With PRSA's 2009 International Conference held in San Diego on the U.S.- Mexico border, there was no better time to address some of the most salient issues related to Mexico and its relationship to U.S. business, NGOs and overnments at all levels. Cultural sensitivity or protocol for public relations practitioners will not be discussed. However, societal trends, potential threats to, and opportunities for, practitioners' organizations will be examined. Also discussed will be public relations related to Mexican-Americans within the United States.

Eric Hill of research company MyMediaInfo, speaks with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM about how his company arranges information from all parts of the public relations field in an easily digestible format.

Laura Sturaitis speaks with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM about what's new at Business Wire, including how it has reinvented the traditional press release. Suraitis also discusses her Conference presentation on the ROI of the press release.

Kye Strance, director of product management at Vocus, explains to Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM, the Web-based software program that helps manage daily public relations activity with e-mail solutions and search engine optimized (SEO) press releases. He also discusses how Vocus has an integrated tracking system that monitors your public relations initiative.

Dave Chapman, partner/director at Ketchum West, and Diane McIntyre, senior public relations manager of The Häagen-Dazs Brand, provide an overview to Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM, on how they solved the Häagen-Dazs revenue slump with the campaign "Häagen-Dazs loves Honey Bees." They also talk about how honey bees products contribute to the ingredient to half of the flavors from Häagen-Dazs.

Rita Tateel, president, The Celebrity Source, speaks with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM at the PRSA 2009 International Conference about celebrities as brands and how their endorsements reflect the brands with which they work. She also addresses celebrity/brand parings to increase return on investment.

Jonathan Slater, Ph.D., speaks with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM about his PRSA 2009 International Conference presentations, in which he addressed public relations campaigns courses and ethics for students and instructors.

PRSA 2009 Chair-Elect Gary McCormick, APR, Fellow PRSA, reveals to Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM his thoughts on public relations, the differences between public relations and advertising, and his new position at PRSA.

Following his PRSA 2009 International Conference presentation, keynoter Bob Garfield shares his thoughts with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM on how the mass media–mass marketing symbiosis is dead, and how public relations as an industry is better positioned than most.  

Alan Scott, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Dow Jones, speaks with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM about his participation in the "Social Media: Welcoming Employees to the Global Conversation" panel. He also discusses new product offers in the marketplace.

Karen Dalton, APR, executive director of the Canadian Public Relations Society, speaks with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM about the similarities of public relations between her organization and its American counterpart, and how they are dealing with changes with journalism, social media and more.

PRSSA students representing the University of Hartford share with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM, their networking experiences at the PRSA 2009 International Conference.

Todd Buchholz, former White House director of Economic Policy, speaks with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM about how worldwide events influence today's economic environment. He also shares his views on the unpredictable roller coaster global economy and what it means for business, following his PRSA 2009 International Conference keynote presentation.

Robert Noltenmeier, professor at NYU-SCPS Division of Programs in Business, speaks with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM about the success of the university's education program in the public relations community.    

Farnaz Khadem, head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations at Life Technologies, speaks with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM and offers her perspective on Todd Buchholz's keynote presentation with regard to global techology and education. Khadem also discusses her company's work in corporate communications and brand building.

Johna Burke, senior vice president of marketing at BurrellesLuce, speaks with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM about how to integrate social media activity holistically into a campaign.

Ralph Davila, an award-winning public relations professional and blogger for ATonOfBricks.com, speaks with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM about his experience at the PRSA 2009 International Conference.  

Bob Garfield, co-host of NPR's "On the Media," shared his industry wisdom with his signature wit at the Tuesday, Nov. 10 luncheon. He also previewed his latest book, “The Chaos Scenario,” which asks whether traditional media is falling apart and, as he wondered, “whether we are prepared to pick up the pieces.” (Note: This podcast contains language that may be offensive to some listeners; discretion is advised).

Todd Buchholz, former White House director of economic policy and a frequent CNBC contributor, shared his view on the unpredictable global economy and its affect on business at the General Session on Monday, Nov. 9.

Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post, opened the three-day Conference with an address before the General Session on Sunday, Nov. 8. During her address, she interviewed Wendell Potter, APR, who recently abandoned a 20-year career in corporate communications at health benefits provider CIGNA Corp. to blow the whistle on what he alleges is the health-insurance industry’s “duplicitous” behavior in the current health-reform debate.

