The Gong Blog

Topic: The Hodges Partnership

Why Your Company Needs a PR Agency

In a world where a business’s image and reputation can make or break its success, the role of public relations has never been more vital. Whether you’re a small startup or a well-established corporation, PR can help you navigate the complex landscape of public perception. But why should you consider hiring a PR agency? Strength in Numbers When you hire a PR agency, you’re gaining access to a whole team of experts. While your account might have PR pros dedicated specifically to your business, behind…

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What to Expect When Starting to Work with a PR Firm

So you’re thinking of working with a PR firm. Whether you’ve worked with a PR firm before, or it’s the first time, it can be a big decision. How much is it going to cost? How much time is it going to take to manage? How to choose between firms? Why are we doing this? Here are a handful of things to consider if you’re looking to work with a PR firm. Set a Budget It’s not quite like Jerry Maguire’s escalating “Show me the…

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Mindful Engagement During Difficult Times

Is it just me, or does it feel like the world is burning down around us? In an age where staying informed and up-to-date on global affairs is crucial—especially for those of us in professions that require a strong social media presence (hello, fellow PR practitioners!)—the relentless influx of information can quickly lead to feelings of hopelessness. Our world feels really dark right now, and while a blog post won’t change the harsh reality of the current global landscape, I’d like to share some strategies…

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Meet a Hodger: Jada Carpenter

With a keen eye for design and an innate understanding of what looks good, Jada Carpenter has a knack for designing beautiful graphics that help clients reach their goals. Born and raised in Alexandria, Jada came to Richmond in 2013 to attend VCU and has been here ever since. She earned a B.S. in Mass Communications with a concentration in Creative Advertising in 2017. Jada was drawn to design when she began learning basic principles in her classes at VCU. The notion of design choices,…

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Grand Slams: Reflecting on the 2023 Richmond PRSA Awards

Each year, The Richmond Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America holds its annual awards ceremony to honor the innovative work of public relations professionals from the previous year. The awards program champions creativity and highly effective communications strategies, and this year, Hodges knocked it out of the park. The team took home a total of 9 awards in the following categories: One standout campaign was “Virginia’s Community College’s G3 Awareness and Lead Generation Campaign” led by Michaela Mishoe and the VCCS account team….

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Finding and landing your first internship

Life after college can be scary, and in an economy that seems to only get more volatile, the post-grad job search can easily begin to feel like a bunch of futile attempts at adulthood.  However, there’s no need to lament over untapped potential just yet. Internships offer an excellent opportunity to establish industry experience, granting you a head start over your peers by the time you graduate. As an intern, you have the opportunity to expand your network, enhance your resume with valuable experiences and…

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What Makes a Good Client (and a Bad One)

I was asked by a new client years ago, “What makes a good client?” The question took me aback. I’d always focused on being a good (if not great) agency; now here was someone on the client side (where I spent more than half my career) putting some of the onus of the success of the relationship on themselves.  It was a smart question. Now, years later, here’s my answer… No TODAY Show-itis We used to say that the three warning signs that we were…

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4 Tips for new grads in their first PR job

Whew! You’ve finally walked across the stage, secured your diploma and landed your very first job in PR. Now it’s time to live happily ever after… right? Admittedly, that was my mindset as a new graduate. Don’t get me wrong, landing a position in my field of study has been a wonderful kickstart to my career. However, what professors and parents rarely tell you is what to do once you actually get your dream job. Breaking into the professional world can feel daunting, and as…

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Meet a Hodger: Adrienne Band

Adrienne Band stays busy. When she’s not sampling international cuisine at Blue Atlas or sending a new route on the face of Peak Experience’s bouldering walls, you’ll find our newest Hodger right where she belongs – with us! Adrienne was hired to be our account executive for the Virginia Spirits team. Before joining our team, she was a freelance creative consultant helping small businesses and nonprofits develop a range of brand identities and marketing collateral. She’s a Roanoke native and a graduate of JMU where…

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How to stay connected during a virtual internship  

The pandemic completely changed the way we live, play and work. And while COVID-19 brought countless negatives, the virus also encouraged the world to rethink, revamp and revitalize age-old systems – like putting on real pants and going into an office five days a week.   As the growing number of remote internships and career opportunities increase, it’s important to learn how to communicate effectively with members of your team in a new way. Here are five tips I’ve learned for staying connected during a virtual…

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Meet A Hodger: Jack Gorman 

Jack Gorman is no stranger to change. In fact, you might even say he thrives on it.  Originally from South Lake Tahoe, California, Jack has spent his life moving from coast to coast. After receiving a degree in political science with a public service emphasis from the University of California, Davis, Jack began his professional career as a federal lobbyist in Washington, D.C., where he spent five years before moving to Seattle, Washington.   Following this, Jack moved between California and D.C. three more times before…

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Meet a Hodger: Alejandro Leon

With an aptitude for making connections and an instinct for digital marketing, VCU graduate Alejandro Leon is the latest former-intern-turned-Hodger to be welcomed back to the team. After interning with The Hodges Partnership and graduating from VCU in 2022 with a degree in public relations, Alejandro found himself back at Hodges after working with Velocity Marketing in Northern Virginia for the last year. Call him a “triple threat” with talents for branding, public speaking and writing, Alejandro brings great passion to Hodges, not to mention…

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