Eagle PR visited Gooden Groups office to learn build industry connections

Oklahoma Christian University's student-run public relations firm, Eagle PR, had the opportunity to visit a local PR firm, Gooden Group, in February. The students were able to hear about different positions, opportunities and roles within the Edmond agency. The students who visited were Sofia Benavides, Ciana Fryar, Zani Fuller, Stephanie Heredia, Trinity Langan, Lynker Migure, Sophie Mae Smith, Hope Tugman and Sydney Turner.

Gooden is a comprehensive Public Relations firm focused on its clients' success. The agency were founded in 1985 by Brent and Valarie Gooden, beginning with a landline phone, typewriter and a decade of public relations experience in aerospace and aviation. In 2017, Gooden added Tristan Shutt and Katy Gustafson to their team as principals.

During the visit, Eagle PR heard from Senior Account Director and OC alumna Katy Fabrie. She discussed the career paths Gooden offers, explaining the large-scale projects and events she and her team have been able to work on. She also discussed the opportunities students have as interns. Because Gooden is a comprehensive PR firm, the company offers interns a wide variety of opportunities to learn several aspects of the industry.

Associate Professor of Communication Josh Watson advises Eagle PR, and brought the students to the Gooden offices. 

"The Gooden Group is such a highly respected PR agency in the region, and its growth and awards under Tristan Shutt and OC PR alumna Katy Gustafson have been incredibly impressive,” he said. “Having an award-winning and fast-growing agency with multiple alumni working so close to OC is a great benefit to our students."

Ciana Fryar serves as a co-director for Eagle PR. She discussed how she learned about new opportunities within the industry that Gooden offers.

“It was really nice being able to step into a PR Firm and see what they do and work on,” she said. “Their team was really sweet and answered all of the questions that we had. I also really appreciated the fact that so many members of their team took the time to either speak to us and introduce themselves. It was really easy to tell that the team was passionate and cared about what they did.”

Co-Director of Eagle PR Sydney Turner was interested in learning more about the hospitality and events opportunities within the firm. 

“I have dreamed of going into events and hospitality since I was in high school,” Turner said. “Hearing that this is an internship opportunity so close to campus makes me excited to continue pursuing my dreams in this field.”

The Eagle PR students also met OC PR alumna Kelly Redd at Gooden. She joined the company in a full-time role following graduation and after interning there her senior year. Before that, she was a key leader in Eagle PR at OC. 

Just last year, the Gooden Group received the highest honor with a Best of Show award from the Public Relations Society of America Oklahoma City chapter’s Upper Case Awards for the company’s work with client PayCom. To learn more about the Gooden Group, visit www.goodengroup.com.