Frequently Asked Questions - Public Relations

The Administrative Assistant is the foremost aid to the Public Relations Overall. This Captain will mediate and manage requests from other Committees and record meeting minutes. Additionally, this Captain will serve as the Intra-Committee Liaison responsible for delegating Committee projects and tasks. One of the most unique and important responsibilities of the Administrative Assistant is to provide weekly inspiration for the Public Relations Committee. Applicants should be very organized, motivated, and communicative.

The Social Media Captains will work to spread awareness about pediatric cancer, The Four Diamonds Fund, and THON through the use of social media. These Captains will explore the expanding world of social communication through mobile and web-based technologies to increase publicity. Social Media Captains will manage THON's Facebook and Twitter accounts, update the THON blog, and research new media channels. Applicants should be creative and have strong computer and communication skills. One of these Captains will also serve as a liaison to the Technology Committee.

** Selection of these Captains begins in the spring, but the positions are not all filled then. Applicants who do not receive a position are encouraged to reapply in the fall.

The Events Management Captains are responsible for planning and executing several exciting THON events including, but not limited to 100 Days ‘til THON and the Mr. and Mrs. THON Pageant. Additionally, these Captains will help with events exclusively for the Public Relations Committee. They will lead a committee that will help to plan and run each event. Applicants should be very organized, willing to delegate responsibilities, and able to create detailed plans for future events. Creativity is also important, as these Captains will be expected to include their own unique flair to each event. One of these Captains will serve as liaison to the Supply Logisitics Committee.

The Graphic Design Captains will have the chance to create and plan all graphics, logos, and promotional materials for THON 2012. These Captains will be responsible for communicating with other Captains and Overalls to collect and fulfuill all graphic design requests. They will also work closely with the Publication Management Captains to create the annual THON Weekend program. As a result, applicants should be organized, creative, and efficient, as they may work on several projects at once. Finally, applicants should be proficient in several graphic design programs (Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator are a must-CS4 and above is preferred).

** Selection of these Captains begins in the spring, but the positions are not all filled then. Applicants who do not receive a position are encouraged to reapply in the fall.

As a Local Media Relations Captain, you will be the primary point of contact between THON and the local press. Tasks will be divided between working with print media contacts and broadcast media networks. Responsibilities of Local Media Relations Captains include communicating with various media outlets, brainstorming new pitch angles, and collaborating to create and send press releases and pitches. You will work to increase the local coverage of pediatric cancer, The Four Diamonds Fund, and THON. This position requires excellent interpersonal skills, persistence, and the ability to create and maintain outstanding professional relations. Additionally, any experience writing news articles or press releases will greatly benefit you in this position.

The National Media Relations Captains will collaborate with The Four Diamonds Fund, Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital, THON, and others to construct a consistent message and to increase national coverage. This position requires excellent interpersonal skills, persistence, and the ability to create and maintain outstanding professional relations. Additionally, any experience writing news articles or press releases will greatly benefit these Captains. One of these Captains will be the liaison to the Rules and Regulations Committee.

** Selection of these Captains begins in the spring, but the positions may not be filled then. Applicants who do not receive a position are encouraged to reapply in the fall.

The Photography Captains will capture images throughout the upcoming THON season. These Captains will be responsible for the photography of all THON events, keeping track of shot lists and image concepts from Overalls and Captains, and the photo archives. They will also lead a committee that will help them shoot, edit, and organize photographs. A strong background with photography, especially digital photography, is crucial. Applicants should also have great organizational and leadership skills, and display creativity.

The Publication Management Captains will design and layout all publications produced by the Public Relations Committee including the annual THON Weekend Program. Theses Captains will work closely with the Graphic Design Captains throughout the year on various publications. Applicants should be highly motivated, creative, and proficient in graphic design and layout programs (Adobe InDesign and Photoshop--CS4 and above is preferred). Finally, experience in publication planning or layout would be extremely helpful in this position.

The State Media Relations Captain will be responsible for communicating with various media outlets across the state, brainstorming new pitch angles, and collaborating to create and send press releases and pitches. This Captain will work to increase statewide print and broadcast coverage of pediatric cancer, The Four Diamonds Fund, and THON. This position requires excellent interpersonal skills, persistence, and the ability to create and maintain outstanding professional relations. Additionally, any experience writing news articles or press releases will greatly benefit this position. One of these Captains will serve as the liaison to the Family Relations Committee.

** Selection of these Captains begins in the spring, but the positions may not be filled then. Applicants who do not receive a position are encouraged to reapply in the fall.

The Street Teams Captains will develop, plan, and execute several unique marketing campaigns that will be displayed around State College and beyond. These Captains will lead a Committee that will play an integral role in spreading awareness about pediatric cancer, The Four Diamonds Fund, and THON. Street Teams Captains will work to increase awareness and to help garner new public support, while continuing to inform THON donors and volunteers. Applicants should be very efficient, organized, and innovative.

The Alternative Media Captain will work closely with the Events Management, Street Teams, Social Media and Media Relations Captains to plan and execute nontraditional marketing strategies. This Captain is also responsible for but not limited to planning the THON presentation at a home football game and guerrilla or nontraditional marketing events. Applicants should be communicative, organized and innovative.