Kyung Han, co-founder and managing Partnerof EmPower Research LLC, discusses with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM, his participation in the "Sphere of Influence of Key Opinion Leaders in Health Care Social Media" panel at the PRSA 2009 International Conference.

The Wolcott Company Founder and President Denis Wolcott, APR, who serves as the co-chair of the PRSA 2009 International Conference Committee, speaks with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.Fm on the success of the compelling keynote presentations at this year's Conference.

From the PRSA 2009 International Conference, TopRank Online Marketing CEO Lee Odden and SEO-PR President Greg Jarboe discuss with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM the advantages of search engine optimization in your public relations campaign.

Michael Smith, CEO and founder of Michael Smith Business Development Inc., speaks with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM about his PRSA 2009 International Conference presentation "Barack Obama: A Case Study in Public Relations and the Citizens Campaign."

Jennifer Nance, communications specialist for Time Warner Cable, and Peter Jakel, communications manager at Archstone, share their experiences as first-time PRSA International Conference attendees, with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM.    

Jayne O'Donnell, retail reporter for USA TODAY and author of "Gen BuY: How Tweens, Teens and Twentysomethings are Revolutionizing Retail," discusses with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM her participation in the Corporate Social Responsibility panel at the PRSA 2009 International Conference.

Erica Holloway, communications advisor for the County of San Diego, discusses with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM how she is attending the PRSA 2009 International Conference in order to expand her range of social media. She also talks about what is on the cutting edge of the market.

Following a Q&A session with Arianna Huffington at the PRSA 2009 International Conference, health care industry whistleblower Wendell Potter, spoke with Maria Reitan of WebmasterRadio.FM about his decision to leave the health care industry.

Established in 1995 by the International Section of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the Atlas Award for Lifetime Achievement in International Public Relations recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the practice and profession of public relations on a global scale. Through a substantial body of their work, recipients have demonstrated leadership in international public relations for employees, clients, institutions, governments, agencies or other organizations. The Atlas Award is presented during the annual PRSA International Conference. As part of the Award recognition, each recipient is invited to prepare a White Paper on a specific aspect of international public relations practice.

Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor-in-chief, The Huffington Post, and health care industry whistleblower Wendell Potter hold a post-keynote press conference at the PRSA 2009 International Conference on how consumers must be cautious in discerning the truth from the plethora of opinionated media outlets, as well as as the ethics for which they stand.

From the PRSA 2009 International Conference in San Diego, WebmasterRadio.FM's roving reporter, Maria Reitan, speaks with David Glanzer, director, marketing and public relations, Comic-Con, the largest comic book and popular arts convention, about his Conference presentation "Inside Comic-Con: Engage on the Edge."

From the PRSA 2009 International Conference in San Diego, WebmasterRadio.FM's roving reporter, Maria Reitan, speaks with John Paluszek, APR, Fellow PRSA, chair, Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communications Management, about the Global Alliance's objective to advocate and raise the standards of public relations practices.

From the PRSA 2009 International Conference in San Diego, WebmasterRadio.FM's roving reporter, Maria Reitan, speaks with Jason Kintzler, CEO and founder of PitchEngine, a Web tool that enables public relations professionals to package and share press content via the social Web. Kintzler discusses how his company is migrating out of beta testing and is exhibiting at the Conference for the first time.

From the PRSA 2009 International Conference in San Diego, WebmasterRadio.FM's roving reporter, Maria Reitan, discusses with Lt. Commander Brook DeWalt, APR, public affairs chief, Joint Task Force, GTMO Bay, U.S. Navy, about the value of APR. DeWalt also raises a call to action for raising the bar in public affairs among civilians and the military.

From the PRSA 2009 International Conference in San Diego, WebmasterRadio.FM's roving reporter, Maria Reitan, speaks with PRSA 2009 Gold Anvil Award recipient Michael Herman, APR, S.A.G.E., Fellow PRSA, who reflects on his career in public relations.

