RALEIGH – Pioneer Strategies’ president, Frank Williams, participated in a panel discussion at a "Meet the Media" event sponsored by the Greater Raleigh Merchants' Association (GRMA) on Tuesday, Jan. 23.  Williams discussed tips for effectively dealing with the media. 

Members of the media who participated in the panel discussion include: Dale Gibson, managing editor of the Triangle Business Journal; Mary Cornatzer, business editor of The News & Observer; Crash Gregg, publisher of The Raleigh Downtowner; and Terry Zurowski of News 14 Carolina.

The Greater Raleigh Merchants Association (GRMA) is a non-profit organization that has been a single effective voice for small business and merchants since 1940. Comprised of business owners, entrepreneurs, merchants and other professionals in the Raleigh area, GRMA promotes an environment of communication, cooperation and support for local businesses. For more information, visit www.grma.org.

Pioneer Strategies is a Raleigh-based public relations agency that provides businesses, non-profits and other organizations with strategic Public Relations counsel and communication services.  Pioneer's services and expertise include strategic communication planning, media relations, campaign planning, community relations, special event planning, copywriting and speechwriting.  The firm’s work has been recognized by the MarCom Creative Awards and the Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Excellence in Communication.  For more information call 919-833-4345, or visit www.pioneerstrategies.com. 

Speaker Background

Frank Williams is president of Pioneer Strategies, a Raleigh-based public relations agency he founded in August 2001.  Frank is a member of the Business Leaders’ Club's board of directors and serves as president of the Raleigh Public Relations Society.  He recently received both the Triangle Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” Leadership Award and the N.C. State University Communication Alumni Circle’s Outstanding Alumni Award.  Frank served as the 2005 public relations chair of Strike for Survival, a bowling competition to benefit The American Cancer Society, and was a leading fundraiser for the event.  He is a 1993 graduate of the N.C. State University Department of Communication.