As Canada Day approaches, I wanted to take a moment to put the spotlight on our offices up north and wish them a relaxing and fun-filled holiday. This has been a very busy year so far. FH Canada has had some exciting new business wins and has worked across international borders to add staff to both the Toronto and Ottawa offices, with more recruitment expected later this year.

As Canada celebrates its unification into a single country on this national holiday, we at FH are pleased to recognize milestones in FH Canada’s history — also a joining of sorts. Canada has been an integral part of Fleishman-Hillard since the Toronto office opened in 1994. In 2000, we welcomed High Road Communications to the fold, and in 2001, GPC Public Affairs and iStudio joined the FH network. We now operate under three banners in Canada: Fleishman-Hillard Canada, High Road Communications and iStudio. We have offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver and Montreal, and they all support clients around the globe.

Check out some of the recent successes from our dedicated Canadian counterparts. (Once you take a look at the list, you’ll see that Canada Day will be a well-deserved break.) Also, be sure to keep tabs on our careers section to see the latest position openings in Canada.

Mary

July 1st, 2009 | Comment on this.

As the mother of a 2-year-old, I feel I’ve turned into a bit of an Emily Post. “What’s the magic word?” “Say thank you. ” “We ask; we don’t demand.” This daily focus on manners has gotten me thinking about etiquette in the workplace. By some accounts, all definitions of business etiquette have gone out the window. (There’s apparently no need to write thank-you notes, and the rules regarding who pays for business lunches have changed!)

But what if we remake the notion of “etiquette” into the more relevant idea of a “personal brand” in the workplace? At the end of the day, what would you like your professional actions and interactions to say about your own brand? People primarily find new jobs through referrals or by networking, and these methods work only if others feel comfortable extending or “risking” their own brand by recommending you.

What makes up a personal brand? Of course, it includes your experience, talent, and skills. It’s the way you present yourself and the attitude you have toward the work you do, your clients, and your colleagues. Your major successes and accomplishments build your reputation, as do all of your daily actions and interactions. The big home runs (great coverage for a client or bringing in new business) are the building blocks for your brand. But I’d also argue that the small things are just as important. The beautifully crafted e-mail to an internal audience conveys that you cross your t’s. Offering help to a colleague shows you can think beyond your own world. Immediately returning a voicemail conveys responsiveness. Dressing in an appropriate manner indicates that you’re ready to meet with a client on a moment’s notice. By carefully managing your brand, you’re also creating equity.

Although we’re talking about establishing a brand in the workplace, you also have to keep in mind that activities outside of work can influence your brand. What you do on your own time is your business, and I certainly wouldn’t quiz you about your personal life in an interview situation. Brian recently blogged about managing your online brand, and I agree with him wholeheartedly. As our world becomes more and more digital, posting something online — a photo or comment or anything else — can be equivalent to broadcasting it to your entire office.

At the end of the day, think about the small things, while continuing to work on your larger goals. Strive to embody the image you want to project. But please remember, I’m asking, not demanding.

Karen

May 26th, 2009 | Comment on this.

With global unemployment rates at their highest levels in decades, I thought this might be an appropriate time to revisit the topic of resumes. I am frequently asked for advice on how to improve a resume. Without a doubt, the most common question I receive is: Should I limit my resume to one page?

I understand why job seekers eagerly pose this question. Ask any recruiter, human resources professional, or hiring manager, and you’ll likely get different answers from each. In fact, Karen wrote a post last year discussing her thoughts on resumes for entry-level job seekers. She follows the rule of thumb that resumes should be kept to one page until you reach about five years of experience, at which point the resume can expand.

