It’s one thing to “Like” a brand on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
It’s quite another to learn about who organizes those updates.
Name: Pilar Iglesias (@pilariglesias)
Position: Manager, Strategic Communications
Employer: Canadian Diabetes Association
Education: Anthropology, York University; Public Relations, Ryerson University
Favourite blog:
My favourite non-work related blog has to be Design Sponge. My secret obsession/hobby is design and furniture, so I’ve been visiting since its inception. I suppose it’s not so secret anymore… 😉
Favourite mobile app:
This one’s easy – Shazam. I use it constantly and thankfully was able to chuck my “Songs to buy” notepad document.
Professional role model:
This one is also easy-Gini Dietrich. I met Gini on Twitter a few years back and have been in awe ever since. Not only is she a social media maven, she’s the founder and chief executive officer of Arment Dietrich, Inc.—a Chicago-based PR firm, the author of a work-related blog I follow religiously, Spin Sucks (the 2010 and 2011 Readers Choice Blog of the Year), and she’s the co-author of the book Marketing in the Round: Multichannel Approaches in the Post-Social Media Era.
Wait, I’m not finished.
She also writes for Crain’s Chicago Business, AllBusiness, and Franchise Times, and participates in workshops, is a keynote speaker, one of the hosts of the podcast, Inside PR….and these are just some of the things she does.
All of this is in addition to being witty, lovely, helpful and just a complete pleasure. I don’t talk to her as much as I probably would like, but she is definitely a role model. Oh, and one more thing, she can cook! Honestly, when does she have the time?
Most memorable on the job experience at Canadian Diabetes Association:
I was writing an article for our health and wellness magazine, and interviewed a woman who received a pancreas-kidney transplant after suffering many diabetes-related complications. Her appreciation for life was so incredibly inspiring to me but, at the same time, frightening as well since I have type 1 diabetes myself. It made me think of my own journey with the disease and how I manage it, and what it means if I don’t manage it to the best of my ability. It’s a conversation and feeling I won’t forget.
Describe your favourite part of your job in 140 characters or less:
My team and fellow PR/Comms leads that I work with everyday—love being surrounded with like-minded individuals that just get it.
If you planned a fun, yet educational event for your colleagues with an unlimited budget, what would it entail?
I would take them to New York City for the weekend and attend the Mashable Media Summit— a one-day conference that brings together thought leaders and influencers from across the media landscape.
Biggest mistake a communications professional can make while representing an NGO?
Not using social media when it makes sense for your organization. It’s free. Use it, but use it right. You can’t ask for donations/volunteers without building the appropriate relationships beforehand. The analogy I’ve used in many meetings is you wouldn’t ask a stranger on the street for money, so you shouldn’t on the social web either.
Most useful industry-related tip you’ve learned during job training?
Build good relationships. Whether this is with journalists, clients, consultants, editors, publishers, corporate partners, producers, or even colleagues, building good relationships is so important.
What emerging trends have you observed within your industry?
Digital is coming first and I love it! Slowly but surely, we’ve seen the shift from the traditional to digital. Organizations, now more than ever, are embracing the digital landscape and it’s being integrated into planning and strategies. For public relations and communications professionals, this means that we need to meet the needs of our online influencers and audience. Business is being done differently and we have to acknowledge it, learn and adapt.
Recommendation(s) to anyone keen on pursuing a career in public relations:
Start a blog. In addition to having my own blog, I also write for many others. This will not only help you develop many skills you’ll need, but you’ll learn about the tools you’ll probably use and/or propose one day.