about an online initiative called #REVERB10. What it is a project for those who are participating to reflect on the year and the upcoming new year for the next 31 days. Here is a description of the project and how you can take part from Reverb 10′s website:

“Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. The end of the year is an opportunity to reflect on what’s happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead. With Reverb 10, we’ll do both.

This December we invite you to share your story and join us in reflection.

How to participate

Prompt Starting December 1, check in here for daily creative prompts (some of which will be from published authors). You can also subscribe for complimentary inbox delivery, and watch for updates on Twitter.

Create Respond to the prompt. In a post on your blog, through a tweet, with photography, or however else you desire.

Share Participate and share your reverberations using the #reverb10 hashtag (on Twitter, Delicious or Flickr). Learn from the reverberations of fellow participants.”

So, here is my first of 31 prompts and the beginning of a new blog journey and upcoming year.

December 1 One Word.
Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

2010: UNEXPECTED

2010 marked a time of unexpected plans. For the first time in my life, the future I had planned and prepared for isn’t working out the way I want it to be. I did not expect to still be unemployed after graduating in 2009, living with my parents, ending some friendships and questioning myself. Right now, my life plans are on hold or had to be changed. And I feel out of my element because I always knew my next move. 2010 has taught me that it is ok to not know what your future holds. Growing up my Mom would always say “Don’t talk to me about tomorrow today.” I understand now. I can plan for everything under the sun, but something may happen and that plan may have to be put on hold, changed, or scrapped all together. And I’m learning to be ok with it.

2011: CHANGE

I will continue to work on myself, both professionally and personally. I have to change my mindset about my current situation and know that I will persevere and will work in the public relations industry. I have to be more open to things that I may have been against in 2010, whether it is being a relationship, my career, allowing people back into my life, or moving to a city that I may have been against. I just have to be more open to change and remember that it is not all that bad.

A #HAPPO Hand: Job Postings

Today is the day! It’s time to get #HAPPO!

Thanks to the brilliant idea by Arik Hanson (@arikhanson) and Valerie Simon (@valeriesimon), today is the day great PR professionals will move past the job seeker stage and back into the offices. From 11am – 3pm EST, job seekers will be able to pitch themselves and connect with employers and other PR professionals. For more information on today’s event, click here and check out www.helpaprproout.com and Twitter through @helpaprproout or the hashtag #HAPPO.

Throughout the week, I was thinking of a million ways to help this great cause. And surprise enough it was staring right at me in my Gmail inbox. Multiple job postings that probably a few job seekers know about. I am opening up a #HAPPO hand and hopefully providing an opportunity for someone to find their way back to a full-time position.

So are you looking for a job? Leave a comment with your name, Twitter handle, what PR level you are seeking and the location where you are searching for a job. I will send a DM (so please don’t forget to follow me on Twitter) asking for your e-mail address to send you the job postings.

Here’s a very wonderful #HAPPO Day and happy job hunting!

Update* – I have tweeted some of the job postings. Follow me @lisaatufunwa.

PR Job Openings in Las Vegas

I decided to add job openings to my blog. Although I am still looking for a job myself, I like helping out. So I am helping spread the word for job openings.

Public Relations Specialist in Las Vegas

Passion Parties, Inc., a direct sales marketing company, has an immediate opening for Public Relations Specialist. The candidate must have a Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 5 years experience dealing with all forms of media, excellent communication skills, flexibility, and the ability to work as a team-player. Candidate must be self-motivated and goal-orientated. Must have experience in media coaching. Must have experience in Media Map, Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.

Media Outreach
• Campaign Development – Develop PR Strategy Plans
• Campaign/ Press Release Execution
• Develop press releases, media advisories, and pitch letters for journalists
• Track national media outlets and news for potential submission opportunities
• Research and build media matrix including contact information of reporters for outreach
• Schedule interview logistics for Passion Parties President, Communications Department and Independent Sales Representatives. (Please see: Interview Coordination)

Interview Coordination
• Obtain interview focus, duration, and format
• Develop Talking Points for interviews
• Develop Briefing Pages that include background on reporter and media outlet
• Research the legitimacy of media opportunity and make recommendations re: interview participation
• Identify and media coach Independent Sales Representatives

Miscellaneous Support
• Develop PR interface with Independent Sales Representatives
• Provide PR status reports
• Develop and maintain database of Independent Sales Representatives interested in participating in press interviews
• Upon request, write PR News Column articles
• Develop announcements to the Independent Sales Representatives on behalf of President
• Oversee processing of invoices related to PR

We offer competitive wages, including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), short & long term disability, life insurance, supplemental insurance plans, legal services, three weeks of paid personal time and holidays.

