Christmas Lunch @ The Merrion
Aengus Fanning, Editor of the Sunday Independent, is the Institute's guest speaker at this year's annual Christmas get-together. We've opted for the intimate and elegant surroundings of the Wellesley Room at Dublin's Merrion Hotel for this festive occasion, which takes place in just three weeks time on Thursday 17 December. But with just 55 seats available - and many already sold - you'll need to get your skates on to hear Aengus' view of the world!
Tickets cost €75 per person and bookings must be made in writing before next Thursday, 03 December. You can download a booking form now on the homepage at www.prii.ie or, alternatively, call us on (01) 661 8004 or e-mail annmarie@prii.ie to have one faxed or e-mailed to you.
Thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing you on the 17th.
Best regards,
Gerry Davis
Chief Executive
Public Relations Institute of Ireland. 78 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. Tel: (01) 661 8004. Fax: (01) 676 4562. Registered number: 104919.
A day in the life of an account executive
An account executive will usually provide administrative and executive support to more senior team members across a range of clients.
In this way they will have an opportunity to observe and learn how to develop the skills that will help them progress to the account manager role. While much depends on individual strengths and performance it is usual for an account executive to be in that role for approximately two years.
Mornings are busy times for an account executive as they are usually responsible for gathering, distributing and filing all media coverage generated for clients. It's good client service for the client to receive updates and copies of any coverage as early as possible in the morning. In addition, the executive may be responsible for doing analyses of the coverage and tracking emerging issues. Increasingly PR companies are also carrying out digital tracking on, for example, websites or blogs of interest to their clients.
They will then assist in the particular work of the day which could entail assisting with props or sets for a photo-shoot or assisting in setting up an event such as a client meeting or a press briefing. Any of these events will require administrative support such as writing and issuing invitations, updating contact and press lists. There will also be basic financial control tasks to be done such as setting up new suppliers, issuing purchase orders, processing invoices and taking calls from suppliers with enquiries on payment.
No two days are alike and being resourceful and having basic research skills come in handy when you are asked to source a pair of identical twins, two models in evening wear, a vintage army truck or a surf board!
Certainly there will be writing tasks such as invitations, letters, minutes of meetings, action reports, press releases and power-point presentations. The amount of autonomy the executive has will largely depend on his or her own abilities and skills but all work which will be leaving the office, i.e. to be sent to the media or a client, will be checked by a more senior colleague.
No two days are ever the same but they are always busy and the executive will have to be prepared to work outside usual office hours.