YouToo Wins 2020 Diamond Award from PRSA East Central District
Kent State’s School of Media and Journalism and the Akron Area PRSA earned the coveted Diamond Award, recognizing public relations excellence, for the 13th Annual YouToo Social Media Conference
The Kent State University School of Media and Journalism (MDJ) and the Akron Area Chapter of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) received a joint Diamond Award from the PRSA East Central District’s 43rd annual Diamond Awards program for public relations campaigns and tactics.
The Diamond (first place) Award was given for the school and chapter’s annual YouToo Social Media Conference, a pioneering one-day conference for communication professionals, students and educators focused on best practices, case studies, strategies and tactics to make the most of these revolutionary communication technologies. “The goals were to host a conference providing accessible and affordable professional development focused on digital media, to raise funds for Akron Area PRSA and the Kent State Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and to position the PRSA and PRSSA Chapters and the School of Media and Journalism as educational resources for digital media communication,” said Jennifer Kramer, APR, past president, Akron Area PRSA. “We did that! And to be honored with a prestigious Diamond Award on top of that proves we put together an effective program.” Due to the COVID-19 pandemic requiring a state-wide shutdown three days before the event, this year’s conference transitioned to a virtual format. Registration for the virtual event, rescheduled for April 24, 2020, was higher than that of the original in-person event, attracting student attendees from Kent State, Slippery Rock, Mount Union, Baldwin Wallace and the University of Akron and public relations professionals and faculty representing State and Federal Communications, Kent State, FedEx Custom Critical, Sherwin Williams, and many small to medium-sized businesses. “This conference is a signature event at MDJ,” said Luke Armour, associate professor of public relations at MDJ and chair of YouToo 2020, “bringing experts from around the country to Kent State to share their experiences and knowledge with our local professionals and students. And the PRSSA Kent student obtain valuable experience planning and executing an event. I’m so proud of the committee, sponsors, speaker and attendees for working with us to transition this event online. It was a great day. We are honored by this award, and it belongs to everyone.” The conference was anchored by keynotes from the team leading the Wendy’s Twitter account and Robert Rose, chief strategy officer of The Content Advisory who helped found the local Content Marketing Institute. Additional speakers and topics included “Brands and Social Media in the COVID Crisis” with Cleveland Clinic, PR Newswire and Content Marketing Institute and “Social Video Best Practices,” “Social Accessibility,” “Social Measurement,” “Reaching Gen Z via Social,” “The Power of Facebook Groups” and “Using Social with Employees.” “We are honored to congratulate the Kent State University School of Media and Journalism and the Akron Area Chapter Public Relations Society of America for their achievement in public relations excellence,” said John Palmer, chair, PRSA East Central District. “This year’s honorees have risen to the challenge with skill and creativity to effectively communicate with their audiences.” The Diamond Awards are presented to public relations practitioners who have successfully addressed a communication challenge with exemplary skill, creativity and resourcefulness. The Diamond Awards are open to any public relations professional who is a member of the 17 chapters of PRSA-East Central District, or any nonmember whose place of business is within the District’s boundaries. The East Central District covers the states of Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. About Akron PRSA: The Akron Area Chapter of Public Relations Society of America is part of the world's largest organization for public relations professionals helping to advance the profession and the professional. Its nearly 90 local members represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. About the School of Media and Journalism Public Relations Program The public relations sequence at Kent State University is part of the School of Media and Journalism in the College of Communication and Information, a nationally renowned program offering degrees in advertising, digital media, journalism and public relations. Kent State boasts the only public relations program in Ohio certified by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC).To learn more about the School of Media and Journalism’s public relations program, visit www.kent.edu/mdj/public-relations. About PRSSA Kent: PRSSA Kent (www.prssakent.com) was established in 1968 as one of the 14 original Alpha Chapters of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Named the 2014 and 2019 Outstanding Chapter in the country, the student-run organization collaborates with its parent Chapter, the Akron Area Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, to coordinate meetings and events offering professional development and networking opportunities to Kent State University students interested in the public relations and communications industry. About YouToo: The YouToo Social Media Conference (www.youtoosm.com) is an annual conference hosted by the Akron Area Chapter of Public Relations Society of America and the Kent State University Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America. The conference puts communication professionals in the same room as students studying similar fields to discuss the latest developments and trends in social media and digital communication. Since its creation in 2008, the conference has discussed various topics including ways to stand out in the digital space, data analytics, real-life case studies, using social media to increase ROI and more. Conference proceeds support PRSSA Kent and the Akron Area PRSA Chapter. Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Clinic Headline 12th Annual YouToo Social Media ConferenceThe 12th Annual YouToo Social Media Conference is a one-day seminar for students and professional communicators focusing on best practices and newest trends in this influential media. The conference announces this year’s “first pitch” Keynote Speaker, Bob DiBiasio, vice president of public affairs for the Cleveland Indians, and luncheon Keynote Speaker, Amanda Todorovich, senior director and content and creative services for the Cleveland Clinic.
