PRSA SV #FridayForum Podcast

PRSA-SV #FridayForum: “Salary Negotiation Strategies for PR Professionals”PRWeek's PR/Talent Salary Survey revealed that 22% of PR pros changed jobs in the past year, and 79% increased their salary with their new role. Listen to our conversation to hear strategies on negotiating your salary from career experts and PR professionals.  Moderating is PRSA SV Board Member Jazmin Eusebeo, Jazmin is a justice advocate who is consistently identifying ways to create equitable opportunities for underserved communities.  Our panelists include: Nicole Balsam Nicole brings over 8 years of Executive Search experience to her current role as an Associate Partner at Eastward Partners. Judith Cushman As President of Judith Cushman & Associates, Judith uses her 30 years of experience in this field to provide retained search and consulting services exclusively filling the full spectrum of Communications, Public Relations, Public Affairs, Marketing Communications, and Investor Relations Positions.  Gideon Fidelzeid of PRWeek  Gideon heads up all custom content activations, as well as some legacy editorial projects, including the annual Salary Survey. 

Making the leap from college to a communications career can be daunting. Whether you're a communications major with multiple internships under your belt nearing graduation, an undeclared first year student, or looking to make a mid-career switch with continuing education, this conversation is for you. In this week's PRSA Silicon Valley Friday Forum, San Jose State University alumni will delve into the ins and outs of making the most out of college and embarking on a career in communications.Caylee Tompkins, president of the San Jose State University chapter of PRSSA moderates this lively discussion. Three San Jose State alumni have joined me to discuss the ins and outs of making the most out of college and embarking on a career in communications.Alannah McDermott, a senior account executive at Lumina Communications and project manager for PRSA Silicon Valley's Media Predicts 2022.Sierra Fatlowitz, a corporate communications specialist at eBay who previously worked in local government as well as for a tech PR agency. Jazmin Eusebio, who is a Senior Account Executive and Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Specialist at Highwire PR as well as a PRSA-SV board member. Take a listen!

How I Got Here: BOCA CEO & Founder Kathleen Shanahan“How I Got Here” #FridayForum, PRSA Silicon Valley hosts Board Member and BOCA Communications CEO and Founder Kathleen Shanahan. Take a listen to how she started in agencies, learned the business and now owns and drives her own PR agency with a client roster that includes some of the best of the best in Silicon Valley and beyond. Moderated by PRSA-SV Chapter President Vanessa Yanez.  

#FridayForum: Elevating ESG Impact through Strategic Communications In boardrooms, on earnings calls, in company-all-hands and customer meetings—stakeholders at every turn are demanding more action from companies on everything from social justice to climate change. The pressure is on and as communicators, we're often at the front line. What, when and how to communicate on Environmental Social Governance (ESG) topics in an authentic and meaningful way to each audience individually can be a daunting task. In this #FridayForum we'll break it down and get into the tips and tricks and creative approaches to making the most impact with your ESG communications.   Key Takeaways Understand why ESG communications is critical to building a company's brand reputation and increasing brand trust and loyalty Industry insights and examples of how companies are doing this well (and not) today. Useful tips and creative ways to integrate ESG into a corporate comms and brand strategy effectively About the Speakers Hotwire Global Communications Co-President, North America Heather Craft is responsible for managing clients' experiences and health, as well as overseeing our People and Culture and Finance departments in the US. With over 15 years of experience, Craft has extensive expertise and a proven track record leading integrated communications programs of scale, from early-stage startups to established public companies. Most of all, she loves building thoughtful and incredibly high-performing teams. ESG Marketing & Communications Consultant Paige Rodgers has spent over 20 years working at the intersection of business, technology, and social / environmental impact. She has worked with leading software, hardware, and technology services brands, including Salesforce.com, StubHub, Autodesk, Cloudera and Equinix, to build and execute their social impact, sustainability, and ESG marketing and communications strategies and is currently working with leading tech marketing and communications consultancy, Hotwire Global Communications, to design and deliver their new ESG practice.   

