New Study Achieves PR Awareness

A new study by Lisa Fall and Jeremy Hughes was recently published in the spring 2009 edition of the Public Relations Journal. The article, titled “Reflections of Perceptions,” compares before and after perceptions of the public relations field among a population of nationwide non-PR Major students taking a public relations management course. The results are particularly positive.

The study conducted before the course began found that the majority of students had enormously different views about the specific purpose of public relations. In fact, Fall and Hughes found that the profession of public relations was largely “misunderstood,” and the term “public relations” itself presented a “Pandora’s box of preconceptions.”

Such complications however were greatly overshadowed by the success of the course in promoting PR education and transforming the views of people towards the PR industry.

After completing this course, students’ overall impression toward the public relations field significantly increased. Their perceptions about how the industry serves the good of the public also increased. Moreover, students discovered the very practical link between their everyday activities and the field of public relations.

In many ways the results of the study provide an interesting insight into the world of PR and communications. Not only does continued education make PR more transparent, but it helps people realize the relevance and necessity of public relations. Since I have started interning here I have found public relations to be involved in many of the things I do. From simple networking to carefully (and slowly) negotiating transfer credits with my university, it seems that “public relations” is a term that affects many people, both in and outside the industry.

So move over misinterpreted terminology, PR is on the rise!

-Michael Scigliano

One of the Best Companies to Work For

Frause has exciting news to announce! We have been selected as one of Washington’s 100 Best Companies To Work For in 2009 by Seattle Business Monthly Magazine!

When the July issue arrived at the front desk, Frause employees shined with pride. It was a surreal experience to observe the office celebration as dozens of congratulatory e-mails flooded the office server. I couldn’t help but smile and think to myself how awesome it is to be a part of this thrilling experience. It isn’t everyday that a college student can say he or she works for The 9th Best Small Company in Washington State.

Frause was mentioned in the introductory paragraph of the article announcing one of the perks to being a part of the Frause family, a $500 shopping spree! While passing around the magazine, sporadic laughter filled the halls and chatter arose with fond memories of other unforgettable Frause moments. I quickly learned that Frause will not be having the shopping spree this year because the team flew to Palm Springs, California, in October for an all-inclusive Frause retreat!

These amenities are just a couple of ways that Founder and CEO Bob Frause honors his team for its heart and dedication to each Frause client. The next Frause event: a trip to Bob’s home on Whidbey Island for a day of BBQ and relaxation this coming August.

Blog readers please join me in congratulating the Frause team on this great accomplishment and keep your eyes peeled; there will be more fun and exciting news from Frause coming your way!

-Amy Graham

Thoughts on Whidbey

It’s not often that I think about work on my days off. Yet just the other day it seemed that even while on a short vacation, Frause was everywhere, and in a good way.

On my recent trip to Whidbey Island, I could not help but think of some of the work I am doing here at Frause with the Puget Sound Partnership (PSP). Not only is Whidbey home to Frause CEO Bob Frause and account supervisor Nathan Hambley, (not to mention my friend’s sweet party pad on the beach), it’s also a particularly special spot on the Puget Sound.

For anyone who has been to Whidbey Island, I am sure that you will agree it is outstandingly beautiful. Gorgeous driftwood-dotted beaches dip quietly into calm, clear water. The Olympic Mountains seem to shoot out of nowhere, piercing the visible skyline with their craggy defiance. Even dinosaur-size raptors (like the Osprey I saw) fly indiscriminately overhead. Simply put, it is incredible!

The sounds and sights of the Whidbey shoreline are something I will not quickly forget, and something that I hope will stay around for generations to come. PSP is working hard to attain this goal. In my recent phone interviews with local community leaders, environmental experts, and even the occasional mayor, I have come to understand the importance of the PSP project. Issues of stormwater runoff, shoreline pollution, and the dangers of bulkheads and docks seem abundantly imperative when witnessing the sheer natural beauty that Whidbey has to offer.

Probably the most important thing I have learned from working on behalf of PSP is the significant contribution that individuals can make to the health of the Sound. Little actions and individual changes in behavior can have a tremendous cumulative effect – be it on an environmental, policy or legislative level.

I’m not sure if humans are supposed to live on Whidbey (it seems too nice, somehow), but if we continue to, I hope that the work PSP is doing will allow us to live there in a responsible and contributive way.

-Michael Scigliano

Wanted: Employment

As a soon-to-be college grad, I have started to feel the pressure to find a steady job after I graduate. Finding a job in the “real world” has always been a nerve-racking and scary process for post-college entrepreneurs, but now it has become nearly impossible.

The nasty thing we all call the economic crisis has caused thousands of businesses to reevaluate their budgets, creating serious financial troubles, employee layoffs and hiring freezes. Last year, qualified college graduates would have had a few job offers to choose from. This year, grads are frantically trying to find companies that are hiring, but most aren’t having great luck. What was once a tough job hunt has now become almost unattainable. So what’s a grad to do?

