By Andy DiOrio

With the rise in popularity and usage of any new product – in this case social media – most of us use it for the way it was intended: something good to improve our lives. However, inevitably, there are those evil doers who choose to use it for the alternative purpose of wreaking havoc on others, otherwise known as “hackers.”

Although there may be some more advanced than others, I’d like to think of them as just computer whizzes who concoct their plans in their pajamas from their parents’ basement yelling for meatloaf. But unfortunately, I’m sure most of them are more advanced than that, with computer IQ’s off the charts and preying upon Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Earlier this year, I learned a valuable lesson when monitoring my own Twitter account: “If your close friends have not told you about where they saw you, don’t believe a stranger.” I gullibly clicked on a direct message to my account who said they saw my name/account somewhere. Note to self (and others): My first clue as a communications professional should have been the poor grammar the person used.

Caught up in trying to monitor my personal brand, I did, and with one click unknowingly gave them access to my account. Not long after, a direct message went out to all of my contacts that let’s just say, was more in line with something coming from an adult bookstore. It turns out I wasn’t the only one; United Airlines and even the British energy minister fell victim to Twitter trespassing.

I was fortunate that some of my followers such as @AnnWylie and @chriskovac alerted me that I had a bogus message going out. I quickly thanked them and then ramped up my crisis communications plan by posting the following message, in addition to every one of those with direct messaging options following my account:

“I’m sorry if you’ve recently received an inappropriate DM from me. My account was hacked and I’m working to fix it. Thx for understanding.”

I then disconnected any services that was tied to my account (including LinkedIn for the time being) and changed my password to something that was too hard to memorize, to add difficulty to whoever might be trying to break back in. Finally, I waited a couple of days to see if any additional posts would be sent before I resumed my normal posting. This simple strategy helped me regain Twitter control: React, Reset and Resume.

So, what to do if it happens to you? Try this. Want to prevent it from even happening? Besides watching for poor sentence structure from strangers, here are some tips to help as well. In the end, it’s more than just a pile of money that may be watching you, it could be someone waiting for you to mess up. Protect yourself and those following your accounts will continue to enjoy your productive posts, as opposed to some false advertising.

By Marc Vasquez

I love my niece (15) and nephew (13) on my wife’s side. They do their best to stay up to date on pop culture including social media. They post a lot of information on their Facebook pages and last year they tried their hands at Twitter. It didn’t go so well:

They began posting things that didn’t have much relevance and then wondered why no one was following them (including their favorite uncle). So, my question to you would be, how relevant is the information you’re distributing via social media?

I believe it was the great Ann Wylie who once said that it’s better to be an “informer” rather than a “meformer.” Informers lead us into uncharted territory and get us to think. They give us something that triggers an emotion or possibly a paradigm shift. Meformers answer the narcissistic question “That’s enough about me, what do you think about me?”

So, if you decide to venture out into the untamed realm of social media, or you are already doing it but want to be better at it, have a personality, make it about your audience and enjoy the revolution.

Also, if you’re not already following @KCPRSA on Twitter, I encourage you to give it a try. We’re doing our best to inspire, invoke passion and provide you with just a little something you didn’t have before.

By David Eaheart

After completing graduate school in 1993, I had the good fortune to be recruited by a small public relations firm in Kansas City. Both the owners had the distinctive letters APR behind their names. Those three letters instantly told me they had set the highest of standards for themselves and their firm.

I knew that was the place I wanted to officially start my public relations career and earn my APR, too. From them I learned a great deal about practicing public relations — all rooted in their commitment to Accreditation — that has benefitted me throughout my career.

Since those early days of my career, I’ve come to learn even more about the importance of Accreditation and strongly believe all public relations professionals should earn Accreditation. That’s because the APR brings value to you, your organization and the entire public relations profession.

When I meet someone new and they see APR on my business card, I’m often asked what it means. After explaining that it stands for Accredited in Public Relations and this distinction is granted by the Universal Accreditation Board, I’ve gained instant credibility as someone committed to my profession.

On top of that, it’s held me personally accountable to my ongoing quest to become a better public relations professional because I must maintain my Accreditation through continuing education and professional development.

I’ve had the privilege to successfully coach many GKC PRSA members through Accreditation in the past, and it’s with great pleasure I have the opportunity to do it again this year.  In my role as GKC PRSA vice president of professional standards, I ask you these questions:

• Do you want to represent the highest standards in the public relations profession?
• Do you want to promote lifelong learning in your career?
• Do you want to advance your career?
• Do you want to enhance the public relations profession?

