As public relations professionals we are often misunderstood. It’s a topic we discuss often at Franco Public Relations Group and among our peers. Our family members and friends inquire about what we do all day. They don’t understand our unusual hours. They wonder why we seem to know the names of all of the TV news reporters by heart, and have them on speed dial.
Our parents turn on morning news or read stories at our urging, wondering when they’ll see our names and faces – but almost never do. When it does happen, public relations professionals like ourselves are mentioned for their expertise, because of a job change, or they are quoted about another company experiencing some sort of crisis or celebrating a major milestone. It can be confusing to the outside eye. We don’t design ads, though sometimes we work with designers. We’re not reporters – though some of us are or have been. We may be well-versed in social media, and spend a lot of time online, but not on our own accounts. We understand the confusion and we try our best to explain the work we all do for our clients, the connections we make with the media and the public – and the events where you might catch us behind the scenes.
To share a glimpse of what public relations might look like on a particularly exciting day, we documented what Franco staff members were doing – by-the-moment on Oct. 8, 2015. Our teams were spread across the city and country – managing PR and events from the Belle Isle Conservancy’s annual Polish the Jewel Belle Isle Legacy Luncheon and silent auction to the city’s inspiring TEDxDetroit all across the states to San Antonio, Texas where the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) served as title sponsor of the 2015 Texas Truck Rodeo.
We hope this clears up some of the curiosity associated with our trade:
8:35 a.m. Franco Senior Account Executive Dan Horn and PR Coordinator Christian Harper don’t show a sign of it, but they’ve been working for 2 hours already and are greeting media and providing information and credentials as droves of guests arrive just 30 minutes after doors open at TEDxDetroit 2015.
11:47 a.m. Franco Assistant Account Executive Sarah Kornacki and Account Executive Erica Swoish make name badges for last-minute guest list changes as part of the event staff for the 2015 Polish the Jewel Belle Isle Legacy Luncheon on Belle Isle, already in attire for the event. Hats or fascinators are encouraged.
11:49 a.m. Franco Vice President Pat Adanti-Joy and President Tina Kozak celebrate the success of a great team, and welcome guests at the 2015 Polish the Jewel Belle Isle Legacy Luncheon on Belle Isle.
Noon: Franco CEO Dan Ponder poses for the camera. He’ll be featured in an upcoming installment of the GMRENCEN Reflecting a New Detroit selfie ad campaign.
1:16 p.m. Franco Assistant Account Executive Lauren Connor and Senior Account Executive Andrea Kenski are deep in focus at the Polish the Jewel auction check-out table on Belle Isle in Detroit.
1:25 p.m. Franco Digital Marketing Specialist Alexandria Fulbright sneaks a requisite X shot during a rare quiet moment on the TEDxDetroit stage.
1:47 p.m. Franco Account Manager Joe Ferlito, Artist Timothy Orikiri, Franco Digital Marketing Specialist Alexandria Fulbright and Visit Detroit Interactive Marketing Manager Dan Fuoco make lasting connections at TEDxDetroit, where art is being created in real time, above the Grand Staircase at the Fox Theatre in Detroit.
2:20 p.m. Busy coordinating media interviews, Franco Senior Account Executive Marie Stawasz also welcomes Account Manager Elizabeth Robbins-Sabourin and President Tina Kozak to Hockeytown Café, where crowds are packing in for hands-on demonstrations from places like The Flower House and the Michigan Science Center at TEDxLabs.
2:23 p.m. Franco Senior Vice President Tina Sullivan checks in with staff, proves that all is well under Southern skies at the Texas Truck Rodeo where she is onsite with client SMDI.
5 p.m. Franco Senior Account Executive Marie Stawasz and Account Manager Stephanie Angelyn Casola celebrate truly successful PR efforts supporting TEDxDetroit – and make sure to get a few photos with the iconic red X before crowds file out of the Fox Theatre and into a Comerica Park tour and Hockeytown Café for an afterparty in Detroit.
And that’s a wrap. Are you up to the task? What’s your typical day at the office like? Share it with us in the comments section.
Stephanie Angelyn Casola believes some PR pros are at their best in events-mode. She is an account manager at Franco Public Relations Group. She leads the consumer and social media teams and can be reached at 313-567-5048 or [email protected]. Tweet her at @stephcasola.
Sarah Kornacki and Alex Fulbright contributed photos and information to this post.