Over the weekend I read a piece in the Tacoma News Tribune (I insist on staying connected to my home town) written by Dan Voelpel titled, “The rules of job hunting have changed.” In the article, Voelpel gives advice to job seekers by offering a few tips from Paul Anderson. Here is my spin on some of Anderson’s most important points.

--Scrap the elevator pitch.
Today, no one wants to hear about you; business people care about their company. Companies want to know how you can serve them. Grads need to change their mindset from self-serving to serving others. A great way to transform into this new mindset is to tailor your résumés and cover letters to the business you are applying to. A generic résumé mailed to a dozen companies won’t cut it anymore. Research each company and pay attention to its approach and expectations.

--Don’t hand out heaps of résumés at job fairs.
Your résumé will most likely end up in the trash can. It’s best to ask for the professional’s business card and ask how he/she prefers being contacted. In this competitive environment, it’s important for grads to make gutsy moves. Taking the initiative to send an e-mail or make a phone call shows more drive than handing out résumés to every person you see at a career fair. This small tactic will set you apart from other graduates and will increase your chances of being memorable.

--Use social networking sites.
Social networking sites are a great way to connect to fellow students and professionals in your specific area of focus. It’s great to make your online profiles available to the mass public, but be careful. Keep in mind that anyone can “Google” you and if a potential employer finds pictures from Spring Break-Cancun, you can say goodbye to that interview you were hoping for. Keep your private social networking sites password private or consider updating your profile information to reflect your professional self. If you decide to provide links to these sites on your résumé or business cards, make sure to tailor to your audience and provide useful, appropriate information. LinkedIn is a great personal networking site for college grads looking for employment. LinkedIn is now the number one online business network that allows users to post their résumés and search companies and their employees. It also allows all users to give and receive recommendations. Being active on LinkedIn can quickly help you build strong contacts with professionals who are well informed and eager to give advice.

-Amy Graham

Diving Right into Frause and onto the Bus

I just started as a media relations intern at Frause. The climate here is fresh and fast paced. The bright lime green walls seem to keep everyone energized and in good spirits all day long. After just a few short hours, I already felt acclimated to the Frause way of life. I downloaded Google chat to message quick questions to other team members, I learned how to answer the phones (which is more complicated then it might sound) and I started to familiarize myself with the internal database.

I learned new things outside of the Frause doors as well. After living in Seattle for almost four years, I am ashamed to say I have never taken the metro bus system. It didn’t take me long after my initial interview last week to realize paying for parking three days a week was going to make a deep dent in my penny bank, so in order to make money rather than blow money this summer, I took the plunge into the world of eco-friendly public transportation.

After a nearly sleepless night and a stressful morning walk to the bus stop, I made it to my desk safe and on time my first day. And I even found my way back home (Okay, I had some trouble finding the right bus stop for the return trip).

With my first work day under my belt, I laugh at myself because I was more stressed about the transportation to and from Frause then I was about the internship itself. Now I’m just looking forward to furthering myself in the Frause culture and being a contributing member of the team. I also pray I become a better Seattleite who eventually becomes a seasoned pro at navigating the Downtown bus system.

-Amy Graham

Reflections From the First Day

Walking down the sunny streets of Seattle on my way to lunch this afternoon I realized just how fortunate I am to be working in such a beautiful city and for such a unique company. Being the new intern here at Frause I thought I would take this opportunity to introduce myself…

My name is Michael Scigliano (don’t worry about the last name, it’s impossible to pronounce) and I just wanted to thank everyone for the exceptionally warm welcome I have received thus far. It has made working here quite the easy transition! Having spent the last two years in Walla Walla at Whitman College and most of my life trapped in suburbia, the hustle and bustle of the city is the perfect new environment for me to explore and sharpen my interests and to also have a remarkable summer.

I realized a few things on my way to work today. First, there is a bus stop right around the corner from my beat-up bungalow in Wallingford. In fact, there seems to be a bus stop on virtually every corner of this city. That may not impress a veteran city-slicker but cheap, efficient public transportation definitely beats sharing a ’99 Jeep Cherokee with my mother (flashback to high school).

Second, everyone said “hello” to me on the bus this morning. Having spent a lot of time visiting my dad in Manhattan, my natural reaction was to suspiciously eye everyone down while quietly transferring my wallet to my front pocket. The weird thing is, no one even tried to mug me. They just goofily smiled at me, expressing their Northwest penchant to be really, really, ridiculously nice!

The last thing I realized was how sweet (crossing my fingers) this internship is going to be. The office is amazing – it kind of reminds me of one of those hi-tech industry studios where everyone longboards to and from work. The coffee is great (props to Georgi), the views from the conference room are spectacular, and the people have been warm and welcoming.

I may be new to the PR industry, but I am ready to learn and excited to be a part of the Frause family. More blogs are on their way…

-Michael Scigliano

So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye!

Wish I could stay longer but it is time for me to say my goodbyes! After a four-month internship, I am pleased to say that it’s time to flap my wings and fly out into the real world.

