Alyssa Longo is the Senior Media Relations Specialist & Talent Acquisition Coordinator at Farrow Communications.

Job Description: Farrow Communications is a full-service public relations and digital marketing agency. We understand the need for a clear and concise brand while paying great attention to the core message. With social media blurring the lines between truth and trash, and complex issues being unfairly simplified, the need for a dependable branding concept has never been greater.

Alyssa is their Senior Media Relations Specialist and Talent Acquisition Coordinator. Her day to day responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Drafting press releases detailing relevant newsworthy information and supporting brand image, and working with news media to spread positions.

• Creating unified messaging of public relations efforts in conjunction with advertising campaigns by working closely with marketing peers.

• Researching, negotiating, implementing and tracking advertising and public relations activities.

• Serving as the point of contact for speaking engagements and product award submissions each year.

• Developing innovative marketing and PR strategies.

• Collaborating with the media to encourage company and product coverage and to promote the company brand.

• Writing and editing articles, web content, advertising copy, periodicals and publications for internal and external audiences.

Education Level: B.S. in Public Relations, SUNY Fredonia

Other Requirements: “I started out as a Sales Representative in 2015 and within one year was promoted to Media Relations Specialist.”

Professional Development: “I had two amazing internships before I started my professional career, one was in Special Events for Make-A-Wish WNY where I assisted the Regional Director and the other one was for the FREDWell program at SUNY Fredonia where I was the voice of health and wellness among college students. During college, I was the secretary of PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) and secretary for my A cappella group in college. Currently I am the managing editor for brainhackers.com, your one-stop source for brain and memory related news trends across all industries. I am also the Co-Founder of The Penny Longo Memorial Fund, set up in honor of my mom who taught in the Buffalo Public Schools for over 25 years. We give back to the children and the school she taught at by funding the purchase of school uniforms, books, school knapsacks with school supplies, one/two field trips each school year, so every pre-k student will be able to attend and learn through fine motor skills, a year-end activity for all pre-k students, and any other necessities needed to help!”

Pros/Cons: “I love the creativity of my job as well as being able to craft targeted messages to promote and inform the general public of events, promotions, and campaigns. I like cultivating and developing relationships with potential clients  and determining what PR services will suit their needs best. The challenge, but also the biggest reward, to this position is being able to take anyone's story and tie it into current events. For example, during this pandemic we had to change directions with most of our clients and frame them as experts commenting on something relating to COVID because at one time that is all that the media was interested in or talked about. This goes for any global news story and our job is to always be ahead of the game and jump on current events in real time.”

Advice: “Don't give up! I started as a sales representative (commission only and making cold calls daily) and was days away from quitting to find something new. I was lucky enough that I had made an impact in that short amount of time for me to be chosen to move up when a position was available and become a full time employee. My other strong piece of advice is to take care of your mental health first. Speak up if you believe in something whether right or wrong, don't bottle it up. Take a walk to clear your head during work days, be honest with yourself and what you think you deserve but respect everyone along the way!”