PRSA-SV #FridayForum:  A Day in the Life: Agency & In-House Is agency experience needed to succeed in an in-house role? What is the difference between going straight to agency and going in-house? Whether you're an emerging professional trying to decide which route to pursue or an experienced PR pro looking for your next gig – take a listen to the August 12 #FridayForum panel discussion to hear answers to these burning questions and more! You'll hear perspectives from a PR professional who has spent an entire career working at PR agencies, and another who made the switch to an in-house position. Zelle and Early Warning® Sr Director, External Communications Meghan O'Driscoll Fintland has more than 20 years of experience working with private and public companies across various sectors, including non-profit, corporate, enterprise, and consumer technologies, consumer goods, automotive, and healthcare industries. 42 West B/HI Sr Account Executive Rae D'Agnillois an experienced PR professional with a background in comics, gaming, and tech. As a key member of the gaming and publishing teams, Rae manages major titles and tentpole projects, drives content creation, and leads massive measurement and success reporting. PRSA-SV DE&I Committee Member Adriana Gonzalez Sebastian (panel moderator) is a graduating PR senior at San José State University. She currently works full-time at Hartnell College and interns part-time at Precious Stone PR Inc. as a PR and design coordinator.

During this insightful #FridayForum, Allison+Partners EVP of Purpose Whitney Dailey unpacks Purpose Under Pressure, a new study released jointly by Allison+Partners, Carol Cone ON PURPOSE and The Harris Poll. Moderated by Allison+Partners Partner and SF General Manager Meghan Curtis, this event explains why strong corporate purpose (the reason a company exists in addition to making money) is important for recruitment and retention. And how strong purpose in turbulent times can drive employees' decision-making and overall buy-in. If you need recommendations about how to help your organization build purpose authenticity and pull-through across departments and hierarchy, be sure to listen to this important program.

Thinking about taking on your next role? Uncertain that you are ready in today's job market?Learn from experts Brooke Kruger, of recruiting firm KC Partners, Kathleen Shanahan, Founder BOCA Communications about what you need to know right now in order to get hired. Hear about the state of communications recruiting, what in-house and agencies are looking for at the early career, mid career and senior career levels and what will make you stand out among candidates.Moderated by Board Members Vanessa Yanez and Meghan Fintland.

PRSA SV #FridayForum: The Latest in Consumer Trends for 2022How we shop, eat, and consume goods has changed forever since the pandemic. Consumers and brands alike are leveraging the newest technologies to create the ultimate experiences when it comes to shopping and dining. From ghost kitchens to delivery services, along with frictionless and contactless shopping and payments, to the rise of the creator economy, to how AI and AR are creating unique shopping experiences, and the rise of the Metaverse and beyond, take a listen as our panel discusses what trends are hot, which are not - which ones have staying power and how can brands adapt.  Our panel:Robin Raskin (moderator), Journalist and Founder, The Virtual Events Group (VEG )Jim Louderback, VidConDeborah Weinswig, Founder and CEO of Coresight ResearchAlicia V. Nieva-Woodgate, Managing Director, ANW Networks

PRSA-SV #FridayForum: ​​Resume Building: What Employers are Looking ForJob openings in the U.S. have hit record levels with 11.5 million available roles according to new government data. What does this mean for jobseekers? It's time to polish your resume! Whether you're new to the game or a seasoned professional – there's a common goal: to find a job.  During this conversation, you'll learn from career experts and PR professionals on what to do to stand out in today's crowded market and tips for building an eye-catching resume. You'll also hear from a recruiter, who will tell you exactly what employers are looking for when hiring PR and communications professionals.Join Adriana Gonzalez Sebastian, DE&I Committee Member, PRSA Silicon Valley as she moderates this insightful panel discussion.  Adriana is a graduating public relations senior from San José State University. She currently works full-time at Hartnell College and interns part-time at Precious Stone PR Inc. as Public Relations and Design Coordinator.Panelists: Phoebe Nguyen is a public relations specialist at Bill.com, where she manages various external-facing communications platforms such as corporate communications, content creation, media relations and though leadership development.  Oscar Garcia, Chief Empowerment Officer, Aspira Consulting, Inc. is Founder & Chief Empowerment Officer of Aspira Consulting, a Silicon Valley training and consulting firm providing culturally relevant career and leadership programs. Wendy Brittain, HR Director, BOCA Communications has been an HR leader for over 20 years, working with public relations and advertising agencies throughout California. 

