Navigating the Marketing, Communications and Public Relations Industry as a Young Pro

Public Relations Student Society of America National Committee members and undergraduate PR student, Zane Landin, will discuss how young professionals are breaking into the marketing communications industry and adapting during these times. Zane will be discussing how young pros can stand out, contribute to the evolution of traditional ideas of marketing, and overcome obstacles in professional development in the face of COVID-19.

WVU Marketing Communications Today is hosted by Matthew Cummings from West Virginia University which is a program on the Funnel Radio Channel. 

About Matthew's guest:

Zane David Landin, PRSSA 2020–2021 vice president of career services, is a non-graduating senior from the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He will graduate in December 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations. He has a strong passion for academics, design, social issues, creative writing, and learning new things all the time. Upon graduation, he hopes to be accepted into the master’s program in strategic communication from Columbia University to work at a public relations firm, the government, a nonprofit, or a university. He plans on working in the industry, earning his PR Accreditation, and eventually completing his Ph.D. in either Disability Studies with an emphasis in Communication Disorders or Public Relations to become a university professor and conduct research on accessible communication practices advocating for universal design.

Landin recently joined PRSSA this year, and has grown a passion for the club and organization as a whole. Landin’s passion for career services grew from his involvement in PRSSA and acknowledging how important and vital internship opportunities are. Landin has served in multiple internship roles all ranging from different agencies, departments, and companies. He has interned at the Environmental Protection Agency, Pomona Hope, the County of Orange local government, Access Services, the NASA CPP Business Startup Program, Score A Friend, and many departments on his campus.

He wants to help students prepare for a job in the public relations industry. His multiple internship experiences and involvement in PRSSA has improved his skills in the workplace, interviewing, cover letter writing, refining resumes, and general professional etiquette. He plans to bring these experiences to advise and assist students to land their dream internship.

Landin is always available whenever you need him to help you highlight your skills and showcase them on Portfolium, help start your LinkedIn account, personal website development, review your cover letters and resumes, aid with social media branding, personal and professional development, etc.

Landin is excited to serve on the national committee and looks forward to working with the amazing members of PRSSA and PRSA.

The Power of Diversity in building a Creative Team – Are marketing teams doing it right?

The ability to integrate different viewpoints enhances creativity or brings a creative solution to a problem. But why is it more relevant today? The world is way more diverse today, and the need to gauge the various groups’ dynamics is by building a team that has a better understanding of the mindsets. Crafting messages and setting a tone that resonates with these groups are no more an option.

Read the rest of this entry »

A Tale of Two Brands: The Business and Yours

In the immortal words of Charles Dickens, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Covid-19 is challenging businesses and careers at an unprecedented rate. Organizations are transforming to meet previously unfathomable needs of their stakeholders. New skillsets are required to deliver experiences in a virtual world. How are you responding to all these changes? Whether you are a seasoned professional or early in your career, what your business and personal brand project will determine if this is the best or worst of times for you.

Read the rest of this entry »

Pandemic Pivots

Katie Gilstrap is the founder of The Barre Boutique, a studio fitness center (recently sold to the Richmond Ballet), is a faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University and serves as an adjunct instructor at the University of Richmond at the undergraduate, graduate and executive levels as well as at The College of William and Mary in the Online MBA program. Her teaching areas include marketing principles, marketing strategy, marketing research, services marketing, retailing and communications; and she regularly advises MBA thesis projects aimed at solving strategic dilemmas for locally headquartered companies.

Read the rest of this entry »

How Podcasting Took Me From Marketer to CEO

Lindsay Tjepkema is a 2016 alum of the WVU IMC master's program and has spent nearly twenty years in B2B marketing. In 2018, as the VP of Brand and Content at a global enterprise SaaS company, she launched a podcast as part of the brand's integrated marketing strategy. That podcast would not only make a big impact on the brand, but would forever change the trajectory of Lindsay's career.

Read the rest of this entry »

Event Planning During the Current Health Crisis

Due to the current global health crisis and concerns around the spread of COVID-19, events, both large and small have been canceled across the United States. Where does the industry go from here? How has event planning changed and adapted? In this podcast, Deidre West, director of special events and celebrity relations at the Children’s Health Fund, will discuss her experience navigating this new reality.

Read the rest of this entry »