Jordan ONeil

JLO

Public Relations Writing Portfolio

Table of Contents
News Releases Feature Story Pitch Letter Talking Points Media List Grant Letter Backgrounder & FAQ sheet

NEWS RELEASE Sept. 17, 2013 Baylor University 1311 S. Fifth St. Waco, TX 76706 Contact: Jordan ONeil 832-257-7864 Jordan_Oneil@baylor.edu FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 17, 2013 Public Relations Professionals and Business Growth WACO, TX, Sept. 11, 2013 - - Public relations professionals from Waco businesses spoke to Baylor students about corporate growth Sept. 11. Alison Pruett from InterviewStream, Sheila Boggess from DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen and Patrick Baldwin and Jeff Anz from Bugs Dot Com, discussed how they have handled company growth. InterviewStream offers video screening thats tailored to businesses. We market and promote our services to businesses, Pruett said. We educate the target market about the technology as authentically as we can. Pruett told students that InterviewStream promotes adoption within big organizations, such as Johnson and Johnson, IBM and AT&T. If you talk to our CSO, Doug Dwyer, hed tell you weve never been better. We look at people first and profit second, Boggess said. Boggess said at DreamMaker, they focus on a code of values, and part of the corporate mission is to glorify God in all that we do. The recession in 2008 took the 100 DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen franchises down to 40, but theyre growing again. CEO Patrick Baldwin and marketing professional Jeff Anz said that at Bugs Dot Com, Its growth beyond control almost. The company is starting to branch out and have franchises, and they are changing the companys name to 855bugs.com. They told students to get the right people invested in the company and help those people to achieve their goals. If you have integrity and loyalty, those are the two biggest things, Baldwin said. For more information, contact Jordan ONeil at 832-257-7864. ###

NEWS RELEASE Sept. 24, 2013 Baylor University 1311 S. Fifth St. Waco, TX 76706 Contact: Jordan ONeil 832-257-7864 - Cell Jordan_Oneil@baylor.edu FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 25, 2013 Professionals Share Challenges of Government Public Relations WACO, TX, Sept. 18, 2013 - - Public relations professionals involved in government public relations spoke to Baylor students Sept. 11. Patrick Swanton is the spokesperson for the Waco Police Department, and Sara Threadgill is the communications director for Congressman John R. Carter. Swanton and Threadgill spoke about the fast pace and challenges of government public relations. News doesnt go on hold and if the media cant get reliable information from someone they know, the media will go get reliable information from someone else, Swanton said. Swanton said he presents the Waco Police Department in a good light and handles the deep rooted distrust between law enforcement and media by being honest and straightforward. Public relations is all about building relationships with local media, Threadgill said. I do not trust national media. The local media are more involved with situations, while national media are not able to see the effects of what theyve done most of the time, she said. Know who you can trust and who you cant trust. Swanton and Threadgill told students government public relations requires a lot more work than a regular eight-to-five job. I dont really have a vacation, Threadgill said. Its beyond a full time job. Swanton said that in his position, he doesnt really leave work at work. The number one thing I want to do is be accessible, Swanton said. Do what you love, and love what you do, he added. Swanton said he loves his job, but with no family support, it would be pretty tough dealing with the interruptions and phone calls. Dont ignore family. For more information, contact Jordan ONeil at 832-257-7864. ###