PRSA Silicon Valley helps students and professionals find mentors and connect with other PR professionals in many ways. Hear from mentees-turned-mentors Mega Jewell (VP of Social at Bospar) and Odalys Jasmine Garcia Arce (Events Project Manager at LinkedIn), along with Jeannie Entin (PRSA Silicon Valley Mentorship co-chair), about how to make the most of mentorship in PRSA and beyond.  Take a listen! #FridayForum

Take a listen to the PRSA Silicon Valley #FridayForm which explores how public relations professionals can calibrate their social media strategy – and their clients' mindsets – to earn trust and win in the attention economy. It explores: why every client gets one step closer to success with visuals-first storytelling, who today's audiences engage with and how your clients can escape the erosion of trust; and what every PR pro needs to do to demonstrate ROI.  Our panel:Max Morgan, Principal, Manhattan StrategiesLeah Connolly, Director of Social Media, Manhattan StrategiesElona Neal, Senior Communications Manager, Manhattan StrategiesMeghan Shaffer, Associate for Executive Storytelling, Manhattan Strategies

Listen to our #Friday Forum panel of nationally credentialed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) experts for an in-depth discussion of the current state of diversity in the public relations field. The panel will include three Elon University communications professors and will be moderated by Dr. Rochelle Ford, APR, Dean of the School of Communications at Elon.Dr. Vanessa Bravo, Department Chair of Strategic Communications. Dr. Bravo will speak about underrepresentation of Latinos in public relations, academia, and as audiences, and how this underrepresentation impacts organizations, PR effectiveness, and students' interest in the field.  Dr. Denise Hill, APR, Associate Professor of Strategic Communications. Dr. Hill will speak about the importance of shining a light on black history and current issues throughout the year, not just during Black History Month, and the role of public relations in this concept.  Michele Lashley, Assistant Professor of Strategic Communications. Professor Lashley will speak about LGBTQIA representation in the public relations industry, with a focus on best practices about communicating with LGBTQ+ audiences. Moderator: Dr. Rochelle Ford, APR, Dean of the School of Communications. Dr. Ford conducts research about diversity in advertising and public relations and has written a monthly column: Diversity Dimensions for Public Relations Tactics, an award-winning trade newspaper.

PRSA SV -- April 8th our 75th  #FridayForum.  Take a listen as Margot Edelman, General Manager for Edelman's Bay Area Hub and Dan Susong who leads Edelman's U.S Tech Sector discuss Trust in Technology -- Edelman Trust Barometer.  PRSA-SV Board Member Aarti Shah moderates.   Can we see a global trend on Trust in Tech? Does it match developments in the US?As the pandemic continued to increase the importance of tech, how has trust evolved?What and how are subsectors driving overall Tech Trust trends (i.e. 5G, Internet of things, AI, Virtual reality)?How does business compare with other sectors (e.g. government, media, etc.) on trust? Who is still seen as a unifying force?What are the public's expectations for business leaders? On what issues should they speak out publicly, if at all?What are employee expectations for their CEOs? How does trust in companies, and specifically its executives, affect their ability to attract talent?

