No matter the industry or size of the company, having top talent on your team can make all the difference. At Stanton Communications, we are proud to have some of the best and brightest PR professionals in the business, and this year we are doubly proud to recognize Account Manager Cara Greene as a PRNews 2015 Rising PR Star.
Cara joined the firm in 2010 as an intern. In just five short years, she’s become a high performing member of the team who is not only setting an example for our young professionals, but contributing to award-winning work that helps our clients meet their business objectives and earns their trust. We took a few minutes to talk with Cara in advance of the PRNews awards luncheon at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.
Your nomination to the PRNews Rising PR Star 30 & Under was submitted without you knowing. I bet that was a nice surprise! What characteristics and/or case examples of your work do you believe qualified you for the accolade?
It was a great surprise! I was truly honored but know I couldn’t have made it to this point in my career without the collaboration that happens every day at Stanton Communications. If I had to pick a few highlights of my work that may have caught the judges’ attention, I would say that:
I led a multi-dimensional consumer campaign for Sprint that targeted top tier lifestyle media in New York City. We leveraged a joint project between Sprint and the notable tech outlet Techlicious to conduct a survey to consumers on mobile preferences, which were developed into a series of infographics and ultimately picked up by major media such as Forbes and Inc. among others.
I’ve had the pleasure of leading the Fraunhofer account at Stanton, providing strategic counsel, media relations and intensive trade show support for no less than five trade events per year. To date, the team has booked nearly 80 interviews with media for Fraunhofer alone, resulting in 40+ quality placements.
Beyond securing media placements and interviews, I work in close coordination with our Digital and Creative Services team. For example, we collaborated on the design and launch of a web site for the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation. I also plan and support major events, including the annual Al Smith Dinner in New York City and several award-winning Sprint product launches.
I am also proud to mentor our interns based in New York City. I developed a program that ensures their roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, and strive to provide a successful internship experience that reflects each individual’s professional and creative interests.
You’re based in New York City. Do you think that’s an advantage in our line of business today? Why or why not?
Some consider New York City the epicenter for media, so being based here has its advantages when media are located right next door. I also think something can be said for having hands-on experience with the New York press corps. That said, in today’s socially driven, 24/7 media environment, a lot of relationships are built before even meeting face to face. The ability to instantly connect and engage with colleagues or clients across the country (or world) means having a New York City address isn’t as vital for our industry as it was even 15 or 20 years ago.
Where do you see yourself in the next 30 years?
This is a tough one. Can I say someplace where I can spend more time without cell phone service? But honestly, I do still see myself active and advanced in the field of PR, still staying on top of the latest trends and platforms to communicate clients’ messages.
Do you have any advice for those entering the PR field?
Have thick skin. Hit the ground running. Be prepared to be thrown into anything and everything. Working at an agency, in particular, will be both difficult and challenging, but you will learn a lot in a short amount of time.
How would you summarize your career to date in 140 characters or less?
It can be summed up with some of the best advice I have received in my five years – “never let them see you sweat”.
Please join us in congratulating Cara on her recognition, and feel free to connect with her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carag.