This year’s conference will be held Friday, April 26, 2019, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Kent State University’s Franklin Hall. DiBiasio is in his 40th season with the Indians and 41st in Major League Baseball. He started with the Indians as Assistant PR Director in 1979, then PR Director in 1980. In 1987, he served as PR Chief for the Atlanta Braves, but returned to the Tribe in 1988 and became Vice President of PR. In 2011, he was promoted to his current position. Currently, DiBiasio serves as President of Cleveland Indians Charities. He is a member of the Executive Board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland and serves on the Athletic Advisory Board of Notre Dame College. DiBiasio is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation, the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation and the Baseball Heritage Museum at League Park. DiBiasio hosts the Indians Alumni Roundtable Show on SportsTime Ohio, as well as Tribe Tales. In 1986, DiBiasio was named the Public Relations Director to Sports Illustrated’s Dream Team and a recipient of the Robert O. Fishel Award for Public Relations Excellence in Major League Baseball in 1999. Todorovich was chosen as the 2015 Direct Marketing news 40 under 40, named the 2016 Content Marketer of the Year by the Content Marketing Institute and honored as a 2017 Boldest Healthcare Brand Marketer finalist. Currently, Todorovich manages a team of writers, designers, digital engagement strategists and project managers to serve enterprise content needs both on and offline. Her team is responsible for the number one most-visited hospital blog in the country, Health Essentials. In Feb. 2013, Todorovich joined Cleveland Clinic after serving as chief content officer and co-founder of MedCity News, one of the fastest growing online publishers in the healthcare and life sciences industry. With more than 15 years of storytelling experience, Todorovich is passionate about finding innovative ways to leverage every piece of content her team produces. The 2019 YouToo Social Media Conference brings area communications professionals to Kent State to discuss the role of social media in public relations and marketing. Students studying similar areas of interest are encouraged to attend, but anyone can register for the conference. Conference proceeds support the Kent State University PRSSA Chapter and the Akron Area PRSA Chapter. For more information about the conference or to register, visit youtoosm.com and follow #YouToo2019 and #YouTooSM. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Sponsors’ names are front and center to more than 200 current and future decision makers who may choose to utilize regional goods or services. To become a sponsor, visit http://bit.ly/YouTooSponsor. About Akron PRSA: The Akron Area Chapter of Public Relations Society of America is part of the world's largest organization for public relations professionals helping to advance the profession and the professional. Its nearly 115 local members represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. About PRSSA Kent: PRSSA Kent (www.prssakent.com) was established in 1968 as one of the 14 original Alpha Chapters of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Named the 2014 Outstanding Chapter in the country, the 60-member student-run organization collaborates with its parent Chapter, the Akron Area Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, to coordinate meetings and events that offer professional development and networking opportunities to Kent State University students interested in the public relations and communications industry. About YouToo: The YouToo Social Media Conference (www.youtoosm.com) is an annual conference hosted by the Akron Area Chapter of Public Relations Society of America and the Kent State University Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America. The conference puts communication professionals in the same room as students studying similar fields to discuss the latest developments and trends in social media and digital communication. Since its creation in 2008, the conference has discussed various topics including ways to stand out in the digital space, data analytics, real-life case studies, using social media to increase ROI and more. Conference proceeds support the YouToo Scholarship Fund, Kent State University PRSSA Chapter and the Akron Area PRSA Chapter. The 11th YouToo Social Media Conference Gets Social with Two Nationally Recognized Communicators, Lee Odden and Shonali Burke
Social media continues to shape the way people and brands communicate with each other while presenting hidden challenges and opportunities for both. The 11th Annual YouToo Social Media Conference will bring two of the nation’s top communicators, Lee Odden and Shonali Burke, ABC, to discuss best practices and newest trends in this influential media. The conference takes place on Friday, April 20 in Kent State University’s Franklin Hall.
