Spanish Media Myths and Truths
I began my PR career at a Hispanic boutique agency. I didn’t know the difference between “general market” and Hispanic market media as a new grad, but soon learned about the divide. At a Hispanic or multicultural agency, you’re going to focus on the unique cultural attributes and communication preferences of a niche audience.
A Board Member's PR Responsibilities
Statistics show that boards are typically not diverse enough, which can cause issues. A recent article in the Los Angeles Times shared how, while Latinos are the nation’s largest and fastest-growing ethnic minority group in the United States, they remain less likely than Black or Asian professionals to be found in the boardroom. In fact, an analysis by SpencerStuart shows that Latinos make up only 5% of S&P 500 boards.
Help Tell Latino Stories
Think back to your American history class days. Which races were reflected in the textbook? The hard truth is that they probably weren’t Hispanic. Latinos are not even categorized as a race by the U.S. government. We’re an ethnic version of white. Is there a more symbolic way to explain how the Latino story is missing its rightful place in American stories?
Respect Educational Diversity
When is the last time you thought about the education level of your stakeholders? As PR professionals, we may think more about visual indicators of diversity than how people differ in ways we can’t see. The level of education people have can affect all aspects of their life. Have you considered tailoring your PR strategies in relation to educational diversity?
Cultural Competency Is a Must for All
In November, I was happy to attend PRSA’s ICON 2022 conference in Grapevine, Texas. The three-day event offered many rewarding experiences, but some situations there surprised me. I was excited to speak to hundreds of students and professionals at ICON 2022 about my new book, “Smart Talk: Public Relations Essentials All Pros Should Know.” As a communicator and agency owner, I am invested in PRSA. My team and I prepared for months for this milestone moment.
Elevate Women in the Workplace
Much has been said about the disparities women face in the workplace. There’s an unfair women’s pay gap, and women can face sexual harassment or discrimination at almost every level of their careers. I’ve dealt with facing such issues since my very first job. Public relations is a profession where the majority of practitioners are women. So how women are treated, and what their success trajectory is, should matter to us.
The Power of Context
Our words hold power by shaping each situation with details and context. We make meaning via communication, so how we shape our messages matters, and how those messages are interpreted is correct.
Thriving in the Agency World: Lessons from My Journey at MVW Communications
Discover Julia's transformation from novice to seasoned PR pro under Melissa Vela-Williamson's mentorship. Her journey showcases the impact of continuous learning and strategic networking in shaping a thriving career in Communications.
Book Sneak Peek: Be Thoughtful and Planful
In Chapter 10, “Act Like a Pro,” I review what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss the changes that it made to our work lives.
Book Sneak Peek: Thinking Critically & Planning for a Crisis
In Chapter 9, “Think Like a Pro,” I discuss the situations that taught me to think like a pro. Have you heard of crisis communications?
Book Sneak Peek: Build Your Press Kit
In Chapter 8, “Building Your PR Toolkit,” I explain the contents of a great PR toolkit, including the press kit. What’s that?
4 Lessons from Recording My Audiobook
I spent three days recording the audiobook version of my book, 𝑆𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑇𝑎𝑙𝑘: 𝑃𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝐸𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠 𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑠 𝑆ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝐾𝑛𝑜𝑤. Read here to find out what I learned during that process.
Book Sneak Peek: Think 360
In Chapter 7, “Understanding Integrated Marketing Communications,” I introduce the framework my firm, MVW Communications, uses for our 360-degree approach to planning.
Book Sneak Peek: PR, DEI & Touchy Terminology
In Chapter 6, “Use Tailoring to Serve Multicultural Needs,” I dive deep into cultural strategy and why communicators should understand how to tailor their communication approaches for a multitude of audiences.
Book Sneak Peek: Building Relationships Means EQ>IQ
In Chapter 5, “The Relationships You Need to Be Successful,” I discuss relationships essential to a successful career in PR. These relationships can be with other PR pros and even clients!
Book Sneak Peek: Strategic Communication Planning
In Chapter 4, “Planning Like A Pro,” I explain a four-step process to creating and implementing a strategic communications plan.