E-mail your resume to Marjory@passionparties.com. Please attach salary history and requirements.

I’m Back!

Hello Everyone!

I am sorry for being gone so long. I had a lot on my plate (graduation, trying to find a job, my internship, and moving back to my home state). But, I will write an official post very soon…. well tomorrow.

Until next time….

My Article is in the FORUM!!!!

My article was published in the FORUM, the national newspaper for Public Relations Students Society of America. I interviewed Danielle Weller, an alumna of MSU, about her experience with PRSSA and how it being a member helped her with her current profession.

Check it out!

http://www.prssa.org/forum/default.aspx?articleid=67&issueid=21

Personal Branding at Its Worst

I haven’t had time to search around for topics for my blog. However, today was different.

I was reading my favorite gossip blog, PerezHilton.com and came across a posting that can be used as an example of personal branding. The post was a video taken by a employee (well ex-employee) of Domino’s Pizza showing her co-worker (who was also fired) doing disgusting things to the customer’s food (see video if you can stomach it). 

I am not a big fan of Domino’s, however after watching this video, I will definitely stay away. Of course they were fired. Not just because of what they did to the products. But for also branding the corporation in a negative way by using social media. We have to remember that we are in a new age of how information is being passed to one another and how we are portraying ourselves, whether it is offline or online.

It is very clear that they didn’t know the effect of posting a video on YouTube. And now this video will follow them for the rest of their lives. It may disappear from YouTube, but I am sure someone has uploaded it and re-distributed through another online video outlet. Because of this, Domino’s has some damage control to do in order to keep customers coming back. 

I thought the situation with the individual who lost her job offer because of what she said on Twitter would’ve showed how important it is to watch what you are saying or posting on the internet. Hopefully, this situation will make the overall message clear to everyone now. 

Remember, you are being watched 24/7 online.

Look Mom… I Got My License!

I got my license! My drivers license. That little piece of laminated card with my face and name on it. Now I can drive myself through the new media world with ease. In the last ten weeks of this class I have learned:

• To create and write my own blog
• Use online tools like Twitter and Facebook to promote myself and my blog page
• How to use traditional PR with new media to disburse information to the public, such as PR.com and www.free-press-release.com
• The basics of search engine optimization and how it can be properly used as a promotional tactic for any online content that I have
• How to fully immerse myself into the online world

I have written a lot of posts about the New Media Drivers License class at Michigan State University. And there is a reason why I did this. Not because it was required (which is was), but because this was one of the few classes I have taken at my four years at MSU where I was not only learning the information, but had fun learning it and was excited to tell anyone who was listening about what I learned from the class. I know this class will continue on as a regular class in the Advertising, PR, Retailing department at MSU. 

The books were very helpful also. I plan to re-read them. You always miss something when you read a book the first time.

For my final presentation on my last day of class, I will talk about one thing that I am focusing my other time on: job hunting. How can new media help you find a job? Well I will talk about next week. I will ask those I have connected with this question and will write a blog soon. 

So what’s next for me? I will continue to blog. I will move my blog page to my own domain (www.lisaatufunwa.com). This move to a new domain will happen very soon, so expect a short posting about the new page!

Well, I am off to test-drive my license. Until next time.

From Traditional to Digital: The New PR

I’m sorry for not keeping up with my blog in a timely fashion. This week has been crazy and on top of that I’m getting sick. But onto today’s post.

In the past, media relations has always been a long process for me. Once the press release is finalized, I have to pitch it. So I have to pull out my good ol’ media contact list and call each contact (well those that pertain to the topic of the press release) and tell them about the press release and ask if I can send them a copy. From there I have to send it out and contact them again to see if they receive them. Sometimes I have to refresh their minds of what the press release is about and hope that they remember. Let’s just say the process is long. Although I love every aspect of media relations sometimes it can seem like an overdrawn process to reach your target audience.

However, there is a new way to do media relations in today’s tech savvy world. David Meerman Scott explains this new way in his book “The New Rules of Marketing and PR.” Instead of sending your press release to the middle person, it can be directly sent to your audience through the Web. Sounds crazy, however effective.

So I tried it. I wrote a press release about the class and David Meerman Scott. I created a free account on http://www.free-press-release.com. I submitted the press release on there and hope to help continue creating a buzz about the class and about his book.  There are other press release distribution sites, however the Web site I used was one of the few free sites. Here is a link of press release distribution sites. 

Want to see my press release. Click on the link here http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200903/1235977068.html

I am always open to comments and critics. I like to learn and grow to make me a better person and professional. So leave comments please!

And one more thing. If you are a PR/Marketing/Advertising student, professional, admirer, please pick up David Meerman Scott’s book “New Rules of Marketing and PR.” You will not be disappointed.