The event will open with Odden, marketing strategist and CEO of TopRank Marketing, as the morning keynote speaker . His topic is “Participating Marketing: The Social World of Content, Influencers and Integration for PR.” Ranked as one of the top content and social media marketing influencers in the world by Onlaytica, Odden has evangelized a customer-centric approach to marketing at over 200 events in 17 different countries. His team of consultants are pioneers at developing and implementing “best answer” marketing strategies that integrate content, search, social, influencer marketing and online advertising. Burke, the first Indian woman named to PRWeek’s “Top 40 Under 40” list, will provide the lunch keynote, “Harnessing People Power to Dismantle the Digital Divide,” where she will discuss how to effectively bridge the space between your organization and its publics through the true promise of social media: people, personalities, and the communities they form. For over two decades, Burke has used her unique, community-focused philosophy, tech savvy, and metrics-based approach to move the practice of public relations forward. In 2015, Burke founded The Social PR Virtuoso®, which provides individual and group training and resources in integrated, community-focused and measurable Social PR. “We are so fortunate to have these two powerhouses come to Kent State,” says Luke Armour, co-chair of the conference and assistant professor of public relations at Kent State. “What you want in a keynote presenter is the ability to inspire and show the attendees how constructive and essential social media is in all aspects of public relations. These two bring all that and more.” The annual YouToo Social Media Conference is organized by the Akron Area Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the Kent State University Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). Registration closes on April 16, or sooner if the event sells out as it has in the previous four years, with early bird discounts ending April 6. Presented by State and Federal Communications this award-winning conference includes morning, and afternoon breakout sessions that cater to college students, new pros and seasoned professionals Conference proceeds support PRSA student scholarships, Kent State University PRSSA Chapter and the Akron Area PRSA Chapter. For more information about the conference or to register, visit youtoosm.com and follow #YouToo2018 and #YouTooSM. To be a sponsor, visit http://bit.ly/YouTooSponsor. If you are interested in presenting as an industry thought leader ad this year’s conference, email Luke Armour, conference co-chair, at larmour1@kent.edu. About Akron PRSA: The Akron Area Chapter of Public Relations Society of America is part of the world's largest organization for public relations professionals helping to advance the profession and the professional. Its nearly 115 local members represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. About YouToo: The YouToo Social Media Conference is an annual conference hosted by the Akron Area Chapter of Public Relations Society of America and the Kent State University Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America. The conference puts communication professionals in the same room as students studying similar fields to discuss the latest developments and trends in social media and digital communication. Since its creation in 2008, the conference has discussed various topics including ways to stand out in the digital space, data analytics, real-life case studies, using social media to increase ROI and more. Conference proceeds support the YouToo Scholarship Fund, Kent State University PRSSA Chapter and the Akron Area PRSA Chapter. Kent State University Announces Shonali Burke, ABC, as 11th Annual YouToo Social Media Conference Keynote Speaker
Social media continues to grow, influencing news, brands and personal relationships.
