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 

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-

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.

/gd

New Members Admitted to the PRSJ - December 2011

New Members Admitted to the PRSJ - December 2011


The PRSJ is pleased to announce that two practitioners were accepted as Full Members of the PRSJ at an Executive meeting on December 20, 2011.

The new members are:

Full Membership
Tracey Hamilton of Tracey Hamilton and Associates.
Miss Hamilton is a marketing and advertising executive, with specialist knowledge and skills as an event coordinator. She is known as an outstanding professional and in the field of motor sports and entertainment.
 
Miss Carlene Edwards, Senior Corporate Relations Officer, Supreme Ventures Ltd.
Miss Edwards has a strong administrative background that is used in coordinating key aspects of the SVL Group's sponsorships and branded marketing events. She also has responsibility for timely updating and monitoring of the group's website and online presence.
 
The new members will be inducted into the Society at the AGM in March 2012.


You are invited to help welcome the ladies though comments on this page.

Life Members

List of Life Members

Kathleen Johnson

General Meeting August 9, 2011

Minutes, General Meeting, August 9, 2011

Jampro Training Room

19 Trafalgar Road, Kingston

Present

Members

Christopher Benjamin, Consultant - First Vice President

Gerrard "Gerry" McDaniel - Assistant Treasurer

Akilah Maxwell, PIOJ – VP Special Events

Opal Davis, NSWMA - VP Membership

Karelle McCormack, Jamaica 4H Clubs

Gwyneth Davidson, OPM

Alison Christie Binger, Illuminarte, Past President

Patricia Gillings, Books and Events, Past President
Mark Thomas. Jampro, Past President

Visitors

Meeckel Beecher, Consultant

Kawain Fearon, Sub Editor, The Gleaner Company, UTech communications graduate

Kaydian Edwards, HR Technician, UTech communications graduate

Cecelia Bell, journalist, Marketing Manager, The Jamaica Yellow Pages

Apologies

Delmares White, President, ODPEM

Christine Ann Bell, Treasurer, Innovative IDEAS

Cecil Thoms, General Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture

Camille Taylor, Trustee, LIME

Dayner Azzellino, Trustee, Marc Astuta

Guest Speaker, Development Specialist
Fabian Brown

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by VP Benjamin. He welcomed all members and guests. Members were urged to pay their 2011 dues so that the work of the Society could continue. Feedback and material for the monthly newsletters, PR Brief, is welcome.

Corrections to the Minutes

Karelle McCormack is a member of the Society and not a visitor as noted in previous minutes.

New Business

Lyme and Wine Event - PR 'Champion' Awards

The meeting discussed matters around the staging of the social and awards event including the pros and cons of having an awards ceremony as a part of a social event . The meeting agreed that the awards ceremony would honour a few persons who are not practitioners but who, through their national profiles, promote good public relations practices.

The meeting suggested that the fields in which persons will be honored are politics, business, education, entertainment and security. Expertise will be recognised in the areas of speech delivery, strategic development and practicing organisational values.

The event will be held in mid November in the Jampro Training Room. 

The original location kindly offered by VP Bell was at 3 Ardenne Road. The meeting agreed that the Jampro Training Room would communicate the business tone for the event.

The chairman of the organising committee is VP Maxwell. G Davidson is to develop a concept paper for the awards by Friday, August 19 to be shared with executive members and the past president corps.

Calendar Competition 2011

G Davidson said that the plans to stage a Jamaica 2012 calendar competition will go ahead. It was suggested by Past President Christie Binger to invite the Jamaica Observer that used to have a similar competition to be involved. Projected date for launch, September 2011. Members can indicate if they wish to be on the project team.

Editors Forum

G Davidson said that an approach had been made to the Gleaner to host the PRSJ in an Editors Forum to discuss the role of PR in business and governance. Past President Christie Binger suggested that the visit should be made to discuss a topical theme. Themes will be discussed before a letter of request is sent to the Gleaner.

Guest Speaker

Presentation on the Public Sector Modernisation Efforts - Audio link

Director in the National Transformation Programme of the Office of the Prime Minister, Development Specialist, Fabian Brown delivered a presentation on the Public Sector modernisation efforts of the Public Sector Transformation Unit (PSTU). He was introduced by Gwyneth Davidson who highlighted his expertise also in the areas of protocol and protocol training as a director of the company, Value Added Services.

Mr Brown outlined the goals of the modernisation efforts as being informed by developments in the commonwealth and also in the region. The first steps came into effect on July 1 where departments and agencies were reassigned to be better aligned with the core duties of ministries.

He said that the PSTU team in its report tried to answer the questions, "What should government do and pay for; what should government do and not pay for; and what should government pay for and not do?"

In the discussion afterwards, matters relating to the need to have leaders clearly define benchmarks of "improved performance" within each ministry of government.  

VP Maxwell delivered the vote of thanks and made a presentation of a Jablum coffee and mug gift package compliments of Jampro.

AOB
Promotional items were made available to attendees compliments of The Jamaica Yellow Pages.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:20p.m. by Opal Davis and seconded by Mark Thomas.