From the PRSA 2009 International Conference in San Diego, WebmasterRadio.FM's roving reporter, Maria Reitan, speaks with David Rockland, APR, partner and managing director of Global Research and Interactive Communications at Ketchum, about his involvement in "The Business Case for Public Relations."

Listen in as WebmasterRadio.FM's Brandy Shapiro-Babin speaks with PRSA 2009 Chair & CEO Michael Cherenson, APR. Cherenson offers a preview of the 2009 International Conference, as well as as an overview of the newly-launched "Business Case for Public Relations."

Listen in as WebmasterRadio.FM's Brandy Shapiro-Babin speaks with Rita Tateel, who discusses her PRSA 2009 International Conference presentation "Celebrities as Brands: How to Work With Celebrities and Talent; Where Celebrity Media and Culture is Headed in 2010." In this session, attendees hear from executives who work with actors, athletes and entertainers who examine where the celebrity-driven media is going.   Also, hear from Kathleen Lewton, APR, Fellow PRSA, and Steven Seekins, APR, Fellow PRSA, who discuss their presentation "When a Recession Hits, Reputation Matters More Than Ever." This session discusses how when a recession hits, the ax falls on reputation-sustaining programs — but the response should be just the opposite.   Scott Beaudoin, Jaya Bohlmann and Jayne O’Donnell discuss their presentation, "A Focus on Social Values to Drive Business Results," which teaches attendees how social activist marketing techniques can provide value, create socially responsible brands and deliver measurable business results in an increasingly competitive environment.

Listen in as WebmasterRadio.FM's Brandy Shapiro-Babin speaks with Deirdre Breakenridge as she previews her Conference presentation "Social Media and the PR (R)evolution: It's Not Just PR Anymore." This session features a panel of experts who speak to all the moving parts that make up a successful integrated social media campaign, including planning, communication channels, best practice executive, monitoring and measurement and the changing roles of the communication professional. Also, Maria Reitan interviews Kyung Han and Rachelle Spero, who give a preview their presentation "Sphere of Influence of Key Opinion Leaders in Health Care Social Media." This session teaches attendees how to identify and leverage key influential bloggers to achieve increased sales and meet marketing goals.

WebmasterRadio.FM's "Cover Story" host Brandy Shapiro-Babin speaks with Jenny Schade, PRSA 2009 International Conference presenter, about her session "The Invincibles: Key Essentials for Bullet-Proofing Your Career." Her session   Also, Mike Smith discusses his presentation "Barack Obama: A Case Study in Public Relations and the Citizens Campaign," where he provides an inside look at the impact viral communications can have on a presidential campaign. In his session, he teaches attendees how to use surrogate spokespersons from disparate backgrounds, as well as Twitter, Facebook, video blogs, podcasts and LinkedIn to motivate and organize the public.

Listen in as WebmasterRadio.FM's "Cover Story" host Brandy Shapiro-Babin speaks with PRSA 2009 International Conference co-Chair Marisa Vallbona, APR, Fellow PRSA, who provides a breakdown of sessions, workshops and networking events at the 2009 Conference in San Diego.

WebmasterRadio.FM's "Cover Story" host Brandy Shapiro-Babin speaks with PRSA 2009 International Conference keynoter Bob Garfield, who previews his Conference keynote address by asking the question: Is traditional media falling apart before our eyes, and more importantly, are we prepared to pick up the pieces? Garfield explores this topic in his latest book, "The Chaos Scenario."   Garfield is a columnist, critic, and co-host of the Peabody Award-winning National Public Radio (NPR) series, “On the Media,” and has been on the forefront of media change for years. He is perhaps best known for his “Ad Review” column in Advertising Age magazine.

Listen in to WebmasterRadio.FM's "Cover Story" as host Brandy Shapiro-Babin speaks with Shonali Burke, ABC, who previews her PRSA 2009 International Conference presentation on public relations measurement and practical ways in which public relations practitioners can apply measurement best practices to their programs and campaigns.   Also, Gayle Falkenthal, APR and Joan Gladstone, APR, Fellow PRSA, preview their presentation "Let's Talk Business: Independent Practitioners Share Advice for New and Established PR Practices." This session provides to attendees a roadmap for growth and prosperity of their businesses. Topics include business structure, expectations, contracts and common mistakes to avoid.