The 11th Annual YouToo Social Media Conference, a one-day seminar for students and professional communicators focusing on best practices and newest trends in this influential media, welcomes award-winning growth strategist Shonali Burke, ABC – whose social marketing consultancy helps purpose-driven brands bring big ideas to life - as the lunch keynote speaker. This year’s conference will be held Friday, April 20, 2018, from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Kent State University’s Franklin Hall. Registration is open as are speaker and sponsorship opportunities. Burke, who was the first Indian-American named to PRWeek’s “Top 40 Under 40” list, will provide the lunch keynote, “Harnessing People Power to Dismantle the Digital Divide,” where she’ll discuss how to effectively bridge the space between your organization and its publics through the true promise of social media: people, personalities, and the communities they form. For over two decades, Burke has used her unique, community-focused philosophy, tech savvy, and metrics-based approach to move the practice of public relations forward. In addition to having worked at small and large PR agencies (Cirque du Soleil and The San Francisco/SPCA are former clients), she also served as the ASPCA’s vice president, Media & Communications, during the 2007 pet food recall and Michael Vick case; a seminal time not just for the animal welfare industry but for professional communicators thrown into the early social media landscape. “We are thrilled to have Shonali join us at YouToo this year,” said Luke Armour, co-chair of the conference and assistant professor of public relations at Kent State. “Her incredible experience and energy make her ideal for our lunch keynote. It’s refreshing to see Shonali’s unique take on the positive and critical role social can play in public relations and marketing, which is vastly different from how most practitioners approach it.” In 2015, the Association of Women in Communication named Burke the recipient of its storied “Matrix Award” for her pioneering contributions and service to the industry. She was named "Instructor of the Year" for the Johns Hopkins M.A./Communication program in 2016. Burke is a founding board member of ColorComm and Women in PR USA. The Akron Area Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the Kent State University Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) co-host the conference. Registration closes on April 16, or sooner if the event sells out as it has in the previous four years, with early bird discounts ending April 6. Presented by State and Federal Communications and a host of other sponsors, this award-winning conference includes morning and afternoon breakout sessions. Students will also have the opportunity to attend student-only sessions with Burke and network with the other professionals in attendance. The conference brings area communications professionals to Kent State to discuss the role of social media in public relations and marketing. Students studying similar areas of interest are also encouraged to attend, but anyone can register for the conference. Conference proceeds support PRSA student scholarships, Kent State University PRSSA Chapter and the Akron Area PRSA Chapter. For more information about the conference or to register, visit youtoosm.com and follow #YouToo2018 and #YouTooSM. To be a sponsor, visit http://bit.ly/YouTooSponsor. If you are interested in presenting as an industry thought leader ad this year’s conference, email Luke Armour, conference co-chair, at larmour1@kent.edu. About Akron PRSA: The Akron Area Chapter of Public Relations Society of America is part of the world's largest organization for public relations professionals helping to advance the profession and the professional. Its nearly 115 local members represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. About YouToo: The YouToo Social Media Conference is an annual conference hosted by the Akron Area Chapter of Public Relations Society of America and the Kent State University Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America. The conference puts communication professionals in the same room as students studying similar fields to discuss the latest developments and trends in social media and digital communication. Since its creation in 2008, the conference has discussed various topics including ways to stand out in the digital space, data analytics, real-life case studies, using social media to increase ROI and more. Conference proceeds support the YouToo Scholarship Fund, Kent State University PRSSA Chapter and the Akron Area PRSA Chapter. About Shonali Burke, ABC: Shonali Burke, ABC, has been adjunct faculty at The Johns Hopkins University’s M.A. in Communications program since 2009, teaching courses on public relations writing and not-for-profits in the digital age. She was also one of a select group of industry professionals who helped Rutgers University develop a PR Certificate program, where she regularly teaches a course on public relations measurement. In keeping with her drive to constantly educate and innovate, Burke founded The Social PR Virtuoso® suite of online training programs in 2015, which includes her flagship Social PR Virtuoso® Master Course. Through these programs, she provides individual and group training to PR pros of all ages and stages, who want to hone their skills in integrated, community-focused and measurable Social PR. She is also the founder and curator of the #measurePR Twitter chat and blogs regularly at Waxing UnLyrical. Disney, Digital Branding Institute Social Media Experts to Headline Tenth YouToo ConferenceThe tenth YouToo Social Media Conference has confirmed its keynote speakers, bringing Disney digital media powerhouse Greg Josken and digital branding expert Juntae DeLane to headline the milestone conference.
