1853 Communications, A Student Run PR Agency
1853 Communications is a student-run, nationally accredited public relations agency that runs its behind-the-scenes operations in Murphy Hall. This agency was created in 2020, by a group of ten students with intentions to build their resumes and also build the community around them. The current advisor for the agency is Even though the agency has started in the past couple of years, their clients include; ACCT Philly, For Pete’s Sake, and Donate Life Pennsylvania. This agency works in conjunction with Arcadia’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America. PRSSA is a society that has over 300 chapters nationwide, with almost 10,000 members. Jo Creollo, who is currently Co-director, stated in an article written in 2023 that 1853 communications were a “hidden gem” at Arcadia University.
Since the agency was created they have participated in a challenge created by the Gift of Life Donor Program. This challenge, titled the Students Save Lives Gift of Life College Challenge, encourages clubs, PRSSA chapters, and organizations to help raise awareness for organ donation. The goal of the challenge is to get individuals in your community to register to become an organ donor, this is done by informing them how helpful being an organ donor can be and the lives that can be saved if someone becomes an organ donor. In 2021, 1853 Communications participated in the Students Saves Lives challenges and came in second place.
However, 1853 Communications is back and looking for a first-place finish in 2024. They are participating in the challenge again with their motto “Food for thought, Let U-Knight to Save Lives”. They have hosted a series of “donor drives” to raise awareness for organ donation and to earn points that go towards their standing in the challenge. The entire challenge starts on February 14th and ends on April 23rd after the agency submits their write-up of the results.
In total, the agency ran six donor drives; the first donor drive was held on the Arcadia campus in the chat. At this donor drive, they handed out muffins and gave information for individuals to learn more about organ donation. This is the theme behind most of the donor drives that they hosted, they wanted to attract students on campus to come up and ask questions so they could spread awareness for organ donation.
One other piece from their portfolio was one from the fall of 2021 after the campus opened up after COVID-19. They were tasked with creating an awareness campaign for Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation. The agency also did a social media audit and offered recommendations for reaching college-aged students. The event they hosted for the campaign was a “break from the books” event. The community members at Arcadia were welcomed to food, Jackbox games, and prizes. This was also the year the agency won the Donor Drive Student Saves Lives challenge.
I had the opportunity to work with 1853 Communications this past spring semester as an account executive. This course can be added through Self Service, by adding CM120B Public Relations Practicum. This class has been one of the best I have taken in my four years of being in college. In my opinion, this class has the best experience you can get because it is all hands-on work and you are the one creating and designing the campaign that will be your work for that semester. Another cool feature that I enjoyed about this class was creating and hosting our events and “donor drives”. This allows students to get creative in their way and build a campaign the way they want it. As students, you are tasked with not only creating these events but also marketing them to your peers or the community around you. This helps you build connections with people at Arcadia while raising awareness for your campaign.
I think the experience you earn from this class is the biggest reason why I stuck with it for this semester. In my other class with the same professor, Chris Mullin. She would bring guest speakers, and some of them were Arcadia alumni who had the opportunity to work in 1853 Communications. All of them had expressed how their current jobs liked having 1853 Communications on their resume and the experience and work they did for the agency helped prepare them for what they would see later in their professional careers. Having 1853 Communications coming out of school is a great look for employment opportunities.
Written by Jake Cavanaugh
Edited by Liv Poley
Photos found by Megan Klose
