SMARTY Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: $35

About this event:
Please join  SMARTY for a Master Event dedicated to pulling back the curtain on public relations. We have three of our very own experts on the subject including: Katie Jongeward and Ashley Forman of Rusty Bear Media and Yumiko Whitaker of Hummingbird PR.

Not only will these ladies help us navigate the world of PR, but they will help us frame the discussion we need to have as it relates to every single piece of marketing and how PR fits into our overall strategy. Here's a sample of what we'll cover...

• What exactly IS PR?
• How do you know when you are ready take on a PR partner?
• Can you afford it?
• How do you shop for a PR agency?
• What’s a fair rate to pay?
• How does it work in conjunction with your other marketing initiatives?
• What type of results should you expect?
  
  

About Ashley Forman of Rusty Bear Media
As Co-Founder of Rusty Bear Media, Ashley is involved in every aspect of the business from account and client relationships to day-to-day operations. Throughout her career she has worked at a variety of marketing, public relations and advertising agencies. She takes pride in her prompt customer service and strong ability to multi-task. She graduated from California State University Fullerton with a communications degree, emphasis in public relations. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband, family, working out at Pure Barre, playing tennis and running.

Katie Jongeward of Rusty Bear Media
As Co-Founder of Rusty Bear Media, Katie is involved in every part of the business, which includes day-to-day tasks, client relations, account management, and all things that relate to RBM. After many years working in the marketing world, she discovered her true passion in life; to see other businesses succeed and people reach their goals in their professional life. Her ability to relate and talk with all walks of life has enabled her to create relationships with clients that allows for a personal touch. Katie graduated form Arizona State University with a bachelors degree in communications In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, all things outdoors and traveling.

About Yumiko Whitaker of Hummingbird PR
Yumiko Whitaker established Hummingbird PR, a boutique Marketing and Public Relations firm in April 2012. She has spent the last 22 years helping retailers and service providers successfully improve their brand image and business performance, including nearly 10 years with global retailer, IKEA. There, she created and implemented numerous internal and external initiatives to position IKEA as the leading home furnishings retailer within its respective local markets. Her leadership training and mentoring efforts supported the organization’s aggressive growth from 8 to 38 U.S. locations within 5 years. She was also instrumental in the company’s entry into the markets in China and Japan, where she trained teams to successfully represent the global brand.

Externally, Yumiko’s leadership direction and public relations guidance with local Los Angeles and Orange County market stores, resulted in top employee and customer satisfaction performance, and earned the region recognition as the top producer of sales growth compared to other U.S. locations from 2008-2011. Yumiko served as IKEA’s Southern California spokesperson, and shaped the company’s image and perception via numerous print, broadcast and product placement activities. She created the company’s local community support program, and served as the competence center to other U.S. stores.

Prior to her service with IKEA, Yumiko applied her business acumen and public relations talent on behalf of organizations such as Gap, Inc., American Cancer Society, Nakatomi PR, California State Legislature and Ocean Park Community Center. See her full bio here.


SMARTY Members email Stephanie for the Member discount code.