Josken, digital marketing and social media manager for the Disney Theatrical Group, will open the conference as the morning speaker on Friday, April 21 in Kent State University’s Franklin Hall. For the past five years, Josken has overseen the content marketing strategy for all Broadway and domestic productions including “The Lion King,” “Aladdin” and “Newsies.” Working with partners across the company, Josken has developed unique online touch points from short form video, to user-generated content campaigns, to one-of-a-kind Virtual Reality experiences. Josken manages an online community of more than three million users and produces content for the Disney on Broadway YouTube channel with 100 million views. Having grown one of Broadway’s largest online presences, Josken is dedicated to social media innovation not only within the live entertainment industry, but also across The Walt Disney Company. “We are extremely excited to have Greg open the conference at our tenth conference,” says Jennifer Kramer, APR, director of public relations and marketing communications for Kent State University’s College of Communication and Information and the chair of the YouToo planning committee. “His success with building Disney’s online presence is incredible, and I think he has a lot to offer to both the professionals and students in attendance.” DeLane, the lunch keynote, is the founder of the Digital Branding Institute, a global hub for digital branding resources, education and training. His passion for digital branding serves as the driving force to helping organizations and individuals enhance their digital identity, visibility and credibility. Currently, DeLane is the senior digital brand manager for the University of Southern California where he leads a team responsible for developing, managing and measuring digital marketing initiatives. In addition, he is the principal consultant and strategist for Digital DeLane, a digital branding consultancy that helps organizations build strong brands. "DeLane is one of the industry's most sought after speakers," Kramer said. "He's energetic, knowledgeable and relatable. Not only will we learn a lot from listening to him, but we will also have access to tons of resources via his website, Digital Branding Institute." Presented by State and Federal Communications and a host of other sponsors, the conference will take place on Friday, April 21, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and includes morning and afternoon breakout sessions. Students will also have the opportunity to attend student-only sessions with Josken and DeLane and network with the other professionals in attendance. The conference brings area communications professionals to Kent State to discuss the role of social media in public relations and marketing. Students studying similar areas of interest are also encouraged to attend, but anyone can register for the conference. The Akron Area Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the Kent State University Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) co-host the conference. Registration closes on April 17, or sooner if the event sells out as it has in the previous four years. Conference proceeds support the YouToo Scholarship Fund, Kent State University PRSSA Chapter and the Akron Area PRSA Chapter. For more information about the conference or to register, visit youtoosm.com and follow #YouToo2017 and #YouTooSM. About Akron PRSA: The Akron Area Chapter of Public Relations Society of America is part of the world's largest organization for public relations professionals helping to advance the profession and the professional. Its nearly 115 local members represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. About YouToo: The YouToo Social Media Conference is an annual conference hosted by the Akron Area Chapter of Public Relations Society of America and the Kent State University Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America. The conference puts communication professionals in the same room as students studying similar fields to discuss the latest developments and trends in social media and digital communication. Since its creation in 2007, the conference has discussed various topics including ways to stand out in the digital space, data analytics, real-life case studies, using social media to increase ROI and more. Conference proceeds support the YouToo Scholarship Fund, Kent State University PRSSA Chapter and the Akron Area PRSA Chapter. Ninth annual YouToo Social Media Conference returned to KentVideo produced and story written by Jillian Holness for KentWired.com
Kent State held its ninth annual YouToo Social Media Conference in the First Energy auditorium of Franklin Hall on Friday, which included a presentation from Kyle Michael Miller, the social media producer for the TODAY Show.
Miller began his presentation with a video of TODAY news correspondents, Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, before he offered advice on social media. Read the story and watch the video HERE. 'TODAY Show' producer reflects on time at Kent StateWritten by Latisha Ellison for KentWired.com
After 130 job applications, 10 bad job offers and one prayer, Kent State alumnus Kyle Michael Miller landed his dream job of working at the TODAY Show in New York City.
“When I was little, I used to fake being sick so I could watch Kathie Lee and Regis, and when I was at Kent I would watch Kathie Lee and Hoda, so it’s surreal to work with them sometimes,” Miller said. “I have a lot of pinch me moments especially because there aren’t a lot of jobs at TODAY, and I was blessed enough to be somebody who had an opportunity to work there.” Read more HERE. Analytics and authenticity at YouToo 2016Written for AKHIA's The Brew blog
AKHIA attended the 9th annual YouToo Social Media Conference this month, and as in years past, the day-long session offered valuable insight into the current state of social: what’s working, what isn’t, and how brands, journalists, advertisers and marketers can all be using the power of social to their advantage. Read more HERE.
FlashCast: YouToo Social Media ConferenceProduced for Flash Communications' blog
Many of our interns helped plan and attend this year’s YouToo Social Media Conference, which took place Friday, April 8, 2016. Listen to the podcast HERE.
YouToo Social Media Conference RecapWritten by Charleah Trombitas for Flash Communications' blog
I can’t believe the ninth-annual YouToo Social Media Conference has already come and gone! A lot of preparation went into the day, and the day could not have turned out better. Read more HERE.
