About the presentation
Are you interested in an intern position with a PR agency? Would you like to know what it would be like to be part of an agency team? Perhaps you’re curios to learn how your PR/communications program is preparing you for agency work? Then this joint information session was designed for you!

Thornley Fallis Communications helps organizations solve business problems using leading-edge communications tools and practices. Hill & Knowlton Ottawa is the nation capital’s leading full-service strategic public affairs, communications and government procurement consultancy. Join us as seasoned professionals and recent graduates employed at both organizations discuss the thrills of working at two of Ottawa’s trailblazing agencies!

Thornley Fallis speakers:

Samantha Hartley, account coordinator  
Samantha joined Thornley Fallis & 76design in January 2010 while studying public relations at Algonquin College. She began as a student intern and quickly became a permanent team member in June 2010. As an account coordinator, Samantha provides a considerable amount of client support to consultants and senior management, and manages daily duties and tasks within the Ottawa office.

Samantha is also the account lead for Ford of Canada. Her areas of expertise include: media and public relations; writing, research and editing; event planning; strategic communications; marketing; and using social media and online tools and applications for internal and external communications programs and activities.

Kelly Rusk, consultant
As a consultant with Thornley Fallis since 2010, Kelly specializes in social media strategy and digital communication and can glean insight from her traditional marketing and PR background. Kelly assists the firm’s clients with social media strategy, analysis and reporting as well as online community management. Kelly’s client portfolio includes the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), Statistics Canada, Industry Canada, Ford of Canada, Textron Systems and the Ottawa Senators.

Kelly is a co-organizer of Girl Geek Dinners Ottawa, a regular networking and professional development event for women in technology. She also runs the Ottawa Community Manager Meetup Group and the Ottawa Social Media Book Club. Kelly blogs regularly at kellyrusk.com and is highly active on Twitter as @krusk. In 2008 she started Ottawa Tweet Jobs, a local word-of-mouth job board that has since expanded to Toronto and Montreal.

Kristine Simpson, account coordinator  
Kristine Simpson joined Thornley Fallis Communications as an intern in January 2011. She quickly impressed her superiors and colleagues with her hard work and determination, which landed her a permanent position at Thornley Fallis. As an Account Coordinator, Kristine performs a variety of tasks, always on time and with precision. These tasks include, but are not limited to, media relations, writing, editing, researching, podcast producing, online engagement, and event planning and management.

Kristine’s client list is fairly extensive, which gives her the opportunity to know what is going on in every aspect in the organization. Prominent clients include: Ford Canada, Lockheed Martin, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, the Canadian Internet Registry Authority, Ottawa Senators and Industry Canada

Hill & Knowlton speakers:

James Kenny, consultant 
James Kenny is a consultant in Ottawa's integrated communications team. James provides media and stakeholder relations, special event planning, research, and social media support for clients such as Loblaw Companies Limited, IRIS The Visual Group, Royal Canadian Mint and CATSA.
Prior to joining the Ottawa office, James was the program assistant in the Ottawa Police Service: Emergency Operations Division where his focus was issues management and internal communications.

He then began an internship at the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATA) where he conducted media relations and helped develop communications strategies for the largest high tech association in Canada.  During this time, James was on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) Ottawa/Gatineau Chapter and the Algonquin College Students' Association.

Jennifer Field, account director
With a proven reputation in integrated event management and communications, Jennifer has successfully managed numerous communications programs and events for Hill & Knowlton's national public and private sector clients since joining the firm in 1997. As a senior member of the event management team, Jennifer's attention to detail has helped to in-depth knowledge of the media landscape in Canada has helped to guide the strategy development and execution of numerous integrated communications programs that deliver maximum results and meet client's business and communications objectives.

Jennifer has helped to ensure the successful execution of several national public sector event and media relations programs including: Canadian War Museum Grand Opening (May 08, 2005).

TJ Clark, consultant
As a consultant with Hill & Knowlton's communications team, TJ brings a range of experience in stakeholder relations, digital outreach strategies, media relations and event planning for an array of public and private clients. TJ joined Hill & Knowlton following a period with another national public relations firm where he focused on communications efforts in a range of industries, including energy, natural resources and pharmaceuticals.

Providing market research and conducting high-level stakeholder audits, TJ was able to help guide clients through pressing matters of environmental and economic concern with strategic, integrated approaches.