Elisa Milbourn

Elisa Milbourn, Public Relations, Marketing and Communications Coordinator at the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau


By: Jenna Taylor



Photo taken from http://www.okccvb.org.

The Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau (OKC CVB), which is located in downtown Oklahoma City, is a division of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. According to the website, the purpose of OKC CVB is to promote Oklahoma City to visitors and enhance the city’s name and image. The Bureau also is in charge of planning and servicing conventions and other group related occasions. Elisa Milbourn has been working for the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau for over two years.


Milbourn graduated with a major in public relations from Oklahoma State University. Before pursuing her job OKC CVB, Elisa worked as a student assistant in the Athletic Media Relations Department at Oklahoma State University during her senior year of college. She then moved back to Oklahoma City after she graduated from OSU in May of 2007. After moving back, she started to search for jobs in order to begin her career. She found that it was very difficult to find a job.

Unable to find anything that was a good fit, Milbourn took a secretarial position at Hefner Middle School while she continued to research and interview for jobs. She left Hefner Middle School in 2008 and accepted her current position at the Bureau. Milbourn stated that most of her job opportunities were brought to her because of connections she had through friends and family. For example, she got hired for her current job with the help of her friend that was the PR director for the Oklahoma City Chamber at the time. She also got hired for the Hefner Middle School secretarial position because her mother worked as a teacher there.


Milbourn plays an important part of every aspect of the company. As the marketing and communications coordinator for the OKC CVB, her main job requirements include fulfilling media requests and setting up visits for the media. She also helps the Bureau’s advertising agency, Ackerman McQueen, with placing advertisements in various publications. Mostly all marketing or print materials that come out of the Bureau usually go through her before they are sent out to the public. She is in charge of the “Welcome to Oklahoma City” banners and buttons for various events that are happening around the city. She has also taken over all of the CVB promotional items such as bags, t-shirts and coffee mugs that are handed out around the city. Milbourn is currently working on updating the annual “Visitors Guide to Oklahoma City”, which is a big task toward the end of each calendar year.

When asked about what advice she would give to future PR professionals, Milbourn said, “People that want to come out of college and become a PR professional need to first network as much as possible, and second, have a passion for what they are doing.” Elisa said she loves working for the Bureau because of the people she works with and the great hours that she gets to work.

Michaela Webb: Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator

"Michaela Webb: Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator"

By: Cathleen Shelby

(Image taken from the Facebook page of the Academy of Ballet and Theatre Arts)

Recent graduate Michaela Webb never thought that she would be able to combine two of her greatest passions in life: the arts and public relations. Webb had to work hard to achieve her dreams. But with a lot of dedication and enthusiasm, Webb got her dream job.

Webb graduated from the Gaylord College at the University of Oklahoma in 2008 with a degree in public relations. She has now been in the work force for about two years.

Webb reports that she did not have a lot of professional work experience before graduating. Webb worked as an intern at Starr Tincup, and as an ‘Outside Sales Associate’ at CBeyond.

Currently, Webb now is a ‘Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator’ for the Academy of Ballet and Theatre Arts. Webb began working there in September 2009, and has loved it ever since.

When asked what some of the most important skills are for public relations professionals, Webb responds “writing, writing, writing!” She also states that it is important to be able to make connections with people you didn’t know previously, to self motivate, to have good time-management skills, and to know how to use social media.

The best advice Webb has for future public relations practitioners is to intern as much as they can before graduation and practice their writing skills.

Webb claims that she has learned a lot since graduating from the University of Oklahoma. “The fast moving world of public relations ensures that I will never be bored!” Webb said.

Kirstin Farris, Marketing Director of Excel Physical Therapy

Photo from collegesforphysicaltherapy.com

Kirstin Farris, Marketing Director of Excel Physical Therapy

By Kylie Schneider

Kirstin Farris is the Marketing Director for Excel Physical Therapy in Tulsa, Oklahoma and surrounding areas. Excel Physical Therapy specializes in outpatient care. Therapists focus on pre and post operative areas such as spine, knee, shoulder, elbow, hand, foot, and ankle. As they state on their website, “Excel Therapists are trained and licensed to provide programs such as functional capacity evaluations and work conditioning for worker's compensation injuries.” (Information from Exceltherapyok.com)

Kirstin has been in the marketing and sales industry for about 15 years and has definitely found her niche. In college, Kirstin received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology and minored in gerontology. Her initial plans were to work in some sort of elderly social work but she changed her mind as she discovered new interests. She served as a Pharmaceutical Representative for eight years and prior to that worked briefly in radio and TV sales.

