By Natalie Pope Natalie never considered public relations as a career option, but upon investigation she realized it was a perfect fit.  Natalie is currently enrolled in the SFU PR Certificate and has joined Elettra Communications to complete the 3-week practicum component of the course.

For the longest time PR was a mystery to me. But as a recent SFU Communications and English graduate, I learned that Public Relations is an area that many students in my field enter. As graduation approached, I began to chat with communications professionals from IABC  and through various Vancouver events. I didn’t know what my career path would be but I did know that I love working with people, writing, social media, and events. After a lot of thought and self-reflection, I realized that PR was something that might indeed by a fit for me.

I decided to act on this realization and enrolled in the SFU PR certificate program. Because of the program, I’ve learned relevant and hands-on skills that are integral to being a professional communicator. I also met many exceptional individuals including the industry-professional instructors and my classmates who will be the future of PR, I’m sure.

The SFU English Department held an event called “What can you do with your English Degree?”, where SFU English Alumni spoke about their current profession. Simone was one of the speakers at the panel and she spoke passionately about how Elettra makes a point of finding meaningful opportunities that the team feels strongly about. This was something I was immediately drawn to and it was even more appealing when I found out how passionate Elettra is about providing exceptional learning opportunities for their interns or practicum students. Again, this was music to my ears.

I am thrilled that Elettra Communications is part of my PR journey. So far, my journey into PR has been a path of discovery, and I look forward to continue learning and discovering during my time here!

Beyond the Article:

• Connect with Natalie on Twitter or LinkedIn
• Want to hear more about Natalie's career journey? She has written about it for the SFU Online Learning Community

With summer fast approaching things are really heating up at Elettra HQ and we have lots of exciting projects on the horizon.

To help us implement these campaigns we are delighted to announce a new addition to our team - Lorna Allen has joined Elettra as an Account Executive.

Lorna hails from Northern Ireland and has an extensive background in PR and journalism from the UK and Ireland.

Lorna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities Combined and a Master of Arts in Media Studies – both from the University of Ulster. She has also completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Film Journalism from the British Film Institute, in conjunction with Sight & Sound Magazine, and is currently completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Online PR from the Fitzwilliam Institute.

Elettra is delighted to welcome Lorna, and we look forward to introducing her to our clients and suppliers.

By Leanne Kedrosky As my internship at Elettra Communications comes to a close, I’m reflecting back on how much I have learned, accomplished, and progressed over the past nine weeks. I started my time at Elettra with a faint inkling that public relations is in my career future, and I am finishing the internship with a solid conclusion that I want to be a PR star.

What I Learned at Elettra Communications:

How do you become a PR star? I have complied some of my favourite tips gathered throughout my nine-week internship at Elettra.

The people make the job. The people at Elettra made my internship a highly enjoyable experience. I’m thankful to work with Managing Partners that made me feel like part of the team and were available for any of my questions. Personal relationships are important to the Elettra team and this reflects in numerous previous employees who have returned as clients.

Choose accuracy over time. Take the time to triple and quadruple check you work! Clients will never appreciate sending off wrong or misspelled information; that time to check facts will save your reputation. Then when you think it is perfect, have someone else read it over.

Mom was right, patience is a virtue. If a situation is tough take a deep breath, ask questions, and respond with a goal in mind. The people around you will notice how you respond to others and your future workload will reflect your capabilities.

Write EVERYTHING down. From small tasks to weekly reminders, write it all down. As an intern you may be focusing on many things in a day, don’t let the small things slip out of your organizational grasp.

Small is important. Doing a good job on small tasks will lead to more responsibility. Don’t consider any task unimportant. When you put effort into the small things it will be noticed, you will gain respect in the workplace, and slowly receive more responsibility and projects.

Thank you to the Elettra team for teaching me so many valuable practices and helping me progress towards my career goals. I am looking forward to working here longer and absorbing more information from such a knowledgeable team.

Elettra Communications has an immediate opening for a Junior Public Relations Consultant with 1-2 years of PR experience. The position is for a 6-month term, with the possibility of an extension.  We are looking for an enthusiastic and driven professional who is keen to take the next step in their PR career. The Elettra team is dynamic, fun, and prides itself on providing the highest quality communications service to its clients. Posting Date: April 17, 2014

Closing Date: May 4, 2014

Responsibilities:

General

• Acting as day-to-day contact for a variety of clients.
• Supporting senior team members on a variety of communications projects.
• Supporting administrative functions of the agency.
• Supporting Elettra’s social media profiles.

Media Relations

• Writing media materials, including news releases, fact sheets, articles, and web copy.
• Developing media lists, distributing media materials, and pitching stories.
• Responding to incoming reactive media inquiries.
• Developing campaign recaps.

Social Media

• Monitoring social media channels on behalf of clients.
• Developing social media content and assisting in strategy development.

Events / community relations

• Coordinating events and community programs, working clients and suppliers.

Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Business, Marketing, Public Relations, or Arts.
• 1-2 years direct experience in public relations.
• Experience writing media materials, building media lists, and successfully earning coverage in editorial media.
• Strong media literacy and interest in local, national, and international current affairs and news.
• Active user of social media, including all major platforms. Experience in content development and monitoring.
• Exceptional writing and oral communications skills.
• A wealth of knowledge about, and passion for, the city of Vancouver.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Flexible with hours and able to respond to media inquiries / attend events outside the 9-5, Monday-Friday workweek.

Applicants are to send their cover letter and resume to info@elettra.ca.

Excited to share that starting this week, we have a fresh face at the Elettra offices - we're pleased to introduce you to our new intern, Leanne Kedrosky. Leanne is completing her final year as a Marketing Communications student at BCIT and wishes to use her passion and skills to pursue a career in public relations.  In her spare time, Leanne is a professional horseback rider and has an avid interest in painting and outdoor fitness.

Welcome to the Elettra team Leanne!

A hearty congratulations to Cassandra Parsons, who has been recently promoted to Account Manager at Elettra. Cassandra officially joined Elettra in August 2012 as Account Executive (with previous stints as an intern in 2010). The promotion recognizes Cassandra's hard work and stellar achievement in media relations and event production over the past year.

Volunteer Opportunity – Event Coordination Event: Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards

Date/Time: Monday, April 22nd 10:30am – 6pm (required) Sunday, April 21st 2pm – 5pm (if available)

Elettra Communications is looking for student volunteers to assist with Vancouver’s premier restaurant industry event. This opportunity will appeal to students who have an interest in public relations, publishing, marketing, or event management.  

Now in its 24th year, Vancouver Magazine’s Restaurant Awards event is the biggest of its kind in North America. Twenty of the city’s top food critics form the judging panel and vote on the best dining experience in more than 40 categories. The event itself includes a reception and awards show. The annual extravaganza welcomes more than 800 restaurateurs, chefs, sommeliers, suppliers, and food and wine critics.

Elettra Communications is the producer of Vancouver magazine’s Restaurant Awards. Elettra is a public relations firm that specializes in event management, media relations, and marketing consulting. For more information visit www.elettra.ca

Duties: Volunteers will assist with a range of activities including: • Event set up • Gift bag assembly and distribution • Guest check-in • Awards presenting/backstage coordination • Coat check

Benefit to you: • Event coordination experience. • Exposure to the behind-the-scenes workings of a large event. • Opportunity to build contacts in the PR, marketing, and publishing industries. • Lunch will be provided.

Dress code: All black. No jeans; no running shoes/sneakers.

How to apply: If you would like to volunteer for this opportunity, please contact cassandra@elettra.ca

In your email please provide a brief introduction of yourself, and include a description of your current course of study and your contact information.

Elettra Communications has an immediate opening for a public relations consultant with experience in media relations, issues management, and event management. Responsibilities:

• Act as day-to-day contact for clients.
• Participate in the development of PR strategies.
• Handle tactical execution of PR strategies from start to finish.
• Develop a variety of communications tools, including news releases, fact sheets, media statements, bios, articles, web copy, speeches, and client correspondence.
• Create targeted media lists – local and national.
• Develop effective pitches and successfully generate media coverage for clients.
• Handle incoming media inquiries.
• Develop social media strategies, assist clients with implementation.
• Develop messaging and provide guidance and coaching to spokespeople.
• Develop issues management strategies and key messages.
• Monitor coverage in traditional and social media, and develop project recaps.
• Provide event management support, as required.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Business, Marketing, Public Relations, or English.
• Minimum three years experience in a media relations-intensive position.
• Experience in PR account management.
• Proven track record of success garnering media coverage.
• Strong competency in social media strategy, content development, and monitoring.
• Experience with issues and crisis management in a communications environment.
• Experience providing coaching to company spokespeople.
• Exceptional writing abilities.
• Exceptional media literacy.
• Flexible with hours and able to respond to media inquiries / attend events outside the 9-5, Monday-Friday workweek.
• Previous experience in a PR agency setting will be considered an asset.

Applicants are asked to send their cover letter and resume to info@elettra.ca. We wish to thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those invited for an interview will be contacted.

It was one heck of a busy summer at Elettra Communications. So busy, in fact, that we're only now announcing some exciting news - the addition of Cassandra Parsons as Account Executive on our team. We first met Cassandra back in 2010 when she interned for us. Cassandra knocked our socks off way back then, and we've been keeping our fingers crossed that some day we could welcome her back to our team.

Since her time at Elettra in 2010, Cassandra returned to school to complete a Certificate in Public Relations from Simon Fraser University, worked with Citizen Relations Cossette, and worked in corporate communications and investor relations for several Vancouver-based TSX-V listed companies.

Cassandra also holds Bachelor of Arts from the University of Victoria, and a Certificate in Entertainment and Events Marketing from New York University.

We're so thrilled that Cassandra is back, and can't to wait for all our clients to meet her!