PRSA Counselors Academy Features Jay Baer, Gini Dietrich, Candy Chang and
Marcus Sheridan as Keynote Presenters
New York (March 22, 2012) — If it’s time to jazz up your agency’s people, profits and potential, New Orleans is the place to be May 6–8 for the PRSA Counselors Academy’s 52nd Annual Conference.
Public relations agency principals from across North America will meet at the Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, to share and learn best practices for running smarter and more nimble companies.
“The Counselors Academy is a virtual goldmine of professional development and practice management knowledge and networking,” said Martin Waxman, APR, principal at Martin Waxman Communications and conference chair. “Counselors is unique in the marketing/PR world. No other organization focuses exclusively on the needs of agency leaders, and the benefits go way beyond the scheduled conference programs.”
“There’s an unmatched spirit of camaraderie that lets us talk candidly about what is and is not working in our firms,” Waxman continued, “and you’re guaranteed to walk away with concrete ideas and tools to strengthen your business.”
Keynote speakers this year are:
- Jay Baer, president, Convince and Convert, and Gini Dietrich, CEO, Arment Dietrich: “Grooving’ to Your Own Beat: How to Build Your Business by Merging Your Personal and Professional Selves.”
- Marcus Sheridan, president and founder, The Sales Lion: “Your Secret Sauce Ain’t No Secret: The Power of Transparent Marketing to Transform Your Brand and Business in the Digital Age.
- Candy Chang, artist, designer and urban planner: “Stickers, Stencils, Chalkboards and Beyond: Communicating Creatively in Public Space.”
Review the complete Counselors Conference program and register before April 5, 2012, to save $100. The Ritz-Carlton is also offering discounted room rates on a first-come, first-served basis through that date. Call (504) 524-1331 for reservations.
“Our theme this year, ‘Jazz Up Your Agency: Stylings From the Best in the Biz,’ sums it up well,” said conference co-chair Dana Hughens, president and CEO of Clairemont Communications. “Through presentations by industry thought leaders, you’ll learn strategies to improve your firm’s management, stimulate leadership among your staff and increase profitability by fine-tuning your administrative rhythm.”
In keeping with the theme, Counselors Academy has added a series of ‘Jazz Solos,’ featuring public relations leaders’ a capella renditions of life in the agency world. Soloists include: Julia Hood, executive vice president Haymarket Media/PR Week; Elise Mitchell, APR, founder and CEO of Mitchell Communications Group; and Darryl Salerno, president of Second Quadrant Solutions.
Mitchell, who is also the current Academy chair, highlighted the group’s networking opportunities. “The Counselors Academy offers unparalleled one-on-one access to some of the best and brightest leaders in our industry,” she said. “For half a century, thousands of top public relations executives have agreed on one thing: The Academy’s ROI is unmatched.”
Mitchell also emphasized that firm principals can gain the most value by having others on their leadership team attend the conference. “Introducing your second-in-command, managing director or one of your up-and-coming stars to the Academy’s members and resources can and will support your efforts to grow your business,” she said. “It’s one thing for you as an owner to learn about improving overall profitability and mentoring employees; it’s another thing altogether when you ensure your top performers learn it, too.”
“If you want to enjoy one of the greatest cities in the U.S. while gaining practical and actionable ideas to strengthen your business, Spring Conference is for you,” said Waxman. “Come join us in New Orleans this May. You — and your firm — deserve it.”
For more information about this year’s conference, email Don Bill or call (212) 460-1456.
PRSA Counselors Academy
Founded more than 50 years ago, the Counselors Academy is a Professional Interest Section of the Public Relations Society of America dedicated to providing principals and senior counselors of public relations firms with the resources to grow their firms and the counseling skills of their people. Counselors Academy members are passionately committed to evolving and preserving an open and honest peer network that energizes the individual and completes the senior professional. Find us on:
The following individuals are available for interviews. You can reach them at:
- Martin Waxman or (416) 569-0501
- Dana Hughens or (615) 294-1886
- Elise Mitchell or (479) 443-4673
- Deborah Weinstein or (416) 366-7735