IntegratePR | Houston Public Relations and Social Media Agency

As you may have seen, we no longer refer to the staff at Integrate Public Relations as “the ladies.” We are so excited to add some testosterone to the group and introduce you to our newest addition to the team… Nate Selby! Get to know our intern turned full-time PR pro. Learn more about Nate’s appreciation of proper grammar, love of PR and the new friend he met at the Houston Rodeo!

How you got the job:

Not very exciting, but, I was the intern for a couple of months and then was hired full-time! I can only assume it was due to my awesomeness.

But really, after I graduated college I interned at another agency in Houston for a while, where my supervisor met Allie at the PRSA Houston PR Day. They started talking and she passed Allie’s information along to me. I immediately was very excited to learn about the unique approach to PR the integratePR team takes, so I contacted Allie in hopes of a new opportunity. We met twice over the next couple of months and eventually I was brought on as IPR’s newest intern. The rest is history!

What do you like most about working at IPR?

The best part about working at IPR is my fabulous officemates, and the opportunity to work in the ever-changing PR field.

Without question, the best thing about working in this industry is the spontaneity of the work. When you leave the office on Monday with a list of “to do’s” for the next day, you know that everything will change at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. You always have to be on your toes, ready for the next thing.

What are you most looking forward to in the future?

I’m looking forward to career advancements. Putting the hard work in and seeing my big picture goals come to fruition.

Who is your role model/inspiration?

Tim Tebow? Is that allowed? I really don’t know. I guess just the upstanding noblemen and statesmen before me.

Where are you from?

Pretty much everywhere. I’ve lived all over the place from Japan to Minnesota, Florida to California.  The last place I lived before Houston was Ohio where I attended Bowling Green State University. If we’re going to talk colleges though, I have to mention my favorite team, the University of Florida Gators! 

So what has been your favorite adventure in Houston so far?

I went to the Houston Rodeo for the first time in a few years with my girlfriend in March and had a blast. I got to choose between standing next to a zebra and holding a baby kangaroo. You can see my choice below!

What’s on your desk?

When I’m at the office, it usually consists of a water bottle, pens and random pieces of paper for notes and lists. Organized chaos basically.

In my free time you can find me….

Trying new things. I enjoy experiencing all sorts of interesting aspects of cultures, whether it’s food, music or style. I’m game for pretty much anything.

One thing I’d like people to know about me:

I am a grammar (specifically AP style) control freak. In today’s society of texting and quick replies, I struggle with acronyms and am routinely irked by the misuse of grammar. It’s the small things I appreciate.

Of the many panels at SXSW this year, Your Social Media Job is Dead struck a chord with us. While we were wary of a title that suggested uncertainness in our job security, the panel was a fresh perspective on the idea that you should not pigeonhole yourself into a job.

Natalie Rodic Marsan believes that the age of social media “mavens,” “gurus,” and other such titles were soon to be put to the wayside. Initially inclined to disagree with her opinion, she gave some thoughtful new insight. She stressed that when utilizing social media as a tool, it cannot be one’s entire strategy. Social media strategy is about being tactical and knowing when to use these tools and how to properly execute them. As social media can and should be used across many different internal positions, it is important to constantly evolve not only your skills in execution, but in your thought process in managing these tools. The panelist discussed the value of working across different jobs in order to learn and grow more than one set of skills.

As a perspective from inside the public relations field, we wholeheartedly believe that it is imperative to remember that all roles are perpetually changing and to be open to this. Not just in name but in scope of duty. For example, although we may call someone a “social media account executive,” when thinking about social media as an extension of an existing community, they may be more of a community manager. As technology shifts and roles change, Integrate Public Relations is committed to staying flexible and encourage other agencies and companies to do the same. In short, social media, public relations, journalism and all communication jobs may not be dead but they need to be open to constantly evolve.

