Welcome to our newsletter ...
September 2007
"His toasts were always to happiness" ...
JAMES C. FULLER, 1915-2007
Many remember Jim Fuller as the man who helped make Bell Helicopter Textron a household name. But he also spent hours making Tarrant County a better place to live, friends and family told the Star-Telegram in a tribute piece in July.
Mr. Fuller died June 29 at his Fort Worth home. He was 91.
Bell Helicopter's first PR director -- he was hired in 1950 and worked there 30 years, retiring as a vice president -- he also served on the boards of more than 50 community organizations, including Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, the Tarrant County Convention Center, Casa Mañana and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.
"Working for Bell gave him a prominent place in the community, but he did a lot more than just work for Bell," said Kenneth Barr, a former Fort Worth mayor.
Mr. Fuller was Fort Worth SPJ president from 1958-59. He paid his dues in the newspaper business as managing editor of the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel, baseball and ice hockey writer for the San Diego Journal and executive sports editor at the old Fort Worth Press.
He was a past president of Colonial Country Club and a member of several national and international aeronautics organizations and the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. A World War II veteran, he had exceptional storytelling skills honed by a life of travel and exchanges with all types of people.
He was instrumental in bringing Bell Helicopter to the forefront of the Paris Air Show and developed a love of French food from his many trips there.
"He was the technical consultant for a 1960s show called 'The Whirly-Birds,' " noted his son-in-law, Bill Meadows. "Helicopters were still new. This was at a time when they were just trying to get people to learn how to pronounce the word."
Mr. Fuller always had a good time, whatever he was doing, Meadows said. "His toasts were always to happiness. He was always positive and focused on a wonderful outcome for everyone. International helicopter sales grew out of an effort that he championed. He truly enjoyed life, for a tremendous benefit to a whole lot of people."
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MEETINGS
Next at IABC Fort Worth ...
Hearing You, Hearing Me
Ever felt as if you've communicated right past your top boss? Maybe you overcommunicated, and she tuned you out. Maybe your company discounts communications as being too touchy-feely. Or maybe it leaped ahead and plotted the implications while you were still setting up your proposal.
As a longtime executive and business adjunct professor at local universities, Ron Bordelon has studied this interaction dynamic at the highest levels. He will help set attendees at the Sept. 25 meeting straight on being heard by the big boss.
Bordelon has taught in the University of Dallas Graduate School of Management for 22 years and recently in the EMBA program at Texas Woman's University. Student evaluations consistently rank his courses as among the most beneficial. He is the CEO of Engauge and has been the top financial officer for the Browning Companies, Trammell Crow Co. and Newspaper Enterprises.
Time & date: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25
Place: Petroleum Club, Carter-Burgess Plaza, 777 Main St., 39th floor
Parking: $2.50 in parking garage at Seventh and Commerce streets
Cost: members $25, nonmembers $30 (online sign-up add $1)
RSVP by noon Sept. 21: Tim Tune, tim.tune@fortworthgov.org, or iabcfortworth.com/paypal.htm
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Next at Greater Fort Worth PRSA ...
Ethics in Action: The Complexity and Consequences of Misunderstanding(s)
PR professionals work daily to craft clear messages and ensure favorable perceptions for their clients. But what happens when they're misunderstood? How did that occur? What is the effect?
TCU professors and communications experts Will Powers and Melissa Schroeder will present "Misunderstandings: Intentional and Incidental" at the 2007 PRSA Ethics in Action luncheon Wednesday, Sept. 12. A Q&A session will follow their 30-minute presentation.
Dr. Powers, an expert in workforce development with more than 30 years experience, will share his thoughts on the origin of misunderstandings, how PR pros can approach the resulting issues, and the ethics of intent in misunderstandings, especially as it pertains to the PRSA Code of Ethics.
Dr. Schroeder, also from the TCU Department of Communication Studies, will discuss how to sense deception in business communications, including a brief look at the psychological construction of lies and practical advice on detecting them.
Time & date: 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12
Place: Petroleum Club, Carter-Burgess Plaza, 777 Main St., 39th floor
Parking: free valet in parking garage at Seventh and Commerce streets
Cost: members $25, nonmembers $30, students $20
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Next at Fort Worth SPJ ...
A Double Dose of Texas Lore
Like stories? Especially stories about Texas? Like Mexican food? Both will be in abundance at Joe T. Garcia's Mexican Restaurant on Wednesday, Sept. 19, for an evening with Mike Cochran and Clayton Williams.