NEWS RELEASE Oct. 29, 2013 Baylor University 1311 S. Fifth St. Waco, TX 76706 Contact: Jordan ONeil 832-257-7864 - Cell Jordan_Oneil@baylor.edu FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 30, 2013 Sports Public Relations Professionals Speak to Baylor Students WACO, TX, Oct. 23, 2013 - - Three professionals involved with sports public relations spoke to Baylor students last Wednesday. Speakers included Jay Black, curator for the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, David Kaye, associate director of athletic communications at Baylor, and Jerry Hill, director of the Baylor Bear Foundation. The Texas Sports Hall of Fame has an advantage as a museum, since they can ride the coat tails of sports, Black said. The Texas Sports Hall of Fame is a nonprofit business dedicated to the preservation of Texas sports. As a nonprofit we are underfunded and understaffed. Social media sites are great because theyre free, Black said. He discussed the different social media sites the museum uses, and told students people his age rely heavily on the younger generations to stay current and know the differences in social media sites. The Texas Sports Hall of Fame uses Facebook likes, Twitter retweets and favorites, Instagram likes and QR codes to measure success. Kaye told students that as a media liaison, its his job to know the reporters and not to put Baylor athletes with any tricky or sly reporters. Baylor athletic communications comes up with publicity ideas for Baylor athletics, and they like to give something unique, Kaye said. We focus on a lot of visual stuff, like infographics and memes, Kaye said. Baylor football played the University of Louisiana-Monroe earlier in the season, and Baylor athletic communicatons publicized the game by creating a Bear Dynasty poster. The poster got a lot of publicity and played on the fact that the Duck Dynasty cast lives in Monroe, La. Its hard to quantify success, so we use follows and retweets on Twitter, shares on Facebook, and likes on Facebook, Kaye said. Both the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and Baylor athletic communications utilize TweetDeck, which allows Tweets to be scheduled in advance. Hill directs the Baylor Bear Foundation and didnt deny the job includes a lot of writing. Its not exactly public relations, but whatever you guys do in public relations, youre going to write, Hill said. Hill said hes not social media savvy, but explained that the Bear Foundation has a different donor base. The older crowd wants prints, and theyre not into social media, Hill said. For more information, contact Jordan ONeil at 832-257-7864. ###

A limited edition painting of Bubba Smith by Robert Hurst.

Athletes, Acrylic & Art

Robert Hurst

By Jordan ONeil

Inside among autographed artifacts and jerseys hang some of the states most cherished paintings of Texas sports legends. These hanging testaments go beyond the simple depiction of form and figure. They portray an effervescence of life, and a vitality that photographs fail to capture. The name behind these paintings is a nationally renowned painter and Houston native, Robert Hurst. Hurst has been the official artist for the Texas Sports Hall of Fame since 1997, and his paintings continue to be appreciated and admired each day by museum visitors. Whats not to like? Im a native Texan. Im a former athlete. Im an artist. I know plenty of artists out there who would kill to be in the position Im in, said Hurst, regarding his position as the official artist for the museum. Im extremely proud. I think working with the Texas Sports Hall of Fame is the proudest achievement Ive made. Jay Black, Texas Sports Hall of Fame curator, said, I think Robert doesnt always get enough recognition. He does a lot for the museum, and he does it well. Hurst creates and frames a painting of each Texas Sports Hall of Fame inductee, which he then presents at the induction banquets. When asked where he finds inspiration for a painting, Hurst said, Id say eight out of 10 times, I know who they are, and sometimes, I dont know much about them. To me, one of the funnest parts is the research. If I find it interesting, Ill put it into the piece. The history of Texas sports and the accomplishments of inductees are being preserved by these paintings. When I can genuinely see it in their eyes that they like the painting, I know that theyre happy about what I did for them, Hurst said. Besides being the official artist for the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, Hurst also is the official artist for the College Baseball Hall of Fame, the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rodeo Austin. He specializes in sports, music and western art. I paint what I love, and I usually have to have people or critters in there, Hurst said. Throughout his years, Hurst has been an animal advocate. I am definitely for helping animals and supporting them because they cant support themselves. Im always for the underdogs who cant help themselves, Hurst said. Raised in Houston, he was always known as an artist. He got his first paid commission in junior high school for artwork of Billy Holiday. I think it sold for like five dollars or something. I started painting professionally probably about the time I hit 28 or 29, he said. Along with being an artist, Hurst always has been involved in sports, whether it was motocross, martial arts, college rugby or competitive volleyball. Hurst started out a Houston Oilers fan and is a Dallas Cowboys fan. Hurst and his friends attended the Dallas Cowboys first game of the 2013 regular season against the New York Giants. It was very fun, lots of ripping, he recalled. We had pretty decent seats, and it was the first time I went to Jerry World. AT&T Stadium got its nickname, Jerry World, after Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Jones was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fames class of 2006 and painted by Hurst. His music and western-themed art can be found at the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame, as well as Rodeo Austin, and he has a whole wall of artwork in Wild About Music in Austin. Hursts studio is available for visitation by appointment, and his artwork can be purchased on his website, adamnfineartist.com.

