Thursday, August 30, 2012

Tribute to Walton "Wally'" Zinc


Walton "Wally" Zinc
Pioneer in Local Government PR
The Public Relations Society of Jamaica marks with respect the passing of Jamaican Public Relations pioneer, Mr Walton "Wally" Zink.
Mr Zinc was the first PR Manager for the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) and was a very prominent, popular and well-respected figure in the profession.He was among attendees at the seminar conducted by Professor Albert Walker of the University of Chicago which led to the formation of the PRSJ in 1981.Mr Zinc was recognised by his peers as performing an outstanding job in giving the KSAC a social and community-oriented (not political) face and was an excellent conduit between the public and the Corporation.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Speech - Information Minister Sandrea Falconer at PRSJ General Meeting Aug 2012


Address by
Senator the Honourable Sandrea Falconer
Minister without Portfolio (Information)
Office of the Prime Minister
To the
Meeting of the Public Relations Society of Jamaica
Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 6:00pm
PCJ Auditorium, Kingston
Theme: The Communicators' Imperative: Capitalizing on the Glory of Jamaica 50
SALUTATIONS
• Mr Christopher Benjamin, President of the Public Relations Society of Jamaica
• The PRSJ executive and members
• Media colleagues
• Members of the media

Thank you for extending the invitation to share in your meeting this evening.
Let me begin by acknowledging and congratulating the members of the Public Relations Society for the work you continue to do in servicing the information needs of your organisations and the public good through professional execution of your responsibilities.
You have asked that I share some perspectives on ‘capitalising on the glory of Jamaica 50' which is very much a concern all of us share, especially given the spectacular décor, the memorable events and the sense of pride which was engendered both at home and abroad, by the staging of these spectacular Golden Jubilee celebrations.
As someone whose work and background is in media communications and public relations, I know the level of work that goes into conceptualization, planning and execution of events such as these.
I know the work is outside of the glare of the limelight which is one of the paradoxes of public relations - if I can term it thus, as the work is not about you - the practitioner and professional, but about bringing that sense of occasion to the event for which you have responsibility.
I regard the communicator as a skilled storyteller, someone with the requisite competencies to not only tell a story, but a professional with the range of experiences and capacities to tell that story beautifully and with impact.
And how beautiful part of the story of Jamaica 50 was told by the various practitioners, designers and artists through the use of our national colours and decorations at such places as our airports, corporate offices and the many public and private spaces around the country.
These wonderfully creative expressions did so much to evoke the spirit of Jamaican nationhood and pride.
Patriotism was also on show at the National Stadium as Jamaicans claimed every available seat to celebrate our 50th year of political independence and to witness an amazing feast of the finest of our cultural expressions.
Thousands of miles away in Diaspora centres in Canada, the United States of America and in the United Kingdom and continental Europe and so many other places where Jamaicans live, a similar story of pride and achievement was being played out as the world watched in admiration.
Ladies and gentlemen, there is no denying that Jamaica is punching well above its weight class in terms of global popularity.
This naturally easy and uniquely Jamaican style and personality remain the qualities that distinguish us as a people and is the bedrock of our world-class tourism industry. It is reflected in our cuisine, our art forms, our music, our expression - we are Jamaica to the world.
We pride ourselves in the fact that Jamaica has more churches per square mile than any other country but Jamaica also boasts the largest number of recording studios per square mile worldwide.
Our irrepressible culture, as expressed through our creative industries in music, film, fashion and sports, especially track and field athletics, continues to capture and dominate global attention.
There are those practitioners among you who would with justification, ask the question: with a product such as Jamaica, why are we not able to capitalise on the tremendous potential and goodwill? Afterall, effective public relations embrace having a good product - one that appeals to an audience.
With this in mind, one of the strategies employed by administration to capitalise on Jamaica 50 was to undertake a joined-up government approach to strategically positioning ‘Brand Jamaica' at the London 2012 Olympics.
Jamaica House at the North Greenwich Arena at the O2 venue in London was the focal point to project all the positive attributes of Jamaica, not only to our Diaspora, but to entrepreneurs, international dealmakers, the travel and tour operators - indeed to anyone on doing business with Jamaica.
JAMAICA HOUSE 2012, conceptualized and created in just over 3 months, stood as a powerful example of what is possible through a ‘joined up' Government approach to showcase the nation's journey over the past 50 years on one a single platform.
Therein too lies an important part of the strategy - that of bringing attributes together into an integrated whole and delivering that across a common platform to a captured and targeted audience.
