PR WEEK 

​

PR Week is an annual event held on Roger Williams Bristol campus that supports our view that the Public Relations profession is utilized in every field. RWU PRSSA invites a series of professionals to speak to both students and faculty about the need for public relations in every field and how each individual should have a basic understanding of public relations principles. Guest speakers are selected for their bright achievements and strong knowledge in the communications field. 

 

PR Week is a great chance for all students to hear from experienced individuals regarding their personal field of interest and build their network.

​

​

THIS YEAR'S PR WEEK WILL TAKE PLACE March 30-April 3, 2020! CHECK BACK FOR THE SCHEDULE!

​

​

 

A LOOK INTO SPEAKERS FROM PAST PR WEEKS...

 

2016 PR Week: 

​

Keynote Speaker: Aaron Salkin, The New England Patriots

​

Aaron Salkin is the Director of Media Relations for the New England Patriots. Salkin spent six seasons with the New York Giants (1993-98), six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons (1999-04) and four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers (2005-08) prior to joining New England.  Salkin has also been part of the Giants PR staff that received the coveted Pete Rozelle Award, which is presented annually by the Pro Football Writers of America to the NFL’s top PR staff. 

​

Michael Disalvo, Ogilvy Public Relations

Terri Ogan, Massachusetts General Hospital 

Elizabeth Monahan, CONE Communications

Ashley Erling, The Rhode Show

Dyana Koelsch, DK Communications

Blakeley Schmidt, Hyatt Regency Newport

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

2015 PR Week: 

Gregg Perry

President of The Perry Group, a full-service strategic communications firm that specializes in enhancing and protecting the reputations of organizations both large and small. Business partners have included those in construction, civil engineering, higher education, sports/entertainment, gaming/technology, law and more.

Lauren Amendola
Field Development Director for the Rhode Island and Connecticut area for Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks is a non-profit organization that aims to bring the autism community together as one strong voice. Lauren will be talking about working for a non-profit doing public relations as well as the psychology behind autism.

Cheryl Hackett
Communications and Media Relations Director for Northeast Collaborative Architects, Cheryl Hackett is experienced with messaging for preservation. Cheryl explains her background in architecture and historic preservation, and how she ties it all in with public relations.

Scott Fraser
Principal of the Fraser Communications Group, serving clients and providing communications, media relations and general public relations counsel. With a background in radio, Fraser spent more than a dozen years as a public address announcer for the Pawtucket Red Sox.

Jeffrey Shapiro
Corporate lawyer for UNFI, a U.S. distributor of natural, organic, specialty foods, Jeff Shapiro explains how to communicate with the public and consumers from a company perspective. Hear insight from someone experienced with practicing law on a day-to-day basis.

Melanie Coon
Public Relations Representative from Blue Cross Blue Shield, Melanie Coon is a dynamic and energetic speaker. She speaks to not only the communications of health care, but advises aspiring professionals on how to confidently enter their careers.

Jennifer Little
Owner of Jenn Little Media, a Newport business, Jenn works as a media consultant and represents the Preservation Society. With specialties in social media and digital marketing, Jenn explains the struggles and triumphs of starting her own company.

Artie Tefft
Assignment Editor of WJAR Channel 10, Artie Tefft, explains his role in the media and how television is constantly evolving. Find out how to pitch a story and what sort of content grabs an editor's attention.

Theresa Agonia
Deputy Chief of Staff for Providence Major Jorge Elorza, Theresa Agonia speaks to working with a new administration and bringing positive changes to the Renaissance City. 

Eddie Rayden

Almost 30 years of vast Fortune 500 experience, Eddie Rayden is a dynamic marketer. As Director of National Promotion, Rayden expanded Radio Disney to reach more than five million listeners and increase in $30 million annual revenue. Later, he joined the team at CRM, launching Xbox 360 and numerous Microsoft Studio Xbox games. Rayden has also handled accounts for Club Med, Virgin Records, Capitol Records and Planet Earth Entertainment.

Rob Ciampa
Award-winning, CMO and entrepreneur for Pixability, Rob Ciampa is a frequent speaker and writer on digital video strategy for brands and content producers. Learn how his company, Pixability, has become a fast-growing YouTube ad-buying and video marketing platform for media professionals.

Steve Zenofsky
Award-winning public relations professional, Steve Zenofsky has more than two decades of experience in the corporate, healthcare, education, and non-profit sectors. He has held various roles at FM Global in the past 17 years. He is currently the Assistant Vice President for Public Relations and Marketing to provide strategic leadership for the development and execution of corporate public relations and advertising objectives and strategies.