All About Reddit

Written By Alicia Vial

Reddit is a vast online community where millions of users come together to share content, discuss ideas and engage in everything from niche hobbies to global events. With its unique blend of forums, memes and famous “Ask Me Anything Sessions”, Reddit is transforming how users consume information.

Reddit is a social media platform and online community where users can share content, engage in discussions and vote on posts. You don’t have to have a profile page with personal details, you can simply open a login and start following communities. Reddit is made up of "subreddits," which are individual communities centered around specific topics, interests, or themes. For example, there is a New Orleans Reddit, New Orleans Food, Dogs, etc… 

Reddit like other social media pages has quickly become an easy source for users to find news and information; it can also be used for entertainment. Reddit is known for its diverse and niche communities, where users can find discussions on almost any topic imaginable. Reddit has profoundly shaped internet culture, serving as a crucible for memes, viral content and unique forms of engagement like AMAs (Ask Me Anything sessions). 

AMAs allow celebrities, experts and ordinary people with extraordinary experiences to interact directly with the Reddit community by answering questions in real-time. This format democratizes access to public figures and experts, breaking down the barriers that traditionally separate them from their audiences. Notable AMAs have included everyone from former U.S. President Barack Obama to astronauts, actors and even anonymous individuals with unique stories to tell. The candid and unfiltered nature of AMAs often leads to viral moments and headlines, further cementing Reddit’s role in shaping public discourse. 

While users can browse Reddit without an account, they will need one to participate in discussions, vote on posts and subscribe to subreddits. To create an account all you need is a phone number or email address. You can choose to customize your profile with your name and avatar or you can simply leave it anonymous.  The Reddit homepage displays a feed of popular posts from across the site or from the subreddits a user follows. You should use the search bar to find subreddits by searching for topics that interest you and then join them. These will start to show up in your feed or you can simply go to the subreddit list and click on them to read through posts.  

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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