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March 2013

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Inside the ACE Awards Gala – Thoughts from a veteran attendee
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By: Miranda Germani

Are you considering attending the hottest PR event in town but aren’t quite sure what to expect? Blair Peberdy, vice-president, marketing, communications and public affairs, Toronto Hydro-Electric System, has attended every ACE Awards Gala for the past decade. Blair gives us the inside scoop on what it’s like to join more than 300 of Toronto’s PR practitioners and students to celebrate the best in PR, network with colleagues, and enjoy a delicious meal.

For those who haven’t attended an ACE Awards gala before, this repeat guest and award-winner describes the event as “one of the few opportunities for Toronto’s PR and communications professionals to get together to celebrate excellence in our business. There’s always a fantastic buzz in the room and the quality of the awards submissions is very impressive.”

Blair thinks it’s important for communications professionals to attend the ACE Awards gala, regardless of whether they’re winning an award.

“Attendees have the opportunity to network with some of the best communicators in the country from the agency, corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors at an event that is fun and well attended by senior, intermediate and entry-level practitioners,” said Blair. “The atmosphere is friendly and it’s the best event in Canada featuring top creative and strategic communications programs, executed exceptionally well.”

The ACE Awards gala is a great way to celebrate with colleagues and friends, and everyone can learn something to use in their professional career. As Blair explains, “Great campaigns are always featured and well-presented in a fast-paced format. I usually come away with one or two great ideas. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to quietly gauge how your own communications programs stack-up against some of the top PR professionals in Canada — and it’s usually a pleasant surprise!”

Blair concluded explaining why he has been a loyal attendee. “I like to attend because I enjoy the networking, but most importantly I find the quality of the awards submissions and the excitement at the event to be inspiring.”

The ACE Awards gala is fast-approaching. This year’s ACE Awards is being held on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at the Arcadian Court, hosted by Global Toronto’s Sean O’Shea.

Eager to get your hands on the hottest PR ticket in town? More information is available on the ACE Awards page. But don’t delay – this event always sells out!

Tweeting about the ACE Awards? Follow @CPRSToronto and use the hashtag #CPRSACE

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From speech bubbles to public speaking: Giving students VOICES
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VOICES 2013 Speech Competition is organized completely by students and for students, to create a platform for the new generation of college students.

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“Peace & love,” Monika Przestrzelska and Michal Kocia. This lovely couple is originally from Poland and they are here on an international exchange program.

Taking place on March 28, 2013 at The Great Hall on Queen St. West, the event is to express students’ concerns and hopes for the future, as well as an opportunity for them to get public speaking experience in a public setting.

Jeff Douglas, co-host of As it Happens on CBC Radio One; Bruce Hunt, the founder of Toronto Speakers Academy and president of the acclaimed Downtown Toronto Toastmasters Club; Nancy Milton, a certified co-active coach accredited by the International Coaches Federation; and president and CEO of The Lavin Agency, David Lavin make up the judges for the competition.

Literally taking the initiative to the streets to create awareness, for the past month the event’s organizers have been out around Toronto asking people to fill out a mobile speech bubble describing their hopes for the future.

These individuals could share a photo of their personalized speech bubble on the VOICES Twitter and Facebook pages. Check out all the photos we’ve taken so far.

From “Middle East Peace,” to an “All Vegan World,” to more “Group Outings,” to “Mental Health Prevention,” to “Save the Bees,” the VOICES team heard a bit of everything, and got to speak with some of the most interesting individuals along the way.

The competition will include 12 competitors from Seneca, Centennial and George Brown College.

Competitors will be preparing speeches that discuss their thoughts, ideas and emotions towards the future that awaits them.

Marco is a Toronto police constable and hopes to see no more violence in Toronto.

“No more violence #saferTO,” Marco Ricciardi. @TPS_Marco is a Toronto police constable and hopes to see no more violence in Toronto.

Overall, the competition has given the managers (like me) experience securing sponsorship, judges, media coverage, and learned how to create an interactive website and buzz-worthy social media campaign.

Please help support VOICES by liking our Facebook, Twitter and checking out our website and blog.

And join us this Thursday, March 28!

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Storify: Building Media Relationships
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Missed our March 11, 2013 event? Here are some highlights from the panel discussion:


CPRS Toronto’s Building Media Relationships event

March 11, 2013

Storified by CPRS Toronto· Mon, Mar 11 2013 19:41:07

Can’t wait to hear from the panel tonight! @CPRSStudents #BuildingMediaRelationshipsCheryl Heisler
At #BuildingMediaRelationships! http://pic.twitter.com/wi5Z6zQVW6CPRSToronto Students
Our lovely panelists #BuildingMediaRelationships http://pic.twitter.com/DrZUV2wRNfCPRSToronto Students
Always tell media the truth even if you don’t like it. The truth will always find you. #WordsofWisdom #BuildingMediaRelationshipsCPRSToronto Students
@CPRSStudents great insight so far for relationships between journalists and PR practitioners #buildingmediarelationshipsKristina Karabassis
A quote should stand out. You only get one opportunity. Quotes are worth taking the time. #BuildingMediaRelationshipsNoah Gomberg
Sometimes a news release isn’t necessary for a pitch. A well-crafted message can be more beneficial #BuildingMediaRelationshipsCPRSToronto Students
"Own what you do know." – Tara Wood at @CPRSStudents #buildingmediarelationshipsNatalia Banoub
Anything after a third email is obnoxious. Avoid being a nuisance #HumberPR #BuildingMediaRelationshipsChristian Llano
"If it doesn’t sound like someone said it don’t use it." Quoting Huma Pabani on writing quotes. #BuildingMediaRelationshipsPeter Onate ツ
learned a ton about pitching and storytelling at @CPRSStudents’ #buildingmediarelationships panel tonight #humberprAlison Mowat
Thanks to @CPRSStudents for hosting #buildingmediarelationships. A very informative night with great panelists!Greg Fast

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Social to-do: Top 5 moves for 2013
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By Julie Geller
@JulieGeller
VP Marketing
Cision Canada

 

Before we get too deep into 2013, here’s an all-important top 5 to-do list that will invigorate your plans for the year ahead.

