MEET A MEMBER
April 2012
Jane Calloway, APR
Q&A with Jane Calloway, APR, Global Diversity Communications Manager, Cummins
Why did you decide to go into PR?
I started my career as a newspaper reporter and then worked as editor of Cat Fancy magazine. During my time at Cat Fancy, we ran a contest to find America’s oldest cat. Once we were ready to publish our story featuring a 32-year-old cat, I convinced the magazine’s publisher to let me issue a news release, and I sent it to CNN and the Los Angeles Times. CNN picked it up and ran the story on cnn.com. I was thrilled to score national media attention with my first press release–that I sent to only two media outlets! As editor of the magazine, I knew then that I wanted to transition from journalism to public relations. A few months later, an opportunity to make that transition fell into my lap through a friend of a friend. I used my experience at Cat Fancy to transition to a corporate communications position at Merial, an animal health company that was a new joint venture between Merck and Sanofi Aventis. It turned out to be a great move and helped launch my career in public relations. I was able to use my writing and reporting skills to help Merial build an employee communications program, train veterinarians to speak to reporters, and help the company gain media coverage.
Looking back, what did you anticipate from a PR career when you started, and how does that compare to what you do currently?
While I do many of the same things, I think technology has changed how I do them. The need for strategic communications planning will always be key, but today you may work with colleagues around the world that you’ve only met during online meetings or by telephone. There’s still a need for clear, concise writing, though now it has to be adapted for press releases, employee newsletter stories, digital signage and social media. And there’s still a need to interact with members of the media, though now A-list media may include bloggers whose work only appears online. Lastly, the speed with which news travels around the world is instantaneous. All of these things require communicators to maintain flexibility and adapt to constant change.
Why did you join PRSA?
I joined PRSA as a way to network with other practitioners and share best practices. When I first joined PRSA, I was living in New Jersey and the meetings were 90 minutes each way from my office, so I didn’t start attending meetings regularly until I moved to Indy. One benefit of PRSA that I didn’t fully appreciate until I had been in the organization for several years is the Hoosier chapter’s accreditation preparation program. I couldn’t have earned my APR without the great coaching that I received. And I thoroughly enjoyed being able to give back by co-chairing the APR course a few years ago.
Do you have any insights on the PR industry, or your particular industry, that you would like to share?
I would encourage PR practitioners to demonstrate their commitment to our profession by earning and maintaining their accreditation. Also, always have a desire to learn, whether it’s sharing best practices or learning new technologies, keep your skills sharp and up to date. Lastly, develop a business mindset to think strategically about how communications can play a role in helping your organization deliver its business objectives.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I enjoy cooking and traveling, especially to Duck, a little town on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
View past meet a member columns here.
