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As part of PRSA’s mission to advance the PR profession and the professional, we bring you the Meet the Media Q+A series. In this Q+A, we speak with Owen Thomas, Business Editor at the San Francisco Chronicle to learn more about the work he does on a daily basis and to find out about his hobbies and interests. Owen is also a member of the NLGJA Northern California Chapter.

Tell us the story about how you got into journalism?

I gave the long version to Pacific Standard five years or so ago. The short version is that I …

Bay Area Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) organizations are doing amazing work to support underrepresented groups in our community, and next Wednesday, March 27th, we’re giving professionals the chance to meet and mingle with over ten of the leading D&I non-profits in the area. The Diversity & Inclusion Speed Networking mixer we’re co-hosting with our friends at the American Marketing Association SF Chapter will be a fun and informative evening, and we spoke with one of the event organizers, Brad Dressler of the AMA, to find out what awaits attendees:

What is the biggest drive for professionals to attend …

Much work still needs to be done in the PR industry to make it more diverse and inclusive.  

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the ethnic makeup of the PR industry in the U.S. is 87.9% white, 8.3% African American, 2.6% Asian American, and 5.7% Hispanic American. However, in 2045, it’s estimated that whites will comprise 49.7 percent of the population in contrast to 24.6 percent for Hispanics, 13.1 percent for blacks, 7.9 percent for Asians, and 3.8 percent for multiracial populations (PRSA Foundation brief).

The lack of diversity and inclusivity is further reinforced by research conducted …

I have spent the first couple of months in 2019 speaking with my clients about their biggest hopes, dreams, fears, and desires. This includes senior marketing & communications leaders from some of the largest brands in the world, as well as the staff and agencies who support them every day. 

Overwhelmingly, I heard that a lack of credible metrics which prove the value of PR was keeping them up at night. In particular, chief marketers are increasingly unsure about the quality of the content that their teams are producing and how it is really driving engagement.

Earned media is hard …

Here's our latest edition of ‘Meet the Board Mondays’, a series to help you get to know your 2019 Board of Directors. In this installation, we bring you Director of Professional Development, Danielle Calhoun. In her day job, she's Director of Platform Strategy at Weber Shandwick.

P: PERSON  

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Danielle Calhoun, and I’ve been working in public relations for more than 10 years. I’ve worked with everything from the government, to Spanish wine regions (yes, whole regions, you read that right), to health tech, to razor blades. And my favorite part …

Come join us on Wednesday, March 27th when we co-host a Diversity & Inclusion Speed Networking mixer!

The PRSA SF Bay Area Chapter and our very good friends at the American Marketing Association SF Chapter are joining forces again this time to co-host a speed networking event where professionals can meet and mingle with leading Bay Area Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) organizations. Here are the details:

WHEN: Wednesday, March 27, 2019, from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

WHAT: Diversity & Inclusion Speed Networking Mixer

WHERE: Werqwise, 149 New Montgomery St, San Francisco - between Mission and Howard …

As we near the end of Black History Month, we want to celebrate black-owned businesses and to share the story of Glass House Communications Founder & CEO Y’Anad Burrell on how she started her business while offering diverse perspectives on the PR industry. Y’Anad is also a former PRSA San Francisco Bay Area Chapter President and current Chapter At-Large Board Member. She also serves on the PRSA National Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

What made you want to start your own business?

When I started my PR agency over 10 years ago, I was coming from a background of having …

Here's our latest edition of ‘Meet the Board Mondays’, a series to help you get to know your 2019 Board of Directors. In this installation, we bring you Director of Membership, Jenna Watson.

Give me a P-R-S-A!

P: PERSON  

Tell us a little about yourself.

As a small town gal from Shasta County in Northern California, the SF Bay Area has proven an exciting adventure after attending college in San Luis Obispo and traveling abroad for a few seasons. For me, the SF Bay Area has offered a multitude of ways to get involved, get plugged in …

'Why are you busy with PRSA all the time?' a friend might ask. ('What's PRSA?' my mom might say, wondering what exactly it is I do for a living.)

I'll tell you why I'm so involved with PRSA: because the people I meet, the skills I gain, and the community we form takes all of us to the next level. And I'm writing today to share some (amazing) webinars coming up that are free to PRSA members. 

Pro tip: want to use these events to really set yourself apart? Share what you learn! Write an article on LinkedIn sharing key …

Here's our latest edition of ‘Meet the Board Mondays’, a series to help you get to know your 2019 Board of Directors. In our fifth installation, we bring you our Secretary, Andrea Mahoney.

Give me a P-R-S-A!

P: PERSON

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m Andrea and I am the chapter’s Secretary. Previously, I was Director of Sponsorships, and no matter the role, I’ve found it rewarding to help the organization live its mission and vision, and increase its success in the Bay Area. Also, it’s another way for me to support my beloved Bay Area! My parents …