CMPRSA February Luncheon

Friday, Feb. 24, 2012
12-1:30 p.m.
Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center
East Lansing, MI

Check-in opens at 11:30 a.m.

Tech Tools for PR Success

Reach PR success by embracing technology! Develop strategies for search engine optimization, web and mobile marketing, and social media content and measurement. Discover the latest tech trends and work solutions from these experts and put them into practice right away.

Panelists

Dr. Constantinos Coursaris, Michigan State University

For over a decade, Dr. Constantinos K Coursaris has been designing and developing websites for academic, government, for-profit, and non-profit organizations. He has also owned a social networking site, managed the digital and social presence of various businesses, and consulted for organizations on the strategic and tactical use of social media. The knowledge acquired through this industry experience was further expanded since 2005 through his research agenda on social media and online communities after joining a research-intensive institution in Michigan State University. With a deep, comprehensive knowledge of social systems, Dr. Coursaris has been privileged with opportunities to train others in this space, including the instruction of diverse audiences in the U.S., Canada, France, the U.A.E. and other countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Having joined the College of Communication Arts and Sciences in 2005 as an Assistant Professor in Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media, he continues to grow as both a scholar and practitioner of social media, and is uniquely positioned to create ad hoc teams to address the needs of related projects, from federally-funded research projects to outreach and engagement ventures related to social media and online communities. Connect with him on Twitter @DrCoursaris.

Joe Ford, Netvantage Marketing

Joe Ford graduated from Michigan State University in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications with an emphasis in Information Technology Management. Upon graduation, Joe went to work for Michigan State University in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and later moved on to take a position as Assistant Director of MBA admissions at Michigan State University before beginning his career in consulting. Prior to starting Netvantage, Joe worked as a Senior Internet Strategy Analyst, managing large scale Internet consulting and web development projects for several Fortune 500 companies.  In 2008, Joe started Netvantage with business partner Adam Henige.  Ford has helped Netvantage grow to a staff of 10 employees, and a client base of of nearly 40.  Aside from managing day to day operations, Ford directs client paid search strategy and search engine optimization site audits. Netvantage has a wide variety of clients across many sectors, including project work with General Motors, DTE Energy, Hyundai North America, Neogen, Michigan State University and the University of California Berkeley.  Ford is on the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Board of Directors, and also sits on the Capital Area IT Council Executive Committee.

W. Scott Westerman, MSU Alumni Association

Scott Westerman has been a broadcaster, cable television executive and entrepreneur. In 2010 he joined the MSU Alumni Association as Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations & Executive Director. Prior to coming to MSU, Scott was a turn-around specialist at Comcast and Mediacom, helping to build best in class customer service organizations in four states. He was an architect of Comcast's award winning social media strategy and helped MSUAA earn recognition as one of the "Most Savvy Social Media Alumni Associations" in the Nation. His  "Monday Motivator" essays reach thousands of email boxes each week. He is the author of "The Spartan Life", a collection of inspirational messages with a distinctly MSU flavor.