General Meetings
Networking and skill enhancement are just two of the benefits offered at chapter meetings. A presentation from a professional in public relations or a related field is made each month.
Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month at 11:45 a.m. at the University Club, corner of Queen City Avenue and University Boulevard, unless otherwise noted. Meals are $15 for members and $20 for guests. Meals are paid for at the time of the meeting and are not included in annual membership dues, unless requested at time of renewal.
Why join us? “Being a charter member of the West Alabama Chapter of PRCA has benefited me professionally in numerous ways,” says Carol Woodruff, member since 1989. “Our programs provide useful information in staying abreast of trends in the PR profession. The networking and relationship building is truly valuable and there are always leadership opportunities. Besides that, it’s fun!”
Know someone who might be interested in joining PRCA? Bring him or her to one of our lunch meetings! First visit is free.
Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month at 11:45 a.m. at the University Club, corner of Queen City Avenue and University Boulevard, unless otherwise noted. Meals are $15 for members and $20 for guests. Meals are paid for at the time of the meeting and are not included in annual membership dues, unless requested at time of renewal.
Why join us? “Being a charter member of the West Alabama Chapter of PRCA has benefited me professionally in numerous ways,” says Carol Woodruff, member since 1989. “Our programs provide useful information in staying abreast of trends in the PR profession. The networking and relationship building is truly valuable and there are always leadership opportunities. Besides that, it’s fun!”
Know someone who might be interested in joining PRCA? Bring him or her to one of our lunch meetings! First visit is free.
Past Meetings
October - Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox
Walter Maddox was sworn in for his second term as Tuscaloosa’s 36th mayor on Nov. 2, 2009. Since his first inauguration in 2005, Maddox has led initiatives to increase economic development, improve customer service and provide quality pre-k education for academically at-risk children. Most recently and perhaps most notably, he has led the City of Tuscaloosa in its rebuilding and recovery efforts following the April 27 tornado.
Maddox is a Tuscaloosa native and graduated from Central High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degree in public administration from UAB. While attending UAB, Maddox was a four-year letter-winner on the football team.
The majority of Maddox’s professional career has been spent in public education. From 1996 to 2001, he served as an Alabama Education Association field director. In 2001, he was appointed executive director of personnel for the Tuscaloosa City Schools. In that same year, he was elected as Tuscaloosa City Councilman for the sixth district.
Maddox is a Tuscaloosa native and graduated from Central High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degree in public administration from UAB. While attending UAB, Maddox was a four-year letter-winner on the football team.
The majority of Maddox’s professional career has been spent in public education. From 1996 to 2001, he served as an Alabama Education Association field director. In 2001, he was appointed executive director of personnel for the Tuscaloosa City Schools. In that same year, he was elected as Tuscaloosa City Councilman for the sixth district.
May - Public Relations Leadership: Research & Resources
Karla K. Gower, Ph.D.
Director, Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations
Behringer Distinguished Professor, The University of Alabama
Dr. Karla K. Gower earned a doctorate in mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master’s degree in mass communication from Arizona State University and law and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Western Ontario, Canada.
She has practiced law in Canada, worked in government relations at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona during the Clinton administration’s attempts at health care reform, worked in internal communications and media relations at GateWay Community College and was part of a three-member team of writers at UNC Chapel Hill Office of University Development.
Director, Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations
Behringer Distinguished Professor, The University of Alabama
Dr. Karla K. Gower earned a doctorate in mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master’s degree in mass communication from Arizona State University and law and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Western Ontario, Canada.
She has practiced law in Canada, worked in government relations at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona during the Clinton administration’s attempts at health care reform, worked in internal communications and media relations at GateWay Community College and was part of a three-member team of writers at UNC Chapel Hill Office of University Development.
March - Demolishing Stereotypes, Rebuilding Lives:
How to view your organization from outsiders’ eyes
Anthony Cooper, Director of Development and Communications, Jimmie Hale Mission
Anthony Cooper has been with the Jimmie Hale Mission since 2004 and currently serves as the director of development and communications.
Anthony’s passion from his first day on the job has been to demolish stereotypes that have been placed on the homeless and to help rebuild the lives from behind the scenes.
Demolishing stereotypes is steadily being accomplished through media campaigns and events, which encourage the public to view the homeless as real people and identify with them. In order to help rebuild lives, donors and volunteers must first feel needed and appreciated then realize their altruistic contributions can empower the Mission to serve the needy on a daily basis.
Anthony Cooper has been with the Jimmie Hale Mission since 2004 and currently serves as the director of development and communications.
Anthony’s passion from his first day on the job has been to demolish stereotypes that have been placed on the homeless and to help rebuild the lives from behind the scenes.
Demolishing stereotypes is steadily being accomplished through media campaigns and events, which encourage the public to view the homeless as real people and identify with them. In order to help rebuild lives, donors and volunteers must first feel needed and appreciated then realize their altruistic contributions can empower the Mission to serve the needy on a daily basis.
February - Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
Wendy Riggs from the new Tuscaloosa Amphitheater will be our guest speaker!
January - Power in Your PR Plan
Stacy Smith, APR
A strategic planner, Stacy Smith places emphasis on execution. Not only making the best plans but also getting them done. Strategy to execution, Stacy has developed and coordinated public relations objectives and marketing strategies with national impact and always with target audiences in mind. Stacy brings more than 20 years of experience; she brings a track record of results.
