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Member Spotlight: Sarah Blackwell, Break the Ice Media

Sarah Blackwell is an alumna of the College at Brockport and a young pro at Break the Ice Media. We sat down with her to chat about the benefits of being involved with PRSA Rochester and to learn more about Break the Ice’s recent announcement that it’s moving in with Clark CSM Marketing Communications.  

You’re very active in PRSA on the Young Professionals Committee and PRisms Committee. How has your involvement in PRSA been helpful to you?
PRSA has benefited me in a number of ways - first and foremost through the connections I have made within the PR community. We don't get a lot of chances to work with professionals outside of our own companies and it's amazing how much we can learn from each other when we do get together. I am constantly in awe of the things other PR professionals are doing in Rochester, and PRSA gives me the chance to learn and grow from their experiences as well as my own. 

I'm also grateful to volunteer for PRSA on both the Young PR Professionals and the PRism Committee in ways that put my creativity and PR skills to the test.

What’s your role at Break the Ice Media, and what you love most about working in the field?
Break the Ice Media is evolving into a hybrid agency - meaning we are rethinking traditional marketing, pricing, process and client relationships. My previous title was "PR & Marketing Specialist," but we are all transitioning into "Consultant" titles, which allows us to serve clients in a range of competencies that cross traditional agency roles. The goal is to hire and train people who can handle both the planning and the tactical execution for all types of PR and marketing programs. 

In a less technical sense, I work with a lot of clients in the tourism industry - which has been a great learning experience for me and a lot of fun over the last few years. There is nothing like working in an industry you believe in, and one that offers measurable results that create positive economic impact for the State. I work on social media, public relations, digital marketing programs, and strategy for my clients. 

Can you tell us a little more about Break the Ice Media’s exciting new move with Clark CSM Marketing Communications?
We recently moved into a new and larger office space in the Village of Pittsford, at 56 N Main Street near the Pittsford Pub. Break the Ice Media is expanding as an individual company, but the larger space also allowed us to move in with and expand our collaboration with Clark CSM Marketing Communications. We were already working with Clark CSM on several programs, and the move brought two creative marketing firms together to further tap into each other's know-how and expertise. It is also supporting our evolution into a hybrid marketing agency - as we work towards tapping into the natural synergy between our two agencies to bring our clients more.

(Not to mention how much fun our teams have working in the same space!) 

What advice do you have for students and young professionals just starting out in PR?
Classes are important, but networking is everything. You can get some great experiences on your college campus, but in the end the goal is to end up working in the industry. The more internships you do and people you meet, the easier it's going to be when you begin job searching - because PR people help their own. I strongly encourage students and young professionals to attend PRSA events, join committees, and take advantage of the resources around them. The PRSA Advisory Network is a great place to start if you are looking for a way to connect with someone. You'd be surprised what 30 minutes over a cup of coffee can do.