After an extremely wonderful and refreshing night of sleep I began day number three by attending a joint PRSSA, PRSA session featuring Soledad O’Brian and Peter Diamandis. Soledad talked to us about the storytelling aspect of the documentaries she had made (Black in America, Latino in America) and the importance of getting to know our audiences on a human level. She talked to us about diversity and telling the story of all people, of everyone. She was articulate, charismatic, confident, and above all graceful. She emphasized the need for us to inspire those around us through the messages we send and the stories we tell.

Following her remarks Peter Diamandis, founder of the X Prize talked to us about the work he has done to inspire innovation inside a multitude of industries. He described how the X prize was inspired by history and captured the essence of minimal investment with maximum return. It was particularly fun for many of us from UVU as the majority of the academic mock press releases we have written were on the subject of “Virgin Galactic” and Sir Richard Branson both hevily related to the X Prize.

Returning back to our own conference I attended my favorite session so far entitled “He Said, She Said” Agency vs Corporate PR. Micky Nall, Managing director of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide and Kathy Barbour, Communications manager from the Mayo Clinic talked to us about the pros and cons of both Agency and Corporate PR. Two quotes from Mickey that stood out “9 – 6 is the floor not the ceiling” (regarding time spent working at an agency) and referencing Meryl Streep in “The Devil Wears Prada”, “I didn’t think she was that bad”. The major take aways being that agency PR was challenging, fast paced, and rewarding. Kathy talked about the benefits of being the client and contracting out services to people like Mickey. Both speakers were dynamic, confident, and well rounded individuals who I felt gave honest impressions on their various career paths.

Recognizing the fact that I am older than I once was and that I have a family, I still feel that agency PR offers the greatest benefit to me immediately after graduation. It is my hope that I can find an agency to work for where I can hone my skills for a time before ultimately transferring into the corporate world. The transition would mean a slower pace and more stability for my family, it is my belief however that the reward can only come after the foundation and work achieved by time spent with an agency.

To unwind most of our PRSSA chapter capped off the night with a trip to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom to attend “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party”. While I missed having my wife and kids there I did enjoy the experience.

As with the past two days I felt like its been non stop from one location to the next but I am so happy to be out here taking advantage of this conference.