National PTA Hires new CEO
June 16th, 2008 by Tim SullivanI imagine we’ll be seeing a fairly large onslaught of press over next couple of weeks, as PTA hires male CEO and prepares to install first-ever male president. It’s perfect for PR. Here’s the first feature we’ve seen on the PTA CEO hire.
For the record, a couple of clarifications for the article: 1) That 6 million in membership is actually around 5.3 million these days. But what’s three quarters of a million members (or 13%) among friends? 2) That 26,000 units is actually around 23,000 units.
June 19th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
PTA is a brand name, much like Kleenex. Most people do not ask for a tissue, they ask for a Kleenex. PTA has bought into their own hype and truly believe that because people say “PTA” when referencing school associated parent groups that they actually identify with and/or are members of the PTA. PTO needs to stop singing to the choir. If you have more to offer, why don’t we hear about your organization more often? PTA leaders believe that they are celebrities and are working more on increasing membership then anything else. I’d like to see more information about PTO in the media so that people do not continue to believe that PTA/PTO are one in the same.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:40 am
Angie — I think the Kleenex analogy is apt. Not sure what you are suggesting PTOs (or PTO Today) do?? On the “why don’t we hear about your organization more?” question, I’d argue that it’s because we don’t have a PR firm or multiple PR staffers, as PTA does. That’s a decision we’ve made, because we/I honestly believe that doing our work better and for more groups is where our focus should be, as opposed to having the New York Times write about us. I don’t think it’s all that important if a parent says she’s going to a PTA meeting, when she’s actually going to a PTO meeting. That happens all the time — I’m just happy she’s going to a parent group meeting of any sort rather than watching American Idol.