If you answer yes to any or all of these questions, and you don’t have APR behind your name, I encourage you to take the next step in your career and earn the distinction of Accredited in Public Relations. Your GKC PRSA chapter is here to help you through the process.

In recognition of Accreditation month, come learn more — no matter if you’re just a little bit curious or ready to take the plunge — at an Accreditation Coffee Talk at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 21, at Scooter’s Coffeehouse in Shawnee, Kan., located inside the Great Western Bank Building at 10610 Shawnee Mission Parkway.

If you have questions or want more information, send me an email at david_eaheart@seaboardfoods.com.

By Lacey Graverson

Whether you’re searching for a job or have an open position at your organization, don’t forget about a valuable GKC PRSA resource, the Career Center. Offered as a benefit whether or not you’re a GKC PRSA member, the Job Listings feature of the Web site offers free job postings and an up-to-date list of recent industry openings in the Kansas City area.

In fact, in early March, I posted a position for a marketing coordinator at National Auctioneers Association. Within fifteen minutes of posting the opening, I was notified by the National Auctioneers Association that they already received an application. In addition, Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association posted an opening on the Career Center in mid-January. By mid-February, they had received more than 100 applicants, approximately one-third of whom mentioned seeing the opening on the GKC PRSA Web site.

On a personal note, after moving to Kansas City in February 2007, I was looking to further my career in the communications field. At the time, I was not a member of PRSA; however, I knew of the Career Center from college and others involved in the organization. I checked the Career Center often for postings, and found an opening with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. I applied, and have been a member of the Kauffman Foundation’s communications team for over two years now. Had it not have been for the GKC PRSA Career Center, I don’t think I would have found the opening. Now a member of PRSA, I volunteered for the position of VP, Job Opportunities in an effort to spread the word about the valuable resource that is our Career Center.

So whether you’re looking for a position or have an opening, don’t forget about the benefits of the GKC PRSA Career Center.

Job Candidates
Visit the job listings page to search for openings in the Kansas City area. To be considered for any position listed in the Career Center, send your resume directly to the employer, who is responsible for contacting all prospective candidates. Be sure to check back often to search for new openings.

Employers
To submit your Kansas City-area public relations position for posting, simply email the information to me at lgraverson@kauffman.org. Your job information will be reviewed for approval and then submitted for posting. Please refer to the conditions of use on the Web site before sending a submission. There is no charge for listing your positions.

By Sarah Wurth and Andy DiOrio

Hopefully you’ve seen the e-blasts and the notice in the PRSA newsletter about our amazing event on March 29, where we will be hosting Dan T. Cathy, president and COO of Chick-fil-A at the Plaza Branch of the Kansas City Public Library.

To enable us to continue to bring these types of programs and speakers to our members – and more importantly, to aid in your professional development – we encourage you to sign up now and spread the word to your colleagues and team members.

All attendees will not only receive valuable insight from the C-suite who “gets” communications from one of the nation’s most beloved brands, but you will also receive FREE Chick-fil-A along with an assortment of appetizers and other food. Not to mention, you can save yourself an errand and check out a book while you’re at the library. As Michael Scott from The Office would say, “ That’s a win-win-win.”

Register today (see links below), and we look forward to seeing you on March 29!

Register by March 22 for the Senior Pros event

Senior Pros “Double Feature” option  – Register by March 22 for the Senior Pros event & the General Session

Register by March 22 for the General Session

By Brooke Ehlers

It’s time to get involved and make the most of your PRSA membership. The GKC Chapter of PRSA has several opportunities available for members to network, gain experience and make a difference within our community.

Network

Solo Pros
This special interest group for solo practitioners and freelancers won’t add another boring meeting to your schedule, but will offer a fun, laid-back forum to share ideas, needs, vendors and resources, as well as help create or expand your personal network. Held over the lunch hour, the only cost is your personal lunch, as local speakers will address topics that directly affect you and your business. Locations rotate between the Plaza and South Overland Park.

Upcoming event:
April 28 TBD

For more information, contact Andy DiOrio at adiorio@amctheatres.com

New Pros
For those relatively new to the PR industry, just out of college, or are finishing your undergraduate degree, New Pros is the group for you! Geared toward those in their first five years of the profession, New Pros provides valuable professional development programs and networking opportunities in the Greater Kansas City area.