Ace Associated Press and Star-Telegram reporter Cochran has a new book on Williams, Aggie oilman and Republican candidate for governor in 1990. "Claytie" is Cochran's fourth book, and autographed copies will be available.
An evening of Cochran stories alone would shame a Super Bowl halftime. Add Williams, a cross between Yogi Berra and Don Imus when it comes to public pronouncements, and the entertainment value ratchets up a notch. Neither is shy, and both will have yards of yarns about politics, bidness and the Lone Star State.
RSVP by Sept. 17. The 100-person room is already half full just on word-of-mouth advertising, so early reservations are strongly encouraged. No-shows will be billed.
Time & date: mingling 6 p.m., eats around 6:30, then the program Wednesday, Sept. 19
Place: La Puertita, Joe T.'s converted-church banquet room immediately south of the main building at 2201 N. Commerce St.
Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers, $5 students
Menu: Joe T.'s famous family-style enchilada dinner
RSVP: Kay Pirtle at mkpirtle@yahoo.com
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STRAIGHT STUFF
The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce has released its 2007 Media Directory -- 60 pages of print and broadcast media, networks and wire services primarily in Tarrant County, but also listings for Dallas, Johnson, Hood and Parker counties. Contact names, titles, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, circulation numbers and deadlines are included. A printed version is available to Fort Worth Chamber members for $30 and to nonmembers for $40. A CD-ROM with a PDF and an Excel file also is available. Call the Chamber at 817-336-2491 ext. 242, or order at fortworthchamber.com. ...
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Lone Star Chapter, is forming an advisory committee of area PR and media pros to assist in packaging stories and spreading awareness. An informational meeting will be 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the chapter office, 2105 Luna Road, Suite 390, Carrollton. RSVP to Lee Kilborn, 214-373-1400 or lkilborn@nmsslonestar.org. ...
She's a wonder with words, is Paula LaRocque, and she'll share her "Secrets of Good Writing" at the American Society of Business Publication Editors meeting Wednesday, Sept. 19, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Southern Recipes Grill, 2715 N. Collins St. in Arlington. LaRocque, a former Dallas Morning News editor, will discuss the most common errors in workplace writing and offer easy-to-apply tips for making all writing accurate, clear, warm and interesting. Cost is $20 for the meeting and lunch. The regional ASBPE Azbee Award winners also will be honored. RSVP to Tonie Auer, 817-925-2013 or tonieauer@gmail.com. ...
What's the difference between pitching a book idea to an agent and to an editor/publisher? Where do pitches fall in the publishing process? What are the three things even your friends won't tell you? Answers will be forthcoming at Carol Woods' two-hour "Pitch It!" workshop for the Writers' Guild of Texas (new name, no longer affiliated with the Writer's League of Texas) starting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Richardson Public Library, 900 Civic Center Drive. Woods, a former senior editor at a local publishing house and self-described "longtime little fish swimming in the big pond of the Dallas-area writing world," promises a holistic look at real pitches from real writers, complete with critiques. Two days later, in the second half of a power-packed WGT September doubleheader, 20-year Marine veteran and thrice-published author William F. Lee will profile "The Selling Author" at the regular WGT meeting, 7-8:30 p.m., same location. Lee's second book, "The Light Side of Damnation" (July 2006), earned a five-star review by the Military Writers' Society of America and was the winning entry in the North Texas Book Festival. His third book, "The Boys in Blue White Dress," was published this year. More on both events from Woods at shurlock@flash.net.
IABC local update: IABC Research Foundation trustee Robin McCasland will discuss "It's Not About You! It's About the Employees" -- a sometimes simple (sometimes funny) and useful approach to developing more compelling, effective communication -- at the Dallas IABC meeting Tuesday, Sept. 11. Info here.
PRSA local update: The Nu Pros SIG will host a media relations teleseminar, "Anatomy of a News Release," from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at Immotion Studios, 4717 Fletcher Ave., Fort Worth, open to all new professionals and anyone wanting to hone a few skills. Cost is $10 prepaid. RSVP to Linda Jacobson at ljacobson@quepr.com.
PRSA update II: The always informative and entertaining Dr. Joe Trahan will discuss PR measurement and tracking at the fall GFW PRSA professional development seminar Wednesday, Nov. 14. Details next month.
PRSA local update III: Chapter leaders Drenda Witt and Laura Van Hoosier have recently been honored in the PR biz. Read of their triumphs on p. 3.
