My Major Rebrand: Why I Switched from General Business to Advertising and Public Relations
After graduating from high school, I struggled to find what I was interested in. I was not sure what to choose as my major, let alone the thought of a minor. What do I enjoy doing? What do I want to learn more about? I asked myself many questions the summer before I came to Grand Valley. In my 17-year-old brain, there were only two areas of study to choose from: Health and Business. I ruled out studying anything in Health, as I was set on graduating in 4 years, and I am not much of a science-and-math person. So I chose Business. My mom works in accounting, so I figured I must enjoy the field too. I felt solid about my decision and began my freshman year of college.
Read More
Before We Fly: How Airline Branding Shapes Our Expectations
I find it interesting to see how quickly we form opinions about brands or companies. Sometimes, we’ve never even bought anything from a company, but we already have an idea of what it stands for. We know what it looks like, what image it projects, what audience it targets, and sometimes even what sort of personality it has – all thanks to the power of branding.
Read More
Returning to My Roots: The PR Lessons I Found in Germany
When I boarded my flight to Germany, I was excited to explore historic cities, see incredible landmarks, and experience a culture that has influenced so much of the world. But for me, this trip meant so much more than just traveling abroad. I was born in Germany, and this was my first time returning in 15 years. Even though I don't remember much from living there, finally getting to go back and experience the country where my story began made this trip incredibly meaningful.
Read More
The Real Competition on Love Island: Reputation
Love Island USA may be known for romance, drama, and unforgettable moments, but behind every couple and conversation is something else being built: a reputation. With millions of viewers analyzing every decision, Islanders are not just competing for love–they are creating personal brands that can impact their lives long after leaving the villa. Every summer, viewers tune into Love Island USA for the relationships, unexpected twists, and of course, the drama. But while Islanders enter the villa hoping to find a connection, they are also building something else, a personal brand.
Read More
What to Know Before Pitching Media
I’ll be honest, pitching media can feel intimidating. Many of us learn how to write pitches through class exercises, mock scenarios, and workshops, but that is very different from sending one to an actual editor or reporter and waiting to see what happens. As young professionals still gaining experience, we can spend hours refining a pitch only for it to go unopened, let alone be taken seriously. There are a lot of moving parts to consider when pitching media as well, which makes the process complex. The angle, the contact, the timing, and the tone all have to be right. It can feel like confidence should come first, but I have learned that strong pitching can be built on preparation.
Read More
My Presidency: A Year in Review
If you had sat me down a year ago and told me that I would be wrapping up a full year as GVPRSSA president, I would have laughed right in your face. At the time, I was focused on stepping into a new role, building my skills, and figuring things out one step at a time, not leading an entire organization. What I didn’t realize then, was how quickly things can change and how much you can grow when you’re pushed outside of your comfort zone.
Read More
Debunking the Myths of Professional Social Media Management
Social media management serves more than just posting content to fill a feed. It doesn’t simply reflect trends; it actively shapes how organizations build community, trust, and influence. What may look like “playing on your phone” is really 10% posting and 90% strategy, logistics, and analysis. As communicators, we know success goes beyond virality or follower counts, it’s about creating meaningful impact, where consistency, intention, and engagement drive real connection and action.
Read More
Why Are We Still Rooting for Taylor Frankie Paul? Even When PR Criticizes Her.
Taylor Frankie Paul serves as more than just another influencer to watch. She doesn’t simply create content; she creates emotional connection, drawing people in through a story that feels real, too real. What may seem like unpredictability is what keeps audiences engaged, even as it becomes a liability. As communicators, we see that PR is not about the level of attention, but the right type of attention, where authenticity builds relevance, but also carries risk.
Read More
Is It Really All Just For PR? A Deep Dive Into Celebrity Relationships
Celebrity relationships serve as more than just personal connections in the public eye. They don’t simply reflect romance; they actively shape media attention, audience behavior, and cultural conversation. What may look like a “PR stunt” is often public curiosity amplified, not created. As communicators, we understand that PR is not about forcing narratives, but leveraging interest, where attention, speculation, and storytelling turn real relationships into powerful drivers of engagement and influence.
Read More
We Are What We Listen To: Music Doesn’t Contribute to Culture, It Guides It.
Music serves more than as white noise to fill the background. Music doesn’t just reflect how an artist or a listener feels; music actively shapes our identity, values, and perspective. As communicators, we recognize that social media trends signal far more than a population’s sense of humor; they reveal major shifts in culture.
Read More
