Keynote Conversations

Over the years, the Public Relations Society of America has traditionally featured the best in keynote presenters at the organization’s annual international conference: Tim Russert, Arianna Huffington, James Carville and Mary Matalin, Jim Cantore, Soledad O’Brien and Mitch Albom, just to name a few.

The 2018 PRSA International Conference in Austin would feature marketing executive Jonathan Mildenhall, and economist and author Robert Reich. Their message? Public relations practitioners can be the torch bearers for truth, civility and humanity against the current backdrop of bellicosity that exists in this country.

Mildenhall (above) noted that to have credibility with target audiences, strength of character is important. He credited his mother with instilling a sense of strong character and responsible performance. You must have a clear sense of purpose, he said. “Purpose drives performance; purpose is personal.”

Reich emphasized that “the reason I am excited to speak here today is because public relations professionals can help lead the way in creating meaningful dialogue. You have influence over the tone of the debate and civility is essential. You know how to listen and show respect for others. You can help overcome sources of distrust.”

A former Secretary of Labor in the Barack Obama administration, Reich noted the climate of contentiousness across the country is the direct result of political discourse that has grown too vitriolic, and incivility is the rule of the day.

As a result, “we are not communicating,” he says flatly. Reich highlighted three reasons for our current dilemma.

First, “tribal geography.” With more choice of where to live than ever before, he noted, we tend to live where people agree with us. “We need to break out of that constraint and embrace civil discussion. This country’s founders knew that democracy would only work if we reach out and engage with people who have a different point of view."

Next, “stagnant wages.” Reich noted that “the median wage has not changed in 40 years” when you consider the effect of inflation over the same time period. “Only 50 percent of millennials are doing better than their parents,” he said. For many, “the system is not working. It seems the game is rigged.”

Finally, "the media.” Reich, a prolific author (“once you put my books down, you can’t pick them back up,” he joked), pointed to a “diminishment of attention spans” and noted that “social media is easily manipulated. It’s easy to just tell partial facts or fudge the facts to distort the truth. It’s dangerous to democracy.”

Despite the seemingly untenable environment as we approach election day, Reich closed on an upbeat note to the approximately 2,500 public relations practitioners in attendance: “Trust is our most precious commodity, and people want a more civil discussion. Truth and civility should be the hallmarks of our society.”

Networking Nirvana

Though it may be viewed by some that networking in public relations is cliché, the practice nonetheless continues to reap rewards. Thus, the 2018 PRSA/PRSSA International Conference in Austin provided a plethora of opportunities to network among the hundreds of PR professionals and students in attendance.

With keynote addresses, breakout sessions, socials, mixers and more, the conference featured a target-rich environment for networking. Nonetheless, I like to remind students that the operative word in “networking” is “work,” which means you have to reach out to professionals and engage them.

The Internet provides plenty of data about individuals you can digest before you even meet someone. Common interests and mutual connections are usually a good place to start. LinkedIn is imperative, and for PR practitioners, Twitter as well. But don’t forget, these are just tools to get to the next level: a face-to-face interview.

Once you’ve added someone to your network, nothing is more effective in public relations than following up. Meet someone at a PRSA event? Circle back. Thank them for their time and interest in your career. As Maya Angelou said: "it’s not what you say or even did that people will remember, it’s how you made them feel.”

When it comes to social media, it’s okay to act like a human being, but always be professional. Actually, having a real personality can help develop your personal brand even more. Don’t throw caution to the wind, but it’s safe to say you can show your personal interests outside of what you do from 9 to 5.

A powerful networking practice is to provide immediate value to a new connection. This means the moment you identify a way to help someone, take action. Authenticity is who you are -- your honest reactions, your natural energy. When you know people, and those people know what you do, success knows how to find you.

Austin Cuisine

Davy Crockett was memorably quoted as saying: “You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas.” These days he might be going for the food. Though many cities across this country could vie for “ten best in the U.S.” lists for their culinary comestibles, Austin would certainly make my list. The food scene here is -- in a word -- eclectic.

