Learning the ropes of construction felt like an uphill climb six months ago. As a lifelong learner and lover of the outdoors, there are specific aspects of Montana Department of Transportation's (MDT) work that are complex - six months later, I find them fascinating. In January, Big Sky Public Relations worked on producing educational materials about the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for MDT. This act prevents construction during the time of year when birds are nesting, so as not

In nearly every position I've ever had, and in my role with Big Sky PR, it's my job to encourage best practices for online content and social media platforms. However, as most communications professionals will tell you, putting theory into practice can be a challenge when working in large, complex organizations, or agencies that have lots of research and history behind their projects. At the recent Active Threat Intervention Symposium presented by The Montana Disaster & Emerg

I have the privilege of working with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) on the Van Buren Street Interchange project, which has generated countless community conversations about safety and traffic flow in the Lower Rattlesnake neighborhood. We go around and around on the subject of roundabouts. Folks either love roundabouts or express the opinion that “Montanans don’t know how to use them!” Woah there, cowboy. We embrace our Montana roots as strongly as our neighbo

Missoula doesn’t often lay claim to a unified identity- except, maybe, being the eccentric blue dot in a red state. Our diversity draws in start-up entrepreneurs and communal-living aficionados alike, bros and artists, protesters and politicians. It’s this mix that keeps Missoula weird (just the way we like it). But as the worst floods in 100 years have pushed into the valley, Missoulians showed up for each other. For all of our niches and all of our eccentricities, Missoulia

Meet Will Allen. He's a real life, local Montana hero. A firefighter at Glacier Park International Airport, Will spends his days preparing to save lives. He also served in the armed forces prior to putting on his fireman's hat. This Sunday, Will, along with 2000 of his brother and sister firefighters, plans to climb 69 flights (1300 stairs!), in full fire gear at the world famous event known as the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb in Seattle. Completing this climb is an incredibl

Big Sky Public Relations is pleased to announce the promotion of Josh Galassi to Junior Account Executive. Josh joined Big Sky Public Relations full-time in February 2016 as an Account Coordinator, where he assisted with media relations, event coordination, research, and client support. In his new role, Josh will expand upon his previous duties, and further develop his skills in agency research and reporting, media relations, client-facing support services and managing social

“You see all these stories from organizations you may never have heard of, and it seems like a legitimate news source,” Montana Public Radio’s Eric Whitney shared at a recent Fake News panel* held at Flathead Valley Community College. “They’ll have a headline that says, ‘You can lose weight by eating ice cream.’ I mean, I’ll click on that because I want to believe that! [And then] boom, I forward that to 50 people and it keeps spreading and spreading, [until] everyone is talk

It is four days before Mother’s Day and Sarah Broussard is thinking about her mother, the late Rebecca “Becky” Broussard. “It’s bittersweet,” she says, reflecting on the holiday ahead. “There are many times that I find myself wanting to call my mom about something, whether it’s something my kids did or something I’m going through. I miss being able to do that. But at the same time, she taught me a lot. I try to live in a way that would make her proud.“ Of course, anyone who k

With today’s technology, it’s easier than ever to conduct business on the fly. We are no longer tied or limited by location. Folks can fire off a round of emails, schedule important meetings and design compelling social media posts, all from a handheld device. Technology has provided a plethora of benefits that have made life easier. At the same time, having an abundance of technology can be a hindrance - especially in the workplace, where face-to-face connection is dwindling

“Can millennials learn to love orange juice?” questions a recent Washington Post headline. “Why Millennials Need to Save Twice as Much as Boomers Did,” declares another from Money Magazine. A new study or article on millennials is published virtually every day. It’s clear everyone has an opinion about them, but how will millennials impact us here in Montana? The need for millennials in Montana is paramount, especially since they are on track to become the largest workforce in

No matter how much I champion work/life balance, I’m not the best at executing it myself. If I’m not working, I love thinking about work and this has morphed into a round-the-clock pattern for me. However, the more Big Sky Public Relations grows, and the more complex our schedule and plans, the clearer it becomes that I simply cannot do without fun. I’m slowly learning that to be my best, I must make time for undivided play – even on the busiest days. This week was packed wit

I caught the public relations bug my sophomore year of college. Or maybe it was my freshman year? I’m not sure, it seems so long ago. The fact is – I was bitten and I was smitten. My love of PR has taken me to some pretty amazing places. When I was in college, I had the privilege of working with GLAAD as their Media Awards Intern. Through that internship, I learned how to work with talent, put on a red carpet event and interact with the media. I also learned what it is like t

Returning home to the state I love to build a business in public relations was a risky move – far from the traditional path for our industry. However, a pioneering spirit and love for Montana are my heritage (my mother’s family homesteaded the Lower Valley five generations ago). I could think of no better place than Big Sky Country to blaze a trail and pursue my passion. Six years after returning to Montana, and just three years after launching the “local edition” of Big Sky

Ready to have some fun! Share your story! Cool Works, the premier online board for seasonal jobs in great places, announced today the launch of their “See Yourself Here” Video Contest. The contest begins Monday, December 1 and concludes Monday, December 22. The contest will celebrate Cool Works’ 20-year anniversary and the thousands of lives changed by working jobs in adventure destinations across the nation. Contestants are encouraged to submit an original 15 to 60 second vi