PRSA Gold Coast Chapter

06/10/2026

When was the last time you heard a reporter or editor actually SAY he wants to cultivate meaningful, authentic relationships with pros?

That is a breath of fresh air, as far as we're concerned. But that's exactly what TIME Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs told professional communicators at Ragan Communications's recent PR Daily Conference. Even better? He wants to hear from us even when we don't want anything (namely, placing a story in the revered 103-year-old publication). Amazing!

Jacobs also offered some fantastic advice, for pros at all levels, that we've certainly heard before, but bears repeating:

✅ Pitch your stories thoughtfully, and make them highly personal and customized. Mass emails are noticed quickly: Personalization has become even more critical as newsrooms and coverage continue to shrink, Jacobs said.

✅ Trust matters most when coverage is complicated: Trust is also built through repeated interactions, Jacobs said. Therefore, always be open, honest, transparent, accurate, communicative and responsive.

✅ AI makes relationships more critical. The rise of AI adds more pressure to good relationships: Jacobs said audiences are turning to AI tools for information over traditional search. "Brands need stronger trust with the journalists and experts who help explain what’s true and why it matters."

For more from Jacobs, please click on the link below.

3 ways to make media outreach more human. As AI changes how people find information, one of the country’s oldest media brands is putting renewed focus on relationships. During Ragan’s PR Daily Conference, Time Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs said that AI is reshaping media distribution, but human con...

06/08/2026

As many of you know, we often partner with our amazing friends and colleagues of AWC Santa Barbara (the Association for Women in Communications Santa Barbara) to co-present certain events throughout the year...as we are doing on June 17 with our Zoom seminar on with Starshine Roshell and Lisa Osborn.

So here's another wonderful opportunity you don't want to miss! On Wednesday, June 10, AWC Santa Barbara is hosting the final event of its season at La Lieff Wines in Santa Barbara from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Members of AWC SB, Premier Professionals of Santa Barbara, NAWBO, the eWomenNetwork Chapter of Santa Barbara, and PRSA Gold Coast Chapter are welcome! Enjoy a complimentary tasting of La Lieff Rosé, light appetizers, networking and socializing. After some fun ice breakers, representatives from each organization will share their respective missions and upcoming events.

Register NOW at https://bit.ly/4xcfLrz!

06/03/2026

On June 17, the PRSA Gold Coast Chapter and AWC Santa Barbara jointly present a fascinating session with veteran journalist, Santa Barbara resident, and disinformation expert Starshine Roshell: "Dealing with Disinformation: How to Recognize and Respond to Deception." Roshell will discuss this incredibly timely and important topic in conversation with longtime radio broadcaster, entrepreneur, and AWC Santa Barbara member Lisa Osborn of KCSB-FM 91.9.

The current deluge of information has made it all too easy for fiction and falsehoods to spread like wildfire, threatening your organization’s reputation...and possibly its very survival. Roshell shares how communicators can recognize and prepare for disinformation attacks on social media and in traditional media environments. You will pinpoint strategies for real-time responses that cut through the noise, and join a group discussion about best practices and tactics.

Cost: Free for PRSA Gold Coast Chapter and AWC Santa Barbara members. $20.00 per person for non-members.

You don't want to miss this event! Reserve your spot today at https://bit.ly/3RMJTcP!

05/14/2026

If you could talk to Edward Bernays, known and regarded as "The Father of ," what questions would you ask him?

Now, you have the opportunity to do so courtesy of a brand new project from The Museum of Public Relations, which trained the "Ask Eddie" LLM "on more than a million words of Bernays’ writing and 10 years of video recordings made in the twilight of his life." PR Daily editor-in-chief Allison Carter details it all in this intriguing article.

According to Carter, "the project has the blessing of the Bernays family and was built in partnership with Edelman." You can check it out for free on the Museum of PR website; the link is contained in the PR Daily article.

Learn directly from the words and writings of Edward Bernays via a new tool from the Museum of Public relations.

05/14/2026

The PRSA Gold Coast Chapter, in partnership with the AWC Santa Barbara, invites you to attend "The State of Nonprofit News" on Wed., May 27 from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

In a time when legacy media outlets are fading and struggling, nonprofit business models have emerged as viable alternatives for publications to continue serving their communities through outstanding reporting...without being beholden to billionaires, shareholders or government funding and regulation.