Barbecue? The best. Franklin Barbecue and The Salt Lick were delightful. Fried chicken? The real deal at Max’s Wine Dive and Gus’s Fried Chicken. Tex-Mex? Par excellence at Papalote’s. French? Got it covered, with breakfast frittatas at The Blue Dahlia. If you visit Austin, you will not lack for appetizing options. Buon appetito!

On The Road Again

As my mentor and friend Dean Rea would ask me: “On the road again?” Indeed, I was. This time, my destination was that lively blue dot in the massive red state -- Austin, Texas -- for the Public Relations Society of America 2018 International Conference titled “Communications Convergence: Big Ideas. Bright Future.”

Every year, PRSA teams up with the Public Relations Student Society of America to provide top quality programming outlining today’s evolving communication ecosystem, along with multiple professional development opportunities, seminars, certificate programs, networking, nationally recognized keynote speakers and more.

Austin, renowned as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” is also “Willie’s Town.” The Red-Headed Stranger, famous for his song “On the Road Again,” is a revered icon in the Texas state capitol, along with Stevie Ray Vaughn. If it wasn’t busy enough, this weekend would also feature the Austin City Limits Music Festival. More to come.

Medicine Man

It’s a rare occurrence, to be sure.

You meet someone along your path in life, an instructor, a mentor or a colleague who -- despite a relatively brief professional association -- becomes an influence that lasts a lifetime.

That was certainly the case with me and Dr. Edward Francis Wilson III, who passed away at age 82 on August 28.

We first met in 1983. Ed was the clinical pathologist at McKenzie-Willamette Hospital and I was the newly hired editor of Pulse Beat, the hospital’s community newsletter. I was often referred to Dr. Ed, as I called him, as a source for feature articles on medical issues of interest to the public in the Eugene-Springfield area.

With a common love of mountain and river adventures, we immediately clicked. We had an affinity for the outdoors and a shared background in sports, travel and the arts. We both had a wild yen to visit Nepal and trek among the Himalayas. Only one of us was able to accomplish that feat, and it wasn’t me. Not yet, anyway.

Planning the editorial content for Pulse Beat one day, I had tackled a new disease that had dominated the news that year: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, now known by its acronym, AIDS. As a reporter seeking the best source for such a new and puzzling disease, turns out he was right under my nose: Dr. Ed.

As we began our interview, a lab technician poked her head in and asked: “Could you take a look at something quickly?” “Sure,” came his reply, as he excused himself. “On second thought, why don’t you join me?” “Me?” I asked, sheepishly. “Yes, I’d like you to take a look at something,” came the reply. "It will just take a minute."

Peering over a stainless-steel sink, I saw what appeared to be an internal organ of some sort; it was pink and round, and about the size of a softball. “What’s that?” I inquired, momentarily displacing my fear of blood and gore with a suddenly steely reserve. “It’s a woman’s uterus,” he replied, matter-of-factly. “Here, take a look.”

Then, with the skill of a Soji chef, he cut the swollen organ into fine slices. “Can you see the cancerous tumors?” Sure enough: black specks hidden within the otherwise pink organ. “It had to be removed for her own welfare." Such is the life of a clinical pathologist. Thanks to Dr. Ed, my tendency for squeamishness was forever gone.

After I left the hospital for EWEB, Dr. Ed would eventually become the Lane County Medical Examiner, an even more intense job. I’d occasionally bump into him walking for exercise at Valley River Center or the Amazon Trail, attending a concert at the Hult Center, or cheering the Duck basketball team on campus.

Despite his busy schedule, he always had time for me. Before an interview, we would swap tales of mountains climbed and rivers rafted. He knew the value of communication as a way for patients to understand the world of medicine. Kind, humble and always inquisitive, he was a much beloved medicine man.