Member Spotlight

MEET PRSA AUSTIN CHAPTER MEMBER: Amanda Reed

CURRENT LIVELIHOOD: I’m a Marketing Coordinator with Bury+Partners, a consulting firm that provides a variety of engineering and design services. I’ve been with the company for two years, wearing many hats during my time here! As a part of the marketing team, my responsibilities include helping with RFP responses, maintaining social media channels, creating content for our blog and website, coordinating tradeshow exhibits and event sponsorships, planning email marketing campaigns, and completing award submittals and press releases for the firm. 

CHILDHOOD AMBITION: I’m a book nerd, so when I was little I thought the best job in the world would be to become a librarian. My ambitions changed to become a school teacher, then a dancer on Broadway, and then I started thinking I’d be great in the nursing field. One internship in a hospital was all it took to make me realize that the healthcare industry was NOT for me.

DRAW TO THE COMMUNICATIONS FIELD: During my senior year of high school, I decided to attend Baylor University to go through their nursing program, but my degree path changed before I even stepped foot on campus. After coming to the realization that I’d be a squeamish and wimpy nurse, I reevaluated my passions. I’ve always loved reading, writing, photography and all things creative, which led me to Baylor’s School of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media. I had several internships in college to find my niche (Texas Monthly, American Football Coaches Association, The Dwyer Group, WACOAN magazine), and afterward I knew that I would love a career in PR/marketing.

HOMETOWN: I was raised in Austin (Round Rock) but was born in and spent the first six years of my life in Anchorage, Alaska. I lived in Waco while attending Baylor University, and studied abroad during my sophomore year of college. I lived in Maastricht (Netherlands) for eight weeks while attending classes at their university, and then backpacked through Spain, Italy and Greece for another four weeks. After graduating from college, I knew I wanted to get back to my roots, so I’m happy to now be living and working in Austin.

MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE AS A COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL: Well, I’m currently in the midst of my most memorable experience! Bury+Partners is going through a rebrand and we will be revealing the new logo/messaging in mid-September. As a part of the marketing team, I’ve been involved in the planning of our big launch party in Austin, which we’re busing in employees from each of our five Texas offices to celebrate. I’ll play a large part in the PR and communications strategies post-launch too. It’s been so fun to apply the new logo and messaging to all of our channels and collateral, and I’ve learned so much in the process. Companies don’t rebrand every day, and to be a part of a rebrand this early on in my career is a real treat!

RECOMMENDED READS: I’m a blogger and keep up with a long list of other women bloggers with topics ranging from travel and cooking to faith, fashion and DIY projects. One of my all-time favorite blogs is “Young House Love,” and I was excited to meet John and Sherry from YHL at a book signing in Austin last year. When it comes to books, I really love autobiographical stories and historical fiction. Professionally, I enjoyed reading Socialnomics: How Social Media Transforms the Way We Live and Do Business after picking it up at SXSW, and I every day I try to keep up with industry trends by reading articles on Mashable and PR Daily. 

FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT AUSTIN AND FAVORITE AUSTIN RESTAURANTS: Austin is the best city to live in! I grew up boating on Lake Travis and know how to water ski, wakeboard and kneeboard. I love shopping and dining downtown or at The Domain. I think every Austinite loves to eat – we have so many amazing restaurants in our backyard. Some of my favorites include: Chuy’s, Jack Allen’s Kitchen, Taverna, Second, Home Slice, La Condesa, NoRTH and South Congress Café. I’ve kind of made a hobby out of trying to find the best chicken & waffles in Austin, and right now Moonshine and Bacon are in the lead!