By Megan Stemen
ImPRessions, Ohio University’s own student-run public relations agency is a great way to provide students with real-life, hands-on experience. 
Just as a real public relations agency functions, ImPRessions has several clients as well as a CEO, account supervisors, account executives and
account members.

ImPRessions is great for both the students and its clients because the clients are able to gain public relations support free of charge while providing
the students with valuable public relations experience. This year’s client list includes Athens’ Own, Colleges Against Cancer/Relay for Life,
Speakeasy Magazine, Tina Bryson (Author), OU Student Equity Management Group, United Appeal, Good Works, MyCastle.com, Center
for Student Legal Services, and DEBUNKIFY. ImPRessions also has a team of students assigned to promote the agency.

Each account executive had something to say about their individual accounts.
Mary Miller, account executive for MyCastle.com said that her team is currently focused on launching MyCastle.com’s new Web site, Investway.com.
They are working to create a slogan for the company, as well as writing press releases to inform the media about the launch.

Andrew Johnson, account executive for United Appeal, a non-profit organization that raises money and awareness for 14 member
health and human service agencies that serve Athens County, said that the agencies under his client include American Red Cross,
Habitat for Humanity and the Athens Food Pantry. Currently, his team is planning a charity volleyball game. This fundraiser will take
place April 29. They are also working on a press kit forUnited Appeal’s executive director, Pam Harvey.

Anastasia Pronin, account executive for Athens’ Own, said her team has been busy this quarter.  At their quarterly event on March 9 
they will be gave away free Dawn Chorus Coffee, which is organic coffee and a product of Athens’ Own. The goal of the event is
to get the word out about Athens’ Own. They are also working on a media kit and are traveling to Athens’ Farmers
Market to take pictures for the kit. In addition to the media kit, Pronin’s team is working on revamping Athens’ Own
brochure. Overall, Pronin said she would like to increase awareness about Athens’ Own as well as the causes the client
represents and supports such as sustainability and fair trade.

Leah Moon, account executive for Speakeasy Magazine, Ohio University’s first and only online newsmagazine, said she feels her
team has accomplished a great deal for the publication. Because this is Speakeasy’s first year as a client, the focus has been on
generating a buzz about the newsmagazine. Moon’s team has had socials, fundraisers and benefit concerts that have
promoted Speakeasy.  Currently, her team is working on a launch party for the re-design of Speakeasy, which is to take place in the spring.

Angie Dzalamanow, account executive for Relay for Life, said her team is busy planning a Luau fundraising party, to take place
on May 5, the Saturday of Mom’s Weekend. The team is currentlyworking on choosing catering, activities and ticket designs for the party.
They are also planning to have a silent auction at the Luau and hope to raise more than $2,000 for their client. Already this
year, her team has redesigned sponsorship packages, fliers and had a successful fundraiser on Court St. They are also working on
a media kit to promote Relay to the media, as well as distribute to potential sponsorships.

Andrea McClurg, account executive for ImPRessions, said her team is currently working on finishing the winter quarter edition of
ExPRessions, a quarterly newsletter, as well as branding and fundraising ideas. Already this year her team has had a fundraiser,
produced an issue of ExPRessions, designed and sold ImPRessions t-shirts and launched ImPRessions’ Web site. During spring
quarter her team hopes to completethe Web site and plan a launch party for it. They are also working on more fundraisers, branding
and producing another edition of ExPRessions.

Stephanie Seiffert, account executive for Tina Bryson, said that her team has worked very hard to work around geographical roadblocks
 to achieve the goals they set at the beginning of the year in their plan. She described her client, Bryson, as “a self-published author and 
inspirational speaker who began Passion of the Heart Ministries when her twin sons passed away after being born prematurely.  From 
her grief, she was able to grow and share her story with others who had experienced similar losses, and over time, her message expanded
 to include a wider range of topics.”  Seiffert also said that “Tina's biggest goal for working with ImPRessions was to create a new graphic 
identity for herself; to move past the dark burgundy and gold theme of her book cover toward a logo that symbolized growth and blooming.” 
Her team then divided up into 3 groups, each one creating a new logo for Bryson. They produced their design ideas on letterheads, bookmarks, 
business cards and folders, and then presented their ideas to Bryson in person. Bryson then chose a logo and is going to use the design on 
all of her print materials in her press kit. Seiffert’s team also arranged for Bryson to speak at the March of Dimes on May 20.  They are also 
working to publicize the March of Dimes event itselfand hope to increase participation and fundraising at this year’s event. They have also 
arranged for her to speak at Mt. Zion Baptist Church on May 6. 

 Mike DiLorenzo is the account executive for OU Student Equity Management Group, which is a student run investment group that manages
 about $1 million of Ohio University’s foundation money in the stock market. DiLorenzo said his client usually makes money each year and 
that money goes back toward the foundation. His team has had two ongoing projects, one of which is rebranding. They are currently working 
on new logos and names for the organization. The second project is rebuilding the Web site; they hired a new web designer to help. They hope
 to have the Web site up by the spring.

 Courtney Cooper, Executive Assistant for ImPRessions would really like to see more students get involved with ImPRessions. She believes
 it gives students an advantage for future jobs and internships because of the real-life experience and welcomes students from all majors join.