Upcoming event:
Thursday, March 4 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at Chez Elle Creperie & Coffeehouse

Senior Pros
Do you lead a team of talented PR Pros or have established yourself in the Kansas City PR community? Going beyond the traditional “how to” topics, Senior Pros caters to those professionals with 12 or more years of experience in the field.

Upcoming event:
Monday, March 29 from 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. Senior Pros “Conversation with Chick-fil-A”

If interested, Senior Pros may also contact Andy DiOrio as listed above.

Volunteer

PRSSA Day
PRSSA Day is an annual event hosted by our Chapter that provides students a day-long opportunity to get feedback on their résumés, receive an inside look at how to market themselves for the job they want and hear from local PR professionals on “life in the biz.”

This event is not made possible without committee volunteers. As a committee member you will assist with all of the nuances of planning a successful event, including:

• Sourcing speakers
• Planning event content
• Developing collateral
• Generating interest from PRSSA students from around the region
• Promote PRSSA Day
• And more!

If interested in volunteering, contact Kristen Saunders, PRSSA Day chair, at ksaunders@nicholsonkovac.com

New Pros
If you’re relatively new to the PR industry, gain leadership and volunteer experience by joining the New Pros committee. Committee members will be responsible for:

• Recruiting students and new professionals
• Developing programming and events
• Promoting New Pros
• And more!

If interested, contact Rachel Yeakley, New Pros chair, at ryeakley@geoffhowe.us

What makes a great award entry? Decide for yourself as a PRSA Chapter awards judge. For the 2010 PRISM Awards, we have partnered with the South Carolina PRSA Chapter for reciprocal judging. South Carolina’s awards are up first in April, and we are seeking volunteers to judge entries for their annual Mercury Awards.

Judges with five years of public relations experience or an APR are preferred. Dinner will be provided.

The South Carolina Chapter will be returning the favor and judging our PRISM entries this fall.

What:
Judging for the South Carolina Chapter awards

When:
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 2
Thursday, March 4
Wednesday, March 10
(You may volunteer one day or multiple days)

Where:
Woodruff Sweitzer, 331 Southwest Boulevard (directly east of Lulu’s Noodles)
Parking is available east end of the building, on the street or in the back of the building.

Contact:
Alan Carr at acarr@visitkc.com or 816.691.3829 to volunteer.

By Mike Ralston, PRSA Health Academy Committee

Mark your calendars and register now for the 2010 PRSA Health Academy Conference, April 14-16 in Chicago. This is the PRSA Health Academy’s premier event on health care public relations, which draws 200 to 250 mid to senior level health care communications and public relations professionals. This is an affordable conference that offers packed programming starting at a price of $565 for members to $725 for non-members. Register by March 13 and save $100! http://www.prsa.org/Conferences/HealthAcademy/register.html.

This year’s speakers and sessions include:

· Communications heads from the FDA who will discuss the role social media is playing in a regulated environment

· A panel of top notch medical/health journalists talking about what the traditional news environment is like in a 2.0 world

· Communicating Complexity, Simply: The U.S. Health Care System for Health Communicators

· One Problem/Two Solutions: Harnessing iPhones and PDAs to Reach Your Audience

· Cutting Through the Clutter: Creating Messages That Drive Agendas

· Promoting Health News and Innovation: Successful Tactics

· New Frontiers to Patient-to-Patient Communications

· Stakeholder Engagement in the Era of Responsibility

· Making Your Brand Word of Mouth

· Engaging Employees: Utilizing an Overlooked Resource to Sharpen a Competitive Edge

· The Reputational Risks in the Health Care Social Media Space

· Doing More with Less: Practical Pointers and the Upside to the Shrinking PR Budget

You can follow me on Twitter (@mikeralstonkc) for all the weekly updates related to the conference.

By Marc Vasquez

You’re invited to join GKC PRSA and eight other Kansas City area advertising, media and marketing organizations for a networking event on Thursday, Feb. 11, for the 2010 Bar Olympics. This is a great way to get to represent PRSA, learn more by talking to chapter representatives, and have fun with other area communication professionals by forging new friendships and increasing personal connections.

Bar Olympics will take place at Kelly’s Irish Pub in Westport from 5-7 p.m. For just $5 you represent PRSA competitively by trying your hand at Ms. Pac Man, darts, Golden Tee and Pop-A-Shot Basketball. The top three individuals with the most points win prizes including an iPod nano. For those 21-and-older, there will also be drink specials available.

For more information, please contact Marc Vasquez at mvasquez@geoffhowe.us or 816.842.8656.

Hope to see you there!