It is Kirstin’s job, as Marketing Director, to market Excel to physicians and workers compensation nurses and adjusters. She must target these audience members with the right information that will be relevant to their business and encourage them to refer patients to Excel as is typical in areas that use public relations. Excel participates in special events such as golf tournaments and conferences such as the Oklahoma Public Safety Conference to create better awareness of the organization and reach their target publics.

Kirstin believes not being afraid to ask the right questions is the most important part of a successful marketing or public relations career. “If you cannot ask the right questions,” said Kirstin. “You don’t know how to go about fixing a client’s potential problems.” As far as advice for those wanting to go into the field of marketing or public relations, Kirstin thinks it is most important to put yourself in front of people. As Kirstin says, “I interviewed as many people as I could who worked in the field to see if it was something I would even be interested in doing and I found out that it was.”

Shelly Hill, Sales and Marketing Manager at S.P. Richards

Shelly Hill, Sales and Marketing Manager at S.P. Richards

By: Laura Hill

Shelly Hill has won over 20 awards at S.P. Richards, which is a fully owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company. Just to name a few awards, Hill is now of one the top sales people in her division, has been in the President’s Club seven times, and was included in the 1^st Inaugural Sales Advisory Board.

Hill consults business owners on market conditions, and instructs her clients how to advertise and market their business against mega accounts, like Office Depot and Staples. She also creates sales campaigns and identifies sale opportunities. Hill said public relations is a large part of what she does.

“I use public relations in two ways. I have to build a good relationship between my company and my clients. I meet with top clients week-to-week to keep a strong relationship. I consult with them on their business. I show them all the resources we have to off them, so they do not go to the competitor,” Hill said.

She also helps her clients build strong relationship with their clients.

“It is important for my client to have good public relations with their customers. It keeps their name in the forefront of their minds,” Hill said. “Public relations builds trust, loyalty and relationships, which increases sales.”

Hill often uses Constant Contact to design newsletters and Websites. She says this a tool that helps her and her clients contact their customers. She designed a Website for Wilson Office Supply, one of her customers, to help them build public relations.

Ironically, Hill started out at Office Depot. She went from Office Depot to an office position at S.P. Richards. She worked in the office for eight years in the customer service department.

“It was difficult to get an outside sales position. You pretty much had to wait for someone to die,” Hill joked. “A gentleman was going to retire, so I asked for that position.”

Hill said it was an easy transition. She had built many relationships with her soon-to-be clients over the phone in customer service. She said she felt like she had an advantage.

“I did a terrible job at first. I was so overwhelmed, but after six months I became one of the top sales people in the company,” Hill said.

Currently, Hill has 49 clients, and her market is worth $18 million.

Jennifer Haveman

Photo taken from andersonhansonhlanton.com

Jennifer Haveman, Account Executive at Anderson Hanson Blanton

By: Christy French

Anderson Hanson Blanton is an advertising, marketing and public relations agency in Dallas, Texas. They take a no-nonsense approach to ensure they meet their clients’ needs and work within their desired budgets. Their core philosophy is to appeal to their clients’ target publics by making their clients’ products emotionally appealing.

Jennifer Haveman has an undergraduate degree in English Literature. The majority of her experience in PR and marketing was learned on the job. She expressed she has had some great mentors along the way, as well as some mentors who pushed her to her full potential.

Looking back, Haveman says she has been involved in the PR /Marketing industry since the 8^th grade. She was on the yearbook staff in Junior High, the newspaper staff in high school and then was in news radio during college. She took a small detour in the nonprofit world working with at risk youth before stepping back into the advertising arena. “I learned a lot about marketing and PR working for a nonprofit,” says Haveman. “There was never a budget for PR so I learned quickly how to gather the facts, tell the story and then sell the story in order to raise money to reach the people in need.” Haveman says it was just a natural progression that she came to work for an Anderson Hanson Blanton in 2007.

Haveman says the most challenging part about working in this industry is unearthing the needs of their clients. Most clients have an agenda when they meet with her. “It is important to take the time to talk to them and find out the story they don’t see,” says Haveman. “Then the company can help them develop this story to build a strong message for their target audience.”

“For new PR professionals, first, they need to be professional, and show a smile and good attitude,” says Haveman. “Second, be a self-starter and take the extra effort no matter what you are asked to do. Research your clients, competitors, relevant industries and media trends.”

Supporting the Community through Public Relations

When public relations professionals can still thought of as “spin doctors,” “cherry pickers” and “sensationalists,” Lerii Smith, president and co-founder of Project Partners Inc., serves a beacon, championing community causes through marketing, fundraising, event management, program development and volunteer engagement.

Smith, a Texas Tech graduate, co-founded Project Partners, Inc. 16 years ago because she saw the need for a business that would work to advance community causes. As a former employee of the American Heart Association, the Texas Cooperative Extension Program and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Smith brought ten years of experience with nonprofit organizations, event management and public relations to the new company. Project Partners Inc. now has over 50 clients, seven employees and has been named the Fort Worth Chamber’s Small Business of the Year.



