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