Member Spotlight

MEET PRSA AUSTIN CHAPTER MEMBER: Ellen Mason 

CURRENT LIVELIHOOD: I am currently the Communications Manager for the Texas Cultural Trust, a statewide non-profit arts advocacy organization promoting arts education and arts as an economic driver in Texas.

CHILDHOOD AMBITION: I wanted to be a ballerina or dancer on Broadway. I studied dance until college when I realized that while I was good, I really wasn’t good enough to “make it.”    

DRAW TO THE COMMUNICATIONS FIELD: I like to write and I like being creative. I like telling stories and I like getting people to want to tell my stories. I have always had a passion for the arts and began working for arts non-profits in Marketing. As anyone who works for non-profits knows, you wear many hats, so Marketing began to include PR/Communications roles, and now social media. I found that it was something that I enjoyed and had a talent for. I like the fact that it is always changing. What I did as a communications professional 15 years ago looks very little like what I do today. The goals are still the same, but the way in which we reach those goals is always evolving and I like that.    

ALMA MATER: I attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (studied English) and the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (studied Merchandise Marketing).

HOMETOWN: I was born in New York City, but raised all over Southern California. I lived in Las Vegas while attending college and I have been in Austin for about 10 years now.  

MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE AS A COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL: I worked with a performing arts venue in town that had a theatre summer camp for children that ended with a live musical performance. Many of the children attending the camp had a parent deployed in Iraq, Iran or Afghanistan. We were able to form partnerships that allowed us to live broadcast those final performances to many of the military bases overseas so that many of the parents currently serving could watch their child perform in real time. It was the first time many of these loved ones got to see each other in many months. I still get warm and fuzzy when I think about this project and it was more than five years ago. Those final performances received coverage all the way in France.

RECOMMENDED READS: Sadly, I only have time to read blogs more than books lately. I read PRNewser, Bad Pitch Blog, The Hub, PR in Your Pajamas and The Cycle regularly.  

FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT AUSTIN AND FAVORITE AUSTIN RESTAURANTS: My favorite things to do in Austin revolve around Town Lake. From running to kayaking, killing time with my family on the Hike & Bike trail, or relaxing at Deep Eddy, I knew Austin was the right place for me the moment I discovered Town Lake. I also enjoy all of the arts and culture opportunities in our city. Favorites include the Blanton Museum of Art and The Contemporary Austin, Texas Book Festival, East Austin Studio Tour, Women & Their Work, anything Austin Film Society and Austin Opera.  

As far as favorite restaurants, I could write a book, but if I do not have a taco and some queso every few days, I get cranky. Taco Deli, Azul Tequila and El Chile are among my favorites. Other favorite include Gusto, Salt Lick BBQ, Fino, and of course, Uchi. My husband and I eloped and then had our “wedding reception for two” at Eastside Café, so not only is the food fantastic, but it is a sentimental favorite too.