PRSA local update IV: "Best Practices in Crisis Communications" is the tentative topic at the Dallas PRSA meeting Friday, Sept. 21, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Midway Road at LBJ. More here.
SPJ national update: A riveting -- and suppressed -- account of nuclear devastation. On the 62nd anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, HBO aired "White Light/Black Rain," Steven Okazaki's documentary on a few survivors of the attack Aug. 6, 1945, which took at least 150,000 lives. The film features extremely graphic footage, shot by an American military film crew but kept from the public for decades. "Suppressing film footage shot in Hiroshima and Nagasaki was quite significant, as this country rushed into the nuclear age with its citizens having neither a true understanding of the effects of the bomb on human beings, nor why the atomic attacks drew condemnation around the world," writes author Greg Mitchell, who played a role in bringing the footage to light. Adds Lt. Col. (ret.) Daniel McGovern, who directed the U.S. military filmmakers in 1945-46: "I always had the sense that people in the Atomic Energy Commission were sorry we had dropped the bomb. The Air Force -- it was also sorry. I was told by people in the Pentagon that they didn't want those images out because they showed effects on man, woman and child. ... They didn't want the general public to know what their weapons had done -- at a time they were planning on more bomb tests." More here.
SPJ national update II: Blistering accounts of the Iraq war from Sig Christenson and, in the 82nd Airborne Division, four Army sergeants, two staff sergeants and an Army specialist. "Everybody knows there's a war on in Iraq. What they don't realize is there are actually four wars -- the one to defeat insurgents and terrorists, another to win support for America's occupation among a majority of Iraqis, and yet a third for hearts and minds among the president's supporters in the United States. The fourth is a war for reporters and editors: It is to find and report the truth while staying alive to file another day in Iraq. If we lose this war, you lose, too. Instead of seeing Iraq as it is, you'll see it the way someone with an agenda wants." More here. "Four years into our occupation, we have failed on every promise, while we have substituted Baath Party tyranny with a tyranny of Islamist, militia and criminal violence. When the primary preoccupation of average Iraqis is when and how they are likely to be killed, we can hardly feel smug as we hand out care packages." More here.
SPJ national update III: Feds pay over T-shirt arrests; and survey finds stagnant market for j-grads. A Corpus Christi couple arrested at a West Virginia rally after refusing to cover T-shirts that bore anti-President Bush slogans settled their lawsuit against the government for $80,000. Nicole and Jeffery Rank were handcuffed and removed from the July 4, 2004, rally, where Bush gave a speech. A judge dismissed trespassing charges, and an order closing the case was filed Aug. 16 in U.S. District Court in Charleston. "This settlement is a real victory, not only for our clients but for the First Amendment," said Andrew Schneider, executive director of the ACLU of West Virginia. More here. ... The job market recovery that began two years ago for graduates of U.S. journalism and mass communication programs seems to have stalled, according to findings released by the University of Georgia's James M. Cox Jr. Center for International Mass Communication Training and Research. More here.
SPJ national update IV: AT&T ripped for censoring lyrics; and Senate moves to clear FOIA backlog. The open-access nonprofit lobbying group Public Knowledge called "appalling" AT&T's editing of lyrics from a webcast of the Lollapalooza concert in August that the telecommunications giant sponsored. AT&T said it was a mistake that won't be repeated. Pearl Jam performed a variation on Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall" with the modified lyrics "George Bush, leave this world alone" and, "George Bush, find yourself another home." The lines were cut from the AT&T web site. More here. ... The Senate took a step Aug. 3 toward cleaning up the backlog of Freedom of Information Act requests, passing a bill that would try to prevent the current months- and even years-long delays for government responses to journalists' requests for information. A similar bill passed the House in March. Government agencies are supposed to respond within 20 days to FOIA requests, but a George Washington University study released in July found numerous requests languishing for more than a decade; one was more than 20 years old. More here.
SPJ national update V: Government hearts its illegals; and could it be? Bush administration rewrites history? If the president is serious about penalizing U.S. employers who hire illegal aliens, he can start with his own administration, which employs thousands of unauthorized workers, says the top Republican on the House immigration subcommittee. A 2006 audit showed that federal, state and local governments are among the biggest employers of the half-million persons in the U.S. illegally using "non-work" Social Security numbers. More here. ... People using CIA and FBI computers have edited Wikipedia entries on topics including the Iraq war and the Guantanamo prison, according to a new tracing program. The program, WikiScanner, tracks the source of computers used to make changes to the popular internet encyclopedia where anyone can submit and edit entries. WikiScanner revealed that CIA computers were used to edit an entry on the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. A graphic on casualties was edited to add that many figures were estimated and were not broken down by class. More here.
