The Firm, a student-run public relations organization defunct since 2011, has been revived at Capital University.
TJ Carpenter, a junior communications and public relations double-major, is the student behind the resurgence.
“As of now we are a pro bono working firm that performs public relations and communication purposes for student organizations,” Carpenter said.
The Firm has not been in existence for the past couple of academic years due to lack of student interest and the graduation of its past members. But through the recent efforts of Carpenter, The Firm is back and looking to continue growing.
“Our ultimate goal is to take on external clients that can pay us for our services,” Carpenter said.
The Firm’s services include, but are not limited to event planning, social media operations, and designs for flyers and other forms of advertisement.
Currently, The Firm has already provided its services to student organizations such as Sigma Alpha Beta, Quidditch club, Campus Ministries, and Students on the Advancement of African-American Culture free of charge.
“For on-campus student organizations our services are free. Maybe down the road in a couple of years we may charge our services for large-scale event planning,” Carpenter said. “But [charging student organizations] is just not in the cards right now. I don’t want to charge for student events because we as student organizations should be helping each other pro bono.”
Carpenter said that The Firm is willing to accept payment for their services, if it is offered from student organizations.
The future pricing for a large-scale event that The Firm provides its services for from start to finish would cost no more than $100.
However, pricing for much of their services will vary from project to project based on factors such as the size of the event and what services The Firm provides for the event.
The Firm is already in the beginning stages of creating a network of external clientele.
Carpenter was recently contacted by a Capital University alumnus that is starting a food truck business. The relationship is still in its early stages but The Firm plans to create a communications platform for him, via social media. The alumnus will be compensating The Firm for their services.
“With opportunities like [serving external clientele], we can have some money coming in as we establish a following of external clients,” Carpenter said.
The Firm is not only beneficial for student organizations and external clientele, but also for the students involved.
Benefits for students include out of class experience with Photoshop, writing skills, Publisher, Adobe, and other applications related to the public relations field.
“It is more and more common for design to be a part of a student’s experience,” Carpenter said. “It is important to get experience out to potential public relations practitioners.”
He also said that it is important for business and marketing students because a communications background will improve their experience and resume.
Carpenter encourages all students, regardless of major, to learn design skills and keep skills learned in class fresh through working for The Firm.
The typical protocol between The Firm and an organization begins with a meeting to create a communications plan. In this meeting, the organization’s areas of improvement are addressed. Then a plan is created after an exchange of ideas and goals are established.
The Firm is recognized as a chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).
“I have a good feeling about [the future] because of the Convergent Media Center opening and as the administration is putting a stronger emphasis on communications,” Carpenter said. “This is a good opportunity for students to gain experience right away and works well for communications students.”
Students and student organizations interested in getting involved with The Firm are encouraged to contact Carpenter at tcarpenter@capital.edu.
