Image Valerie Simon, BurrellesLuce Fresh Ideas Blog

The first ever “Help a PR Pro Out” Day Twitter chat (hashtag #HAPPO) happens this Friday Feb. 19^th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. This post is but one of many from bloggers supporting awareness of the event. Leave it to PR and communications folks to conceive and rally around a meaningful and timely event that has the capacity to help many job seekers, and likely create some new friendships along the way. If the turn out for #HAPPO is anything like mainstay PR-themed chats including #journchat and #prstudchat, it’s sure to be a critical mass moment on the social web (trending on Twitter and such).

Valerie Simon of BurrellesLuce teamed with digital communications consultant Arik Hanson to hatch HAPPO. She says “the great thing about HAPPO is that it helps everyone realize how social media can empower people to leverage their most valuable resources – their time and networks – to help others.”

Simon, a true social media sharer if there ever was one, thinks there’s a little something for everyone in the #HAPPO event, whether you are a job seeker, employer or helpful PR pro. She points to recent growth indicators for the PR profession as favorable timing for the event. Her advice for Friday: “Don’t necessarily think of yourself but of others who may be suitable for positions you’re aware of. Using our collective relationships we can all help some people out.”

I must admit I like the vibe … helping others will eventually bring some goodness back to you. And this is the ideal mantra for social networking outright. I wouldn’t be surprised if HAPPO itself becomes a mainstay.

The HAPPO event will go something like this … PR pros seeking employment should prepare a creative blog post to share on Twitter Friday, using the #HAPPO hashtag in their tweet. Employers can share links to career opportunities with a team of dedicated HAPPO bloggers (link below), and PR professionals can jump in and help connect those seeking and offering jobs using the #HAPPO hashtag as well. I assume college students approaching graduation are welcome to participate as well. Makes good sense. (Fyi, I featured two savvy PRSSA students in my PR Tactics column this month, “Getting ahead of the class, social media style.”)

Abbie Fink, VP & GM of HMA Public Relations, plans to be a HAPPO contact here in Phoenix. I can assure that you’re in good hands networking with Abbie, this Friday or anytime. And as for Friday she simply notes she’s “happy to hook up quality people with great jobs!”

HAPPO Fast Facts

• What – “Help a PR Pro Out” Day social networking event
• When – Friday Feb. 19^th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern
• Where – Twitter (use #HAPPO hashtag)
• Why – C’mon, it’s the spirit of networking and sharing social media style
• How You Can Help – share career resources, opportunities and network contacts; and spread the word online
• For Best Experience – consider using TweetGrid or HootSuite to keep up with the #HAPPO hashtag action
• Regional contacts – Valerie Simon’s HAPPO blog post includes a list of contacts
• Keep A Lookout For – regional hashtags that you can follow i.e. #happodc or #happoaz