The Internet has brought about a sea change in the way Americans choose a president, and Ohio is at the epicenter again. Just days after Ohio’s primary election, 100 top public relations professionals will convene to discuss the effect of new media on this year’s historic presidential election. “Packaging the Presidency (online!)” is a special statewide leadership summit to be held from 2-3:30 p.m., Friday, March 7, in Franklin Hall at Kent State University. It is free and open to the public by reservation only.

The leadership summit is part of “YouToo: Social Media Boot Camp and Leadership Summit,” a two-part conference sponsored by the Akron-Area Chapter of Public Relations Society of America, Kent State and BurrellesLuce. The afternoon leadership summit and roundtable discussion will be hosted and moderated by New York City-based “PR Strategist” Editor In Chief John Elsasser. It will feature a panel of experts in new media and political communication, including former Congressman Dennis Eckart; Mike Connell, CEO, New Media Communications; Jenny Camper, president, Lesic-Camper Communications; Matt Dickman, digital marketing director, Fleishman-Hillard; and Herbert Smith, chairman, HCSmith Ltd.

Earlier in the day, PRSA will host a professional development “boot camp” from 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m., when the region’s social media experts will provide six hands-on workshops and seminars in podcasting, blogging, search engine optimization and other online tools.

The boot camp and leadership summit are part of the official grand opening celebration of Franklin Hall, the new home of Kent State’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Franklin Hall, following the completion of a $21 million modernization and restoration project this fall, provides students with a state-of-the-art facility that enhances the quality of their education. Franklin Hall is equipped throughout with cutting-edge technology that helps prepare Kent State students for jobs in a fast-changing media environment following graduation. Guided tours of the facility will be available.

Seating is limited for both events. Anyone interested in attending can register by e-mailing prsaakron@neo.rr.com by Feb. 29 and specifying which event (or both events) they would like to attend. For the social media boot camp, registration is $125 for PRSA members of any chapter and Kent State alumni. Registration for nonmembers is $150. There is no cost to attend the afternoon’s leadership summit and roundtable discussion. For more information, visit www.akronprsa.org.

Media contact:

Noelle Pennyman, 440-317-0347or vpennyma@kent.edu

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