FIRM OF THE ISSUE
Built by Hand: Red Brick Communications Weaves
History and Tradition Into Firm Culture
High School Outreach 101
The Summer Checklist
Everyone Should Follow
BY SARAH JOHNSON
PRSSA VICE PRESIDENT OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Although
Red
Brick
Communications at Waynesburg
University opened its doors
less than five years ago, this
Nationally Affiliated Student-run
Firm embodies a legacy dating
back to the mid-1800s. How did
it achieve such a rich history so
quickly? From its early stages of
formation in 2011, the firm integrated the unique traditions of its
university into every aspect of its
brand. In doing so, Red Brick created a brand voice that emulates
Waynesburg’s rich past while empowering and strengthening the
public relations professionals of
the future.
The firm name, Red Brick
Communications, is a nod to the
distinctive infrastructure that distinguishes the Waynesburg campus. In the construction of the
university’s first two buildings in
the 1800s, students used clay deposits from a nearby lake to form
more than 803,000 red bricks by
hand. It is these bricks, fingerprints still visible today, that literally built the foundations of the
university as well as symbolically
built the foundations for a storied
tradition. Red bricks have now become an important architectural
aspect of every building on campus, and their meaningful history
is the backbone behind Red Brick
Communications’ brand voice
and vision.
“This truly one-of-a-kind story gives the firm a character of
unique tradition and rich history,” said Waynesburg senior
Jordan Mitrik, firm director at
Red Brick Communications.
“The name is perfect for the firm
because bricks symbolize strength,
and the firm and its members are
definitely strong and confident in
their abilities to be a reliable resource for their clients.”
In the same way the first
Waynesburg buildings were constructed by students, Red Brick
operates first and foremost as a student-run entity — an aspect that
defines the firm’s culture. Firm
members are challenged personally and professionally to lead lives
of purpose — Waynesburg’s mission — and to use that dedication
and professionalism to produce
outstanding work for the firm’s
five pro bono clients. Among others, Red Brick aided the Special
Olympics of Greene County in
rebuilding its marketing strategy
from the ground up, transforming it from a little-known program
with zero athletes to a fully-functioning program competing at the
regional level. Achievements like
BY RYAN MCSHANE ACCOUNT MANAGER, TIAA-CREF
Summer is just around the
bend, but there is still time to
effectively prepare for a productive and outcomes-focused
internship.
A checklist is a perfect tuneup tool that holds us accountable for meeting personal and
professional goals. Reference
my suggestions below to create
your own checklist, and let’s
make 2016 the year we started
something big.
Develop goals.
BY VICTORIA LEWIS
PRSSA
VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVOCACY
Assistant Firm Director Cassidy Graham (left) and Firm Director Jordan Mitrik (right) discuss client work
at Red Brick Communications. Photo courtesy of Red Brick Communications.
these help Red Brick’s leadership
continue to build a firm culture
focused on both professional development and a passion to better
the community.
“At the beginning of each year,
myself and the rest of the firm’s
leadership provide a lesson to
members about the connection
between Red Brick and the university,” says Mitrik. “We really
stress the importance that there
can be a connection between public relations and helping others,
which makes the firm members
work a little harder to make a lasting impact.”
Like the university it so proud-
ly represents, the foundation for
this outstanding student-run firm
has been laid — brick by brick,
student by student. Red Brick
Communications continues to
look forward to serving a new and
larger clientele, all the while maintaining the strong and historic
firm culture that built it by hand.
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Angela Yee, a graduate student in
the Seton Hall University Master
of Arts in Strategic Communication program, who was one of
the first in the nation to pass the
examination.
The Certificate also helps students compete internationally for
positions. Kimberley Martin, who
graduated last May from Appalachian State University, is now a
customer service communications
officer at Hospital Lam Wah Ee
in Penang, Malaysia, and credits
the Certificate with helping her
find a job after graduation.
“I was i