As the March storms and showers left us drenched during the first two days of SXSW, we were literally able to soak in the experience. However, we did manage to leave with more than just the foresight to bring an umbrella next year, here are some of the new lessons the team felt important enough to share on Tumblr from our trip to SXSW:

• Accessibility is important to your brand. You must think about the people who may inadvertently be disenfranchised from viewing your message. For example, if your website shows running bus schedules, your consumer base will most likely attempt to access your information on the go. It is important to make sure that your website is enabled to be viewed on mobile devices or else your consumers will look somewhere else for that information.
• Whatever you are passionate about should translate to your blog posts. For example, write about brands, companies, people, things you love and make those your focus.
• In order to build a brand online, your brand must stay true to its authentic self. It is important that your brand remains relevant to your industry while still coming across as an outlet to the public. For example, @oscarprgirl, the communications director for Oscar de la Renta, curates personal tweets that are a mix of brand news that resonates the upscale aura of the brand, as well as personal fashion insight, in order to be genuine.
• In order to monitor ROI for social media, you have to first define the specific goals. If your goals include community building and engagement, than you can absolutely say, yes there is ROI in social media by seeing how large your community grows within a certain time parameter, how many people are interacting with you each day, and the level of loyalty you see online.
• Multitasking is a habit. We must make environmental changes to make sure we are not distracted from what we need to focus on. Put your phone in the trunk. Turn off the internet when you need to write something.

Overall, SXSW was the perfect opportunity for Integrate Public Relations to surround ourselves with like-minded individuals who share the same passions that we do. It was important to learn the new trends in the industry, what kinds of tools and campaigns have been working around the country and see what is coming for the future. The team could not have had more fun, and we are excited to show our clients how we can apply the lessons learned to their accounts.

Now, back to work!

We just came back from SXSW and we had a great time! We learned a lot of important lessons and were able to take away so much! If you’ve been following our Tumblr account, you’ll see what we did, where we were and what kept us busy all week. Each member of the team was able to take away a little something different- it was fascinating to follow each person as this all unfolded.

The team proudly wore shirts designed by KH Studios. Each day, we donned a different  rebus puzzle (a phrase formed with pictures instead of words); we had a lot of fun making people figure out what they all said.

Here, Jenny and Stephanie display our Day four shirts in Entrepreneur’s online magazine

Here, Allie Danziger talks about how SXSW is spring break for geeks on the CW-33

Jessie and Stephanie talk SXSW traffic on KXAN

Our shirts definitely made the rounds!

If you’re not going to be attending the festival, following our Tumblr will be the next best thing! Each one of our team members will be updating the blog daily with interesting speakers, events and other fun things that we’ll be encountering during the interactive portion of the week!

We’ve been counting down the days till the festival and adding different shows and speakers that we’re really looking forward to. Take a look and see what we’ll be up to around Austin. We’re really looking forward to learning all the new aspects of the industry and connecting with other thought leaders and like-minded individuals. Follow us here to see SX through our eyes!

The SXSW excitement is getting to us here in the IntegratePR office! Although it will be the first trip for some of us, Britney Munguia, SXSW veteran wrote a few tips on surviving the madness last year that we thought we’d share.

• Plan ahead – Check the schedule on SXSW.com and see which sessions pique your interest. If you can commit to going to it, take some time to look up the speaker and be ready to ask questions. This morning, the IPR team sat around the conference table and mapped out the weekend – it was great to make sure we have our bases covered and will get the most out of South By.
• Bring a Day Pack - Fill a backpack with all the essentials: a change of clothes, a light jacket or sweater and deodorant. Best to be prepared, and comfortable.
• Remember your business cards – SXSW is a great way to learn new information all while being surrounded by thousands of your peers, and the networking is truly invaluable. You’ll be in a situation to meet lots of new people so come prepared!
• Remember your I.D. - This is probably the most important item. Every event will need valid identification, and without it you’ll be turned away at the door.
• Wear comfortable shoes - You’re going to be walking a lot. Unfortunately you may have to choose comfort over fashion, because blisters are the worst.
• Remember your cell phone charger – SXSW is pretty spread out, and you’re not going to know where everything is located. Looking up maps, venue locations and directions will suck the battery life straight out of your phone. There will be charging stations for mobile devices set up in various locations.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, especially since you’ll be hanging out in the sun for several hours.
• Talk to strangers – Not only ok to do, but also encouraged! You’ll be around everyone in your industry – why not take advantage of this opportunity to connect with them?

