Member Spotlight: Phillip Nicolino
PRSA Iowa member Phillip Nicolino is Public Relations Strategist, Global Communications at Principal Financial Group. He recently completed his APR.
Learn more about him, his career and the process of completing the APR in this month’s member spotlight.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m an Iowa native who is happily married with two kids, a 9-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter. I graduated from Simpson College, where I played soccer, met my wife and proudly boast winning the Intramural Cup Championship my senior year. I’m a passionate fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and most Chicago sports teams (Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls and Cubs). Pearl Jam is my favorite band, and my favorite food is Italian – especially if from any of the local Italian restaurants on the southside of Des Moines.
What has your career path looked like? What is your current role?
My career in communications somewhat started in high school when I was appointed editor-in-chief of the school newspaper my senior year. However, I started earning a living 20 years ago as a sports journalist. In 2007, I transitioned to the business sector and spent nine years working in communications and marketing roles for two prominent trade associations in Iowa. I made another transition in 2015 to Corporate America, working in the communications department at DuPont Pioneer prior to leading all communications and brand marketing at The Weitz Company. At the beginning of 2020, I left The Weitz Company to join Principal, where I’m currently a communications strategist specializing in public relations for its global asset management business.
Why did you decide to pursue your APR? What is the best thing that has come from that experience?
When I started my journey to become accredited, I was working at Weitz as a one-person department with ambitions to prove I could further elevate communications as a strategic driver of business success. Earning the APR became a pathway to growing my knowledge base, developing more confidence in my strategic thinking and increasing my leadership potential.
I remember one of the more valuable parts of my journey was learning how to properly define goals, objectives and strategies when writing a PR plan. But the most profound part of my accreditation experience was the bond I formed with my study group that consisted of Abby Delaney, Debbie McClung and Andy Hewitt. We met nearly every week for at least a year to help each other achieve our goals, and the friendships we now share are just as valuable as having my APR.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Mistakes can and will happen. Learn from them so you don’t repeat them.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I play soccer, run and bike when I’m not coaching my son and daughter or cheering for them as their biggest fan. I also enjoy traveling with my wife. And I rarely pass up the opportunity to watch a good movie or connect with friends over some food and beverages.