I think the answer to this age-old question depends. Variables such as the candidate’s breadth of experience, their level ( entry level or more senior?), and the employer’s application requirements should dictate how much detail should be included. Now, would I ever recommend a junior-level candidate send out a resume that is five pages in length? No. However, I do think there are some “entry-level” candidates who can break the one-page rule. Many college students complete a number of internships before landing their first “real job,” and if that is relevant experience, it should be included. Everything on a resume should add value, and candidates should be wary of repetition. If a candidate follows that rule, the meaningful content will dictate the appropriate length of the resume. It’s a judgment call, but if an applicant has done research on a potential employer and examined the job description, it should be pretty evident what information is vital to include.

Here is a great post from the Fistful of Talent blog that discusses the topic of one-page resumes and offers the opinions of a number of talented human resources professionals. Below, I have included a short video that the Fistful of Talent blog contributors put together on this topic. Enjoy!

Andrea

FOTv - Show #3 - The One Page Resume… from Fistful of Talent on Vimeo.

May 18th, 2009 | Comment on this.

Is your mobile device within reach? Are you talking, texting, chatting, e-mailing, or tweeting right now? Do you always keep your phone close, checking it multiple times throughout the day?

You aren’t alone. Approximately 91 percent of mobile phone users keep their device within a one-meter reach 24×7, according to research recently conducted by MobileBehavior, an Omnicom mobile agency managed by FH.

I believe it. I’m writing this post at noon, and — let’s see — I woke up to the alarm on my phone, checked my messages, found directions, started a grocery list, sent a Facebook status update, and got a muffin recipe via IM from my mom.

If that’s not enough to make you think, consider this fact: 4 billion cell phones are in use around the world. That’s equal to 50 percent of the world’s population! Compare that to the 300 million broadband connections or the one percent of the population with a computer.

This rings true for me, too. I recently moved to a new apartment and put off calling the cable company for an Internet connection. After a few weeks, I realized I could do everything I wanted on my phone. I don’t even need a broadband connection in my house, so I decided to save myself the money.

You get the picture. As new mobile applications are developed, our interaction with our cell phones and mobile devices will only increase. Fleishman-Hillard and MobileBehavior are in the midst of this changing landscape, helping brands understand consumer mobile behavior and working with companies to incorporate mobile communications into their overall marketing and media mix. MobileBehavior even has a comprehensive global insights lab, Next Great Thing, focusing on youth culture, mobile technology, and marketing trends.

Keep your eyes and ears on the MobileBehavior group as they continue to work on the cutting edge of mobile technology. In the meantime, I think I hear my phone.

TTYL

Mary

May 11th, 2009 | Comment on this.

I recently came across the blog of an entry-level PR person who had posted an obscenity-laced note about how awful her most recent internship had been, and, conversely, how great she was.

Wow.

It’s certainly no secret that public relations, advertising, and other digital firms are leveraging Web 2.0/social media (blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn) to identify and recruit talent. In fact, we at Fleishman-Hillard often specifically seek out candidates who have strong social media knowledge and skills.

Just as our PR counselors would advise a client to think about their online presence, I’d say the same holds true for job seekers out there: Be sure to build and manage a positive online brand. Anything you publish on the Internet can and will influence a potential employer’s opinion of you, and you want to make sure that opinion is positive.

As a rule of thumb, I don’t blog or tweet anything I would be embarrassed to show my family or friends. That may seem cautious, but companies have been conducting reference checks for decades. Online search has made this as easy as a mouse click, and the burgeoning social media landscape means that anyone and everyone can access additional information on candidates.

Competition is stiff for positions at agencies during good economic times, let alone in this current climate. Don’t let a misguided blog entry or tweet be the determining factor for you during the interview process. Frustrated about work or a colleague? Blow off steam in some other way, and always think before you hit “enter” or “post.”

Brian

May 7th, 2009 | Comment on this.

April has always been one of my favorite months. Flowers start to bloom, trees begin to bud, and I can start packing away those tired winter staples like gloves, hats, and boots. Since joining Fleishman-Hillard, I’ve added another reason to like April: It’s one of two times each year that we recognize the hard work and achievements of so many people with promotions at the firm. Of course, I am thrilled to see colleagues across the network receive recognition for their accomplishments, but as a recruiter, I’m always particularly proud and excited when people I have recruited and helped hire for the firm receive promotions. I get to spend a day or so feeling a bit like a proud, puffed-up mother hen, and I consider this a true perk of the job. Kudos to everyone at FH for proving that personal success is measurable and attainable.