A powerful part of the strategy was having one collective space for the coming together of Jamaica next great moments and a declaration of direction for the next 50 years!
It was in this spirit of collaboration that three executing agencies of the Government - the Jamaica Tourist Board, JAMPRO and the Jamaica 50 Secretariat - under the tri-ministerial leadership of Tourism and Entertainment, Industry, Investment and Commerce and Youth & Culture, came together to produce JAMAICA HOUSE 2012.
This high level of inter-agency partnership ensured that Jamaica was well established in the heart of the biggest global event of 2012, in a way that was befitting of our 50th anniversary and the historic achievements of our athletes.
The result is we were able to leverage unprecedented and positive international media attention focused on our athletes and things Jamaican and use that platform to promote the attractiveness of Doing Business in Jamaica. That, in my view is effective strategy in capitalizing on Jamaica 50.
Many times, media attention on Jamaica is focused on the ‘less than positive' activities and events, but in this instance, we took centre stage and had captive audiences to which to sell the achievements of Jamaica, laud the successes of international investors and exporters, and promote the business opportunities that exist in multiple sectors.
The media exposure and feedback data are still being tallied, but let me share with you some preliminary information on the USA, Canada and Latin America Markets to point to some amazing media coverage that we just could not begin to quantify in dollar terms.
• Jamaica House O2 Coverage between May to August in terms of Circulation and Audience Reach is estimated at 258 million
• General Olympic Coverage between August 1 and August 13 in terms of Circulation and Audience reach is estimated at over 770 million
• Total overall reach 1.035 billion people worldwide who heard something positive about Jamaica.
We can therefore all agree that August 2012 was a red-letter period for us in terms of international media coverage.
The big question that now faces all of us is how do we capitalize on this net positive publicity to:
1. Build further national goodwill
2. Brand our respective initiatives in our various businesses and organizations to offer better service to our customers and stakeholders
3. Lead the national conversation on how we can establish a permanent, highly coordinated programme of country branding and positive portrayal of the nation to the world; and
4. Build case studies from our experiences of August 2012 to train and prepare upcoming communicators to continue a tradition of positive storytelling that effectively brands the nation to itself, and then to the world.
In one of the recent editions of your excellent newsletter, political scientist, Dr Hume Johnson cited other countries, which regularly develop face-to-face programmes in influential markets to embed positive perceptions of their nation on others. There is nothing stopping us from doing initiatives such as these and I look forward to hearing your own ideas and thoughts as to how we can develop initiatives like this going forward.
I know I am speaking predominantly to communicators with a firm appreciation of the importance of branding, as part of the marketing communications and public relations thrust. Whether we are talking about a country, or a product, effective branding must be part of the national development imperative, if we were to capitalise on Jamaica 50.
I believe there is an important role to be played by the wider cadre of communicators in both the public and private sectors developing functional models and private/ public partnerships (PPP) to secure a solid country reputation.
The truth of the matter is that Jamaica's ambition to be ‘the place of choice for citizens to live, work, raise families and do business' and to achieve developed nation status, must begin with a positive perception of nation-hood and belief in ourselves.
We need the skills and expertise of all the nation's communicators in the public and private sectors alike and the conversation must be broadened with private sector communications professionals with a view to exploring pathways for collaboration as we pursue the national development objective.
My central message to you therefore, as the Public Relations Society, is that there is a seminal role for you to play in Jamaica's journey into its next 50 years and beyond.
I challenge you to become bolder in your expressions. Let your voices and opinions be heard as part and parcel of the process of the development of our society. It is no longer enough for communications people to remain in the background and be the ‘moving hand' in the shadow of your organisation.
Jamaica 50 gives all of us a solid platform to emerge with the ideas and actions that can project our nation on a path of developed nation status and prosperity.
You - our storytellers, must believe that we can do this, and the moment is yours, to use your unique skills and talents to capitalize on the Glory of Jamaica.
Use your pens, your ipads, blogs and all forms of social media to tell the amazing story of Jamaica- a Nation on a Mission with Vision!
Thank you for the opportunity and my best wishes as you continue in your professional endeavours for personal success and that of our beloved nation.
I thank you!
-30-

Information Minister urges PR practitioners to tell the amazing stories of Jamaican achievement



President Benjamin welcomes Minister Falconer
August 29, 2012
One billion people saw something good about Jamaica, build on this -
Information Minister to Public Relations Practitioners

