Aaron Blank '02

Aaron Blank's job once revolved around getting newspaper coverage for his client's product or service.

Today, he makes sure they have a Web presence as well. Blank '02 is president at The Fearey Group, a public relations firm in Seattle, Wash. "Every day, more folks leave traditional media, and mainstream avenues are closing. Internet PR is the new path," he says.

Visibility on social networking sites such as Twitter, MySpace, YouTube and Facebook gives his clients another avenue for their message and a chance to create "viral buzz."

One client is the Flying Heritage Collection, an aviation museum whose Web site invites visitors to check out its Facebook fan page. "Your Web site is your storefront online. If you are not driving people there, you're going to lose out," Blank says.

At Quinnipiac, Blank worked at AM 1220 WQUN all four years. After graduating, the communications major/political science minor began his career at WTIC radio in Hartford, where he produced a morning talk show and anchored weekend news. His WQUN work gave him the skills to land that first job. "At WTIC, I learned the other side of the PR business, which helps me in my current job," he says.

Feeling a pull toward public relations, Blank took a position at Edelman's Seattle office, switching to Fearey four years ago. He treasures his experience working on the 2000 presidential primary campaigns in New Hampshire with political science professor Scott McLean.

"It taught me about grass roots and guerilla public relations campaigns, and I use that knowledge today."