Workinpr.com Monthly Q&A with PR Professionals
May 2002
Jason Mudd, APR
Director, Public Relations
Florida Sports Awards
Jacksonville, Fla.
1. How did you get into PR?
I was doing free-lance newspaper reporting and before going to college to study journalism, a local not-for-profit organization asked me to help them promote their organization in the local media. I took a stab at it and really enjoyed it. I felt like I was making a larger contribution and was setting the agenda instead of reporting it.
After going to the University of Missouri and studying at its journalism school, I decided that I was more interested in pursing public relations and corporate communications. This would allow me to continue to be involved in the news process, but also allow me to have an opinion and a message.
2. Briefly, describe your typical workday.
Building relationships and planning events. Every day, I am working with my contacts at Florida's major league professional teams and leagues, members of the sports and entertainment media, our corporate sponsors and the community to create better opportunities for Florida's underprivileged youth and put Florida sports in a positive light.
3. What is the best part of your job?
I work in sports! And the work I do benefits underprivileged youth across Florida. I couldn't ask for more. We also have great corporate sponsors that really buy into what we do. Their support is very encouraging.
4. What is the worst part of your job?
Being in the not-for-profit industry, your resources are limited, but that keeps you creative and honest.
5. What is the biggest lesson you've learned during your PR career?
The same thing they tried to teach me in Boy Scouts - Be Prepared. In fact, now that I think about it, most everything they teach you in Boy Scouts is helpful to a PR career from tying knots to surviving a storm to following the Boy Scout Law - being "trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent." To make it in PR, you need those skills.
6. What is the most unique thing about your company?
Not only are we working in sports, having fun and promoting sports in a positive light, but we are also benefiting underprivileged youth charities across the entire state and having an impact on children's lives. That is definitely unique.
6. What is your ideal dream job?
Doing what I am doing now is living my dream!