Minster with responsibility for Information, Senator Sandrea Falconer, urged public relations practitioners to build on the positive images of Jamaica that were broadcast across the world during the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Breaking news on the media coverage achieved, Minister Falconer said, "Preliminary information on the USA, Canada and Latin America Markets point to some amazing media coverage that we just could not begin to quantify in dollar terms. Jamaica House O2 Coverage between May to August in terms of Circulation and Audience Reach is estimated at 258 million. General Olympic Coverage between August 1 and August 13 in terms of Circulation and Audience reach is estimated at over 770 million. Total overall reach 1.035 billion people worldwide who heard something positive about Jamaica."
Speaking yesterday (August 28) at the General Meeting of the PRSJ in Kingston, Minister Falconer said that the country's communicators had a unique opportunity to capitalize on the awareness of Jamaica and said that she would shortly be inviting public and private sector PR practitioners to Jamaica House as a way to prepare for upcoming international initiatives, and also to build internal communications.
Minister Falconer was at home with practitioners
Cheryl Smith (left) and Meris  Haughton
"We need the skills and expertise of all of the nation's communicators....My central message to you therefore, as the Public Relations Society, is that there is a seminal role for you to play in Jamaica's journey into its next 50 years and beyond. I challenge you to become bolder in your expressions. Let your voices and opinions be heard as part and parcel of the process of the development of our society. It is no longer enough for communications people to remain in the background and be the ‘moving hand' in the shadow of your organisation," Minister Falconer said.
The Minister said that a joined-up government approach had been used to create the Jamaica House platform in London which created an enabling environment for entrepreneurs, international dealmakers, tourism interests and other persons wanting to do business in Jamaica.
-30-
Treasurer Mark Thomas welcomed Minister Falconer 

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Jamaica Independence Message from the President


Message

Independence Day 2012
President of the Public Relations Society of Jamaica, Christopher Benjamin
August 6, 2012

Tom Dickens' signal novel, ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ gave us the memorable line, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”. I recall this line now as we celebrate our 50th year of Independence since it encapsulates quite well our s
tate of being.

No question, Jamaica is replete with examples of things which are right and have recommended us highly to the rest of the world. So our sportsmen and women, the exponents of our creative industries, our cuisine, our intellectual prowess for instance have distinguished our nation way beyond our shores, stamping what it means to be Jamaican far and wide. However “Jamaicaness” is not limited to us here on the island. A very recent example of what I’m talking about – at our recent ‘World Reggae Dance Festival’ held as part of our Jamaica 50 celebrations, it was ‘Japan Squad’ out of Japan that took home the top prize! And of equal note is the fact that at our ‘Dancehall Queen’ contest held also recently in Montego Bay, entrants were present from all over the world and it was, you guessed it, a Japanese that took the runner-up position.

But even as we celebrate and embrace all the encomiums which have come our way as a result of these aspects of our culture, we can’t escape the unsavoury elements which continue to stifle our growth. So our crime rate continues to dwarf our achievements elsewhere; our unemployment rate is cause for concern; corruption in various spheres of our society sees us placing very low on the International Corruption Index and our economy has not recorded any positive growth for what seems like aeons.

But all is not lost; indeed we have a future pregnant with positive possibilities. I want the Public Relations Society of Jamaica (PRSJ) to assist this nation in transforming some of those possibilities into reality. The Society has residing in our ranks some of the finest practitioners of our craft and I am confident that we can use our collective energies in having more of ‘the best of times’ and less of ‘the worst of times’.

I am encouraging us to use this watershed moment in our nation’s history to pledge to have our voices heard on national issues; to lift the standard of our profession; to do our part in volunteerism efforts; to engage in activities that will assist in enhancing the potency of the brand that is called Jamaica.

We in the Society have a great vantage point from which to do this. Let us seize the opportunity and run with it – history will judge us harshly if we drop this ball!

Happy Jamaica 50 Independence.

-30-

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Minutes - AGM 2012


The minutes were adopted at the AGM on April 9, 2013


Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
Public Relations Society of Jamaica
Jampro, 
18 Trafalgar Road
April 4, 2012

Present
1. Akilah Maxwell, PIOJ
2. Cheryl Smith, Min of Finance
3. Claudette Myers, PIOJ
4. Ellis James Laing, Bureau of Standards
5. First VP Christopher Benjamin
6. Gwyneth Davidson, OPM
7. Leo McEwan, Ministry of Transport, Works, Housing
8. Meris Haughton, Tax Administration Jamaica
9. Past President Alison Christie Binger, Illuminarte Communications
10. Past President Janneth Mornan Green, Media Central
11. Past President Mark Thomas, Jampro
12. President Delmares White, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management
13. Trustee Camille Taylor, LIME Jamaica

Apologies
  1. Past President Elaine Commissiong, CARA
  2. Past President Jean Lowrie Chin, PROComm
  3. Past President Dayner Azzellino, Marc Astuta
  4. Maxine Francis, King's House
  5. Kathleen Johnson, Trustee
Visitors
Rohan Powell, RJR, formerly of the Ministry of Justice

Welcome
President Delmares White called the meeting to order and welcomed members and visitors at 6:19pm.

Prayer
A prayer was said by executive member, Akilah Maxwell

Tribute to Christine Ann Bell
President White invited Past President Mark Thomas to lead a prayerful moment in memory of Treasure, the late Christine Ann Bell who died on February 24.

