Eisbrenner Public Relations: The "Quan" of internships

“Jerry Maguire” is one of the best dramas I’ve ever seen. When I was younger, I would’ve classified the movie as a romantic comedy. I mean, who could forget the scene where he barges in on the divorced women’s meeting, completely vulnerable to the emotional instability of lonesome, angry women, swallowing his pride as he professes his love to Dorothy?

Ok, so maybe there’s still a part of me that gushes over the love story, but working at Eisbrenner Public Relations has altered my perspective of the film.

What’s even more memorable than the legendary quote “you complete me,” are quotes that relate to public relations. Some notable quotes that I think resonate into the realm of PR include:

“Help me help you”: It’s important to understand the client’s needs and goals before taking any action. Often, two executives in the same company have a goal in mind but different strategies for reaching it. In these situations, getting everyone on the same page and developing key messages is important for stronger brand recognition.

The “Quan”: According to Maguire’s only client, Rod Tidwell, “It means love, respect, community and the dollars, too. The package: The ‘Quan.” PR may be a business practice implemented to positively affect a company’s bottom line, but more than that, it’s about a company’s position in its community. Loving the community and making ethical decisions leads to trust and respect from clients and the public.

“Show me the money!”: Profit is always something companies have in mind. Due to the economic downturn, many companies don’t have as much money to spend on PR efforts. That’s why creativity is important in this business. If a company knows you can get the job done with limited funds or resources, it’s more likely to trust you with larger PR activities.

“Did you know the human head weighs eight pounds?”: Understanding your client’s industry and its jargon will positively impact your reputation as a reliable and knowledgeable PR practitioner. Lately, instead of watching “Jersey Shore” or immediately logging on to Facebook, I watch the local news or read the New York Times.

“The key to this business is personal relationships”: I’ve always known PR is about having relationships with the media and people who might have an impact on a client or the agency, but it wasn’t until I started working at Eisbrenner PR that I realized just how far professional relationships and courteous conduct can get someone.

Every time a PR professional interacts with someone that person should have a positive experience. They don’t have to be clients. It could be the waiter at a restaurant, someone applying for a position within the company or a stranger asking for directions. Maybe that restaurant needs a PR firm for an event and the waiter remembers your kindness, or that job candidate gets a position as a journalist for a local publication. Each encounter with another person is a chance to make a positive lasting impression.

“I just want to be inspired”: More than anything, I’ve learned that in order to be successful, passion is important. If my heart is empty, my brain doesn’t matter. Jerry Maguire found success because he had a passion for the sports industry.

Working at Eisbrenner PR has opened my eyes to the PR activities going on around me. I can’t say Eisbrenner PR completes me, but I can definitely say it’s the “Quan” of PR internships.

From LARPING to press releases: My first week as the new intern

I remember my interview at Eisbrenner Public Relations like it was yesterday. After talking to several team members, admitting I have a Harry Potter costume and being accused of being a live action role player (LARPER), I left thinking, “if I get this job, these people are just as quirky as I am.”

So, here I am and I was totally right about the quirkiness!

My name is Jamie Maynard and I’m the new intern at Eisbrenner PR. I’m from LeRoy, Mich., and for those of you who haven’t had the fortune of visiting this village, don’t worry, you’re not missing a lot. I grew up snowmobiling, fishing and riding dirt bikes, so working in Royal Oak, Mich. is quite the change for me. And, for the record, I’m not a LARPER. I only wore the Harry Potter costume once, maybe twice.

When I’m not defending my obsession with the fictional world, I’m focused on completing my Bachelor of Applied Arts in public relations and Spanish at Central Michigan University (CMU). If everything goes as planned, I’ll graduate in May.

Prior to my internship here, I worked on projects for CMU’s Office of International Affairs and wrote for The Morning Sun, a local newspaper in Mount Pleasant, Mich. In both positions, I gained experience writing stories and interviewing. Eisbrenner PR seems like the perfect place to take the next step in my career. Not only does everyone want to see me learn the basics, they also push me to get involved with any project that sparks my interest. I couldn’t think of a better place to grow!

In my free time, I enjoy traveling. If I could spend the rest of my life documenting my experiences in different countries, I would. I studied abroad in Puebla, Mexico last summer. After I completed my coursework, I couchsurfed through Mexico and met many interesting travelers from around the world. They challenged my views and allowed me to grow as an individual.

I hope that my internship will challenge me just as my trip to Mexico did. I’m looking forward to learning everything I can about public relations while I’m here. Who knows, maybe I’ll even learn to LARP!