On November 9, PRSSA (Public Relations Students Society of America) members were invited to have breakfast with Katie Paine, CEO and founder of KDPaine & Partners LLC, at the Pancake Pantry – a Nashville tradition. The consultancy measures the effectiveness of social media and traditional public relations. Paine’s insight into social media encouraged students to investigate its power.
Paine discussed several topics about social media. She answered the questions with substantial evidence saying public relation practitioners must engage their clients in social interaction. Twitter and Facebook navigates the ability for companies to reach an entire new audience.
“CEOs engaging in a social media presence must participate in the conversation,” comments Paine. “Ignorant company executives will fall quickly behind competitors already ahead.”
The nationally renowned social media expert (twitter: KDPaine) offers expert guidance for using various metrics to better understand the value of any communications programs and social media efforts.
“Social media is becoming very important in public relations,” says Marlee Vogel, freshman communication major from Kingsport, Tenn. “Public relations majors and minors will find [that] measuring their client’s social media presence [will be] crucial in the future.”
Later in the day, the same PRSSA members attended a professional luncheon where Paine gave a speech on her social media measurement methods. This professional development opportunity is one of many benefits of PRSSA membership.
The chapter held its monthly meeting in the Ezell Building. Select students gave a report of the day’s events. Monica Wentworth, director of the Career Development Center, was November’s speaker and provided insight the importance of utilizing social media for finding a job.
LinkedIn was given as an example. Wentworth presented the LinkedIn‘s “Dos and Don’ts” when setting up a profile.
To learn more about membership in PRSSA, please contact Hunter Moss (mosshf@mail.lipscomb.edu) or Kay McDowell (Kay.McDowell@lipscomb.edu).