Why You Need to Include Spanish Media in Your Outreach
Public Relations, PRSA Columns, Media Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson Public Relations, PRSA Columns, Media Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson

Why You Need to Include Spanish Media in Your Outreach

From Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, the United States will observe Hispanic Heritage Month. This time period inspires many organizations to explore Hispanic and Latino culture, but that’s where the consideration ends for some. As the Latino population continues to climb and becomes a majority group in many areas, public relations practitioners should integrate Hispanic cultural strategy in their everyday campaigns. 

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Spanish Media Myths and Truths
PRSA Columns, Public Relations, Media Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson PRSA Columns, Public Relations, Media Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson

Spanish Media Myths and Truths

I began my PR career at a Hispanic boutique agency. I didn’t know the difference between “general market” and Hispanic market media as a new grad, but soon learned about the divide. At a Hispanic or multicultural agency, you’re going to focus on the unique cultural attributes and communication preferences of a niche audience. 

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Making Connections with Hispanic Influencers
PRSA Columns, Public Relations, Business Tips, Media Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson PRSA Columns, Public Relations, Business Tips, Media Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson

Making Connections with Hispanic Influencers

How do you connect with the Hispanic market? That’s a top question for organizations because Hispanics accounted for 52 percent of the U.S. population growth in the last decade and have an economic buying power of $1.5 trillion. Hispanic consumers are tight-knit networks — we are wired for referral based, word-of-mouth marketing. A primary trust factor is whether a family member or friend has referred us to an organization, product or service.

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Three Things I Learned as a PR Apprentice

Three Things I Learned as a PR Apprentice

Before receiving the title of Public Relations Apprentice at MVW Communications, I was just a PR graduate with some theoretical practice in my area of study. I knew that the real lessons hadn’t even begun. Although the lessons I learned during my time at MVW are too many to mention, I’ve listed my top three.

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Prepare for Zoom Media Interviews or Presentations

Prepare for Zoom Media Interviews or Presentations

At this point in 2020, each member of my household now has a dedicated Zoom account. Zoom/video call mishaps are still an everyday occurrence. Some professionals have been embarrassed or even fired for something seen while using Zoom. While media training has fundamentals, there are some nuances that should be accounted for when patching into a television studio virtually. As a PR professional, I see a need to share these insights with businesses and organizations facing media interviews over virtual platforms like Zoom.

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Crisis Communication in the COVID-19 Climate

Crisis Communication in the COVID-19 Climate

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned organizations of all sizes across the world upside down. Our independence and social norms have shifted dramatically to stop the spread of this novel coronavirus. Based on what I’ve experienced alongside journalists these past days, here are suggestions for how to move forward in our world’s new normal.

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Two PR Materials Newsrooms Need

Two PR Materials Newsrooms Need

Two materials are critical for the PR tool belt of anyone who wants local newsrooms to publish their stories: the press release and the media alert. In collaboration with a top newsroom editor, we outlined what elements are necessary for each document- a breakdown that will help readers distinguish between the two frequently confused materials.

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Nine Ways to Determine What's Newsworthy

Nine Ways to Determine What's Newsworthy

Throughout my 19-year career specializing in public relations, I have worked with countless journalists to tell important stories. Pitching story ideas to reporters can seem daunting. Read about the nine ways that journalists determine what stories may be worth covering. Use these points as criteria on whether you should consider your “news” worthy of a story pitch.

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