Sample 1
For Immediate Release
Meghan Murray
10/29/2014
mmurra15@gmu.edu
O’KEEFE AND COMPANY ACCOUNT COORDINATOR SPEAKS TO MASON STUDENTS
September 17, 2014- Recent graduate of the George Mason master’s program spoke to students about post-grad life and finding a job in public relations.
“There is no such thing as a typical day in my life,” Account Coordinator at O’Keeffe & Company Kate DeNardi said. “I wake up and do early morning media scans and email them to the supervisor. At 9a.m. we put together a daily newsletter to our clients, which goes out at 11a.m. Throughout the day I also post clever things on Facebook,” said DeNardi.
According to its website, O’Keeffe & Company is a full-service, technology marketing communications firm.
Before graduating in the spring of 2014, DeNardi completed her thesis titled Tweeting in the C-Suite: an examination of the Habits and Strategies of CEOs on twitter.
“I examine why CEOs use twitter,” said DeNardi. “Are they using is as a way to share their opinion? Or are they using it as a way to build a relationship with their client?”
DeNardi found that many CEO’s are apprehensive to tweet. “CEOs are afraid that they are going to get sued for releasing confidential information,” she said.
“Tweeting is so instantaneous. When it’s done it’s done on the fly, it is not pre- planned,” she said. DeNardi praised CEO, Jack Salzwedel of American Family Mutual Insurance Group for using emotionally supportive tweets. For example, on September 9, 2014, Salzwedel tweeted, “…Use your help, but find
your voice. It’s about genuine & authentic communication. That’s all. It’s a CEOs responsibility. #priorities.”
Salzwedel does what DeNardi believes every CEO should be doing. “CEOs need to be social. Twitter is not going away, and clients want to know who they are buying from,” said DeNardi.
DeNardi is proof that it is possible to have post-grad success and at the same time love your job. “Finding a company where you fit the culture is so important,” she said. “I have made friends at my company and we hang out all the time. PR is not 9-5 so you need to love it. Find a place where you feel happy.”