NEWS

Abel Communications Welcomes Jessica Vastyan Callahan as Account Supervisor for New Office in Central Pennsylvania

BALTIMORE & HARRISBURG, PENN. Feb. 21, 2012 - Abel Communications today announced the hiring of Jessica Vastyan Callahan as Account Supervisor for the firm’s new office in Harrisburg, Penn. A Baltimore–based public relations firm, Abel recently expanded with a presence in Central Pennsylvania as part of an evolving partnership with JPL, the largest strategic integrated communications firm in the region with over 90 employees.

Abel Account Supervisor Jessica Vastyan Callahan

In her new role, Callahan will develop and deliver brand-building PR campaigns for joint JPL-Abel clients, with a focus on media relations, social media, and content development. Callahan also will support Abel’s business development activities in the region, working alongside JPL staff from an Abel office within JPL’s 44,000 square foot office and studios.

“Jessica’s solid agency background and proven client services track record makes her a great addition to our team,” said Greg Abel, President at Abel Communications. “This addition is especially significant for our firm as we expand with the formal opening of a new office in a new market.”

Prior to joining Abel Communications, Callahan served as Account Manager with Stanton Communications, a Washington, D.C. corporate public relations firm. At Stanton, Callahan helped launch the world’s first 4G phone at International CTIA Wireless 2010 in Las Vegas, and drove media relations efforts for The Greenbrier Resort’s Casino Club grand opening in 2010.

With five years of agency experience, Callahan brings with her to Abel Communications a depth of knowledge in client relations, new business development and strategic campaign development and implementation.

A native of Hershey, Pa., Callahan is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. Abel and JPL announced a strategic partnership in October 2011 in order to offer clients the full range of brand building services, all under one roof.

About Abel Communications

Abel Communications is a results-driven public relations firm that helps companies and organizations reach their most important and influential audiences. We offer a range of services including strategic communications planning, social media, media relations, copy writing, and media training. By working collaboratively with clients and putting our journalism background and instincts to work, we help businesses generate buzz for their brand and leads for their products and services. For more information, please visit http://www.abelcommunications.com.

Abel Communications Announces Openings for 2 New Positions – Senior and Junior Account Execs to Support Client Growth in Baltimore & Harrisburg, PA

The Opportunity

Based on new business and new opportunities, Abel Communications is in a hiring mode. We are a growing PR firm based in Baltimore with a new office in Harrisburg, Penn within the offices of our partner, JPL (www.jplcreative.com). We provide strategic communications services including media relations, content development, and social media planning and execution to businesses in technology, consumer products and B2B services.

Currently we have two open positions for creative and driven public relations professionals with a “can do” attitude, along with the aptitude to deliver outstanding results. If you enjoy an open, entrepreneurial environment, thrive on delivering great work, and would like to be a part of a firm on the rise, here is an outstanding and uncommon opportunity.

Senior Account Executive – This is a role for an experienced PR professional, ideally with 3+ years of experience at an agency or as an in-house communications professional.  We are looking for someone with technology or software client experience; and the person we hire must have a passion for technology and its impact in media, business and society.

The Senior AE will be someone who thrives on challenge and knows how to think strategically, follow through, and make things happen. This person will be asked to lead at least one or two accounts and support 2-3 others. Importantly, the successful candidate will be a team player who brings new ideas and positive energy to our growing team. Someone with established media contacts will be highly valued, as will someone with social media campaign experience.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and work samples to jobs@abelcommunications.com

Junior Account Executive – This is an entry-level position for an ambitious self-starter who will assist with PR campaigns, writing, research, media list development, social media, client reporting, and other administrative tasks. No job too big or small.  The Jr. AE will support accounts in Baltimore and Harrisburg.  The position will be based in Baltimore with a requirement to work out of our PA office once a week. The successful candidate will have a background in PR through multiple internships, a passion for the profession, and some ideas of his or her own about what works in social media and the constantly evolving media landscape.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and work samples to jobs@abelcommunications.com

About Abel Communications

Founded in 2005, Abel Communications is a growing and progressive PR firm that combines traditional PR tactics with the latest in digital strategies. We deliver campaigns that bring positive attention and awareness to our clients and their people, products, and services.  We are headquartered in Baltimore’s scenic Clipper Mill neighborhood, directly across the street from the popular Woodberry Kitchen restaurant, and conveniently located just off I-83 and the near the Woodberry stop on the Baltimore Light Rail.