SPJ national update VI: Standing-O greets call to leave Iraq (and you won't read about it); digital additions counter traditional j-job losses; and journal's pains reflect media's malaise. A statement from Puerto Rico's governor that the U.S. should withdraw from Iraq earned a standing ovation Aug. 25 from a conference of more than 4,000 National Guardsmen. Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila said the U.S. administration has "no new strategy and no signs of success" and that prolonging the war needlessly puts guardsmen in harm's way. The Associated Press wrote the story, which almost no U.S. outlets carried. More here. ... As newspapers and broadcasters slice their senior-level workforce, they are also quietly building their digital and online teams. More here. ... American Journalism Review, the influential but financially troubled media journal, could shut down by year's end. Tom Kunkel, the review's president, said it is "more likely" that the magazine will continue publishing next year but that he must close a deficit of roughly $200,000 -- about one-quarter of its annual budget. More here.
SPJ national update VII: Poll reports climate problems the biggest threat. Pollution and other environmental problems increasingly are seen as the leading threat the world faces, according to a massive survey of global public opinion from the Pew Research Center. The United States is given much of the blame for those problems and the responsibility to respond to them. The poll, taken in 46 countries and the Palestinian territories, found that people in countries as diverse as Canada, Peru, Ukraine, China and India identified environmental degradation as a greater world danger than nuclear weapons, ethnic hatred and AIDS. More here.
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PEOPLE & PLACES
Drenda Witt, director of collaborative network marketing at JPS Health Network, received the PRSA Health Academy's 2007 Frank J. Weaver Lifetime Achievement Award, given to health care PR pros who have made a major impact on the field. The selection committee cited her work in crisis communications as well as heading education campaigns on topics ranging from the uninsured to public reporting. She will accept the award at the Health Academy dinner Oct. 22 during the PRSA International Conference in Philadelphia. ...
Laura Van Hoosier has earned the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) designation, signifying that she has demonstrated competency in the knowledge, skills and abilities required to practice public relations in today's business arena. The APR is the only professional certification open to public relations professionals.
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GET A JOB
The Cattleman magazine has an immediate opening for an ad coordinator and trade show assistant manager for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association in Fort Worth. The position provides a base salary commensurate with experience, plus commission. With a circulation of more than 17,000, The Cattleman is the leading business journal of the Southwest beef cattle industry and has published continuously since 1914. Staff members produce 12 monthly issues in a lively and highly interactive environment. Requirements include limited travel in Texas and Oklahoma, attendance at client auction sales and industry events, knowledge of Microsoft Office, and the ability to learn specialized client database software. Knowledge of the purebred and commercial cattle industry is preferable. Contact editor Ellen Brisendine, 1301 W. Seventh Street, Fort Worth 76102, ehbrisendine@texascattleraisers.org. ...
The YMCA of Arlington seeks a dynamic, talented, mission-driven professional to head its marketing and communications department. A bachelor's degree in journalism, marketing or communications and a minimum of two years experience are required, with skills in budgeting, volunteer leadership, photography, word processing, database management, desktop publishing and electronic photo editing preferred. Salary $37,868-$45,459, plus benefits including 12 percent paid retirement. Send résumé with cover letter and four professional references by Sept. 7 to jenniferk@ymca-arlington.org. ...
A photographer/author seeks a marketing/PR pro to assist in publicity for a PDF/online book. "Do It Right the First Time, Stay Out of Photoshop" will explain how to avoid countless hours in Photoshop by learning photography the right way. The book will be sold on the internet via photography-related sites. Compensation negotiable; position available at end of year 2007 with promotion/sales beginning in early 2008. E- Terry Wier at twier@airmail.net. ...
Brunet-Garcia Advertising in Jacksonville, Fla., is exploring a partnership with a Texas PR and media relations freelancer familiar with bilingual (Hispanic), bicultural/arts programs. Work with state agencies would also be helpful. Contact Stephanie McLain Barker, APR, 904-346-1977, stephaniemcb@brunetgarcia.com. ...
A start-up research consulting group seeks assistance in getting its name in the trade journals. The company analyzes markets for potential real estate developers, operators and financers who are considering new projects or acquiring existing ones. It initially specialized in medical research but has expanded into retail, assisted living and banking. Send a brief summary of experience and how best to initiate the process to mark@phoebosgroup.com.
