Always optimistic, Laura makes lemonade when handed lemons. So she launched Laura Bishop Communications in 2011, brought together a talented and fun team, and has been making the BEST lemonade ever since!
How Laura Got Here Laura cut her teeth with one of the most successful agencies in southern New Jersey – gaining tons of experience, and honing her craft. After a few years she decided to work as a sole practitioner in public relations and communications to spend more time with her young children. She developed a highly successful practice that operated for more than 16 years. Balancing being a mom and a public relations guru – attending PTA meetings and school activities – Laura began to see a huge need for communications in the field of education. She has extensive experience in working with public school districts, private and charter schools, as well as professional organizations in education.
Talents and Expertise Laura has leveraged her public relations and communications expertise, along with that education experience to include school bond referenda communications and get-out-the-vote campaigns. But that’s definitely not Laura’s only oar in the water. She also has planned and executed community and media relations campaigns related to environmental issues. Now, with Laura Bishop Communications, her array of industry segments has grown and expanded to include non-profits, banking, insurance, social services, food service, energy, and legal. Highly regarded by clients and colleagues for her strategic thinking, creative approach, and responsiveness, Laura also is experienced in: * Media relations * Community relations/constituent building * Communications campaign development and implementation * Strategic communications planning * Issues management and crisis communications strategy and counsel * Board development, recruitment, and planning * Collateral materials production * Speech writing
Her Favorite Projects Throughout her career, Laura has planned and implemented successful national and regional media relations campaigns and special events – too many to name, but she does have some favorites: * Rutgers Food Innovation Center Launch * Berries, Bogs and Beyond Tour for Ocean Spray Cranberries
Other Stuff Laura Does It’s not all work for Laura! She is active in non-profit and professional organizations. She is the former President and current member of the New Jersey School Public Relations Association (NJSPRA). She also is a member of the Board of Directors, American Red Cross, Southwestern NJ Chapter, and a member of the Rowan College of Communications and Creative Arts Advisory Board. Laura is the former President and current board member of the Rancocas Conservancy, a land trust that has preserved nearly 2,000 acres in the Rancocas Creek Watershed in Burlington County, New Jersey. She also is the President-elect (2018-2019) of the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials' Associate Business Member Committee, which aims to be good business partners to the state’s school business administrators.
Fun Stuff She also is an avid Pilates practitioner, loves to bake and cook, enjoys tennis and running. Defying all odds in the southern New Jersey area, she insists on being a passionate Pittsburgh fan! She loves the Steelers, Pens, Pirates! But, she was born in Pittsburgh! Today, she lives in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Education Laura spent her university days at Cook College at Rutgers University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a concentration in environmental studies.