Behind the Megaphone: Alex Baumann
1. What is your favorite part about public relations?
The p in public could easily be switched out for ‘people’, and I love that! Whether I’m in a client strategy session helping them further their business, reviewing Largemouth’s account teams to ensure our people have opportunities to grow or crafting content and strategy designed to target my client’s key audiences, everything I do is centered around people!
2. What does your typical, daily routine look like?
I’m the office early bird – mainly because I’m excited to get up and drink coffee. I get up early, check emails and news alerts, and then hit the gym or run with my dog.
Then I’m in the office by 8 a.m.! I like to tackle challenging work first thing, so you might find me working on strategy documents, developing planning presentations or taking a final look at an article or news release.
My day from there is never the same, but generally a mix of meetings with my clients, my account teams and balancing my PR work with overseeing staff utilization, forecasting and new client onboarding. I almost never get away for lunch, but I do try to spend a half hour or so eating and catching up on news and the latest trends in digital media.
As the clock ticks away, I spare a few minutes to prioritize key items for the next day so I leave feeling organized and come in the next morning with a purpose.
Just like my days, my evenings are never the same. You might find me at yoga, playing kickball, trying out a local brewery or restaurant with my husband or catching up on the latest Netflix craze with my dogs, Yogi and Boo Boo.
3. What advice do you have for upcoming PR pros?
I can sum it up in three tips:
- Intern: Interning is the best way to learn what PR is like in the real world. You can’t learn everything from classes and projects! Internships are also a great way to figure out what’s right for you when graduation rolls around. PR pros can work at agencies, corporations, non-profits, government – you name it! An internship can give you a sense for the pros and cons of all these opportunities before you commit to a full-time job.
- Work Hard: There is no secret to success in PR. Hard work is the foundation for all great careers in PR, and there’s simply no replacement for it. I never forget the interns who are the first to arrive and who are always happy to help – whether it’s helping with a fun and exciting campaign or stuffing press kits. Put your best foot forward in all that you do and people will notice.
- Know Your Value: We’re at an interesting time when a Chief Marketing Officer might be asking his or her college-aged son about the new Story Playlist on Snapchat or where today’s college students get their news. To that end, don’t be afraid to bring new ideas or perspectives to the table at your internship or job interviews.
