This article was written by CCLP intern Faith Jessie, a USC Annenberg senior majoring in Public Relations.
The Los Angeles Chapter of the PRSA kicked off 2014 with their annual “State of the State of PR” event last week.
CCLP managing director Geoffrey Baum (pictured left) was selected to moderate the panel, which aimed to explore the new challenges and opportunities facing PR pros in 2014.
The event, hosted at the Luxe City Center Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, attracted PR professionals from all over Los Angeles as well as PRSSA student members.
Guests were treated to an evening of hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and conversation. The intimate setting of the candlelit balcony area overlooking LA Live gave guests a chance to relax for a bit while enjoying the company of their colleagues.
After the mixer, guests moved into the ballroom for the panel discussion.
Panelists included (pictured above, center) Dave Barthmuss, Executive Director of Regional Communications (West) for General Motors, Shell Amega (right), VP of Communications for the California Science Center Foundation, and Leslie Unger (left), who led PR for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses.
PRSA President Erik Deutsch welcomed guests to the event and introduced Baum who engaged the panelists and then invited questions from the audience.
The panelists shared inside experiences ranging from how they run their PR teams to how technology, specifically social media, is playing a huge role in their offices.
Barthmuss shared insights into GM’s “Drive Thru Finals” campaign, where GM went to college campuses to promote Chevy. Amega discussed her experience of coordinating many aspects of the Space Shuttle Endeavour’s trip to the Science Center. Unger gave us a look inside of how The Academy Awards handles press.
Many questions were answered during the allotted time for the panel, but the panelists stayed after the event to personally greet guests and share more information.