Kathleen Rennie Meets with the Class of 2019
Written by: Cody Laska
On a chilly October night, the class of 2019 Leadership class met with PR specialist Kathleen Rennie. Ms. Rennie has over 25 years of experience in public relations working for NJ Transit as well as her own firm, the McGraw group. With open arms, the class of 2019 thanked her for taking time out of her very busy schedule to share her experiences and offer advice.
The meeting started with a simple question that lead to a complex discussion: “What is the difference between public relations, marketing and advertising?” In an almost poetic sense, Ms. Rennie managed to weave the answer into a piece of advice: “PR is not paying for placement, it is earning placement through solid relationships and utilizing them to your advantage.” This lead to a discussion on the ever-growing importance of integrated marketing communications; and how important they will be to our careers in the coming future.
In explaining how to prepare for the future, Ms. Rennie provided the class of 2019 with ten lessons from her past. From understanding the value of the news, to always being prepared, to being able to move on, she provided a game plan that can be applied to any aspect of life and be extended as far as the user can imagine.
With high praise and lots of encouragement, Ms. Rennie made her closing remarks, urging the class to continue challenging themselves and living in an environment that makes them uncomfortable. “When someone asks you why you’re taking that extra class, why you’re in a suit at 9 on a Wednesday, say to yourself, not to them, because you aren’t.”
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