RockStock Information!

Due to final exams and CofC organizational blackout dates, PRSSA will not be meeting tomorrow (Wednesday, 12/9) to discuss Rockstock planning. However, if you are interested in serving on a committee for Rockstock (our annual fundraising event), please send an email to Dr. Ruth-McSwain (ruthmcswaina@cofc.edu) detailing your committee interest. The committees for Rockstock include marketing, public relations, artist/talent relations, venue/vendor relations, sponsorship, and fundraising. In your email response, please include the committee(s) you are interested in serving on as well as your contact information (phone and regularly-checked email). Please send your interest email by Wednesday, December 15 so we have time to develop committees before the holiday break. In coming weeks, you will receive an email from the chair of the committee in which you have been assigned outlining spring semester planning for your committee. Thanks for your interest, we are excited about 2010 Rockstock!

If you have any questions about Rockstock, please email Dr. Ruth-McCain (ruthmcswaina@cofc.edu) or Caroline Loy (clloy@edisto.cofc.edu) for more information - or see www.charlestonrockstock.com for last year's event information.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Hi there! I hope everyone is excited and ready for Thanksgiving Break and the final weeks of the semester!

We hope you will join us for the next PRSSA meeting on Wednesday, November 18 at 5:30 in ECTR Room 103. This week's meeting is going to be really cool. Our parent organization, PRSA, has members all across the country, with some really good ones here in Charleston...and they will be visiting us at the meeting! I know that alone makes you feel really lucky, but if you're a paying PRSSA member, your luck goes one step further! PRSSA will be hosting a little networking/munching session right after the meeting so that you can meet the PRSA members and talk with them about your future, an internship - or whatever!

So please come and help us make them feel welcome on Wednesday night with questions and a positive, professional attitude!

See you soon!

November 4, 2009

Hi everyone! Hope you had a wonderful and safe Halloween! This school year seems to be flying by, and with Thanksgiving just around the corner, we've only got a couple more PRSSA meetings left!

Luckily, we have set up a really great networking opportunity for this Wednesday's meeting (at 5:30 in ECTR Room 103). We have invited a panel of speakers from the publishing industry in Charleston to answer some of our questions and hopefully give some great advice! Panelists will include Sara Dobie (PR Manager for Sylvan Dell Publishing), Stephanie Barna (Editor for Charleston City Paper), and Jennifer Buddin (co-founder of The Little Black Book).

So please come and help us welcome them with great questions and undivided attention! We'll see you Wednesday!

Wednesday, October 21 2009

Hi everyone! Hope you had a wonderful and relaxing Fall Break - it's good to be back!

We hope you will come and join us for the meeting this Wednesday at 5:30 in ECTR room 103 for a little "taste of Charleston PR"! The creator of Byrdhouse PR will be joining us to talk about some of the work she has done with the food and beverage industries here in Charleston like FIG and Baked.

So come and join us - meet an important person in the industry and come prepared with questions and an open mind! See you soon!

REMINDER: PRSSA dues and membership application are due on October 26! Don't miss out on the opportunity for lots of member benefits!

PRSSA Meeting - October 7, 2009

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for coming out to hear Paula Edwards speak, the discussion was interesting and I think we all learned a lot!

I hope that you continue to join us and are planning to attend our next meeting, Wednesday October 7 at 5:30 in ECTR 103.

This meeting should be lots of fun - it's a scavenger hunt! Not only will it be an exciting opportunity to get to know your fellow members, but we will also be visiting important PR places around the City of Charleston...so make sure to come with an open mind and be ready to for a good time!

Also, the deadline for membership dues is October 26, so don't forget to fill out your applications and get your dues to Dr. Ruth or one of the officers!

See you Wednesday!

PRSSA Meeting - September 23, 2009

Hey everyone! I hope you can all come out and join us this Wednesday, September 23 at 5:30 in ECTR 103 for our first official PRSSA meeting of the fall semester! It is going to be an exciting meeting, with our first guest speaker, Paula Edwards, the PR/Marketing Director for Spoleto Festival USA here in Charleston. She will be discussing what it's like to plan an event like Spoleto, and all the PR work that goes into it.

Don't miss out on this awesome learning experience and networking opportunity!

Hope to see you on Wednesday!

Welcome Back - Fall 2009!

Welcome back for the fall semester! PRSSA is working hard to provide a fun-filled semester for our members. We have many meetings and activities planned for the group as well as field trips scheduled in Columbia, SC and Greenvile, SC.

Find out all that is in store this semester by attending our first meeting of the semester, the PRSSA Meet and Greet:

What: PRSSA Survivor Style: 2009 Meet and Greet
Date: Wednesday, September 9
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Place: TBA
Why: Learn about what PRSSA has to offer you as a student, meet the 2009-2010 Officer Team, receive a schedule of events for the semester, and learn how to become involved as a member of one of the best organizations on campus!

For more information, please contact chapter advisor, Dr. Amanda Ruth-McSwain (ruthmcswaina@cofc.edu) or chapter president, Caroline Loy (clloy@edisto.cofc.edu).

