The Fletcher Marketing team hosted a workshop for Blount County Chamber of Commerce members to teach how media relations can help drive sales in your business. We enjoyed the opportunity to work with local business leaders on incorporating public relations strategies to increase brand awareness and, ultimately, boost sales. We covered everything from why media relations should be part of your strategy, to what makes a good news story and how to measure your success.

The Public Relations & Communications Association (PRCA) – the largest global public relations body, based in London – recently honored two East Tennessee public relations executives as inaugural members of its International Fellows: Fletcher Marketing PR CEO Kelly Fletcher and Senior Strategist Mary Beth West.

There's a lot of debate about paid placement and PR and where it fits into the whole big picture. In this episode we talk through the different types of paid media and why paid should be a part of your PR strategy. Plus we explore which scenarios are the best match for different types of paid placement.

With the possible repeal of Roe v. Wade in the headlines, Mary Beth West and Kelly Fletcher talk about public relations strategies for businesses considering weighing in on this episode of Ms. InterPReted

There seems to now be a high-level consumer expectation that corporations take a stand on issues and also consumer criticism if your corporate brand is remaining silent.

Reports to: Vice President Client Service & Operations Status: Regular Part-Time
15-20 hours per week
Pay ranges from $15-$18 hour
Objective: To provide support to internal teams and assist with client service.
Accountabilities:
• To model behavior that demonstrates a positive commitment to fellow Fletcher employees,
clients and the community.
• To promote respect for and appreciation of all individuals, traditions and lifestyles.
• To demonstrate and promote a climate of courtesy and professionalism toward all.
Responsibilities:
• Writing and editing press releases, blogs and various other content
• Utilization of Meltwater media database for research and media contact list development
• Research journalists and pitch story angles
• Track and report on pitching progress and results
• Social media content development (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn)
• Research on a wide variety of topics
• Event management and support
• File management and organization for cloud storage
• Assists with monthly client reporting compiling metrics and analytics into digestible reports
• Manages weekly workflow and tracks time on software management platform
• Other duties as assigned
Qualification Requirements:
• Minimum of 3rd year student (seniors or graduate students preferred) in related field (PR,
communications, journalism)
• Previous agency or in-house PR intern experience preferred
• Demonstrated writing skills for diverse media (press releases, blogs, promotional copy)
• Direct social media experience
• Website content management experience preferred
• Fluent with Microsoft Office Suite. Knowledge of media databases, Sprout, Basecamp and
FreshBooks preferred (but will train)
• High attention to detail
• Strong multi-tasking capabilities
• Ability to work both independently on a virtual team

In the Public Relations world, we often work to promote single brands, or single businesses, but when several come together to collaborate and promote their town for the sake of tourism, everyone wins. It’s why we pulled together a group of powerful community stakeholders to host a FAM tour to promote Townsend, Tennessee.

Listen up, agency owners, managers, and agency decision-makers . . .

As the Great Resignation continues at a record-breaking pace, I see people all around me jumping ship for better opportunities, higher pay, more benefits or improved work/life balance. I’m well aware that ample job openings are out there—perhaps offering something marginally more desirable—yet I stay. The Great Resignation may be making headlines but the story that isn’t being told as frequently is the “why” behind those of us who have remained. I suppose you could call us the “Lesser Retained.” For businesses, it’s critical to understand what motivates employees to stay just as much as a recruitment strategy and to incorporate it into internal communications. But first I’ll share the reasons why I felt compelled to remain in my role.

“What if the trials of this life are your mercies in disguise?”