In this infomative virtual panel discussion, Dan Hu, director of partnerships at CalMatters.org; Joshua Molina, editor of the Santa Barbara News-Press; and Lance Orozco, news director at KCLU Radio will discuss how these nonprofit business model came into existence, how they actually work, and the numerous pros and cons within the context of broader changes in the media sector.

Cost: FREE for PRSA Gold Coast Chapter and AWC Santa Barbara members. $20.00 for non-members.

Registration: Go to https://bit.ly/3R5pG1v to register.

05/13/2026

If you've ever been curious about the Public Relations Society of America's APR designation, here is a wonderful overview of the process and what is involved.

Smart, strategic, and always three steps ahead? That’s your brand.
APR just makes it official. 🎯

Learn more: www.PRSAIE.org/accreditation

# PublicRelations

05/02/2026

It's that time of the year again! The PRSA Gold Coast Chapter is now accepting nominations for its annual Professional of the Year Award, an individual honor which recognizes the outstanding career achievements of local practitioners in furthering the practice of public relations.

Eligibility:
All nominees must currently practice in Santa Barbara and/or Ventura Counties, and have at least five years of professional experience. A practitioner does NOT have to be a current member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) or the PRSA Gold Coast Chapter to be nominated. The current PRSA Gold Coast Chapter president and all previous award winners are ineligible.

Award Criteria:
• The nominee has made significant contributions to the profession, exhibits exceptional leadership skills, has served as a mentor in the field, etc.
• The nominee perpetuates the highest standards and ethics of the profession in the practice of .

This year's honoree will be presented with the PRSA Gold Coast Chapter Pro of the Year Award at the chapter's September leadership luncheon. It is our hope the honoree will be present to accept the award in person.

Deadline:
All entries must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on May 31, 2026.

Submissions: https://bit.ly/3Pjd4mN

04/21/2026

Just the PRSA Gold Coast Chapter's fantastic event on April 7 with Artis Twyman, vice president of for the Los Angeles Rams, at California Lutheran University, here is a recap of his presentation to the many experienced practitioners and sports management/ students in attendance.

Artis began his talk by sharing his professional philosophy, approach and framework for relationship building, which is summarized in his recurring cyclical graphic:

1. Inform the organization.
2. Inform the media.
3. Control the message.
4. Protect the brand.
5. Serve the team.

Next, Artis asked the audience a very important question: how do you A.C.T.? In his world, and based on over 25 years managing strategies and programs in the NFL, A.C.T. is an acronym which stands for and can be described by (in Artis's own words):

➡️ Authenticity: People can always tell when it's real. Trust starts with showing up honestly, and that's whether you're representing a brand, a team, or yourself.
➡️ Consistency: Credibility is built over time. The best communicators deliver clear, reliable messaging day in and day out.
➡️Truth: Honesty is the best policy. In a fast-paced sports media landscape, accuracy and integrity matter more than ever. Say what's real and true, even when it's hard.

As Artis summarizes, "Whether you're a student just entering the field or a professional leading a department, these principles show up every day. Effective communication and relationship building aren't just skills; they are the foundation of strong leadership and high-performing teams."

04/07/2026

In the age of , excellent (human) skills matter more than ever, and these capabilities remain high on the list of requirements on just about every job description, from chief communications officer to coordinator.

But don't just take our word for it. Karen Freberg, award-winning author and professor of strategic communications at the University of Louisville, nails it here in PR Daily when says, "...The people who win will be the ones who can say something clearly, quickly and with intention. If you can take something complex and make it understandable (and compelling), you’re going to stand out. Clarity is credibility."

For more excellent insights from Professor Freberg, click on the link below!

Clarity builds credibility. If your audience can’t quickly understand it, they won’t trust it, according to Karen Freberg of the University of Louisville.

04/06/2026

Just one more day until the PRSA Gold Coast Chapter presents "Inside NFL : Lessons from the Los Angeles Rams' VP of Communications Artis Twyman" at Lundring Event Center on the campus of California Lutheran University (CLU). Can't wait!

Are you registered yet? If not, there's still time to secure your spot for this exclusive conversation with Twyman, a highly-seasoned sports practitioner, in which he'll discuss how to build and strengthen important relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Just visit https://bit.ly/4sANmZi for all the details, including the option of purchasing a delicious boxed lunch from our good friends at Urbane Cafe.

The event starts at 11:15 a.m., and the cost is only $10.00 for PRSA Gold Coast Chapter members and $20.00 for non-members.

We hope to see you tomorrow at CLU!