In this #FridayForum workshop series for new PR and communications professionals, PRSA-SV Board Member Jazmin Eusébio, a senior AE at Highwire PR; Charlene Gage, Senior Manager at Hotwire; Luther Jackson, Program Manager at NOVAworks; and Chloe Belangia, career content creator strategize about search job search. They also discuss tools and resources that can help you land the job of your dreams.

PRSA-SV #FridayForum of March 11 is all about what it's like to work at Bospar, the high-growth award-winning “politely pushy” tech public relations agency.  Board Member Aarti Shah talks with Curtis Sparrer and Team at Bospar.Bospar provides clients such as Marqeta, Snowflake and Unisys with national support due to its distributed agency model with marketing and PR experts and veteran journalists from top-tier tech and business media. The agency's strategic and creative thinkers excel in earned and social media, analyst and investor relations, and public affairs.  Principal and co-founder Curtis Sparrer, Social Media VP Mega Jewell, and Broadcast SVPs Eric Chemi and Brett Larson, will join industry, awards expert and PRSA Silicon Valley Board Member, Aarti Shah for a conversation about what makes Bospar so different, what it takes to build a virtual-first engaged team and why awards and recognition are key to the agency's culture and growth strategy. 

How I got here:  Get to know Stacey Zolt Hara, the Vice President and Head of Global Employee & Executive Communications at Visa. Stacey drives cohesiveness, culture and engagement for Visa's 21,000 employees. Hear how she helps to amplify the voice of Visa's leaders to tell their story internally and externally, with a focus on inclusion, diversity and corporate responsibility. Moderated by PRSA-SV Board Member Camelia Gendreau.

If you're considering your next career move, but not sure which direction to go in, informational interviews can help you get a feel for different fields, organizations and roles you might consider. We're not talking about the kind of interviews you do for a job opening. Rather, informational interviews are an effective research tool to uncover current, specific, and personal information about career fields that may not be available online. About the PanelVanessa Yanez, President of PRSA Silicon Valley discusses with our panel the role of strategic job prospecting.  Take a listen! San José State University Career Center Counselor Judi Garcia helps students navigate the challenging road from college to career. Prior to joining SJSU four years ago, Judi was a long-term career advisor for the NOVA Job Center in Sunnyvale, where she guided mid-career job seekers looking for new opportunities. Judi has deep knowledge about professional networking, finding hidden job leads and improving interview skills and strategies.Shaun Fletcher, PhD.is an assistant professor of Public Relations and Sport Communications at San José State University. Previously, Shaun led the internal communications team at Apple for the Retail Learning and Development Organization, where he provided overall strategic communications and marketing plan development. While at Apple, he also served as a consultant and mentor for the company's partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund that brings students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to Apple for an immersive apprenticeship experience. Shaun serves as the principal consultant for ShaunJFletcher Diversity Training and is a former member of the PRSA-Silicon Valley board of directors.

A Cycle of Distrust: Results of 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer#FridayForum Event by PRSA Silicon ValleyPRSA Silicon Valley and Edelman present, "A Cycle of Distrust: Margot Edelman Presents Results of the Edelman Trust Barometer."The 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer is Edelman's 22nd annual trust and credibility survey. This year's report reveals a vicious cycle of distrust fueled by government and media that leaves businesses to fill the gaps and have stronger societal roles. Hear Margot Edelman, General Manager of Edelman Bay Area Hub and moderator Aarti Shah as they discuss how to turn these findings into actionable insights. #media #trustbarometer #fridayforum #PRSASV 

The spread of disinformation is one of the greatest reputational risks for businesses today according to 87% of executives. Listen to this roundtable discussion with a team of experts who'll share best practices and provide valuable advice for comms professionals who counsel clients and company executives about how to manage this threat.Panelists: Wasim Khaled, CEO/Co-founder, Blackbird AIVivian Schiller, Executive Director, Aspen DigitalMichael Connery, SVP, Strategy & Planning, Weber ShandwickModerator:Will Ludlam, President, West Geo, Weber Shandwick

