The word “partnership” is defined generally by Random House as an “association” or “joint interest.” However, the American Heritage Dictionary relays a more specific and meaningful definition: “a relationship between individuals or groups that is characterized by mutual cooperation and responsibility.”

By its very existence, my position as Widmeyer Professor in Public Relations creates an association between the Widmeyer family, Widmeyer Communications and the West Virginia University P. I. Reed School of Journalism, where I teach. The money provided to endow the position affords research and professional development opportunities that otherwise would not be possible, and thus contributes to new knowledge and classroom enhancement.

Although monetary donations or sponsorships are welcomed in nearly any societal pursuit, they alone do not constitute substantive partnerships that offer intrinsic ROI. Instead, it is the relationship centered on mutual cooperation and sense of responsibility to effect positive change—not merely a joint association or interest—that make partnerships truly meaningful and robust. Such is also the case with authentic corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.

My time at and exchange with staff and management at Widmeyer Communications exemplifies meaningful partnership and authentic CSR. The firm lives its dedication to education by putting its “money where its mouth is” and “walking the talk” to maintain meaningful support of and dialogue with our school. In doing so, they are living the principles they espouse and serving as national leaders who are actively working to bridge the gap between academe and the rapidly changing communications environment.

Of course, nearly all industries have been affected by the technological changes of the last decade or so. As a result, we’re blessed that our youth have so many nuanced professional opportunities they may pursue; yet most students have limited knowledge or understanding of their myriad options. I’ve found this to be true even in pubic relations, let alone in more obscure applications of math, science, economics or the trades.

Imagine if everyone who has donated time for his or her child’s elementary school Career Day would extend that largesse to help develop meaningful partnerships between their workplaces and other appropriate educational institutions, whether at the local high school, vocational-technical program, community college or university. Allowing students to hear specifics about various trades and professions and discussing how they might contribute to them, developing workplace shadowing or visitation programs, establishing short-term internships, volunteering to speak to classes, offering to serve on educational advisory committees or inviting teachers inside the organization—as Widmeyer does—to relay the latest challenges and best practices are all ways that individuals might demonstrate the mutual cooperation and responsibility for educating, mentoring and engaging the next generation.

Now imagine the impact of meaningful corporate partnerships—of mutual cooperation and responsibility—in areas beyond education: in public health, economic development, the environment and arts. There are examples to follow: Boston College’s Center for Corporate Citizenship lists Standards of Excellence in Corporate Community Involvement, along with case studies, supporting research and measurement processes. The latest standards and their rationale are discussed in an April 2009 center blog posting.

Such reflective and meaningful partnerships, like that of the Widmeyer Professorship, not only provide easily measured, or operationalized, benefits, but they also reap immeasurable rewards and lasting relationships far into the future. And, at its core, that’s what public relations is all about.

“Daisy is the consummate media professional and a veteran of some of New York’s most prestigious firms,” said Jason Smith, a principal at Widmeyer who oversees the New York office. “Likewise, Jonah cut his teeth at one of the nation’s best digital firms.  We’re thrilled he wants to put those skills and experiences to use on our clients’ behalf.”

With over 15 years in the communications field, Okas joins the firm as an assistant vice president and will provide counsel to a variety of clients in the education, philanthropic and culture space. As Assistant Vice President of Communications at the American Kennel Club, Okas reinvigorated and redefined the 125-year old brand via award-winning public relations programs, creative media outreach strategies, advertising campaigns, events and public education initiatives. At Weber Shandwick, she developed, directed and managed ongoing public relations programs for the Eastman Kodak Company and educational toymaker VTech. Okas holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Boston University’s College of Communication.

In Widmeyer’s Health and Wellness practice, Fay-Hurvitz will lend his marketing communications background to clients such as Pfizer, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. Before joining Widmeyer, Fay-Hurvitz worked at Digitas, an integrated brand agency, where as a senior marketing associate, he worked with Sanofi-Aventis, Pfizer and MedImmune to grow and manage their brands. Most recently, Fay-Hurvitz developed the brand platform for a MedImmune product, including consumer and professional marketing and media strategies. Prior to Digitas, he worked for Esquire Magazine, where he helped develop creative marketing programs for readers and advertisers. Fay-Hurvitz graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor’s degree in History and Spanish.

The Pool Safely: Simple Steps Save Lives campaign is a call for individuals to take a more active, vigilant approach to pool and spa safety in an effort to prevent accidental drowning, entrapments and other pool-related accidents.  Research has shown that over-confidence may lead to dangerous complacency and vulnerability among pool and spa users and owners, so the campaign is guided by the premise that, no matter how safe you already are, one can never know which safety step could save a life—until it does. The “Pool Safely” concept suggests a more engaged, proactive, continuously improving approach to the more passive “Pool Safety”, and encourages individuals to add the extra steps that could save lives.

The campaign name announcement was supported by the debut of the campaign’s Twitter feed (@poolsafely) and will be followed by an expanding social media campaign in the weeks leading up to the campaign launch right before Memorial Day.  Follow the campaign on Twitter for updates and more information and resources to ensure you know how to pool safely.

“As a mid-sized firm itself, Widmeyer clearly understands the issues facing small businesses and the self-employed,” said Kristie Arslan, executive director of NASE’s legislative offices. “We are delighted to partner with Widmeyer, which is a resource and an advocate for our members.”

