Clarifying Hispanic Heritage Month
Sept. 15 marks the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month. This cultural observance month is the only one celebrated in the United States that starts and ends mid-month, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Día de Los Muertos is celebrated not long after on Nov. 1. This means many areas of the nation may experience some type of Hispanic or Latino cultural expression anywhere between September through November!
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?
Making Connections with Hispanic Influencers
How do you connect with the Hispanic market? That’s a top question for organizations because Hispanics accounted for 52 percent of the U.S. population growth in the last decade and have an economic buying power of $1.5 trillion. Hispanic consumers are tight-knit networks — we are wired for referral based, word-of-mouth marketing. A primary trust factor is whether a family member or friend has referred us to an organization, product or service.
National Museum Elevates Latino Contributions
My family and I recently explored the first iteration of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, D.C. As the Smithsonian works to secure a stand-alone museum site, the Museum of the American Latino has been integrated into the National Museum of American History through the construction of the Molina Family Latino Gallery.
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.
Challenging Anti-DEI Legislation: Insights from a Certified Diversity Professional
You’ve probably heard that Texas and other states, like Florida and Oklahoma, are banning diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in public higher education. Much of the public has shared upset since DEI efforts had been recommitted to in recent years. As a Certified Diversity Professional and holder of a CompassionateUSA Certification, I try to consider what role the PR professional and communicators can have in situations like this.
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.
Tickets on Sale Now: Ethics and Copyright Law in an AI-Excited World
Kick the year off with Smart Talk that can save you and your business future legal troubles. Learn the Copyright Law do's and don'ts of AI from public relations author Melissa Vela-Williamson and media law attorney Alicia Calzada. Read more about this event taking place on Thursday, January 18 at Maestro Entrepreneur Center.
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.
Time Management: The Key to Success for Interns
Fitting an internship into an already packed schedule of classes, assignments, and extracurricular organizations can seem overwhelming. As an intern at MVW Communications and a full-time student at Texas State University, I quickly learned the skills needed to thrive! The key to success lies in strategic time management.
Wisdom from a Recent College Grad: Get Involved!
Becoming a communications major is one of the best decisions I have made in college and I am greatly looking forward to my career in public relations. College is an amazing chapter in anyone’s life and I cannot stress enough what I have gained from having leadership roles and mentors I know I can trust. At the end of the day, you get out of college what you put into it.
4 Tips for a Successful Remote Internship
I met Melissa in November of 2022 at the PRSSA ICON International conference in Dallas, Texas. I attend Northern Michigan University in Marquette, about 1,500 miles from San Antonio, Texas, where MVW Communications is located. For the past year, I’ve been working remotely for MVW Communications, and here’s how I succeeded…
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: 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.
3 Pro Tips from a Recent Grad
I am not your “traditional” intern. I am slightly older (27) than what most would consider an intern. I returned to college in the middle of the pandemic, after already completing a degree in a field that didn’t make me happy. I’m so glad that I came back to the field that I fell in love with as a teenager.
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!
Learning Through Experience
As a go-getter, I love to learn, and internships are where I have learned my most valuable lessons. This semester, I found that internships are a great opportunity to gain practical experience and apply what you’re learning in the classroom to real-world situations. Here’s a peek into some of the things I’ve learned at MVW Communications.