Meeting/Event Information

PRSA Dallas 2014 Pro-Am Day!

Calling all PRSA Dallas professionals and college students! Mark your calendars for the PRSA Dallas Pro-Am Day on Friday, March 14, 2014. Pro-Am Day connects students with experienced public relations professionals through a shadowing opportunity followed by an educational luncheon program.
Students will be paired with an experienced practitioner during the morning to gain valuable public relations insight and establish network contacts in this unique mentoring opportunity. Afterward, all participants are invited to the PRSA Dallas luncheon for more mingling and to see a fantastic panel of North Texas communicators headlining, "All-Star Insights."

Agenda:
9 - 11 a.m.: Students visit mentors’ offices for shadowing experiences
11 - 11:30 a.m.: Students and mentors head to Seasons 52 at North Park Center for luncheon
11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Registration check-in for luncheon
12 - 1:30 p.m.: Lunch and panel (Panelists include: John Hoffmann (Senior Vice President, Corporate Communication, Nationstar Mortgage), Lauren Butler (Vice President/Group Manager, Ketchum Public Relations) and Amanda Lam (Public Relations Manager, QMobius)
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.: Q & A with students about their shadowing experiences and the PR industry


2014 Pro-Am Day: All-Star Insights Panel


Lauren Butler serves as Vice President/Group Manager for Ketchum Public Relations and is based in the Dallas office. An 11-year Ketchum veteran, Lauren focuses primarily on the tech and wireless industries. Lauren’s tech experience ranges from working with wireless carriers to content providers to global handset manufacturers, most recently serving as lead for the Nokia and U.S. Cellular accounts, where she provided planning, strategic counsel and day-to-day support for product launches, executive visibility, media relations and social/digital media programs.
Lauren has played an instrumental role in numerous brand campaign launches, including the “New AT&T” as part of the AT&T/Cingular acquisition, “More Bars in More Places,” “Raising the Bar,” “Cingular Fits You Best” and the launch of the Cingular Wireless brand in 2001. Lauren also co-created and managed Cingular’s Be Sensible CSR program to promote the safe and courteous use of wireless devices. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Baylor University.



Amanda Lam is a public relations manager at QMobius, a Dallas-based brand marketing and communications agency. She works on both local and national accounts, such as Oakley and Children’s Medical Center. She provides support for public relations and marketing planning, media relations, social media campaigns, marketing promotions, and events. Amanda was originally indoctrinated in strategic communications during her tenure in the Colorado State Capitol House communications department. Thereafter, she cut her teeth in boutique-like agencies and worked with nearly a dozen varied, major brands. From analyzing cause-marketing partnerships to promoting brand awareness, conducting media relations and research and analysis to pitch new businesses, she's worked with brands like Celestial Seasonings, Chipotle, Comcast, Crocs, Horizon Organic, Southwest Airlines, Tiffany & Co., and UnitedHealthcare.

Amanda holds a bachelor's degree in international studies and a minor in business administration and French. She’s also an active board member of PRSA Dallas.



John Hoffmann is an experienced communication professional with a 30-year background in public relations, corporate communication and broadcast journalism. Currently the Senior Vice President of Corporate Communication at Nationstar Mortgage, he is regarded as a decisive leader, strategic planner, and highly effective manager, mentor and coach.
John is a strong writer and articulate spokesperson, with an extensive background in media relations, media training and crisis communication. Before taking his current position with Nationstar in 2013, he worked for Tenet Healthcare, AmeriCredit, Horace Mann Insurance Company, and several radio and TV stations. He has also been a leadership and public affairs volunteer for the American Red Cross for 25 years.
A graduate of the University of Michigan, John is married and has two children. He lives in Keller, where he currently is running for re-election to the Keller City Council.

Registration:

Are you a public relations professional?
Please contact Jennifer Bailey if you are interested in hosting a student this year at [email protected]. You must be a paid member of PRSA Dallas to participate as a mentor. 

Please register online.  Deadline to register is Monday, March 10.
Registration is $30 for members, $40 for non-members (add $5 for walk-up registration). 
*** No-shows will be billed.  Cancellations must be made by Monday, March 10.  Please contact Liz Kennedy to cancel.

Are you a student?
Student cost is $30 per student. Register online at www.prsadallas.org and then forward your confirmation email to Sheila Bishop at [email protected]before 5 p.m. on March 7. Your email should also include your name, classification (senior, junior, sophomore, freshman or grad student), school, email address, phone number and shadowing preference (agency, corporation or nonprofit). Pairing is on a first-come, first-served basis, and we will do our best to accommodate preferences.

All college students may register regardless of major or school. Recent graduates from fall 2013 who are not yet working in the field may also register.

Notes:
Professionals or students unable to participate in the morning’s shadowing program may still register to attend the luncheon program which begins at 11:30 a.m. The luncheon is open to everyone!