It’s been a couple of weeks since our launch of HAPPO (Help a PR Pro Out) and, after digging through 131 incredible blog posts we received just in Chicago, and sending them to potential employers, it’s time to draw the winners of some of the free giveaways our industry organizations have so kindly donated.

Before the giveaways, though, please note that potential employers may contact you directly. They likely will mention they received your blog post from HAPPO and would like to learn more. If you get a job, and know it germinated from this movement, please let us know so we can enter you in a drawing for additional donated items!

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So what happens when a public relations professional misleads a journalist by pitching a false news hook or a story saturated in spin? Well as of late, all over the Internet, journalist are complaining about the amount of unrelated pitches they receive (rightfully so), the level of newsworthy stories, and if their source (a pr professional) is credible to write the story.

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As I read through your wish list of resolutions you would like public relations professionals to commit to — while I completely agree with and understand your frustration — I am hopeful you have ever encountered a successful relationship with a public relations practitioner. I agree with every one of your resolutions, especially those regarding knowing who you are talking to and what beat the journalist covers before you pick up the phone. On the public relations side of things, nothing would be more embarrassing than a journalist explaining to me I am not contacting the correct beat reporter.

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We are in an industry and era where digital success equals company greatness. The hard part is proving it to the old fashioned. I just got an email from my good friend who decided to pack up and travel the world before settling down with his life. Staying in touch with someone who is traveling the world can be very tough or expensive if you dare to make an international phone call. My friend created his own RSS feed so his friends and family could keep in touch and witness his adventure through maps, pictures, and exciting stories.

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Editor’s Note: We’re back after two weeks of holidays, family, and Colorado skiing!

It’s a new year and rather than talk about our New Year’s resolutions, we have three goals we want to achieve this year. But only one is pertinent to FADS.

Through PRSA Chicago, we are going to create an advocacy program for the PR industry.  Call it PR for the PR industry.

Interested in helping?  Comment here and I’ll get back to you immediately.