YouToo Social Media Conference Recap"This past weekend, I attended the YouToo Social Media Conference, and I am so glad I did. As I have discussed in my previous blog post, social media is becoming the latest digital frontier, and knowledge in utilizing it is becoming increasingly important. At YouToo, attendants heard from two keynote speakers who utilize social media in their professional lives and also other professionals who have grasped the benefit of social media." Read more from the KSU Communication Studies blog HERE.
REFLECTION OF MY FIRST YOUTOO CONFERENCEWritten by Chaleah Trombitas for AKHIA's Microbrew blog
"My first exposure to the YouToo Social Media Conference was through PRSSA Kent’s student chair for the conference. She made it seem like a way to gain experience, so I joined the student committee. I was not sure what to expect, but very sure I would be one overwhelmed freshman who had gotten herself in WAY over her head. A networking event, with professionals everywhere, and I was going to be helping to promote it? Though I was nervous, as time passed and I helped spread the word, my nerves turned into excitement. I realized that YouToo was going to be a fulfilling experience for everyone involved." Read more from AKHIA's Microbrew blog HERE.
11 Awesome Quotes from the 2015 YouToo Social Media ConferenceProfessionals, students discuss effects of social media at YouToo Social Media ConferenceWritten by Jessica Darling for The Kent StaterStudents and media professionals gathered Friday, April 10, for the eighth annual YouToo Social Media Conference on Friday, April 10.
The Kent State chapter and the Akron Professional chapter of Public Relations Society of America organized the event, hosted by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. “It is just a really good chance to network and brand yourself,” said Taylor Meade, sophomore public relations student and Kent PRSSA/PRSA liaison. “We have speakers all day that are from different sectors: public relations, communications, marketing and business.” The day consisted of seven different sessions with professional speakers breaking down specific things to do with social media. “I hope today really breaks down how things are done in the public relations field,” Meade said. “I want students to take away what they could potentially be doing one day. “I hope this helps them figure out where they want to go with it,” Meade said. “There’s so many professionals here, and I hope students can connect with someone and it can lead to something in the future.” The all-day event started with keynote speaker Mark W. Smith, mobile web editor for The Washington Post. “I do sort of want to set the tone by saying social media isn’t even that terribly interesting,” Smith said. “People think that when we go to social media, we have to completely repaint how we communicate to each other. We have to use certain words — there’s a certain trick to display things there, but it’s really just the new digital marketplace.” In today’s society, it is easy to say people have lost the skill to communicate because they do not communicate face-to-face as much, he said. “People are building new skills,” Smith said. “Yes, they are different skills, but it’s too easy and too quick to say they do not know how to communicate. They’re just doing it in different platforms.” The second keynote speaker, Gini Dietrich, author of “Spin Sucks,” later talked about how easy it is to receive both true and false information due to the different platforms of communication. With the media platforms for communication, different publications rush to be the first one with the big scoop on what is going on, Dietrich said. This leads to publications publishing false information because they do not wait for legitimate proof before publishing. “Really dig into the facts,” Dietrich said. “It takes time. You won’t be the first one there, and people are not going to be knocking on your door to figure out where the news will be coming from, but you’re going to have long-term effects.” Dietrich said it is better to wait for the long-term effects rather than the short-term effects. “You’re going to build trust, credibility, authenticity and engagement,” Dietrich said. “This is what we want.” Students agreed with what Dietrich had to say about honesty and credibility. “Honesty is the best way to get things across,” said Ohio Northern University junior multimedia journalism major Ashlee McDonnell. “Don’t focus on short term because that might work not, but it’s not giving you lasting results.” McDonnell also said that credibility is something that’s pushed onto students while in school. “Seeing someone in the real world, saying you need to focus on long-term, not right now, because your credibility is at stake,” McDonnell said. “That’s one of the big things I took away.” Along with the two keynote speakers, there were also opportunities for students to attend breakout sessions that suited their personal interests throughout the day. Some sessions included “I Hate You, Signed, Anonymous,” “Dazzle the District” and “Bridge the Gap: Be the Smartest Millenial in the Room.” Jessica Darling is the CCI reporter for The Kent Stater. Contact her at jdarlin2@kent.edu. Kent State University to Host Eighth Annual Award-Winning YouToo Social Media Conference for Area Professionals, StudentsCommunications professionals will discuss the role of social media in public relations and marketing at the eighth annual YouToo Social Media Conference on Friday, April 10, at Kent State University’s Franklin Hall.
The conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a networking reception to follow at the Kent State Hotel and Conference Center. Professionals in public relations, communication and marketing, along with students studying these disciplines, are encouraged to register, but anyone can attend. Conference registration ends April 6 or sooner if seats are sold out. The event is a fundraiser for the YouToo Social Media Scholarship. The opening speaker is Mark W. Smith, the editor for mobile web at the Washington Post. Smith is an expert in social and digital media in journalism. He worked at USA TODAY as the senior manager for social media marketing and at the Detroit Free Press as the assistant editor for digital media. While in Detroit, Smith built the newspaper’s social platforms and wrote technology columns that appeared in most U.S. newspapers. Smith says that “by studying user behavior — and what motivates people to share, comment and like — we can learn how to craft a social message that is designed to be shared.” He will talk about what the rise in mobile web use means for those who create social experiences and how communicators can create a social experience that is built to be shared. Gini Dietrich, the founder and CEO of integrated marketing communications firm Arment Dietrich, will be the keynote speaker at the conference. Dietrich is the author of Spin Sucks, co-author of Marketing in the Round, co-host of Inside PR, lead blogger at Spin Sucks and founder of Spin Sucks Pro. She will address topics like how to communicate honestly, responsibly, openly and authentically with all client stakeholders; working with customers who control your brand; and understanding how the digital world affects public relations. “We live in a world where content farms, Internet spiders and fake accounts have the potential to ruin one’s experience online,” Dietrich says. “But, just like the Justice League, we prefer to fight evil with good. And that’s exactly what my book, Spin Sucks, teaches you.” Professional conference attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Dietrich’s book, Spin Sucks: Communication and Reputation Management in the Digital Age with paid admission. Dietrich will sign books immediately following her discussion. Students will also have the opportunity to connect with public relations professionals during the student breakout sessions and at the post-conference happy hour event at the Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center. Students need to register by Wednesday, April 1, and arrive before 8:30 a.m. on the day of the conference to connect with their mentor. The conference is hosted by the Akron Area Chapter of Public Relations Society of America and the Kent State University Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America. Sponsors of the conference include Kent State University’s College of Communication and Information, Robert J. Events and Catering, Star Printing, Kent State University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, AKHIA, True Digital Communications, Evolve, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Triad/Next Level, FedEx Custom Critical, Regional Marketing Alliance, ADM Board, McKay Bricker Framing/Black Squirrel Gallery and Gifts, Akron Children’s Hospital, The Buzz Maker! LLC, InfoCision, Marcus Thomas LLC and Kent State University’s School of Communication Studies. Conference proceeds support the YouToo Scholarship Fund, the Kent State University PRSSA Chapter and the Akron Area PRSA Chapter. For more information about registration, conference pricing and updates, visit www.youtoosm.com. Find YouToo on Facebook,Twitter or via email at akronprsa@gmail.com. The Akron Area Chapter of Public Relations Society of America is part of the world's largest organization for public relations professionals helping to advance the profession and the professional. Its nearly 115 local members represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. Media Contact: Jennifer Kramer, jlkramer@kent.edu, 330-672-1960 (o), 330-714-8302 (c) Students, Why Attend the 2015 YouToo Social Media Conference?
YouToo Social Media Conference sold out (2014)Written by Alyssa Flynn for The Kent StaterSocial media on smart phones, laptops and tablets surrounds everyone, everyday.
At the sixth annual YouToo Social Media Conference Friday in Franklin Hall, students and professionals gathered to listen to speakers talk about the importance of social media today. Read more. Conference encourages business to get socialWritten by Sidney Keith for The Kent Stater
The fourth annual YouToo conference in Franklin Hall on Friday taught the sold-out audience how to use social media for business.
“It’s not just about how to be on Twitter or Facebook,” said Amber Naslund, the vice president of social strategy at Radian6. “It’s about how you actually take social media and bake it into what you’re already doing.” Read more. Conference to show how to use social networking to get aheadWritten by Rabab Al-Sharif for The Kent Stater
The use of social media in marketing and business communications has gone well beyond e-mails and Web sites, and the third annual YouToo Social Media Conference is geared toward teaching students and professionals to use these mediums to their advantage. Read more.
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