The PRIMA Group Takes on The Big Apple: March 20-22 NYC agency crawl

Wake up, visit agency, explore, group dinner, and repeat! 48 hours doesn't seem like a lot but our group of seven members from The PRIMA Group were booked and busy for our very first NYC agency crawl from March 20-22. If it wasn't for Ali Short and Isabella Reys’ impeccable planning and Professor Rozelle’s connections we wouldn’t have had the trip of a lifetime. Memories and connections were made, making it an unforgettable experience.

After a long bus ride from Rochester to New York City, we were ready for our first group dinner. Fumo, an authentic Italian restaurant, was the perfect place to begin our trip. We enjoyed dishes of pasta, pizza, and salads while we talked about our expectations of the agencies we were going to visit, and what we were most excited about. 

The next morning we visited two major PR agencies: Ketchum and M Booth. At Ketchum, we were greeted by Jacqueline Gruber who led an informative presentation that covered the various roles at Ketchum, and reviewed several exciting case studies. After hearing from professionals of various specialties/industries, we engaged in a Q&A that could have kept going for hours. We soaked up all of the information and were so thankful for their advice. We then headed to M Booth where we met Nick Doherty and Asia Nicholson who work in their HR department. Nick’s presentation touched on the work culture at M Booth, which was represented well. As soon as we walked in we saw a vibrant and busy common area filled with employees enjoying lunch together. Nick also spoke about internship opportunities and provided us with a tour of the office. 

After our busy day, we were able to unwind with a showing of Hamilton on Broadway. I mean how spectacular is that? It was one of the most anticipated events of our trip! 

Our last day was spent at global PR firm Edelman where we met with Monica Couvillion (VP, Technology). She, along with Re Kleinbrand (VP, Technology), Christina Sebastiao (Senior Account Supervisor, Crisis & Risk), and Samantha Dean (VP, Business Transformation) gave us a presentation on the work being done at Edelman with case study examples. After the presentation, we entered the Q&A portion of the meeting which was very informative. Topics like post-grad life and career advice were talked about, leaving us with valuable information. 

Then, our group had the amazing opportunity to visit the Museum of Public Relations. Museum founder Shelley Spector gave us a presentation about women in PR to commemorate women’s history month. She shared photos, advertisements, and video clips about the portrayal of women in the media over time. We discussed women’s evolving role in the field of public relations and learned about important figures in women’s history like Muriel Fox, co-founder of the National Organization For Women (NOW). Rare PR artifacts like a Harper's Bazaar magazine from the 1860s, and the first press release from NOW were on display for us to examine. We even viewed a very rare promotional video about the “new” field of public relations from the 1940s. This clip was special because it was the first time the public was hearing about public relations. It was interesting to see this clip because it allowed us to see the evolution of public relations. 

Next, we walked to the 9/11 Museum for a guided tour. As soon as you walk in, a wave of emotions just overcomes you. Seeing the artifacts from that horrific day was intense but we were glad we had the opportunity to learn more about the day that changed lives forever. The reflecting pools that now take the place of the Twin Towers are absolutely beautiful and could be admired for hours. The Historical Exhibition and the Memorial Exhibition give visitors just a sliver of what that day must have felt like. 

We followed that with our last group dinner, which was bittersweet. We shared our favorite memories from the trip and talked about how much we will miss each other. 

This trip couldn't have gone better than imagined! From the advice and information given to us by the professionals at each agency to the Broadway show and museums, every aspect of our New York City trip was met with expertise and passion. This trip was a reminder of the power that travel holds, enabling us to broaden our horizons. We all left this trip feeling inspired and curious about our future.