Loyalist PR raises $1,200+ for United Way

Post-Grad PR students kicked off the Loyalist College fall campaign for the United Way yesterday by raising more than $1,200 in less than five hours.

With great enthusiasm and a flair for Halloween fashion, students engaged staff, faculty and other students in a campus-wide “Trick or Treat for United Way” event.

“The students looked great in their costumes and got me to buy a winning ticket that caused me to have a happy dance right on the spot!” says Doug Lafreniere, Professor & Academic Co-ordinator of the Fitness & Health Promotion Program at Loyalist College. “It was a fun and profitable day for the United Way. Kudos!”

Special thanks to the many corporate supporters who made this event possible, including: Walmart, Applebees, Starbucks, the Empire Theatre, the Belleville Bulls, Sunoco, Boston Pizza, The Spa at Loyalist, Office Depot, Club 213, Play It Again Sports, Chartwells and the Shark Tank Pub.

Great job, everyone!

2008 Media Mash-Up Hosts Sell-Out Crowd

Loyalist PR students hosted a sell-out crowd at the 2008 Media Mash-Up presented by Apple last night in the Shark Tank Pub at Loyalist College.

Students, faculty and support staff of the School of Media gathered for an amazing night of live music, food and prizes -- all while mixing and mingling with people from a cross-section of media disciplines.

Special guest Scott Moore, Executive Director of CBC Television Sports shared his experiences from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as well as the recent footage of the announcement of the new "Hockey Night in Canada" theme song.

Among the evening's live musical acts was Loyalist PR's own Kyle MacKenzie who loosened up the crowd with his talented acoustic performances. Way to go, Kyle!

More behind-the-scenes tasks were carried out by a host of other Loyalist PR students who did everything from managing ticket sales and event set-up to prize table organization and band co-ordination.

Through it all, we learned what it takes to run a great event, and how to work together as a team to achieve optimum results.

Special thanks to lead sponsor Apple, as well as Sony, Japan Camera, Future Shop and Huff Estates who made this event possible.

Happy turkey weekend, everyone!

Hats off to an amazing thanksgiving feast held at Jeff and Dana's Tweed estate yesterday. The food and company was "right arm" and I hope you all enjoy a wonderful long weekend. -- Kerry

Loyalist PR hearts George Stroumboulopoulos (we really do!)

You see, George, we promised we'd blog about you and we kept our word. The CBC needs more rock stars like you. Call us.

Loyalist PR takes on Toronto

This year's Loyalist PR fall trip to Toronto was filled with loads of fun, learning and adventure.

After pulling out of Bellevegas early in the AM on our rockstar bus, we arrived right on time for our first stop at Hill & Knowlton. Thanks to Paule and the H&K associates who made us feel welcome, and challenged us to follow our passion.

Next up was a family-style lunch at Jack Astor's on Front Street, followed by a brisk walk to the CBC studios. After spending time with Public Relations Director Elizabeth Lea of the CBC, we all left feeling a bit prouder to be Canadian, and with a new appreciation for our broadcasting heritage.

Our final stop was Bullfrog Power where we met up with James Bosma, Marketing Communications Director of this cool eco-brand. James handled the student storm of questions with the utmost of ease and got us all talking about the new possibilities available to us all on the sustainable energy front.

This blog entry would be incomplete without a mention of the bus trip home where we uncovered many hidden talents, including a mobile accordian concert at 110 km/hour on the westbound 401 highway.

It just doesn't get any better than that, folks.

Diana Robinson comes to the party...

When is a party not just a party?

Ask Diana Robinson of Diana Robinson & Associates who has organized media events for the likes of P. Diddy and Beyonce, not to mention a litany of brand launches ranging from laundry soap to organic gluesticks.

Diana's visit to Loyalist PR today offered more than just a behind-the-scenes view of the PR world; she also provided her list of "20 Life Tips" and secrets to personal success.

Thanks for stopping by, Diana!

Loyalist PR Alumni Return for Fall Panel

Yesterday's Loyalist PR alumni featured a cross-section of grads who are applying their skills in a variety of ways for a broad range of organizations.

Among this year's participants were: Katie Dudley, PR & Special Events Assistant with the Toronto Zoo, Lindsay Conboy, Communications Assistant for the Canadian Paediatric Society (Ottawa), Lisa Kirbie, Chief of Staff for Senator Grant Mitchell(Parliament Hill, Ottawa), Alex Sancton, Communications Officer at World Vision (Mississauga), Heather Forsyth, a Communications Assistant working in The Senate (Parliament Hill, Ottawa), Briar Boyce, Donor Relations Assistant, Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (Picton) and Phil Jolicoeur, Marketing and Communications Co-ordinator for the Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough and Northumberland.

Among the topics of discussion at today's panel were the use of social media in today's marketplace, along with the challenges of monitoring such tools as blogs, YouTube and Facebook. They also offered tips on everything from the job hunt to finding the ideal internship.

Thanks for stopping by, everyone! We wish you the best of success in your careers, wherever they may lead you.