Karen

April 28th, 2009 | Comment on this.

We can all agree that knowledge is power, but these days we also run the risk of information overload. With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of my favorite books, blogs and resources that you can begin using today! Whether you’re currently seeking a PR job, or just want to grow your PR career, I hope you’ll find these resources valuable.

PR/ADVERTISING BLOGS
Following is a partial list of the blogs I monitor every day to keep tabs on the PR industry:
AdFreak
DigitalNext
PRWeek’s blogs (The Cycle, The Editors’ Blog, In Brief Blog, Page View, etc.)
Next Great Thing
New York Times’ Media & Advertising bloggers, columnists

TWITTER
I started using Twitter heavily a few months ago; this is where I find most of my breaking PR and business news. Recently I found a Twitter “aggregator” called TweetDeck. It compiles “tweets” in vertical categories based on keywords, allowing me to quickly skim them for important news or requests. For example, some of my search terms include Omnicom and Fleishman so that I can quickly hone in on tweets that are relevant to FH and our parent company.

PRODUCTIVITY/BUSINESS

Getting Things Done, by David Allen
I read “GTD” a few years ago and have been implementing this task management system (via Gmail) ever since.

The 4-Hour Workweek, by Tim Ferriss
“4HWW” is one of the best productivity books I’ve read in recent memory. After listening to it on the treadmill, I had to go out and buy the hardcover because I needed to highlight dozens of action items and tactics!

Career Warfare, by David D’Alessandro
This is a fantastic book about a communications professional who rose to the top of a large company. It contains many anecdotes, lessons learned, and strategies for “building your brand” at work.

JOB SEARCH

What Color is Your Parachute, by Dick Bolles
I would not be where I am today without this book. I first picked it up in 1998 and it just seems to get better with age. The author provides very action-oriented steps you need to take during a job search and also discusses the myths and realities of finding a job.

O’Dwyer’s Directory of PR Firms
This is the ultimate directory for PR job seekers whether you’re looking in New York City or Wichita.

I hope you find these as helpful as I have, and I welcome your suggestions for additions to this list.

Brian

April 13th, 2009 | Comment on this.

I wanted to quickly post about the exciting nationwide Web training session we hosted recently for our U.S. staff — “Time Management Techniques.” We had close to 120 staff members participate from around the country, and I thought it was a fantastic session.

We had a lively crowd on the line with some tough questions about how to prioritize work, techniques for smart delegation, and how to balance shifting workloads. It was one of those trainings where I left the room, went back to my desk, and was inspired to start taking action immediately. I even shut down my e-mail for 30 minutes today (gasp!) so I could fully focus on a project for one of our NYC affiliates. Because I allowed myself to focus, I was able to send the information before 5:00 pm.

I’m feeling inspired! Who knows, maybe someday I’ll actually use some of those Outlook rules and get my e-mail inbox to under 100 messages.

Mary

April 10th, 2009 | Comment on this.

Anyone who has a Facebook account should be no stranger to the “25 Things” message that has been circulating around the site lately. The premise is simple: Divulge 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about yourself, and then tag 25 friends about whom you are interested in learning 25 little-known tidbits.

I have to admit that when I was tagged by a friend in her “25 Things” post, I, after laughing as I read through her “25 Things,” decided it would be a monumental waste of time to complete the exercise for myself. However, after thinking about it more, I decided that “25 Things” offered an excellent platform for me to share 25 completely random FH facts with the rest of the world.

So, here goes….