Just south of the Brazos River on Interstate 35 is the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

I wrote this feature story for the Texas Sports Hall of Fame website. The story has 437 clicks on the website.

Texas Sports Hall of Fame

1108 S. University Parks Drive Waco, TX 76706 254-756-1633

Mr. Bob Allen KHOU 11 Sports Anchor 1945 Allen Pkwy. Houston, TX 77019 Renowned Painter Robert Hurst Official Artist for the Texas Sports Hall of Fame Dear Mr. Allen: Attached is a feature story on the life of Robert Hurst and his happiness he has found in his line of work. Robert Hurst is known around the nation for his sports, western and rodeo art. Hurst is the official artist for the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, the College Baseball Hall of Fame, the Austin Rodeo and the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame. The Texas Sports Hall of Fame is located in Waco and also houses the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame, the High School Football Hall of Fame and the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame. Theres more information about Hurst on our website, www.tshof.org. We can help you obtain quotes, interviews and photos. Well call next week to discuss our feature storys possible publication. Sincerely, Jordan ONeil Texas Sports Hall of Fame 1108 S. University Parks Drive Waco, TX 76706 Jordan_ONeil@baylor.edu 832-257-7864

I wrote this pitch letter in hopes that the Robert Hurst feature story, Athletes, Acrylic & Art, would get picked up by KHOU 11 Sports.

Talking Points

Jordan ONeil Marketing and PR Intern

Texas Sports Hall of Fame

Texas Sports Hall of Fame Message

The Texas Sports Hall of Fame is aimed at preserving the history of Texas sports. Recognizing and bringing lasting fame to the greatest administrators, coaches and athletes in Texas sports is the focus of the museum.

Talking Points for Target Audiences

Adult Texas Sports Fans The museum is home to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame, the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame and the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame. Over 300 Texas sports legends have been inducted. The museum is over 30,000 square feet of pure Texas sports history anyone is able to enjoy. Major league baseball players, National Football League legends and historic coaches have been known to give autographs at events. Children and Teenagers The Texas Sports Hall of Fame offers interactive games and educational opportunities. There is a fun replica of a football field and goal posts in the Southwest Conference Hall of fame that kids love. The Health, Fitness and Education center teaches children about the importance of exercise and healthy eating. Seniors (60+) Some inductees are around the age of the seniors, which can be cool to see what has been accomplished since they were young. Some exhibits can help seniors relive childhood memories about their favorite sports and athletes from when they were young. One-story museum with easily accessible exhibits.

I created this list of talking points for the media kit. This page lists target audiences for the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. This page also states the museums mission.

2013 Texas Tennis Hall of Fame Inductees Media List

Cathy Beene
Kingsville Record Jaime Gonzalez University of Houston
Sports Writer jgonzalez@king-ranch.com P.O. Box 951 Kingsville, Texas 78364-0951 Phone (361) 592-4304 Jeff Conrad Sports Information Director jaconrad@central.uh.edu 713-743-9410 3100 Cullen Blvd. Houston, TX 77204-6002

Melissa Cebold Assistant Athletic Communications Assistant Director-Baseball, Cross Country, Track and Field, Ten Director nis, Volleyball mcebold@uta.edu Clay.Trainum@lamar.edu 817-272-9588 409-880-7848 College Park Center 211 Redbird Lane 601 Spaniolo Drive Beaumont, TX 77710 Arlington, Texas 76019