The campaign will focus on the nation’s 22 million self-employed as a major contributor to the American economy and a job-creating sector. Widmeyer will also assist NASE with its ongoing tax season outreach to disseminate tips and resources to the self-employed. Communications efforts will target a range of audiences, including the self-employed and small business community, the U.S. Congress, the Obama Administration and the media. Campaign activities will include geographically targeted traditional and social media outreach, and a media tour organized around NASE’s Tax Seminars.

“NASE is a fantastic resource for the self-employed, a segment of our workforce often overlooked by policymakers,” said Margaret Dunning, principal and chief strategy officer for Widmeyer. “From health care to the economy, NASE’s members have a cohesive set of common goals, namely policy fixes that ensure equity in the tax code and other government regulations that allow them to run their businesses efficiently and profitably. We are proud to represent them.”

The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) is the nation’s leading resource for the self-employed and micro-businesses, bringing a broad range of benefits to help entrepreneurs succeed and to drive the continued growth of this vital segment of the American economy. The NASE is a 501(c) (6) nonprofit organization and provides big-business advantages to hundreds of thousands of micro-businesses across the United States. For more information, visit the association’s Web site at www.NASE.org.

Engleka heads the firm’s Health and Wellness practice.  With his promotion to Principal and Managing Director of the firm’s New York office, Engleka also joins Widmeyer’s leadership team.  Engleka’s exemplary efforts include providing strategic counsel to some of Widmeyer’s highest profile clients, such as Nestlé, Pfizer, the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center and the Brain Injury Research Institute.

Sara Appleyard has been promoted to vice president.  She joined Widmeyer in 2001 and has built up impressive credentials on the education front.  Appleyard remains steeped in PreK-12 education issues and works out of Widmeyer’s New York operation.  Clients including SRI, Association for Computing Machinery, the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education and MIND Research Institute benefit from her conscientiousness and issue-focused approach.  On the issue of improving STEM education, Appleyard is a member of the team that supports continued mobilization of the recommendations of the Carnegie Corporation of New York-Institute for Advanced Study Commission on Mathematics and Science Education’s initiative, The Opportunity Equation.

Chad Hyett is also a new vice president based in New York.  Hyett is a member of the firm’s Health and Wellness practice and uses his issue expertise and technology and social media knowledge to further client work with Pfizer, West Virginia University and the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Katie Reardon moves up to senior associate on the PreK-12 education team.  Based in Washington, Reardon’s efforts on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Stop Bullying Now! Campaign, the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, the Library of Congress and the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE are impressive and results-focused.

Anne Sparkman is also a new senior associate on the New York-based education team.  Sparkman was a key member of the successful team coordinating two important Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) events: a Resource Conference for state teams in efforts to support applications for the Race to the Top competitive grant fund and Carnegie-IAS Commission on Mathematics and Science Education’s launch of The Opportunity Equation report on transforming math and science education.  She plays a major role in the annual Celebration of Teaching and Learning which is hosted by THIRTEEN & WLIW21, New York’s flagship public television stations.

Amy Leahing is now a senior account manager in the firm’s Health and Wellness practice in New York.  She works with clients such as Nestlé as they communicate their Creating Shared Value philosophy to U.S. key stakeholders.  She also supports the John Theurer Cancer Center in a campaign to increase its national reputation.

Kyle Gunnels is a new senior account executive in the New York education practice. Gunnels’ social media expertise is critical to his support of a diverse client base including, the Association for Computing Machinery and the X PRIZE Foundation.

Sara Lense also moves into a senior account executive position. Lense too focuses on education, working with the National Center on Education and the Economy, America’s Choice and the Pearson Foundation, among others.  She’s based in Washington.

“Renee Rosenfeld, an extraordinarily talented producer with a strong digital background, will further enhance Widmeyer’s offerings to clients in the creative and digital space,” said Margaret Dunning, principal and head of Widmeyer’s Washington office. “Sara Kabakoff’s marketing savvy will be of benefit to both the firm and to our clients.”

With nearly 20 years of high-level production expertise in a wide variety of disciplines, Rosenfeld joins the Creative Studio as Vice President and Executive Producer. Rosenfeld is responsible for media project execution and oversight, working with corporate and nonprofit clients. Prior to joining Widmeyer, Rosenfeld led the strategy to create and build the America’s Most Wanted (AMW) Safety Center, the legendary television show’s brand extension into consumer and family safety. The AMW Safety Center combines broadcast segments with online interactive content on AMW.com, the show’s Web site, which is rated by Hitwise in the top five most visited broadcast television web sites. Rosenfeld has also produced a variety of political media campaigns ranging from podcasting to broadcast commercials and was a member of the production team for the acclaimed drama series, The West Wing. In addition to working in media, Rosenfeld served as Human Services Commissioner in West Hollywood, California, where she instituted the city’s community relations program between West Hollywood’s diverse communities. Rosenfeld is a member of the Producers Guild of America.

Sara Kabakoff joins the team as Marketing Manager and will promote Widmeyer and its clients. Before coming to Widmeyer, Kabakoff was a marketing and communications associate at the National Building Museum, focusing on education programs and the Museum Shop. While at the Museum, she also led marketing efforts for lecture series, youth programming and helped develop and launch the Museum’s new Web site. Kabakoff graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Marketing.