Consumers looking for a great deal on jewelry, bikes, coins, electronics and more can often find one on www.propertyroom.com. It’ an online auction site with a twist – most of the items for sale come from police property rooms all over the country. Abel Communications has been working with Property Room for nearly a year and in that time we continue to find a hearty appetite in the media for the unique story of Property Room. Here’s the latest, a feature on CNN Espanol, please check it out!

These days, the IT department doesn’t always get to decide what device an employee brings to the office to use for personal and professional productivity. The era of the iPhone and other smart phones, has brought about a change in the way people work and gain access to critical information. Chris Knotts of Force 3 writes in The Washington Post that IT managers must embrace their new era of BYOD – Bring Your Own Device – while note losing control or exposing the organization to unnecessary security risks. Seems we all have our own devices these days, check out Chris’ article to learn the advice of an expert to keep the network safe while allowing employees to exercise some freedom in what device they choose to use.

Click here to read Chris Knotts in The Washington Post.

Chris Knotts is VP of Technology and Innovation for Force 3

Shunra CEO Gary Jackson feels strongly that many companies and organizations that design, develop and introduce mobile applications let their customers and users down. This happens because they have an inadequate approach to testing, that does not take into account the impact of real world network conditions. In a new editorial on SD Times, Jackson calls for a new process called “network virualization.” Here’s a segment from the article:

“In order to truly understand how an application will perform and address shortcomings pre-deployment, or to troubleshoot failures post-deployment, actual network and usage conditions such as latency, jitter, packet loss and bandwidth need to be captured, analyzed, and then replayed or emulated throughout the development process. This is the process referred to as network virtualization.”

Check out the full column by visiting http://sdtimes.com/content/article.aspx?ArticleID=36269&page=1

Philadelphia based Shunra Software, an industry leader in application and mobile application performance testing, knows a thing or two about using mobile technology to increase IT efficiency. It is their job to ensure that enterprise mobile apps are running at peak performance so that worker productivity and efficiency are at their highest levels. In a recent eWeek article, Todd DeCapua, vice president of Channel Operations and Services for Shunra Software, explains that mobile technology is used not just to increase operational IT efficiency, but also developmental IT efficiency.

Conrad Siegel Actuaries, based in Harrisburg, Penn., provides employee benefits services, including 401(k), health and welfare, and other retirement planning support. In our role as Conrad Siegel’s PR firm, we have identified a group of subject matter experts and are helping those experts share their thoughts on industry changes and trends through high profile media. In today’s Washington Post, Robert Glus, a health care actuary and chair of Conrad Siegel’s health and welfare committee, sounds off on the impact to small business owners from impending changes in health care laws and regulation.

Please take a look at the article here -http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-health-care-law-raises-lots-of-questions-that-cant-yet-be-answered/2011/12/13/gIQAHYs3yO_story.html

Since the economic collapse in October 2008, small businesses have found it harder and harder to raise the capital needed to either start or expand their enterprise. Gregg Smith, chief executive of Koolspan, a Bethesda-based provider of security solutions to the mobile device market, is a veteran in the start-up/small business world and has raised capital in the best and worst of economic times. In this Washington Post article, Gregg offers his advice on where entrepreneurs should be looking for funding in today’s tough economic climate.

Merritt Athletic Clubs knows how to throw a party. Baltimore Biggest Holiday Office Party, in fact. Last night, 3,000 partiers enjoyed free food and drink from 37 of Baltimore’s best restaurants as they spent a night out courtesy of Merritt. You can read Gus Sentementes’ story on the theirs and other holiday parties in the Baltimore Sun. We’re already looking forward to next year’s shindig!

A heart-warming story for the holidays came together this week as WBAL-TV visited the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults in Baltimore during its holiday gift drive. Watch the story of Andrew Marshall, who lost his wife Lisa to cancer in December 2010, giving back to those in need this holiday season. Andrew donated over 50 toys to families and children affected by cancer, including current cancer patient Keyona Stewart and her two adorable girls.