Smith said that the most valuable skills for working with businesses and nonprofit organizations are writing and attention to detail, however she also said that you must have a love for what you do.

“The best part of our job is the people we get to work with–nonprofit executives and community leaders…these folks are focused on promoting good.”

When asked what project she was most proud of, Smith replied, “Well, we are pretty darn proud of everything.”

She said, however, that she was particularly proud of her work with the North Texas Clean Air Coalition, a client for over ten years.

“We helped them move from an initiative to a 501 (c) (3), which is a really big shift,” Smith said.

Throughout her years as a professional, Smith has seen a lot of resumes and admits that it is the attention to detail that “sets the really good professionals apart from the not so good.”

She also said that social media is doing the next generations of college graduates a disservice as many people have forgotten, or never learned, how to communicate professionally. She remarked on the importance of a “personal touch,” in professional communication in the form of a phone call or in-office follow-up visit.

Smith acknowledges that the job marked is tough and encourages students to not expect to get their dream job right out of college.

“You must be willing to accept a job within the industry you are most interested in and then work your way up,” Smith said. “Take whatever job and show your worth, then move into the roles you really want to play.”

Smith has definitely proved her own worth as the president of a successful small business owner, who spends her office hours helping others through a job she loves.


Image: Lerii Smith (center) recieving recognition after bring nominated for the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award for 2010. Source: http://www.yourprojectpartners.com/

AT&T and Public Relations

AT&T and Public Relations by Katie Whittern

“Have a passion to work and be the best you can be."

Patsy Weiser lives by this quote day in and day out. Weiser is the Area Marketing and Public Relations Manager for AT&T Yellow Pages. She works with all of the AT&T offices in the Oklahoma and Kansas areas. Weiser has been with the company for more than 14 years. Before becoming an Area Marketing and PR Manager, Weiser was an executive secretary for AT&T and also spent some time being a Rental Car Sales Agent.

Weiser received her Bachelors in Human Resource Management. She later went on to receive her Masters in Management Information Systems.

Weiser believes anyone entering the PR industry should first have an understanding of his or her employer and the community in which he or she will work. Understanding your company’s mission and the publics it serves are very important she said.

She believes attending local events that help with networking for your company is necessary as well as involvement in the local Chamber of Commerce. One must possess the ability to communicate effectively, especially with other businesses within his or her community she said.

Weiser believes that being able to take constructive criticism and advice from people is also important. “More heads are always better than one,” said Weiser.

Graduates entering the industry need to be comfortable and believe in teamwork.

“Teamwork is a big part of most jobs,” she said.

When asked what advice she would give to recent and future college grads; Weiser had plenty advice to share. She said to always have a positive attitude and stay away from negative people.

“Have the mindset that you will do whatever it takes to get the job done,” said Weiser.

She believes you should always stay true to who you are and represent yourself in a professional manner at all times. “When you are out in public or off the job, remember who you work for. You will be setting an example for your company as well as for yourself,” said Weiser.

Photo from yp.com

Rick Buchanan, Oklahoma Legend

By: Angenene Kendrick

While attending the Oklahoma Republican Party Candidate School last year, I had the pleasure of meeting a practicing professional who has served in media relations from small town projects all the way to the governor’s office.

Rick Buchanan spent part of the afternoon explaining the difference between earned media (public relations) and paid media (advertising) attention. Although most of it was review to me, I sat with a group of students who were learning it for the first time.

Rick served as Governor Frank Keating’s press secretary from 1995 to 2001. Keating was very generous in his verbal style when he offered remarks about almost everything. He kept Buchanan very busy at times. When asked about the experience, Rick commented, “Gotta love Frank!”

Rick has worked in broadcast marketing at KWTV and is now with the Oklahoma County Commissioner’s office. Although he didn’t admit it to me, I understand that he does some ghost writing for a few organizations. I’m not going to reveal that source.

Because of his experience in Oklahoma politics, I asked him to explain how they work. He said, “You're dealing with egos and personalities and power. Power always gets in the way. It's a great study, however.”

Rick is an awesome resource. When I am working on a project and am unsure to whom in the Oklahoma City media market I should be targeting, Rick is very helpful in showing me direction. He seems to be very well connected. I appreciate his efforts.

When I asked him about advice, he said, “Politics are everywhere. Learn how to play with the big kids, and you can politic anywhere.”

Rick is full of insight and encouragement. Most of the people whom I’ve spoken with about him and his illustrious career have shared very positive stories about him.

Rick lives in Edmond and enjoys photography, golf and spending time with his two daughters.