Whew – are you ready yet? Let us know if you’ll be attending the conference!

It’s time to meet another fabulous member of our team. Jenny started work at Integrate last August and has made an amazing addition to the team. Learn more about Jenny’s passion for non-profits and see who keeps her company at her desk!

What’s your favorite thing about working in social media?

The constant and reliable changes – I thrive on change and work well in an environment where new opportunities are endless.

What is one of your best experiences with social media?

Last year, my entire extended family travelled to Key Largo for a cousin’s wedding.  Being that it was a destination wedding, my two great uncles (one of which was the grandfather of the groom) and my grandparents were not well enough to make the trip.  Fortunately, another family member brought his computer to the ceremony and Skyped my uncles and grandparents in.  They four watched the entire beach-front ceremony from their front row seat in Houston, Texas.  It was extremely moving for our entire family.  

What is your favorite life event/accomplishment to date?

This is tough, but I’d have to say Camp HOPE. AIDS Foundation Houston runs a week long camp for children with HIV/AIDS and I’ve served as a counselor for 9-11 year old girls during 5 different summers.  Working at camp truly puts life into perspective and being around these children tends to reinvigorate my year.  Each summer that I’ve volunteered at Camp HOPE has been irreplaceable and unforgettable.

What are you most looking forward to in the future?

I’m looking forward to being around for big changes!  I can’t wait to see how both iPR expands and how the City of Houston continues to grow and change!

Who is your role model/inspiration?

Easy – my mom. She’s inspired me to find a job that allows me to give back.  I’ve volunteered and worked for and with several non-profit organizations. Working with iPR has been the perfect balance, as many of my clients are non-profits or organizations that really give back.  It’s been extremely rewarding to work with these types of businesses and I certainly owe my passion for both community and communications work to my mom.

What is one thing no one knows about you?

If I could move Houston (and all of my friends and family here) to Colorado (probably Telluride), I would. I absolutely love the time I spend in Colorado, but am far too attached to Houston to ever consider moving.

What’s on your desk?

Photos of loved ones – I’m inspired by photos and when I need a smile, turn to these. And of course, my Dwight Schrute bobble head!

One thing I’d like people to know about me:

I’m pretty much an open book. I’m not sure I can come up with one thing in particular that I’d like for people to know about me. I love meeting new people and building relationships, but I think most people already know this.

Last week, our good friends from The Square Foot stopped by our office. Their team is amazing and is able to connect you to knowledgeable local commercial real estate agents -if you’re looking for a new office space, we definitely recommend their services.

While they were here, they snapped a few shots of our new office space, complete with our new inspiration wall. We’d like to share these pictures with you so you can see how far we’ve grown from our humble beginnings.

Our old office space felt a little cramped:

Here are some new pictures, but check out the full post where they made us their office space of the week!

Lovely new Conference Room:

The place that we’ve dubbed our “Sparkle Wall” shows off some of our best accomplishments!

Check out Britney, Nate and Jenny, hard at work in front of our inspiration wall!

Our Pinterest has gotten much more exciting since its creation this past week, as we’ve been sticking more pins to our boards. However, one of our Account Executives, Stephanie Ignacio wanted to share a way that she and her sister are staying connected via this exciting social media site.

From Stephanie Ignacio

My sister Allison Ignacio (pictured, right) and I are 14 months apart and we have been close all my life. However, after she graduated from UT in 2010, she became a reporter at KWTX in Waco, Texas. We do not see each other as often as I would like and as her reporting schedule is often very different than my 8-5, we miss each other on the phone as well. In lieu of verbal communication, we of course turned to the Internet. Although we used to simply email each other funny pictures and links, with the user-friendly collaboration features of Pinterest, it’s become way easier to share things with each other.

