Rhino Public Relations (Rhino PR), announced today that it welcomes Franceen Shaughnessy as account manager and Kaitlyn Ethier as account coordinator. The new additions bring the Rhino PR staff to a total of six talented public relations and marketing professionals.
Rhino PR is a full-service public relations and marketing practice focused on meeting the unique needs of professional services firms. With customized services based on each individual client’s goals and budget, Rhino PR supports clients’ existing communications staff or provides fully outsourced PR and marketing services for long-term programs or short-term projects. Helping companies “take charge” of their PR and marketing initiatives, Rhino PR delivers committed personal service that increases brand awareness and drives revenue.
“I am thrilled to bring these talented communications professionals on board as Rhino PR continues to grow,” said Susan Shelby, FSMPS, CPSM, founder and principal of Rhino PR. “Franceen and Kaitlyn are incredibly driven and talented, and nearly as important, they are fun to work with. They are a great addition to the Rhino PR team, allowing us to better serve our clients.”
As an account manager, Franceen will be responsible for developing, managing and executing PR programs to support Rhino PR clients; overseeing the day-to-day operations of client programs; managing and developing junior-level team members; and working directly with Principal Susan Shelby on the management of client accounts. She will generate awareness through news announcements, press events, speaking engagements and other applicable PR opportunities, while also providing support for email marketing, web sites, special event planning and marketing materials, and social media strategy.
Franceen Shaughnessy joins Rhino PR with more than 12 years of experience in public relations, journalism and marketing. Most recently, she served as corporate marketing specialist: media relations for Simpson Gumpertz and Heger Inc., a national engineering firm in Waltham, Mass., where she developed, managed and monitored the annual strategic media relations plan for six offices, and increased the firm’s media presence by 100%. Previously she was the newsletter editorial director for ZweigWhite, and held journalist and editor roles at several publications including: The Needham Times, Dover-Sherborn Press, and Allston-Brighton TAB. Franceen holds a Master of Science in print journalism from Boston University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Ursinus College in Collegeville, Penn.
As an account coordinator, Kaitlyn will provide daily support for the operations of each account, including research; client reporting; tracking deadlines for editorial opportunities, awards and speaking opportunities; distributing press releases; coordinating media outreach; tracking media coverage; and overall administration.
Kaitlyn Ethier served as a public relations intern at Rhino PR prior to her hire. A recent graduate of the University of Rhode Island with two Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degrees in communications studies and public relations, Kaitlyn also served as public relations intern for the Special Olympics Rhode Island.