Lamar University Clay Trainum

University of Texas at Arlington

University of Texas at Austin Travis Feldhaus

Barrett Gilham Director of Media Relations Assistant Media Relations Director for Rowing, Swimming and bgilham@georgiasouthern.edu Diving, Womens Tennis 921-478-5448 Feldhaus@utexas.edu P.O. Box 8086 512-232-9460 Statesboro, Georgia 30460 2100 San Jacinto Blvd Austin, TX 78712

Georgia Southern University

Coach Bobby Kleinecke

Galveston County The Daily News John DeLapp

Sports Editor johndelapp@galvnews.com 409-683-5242 8522 Teichman Rd Galveston, TX 77554

West Texas A&M University Brent Seals

Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations bseals@wtamu.edu 806-651-4442 2501 4th Avenue Canyon, TX 79016

The Eagle (Bryan) Robert Premeaux, Jr.

Sports Editor Robert.Premeaux@theeagle.com 979-731-4637 P.O. Box 3000 Bryan, TX 77805

I created this media list and we emailed the news release out the next day. 10 of the 15 media sources used the story.

This is a condensed version of the 2013 Texas Tennis Hall of Fame Inductees Media List.

Nov. 12, 2013 Mr. Brant Fielder Academy Sports and Outdoors 210 N. New Rd Waco, TX 76701 254-399-2410 Dear Mr. Fielder: The Texas Sports Hall of Fame intends to submit a grant proposal for a project called Tent City. Tent City will be a group of tents rented out by major restaurants, stores and businesses for tailgating during Baylor football games. We have reason to believe the area around our building will be a hot spot for tailgating and believe the museum could benefit greatly from this project. We are requesting a grant of $47, 687.04 to go toward our efforts to bring Tent City to life by Fall 2014. Jay Black will be the main point of contact regarding the Texas Sports Hall of Fames grant proposal. Jay.Black@tshof.org 254-744-0352 1108 S. University Parks Drive Thank you for reviewing our letter of intent for Tent City. We look forward to speaking with you soon. Sincerely, Jordan ONeil Marketing and Public Relations Intern 832-257-7864 Jordan_Oeil@baylor.edu

I wrote a grant letter to Academy Sports and Outdoors, requesting money to fund a major event for the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

F A C T S

Randy Robertson - Committee Chair for the SWC Hall of Fame The Southwest Conference Hall of Honor was reinitiated in 2013 by the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, and renamed the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame. Induction banquets are biannual. The fall induction banquet is held in Dallas, Texas. The spring induction banquet is held in Houston, Texas. There is an induction ceremony and luncheon to recognize the first class to be inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame since 1995 on Oct. 28, 2013. When: Monday, Oct. 28, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. Where: Dallas, Texas at the Doubletree HotelCampbell Centre

Southwest Conference Hall of Fame

The Texas Sports Hall of Fame
Waco, Texas 254-756-1633

Q A F

1.What is the Southwest Conference? The Southwest Conference was a college athletic conference from 1914 to 1996. This conference included Baylor University, University of Arkansas, University of Houston, Rice University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, University of Texas, Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University. 2.What is the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame? The Southwest Conference Hall of Fame is located within the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco, Texas. It recognizes sports legends that participated in the Southwest Conference during its 82 years.

Mission To preserve the history of the SWC, and to recognize and bring lasting fame and honor to the athletes, coaches and administrators that participated in this important conference in Texas sports history.

4.When was the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame started? When the Southwest Conference disbanded in June 1996, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame legally gained the rights to the Southwest Conference Hall of Honor. In 2013, the Southwest Conference Hall of Honor was reinitiated and renamed the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame. 5.Who gets inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame? Exceptional athletes, coaches and administrators who participated in the Southwest Conference will be selected as inductees into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame.

6.How are the inductees for the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame chosen? Each school has a selection committee, which chooses the individuals to be inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame.

7.When are Southwest Conference Hall of Fame Induction Banquets? Southwest Conference Hall of Fame Induction Banquets are twice a year. The fall induction banquet takes place in Dallas, Texas, and the spring induction banquet takes place in Houston, Texas.

For more information email Jordan_Oneil@baylor.edu or call 832-257-7864.