About Us

PRISM

PRISM

PO Box 352

Solomons, Maryland 20688

PRISM is the organization of public relations and marketing professionals in Southern Maryland. It holds bi-monthly luncheon meetings and occasional workshops to foster professional development and networking opportunities for its members. The meetings rotate between venues in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary Counties. The membership fee is $20 per year.

To learn more about PRISM's history and past activities (luncheon program, workshops, and speaker information), please click here

News

Jul 28 , 2009 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

Jun 3 , 2009 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

Apr 9 , 2009 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

Feb 6 , 2009 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

Nov 21 , 2008 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

Aug 5 , 2008 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

May 28 , 2008 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

April 2 , 2008 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

July 24 , 2007 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

June 1 , 2007 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

April 11 , 2007 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

January 30, 2007 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

October 10 , 2006 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

July 28, 2006 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

June 16, 2006 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

April 2006 photo appeared in the Enterprise Click here to read in Adobe Acrobat

April 24 , 2006 - PRISM - BUZZ CITY press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

January Article appeared in the College of Southern Maryland Student Newspaper by Jason Forbes Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

December 06, 2005 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

September 28, 2005 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

August 10, 2005 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

June 1, 2005 - PRISM press release Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

May 26, 2005 - Tester Click here to read article in Adobe Acrobat

Recent articles

Caring for Your Customers so They Keep Coming Back

By Karen Smith Hupp
Friday, Jul. 18, 2008
The official word
In the down times such as many businesses are now experiencing, customer relations can be one of your most effective PR ingredients. How well does your company score in this arena?
Full Article Here...

PRISM Gets a New PResident

By Karen Smith Hupp
Friday, Apr. 4, 2008
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Take a few moments to meet PRISM’s newest president as he shares his background and vision for today’s PR professionals...
Full Article Here...

Silver and gold are good for more than Olympic medals

By Karen Smith Hupp
Friday, Jan. 18, 2008
The official word
Prolific in writing letters to the editor and a fierce advocate of free speech and accuracy in the media, my former PR professor Walt Seifert authored enough letters in his lifetime to land him in the Guinness Book of World Records. Cited there in 1990 for his 1,600 letters to the editor that had been published, Walt continued to write on through his 80s. At his death in 2000, he was credited with opining more than 2,000 letters in his lifetime.
Full Article Here...

Don't let PR voice get lost in season

By Karen Smith Hupp
Friday, Dec. 14, 2007
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When it comes to December, communications are at an all-time high.

Holiday gatherings are abuzz with networking conversations; mailboxes are stuffed with holiday cards and letters from family, friends and colleagues; or with coupons and catalogs appealing to last-minute shoppers. Do you feel like your PR voice may be getting lost in the din?

Public relations is about knowing your audience

By Karen Smith Hupp
Friday, Nov. 16, 2007
The official word
Quite a PR buzz has emerged regarding the virtual slap handed out by the editor-in-chief of ‘‘Wired” as he listed on his blog 300 addresses of people and companies that he’s blocked after they overwhelmed his inbox last month with what he regarded as unwelcome, misdirected or indiscriminate pitches for coverage.
Full Article Here...

Unexpected service can lead to customer loyalty

By Karen Smith Hupp
Friday, Oct. 5, 2007
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As a Midwestern college student studying journalism and public relations, I was intrigued by a concept I encountered while enjoying a week in New Orleans’ French Quarter during the Sugar Bowl when late one evening my family and I stopped for a café au lait at Café Du Mond.
Full Article Here...

Sorting the truth from misinformation in the 24⁄7 age

By Karen Smith Hupp
Friday, Jul 27, 2007
The official word
Ever feel like you’re on information overload? It’s no wonder we feel overwhelmed when you consider the extravagant amount of information at our virtual fingertips. We’re bombarded with information on a 24⁄7 basis. The challenge is to sift through the messages and separate fact from fiction, spin from reality and information from opinion to arrive at a true understanding and knowledge.
http://www.somdnews.com/stories/072707/indybus163337_32098.shtml

Now’s the time to brush up on your netiquette

By Karen Smith Hupp
Friday, Jun 22, 2007
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E-mail is here to stay. Not only is it a quick and convenient way to
connect with people, it’s also permanent and prolific. While
communication should be meaningful, this messaging tool can become
diluted when your electronic in-box gets deluged with forwarded
forwards, reply-alls, urban legends, massive attachments or flaming
messages.
http://www.somdnews.com/stories/062207/indybus171351_32083.shtml

For a message that lingers, try a handwritten note

By Karen Smith Hupp
Friday, May 18, 2007
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What's the value of a personal, handwritten note? It came to me as I
read such a card last week that while e-mail is here to stay, I mourn
the slow demise of the handwritten note and its accompanying personal
touch.
http://www.somdnews.com/stories/051807/recbus163109_32093.shtml

Demystifying the roles of branding and public relations

By Karen Smith Hupp
Friday, April 13, 2007
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In making a recent presentation to journalism students at the College
of Southern Maryland, I was surprised to hear so many of them confused
as to what PR encompasses and how PR differs from advertising or
publicity. However, with all the rapid changes occurring in media
convergence and integrated communications, it’s easy to see how such
muddle could occur.
http://www.somdnews.com/stories/041307/indybus183244_32108.shtml

Sweat the details to attract and retain valuable customers

By Karen Smith Hupp
Friday, March 9, 2007
The official word
There are no second chances to make a first impression, but there are
opportunities to make a new impression. Each day provides a new opening,
so take a moment to check your image and create an impression you*d
like to last. Friendliness, cleanliness and an eagerness to help are among the most
affordable marketing resources. Following are some other points to
consider as you begin a checklist to assess how you*re doing on your
public relations image.
http://www.somdnews.com/stories/030907/indybus195421_32134.shtml

Getting the 411 on your contacts

By Karen Smith Hupp
Friday, Feb. 9, 2007
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I just received an updated media directory for 2007 in the mail this
week. Such guides are useful for providing current contact information,
circulation numbers, coverage area, frequency of publication and methods
to communicate with the newspapers, news services, radio and television
stations, cable companies and online media serving our region.
http://www.somdnews.com/stories/020907/indybus85633_32141.shtml

2007 the year to improve your PR IQ

By Karen Smith Hupp
Friday, Jan. 12, 2007
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January is traditionally a time for reflection and goal setting; this year, consider including the following among your PR resolutions. Tackle one a month or a portion of one each month. No matter the degree to which you succeed, the exercise will strengthen your personal and professional PR IQ.
http://www.somdnews.com/stories/011207/indybus190352_32141.shtml

It’s the time of year to expand network contacts

By Karen Smith Hupp
Friday, Dec. 15, 2006
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Tis the season for holiday gatherings, and that means the opportunity to create a buzz as you network during your upcoming festivities. Networking can be as natural as the wreath adorning your door or gracing the middle of your dinner table; there need be nothing artificial about the results when you weave together the basics of greens, pinecone trimmings and ribbons.
http://www.somdnews.com/stories/121506/indybus182226_32098.shtml

Seeing the world of public relations with new PRISM

By Karen Smith Hupp
Friday, Nov. 17, 2006
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Building stronger networks isn’t just about computer security issues; it’s also about cultivating colleagues and networking with them to help each other excel in your careers and businesses.
That’s a primary focus of Public Relations Individuals of Southern Maryland, an association now in its second year. Besides connecting marketers and public relations professionals, PRISM provides learning opportunities to help its members reach professional and personal goals.
http://www.somdnews.com/stories/111706/indybus184858_32123.shtml