Donna Phelps, senior account executive, Commonwealth Creative Associates
Phelps
Framingham marketing and public relations company CCA recently hired Donna Phelps, a former freelancer for the company who had taken a hiatus from the PR world to work as a property manager. In this Q&A, Phelps discusses her return to public relations, social media, and what's fun about representing high-tech companies.
Vital Stats:
Residence: Northborough
Education: Bachelor's degree in journalism from Northeastern University
Previous job: Property manager at the Woodlands Condominium Community
Start date at new job: Oct. 19
Q. How are you settling in at your new office?
A. I worked for Commonwealth Creative Associates for years as a PR freelancer, so I feel very much at home here. The agency has a wonderful team of professionals, and the flow of creative ideas and skills is constant and exhilarating.
Q. What's the biggest surprise you've had in starting the job?
A. Public relations has developed along with technology. Digital and social media have exploded, and Commonwealth Creative remains ahead of the curve, incorporating blogs, web sites and other forms of social media into traditional press coverage for clients.
Q. What challenges do you see in your new position?
A. The agency has a dynamic mix of clients in the bioscience, health care, energy, and financial services industries. Some have developed cutting-edge technology that is fascinating. It's an incredible opportunity to gain an inside view of the core vision and competencies of each business that we represent.
Q. How different is this job from your previous position?
A. Very different. After a long-term career in corporate communications and freelance public relations, I accepted a property management position offered by a former PR client. I learned a great deal, and it was an adventurous change. But I ultimately felt the pull back to my former trade.
Q. How close is this to what you imagined in high school you'd end up doing?
A. Back then, I visualized myself as a newspaper reporter. I did work at The Boston Globe while in college, but after I completed a public relations internship at United Way corporate headquarters, I was drawn to corporate communications and PR.
Q. Where's the best place to get lunch near your new location?
A. We get takeout from Waverly Market, which is a fabulous Italian deli. But I'm a big organic food fan, so I usually bring my lunch.
Q. What do you hope to be doing 10 years from now?
A. Enjoying life, family and friends and - just as now - doing work that inspires creativity and new knowledge.
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