April PRSSA Meeting: April 9, 2009

April PRSSA Meeting
Guerilla Marketing: Creating Unexpected and Unconventional Promotions

Who: Students interested in communication, public relations, and marketing.

What: April PRSSA professional development meeting featuring guest speaker, Kevin Drum, as well as information and final details about the spring fundraiser, Rockstock (www.charlestonrockstock.com)

Where: Maybank 307

When: Thursday, April 9 @ 5:30 p.m.

Why: Learn from local marketing professional and guerilla marketing coach, Kevin Drum with Titan Coaching, LLC. Kevin will discuss successful case studies of guerilla marketing efforts as well as ways to use guerilla marketing tactics for student events. In addition, we will be finalizing Rockstock details and assigning Rockstock volunteer responsibilities. PRSSA members that paid dues this spring, please attend the meeting to receive your membership certificate and card.

How: The meeting is free to anyone who has interest in attending; just come as you are...excited to learn about guerilla marketing and to network with a local marketing professional.

Contact: Emily Coleman (eecolema@edisto.cofc.edu), Chapter President or Dr. Amanda Ruth-McSwain (ruthmcswaina@cofc.edu), Chapter Advisor

2nd Annual Rock Stock: Up and Running

Check out our Facebook page and visit the Charleston Rock Stock site which launches Friday!

Local PRSA Meeting: Great Networking Opportunity

Our local PRSA chapter would like to invite everyone to their next meeting. They student fee is $15 for the meeting and lunch (At Virginia's! yum!). Please see the below information to see what will be going on at the meeting.

Oh, and remember, these are GREAT networking events for all students.


LOWCOUNTRY MARCH LUNCHEON ANNOUNCEMENT



Setting ROI and Reinforcing the Value of Marketing

Now, more than ever, it is imperative to prove the effectiveness of your campaigns! So we’re pleased to bring a well-known Charleston marketing leader to address how to reinforce the value of marketing and public relations—before, during and after a campaign–Colleen Troy, president of Touchpoint Communications and founder of Brand-Aide in Charleston, S.C.

During 17 years as a PR practitioner, Colleen has yielded placements in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Fortune magazine and numerous international publications; she is a winner of the Bulldog Award for Media Relations, a three-time winner of South Carolina PRSA Mercury awards.

Most recently Colleen founded Brand-Aide, a non-profit organization that links freelance media professionals with businesses in need of their services. Prior to founding Brand-Aide and Touchpoint, Troy served as the public relations director at Rawle Murdy and director of public affairs at the NYU Stern School of Business.

Join us at our new luncheon location—Virginia’s on King—for a lively conversation as Colleen offers tips and strategies to help you developed effective campaigns with measurable results.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 17, 2009

TIME: Noon. Registration begins at 11:45 a.m.

PLACE: WE’VE MOVED! Don’t forget that this month’s meeting will be held at Virginia’s on King (412 King Street, Downtown Charleston). Plenty of parking is available in the surrounding lots as well as street parking.

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

RSVP: RSVPs are now mandatory! Please make sure to RSVP by close of business on Friday, March 13 to Rebecca Blackman at rblackman@leapfrogprco.com or 843.579.0500. RSVPs to Facebook will not be counted. Walk-ups are welcome but will not be served lunch. When possible, please advance pay at www.scprsa.org.

COMING UP IN APRIL: Join us in welcoming Torri Leeds, Vice President of DeVries Public Relations in New York, NY to hear about her dynamic cause marketing campaigns for Pantene Pro-V and Crest.

PRSSA March 2009 Meeting

PROMOTE YOUR EVENT LIKE THE PROS!
Get the inside scoop on event promotion from Rawle Murdy associates, Erin
Watson and Nick Tompkins.

WHO: All undergraduate and graduate students interested in public relations.

WHAT: PRSSA professional development meeting; in addition, learn how to
get event planning experience by getting involved in the annual
fundraising event, Rockstock!

WHEN: Thursday, March 12 at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Maybank 307

WHY: Take advantage of the opportunity to learn from the experts as well
as network with local PR professionals and your peers in communication.

CONTACT: If you have questions about PRSSA, please contact chapter
president, Emily Coleman (eecolema@edisto.cofc.edu) or chapter advisor,
Dr. Ruth-McSwain (ruthmcswaina@cofc.edu).

PRSSA February 2009 Meeting: RockStock!

Calling all Rockin' Communication Students...
PRSSA Meeting - Thursday, February 26

What: Come join PRSSA for a Rockstock planning meeting this Thursday. Rockstock is the annual fundraising event for PRSSA. If you want to gain experience in event planning and promotion or want to volunteer for a great cause, join a Rockstock committee. We need help with everything from artist/talent relations to media relations. Rockstock is scheduled for Friday, April 17 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Charleston Visitor's Center Bus Shed.

When: Thursday, February 26 @ 5:30 p.m.

Where: Maybank 307

Reminder: For those interested in joining PRSSA, the deadline for membership dues is tomorrow (Tuesday) by 5:00 p.m. Please drop your dues check off at Dr. Ruth-McSwain's mailbox at 9 College Way.

