52 Comms Mixup video 13: Elissa Freeman and Carlene Siopis
How would you like to be in charge of PR for one of the world's most prestigious international sporting events? Elissa and Carlene are up for the challenge. (Image credit: canadiantourism.blogspot.com)
Have you ever been to Toronto? What was your favorite thing you saw? For Maggie and I, it was a tie between the St. Lawrence Market and the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame. But then again, we were just there for a wedding and didn’t really have a great Toronto tour guide. People who really know the city and are super passionate about it. People like Elissa and Carlene.
They met while working together to benefit a nonprofit supporting heart disease patients/research (see their answer to the cause question). And now they’re heading up PR efforts for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games in Toronto. It’s an awesome task (double entendre intended), but these two are up for it. And you’ll hear how they’re setting up PR for this type of international event, what role social media is playing and their favorite Toronto sights and sounds. Check it out and make sure to follow Elissa, Carlene and check out Toronto2015.org.
Questions
- You both are working and prepping for The Pan Am Games in 2015. What all goes into planning an international event like that? Setting up a PR department for such an event?
- We had an interesting conversation on #pr20chat last night about listening and how companies do or don’t engage. Elissa, you made the comment “Seems to me SM is going the way of PR - controlled communications vs uncontrolled spontaneity.” Can you give an example or share what you meant by that? How are you all integrating social media into your Pan Am plans?
- My wife and I visited Toronto recently for a friend’s wedding. We went to the St. Lawrence Market and the NHL Hall of Fame. What is the best thing to do in Toronto that no one’s ever heard of? Or that everyone’s heard of but it’s still awesome?
- The last question is always reserved for you to tell us about a cause you care a lot about. What’s your passion?
Who am I?
I'm a business communications consultant at Fleishman-Hillard. I used to call myself a PR professional, but I don't use that term anymore because people hear PR and they think only media relations.We do a lot more than that at Fleishman-Hillard Kansas City (FHKC). I specialize in social media, but am trying hard to brush up on my measurement and analytics. Every strategic consulting conversation should start with your business goals and how communications can help you reach them. My motto: "Your brand is what your customers say it is." 