Graduating from then University of Oregon and gaining professional experience have been my two greatest accomplishments over the past months. I have had the opportunity to land broadcast and print media coverage for clients, facilitate a strategic planning session, write for the Frause blog, offer my recommendations, refine my writing skills, and make amazing professional connections.

Never did I believe I would have so much room to grow during my internship. Frause has prepared me for my career in communications and given me the skills to set myself apart from others in the job market.

As for the future, I am currently seeking a full-time career that utilizes my skills in communications and social media. I plan to stay in the Seattle area with my puggle, Happy, by my side and continue to grow as a professional.

Thank you to everyone at Frause who shared their sage advice, guided me through PR projects and believed in my ability. I also want to thank everyone who has followed this blog. I hope you will continue to enjoy reading about the interns’ experiences at Frause. And remember, I will still be writing about fashion and consumer public relations at Consuming PR!

Get ready to meet the next intern - coming soon to the Frause blog!

Frause Gives Back

Two weeks ago I had the privilege of tutoring a few kids at Treehouse, a public-private partnership dedicated to helping children in foster care. Every week Frause sends two employees from their Seattle office to Treehouse for their after-school tutoring program. I was lucky enough to be accompanied by my co-worker Nathan Hambley when we found ourselves helping kids with their math skills.

Thank goodness I was able to file through my dusty cabinets and remember high school algebra! When I first stepped into Treehouse the supervisors asked me how capable I was with junior high and high school math. I mustered up enough confidence to give the answer, “Of course I know algebra!”

Although I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, my 1-2-3’s all came rushing back. Soon I was remembering the FOIL rule and how to find the common denominator. It was such a delight to laugh and giggle with the kids as we worked through math homework. Remembering back to my struggles in high school and the awkward years of junior high, I felt rewarded to give back what I had learned as a child.

I believe my education is a powerful tool and it is necessary to encourage students in the community to achieve the same success. It is also an honor to be a part of a firm such as Frause that gives me the opportunity to give back to the community.

- Sarah Essary

Bon Voyage!

It’s hard to believe that three months have passed by so quickly, but next week will be my last at Frause. When I started my internship back in September, it seemed as though I had all the time in the world to experience life at an agency, but in the blink of an eye, I find myself at the end of my journey with Frause.

My internships prior to Frause prepared me with event planning skills, computer skills and a glimpse of life in healthcare. My experience with Frause was the first time I was able to see life at a PR agency. During my internship, I got to see how we take care of our clients behind the scenes. I was not out roping in new clients or landing stories on the front page, but I was able to participate in the administrative work that all our clients’ need.

One of the most valuable skills I will leave with is the understanding of how to effectively pitch a story to various media outlets and the best way to follow up with individuals after the pitch. That is one skill I had not learned with my previous internships. I also feel like I have learned to manage my time more effectively. Agency life requires you to be dedicated to multiple clients and meet multiple deadlines at a time.

When I look forward to the future, I am not sure where I see myself. I know I want to continue my career in PR and communications, but I am also drawn to the marketing aspects of a company. Regardless of where I end up, I am grateful for my experiences with Frause. Not only am I leaving with new skills, but I now understand how life at an agency works. Frause has played a key role in my journey towards finding the right career for me.

It is now time to continue on my career path. While I do not know where it leads, I am excited for the ride! I would like to thank everyone at Frause for helping me along this journey, and I hope we meet again. Bon Voyage!

-Heidi Gill

Lights, Camera, Frause Visual!

Currently I am sitting at the intern desk located near the new Frause Visual wing of our office. To my right I can see the words “Frause Visual” against a lime green wall, introducing the new addition to Frause – but it didn’t used to be this way.

For the first few months of my internship I was smack dab in the middle of our expansion. Only a few weeks ago there was a giant tarp, “the blob” as we called it, hanging next to me with the intention of devouring my desk every time the wind blew!

The soundtrack of my internship included the harmonious sounds of drilling, hammering and the banter of construction workers. Thank you, Pandora, for supplying me with The New Kids on the Block station, which I listened to every day during the construction.

Now, I am thrilled to announce that Frause Visual has finally opened its doors for business! With the addition of Frause Visual brings in more service offerings: video and audio production, broadcast (TV and radio commercials) and duplication. The existing Frause design services have also been expanded under Frause Visual to include branding, graphic design and Web development.

Jeri Vaughn, czar of Frause Visual, put her heart and soul into the expansion. Every day she would race past my desk trying to make sure Frause Visual would be up and running on time. Vaughn, managing partner and executive producer for Frause Visual, brings more than 20 years of experience to the new venture.

“It’s a pleasure to work with such passionate people,” Vaughn explains. “I am honored to be a part of the Frause family and to be able to expand the definition of full spectrum communications for our clients.”

It has been incredible to see the transformation take place while interning at Frause! From drywall to design, being in the midst of the addition has been a great experience. I’m also proud to have had the recent pleasure of working with Matteo Bava, Erika Sunmark and Susan Lamb, the new Frause Visual team.

Can’t wait to see what’s next. I see big things ahead for Frause!

- Sarah Essary