eChaser: April 2008 / p3

GET A JOB

GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention seeks a marketing development writer to translate sales/marketing strategies into communications of its retirement products and services. Office is near the American Airlines Center in Uptown Dallas. Visit guidestone.org/Employment.aspx for the job description and to apply online. ...

Dallas-based ALM First Financial Advisors seeks an HTML design service that can port Word documents containing travel details, program outline/agenda, costs and a registration form to the web. The ALM site is hosted on its own box with Vergent Communications and runs on a Linux system. Reach Margot Strong, director of business development, at mstrong@almfirst.com. ...

“Several small clients need help updating their web sites with news and ad specials, photos and basic text type changes on a part-time, sporadic basis.” Contact Jim Dawson at jdawson@dawsonmarketing.com. ... The Marketing Department has an immediate need for a freelance video editor in the Dallas/Plano area who works in FinalCut Pro (and has the software). Contact Jane Betters at 972-248-7990 or jbetters@GetSizzle.com. ...

Fujitsu Network Communications seeks a manager for its marketing communications team in Richardson. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business or communications; 5-7 years in trade show marketing, events management and/or direct mail/e-marketing development and execution; and Microsoft Office proficiency. More from senior recruiter Ann Stormer at ann.stormer@us.fujitsu.com or 972-479-2124. Fujitsu Transaction Solutions seeks a PR manager in the Frisco office. Must have a bachelor’s degree or higher in marketing or PR and at least five years experience in a technology company. Same contact. More at jobs.fujitsu.com.

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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Laura Van Hoosier, APR, Greater Fort Worth PRSA

April will find some of us in Little Rock for the PRSA Southwest District Conference. The key dates are April 10-11, with an APR workshop that I’ll be a part of April 9. Join me at the Peabody Hotel. We’ll watch the ducks march through the lobby. To register, visit nxtpr.org.

The conference is your ticket to all things new media. Hear the industry’s superstars tell how they create successful public relations strategies in a host of vehicles — YouTube, Twitter, Facebook — and then unwind at an amazing reception at the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library.

The keynote sessions are sure to inspire. Duncan Wardle, vice president of global public relations for Disney Parks, will take us inside the Disney PR machine, while Richard Edelman, PR Week’s “Most Powerful PR Professional” and president of Edelman, the world’s largest independent PR firm, will tell how he immersed himself and his agency in the new media world.

Back in Texas, I hope you’re dusting off your 5K shoes for the Komen Race for the Cure at the end of the month. I can’t wait to wear my PRSA PINK shirt! Please consider joining our team by visiting race.komentarrant.org/goto/PRSA. A big thanks to Carol Murray for coordinating team activities.

Also, special thanks to Glenda Thompson and everyone in the chapter who’s busy with our community service project for the More Life Festival. Much work remains — could you spare an hour or two? Let Glenda or Jake Yarbrough know you want to be a part of this. What a great opportunity for new professionals, students and seasoned pros to add to their portfolio and build their résumé, all while lending their talents to a great cause.

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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Betsy Deck, IABC Fort Worth

The IABC fiscal year ends in June, and it’s been an amazing time. The chapter’s participation in Worldwide Membership Month was a huge success, and we have implemented many new opportunities for networking and building relationships within IABC.

None of this could have happened without our wonderful volunteer directors and committee members. We are fortunate to have on board the most dedicated and hard-working communicators in Texas, a few more of whom are needed to serve on the communications committee and to help with the Bronze Quill contest each June. We’re talking manageable time commitment and great satisfaction — the highest reward to effort ratio you’ve ever seen! Contact me at 817-685-1821 or bdeck@ci.euless.tx.us.

Our speed networking event planned for March 6 got snowed out, so we’re trying again at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at the Ginger Man pub. Join us for bonding, banter and brew. Thanks, Cheryl Hart and Mike Agnello, for making this happen.

The Bronze Quill call for entries will arrive in your mailbox this week, featuring new online registration and payment. Visit bronzequill.com for details.

I am excited about the future and know that we can accomplish great things. Thanks for being a part of IABC.

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OVER & OUT

John Dycus, Fort Worth SPJ

Last call for the big-deal dinner, scholarship awarding, journalist honoring, Tom Blanton tell-all time April 11 at Cacharel, the fanciest joint in Arlington. It’s a cliché to say you don’t want to miss this, but you don’t want to miss this. ...

How much does it cost to buy the presidency? The 2008 presidential election is the most expensive race in history, with some estimating that $3 billion will be raised and spent. But where does that money come from? Just as important, where does it all go? The Center for Public Integrity has the answers in its signature project, ”The Buying of the President.” ...

SPJ national is pleased with a district court’s decision to drop a permanent injunction against Wikileaks host Dynadot and to deny a motion for a preliminary injunction against Wikileaks, a web site where people post leaked material to discourage unethical corporate behavior. The case, a major test to First Amendment rights in the internet era, was brought to the federal court in San Francisco by Julius Baier Bank and Trust. The bank moved to withdraw its suit against the site after the court’s ruling. Read what SPJ had to say. ...

Twelve students will soon be part of The Working Press, a daily newspaper that will cover the 2008 SPJ Convention & National Journalism Conference, Sept. 4-6 in Atlanta. Interns receive their convention registration, some paid meals and a hotel room. Apply by April 4 at the WP web site.

Closing words: “I am against adjournment. The day of judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. I wish, therefore, that candles may be brought.” — Col. Abraham Davenport, May 19, 1780, at a town council meeting in New Haven, Conn., during a solar eclipse ... “Trying to determine what is going on in the world by reading newspapers is like trying to tell the time by watching the second hand of a clock.” — Ben Hecht