1. We were recently named 2008 Asia Pacific Network of the Year by Asia Pacific PR Awards.
2. Fleishman-Hillard’s Corporate Philosophy is made up of 10 core principles.
3. We are headquartered in St. Louis, MO.
4. Our International Advisory Board is made up of thought leaders including David Byrne, General Barry McCaffrey, and Newt Gingrich.
5. Dave Senay, our CEO, regularly interacts with all employees through his in-house blog.
6. Fleishman-Hillard is a part of Omnicom Group, Inc.
7. Paul Wilmot Communications, a firm known for its work in the fashion, lifestyle, accessories, and beauty industries, is the newest addition to the Fleishman-Hillard family of companies.
8. Our Healthcare practice boasts a global team of more than 300 communications professionals.
9. Fleishman-Hillard has employees in 11 different time zones.
10. Eighty-five percent of the firm’s clients are supported by more than one Fleishman-Hillard office.
11. Our Technology practice’s account teams are based in more than two dozen offices around the world, including St. Louis, San Francisco, New York, Raleigh, London, Paris, Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Shanghai.
12. Early morning yoga classes are offered at a discounted price in our headquarters.
13. The newest FH practice group is FH Moms, a global practice group focused on marketing to the consumer segment responsible for 85 percent of all household purchasing decisions: mothers.
14. With counselors fluent in more than 20 languages, including Arabic, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese, Urdu, and Hindi, Fleishman-Hillard’s Multicultural practice group serves a variety of clients and organizations throughout the world.
15. The Youth Marketing practice group has always been on the leading edge of innovation. We are the only major agency that has been in this space from the beginning, coordinating more than 500 wireless campaigns since 2003 with a global client base.
16. FH was named the 2008 Best Large Agency to Work For by The Holmes Report.
17. Our Food and Agribusiness practice is the largest of its kind in the United States.
18. We were the first major international communications firm to develop a practice group that focuses on outreach to gay and lesbian audiences. The practice group is called Out Front and writes regularly on its blog.
19. We won nine PRSA Silver Anvil Awards in 2008.
20. Fleishman-Hillard’s Sports Marketing and Creative Services groups recently collaborated to design a new jersey for the St. Louis Blues hockey team. The jersey showcases a hallmark of St. Louis, The Gateway Arch.
21. Fleishman-Hillard was founded by Bob Hillard and Al Fleishman in 1946.
22. We have a corporate band, Pro Bono & the Non Billables, who raise money for St. Louis area charities by participating in competitions a couple of times each year.
23. The Washington, D.C., office organizes an annual softball tournament.
24. The use of social media and blogging is encouraged at Fleishman-Hillard. Our employees are savvy bloggers and users of Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
25. Our headquarters office, in the heart of downtown St. Louis, boasts a fantastic view of three St. Louis landmarks: The Gateway Arch, the mighty Mississippi River, and Busch Stadium (home of the 2006 World Series Champions St. Louis Cardinals!)

Andrea

April 7th, 2009 | Comment on this.

I’ve been watching that new show Trust Me about two guys working in an ad agency. I find it interesting because although PR and advertising aren’t the same, there are many parallels (and I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for Tom Cavanaugh after both Ed and Love Monkey).

In a recent episode, there was an exchange between the super-scary CEO and Mason (Eric McCormack) regarding the importance to the agency of winning awards. The CEO implies that Mason’s success at the agency hinges on his group’s ability to win awards. Mason panics and tells the CEO about the new award-winning writer they have on staff.

This scene got me thinking. FH wins lots of awards — just step into our headquarters and you’ll see an impressive lineup of gold, silver, and bronze. But no one talks about winning awards. Yes, I’ll see reminders that entries are due soon for Silver Anvils, and kudos always go out when we do win hardware. From day to day, however, the emphasis is on the client work and the results of that work.

Don’t get me wrong — awards are great and prestigious, but my colleagues at FH don’t spend much time chasing honors. Instead they focus on their work, their clients, and their teams. Maybe we’re just bashful, or maybe we just understand the priority.

Karen

March 10th, 2009 | 1 Comment