In his remarks, Thomas recalled that Christine Ann Bell was a member who serviced as President and who was also a regular attendee to meetings and was the serving Treasurer at the time of her passing. He recalled her vibrant personality and a formidable professional. Thomas said that he visited her in hospital moments before she passed and it was said, but the members can take heart and be happy for the great inputs she gave to the profession for which she was well recognized. He said that Bell’s reputation meant the highest levels of professionalism, use of English, and also someone who got the job done. He urged all to keep her life and memory alive by recognizing the worth of her life’s work. Several members indicated that they had attended one of the two funeral services.

President White noted that Christine Bell hosted the executive at her office. There was so much that Bell tried to pass on to the Society, White noted, and remembered her as a vibrant and helpful hostess.

President’s Report
President White expressed appreciation to the support provided by several the outgoing executive including Past President Mark Thomas, VP Akilah Maxwell and members Gwyneth Davidson, Meris Haughton, Leo McEwan and Cheryl Smith.  and  Akilah Maxwell. She said that two years ago, the PRSJ started on a path and the executive wanted to take the work of the PRSJ to a larger place.

She noted that there were plans to have a strategic plan with support from the rest of the group. Her recommendation for the last year and a half has been how the resources and time of younger members in universities can be utilized in the PRSJ by giving them a direct role and responsibility.

She noted the usefulness of the monthly newsletter that was solely driven by G Davidson with contribution by other members.

In May 2010, the PRSJ had undertaken to have a benefit performance by the University Singers, but the incursion into West Kingston affected that and the Society currently owes the Singers a balance.

The February current account bank balance is $23,995.06.

She said that the challenge of the PRSJ is to find creative ways to earn income outside of subscriptions. The Society also needs to increase its membership and also frequency of meetings.

She also noted that the PRSJ needed a working group with visibility to project the ethics of the profession.

How we can generate more membership of persons who are willing to commit to a meeting once every four months.

Members’ Tribute to President White
Vice President Christopher Benjamin, Gwyneth Davidson and Alison Christie Binger each rose and gave individual tributes to President White. It was recalled that President White stepped in to serve the Society after a period of dormancy and her work and time had resulted in new life in the Society and its work. A Christie Binger also recalled that President White had been recovering from a serious injury when she assumed the role and that did not stop her spirit or her commitment.

The Minutes, which had been posted online shortly after the 2011 AGM were confirmed by Mark Thomas and seconded by Delmares White.

Election of Officers
Trustee Camille Taylor noted that the term of the 2011 Executive was expired, and directed the election of new officers.

2012 Executive
President - Christopher Benjamin: nominated Leo McEwan seconded Gwyneth Davidson

First Vice President Akilah Maxwell: nominated by D White, seconded by C Benjamin

VP Special Events Cheryl Smith: nominated by C Benjamin, seconded by M Thomas

VP Membership Meris Haughton: nominated by C Benjamin, seconded by M Thomas

Gen Secretary Gwyneth Davidson: nominated by C Benjamin, seconded by M Thomas

VP Finance Mark Thomas: nominated by Meris Haughton, seconded by Cheryl Smith

Assistant Secretary Leo McEwan: nominated by Mark Thomas seconded by Cheryl Smith.

Trustees Dayner Azzellino and Camille Taylor were reappointed.

President’s Reply
President Benjamin noted that it had been eight years since he had been associated with PRSJ. He started attending meetings as a student at CARIMAC. He recalled the exciting discussions of the time and how he left filled and energized and that he would like this to be a feature of the PRSJ again. He said that this, and other activities, can happen when all work together.

President Benjamin said that he would sit down with the team and come up with ten workable objectives, present the points to the membership, and work towards them. He would look back at the points developed over the past two years to see the current state of the profession.

President Benjamin said that he was heartened by discussions online and that he had promised Past President Keith Brown that there would be a debate on the new definition of PR as stated by the Public Relations Society of America.

Other DiscussionsPast President, Janneth Mornan Green, said that there needs to be standards of the practice and the Society needs to present itself as being on the cutting edge of new developments in the field. She noted that social media use and application is valued by clients. She said that the Society needs to return to a place where we are educating members about what we need to be doing.

President Benjamin noted that practitioners need to embrace new media.

VP M Haughton noted that as a group we can share with each other the new methodologies that are being used so that we all develop and grow from each other’s experiences.

Past President White asked if we could arrange more meetings via the online video and audio website, Skype.

Trustee C Taylor agreed and said that we need to look at different alternatives to meeting in one physical space.

Asst Treasurer, L McEwan, suggested that there be watchdogs for the profession and activities of persons who bring the profession into disrepute.

There was a general agreement of the Society doing a media tour.

Gratitude was extended to Jampro, through Past President Mark Thomas, for facilitating the meeting. Also to Past President D White who arranged the light refreshment.

The meeting was was adjourned at 7:20PM with a motion by Past President D White and seconded by President Benjamin.
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