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NEW MEMBERS
PRSA ... Clint Bond, Fort Worth ISD ... Stacey Mensik, JPS Health Network ... Ana Montanez, Fort Worth International Center ... Genevieve Pierce, Jaaron Bryant PR ... John Smith, Lockheed Martin ... Niccole Willey, JPS Health Network
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PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Marc Flake, Greater Fort Worth PRSA
As noted in my July column, the chapter is initiating its sensei plan -- a sort of mentor-lite program -- to match members of our Masters SIG with young professionals in the Nu Pros group. Donna Darovich is rounding up members of the former, while Linda Jacobson is taking names for the latter. Donna and Linda chair those groups, respectively.
If you need reminding, "sensei" is a Japanese title for teachers, professionals, politicians, clergy and other authority figures. It is also used to show respect to someone who has achieved a level of mastery in an art form or some other skill. A "kohai" is considered a junior learner.
Our senseis will get with the kohais about 15 minutes prior to the September meeting and socialize during the luncheon until I interrupt everyone's conversation to introduce the program. I hope the pairings will continue, primarily at our chapter meetings.
September is PRSA Ethics Month, and the meeting should be a real barn-burner. Two TCU professors, both communications experts, will discuss how to tell whether someone is being truthful. The program is part of a chapter-wide effort to increase awareness of ethics issues as they apply to our daily jobs.
Ethics chair Paige Hendricks says the issue is important in public relations because we can't always assume that the information we are asked to disseminate to news media by our organizations or clients is true. This topic has wide applicability across all professions, so consider inviting a guest.
The program is part of a broader effort to bring ethics front and center for our membership. Paige and co-chair Lauren Kwedar have developed activities over the next five months to highlight the importance of the issue. They plan on e-mailing an "Ethics Moment" each month to members asking for their answers on how to handle ethically related case studies. Answers will be compiled and reported two months after each scenario is presented.
I look forward to seeing all of you -- especially the senseis and kohais -- Sept. 12.
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PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
Betsy Boyett, IABC Fort Worth
The board met in August for a half-day strategic planning, and you're going to love the ideas that emerged -- an online membership directory, after-hours networking events, joint activities with Dallas IABC and an accreditation study group, to name a few. We are excited about this direction, which will draw us closer to other organizations and utilize the great network of communicators that is at our fingertips.
Back in the buffet line, lunch at the Petroleum Club is going up, the third increase in a couple of years. We absorbed the past two but cannot this time. Beginning with the September meeting, lunch costs $25 for members and $30 for guests or members without a reservation. We still believe that these figures are low and should not hurt your budget. Keep in mind the need for a reservation. Also, if you make a reservation and cannot attend, you owe for the meal if you do not cancel in a timely manner.
September is IABC Worldwide Membership Month. For anyone who joins or renews membership, the $40 application fee is waived. If you were thinking about joining, September is definitely the month do to it. In addition, IABC is providing free web access during September. Sign up at iabc.com/login/trial.cfm.
IABC Fort Worth is on a roll, and I'm pleased that you're a part of it!
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OVER & OUT
John Dycus, Fort Worth SPJ
Welcome to the new fiscal year at Fort Worth SPJ. We open with Mike Cochran and Clayton Williams, follow that with programs on covering the Barnett Shale phenomenon and religion, then the barbecue and gift drawing benefit Dec. 5 at Coors. And that's just through Christmas! Come see us. You'll miss something if you don't. ...
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted 10-9 to approve the Toxic Right-to-Know Protection Act (S. 595). The act would reverse a December 2006 EPA rule change to the toxics release inventory that significantly reduced toxic release reporting requirements for polluting facilities. In June, SPJ was one of 200 organizations to sign a letter in support of the bill. ...
Aging Today editor Paul Kleyman has released "The Journalists Exchange on Aging Survey on Style" and "Words to Age By: A Brief Glossary and Tips on Usage." Tha material is based on a survey of almost 100 journalists who cover issues related to aging. More here.
Closing words: "They [war supporters] keep on doing this. They keep on hitting it and hitting it and hitting it, and it's always more and more implausible, strange and in a fantasy world. They're desperately groping for a historical analogy, and their uses of history are really perverse." -- MIT professor John Dower, in another attempt to distance himself from President Bush and other conservatives who misuse, in Dower's opinion, a quote from him to argue that critics of the administration's Iraq policy echo those who questioned the U.S. effort to bring democracy to Japan after World War II