Minutes, General Meeting, June 13, 2011

Meeting June 13, 2011

Present

1. Delmares White, ODPEM – PRSJ President
2. Christine Bell – Innovative IDEAS – PRSJ VP Finance
3. Cecil Thoms, Min. Agriculture & Fisheries – PRSJ Gen Sec
4. Akilah Maxwell, PIOJ – PRSJ VP Special Events
5. Maxine Mc Donnough – Touchstone Productions
6. Leo McEwan, Ministry of Transport and Works
7. Gwyneth Davidson, OPM
8. Carroll Edwards, UWI Marketing and PR
9. Mark Thomas. Jampro, Past President
10. Patricia Gillings, Books and Events
11. Carole James, PIOJ

Visitors

1. Karelle McCormack, Jamaica 4H Clubs
2. Sandra Berry
3. Hilda Vaughan



Akilah Maxwell, Mark Thomas



The meeting was called to order at 6:00p.m. by President Delmares White. Videotaping services were provided by ODPEM.
The Executive members VP Special Events Akilah Maxwell and General Secretary, Cecil Thoms, were introduced to the membership as they were not at the AGM and were accepted in absentia.

During the meeting the visitors Ms Berry and Ms Vaughan were acknowledged as educators. Karelle McCormack was welcomed again as a visitor.

Meet Jamaica 2011

Ms Maxwell guided a discussion to canvass views on the Meet Jamaica logo that will be used as the identifying business mark of Jamaica during the London 2012 Olympics.

Mark Thomas noted that the mark was launched in Jamaica on October 13 2010 and in March in the cities of Birmingham and also London in the UK. Thomas noted that business interests in Trinidad were very interested in funding and being a part of the Visit Jamaica initiative to possibly make it a regional force. This invitation has not been adopted by the leading partners of Visit Jamaica (GOJ/ Private Sector of Jamaica). The cost of the marketing programme has been estimated at J$10 million.

The mark is being used at the Taste of London food fair that will run from June 16-19. Jamaican bammies will be the major product presented at that show. The government hopes to secure reliable markets for local products by participating in that show.

There was a discussion on the need to secure the paid participation of athletes as spokespersons for brand Jamaica.

Meet Jamaica gives a special marketing initiative to promote food from a haute cuisine and production standpoint.

Karelle McCormack, Leo McEwan, Carole James

Jampro has produced 2000 copies of the booklet, The Story of Jamaican Food for that event.  A Canary Wharf restaurateur and chef, Collin Brown, originally from Albert Town in Trelawny; and UK chef, Anthony Matthews of the Spanish Court Hotel, New Kingston will anchor presentations at the Jamaica booth.

It was noted that Jamaica had great success in tourism marketing, and at this stage food was the major focus. It was also noted that music had not generated the potential industry rewards as anticipated from many earlier initiatives.

Mark Thomas noted that there was a need for more writers delivering content that will project brand Jamaica. As he said, “A way needs to be developed to deliver a narrative to develop a body of information about the brand values of Jamaica.”

There were six questions posed. The discussions and earlier feedback sent revealed the following views of practitioners.

The questions were structured by Akilah Maxwell and Mark Thomas for feedback from the PRSJ. They noted that the Meet Jamaica initiative will not only have a policy but will be part of a presentation for international funding and other support.

Questions

If Jamaica were a motor car, what model would it be?

The responses in the meeting fell in two categories the car representing:

1. The potential of the Jamaican people as a very top of the line car
2. The reality of being a solid, popular Japanese car like a mid range Honda or Toyota

If Jamaica were a colour, what would it be and why?

Responses chose red for vibrancy; green for the natural environment or Gold for the value that it represents

Christine Ann Bell (rear) and Cecil Thoms

Where would Jamaica live, uptown, downtown or rural?

Most persons thought of Jamaica as rural.

If you had a good thought abut Jamaica, what would that thought be?

Friendly, creativity and the natural environment.

There were many positive accolades associated with the logo.

If you were a European citizen, list four words you think would describe  your perception of the meet Jamaica logo?

Responses included: Pride, athleticism, vibrant, progressive, creative,  colourful, energetic, environmentally friendly

If you were to see this logo associated with a Jamaican product service brand, would you feel impelled to buy this product or service?

It was considered that this would make an impression on persons living outside of the country, rather than Jamaicans living here. The logo would be more known.

Delmares White (front) and Maxine McDonnough (second row)

The visitors suggested putting the logo in the hands of children and sports enthusiasts.

Get the schools involved as a jingle and little flags. Engage Seek to print Seek exercise books and perhaps also JIS for flags.

Jampro intends to franchise the logo and any manufacturer and artisan for the Olympic games. This can be used throughout the games.

The point was raised that the logo needs to be three dimensional so that the maximum benefit can be utilized.

The logo is being registered throughout the world.

Persons and businesses interested in using the logo should contact Mark Thomas

The logo will be introduced at the Jamaica Diaspora conference through a booth.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.