I made a pinboard titled Sisters, and now every time I see something that I know will make Allison crack up laughing, a recipe she has to try, or just an inside joke we have about an old TV show, there is one central place for us to share these things. It’s a lot easier than emailing different clips also, because she can log in to Pinterest from her phone and get the latest funny updates from me.

With the recent death of Whitney Houston, the New York Daily News hosted a similar pinboard in Tribute, titled Whitney Houston, Remembered.

In a similar fashion, they invited different people to pin their favorite pictures of Ms. Houston and they were put onto a community board. However, different music journalists, friends or colleagues of Whitney could have utilized the collaboration element.

So do you have a group of friends that you like to share Internet pictures and jokes with? I encourage you to create a board with your different groups of friends so that you can target your pins to different people – it’s a great way to stay connected!

Have you ever wondered about the amazing team that helps IntegratePR continue to push out its amazing content and initiatives every day? Well you’re in luck, because now is your chance to meet the team! Each month we will showcase one of our fabulous employees so you can know a little bit more about what makes each Integrate employee tick.

This month, you’ll meet Britney Munguia, as I sit and chat about how she landed at the firm, her inspirations, quirks and slight coffee addiction.

How she got the job: From spring to summer of 2011 my life was a constant whirlwind — I graduated, received my diploma, ended my job at University Marketing, and began researching job opportunities in both Austin and Houston. After numerous interviews with start-ups and small businesses in Austin with no luck, my hopes were quickly dissipating. That is, until I got an interview with IntegratePR.

Allie and I met at a local coffee shop called Dominican Joe in Austin. Unlike many of my other interviews, our conversation flowed effortlessly. Allie was easy to talk with, and I felt like I could really open up and show her my true colors. We finished our coffee, parted ways and I headed home with my fingers crossed. I had a good feeling about this particular interview, but wasn’t going to get my hopes up just in case. A week later — coincidentally enough on my 23rd birthday — Allie called me up and gave me the good news. I hadn’t been this excited since receiving Backstreet Boys tickets for Christmas when I was 12.

Two weeks later I had relocated to Houston, moved back in with my mother (who was wonderful enough to put up with me for 3 months), had my wisdom teeth taken out, and started my new position with IntegratePR. And I can happily say that I’m still enjoying every minute of it all. The rest is history.

What’s your favorite thing about working in social media? Social media is constantly evolving, and that’s exactly what makes my job exciting. I get to learn the newest tools in the industry, attend “tweet-ups,” connect with new faces via online platforms, and the best part is that I’m always “in the know.” If you think desk jobs are boring, think again.

What is the best lesson that you learned working at IPR? The most crucial thing that I have learned while working at IntegratePR is learning how to communicate with an array of personalities. Some prefer doing so via e-mail, while others rely on the phone or face-to-face conversations.

What social media moment are you most proud of? I manage Salt Lick BBQ’s Twitter, and recently received this mention:  ”@Cherie_Cobb: If you want an example of a co that does Twitter well, follow @SaltLickBBQ. Active, relevant, responsive to tweets, tasteful. Well done.“ This tweet made me extremely happy because it shows that my hard work and dedication to my client is truly paying off.

Who is your role model/inspiration? This might sound weird, but I don’t have a single person that I look to for inspiration. I’d like to think that everything around me inspires me. Art, music, shooting a roll of 35mm film, going on adventures — Creativity inspires me.

What is one thing no one knows about you? I had my gall bladder removed when I was 18 years young. I’ve got some gnarly scars to prove it.

What’s on your desk? (Picture attached) From left to right: A Halloween beanie baby… It’s cute, okay? Play-doh is a must. Not only is it a stress reliever, but it’s fun to sculpt all kinds of things… like kittens. Pens, sharpies, gel pens and highlighters in every color are absolutely necessary –  I really like office supplies. Kitten notepad… I don’t need to explain myself. The last item is my Pier One owl mug, which is used approximately 3 times per day. You could probably say I have a slight addiction.