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Auburn public relations students attend PRSSA ICON conference

The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) ICON conference was held Oct. 13-15 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Representing Auburn University’s PRSSA chapter were public relations students Kaitlyn McCarthy, Katie Simmons, Anna Chason Buchanan and Maya Lingelbach.

Students attended breakout sessions discussing crisis communications, earned media relations, diversity and campus, and career training. Through networking with other members of PRSSA and hearing from keynote speakers, students learned valuable insights about the diverse field of public relations and prepared themselves for life after graduation.

“Attending ICON with PR professionals and other students in my same field was a unique and beneficial experience,” Simmons said. “Being at this conference gave me valuable networking that will set me apart from other students as I begin applying for jobs and internships."

Students had the opportunity to foster relationships with highly successful public relations professionals through learning from lectures and networking sessions. In addition to many others, this year’s PRSSA ICON keynote speakers included:

• Amanda Brooks, director of communications for college football, ESPN
• Barbara Agrait, senior PR manager for global media relations, Amazon
• Bri Reynolds, social media manager, Lyft
• Traci Otey Blunt, former senior vice president of corporate communications, NFL, and founder of Blunt Group Strategies

All students who attended ICON are members of The Oaks Agency and admission to ICON was made possible through student involvement in collaboration with the agency. The Oaks Agency is a student-run PR firm at Auburn University.

"I am really grateful for the investment that Auburn and The Oaks Agency made in me and my future by giving me the opportunity to go to ICON,” Buchanan said. “I am coming back to Auburn with new perspectives that will benefit me in my classes and clubs for a long time to come.”

Find more information about the Auburn University PRSSA and The Oaks Agency.

Tags: Students Communication and Journalism