Brad Beasley has joined J.O. as an art director. Following a 10-year teaching career, Beasley began his ad journey in 2006 as an intern at Fusion Advertising. He subsequently moved
to Group 360 Visual Communications; prior to J.O., he was the agency’s art director. A Baylor graduate,
he is in the visual communications program at Brookhaven Community College.
What do the Coca-Cola Co., Bank of America and Susan G. Komen for the Cure have in common? Backlash. They’ve all faced it — Coca-Cola for scrapping Coke for New Coke in 1985, BofA for charging a $5 ATM fee, Komen for defunding Planned Parenthood. In the third case, social media was a major influence. Dan Keeney, APR, addressing the backlash phenomenon at the March PRSA meeting, noted how Facebook and Twitter make it easier to move news, bad as well as good. Keeney, president of DPK Public Relations, added, however, that although social media may appear to drive backlash, it’s news outlets that make things take off. Audrey Taubert, far left, and Liz Heck of the marketing agency J.O. localized the Komen fuss with a behind-the-scenes look at how their agency addressed it. They said that initially Komen national didn’t identify the problem, didn’t provide talking points and told the agency to keep quiet. The crisis originated at headquarters, but affiliates stood to suffer.
PRSA national update: For your enlightenment and elucidation, selected webinars, free for PRSA members. “Accreditation Power Play: the How-to of Accreditation.” April 19. How do you start preparing? Learn what is expected, get organized, study the right materials and follow the right process — this is the best way to earn the APR credential.  •  “Using Age to Engage: Find Out More About Your Target Audiences.” On demand. Done correctly, generational marketing can be a cost-effective strategic research approach to identifying a constituency. Learn how each group has its own nuances, personality, distinctions and personal value.  •  “Knowing Your Business Is Good PR.”
On demand. Use your business literacy to communicate with the CEO and improve your outcomes.

PRSA local update: It’s not too late to register for the 2012 PRSA Southwest District Conference, April 11-13 in Tulsa, Okla., themed “The Last Conference You’ll Ever Attend” after the Mayan calendar prophecy that the end of the world is nigh. Accordingly, organizers have coalesced a lineup of speakers to end all lineups. Get it? Sure you do. With the PR world in chaos, this may be the last conference you’ll ever need. In case the Mayans were right, eat the dessert first. Even better, you won’t have to keep your receipts.

PRSA local update II: This month in PR history. April 15, 1912: The unsinkable Titanic does the unthinkable and sinks. More than 1,500 people lose their lives. The PR guy who coined the adjective “unsinkable” loses his job.  •  April 3, 1860: The Pony Express begins mail delivery. The first mail pouch contained 49 letters, five telegrams and a variety of papers. A rider would switch to a fresh horse every 10-15 miles; each rider rode a leg of 75-100 miles. Seventy-five horses were needed to make a one-way trip between St. Joseph, Mo., and Sacramento, Calif. At an average speed of 10 miles an hour, the Pony Express could cover the 1,800 miles in 10 days. Although the company did not last long, it captivated America’s imagination and helped win federal funding for the delivery system that went on to become the United States Postal Service — which, given congressional threats, could yet return to using ponies.

PRSA local update III: Standing reminders. Have something to say? Be a speaker at a North Texas PRSSA chapter meeting. E- Kevin Williams at kw757@yahoo.com. ... The DFW Communicators Job Bank lists full-time, part-time and internship positions in PR, media affairs, advertising/sales, event planning, graphic design, marketing, and corporate and employee communications throughout North Texas. Employers who are members of the participating organizations may post a job listing for $50; the cost for nonmembers is $75. Nonprofits get a 50 percent discount. Each posting runs three weeks. Greater Fort Worth PRSA receives a portion of the proceeds when a member marks his or her membership status on the submission form. More from Jerrod Resweber at jresweber@webershandwick.com or 469-375-0216. ... Stay on top of emerging trends and industry news, extend your network while increasing your knowledge, and keep learning and stay competitive. Any practitioner with at least two years in the field is eligible for membership in the world’s leading organization for PR professionals. Those with fewer than two years experience or who recently graduated from college and were active in PRSSA may join as an associate member. More from chapter president-elect Chris Smith at csmith501@charter.net.

PRSA local update IV: Publicly traded companies face challenges from a variety of stakeholders. How can the public relations and investor relations teams collaborate to maximize impact? What are the risks of not working together? Jeff Baum, former head of global communications at EDS, and Bob Johnson, former head of investor relations at JCPenney, tackle these questions at the Dallas PRSA meeting Thursday, April 12. Register here.

Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas update: According to the latest Corruption Risk Report Card, Texas flunked, or nearly flunked, half of all areas surveyed. The Lone Star State received an F grade in public access to information, executive accountability, state civil service management, state insurance commissions and redistricting. Near-failing grades were given for political financing (D-) and legislative accountability (D+). Overall, according to the report (a project of the Center for Public Integrity), Texas earned a D+ — 27th out of the 50 states. Texas’ only A grade went for internal auditing. In contrast, Texas is making serious improvements in financial tranparency, according to the nonpartisan, nonprofit citizens-based advocacy group TxPIRG. Texas ranks No. 1 in TxPIRG’s annual report on the subject. However, TxPIRG warns that “Texas will need to keep improving if it wants to stay on top.” More here and here and here.

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PEOPLE & PLACES

The Shorthorn, UT Arlington’s daily student newspaper, received both Gold (print) and Silver (theshorthorn.com) Crowns during the 2012 Columbia Scholastic Press Association recognition ceremony March 18. This is the first time in recent history that both print and online products have received this national recognition; the awards are among the most prestigious in college journalism. The Shorthorn is the only Texas college newspaper to receive the Gold Crown. Journalism senior Sam Morton, the spring 2012 editor; journalism senior Dustin Dangli, who served as editor throughout the 2011 calendar year and currently is the paper’s social media manager; and Student Publications director Lloyd Goodman attended the ceremony in New York City. ...

Former Fort Worth SPJ president Donna Darovich is again writing the script for the Tarrant County League of Women Voters’ second annual “Fools Rule” show, April 5 at Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. Bob Ray Sanders will emcee. O.K. Carter, also a former president of the chapter, is now editor of the Arlington News Network online publication. Since he took the reins last fall, the publication’s monthly hits have jumped from four digits to more than 400,000. ...

Lindsey Bever is one of 15 (from 100 applicants) to be admitted to Columbia University’s graduate investigative reporting program. She begins in August. She is a former Tarrant County College and TCU student, Texas Gridiron Scholarship winner and runner-up for Associated Collegiate Press Two-Year Reporter of the Year.

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