A Webinar for New Professionals and StudentsIf you're a new PR professional just breaking into the business, or you're relocating to a new area or job, creating and sustaining a network may seem daunting. It's especially challenging if you're working from home, with fewer opportunities to meet other professionals at work and at industry events. Join us this Friday to learn how to make networking as natural as breathing. You'll learn about the many effective networking tools from Communications Consultant and Author of “Taking the Work Out of Networking” Karen Wickre, Lumina Communications Account Executive Alannah McDermott and Snowflake Employee Communications Manager Aubriana Muna. Moderated by Board Member & Communications Counsel David Vossbrink, APR, the panel will show you how to use social media and email to leverage your contacts and cultivate a web of valuable connections to benefit your career, your employer and your clients. 

Insights from Top RecruitersWith the new year comes a "red hot" jobs market, especially at mid-levels. With remote hires removing locational issues, competition is also heating up! The pressure is everywhere to make decisions quickly. How do you navigate these challenges so you make the best career decision for the longer(er) term?Hear from our panel of top recruiters, including:Judith Cushman, Judith Cushman & AssociatesJennifer Doidge, Russell Reynolds AssociatesKim Hunter, KLH & AssociatesPeter McDermott, Korn Ferry

PRSA Silicon Valley (SV), part of the nation's largest professional organization serving the communications community, resumed its annual Media Predicts Gala. The Gala aired live on Zoom on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.  The highlight was a media panel, including Eugene Kim (Business Insider), Diane Brady (Forbes), Kristen Martin (SiliconANGLE) and  Lauren Goode (WIRED)  They spoke about what they consider to be the most important emerging communications, business trends and more."Sponsored by Edelman , BOCA Communications and HP, MediaPredicts, has been the must-attend event for anyone with a stake in corporate communications for 14 years,” said Vanessa Yanez, president PRSA Silicon Valley.  This year's gala was chaired by two board members, Bospar's Curtis Sparrer and Aircover Communications' Caroline James. Take a listen.

To Ace the Interview, Understand the Assignment Job interviews are stressful. How do you convey that you're the right person for the job during a 30-minute interview? Join this webinar to learn what interviewers look for, questions to anticipate and how to demonstrate your competence with confidence. Board Members David Vossbrink, APR (Communications Counsel) and Jasmine Garcia (LinkedIn Event Project Manager, Campus Recruiting) will share critical lessons they've learned from decades of being interviewed and interviewing candidates for PR positions at all levels.  

#FridayForum continues the DE&I discussion from the agency perspective. Edelman Purpose Vice President Gerry Rodriguez and Highwire Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Ayanna Anderson will discuss how their agencies demonstrate a commitment to DE&I and how that affects company culture and the work they do for their clients. Moderated by Stanford Executive Director of Strategic Communications Jocelyn Breeland, APR.

PRSA-SV #FridayForum: Diversity Spotlight – Fostering Diverse Talent: Let's Talk about Race, Gender and Identity to Create a More Equitable and Inclusive WorkplacePam Carr, Global Comms, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Lindsay Stuiber, Head of Talent, Change.Org Foster Diverse Talent to Create a More Equitable & Inclusive WorkplaceIn this thought-provoking #FridayForum, we'll explore how race, gender and identity effect the way we work. And brainstorm strategic ways that DE&I can empower us, make us more confident and help us advance in our careers.Moderated by Kelly Xie

Wellness Coach/Morty CMO Leslie Campisi shares tips about how to stay sane and prosper. Leslie strongly believes that healthy people create the most innovative products, teams, and companies. She works as a board-certified health & wellness coach and advocates wellbeing inside the tech ecosystem. Leslie is also a startup CMO, advisor and brand strategist who helps entrepreneurs tell stories. Please join us for this important event moderated by PRSA-SV Board Member Aarti Shah.

