EVENTS: Group Y Panel Discussion - Public Relations

rob campbell

• February 26 2009
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Group Y hosted its latest panel discussion “How to Maximize PR Opportunities & Expand Brand Awareness” at The Grove in Anaheim Wednesday night. The panel included Bungalow PR’s Stacie Krajchir, Burton’s Global PR Director Shana Frahm, and Vans’ Senior PR Manager Chris Overholser.

It was definitely interesting, and a bit disturbing, to hear how good these PR experts are at manipulating the media for free publicity. WTF Overholser? I thought we were bros.

This time the gathering actually went a step beyond the panel discussion format and involved a workshop where groups were given problems to solve together. Everyone then presented their plans and got critiqued by the experts in front of an audience of over 100 people. Kind of like sorority hazing, but a bit more constructive and less scarring.

To find out more about Group Y, or to see full bios of the panelists, CLICK HERE.

Check out the PRESS RELEASE.

The official title of this Group Y panel discussion was “How to Maximize PR Opportunities & Expand Brand Awareness.” The distinguished panelists were (L to R) Bungalow PR’s Stacie Krajchir, Burton’s Global PR Director Shana Frahm, and Vans’ Senior PR Manager Chris Overholser.

Hard times call for hard looks. The San Clemente posse held it down in the back room. Snow marketing vet Jack Coghlan, with the Blackhart Brotherhood’s Jason Arnold and Jonny Munson. Keep an eye out for photos of The Brotherhood’s new office when we stop by there on our next trip to Big Helyn’s.

Marketing master Ian Votteri accompanied by star panelist Shana Fram and the ever-present Fuel TV’s John Stouffer.

Ethika video production manager John Rushton, ASR’s Leanne “Hurricane” Milliken, director of marketing for Ethika and FMF Racing/Int’l Malcolm McCassy, and Kayla Brown

Surf Expo’s Sean O’Brien and Tara Yant. Tara has been the main PR contact for The Program for the past two years through her own events/PR/marketing company called 2aT.

Chad Mihalick and his wife Kara came down from LA. Look for a lot more of Chad on this site after Friday, Mar. 6th when TransWorld Business teams up with Malakye.com for the Office Booyz event at Bear Mountain.

One of the night’s featured panelists and a TransWorld Business favorite, Chris Overholser, meets Big Daddy Media’s Michael Story.

Shana Frahm deserved some special attention. Not only was she a featured panelist, but it was her birthday eve. John Stouffer, Ian Votteri, Group Y’s Mark Sperling, and I humbly pay homage.

Burton’s Shana Frahm, fashion industry PR/Marketing exec Kristin Gonzalez, and Burton’s Janice Nickloff, after the panel discussion and workshops.

It wouldn’t be any kind of industry event without Vipe Desai’s crew rolling deep. Although Vipe is now the director of marketing for Monster Energy, Propaganda HQ is in the capable hands of his wife Kim Desai and creative director Ty Smith (far right). That’s Randy O’Mara from Blue C Advertising on the left.