Starting a Career in Communications by Jackie Reau

Launching a Careerin Communications

Jackie Reau

Game Day Communications

[email protected]

About Jackie Reau

Ohio University Graduate (Scripps School of Journalism) Stints at The Christ Hospital, Cincinnati Art Museum Co-founded Game Day Communications in 2002 with

former ESPN Anchor Betsy Ross Active in the community: Cincinnati Sports Professionals

Network, Dress for Success, Reds Community Fund

About Game Day Communications

• Boutique PR firm specializing in sports and cultural entertainment

• Media relationships (local to national sports media)• Influencer relationships (team stakeholders, fan

development, tourism, corporate sponsors)• Event marketing and management/staffing• Social media evangelists & strategists

Evolution of Company

Launched as a sports marketing firm, 2002 Added entertainment to mission, 2003 First clients: Flying Pig Marathon, Greater

Cincinnati Sports Corp, Hart Productions Added “street team” or event marketing staff,

2005 Added social media management, 2009

Four Keys to Success

#1 Passion#2 Plan#3 Progress#4 Pay it Forward

Passion

Find your passion and figure out a way to make $ doing it.

Read business biographies/industry-specific booksAttend events in the industry you want to workVolunteer at these events or seek internships

Plan

Once you know your passion, know the industry and who the players are.

Read industry-specific Journals or other industry web sitesAttend professional events (CSPN, PRSSA) Create your “hit list” of Top 10 people working in the jobs

that you want; make connections with them

Establish yourself as an emerging young professional willing to work hard!

Internships are auditions for real jobsShowing up is 90% of lifeNo job is too small; show your work ethicMake e-connections on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter

Progress

Pay it Forward

Once you make it, help others succeed with your time, expertise or connections.

Volunteer with a professional networking groupOffer internships at your companyAccept 15-minute informational interviews to help people

network

Get Connected with Social Networking

Create Your Own Social Media Network to enhance your resume…

Linkedin.com: Make sure your profile is at 100% completion, join affiliate groups of interest, share interesting story links

Facebook.com: Keep it professional, create private groups for private information, use it as your information aggregator, set time limits for use

Twitter.com: Have a purpose, use it to share professional updates or position yourself/company as an authority, link to your Facebook

Youtube.com: Create your own channel, use a flip video camera to capture video of your projects

Update all regularly

Get Connected

Google & Google Alertswww.google.com

a. Google Alerts provide news stories, blog and social media entries

b. Create Google Alerts for your name, trends/issues, etc.c. Add a Google Alert for a new business contact to learn

more about their background

Build your Online Brand

It’s all about Google…

a. Write a blog about your passion, life, etc. to chronicle your writing skills

b. Use social media networks to connect, share and communicate, it’s your e-resume

c. Mom, Priest, Boss: be careful what you post!

Thank you

Jackie [email protected]