Make It, Don't Fake It is a refreshing book on leadership, authenticity and honesty from entrepreneur and long-time PR professional Sabrina Horn. She'll talk candidly about the wins and fails that guided her path toward success. And offer career advice about making it, not faking it. Moderated by Board Member Karen Smyth.Author and Horn Strategy Founder Sabrina Horn is an award-winning CEO, communications expert, and C-suite advisor. Her career is highlighted by 25 years as the founder, CEO and president of Horn Group, the iconic U.S. tech communications agency she founded in Silicon Valley at age 29. Sabrina's counselled thousands of tech executives and their companies through rapid growth, category creation, brand transformation, global expansion, IPOs and acquisitions, pivots and crises.

Moderated by Judith Cushman, PRSA-SV BoardTurnover: The Good, the Bad and the UglyRecruiting and Retention is top of mind for almost all companies this year. Join us when Nina E. Woodard & Associates President/Chief ‘N' Sights Officer Nina Woodard shares her experience building strategic international business plans and HR initiatives.

A Special Forum on United Airlines' Vaccine Mandate RolloutUnited Airlines is the first major US airline to require employees to get vaccinated against Covid-19. Three of the largest unions at the airline -- (the Association of Flight Attendants, Airline Pilots Association and Teamsters Union), issued statements to their members last week suggesting that the unions will accept the mandate. Get the inside scoop on these negotiations and more from United Airlines Global Communications VP Steven Restivo. Moderated by PRSA-SV Board President Vanessa Yanez.

Moderated by Shaun Saunders, Founder, Graffiti Creative Group, PRSA-SV Board MemberEric Schwartzman is a digital marketing consultant and author of The Digital Pivot: Secrets of Online Marketing and Social Marketing to the Business Customer. His new book explains what successful digital marketers do differently. Join us as he explores the accelerated shift from analog to digital business and explains:How PR fits into the digital business landscapeHow to pivot to digital marketing in four easy steps so you can earn more and work lessEssential digital comms skills clients need most and how PR can help companies compete online

PRSA-SV #FridayForum Meet the Interns: The Next Generation of PR Talent Opens UpReady to get your foot in the door of the PR Industry? Hear from interns at HP, Day One Agency and Edelman about how they secured their internships and their experiences working in in-house and agency roles. Then hear from PR experts about what's expected from interns and what they look for in prospective early-career candidates. 

Adrienne O'Hara is in charge of corporate and business communications for Gap Inc. and its Athleta, Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Intermix, Hill City, and Janie & Jack brands. She joined Gap after a decade at Toys"R"Us, where she started as a PR coordinator and advanced to executive director of corporate comms. Adrienne has designed comms strategies for global retail initiatives, culture-defining campaigns and award-winning CSR programs. She's also shepherded brands through some of the most interesting and exacting comms challenges, from major recalls to brand splits. 

Facebook Policy Communications Manager Jennifer Martinez. Fleishman Hillard Vice President Sasha Quintana. Social Impact Strategist and PR with Heart© Principal Tanya Rivas. All three have one thing in common: they're successful Latinas in an industry struggling with diversity. Join us as Board Member Camelia Gendreau leads an open, candid conversation with the trio. They'll share insights and anecdotes. Talk about their career paths. And give us tips on how we can help make PR a desirable career choice for talented Latinxs. 

PRSA-SV #FridayForums serve as a platform for individuals to speak out on a variety of topics and express their beliefs without judgment.  Board Member and Bospar Principal/Cofounder Curtis Sparrer, National LGBTQ Task Force Communications Director and Principal/Owner of Target Cue Cathy Renna and Board Member Graffiti Creative Group Founder Shaun Saunders discuss what Pride looks like in the PR industry today and how it has changed in over time. If you missed this important conversation moderated by Board Member Scott Thornburg, APR, take a listen here. by PRSA-SV Intern Megan Moeller. 