  1. Review your metrics: Accurate research is everything. Review your key performance indicators annually, and confirm that your research and reporting are in line with the organization’s stated goals. If your reports aren’t illuminating useful trends, make adjustments that fit your strategy. Also, examine the forms and data-collection criteria you use to ensure you aren’t missing a chance for gathering new information from clients. Consider creating visually driven reports that will engage your team in meetings and give senior management at-a-glance analytics.
  2. Refresh your homepage and blog: This no-brainer easily falls off everyone’s list. It’s great if your site has been recently re-designed, but you have to keep it fresh for visitors. Stale homepages discourage regular traffic from exploring your content on a deeper level. Fresh visuals, automated slideshow functionality and “related content” widgets are among the ways you can engage people in your organization’s latest news. If you can meet the demands of delivering content on a regular basis, a weekly blog is a great hook for pulling in traffic.
  3. Think mobile, act local: Pay attention to your mobile stats. Remember the 2010 Morgan Stanley report that predicted mobile’s dominance over the desktop by 2015? Well, we’re getting close, and you need to be sure that your content and its delivery are optimized for this exploding audience. If your mobile stats are low, find out why you are lagging and fix it. Maybe it’s time for an app, which provides instant access to your message and is the go-to solution for reaching audiences on the move.
  4. Embrace marketing’s convergence with social: Communications today depends on social media. As social matures, we’re seeing that it’s more than a Web 2.0 technological novelty. We all still need media releases, press conferences and media contacts, but it’s also time to build serious strategy around social tools. Social is more than a delivery system — it’s a marketing platform with unlimited potential for engaging audiences. Take the time to develop creative solutions for sharing your PR message and implementing your marketing plan. Set aside budget to hire dedicated social personnel for your team. Use social media to build value with your audience.
  5. Understand new technologies: Four years ago, we were all scratching our heads about Facebook’s value to business. Now there’s LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, Vine and more. Many of them are indispensible PR tools. You may not find a need for every social platform today, but it is absolutely necessary that you know how the channels work. Marketing strategies morph with time, and you never know what social tool will be useful to your campaign in the future.

Originally posted in the Cision Canada Insights for Influencers blog. Also join CPRS Toronto sponsor @Cision_Canada at the Social Media Ref.

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Open doors with a CPRS Toronto Leadership Award
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By Miranda Germani

A Beatles’ top award was accidentally used as a doorstop for 30 years* (intrigued? See footnote below), but in a not-so-literal sense, awards can truly open many doors to a young PR professional.

Matt Juniper, winner of the CPRS Toronto Young Public Relations Professional of the Year Award in 2012, realized the impact of the recognition almost immediately.

“Receiving my ACE Award was an extremely rewarding experience,” Matt said. “To be honoured for my work in front of some of the most successful public relations practitioners in Toronto was a memorable and rewarding experience.”

In just a year, the award has made a difference to Matt’s career.

“The award has been not only an excellent addition to my resume, it’s given me stronger name recognition in the Toronto public relations industry. I’ve been invited to multiple conferences as a panelist, I’m frequently asked to contribute as a guest writer on public relations blogs and my colleagues in the industry have greater awareness of who I am. In an industry where networking is so crucial, this added name recognition has been invaluable.”

Matt encourages all PR professionals to consider nominating a young PR professional that they know for this award. “Not only will the award open doors for that individual, nominators will be helping pay tribute to younger professionals in the field. In an industry that moves and changes so quickly, young public relations professionals are a valuable asset and I believe it is important to recognize them.”

Tempted to apply and not sure what to include?

Matt thinks a diverse submission made him stand out, giving these tips:

  • A successful award submission shows balance between work and other experience, like volunteering
  • Highlight many areas of experience – Matt has been involved in corporate, political and not-for-profit communications campaigns through his volunteer work
  • Staying informed and involved in industry trends like social media, and other emerging communications trends

But that’s just Matt’s experience – the judges are looking for you to put your personal stamp on your submission.

The CPRS Toronto Leadership Awards recognizes individuals who have achieved excellence in their careers or made significant contributions to the field of public relations. In addition to the CPRS Toronto Young Public Relations Professional of the Year Award, there are also award categories for Public Relations Student of the Year Leadership Award, Public Relations Professional of the Year, Mentor of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

More information is available on the CPRS Toronto Leadership Awards page.

The nominations deadline has been EXTENDED to Thursday, March 7, 2013. This is your last chance to nominate yourself or someone else.

The Leadership Awards will be presented at the ACE Awards Gala on Wednesday, April 24, 2013.

* The Beatles’ top gong, a prestigious Ivor Novello award, was given to them after Yellow Submarine sold 1.2 million copies. A woman found it in a derelict London office building in the early 1980s, took it home, and used it to prop open a door for three decades. The now-elderly woman apparently didn’t realize what she had found for 30 years, but found out and sold the award last year at auction.

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Storify: @CPRSNational & CCPRF #PRBootcamp
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Did you miss the CPRS National and the Canadian Council of Public Relations Firms’ Bootcamp on March 1?

Checkout some of the highlights in this Storify put together by our friends at Cision Canada (@Cision_Canada).


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