If you’re new to Spin Sucks, you may not know about HAPPO – Help a PR Pro Out, which was “invented” last year by Arik Hanson and Valerie Simon in order to help those looking for a job to network and broaden their reach.

The duo asked their friends across the country to champion their efforts in each city and to use social media to leverage relationships and help connect those seeking a job in the PR industry with employers. With some help from the Arment Dietrich team and Debra Caplick in suburban Chicago, I am the champion here.

And we’re hosting a live event in our offices on Feb. 24 from 5-7. Part panel discussion and part networking, we’ll also have adult beverages and snacks.

Karen Bloom, the founder of Bloom, Gross & Associates, has agreed to serve as the recruiter on our panel. We’ve also invited an agency leader and a hiring manager from the corporate side. Neither have confirmed yet so we’ll leave them as a surprise. But rest assured you’ll have a panel (with me moderating) who recruit and hire PR pros. Plus you’ll have the opportunity to network with everyone, see our offices, meet some of our team, and enjoy a cocktail.

HAPPO was founded on social media and this is the first time we’ve held a live event. It’s the next step in helping those of you either out of a job or thinking about making a change to network in person. Simultaneous live events are happening across the country so, if Chicago doesn’t work for you, check out the following champions who also are hosting events.

* Mike Schaffer, Washington, D.C.

* Anne Buchanan, Philadelphia

* Abbie Fink, Phoenix

* Arik Hanson, Minneapolis

* Nikki Stephan, Detroit

* Kellye Crane, Katie Wall, Jeremy Porter, Atlanta

* Deanna Ferrari, Pittsburgh

* Valerie Simon, PR Cog and Tiffany Winbush, New York City

If none of those events work for you, well no job for you!

OK. Not really.

You can participate in the HAPPO chat by using #HAPPO during the 5-7 CT hours.

If you’re in Chicago, please RSVP below so we know how many people to expect and buy enough treats.

See you next week!

Gini Dietrich

Gini Dietrich is the founder, CEO, and author of Spin Sucks, host of the Spin Sucks podcast, and author of Spin Sucks (the book). She is the creator of the PESO Model and has crafted a certification for it in partnership with Syracuse University. She has run and grown an agency for the past 15 years. She is co-author of Marketing in the Round, co-host of Inside PR, and co-host of The Agency Leadership podcast.

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