Moderated by David Vossbrink, Communications Counsel, retired Communications Director, City of San JosePublic information officers work at the intersection of communications and public policy, representing a broad range of challenging and rewarding PR career opportunities. The pandemic tested us all, but especially those responsible for getting clear, accurate and timely information out to large populations. PRSA-SV Board Member David Vossbrink moderates this panel of public sector communicators to discuss what influenced their careers and how they've all successfully engaged with diverse communities. About the Panel: Linh Hoang, Communications Manager, Valley Water, oversees marketing strategies, comms and media/PR activities for the South Bay's principal water supply and flood control agency district. She's been a public-sector communicator for nearly 15 years, previously with Valley Transportation Authority. Prior to moving into local government, Linh was a reporter, producer and editor for local broadcast news at KNTV and KLIV Radio in San Jose. Carolina Camarena, Communications Director, City of San Jose, has served with the City of San Jose for nearly 25 years. She's led award-winning public information campaigns for several departments and programs, including Environmental Services, Parks Recreation & Neighborhood Services and the Emergency Operations Center during the pandemic. Carolina currently leads citywide comms strategies for the City Manager's Office. Sean Webby, Public Communications Officer, Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, has served in this role for a decade. Previously, he was a journalist for 25 years in New York City, Vermont, Connecticut and with the San Jose Mercury News, where he was twice named Northern California's Investigative Reporter of the Year. Sean lectures and teaches classes on media relations for law enforcement command staff throughout California. David Vossbrink, APR,  Communications Counsel and panel moderator, retired as communications director for the City of San Jose after a four-decade career in Bay Area local government. He currently provides communications consulting services to local public agencies and universities. A PRSA-SV past president, David received the Chapter's Legacy Award in 2019 and the Paul B. Clark Award from the California Association of Public Information Officials in 2002.

Robin Kim leads the Global Technology & Innovation Practice for Ruder Finn, a leading independent global agency with dual hubs in the U.S. and China. She's lived, worked and built teams across nine cities in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. At Ruder Finn, Robin works with major multinationals and high-growth startups looking to transform their industries by leveraging the tremendous impact of technology in people's lives. In her “spare time,” she chairs UNICEF USA's Northwest Region and co-chairs the PRSA-SV Programming 

Peter Shankman is THE top keynote speaker in marketing, brand building, social media and customer service. He's keynoted events for corporations ranging from startups to Fortune 100s in over 25 countries around the world. And you've got him for an hour at our FREE #FridayForum!About Peter ShankmanThe New York Times called Peter Shankman “a rockstar who knows everything about social media and then some.” He's a five-time best-selling author, entrepreneur and corporate keynote speaker with a focus on customer service and the new emerging customer economy. Peter is recognized worldwide for radically new ways of thinking about the customer experience, social media, PR, marketing, advertising, and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). In addition to his passion for helping people and companies find success, he's also the founder of HARO (Help A Reporter Out) and The ShankMinds Breakthrough Network, an elite, online mastermind of thought leaders, business experts and change makers.  Peter's customer service and social media clients have included American Express, Sprint, SAP, The US Department of Defense, Royal Bank of Canada, Snapple Beverage Group, Saudi Aramco, Foley Hoag LLP, NASA, Haworth, Sheraton, Walt Disney World, Abercrombie and Kent, Taj Hotels, Sheraton, United Airlines, The Ad Council, Discovery Networks, New Frontier Media, Napster, Juno, Dream Catcher Destinations Club, Harrah's Hotels, and many, many others.Peter is a worldwide influencer and/or spokesperson for brands across the globe. Current and past brands include Huawei, Specialized Bicycles, Skratch Labs, Sylvania Lighting, Thule, SCOTTEVEST, and many others.Finally, Peter is a father, a 2x ironman triathlete, a class B licensed skydiver, and has a pretty serious Peloton addiction. When he's not traveling around the world keynoting to companies big and small, he's based in NYC with his seven-year-old daughter and 19-year-old cat, both of whom consistently refuse him access to the couch.