Prior to establishing her communications consulting practice in Birmingham in 1998, Stacy served as public affairs advisor to the American Red Cross-national headquarters. She recruited, trained, and managed 35 Red Cross volunteers who were professional communicators located across the United States to coordinate media relations at the site of disasters with national impact.
For the Washington, D.C. office of Edelman Public Relations Worldwide, Stacy counseled Fortune 500 companies and major non-profit organizations including Microsoft, HBO, and PBS.
As press secretary to U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, Stacy wrote and placed weekly newspaper columns on timely public policy issues in addition to writing statements and releases on current policy debates.
Stacy is past president and current Accreditation officer of Public Relations Society of America -Alabama chapter and holds an Accreditation in Public Relations. She earned a B.A. from Auburn University.
A strategic planner, Stacy Smith places emphasis on execution. Not only making the best plans but also getting them done. Strategy to execution, Stacy has developed and coordinated public relations objectives and marketing strategies with national impact and always with target audiences in mind. Stacy brings more than 20 years of experience; she brings a track record of results.
Prior to establishing her communications consulting practice in Birmingham in 1998, Stacy served as public affairs advisor to the American Red Cross-national headquarters. She recruited, trained, and managed 35 Red Cross volunteers who were professional communicators located across the United States to coordinate media relations at the site of disasters with national impact.
For the Washington, D.C. office of Edelman Public Relations Worldwide, Stacy counseled Fortune 500 companies and major non-profit organizations including Microsoft, HBO, and PBS.
As press secretary to U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, Stacy wrote and placed weekly newspaper columns on timely public policy issues in addition to writing statements and releases on current policy debates.
Stacy is past president and current Accreditation officer of Public Relations Society of America -Alabama chapter and holds an Accreditation in Public Relations. She earned a B.A. from Auburn University.
Indulge In A Little Holiday Cheer
And maybe an almond ball.
Let's celebrate the end of another fabulous year with PRCA West Alabama!
Thursday, Dec. 9
11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The University Club.
Let's celebrate the end of another fabulous year with PRCA West Alabama!
Thursday, Dec. 9
11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The University Club.
Kelley Bozeman | University of Kentucky's "see blue." campaign
Kelley Bozeman, a native of Cullman, graduated from The University of Alabama in 1993 with a B.A. in communication. She currently serves as the marketing and brand management director at the University of Kentucky, a role she has held for the past 10 years.
During her tenure at UK, the University launched a comprehensive integrated strategic marketing campaign focused on building awareness of the university and the recruitment of students in key out-of-state markets. The “see blue.” campaign is now in its fourth year and has exceeded expectations.
In addition, Kelley works closely with the administration of the university with special event planning, key development efforts and is a liaison with UK Athletics for the President’s Office.
During her tenure at UK, the University launched a comprehensive integrated strategic marketing campaign focused on building awareness of the university and the recruitment of students in key out-of-state markets. The “see blue.” campaign is now in its fourth year and has exceeded expectations.
In addition, Kelley works closely with the administration of the university with special event planning, key development efforts and is a liaison with UK Athletics for the President’s Office.
Less Than U Think Student Ad Campaign
The University of Alabama’s student advertising team’s campaign for the 2009 American Advertising Federation National Student Advertising Competition was one of four selected by The Century Council to implement and further explore potential effectiveness of student-generated campaigns to prevent binge drinking on college campuses across the nation.
UA’s ad team placed second in the national competition with its “LessThanUThink” advertising campaign. Based on the team’s research, they developed a campaign using humorous messages and consisting of posters, print and Web advertisements, an interactive Web site and more.
UA’s ad team placed second in the national competition with its “LessThanUThink” advertising campaign. Based on the team’s research, they developed a campaign using humorous messages and consisting of posters, print and Web advertisements, an interactive Web site and more.
Jan Pruitt | Kentuck: Shoestring Marketing for a Venerable Non-Profit
Jan Pruitt
Executive Director of Kentuck Museum Association
Jan Pruitt has served as the executive director of the Kentuck Museum Association since January 2010. In addition to year-round programming and exhibitions at the Kentuck Art Center in downtown Northport, the 39th annual Kentuck Festival of the Arts is scheduled for October 16 and 17. The Festival was recognized by Time magazine as the "authentic American experience" in the state of Alabama in 2009, and this year is ranked as the sixth outdoor festival in the nation by American Style Magazine.
Pruitt is a native of Gadsden and received her B.A. and M.A. degrees from The University of Alabama. She retired as UA’s associate director of university relations in 2005 and has since worked as a freelance writer and editor and as a consultant and process director for Crane MetaMarketing in Roswell, Ga., which specializes in research-based branding and marketing for non-profit organizations.
Executive Director of Kentuck Museum Association
Jan Pruitt has served as the executive director of the Kentuck Museum Association since January 2010. In addition to year-round programming and exhibitions at the Kentuck Art Center in downtown Northport, the 39th annual Kentuck Festival of the Arts is scheduled for October 16 and 17. The Festival was recognized by Time magazine as the "authentic American experience" in the state of Alabama in 2009, and this year is ranked as the sixth outdoor festival in the nation by American Style Magazine.
Pruitt is a native of Gadsden and received her B.A. and M.A. degrees from The University of Alabama. She retired as UA’s associate director of university relations in 2005 and has since worked as a freelance writer and editor and as a consultant and process director for Crane MetaMarketing in Roswell, Ga., which specializes in research-based branding and marketing for non-profit organizations.
