PR Association to Hear Presentation on How to Handle Viral Videos

Ben Tobias
Image: Courtesy Su Byron
Ben Tobias, a public information officer with the Gainesville Police Department, will speak at a luncheon hosted by the Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16. Tobias' talk is titled "You Went Viral! Now What Do You Do?" In 2016, Tobias posted a police dashcam video of a Gainesville police officer responding to a noise complaint about kids playing in the street. Instead of berating the children, the officer joined them in a game of basketball. The story gained attention again when the officer returned for a rematch with the kids and brought along former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal. The luncheon will take place at Dattoli Cancer Center, 2803 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. Tickets are $25 for Public Relations Association members and $35 for non-members.