Questions: Contact Emily Coleman (eecolema@edisto.cofc.edu) or Dr. Ruth-McSwain (ruthmcswaina@cofc.edu) for more information about PRSSA or Rockstock.

Caroline Loy as Delegate for CofC PRSSA in New Orleans, LA

PRSSA member Caroline Loy will be attending the National Assembly in New Orleans, LA as delegate representing CofC PRSSA. Congrats to Caroline!

Also, if anyone would like to attend the conference with Caroline as a non-delegate, you need to register soon! We would love to have a few more people accomany her there. Assembly will be held March 26- March 29.

Visit www.prssa.org/assembly for more information.

Meeting Recap: January 29, 2009

Next Meeting:
Please send me an email and let me know what days are best for meetings. I am trying my best to set meeting dates on days that the maximum amount of people can attend. We will always set them for around 5:30 or 6:00 p.m.

Membership Dues:• Membership dues for the spring will be due on FEB. 20th
• If you want to become a member of PRSSA you will need to fill out a membership form and get $60 (for an entire year) to Dr. Ruth before this date.
• You can get a membership form by visiting (www.prssa.org/resources/dues.asp) or wait to pick one up at our next meeting.
• Please drop these forms off in the Communication Dept. office in Dr. Ruth’s box or slide it under her door at 7 College Room #301. You may also bring it to our next meeting

The Michael Witkoski Memorial Scholarship:• This is a $500 dollar scholarship that is awarded to one CofC PRSSA student and one Clemson PRSSA student
• Scholarship is available to any active PRSSA member of Junior standing or below
• Dr. Ruth will be assessing all members participation for this semester
• If you are interested in receiving the scholarship, please notify me or Dr. Ruth. We will have an application process available
• This is a great way to get PRSA members to see your accomplishments (you will receive the award at the SCPRSA Mercury awards ceremony in Columbia, SC)

National Assembly: New Orleans, LA• March 26-March 29
• Trip to elect new PRSSA National officers
• The PRSSA will pay for one student to go as a delegate for the chapter (this includes your hotel and dues- you will only need to book a flight/ approx. $230)
• This is a great opportunity for those of you interested in holding officer positions next year.
• Please contact me if you are interested or have any questions.

Rockstock: April 4, 2009 at the Visitor’s Center Bus Shed 7-11 p.m.

Below is the list of committee heads and members. If you have not signed-up for a committee, please email the committee head you would like to be involved with and copy me on that email so I can update the committee list. Also, I know that quite a few people joined committees on Thursday and if your name is not on the list, please email me and let me know which committee you were involved with. COMMITTEE HEADS: please make sure to make notes on how you go about getting things done (i.e. timelines, procedures). We will need these in order to enter the fundraising bowl for PRSSA and so that next year can go more smoothly.

Rockstock Committees:

Artist Talent:
Heads:
Lauren Shoefstall (LaurenAshleySC@gmail.com)/ Courtney Brink (cmbrink@edisto.cofc.edu)
Members:
Hannah Nuccio (hknuccio@edisto.cofc.edu)

Sponsorship:
Head:
Emily Coleman (eecolema8725@gmail.com)
Members:
Samantha Sawaked (smsawake@edisto.cofc.edu)
Carroll Papalardo (cpoppala@edisto.cofc.edu)
Andrew Mintz (andrewlmintz@gmail.com)
Caroline Henning (cshennin@edisto.cofc.edu)
Shana Glenn (smkolodn@edisto.cofc.edu)

Marketing:
Head:
Genevieve diLeonardo (gedileon@edisto.cofc.edu)
Members:
Hannah Chapman (hchap426@hotmail.com)
Sarah Vining (snvining@edisto.cofc.edu)
Olivia Gossett (ogossett@edisto.cofc.edu)
Courtney Cochran (clcochra@edisto.cofc.edu)
Casey Turn

PR/ Media Relations:
Head:
Sarah Flick (sdflick@edisto.cofc.edu)
Members:
Caroline Loy (carolinelloy@gmail.com)
Jennifer King (jmking@edisto.cofc.edu)

Finance:
Head:
Whitney Osborne (whitney.e.osborne@gmail.com)
Members:
Annie Puckett (apuckett@edisto.cofc.edu)
Nick Langston (njlangst@edisto.cofc.edu)

Venue:
Head:
Katie Varn (kbv7@aol.com)

ROCKSTOCK Time and Date Set

It is now final!

PRSSA's 2009 Rockstock event will take place on April 4th, 2009 from 7-11 p.m. at the Visitor's Center Bus Shed!

We have the date, time and place. Now we need to put it together!

PRSSA Meeting for January

Hello everyone!

We will be having our next PRSSA meeting to discuss Rockstock--our spring music event. If you have signed-up for a committee or are interested in doing so, please attend this meeting. We will begin planning at this time.

What: PRSSA Rockstock Meeting
Where: Maybank 307
When: Jan. 29th, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.

Note: If you are a committee head, please come prepared to outline your plan for the next two months to your group members.

Please contact me if you have any questions: eecolema8725@gmail.com or eecolema@edisto.cofc.edu